$27.5 million for production you could probably get at $8 million. Disappointing
***Official 2024 Chicago Cubs Thread***
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Anthony Rizzo a free agent after Yankees decline $17M option
Anthony Rizzo's $17 million option for 2025 was declined Saturday by the New York Yankees in favor of a $6 million buyout, making the first baseman a free agent.
Bring him home and let him retire a Cubbie
Not having control of 3 of your top 4 Outfielders is not ideal. 2 no trade contracts and 1 player option.
Man. Bellinger returning is not great for us doing much this offseason. Trade Nico and a bunch of good prospects for a catcher, move Busch to 2nd, play Belli at 1st, DH Suzuki, bring up Caissie, I guess? Best (realistic) case?
I am not shocked he opted in even with all these so called sources saying he would opt out. There was a reason he took the deal he did because the projections showed a decline that happened. I think this could mean Tauchman is not tendered because it limits their options to let Cassie and Alcantara to compete for a spot in spring training and all but garuntees they won't sign a free agent OF if they bring him back even if you do mo e Bellinger to 1B.
I know I’m in the minority but I like Belli coming back. Still forces FO to make a move to improve the offense.
If we consider ourselves playoff contenders we’re better served with Tuchman. Minimal abs not what you want for a young prospect. Tauchman is a quality bench player.
But I wouldn’t be shocked if he got dealt.
Also worth noting Bellingers deal doesn’t include a NTC.
Entirely possible there are teams looking for CFs that would be willing to trade for him. If the Yankees or Mariners miss out on Soto, I wouldn’t be shocked if they came calling for Bellinger
Entirely possible there are teams looking for CFs that would be willing to trade for him. If the Yankees or Mariners miss out on Soto, I wouldn’t be shocked if they came calling for Bellinger
I am good with Bellinger coming back because he has great position flexibility (RF, CF, LF, 1B and DH). The price is steep if his HR production is like 2024- 18 HR's in 130 games. Adding a solid FA bat could help him return to a 30HR guy.
But it could also creates a glut of nice, but not great power hitters if Bellinger, Happ, Suzuki, Paredes, Swanson & Busch match their 2024 HR production in 2025. Still think Jed needs to figure a way to trade Happ or Suzuki- even with their no-trades.
Or maybe as some have speculated, move Busch to 2B and add a 1B or 3B who has history of 30HR+ seasons. That assumes Paredes is on trade block or the Cubs are willing to play him at 3B, 1B or DH.
The last thing the Cubs can do is make another run with the core offense the Cubs had in 2023 & 2024.
But it could also creates a glut of nice, but not great power hitters if Bellinger, Happ, Suzuki, Paredes, Swanson & Busch match their 2024 HR production in 2025. Still think Jed needs to figure a way to trade Happ or Suzuki- even with their no-trades.
Or maybe as some have speculated, move Busch to 2B and add a 1B or 3B who has history of 30HR+ seasons. That assumes Paredes is on trade block or the Cubs are willing to play him at 3B, 1B or DH.
The last thing the Cubs can do is make another run with the core offense the Cubs had in 2023 & 2024.
Me, too. For those saying it means we won't do much this offseason, they should think about Jed. The odds have always been against us doing much.
So with Bellinger back here’s 12 of my 13.
Amaya
Bethencourt
Busch
Hoerner
Swanson
Paredes
Happ
PCA
Suzuki
Bellinger
Valdez
Tauchman
Love to see a big bat but I doubt it happens.
Most likely the big bat we eventually see is Ballestareos. If we don’t add I’d rather have Bote over Masterbouni as the opening day 13th man. So I’m sure they’ll part with Bote.
With Hoerner, Bellinger, Paredes, Tauchman we could be legitimate sellers this year and still improve the team.
Shaw, Smith, Alcantara, Cassie, Ballestareos are all knocking soon but without guaranteed abs I doubt they start the season up.
Amaya
Bethencourt
Busch
Hoerner
Swanson
Paredes
Happ
PCA
Suzuki
Bellinger
Valdez
Tauchman
Love to see a big bat but I doubt it happens.
Most likely the big bat we eventually see is Ballestareos. If we don’t add I’d rather have Bote over Masterbouni as the opening day 13th man. So I’m sure they’ll part with Bote.
With Hoerner, Bellinger, Paredes, Tauchman we could be legitimate sellers this year and still improve the team.
Shaw, Smith, Alcantara, Cassie, Ballestareos are all knocking soon but without guaranteed abs I doubt they start the season up.
Going to run it back on the position side. I think Shaw makes the opening day roster because Nico probably won't be ready. Keys to the year are going to be Dansby hanging around his 100 career WRC+ and getting a full year from Seiya who is borderline elite when he's healthy and full time DHing should help that.
I do think they add an arm and some bullpen help. Burnes is a fantastic fit but Jed is too timid to make that deal. It'll be Fried at 5/125 and he'll kick the tires on a option filled short term deal with Snell that he won't close.
I do think they add an arm and some bullpen help. Burnes is a fantastic fit but Jed is too timid to make that deal. It'll be Fried at 5/125 and he'll kick the tires on a option filled short term deal with Snell that he won't close.
Assuming you meant Vazquez instead of Valdez.
That group of 12 doesn't excite me of being any more than a borderline .500 team. Just too many inconsistent bats and not enough home run pop based on 2023 & 2024 performance. And if no other reason than shaking up the clubhouse culture a bit, the FO has to make some trades.
Jed isn’t here to excite us, it’s the hand he’s dealt for now. ( which he did to himself)
If Hoerner isn’t ready I bet we see Busch at second to see if its a possibility.
If it’s just for the photo op, I’m on board. Pretty tough to justify rostering him though. He’ll have a tough time finding anywhere to play in my opinion.Anthony Rizzo a free agent after Yankees decline $17M option
Anthony Rizzo's $17 million option for 2025 was declined Saturday by the New York Yankees in favor of a $6 million buyout, making the first baseman a free agent.www.espn.com
Bring him home and let him retire a Cubbie
