Author Topic: Cubs in '17 - 👑👑👑 Reigning Champions Edition 👑👑👑  (Read 75327 times)

CUBluejays

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 17347
I think restrictions end after next year, but I don't think they really matter any more either.  Between increased attendance, increased ticket prices and deep playoff runs the money isn't an issue.  The issue is the luxury tax and guys enter arbitration.

craig

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13098
Thanks Jeff.  Really helpful!  I'm taking Grimm off.  That would put it $115.  If delete Rondon too, ~$110. 
Even with both of those guys off, that's still 18 guys who are locks (barring trade.) 

The list of names to replace is substantial, but not extraordinary.  Still, between guys gone through FA and non-tender, plus trades, could easily see almost 40% of the 25-man roster turn over. 
Jon Jay     Alex Avila/Rene Rivera     Arrieta        Lackey         Duensing         Davis    Grimm     Rondon? 

craig

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13098
Have to figure they go in-house with Caratini at backup C, yeah? ....

I wonder. 
1.  He's got a couple more option years. 
2.  Cubs disliked his catcher defense enough to acquire 2nd and 3rd catchers this year.
3.  Catching is a high-injury job.  Being able to stash Caratini at Iowa in case of injury is nice insurance.
4.  Contreras is a bad framer.  Perhaps they'd like to have a veteran guy to mentor him? 

May well go with Caratini.  But won't be surprised if they get somebody more experienced.
 
5.  May also use Caratini in trade.  The minors are pretty bare, so if they want to trade for a reliever, Caratini might be used as a part of a deal.   

CUBluejays

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 17347
Rivera would be a nice back up option because of his defense and how cheap he'll be.  Caratini would be a nice 3rd catcher option at Iowa, but if he has trade value that might be a better idea.

In my head I've kinda replaced Grimm with Maples as an up and down wild man with good stuff. 

CurtOne

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 27253
I would think that there is a chance they might re-sign Jay, Duensing, and one of the two catchers.

Deeg

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 16926
I don't think they dislike Caratini's defense - I think they just didn't want to go into the stretch with two very inexperienced catchers.  Caratini is a bg-leaguer - if he's not with the Cubs next year it'll be because they traded him.  They might keep and still sign a 3rd catcher (Rivera would be my pick) since Caratini can play other positions if needed.

I don't think there's any "if" about trading for pitching this offseason - one pretty big name at least is going to go.  Might be Schwarber, Happ, even Baez - who knows, but it's going to happen.

craig

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13098
Heresy, I think, but one "big name" that could be shopped would be Contreras himself.  With his bat and arm and power and youth and energy and club control, he could be really attractive player for a team that has a catcher issue and has no solution in development. 

Wouldn't make much sense for Cubs, of course, since then they'd lose an asset.  But, what if they think he's a nut and that his pitch-framing and game-calling is really a significant liability, and that he doesn't provide the leadership often associated/expected from a catcher?  If you were to replace him with low-$$ guys with with more experience (even if you cobbled together some solution from among Avila, Rivera, and Caratini, you might not be awful at catcher.  But you might be able to get a WAY better pitching package in return for Contreras than you could ever dream of for Happ or Schwarber. 

I'm not advocating, just trying to think outside the box!  :)  Sometimes it's hard to guess how much value Cubs might place on pitch framing, or leadership.  Without which it's hard to estimate exactly how valuable a player is or isn't. 
Agree Agree x 1 View List

CUBluejays

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 17347
(Insert picture of Darth Vader)

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

CUBluejays

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 17347
It would actually shock me if the Cubs are targeting a TORP outside of Otani.  I'm pretty sure the Arrieta replacement is Quintana and the Cubs will be looking for a 4th and 5th starter.

Then the question becomes is trading one of the major leaguers worth a closer.

method

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4404
Yes if you are getting a edwin diaz or Osuna back... otherwise no.

CurtOne

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 27253
Ban Craig for heresy.
Agree Agree x 1 View List

Deeg

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 16926
I think Contreras' framing and temperament issues are a real thing, but I also think he's a freak talent and there's almost no way the club deals him.

CurtOne

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 27253
I think Contreras' framing and temperament issues are a real thing, but I also think he's a freak talent and there's almost no way the club deals him.
I agree.  Framing can be taught.  His arm and his bat cannot be.  You trade him if he can't throw anybody out or hit, not for something he can be coached.  If all else fails, you find him another position.

davep

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 15854
"Ban Craig for hearsay"?  Everything on this board is hearsay.

CurtOne

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 27253
Heresy, you idiot.