Author Topic: Cubs in '17 - 👑👑👑 Reigning Champions Edition 👑👑👑  (Read 75306 times)

JeffH

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First look at the 2017 payroll.  Included players under contract (UC), players eligible for salary arbitration (AE), players with contract options likely to be exercised (CO - club option or PO - player option), and KEY players who can have their contracts automatically renewed by the club (0-3).  Used mlbtraderumors.com's salary estimates for "AE" players.  Used an average of $850,000 for "0-3" players.  Assumed that Dexter Fowler's mutual option will not be exercised.

$147,600,000 without Fowler and Chapman or suitable veteran replacements.

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craig

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First look at the 2017 payroll.  Included players under contract (UC), players eligible for salary arbitration (AE), players with contract options likely to be exercised (CO - club option or PO - player option), and KEY players who can have their contracts automatically renewed by the club (0-3).  Used mlbtraderumors.com's salary estimates for "AE" players.  Used an average of $850,000 for "0-3" players.  Assumed that Dexter Fowler's mutual option will not be exercised.

$147,600,000 without Fowler and Chapman or suitable veteran replacements.

Thanks, jeff.  Yikes, that's pretty high as a starting point

There were 6 teams last year ≥$166M.  So I'd think the Cubs might have some working space there, could imagine them bumping into the top 6-7. 

But who knows how they view it.

craig

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Will be interesting to see how they build the bullpen.  Have had a statistically very effective bullpen two years straight.  But when it came down to it, Maddon didn't trust any of them but Chapman. 

*Rondon/Strop:  Wonder if they assume Rondon and Strop will be fine after the offseason?  Or if they'll have no more confidence in Rondon (or strop) during planning than they did this past week? 
*Cahill, Smith: I assume there will be guys like that still around willing to be signed.  Whether them or somebody else of that ilk.
*Wood:  Who knows with Wood, Maddon likes him, but who knows what Wood wants and might get on the market. 
*Edwards:  Do they ASSUME an increased role and reliability for him?  Or figure he might be as wild future as he's been? 

Could have a massively restructured bullpen next season, I think. Or, might also come back with a largely similar cast, and take another shot at it. 

I still think that *IF* Rondon can return to health and control, the likelihood of which Theo should know much better than I do, that coming back with Rondon/Strop/Edwards in front of Chapman could still end up being a really, really effective bullpen. 

Hammel, maybe for salary reasons they trade him.  But I'd prefer to come back with status quo:  hammell starting, Montgomery in relief with possibility of starting as needed. 

craig

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First look at the 2017 payroll....
$147,600,000 without Fowler and Chapman or suitable veteran replacements.

Jeff, I assume you've got Hammel's salary included in that $148, yes? 

JeffH

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Jeff, I assume you've got Hammel's salary included in that $148, yes? 

Yes.  $12.

davep

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Big questions:
Who closes?
Do they pick up Hammel's option? 
Do they move Heyward to center, perhaps a platoon with Almora there?
Trade Soler for pitching?

If they do not re-sign Chapman, I would expect them to sign another closer.  Is there anyone decent that will be a free agent?  Otherwise, perhaps Edwards.

I can not think of any reason not to exercise Hammel's option.  At the very least, he should bring back a very good prospect in a trade.

I hope they play Almora in center.  Heyward can be moved there if Almora struggles badly.

I expect Soler to be traded, since there seems to be no place for him to play (barring injury, of course).  Maddon played Baez at second every day in the post season, and probably will be there full time next year.  That puts Zobrist in the corner outfield along with Heyward if Almora plays CF.  Even if Heyward moves to center, they will still have to find playing time for both Schwarber and Contreras in the outfield on days that they don't catch.  However, at this point, I doubt that Soler could bring back a starting pitcher that would be much better than what we have even if Arrieta leaves for free agency next winter.  Just trade him for the best prospect you can get, regardless of position.

CUBluejays

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The Cubs should have a little bump in the payroll next year too. Attendance was up 300,000 so that could be $13+ million in revenue, the TV contract has a little bump tooted the additional playoff money. Are the rooftops under the Cubs umbrella or part of a separate company for the Ricketts?

grrrrlacher

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Bring Hammel back.
Sign a closer.
Baez needs to play missy every day at 2B. Guild glove for sure.
That puts Zo in the OF.
Schwarber and Contreras will also need time in the OF.
That may mean JHey in CF most days.

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JR

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Chris27

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Cubs have a lot of issues for a world champion.

Jansen will cost every bit as much as Chapman though he'd be nice to have.

Heyward needs to be fixed to at least respectability.

No idea how Baez and Zobrist get consistent playing time even if Soler is moved.

Then there's the pen, Hammel, decisions on Arrieta's contract, Fowler/CF.....

CurtOne

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3 new faces that few predicted would even find much playing time with the Cubs this year ended up with key roles in game 7: Edwards, Almora,  and Contreras.   And we often mention what a steal the Arrieta trade was, the Dempster Hendricks trade may one day look better.
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Robb

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I don't think Contreras will need time in the outfield.  He'll be the primary catcher and that is enough.

Deeg

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Even with Contreras in the OF (and I agree, he won't be there much) there's still a major crunch for PT if you bring Fowler back.  That basically turns either Baez or Zobrist into a utility man.  Is that going to happen?  I have my doubts.  Fowler did a very cool thing, taking a discount to bet on himself and chase an unfinished dream.  He'll cash in this time - and he should.  I don't see him coming back.

With the knee, I think the Schwarber at C thing is done for at least a season and maybe period.  Montero's back is so fragile at this point (and his throwing so terrible) I don't see the Cubs going without another pure catcher on the 25-man roster.  And sure, there's a good chance that would be the guy who catches Lester (though I'd love to see Willson be that guy).

grrrrlacher

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I see Montero catching 30 games, Contreras 100 games and Schwarber 30 games.  I heard an interview with Schwarber and he said it was his intention to keep catching.  I do see him getting 100 games in the OF.  That has to push Zobrist to RF because I don't see Baez getting less than 120 games at 2B because he has proven his glove is just too valuable at 2B.  I agree that this means no room for Fowler. Heyward will probably see more games at CF than anyone else on the team.  The most common lineup I am predicting is:

RF - Zobrist
LF - Schwarber
3B - Bryant
1B - Rizzo
SS - Russell
C - Contreras
CF - Heyward
2B - Baez