Author Topic: Hot Stove (Read 25543 times)

Deeg · « **Reply #1425 on:** February 26, 2024, 05:27:54 pm »

Quote

Arizona Phil 02/26/2024 - 02:57 am (view)

With the $26.67M AAV hit on Bellinger, the Cubs are almost exactly at the CBT threshold if you add the $5M needed to be set aside to pay salaries for players called up from the minors during the course of the season to replace players on the IL and $4.25M in potential performance bonuses (Smyly, Gomes, and Imanaga).

It's almost as if the Cubs went to their (self-imposed) absolute max in 2024 payroll AAV space by signing Bellinger to this contract, because going any higher on the Bellinger AAV would mean taking a risk that the team could potentially go over the CBT threshold.

So if the Cubs self-imposed 2024 payroll AAV limit is the CBT threshold ($237M AAV), the Cubs are right there right now, with no payroll AAV space available for additional free agent signings and/or players acquired in trades and/or roster additions at the Trade Deadline. That is, unless the Cubs trade Hendricks ($14.5M AAV) and/or Smyly ($10.25M AAV plus an additional $3M in potential performance bonuses). It would also help if the Cubs could somehow jettison Bote's contract ($3M AAV hit).

The Cubs could also pick up as much as $10M in AAV space by trading Almonte, Madrigal, Leiter, Wisdom, Merryweather, and Tauchman (or outrighting them and then hoping they elect free-agency and forfeit their contract and salary).

Reb · « **Reply #1426 on:** February 26, 2024, 08:06:23 pm »

Quote from: Deeg on February 26, 2024, 05:21:53 pm

Montgomery is the guy I would really love to get on a deal like that.

Well, yeah, but Montgomery figures to do better than that.

I suppose Chapman won’t happen but would not rule it out if Hoyer sees a short-term bargain and can convince Ricketts he’s getting a bargain. Maybe 3/$50 isn’t enough of a bargain.

Just think that Hoyer maybe could be looking at a big-time defense with Chapman-at-3B if/when PCA pushes Bellinger to 1B. Hard to think of a better defensive IF than that, plus PCA in CF.

Not sure what Hoyer/Ricketts would consider a “bargain” enough to push into near CBT tier two but everybody likes a bargain.

CUBluejays · « **Reply #1427 on:** February 26, 2024, 10:55:31 pm »

Sharma believes the bus are done.

With roster churn, the Cubs are barely above the CBT tax. He mentions a sell off is possible if they aren’t in contention to drop below the CBT tax.

The player dropped for Bellinger will be a pitcher and he thinks the Cubs would prefer a trade.

craig · « **Reply #1428 on:** February 27, 2024, 09:12:10 am »

"The Cubs could also pick up as much as $10M in AAV space by trading Almonte, Madrigal, Leiter, Wisdom, Merryweather, and Tauchman (or outrighting them and then hoping they elect free-agency and forfeit their contract and salary)." Az Phil.

*IF* they were to hypothetically outright Wisdom, do you think he'd go to Iowa? Or would he elect FA?

Part of me thinks that Wisdom may not be all that much better a hitter than Cooper, and might be a worse defensive 1B. *IF* I was certain that he'd elect FA, I be happy to clear that salary and get some space sub-lux?

Was interesting that Sharma didn't seem to think the lux line was particularly relevant. If they're over they're over, and if they're competitive in July they'd be fine to add more salary. Not sure whether he's capturing Hoyer's thinking there.

CUBluejays · « **Reply #1429 on:** February 27, 2024, 12:14:55 pm »

Would Wisdom walk into a guaranteed major league job? If he isn't getting that he'd probably take the money and go to Iowa vs getting a minor league deal and hope that he makes the majors.

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Author Topic: Hot Stove (Read 25543 times)

Deeg

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