Chicago Cubs have limited flexibility this offseason

29 comments

1. Chicago sports are starting to feel like Detroit sports

2. Bellinger = $160,000 per game

3. Paredes and Hoerner are probably best trade pieces. Get Vlad to play 3rd

4. So let me get this right,
   1) the big market with one of the most expensive experiences is limited financially
   2) there is a lot of dead wieght on the roster
   3) there is a log jam in the minors
   …….what the heck?

5. Trade Nico, Paredes and another piece for Cal Rileigh and one or the Mariners pitchers

6. Feels like there's a thin line between positives and negatives with this lineup. I agree that there's no clear problem with any of them, and that its unclear who should be traded. At the same time, any of them could be used in a trade (even Belli or Nico) and could improve lineup, bullpen or even rotation. Just have to wait and see, i suppose, and hope that Jed is able to be smart this off-season

7. Trade Cody Bellinger and Nico Hoerner, maybe with some prospects for Luis Castillo and Andrés Muñoz from the Mariners.

8. Trading Busch doesn't help them financially. I don't think Nico trade is off the table

9. I'm neutral on Bellinger being back. He was the best player on the team with RISP and has the potential to be perform closer to his '23 season. As it stands they're going to need to add another impact bat and it'll likely have to come through trade.

   A larger issue is that Ricketts is giving this team a self imposed salary cap at the 1st luxury tax.

10. Alonso too expensive

11. My vote is to have them not spend any of the money available this off-season

    Makes the guys currently on the roster and whoever they want to bring up from the minors, prove their 90 win team and spend that money at the deadline if they prove and they’re worth

12. Cody is a keeper this is getting ridiculous … New 3B or New 1B or New SS I'm hearing almost 70 million will be available .

13. Is there a catcher that could be a 4-spot hitter and is obtainable? Cuz that’s a spot that needs upgrading ( along with third). Actually, third should be a power spot, and our 4 hitter should come from there. If Parades doesn’t get it going, he needs to be gone by the trade deadline. Last year third and catcher were bad to terrible for most of the year. If we knew Amaya would be his best self, that would be okay, but I have no confidence in that. I don’t want to lose Busch; he’s not the problem.

14. Why are we so sure PCA is gonna have a very good year? Let's remember what happened as recently as last year with Morel. We were so sure he was going to be "our star player". Let' s remember what happened with Schwarber and Happ. They were optioned to AAA, because they needed a tweak or two, back in their careers. It can happens to PCA and Bellinger gives us some insurance in center, in the case, PCA needs to go down for a tweak. It takes pressure out of him. Also with PCA in CF, your RF needs to know how to play along him and Bellinger did it nice. And also, Tauchman still will be our 4th outfielder.

15. I’d like you to do a segment on the Marquee Network, and the Cubs announcers.

16. I think the only team that would be interested in Bellinger would be the Yankees if they lost Soto and I really don’t see that happening, I believe we are stuck with Bellinger in 2025.

17. I think The Cubs should get Bregman for third base. And bring the young guns to fill the bench players. If they don’t produce, alternate them to the minors! This team should get the young guys involved!

18. Slappy, Hoener, Suzuki, Bellinger!

19. I spoke about adames on the channel I post too, I would love Adames because of his connection with Counsell and it sounds the most likely honestly, idk how you figure out that 2nd/ SS issue, but I'd welcome adames

20. Clear the bench FOR THE YOUNG GUNS!

21. To me, Parades and Busch have not done enough to say if we find an upgrade at those positions that make sense that we dont pull the trigger.

22. Michael Busch will not and SHOULD not be traded. Very solid rookie year. Paredes is the disposable piece 100%. Package him in a deal with Toronto and get Vladdy. Put him at third and keep Busch at 1st.

23. Rooker for Busch and Caissie ( add a lower end if needed)

    O'Happe for Little and Hoerner. Add Canario.

    Mervis and Davis they can toss in for free on both.

    F/A target Minter for a late inning lefty. Push Wicks into long relief.

    Clear out Arb cases and go after Burnes. If he prices himself out then Buehler on a bounce back deal .

    Get Brown and Horton healthy in Iowa and ready to take up starting pitching roles

24. You know I'm tired hearing how poor the Cubs are Ricketts has billions please he is just cheap .Sell the team if he doesn't want to spend on it to make it a championship team ,no more of this blabber crap

25. You know Hoyer is running the same offense back after he gave the excuse of the Wrigley Field weather

26. Their not trading Belli,their not trading anyone except minors .The only thing they are going to do is get a starting pitcher and a reliever ,you guys are dreaming .Going into the season same lineup same excuses and same finish have a nice day.😅

27. Yankees need Bellinger.

28. The current is bland, but there's no good fit for an offensive difference maker. Quit trying to mortgage the future in hopes of turning an 83 win team into an 89 win team for 2 years. You can do that by getting Trevor Bauer and Tanner Scott. On top of the inflexibility, the Cubs are going to have a real problem with the 40 man and not losing guys in the Rule 5. Deal some of the depth minor leaguers (Triantos, Canario, etc) for other prospects who fit your needs–catching and pitching. Target someone like Mariners minor league catcher, Harry Ford.

29. Fangraphs projection is based on all arb players signing…that won't happ3n