Logan Gilbert ($8-9m arb via trade), Tanner Scott ($14-15m), AJ Minter ($8-9m), Danny Jansen ($7-8m), and re-sign Jorge Lopez ($3-4m) can all be had for $40-45m - which is the likely offseason spending range. Make the M's an offer they can't refuse for Gilbert. There is more than enough top prospect capital to do it - just build a package around whichever one they prefer, even if it's Caissie or Shaw. Steele-Gilbert-Imanaga-Taillon rotation with Scott-Hodge-Minter-Miller-Lopez-Pearson bullpen more than carries an average lineup.
The win-now Seattle Mariners, who have averaged 88+ wins over the past four seasons, won't trade Logan Gilbert (or George Kirby, Bryce Miller or Bryan Woo) for prospects.
@@DougKillian sure, obviously it would take more than a top prospect. That's why I said build a package. The M's have been very open about needing hitters and there has been industry wide speculation on them dealing from SP surplus to do so. If they want Busch + Caissie OR Alcantara? Great - do it. Bellinger slides to 1B and Caissie OR Alcantara covers RF with Suzuki at DH. If they want Hoerner+prospects instead of Busch? Great - do it. Busch and Shaw cover 2B and Bellinger slides to 1B. If they want Paredes+prospects instead of Hoerner or Busch? Great - do it. Shaw covers 3B or could even take a look at Bregman or Adames at that point. Cam Smith soon too. The point is - there is way more than enough MLB and near-MLB top prospect hitter crunch between Busch-Hoerner-Paredes-Shaw-Caissie-Alcantara-Ballesteros-Smith to be able to facilitate a trade package with a team like the M's who have big SP surplus, clear IF/OF needs, and a trade-happy GM.
@@DougKillianman, sorry to triple reply but something else sounded weird with your comment so I checked. You said M's "averaged 88+ wins past 4 seasons". That's a pretty convenient way to frame going from 90 to 90 to 88 to 85 last year... kind of puts them in very similar position as Cubs in needing to creatively switch some things up and balance out the roster.
Two packages that could be right up that alley. Hoerner and Busch would be the centerpieces to upgrade Seattle at 1B and 2B and then offer either Ben Brown or Assad and Triantos. The overall money is even about the same. Bellinger slots in at 1B while Shaw gets the nod at 2B
Jed has done fairly well. We have a top five farm system, and our pitching infrastructure is pretty damn good. It is time we strart to reap the rewards of this process.
@ it takes time, and those assets are now ready to start helping in a big way, PCA was just the beginning. We are much closer to sustainable long term success than any time in my 46 yrs of being a Cub fan. Some trades to open some more room on the Big League team may be needed, but the young core is already in the system ready to start to bloom.
I’d be honored! But I am much too pessimistic to be a host. I completely agree about Matt Shaw! He brings that same hustle mentality as Nico. Just smart instincts. Never hurts having ball players like that! I’m interested in seeing how they use young arms like brown and horton. We seen Assad can get job done but it’s taxing on the bullpen. Maybe sign a top end rotation guy to push rotation down spots. Competition within the team is how organizations stay competitive and make playoffs. And as we’ve seen injuries happen so young guys will get their opportunities one way or another
My hope is that Jed is feeling a little pressure to get us back to the playoffs in the final year of his contract!! I think he’ll make more moves this offseason to improve the bench and the bullpen…plus add another proven starter!!
Great show!! I like the back & forth conversation. Only thing i would tweak is Micheal think Woo is the pitcher to target for trading Nico or our top 100 prospects surplus. Seattle would prefer to move Castillo since he is the highest paid & least controlled. Even though he's probably their #2 in the rotation, their desire to improve offense while keeping payroll down will force them to deal him.
The Cubs seem to enjoy using the weather at Wrigley Field as an excuse. My question is, how were the other teams able to score so much and beat the Cubs so often there? Also, with the weather being an excuse to keep the offense down, why wasn’t the Cubs bullpen better at home?
Jed Hoyer’s been on the hot seat since Theo ran away with a year left in his contract, dumping a few huge decisions in Jed’s lap…and he was on the hot seat even more so when he started the rebuild in the middle of 2021. And, while the Cubs fell short in 2023 and 2024, you can’t deny that Jed has rebuilt a farm system that Theo depleted. But, having said that, every Chicago Cubs president and general manager are on the hot seat from the moment they sign on.
@ based on rankings, from different sources, it’s considered to be one of the best. MLB Pipeline 2024 preseason rankings had them at #2 compared to the preseason ranking in 2022, when they were ranked at #18. So, yes, I would say moving from #18 to #2 is pretty good.
@@ricklasseI think it might be a little overrated. If the prospects are that good, then why haven’t they been called up? Why haven’t other teams traded for them?
