offseason moves/news/activity

[ADDinChicago]

think we're done on pitching? we've added some depth (and the guys we brought in can be bullpen and starters so that helps even more)

do we need another guy?

The Cubs still need bullpen help. And that is what I think they'll still acquire (in addition to CF). Which is why moving someone like Baez, as much as it might hurt, to a team like the Rays still makes a lot of sense. Especially if they could get a Brad Boxberger or maybe even more like a SP such as Jake McGee (and the Cubs would kick in more pieces), would be huge for both parties.

As nice as Hector Rondon was, the Cubs would like to upgrade the closer position if they can.

And it sounds like the Cubs are still hoping to hit it big at the winter meetings. Heyward obviously is the top target, but there are other roster spots to still be filled/upgraded on the bench.

[karch34]

Holy Cow! We signed Heyward per all reports. Really didn't expect that. Big shot across the bow with the Cardinals rivalry.

[GYBE]

the hilarity of us signing the best free agent hitter when our lineup was already stacked, my word.

[ADDinChicago]

Holy Cow! We signed Heyward per all reports. Really didn't expect that. Big shot across the bow with the Cardinals rivalry.

The best part is it's not $200 mil and he apparently took less to join the Cubs as the Nationals offered more.

[hermes]

woooooooooooooooo!

[hermes]

and we might not even be done, i guess they still might trade for a pitcher

[NyCeEvO]

Holy Cow! We signed Heyward per all reports. Really didn't expect that. Big shot across the bow with the Cardinals rivalry.

The best part is it's not $200 mil and he apparently took less to join the Cubs as the Nationals offered more.

There are some reports that even the Cardinals offered $200mil as well. Don't know if that's true though.

[karch34]

The lineup is stacked. It's just a weird feeling to think we made out like we did already and haven't touched the farm system.

[Howling Mad]

I followed along very closely as things started to fall into the place over the last week or so. My wife and I went away on a trip this weekend so I spent some time listening to podcasts, reading up on what I missed so I figured I'd share what I picked up, espeically helpful for the folks not in the chicago market.

-Cubs were never going for a big name free agent pitcher. Price was almost a perfect fit but it was too much money for him and Lester. Bruce Levine, local reporter, thinks it was one big smoke screen (Prince). On that same thought, Peter Gammons - who many assume his buddy Theo is giving him the inside scoop, helped flank the Cardinals to think the Cubs were zeroed in on Price with Heyward as a long shot target. He reported a few times on ESPN that Theo was fabricating interest in Heyward to drive the price up. Looking back it wsa the complete oppo.

-Ideally the Cubs would like to move Soler for young pitcher that they would have control over for 3-5 years. They'd be willing to part with Soler + B rated prospect. One of the Cubs podcasts reported that they offered an A+B prospect for Shelby Miller, and mulled two lower quality A prospects, but eventually put the priority on Heyward and passed.

-Most believe Baez is here to stay waiting in the wings behind Zobrist.

-some chatter about Ender Inciarte, one of the prized prospects the Braves got in the trade for Shelby Miller, but nothing even rumor worthy there.


My personal thoughts are that those two A prospects the Cubs mulled were Baez and Soler cause I couldn't see them parting with Bryant, Rizzo, or Schwarber. I also think they're interest in shelby miller was a 'half' try to help sway the believe that pitching was their #1 priority.

We've heard over and over the plan is stack up hitting as much as possible and get arms that last 180 innings and build a strong bullpen. I'd like to see Soler traded for a pitcher, then I'd like to see a true leadoff signing (Span). Or if Theo can pull off a Soler for Inciarte trade, I'd be over the moon.

[ADDinChicago]

Who thinks Baez is here to stay? Most in the media, and most fans, believe with the Zobrist signing, it almost assures Baez is the next to go for arms. They're not going to have him on the bench for 3-4 seasons.

[Howling Mad]

I don't think Zobrist is a 3/4 year plan. I think he's a 2 year plan with the last two years being a backup and super utility guy. He's also going to be considered a 4th outfielder after Heyward, Schwarbs and future CF. That'll give Baez plenty of at-bats at 2B.

On Baez, it's most of the media. Teams inquired about him after the Zobrist signing, but from what I gathered Baez's value to the Cubs and how others teams see him are very far apart. Or at least other teams think they can get him cheap on the dollar since Zobrist is our guy at 2nd now. The Cubs view Baez's value as a super infield sub, with a potential to be a 25-30 hr guy, and coming from SS/2B that'd be huge if it came to fruition. Now with Zobrist the Cubs have the patience for that. Levine said he sees Baez getting a lot of at bats at multiple infield positions adding he'd like to keep the core guys closer to 500 at bats rather than pushing 600+. Baez could make that possible for 3B, SS, 2B.

Soler on the other hand has become expendable since JH's age and prime position practically make Soler a fifth outfielder. I think it was Jon Heyman who said it - what Soler offers, the Cubs don't need.
Future potential, cubs have.
Future power/contact, Cubs have.
An outfielder that can't play defense, Cubs have.
On top of that, his poor play in cold weather last year likely doesn't make him an October hero. Cubs would love to flip him for pitching but nothing is matching up and clubs are asking for more. Most teams still value pitching over batting, Cubs philosophy is the opposite so working out a trade has been difficult.

There was a lot of rumblings about Carlos Gonzalez, but thats done now. I'm not sure if the Cubs have enough to still sign Denard Span, but thatd be great if we could get Span at the top with everyone shifting one spot down in thebatting order, with Soler being absent. The only other potential rumor, not even a full rumor, is the prospect the Braves just got from the dbacks, Inciarte.

