The Cubs and shortstop Andrelton Simmons have agreed to a one-year contract that will pay Simmons $4MM plus incentives, according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman (via Twitter). The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal (Twitter link) was the first to report that the two sides were closing in on a deal. Simmons is represented by ISE Baseball.
One of the best defensive players of all time, ankle injuries led to an uncharacteristically mediocre season of glovework for Simmons in 2020, but he looked much more like his old self this past season with the Twins. Simmons posted a +16 Outs Above Average and +15 Defensive Runs Saved over 1091 2/3 innings at shortstop last year, though the UZR/150 metric (-1.1) took a dimmer view of his performance.
While Simmons’ age (32) and recent history of ankle problems are undoubtedly a concern, it would certainly seem like he should still be a defensive plus in the middle of the Cubs infield. Such quality defense will be particularly important since it has been three years since Simmons has been even a league-average hitter, with only a .250/.302/.323 slash line to show for his last 1002 plate appearances since the start of the 2019 season.
Glovework has always been Simmons’ calling card, yet in the few seasons (2017 and 2018) where he has provided both a solid bat along with his excellent defense, Simmons looked like one of the game’s most valuable players. It remains to be seen if he can get back to that all-around form, yet the Cubs would be satisfied if he can merely provide his usual stellar work at shortstop.
Simmons will be filling the defensive void left behind by another Gold Glove-winning shortstop in Javier Baez, who was dealt to the Mets last summer as part of the Cubs’ trade deadline fire sale. As much as the Cubs tore things down pre-deadline, however, the team has been looking to build things back up to make at least some attempt at contending in 2022, adding Marcus Stroman, Wade Miley, and Yan Gomes prior to the lockout.
Of course, Chicago had been linked to another prominent shortstop in Carlos Correa, with the logic being that the Cubs could now afford Correa’s big asking price after clearing so much future salary off the books. The Simmons deal could quite possibly indicate that the Cubs have opted out of the Correa sweepstakes, and yet as journalist Sung Min Kim speculates, Simmons’ $4MM salary “is not necessarily starter money.” Theoretically, the Cubs could still sign Correa and then use the two players in a timeshare at shortstop, with the other perhaps moving to second base or third base.
This would allow the Cubs to juggle Nick Madrigal or Patrick Wisdom (the other incumbent infield starters) in and out of the lineup as the situation warrants, and the DH spot is also now available for Chicago to work with in 2022 and beyond. Madrigal’s health is also a bit of a question mark, as he underwent season-ending hamstring surgery last summer, though reports from January indicated that the young infielder was making good progress in his recovery. Nico Hoerner had been penciled into the starting shortstop job, but with Simmons now in the fold, the Cubs can continue experimenting with Hoerner as a multi-position player.
Interesting. They need a SS with Hoerner
and Madrigal spending so much time on the IL.
They need a SS because Hoerner and Madrigal are not a SS.
Madrigal, definitely not. Hoerner can probably get away with it for a spell.
The media sure seems to be trying hard to find a place for Correa, even when there isn’t one.
One less team willing to pay mega dollars and contract years for Correa. Boras may have to pull a rabbit out of his hat to get a deal exceeding Seager’s.
They need a SS because Hoerner’s a UT and Madrigal can’t field. Steve Sax syndrome
Oh I thought they were signing Correa?!
Dreamers!!
Ha.
Dang was hoping the angels would bring him back
That bridge was burned
May the fleas of a thousand camels infest your armpits for even thinking that.
Madrigal to 2B, Hoerner to CF. I like it!
Maybe when Ortega isn’t playing but they’ll likely be moving him around
Davis in CF is more likely.
I like this signing
Can’t go without quoting Fletcher Reede
“Simmons is old, he should’ve been out of the game years ago but he can’t go home because he hates his wife”
Davis needs some time in Iowa. No reason to rush him unless he lights it up the first couple months.
