2017-2018 Cubs/MLB Offseason: HOT FUCKING STOVE

[D. Doluntap]

At some point at least one of these pitchers they've drafted over the last five years has to turn into something right?

[Saul Goodman]

At some point at least one of these pitchers they've drafted over the last five years has to turn into something right?

Their 6th rounder in 2014 turned into Jose Quintana!

[CubFaninHydePark]

Cubs are reportedly close to signing Brandon Morrow. I also positive.

It's not that I dislike the Morrow signing (though the money is a bit nuts for a reliever one-year removed from a dismal season), as much as I think Pat Neshek was a much better option, especially in light of Neshek likely commanding a similar, or perhaps slightly lesser salary.

[Tonker]

Cubs are reportedly close to signing Brandon Morrow. I also positive.

It's not that I dislike the Morrow signing (though the money is a bit nuts for a reliever one-year removed from a dismal season), as much as I think Pat Neshek was a much better option, especially in light of Neshek likely commanding a similar, or perhaps slightly lesser salary.

He was awful two years ago but he then was worth getting on for two wins last year, so I don't think a two-year, $21MM contract is too much of a stretch at all.  If he falls somewhere in between his last two years' lines, the Cubs will just about get their money's worth, and if he does repeat last year's performance then they'll make out like bandits.

[Quality Start Machine]

Cubs are reportedly close to signing Brandon Morrow. I also positive.

No word on Cobb yet, so they might have to fight for him this week. If they signed him...

1. Lester
2. Hendricks
3. Quintana
4. Cobb
5. Chatwood

CL: Morrow
SU: Strop
SU: Edwards Jr.
MR: Montgomery
MR: Grimm
MR: Maples
MR: Wilson
MR: Zastryzny/Alvarez?

That's a 13-man staff right there. If Cobb signs elsewhere, Montgomery becomes the 5.

There's not much else to do, really. A backup catcher and maybe a speedy outfielder. A better bullpen arm could also be added (Addison Reed?) if they wanted to keep Maples down longer. But they might not trade any of the young position players after all.

I don't think the Cubs are in a "Cobb or nothing" mindset. If Cobb goes elsewhere, then they can explore trade options.

Also, I'd prefer bringing back Duensing as the lefty middle innings guy over Zastryzny.

[D. Doluntap]

At some point at least one of these pitchers they've drafted over the last five years has to turn into something right?

Their 6th rounder in 2014 turned into Jose Quintana!

Ok, that's true.

[SKO]

Cubs are reportedly close to signing Brandon Morrow. I also positive.

It's not that I dislike the Morrow signing (though the money is a bit nuts for a reliever one-year removed from a dismal season), as much as I think Pat Neshek was a much better option, especially in light of Neshek likely commanding a similar, or perhaps slightly lesser salary.

Who gives a shit about lesser salary? All that matters are the years. Cubs are well below the luxury tax now, they can afford to overpay him relative to the market for a few years, its' not like they have a ton of other places they need to spend that money. If they sign Cobb (or even if they don't) it's likely any big moves they have left in the tank will be trades for young (i.e. cheap) players like Archer or Stroman or Yelich. They have the money, throw it at the best reliever available, minimize the risk by limiting the years.

[SKO]

DPD, but my ideal offseason from here is:

1) Sign Cobb
2) Add another late inning reliever
3) Trade Happ and some shit to Florida for Yelich, eat a bad contract of theirs if you need to.

2017 rotation:

Hendricks
Quintana
Lester
Cobb
Chatwood

Bullpen:
Morrow
FA Reliever
Edwards
Strop
Wilson
Monty
Who Knows
Who Cares

Yelich CF
Bryant 3B
Rizzo 1B
Contreras C
Schwarber LF
Baez 2B
Russell SS
HeyMora Platoon RF


Bench:
La Stella
Zobrist
Caratini or Veteran Backup Catcher
Zagunis or some shit. 

[D. Doluntap]

DPD, but my ideal offseason from here is:

1) Sign Cobb
2) Add another late inning reliever
3) Trade Happ and some shit to Florida for Yelich, eat a bad contract of theirs if you need to.

