***Official 2023 Chicago Cubs Thread***

I was really hoping Ohtani was going to be that top of rotation starter…but sad for him/glad for us that we found out now.

Bellinger’s negotiations are going to be tough. You’re dealing with Boras, and he’s going to want to extend for longer than what we will want (and go higher obviously). He’ll obviously point to the numbers as justification (and the whole 5 tool player thing), but you have to at least be a little wary of signing another Heyward. The advanced metrics on Bellinger’s swing just really don’t look good.
Can't look at it that way. If you don't do everything possible to sign him you're ripping the heart out of the team.
 
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I see Shaw got promoted to AA already. Any chance he makes the opening day roster in 2024? He looks like a Hoerner clone with more power—-not sure he can play 3B though.
 
I see Shaw got promoted to AA already. Any chance he makes the opening day roster in 2024? He looks like a Hoerner clone with more power—-not sure he can play 3B though.
I’d say definitely a chance, but I’m going to guess they’re going to wait until mid-year to call him up. They haven’t tried him at third yet, and I don’t see them moving Hoerner there
 
Since it’s an off day, figured I’d throw this conversation starter out there and hear some opinions. I’ll be back later today to express mine.

Speculation is that the Cubs and Brewers were the most interested in Alonso at the deadline and that Alonso may be on the block this off-season. Things to note

- He will be entering his last year on his contract and likely will be between $16-18 million.

- The Mets are paying for large chunks of Verlander and Scherzers contracts to get better prospects in those trades

Question:

Would you give up 3 top 10 prospects this off-season for 1 year of Pete Alonso?
 
Since it’s an off day, figured I’d throw this conversation starter out there and hear some opinions. I’ll be back later today to express mine.

Speculation is that the Cubs and Brewers were the most interested in Alonso at the deadline and that Alonso may be on the block this off-season. Things to note

- He will be entering his last year on his contract and likely will be between $16-18 million.

- The Mets are paying for large chunks of Verlander and Scherzers contracts to get better prospects in those trades

Question:

Would you give up 3 top 10 prospects this off-season for 1 year of Pete Alonso?
It would be hard for me to do it for a year. Now a sign/trade, yes.
 
Question:

Would you give up 3 top 10 prospects this off-season for 1 year of Pete Alonso?

No. Especially if the Cubs resign Bellinger I would assume if PCA is the real deal Belli will be playing a lot of 1B. I get the dude is a 40+ HR potential guy but just looking at the Cubs current top 10 prospects and let's say PCA, Horton, and Shaw are off limits is it really worth losing 3 from a group like this for 1 year of a guy you likely won't resign?

Casissie
Alcantara
Ben Brown
Ballesteros
Ferris
Tristantos
Wicks

The way Canario is playing right now he's going to be moving up from 14 to top 10 real soon too. Let's say they miss out on Bellinger in free agency, still have Mervis in the system and McGeary moving up to AA now too. If we are going to trade from top guys in the system 3B is where I would target an upgrade TBH. There could be some options on the free agent market at 1B too depending on whose options get exercised.
 
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Since it’s an off day, figured I’d throw this conversation starter out there and hear some opinions. I’ll be back later today to express mine.

Speculation is that the Cubs and Brewers were the most interested in Alonso at the deadline and that Alonso may be on the block this off-season. Things to note

- He will be entering his last year on his contract and likely will be between $16-18 million.

- The Mets are paying for large chunks of Verlander and Scherzers contracts to get better prospects in those trades

Question:

Would you give up 3 top 10 prospects this off-season for 1 year of Pete Alonso?
First, with PCA on the verge I don't think you make that trade unless you miss on Bellinger.

3 top 10s would be too much for me to make that trade but I could see Mervis and say Canario plus a lower level pitcher.

Mervis because you get Alonso and Canario because he's blocked by Happ and Suzuki. You'd still have Davis who we know is good but still rehabbing plus Cassie and the Jaguar who still need some time to mature.
 
Since it’s an off day, figured I’d throw this conversation starter out there and hear some opinions. I’ll be back later today to express mine.

Speculation is that the Cubs and Brewers were the most interested in Alonso at the deadline and that Alonso may be on the block this off-season. Things to note

- He will be entering his last year on his contract and likely will be between $16-18 million.

- The Mets are paying for large chunks of Verlander and Scherzers contracts to get better prospects in those trades

Question:

Would you give up 3 top 10 prospects this off-season for 1 year of Pete Alonso?
Depends on Bellinger. If he's re-signed, no but if he's gone I think about it.

Is Triantos, Ballesteros, Brown and a lottery ticket enough assuming the Mets are going to buy prospects? I think that's a group that I could get behind moving for a proven middle of the order bat. For me the untouchables are PCA, Horton, Ferris, Shaw and Rojas. I LOVE Caissie but there's a real chance he's a DH only guy.
 
Since it’s an off day, figured I’d throw this conversation starter out there and hear some opinions. I’ll be back later today to express mine.

Speculation is that the Cubs and Brewers were the most interested in Alonso at the deadline and that Alonso may be on the block this off-season. Things to note

- He will be entering his last year on his contract and likely will be between $16-18 million.

- The Mets are paying for large chunks of Verlander and Scherzers contracts to get better prospects in those trades

Question:

Would you give up 3 top 10 prospects this off-season for 1 year of Pete Alonso?

The only time I'd favor trading top prospects for a player <=1 year is if the Cubs were in the window of a World Series caliber of a team. I don't think this year's team is there yet.
 
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Since it’s an off day, figured I’d throw this conversation starter out there and hear some opinions. I’ll be back later today to express mine.

