***Official 2023 Chicago Cubs Thread***

[CYdTracked]

Who would you want him playing over?
1B/OF Bellinger
1B Mervis
2B Hoerner
SS Swanson
3B Candelario
LF Tauchman
CF PCA
RF Suzuki

Have heard they plan to blow through the salary cap. If you do that why would Happ warrant playing time anywhere?

I dunno, I still have hope Mervis will pan out but 1B could still be an issue if he struggles again. I love Tauchman but am skeptical if he can keep this kind of production up long term given this is the most action he's seen in the majors in his career. Hope he keeps it up but he's already 32 and has never stuck in the big leagues as a full time player. It's not a given Belli and Candelario will be back next year either so will have to see what they do in free agency but regardless there is going to be a logjam in the OF soon with the depth at that position in the minors. Why the front office made the decision they did to add a 2nd OF with a no trade clause when they extended Happ was pretty careless.

This isn't a video game where you can just trade guys you no longer want with ease. A) you have to have Happ agree to waive the no trade clause he just got and B) find a team he's willing to go to that is willing to take on his 3 years at 21, 21, and 19 mil a year and likely the Cubs will have to eat some of that contract or take back lesser prospects in return. Ideally it would be great to move on from Happ but I have a feeling that is easier said than done. Suzuki has nearly identical contract for the next 3 years too.

 

[OPILCyclone]

I dunno, I still have hope Mervis will pan out but 1B could still be an issue if he struggles again. I love Tauchman but am skeptical if he can keep this kind of production up long term given this is the most action he's seen in the majors in his career. Hope he keeps it up but he's already 32 and has never stuck in the big leagues as a full time player. It's not a given Belli and Candelario will be back next year either so will have to see what they do in free agency but regardless there is going to be a logjam in the OF soon with the depth at that position in the minors. Why the front office made the decision they did to add a 2nd OF with a no trade clause when they extended Happ was pretty careless.

This isn't a video game where you can just trade guys you no longer want with ease. A) you have to have Happ agree to waive the no trade clause he just got and B) find a team he's willing to go to that is willing to take on his 3 years at 21, 21, and 19 mil a year and likely the Cubs will have to eat some of that contract or take back lesser prospects in return. Ideally it would be great to move on from Happ but I have a feeling that is easier said than done. Suzuki has nearly identical contract for the next 3 years too.

Agree. Happ and Suzuki aren't going anywhere for a while. So whatever happens, it will be with them on the roster. Basically, the Cubs are locked in at four positions (LF, RF, SS, 2B). Call-ups and FA signings will have to work around those. Although I could see Happ or Suzuki becoming part of a platoon if necessary.

 

[Clonefan32]

Who would you want him playing over?
1B/OF Bellinger
1B Mervis
2B Hoerner
SS Swanson
3B Candelario
LF Tauchman
CF PCA
RF Suzuki

Have heard they plan to blow through the salary cap. If you do that why would Happ warrant playing time anywhere?

I'm going to guess Tauchman isn't in the long-term plans. 32 years old and a career .243 hitter, I don't think you are slotting him in as your every day left fielder. If he will stick around on the cheap he's a good piece, but I can't imagine they are moving on from Happ in favor of Tauchman.

You don't have to look too far back to find guys have had a few hot months during a summer at Wrigley that couldn't keep up that production long-term. I mean, the guy is one year removed from being an All-Star and winning a Gold Glove and you want Tauchman to take his job going forward?

 

[OPILCyclone]

I'm going to guess Tauchman isn't in the long-term plans. 32 years old and a career .243 hitter, I don't think you are slotting him in as your every day left fielder. If he will stick around on the cheap he's a good piece, but I can't imagine they are moving on from Happ in favor of Tauchman.

You don't have to look too far back to find guys have had a few hot months during a summer at Wrigley that couldn't keep up that production long-term. I mean, the guy is one year removed from being an All-Star and winning a Gold Glove and you want Tauchman to take his job going forward?

