2019-20 Offseason Rumors/General Chit-Chat

[Regular Show]

Yeah, this Cubs Convention is going to blow. This offseason has been a disaster and trade talks have gone nowhere. Maybe the Cubs shouldn't have broadcast their intentions about wanting to trade away key pieces and "shake things up" so clearly. We aren't trading for Nolan Arenado and then subsequently moving KB/Willson. The Colorado FO is notoriously difficult to make trades with, and they're annoying AF in their demands/negotiations. That isn't happening...

We can at least take some solace in the fact this douchebag is no longer on the team and won't be attending CC:

Spoiler: show

[Cubswin11]

Yeah the Rockies/Arenado and Bryant swap out seems so far out there. Like you said, they’re notoriously hard to deal with and also dumb. It takes like 5-6 moves likely to make it all work if getting under the LT is still a must do this offseason but also still, presumably, building out a team that can win if you’re taking on Arenado at age 28/29 it would be dumb to do that then punt a year. It’s too bad they can’t (or won’t) say horsefeathers it and just do like Willy, Heyward and some prospects for Arenado and throw KB in RF and sign Russell Martin. That offense would horsefeathers.

[TomtheBombadil]

The Rockies would never trade Nolan Arenado to the Cubs for Willson Contreras and Jason Heyward

Hotter take: the Rangers signing Chirinos was actually best case for the Cubs as far as making a quality Contreras trade. The Rangers' farm system sucks so they were out, especially since Calhoun's no longer a fit or available. The Jays (McGuire, Jansen), Rays (Zunino), and Padres (Hedges) all have catchers to trade for and good farm systems or niche-y MLers. Contreras is still the most likely to get a trade that doesn't hurt 2020 or beyond. Since he's not a salary dump "taking on" Zunino's or Hedge's contracts could be a good way to get an extra ML ready pitcher or more quality prospect

I still lean towards them doing nothing but yeah I don't think Chirinos to the Rangers shuts any doors

[Cubswin11]

The Rockies would never trade Nolan Arenado to the Cubs for Willson Contreras and Jason Heyward

If they got 2-3 of Adbert, Roederer, Ademan, Bote, basically any non Amaya/Nico/Davis/Marquez prospects I could see it. They’re trying to save money and it saves them money but also keeps them from having to entirely blow horsefeathers up.

[TomtheBombadil]

If they got 2-3 of Adbert, Roederer, Ademan, Bote, basically any non Amaya/Nico/Davis/Marquez prospects I could see it.

Yeah, that also wouldn't happen. They're not trading Nolan Arenado in a trade that brings back Jason Heyward to start with though

[Cubswin11]

If they got 2-3 of Adbert, Roederer, Ademan, Bote, basically any non Amaya/Nico/Davis/Marquez prospects I could see it.

Yeah, that also wouldn't happen. They're not trading Nolan Arenado in a trade that brings back Jason Heyward to start with though

I’m pretty certain they wouldn’t either. But it does save them $150 or so million. If the offer was Willy, Heyward, Bote, Adbert and Roederer I’m guessing they’d at least think about it. Get an immediate, long term 3B replacement with cost certainty, a top 3 catcher in baseball that won’t cost anything for 2 of the 3 years controlled, Heyward is still a platoon and playable OF’er, then they get a MLB ready pitcher and a decently regarded prospect. That seems somewhat plausible for what a deal would look like if there was even a remote chance they were talking. I don’t buy it either of it being something that has any sort of real chance of actually happening, but if Passan/Morrosi have heard things that would be my guess at it.

[TomtheBombadil]

I’m pretty certain they wouldn’t either. But it does save them $150 or so million. If the offer was Willy, Heyward, Bote, Adbert and Roederer I’m guessing they’d at least think about it. Get an immediate, long term 3B replacement with cost certainty, a top 3 catcher in baseball that won’t cost anything for 2 of the 3 years controlled, Heyward is still a platoon and playable OF’er, then they get a MLB ready pitcher and a decently regarded prospect. That seems somewhat plausible for what a deal would look like if there was even a remote chance they were talking. I don’t buy it either of it being something that has any sort of real chance of actually happening, but if Passan/Morrosi have heard things that would be my guess at it.

