Author Topic: Cubs in '18  (Read 75619 times)

CurtOne

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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #660 on: December 08, 2017, 10:55:44 am »
Where is wetbutt when you need him.
Davep is in Florida I thnk.

Deeg

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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #661 on: December 08, 2017, 11:11:39 am »
Finding a 6th starter if we get Otani is, honestly, the least of our problems.  Getting him basically free gives you plenty of money to sign a decent #5-type for two years.

craig

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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #662 on: December 08, 2017, 11:19:00 am »
Is the assumption that a six man rotation would give Otani more days to rest and to play the outfield?  So we have 4 now.  I suppose Butler and Montgomery would be insurance, but who else do we get?  A one year deal to Lackey?  I hear Brett Anderson is available.  Kill me now.  Cobb still a target?  Liriano?  Sabathia!  Would be nice to get another lefty.   Jaime Garcia?  Oft injured but surprisingly effective for the money.

Isn't the 6-man schedule closer to his frequency in Japan?  And if so, all the more reason to take seriously the 2-way usage? 

With Chatwood as #5 I've been assuming #4 would be targetted for somebody at a higher class:  somebody from the Cobb/Lynn/Arrieta/Darvish group.  Not from the lower Anderson-style class.  :)

Not sure Ohtani would change that much.  Maybe somebody Arrieta-price would be less needful, and could afford a lesser 6th guy?  Maybe Cobb or Lynn would still make great sense, AND be affordable?  Maybe Darvish would actually be a great fit in an Ohtani-Chatwood rotation?

 

craig

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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #663 on: December 08, 2017, 11:24:24 am »
6-man would be interesting from the roster-standpoint.  I thought Maddon had tired/worn-out some of his relievers the last couple of years.  Would adding an extra 6th starter:
1.  Come at the expense of a reliever?
2.  Come at the expense of another position sub? 
3.  Have a starter available each day?  (Sunday starter is available for relief on Wednesday; Monday starter on Thursday, etc...  On 6-day rotation, every day you've got a guy at least 3 days from last and next start....) 
4.  Significantly change Maddon's bullpen usage and cut down on the mid-inning switches?  Have more 2-inning outings? 

CUBluejays

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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #664 on: December 08, 2017, 11:26:37 am »
6 man would be once a week most of the time, so close to Japan.

If the Cubs got Ohtani, I'd line up the rotation Ohtani, Quintana, Hedricks, Lester, Chatwood, ???.  So somebody in Cobb's class would be more of a luxury as the playoff rotation would be Ohtani, Quintana, Hendricks, Lester is some order.

craig

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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #665 on: December 08, 2017, 11:28:09 am »
Pen and pitching-coach tangent:  To what extent are pitching switches and pen usage Maddon, versus Bosio/Hickey? 

Is it possible that Hickey will have different views, that impact the frequency of mid-inning ROOGY switches? 

Deeg

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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #666 on: December 08, 2017, 11:39:29 am »
Buster Olney on ESPN 1000 in Chicago just now (supposedly):

“Multiple GM’s around the league feel the Cubs feel EXTREMELY confident about their chances about getting Ohtani after their presentation”

Deeg

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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #667 on: December 08, 2017, 11:43:52 am »
There's a bit of smoke out there, enough to make me believe there's at least some buzz that the Cubs feel good about Otani (whether they actually do or not).

Ron

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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #668 on: December 08, 2017, 11:43:57 am »
Buster Olney on ESPN 1000 in Chicago just now (supposedly):

“Multiple GM’s around the league feel the Cubs feel EXTREMELY confident about their chances about getting Ohtani after their presentation”

I know Theo is THEO!  But still, this would be one heck of an accomplishment if he's able to recruit Ohtani in these circumstances. 

Playtwo

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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #669 on: December 08, 2017, 11:45:25 am »
To me, the Cubs have always seemed like a logical landing spot for Ohtani.  Assuming NL teams were under consideration at all.

CurtOne

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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #670 on: December 08, 2017, 12:00:43 pm »
6-man would be interesting from the roster-standpoint.  I thought Maddon had tired/worn-out some of his relievers the last couple of years.  Would adding an extra 6th starter:
1.  Come at the expense of a reliever?
2.  Come at the expense of another position sub? 
3.  Have a starter available each day?  (Sunday starter is available for relief on Wednesday; Monday starter on Thursday, etc...  On 6-day rotation, every day you've got a guy at least 3 days from last and next start....) 
4.  Significantly change Maddon's bullpen usage and cut down on the mid-inning switches?  Have more 2-inning outings? 

Haven't some teams been campaigning, along with the union, to expand the roster by one?  Cubs would probably move to the front of the line.

Deeg

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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #671 on: December 08, 2017, 12:13:44 pm »
Like Chatwood said, why would anybody not want to play for the Cubs these days?

Ron

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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #672 on: December 08, 2017, 12:35:34 pm »
Buster Olney on ESPN 1000 in Chicago just now (supposedly):

“Multiple GM’s around the league feel the Cubs feel EXTREMELY confident about their chances about getting Ohtani after their presentation”

I gather someone else posted that Olney had said this (given the "supposedly").  But Olney apparently has not tweeted or otherwise mentioned this in any way that I can find.  Count me as skeptical about Olney saying this without something more tangible.

CUBluejays

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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #673 on: December 08, 2017, 12:38:16 pm »
http://www.espn.com/espnradio/chicago/play?id=21711234

Ohtani starts at 6 minute mark.  The quote is that from talking to execs of other teams that have talked to the Cubs is that the Cubs feel really good.
« Last Edit: December 08, 2017, 12:47:43 pm by CUBluejays »

craig

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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #674 on: December 08, 2017, 12:41:35 pm »
Buster Olney on ESPN 1000 in Chicago just now (supposedly):

“Multiple GM’s around the league feel the Cubs feel EXTREMELY confident about their chances about getting Ohtani after their presentation”

Smoke within the industry, sure.  That's fun. 

Cubs always talk about "process, not results".  So they can feel great about their process.  But I don't think they can know what the actual result will be and what Ohtani will decide. 

Also can't even possibly imagine Theo is telling other GM's about what he's thinking or expecting, so what do they know?  . 

Heh heh, nor do I  think Ohtani is telling Japanese journalist what he's going to decide, even if he's already made up his mind.

Still, it's fun to not be out of it!