2015 Cubs Offseason: Building a Winner Around David Ross

[Oleg]

So, Cliff Lee?
Positive: Short-term deal/was still decent in 13 starts in '14
Negatives: old/could be bad/didn't pitch last year/was in HS at same time as David Ross

Will he take John Lackey post-injury $500k-plus-incentives money? Then sure, might as well.

Why?

[Yeti]

So, Cliff Lee?
Positive: Short-term deal/was still decent in 13 starts in '14
Negatives: old/could be bad/didn't pitch last year/was in HS at same time as David Ross

Why?

he's a winner

[Quality Start Machine]

So, Cliff Lee?
Positive: Short-term deal/was still decent in 13 starts in '14
Negatives: old/could be bad/didn't pitch last year/was in HS at same time as David Ross

Why?

he's a winner

If he could be a serviceable middle reliever, why not? But him getting the ball in his shoe every 5 games will not move the Cubs any closer to a World's Championship.

[Saul Goodman]

So, Cliff Lee?
Positive: Short-term deal/was still decent in 13 starts in '14
Negatives: old/could be bad/didn't pitch last year/was in HS at same time as David Ross

Will he take John Lackey post-injury $500k-plus-incentives money? Then sure, might as well.

Why?

What, do you want more Dallas Beeler?

[SKO]

So, Cliff Lee?
Positive: Short-term deal/was still decent in 13 starts in '14
Negatives: old/could be bad/didn't pitch last year/was in HS at same time as David Ross

Will he take John Lackey post-injury $500k-plus-incentives money? Then sure, might as well.

Why?

What, do you want more Dallas Beeler?

I forgot those are literally the only two options.

[Saul Goodman]

So, Cliff Lee?
Positive: Short-term deal/was still decent in 13 starts in '14
Negatives: old/could be bad/didn't pitch last year/was in HS at same time as David Ross

Will he take John Lackey post-injury $500k-plus-incentives money? Then sure, might as well.

Why?

What, do you want more Dallas Beeler?

I forgot those are literally the only two options.

So that's a "yes" for more Dallas Beeler then.

[Armchair_QB]

Not a surprise, but now it's official.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2015/11/04/zack-greinke-free-agent-opt-out/75147698/

[Saul Goodman]

Not a surprise, but now it's official.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2015/11/04/zack-greinke-free-agent-opt-out/75147698/

Ri¢kett$ Ri¢kett$ Ri¢kett$ Ri¢kett$

[Oleg]

I know the defensive metrics are particularly kind to him but, the more I think about it, the more I want The Cubs to sign Span for CF.

[SKO]

I know the defensive metrics are particularly kind to him but, the more I think about it, the more I want The Cubs to sign Span for CF.

I assume you meant aren't there, but yeah I'd be fine with that if the years/price were right. Fowler's defense wasn't particularly stout either per the metrics but Wrigley's center field proved to be far more manageable for him.

[Quality Start Machine]

I know the defensive metrics are particularly kind to him but, the more I think about it, the more I want The Cubs to sign Span for CF.

I assume you meant aren't there, but yeah I'd be fine with that if the years/price were right. Fowler's defense wasn't particularly stout either per the metrics but Wrigley's center field proved to be far more manageable for him.

And Span will be a lot more affordable, both in dollars and years, than Fowler will be.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

I know the defensive metrics are particularly kind to him but, the more I think about it, the more I want The Cubs to sign Span for CF.

I assume you meant aren't there, but yeah I'd be fine with that if the years/price were right. Fowler's defense wasn't particularly stout either per the metrics but Wrigley's center field proved to be far more manageable for him.

And Span will be a lot more affordable, both in dollars and years, than Fowler will be.

How would Span compare to Austin Jackson?

[SKO]

I know the defensive metrics are particularly kind to him but, the more I think about it, the more I want The Cubs to sign Span for CF.

I assume you meant aren't there, but yeah I'd be fine with that if the years/price were right. Fowler's defense wasn't particularly stout either per the metrics but Wrigley's center field proved to be far more manageable for him.

And Span will be a lot more affordable, both in dollars and years, than Fowler will be.

How would Span compare to Austin Jackson?

Jackson would be a lot cheaper, but Span has been the better player by far over the last 3-4 years. Span's averaged 3.6 fWAR in his last 3 full seasons, Jackson's averaged about 2 fWAR.  

Jackson was pretty good from 2010-2012 with the Tigers, though, so maybe he can reclaim some of that in a full season hitting in Chicago rather than Seattle.

[Quality Start Machine]

I know the defensive metrics are particularly kind to him but, the more I think about it, the more I want The Cubs to sign Span for CF.

I assume you meant aren't there, but yeah I'd be fine with that if the years/price were right. Fowler's defense wasn't particularly stout either per the metrics but Wrigley's center field proved to be far more manageable for him.

And Span will be a lot more affordable, both in dollars and years, than Fowler will be.

How would Span compare to Austin Jackson?

Jackson would be a lot cheaper, but Span has been the better player by far over the last 3-4 years. Span's averaged 3.6 fWAR in his last 3 full seasons, Jackson's averaged about 2 fWAR.  

Jackson was pretty good from 2010-2012 with the Tigers, though, so maybe he can reclaim some of that in a full season hitting in Chicago rather than Seattle.

If the Cubs are going to keep Schwarber in LF for the forseeable future, they'd be better off with Span covering the extra ground.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

Another thought on Fowler....and my understanding may be...PANKISH....but has anyone ever accepted a qualifying offer and does it work similar to an NFL player who's been tagged a franchise player--i.e. 1-year fat contract then FA again?  As I understood it, Fowler's QO would be maybe 16 mildo?  Any chance he would roll the dice on another solid season and maybe win a CHAMMENSHIP (both which would increase his value for next year, though only marginally at best)?  

Just say no and I'll put it to rest.