FullCountTommy

We concerned about how all his power comes to the pull-side and Wrigley can be hell on lefties like this?

BRING ME THE PIE SLICE

Rogers in front of the Cubs infield would be fun. Need to pair him with more velo elsewhere, though.

The LAST thing to pay for on a big league roster IMO is LH relief. Cubs absolutely destroyed that market last year by getting Caleb Thielbar and Drew Pomeranz for less than $4M combined.

Three guys I love this off-season to try to repeat that success?

Cam Booser. Sam Hentges. José Quijada.

Can’t wait for your LinkedIn posts about the grind

a woman wearing a yellow shirt says i must have you ALT: a woman wearing a yellow shirt says i must have you

Jed when he sees a reliever who throws 90mph

Jed Hoyer Me
🤝
Obsessing over signing a
half-dozen shitty relievers

Cubs tried to get Frasso at the 2022 deadline. Wonder if they’ll try to grab him now.

Could see Song as a fit if Cubs are looking for a utility/bench+ guy to split time with Shaw but aren't looking to dump Okamoto-level resources into the offense.

Worry the pull-heavy power approach from a lefty won't play at Wrigley, though. Decent option. Wouldn't be top priority. Go get Okamoto.

Bold prediction:

We see two surprise NL Central non-tenders today. Andrew Vaughn and Brady Singer.

Refsnyder is good. I'd prefer Austin Hays if the Cubs are looking at that role.

$1-5M guys
Ryne Stanek
Hunter Harvey
Jordan Romano
Scott Barlow
Caleb Ferguson

Non-tender candidates
Andrew Nardi
Colin Holderman
Yennier Cano
Jason Foley
Dauri Moreta
Anthony Banda
Kevin Ginkel

Minor league guys
Zach Pop
Corbin Martin
Jose Quijada
Tyler Mattison

Friend asked me to put together a list of interesting RPs the Cubs could target that I like. He asked for 3 names. Naturally I gave him 7x that.

Legit closer types
Brad Keller
Ryan Helsley

$5-10M guys
Michael Kopech
Kyle Finnegan
Luke Weaver
Gregory Soto
Seranthony Dominguez

The best available pitcher has had an ERA > 4.5 two out of the last three seasons. The second best intentionally crossed up his catcher.

It’s not a great market for top tier SPs and King was tracking toward potentially being the best of the group pre-2025

He's a cerebral guy who can beat you in a variety of ways. Good org fit.

I also think the health stuff is probably a bit overstated. It was a non-structural injury this past year. On the whole he's been extremely healthy for his pro career. He even came back this past season and looked just fine.

It's probable that King was the most likely of the middle and upper tier of FA starters all along, but with Shōta definitely accepting the QO King absolutely makes the most sense for the Cubs, IMO.

Still think they might prefer to go the trade route, but I think they'll be in heavy on King.

Jinx!

While I like some of the more traditional buy low types DFA'ed today for the Cubs (Colin Holderman, Dauri Moreta, Jason Foley), the name that really stands out to me is Tyler Mattison.

Big time cut-ride fastball at 94mph. 30% whiff on the pitch. Funky release. Only 26 years old w/ options.

Maria Pappas | Cook County Treasurer on Instagram: "Great news, everyone! The wait is finally over… my new 2025 calendar is here! 📅 📍Head over to Akira at Block Thirty Seven in the Loop to grab your... themariapappas on October 25, 2024: "Great news, everyone! The wait is finally over… my new 2025 calendar is here! 📅 📍Head over to Akira at Block Thirty Seven in the Loop to grab your copy while sup...

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Please tell me you know about the Maria Pappas calendar

Ultimately there's 3 key things on this decision.

1) Shōta at 1/$22M is fine. Solid deal. Not going to hurt you.
2) Don't love how this potentially narrows the path to improve in the rotation.
3) Big ? now is budget. Hoping even offering the QO is Jed telling us it's healthy.

There’s really no must adds for me today for the Cubs on rule 5 deadline day.

I see arguments for Pedro Ramirez, James Triantos and Riley Martin. I’m sure at least one will make the cut because of the sheer 40-man space the Cubs have.

But I’m not banging the table for any.

Owen Caissie and Jonathon Long for Edward Cabrera seems fair

These are the unquestioned goat of the Oreos. @funkycoldluis.bsky.social knows…

If the Cubs are looking for a really quality lefty masher and bench OF depth, Austin Hays would be a tremendous fit.

.319/.400/.549 (155 wRC+) vs LHP last year and .282/.340/.479 (124 wRC+) for his career.

Listen. If you want bitching and moaning, other people are better follows. If you want a laundry list of middling relievers put together by a sicko, I'm your guy.

One of the low cost relievers I'm going to be hyping this off-season for the Cubs once again is Ryne Stanek.

Think there's a far better reliever in there if he just throws his 98mph fastball less. I call it "The Kyle Finnegan Dilemma."

Scrap the sweeper. More splits. More sliders. Fewer fastballs.

Now THAT is some luxuriant hair