Bolstering the relief corps is “a focus” for the Cubs, writes Bruce Levine of 670 The Score. They’ve shown interest in Guardians’ closer Emmanuel Clase, Levine adds.
Almost every team probably has some degree of interest in Clase. He has led MLB in saves and games finished in each of the last two seasons. The 25-year-old righty has made the All-Star Game in consecutive years. He has essentially been an elite reliever from the time Cleveland was able to put him on the mound.
Cleveland acquired Clase in what turned out to be a very lopsided trade sending former Cy Young winner Corey Kluber to the Rangers during the 2019-20 offseason. His tenure with the club couldn’t have begun much worse, as Clase was suspended for the shortened season after a failed PED test. Once he took the Progressive Field mound, he was dominant. The fireballing righty turned in a 1.29 ERA over 69 2/3 frames as a rookie.
The Guardians signed Clase to a $20MM extension the following April. He responded with a 1.36 ERA over a league-leading 77 appearances. Clase’s numbers took a step back last season, as he allowed 3.22 earned runs per nine. After running a 27.5% strikeout rate between 2021-22, he fanned a slightly below-average 21.2% of hitters last year. Ground-ball rates that had sat north of 60% in each of his first two years in Cleveland dropped, albeit to a still excellent 55% clip.
Even if Clase wasn’t quite as dominant last season, he’s still one of the best relievers in the game. His primary pitch, his cutter, averages more than 99 MPH. He’s one of the sport’s top ground-ball pitchers and rarely issues free passes.
The contract only adds to the appeal. Clase will make just $2.5MM next season. He’s due respective $4.5MM and $6MM salaries in 2025-26. The deal contains $10.5MM club options (with $2MM buyouts) covering 2027-28, although he’s likely to escalate the value of those options to $13MM apiece. He’d also receive a $1MM assignment bonus in the event of a trade. That’s nevertheless affordable enough to comfortably fit in the budget for any team, including the Guardians, at least for the next three seasons.
That seemingly makes it a long shot Cleveland pulls the trigger on a deal. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported shortly before the Winter Meetings the Guardians were open to offers, however. They’d presumably only do so for a package built around multiple top prospects given Clase’s ceiling and five years of club control.
Clase is one of a number of possibilities. Top free agent reliever Josh Hader remains unsigned. So does Robert Stephenson, arguably the top righty reliever in this year’s class (and a player in whom the Cubs have shown interest). Hector Neris and Phil Maton are solid middle relief options.
A run at anyone in that group would require a pivot from the Cubs’ general approach to the relief corps. Chicago has shied away from notable free agent investments since their signing of Craig Kimbrel. As shown on MLBTR’s Contract Tracker, the Cubs haven’t guaranteed more than one year or $5MM to a free agent bullpen arm over the past five offseasons.
Hoyer spoke generally about that reluctance to commit top dollar in the relief corps. “The elite, elite closer, the leverage they pitch in can make a difference,” he said (via Levine). “But the bullpen performances are the most volatile on the baseball field. … The pen is a higher volatility and aggression area. So you want to put your dollars to use in the areas you are most certain about.”
That could point to a preference to add to the group via trade if possible. The bullpen and third base are potential targets a month from Spring Training. At least week’s Cubs Convention, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer downplayed the chances of signing another starter after the four-year deal for Shota Imanaga (link via Sahadev Sharma of the Athletic).
Hoyer and skipper Craig Counsell have each suggested trade pickup Michael Busch could address their first base vacancy (link from Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times). If the Cubs are content with Christopher Morel at designated hitter and the combination of Mike Tauchman and Pete Crow-Armstrong to handle center field, that leaves the hot corner and bullpen as the biggest areas of concern.
Cubs fans continuing the search for Jed and Carter’s bodies because clearly they have died. Well I don’t care who is working up there. Get the bad GM from Rookie Of The Year. The one that tried to sell Henry to the Yankees. Anyone. Someone do something, before I have to watch Nick Madrigal and Patrick Wisdom take about 900 at bats.
