Official 2023 Chicago Cubs Season Thread Vol: (17-17)

Was able to catch the press conference on YouTube. Loved everything Maddon said. No need to fear the 108yr dry spell, but rather embrace the challenge. The organization had to make drastic changes. The previous plans didnt work. The farm system and rebuilding the core were Theos main objectives. We had to start from the ground up, and while things looked dreary for three or so years, the future is looking ever so bright. I loved Theos plan to stock pile young talent. Like taking a burst of pictures....take ten so that two or three are magical, rather than snapping one and missing the moment. And the craziest thing is that the Cubbies still have a plethora of talent littered in the minor leagues. Kris Bryant is going to be a bonafide beast. ...a freakin monster....and he hasnt even been called up yet.

Ive been watching Cubs baseball since the early 90s. I remember watching them on WGN in my basement. Summertime Chi gets so hot so id go downstairs to keep cool, and afternoon baseball kept me company.

My heart was broken when the Marlins stole our chance. We've been the model for consistent inconsistency. But our time is coming...and the world wont know what hit it.
 
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I suppose a Maddon reunion with Shields makes sense, but I'd pass on him at 32-years-old and lack of playoff success. I know Shields changed the complexion of Kansas City's franchise with the Myers trade, but I'd go all-in for Max or Lester.

I really believe the Cubs land Lester due to his good relationship with Theo.

Martin is another option for leadership, if Chicago wants to spend more and spend big.

Any interest in bringing back Hammel (who had some success at Wrigley) or another lefty veteran in Liriano (has seen the division)?
 
I would def take Liriano, but they just re-signed Wada, and still have Wood, so they may feel they have enough lefties, especially if Lester joins.

I could see both Lester and Shields, along with Arrieta and Hendricks, that's a pretty good first 4. Then they have about 10 guys they could use to find that 5th starter.


And Martin will certainly be in play for pitch framing purposes. Just depends how much he wants. I've seen 70 mil as a possibility. That's rich. :\
 
Peter B (Wrigleyville)

People have linked Lester to the Cubs immediately and with good reason, he doesn't come with the pick that other FAs would. In my mind he and maybe Russel Martin are the only players the Cubs really need to grab this off season because the FA pitching market for next season is looking to be even better. Do you agree?


Jesse Rogers (1:07 PM)

Pretty much. I was a little unsure of Martin but he touches so many parts of your team overpaying him is worth it...his production will decline but Schwarber should be ready by then...I've soured on Castillo big time so I like both those and then get one more pitcher next winter and let's go to work.
 
Hey fellas, this is my 800th post. Winter meetings is this week. I expect from big news from the Cubs soon. Lester, Max. I think we shouldnt deal with Martin.
 
Martin is about defense, and helping the pitching staff. Any Offense he gives is just a bonus.

We'll soon see what Theo has in mind.
 
Cubs in talks with Nats about Jordan Zimmerman. :nerd: :wow: :pimp:



Where is your proof CP? We could use him.

Well, there was some chatter last night, but after it spread, some came out and said that it was false.

That makes me think there is some discussion, but nothing serious and both sides hushed it up quick. :lol:

If/when I get more absolute stuff, I will of course post those, this was just a rumor I was seeing kicked around, hence the ( :nerd: ) :lol:
 
Well, there was some chatter last night, but after it spread, some came out and said that it was false.

That makes me think there is some discussion, but nothing serious and both sides hushed it up quick. :lol:

If/when I get more absolute stuff, I will of course post those, this was just a rumor I was seeing kicked around, hence the ( :nerd: ) :lol:



Maybe the Cubs are just kicking the tires on some of these players.
 
I think that deal is pretty cool. I just dont think he deserved over 90 mil.
Have a strong feeling Russell's agent will parlay his surprising offensive season (aberration) into McCann-type money. I wouldn't overpay at 31-years-old, separate from his pitch-framing and ability to call high-caliber games behind the plate.
 
Have a strong feeling Russell's agent will parlay his surprising offensive season (aberration) into McCann-type money. I wouldn't overpay at 31-years-old, separate from his pitch-framing and ability to call high-caliber games behind the plate.


after a while Kyle Srwaber will be called up in about 2-3 years. 5 year 70-75 million is enough. i wouldnt over pay for 31 year old either, especially since we will have somebody younger soon.
 
PHOENIX -- The general managers meetings wrapped up here as three days of baseball conversation with media, GMs and agents produced plenty of rumors and storylines. For example, big news came in the form of free-agent pitcher Jon Lester starting a tour that will have him sitting with Boston Red Sox honchos and visiting the Chicago Cubs sometime next week. But the fun at these meetings can come in the form of smaller anecdotes, such as finding out former Cub Jeff Samardzija was offered a chance to play in the NFL as recently as 2013.

Here are some observations, rumors, opinions and analysis from three days at the luxurious Biltmore hotel:

Cubs not in (young) player trade mode
Once again, Theo Epstein reiterated the notion that the Cubs aren’t looking to trade from their prospect base.

“We can fit all of our impact position player prospects on the field at the same time,” Epstein said Wednesday. “That’s probably what we’ll end up doing. We’re not rushing out to move those guys for pitching even though we admit we would like to acquire impact pitching. We’re not going to close the doors on anything, but we’re certainly not in a rush to trade away our position players.”

