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***Official 2024 Chicago Cubs Thread***

MLB Trade Rumors has come out with their FA predictions. I generally don't put much weight into this stuff but it was this site that I first saw connecting the Cubs to Shota Imanaga.

Four writers had predictions - here's what they had with connection to the Cubs:

FA #6 - Max Fried - 3 of the 4 predicted this. Also a popular Bleacher Nation name. Would be interesting to have 3 LH SP.

FA#10 - Sean Manaea - The guy who didn't predict Fried predicted this

FA #30 - Danny Jensen - 2 of the 4

FA #34 - AJ Minter - 1 of the 4

I believe the Max Fried connection has to do with he and Dansby being buddies. My prediction is we don't get any of those 4.
 
BigJCy said:
Maybe I just missed it but didn't realize Hoerner had surgery on his right arm flexor tendon and may not be ready for Opening Day.
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According to Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, the Cubs knew throughout the season something was wrong with Hoerner as he didn't seem to put everything on his throws in situations he typically would. It was after the season they decided to look deeper into it, and discovered he needed this surgery on October 13.

It's already been discussed in here, but
  • Stroman has an oblique issue and 5 weeks later its discovered he has a broken rib.
  • Dansby plays 2 months of baseball with an injured leg and is worthless the entire time he plays instead of letting it heal
  • Hoerner sits 8 days instead of taking a 10 day IL stint
  • Alzolay getting Tommy John after having discomfort for 10 months, which effectively takes him out for 2.5 seasons
  • Lopez flirts with an IL stint, ultimately doesn't go on IL. Finally comes back after sitting 6 days, gets blown up for 4 runs and is the sole reason the Cubs lose a game, goes to the IL immediately after.
It really isn't rocket science. If you thought something was wrong, Hoerner's ass should've been pulled the minute we were out of the playoffs, he should've been checked out. You get Shaw experience in otherwise pointless games, and Hoerner being ready for Opening Day isn't a question.

How people aren't fired over this **** is just astounding.
 
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TheCaptain said:
Opinions on acquiring Max Fried? Depends on price for me.
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I don't see the FO writing the check needed to sign Burnes so Fried would be my preferred target. Will depend on the market probably but after Burnes and Fried are there any other SP that really stand out as the next targets? Snell is a guy you sign if you are built to win now which the Cubs are not at the moment. Flaherty and Manaea are probably comparable to Taillon. Will be interesting if any top end SP are made available on the trade market as the Cubs have the prospect depth to be players in a trade for one just like they could for a big bat in the same way too.
 
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ISUCubswin said:
Some people are overthinking Shaw. He SHOULD be on the Opening Day roster and he SHOULD be starting the majority of games. I'll do you one better, you can do it while adding a serious impact bat. It really just takes one move that'll be sad but oh well - trading Hoerner and work on Busch at 2B.

You then...
1) Guarantee Shaw 2B the 20% of games we face LHP starters.
2) Guarantee Shaw 2B the 20% Bellinger is in the OF platooning moving Busch to 1B.
3) Guarantee Shaw 3B 10% of games Paredes gets a break
4) Guarantee Shaw SS the 5% of games Swanson gets a break

There's 55% right there with the assumption no one ever hits the IL. Once those stints hit, his PT will only improve.
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Sounds about right. Carve a significant role out for Shaw, but take some pressure off by not having him start game 1. Although if Hoerner isn't ready when the season starts, either Shaw or Triantos will need to start. Being Shaw is 23- I would guess he is most ready for a big role to start the season.
 
TheCaptain said:
Opinions on acquiring Max Fried? Depends on price for me.
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Fried is probably in the price range the Cubs are looking to spend.

Another option but a bit risky could be Walker Buehler. Two TJ surgeries would be a concern on 4-5 year deal. But maybe the Cubs could propose a 3 year deal with an option for additional years.
 
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ISUCubswin said:
According to Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, the Cubs knew throughout the season something was wrong with Hoerner as he didn't seem to put everything on his throws in situations he typically would. It was after the season they decided to look deeper into it, and discovered he needed this surgery on October 13.

It's already been discussed in here, but
  • Stroman has an oblique issue and 5 weeks later its discovered he has a broken rib.
  • Dansby plays 2 months of baseball with an injured leg and is worthless the entire time he plays instead of letting it heal
  • Hoerner sits 8 days instead of taking a 10 day IL stint
  • Alzolay getting Tommy John after having discomfort for 10 months, which effectively takes him out for 2.5 seasons
  • Lopez flirts with an IL stint, ultimately doesn't go on IL. Finally comes back after sitting 6 days, gets blown up for 4 runs and is the sole reason the Cubs lose a game, goes to the IL immediately after.
It really isn't rocket science. If you thought something was wrong, Hoerner's ass should've been pulled the minute we were out of the playoffs, he should've been checked out. You get Shaw experience in otherwise pointless games, and Hoerner being ready for Opening Day isn't a question.

How people aren't fired over this **** is just astounding.
Click to expand...

I have a longterm suspicion that the Cubs staff is likely responsible for the collapse of our last core, since none of them can stay healthy at all after their time here.
 