With the Imanaga signing and and Busch trade I think the Cubs have been the most active recently.
Need a 3B. A few on the market, one overpriced (Chapman), a couple bad (Urshela and Donaldson), one not a full time field player anymore (Turner). Gotta find a rebuilder with a decent guy over there and a reliever they can package.
Urshela on a one-year deal wouldn’t be bad. He’s not going to be expensive and he’s serviceable at 3B. It sure beats having Patrick Wisdom full-time at 3B…
Classe is a dream target. Now, the deal thry sent him in was a deal that works 99 times out of 100. The 1 time it didn’t work was in actuality. It’s like Brock Burke and Bubba Thompson before 2023 for Corbin Burnes. Somehow, that reliever became top 5 in MLB.
Volatility amongst relievers is exactly why the consistently-dominant ones get overpaid. That actually makes the opposite point – that money should be committed to certainty in the bullpen.
They were burned by the “certainty” of Craig Kimbrel. Even everyone’s fav, Hader has had some big dips. Relievers are volatile.
The Cubs and everyone else. The question is why is everybody sitting on their wallets?
@deGrom/Kershaw Texas Ranger
Absolutely agree. The Cubs should be all over Josh Hader not only as their closer but also because they can use a couple of southpaws in their bullpen.
I believe Jed Hoyer is waiting for Hader to move off of his desire for a long term commitment, much like he’s waiting for Cody Bellinger to do the same. I also believe the Cubs will compete at the top of their markets in terms of AAV but not contract length. Any compromise on years will also include proportional opt-outs.
They may as well just sign hader the package to get Clase would be ridiculous on that contract especially with the volatility of back end arms even hader is no guarantee but he has a longer track record and your not depleting your prospects
The only way I would really be on board with trading for Clase is if Hoyer pivoted and traded either Busch or Morel for a package of Clase and Naylor.
I’m not someone who is in favor of spending top dollar on relievers, whether it’s money or prospect capital, unless it’s “the missing link”. Likewise, I’m not in favor of trading highly regarded prospects for one year (or less) of control unless again, it’s a similar situation at the trade deadline.
With that said, Clase and Naylor for a package that included either PCA or Alcantara, Brown, Morel or Busch, Wicks or Assad, plus one of those 40 man bubble guys Mike spoke about and a lower end prospect.
Drasco, just a note on Naylor. I believe they’d be willing to discuss Naylor because, he only has 2 years of control, but also because they have a 1B crushing in AAA that they got from the Rays for Civale. They might have interest in Busch,.but maybe not.
Cleveland already has had the youngest roster in MLB the last two seasons. They can contend in the AL Central. Naylor and Manzardo can coexist between 1B and DH. Teams have asked about Josh Naylor, but I don’t see him traded when Cleveland desperately needs more offense.
If Clase is moved, the trade package will include an MLB ready bat to aid Cleveland’s outfield offense. As stated elsewhere in this post, Cleveland has plenty of infield depth. Cleveland will also be dealing with the same 40 man roster issues so the bubble guys will likely be of little interest to the Guardians.
If I’m an NFL owner, owner i would prioritize 2 positions. Qb, Fg kicker. In MLB, I would make sure I had a top 5 closer.. why would you ignore the best guys who can deliver the win during a close game? I would have Hader AND Claase. I would pinch pennies elsewhere.
Everyone has depth in different areas though, Cleveland’s outfield and lack of an impact bat, Cubs outfield depth with Canario without a spot to play.
I don’t think Staw is a terrible contract but I’m sure the Guards would love to get out from it and the Cubs, if I’m dealing for Clase and Naylor, would part with PCA. Morel or Busch could slide into DH while Manzardo moves to first and Cleveland saves more money. Hence why I think it would workout. Morel and Canario would provide power, Morel a lot more power than Naylor and Canario has absolutely raked in AAA.
Honestly, Cleveland would be dumb not to make a deal if it included PCA, Morel and Canario plus either Wicks or Assad, maybe take an upside project like Killan and see if they can fix his flat four seamer.
Because you have to have a lead to preserve it.
