***Official 2024 Chicago Cubs Thread***

[isucy86]

This is an interesting read. https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs...ago-cubs-excessively-crowded-bullpen-picture/

So if there are 8 bullpen arms and Pressly Braisiere Miller and Thielbar are 4 of them, you assume that Hodge Morgan and likely Pearson will take 3 of the 4 who do you think gets that last spot? I think that unless Merryweather and Thompson just look lights out in spring training they trade or cut them as they are out of options so that leaves a pool of optional guys that could be starters or swing guys or one of the up/down relievers that earns that last spot.

Thx for posting. Counting earlier this week there were 24 pitchers on the 40 man roster. That's a lot of sorting out to do during spring training.

The group that I will be curious about is Wicks, Brown, Assad & Killian. They all have risen through the Cubs organization and additional time with the Iowa Cubs seems like a waste. Stashing one in DSM seems logical in case of injury to a member of Chicago's starting rotation. It would be great if a couple of those guys could stick in Chicago to be multiple inning relievers and eat up outs inning 4-7 to keep the late inning guys fresh during the Aug/Sep grind.

Two guys I am rooting for are Ben Brown and Luke Little. Brown showed good stuff last year before getting injured. Would love for him to be our 5th starter out of spring ball. He throws heat, whereas the Cubs other starters have fastballs that sit around 92mph. With Little he's a hard thrower and it would be nice to have a 2nd lefty in the bullpen.

 

[BigJCy]

 

[BigJCy]

 

[CYdTracked]

Sadly this does not even shock me anymore as it's become a trend that we have pitchers with various ailments that never seem to be fully healthy. I would not be surprised if there is more news to come as they ramp things up too.

 

[cycloneman003]

Injured pitchers shouldn’t surprise anyone and is not unique to the cubs. That’s baseball these days and that’s why every team needs loads of pitching depth.

 

[BigJCy]

 

[Cyforce]

Sadly this does not even shock me anymore as it's become a trend that we have pitchers with various ailments that never seem to be fully healthy. I would not be surprised if there is more news to come as they ramp things up too.

Saddest part is Assad is one that stayed healthy. Tied Imanaga with 29 starts. The hope was he’d be depth/ long relief.

 

[ISUCubswin]

Cubs reportedly want Bregman done by the end of the week.

Prediction: Cubs grab Bregman, trade Nico for prospects or picks.

Want #1: Cubs grab Bregman, keep Nico

Want #2 if #1 isn’t possible: Cubs grab Bregman, trade Nico, Assad, Caissie or Alcantara for a cost controlled SP.

 

[CyState85]

Do Padres and Cubs trade for former prospects that got away? Caissie and others for Dylan Cease?

 

[Cyforce]

Cubs reportedly want Bregman done by the end of the week.

Prediction: Cubs grab Bregman, trade Nico for prospects or picks.

Want #1: Cubs grab Bregman, keep Nico

Want #2 if #1 isn’t possible: Cubs grab Bregman, trade Nico, Assad, Caissie or Alcantara for a cost controlled SP.

Assad may be broke so not likely my guess is they deal Hoerner Taillon and some prospects to get that young pitcher. Possibly trade them both for prospects that can get us the starter we want. Trading those two becomes close to a wash for Bergman.

I really want them to not deal Brown or of course Horton. Those two could be cost effective home grown starters for quite some time. Wicks is the guy that makes a lot of sense to deal.

If your other two OF are PCA and Caissie or Alcantara in the not so distant future Tucker’s big contract becomes affordable. Same with Busch and Shaw to subsidize Bergman.

 

[CYdTracked]

Bregman seems to be the 1 domino that needs to fall for not only the Cubs but other teams as well to finish out their roster. If the Cubs don't get Bregman then they probably pivot to get some insurance at 3B in case Shaw is not ready or struggles early on. Right now Berti is the backup/utility guy and not someone you want to count on to play 3B every day.

I'd love to have both Nico and Bregman but if they sign Bregman Nico probably becomes the guy you'd have multiple teams interested and willing to give up something of value in a trade that would make up the cost gap to stay under the luxury tax.

 

[RoseClone]

Next. 40 mil per year wasn't going to happen.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

Yeah. No thanks at that number.

Let's just hope Nico is good for Opening Day

 

[CycloneT]

I don't know what stats he would have to put up to opt out of that deal heading into his age 32 season. Seems like a lock to opt in every year and take chances heading into age 34 season.

 

[RoseClone]

$10+ million per year more than anyone else.

 

[cycloneman003]

Oof! Would have liked Bregman, but $40 mil AAV would not have been attractive

 

[CYdTracked]

They may give Canario a look as a backup 1B too

Alexander Canario at First Base? The Cubs Are Trying It

The Chicago Cubs are trying out something new with Alexander Canario.

www.bleachernation.com

He either has to make the opening day roster or be traded or cut since he is out of options. If they can find more AB for him other than the OF I'm on board with the experiment. He's been mismanaged up to this point as he never got meaningful playing opportunities when he was called up despite hitting well at AAA when he did. He won't get much in a trade right now so if he could fill a meaningful bench role that would be the best value now.

 

[BigJCy]

Shaw the floor is yours....go win the spot this Spring.

 

[CYdTracked]

I don't know what stats he would have to put up to opt out of that deal heading into his age 32 season. Seems like a lock to opt in every year and take chances heading into age 34 season.

Trading for Arenado at 21 mil this year and decreased pay the next 2 years would have been a better move for Boston. If the Cubs were not in the same division which makes it nearly impossible to trade with the Cardinals I would kick the tires on Arenado. He has a no trade clause that also complicates things but the Cards may now have more of a market for teams that missed out on Bregman. Cubs won't be one of those teams though.

 

[ISUCubswin]

Justin Turner will be a Cub very soon.