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isucy86 said:
Sounds about right. Carve a significant role out for Shaw, but take some pressure off by not having him start game 1. Although if Hoerner isn't ready when the season starts, either Shaw or Triantos will need to start. Being Shaw is 23- I would guess he is most ready for a big role to start the season.
Click to expand...

Given how things have gone the past 2 years if they keep Mastrobouni around it would not shock me if that is their "fill in" option for Nico opening day. Or they do something stupid like tender Madrigal or resign Bote. Giving prospects opportunity like that isn't what they have done lately. Even took them awhile to trust PCA every day. I hope I'm wrong but I also would not be shocked we go that route and those 2 guys start in the minors unless 1 just absolutely tears it up in spring training.
 
TheCaptain said:
Opinions on acquiring Max Fried? Depends on price for me.
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I would take Fried but I'd rather exhaust the trade market first. See if the Mariners (Kirby) or Rays (Baz) have any interest in shopping their young, cheap pitchers for some young, cheap hitters so you can spend the money you would typically spend on Fried on an elite bat.

Or go vice versa. Trade for a cheap, elite bat and then go sign a FA pitcher.
 
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CYdTracked said:
Given how things have gone the past 2 years if they keep Mastrobouni around it would not shock me if that is their "fill in" option for Nico opening day. Or they do something stupid like tender Madrigal or resign Bote. Giving prospects opportunity like that isn't what they have done lately. Even took them awhile to trust PCA every day. I hope I'm wrong but I also would not be shocked we go that route and those 2 guys start in the minors unless 1 just absolutely tears it up in spring training.
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If Mastrobuoni is the Cubs solution if Nico is out to start the season, Cub fans can punt the 2025 season!

If FO have any concerns about Hoerner's availability and don't feel Shaw or Triantos are ready to start. Then they need to definitely target a FA infielder in the off-season. I would target a proven FA infielder regardless. With Vazquez, Shaw or Triantos as the Cubs 2nd utility infielder to start the season.

Since Hoerner was also the Cubs backup SS last year, makes sense if the Cubs targeted a FA middle-infielder that could start at 2B and fill in at SS. Guys like Kevin Newman and Amed Rosario would both be upgrades over Mastrobuoni and only cost a million or two more.
 
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ISUCubswin said:
I would take Fried but I'd rather exhaust the trade market first. See if the Mariners (Kirby) or Rays (Baz) have any interest in shopping their young, cheap pitchers for some young, cheap hitters so you can spend the money you would typically spend on Fried on an elite bat.

Or go vice versa. Trade for a cheap, elite bat and then go sign a FA pitcher.
Click to expand...
That should be fairly simple.
 
isucy86 said:
If Mastrobuoni is the Cubs solution if Nico is out to start the season, Cub fans can punt the 2025 season!

If FO have any concerns about Hoerner's availability and don't feel Shaw or Triantos are ready to start. Then they need to definitely target a FA infielder in the off-season. IMO I would target a proven FA infielder regardless. With Vazquez, Shaw or Triantos as the Cubs 2nd utility infielder to start the season.

Since Hoerner was also the Cubs backup SS last year, makes sense if the Cubs targeted a FA middle-infielder that could start at 2B and fill in at SS. Guys like Kevin Newman and Amed Rosario would both be upgrades over Mastrobuoni and only cost a million or two more.
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Shaw is ready for the 2025 season. The fact he didn’t get any time while Hoerner could’ve had surgery and worked on healing is just criminal.
 
Clonefan32 said:
That should be fairly simple.
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When I think elite, I'm thinking a bat I could trust in the 1-4 spot.

2024 - Juan Soto, Eugenio Suarez
2023 - Luis Arraez, Lourdes Gurriel, Dalton Varsho, Teoscar Hernandez

Guys I'm guessing get dealt this offseason that we would slot into that need:
Luis Robert Jr., Vladdy Jr.
 
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1UNI2ISU said:
Mervis, Mastrobuoni and Keegan Thompson should be good enough for Vladdy.
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Not that I'm predicting it to happen, but I don't think Vladdy will be that expensive. Soto is probably the closest comparison in recent history and he brought in 3 ****** pitchers, a 4th who was going to be transitioning into a SP but had no track record, and a backup catcher. And I think it wouldn't be off to suggest Vladdy will require less than Soto.
 
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ISUCubswin said:
Guys who can play multiple positions and play just about every day are not unicorns. Just look at the Dodgers roster.

Morel is just dog **** defensively - the Rays moved him to 2B and now are looking to move him to LF. Has little to do with how the Cubs developed him.
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There are so many players over the years where you ask the question of whether or not their development was botched or they just ran out of talent. Corey Patterson, Felix Pie, Mark Prior…I would even include Jason Heyward (though he wasn’t ours to start). Matt Murton…and what the heck happened to Kris Bryant and Javy Baez? It’s amazing to me that the player from 2016 who has perhaps had the best career is Schwarber (a player I loved but many including myself thought the Cubs should have perhaps moved on from earlier when there was no DH).
 
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