It’s awesome to have a great closer but I’m fine with a three headed demon of Alzolay, Little and Wesneski. Examine the line up and match ups, if it favors a lefty on the 9th roll with Little, if not, go with Alzolay and Little in the 8th. Wesneski is filth in the pen too.
Also, as far as Hader is concerned, you can sign Stevenson and Robertson for the same price or Moore. I’d go with the insurance of having two arms for the price of one.
Honestly, Cleveland would be dumb to let a Cub fan plan their roster and Cleveland’s front office is not dumb. They are not going to trade for three outfielders, with Kwan already on the roster and Delauter and other options coming. I don’t see them giving up on the 2024 season when they play in such a winnable division.
I’m certain drasco doesn’t expect the Cleveland front office to use his OPINION to plan their roster. Just as you probably don’t think they listen to you either.
Morel is a utility INF/DH that can also play OF, It’s actually 2 OF he suggested
We will see how “winnable” the Central is for Cleveland. I’d have my money on the Tigers followed by the Twins.
Sure I do spot.
With Hader going to Houston, Cubs move to Stevenson. Also as you note elsewhere, this may motivate the Cubs to work Brown and Arias in the BP during the spring…. A good thing. Leiter, Merryweather Almonte and Alzolay are out of options. Only Wesneski, Cubs and Assad/Wicks have options.
I’m okay just adding Stevenson paired with Alzolay as the closers and going into the season with that bullpen. Although you’d like another lefty. I didn’t realize they released Hughes. Maybe they can get him back on a minor league deal and fix his issues.
On another note from last year’s bullpen. I’m sure it was discussed, but IMO, Ross was the issue. He refused, no matter how well a starter was throwing, to allow them to go more than 85 pitches until June. I assume he was trying to protect his starters, but he overworked his bullpen. He’d even bring in his top 3 to work a game they were up 6-1. Drove me insane.
Well Stevenson is off the table so time for your plan C.
I’m not overly worried about the bullpen to be honest. I’d like to see one veteran, high leverage arm but with guys like Little and Brown available for relief along with Counsell actually being confident and comfortable enough to use young kids in high leverage roles, I think we will be fine.
Brown I believe is destined for the pen unless MLB allows the pre-tacked ball in the near future. Arias I believe will eventually be transitioned to reliever as well.
The Cubs have 9 of the top 100 prospects according to Baseball Prospectus. That isn’t including Canario and a couple of others that might move up into that threshold later this season. The Cubs could absorb moving several of their top players and they would still have the most in the top 101. The next top team has 6.
Cleveland has specific needs, much like the Cubs. I don’t know their needs as well are their fans do, but the need to be able to fill this needs. Having looked at their situation, it would appear their great needs are power OF bat (Cassie/Alcantara) elite arm (Horton). Possibly a PCA. Possibly catcher – Amaya. And like the asking price for Cease, they’ll probably want 3-4 of those.
Cubs have 7 top 100 prospects, but I doubt they’d be interested in every one of them.
3-4 top 100 guys for Clase is insane. That’s a reliever.
2 would have to be enough plus some lower level stuff.
Cleveland has no need for a utility infielder that is not good defensively, so Morel is an OF, so three outfielders still make no sense. for the Guardians as I stated earlier.
Drasco said that Cleveland would be dumb, so yes he is valuing his opinion over what the Guardian front office might think. That is his big market arrogance showing through. Reportedly, Cade Horton was part of their ask so Drasco is already incorrect in his assessment.
5 years of control of a 25-year-old stud closer on a team friendly deal is certainly worth it. Pay Cleveland’s price or the Guardians just keep him. It is that simple.
We can wait until his salary hits $10M and you can’t afford it.
Um, no. You think Clase is going to get 3-4 players like PCA and Horton? There is zero chance of that happening. Cleveland wouldn’t even suggest it because they know it would never happen. According to Baseball Prospectus they have 9. You need to research this more and see what players are actually being traded and what the value of top 100 prospects are. This is crazy.
