Disagree with a lot of the takes in here... I understand the frustration of not making many moves, but no way have the cubs made any *bad* moves. Lets be patient. I'm fine with not spending big on a bullpen. They are volatile and you can always add a hot hand at the trade deadline. Cheap depth signings are fine for now. Monty and Morrow should be back there. Also, I can't believe people actually wanted DJL on the cubs. Good dude for sure but it seems like some sort of fascination with him because he came through the Cubs system. His road splits last year away from Coors are TERRIBLE. Look them up. I personally don't want Russell on the cubs. He sucks and it would be a distraction. I think its easier to trade him now that he has his salary for 2019 settled (cheaper than expected). The cubs were never going to extend hamels for 4 years like some suggested. That is ridiculous. I would've been fine with 2 years maybe but I have no problem with the $20 mill this year. Joe Maddon does not deserve to be fired and things are not nearly as bad as some are acting like in this thread. I'm fine with keeping schwarber and Happ. Almora can go but he has almost no trade value so its pointless because he is so cheap. Its harder to trade Heyward/Chatwood contracts than some think. Cubs would have to attach cheap MLB guys and eat money, while getting nothing in return. What would those two draw on the Free Agent market right now? Whats the difference between that figure and what the cubs owe them?
I change my mind all the time on Harper/Machado. Is it best in the long run? Can it get us over the hump? Huge questions but I'm content either way. Fans crying about only spending 230(ish) million this year on twitter are annoying. I would be pissed af if this core doesn't win another ring. But damn this fan base has gotten spoiled.
Descalso is a much more valuable player than TLS. Much better fielder, more power, and a solid veteran. He is not going to start everyday, but he will play more than TLS. After TLS got his arbitration money, they are very similar in cost. Tommy was a solid PH. If he were an everyday player he would be half the hitter. Theres a reason he hardly played the field.. he's a defensive liability.
2018 comparison:
Descalso: In 349 ABs, he hit .238/.353/.463 with 13 Hrs 57 RBI WAR: 1
TLS: In 169 ABS, he hit .266/.340/.331 with 1 HR 19 RBI WAR: .1
Ultimately for 2019 it comes down to staying healthy. A 100% healthy KB alone makes a huge difference. Javy, Zo, and Lester will probably regress a bit. Contreras, Happ, Schwarbs, Almora will probably be a bit more productive. Yu and Morrow will hopefully be a lot more productive lol. Will the Brewers stay completely healthy for a second year straight? They just played an extra month in the postseason. The cards are taking a risk with Goldy on a one year deal. Andrew Miller is a risky deal. Baseball is a very random game, and its so hard to predict. The Cubs are still the most talented team in the division and SHOULD be the hungriest after last year.