Speculation is that the Cubs and Brewers were the most interested in Alonso at the deadline and that Alonso may be on the block this off-season. Things to note

- He will be entering his last year on his contract and likely will be between $16-18 million.

- The Mets are paying for large chunks of Verlander and Scherzers contracts to get better prospects in those trades

Question:

Would you give up 3 top 10 prospects this off-season for 1 year of Pete Alonso?

Hell no.
 
Since it’s an off day, figured I’d throw this conversation starter out there and hear some opinions. I’ll be back later today to express mine.

Speculation is that the Cubs and Brewers were the most interested in Alonso at the deadline and that Alonso may be on the block this off-season. Things to note

- He will be entering his last year on his contract and likely will be between $16-18 million.

- The Mets are paying for large chunks of Verlander and Scherzers contracts to get better prospects in those trades

Question:

Would you give up 3 top 10 prospects this off-season for 1 year of Pete Alonso?

Not for one season. I will say, however, that I'm all for parting with a few guys (non-pitcher) to get another power bat this offseason. We have some quality guys with sevearl years left, and hope we can sign Belli. There just isn't going to be enough room for some of these prospects, and you may as well fill a need at DH.
 
The only time I'd favor trading top prospects for a player <=1 year is if the Cubs were in the window of a World Series caliber of a team. I don't think this year's team is there yet.

Especially when you have the two best teams in baseball in your league (Braves and Dodgers).

Cubs need 1-2 more impact bats, a top-line starter, 1 solid backend starter, and a LOT more bullpen quality/consistency.

At best, at least based on logic and history, half to 2/3 will come from within. It's possible the Cubs become contenders next year but not to the point where you feel like they are to make an over the top move and one that's a 1 year deal and compromises your ability to build from within.

The Cubs should not be trading young capital prematurely and recent history shows that's really not the path to success. The Dodgers, the Braves, us, the Red Sox, Astros, etc all built from within, with timely FA acquisitions and or trades that made sense.

The Cubs need to have a consistent pipeline that produces MLB talent while fielding an on-the-cusp championship team before even considering such trades. They arent there yet.
 
Especially when you have the two best teams in baseball in your league (Braves and Dodgers).

Cubs need 1-2 more impact bats, a top-line starter, 1 solid backend starter, and a LOT more bullpen quality/consistency.

At best, at least based on logic and history, half to 2/3 will come from within. It's possible the Cubs become contenders next year but not to the point where you feel like they are to make an over the top move and one that's a 1 year deal and compromises your ability to build from within.

The Cubs should not be trading young capital prematurely and recent history shows that's really not the path to success. The Dodgers, the Braves, us, the Red Sox, Astros, etc all built from within, with timely FA acquisitions and or trades that made sense.

The Cubs need to have a consistent pipeline that produces MLB talent while fielding an on-the-cusp championship team before even considering such trades. They arent there yet.
Agree, I'd rather overspend a bit for Bellinger if necessary and keep the prospects.
 
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Can't look at it that way. If you don't do everything possible to sign him you're ripping the heart out of the team.
I’m not saying you don’t sign him, but I would assume Boras will look at Yelich as a reasonable comp…except Yelich reportedly gave Milwaukee about a $30 million discount. Not to mention inflation and that he’ll probably try to get an extra year…I would assume Boras will look to get around 8 years for $260 million. Be curious if there’s disagreement…and if one year “back” would justify that with again the advanced metrics being what they are.
 
I think he's going to get 7 or 8 years and will be at
I’m not saying you don’t sign him, but I would assume Boras will look at Yelich as a reasonable comp…except Yelich reportedly gave Milwaukee about a $30 million discount. Not to mention inflation and that he’ll probably try to get an extra year…I would assume Boras will look to get around 8 years for $260 million. Be curious if there’s disagreement…and if one year “back” would justify that with again the advanced metrics being what they are.
at least 30 mil per.
 
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Another question for the off day: what roster moves do you think the Cubs make tomorrow when rosters expand to 28?

With the doubleheader coming up surely another pitcher of some type whether that is a starter or a guy that can go multiple innings of relief will need to be added. I keep seeing Shane Greene's name popping up but he can't be optioned back if he is added to the 40 man so do they just make the move and waive him afterwards?

Guys that likely will get a call up now or eventually could include Mervis PCA Canario and seeing PJ Higgins name mentioned if they want to go 3rd catcher route and Luke Little makes a lot of sense as a lefty reliever. Also do they send Wisdom and/or Mastroboni down to Iowa to free up an additional spot for one of these guys in Iowa right now that is hot at the plate? Have a feeling the moves they make tomorrow will just be the start of some shuffling of pieces to help down the stretch.
 
Another question for the off day: what roster moves do you think the Cubs make tomorrow when rosters expand to 28?

With the doubleheader coming up surely another pitcher of some type whether that is a starter or a guy that can go multiple innings of relief will need to be added. I keep seeing Shane Greene's name popping up but he can't be optioned back if he is added to the 40 man so do they just make the move and waive him afterwards?

Guys that likely will get a call up now or eventually could include Mervis PCA Canario and seeing PJ Higgins name mentioned if they want to go 3rd catcher route and Luke Little makes a lot of sense as a lefty reliever. Also do they send Wisdom and/or Mastroboni down to Iowa to free up an additional spot for one of these guys in Iowa right now that is hot at the plate? Have a feeling the moves they make tomorrow will just be the start of some shuffling of pieces to help down the stretch.
You can always keep Greene and option someone like Anthony Kay back to Iowa. That being said, I'm not too worried if we have to lose Shane Greene. If he gets us a win thats more than I would have ever hoped for.