If the Guardians think they’re going to get 3-4 top 100 players for Clase they can keep him. That’s ridiculous.
If you read carefully, I said it’s like the Cease situation – “they’ll probably want 3-4 of those. They’re looking for an overpay
It you provide a source for your rankings, it helps clarify and doesn’t take much time.
I did provide a source, twice.
Yeah that was the irony…
I just go off and tell you that, ” you need to do your research, blah, blah, blah.”
But since you’re here, why don’t don’t you come up with the trade package to get this deal done. And if you read above, the Cleveland guy would like an MLB player as well.
For a Cleveland fan, you are blind to their needs and apparently kind of ignorant to the way they run their organization but that’s fine. It’s my “big market arrogance” that makes me bias.
Cleveland asking for Cade Horton makes me incorrect? Of course they asked for Cade Horton. Everyone is going to ask for Cade Horton but Cade Horton is not going anywhere.
Stick with hockey, John. Baseball has too much going on for you.
drascoo, I have followed Cleveland baseball since 1965 so I am very aware of how Cleveland operates and their wants and needs. It is so easy for people like you to insult people that you would not do face to face. That is the problem with today’s social media world. Your insults are not even creative or intelligent.
Here are some facts that you fail to recognize or just don’t want to understand. First, it takes two teams to make a deal. Second, Cleveland does not have to trade Clase unless they get exactly what they want. Three, the Cubs have asked on Clase. Four, Cleveland is known to set their price and not very from it. Five, Cleveland has to fill needs in any Clase trade or no trade will happen. Six, some prospect pitchers bomb out in the majors so Horton is no sure thing. Finally, if you think Cleveland is going to settle for a collection of spare parts, you are more arrogant than I thought.
At least Spotswood sees and understands that both teams’ needs must be met for any trade to happen. If you won’t listen at all to what I have stated, try listening to him as well.
You are undervaluing Clase and Naylor when you insist on both for either an unproven Busch, or Morel a player that is likely a future DH. What a homer. Again, you proved that you are unable to see both sides of an issue.
I don’t mute people because I believe everyone has a right to be heard. However, I will ignore your future comments because you are unable to have a mature, respectful conversation without stooping to childish, middle school behavior.
You’re a goddamn idiot if you suggest meeting up with a complete stranger that you have no idea what they’re capable of. Especially in a country with the 2A.
Twins need BP help too …
I’d love to get Clase for a couple of prospects. The Cubs have too many to promote at this point. Better than paying $100M for Hader… although I’d take that as plan B! Also, the Cubs have a TON of people in the pen at this point. They need to go big with one of these two guys or stay put.
Agree, I’d like to get one of them. After adding Imanaga and Almonte Cubs are just under $200M. Hoyer likes to have a $7M-ish cushion to spend during the season, so they have a little more than $30M left. Hoyer said they aren’t “planning” on going over the threshold. If they want Bellinger too, they’ll need to be creative.
Clase is going to be expensive, but I’d be fine moving prospects as well.
I doubt Chapman is in play, unless they move on from Bellinger. I certainly wouldn’t want Chapman for $20M let alone $25M he’s projected to get.
People keep saying Chapman as if we all assume it’s the defense-first 3rd baseman over the elite reliever. It’s quite entertaining.
It’s an interesting trade-off for sure.
The Cubs have guys who are never going to see the field with the Big Club.
Arias-Fantastic talent who throws 100 but is already on the 40 man and was at High A last year. Even if he starts at AA this year it’s 2026 before he sees the field. Are they going to carry him that long? Doubt it.
Triantos- Probably a year in AAA away from the majors who will never see the field with for the Cubs.
Rojas- Good young SS who again never plays in Chicago.
Brennen Davis- ? Does anyone want him? He’s talented but can’t stay on the field.
These guys are like the 9-12 and 21 prospects in a deep Farm system who will never be Cubs. Davis was the #1 prospect at one time or even Christian Hernandez was also but he’s not Chicago bound. Are you telling me they can’t make a deal here? Cmon
Or just pay somebody if you want to see these guys waste away in the Minors.