@ You mean like PCA, Amaya and, even, Christopher Morel? Added to those names, the number of young pitchers who were called up this past season. So, the Cubs do promote young prospects. They just can’t promote a lot of position players all at once because there’s only so many non-pitching positions available on a 26 man roster. They did trade away Morel and two minor league prospects to get Issac Paredes. So, they trade away minor leaguers, as well. And, I guess we’ll have to wait and see how MLB Pipeline ranks the Cubs in preseason of 2025.
Can’t rely on the pitchers in the system to be the answer for the rotation. By getting starters, those guys can be moved to the pen and potentially help lock down games. Plus, Jed hates spending money on the bullpen
@ middle relief or even a set up guy will not cost much. There is beauty in numbers, and with pitching we have that. There might be a trade for a more experienced stater, but I still feel we will be better long term keeping the coarse with our young guys, which has become too many to name, Horton should be back soon btw too. We might need to make a bigger trade later this season or next when we really look ready to contend.
I thought they were going to become a pitching development juggernaut with their pitching infrastructure/lab a few years ago. What happened? Now they're kicking the tires on trading for a SP and signing a FA mid-rotation SP?
The Cubs just added Owen Caissie and Ben Cowles to the 40 man roster while they DFA’d Adbert Alzolay and Brennan Davis. It’s sad that we never got to see the full potential of Davis, due to all of those injuries…and the same goes for Alzolay.
@ I’d be okay if that happens. The problem, and it’s a good problem to have, is that the Cubs have more than enough outfielders and right handed pitchers in there system to move on, if they let Davis and Alzolay go. Friday is a big day…non-tender day. Hopefully, Mike Tauchman sticks around, but not sure that’ll happen. But, I’m thinking Patrick Wisdom and Nick Madrigal won’t be tendered contracts. Are you surprised that the Cubs haven’t bought out David Bote’s contract yet?
Is it though, I just don't see us competing for the WS. Mostly because we're too cheap to get a real superstar. As long as the Dodgers and Yankees get the best players, they're going to be running MLB for years to come.
I think the plan is to be as frugal as possible going into next year. I don’t see anything so far to the contrary. They are crying poor publicly. I get the feeling that they are disappointed that Cody opted in because they had no intentions of spending that money on the roster
Thank you. Happ has been a top 10 offensive LF the past 3 years along with winning a Gold Glove each of those years and yet people act like he's the problem. He's not a superstar, but he's not trash.
You go balls out. Trade Belli and sign Soto. Trade top prospects for pitching. Sign ace starter. Sign ace closer. Sign best FA catcher. You’re at least 90 win team now.
@@ThatColeGuy Seattle would probably take it in exchange for Castillo. Cubs might have to cover 5M of it. If the Yankees lose Soto, they'd take the whole thing. The Orioles need an upgrade at 1B as well. If they don't get a big FA bat, they could take it. The question is what would be the ask in return.
getting rid of overpaid Dansby would be a start. NOT worth the money. Lazy Dan, always says relax it is only July...and btw I am the captain of the team...🤮🤮🤮
Jed is going to be fired. The next guy hired is here for another long rebuild. In the meantime Jed better get some prospects for Steele, Suzuki, and bellinger. I’m not rooting for wins in 2025, I’m rooting for a full on teardown
If they don’t go out and get at least 2 power-bats, they aren’t serious. Lots of sloppy, lazy, uninspired play this season. We need players to pull for.
Watch my interview with Boog Sciambi where we discuss the Cubs lineup issues: ruclips.net/video/Xky9KMvaEBc/видео.html
Logan Gilbert ($8-9m arb via trade), Tanner Scott ($14-15m), AJ Minter ($8-9m), Danny Jansen ($7-8m), and re-sign Jorge Lopez ($3-4m) can all be had for $40-45m - which is the likely offseason spending range.
Make the M's an offer they can't refuse for Gilbert. There is more than enough top prospect capital to do it - just build a package around whichever one they prefer, even if it's Caissie or Shaw.
Steele-Gilbert-Imanaga-Taillon rotation with Scott-Hodge-Minter-Miller-Lopez-Pearson bullpen more than carries an average lineup.
The win-now Seattle Mariners, who have averaged 88+ wins over the past four seasons, won't trade Logan Gilbert (or George Kirby, Bryce Miller or Bryan Woo) for prospects.
@@DougKillian sure, obviously it would take more than a top prospect. That's why I said build a package. The M's have been very open about needing hitters and there has been industry wide speculation on them dealing from SP surplus to do so. If they want Busch + Caissie OR Alcantara? Great - do it. Bellinger slides to 1B and Caissie OR Alcantara covers RF with Suzuki at DH. If they want Hoerner+prospects instead of Busch? Great - do it. Busch and Shaw cover 2B and Bellinger slides to 1B. If they want Paredes+prospects instead of Hoerner or Busch? Great - do it. Shaw covers 3B or could even take a look at Bregman or Adames at that point. Cam Smith soon too.