He showed he’s more than ready. They’ll manipulate his service in ST send him back to Iowa after he hits 10 home runs and hits .325
You’re the biggest brown-noser I’ve ever seen!
Davis absolutely isn’t ready.
He smashed in Double A and at Iowa last year. He’s definitely ready. The last thing they need is to have another Kris Bryant situation. Where they sour their relationship immediately. He’s a franchise player.
Davis barely had a cup of coffee in AAA last year, and overall ’21 was the first time he saw competition over A ball. Almost universally, scouts and pundits alike have him starting the season in AAA with some need of refinement. He’s not a “service time manipulation” candidate at this juncture.
Since Madrigal is a 2B and Hoerner has played more at 2B than at any other position that makes perfect sense.
Thank goodness. Now the Yankees can’t sign him.
Yesssssssssss!
THANK YOU CUBBIE NATION!!!!!!!!!
Hoping this means the Yankees are in on Story.
They are signing Carlos.
Yessssss!!! -Yankees fans everywhere
lol beat me to it
Now Gio Will play short
I was looking for one of you guys to leave my own, “thank goodness!” post.
We basically have to sign Story now. Right? Right guys? Guys??
And……we raise our glasses *clink* to nooooooooooooooo Simmons!
It’s a relief, Clip, serious.
He’s kind of a weird dude, I question his competitiveness, & his .558 OPS is pretty much the last thing our squad needs. I just woke up from a nap. Let me get a sandwich or something, but then; hell, yeah. Mud in your eye.
Are any of you guys hearing any Yankee rumors?
None, which is strange. Very strange.
Ducky, the rumor I’m hearing is Yankees are the team most interested in Correa. That’s per Heyman, so take it for what its worth.
Huh.
Not sure what to make of that, Clip. For whatever reason, Cash/Hal really wanted the CBA settled before they wanted to move. & I figured they had decent reasons – even if they were not readily apparent to me. So I counseled patience.
But. There is an old wingshooters maxim that currently comes to mind; you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. Time for Cash to start taking some shots here, man.
Well, that’s something. But, you know. I am firmly convinced Heyman gets paid off/makes stuff up, Joe.
So: same opinion as yours probably.
@Ducky: Attributed to Wayne Gretzky and one of my favorite quotes.
Ducky: Yeah, I’m baffled. But, the lack of purported rumors, outside of the holdovers about Freeman/Olson, suggest to me that Cashman is focused there and progress, or lack thereof, is not leaking at the moment to the media.
If that’s true I see two very distinct pathways for Cash:
1) Get Olson in trade & pivot immediately to Story in FA (I could see a Judge extension come into play here as well, depending on Story’s total.
2) Get Freeman and pivot to stopgap whomever until Peraza is ready and pursue trades for other needs (SP/SS/CF(?)).
There’s the dreaded option # 3, but it’s like the movie, Candyman. Can’t say it too many times or the horror comes to life: Rizzo, Iglesias, & if we are supremely lucky, a Judge extension – then crack the champagne to pre-celebrate a WC berth, while talking about developing for next year….
Well, typically Cash operates in Stealth Mode. So I guess – in some ways – the radio silence is business as usual, uh?
I am never opposed to adding elite players.
As such, I would be ecstatic if we actually signed Freeman. Not what I would prefer, however. As I have probably bored you guys to death with by now; I would split that money up.
For this ballclub, I would rather see a – more or less – equivalent outlay of dabloons towards Rizzo/Olson + Story. Our lineup not only needs balance & speed, we need to extend it too. Having 3 or 4 above average hitters ain’t gonna play in today’s game. As we saw last year.
I also like that pairing as we could pursue some groundball pitchers.
As of now, I can only see us signing someone like Brett Anderson (just an example!) if he is desperate to find an offer.
I’ve little doubt that Gretzky could handle a shotgun, @heyhi.
I get it. It’s in the same vein as, “fortune favors the bold” (Virgil) which I tell my sales guys all the time.
