The 2018-2019 Cubs Offseason Rumors & Discussion Thread AKA The Rickettssss take a dump on EVERYTHING

[Cubswin11]

zobrist is not fast and does not play CF so he can’t lead off

While I agree with the sarcastic sentiment here, Zobrist is old and crusty, and there’s no guarantee he’ll continue to get on base at a —— holy crap! He had a .378 OBP last year?!? Nevermind.

Plus he needs like four days off per week.

The optimal lineup has him leading off, IMO. But yeah he needs 2-3 days off a week at this point and with Joe being Joe (I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing) you know so many guys are going to be in and out and in different spots in the lineup it doesn’t really matter. Just have the best 3-5 batters/platoon split guys on a given day hit at the top and we’ll be fine. We’ll end up having 6-8 different leadoff hitters by year end anyways with how Joe works things (off the top of my head I’d be shocked if all of Zobrist, Almora, Rizzo, Descalso, Happ, and Heyward don’t get at least 1 game at leadoff and probably another guy or two will as well).

[TomtheBombadil]

One potential third base target could be free agent Mike Moustakas, first baseman Eric Hosmer‘s longtime Royals teammate, though Acee casts doubt on the Padres signing him. Meanwhile, they have “explored” trades for the Yankees’ Miguel Andujar (previously reported), the Reds’ Nick Senzel and the Cubs’ David Bote, according to Acee.

[SouthSideRyan]

Too bad Acee ain't in charge no more.

[JudasIscariotTheBird]

Too bad Acee ain't in charge no more.

[Bluescale]

He had a .378 OBP last year?!? Nevermind.

And .318 the year before. There are no guarantees at his age.

[Cubswin11]

He had a .378 OBP last year?!? Nevermind.

And .318 the year before. There are no guarantees at his age.

I definitely agree on the age thing. If he’s complete garbage or limited this year we shouldn’t be surprised. But we do know he had the wrist injury for most of 2017 that he was stupidly playing through that and it clearly affected him (thanks again medical staff!). There was a cause of his below average 2017.

[Hunter]

Arcia in 40 games with the Angels last year: .204/.226/.427

I don't know how he grades defensively, but I hope he isn't our planned backup catcher.

[Tim]

Arcia in 40 games with the Angels last year: .204/.226/.427

I don't know how he grades defensively, but I hope he isn't our planned backup catcher.

I somehow doubt that Iowa is going to carry six catchers.

[TomtheBombadil]

The Cubs aren’t even listed as one of the 5 teams listed by RichRd Justicd on MLB.com that MIGHT be a mystery team for Machado/Harper. The Cardinals are on that list.

Theeeeeeeeeoooooo

I suppose it would be less mysterious if the Cubs were on that list

[d_money]

The Cubs aren’t even listed as one of the 5 teams listed by RichRd Justicd on MLB.com that MIGHT be a mystery team for Machado/Harper. The Cardinals are on that list.

Theeeeeeeeeoooooo

I suppose it would be less mysterious if the Cubs were on that list

The Cards scare me as a team able to afford one of those guys. Talk about a team with money that doesn’t put back into payroll.

[TomtheBombadil]

The Cubs aren’t even listed as one of the 5 teams listed by RichRd Justicd on MLB.com that MIGHT be a mystery team for Machado/Harper. The Cardinals are on that list.

Theeeeeeeeeoooooo

I suppose it would be less mysterious if the Cubs were on that list

The Cards scare me as a team able to afford one of those guys. Talk about a team with money that doesn’t put back into payroll.

Same, to open the offseason I had them landing Machado

[Ding Dong Johnson]

[Sammy Sofa]

MORE LIKE BORINGSTEIN.

[jersey cubs fan]

MORE LIKE BORINGSTEIN.

I could have sworn it was Boringstain my whole life

[Brian]

Mark Loretta hiring already paying off

[chopsx9]

Arcia in 40 games with the Angels last year: .204/.226/.427

I don't know how he grades defensively, but I hope he isn't our planned backup catcher.

I somehow doubt that Iowa is going to carry six catchers.

Jim Adducci?!?!?! Who says you can't go home again!

[Cubswin11]

Now we are cooking with gas

[Cubswin11]

[Deeg]

In this case Theo seems to be using “top priority” in the sense of what I see the crows in Kobe doing every Tuesday and Friday morning.

[Brian]

watching the opening ceremony from the convention, I'm pretty sure Howry and Farnsworth could be key additions to the bullpen this season.

[Brian]

Some San Diego writer's educated guess for the Padres starting 3B is Bote

[Cubswin11]

Some San Diego writer's educated guess for the Padres starting 3B is Bote

Yates would be an awesome target but doubt he’s really available and it probably takes more than Bote. Hedges makes some sense too. I don’t think I’d want to move Bote just to clear Kintzler or Duensing (especially looking at remaining FA RPs), I’d rather keep Bote around in that case if it was a salary dump for those two and get nothing back. What else do they have that’s interesting? Quick look at not Yates bullpen guys, Castillo and Strahm as LHP are intriguing and Stammen was awesome last year but is like 34 so maybe they are good selling off him.

[TomtheBombadil]

Who says no first?

Padres get: Chatwood, Bote

Cubs get: LHP Jose Castillo

[Cubswin11]

Who says no first?

Padres get: Chatwood, Bote

Cubs get: LHP Jose Castillo

Yes please. I’d be good throwing in whatever minor league pitcher they wanted too.

[Post Count Padder]

We signed Colin Rea. Minor league deal.