MLB Hot Stove 2019-20

[buckchuckler]

Arenado to the Cubs for Bryant + prospect in the 5-10 range.
Who says no?

I would think the Cubs would do that, I'm not sure about the Rockies.  A guy in the Cubs 5-10 doesn't move the needle that much, and Arenado is such a superior defender. 

There is also the possibility of having Arenado long term, while it seems like a solid bet that Bryant will try free agency.  I think Arenado has more value at this point in time than Bryant and a 5-10.  The wild card could be the status of the Arenado-Bridich relationship.

[buckchuckler]

Why would I carry on an adult conversation with someone with a child's intellect?

[Dish]

I think Bryant will be in the Cubs opening day lineup in 2020. I very much believe he'll be in another team's uniform on August 1st.

The rumblings of Bryant's dissatisfaction with the Cubs have been out there for a while. The Cubs know he won't agree to a new deal unless it was massive, and the Cubs don't intend to do that.

The underlining issue that gets touched on by the media some is that behind the scenes, the Cubs have real debt problems they are trying to work through. It doesn't mean they couldn't take on a big Bryant (or someone else) contract, they don't want to incur the additional luxury tax debt.

I still believe the Cubs will be sold in the next 5 years.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I think Bryant will be in the Cubs opening day lineup in 2020. I very much believe he'll be in another team's uniform on August 1st.

The rumblings of Bryant's dissatisfaction with the Cubs have been out there for a while. The Cubs know he won't agree to a new deal unless it was massive, and the Cubs don't intend to do that.

The underlining issue that gets touched on by the media some is that behind the scenes, the Cubs have real debt problems they are trying to work through. It doesn't mean they couldn't take on a big Bryant (or someone else) contract, they don't want to incur the additional luxury tax debt.

I still believe the Cubs will be sold in the next 5 years.

Curious why you think the Cubs will be sold? 

Are you referring to additional debt they took on to fund the renovations?

I just don't see a sale happening. 

[Dr. Blackheart]

In Dusty, We Busty!

That said, the Baker Family wines are pretty good.

[Dish]

Curious why you think the Cubs will be sold? 

Are you referring to additional debt they took on to fund the renovations?

I just don't see a sale happening.

Ricketts Family was never going to be long term owners. Their ownership has always been a real estate and media rights play.

They will sell the team and keep a majority stake in MSN, they'll sell the radio rights. They'll also be the biggest landlord in Wrigleyville.

I'm ultra confident within five years the Cubs will be sold. MSN was the final piece to get established.

[🏀]

Ricketts Family was never going to be long term owners. Their ownership has always been a real estate and media rights play.

They will sell the team and keep a majority stake in MSN, they'll sell the radio rights. They'll also be the biggest landlord in Wrigleyville.

I'm ultra confident within five years the Cubs will be sold. MSN was the final piece to get established.

Yep. The family has slowly been distancing themselves.

[JWags85]

Yep. The family has slowly been distancing themselves.

They won a WS, broke a curse, and successfully and tastefully renovated one of the most famous stadiums in the world.  I don't disagree with what everyone has said about it being a "short term" business play, but they've managed to accomplish more than many "committed" owners

[🏀]

They won a WS, broke a curse, and successfully and tastefully renovated one of the most famous stadiums in the world.  I don't disagree with what everyone has said about it being a "short term" business play, but they've managed to accomplish more than many "committed" owners

They've been great owners, but like Dish said, they aren't in it for the long term.

[buckchuckler]

The Reds have signed Pedro Stop.  1 yr/ 1.8 million.  Pretty low risk move, even if he never gets back to what he was before.  That's a decent price even if he is just a middle innings guy. 

[RushmoreAcademy]

Arenado to the Cubs for Bryant + prospect in the 5-10 range.
Who says no?

In a vacuum I like it.  As others mentioned, it's all about the finances.  Adding Arenado and only giving up Bryant puts them not only well into the luxury but also dangerously close to the second tier luxury threshold, which comes with an even steeper penalty. There's no way this would happen without CO eating at least some portion of it.
I tend to think, like Dish said, Bryant will be in the Cubs lineup day one.  However, there's so much sentiment coming out that this admin is really set on big changes . Should be an interesting couple fo weeks.

