***Official 2024 Chicago Cubs Thread***
- Thread starter CycloneErik
- Start date
Major mistake, I saw him pitch last year in Des Moines and he has electric stuff. Expect him to go to a team that can actually develop pitchers where he'll end up a dominate closer in a couple years.
Both those guys gotta show us they can stay healthy so that is hoping for a lot. Also counting on a rookie to play a big part in the rotation and be fairly consistent is another big ask too. Disappointing that acquiring a top end of the rotation starter was not more of a priority. Unless they make some big moves before opening day this looks like a roster that is going to struggle to reach 90 wins even with the Tucker addition.
They are both cleared to full go the last l heard so why couldn’t we see one of them in the rotation by 2026? Healthy Horton is the total package and Brown has the ++ fastball that slots perfectly from the right side between Steele and Imanaga.
I guess you have more faith in the Cubs org when it comes to injury news and handling of players than I do. Given all the arm related injuries we had last year and guys that go on the IL and stay there much longer than the Cubs originally said they would be out for I gotta see these guys actually healthy and throwing before I buy whatever the Cubs are saying. Horton especially has enough injury history to make me worry he can put a sustained period of health together.
Nico is another prime example of mishandling/misleading with an injury. They should have shut him down and had his surgery when it was obvious we weren't making the playoffs but instead they hid it and delayed and I would not be 1 bit surprised if he starts on the IL this season because of it too.
You can’t be successful signing only free agents. You have to have faith one of those two guys will come through. Hopefully better than Assad or Wicks. But the point is he’s a one year deal as a stop gap. If nobody steps up you just do it again. Regardless I think we’ll either get Sasaki or sign another ( better) starter.
I like the signing of Rea. Paying $5M for a guy who has averaged 6 innings and 30 starts the last 2 years with a little over 4.00 ERA sounds like a steady add for the 4th/5th starter spot.
It seems like the Cubs are taking the same approach as a lot of teams this off-season, nibbling around the corners of free agency for bargains with upside. My assumption is teams are waiting for a few big FA signings and Sasaki's decision. Then we'll see a lot of 2nd tier FA's start signing.
Plus Rea's an Iowa kid (Cascade)- so gotta like that!
It seems like the Cubs are taking the same approach as a lot of teams this off-season, nibbling around the corners of free agency for bargains with upside. My assumption is teams are waiting for a few big FA signings and Sasaki's decision. Then we'll see a lot of 2nd tier FA's start signing.
Plus Rea's an Iowa kid (Cascade)- so gotta like that!
Alright trade Suzuki
Sign
Flaherty 23 mil per
Santander 20 mil per
Scott 14 mil per
Just projections I found
Sign
Flaherty 23 mil per
Santander 20 mil per
Scott 14 mil per
Just projections I found
With Sasaki out, it's time for JH to move aggressively.
I like Santander's power, but is he ready to be a 1B/DH? I don't see a place for him in Chicago's outfield, even if the Cubs can trade Suzuki or Happ. Hoyer has to have a plan for his top OF prospect (Caissie or Alacantara) to be the Cubs 4th OF in 2025 and get around 250 AB's.
Flaherty is the top pitcher according to most. Another hard throwing righty option would be Nick Pivetta.
I would love Scott. Add a lefty closer to pair with Porter Hodge.
I wouldn't mind the Cubs adding JD Martinez as DH. Dudes production has dipped, but he's a professional hitter. Something the Cubs could use.
First thing I said was trade Suzuki.
If Santander comes in as basically a full time DH. Ballestareos would make a nice 3rd catcher that plays first. You could ph him have him play an inning or two then use the other catcher as a defensive replacement. Caissie really doesn’t fit right now because he can’t play center but Canario or Alcantara can.
Yea, understood regarding Suzuki being trading. I agree 100% with the need to trade Suzuki unless Cubs can convince him to be Cubs regular DH and platoon 1B.
From what I've heard watching O's games last year and read, not sure Santander wants to be a full time DH at this point in his career. And he's considered a below average defender in RF.
Like I said, clear a path for Caissie or Alcantara to be the 4th OF. I forgot about Canario, but he should be given a shot in spring training as well. Can always find a FA backup CF/RF/LF to fill in for the few games PCA doesn't start. Guys like Michael Taylor or Dylan Carlson could be gotten on the cheap.
I highly doubt they spend much more. At this point I expect someone like Yates, Finnegan or Jansen on a one year, $8-10mm deal and a washed up backup 3B signing like Dejong or Moncada in case Shaw can’t hack it yet. Very remote chance that Rea signing allows them to move someone like Taillon and upgrade a bit in the rotation with one more SP without adding much payroll but no chance they do a long term deal for a guy like Flaherty with his medicals.
I can't fathom trading Suzuki.
You can get him enough starts on defense to keep him happy even if he DHs 100 games. His deal is a bargain for what he produces and you aren't going to replace him with better.
I think they're more or less done other than 1 pen arm.
Opening Day:
Happ LF
Tucker RF
Suzuki DH
Busch 1B
Shaw 3B
Swanson SS
PCA CF
Amaya C
Hoerner 2B
Bench:
Kelly
Brujan
Canario
Workman
Rotation:
Steele
Imanaga
Taillon
Boyd
Rea
Pen:
Hodge
Morgan
Miller
Merryweather
Pearson
Thielbar
Assad
Free Agent/Wicks/Brown/Thompson/Poteet
Little/Palencia/Neely/Kilian/Zastryzny/Festa ride the shuttle all year
You can get him enough starts on defense to keep him happy even if he DHs 100 games. His deal is a bargain for what he produces and you aren't going to replace him with better.
I think they're more or less done other than 1 pen arm.
Opening Day:
Happ LF
Tucker RF
Suzuki DH
Busch 1B
Shaw 3B
Swanson SS
PCA CF
Amaya C
Hoerner 2B
Bench:
Kelly
Brujan
Canario
Workman
Rotation:
Steele
Imanaga
Taillon
Boyd
Rea
Pen:
Hodge
Morgan
Miller
Merryweather
Pearson
Thielbar
Assad
Free Agent/Wicks/Brown/Thompson/Poteet
Little/Palencia/Neely/Kilian/Zastryzny/Festa ride the shuttle all year
Sounds like he's not happy about DH'ing and we have too many outfielders. Couple that with his inability to catch a fly ball and here we are.
Yeah, I guess. I think the DH thing is a bit overblown by his agent. It's not good for his next contract to be strictly a DH.
I just don't see how trading your 2nd best hitter on a pretty team friendly contract is good business.
Edit: And even if he doesn't want to DH, what is he going to do about it? It's not like he's going to tank and be a ***** about it. He'll suck it up.