…Or Correa. **SIGH**
Joe says…says, there’s some smoke there.
It is sooooo CUTE when we talk like Heyman is a real reporter!
Let’s do it again, you ready?
Well, I was mostly trying to cheer @YBCreature up.
Cubbies come out of nowhere and grab all glove no bat Andrelton like it’s 1999.
Yes Simmons reminds me of Darwin Barney good glove bad bat
@Ducky. Shoot and a miss. There goes one of my few predictions of Andrelton to the Yankees. I’ll go with Story now which seems to be the popular take.
I don’t even want to meet the guys who hits all of his shots. Ya know?
Story is whom the majority of Yankee guys on the board are hoping for. Including myself. BTW: I have Freeman staying in Atlanta.
Correa hype to this.
Disappointing.
No, them even considering Correa was what was disappointing.
I won’t disagree with you, if the bidding war got stupid then pass and defense at SS is very critical with the pitchers they have., so Simmons was the next option if Correa is not in the cards
Big drop off that is all.
Except who really knows how legit that interest was? Besides, it’s too early for them to spend like that.
They can still sign him, but I doubt we go over 300 mill. Wish they could talk him into a 7 year super high AAV but with boras his new rep I doubt it…
Siiiiiick. The defense of any team immediately gets better tenfold with the addition of Andrelton. My favorite woke player. Best fielding shortstop to play the game. Change my mind.
Woke?
If you don’t know, then you’re not supposed to know
Google “bufotenine” and you will know what Andrelton is talmbout
Theirs nothing about andrelton Simmons and bufotenine.
Dig deeper my friend. Do NOT look at any pubmed studies about bufotenine levels in humans
He’s about average to slightly above now. Up the middle (except C) defense goes fast after 30. Guy’s a below replacement player these days.
It’s one year. Sheesh.
The last 3 years has been a steep downhill slope on both defense and offense for Simmons. A 10 DRS over the last 3 season, which is a 62% decline from his career numbers, will not make up for a .626 OPS and 71 OPS+.
He’s much better than slightly above average. Much better
He certainly isn’t “woke” in the batter’s box because after looking at his slash line he clearly sleeps through each at bat.
Mr cohen….Cohen…. destroyed the Twins last year. may have once been best fielding shortstop, but…no more. plus, his teammates didn’t seem to care much for him.
Laughs in Ozzie Smith. Also, Simmons bat is frustratingly poopy.
With the DH now, we can afford a weak bat in the lineup. Just plug him in 9th.
Anyone who uses the term “woke” for any reason other than to make fun of it is a moron.
What does that even mean? “My favorite woke player” asking for a friend?
He isn’t the same guy from a few years ago.
I’m so crushed. Just cancel the season! Where are you at Jose Iglesias?
I knew the Ricketts wouldn’t do anything besides shop in the bargain bin.
What a weird take for an owner that’s had a top 5 payroll in baseball for years and won the Cubs their first championship of any of our lifetimes. I truly don’t get the level of butt hurt the fans get over not being the Yankees from 20 years ago…
meathead cubs fans. Best to just ignore them
And yet it was a Dodgers fan that made the comment.
I love my Dodger fan friends, but there are definitely some meatheads in that group.
youre right. Got usernames mixed up. Every fan base has them, unfortunately
Piss off
You should try reading once in awhile. It was a Dodgers fan. Geez, some of the people who post on here should not be allowed to use their mommy’s computer.
The Cubs won by tanking. The Ricketts have no interest in winning, just using the team as an ATM machine and a bigger ROI.
@DodgersFan76 That’s just silly. They won by hiring a very capable GM who rebuilt the team. Are you going to say the same about the Nationals when they become relevant again?
The way Ricketts have destroyed the neighborhood, it’s Pottersville. All commerce on charm
forgetting Stroman and Miley?
Well I guess no Carlos Correa
Thank goodness!! No trash canners on my beloved Cubbies.n
As a Yankee fan, thank you.
