Cubs Offseason 2014: So, what did your team do this offseason? Isn't that cute.

[SKO]

Also, if Gammons is plugged in anywhere, it's the Red Sox so there's probably some validity to it. I don't think the face-to-face meetings mean all that much, since I'm sure teams have floated numbers out to Lester's agent by this point. And it's not like Lester has never met Theo before.

I'm thinking the Hamels thing might have to happen, since they haven't been linked to Scherzer at all.

There are rumors going around the Red Sox have had trade talks about Hamels, too.

This is going to suck. 

Stop it.

If the Bears have taught me anything it's that being the guy constantly trying to talk everyone off the ledge sucks and will only leave you wringing the tears out of your Cutler shirsey. I want to be the panic guy for once. It's way easier.

WE'RE DOOMED

Nothing is fucked here.  Stop parroting the sniveling fatalism that is 95% of Cubs Twitter.  I come here to get directions away from there.

And I came here to get away from the braying of the sheeple, but all I hear from you is "baaaaaa".

[Chuck to Chuck]

Also, if Gammons is plugged in anywhere, it's the Red Sox so there's probably some validity to it. I don't think the face-to-face meetings mean all that much, since I'm sure teams have floated numbers out to Lester's agent by this point. And it's not like Lester has never met Theo before.

I'm thinking the Hamels thing might have to happen, since they haven't been linked to Scherzer at all.

There are rumors going around the Red Sox have had trade talks about Hamels, too.

This is going to suck. 

Stop it.

If the Bears have taught me anything it's that being the guy constantly trying to talk everyone off the ledge sucks and will only leave you wringing the tears out of your Cutler shirsey. I want to be the panic guy for once. It's way easier.

WE'RE DOOMED

Nothing is fucked here.  Stop parroting the sniveling fatalism that is 95% of Cubs Twitter.  I come here to get directions away from there.

And I came here to get away from the braying of the sheeple, but all I hear from you is "baaaaaa".

As soon as they sign Cano, you'll all relax.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

Also, if Gammons is plugged in anywhere, it's the Red Sox so there's probably some validity to it. I don't think the face-to-face meetings mean all that much, since I'm sure teams have floated numbers out to Lester's agent by this point. And it's not like Lester has never met Theo before.

I'm thinking the Hamels thing might have to happen, since they haven't been linked to Scherzer at all.

There are rumors going around the Red Sox have had trade talks about Hamels, too.

This is going to suck. 

Stop it.

If the Bears have taught me anything it's that being the guy constantly trying to talk everyone off the ledge sucks and will only leave you wringing the tears out of your Cutler shirsey. I want to be the panic guy for once. It's way easier.

WE'RE DOOMED

Nothing is fucked here.  Stop parroting the sniveling fatalism that is 95% of Cubs Twitter.  I come here to get directions away from there.

And I came here to get away from the braying of the sheeple, but all I hear from you is "baaaaaa".

This made a laff like a damn idjit...

[SKO]

I want to be the panic guy for once. It's way easier.

As someone who played the role of devil's advocate panic guy for roughly 18 months, I will admit that it's pretty fun. I say go for it.

Done.

[Quality Start Machine]

Also, if Gammons is plugged in anywhere, it's the Red Sox so there's probably some validity to it. I don't think the face-to-face meetings mean all that much, since I'm sure teams have floated numbers out to Lester's agent by this point. And it's not like Lester has never met Theo before.

I'm thinking the Hamels thing might have to happen, since they haven't been linked to Scherzer at all.

Has anyone been linked to Scherzer? I'd think Lester is the first/biggest domino to fall because all he costs is money. After he signs, the other also-rans can decide if they want to lose a draft pick for Scherzer.

[Eli]

Has anyone been linked to Scherzer?

The Cardinals, but a lot of that may just be because Scherzer grew up near St. Louis.

[SKO]

Has anyone been linked to Scherzer?

The Cardinals, but a lot of that may just be because Scherzer grew up near St. Louis.

Does anyone really think the Yankees will actually sit out on the elite free agents this year like the rumors say? Because I still sorta think they're grabbing Scherzer.

[Slaky]

Has anyone been linked to Scherzer?

The Cardinals, but a lot of that may just be because Scherzer grew up near St. Louis.

