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

[SKO]

So...James Shields anyone?

I just can't see it happening. If his price tag has dropped enough for the Cubs to be interested, presumably a ton of other teams are interested, too. Someone's going to offer more.

Dammit, Eli.

Still, a little encouraging to the "Cubs can't/won't spend crowd that the team was willing to commit almost a quarter of a billion dollars to two pitchers in one offseason, no?

[Chuck to Chuck]

Rumors are that the Cubs offered 3 years with an option for a 4th while SD locked in year four. Basically, Theo held out for his price.

Instead, Theo will just get Price.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

Rumors are that the Cubs offered 3 years with an option for a 4th while SD locked in year four. Basically, Theo held out for his price.

Instead, Theo will just get Price.

*plays slide whistle*

[Eli]

Rumors are that the Cubs offered 3 years with an option for a 4th while SD locked in year four. Basically, Theo held out for his price.

Instead, Theo will just get Price.

[SKO]

Rumors are that the Cubs offered 3 years with an option for a 4th while SD locked in year four. Basically, Theo held out for his price.

Instead, Theo will just get Price.

I bet this all ends in the triumphant return of the Hot Diarrhea Geyser.

[Chuck to Chuck]

Rumors are that the Cubs offered 3 years with an option for a 4th while SD locked in year four. Basically, Theo held out for his price zimmerman.

Instead, Theo will just get Price Zimmerman.

Sorry.  Better?

[Quality Start Machine]

Rumors are that the Cubs offered 3 years with an option for a 4th while SD locked in year four. Basically, Theo held out for his price.

Instead, Theo will just get Price.

I bet this all ends in the triumphant return of the Hot Diarrhea Geyser.

Bort would have to start another podcast.

[Bort]

Rumors are that the Cubs offered 3 years with an option for a 4th while SD locked in year four. Basically, Theo held out for his price.

Instead, Theo will just get Price.

I bet this all ends in the triumphant return of the Hot Diarrhea Geyser.

Bort would have to start another podcast.

I'm already playing fast and loose by not tagging this one as explicit. The Snorkcast would just be 2 hours a week of me swearing nonstop.

[InternetApex]

Rumors are that the Cubs offered 3 years with an option for a 4th while SD locked in year four. Basically, Theo held out for his price.

Instead, Theo will just get Price.

I bet this all ends in the triumphant return of the Hot Diarrhea Geyser.

Bort would have to start another podcast.

I'm already playing fast and loose by not tagging this one as explicit. The Snorkcast would just be 2 hours a week of me swearing nonstop.

I'd be happy to come on as a guest if only to give you a breather and swear constantly while you take sips of whatever you're drinking.

[Yeti]

Rumors are that the Cubs offered 3 years with an option for a 4th while SD locked in year four. Basically, Theo held out for his price.

Instead, Theo will just get Price.

I bet this all ends in the triumphant return of the Hot Diarrhea Geyser.

Bort would have to start another podcast.

I'm already playing fast and loose by not tagging this one as explicit. The Snorkcast would just be 2 hours a week of me swearing nonstop.

He'd probably just abandon the podcast midway through the first episode

[Bort]

Rumors are that the Cubs offered 3 years with an option for a 4th while SD locked in year four. Basically, Theo held out for his price.

Instead, Theo will just get Price.

I bet this all ends in the triumphant return of the Hot Diarrhea Geyser.

Bort would have to start another podcast.

I'm already playing fast and loose by not tagging this one as explicit. The Snorkcast would just be 2 hours a week of me swearing nonstop.

He'd probably just abandon the podcast midway through the first episode

That does sound like something I would do.

[Eli]

Chuck's awkward poem thing got me thinking and then yammering on Twitter to the point of confusing Slaky -- but anyway, which scenario sounds better?

• Cole Hamels for 2015-2019 (through his age 35 season) for $109 million, but you're trading Addison Russell to get him.
• David Price for 2016-2023 (through age 38) for roughly $225 million, minus the draft pick it will cost to sign him.

Price is the superior pitcher by some margin, but he'll also be vastly more expensive and require being signed for several extra non-prime years. And trading for Hamels would also mean you're opening the window to compete a bit earlier since you'd have him now.

That sounds like I'd prefer a Hamels scenario, but I don't actually know.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

Chuck's awkward poem thing got me thinking and then yammering on Twitter to the point of confusing Slaky -- but anyway, which scenario sounds better?

• Cole Hamels for 2015-2019 (through his age 35 season) for $109 million, but you're trading Addison Russell to get him.
• David Price for 2016-2023 (through age 38) for roughly $225 million, minus the draft pick it will cost to sign him.

Price is the superior pitcher by some margin, but he'll also be vastly more expensive and require being signed for several extra non-prime years. And trading for Hamels would also mean you're opening the window to compete a bit earlier since you'd have him now.

That sounds like I'd prefer a Hamels scenario, but I don't actually know.

Does the deal have to be made before the season? 

I'd kind like to see how things play out a little before dealing a top prospect.

[Eli]

Chuck's awkward poem thing got me thinking and then yammering on Twitter to the point of confusing Slaky -- but anyway, which scenario sounds better?

• Cole Hamels for 2015-2019 (through his age 35 season) for $109 million, but you're trading Addison Russell to get him.
• David Price for 2016-2023 (through age 38) for roughly $225 million, minus the draft pick it will cost to sign him.

Price is the superior pitcher by some margin, but he'll also be vastly more expensive and require being signed for several extra non-prime years. And trading for Hamels would also mean you're opening the window to compete a bit earlier since you'd have him now.

That sounds like I'd prefer a Hamels scenario, but I don't actually know.

Does the deal have to be made before the season? 

I'd kind like to see how things play out a little before dealing a top prospect.

For the sake of discussion, let's say yes. Then you get the value of a full season of Hamels in 2015.

[Chuck to Chuck]

I'm not ready to trade for Hamels now. I'd like to see 3 months of Soler, Bryant, Baez and even MiLB Russell. I want to know the offense is what we expect before I'd commit to a trade of a top prospect for pitching.  If those 4 guys don't pan out, Hamels won't get you there.

That said, if the market for Hamels pops now (i.e. the Cards are going to get him in May), I go get him.

I wait if I can set the timetable.  If I can't, I made a deal.  I don't really think the need for Hamels in 2015 is as great as it will be in 2016.