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#Post#: 481662--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
DIR By: CUBluejays
Date: October 28, 2023, 11:23 am
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--- Quote from: davep link ---
>
> That is an interesting grouping. It sounds as if that trio
are considered to be of roughly equal value. In my opinion,
Morel is worth much more than Wesneski and Assad combined.
>
> Why would they want one year of Soto, at any substantial
price, unless they could sign him to a longer term contract
BEFORE the trade?
>
--- End Quote ---
He replaces Bellinger without having years of guaranteed money.
Basically Jed’s dream player.
--- Quote from: Playtwo link ---
>
> Soto makes a lot of sense if the Cubs plan to be highly
competitive in 2024. He would make it possible for the offense
to again be elite in run scoring. And while keeping the Cubs
competitive, he gives Hoyer time to assess young players to
decide how to go about shoring up the offense for the longer
term.
>
> How much should the Cubs be willing to sacrifice for Soto? My
view is that they are best off trading Morel if they are
convinced he can only be a corner OFer or DH. Under those
circumstances, I'd sooner trade him than Assad/Wesneski (both of
who have the potential to be positive contributors in an area of
need). I doubt the Padres would take Morel plus B-level
prospects for Soto but I do that deal if I'm the Cubs.
>
--- End Quote ---
It improves the offense, but it doesn’t make them elite. They
still need 1 more really good bat to be an elite offense.
--- Quote from: Deeg link ---
>
> I would do Morel and Assad/Wesneski but nothing of value on
top of that.
>
--- End Quote ---
I wouldn’t add Alcantara to the deal, but anybody below that
wouldn’t really other me. I’d be hesitant to add Cassie, I’d
really like to see if he could be moved to first.
#Post#: 481663--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
DIR By: Reb
Date: October 28, 2023, 12:48 pm
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Think that another prospect in the “untouchable” category (with
PCA, Horton, Shaw) might be Ballesteros because he isn’t
redundant within the system: an offensive catcher (who
apparently can catch well enough).
Other than PCA, all other OF prospects are redundant—as painful
as might be trade away.
Of course, as a rental, that should limit how much trade away.
But, seems highly likely a third piece necessary in addition to
Morel and Assad/Wesneski or Soto just gets traded elsewhere. Has
to be a third piece, like it or not.
This is Juan Soto, his adjusted OPS+ is better than Aaron, Mays,
DiMaggio, Frank Robinson, Ott, Frank Thomas. Soto just turned 25
a few days ago. Maybe can even be re-signed, who knows.
#Post#: 481664--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
DIR By: craig
Date: October 28, 2023, 12:55 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: Deeg link ---
>
> Well, not that velocity is everything but “throws harder than
any of our rotation guys” isn’t accurate. Taillon throws harder
(as does Wesneski, for the record).
--- End Quote ---
You are right, I was wrong. Taillon was 93.8 per Fangraphs,
highest. Hayden was upper 93's, too. Assad 92.9.
I think Hayden was really letting it rip in relief, I saw 98 or
99 late in season in relief. Those seemed to be just winging
it, though, he didn't seem to have any command when he was
throwing it that hard. I assume relief is his future, where he
can throw harder, and get used in innings that don't have lots
of lefties, or else where the opposing manager will need to use
pinch hitters to get lefty matchups.
Assad's life/movement/run on his fastball seemed much better
than Hayden or Taillon. If the minor-league un-ranked rep was
as a soft-tosser lacking big-league stuff, at this point his
velocity/run/movement profile on his fastball probably makes it
better than any of our starters.
#Post#: 481665--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
DIR By: davep
Date: October 28, 2023, 1:21 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Just out of curiosity, since Happ and Sazuki both have no trade
contracts for several years, where is Soto going to play on the
Cubs next year?
#Post#: 481666--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
DIR By: CurtOne
Date: October 28, 2023, 1:34 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: davep link ---
>
> Just out of curiosity, since Happ and Sazuki both have no
trade contracts for several years, where is Soto going to play
on the Cubs next year?
>
--- End Quote ---
Silly boy. Happ moves to third.
#Post#: 481668--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
DIR By: Reb
Date: October 28, 2023, 2:27 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: davep link ---
>
> Just out of curiosity, since Happ and Sazuki both have no
trade contracts for several years, where is Soto going to play
on the Cubs next year?
>
--- End Quote ---
According to Baseball Reference, 2023 Cubs had a total of 2,086
plate appearances at LF, RF, DH combined.
A total non-issue getting PAs for Soto, Happ, Suzuki.
Particularly true if Morel—Cubs primary DH IN 2023–goes in any
deal.
#Post#: 481669--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
DIR By: CUBluejays
Date: October 28, 2023, 3:11 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: davep link ---
>
> Just out of curiosity, since Happ and Sazuki both have no
trade contracts for several years, where is Soto going to play
on the Cubs next year?
>
--- End Quote ---
DH. When Happ and Suzuki need a day he can play in the field.
#Post#: 481675--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
DIR By: Deeg
Date: October 28, 2023, 11:01 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: davep link ---
>
> Just out of curiosity, since Happ and Sazuki both have no
trade contracts for several years, where is Soto going to play
on the Cubs next year?
>
--- End Quote ---
You don't worry about that with Soto. His bat is in the lineup
every day and everyone else adjusts around him. Happ is
probably the best corner OF of that group and Soto the worst, so
there's be a lot of DH in there for him.
The issue for me is swapping out '23 Soto for '23 Bellinger
doesn't really make the Cubs significantly better. Too many
other holes to fill, and probably some luck baked in to us
winning 83 games. I don't buy the idea of gutting the farm
system for one year of Soto, when if we're honest we know
there's not a chance in Hell PTR pays what it would take to
extend him.
#Post#: 481679--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
DIR By: Playtwo
Date: October 29, 2023, 7:19 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I doubt acquiring Soto would be the only move the Cubs make on
offense. They need at least one additional acquisition to cover
corner IF.
#Post#: 481682--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
DIR By: Deeg
Date: October 29, 2023, 8:29 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: Playtwo link ---
>
> I doubt acquiring Soto would be the only move the Cubs make on
offense. They need at least one additional acquisition to cover
corner IF.
>
--- End Quote ---
But why go all in on next season when we start the offseason as
a .500 club? Why not try and get (or keep) some pieces that
will be around for a few years?
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