The Cubs just committed $8 million a year for a manager so if they are willing to so overpay for a major league manager all bets are off on what they would pay a guy like Ohtani!
If a Manager has anywhere close to the influence fans believe they do then paying one like a 7th inning reliver is about the smartest money in baseball.
The Cubs and Cardinals will always have money to spend and be willing to spend it but that doesn't necessarily work out great. Just ask the Mets. You can't be afraid of what some other team does or might do and instead see it as a challenge to build the best team possible. so you can compete with them. Besides, if the Cubs were to spend a gazillion dollars to sign Ohtani they probably wouldn't be able to sign much of anyone else and the Angels didn't win anything with both him and Trout on the team.
Frankly, I'd rather see Ohtani on the Cubs than on the Cardinals because Cubs seem to usually find a way to mess things up while the Cardinals find ways to improve and get the most out of their players. They'll do what they do and all I can do is wish bad luck to both of them. Now get out there and sign Rhys Hoskins to play first as the Phillies apparently don't want him anymore.
Apparently, Mackey is at the GM meetings and spoke with BC. Cherington said he'll target guys like Belt and Hoskins, but it's more realistic they go with an internal platoon of Joe and Triolo. Mentioned Santana as a real possibility.
He did mention SP is priority #1. Names like Flaherty were discussed.
I read Mackey's article for the PG and Cherington's quotes were at best vague. Shocking, I know. But of course no GM is going to show their hand. The way I read between the lines was that they'd like to bring in someone like Belt as part of a platoon but they're okay with the backup plan of Triolo and Joe. I think it's Mackey and not Cherington who keeps circling back to Santana, but maybe Mackey has sources.
Well, that’s pretty much the aim-low approach. They need to upgrade, not just mark time while Bob counts his receipts. Replacing a very old Santana with an even older Santana isn’t even treading water, much less upgrading.
This is a hot take, i could see the argument that his fit on the roster is a bit clunky, but not understanding why people would want him is interesting
Pitching should certainly be the priority. Triolo at first is a good option and much better than signing any 35+y/o down hill veteran including Belt. Resigning Santana would simply signal that they really aren't interested in winning any time soon and playing Joe at first is just giving away runs. It's time to move forward instead of backward.
It's especially bizarre considering that Hill has said he'd like to join some team in mid-2024. He clearly wore out over the course of 2023 -- 1st half ERA 4.78, second half 6.70. Next year he'll be 44. What on earth would be the purpose of bringing him back? Would you just have him hang out at Pirate City until July?
I'm not a fan of bringing Hill back, but perhaps an arrangement where he pitches with us for April and May until Brubaker, Burrows, and/or Skenes are/is ready, then he rests for a couple of months, maybe as a bullpen arm, and ultimately gets moved at the deadline for a team desperate for pitching.
Ohtani, Bellinger & Swanson on the Cubs would make life difficult for us for the foreseeable future. All the more reason we should’ve been going for it these past few years while the division is/was down.
I just don't see Bauer being a good fit for a clubhouse where we want some of the young players stepping up and taking leadership. Like, for example, Keller and Oviedo--would they feel as comfortable being the leaders of the rotation if Bauer was around? Like him or hate him, he has a big personality and I would be very skeptical about his impact on clubhouse dynamics.
I also think there is 0 chance we'll pursuit him given how last offseason was all about bringing in players who were widely admired for their character (Cutch, Santana, Hedges, Hill, Joe). Instead, I look at it as some team will sign him in place of someone else, and that gives us a better chance at that someone else.
I think he'd take a 4 year deal with the team having an option after each year. A second chance for $10 million minimum up to $50 million if all goes well.
Only 2 they could realistically make a run at are ERod and Shota Imanaga. One of those 2 would be huge win for the off-season.
Throw in a reclamation starting pitcher, a legit bat for 1st base and an elite defensive CF, this team can contend for a playoff spot. It would really set up 2025.
Surprised no comments on Hurdle getting back in uniform. Ron Washington and Clint Hurdle on the same bench: now that’s what I call veteran leadership!
I heard dusty needs a job
Wonder what Kyle Stark's up to.
Erod, severino, belt, Michael A taylor is my pitch of the day
The Cubs just committed $8 million a year for a manager so if they are willing to so overpay for a major league manager all bets are off on what they would pay a guy like Ohtani!
If a Manager has anywhere close to the influence fans believe they do then paying one like a 7th inning reliver is about the smartest money in baseball.
Hopefully the best the Cubs can do is drive up the price that the Dodgers will pay.
The Cubs and Cardinals will always have money to spend and be willing to spend it but that doesn't necessarily work out great. Just ask the Mets. You can't be afraid of what some other team does or might do and instead see it as a challenge to build the best team possible. so you can compete with them. Besides, if the Cubs were to spend a gazillion dollars to sign Ohtani they probably wouldn't be able to sign much of anyone else and the Angels didn't win anything with both him and Trout on the team.
Frankly, I'd rather see Ohtani on the Cubs than on the Cardinals because Cubs seem to usually find a way to mess things up while the Cardinals find ways to improve and get the most out of their players. They'll do what they do and all I can do is wish bad luck to both of them. Now get out there and sign Rhys Hoskins to play first as the Phillies apparently don't want him anymore.