Love Tauchman. But I also loved Frank the Tank....

 

[ZRF]

Was at the game today. Should have walked Witt with runners on 2nd and 3rd. Glad it worked out. Wouldn’t have been surprised if it didn’t. Most of these terrible teams have just one player to avoid. If someone else beats us, tip your hat and move on

Witt's numbers since July are absurd. Everything points to it being a young player figuring "it out" and one that's on the cusp of superstardom. He may be there already.

As someone that lives here let's hope he's for real. People need a reason to go to the games and Witt's about the only reason.

 

[ZRF]

Love Tauchman. But I also loved Frank the Tank....

I love what Tauchman's given but think his more likely role is on the bench/a regular sub. A guy who will be willing to to get 2-300 ABs a year playing serviceable defense at multiple positions and being a patient, solid-contact hitter. Every team needs a guy like that.

 

[CYdTracked]

I'm going to guess Tauchman isn't in the long-term plans. 32 years old and a career .243 hitter, I don't think you are slotting him in as your every day left fielder. If he will stick around on the cheap he's a good piece, but I can't imagine they are moving on from Happ in favor of Tauchman.

You don't have to look too far back to find guys have had a few hot months during a summer at Wrigley that couldn't keep up that production long-term. I mean, the guy is one year removed from being an All-Star and winning a Gold Glove and you want Tauchman to take his job going forward?

Frank the Tank a perfect example and we still have one of these guys on the roster: Wisdom. With them DFA Barnhart and Mancini there is hope he eventually goes too, worst case they don't tender him an offer after the season. I love what Tachman is doing right now and we need to keep riding that as long as he stays hot but long term his career trends probably indicate this is not the norm for him. If the FO is serious about building we gotta quit holding onto fringe players hoping to catch lightning in a bottle and start moving forward with proven guys or bring up the guys in the system when they are ready to contribute.

 

[Cyforce]

I'm going to guess Tauchman isn't in the long-term plans. 32 years old and a career .243 hitter, I don't think you are slotting him in as your every day left fielder. If he will stick around on the cheap he's a good piece, but I can't imagine they are moving on from Happ in favor of Tauchman.

You don't have to look too far back to find guys have had a few hot months during a summer at Wrigley that couldn't keep up that production long-term. I mean, the guy is one year removed from being an All-Star and winning a Gold Glove and you want Tauchman to take his job going forward?

No Tauchman isn't long term but he's a really nice fill in till Canario, Cassie or the Jaguar are ready. Point is he's a better option in 2024 then Happ. Bellinger will be insurance for Mervis and all 3 OF. Cody will play everyday but you can use in inplace of any of the 4. All of them bring more than Happ.

 

[CycloneErik]

No Tauchman isn't long term but he's a really nice fill in till Canario, Cassie or the Jaguar are ready. Point is he's a better option in 2024 then Happ. Bellinger will be insurance for Mervis and all 3 OF. Cody will play everyday but you can use in inplace of any of the 4. All of them bring more than Happ.

Bellinger as insurance is selling him short.
In general, your idea looks backwards. A guy like Happ is insurance for all those positions. Bellinger is the star making it all work.

 

[Clonefan32]

No Tauchman isn't long term but he's a really nice fill in till Canario, Cassie or the Jaguar are ready. Point is he's a better option in 2024 then Happ. Bellinger will be insurance for Mervis and all 3 OF. Cody will play everyday but you can use in inplace of any of the 4. All of them bring more than Happ.

I just can't understand saying Tauchman is a better option than Happ in 2024. Again, Happ was an All-Star and Gold Glover one year ago, whereas we pulled Tauchman out of the KBO. And while this year has been fun for him, here are both of their Baseball Savant percentile rankings:



I get Tauchman is considerably cheaper, but again good luck moving Happs' full contract and money.

 

[RivClone23]

No Tauchman isn't long term but he's a really nice fill in till Canario, Cassie or the Jaguar are ready. Point is he's a better option in 2024 then Happ. Bellinger will be insurance for Mervis and all 3 OF. Cody will play everyday but you can use in inplace of any of the 4. All of them bring more than Happ.