I’ve already sent the Cubs front office a wonderful fruit basket and a hand written thank you letter.
I sent them a care package and a gas card.
I still think Correa to Astros or Phillies, and both Story and Rizzo to Yankees.
But, as a Cubs and Dodgers fan, if the Cubs are getting Simmons as a part-time shortstop while they see if Hoerner’s defense can support his bat, I think it is ok for a year. His average might climb to 0.240.
Legit points, Manny. I could envision that combo of Rizzo/Story being quite effective (maybe even optimal) for the Yankees if Olson/Freeman (their reported primary pursuits) go elsewhere.
& that would make me quite happy as well because the Yankees don’t need much else beyond that (Judge extension?) other than a SP, imo, which could come via trade at any time, really.
Correa just sold his house in Houston. He’s going somewhere else.
Good. NY can have Correa. Keep that scumbag cheating spirit in NY where it belongs. He’s perfect for them.
I wonder if I nailed this in the prediction contest. Gonna start needing updates.
Nice job, don’t need Correa and his large contract at this time. Honestly, Cubs aren’t major contenders this season. Save for BP help and a strong LHD bat. Mahalo
People who ever thought for a second that the Cubs would sign Correa are delusional. Cubs have a number of good SS prospects in the pipeline. The same crowd thought Bryce Harper was a lock a few years ago since he and KB are buddies.
Good is not great and no prospect is a sure thing. None are even in the top 10 SS prospects, let alone top 100 prospects overall. The best one is 18 and played in the DSL for all of the 2021 season. All of them are 4 seasons away, too. When you have a choice of a proven superstar who is only 26 or a prospect that is 4 years away from playing in the majors, you take the proven superstar every time.
There you go using words like every again
Oh really?
Bryant to Phils?
So much for Correa
Love it! Keep his trash can banging out of our city.
I kept telling everyone that the Cubs weren’t going to sign Correa. Still, it’s a very long way from Correa to a 4MM investment.
And every Yankees fan celebrated.
Between Madrigal, Hoerner and Simmons, the Cubs are going to be loaded with light power hitting guys. Polar opposite of their previous approach.
Also takes them out of the Correa sweepstakes.
Desperate need for more contact hitting
The Cubs have a desperate need for power. They have no player on the roster for 2022 that had 400 PA and an .800 OPS in 2021.
Should sign Correa instead
Smart for Cubs. Unexciting but smart. And his bat can’t be as bad as last year . . . can it?
Betcha a dollar it can?
Waste of money. This bum is barely worth a minor league invite. His Braves days are far in the Rearview.
He was a complete player on the Angels. In 2021, he was a 2.3 dWAR player in a disappointing season while missing 31 games. If he is healthy and does anything offensively, he’ll be a 3-WAR player for $4M. If nothing else, that defense will make Stroman and Co. very happy.
Simmons last 3 years combined are 3.5 WAR. He hasn’t been good since 2018. Simmons is now 32 years old and in decline. Sadly, he will never be a 3 WAR player again.
On behalf of Yankee fans everywhere, we thank the Cubs for falling on that grenade
They are not getting Correa.
Ok that’s not too bad
Not quite Carlos Correa but defense is important
Insert trolling White Sox “fans” comments
I like the idea of using Simmons with their ground ball starters as the #9 hitter, and Hoerner at SS against their fly ball pitchers.
Over/under: 10 combined HR from Simmons and Madrigal?
My guess is in a couple of years, Madrigal is 10-15 home runs as he trades a little contact for power.
This year, all 3 of them might not get to 10. I haven’t seen anything from Hoerner yet that says anything more than a backup but we’ll see.
In over 1000 professional PA he has 6 HRs. And he’s coming back from season ending shoulder surgery.
I’d temper that enthusiasm a bit.
We’ll see. He is a very unique player. I can see him eventually getting a little stronger and trading a little contact for power.
You have more optimism than I. Nothing in his past performance suggests more power is coming.
