***Official 2024 Chicago Cubs Thread***

[ISUCubswin]

If I’m a betting man, I dont think we add much $$ on a SP via FA. I think it’ll be a cost controlled ace. Mariners make a ton of sense as a target as they’re loaded at SP and hungry for hitters.

Another random thought - with $25 MM likely coming off the books the following year and Jed in a must-win year, is it possible ownership okays going over the first tier next year with hopes Belli goes after next year?

 

[isucy86]

If I’m a betting man, I dont think we add much $$ on a SP via FA. I think it’ll be a cost controlled ace. Mariners make a ton of sense as a target as they’re loaded at SP and hungry for hitters.

Another random thought - with $25 MM likely coming off the books the following year and Jed in a must-win year, is it possible ownership okays going over the first tier next year with hopes Belli goes after next year?

If Beli opts-in, feel Jed needs to figure a way to trade Suzuki or Happ. No-trade is obstacle, but FO can't continue to roll-out this core group and expect a consistent high-level offense. It didn't happen in 2023 or 2024- why expect in 2025?

 

[ISUCubswin]

My guess is the FO will plan on Belli being 1B if he comes back and finding a new threat as a bat in the OF and they figure something else out with Busch

 

[ISUCubswin]

I know hindsight 20/20, but some trade deadline thoughts -

Regarding Taillon:

Twins looked to easily have a spot in the playoffs and opted not to add a SP in which they were in the bottom 10 in terms of SP ERA amongst all teams.

Orioles traded Connor Norby (top 100 prospect) for a guy objectively worse than Taillon but cost less. Norby would be our starting 3B right now, while the pitcher the Orioles traded for, Trevor Rogers, hasn't performed near expectations. Looks like a fleece job by the Marlins.

Diamondbacks are fighting for the last playoff spot and ended 27th out of 30 - I'm curious if there was any discussions here.

Others:

For two years in a row, the Mariners gave up the least runs in the AL but did not make the playoffs. They're the first team to accomplish this feat since 2013.You can almost guarantee they will be trading pitching for hitting this offseason, and the Cubs are a great fit.

 

[BigJCy]

 

[Cyforce]

Never felt more sure of a Cubs victory than I did this morning. Glad we have a 6pm kickoff tonight.

 

[BigJCy]

 

[ISUCubswin]

Would love to find some role for Hendricks in the FO

 

[CYdTracked]

Kyle has been a class act and a good pitcher for most of his career. Hate to see him look like a shell of himself at times this year. At his best he was kind of a poor man's Greg Maddux as he didn't have the hard fastball but could paint the corners with a lot of movement on his pitches. Don't know what the future holds for him, could be tough to get more than a cheap 1 year somewhere maybe.

 

[David Freshman1982]

Kyle has been a class act and a good pitcher for most of his career. Hate to see him look like a shell of himself at times this year. At his best he was kind of a poor man's Greg Maddux as he didn't have the hard fastball but could paint the corners with a lot of movement on his pitches. Don't know what the future holds for him, could be tough to get more than a cheap 1 year somewhere maybe.

Seems like Hendricks would be an ideal GM if he chooses to stay in baseball long-term. Not sure he has the personality to be a dugout boss.

 

[CYdTracked]

Seems like Hendricks would be an ideal GM if he chooses to stay in baseball long-term. Not sure he has the personality to be a dugout boss.

A pitching instructor in the minors may be a good role for him. As a guy without a hard fastball being able to teach prospects how to command the strike zone with all their pitches would work well. Too many guys that throw heat can't throw it for a strike consistently and don't have reliable breaking and off speed pitches they can reliable throw to make that hard fast ball out of the strike zone an effective strike out pitch if you can set it up.

 

[ISUCubswin]

Nice of the Cardinals to let everyone know that their 35 year old, SP3, oft-injured, $25 MM per year pitcher is on the market. With them expected to part ways with Goldschmidt, my guess is that they'll intentionally tank and restart this offseason.

 

[Rabbuk]

Nicole hoerner trying to manufacture a run so everyone can go home after 9

 

[BigJCy]

Cubs finish 83-79. Same record as the stinkin' Cardinals.

 

[ISUCubswin]

Cubs finish 83-79. Same record as the stinkin' Cardinals.

Same record as last year, as well.

Weird returning the same roster leads to the same results

 

[ISUCubswin]

Happ threw a ball to the LF bleachers today with hundreds of dollars wrapped around it showing appreciation for the LF bleachers and saying beers are on him.

Have no choice BUT to keep him now

 

[CycloneErik]

Same record as last year, as well.

Weird returning the same roster leads to the same results

I think I was expecting about 85 with that off chance of playoffs, but yeah, running it back wasn't going to lead to much.

I wonder if we offer Soto $12/hour with a three hour daily max, or if even that's too rich for our blood.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

I think I was expecting about 85 with that off chance of playoffs, but yeah, running it back wasn't going to lead to much.

I wonder if we offer Soto $12/hour with a three hour daily max, or if even that's too rich for our blood.

Only if he promises to bring the coffee three days a week.

 

[CycloneErik]

Only if he promises to bring the coffee three days a week.

And he pays. Ricketts isn't springing for coffee.

 

[CYdTracked]

I think I was expecting about 85 with that off chance of playoffs, but yeah, running it back wasn't going to lead to much.

I wonder if we offer Soto $12/hour with a three hour daily max, or if even that's too rich for our blood.

He'll probably have to pay for soda in the clubhouse too