Author Topic: Hot Stove  (Read 102162 times)

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Re: Hot Stove
« Reply #2355 on: August 05, 2025, 07:33:55 pm »
Well, considering reports are Jed wasn't apt to give up Ballesteros, Shaw, or Caissie, not sure what they could've gotten…

For a rental.

Would you, for a rental?

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Re: Hot Stove
« Reply #2356 on: August 06, 2025, 11:11:45 am »
Rumor on Sox talk was the ask was Sanders and Mule.

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Re: Hot Stove
« Reply #2357 on: November 17, 2025, 08:18:08 pm »
Seems to be enough chatter about the Cubs and Ranger Suárez to think there's something to it. Nothing Jed loves more than soft-tossing lefty SP. Except maybe cheap guys on the waiver wire, so he might consider Suárez too expensive even though he fits the Cubs' profile to a T. He checks every box except for the fact that he's actually good, and that might be a deal-breaker.
 
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Re: Hot Stove
« Reply #2358 on: November 17, 2025, 08:56:03 pm »
No, just no.

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Re: Hot Stove
« Reply #2359 on: November 18, 2025, 12:51:04 pm »
Not sure I'm tracking re Suarez.  What's the basis for the negativity?  I assume it's low velocity combined with decline in velocity? 

No idea what the price would be, versus other options.  But as a strike-thrower, he'd seem to fit Hoyer's mode.  His stuff isn't good enough for him to be a big ticket.  But he's been a pretty good pitcher with pretty good control.  I'd think as a groundball guy, Cubs infield defense would be a perfect fit for him.  He doesn't give up a lot of HR's, so maybe Wrigley's HR-suppresion would be wasted?

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Re: Hot Stove
« Reply #2360 on: November 18, 2025, 01:09:37 pm »
He a good pitcher.  He going to be expensive, probably $100+ million and with the Cubs spending that probably limits future moves.  It kinda of why I was opposed to going after Dansby.  He's a fine player, but he a league average hitter, great defensive SS and he's going to be the most expensive player on the Cubs roster for the duration of his deal.  That isn't an ideal use of resources. 

The same goes for Suarez.  He's good, he'd do well in the front of the Cub defense.  The Cubs at some point need strike outs at least Cease would add that and he's right handed.

My other issue is just free agents in general this year.  Cease and Suarez are going to into their age 30 seasons.  You'll get them basically for 30, their age 31 season is going to be shortened/lost with a lock out and so then you are looking at age 32.  Lester hit a pretty decline starting at 33, so you just aren't going to be getting as much bang for buck.

It would be completely different with somebody like Imai since he's 27, but I just have a hard time believing the Cubs are going to be at the top of the market.
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Re: Hot Stove
« Reply #2361 on: November 29, 2025, 02:37:38 pm »
Helsley to the Orioles, 2 year deal…
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Re: Hot Stove
« Reply #2362 on: November 29, 2025, 06:12:54 pm »
2/28 with an opt-out.

Every time a good FA pitcher signs, apologists are going to say "eh, it's fine, the Cubs were never going to pay that", as if that weren't, you know, the problem.

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Re: Hot Stove
« Reply #2363 on: November 29, 2025, 09:36:29 pm »
That seems a reasonable deal, to me.  I'd hoped he'd be a guy we'd get, and that Hottovy would be able to help him get the max out of his stuff.  Oh well. 

Early Cease/Helsley deals are coming in higher than the media predictions.  Guessing that will remain true for most desirable pitchers. 


My recall may be faulty, but I don't recall many significant deals getting settled by Thanksgiving weekend in years past, as with Cease/Helsley (and Maton too).  I'm probably not remembering, maybe.  But it would be fun if the market moved a little quicker this year, and most guys were mostly done by end of month. 
« Last Edit: November 29, 2025, 09:39:08 pm by craig »

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Re: Hot Stove
« Reply #2364 on: November 29, 2025, 09:56:32 pm »
Early Cease/Helsley deals are coming in higher than the media predictions.  Guessing that will remain true for most desirable pitchers. 

It's only two signings. But if pitchers cost more than expected this offseason, it's going to be a very bad winter for Jed.

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Re: Hot Stove
« Reply #2365 on: November 29, 2025, 10:43:16 pm »
Jed will definitely try to sign this guy.

Right-hander Kohei Arihara will become a free agent and is considering an MLB return. Read more at MLB Trade Rumors.
MLB Trade Rumors · mlbtraderumors.com

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Re: Hot Stove
« Reply #2366 on: November 30, 2025, 11:29:05 am »
BA projected Helsley at 4/$70. Athletic had him at $16 AAV for one year. Others were 2/$24 mostly.

Think that Helsley particularly difficult to project because of the erratic season he had in 2025.

Remains to be seen how others are valued. Most years, probably a safe bet that certain players get more than projected. Some will get less too.

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Re: Hot Stove
« Reply #2367 on: November 30, 2025, 10:56:16 pm »
It's only two signings. But if pitchers cost more than expected this offseason, it's going to be a very bad winter for Jed.
LOL. How?  It gives Jed the perfect rationale for sitting on his hands.  I think he'll make a serious effort to resign Keller, but not much else.

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Re: Hot Stove
« Reply #2368 on: December 01, 2025, 09:09:17 pm »
Devin Williams to the Mets, 3 years, $45 million. Mets are still trying to bring back Edwin Diaz too.

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Re: Hot Stove
« Reply #2369 on: December 01, 2025, 09:28:13 pm »
Devin Williams to the Mets, 3 years, $45 million. Mets are still trying to bring back Edwin Diaz too.

Williams also gets a $6 million signing bonus.