2015 Cubs Offseason: Building a Winner Around David Ross

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

What if they get just one premier starter--and no other starters--and say, Span?  No trades until next summer.  Fans will freak out with a Hammel and Hendrix back end redux but whataver.

They didn't get much of anything at the non-waiver deadline last year--they actually got more production from what they got at the August deadline (Jackson and Cahill) than at July (Haren and Hunter), but they didn't give anything up, either, and it paid off, in that they won 2 postseason "series" and all of the guys they didn't trade contributed and enhanced their value in the process.

Rather than make a big trade this offseason would they be better off with just signing a stud P, solid CF and everyone else stays for now?  Barring injury,a team with Lester, Arrieta and, say, Greinke in its rotation is likely going to be in contention through June.  So let's see how Baez continues to be the super-utility slick IF guy with Castro being Castro at the keystone, same with George Sun in right.  I think it's become clear that if and when a trade does happen it would be one or two (or three(!)) of these guys invovled  The gamble has paid off so far in that Baez and Soler only enhanced their value by playing (and Castro rescued his value). This year the hope falls more on the Ghleybar/Happ/Almora/McKinney group doing similar.  If two of those guys get hot, then next year the Cubs should be able to get whomever they want to bolster by late July.

Just curious, what makes you drop Greinke and not Price in as the hypothetical big $ pitcher?

Nothing I guess.  I liked the idea of getting Price when the offseason began but I have since gotten a little more excited for Greinke for whatever reason.  Either one's good for me.

[Saul Goodman]

What if they get just one premier starter--and no other starters--and say, Span?  No trades until next summer.  Fans will freak out with a Hammel and Hendrix back end redux but whataver.

They didn't get much of anything at the non-waiver deadline last year--they actually got more production from what they got at the August deadline (Jackson and Cahill) than at July (Haren and Hunter), but they didn't give anything up, either, and it paid off, in that they won 2 postseason "series" and all of the guys they didn't trade contributed and enhanced their value in the process.

Rather than make a big trade this offseason would they be better off with just signing a stud P, solid CF and everyone else stays for now?  Barring injury,a team with Lester, Arrieta and, say, Greinke in its rotation is likely going to be in contention through June.  So let's see how Baez continues to be the super-utility slick IF guy with Castro being Castro at the keystone, same with George Sun in right.  I think it's become clear that if and when a trade does happen it would be one or two (or three(!)) of these guys invovled  The gamble has paid off so far in that Baez and Soler only enhanced their value by playing (and Castro rescued his value). This year the hope falls more on the Ghleybar/Happ/Almora/McKinney group doing similar.  If two of those guys get hot, then next year the Cubs should be able to get whomever they want to bolster by late July.

Just curious, what makes you drop Greinke and not Price in as the hypothetical big $ pitcher?

Nothing I guess.  I liked the idea of getting Price when the offseason began but I have since gotten a little more excited for Greinke for whatever reason.  Either one's good for me.

Chuck tells me they have the money for both, so that's what I want.

I'm late to this but I'm cool with PANK's hypothetical offseason. However after Castro's late-season surge I think they won't be able to get more for him than they can right now.

[Saul Goodman]

DPD, not really that relevant but in the first half when Hammel had a 2.98 ERA in his first 16 starts the Cubs went 7-9.

So they actually won more games with Crappy Hammel than Good Hammel. It's a testament to how much better the offense was in the second half, but also that baseball is weird sometimes.

Thank you for this. My managing partner is a proud member of the Church of Pitcher Wins. This will be useful.

[Saul Goodman]

Boston is picking up Craig Kimbrel from the Padres.

[Quality Start Machine]

Boston is picking up Craig Kimbrel from the Padres.

San Diego's stockpiling prospects. Let's hope Jepstink can pry Ross loose now.

[Yeti]

I got excited for a second

David Ross Likely To Retire After Season

because I was hoping that meant this season, but

He explained that he's "going to give it one more run" but that it's "time to be a dad" thereafter.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

I got excited for a second

David Ross Likely To Retire After Season

because I was hoping that meant this season, but

He explained that he's "going to give it one more run" but that it's "time to be a dad" thereafter.