2017 rotation:

Hendricks
Quintana
Lester
Cobb
Chatwood

Bullpen:
Morrow
FA Reliever
Edwards
Strop
Wilson
Monty
Who Knows
Who Cares

Yelich CF
Bryant 3B
Rizzo 1B
Contreras C
Schwarber LF
Baez 2B
Russell SS
HeyMora Platoon RF


Bench:
La Stella
Zobrist
Caratini or Veteran Backup Catcher
Zagunis or some shit.

I dig. Thed could also try Almora and slightly better shit vs Happ and some shit for Yelich, and then have Heyapp playing RF. It'd be cool to have Happ become Zobrist when Benny hangs them up to work on his duet album with Julianna.

[Saul Goodman]

DPD, but my ideal offseason from here is:

1) Sign Cobb
2) Add another late inning reliever
3) Trade Happ and some shit to Florida for Yelich, eat a bad contract of theirs if you need to.

2017 rotation:

Hendricks
Quintana
Lester
Cobb
Chatwood

Bullpen:
Morrow
FA Reliever
Edwards
Strop
Wilson
Monty
Who Knows
Who Cares

Yelich CF
Bryant 3B
Rizzo 1B
Contreras C
Schwarber LF
Baez 2B
Russell SS
HeyMora Platoon RF


Bench:
La Stella
Zobrist
Caratini or Veteran Backup Catcher
Zagunis or some shit.

Yelich would be an awesome get, but I just can't see the Cubs outbidding everyone else who is going to want him.  Wouldn't mind being wrong.

[SKO]

DPD, but my ideal offseason from here is:

1) Sign Cobb
2) Add another late inning reliever
3) Trade Happ and some shit to Florida for Yelich, eat a bad contract of theirs if you need to.

2017 rotation:

Hendricks
Quintana
Lester
Cobb
Chatwood

Bullpen:
Morrow
FA Reliever
Edwards
Strop
Wilson
Monty
Who Knows
Who Cares

Yelich CF
Bryant 3B
Rizzo 1B
Contreras C
Schwarber LF
Baez 2B
Russell SS
HeyMora Platoon RF


Bench:
La Stella
Zobrist
Caratini or Veteran Backup Catcher
Zagunis or some shit.

Yelich would be an awesome get, but I just can't see the Cubs outbidding everyone else who is going to want him.  Wouldn't mind being wrong.

I feel like it'd be hard to top a guy like Happ in a trade like that but who knows.

[Saul Goodman]

DPD, but my ideal offseason from here is:

1) Sign Cobb
2) Add another late inning reliever
3) Trade Happ and some shit to Florida for Yelich, eat a bad contract of theirs if you need to.

2017 rotation:

Hendricks
Quintana
Lester
Cobb
Chatwood

Bullpen:
Morrow
FA Reliever
Edwards
Strop
Wilson
Monty
Who Knows
Who Cares

Yelich CF
Bryant 3B
Rizzo 1B
Contreras C
Schwarber LF
Baez 2B
Russell SS
HeyMora Platoon RF


Bench:
La Stella
Zobrist
Caratini or Veteran Backup Catcher
Zagunis or some shit.

Yelich would be an awesome get, but I just can't see the Cubs outbidding everyone else who is going to want him.  Wouldn't mind being wrong.

I feel like it'd be hard to top a guy like Happ in a trade like that but who knows.

The Marlins only seem to care about salary relief, and the Cubs would probably tell Jeter to go fuck himself if he insists on tying Chen, Prado, or Volquez around Yelich's neck.

[SKO]

DPD, but my ideal offseason from here is:

1) Sign Cobb
2) Add another late inning reliever
3) Trade Happ and some shit to Florida for Yelich, eat a bad contract of theirs if you need to.

2017 rotation:

Hendricks
Quintana
Lester
Cobb
Chatwood

Bullpen:
Morrow
FA Reliever
Edwards
Strop
Wilson
Monty
Who Knows
Who Cares

Yelich CF
Bryant 3B
Rizzo 1B
Contreras C
Schwarber LF
Baez 2B
Russell SS
HeyMora Platoon RF


Bench:
La Stella
Zobrist
Caratini or Veteran Backup Catcher
Zagunis or some shit.

