Would you look at that. All the pearl clutching over how awful of an organization the Cubs are and how terrible of a look it was when they hadn't settled was all for not!
***Official 2024 Chicago Cubs Thread***
- Thread starter CycloneErik
- Start date
Would you look at that. All the pearl clutching over how awful of an organization the Cubs are and how terrible of a look it was when they hadn't settled was all for not!
Based on reading of tea leaves, I’m fairly confident in the following
- The Cubs will only spend about $20M more this offseason
- Cubs are done with SPs unless a deal falls in their lap
- RP will be the next signing
As much as I’ve hated and gone after Jed, based on what I’ve heard this offseason, this is 100% an ownership issue
- The Cubs will only spend about $20M more this offseason
- Cubs are done with SPs unless a deal falls in their lap
- RP will be the next signing
As much as I’ve hated and gone after Jed, based on what I’ve heard this offseason, this is 100% an ownership issue
I had some optimism that the Tucker trade signaled ownership and the front office was serious about competing this year but if this is how they finish the offseason then trading for Tucker was just stupid when you gave up one of your best prospects to get him and don't build around him. Maybe they flip him at the deadline for an equally good prospect as Cam Smith but I doubt it given the track record lately. It's the same crap as the last few seasons, dig through the bargain bin hoping you hit on a guy or 2 and the team as a whole beats projections. There is just no direction or plan in place it feels like to build a competitive team. Selling off the WS core was supposed to restock the farm system and build that way and some of those guys did not pan out while the ones that so far have other than PCA are mostly blocked by someone at the moment. They have drafted decent but again even those guys either have had injury issues or are blocked or not quite ready yet. They dabbled in some moderate free agency deals but now those are strapping them financial (supposedly.) Lots of good pieces on the roster but lacking true star power to go with it.
Tom and Jed need to either spend like the big market team Chicago should be or sell off again and reload like the Marlins successfully did twice in the late 90's and early 2000's. The Cubs have kind of fallen back into that Jim Hendry era mode where they spend just enough to look decent on paper to give some optimism going into the season but once the games are played they are exposed. I hope the fans at Cubs Con let Tom and Jed hear it and the Chicago media doesn't put lipstick on a pig and let them off the hook either. This franchise was set up to have several good season after that 2016 World Series and they mismanaged that golden opportunity and sunk the franchise back into the mediocrity again.
Well that should make CF Cubs fans more divided- more uniform options & no black.
Looks like the Tucker signing was never in doubt as his name was on blue uni messaging. Oh ye of little faith!!
Personally I think they sign him to a huge contract but want to keep 25 & 26s base low with a big signing bonus. Then when Suzuki and Happ are off the books his AAV can sore.
Something like 40 mil signing bonus pay have this year half next then base of 16.5 in 25, 20 in 26 and then 40 for as many years as they agree on.
Love the baby blues. I saw it said they hadn’t worn it since 1961 but I know they were wearing it in the 70s with darker blue pinstripes
Cubs need to sign BOTH Tanner and Robertson for the pen. Sub Jansen or Yates for Tanner if you'd prefer. Cubs have the $ and they definitely have the need. I don't understand how teams haven't looked at what the Royals did in the '13-'17 window and realize that it's cost effective to build up a powerful late inning bullpen, and it yields big-time results (so long as the relievers are good, granted).
Robertson is a reliable veteran setup man and you get a proven closer with him, Cubs staff would be in great shape. Bridge and middle relievers are already on the roster.
Robertson is a reliable veteran setup man and you get a proven closer with him, Cubs staff would be in great shape. Bridge and middle relievers are already on the roster.
Sadly, I don’t think there’s any chance this happens. I’d love to see it but they won’t spend the money for Scott alone on a multi-year deal, let alone Scott + another pricey reliever.
Derek Lee and Sammy Sosa have been inducted into the Cubs HOF. Sammy is cocky as ever watching his interviews. I love the guy but get those who don’t like him.
Sahadev says the Cubs aren't spending that kind of money and he's already a done deal to the Dodgers.
The Cubs are fantastic about getting the 'we just missed' leaks to the national guys.
Really not true. Just because it’s deferred doesn’t mean you aren’t paying him. It’s just what’s on the books. Dodgers are hoping the cap goes away by then but the other 29 teams will be dead set that they have to take that hit in the future.
Tom told Sharma that the team can go up to $241 this year and anticipates that being used, but there are a few out there who are adamant that Jed will not go much above $220M heading into the season.
Putting the two together, my guess is Jed is capping himself at $220M going into the year and then adding at the deadline. Why this could potentially work is the tax hit is cut by more than half at the deadline. So instead of $28M for Vladdy, it’s $14M. Instead of $18M this year for Sandy Alcantara, it’s $9M. The risk is ensuring you don’t have a repeat of last year, where you have 2.5 months that complete destroy your season.
Putting the two together, my guess is Jed is capping himself at $220M going into the year and then adding at the deadline. Why this could potentially work is the tax hit is cut by more than half at the deadline. So instead of $28M for Vladdy, it’s $14M. Instead of $18M this year for Sandy Alcantara, it’s $9M. The risk is ensuring you don’t have a repeat of last year, where you have 2.5 months that complete destroy your season.
I also think Scott is down to 2 teams - Cubs and Dodgers. I think the Dodgers are willing to go to the $20 AAV that Scott wants. I do not think the Cubs will do this, and instead will need to offer bigger incentives - a guarantee he’ll be the closer, option years, NTCs, etc.
Reason Cubs won’t go to $20 is because $20M is about all Jed will be spending this offseason, and he still needs to shore up some infield issues.
Reason Cubs won’t go to $20 is because $20M is about all Jed will be spending this offseason, and he still needs to shore up some infield issues.
Just for full transparency - here is Sahadev’s full quote:
“The Cubs have been enamored of left-handed reliever Tanner Scott for years. They’ve been interested in trading for him, and with him on the open market, they’ve engaged in trying to lure him to Chicago. However, with the Los Angeles Dodgers looking like the favorite, it seems unlikely they can meet his monetary demands.”