The point is - there is way more than enough MLB and near-MLB top prospect hitter crunch between Busch-Hoerner-Paredes-Shaw-Caissie-Alcantara-Ballesteros-Smith to be able to facilitate a trade package with a team like the M's who have big SP surplus, clear IF/OF needs, and a trade-happy GM.
@@DougKillianoh, and I forgot to even mention Triantos with the others. Which really just adds to my point.
@@DougKillianman, sorry to triple reply but something else sounded weird with your comment so I checked. You said M's "averaged 88+ wins past 4 seasons". That's a pretty convenient way to frame going from 90 to 90 to 88 to 85 last year... kind of puts them in very similar position as Cubs in needing to creatively switch some things up and balance out the roster.
Two packages that could be right up that alley. Hoerner and Busch would be the centerpieces to upgrade Seattle at 1B and 2B and then offer either Ben Brown or Assad and Triantos. The overall money is even about the same. Bellinger slots in at 1B while Shaw gets the nod at 2B
What is he talking about? Matt Shaw starting the season in the MLB gives us extra draft picks?? Clarify please.
Jed has done fairly well. We have a top five farm system, and our pitching infrastructure is pretty damn good. It is time we strart to reap the rewards of this process.
Farm system doesn’t mean anything until and unless they perform at the major leagues. Jed needs to go.
@ it takes time, and those assets are now ready to start helping in a big way, PCA was just the beginning. We are much closer to sustainable long term success than any time in my 46 yrs of being a Cub fan. Some trades to open some more room on the Big League team may be needed, but the young core is already in the system ready to start to bloom.
I’d be honored! But I am much too pessimistic to be a host. I completely agree about Matt Shaw! He brings that same hustle mentality as Nico. Just smart instincts. Never hurts having ball players like that! I’m interested in seeing how they use young arms like brown and horton. We seen Assad can get job done but it’s taxing on the bullpen. Maybe sign a top end rotation guy to push rotation down spots. Competition within the team is how organizations stay competitive and make playoffs. And as we’ve seen injuries happen so young guys will get their opportunities one way or another
Pessimism isn’t a terrible thing when it’s rooted in facts
My hope is that Jed is feeling a little pressure to get us back to the playoffs in the final year of his contract!! I think he’ll make more moves this offseason to improve the bench and the bullpen…plus add another proven starter!!
Trades to include money to go get Roki. Get your young guys up to the majors. Sacrifice now so you can make an impact sooner.
Great show!! I like the back & forth conversation. Only thing i would tweak is Micheal think Woo is the pitcher to target for trading Nico or our top 100 prospects surplus. Seattle would prefer to move Castillo since he is the highest paid & least controlled. Even though he's probably their #2 in the rotation, their desire to improve offense while keeping payroll down will force them to deal him.
Glad you enjoyed the show!
The Cubs seem to enjoy using the weather at Wrigley Field as an excuse. My question is, how were the other teams able to score so much and beat the Cubs so often there?
Also, with the weather being an excuse to keep the offense down, why wasn’t the Cubs bullpen better at home?
Both were impacted. Look at the stats. Cubs pitchers home vs road was wildly different.
@ my point is, both teams played under the same circumstances. Jed seems to leave that out conveniently every time he uses it as an excuse.
Jed Hoyer’s been on the hot seat since Theo ran away with a year left in his contract, dumping a few huge decisions in Jed’s lap…and he was on the hot seat even more so when he started the rebuild in the middle of 2021. And, while the Cubs fell short in 2023 and 2024, you can’t deny that Jed has rebuilt a farm system that Theo depleted.
But, having said that, every Chicago Cubs president and general manager are on the hot seat from the moment they sign on.
@@ricklasse is the farm system that good though?
@ based on rankings, from different sources, it’s considered to be one of the best. MLB Pipeline 2024 preseason rankings had them at #2 compared to the preseason ranking in 2022, when they were ranked at #18. So, yes, I would say moving from #18 to #2 is pretty good.
@@ricklasseI think it might be a little overrated. If the prospects are that good, then why haven’t they been called up? Why haven’t other teams traded for them?
@ You mean like PCA, Amaya and, even, Christopher Morel? Added to those names, the number of young pitchers who were called up this past season. So, the Cubs do promote young prospects. They just can’t promote a lot of position players all at once because there’s only so many non-pitching positions available on a 26 man roster.
They did trade away Morel and two minor league prospects to get Issac Paredes. So, they trade away minor leaguers, as well.
And, I guess we’ll have to wait and see how MLB Pipeline ranks the Cubs in preseason of 2025.