It’s un-freakin believable.
You can’t just pull out a group of prospects you don’t want. I’m not an Cleveland fan, but they have one of the best 2nd baseman in MLB locked up until 2030. At 3rd they have one of the best locked up until ’28. Two top INF prospects just graduated their rankings. Their #1 prospect is a SS. 7 of their top 17 prospects are SS/2nd. In fact they only drafted 4 INF in the last 2 drafts. They’d have little interest in Triantos/Rojas and former #1 prospect that’s star has faded. . Arias…if the Cubs don’t want to carry him on the 40, Cleveland would have the same issue.
This “listening to offers” is similar to Cease. Cubs would have to start with top prospects that fill needs. Like Horton or Brown. Then add a power OF bat like Cassie or Alcantara, maybe Canario. They’d probably have interest in PCA. Maybe Amaya. Doubt they’d be interested in Morel, Again, they’re loaded with prospects on the INF and they’ve got 2 spots locked up longer than the Cubs do.
That’s why Hoyer may not be able to get a trade done and may need to pay for Hader.
The deal, imo, with Arias is he is a lot like Brown, odds are he will end up in the pen with two plus pitches but right now the Cubs are making an honest effort to make a starting pitcher out of him.
If the Cubs decided to turn Arias into a reliever, he could reach Wrigley this season.
As for Triantos and Rojas, both guys have more than enough arm for third or outfield.
I would agree with that. I’m not sure Arias would make it this year, but ’25 wouldn’t be out of reach.
I believe Mike is assuming Shaw is at 3rd for the next 10 years and Triantos and Rojas are blocked there as well. Time will tell. I like Shaw, but Triantos is just turning 21. He could be ready in the final year of Nico’s contract or play 3rd. Rojas is 19 at the end of April. Loads of talent and could play SS/2nd/3rd and probably on pace for ’27 when Dansby is 33. As smart as we are, things rarely play out as we’ve scripted.
Really you can look at 2015 as a pure example, we had our future shortstop in Russel, future center fielder in Almora, future RF in Soler. Obviously, none of those guys worked out.
But that prospect list was sick, Bryant, Schwarber, Russell, Candalario, Torres, Jimenez, Steele, Cease, Caratini
Indeed…the hit rate on top guys was pretty solid. It’s interesting as well to look at when some of these guys were signed or drafted. You mention Steele (2014) on your list. Alzolay was signed in 2012 and is now just becoming a guy. Amaya in 2015. Assad in 2016. Brown 2017. Morel 2016. Canario 2016. Its hard to wrap my head around that considering the immediate expectations we place on these guys.
Isaac Paredes was in there as well. Signed in 2015
I was just glancing at the Cubs top prospect list on mlb.com.
The guy off the top of my head I believe we should trade that is getting “wasted” is Canario. Unfortunately I don’t see him getting much playing time. I can’t imagine he has anything left to prove in AAA and unless Happ or Suzuki gets hurt he won’t get many at bats with Morel or Busch at DH.
Yeah… I think the only thing he has to prove is his health after the two surgeries. I think he’s a better version of Velazquez. I’ve seen projections, if the roster is what we have now, that he’d be on the 26 as the 4th OF. Not sure what the return would be, but he’d have value in a multi player deal and not just a toss-in.
Spotswood, drasco – good discussion and thoughts.
I’d just add though, when you’re looking at trading guys like Canario or Triantos, you might only be getting 10 cents on a dollar in return. Without them first getting something established on their MLB resumes, I believe trading them early isn’t the best way to go.
I like Morel but defensively, he’s a 2B or a LFer. To the current Cubs needs, he is a DH. Morel also has the most value in a trade, and IMO the Cubs easily can use the DH spot to build value in other prospects – such as Canario, Mervis – and soon others.
Also I really root for Triantos. He’s a great kid as well as beginning to show his bat could be capable of playing MLB. BUT Triantos is not even as good at 2B as Morel – IMHO. Triantos might project to be slightly better at 3B as Morel – if his arm plays there. Watching Triantos on the backfields – mostly at 2B, the Cubs give him a Lot – of extra work at 2B. I’d say his future position is definitely TBD. IMO, Morel and Triantos are pretty much the same player – except for Morels power. So, I would trade Morel first, to fill a ‘need’.