Analysis: Let’s put this storyline to bed, at least for now. We’ll have to take their word on this one as they keep repeating it. Plus, it makes sense. The Cubs didn’t spend three years acquiring talent to dismantle it for a player or two -- especially if that player is in the 30-year-old area. It means the Cole Hamels rumors should probably die, right? Unless of course the Phillies are just doing a salary dump and aren't asking for a grade-A prospect in return. Now, they can always be blown away or a new player (Giancarlo Stanton?) could become available, but the Cubs rightly aren’t looking to make that big deal right now. That doesn’t mean they won’t move a more seasoned young player ...
Starlin Castro
There’s some consensus at the meetings among people in baseball that Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro will indeed be traded this offseason. As much as the Cubs have shown no real momentum for this, it still persists as not quite a rumor, but a belief. One longtime executive went as far as to say, “Castro has taken his last at-bat as a Cub.” There were no rumblings of any trade talk taking place in regard to Castro, but the offseason has just started.

Analysis: This kind of talk obviously continues to make sense on the surface simply because the Cubs have a logjam of middle infielders and Castro is ready-made for a contending or rebuilding team and has a team-friendly contract. As we know, the Cubs are under no pressure to move him right now to make way for Addison Russell, as he’s not quite ready for the majors. It’s simple: The Cubs are in a position to get maximum value for Castro -- partly because of the season he just had -- and should hold out until they do. Keeping him wouldn’t be a bad thing, either. Losing a three-time All-Star at 24 years old should be a very tough decision to make.

Maddon hiring
As much as some in baseball -- probably those in uniform -- feel the hiring of Joe Maddon and the firing of Rick Renteria was a sordid affair, every single person I talked to at the meetings felt the Cubs made the right move. That includes front-office executives and player agents. One agent said it was the “easiest decision Theo Epstein should ever have.” More than one opposing GM said they would have “done the same thing” given the same circumstances. And to be clear, this has nothing to do with Renteria and everything to do with Maddon’s reputation. It’s impeccable. One agent spoke of his client going to the perennially cheap Tampa Bay Rays and finding the clubhouse atmosphere was well worth whatever monetary shortcomings the organization had. That was all because of Maddon. Asked if it will play in a big market, the agent said he was a “perfect fit for Chicago.”

Former Rays boss Andrew Friedman chimed in: “He’s unique. He’s incredibly open-minded. He’s a great communicator and does a really good job of putting guys in a position to have success. ... I would bet on him to accomplish special things with anything he is doing in life.”

Analysis: Having never covered Maddon as a reporter, I had a chance to form an opinion from scratch. Without leading on the executives and agents, they continually raved about him and pointed out the dynamic differences in personalities between him and Renteria. Maddon is a great leader now, they said. The jury is way out on Renteria. How could the Cubs pass? They couldn’t. Some commended the Cubs for having the guts to do it, but others repeated the notion that it was an easy decision.

Jeff Samardzija
The former Cub is likely to be traded from the Oakland Athletics before the start of the 2015 season. He’s set to become a free agent after next season and wherever he’s traded he’s not likely to sign a long-term deal with his new club. Incidentally, Samardzija was approached by a “playoff-bound” NFL team -- while still with the Cubs in the fall of 2013 -- to play wide receiver for them. He turned down the offer as the injury risk was too great.

Analysis: If the Cubs and Samardzija couldn’t agree on his value for several years while he was in Chicago, it’s doubtful they’ll do so once he becomes a free agent. However, at that point, circumstances with the Cubs should be different in terms of the team’s place in the baseball world. That being said, a lot would have to fall into place for a Samardzija return to the Cubs to happen. As for playing football after last Cubs season, Epstein said Wednesday, “That would have been difficult to allow.”

The Bullpen
The Cubs are both pleased with the job of their bullpen and weary of regression. Epstein explained the front office has to “plan for the worst” since bullpens have proven over and over they can’t be trusted from year to year. The Cubs picked up righty Donn Roach on Wednesday to help with their depth.

“Adding a piece, a leader down there, is something we have talked about,” general manager Jed Hoyer said. “As far as needing a closer, we feel good about [Hector] Rondon. He has great stuff, great makeup, so it’s not something we think we need.”

Analysis: Picking up Roach underscores what the Cubs should be doing with their bullpen: spending little on it. Since relievers are inconsistent anyway, why spend big money on a guy like Andrew Miller? It would be one thing if the Cubs were desperate for help -- like, maybe, the Los Angeles Dodgers should be -- but a track record has to mean something. They can plan for the worst by bolstering their depth, but right now, that’s all they need to do.
 
Strange deal, Cubs trade Vizcaino back to the Braves for 25 year old Tommy La Stella. Lefty bat who gets on base a lot.

Also give Braves international signing slots 2-3-4 for the Braves #4 slot.

Not sure why. Adding yet another INF, and multiple slots????

Wonder if this means Starlin is getting dealt. :frown:
 
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I've read all I can, they have liked La Stella for a while. Non issue with International slots because they overspent in 2013.

So they simply dealt an extra bullpen arm for a lefty that gets on base a lot. May not mean anything for Starlin, we'll see.
 
Well, scratch Russell Martin off the list. He signs in Toronto.

And the Cards trade one of their starting pitchers for Jason Heyward. (presumably to replace Tavares)
 
Cards adding J Heyward is a problem :smh:
Not sure if I'm disappointed we didn't sign Martin but thankful we didn't drop 80+ mill on him......WTH were the Jays thinking?
 
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