***Official 2024 Chicago Cubs Thread***

[CYdTracked]

Interesting that no FA 1B have signed. If Santa was nice to me he'd make sure the following signings happen:

1. Tanner Scott - Closer
2. 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!!
3. Christian Walker - 1B, DH (Maybe a guy like Goldschmidt or Bell if Walker too expensive).

#3 would be a bonus, especially Walker. But Cubs might be able to accomplish about same goal if they could transition a share of Happ or Suzuki's innings to 1B. It would also open up OF at-bats for Caissie or Alcantara or Canario.

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!!

Buehler seems to fit the type of guy Jed likes to sign, reclamation/rehab project on possibly a short under the market value contract. If he's healthy I would not be against a 1 year prove it deal or even a deal with some kind of option year to it. He was pretty good from 2018-2021 Results last year in 16 starts were not that great but he did start 3 games in the playoffs and 1 relief appearance going 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA and a pretty respectably WHIP of 1.13.

Still would like to see what they can find on the trade market for an established top half of the rotation starter before settling for some of the lower tier types left. At that point the in house options for 5th starter may be better than some of what would be left on the free agent market at that price. Doubt they spend on Burnes, Flaherty could be a possibility. If you want an interesting 1 year type of guy Scherzer is still out there, he's old but you could do worse for a 5th starter.

 

[CYdTracked]

Yep.

Enough time has passed, I'm good with it. He probably was taking something like all the big sluggers were during his era but he never got caught with a positive test. The corked bat incident was pretty dumb of him though as was walking out on the team the last day of the season but he's still a Cubs icon regardless. Legacy a little tainted for sure but anyone that remember the home run race of 1998 between him and McGwire knows that was one of the most exciting moments in the history of baseball.

 

[BMWallace]

Enough time has passed, I'm good with it. He probably was taking something like all the big sluggers were during his era but he never got caught with a positive test. The corked bat incident was pretty dumb of him though as was walking out on the team the last day of the season but he's still a Cubs icon regardless. Legacy a little tainted for sure but anyone that remember the home run race of 1998 between him and McGwire knows that was one of the most exciting moments in the history of baseball.

I was 7 for the Summer of Slam, and that is the year I got indoctrinated as a Cubs fan. There was something magical about that race to 62.

 

[CYdTracked]

I graduated HS in 98 and it was almost must see TV if the Cubs were on. TV would even cut in live to show their AB when they got close.

 

[TheCaptain]

Welcome back Sammy. You da man.

 

[ISUCubswin]

While I have slim hopes he will be a Cub, I believe the Cubs are wanting to pitch a guarantee that Sasaki will have 5 days rest, similar to Imanaga, which would also be beneficial to a guy like Luzardo and Boyd.

I do not believe the Luzardo deal is dead, but more on hold. Triantos was the center piece for the Cubs, Cubs did not love Luzardos medicals, and Cubs want to lower their offer.

 

[ISUCubswin]

I believe the Cubs still have $35-40 MM to spend. Unless Ricketts gives Jed a generous gift for Christmas, Jed’s budget is $10-15 MM below the $241 luxury tax.

My moves with that type of budget

Luzardo ($6 MM)
Scott ($15 MM)
Yates ($14 MM)
Moncada ($Min)

Pray for Sasaki who gives you a very high upside, high risk, but good depth starting rotation. If Sasaki goes elsewhere, I’m calling around seeing what kind of pre-arb SP I can get for Alcantara and Wicks.

 

[BigJCy]

 

[Cyforce]

Cubs looking at Bechette.

cannot be Shaw. But you know that’s what they’ll want.

 

[CYdTracked]

Officially Official: The Cubs Were Over the Luxury Tax in 2024

The Cubs went over the luxury tax in 2024 by just a little bit.

www.bleachernation.com

This is just embarrassing, miss the playoffs and over by about $3 mil in payroll for the luxury tax. Jed just needed to get rid of 1 contract to get under that and they had some affordable guys that probably could have got them under that. Some of the reclamation projects he picked up on waivers put them over this too.

 

[ISUCubswin]

Only new-ish smoke I’ve seen today is smoke developing around Walker Buehler.

Not my favorite, but I could be ok with him on a 2 year deal with a player option and then adding an arm or two to the bullpen.

 

[CYdTracked]

Only new-ish smoke I’ve seen today is smoke developing around Walker Buehler.

Not my favorite, but I could be ok with him on a 2 year deal with a player option and then adding an arm or two to the bullpen.

BN had something about Suzuki and the Dodgers but I doubt there is anything too serious there. Unless he is the one wanting to be traded out of Chicago there really is no reason to trade him right now. I realize he doesn't want to be primarily a DH but damn learn how to catch a routine fly ball in RF and maybe it wouldn't be an issue. He's 3 seasons and 381 MLB games into his career, not like he's going to turn into a gold glove OF all the sudden.

The bench OF competition could be interesting in spring training. There really is not another guy that can play CF besides PCA that is a sure thing to make opening day roster. Happ has played CF some but the last time he did it was just 12 innings in 2022 then before that he started 52 games in CF in 2021. If Canario and Alcantara can play some CF but Caissie is pretty much a corner OF. Canario is also out of options so he either has to make the opening day roster or be traded or waived which makes me wonder if that was part of they reason they did not tender Tauchman. This makes you wonder if this is why the Suzuki rumors keeps popping up that they want to find another roster spot for a scenario of having both Caissie and Canario on the roster? Also don't have a backup for 1B on the roster right now so unless they sign someone for the bench is there someone on the current roster that maybe gets some work there in spring training? Happ has played 11 games at 1B, started 5 over his career while also starting 41 games at 2B and 18 at 3B. He kind of makes sense to maybe take the Bellinger role as the backup 1B as he's played a fair amount of infield in the minors and when he first was called up to Chicago. I wouldn't be surprised if they sign a veteran backup at 1B eventually too but with the roster crunch in the OF with the prospects would be nice if we had an internal option like Happ that could spell Busch when he needs an off day.

