Kolek planning to go pro
Lackey to the Cubs. 2 years. ~32mil
Will it be worth watching to see what the cards do with the cubs draft pick? Could be interesting. Lackey looks like a hreat fit at what actually seems to be a cheap rate. Which is crazy to say about 16 mil per year. Greinke, wow. Every report was dodgers or giants. I think this puts some serious parity in that division. Just crazy money though
I assumed the Cubs wouldn't be in on guys like Greinke and Price one year after signing Lester and after seeing both of those contracts I have no issue with that. Lackey will probably regress a bit but hopefully can be an effective #3. I do love that it is only for two years, which should give them some flexibility. The Cubs lose their first round pick but the Cards don't actually get the Cubs pick at that spot - they just got a compensation pick, which they would have gotten anyway regardless of where Lackey signed. Plus the Cubs will recoup a pick when Fowler likely signs elsewhere. I am stunned that Greinke signed with the DBacks. LA, SF, and St. Louis all need pitching - very interested to see how it plays out.
Cubs get Zobrist 4/56. They also trade castro, who apparently didn't have much trade value; Adam warren and Brendan Ryan.
Castro traded to make room for Zobrist and save $ to allow for other moves. Warren is an underrated piece, IMO.
He has value sure, but he is a swingman reliever. Maybe he breaks out at 29 and fits into the rotation or the back of a bullpen, but swingman is where he has flourished. Trading Castro (26) at 8 mil per year for Zobrist (35) at 14 mil per year is a bit of an interesting challenge trade. Obviously the Cubs think Castro's best days are behind him. Zobrist has averaged .274/.356/.413 (35 2b, 2 3b, and 12 hr) the last 3 seasons. It isn't hard to imagine Castro surpassing those XBH numbers. Castro is .265/.305/.383 (30/2/12) over the same period. But one player is leaving his prime behind, as the other is approaching his. Zobrist obviously brings better D, and better intangibles. It will be interesting to see it play out. You can count me in the camp that believes this makes the Cubs better next year and the year after. Not sure after that. They are attacking that playoff window, which is all you can ask. Though, I can't believe more Cub fans aren't really ticked. I can't even tell you how many times heard talk about how Castro is destined for the HOF.
I don't love the moves but I completely understand them.
Castro is a sheer money and player dump. The guy was unmovable and on waivers last season.
Sort of...the money doesn't matter. they needed to clear space for Zobrist, and got some needed bullpen help,in return. More about Zobrist though. Needed him to provide some desperately needed defensive help and lineup flexibility. He'll play everyday and help minimize the defensive shortcomings that lineup was facing by having the likes of Bryant, Schwarber, Soler all in there together. Theyre still likley to sign a FA OFer, and trade for a SP. I still think a good chance Soler or Baez are moved for an upper half of the rotation SP. lackey helps, but rotation depth is still lacking.
Though, I can't believe more Cub fans aren't really ticked. I can't even tell you how many times heard talk about how Castro is destined for the HOF.
Who the hell has thought that? Castro is what he is, a talented hitter who gets hot and makes up for his lazy deficiencies elsewhere. I loved this year when he'd get on a run just when everyone was getting sick of his lack of production, but he's superflous as people have said. I know more people that hated Castro than thought he was the second coming. Maybe when he came up. He showed so much promise.I will miss his walk up music. Not enough fire emojis to accurately describe it.
Were you around after his 200 hit season (age 21)? It was all the rage to talk about him as a future HOFer. I believe B&B spent a great deal of time talking about it on the Score. I remember the conversation well because that is just about when I decided that I was done listening to those clowns.