Triantos has more than enough arm for third or outfield.
I don’t think Triantos would be selling low though, a lot of opinions going around that he is one of the best prospects in baseball (top 100-150).
I also don’t think Canarios stock is low other than the Cubs not really having at bats for him. He crushed it last year in AAA and in AA-AAA the year before. He also did fine in the majors which given that Ross iced him, may be enticing for teams but maybe not. I thought it was impressive Canario was ready to hit when called on.
***nothing makes me happier than Ross being gone.
I was just trying to point out that these guys aren’t guys we don’t want because they’re bad. I was just trying to say that these are very good prospects that we have blocked by guys who will be here a long time. O.K. these guys might not be a fit for Cleveland. There are 31 other teams like Oakland, Colorado, K.C. Etc. who might see these guys as useful. I don’t see Hoerner as here til 26. I see him here after that. Swanson for 6 years. There are other teams out there and deals to be made. A lot of those guys you mentioned that have been here for a lot of years were international guys like Cruz who were signed at 17. Cruz might have a shot or Valdez when Swanson’s deal is over, Who knows? They need to shuffle some things around. 2 Years ago they drafted like 18 pitchers out of 20 picks. Some of those guys are going to start showing up. I don’t know. It just seems like everyone is making a big deal out of TV money when they know it’s going to get done. In fact I just saw Amazon is involved now, That’s a way better situation if you ask me.
IDK. I think trading Nelson Velasquez for Caus, we got short changed. But who knows.
My point was getting to, I don’t think there’d be much of a difference if the Cubs used combo of players at DH (like Canario and Mervis and possibly others), as opposed to using a bat first guy like Morel. And also factoring in, that Morel definitely has trade value now.
Just a thought, if Triantos does have the arm for 3B, I guess I don’t understand the logic of trying to make him a 2B, for the last year and a half – when 2B was fully occupied.
Good problems.
I don’t think Mervis has a future on the Cubs.
Quote from the athletic:
“Not only did he struggle mightily in his 99 plate appearances in the majors, but he was really searching for it mentally. He didn’t seem to know how to prepare for the day-to-day grind and struggled to handle failure.”
Also, apparently the Cubs had him working on some adjustments on his swing in AAA but he’s failing to master them.
I think Canario can play all OF positions and has light tower power. I think he’ll be the 4th OF unless Bellinger is here. He needs MLB AB’s to see if he can master the strike zone and not become another Wisdom. He’s not a gazelle in CF like PCA but he’s serviceable out there in a platoon especially when you consider he’s only start against Lefties. He’s a middle of the order bat the Cubs say they’re looking for who is already here. Mervis is a mystery to me. He looked like a sure thing and in 99 AB’s now he’s over? Wow. I know it’s a quick judgement industry but that shows a total lack of teaching ability if you ask me. It’s obvious the Cubs see him that way, I just can’t figure out why. To me Wisdom, Madrigal, Smyly, are the wastes on the 40 man. I know Drascoo likes Madrigal and I like Canario but that’s about the only difference.
I like Canario, I just don’t see him getting the at bats on the team without a trade. Right now, Cubs are going to have to live with either Morel or Busch in the field and one at DH, takes that out of play for Canario. Neither Happ or Suzuki needs to platoon (although Happ doesn’t hit lefties great) and I don’t think he is capable of playing center on a regular basis. I just hate to see him wasted on the bench.
The Cubs certainly can free up some 26 and 40 man roster spots if need be. As you mentioned, Wisdom, Madrigal, Canario, Smyly, Mastrobuoni can all be moved and Morel and Busch could be dealt in a larger package.
All I know is right now you’re looking at Little, Leiter Jr., Merryweather and Alzolay for the 7th,8th and 9th. That doesn’t scream Division Winner to me.
It doesn’t bother me a bit that know what Hoyer is doing or isn’t doing. But he did say last week.
