Author Topic: Cubs in '19  (Read 72235 times)

davep

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #15 on: October 02, 2018, 11:06:22 pm »
Unless they sign Machado.  So Bryant will be the third baseman

Deeg

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #16 on: October 02, 2018, 11:10:04 pm »
With Russell 99.9% gone, I don't think a Machado signing is that far-fetched.
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davep

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #17 on: October 02, 2018, 11:13:25 pm »
I would love it, but I think there is almost no chance of it.

Deeg

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #18 on: October 02, 2018, 11:13:38 pm »
We're arguing the post-mortem while the game is still in the balance.  That's so Cub.

davep

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #19 on: October 02, 2018, 11:22:23 pm »
It's not really a post-mortem.  I doubt if the questioned signing will hinge upon what happens in this game.

Deeg

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #20 on: October 03, 2018, 12:29:29 am »
The first big decision - and it's huge - is Hamels.  Hard to see how you can let your best pitcher walk away on what is, by today's standards, a reasonable salary.  But this team has to spend a lot of money addressing its other needs and they do have a lot of SP under contract (even if none of them are as good as Hamels).

Deeg

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #21 on: October 03, 2018, 01:19:54 am »
If you want some hope amidst the gloom, Chavez said after the game he's retiring if the Cubs don't bring him back.
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guest61

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #22 on: October 03, 2018, 10:03:15 am »
We're a big market team and Im sure we'll be active this offseason.

Our run isnt done.

I do think the roster needs a thorough cleansing though.

Im living the good life at the beach right now so I dont have time to get into it but a top of the line leadoff man seems more necessary to me than Harper or Machado and the pitching staff needs a few new pieces.


brjones

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #23 on: October 03, 2018, 10:32:09 am »
Im living the good life at the beach right now so I dont have time to get into it but a top of the line leadoff man seems more necessary to me than Harper or Machado

I think they're both necessary.

vander-built

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #24 on: October 03, 2018, 11:17:49 am »
So who are the potential leadoff types that we could sign or trade for?  If we sign Harper, I imagine Happ, Schwarber, or Almora become trade bait.  Who is out there that would be available?

Dave23

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #25 on: October 03, 2018, 11:37:31 am »
I wonder if Washington would let Eaton go to free up another OF spot?

brjones

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #26 on: October 03, 2018, 11:41:51 am »
There aren't really any leadoff types on the free agent market. AJ Pollock and Brian Dozier have done it before. But Pollock hasn't really been a good OBP guy since 2014-15, and his injury history makes him pretty scary at 31 years old. Dozier is coming off a terrible season, so I don't think you can count on him being a top of the order guy.

The trade market isn't that much better, but there may be a few options. The Royals should trade Whit Merrifield because he's 29 and probably will be in decline by the the next time the Royals are good, but I don't think they have the stomach to do it.

I could see the Nationals wanting to shake up their lineup, So Adam Eaton could be available. His bat fits well, but his injury problems are of some concern. I know a lot of Cubs fans hate him too...I'm not sure if that's just because he played for the White Sox or if there is something specific he did to make him a bad clubhouse guy.

The Rays are unpredictable, so I guess Tommy Pham could go back on the market...but I doubt it. The Braves would probably trade Ender Inciarte for the right price, but he's coming off a down year (and I don't think it's clear he's much more than a LH Almora anyway).

The Rangers would probably trade Elivs Andrus. He appeared to have finally emerged as that type of hitter in 2016-17, but was bad this year after he broke his wrist in April. If you buy that the injury killed his season, he could be an option.

CUBluejays

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #27 on: October 03, 2018, 11:51:54 am »
Why wouldn't Zobrist work as the leadoff hitter?  In 140 PA this year leading off he was .285/.371/.439?  He gives you a professional AB and is a switch hitter.

1) Zobrist 2B
2.) Bryant 3B
3.) Harper CF/RF
4.) Baez SS
5.) Rizzo 1B
6.) Contreras C
7.) Schwarber LF
8.) Hayward/Happ/Almora CF/RF


vander-built

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #28 on: October 03, 2018, 11:55:01 am »
How many games can you rely on him to play? 

brjones

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #29 on: October 03, 2018, 11:56:01 am »
I think Zobrist must have some aversion to hitting leadoff that Maddon tries to accommodate as much as possible. Otherwise, he would've just lead off all the time this year.

He's also probably going to be even more of a part time player next year, and he'll be 38 years old in May. At some point soon, he's going to decline.