Hamstring surgery. Shouldn’t effect his “power” numbers much. .300 BA, .360 OBP, .400 SLG, and .770 OPS is what the Cubs are hoping for from Madrigal.
Good! They need more contact hitting
In my opinion they need more power and pitching, and fewer slap-hitting infielders.
With Hoerner’s health issues so far, good insurance as a backup. I don’t see that the logic is Simmons starts and Hoerner moves to CF. More of a good glove guy you can plug in when people are hurt/ need a day who can field.
Now if he is starting, not good…
I really don’t think precludes the Cubs from signing Correa. I expect Simmons was signed to come off the bench. If they do sign Correa, I could see them trade either Nico or Madrigal.
Rosenthal said the Cubs are not out on Correa, so you could be right and Simmons will be excellent infield depth piece. He could replace David Bote spot.
4 mil dollars to come off the bench. Sign me up.
You picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue. :c-)
The Cubs didn’t spend 4 million dollars for a bench piece who has only ever played short.
The landing spots for Correa are shrinking rapidly.
They were never serious about Correa. Man are some fans gullible.
I’d much rather have Iglesias than Correa. I’m sure I’m the only fan out there that feels that way. So be it. The only way the Yankees sign Trevor Story is if it’s on a short-term deal.
No Captain Judge99, I think there are many Yankee fans that agree with you. We are going to sign only one big time free agent. Hoping it’s Freddy Freeman and sign Iglesias.
@Mickey777- I agree with you 100%. If the Yankees sign Freeman and Iglesias that would be great. Not expecting Trevor Story.
So no Correa?
I don’t hate this signing. They need to find some pop in that lineup though.
Good late inning replacement, please don’t read anything more into it
Solid short-term veteran signing.
Carlos will go back to Houston!
Nobody here wanted Correa really. You don’t clear salaries to jump right back into fiscal Hell. Good smart move that could bring something back at the deadline. I like it.
If MIN couldn’t get anything for him last year, CHC isn’t getting anything at the deadline when he’s another year older and slower.
I said COULD not WOULD. All depends on how well he hits. I bet he hits a lot better in Wrigley than Target Field. Where all hitters not named Nelson Cruz go to die.
He could win an MVP. But he won’t.
Stupidest comment on this board. Well done. Talk like a marble. Go back to dumbing up the Twins board.
Huh, it only took two comments to get to the “YeR sTuPiD” response. Kind of disappointing.
Also, not a Twins fan. Just someone who doesn’t expect over-30 players who have declined the last three years to suddenly have a renaissance.
Just not that swift apparently. I’m sure the Cubs have no intention of him being their SS in 2023. Especially after taking 2 SS’s in the first and 2nd rd. the last 2 years, Plus signing the best Intl. Prospect SS 2 years ago. So spare me your snide, dumb comments about him being MVP. #Pangbraindead.
I thought they might get Nick Ahmed from Arizona for a year, but for $4M this is good enough for a team where 78 wins would be an overachieving year while waiting for the kids to arrive.
It’s also insurance if Nico can’t really play SS six days a week.
Love it. 4 million doesn’t get you much. If he stays healthy and defense is solid it’s a great deal. If he hits well then it’s a steal.
I think you hit the nail on the head: “4 million doesn’t get you much.”
Replace “great” with “ok” and “a steal” with “slightly better than ok”.
Not a bad sign, but let’s not get carried away, Simmons is a good defender with a bat likely in decline.
That must mean no to Carlos Correa.
As a Twins fan, I’m super happy they didn’t re-sign him. He was terrible at the plate just above average in the field and a negative in the clubhouse. YMMV.
Ouch! Signing a 32 SS whose offense and defense is in steep decline does not bode well for the Cubs season. He has had a .626 OPS and 71 OPS+ with a 10 DRS the last 3 seasons after .698 OPS, 92 OPS+, and 26 DRS in 2012-2018. So sorry Cubs fans.
