***Official 2024 Chicago Cubs Thread***
- Thread starter CycloneErik
- Start date
Pretty much shows they wanted no part of him picking up his option. So you essentially pay the buyout there would have been and get a flier on a potentially decent arm. Now you need to figure out a trade for another starter, grab 1-2 proven bullpen guys, and see what else might fall your way for bats.
The adds of Boyd and Poteet are curious as Cubs starting rotation going into off-season seemed to primarily need a #1. Wonder if that means Cubs are considering a 6 man rotation?
Does that help Cubs add Sasaki and address concerns about Imanaga's load.
Does that help Cubs add Sasaki and address concerns about Imanaga's load.
Being optimistic but I think today increases the likelihood of a competitive offer to Sasaki.
Meaning what? Whoever gets him has to sell him on the team/city/vision. Money doesn’t really matter because he can only sign for IFA pool dollars, not traditional free agent contract. So I’m certain the Cubs are giving him their best possible pitch and dollars are going to be comparable for any team given the IFA limits.
Does he want to be a cub is the question!
We as fans obviously over-valued Bellinger's market if this was the best return we could get. An obvious salary dump at this point. I'm not expecting much out of Poteet, he's already 30 with just 83 MLB innings the past 4 years, sat out 2023 after tommy john surgery but he's a reclamation project that has options and is cheap which is Jed's thing.
David Kaplan was on KXNO when the news broke. Sounds like the Cubs are still shopping for a front line starter and this was the domino that had to fall to be able to afford someone like Castillo or Luzardo. He also mentioned it sounds like they think Matt Shaw is ready for 3B but will still sign a cheap veteran as insurance and he mentioned Moncada as a possible guy that would fit that description. That name doesn't excite me but it's unlikely they will spend on Bregman so there aren't many options at 3B really. Back to the SP options, is Sasaki a better option than Castillo or Luzardo? He would obviously cost less and not cost us prospect capital but we have enough prospect depth my preference is to acquire Castillo who is a proven top end of the rotation guy already that can eat innings.
It would seem like we are done adding bats to the lineup although could still do that at 2B or 3B with the right move and have Shaw play the other spot. If Caissie is not dealt in a deal for a pitcher he probably is competing for the last OF spot on the roster with Canario if he isn't traded before the start of the season. Canario is out of options so either so if he is still with the team by ST they probably give him a chance to earn a spot or at least play well enough they can get something for him in a trade if they want to go with Caissie out of ST. Still a little OF heavy with prospects with Alcantara in the mix too so feels like at least 1 of the 3 is going to be on the move at some point.
David Kaplan was on KXNO when the news broke. Sounds like the Cubs are still shopping for a front line starter and this was the domino that had to fall to be able to afford someone like Castillo or Luzardo. He also mentioned it sounds like they think Matt Shaw is ready for 3B but will still sign a cheap veteran as insurance and he mentioned Moncada as a possible guy that would fit that description. That name doesn't excite me but it's unlikely they will spend on Bregman so there aren't many options at 3B really. Back to the SP options, is Sasaki a better option than Castillo or Luzardo? He would obviously cost less and not cost us prospect capital but we have enough prospect depth my preference is to acquire Castillo who is a proven top end of the rotation guy already that can eat innings.
It would seem like we are done adding bats to the lineup although could still do that at 2B or 3B with the right move and have Shaw play the other spot. If Caissie is not dealt in a deal for a pitcher he probably is competing for the last OF spot on the roster with Canario if he isn't traded before the start of the season. Canario is out of options so either so if he is still with the team by ST they probably give him a chance to earn a spot or at least play well enough they can get something for him in a trade if they want to go with Caissie out of ST. Still a little OF heavy with prospects with Alcantara in the mix too so feels like at least 1 of the 3 is going to be on the move at some point.
Sasaki is hands down better than Castillo for a multitude of reasons and it’s not even remotely close. But the odds of him signing with the Cubs are slim to none.
They finished off their 2024 money with a couple signings. Guessing they’ll offer every dollar they can to sign him. One man class but he’s major league ready so why not? How many major leaguers to we normally get per class? One? Maybe two on a good year.?
Exactly, you’d gladly skip a whole class for him. And the difference between largest and smallest IFA pool is <$3.5 mil and of that, the teams with the most likely aren’t options really. So you’re talking about ~$2mil or so difference in offers. It’s something, but pretty other factors are going to be significantly more important for him. It’s a long term play to come to the states so early
With all the focus on pitcher arm health, do the Cubs move to a 6 man rotation?
It's my understanding that is the norm in Japan, so it might be attractive to Sasaki. A rotation of: Steele, Imanaga, Taillon, Saski, Boyd and (Assad or Wicks or Killian or Brown). That still leaves a 2-3 multi-inning arms for the bullpen .
Would love if the Cubs added Tanner Scott. He has the best multi-season results of FA relievers. I'd be nervous about FA relievers with 1 great year. And IMO a great reliever needs to have ERA below 2.5. His only negative is high walk rate, but he makes up for in K rate and whiff rate.
Also saw this article on PCA on baseball savant. Fun read.
"Let’s not ignore teams not on the West Coast entirely. There are some who think the Cubs are serious players here, and after acquiring Kyle Tucker from the Astros, they clearly are thinking they can contend in the wide open NL Central. Plus they currently have Shota Imanaga in the rotation and Seiya Suzuki in the lineup."
www.mlb.com
Who will sign Sasaki? 2 division rivals appear to have big edge
Ever since Roki Sasaki's agent, Joel Wolfe, met with the media at the Winter Meetings, there’s been speculation about which team might be the best fit to land the prized right-hander, who was recently posted by his Japanese team, the Chiba Lotte Marines. As one executive put it when asked
www.mlb.com
Interesting that no FA 1B have signed. If Santa was nice to me he'd make sure the following signings happen:
Those moves would allow Shaw to open season at 3B and be in a low pressure situation with so many established bats around him. Also feel Cubs should give Busch expanded spring training innings at 3B, in case Shaw struggles or Workman doesn't pan out as a utility guy.
That would allow me to focus 100% on Cyclone Hoops for Jan/Feb!!
- Tanner Scott - Closer
- Walker Buehler - Starter. A little risky, but young and if his arm is right, he's elite. Plus, a guy name Buehler needs to be on the Cubs!!
- Christian Walker - 1B, DH (Maybe a guy like Goldschmidt or Bell if Walker too expensive).
Those moves would allow Shaw to open season at 3B and be in a low pressure situation with so many established bats around him. Also feel Cubs should give Busch expanded spring training innings at 3B, in case Shaw struggles or Workman doesn't pan out as a utility guy.
That would allow me to focus 100% on Cyclone Hoops for Jan/Feb!!