Does anyone really think the Yankees will actually sit out on the elite free agents this year like the rumors say? Because I still sorta think they're grabbing Scherzer.

Most reports that I've seen say the Cubs don't want Scherzer for whatever reason. If they don't get Lester and won't trade for Hamels I guess there's still Shields. That doesn't do a lot for me though.

In all honesty if they can't land A Guy this offseason I personally won't be upset. I'll be annoyed and a little embarrassed since the Cubs will, as always, be the butt of many awful jokes. But I still think they'll be fun to watch next year and I think most of you do too.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

Has anyone been linked to Scherzer?

The Cardinals, but a lot of that may just be because Scherzer grew up near St. Louis.

Does anyone really think the Yankees will actually sit out on the elite free agents this year like the rumors say? Because I still sorta think they're grabbing Scherzer.

Most reports that I've seen say the Cubs don't want Scherzer for whatever reason. If they don't get Lester and won't trade for Hamels I guess there's still Shields. That doesn't do a lot for me though.

In all honesty if they can't land A Guy this offseason I personally won't be upset. I'll be annoyed and a little embarrassed since the Cubs will, as always, be the butt of many awful jokes. But I still think they'll be fun to watch next year and I think most of you do too.

That's pretty much it. 

[Chuck to Chuck]

Has anyone been linked to Scherzer?

The Cardinals, but a lot of that may just be because Scherzer grew up near St. Louis.

Does anyone really think the Yankees will actually sit out on the elite free agents this year like the rumors say? Because I still sorta think they're grabbing Scherzer.

Most reports that I've seen say the Cubs don't want Scherzer for whatever reason. If they don't get Lester and won't trade for Hamels I guess there's still Shields. That doesn't do a lot for me though.

In all honesty if they can't land A Guy this offseason I personally won't be upset. I'll be annoyed and a little embarrassed since the Cubs will, as always, be the butt of many awful jokes. But I still think they'll be fun to watch next year and I think most of you do too.

I'd be somewhat pissed if they got no one, at least via free agency.  They've spent 3 years cutting payroll for this exact reason. Ownership has seen the value of the franchise go up by 100% in some estimates.  They're getting their additional money from the Jumbotron and other revenue enhancers.

If after 4 offseasons, the only guy they've gotten to sign a long term deal with is Edwin Jackson because the Cubs are unwilling to spend a billionaire's money, I'd be somewhat upset.

[Eli]

If they don't get Lester and won't trade for Hamels I guess there's still Shields. That doesn't do a lot for me though.

Shields feels like a disaster waiting to happen, but after looking at it closer, I'm not so sure. His fastball velocity has actually gone up four straight years and his peripherals have been remarkably consistent. He's a risk like every pitcher, but there haven't been any real signs that he'll fall off a cliff.

I don't think Shields alone makes them a contender next year, but there's an argument for Shields at 4/$80 million being more palatable than Lester at $7/$160 million. And the actual on-field production may not end up being all that different.

In all honesty if they can't land A Guy this offseason I personally won't be upset. I'll be annoyed and a little embarrassed since the Cubs will, as always, be the butt of many awful jokes. But I still think they'll be fun to watch next year and I think most of you do too.

Fun to watch, sure. At times. But a good team? Probably not.

Plus, I don't really want them to go into next winter having missed out on every desirable target in the last four offseasons.

[PenFoe]

If they don't get Lester and won't trade for Hamels I guess there's still Shields. That doesn't do a lot for me though.

Shields feels like a disaster waiting to happen, but after looking at it closer, I'm not so sure. His fastball velocity has actually gone up four straight years and his peripherals have been remarkably consistent. He's a risk like every pitcher, but there haven't been any real signs that he'll fall off a cliff.

I don't think Shields alone makes them a contender next year, but there's an argument for Shields at 4/$80 million being more palatable than Lester at $7/$160 million. And the actual on-field production may not end up being all that different.

In all honesty if they can't land A Guy this offseason I personally won't be upset. I'll be annoyed and a little embarrassed since the Cubs will, as always, be the butt of many awful jokes. But I still think they'll be fun to watch next year and I think most of you do too.

Fun to watch, sure. At times. But a good team? Probably not.

