Pricey for a rental… but he’s a stud so I’ll take it. Need another arm in the rotation. The guy from Japan would be top of my list
He went on a crazy run last year and elevated his stock. He’s got some issues at the plate with strikeouts that will need ironed out but he’s a talented prospect. Our #1 pick last year.
He’s only in A ball at this point but he looks like the real deal. Tons of power but he’s a little pull happy right now, needs to learn how to use the whole field.
Gallant Knight this is great breakdown of Smith. Greg is an excellent source for Cubs prospects and really all prospects. He’s a smart dude.
1) Pete Crow-Armstrong CF 2) Kyle Tucker RF 3) Seiya Suzuki DH 4) Ian Happ LF 5) Michael Busch 1B 6) Dansby Swanson SS 7) Nico Horner 2B 8) Miguel Amaya C 9) Matt Shaw 3B If Amaya and PCA are closer to the end of 2024 vs start this is a nice lineup.
I agree, it’d be nice if we could find a deal that makes sense to trade Nico. I like him but if Shaw’s legit his bat will be much more valuable in that spot than third.
FWIW Passan said on espn radio post Tucker trade that the belli to NYY trade isn’t all that close. Bellinger will be traded, I just don’t know if it’ll be to the Yankees. Even if it’s not for Bohm, I think you’re getting a much better return from Philly. I have zero interest in whatever pitching prospect the Yankees want to give them
Hoyer seems like a GM who’s operating as if his job is on the line. I hope he doesn’t unload the entire farm for a 1 year run.
I don’t think the subsequent moves will be for rental players. I also am still adamant they’re staying under the CBT this year. It’s still beyond me how they managed to accidentally stumble over it last year when they were seemingly trying to stay under
I just love it when my favorite teams overpay for expiring contracts! Gonna rage when he goes to the dodgers, Mets, or Yankees next year
Can’t believe fans are talking badly about the shit teams they root for who fucking suck and make moves that don’t make sense. this is pace trading future picks to get fields to try and save his job
This team was desperate for a superstar hitter. We get him… nah dog we want to cling to prospects that have proven nothing.
It's crazy to me because I don't think Cam Smith is gonna be some superstar player. There's at least four or five hitters in our system I'd put in front of him.
That’s not how things work in baseball any longer. You know this but you choose to overlook it because you love to just bitch. He’s a top 5/10 position player at a prime age who just saw Soto sign for 800m. He’s not going to entertain any contract talks now. He’s going to test free agency. It’s why he’s on the trade market to begin with. We get a year to compete at the top of the NL and he gets a year to feel out the team, city and all this is Chicago. Let the cards play out how they will next offseason… but for fuck sakes enjoy the fact your team is aggressive and should be in the mix for the first time in nearly 10 years.
His short run in the minors was impressive but let’s not forget he’s got a long long way to go. And as you pointed out there are a half dozen much better and closer to the majors prospects ahead of him. That’s not to to say he won’t be the best of the crew or get to the bigs faster. But those are the facts. Hoyer is finally being aggressive. I’ll take it. I’ll enjoy it and let’s see what else is coming because there does seem like more major moves coming. I’m ready to actually enjoy a cubs team since the World Series.
In a vacuum that looks dumb. If they replace the $27 million they were going to spend on what was essentially a fifth outfielder with the $24 million Luis Castillo is owed then I think that’s a win. We right now have an estimated payroll of about $160 million with estimated arbitration salaries. Last year our opening day payroll was around $215 million. We clearly are planning to spend quite a bit more.
Brendan is pretty decent at these breakdowns, but he had a pod to kick off the offseason where he didn’t know how to pronounce max fried’s last name so he pretty clearly just follows baseball on a spreadsheet (at least outside the cubs)
Maybe if we didn't go over the luxury tax by 20k which is hilarious the ricketts would be willing to spend