It’s a one year deal and they lost 91 games. Not expecting much from the Cubs.
Check your DRS over the last three seasons. It’s 21. That’s excellent despite the injury marred 2020.
Hey Polishuk, any reason why comments are closed on the Bauer update?
Comments are closed on all Bauer articles. They are just trying to keep things civil
As good as Correa is, the timing just wouldn’t be right for the Cubs. You don’t sign high priced free agents to long term mega deals the year right after you traded everybody. The Cubs will be fine, there will always be opportunities to sign big time players every winter. This is not the year the Cubs should be doing that.
Glad they didn’t make a long and expensive commitment to Correa at a time the franchise is not ready to contend. Saving some money and boosting the infield defense is a good move, especially considering they should really be spending on pitching if anything
Typical Cubs. Low payroll, low talent, and sitting on a pile of cash amid rumors of interest shown in the top player on the FA market (who happens to be a SS). And what do they do? Sign some cheap journeyman SS to reward all the faithful fans (mindless drones) who stick by this team thru decades of mediocrity.
Ahahahahahahahahaha!!!!
When was the last time the White Sox had a higher payroll than the Cubs?
And Simmons was signed to be a bench player… They have Madrigal (remember him?) At 2B and Hoerner at SS.
THAT is a ‘pot calling the kettle’ Look in the mirror dude.
Does this guy ever post anything of value? Go away.
I hope I’m wrong, but this feels like Jeff Blauser, Part 2
Blast from the past right there.
Both Blauser and Mark Lemke were terrible after leaving the Braves
Yanks quickly pivoting to Jose Iglesias I guess.
Julio Lugo
Definitely a far cry from Carlos Correa and now one fewer suitor for Correa
Cubs are very confusing.
They have a catcher, but sign Gomes for starter money, inferring they intend to deal Contreras and are rebuilding…
They claim Miley and his $10 mil, and sign Stroman to a short term deal, suggesting they may think they can compete in the short term.
They sign Simmons (rather than Correa or Story), whose recent track record all but screams there’s a big shiny fork in him (Baseball Prospectus: “at the plate, he was truly apocalyptic”). His signing says the Cubs are just trying to put warm bodies on the field..
Next I expect they’ll sign Brian Goodwin as their full time LF and Kenley Jansen as their closer, just to clarify their intentions.
I think they’re looking for value. If you can’t get WIllson to sign, you deal him, and still have a decent catcher. Stroman’s contract isn’t awful or long, he has a reasonable chance to provide surplus value on it. Barring injury or awful performance, they can also likely trade him if things don’t get better without having to eat too much of it. They’re trying to improve the team, but not throw all their chips in yet.
How any Cubs fan like this move is beyond me. Hell I’m sure even Kap is like “Who?!” A 32 year old declining SS shows that the only thing they’re competing for this year is luck of new 11th and 12th playoff spot.
I can’t see how one amazing season puts Correa in $325 million territory anyway so I’m glad the cheater isn’t being overpaid but at least go after Trevor Story.
This doesn’t get much better than Daniel Descalso. I hope I’m wrong but doubt it.
They have an entire rotation of contact pitchers. Defense is important especially at SS. It’s a solid move but definitely isn’t going to move the needle.
Very true, but he’s an aging player that they’re banking on having a bounce back year. How have they faired lately on those gambles outside of the bullpen?
I think Detroit got a great deal on Javy and that’s who we should have gotten. Take the gamble on Nico even. If they at least extend Contreras I can see a strategy that actually cares about the fans and can live on a hope and prayer for 2022. It got us through June in 2021.
I think Hoyer did a great job of finding talent last year after the sell off. Schwindel, Ortega and Wisdom were all solid and can be contributors this year. I loved watching Javy play but he certainly had his flaws. If the reporting is accurate the Cubs pretty much made the same offer he accepted with the Tigers. That’s on Javy. I’d love for them to build a short term competitive team until some of these 18-20 year olds are ready for the majors. Stroman, Gomes, Miley, Simmons and even Clint Frazier all seem like solid moves. I think they have work to do but I like the start so far.
