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I like Shogo, but it would give us a lefthand hitting outfield.  I think that Theocracy will try to do some trading before filling slots with FA's.

I wonder what Cameron Maybin will cost. I’d feel pretty good about the OF if they could add Shogo and Maybin.

I wonder what Cameron Maybin will cost. I’d feel pretty good about the OF if they could add Shogo and Maybin.

Why is Maybin reassuring?

Shogo for 3/$15 seems like something the Cubs should do even if he is a 4th OF.

I think it's way too early in the offseason to make that conclusion. The free agent market moves very, very slowly now. Only one major free agent has signed, and he used his qualifying offer as leverage to set a deadline for 29 teams. ...  No team is just going to immediately say yes to his agent's first offer even if they're ultimately willing to pay that price.

"No team is just going to immediately say yes to his agent's first offer even if they're ultimately willing to pay that price."  Things drag, because agents ask high.  Harper wanted half-billion, Kimbrel $100M, Arrieta $200M, etc. 

If Shogo's first-ask is $15/3 and *if* he's hypothetically willing to sign now, and *IF* the Cubs actually trusted that he's a .298/.368/.411 as Davenport translates, then there would be no logic for dragging it out.  Under that hypothetical, you'd want to grab him ASAP, before somebody else grabs that steal. 

That it isn't happening proves that one of the hypotheticals is false, probably two or more of them. 
*The Cubs don't really trust that he's Davenport's .298/.368/.411. 
*His agent doesn't really trust that he's Davenport's .298/.368/.411.  If he did, he'd be looking for more than $15/3. 
*Whether the agent is Japanese or American, just like any other American agent if you offer $15/3 today he still won't take the deal, and will just take that elsewhere to try to leverage for a higher deal. 

My basic point, though, was that Davenport's .298/.368/.411 is probably believed by nobody, gm's or agents.  *IF* it was, the agent would know he could get >$15/3, and teams would try to snap up a $15/3 bargain.  The .298/.368/.411 is not a safe translation or projection. 

I find Curt's attitude about lefties to be sinister.

https://mobile.twitter.com/ChristianYelich/status/1195462269594812417

wow...that universe exists?

Curt, not sure how to process the lefty factor.  But I'm not sure a lefty in center would be problematic; perhaps it would actually be preferred?  (Obviously that might be impacted by what they do at 2B, and by whether they replace Big-5 righties with lefties (Baez, Bryant, and Contreras). 

As it stands for the six current starters, it's 3 righties (Bryant, Baez, Contreras) and three lefties (Rizzo, Schwarber, Heyward.) 

Of the existing internal 2B candidates, Hoerner and Bote are both RH.  (I'm not really considering Russell or Descalzo).  So if we're 4/3 RH/LH, I don't think it's essential that the CF starter be RH and make it 5/3 RH/LH.  I'd be totally fine with getting a 4th lefty and being 4/4; in fact I might almost prefer it. 

Obviously that might change if they trade Baez and Bryant, or trade Hoerner/Bote for a lefty 2B, or whatever. But otherwise, I think a lefty CF will be OK. 

Simple.  I was just suggesting that the Cubs might wish to deal first before signing a FA who happens to be another LH hitting OF.  Not a big deal.

I’ll be out of pocket for much of tomorrow, but don’t be surprised if Cubs swing a trade. Rule 5 Protection day is how the Cubs landed Rowan Wick, and the Cubs 40-man flexibility should allow them to acquire assets that are in a roster crunch in a different organization.--Bryan Smith Bleacher Nation