Comments on: A Grand Plan Starts Coming Together

By: Sahadev Sharma

Sahadev Sharma — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 14:51:47 +0000

If they trade Soler it’s because they’re moving Heyward to right and are planning to get a center fielder, they may even acquire one in that Soler trade. La Stella is actually a very good depth piece, that’s exactly the type of player you want filling in and possibly getting more playing time if someone gets hurt. You can’t have all stars on the bench, so it makes sense to do something like that.

CarGo doesn’t make much sense, neither does Blackmon in my opinion. Neither is very strong defensively and that’s what the Cubs will be looking for if they move Soler.

And you’re right, the prospects won’t be ready to help this year, at least not at the start. Gleyber is a shortstop, but still, of those you mentioned Almora is the only one who may help this year, and even that’s a stretch.

By: Mark Paulson

Mark Paulson — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 03:58:23 +0000

Am I the only one concerned about depth issues if they trade Baez/Soler? If they trade Soler, then Chris Coghlan is your 3rd outfielder. He’s a solid player but a platoon player at best. If they trade Baez, then Tommy LaStella is your backup infielder. Again, a good player but not necessarily someone you want taking a ton of at-bats.

If they did trade Soler, what is the asking price in a trade for one of the Rockies’ OF (Dickerson or Blackmon as CarGo’s contract is costly)? Would the Cubs be able to swing a deal like that without raiding the prospect cupboard?

I can’t think of any prospects they have that are ready to come up and make an impact in 2016. McKinney is a year away at best and the same with Almora. Happ and Gleybar won’t be ready for a couple more years. Is anyone else worried about their major league depth if they trade one of those two?

By: cicero sonny

cicero sonny — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 17:30:49 +0000

As much as i would like to see Maeda in Cubbie blue they can ge (2) 2nd tier pitchers for what he will cost. You don’t have to be a great pitcher,just a good one.

By: Sahadev Sharma

Sahadev Sharma — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 16:50:45 +0000

Yup, this is a great point. They’re attempting to make sure they don’t have to rely on next season’s weak FA class, but they’ll also likely be quite deep (with a strong minor-league system having had just another year of development, hopefully of the positive variety). That doesn’t mean they’ll sit on trade assets this offseason, if the right deal(s) come along, they’ll pull the trigger. But if things go as hoped, next offseason should be quieter for them, with the possibility of holding some very valuable trade chips.

By: Bill Thomson

Bill Thomson — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 14:21:57 +0000

I believe that signing Heyward will allow the Cubs to carry only 12 position players, giving them 13 pitchers.

By: Johnwood427

Johnwood427 — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 19:57:36 +0000

Wouldn’t Kenta Maeda fit into the Cubs’ pitching plans? He’s the right age, relative cost, and with the extended use of bullpens, I think the concern over his slight frame is lessened greatly. Speculation has him as a 2 or a 3 in a rotation, at a cost of 80m (20 posting, 60 contract) that’s a baseball bargain.

By: B_Scwared

B_Scwared — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 18:27:55 +0000

The deep FA class this year relative to next year should also be taken into account for the supply side value of their potential trade chips. Buy the players this year and next year people will need your trade chips even more.

So much attention is paid to $ per win (WAR) but I would think that only serves as the starting point to then be adjusted by supply/demand.

By: victor19nyc

victor19nyc — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 15:48:56 +0000

I am beginning to wonder if “bullpen games” are part of the team’s overall strategy. Rather than trade away talent and/or spend big money on starting pitcher, since as you point out the market has soared this offseason, corner the market on swing guys to spell a starter in trouble (Hendricks and Hammel) or bring someone in for a new look when the opposing lineup flips for the third go around. Comments like “stretching out” pitchers in spring training is a clue that something could be going on. Why else retain Wood, Cahill, CRichard and trade for Warren?

Lester, Arrieta and Lackey are good bets to throw 6+ innings most starts and are less vulnerable to losing effectiveness the third time through a lineup, but having several guys who can come in and throw mid-90s for a couple innings if needed and spot start is an interesting way of building a staff to include keeping everyone fresh for the season.

The big question would then be, how many pitchers to carry? I’m already at nine, Strop, Rondon, and Brothers brings it to twelve. That still leaves Grimm, CEdwards, Ramirez, etc.