OT: Cubs Offseason Thread

[Chi town]

https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2024/09/11/pete-crow-armstrong-with-an-unbelievable-home-run-robbing-catch-to-win-the-game/


PCA is looking like a real superstar.

How he loves the game and competes is a joy to watch.

So what's the rule about that, with a Dodgers fan reaching into the field of play and interfering with the ball? If he didn't make the catch, could the umpires have ruled him out anyway due to that?

Don’t know actual ruling for fan interference.

Insane catch. Especially given the circumstances.

[Dresden]

Splitting 6 games v. NYY and LAD was a pretty good showing. On the road too. Hopefully they can continue to play well and make a little more ground on NYM/ATL.

[DropStep]

Maybe you all remembered this, but I saw this stat today that caught my eye.

There are now four pitchers in all of baseball history who got 150 strikeouts in their first 20 games. They are Paul Skenes, Dwight Gooden, Mark Prior and Kerry Wood.

It was a fun time, but I wish we were able to maximize those guys more. Injuries - bah, I say to injuries. (And to Alou/Bartman.)

[Chi town]

PCA has arrived. Needs to be our lead off man next season. If we had this PCA all season we’d be in the playoffs. He’s that good.

I’d like to see the Cubs trade Hoerner and bring up Shaw.

Need another SP. Let Belli walk and get a big bat. Should be Soto but it won’t be.

[Jeffster81]

PCA has arrived. Needs to be our lead off man next season. If we had this PCA all season we’d be in the playoffs. He’s that good.

I’d like to see the Cubs trade Hoerner and bring up Shaw.

Need another SP. Let Belli walk and get a big bat. Should be Soto but it won’t be.

Do you remember how bad PCA was at the beginning? He's only been good/fun since about late July. There was a reason why the Cubs sent him down. I'm happy about his development and yes, I do believe he will be the leadoff hitter.

I do believe by 2026, Shaw and Cam Smith will be the Cubs 2b and 3B replacing Nico and Paredes. I would not trade Nico, just yet. Shaw obviously will begin next season at Iowa but once he is called up (May? June?), I would ease him in as a utility player. Once he is broken in and ready to go full time, then I'd trade Nico.

[Chi town]

PCA has arrived. Needs to be our lead off man next season. If we had this PCA all season we’d be in the playoffs. He’s that good.

I’d like to see the Cubs trade Hoerner and bring up Shaw.

Need another SP. Let Belli walk and get a big bat. Should be Soto but it won’t be.

Do you remember how bad PCA was at the beginning? He's only been good/fun since about late July. There was a reason why the Cubs sent him down. I'm happy about his development and yes, I do believe he will be the leadoff hitter.

I do believe by 2026, Shaw and Cam Smith will be the Cubs 2b and 3B replacing Nico and Paredes. I would not trade Nico, just yet. Shaw obviously will begin next season at Iowa but once he is called up (May? June?), I would ease him in as a utility player. Once he is broken in and ready to go full time, then I'd trade Nico.

I remember well. I was out on him and vocal about it.

Then he made changes to his stance and started hitting. He’s .320 avg and .385 OB for past 30 games. His WAR in that span is crazy. Top 20 hitter in the game.

I think Shaw will start at 2B and win it at camp.

Jed will probably trade top prospects for Vlad or someone similar because they won’t pay Soto.

[nitetrain8603]

Anyone catch the Athletic article about the White Sox.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5773947/2024/09/19/white-sox-failure-worst-season-history/?source=user_shared_article

It's bad, really bad. :/

[_txchilibowl_]

A bit off topic but I just want to mention how lucky we all are to be able to witness Shohei. He's everything baseball needed.

[nitetrain8603]

A bit off topic but I just want to mention how lucky we all are to be able to witness Shohei. He's everything baseball needed.

Meh I thought Acuna's 40/70 season was more impressive, especially considering he doesn't sell out for homers which also keeps the average way up.

[Dresden]

Maybe you all remembered this, but I saw this stat today that caught my eye.

There are now four pitchers in all of baseball history who got 150 strikeouts in their first 20 games. They are Paul Skenes, Dwight Gooden, Mark Prior and Kerry Wood.

It was a fun time, but I wish we were able to maximize those guys more. Injuries - bah, I say to injuries. (And to Alou/Bartman.)

What might have been!

[Dresden]

A bit off topic but I just want to mention how lucky we all are to be able to witness Shohei. He's everything baseball needed.