[ADDinChicago]

I'm well aware of how the Cubs "view" Baez & Soler. If they didn't, they'd have gone for less by now. But you can't play 10 position players. It's only a matter of time. And what "future CF" are you talking about? Heyward is the CF unless Soler is dealt, and it's most likely going to be Coghlan then in CF or RF. The Cubs landed the white whale in Heyward, no more starting position players are coming. Epstein basically said last Friday that was "probably it" for spending for now.

There weren't "rumblings" about CarGo, either, it was one report from Sports Mockery, who has a history of just throwing ideas out there and MLB Rumors piggy backed on it. And Bruce Levine has been off his game since ESPN cut ties and went of to the Bore. He now regurgiates other's "scoops" and stuff he must read on MLBTradeRumors. It's like when Sam Smith was put out to pasture and the Bulls signed him to write fluff pieces for their site.

Either way, Baez isn't going to sit for 2 years and the Cubs still have a plethora of 4th OF options (if Soler isn't dealt) in Chris Coghlan, Alcantara & Szczur until Amora is ready. Soler & Baez both are going to be the "odd men out" barring an injury in time. The Cubs now need quality arms more than anything.

[ChronicKerr]

If the right deal isn't out there they shouldn't give away Baez or Soler. Soler is cost controlled for many years at a very reasonable salary that has to have value around the league.

Having said that, I would still feel better adding another quality SP (better than hendricks/hammel) as well as some BP help. I suspect value signings will continue to occur and hopefully a deal matches up with most likely soler, perhaps both if they can get a salazar/ross.

[Howling Mad]

It's politically correct to say Heyward is our starting day CF, but to get the WAR value the team paid for Heyward he needs to be at RF not CF.

The Carlos Gonzalez news was national news from several sources, sporting news, CBS sports, Jon Heyman. The piece being swapped was Jorge Soler. The main reason it wasn't done - he isn't a true center fielder.

Schwarbs is goign to get time behind the plate, that shifts Zobrist to LF, and Baez in at 2nd. Baez should see 300-400 ABs - 150-200 at 2nd, 100 at SS and 100 at 3B. That seems like a reasonable amount of ABs for a sub and if he can put together a .275/.325/.450 slash with 15-20 HRs, he'd be one of the best super subs in baseball who could potentially turn into a star just around the time Zobrist turns 37.

My personal feelings is that the Cubs would rather grab a high defensive CF that could give some base stealing support, split time at CF with Heyward, rather than putting Heyward full time at CF and Soler as the everyday RF.

[Howling Mad]

The other news that I failed to mention is chatter with the Rays. I believe it was Phil Rogers who first reported the Rays interest in Baez. Theo inquired about Kevin Kermaier, doesn't want to part with Baez, Soler doesn't get it done. Now Phil Rogers is saying it could turn into a mega deal with Soler/Baez going to the Rays for a pitcher and KK.

Talk about a stud defensive CF, speed on the bases, and a young guy who could grow with the team and under contract for awhile.

[Howling Mad]

We signed Jean Machi, key bullpen arm during the Giants World Series run. Fell off the year after and traded to BOS. Looks like a good candidate to rebound if he's put in the right situation.

[ADDinChicago]

The other news that I failed to mention is chatter with the Rays. I believe it was Phil Rogers who first reported the Rays interest in Baez. Theo inquired about Kevin Kermaier, doesn't want to part with Baez, Soler doesn't get it done. Now Phil Rogers is saying it could turn into a mega deal with Soler/Baez going to the Rays for a pitcher and KK.

Talk about a stud defensive CF, speed on the bases, and a young guy who could grow with the team and under contract for awhile.

It's Brad Boxberger & Jake McGee that are/were being mentioned, which it would take both Baez & Soler to pry away. Originally the Cubs were seeking Jake Odorizzi or Matt Moore (which in addition to Chris Archer) are not happening. I also don't see the Rays parting with Kiermaier, even with both Baez & Soler going down to TB. The original deal, much like the proposed deal with the Braves, quickly died when the opposition started asking for highly touted prospects (mainly Billy McKinney).

[Howling Mad]

Phil Rogers news is brand new as of yesterday. Rays mulling the extension for Kiermaier since their farm system is full of defensive speed guys. Silverman value's KK's WAR almost as much as Theo and Jed do, but still unsure if he wants to let a 7+ WAR guy go, especially at only 25 yrs old.

If the Cubs got KK, they'd have four position players with a top 20 WAR value in baseball. Having 3 WAR guys in the top compares to the best teams in baseball history. With Bryant, Rizzo and Heyward we have that, if we added KK, ooh ma gosh.

[ChicagoTRS]

I think major moves are probably over. I think Theo would be perfectly willing to trade Baez or Soler but will not do it unless he is getting value. Pitching has been overpriced this offseason and quality bats undervalued. Theo understands at some point if Soler/Baez display real power their value will increase and he can go into the season with the roster "as is" and be the favorite in the NL. Holding Soler/Baez gives the team flexibility to make moves during the season when they better understand what they might need. Maddon is the perfect coach to handle this roster - Baez will get plenty of at bats and I expect Maddon to continue to platoon and shuffle defensive positions based on match ups. Maddon puts young players in ideal positions to succeed. The Cubs offseason really put the rest of the league on notice...I do not think teams are willing to give the Cubs a trade that is not one sided at this point.

[ADDinChicago]

The Brendan Ryan Era is already over as the Cubs released him today (which was not surprising at all).