2015 Cubs Offseason: Building a Winner Around David Ross

[R-V]

How much will they offer Daniel Murphy?

Would Rizzo be willing to move to right field to open up a spot at 1st for Vogelbach?

With Soler able to cover so much ground from center field, will Maddon consider using a 5th infielder at times?

Let's go to work, gang.

[Eli]

I hope this thread title and the content of the first post aren't an omen for the entire offseason.

[R-V]

I hope this thread title and the content of the first post aren't an omen for the entire offseason.

I don't follow.

[Eli]

I hope this thread title and the content of the first post aren't an omen for the entire offseason.

I don't follow.

Thanks to you, we have to look at David Ross's name all offseason when discussing fun and exciting possibilities.

[Quality Start Machine]

Free agents:

Dexter Fowler ($9.5 million in 2015)
Austin Jackson ($7.7 million in 2015)
Fernando Rodney ($7 million in 2015)
Tommy Hunter ($4.65 million in 2015)
Jason Motte ($4.5 million in 2015)
Chris Denorfia ($2.6 million in 2015)
Dan Haren ($1 million in 2015)
Trevor Cahill ($507K in 2015)
Clayton Richard ($507K in 2015)

Do the Cubs resign any of these guys?

Did you remember Tommy Hunter was a Cub?

Did they really give Jason Motte that much money?

[Slaky]

Free agents:

Dexter Fowler ($9.5 million in 2015)
Austin Jackson ($7.7 million in 2015)
Fernando Rodney ($7 million in 2015)
Tommy Hunter ($4.65 million in 2015)
Jason Motte ($4.5 million in 2015)
Chris Denorfia ($2.6 million in 2015)
Dan Haren ($1 million in 2015)
Trevor Cahill ($507K in 2015)
Clayton Richard ($507K in 2015)

Do the Cubs resign any of these guys?

Did you remember Tommy Hunter was a Cub?

Did they really give Jason Motte that much money?

I would consider bringing Richard back unless he's hellbent on a rotation spot. He was nice.

Haren's retiring, so that's easy.

Everyone else is probably gone unless they want to stick around for peanuts.

[ChuckD]

Free agents:

Dexter Fowler ($9.5 million in 2015)
Austin Jackson ($7.7 million in 2015)
Fernando Rodney ($7 million in 2015)
Tommy Hunter ($4.65 million in 2015)
Jason Motte ($4.5 million in 2015)
Chris Denorfia ($2.6 million in 2015)
Dan Haren ($1 million in 2015)
Trevor Cahill ($507K in 2015)
Clayton Richard ($507K in 2015)

Do the Cubs resign any of these guys?

Did you remember Tommy Hunter was a Cub?

Did they really give Jason Motte that much money?

I'm going to venture a guess that they don't resign Haren.

[CT III]

Free agents:

Dexter Fowler ($9.5 million in 2015)
Austin Jackson ($7.7 million in 2015)
Fernando Rodney ($7 million in 2015)
Tommy Hunter ($4.65 million in 2015)
Jason Motte ($4.5 million in 2015)
Chris Denorfia ($2.6 million in 2015)
Dan Haren ($1 million in 2015)
Trevor Cahill ($507K in 2015)
Clayton Richard ($507K in 2015)

Do the Cubs resign any of these guys?

Did you remember Tommy Hunter was a Cub?

Did they really give Jason Motte that much money?

I'm going to venture a guess that they don't resign Haren.

Or re-sign him for that matter.

[R-V]

I hope this thread title and the content of the first post aren't an omen for the entire offseason.

I don't follow.

Thanks to you, we have to look at David Ross's name all offseason when discussing fun and exciting possibilities.

When he retires and takes a coaching job, it will be a pleasant reminder that he's no longer on the team.

[R-V]

Anyway.

Setting aside pitching for the moment - catcher, second base, center field are the big question marks for me.

At catcher, considering they owe Montero another $28 million, I don't see them getting rid of him or spending significant dollars on a replacement/upgrade. Assuming they can make up a coaching position and get Ross to retire, I could see a Montero/Schwarber timeshare to start the season. If it turns out that Schwarber is completely inept back there, make a move at the deadline, or it's possible Contreras could be ready.

As much as I love Baez, I don't want to count on him as the every day second basemen. I think this is the spot where Theo & Jed will make a trade.

Center field is easy: sign Heyward.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

How much will they offer Daniel Murphy?

Would Rizzo be willing to move to right field to open up a spot at 1st for Vogelbach?

With Soler able to cover so much ground from center field, will Maddon consider using a 5th infielder at times?

Let's go to work, gang.

They already gave him 100k during the Eisenhower Administration.

[Armchair_QB]

Fowler would be worth bringing back if there isn't a better CF option out there. Austin Jackson wouldn't be a bad fourth outfielder either. Heyward's interesting but can he play CF?

My irrational hatred of Ross & Montero tells me both guys should be launched but that's probably not happening & we'll have a black hole in the batting order at that position. I can't believe they'll try to make Schwarber a full-time or even part-time catcher.

They've got to go all-in on another starting pitcher.

List of free agents per mlbtraderumors.com. Updated 10-20-15:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/09/2016-mlb-free-agents.html

[Eli]

At catcher, considering they owe Montero another $28 million, I don't see them getting rid of him or spending significant dollars on a replacement/upgrade. Assuming they can make up a coaching position and get Ross to retire, I could see a Montero/Schwarber timeshare to start the season. If it turns out that Schwarber is completely inept back there, make a move at the deadline, or it's possible Contreras could be ready.

It's a tough spot. I don't think they can count on Schwarber in their catching plans, no matter how badly they want his bat in that spot.

Given some of the other roster needs -- two rotations spots (plus a depth arm) and CF -- they'll probably be content to just punt the catcher spot and hang their cat on a primarily defensive platoon. Any random hot streak from Montero would probably just be a bonus.

[Slaky]

At catcher, considering they owe Montero another $28 million, I don't see them getting rid of him or spending significant dollars on a replacement/upgrade. Assuming they can make up a coaching position and get Ross to retire, I could see a Montero/Schwarber timeshare to start the season. If it turns out that Schwarber is completely inept back there, make a move at the deadline, or it's possible Contreras could be ready.

It's a tough spot. I don't think they can count on Schwarber in their catching plans, no matter how badly they want his bat in that spot.

Given some of the other roster needs -- two rotations spots (plus a depth arm) and CF -- they'll probably be content to just punt the catcher spot and hang their cat on a primarily defensive platoon. Any random hot streak from Montero would probably just be a bonus.

If Miggy is back as the full time catcher I sure hope he spends the next three months doing absolutely nothing.

[PenFoe]

At catcher, considering they owe Montero another $28 million, I don't see them getting rid of him or spending significant dollars on a replacement/upgrade. Assuming they can make up a coaching position and get Ross to retire, I could see a Montero/Schwarber timeshare to start the season. If it turns out that Schwarber is completely inept back there, make a move at the deadline, or it's possible Contreras could be ready.

It's a tough spot. I don't think they can count on Schwarber in their catching plans, no matter how badly they want his bat in that spot.

Given some of the other roster needs -- two rotations spots (plus a depth arm) and CF -- they'll probably be content to just punt the catcher spot and hang their cat on a primarily defensive platoon. Any random hot streak from Montero would probably just be a bonus.

If Miggy is back as the full time catcher I sure hope he spends the next three months doing absolutely nothing.

I think we should absolutely expect him to be the full-time catcher next year and hope we get 1-2 games/week with Schwarber back there.