Bleacher Bums Forum

Damn I wouldnt trade Contreras.

He should be our Yadier Molina.

I think it is a strong market to get a back up. Getting Willson for $4.5 would be a steal vs what Grandal will get. Through in that Amaya could be ready in a year.

Schwarber and Hoerner for Merrifield?  Just say no.

https://www.cubsinsider.com/2019/11/09/cubs-trade-rumors-whit-merrifield-will-be-priority-match-exists-involving-infielder-and-outfielder/

Does that guy actually know more than any of us?  Since it's the offseason, I'll ask:  where does he stand in terms of being a "real journalist?"

Altman runs the blog and has done some work with the Pelicans, but that was clearly speculation riffing off of Gonzales. 

I kinda get it why somebody would speculate about Hoerner as trade bait but, in the real world, don’t expect Theo to do that—-even in a Merrifield deal, a guy that Cubs seem to covet.

With the core getting near free agency, makes little sense to deal a near-ready guy who projects as a solid regular. It’s robbing Peter to pay Paul. I don’t see it happening.

Also not keen about trading Contreras UNLESS Theo doesn’t really believe his recent Contreras comments. Suppose it’s possible that Cubs don’t really rate him that highly and figure good time to move him now. But, Theo said Contreras is a potential MVP caliber guy. Considering how few catchers have actually won a MVP, beats me why Cubs would trade a guy like that with three years of control and who seems to love playing for Cubs.

...Also not keen about trading Contreras UNLESS Theo doesn’t really believe his recent Contreras comments. ... beats me why Cubs would trade a guy like that with three years of control and who seems to love playing for Cubs.

https://theathletic.com/1363480/2019/11/10/why-trading-willson-contreras-could-help-the-cubs-extend-their-contention-window/

The Athletic article which suggests Contreras trade might make sense. 

I'm not sure the article gives a super compelling reason to trade Contreras.  Basically the logic builds on several things:
1.  Process of elimination.  Theo said he wants to trade somebody and shake things up.  But Schwarber and Bryant won't bring much, and you don't want to trade Rizzo or Baez.  So, that leaves Contreras. 
2.  Contreras has much more trade value than the other four.  Because he's got 3 years of control instead of only two, and because of supply and demand for catchers. 
3.  Sharma likes Caratini, and thinks that offensively he'd not be that large a dropoff from Contreras.  Plus he's a different batting profile from Contreras and the other three non-Rizzos.   

I think your scouting question cuts to the heart of the issue, though.  Contreras has been a chronically awful framer; do Theo and Ross think he's really improved, and that he'll be only modestly bad in that his worst aspect?  Or is all the MVP-candidate, improved-framer stuff just salesmanship?  Who knows? 

I think Ross has to be a factor here.  He's a huge believer in the little things of catching, and is very detailed and stuff.  So perhaps he's not a fan of the Contreras profile?  If Ross is daily frustrated with Contreras, maybe they figure now is the time while he's still got 3 years. 

But yeah, the whole question just kind of puzzles me.  Theo talks up what he's going to do to improve the team, shake things up, etc..  But you've only got 5 guys, and I'm not sure it actually makes sense to trade ANY of them. 

I think it's entirely possible that once we get to spring training, the changes are on the margins, not at the core.  No major FA signings; no major trades of any of our five guys; just some changes on the edge.  Which, personally, I think might be the wisest and OK.  (Other than the keep-Q decision, which of course I don't like and think is a waste of discretionary budget.)

..I think Ross has to be a factor here.  He's a huge believer in the little things of catching, and is very detailed and stuff.  So perhaps he's not a fan of the Contreras profile?  If Ross is daily frustrated with Contreras, maybe they figure now is the time while he's still got 3 years.  But yeah, the whole question just kind of puzzles me.  Theo talks up what he's going to do to improve the team, shake things up, etc..  But you've only got 5 guys, and I'm not sure it actually makes sense to trade ANY of them...

Think that's a very good point. Ross obviously knows catching and he figures to have a lot to say about a catcher trade.

Cubs have Contreras and Caratini and perhaps that’s a luxury—given other club needs—and one has to go. Would be interesting to know how Ross rates these guys and what his recommendation to the brass will be.