Love the 3 guys you mentioned but they were minor league or prospect level trade acquisitions even though they were older. Simmons has already peaked and he’s costing 7x more than the aforementioned.
If they’re going to take a flyer on a prospect give Nico the nod or at least let him earn the spot in ST. With Heuer out now $4 million could go much further in the bullpen market.
I didn’t know they made the same offer as Detroit this off-season, but I’d have preferred him over CC from at $320 million.
I mean is the big splash this off-season really just Stroman?
Nico isn’t a good defensive short stop.
I remember when folks said that about Javy. SS is Nico’s natural position and he was GG finalist on the other side. $4 million wasted on what’s his name could’ve gone toward overpaying for a big bat like Nelson Cruz for a year at DH even. Obviously the risk reward is there but no splash like that from the Ricketts.
Deadline flip
He was great SS for the Angels. Always trying to get the extra out.
Problem was it was at the plate…
RSox: Tremendous, sir – very loud, silent applause for you on this one…. Lol ,”It was always at the plate” lolol!
I could never figure out why Simba got so much hate on this site. I’m ancient, and he’s EASILY one of the top 5 defensive shortstops I’ve ever seen; may even be top 2.
But I’ll agree, the skills are declining, and the contract seems a bit heavy.
I won’t disagree that he’s declined. But 4M is not at all a heavy price to pay. That’s tip money for the top shortstops
4 Millions are more than enough for the Ricketts nowadays…
Basically, he is Rey Ordonez and both were toast in their 30s.
1 year $4 mil … low risk high reward. I’d take this all day
I think that was a typo. You must have meant low-risk/low-reward there.
Will Simmons bat in front of Heyward?
Signing 4 has beens isn’t building back up it is plug and play
Couldn’t they have found a cheaper one! The Cubs are hard up now! I feel sorry for the hockey team Rickets is trying to buy. He’ll guy them too!
1.5 WAR with an OPS of 57. One of the most glaring examples of how worthless a stat WAR is.
Not if it’s a gold glove caliber SS.
I can definitely understand people’s issues with WAR, but is your argument that it’s worthless because it’s not entirely based on offensive output?
Isn’t Frank Schwindel also an incumbent infield starter at first base?
Wow. Just this insignificant signing and lots of comments. Evwrybody is aware about Cubs roundabouts. White Sox news? Nobody cares… By the way, poor White_Sox Fan still have me blocked. Wonderin’ if what I said about his marital relations is really true. He can’t handle pressure, so, somehow he blocked me for replying his stupid geriatric comments.
Well these are good news for my pocket. I was considering to renew this year’s MLB T.V. account to watch a few Cubs games, but now I am sure I won’t spend a dime this year. We are in war times so I am confident that my money will be better staying in my bank’s account.
My two cents:
Carlos C. would have been a huge mistake and the Cubs might get into the playoffs but will not make it to the World Series, so this four million signing of A.S. is what the Cubs needed.
A.S. might not be the star defensive Short Stop when he was back with the Braves and early part of the Angels, but four million dollars make him serviceable and worth the risk.
Those is you mocking the signing are looking for something to mock about the Cubs, so go ahead but the fact is the signing could turn into a steal or getting a lottery prospect at the deadline…
So the signing was a good one even if he stays with the team all season because he help out at a weak spot that in a year or two should be fixed from the minors…
Why would he result in a lottery pick at the deadline, unless a contender’s shortstop died suddenly?
Big bounceback candidate on the offensive side imo. He lost a lot of weight due to covid, and because of the defense he’ll always have a high floor. Like it for the Cubbies.
Bounce back to what? He hasn’t been a good offensive shortstop in his entire career.
Agonz with zero pop, need our Nomar now (not Correa). Waste of $4 million.