poppysox

Cub fans still love Kimbrel. We could probably get Madrigal ++if we would pony up 8 million toward Kimbrel's salary. Just for the record....I'm not joking.

I agree. These 150 inning pitchers have become acceptable in today's baseball.

Anyone can be traded for the right price of course. As a general rule, I am not in favor of trading our high 1st round draft picks. Madrigal was quite enough to last me for a while.

Yep.

My current thinking is to pair Sheets and Vaughn. They need to play somewhere and RF makes the most sense. Spend resources on 2nd base and a reserve defensive catcher. Of course...pitching is always on the shopping list.

Ouch!

Now I'm getting excited. Sounds like a lot of great stuff going on. Um...what did he just say?

I agree with you. Good post.

The one thing we don't need is another DH. We need an RF, 2nd baseman, backup defensive-minded catcher, and more pitching depth IMO.

These forums have sure gotten classy. I was expecting to go the whole offseason without hearing about Pythagorean expectations.

I'm shocked...someone has figured out a way to extort cash out of someone with deep pockets.

Yep!

I agree with you...and to be honest...I think there is a good chance. JR is aware that he won't live forever. Getting his house in order is job #1 at this point.

That would be a terrible overpay IMO.

Jerry could spend $200 million at the drop of a hat. He just doesn't think it's good business. I agree. Now when we get our new mega-rich owner that only cares about winning... we can pay the penalty tax etc. I don't think that is all that far off.

Jerry is correct IMO. Those 10-year commitments become backbreakers for the teams that give them. Teams do need to manage their budgets just like real people.

Good suggestion. Just read up on him and he sounds perfect.

Makes sense.

So...who is the best defensive catcher available this off-season?

No one said Abreu is all washed up. He has produced very well overall. Three rbi's in four games of playoff baseball is not all that impressive IMO. His rbi totals are a result of the high OBP guys in front of him as well as his personal abilities. Age will slowly lessen his abilities as it did Konerko and the fourth or fifth spot in the lineup is better suited IMO.

I am open to trading anyone for the right return. It's very easy to fall in love with your hometown favorites and wear blinders. A good example would be if the FO really thinks the low-cost of Burger could replace the high cost of Moncada...then trade Moncada from a position of strength. The low-budget teams do this all the time in order to survive and compete with the big spenders. Some teams like Tampa have excelled with this MO.

This is a well-thought-out and well-written post.

Eloy would probably get my vote. His final month of the season was really disappointing but I chalk it up to the long layoff. I am probably overreacting to Abreu and the DP problem. He has really seemly turned into a rally killer IMO.

He is not a problem now IMO. I do think it's time to move him down in the batting order, however.

How about Kimbrel and Hernandez for Madrigal.