*** Official 2025 Chicago Cubs Thread***


My head might explode if this FO trades Hoerner. For all intents and purposes it cancels out the Bregman signing. The 2 players were nearly identical in WAR last year on a prorated basis last seaon. The only argument is that you need to start restocking the farm system so you swap Bregman in for Nico just to trade one of the only valuable commodities you can for a prospect haul (it had better be a good one). If that's the plan its downright idiotic.

Here's my big question: If you trade Nico and then either Bregman or Shaw or Swanson go down for an extended period how the Hell do you fill out your infield?! Triantos?! Nicky Lopez coming back?! I have to believe that after building up this team to the point they have that they wouldn't leave themselves this vulnerable.
 
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My head might explode if this FO trades Hoerner. For all intents and purposes it cancels out the Bregman signing. The 2 players were nearly identical in WAR last year on a prorated basis last seaon. The only argument is that you need to start restocking the farm system so you swap Bregman in for Nico just to trade one of the only valuable commodities you can for a prospect haul (it had better be a good one). If that's the plan its downright idiotic.

Here's my big question: If you trade Nico and then either Bregman or Shaw go down for an extended period how the Hell do you fill out your infield?! Triantos?! Nicky Lopez coming back?! I have to believe that after building up this team to the point they have that they wouldn't leave themselves this vulnerable.
I wouldn’t worry too much. Cubs insiders keep saying our FO will always listen but Howrner isn’t going anywhere unless they get blown away by an offer. But it’s nice seeing teams like LA, NY, SF and Boston all want him. Personally I believe he gets extended. With Busch, Ballestareos, Amaya and PCA all under team control there’s room to extend Hoerner and Suzuki. Happ? I think we move on and maybe add a vet that hits lefty to platoon with Alcantara in 27.
 
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I wouldn’t worry too much. Cubs insiders keep saying our FO will always listen but Howrner isn’t going anywhere unless they get blown away by an offer. But it’s nice seeing teams like LA, NY, SF and Boston all want him. Personally I believe he gets extended. With Busch, Ballestareos, Amaya and PCA all under team control there’s room to extend Hoerner and Suzuki. Happ? I think we move on and maybe add a vet that hits lefty to platoon with Alcantara in 27.
Yep, cause he is a damn good winning ball player that any team would love to have.
 
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That's Keith injecting his own politics into it.

If he was uncoachable, he wouldn't have completely overhauled his swing and approach mid-season. It's not like he just woke up one day and went 'I'm going to completely change everything that has gotten me to this point' without some help and guidance.
 
That's Keith injecting his own politics into it.

If he was uncoachable, he wouldn't have completely overhauled his swing and approach mid-season. It's not like he just woke up one day and went 'I'm going to completely change everything that has gotten me to this point' without some help and guidance.
You think Keith Law is making that up? Is he known to have a political bias that he has a hard time hiding?

I believe Shaw overhauled his swing after being sent down last year didn't he? He really didn't have much of a choice in that case.

One more thing and I could be completely wrong on this one. I was getting the feeling from listening to Ron Coomer talk about Shaw last year that he was slow to make some adjustments that he was being encouraged to make. Again I was sort of reading between the lines there because Coom would never outright say such a thing so maybe I'm way off.
 
You think Keith Law is making that up? Is he known to have a political bias that he has a hard time hiding?

I believe Shaw overhauled his swing after being sent down last year didn't he? He really didn't have much of a choice in that case.

One more thing and I could be completely wrong on this one. I was getting the feeling from listening to Ron Coomer talk about Shaw last year that he was slow to make some adjustments that he was being encouraged to make. Again I was sort of reading between the lines there because Coom would never outright say such a thing so maybe I'm way off.
Yes. He's staunchly progressive and makes no bones about it. He's very forthcoming on his politics.

From Gemini:
In essence, Law blends his sharp analytical mind for baseball with a clearly liberal, progressive perspective on life and politics.

Maybe he's right that Shaw resisted but it just doesn't seem like a guy that makes that many changes could be doing it on his own to me.
 
Oh FFS let's keep politics out of baseball talk! Who a guy's friends are or their political views has nothing to do with their ability to hit a baseball. It's no secret whose funeral he missed a game to attend and it really doesn't matter.

Now to lighten the mood up a little bit with some comedy...



 
Oh FFS let's keep politics out of baseball talk! Who a guy's friends are or their political views has nothing to do with their ability to hit a baseball. It's no secret whose funeral he missed a game to attend and it really doesn't matter.

Now to lighten the mood up a little bit with some comedy...




You mean the "political rally" as Law called it?
 
You think Keith Law is making that up? Is he known to have a political bias that he has a hard time hiding?

I believe Shaw overhauled his swing after being sent down last year didn't he? He really didn't have much of a choice in that case.

One more thing and I could be completely wrong on this one. I was getting the feeling from listening to Ron Coomer talk about Shaw last year that he was slow to make some adjustments that he was being encouraged to make. Again I was sort of reading between the lines there because Coom would never outright say such a thing so maybe I'm way off.
I don't listen to the radio broadcast often so I can't speak to Coom's comments, but making adjustments in season while getting your first taste of the big leagues isn't easy.
 
That's Keith injecting his own politics into it.

If he was uncoachable, he wouldn't have completely overhauled his swing and approach mid-season. It's not like he just woke up one day and went 'I'm going to completely change everything that has gotten me to this point' without some help and guidance.
And a NY Times article. Not exactly objective.
 
Don't have any clue if Law is bagging on Shaw for any particular reason/grude. I do know Keith Law is insufferable. Dude fully suffers from thinking he's the smartest guy in the room and that everyone else is beneath him. His writing is never interesting to read.
 
Trading Nico for this season would be an awful decision after getting Bregman. Nico is our best for average hitter and a gold glove at 2nd. I still believe trying to turn Shaw into a 3rd/2nd/OF/DH utility man is the better option.