Yelich would be an awesome get, but I just can't see the Cubs outbidding everyone else who is going to want him.  Wouldn't mind being wrong.

I feel like it'd be hard to top a guy like Happ in a trade like that but who knows.

The Marlins only seem to care about salary relief, and the Cubs would probably tell Jeter to go fuck himself if he insists on tying Chen, Prado, or Volquez around Yelich's neck.

But why, though? The Cubs could definitely eat some salary and just DFA the player in question. They have the flexibility to do that the same way the Dodgers do. It'd probably be worth it in order to get a great player.

[Quality Start Machine]

DPD, but my ideal offseason from here is:

1) Sign Cobb
2) Add another late inning reliever
3) Trade Happ and some shit to Florida for Yelich, eat a bad contract of theirs if you need to.

2017 rotation:

Hendricks
Quintana
Lester
Cobb
Chatwood

Bullpen:
Morrow
FA Reliever
Edwards
Strop
Wilson
Monty
Who Knows
Who Cares

Yelich CF
Bryant 3B
Rizzo 1B
Contreras C
Schwarber LF
Baez 2B
Russell SS
HeyMora Platoon RF


Bench:
La Stella
Zobrist
Caratini or Veteran Backup Catcher
Zagunis or some shit.

Yelich would be an awesome get, but I just can't see the Cubs outbidding everyone else who is going to want him.  Wouldn't mind being wrong.

I feel like it'd be hard to top a guy like Happ in a trade like that but who knows.

The Marlins only seem to care about salary relief, and the Cubs would probably tell Jeter to go fuck himself if he insists on tying Chen, Prado, or Volquez around Yelich's neck.

But why, though? The Cubs could definitely eat some salary and just DFA the player in question. They have the flexibility to do that the same way the Dodgers do. It'd probably be worth it in order to get a great player.

I dunno...they dealt Stanton without even getting Torres in return. I think Jepstink might be able to pry Yelich loose for Almora and a couple minor league dudes, and they can hang onto Happ.

[SKO]

DPD, but my ideal offseason from here is:

1) Sign Cobb
2) Add another late inning reliever
3) Trade Happ and some shit to Florida for Yelich, eat a bad contract of theirs if you need to.

2017 rotation:

Hendricks
Quintana
Lester
Cobb
Chatwood

Bullpen:
Morrow
FA Reliever
Edwards
Strop
Wilson
Monty
Who Knows
Who Cares

Yelich CF
Bryant 3B
Rizzo 1B
Contreras C
Schwarber LF
Baez 2B
Russell SS
HeyMora Platoon RF


Bench:
La Stella
Zobrist
Caratini or Veteran Backup Catcher
Zagunis or some shit.

Yelich would be an awesome get, but I just can't see the Cubs outbidding everyone else who is going to want him.  Wouldn't mind being wrong.

I feel like it'd be hard to top a guy like Happ in a trade like that but who knows.

The Marlins only seem to care about salary relief, and the Cubs would probably tell Jeter to go fuck himself if he insists on tying Chen, Prado, or Volquez around Yelich's neck.

But why, though? The Cubs could definitely eat some salary and just DFA the player in question. They have the flexibility to do that the same way the Dodgers do. It'd probably be worth it in order to get a great player.

I dunno...they dealt Stanton without even getting Torres in return. I think Jepstink might be able to pry Yelich loose for Almora and a couple minor league dudes, and they can hang onto Happ.

Yeah but they weren't trading Giancarlo Stanton, they were trading his contract. the Cubs could have offered Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo and the Marlins would have taken the Yankees offer because the 265 million dollars was all they gave a shit about.

Yelich doesn't have quite as much of an onerous deal so it would presumably take either legit prospects or, more likely, a willingness to eat a bad Marlins contract in exchange for getting the guy you want. I'd be fine with the Cubs getting Chen if it was the key to getting Yelich.