The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Not really sad that we traded #13; it's time, but I am kinda sad that he's headed to the Yankees. If he thought WE Cubs fans were tough on him.... I only hope he'll be playing 2B to avoid the whole heir-to-the-Jeter-throne angle. That would be way too much pressure for Starlin. Want to see him do well.

[CBoller1331]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Im not really upset about dealing Starlin, I liked watching the guy play and thought he was used as a scapegoat for the Cubs problems too often. But I dont really like what we got back. Im not saying that Starlin was worth two top level prospects or anything, but he was still probably worth one solid prospect, and all we get back is Adam Warren and Brendan Ryan?

Nothing against Warren, but I just don't see the need for guy whos too bad to be a starter and too good to be a long reliever. Sure it adds a little depth to the back of the rotation, but I felt like we could have done that by signing a cheap starter or by bringing back Tsyoshi 'Bad-A$$' Wada, not through dealing one of our more valuable trade chips. Also for the record i have never liked Brendan Ryan. Probably because he was a Cardinal, or maybe because I think hes ugly. (unrelated, my dad always used to call him 'the guy who wore the funny stripped socks' cuz he was one of the few guys on the cardinals who wore the high socks). Plus it just kinda keeps our middle infield crowded.

Anyway, really liked the Zobrist signing. I liked the Lackey signing too, but I would have liked it more if they got Samardzija with him, still hope they get one more decent starter.

[Jr.]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Im not really upset about dealing Starlin, I liked watching the guy play and thought he was used as a scapegoat for the Cubs problems too often. But I dont really like what we got back. Im not saying that Starlin was worth two top level prospects or anything, but he was still probably worth one solid prospect, and all we get back is Adam Warren and Brendan Ryan?

Nothing against Warren, but I just don't see the need for guy whos too bad to be a starter and too good to be a long reliever. Sure it adds a little depth to the back of the rotation, but I felt like we could have done that by signing a cheap starter or by bringing back Tsyoshi 'Bad-A$$' Wada, not through dealing one of our more valuable trade chips. Also for the record i have never liked Brendan Ryan. Probably because he was a Cardinal, or maybe because I think hes ugly. (unrelated, my dad always used to call him 'the guy who wore the funny stripped socks' cuz he was one of the few guys on the cardinals who wore the high socks). Plus it just kinda keeps our middle infield crowded.

Anyway, really liked the Zobrist signing. I liked the Lackey signing too, but I would have liked it more if they got Samardzija with him, still hope they get one more decent starter.

That's just it, though; he apparently wasn't very valuable. They've been trying to move him for 2 years now. I'm guessing this is the best they could get for just him, and not including him in a deal involving Soler/Schwarber/minor leaguers.

I'm excited to see what Bosio can do with Warren. Ryan is nothing to me. I seriously don't even think he'll make the OD roster.

[CBoller1331]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

That's just it, though; he apparently wasn't very valuable. They've been trying to move him for 2 years now. I'm guessing this is the best they could get for just him, and not including him in a deal involving Soler/Schwarber/minor leaguers.

I'm excited to see what Bosio can do with Warren. Ryan is nothing to me. I seriously don't even think he'll make the OD roster.

I guess im not saying i think they could have gotten more....but i just thought it would be different....like a starter who actually has a chance to make the rotation, or a decent 7th inning guy. Idk, i feel like we didnt really fill any needs.

[Mo]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

The value for Starlin was getting the Yankees to take on all of his contract.

[JODYE]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

The value for Starlin was getting the Yankees to take on all of his contract.

Which really wasn't all that bad.

Then they are going to throw 190 million at Heyward like it is nothing lol

[fugazi]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

I think Castro's value for the Cubs was higher than his trade value.
I'd be a lit less anxious if they moved Baez instead, or rather, not have done anything on that front given what seems like a modest return.

Unless...of course...they can do for Warren what they did with Arrieta.

[CBoller1331]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

I think Castro's value for the Cubs was higher than his trade value.
I'd be a lit less anxious if they moved Baez instead, or rather, not have done anything on that front given what seems like a modest return.

Unless...of course...they can do for Warren what they did with Arrieta.

