hermes wrote:i think shark might want too much money than the cubs would want to spend, and won't heyward be spendy too? it will be too bad if fowler leaves he was really good in the second half
how long until that amora (stud cf in the minors) is ready for the big time? i suppose we are getting spoiled with all of our picks working out so quickly that we might lose patience on others. we still have alcantrara right? he could play center too
Heyward will cost a lot, but it's less of a gamble to pay a lot for a bat (and one that's only 26 and won't be 27 until August heading into his "prime years") vs. paying for an aging SP when so many long-term deals on pitching end up burning teams in the long run (obviously, if the Cubs win a World Series it's much more easy to swallow). As it is, Samardzija, even will less innings on his arm is going to be 31 when the season starts and he's looked terrible in the AL and there's nothing that would tell you going back to the NL is a gimme he'll be good. I think it'll be a moot point as the Cardinals most likely sign him soon to replace Lackey and he fits their price range and ideas. The only thing I think disrupts that now is either Mark Buehrle deciding to play next season and going home to Missouri or another club panics and offers Samardzija that $100 mil figure.
Almora, still no one knows because no one knows what he is. He's just 22 when the season starts, but something hasn't "clicked" apparently and they're taking their time with him. He's taken a lot longer than the Bryants, Schwarbers, etc. There's still grumblings too that he could be included in the right deal (Shelby Miller or Carlos Carrasco keep coming up). You never want to give up on someone so young, but the Cubs have too many position players in the pot and you have to move something to get something.
And yes, Alcantara is still in the mix, but one would have to assume he's probably part of any package during the Winter meetings, especially after not playing much last season at the MLB level (just 11 games with the Cubs) even when he was eligible to come back up to the MLB club. He was apparently on the block all season too and no one bit. He's a nice sub, but he's not going to net you much in a deal unless it's part of a package.
Javy Baez has been playing CF too in the offseason (he played it in high school and says he likes it), but that seems to be more of a fail safe and maybe to possibly increase his trade value if need be.