Our pitchers are already in the system. Maybe a reliever or two.
Can’t rely on the pitchers in the system to be the answer for the rotation. By getting starters, those guys can be moved to the pen and potentially help lock down games. Plus, Jed hates spending money on the bullpen
@ middle relief or even a set up guy will not cost much. There is beauty in numbers, and with pitching we have that. There might be a trade for a more experienced stater, but I still feel we will be better long term keeping the coarse with our young guys, which has become too many to name, Horton should be back soon btw too. We might need to make a bigger trade later this season or next when we really look ready to contend.
I thought they were going to become a pitching development juggernaut with their pitching infrastructure/lab a few years ago. What happened? Now they're kicking the tires on trading for a SP and signing a FA mid-rotation SP?
The Cubs just added Owen Caissie and Ben Cowles to the 40 man roster while they DFA’d Adbert Alzolay and Brennan Davis. It’s sad that we never got to see the full potential of Davis, due to all of those injuries…and the same goes for Alzolay.
If I’m a betting man, both are back on the team in a week on minor league contracts after clearing waivers
@ I’d be okay if that happens. The problem, and it’s a good problem to have, is that the Cubs have more than enough outfielders and right handed pitchers in there system to move on, if they let Davis and Alzolay go.
Friday is a big day…non-tender day. Hopefully, Mike Tauchman sticks around, but not sure that’ll happen. But, I’m thinking Patrick Wisdom and Nick Madrigal won’t be tendered contracts.
Are you surprised that the Cubs haven’t bought out David Bote’s contract yet?
Can't win every year but the future is looking good. 2026 and on we will be thanking Jed.
Is it though, I just don't see us competing for the WS. Mostly because we're too cheap to get a real superstar. As long as the Dodgers and Yankees get the best players, they're going to be running MLB for years to come.
@@garywright4106and don’t forget there is a team called the brewers. They aren’t going away and they will be contending for a World Series .
The prospects might not be good though. I’m not sold on anyone.
@@patricklee4316 yeah, I didn't even want to mention them lol
they need another catcher, a TOR starter, and either a) an impact bat or b) another SP.
Yup 👌🏻
Fire Hoyer!!!
Fire hoyer now!!!
YES!!!!
Very good show
Thank you!
Really enjoyed all the reality in it with you both
Your show will keep growing
I think the plan is to be as frugal as possible going into next year. I don’t see anything so far to the contrary. They are crying poor publicly.
I get the feeling that they are disappointed that Cody opted in because they had no intentions of spending that money on the roster
Also, I heard Rick Hahn’s son has been hired for the front office. That makes you wonder….
I really don’t get the Suzuki and Happ hate…they’re easily two of the best three hitters on the team.
Thank you. Happ has been a top 10 offensive LF the past 3 years along with winning a Gold Glove each of those years and yet people act like he's the problem. He's not a superstar, but he's not trash.
They wouldn’t be hated if a true star was on the team. Fans want a star, and Happ/Suzuki aren’t those guys. Very good players, but not stars
@@SetupManCubs That’s so silly…how do you hate a player for not being a “true” star? Don’t hate the player…hate the game!!!
For 2025 Int'l, don't the Cubs have $6.2MM and LAD $5.1MM?
You go balls out. Trade Belli and sign Soto. Trade top prospects for pitching. Sign ace starter. Sign ace closer. Sign best FA catcher. You’re at least 90 win team now.
No one's taking Bellinger's contract.
@@ThatColeGuy Seattle would probably take it in exchange for Castillo. Cubs might have to cover 5M of it. If the Yankees lose Soto, they'd take the whole thing. The Orioles need an upgrade at 1B as well. If they don't get a big FA bat, they could take it. The question is what would be the ask in return.
Trade Nico Hoerner for Pitcher
getting rid of overpaid Dansby would be a start. NOT worth the money. Lazy Dan, always says relax it is only July...and btw I am the captain of the team...🤮🤮🤮
But he led the team in WAR. The defense was elite this year (minus like a 2 week stretch in May). He was robbed of a GG
@@SetupManCubs, I was just venting...my bad
Jed is going to be fired. The next guy hired is here for another long rebuild. In the meantime Jed better get some prospects for Steele, Suzuki, and bellinger. I’m not rooting for wins in 2025, I’m rooting for a full on teardown
See, I told you that you want to trade everyone
@@SetupManCubsI don’t want everyone traded. Just want guys traded to jumpstart a rebuild.
The plan is hope😂😂😂😂😂😂, very poorly run team
Tell Brett, Trump 2024 baby! 🇺🇸
If they don’t go out and get at least 2 power-bats, they aren’t serious.
Lots of sloppy, lazy, uninspired play this season. We need players to pull for.
Where do they put them in the lineup?