I guess the money they save on starlin will go towards going after Heyward, which opens up a whole bunch of possibilities if they sign him.

Also its very unlikely that Warren becomes anything close to Arrieta. Bosio is a magician, but even though he hit a home run with Arrieta, he didnt fix Turner or Doubront.....not saying that he should have, just saying I think Arrieta was kind of a special situation

[k_mac]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Also its very unlikely that Warren becomes anything close to Arrieta. Bosio is a magician, but even though he hit a home run with Arrieta, he didnt fix Turner or Doubront.....not saying that he should have, just saying I think Arrieta was kind of a special situation

Very valid point. Not every pitcher has the pure stuff plus the determination and demeanor that Arrieta possesses. Bosio has done great things with many pitchers, but hoping for everyone to turn out like Jake will leave fans very disappointed.

If Bosio can have Warren up his game like we saw him do with guys like Paul Maholm, Scott Feldman, Shark, and Hammel (for a while) then I'd be happy.

[fugazi]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

yeah, i used Arrieta as a general example, not a specific one... you can rest assured I don't think we can turn every young pitcher into Jake2.0

But, according to the article that someone posted from spring of last season, his stuff reminds me of Arrieta's, in that he gets good and late movement on pitches, sometimes unique movement.

It's hard not to like the first 4 in the rotation, and Warren could provide performance on par with Hendricks of last year...if he starts.

That's going to be a big spot for the team this year...Hendricks' spot in the rotation. If he can turn in a season only slightly better than last year, I think you have to like the team's chances, even as they stand now.

[k_mac]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

I'm intrigued as to how we're going to use these swing-type pitchers. Anybody that watched games not pitched by Lester and Arrieta last year knows that Maddon isn't afraid to call on the bullpen after a starter goes through the order two times. Guys like Hammel and Hendricks lost effectiveness a lot times once a lineup saw them the third time around. You'd have to wonder if guys like Wood, Richard, Cahill, and now Warren could essentially make a "second" start midway through a game for guys like Hendricks and Hammel (if he's still around come spring training). Kind of like Maddon's "bullpen days" late in the year.

Who knows, Warren and Cahill are pretty much guaranteed to be stretched out (part of Cahill's deal), so one could crack the rotation.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

It'll be interesting to see how the ballclub deals with breaking camp as the favorite to win the World Series. I can't imagine the media picking any other team in light of the Cubs drastic offseason moves.

[fugazi]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

I can't imagine them picking anyone else, either...

but that's because they are nearly as irrational as fans are.

Arizona and NY will have something to say before it's over; each of them have the kind of pitching staff that can presumably carry a team on its back, a la last year's Cardinals.

Best shot to improve the Cubs' performance? choke up with two strikes...

C-Montero
1B-Rizzo
2B-Zobrist
3B-Bryant
SS-Russell
LF-Schwarber
CF-Heyward
RF-Soler

Hard to be mad at that. A right-handed bat to platoon Schwarber might be nice.

I think we all knew at least one of Baez, Castro, and Soler would be gone...are we going to see another one exit?

[Jr.]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

I can't imagine them picking anyone else, either...

but that's because they are nearly as irrational as fans are.

Arizona and NY will have something to say before it's over; each of them have the kind of pitching staff that can presumable carry a team on its back, a la last year's Cardinals.

Best shot to improve the Cubs' performance? choke up with two strikes...

C-Montero
1B-Rizzo
2B-Zobrist
3B-Bryant
SS-Russell
LF-Schwarber
CF-Heyward
RF-Soler

Hard to be mad at that. A right-handed bat to platoon Schwarber might be nice.

I think we all knew at least one of Baez, Castro, and Soler would be gone...are we going to see another one exit?

Baez can be a platoon with Schwarber.. Baez at 2B, Zobrist to LF.

Rumors that the Cubs are still looking for SP through trade.. so one of Baez/Soler are probably gone if that happens.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Reportedly 8 years and $184MM for Heyward--that's $23MM/year. A bit richer than I would've liked, but considering the premium we probably needed to pay to outdo STL, I guess it's a reasonable value. It's not just what Heyward does for us, but it's what he doesn't do for St. Louis.