It really just comes down to the team that already has Charlie Blackmon not trading Nolan Arenado to get Jason Heyward back

The Rockies trading for Contreras outright, say for Jonathan Gray straight up, is more likely. Maybe Theo can do something cool like get David Dahl too

[We Got The Whole 9]

If Arenado would agree to waive the opt-out I'd hope we would be all over that acquisition. The left side of our IF would get a tremendous boost and he basically makes what we hope Bryant would take. It makes sense to me but it's an extremely complicated trade to make work and I dont see it happening.

What's gonna happen is the Cards will figure a way to make it happen and they will have their new Rolen to haunt us for the next half decade.

[d_money]

If Arenado would agree to waive the opt-out I'd hope we would be all over that acquisition. The left side of our IF would get a tremendous boost and he basically makes what we hope Bryant would take. It makes sense to me but it's an extremely complicated trade to make work and I dont see it happening.

What's gonna happen is the Cards will figure a way to make it happen and they will have their new Rolen to haunt us for the next half decade.

The Cards have plenty of money, I could totally see them do it.

This bs of them being a small market team getting supplemental picks while consistently drawing 3M+ has to stop.

[Bertz]

Sharma/Mooney with an article on the Athletic this morning. Not a ton of info, mostly just reprinting quotes from Theo and Jed (the Mooney special), but a few things stood out:

- Sounds like the chances of a Schwarber deal are higher than we think
- Contreras is probably starting the season on the team, but could very well be moved at the deadline if the team disappoints; the FO really likes Caratini
- 2B is the area the team is most explicitly listed as needing an upgrade. They sound cautiously optimistic about Ian Happ as the opening day CF

[SouthSideRyan]

Schwarber deal as in extension or trade?

[jersey cubs fan]

Schwarber deal as in extension or trade?

Whispers that Kyle Schwarber is being discussed in various trade scenarios continue to linger. But nothing appears imminent on that front. As badly as this team may need personnel changes, the stars need to align for Epstein to pull off what he really wants.

Outfielders (5)
Jason Heyward, Ian Happ, Kyle Schwarber, Albert Almora Jr., Tony Kemp

Outside of the bullpen, this is where the Cubs appear to be the thinnest. After an impressive second half that saw him match Nicholas Castellanos’ production, Schwarber seems to be the best bet to generate big offensive numbers. He’s also the one being talked about in trade rumors.

[muntjack]

I know Arenado is a great defender. I know he still has a .799 career OPS away from Coors, which isn't terrible. For 32 mil AAV I just....ugh.

[Cubswin11]

What a scoop by that bald horsefeathers

[Cubswin11]

[TomtheBombadil]

Ozuna on the Rangers with Gallo and Calhoun would be pretty dirty, go there please

[Cubswin11]

From Rosenthal about Arenado being moved

This one is starting to look inevitable, if not by Opening Day, then by the deadline.

Hopefully he ends up on the Rangers or something and not the Cardinals.

[Brian]

nothing seems more inevitable than him to the Cardinals for a couple of, to quote Blake Snell, slapdick prospects

[Cubswin11]

nothing seems more inevitable than him to the Cardinals for a couple of, to quote Blake Snell, slapdick prospects

Hopefully their tight assness keeps them from adding him.

[champaignchris]

nothing seems more inevitable than him to the Cardinals for a couple of, to quote Blake Snell, slapdick prospects

Hopefully their tight assness keeps them from adding him.

They’re paying $103MM to six players all over 31 years old this year. I don’t think it’s their tight-assedness that is going to keep them from trading for Arenado.

[Banedon]

[Cubswin11]

nothing seems more inevitable than him to the Cardinals for a couple of, to quote Blake Snell, slapdick prospects

Hopefully their tight assness keeps them from adding him.

They’re paying $103MM to six players all over 31 years old this year. I don’t think it’s their tight-assedness that is going to keep them from trading for Arenado.

What do you mean? They’ve been crying poor/saying they have little money for moves about as much as we have been the last two years and they have imposed on themselves a much smaller ceiling for payroll.

[Brian]

Down to us and the Rockies at 0 big league dollars spent !!!!

[cl smooth]

[Bertz]

It's weird that we don't know anything else about this trade yet, over an hour later. Derrick Goold chimed in that the Rays like Tyler O'Neil, but that's all I've seen. I'm worried that it's some giant 3 team trade.