Sherman - Cubs (and others obv) expected to be in on Alex Gordon

[David]

With the seeming lack of market for hitters this offseason, does Fowler come back to the Cubs? We know they offered him a 2 year deal this offseason but he wanted more years. With guys like Gordon,Cespedes and Upton struggling to get 4 or 5 year deals, things can't be looking good for Fowler. I'd take him on a one year deal where he can't be offered a QO in 2017.

What would you do with Schwarber/Soler? Trade one?

Trade them both for Stanton.

I might get railed for it, but I wouldn't make that trade unless MIA was willing to eat one hell of a lot of money.

I won't rail you for it.

[Banedon]

Yeah, but he's a big galoot and the day his baseball career ends after he cartoonishly leaves a galoot-sized hole in the bricks will make me sad. I don't like being sad.

So...you think he's Bump Bailey?

[Sammy Sofa]

More like one of the Gashouse Gorillas.

[Banedon]

More like one of the Gashouse Gorillas.

Quick, someone photoshop the Cubs faces on the conga line....

[illiniguy]

Pujols, Alfred Molina, Dracula, Blacula and Son of Kong.

Blacula opted out, cause of Ferguson.

[David]

mojo's campaign to trade the cubs' 22 year old all time leader in postseason home runs (i realize this doesn't mean anything other than being a fun way to describe him and the awesome stuff he just did) is one of the weirder things i've seen around here lately for a lot of reasons

[Sammy Sofa]

They could also trade Rizzo so the one man Beagle Boys Gang can play 1B.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Pujols, Alfred Molina, Dracula, Blacula and Son of Kong.

POTY

[Gilby]

Are the Cardinals really going to watch Upton's price fall to where there's talk he may need to take a 1 year deal and still sit it out? I don't think he'll need to take a 1 year deal, but that is an indication things aren't going great for him this winter. The Cardinals need to do something offensively, and this would be a good opportunity for them. What are everyone's predictions for the three best outfielders left (+Davis since he'll affect what the Orioles do)?

My guesses:

Upton - Cardinals
Cespedes - Tigers
Fowler - White Sox
Daivs - Orioles

Or maybe switch Fowler and Upton, but I feel like the Cardinals will end up with one of these guys.

[Cubswin11]

Upton- Orioles
Davis- Angels
Cespedes- Rangers
Fowler- Cubs (we give him a 1 year deal with no QO for next year so he can get his big deal in a better market)
Parra-Cardinals
Jackson- White Sox

[toonsterwu]

I still wouldn't be surprised if the Nationals went after Fowler, particularly if it's a one year deal. They can't really depend on Werth/Taylor, and they are already losing a pick for Daniel Murphy. Also wouldn't be absolutely stunned if Boston got in on that.

I think Davis is going to be an owner stepping in type situation. Wouldn't be surprised if it's Baltimore still, with Angelos, by all indications, desperately wanting Davis back.

If Upton ends up on a short term deal, I could see a number of teams emerge to give him a look. Again, Boston/Nationals both make some sense if it's a short term deal, but really, could see an out of contention squad look to add him (I mean, say he goes to the Rockies and hopes for a mid-season trade after mashing some).

[soccer10k]

Fowler- Cubs (we give him a 1 year deal with no QO for next year so he can get his big deal in a better market)

Is that something they could just write into the contract?

[Cubswin11]

Fowler- Cubs (we give him a 1 year deal with no QO for next year so he can get his big deal in a better market)

Is that something they could just write into the contract?

I want to say you can and its maybe already been done, iirc. If it hasn't been done I see no reason why it couldn't be part of the contact to not be able to exercise/give a QO to a player when he hits FA

[Andy]

Cespedes got it written into his A's contract that he wouldn't receive a QO

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Cespedes got it written into his A's contract that he wouldn't receive a QO

Not exactly. He had it written in there that the A's must non-tender him when the 4 years were up so he could reach free agency instead of going through arbitration. Plus he signed in the offseason before QOs were even a thing so I don't know how that would work.