Meh I thought Acuna's 40/70 season was more impressive, especially considering he doesn't sell out for homers which also keeps the average way up.

I don't quite get the hoopla around 50/50 either. I don't think pitchers/catchers are that concerned about getting stolen on anymore, since it's become more of a game of who can hit the most HR's. The homers isn't that impressive now either, since players just swing for the fences all the time.

I thought what was a lot more impressive, and unique, was when Shohei was pitching at an all-star level and still hitting like an MVP. That is something we haven't seen since Babe Ruth.

[Dresden]

Cubs obviously won't catch the Mets, but good to finish the season strong anyway.

[_txchilibowl_]

Tough crowd. 50/50 is pretty amazing imo. Doesn't take away from Acuna's season.

[Dresden]

3 games left, and Cubs are 3 games over .500, so they just need to win one more to have a winning season. Hoerner with a 2 homer game today. His average is up in the .270's now. He seems like a keeper. Happ has come around to have a pretty good year- I think he may have the highest OPS on the team, or at least second. He and Suzuki are two pieces to build around. Need more out of 3rd base, and possibly 1st as well. And of course, catcher.

[Chi town]

3 games left, and Cubs are 3 games over .500, so they just need to win one more to have a winning season. Hoerner with a 2 homer game today. His average is up in the .270's now. He seems like a keeper. Happ has come around to have a pretty good year- I think he may have the highest OPS on the team, or at least second. He and Suzuki are two pieces to build around. Need more out of 3rd base, and possibly 1st as well. And of course, catcher.

We need two big bats. Happ and SS need to be your 3-5 best hitters. I think PCA will be 3rd best on a contender.

[Dresden]

Any ideas on who they can get?

[Chi town]

Locked On Cubs guys threw out Paredes and Nico for a starting pitcher. Insiders saying Cubs want a top of the rotation guy that can win playoff games.

Shaw at 3rd. Busch at 2nd. Sign Alonso for 1b.

Should certainly help the offense.

[Jeffster81]

Locked On Cubs guys threw out Paredes and Nico for a starting pitcher. Insiders saying Cubs want a top of the rotation guy that can win playoff games.

Shaw at 3rd. Busch at 2nd. Sign Alonso for 1b.

Should certainly help the offense.

No thank you on Alonso. Do not ever pay a 1B who is enterting his 30's a massive contract that Alonso is going to want. I rather trade for Vlad Guerrero, Jr.

No to Busch moving to second. Ideally, Shaw is the 2B by 2026 with Cam Smith the 3B. Busch has been so good defensively at 1B that I do not want to move him off 1B.

As for the starting pitcher, I think they'll go FA instead of trade. I suspect Corbin Burnes (ties to Counsell) will be the guy the Cubs target. Luis Castillo, is they go the trade route.

And, I do believe the Cubs need to land a legitimate closer this off-season. I like Hodge and think he can be it in time, but I rather have a proven guy in 2025.

[Chi town]

Locked On Cubs guys threw out Paredes and Nico for a starting pitcher. Insiders saying Cubs want a top of the rotation guy that can win playoff games.

Shaw at 3rd. Busch at 2nd. Sign Alonso for 1b.

Should certainly help the offense.

No thank you on Alonso. Do not ever pay a 1B who is enterting his 30's a massive contract that Alonso is going to want. I rather trade for Vlad Guerrero, Jr.

No to Busch moving to second. Ideally, Shaw is the 2B by 2026 with Cam Smith the 3B. Busch has been so good defensively at 1B that I do not want to move him off 1B.

As for the starting pitcher, I think they'll go FA instead of trade. I suspect Corbin Burnes (ties to Counsell) will be the guy the Cubs target. Luis Castillo, is they go the trade route.

And, I do believe the Cubs need to land a legitimate closer this off-season. I like Hodge and think he can be it in time, but I rather have a proven guy in 2025.

Vlad is my top target because they won’t pay Soto.

Do you think Cassie, Triantos, Busch and Nico get him?

Shaw, Mo and Smith are untouchable IMO. Same with Horton.

[Dresden]

The recent surge in run production changes the need for more bats a little bit I would think. They still need an upgrade, esp. if they don't sign Belli again, but if they have young bats in the system, maybe they just go for smaller improvements for now.

For pitching, isn't Shota a top line starter? He'll likely be 3rd in Cy Young voting I would think. Then you have Steele and Wicks and Assad and Taillon. And what about Ben Brown?