Why would you think "after the season" meant after 2015 a month after 2015 already ended?  Wouldn't it just be "David Ross retires"?

[Canadouche]

I got excited for a second

David Ross Likely To Retire After Season

because I was hoping that meant this season, but

He explained that he's "going to give it one more run" but that it's "time to be a dad" thereafter.

Why would you think "after the season" meant after 2015 a month after 2015 already ended?  Wouldn't it just be "David Ross retires"?

Allow the man his moment of optimism, will you?

[R-V]

So, Jose Fernandez anyone?

I'd give up Baez/Castro, Gleyber, McKinney, and whatever minor league pitcher they want.

[Eli]

So, Jose Fernandez anyone?

I'd give up Baez/Castro, Gleyber, McKinney, and whatever minor league pitcher they want.

I imagine Soler or Baez would be the main piece. Wonder if the deal could be expanded to bring back Ozuna to play CF.

Do that, sign Heyward, profit.

[Quality Start Machine]

So, Jose Fernandez anyone?

I'd give up Baez/Castro, Gleyber, McKinney, and whatever minor league pitcher they want.

I imagine Soler or Baez would be the main piece. Wonder if the deal could be expanded to bring back Ozuna to play CF.

Do that, sign Heyward, profit.

Why on earth trade a young arm with that much promise that is still cheap? Makes no sense even for the Marlins.

[InternetApex]

So, Jose Fernandez anyone?

I'd give up Baez/Castro, Gleyber, McKinney, and whatever minor league pitcher they want.

I imagine Soler or Baez would be the main piece. Wonder if the deal could be expanded to bring back Ozuna to play CF.

Do that, sign Heyward, profit.

Why on earth trade a young arm with that much promise that is still cheap? Makes no sense even for the Marlins.

They don't really have that many assets. I'm sure if they had much else to swap they'd rather do it. But by the time they're relevant by any means at all, Fernandez would have more miles on the odometer and less value due to his impending free agency. Holding on to him accomplishes very little unless they have some unknown method for talent acquisition. It would behoove them to stockpile prospects and get busy sucking/drafting so they can return to the competitive fray in 3-4 years.

[Oleg]

So, Jose Fernandez anyone?

I'd give up Baez/Castro, Gleyber, McKinney, and whatever minor league pitcher they want.

I imagine Soler or Baez would be the main piece. Wonder if the deal could be expanded to bring back Ozuna to play CF.

Do that, sign Heyward, profit.

Why on earth trade a young arm with that much promise that is still cheap? Makes no sense even for the Marlins.

Scott Boras is to The Marlins what Kings of Leon are to Oleg.

[InternetApex]

So, Jose Fernandez anyone?

I'd give up Baez/Castro, Gleyber, McKinney, and whatever minor league pitcher they want.

I imagine Soler or Baez would be the main piece. Wonder if the deal could be expanded to bring back Ozuna to play CF.

Do that, sign Heyward, profit.

Why on earth trade a young arm with that much promise that is still cheap? Makes no sense even for the Marlins.

Scott Boras is to The Marlins what Kings of Leon are to Oleg.

They thought he was dope until everybody else jumped on his dick and then they complained that he'd sold out and shit on every subsequent thing he did?

[Oleg]

So, Jose Fernandez anyone?

I'd give up Baez/Castro, Gleyber, McKinney, and whatever minor league pitcher they want.

I imagine Soler or Baez would be the main piece. Wonder if the deal could be expanded to bring back Ozuna to play CF.

Do that, sign Heyward, profit.

Why on earth trade a young arm with that much promise that is still cheap? Makes no sense even for the Marlins.

Scott Boras is to The Marlins what Kings of Leon are to Oleg.

They thought he was dope until everybody else jumped on his dick and then they complained that he'd sold out and shit on every subsequent thing he did?

That's a bit more detail than I was going for but, yeah...that about nails it on the head.