Plus, I don't really want them to go into next winter having missed out on every desirable target in the last four offseasons.

Other than Maddon and Theo.

[Eli]

If they don't get Lester and won't trade for Hamels I guess there's still Shields. That doesn't do a lot for me though.

Shields feels like a disaster waiting to happen, but after looking at it closer, I'm not so sure. His fastball velocity has actually gone up four straight years and his peripherals have been remarkably consistent. He's a risk like every pitcher, but there haven't been any real signs that he'll fall off a cliff.

I don't think Shields alone makes them a contender next year, but there's an argument for Shields at 4/$80 million being more palatable than Lester at $7/$160 million. And the actual on-field production may not end up being all that different.

In all honesty if they can't land A Guy this offseason I personally won't be upset. I'll be annoyed and a little embarrassed since the Cubs will, as always, be the butt of many awful jokes. But I still think they'll be fun to watch next year and I think most of you do too.

Fun to watch, sure. At times. But a good team? Probably not.

Plus, I don't really want them to go into next winter having missed out on every desirable target in the last four offseasons.

Other than Maddon and Theo.

Well, if Theo himself hasn't translated into actual wins going into Year 5 and he's laid four straight offseason turds*, that takes the shine off that one a bit.

* Which, again, I'd be really surprised by. I just can't see them doing nothing again this offseason.

[SKO]

If they don't get Lester and won't trade for Hamels I guess there's still Shields. That doesn't do a lot for me though.

Shields feels like a disaster waiting to happen, but after looking at it closer, I'm not so sure. His fastball velocity has actually gone up four straight years and his peripherals have been remarkably consistent. He's a risk like every pitcher, but there haven't been any real signs that he'll fall off a cliff.

I don't think Shields alone makes them a contender next year, but there's an argument for Shields at 4/$80 million being more palatable than Lester at $7/$160 million. And the actual on-field production may not end up being all that different.

In all honesty if they can't land A Guy this offseason I personally won't be upset. I'll be annoyed and a little embarrassed since the Cubs will, as always, be the butt of many awful jokes. But I still think they'll be fun to watch next year and I think most of you do too.

Fun to watch, sure. At times. But a good team? Probably not.

Plus, I don't really want them to go into next winter having missed out on every desirable target in the last four offseasons.

Other than Maddon and Theo.

Well, if Theo himself hasn't translated into actual wins going into Year 5 and he's laid four straight offseason turds*, that takes the shine off that one a bit.

* Which, again, I'd be really surprised by. I just can't see them doing nothing again this offseason.

I can. Who can forget when Ditka said ol' Ricketts throws around nickels like they're manhole covers.

Brace yourselves for the return of Jason Hammel and 78 wins, folks.

[Eli]

If they don't get Lester and won't trade for Hamels I guess there's still Shields. That doesn't do a lot for me though.

Shields feels like a disaster waiting to happen, but after looking at it closer, I'm not so sure. His fastball velocity has actually gone up four straight years and his peripherals have been remarkably consistent. He's a risk like every pitcher, but there haven't been any real signs that he'll fall off a cliff.

I don't think Shields alone makes them a contender next year, but there's an argument for Shields at 4/$80 million being more palatable than Lester at $7/$160 million. And the actual on-field production may not end up being all that different.

In all honesty if they can't land A Guy this offseason I personally won't be upset. I'll be annoyed and a little embarrassed since the Cubs will, as always, be the butt of many awful jokes. But I still think they'll be fun to watch next year and I think most of you do too.

Fun to watch, sure. At times. But a good team? Probably not.

Plus, I don't really want them to go into next winter having missed out on every desirable target in the last four offseasons.

Other than Maddon and Theo.

Well, if Theo himself hasn't translated into actual wins going into Year 5 and he's laid four straight offseason turds*, that takes the shine off that one a bit.

* Which, again, I'd be really surprised by. I just can't see them doing nothing again this offseason.

I can. Who can forget when Ditka said ol' Ricketts throws around nickels like they're manhole covers.

Brace yourselves for the return of Jason Hammel and 78 wins, folks.

Being a doomsayer is a bit like exercise -- you should ease into it. Be sure to stretch first. Don't just start sprinting.