Mike Tauchman is having a career year at 32. There is no reason to believe he'll be better than Happ next year. I'm all about a discussion about Happ long term, but it won't be because we have Mike Tauchman.

He will be a great, cheap 4th/5th outfielder for the next two years.

 

[BigJCy]

 

[Cyforce]

Mike Tauchman is having a career year at 32. There is no reason to believe he'll be better than Happ next year. I'm all about a discussion about Happ long term, but it won't be because we have Mike Tauchman.

He will be a great, cheap 4th/5th outfielder for the next two years.

If the FO can unload Happ in the offseason they will. If not he'll be riding pine. I don't know if all the pieces will work but Happ is barely one of our best nine right now. Tauchman has important ABs even when he doesn't get on. He wears pitchers down with 8 or 9 pitch ABs. That's the reason our record is so good when he plays.

I know Tauchman isn't long term but if he can bat leadoff for another year letting PCA bat at the end of the order year one That's huge.

 

[RivClone23]

If the FO can unload Happ in the offseason they will. If not he'll be riding pine. I don't know if all the pieces will work but Happ is barely one of our best nine right now. Tauchman has important ABs even when he doesn't get on. He wears pitchers down with 8 or 9 pitch ABs. That's the reason our record is so good when he plays.

I know Tauchman isn't long term but if he can bat leadoff for another year letting PCA bat at the end of the order year one That's huge.

I'm enjoying the Summer of Mike Tauchman as much as anyone, but that's exactly what it is. Like I said, I'm fine with a discussion about Happ being traded, but they better add someone to take his position if they do.

 

[Cyforce]

I'm enjoying the Summer of Mike Tauchman as much as anyone, but that's exactly what it is. Like I said, I'm fine with a discussion about Happ being traded, but they better add someone to take his position if they do.

Like Bellinger??? I know Tauchman isn't long-term but neither is Happ. If he turns out to be an one year wonder fine. But I don't see it.

2025 PCA will likely lead off, Bellinger if we can resign him will be in right or at first. Suzuki has more upside then Happ. I believe we have too many young OF studs in the system to settle for Happ. We know what he can do.

 

[RivClone23]

Like Bellinger??? I know Tauchman isn't long-term but neither is Happ. If he turns out to be an abortion fine. But I don't see it.

2025 PCA will likely lead off, Bellinger if we can resign him will be in right or at first. Suzuki has more upside then Happ. I believe we have too many young OF studs in the system to settle for Happ. We know what he can do.

While I think you are underselling Happ, thats not the point. Is he perfect? Absolutely not.

The quote the triggered my initial response was that Tauchman is a better option in 2024 than Happ. That just isn't the case. If you have Bellinger playing left field and Tauchman as the 4th/5th outfielder, then that is perfectly fine by me.

 

[Cyforce]

While I think you are underselling Happ, thats not the point. Is he perfect? Absolutely not.

The quote the triggered my initial response was that Tauchman is a better option in 2024 than Happ. That just isn't the case. If you have Bellinger playing left field and Tauchman as the 4th/5th outfielder, then that is perfectly fine by me.

Bellinger isn't playing left. In that scenario Suzuki would. I'll stand by Tauchman is a better option then Happ for 2024 though. If he isn't we can find an expiring contract at the deadline as a better option than Happ. His defense has even gone to **** the past couple weeks.

 

[HFCS]

I'm enjoying the Summer of Mike Tauchman as much as anyone, but that's exactly what it is. Like I said, I'm fine with a discussion about Happ being traded, but they better add someone to take his position if they do.

Who is Tauchman?

Are you guys talking about the Paletine Pounder?

 

[CycloneDaddy]

Rev up the Suzuki!!!

 

[ISUCubswin]

Tonight’s lineup is our best 9 hitting lineup, nice to see some runs being scored