“(the Cubs) were in the 4th or 5th inning of their offseason.
Also…I assume this comes from Hoyer speaking with a bunch of GMs about potential deals.
Bob Nightengale suggests he’s heard from multiple places: “GMs and executives widely predict that the Cubs will easily be the most aggressive team the remainder of the winter.”
In my opinion, there are so many different directions for the Cubs to go and Hoyer is examining every possibility.
This rumor is kind of the case in point, Hoyer/Hawkins knows that Clase is going to be expensive prospect wise, probably most likely going to cost PCA, so they are weighing that option, trade for Clase, sign Bellinger to play center for three years then shift him to a corner. (Speculating of course). But with the depth the Cubs have prospect wise, available free agents, they have a lot of directions they can go.
Agree… And Hoyer could have inquired about Clase and leaked it, so Hader’s agent knows they aren’t just sitting around.
I half think that’s what happened a couple weeks ago. Rumors they reached out about Naylor. Then the rumors that they had offers out to Chapman and Hoskins. A week later they get Busch.
Its gonna happen.
Again.
Clase in front of Diaz…they’d shut down anything after the 7th inning.
Not that it will happen.
Cle will need to get a legit middle of order type bat as a headliner since that is their developmental weakness.
I’d like to see the Cubs try to flip Morel for Luis Arraez.
I think Busch should play a super utility role, and while his defense isn’t great, he could be an insurance policy for the oft-injured Nico Hoerner, he could fill in at 1B and 3B at times, and I assume he’s athletic enough where he could learn a corner outfield spot if needed.
This Cubs team lacks big power bats and that was true even when Bellinger was in the lineup. I think re-signing Bellinger plus adding someone like Hoskins or Justin Turner would add much needed threat to the middle of the order.
1B Arraez
2B Hoerner
CF Bellinger
DH Hoskins
LF Happ
RF Suzuki
SS Swanson
3B Madrigal/Busch
C Gomes/Amaya
That’s a very deep lineup, and you have Pete Crow Armstrong that could force his way into the lineup, and you could try Hoerner at 3B, Arraez at 2B and move Bellinger to 1B.
Hoerner isn’t “oft-injured”, he had one year where he struggled with injuries (hamstring I believe) and has been durable ever since and Busch cannot play second base regardless.
The suggestion of moving Nico, who is arguably the top defensive second baseman in the league, to third is ridiculous.
Busch isn’t just “not great” defensively at third, he’s a butcher at third. Dude played 90 innings and amassed -4 OAA.
Lastly, Hoskins isn’t signing to DH and Morel has way more upside than Hoskins and frankly has the same amount of risk involved considering Hoskins hasn’t played in a year.
Ryan, my main concern about PCA is his maturity. (maybe it’s just me). There is absolutely no question about his defense.
But I see this being a huge year in telling us what PCA is going to be. Anything that raises questions about what he might be at the MLB level, I would trade him in a heartbeat.
Ryan, I’m not sure what 2 years of control of Arraez would cost, I don’t know Miami’s needs. As I recall, they’ve got a ton of 2nd/3rd type guys, so probably Alcantara, someone like Rojas (SS) and another like Canario. Maybe McGeary. I’d be interested, but wouldn’t pay too much for only 2 years.
I’d sign Bellinger for center, which would be long term. Then one of Hoskins or Turner for 1st/DH.
As drasco noted, I think Busch is a 1st/DH only on the Cubs. I think the reason the Dodgers were willing to trade him is because he can’t play 2nd/3rd, so he’ll never play 1st because of Freeman.
Agreed, I think Busch is a star who need a opportunity more than 90 ab”s.
I would give up some serious capital in farm system For him! We have Alozay, Merriweather,
wicks, Leiter, and Assad! we have got arms even smiley, shhot Weisneski. you name it. Sign another reliever on the cheap. You have an outstanding bullpen, give up some capital for this guy. He will help you probably to win plus 10 games. Ross coaching g and bullpen management cost us 8+ wins in 2023, IMO..