[buckchuckler]

In a vacuum I like it.  As others mentioned, it's all about the finances.  Adding Arenado and only giving up Bryant puts them not only well into the luxury but also dangerously close to the second tier luxury threshold, which comes with an even steeper penalty. There's no way this would happen without CO eating at least some portion of it.
I tend to think, like Dish said, Bryant will be in the Cubs lineup day one.  However, there's so much sentiment coming out that this admin is really set on big changes . Should be an interesting couple fo weeks.

https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/cubs/5-potential-kris-bryant-trade-packages-0#slide-1

Take it for what its worth, which isn't much.  But with this speculation at least, hard to see any of those deals being agreeable to both sides. 

[WI inferiority Complexes]

The Reds have signed Pedro Stop.  1 yr/ 1.8 million.  Pretty low risk move, even if he never gets back to what he was before.  That's a decent price even if he is just a middle innings guy.

I guess the beef was with Puig, (who is no longer on CIN), but I always find it interesting when a "villain" joins your team.

[🏀]

Would've kept Strop for that money. Bummer. Won't hear about his hat anymore though which is nice.

[RushmoreAcademy]

Would've kept Strop for that money. Bummer. Won't hear about his hat anymore though which is nice.

Yes. My 65 year old father and lifelong fan didn't like him solely because of that hat.

[buckchuckler]

Who knows what happens, but the rumors about Betts getting traded seem to be picking up steam, with the Dodgers and Padres both in on him.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Would've kept Strop for that money. Bummer. Won't hear about his hat anymore though which is nice.

One of the best Cubs relievers of all time.  I think he still has something left in the tank.  I'll miss you and your hat, Pedro. 

[Dr. Blackheart]

One of the best Cubs relievers of all time. 

Huh? 

[The Sultan]

This is an impressive effort.

http://signstealingscandal.com/

[buckchuckler]

This is an impressive effort.

http://signstealingscandal.com/

And keep in mind that only tracks the garbage can bangs.... Reportedly, the sign for fastballs was no sound.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Huh?

Do some research, Doc. 

Strop/Cubs All-Time Relief Rankings:

WAR: 5.7 (4th)
ERA: 2.90 (10th)
ERA-: 72 (8th)
K%: 28.1% (3rd)
AVG: .183 (3rd)

[Dr. Blackheart]

Do some research, Doc. 

Strop/Cubs All-Time Relief Rankings:

WAR: 5.7 (4th)
ERA: 2.90 (10th)
ERA-: 72 (8th)
K%: 28.1% (3rd)
AVG: .183 (3rd)

Highest save year 13, last season. Good middle reliever/set up guy? Yeah at times. All time great? Not close when you have Hall of Famers in front of him.

[WI inferiority Complexes]

Highest save year 13, last season.

I think that was '18; in '19 he had a very bad year.  I think Strop is "one of" the best Cubs relievers ever, but his decline in 2019 was very concerning.  He lost 2 MPH on his fastball from 18 to 19, (and is down 5 mph from his peak).

I wish him the best of luck.  Bruce Levine on The Score called him one of the best clubhouse presences ever.

[Dr. Blackheart]

I think that was '18; in '19 he had a very bad year.  I think Strop is "one of" the best Cubs relievers ever, but his decline in 2019 was very concerning.  He lost 2 MPH on his fastball from 18 to 19, (and is down 5 mph from his peak).

I wish him the best of luck.  Bruce Levine on The Score called him one of the best clubhouse presences ever.

Yep. Sorry. 10 last year, my bad. What a steal of a trade?

That said, Strop is not in the Big Lee and Sutter range of all timers. Phil Reagan was even better perhaps. I would even say Strop in his best years couldn't touch Marmol in his best years (and Marmol drove me crazy as a closer).

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Highest save year 13, last season. Good middle reliever/set up guy? Yeah at times. All time great? Not close when you have Hall of Famers in front of him.

Clearly not basing it on saves.  Nor am I saying he is anywhere near the class of Bruce Sutter or Lee Smith (16.1 and 14.9 fWAR respectively). 

He was however consistently excellent as a set up man for 5 straight years and is 4th all-time in fWAR of Cubs relievers.  Top 5 or top 10 in multiple other categories.  5 straight seasons with ERAs between 2.21 and 2.91, all but one of which were when the Cubs were playing meaningful baseball.  With the volatility of relief pitching that consistency is extremely impressive.

By all objective measures he is absolutely one of the Cubs best relievers of all time.