Per the FAN this morning...
Apparently, Mackey is at the GM meetings and spoke with BC. Cherington said he'll target guys like Belt and Hoskins, but it's more realistic they go with an internal platoon of Joe and Triolo. Mentioned Santana as a real possibility.
He did mention SP is priority #1. Names like Flaherty were discussed.
This is disconcerting.
I read Mackey's article for the PG and Cherington's quotes were at best vague. Shocking, I know. But of course no GM is going to show their hand. The way I read between the lines was that they'd like to bring in someone like Belt as part of a platoon but they're okay with the backup plan of Triolo and Joe. I think it's Mackey and not Cherington who keeps circling back to Santana, but maybe Mackey has sources.
The Santana obsession is bizarre, all the more so given his age, which makes him extremely likely to decline from his current mediocre level.
It's fitting symbolism that the Pirates' last day in last place was also Santana's last day on the team.
if he wasn´t working out with Oneil this offseason, i would think it would be less of a possibility
If we hear Josh VanMeter is working out with Cruz, beware.
Training under Jordy Mercer!
they got rid of his buddy rudy
I'm certainly not advocating bring back Santana, but the guys who proceeded him at 1b were significantly worse than Santana.
Well, that’s pretty much the aim-low approach. They need to upgrade, not just mark time while Bob counts his receipts. Replacing a very old Santana with an even older Santana isn’t even treading water, much less upgrading.
I don’t really think much of Hoskins, I think the larger concern is the fat half of the platoon (a lefty vs righties). So it’s Belt for me.
The Cutch obsession is bizarre too. Time to move on from him.
Cutch had an OBP of 40 points higher than any other qualified player. Who the hell needs that kind of effectiveness?
He’s a hedge on attendance.
This is a hot take, i could see the argument that his fit on the roster is a bit clunky, but not understanding why people would want him is interesting
Think of all the at bats he's taking from mediocre prospects. There's no place for that kind of competency with this fan base.
I certainly wouldnt want as many guys as possible hitting 13% above league average on this roster!
Pitching should certainly be the priority. Triolo at first is a good option and much better than signing any 35+y/o down hill veteran including Belt. Resigning Santana would simply signal that they really aren't interested in winning any time soon and playing Joe at first is just giving away runs. It's time to move forward instead of backward.
https://www.mlb.com/video/ben-cherington-on-2023-pirates
i liked his comments here about Bednar being from PIttsburgh and it gives me hope that he is going to make a pitch for Krilloff
It's especially bizarre considering that Hill has said he'd like to join some team in mid-2024. He clearly wore out over the course of 2023 -- 1st half ERA 4.78, second half 6.70. Next year he'll be 44. What on earth would be the purpose of bringing him back? Would you just have him hang out at Pirate City until July?
I'm not a fan of bringing Hill back, but perhaps an arrangement where he pitches with us for April and May until Brubaker, Burrows, and/or Skenes are/is ready, then he rests for a couple of months, maybe as a bullpen arm, and ultimately gets moved at the deadline for a team desperate for pitching.
I’d rather just look to upgrade. Not a Piratey thing to do, but maybe try something new.
Ohtani, Bellinger & Swanson on the Cubs would make life difficult for us for the foreseeable future. All the more reason we should’ve been going for it these past few years while the division is/was down.
I just don't see Bauer being a good fit for a clubhouse where we want some of the young players stepping up and taking leadership. Like, for example, Keller and Oviedo--would they feel as comfortable being the leaders of the rotation if Bauer was around? Like him or hate him, he has a big personality and I would be very skeptical about his impact on clubhouse dynamics.
I also think there is 0 chance we'll pursuit him given how last offseason was all about bringing in players who were widely admired for their character (Cutch, Santana, Hedges, Hill, Joe). Instead, I look at it as some team will sign him in place of someone else, and that gives us a better chance at that someone else.
time for dorking around with veteran leadership is over
character is for losers
now is the time for winning
Well Bauer possesses neither veteran leadership or character but he has played on winners.
besides Oviedo himself says he needs to learn to be more of a douchbag
https://www.mlb.com/news/johan-oviedo-finishes-first-full-season-as-a-starter
couldnt think of any one better to teach him how to do that than Bauer
That might have made me change my mind. I didn't really want to see them sign Bauer, but our starters do come off as a little to nice.
This is why burnett should be brought on staff in at least some capacity
could make an argument for Chapman as well but him and Cutch dont get along so well
should sign him to a three consecutvie years of team options
bringing in ERod and Bauer turns us into instant contender
I think he'd take a 4 year deal with the team having an option after each year. A second chance for $10 million minimum up to $50 million if all goes well.
At least gets them in the conversation if you end up with close-to-peak versions of the acquisitions.
Replace Paxton with another lefty and I’m 100% on board.
Only 2 they could realistically make a run at are ERod and Shota Imanaga. One of those 2 would be huge win for the off-season.
Throw in a reclamation starting pitcher, a legit bat for 1st base and an elite defensive CF, this team can contend for a playoff spot. It would really set up 2025.
Only way I think they could is by front loading the contracts. Similar amount total but a big 1st year.