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#Post#: 481045--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
By: Deeg Date: October 8, 2023, 8:00 pm
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[quote author=Playtwo link=topic=628.msg481044#msg481044
date=1696811687]
Candelario?
[/quote]
Indeed, if they bring him back. A good incentive to do so.
#Post#: 481059--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
By: davep Date: October 9, 2023, 1:06 pm
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Heyward and Bellinger are coming off the Luxury tax books (and
perhaps Hendricks), so they shouldn't have a problem bringing in
a good pitcher and a decent hitter.
At this point, I would assume that PCA will get a long look next
year, and Canario will get a total shot next season, either in
center or DH. Mervis may or may not be in the mix, but they
don't have much in the current system to fill first base, unless
they make a trade.
it is true that the Cubs removed Morel from the third base
scenario years ago, but the situation is vastly different today.
At the time he was playing minor league third base, he was
lacking one large requirement for a third baseman, power.
Through 2019, he had hit 19 home runs in three seasons, hardly
something you would want in a third baseman, regardless of his
other abilities. The position of Supersub. concentrating on
shortstop, second base and center field, with the ability to
fill in at third occasionally, seemed a much more attactive
place to the Cubs administration.
But since then, he has had a substantial breakthrough in game
power, with 16 MLB home runs in 2022 and between majors and
minors, 37 more in 2023. And he did that while reducing his
strike out rate. An athletic 24 year old with shortstop
experience and an extremely strong arm suddenly looks like a
very attractive candidate for third base, expecially for a team
that can use power and speed on the bases. Failure to give
Morel a long term trial would be a vary foolish decision on the
part of the Cubs. And it opens up DH as a potential spot for
aging sluggers that can no longer perform in the field.
If and when Shaw seems ready for the majors, Morel would likely
have much more trade value at that point than he has now, if
there is not enough room for both of them on the team.
#Post#: 481060--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
By: CUBluejays Date: October 9, 2023, 1:24 pm
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Cot Contracts has then at $78 million below the CBT right now.
That does not include options on Gomes or Hendricks ($22ish
million) arbitration (I believe MLB TradeRumours had them at $45
million). Just doing that brings them to within $11 million of
the CBT. That is a worse team than what they had this year.
This team either blows past or the CBT or backtracks. I'm sure
the Cubs won't offer arbitration to everyone, so that will save
some money. That means the Cubs have $56ish million to replace
Bellinger's production, fix the rotation and Bullpen before the
Cubs lose draft pick spots.
Bringing back Hendricks and Stroman make the offseason harder.
#Post#: 481061--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
By: craig Date: October 9, 2023, 1:30 pm
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[quote author=Playtwo link=topic=628.msg481017#msg481017
date=1696775456]
I seem to be an outlier. I really enjoyed watching the Cubs
play this season. Stretches of outstanding defense, stolen
bases, scoring a lot of runs, competitive ABs. Not enough
consistency, but the skeleton of a really strong team. I don't
really get the negativism and/or lack of interest.
[/quote]
I enjoyed the season. Good defense was fun. Having some
prospects at times was fun. Scoring runs was fun. Winning for
a couple of months was fun. Being in position to get into the
playoffs, and to be watching scoreboard and standings again was
fun.
#Post#: 481062--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
By: Reb Date: October 9, 2023, 1:33 pm
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[quote author=davep link=topic=628.msg481059#msg481059
date=1696874788]
it is true that the Cubs removed Morel from the third base
scenario years ago, but the situation is vastly different
today….
[/quote]
That is not accurate.
I urge you to go to Milb.com and look up the Iowa box scores at
the very beginning of the 2023 season.
What you will find is that Morel opened the Iowa season at 3B.
He stayed there for about two weeks of games and then was moved
off of 3B and played mostly CF and RF thereafter. That would
indicate that Cubs were hopeful this season that Morel would be
a factor at 3B. Perhaps he even worked during the pre-2023
off-season at 3B in preparation for opening the 2023 season at
3B.
The evidence indicates that Cubs tried and wanted Morel to play
3B in 2023 and gave up on the notion in mid-April. It was not
revisited thereafter.
If you feel Morel will or should be at 3B going forward, seems
like have to come to terms about what happened early this Iowa
season at 3B, no?
#Post#: 481071--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
By: Deeg Date: October 9, 2023, 5:13 pm
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I wonder if the Cubs would ever consider trying Happ at 3B
again. He’s played maybe 20 games there as a pro and the stats
aren’t terrible, but I guess that’s pretty far-fetched. But
that would free up a corner OF spot for someone like Morel or
Canario (or a FA).
#Post#: 481076--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
By: Tuffy Date: October 9, 2023, 8:30 pm
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Speaking of third base, what happened to David Bote? He didn't
get called up this year and it looks like they were trying him
out at shortstop (in addition to 3B and 2B, where he has lots of
experience) in Iowa. Has his status within the Cubs' plans
changed?
#Post#: 481078--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
By: CurtOne Date: October 9, 2023, 8:46 pm
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I thought of Bode too. How long was his contract extension? I
just don't think he's in future plans.
#Post#: 481079--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
By: ben Date: October 9, 2023, 8:47 pm
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Bote was at Iowa all season and did not distinguish himself. He
may have a hard time getting back to MLB.
#Post#: 481080--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
By: Deeg Date: October 9, 2023, 9:30 pm
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Bote is toast as far as the Cubs are concerned. Not on the
40-man and not in their plans.
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