 

[isucy86]

BN had something about Suzuki and the Dodgers but I doubt there is anything too serious there. Unless he is the one wanting to be traded out of Chicago there really is no reason to trade him right now. I realize he doesn't want to be primarily a DH but damn learn how to catch a routine fly ball in RF and maybe it wouldn't be an issue. He's 3 seasons and 381 MLB games into his career, not like he's going to turn into a gold glove OF all the sudden.

The bench OF competition could be interesting in spring training. There really is not another guy that can play CF besides PCA that is a sure thing to make opening day roster. Happ has played CF some but the last time he did it was just 12 innings in 2022 then before that he started 52 games in CF in 2021. If Canario and Alcantara can play some CF but Caissie is pretty much a corner OF. Canario is also out of options so he either has to make the opening day roster or be traded or waived which makes me wonder if that was part of they reason they did not tender Tauchman. This makes you wonder if this is why the Suzuki rumors keeps popping up that they want to find another roster spot for a scenario of having both Caissie and Canario on the roster? Also don't have a backup for 1B on the roster right now so unless they sign someone for the bench is there someone on the current roster that maybe gets some work there in spring training? Happ has played 11 games at 1B, started 5 over his career while also starting 41 games at 2B and 18 at 3B. He kind of makes sense to maybe take the Bellinger role as the backup 1B as he's played a fair amount of infield in the minors and when he first was called up to Chicago. I wouldn't be surprised if they sign a veteran backup at 1B eventually too but with the roster crunch in the OF with the prospects would be nice if we had an internal option like Happ that could spell Busch when he needs an off day.

Don't know why the Cubs don't try both Suzuki and Happ at 1B in spring training. Both will be 31 next season, so their days of being even average defensive outfielders is limited.

Plus Busch 1H & Busch 2H were different players. Busch 2H isn't an everyday 1B.

 

[cycloneman003]

Don't know why the Cubs don't try both Suzuki and Happ at 1B in spring training. Both will be 31 next season, so their days of being even average defensive outfielders is limited.

Plus Busch 1H & Busch 2H were different players. Busch 2H isn't an everyday 1B.

What a ridiculously bad take. You realize Happ has won three straight gold gloves in LF right? Busch was only slightly worse offensively in the second half and was excellent defensively after an adjustment period to first. Busch is the starting 1B no questions asked, Happ is the everyday LF and is great defensively, Suzuki is the primary DH

 

[ISUCubswin]

I personally think the latest Seiya rumor was planted by the Dodgers as leverage to keep Roki away from Chicago.

Jed is fighting for his job next year. I do not see a world where he trades a top 30 hitter in the MLB unless he has a separate plan ensuring a top 30 hitter and then some in return.

Now, if the Dodgers get Roki, I could see a world the Dodgers make a stupid ridiculous offer for Suzuki. But as of now, I do not think there is any value is concerning oneself with Suzuki being traded

 

[BigJCy]

Officially no Luzardo for the Cubs:

 

[RoseClone]

And that's that.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

I look forward to him being a multi-time All Star.

 

[Cyforce]

Cubs linked to Mets $174 million superstar in potential free-agency stunner | Sporting News

Will the Chicago Cubs make a strong push to land this free-agent slugger?

www.sportingnews.com

Damn this would be a wrecking crew

Happ LF
Tucker RF
Alonso 1B
Suzuki DH
Busch 2B
Shaw 3B
Swanson SS
Catchers
PCA CF

It’s a pipe dream for sure but it would definitely make Sasaki and his agent take notice. At this point you go all in for Miller and trade Cassie, Traintos and a couple pitching prospects not named Horton.

 

[CYdTracked]

Cubs linked to Mets $174 million superstar in potential free-agency stunner | Sporting News

Will the Chicago Cubs make a strong push to land this free-agent slugger?

www.sportingnews.com

Damn this would be a wrecking crew

Happ LF
Tucker RF
Alonso 1B
Suzuki DH
Busch 2B
Shaw 3B
Swanson SS
Catchers
PCA CF

It’s a pipe dream for sure but it would definitely make Sasaki and his agent take notice. At this point you go all in for Miller and trade Cassie, Traintos and a couple pitching prospects not named Horton.

I don't see the Cubs paying up for Alonso unless its a short deal like 1 year or some kinda 3 years with options. The kind of money and years he is wanting I would rather save that $ to make a bid on Tucker next offseason instead. Plus would need to make a trade or 2 to clear up a spot for him to play too. Just feels like they want to stick with Busch at 1B to me, he's young and still developing and in 2024 he and Alonso had almost the same WAR with Busch at 2.8 and Alonso 2.6. Yes Alonso has a lot more proven power right now but for the price you'd pay him compared to Busch I'm not sure that is money well spent. If you are going to splurge on someone it may as well be Bregman who is a 4.1 WAR last year and fills the black hole we've had at 3B lately. Yeah I know we have Shaw waiting but Shaw can also play 2B too just like you'd have to move Busch to 2B if you kept him and Alonso.

Both are probably pipe dreams for the Cubs to sign. I'd still like to see us package something together for a right handed starting pitcher that could slot in in the top half of the rotation. I know there is still some smoke about a Suzuki trade but I'd be a bit surprised if it actually happens.