MLB: ***Official 2016 - 17 WORLD SERIES CHAMPION CHICAGO CUBS Offseason Thread***
- Thread starter Bret44
- Start date
They should just give Schwarber a pair of work gloves and let him loose. He'd have all the demolition done in an hour.
According to this Cubs may have interest in Rockies Charlie Blackmon if Fowler leaves. ****!
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2016/11/14/13613808/cubs-trade-target-charlie-blackmon
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2016/11/14/13613808/cubs-trade-target-charlie-blackmon
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I'm hoping we see 1 surprise resigning this off-season that was not expected such as Fowler or Chapman. If both leave the Cubs should have no excuse but to open the checkbook to sign Jansen to fill the closer role. You can't let your leadoff guy and your stud closer both leave and go cheap trying to replace them. I'm not confident enough in Rondon or Strop to close so you have to lock that spot down for the next 3+ years even if it means overspending because at some point Bryant, Russell, Schwarber, Hendricks, and Contreras let alone the starting rotation they need to address after this next season are going to be expensive to re-sign and these next 1 to 3 years while these guys are still reasonably priced and pitching staff intact you have to put this team in the best spot to compete for a couple more World Series while you can before some tough moves may have to happen or the roster gets too pricey and corners have to be cut to keep the core together.
I'm not sure how they replace Fowler in the leadoff spot, maybe Zobrist moves into that spot because I don't think that Almora is ready for that yet and we know Heyward sure as hell isn't a leadoff guy right now. Maybe put Zobrist in the leadoff spot or even got the unconventional route and bat Schwarber there who is a tough out and knowing Bryant and Rizzo await behind him if he gets on. Not sure what is out there but Fowler fits this team so well right now, he is the true leadoff guy and plays CF well if they can get him to take a 3 or 4 year deal and even if it means overpaying a tad for a shorter deal why not do it because surely the Cubs are raking in revenue right now with this historic world series championship.
As far as trades, not sure what value Soler has now, he probably could have netted more before last season but he surely will be in the mix in any trade talks with the OF depth the Cubs have. Not sure where Happ fits in either, he's blocked both in the OF and at 2B so surely he too will be a key trade chip. Securing some reasonably priced starting pitching is surely on the radar. Really excited to see what Montgomery can do as a full time starter if he gets the chance with his nasty off speed stuff but they have to start planning for replacing Lackey and probably Arietta too and it doesn't seem like there is a guy in the system right now ready to fill a big key role within a year right now. Not going to find that guy on the free agent market this year but an under the radar trade for a guy they can either stash in AAA to develop or use in the bullpen this year or a deal at the deadline for a proven guy with some years left on his deal would. Theo has been stocking up on solid position players to use for trade currency for proven pitching or buying pitching on the free agent market while stocking up the farm system and using reasonably priced and team controlled position players as the core. We all know at some point those position players will have to get paid so hopefully management is looking ahead at how they can keep the core intact while still having a solid pitching staff.
I'm not sure how they replace Fowler in the leadoff spot, maybe Zobrist moves into that spot because I don't think that Almora is ready for that yet and we know Heyward sure as hell isn't a leadoff guy right now. Maybe put Zobrist in the leadoff spot or even got the unconventional route and bat Schwarber there who is a tough out and knowing Bryant and Rizzo await behind him if he gets on. Not sure what is out there but Fowler fits this team so well right now, he is the true leadoff guy and plays CF well if they can get him to take a 3 or 4 year deal and even if it means overpaying a tad for a shorter deal why not do it because surely the Cubs are raking in revenue right now with this historic world series championship.
As far as trades, not sure what value Soler has now, he probably could have netted more before last season but he surely will be in the mix in any trade talks with the OF depth the Cubs have. Not sure where Happ fits in either, he's blocked both in the OF and at 2B so surely he too will be a key trade chip. Securing some reasonably priced starting pitching is surely on the radar. Really excited to see what Montgomery can do as a full time starter if he gets the chance with his nasty off speed stuff but they have to start planning for replacing Lackey and probably Arietta too and it doesn't seem like there is a guy in the system right now ready to fill a big key role within a year right now. Not going to find that guy on the free agent market this year but an under the radar trade for a guy they can either stash in AAA to develop or use in the bullpen this year or a deal at the deadline for a proven guy with some years left on his deal would. Theo has been stocking up on solid position players to use for trade currency for proven pitching or buying pitching on the free agent market while stocking up the farm system and using reasonably priced and team controlled position players as the core. We all know at some point those position players will have to get paid so hopefully management is looking ahead at how they can keep the core intact while still having a solid pitching staff.
I would love to see the Cubs sign Blackmon. Find it weird how his power numbers nearly doubles last year while his speed dropped a ton. His defense is also extremely trashy. But he'd be a hell of a leadoff hitter to have at the top of that lineup.
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http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/m...t-to-free-agent-jason-hammel/?linkId=31229573
Looks like we are trying to be the Cubs B team.
Looks like we are trying to be the Cubs B team.
Bryant's Last 4 years:
1. College Player of the Year
2. Minor League Player of the Year
3. NL Rookie of the Year
4. NL MVP
Oh yeah, World Series Champ too.
Everyone see the bull **** NL MVP "prediction" out of the guy from the NY Post? Mike Puma? @NYPost_Mets for those who want to check it out on twitter. Last I looked (about an hour ago), guy was getting destroyed.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
Wearing my World Champion Cubs sweatshirt today. Quite possibly the best sweatshirt I've ever worn.
