SonofaRoache

We knew about Manny and Wheeler. And we kind of knew Grandal was a target.

Fair point. But it buys them time to see how Cease, Dunning, and Kopech develop. And Bauer said he wants a 1 year deal. So theoretically if that is true and you want a chance at a title next year, you sign him for one year and revisit later.

I don't think he will, but he has said he could. So 1 to 3 years is an option, maybe not a very likely one, but an option nonetheless.

Get your TV on to not miss out, they start today.

Bauer may be open to a shorter deal between 1 and 3 years. And the Sox offered Wheeler 125 last year. The offered Manny 250.

Winter meetings hasn't even started and we've reached this point. I'm not throwing in the towel yet on Bauer. If we don't get Bauer or Springer we'd be leaving a big opportunity on the table. Other teams will get better in the AL. We need to continously make smart decisions to stay at the top.

Yep. I hope they really go after Bauer at least.

Good morning.

Then why do players go to the highest bidder then? Why does the MLBPA want guys to take the highest offer?

I hear what you are saying but 7 million isn't chump change to be discarded if you aren't a trillionaire. I actually think Wheeler wanted to stay in the NL to be honest to avoid being exposed. Having a chance to pitch against guys he knows and the pitcher was worth more to him in the long run. I don't buy the girlfriend story.

If this is true, why does everyone constantly say players will go to the highest bidder?

7 million is 7 million. That was his first big time contract.

Closer to his girlfriend's family. And we are talking about 7 million dollars, not 30 or 40 grand. If his decision was to be close to her family then his negotiations with us were probably to raise the Phillies offer, not to actually play for us.

I think their fans are wrong too. All you can ask for in baseball is to have a decent chance at a championship. The Cubs have been just that for the last six years. Especially when you consider they had almost nothing for 100 years. Kris Bryant has been hurt. Baez had one down year. Contreras is still good. Rizzoli is still good. Nico will be solid for them. They have Yu and Hendricks Frontline their rotation. Their problem was that Heyward contract and Torres trade. It prevented them from being able to shore up the pitching and bullpen. At this point they could still field a competitive team in that division for another few years.

Yeah I agree with this. Having Joc platoon with Engel would be better than what we had, but Joc has been on the market for a reason the last few years. IF he is inconsistent here than we are back to being bad at the position offensively. I'd be okay with this gamble if we sign Bauer. But we better have a plan to acquire a solid RF if it doesn't work.

Like the Cubs? Would you be upset with three straight ALCS appearances and a title in the next three years? Followed by more playoff appearances and chances at a title?

It ain't petty my friend. If they won't be happy here than we don't want them. And if they turned down 7 million to not be here, they probably won't be happy. Not to mention we would have to add good prospects to get him.

Eff Wheeler. We offered him an extra 7 million and he turned us down so that his wi.... girlfriend could be closer to her sister.. Let him get traded to the Angels to really piss her off.

According to ESPN Zach Wheeler may be on the trade block. Wonder how his wife feels about this.

That's a great write up. Thank you. I am just concerned that Joc is the type to get here and be my dad. It's scary.

I'll believe it when I see it. Things probably won't pick up for a few more weeks.

Does anyone know what length of deal Bauer wants? I remember people saying he wanted one or two year deals. I'm assuming this may have changed after winning the CY Young.

If Tanaka is healthy, he can be a solid number two guy. If we don't get Bauer, we still need another number 2 guy, so I'd be okay rolling the dice there.

He won't get the same deal and may even get a one or 2 year deal. But if his medicals clear and I believe his arm is or will be healthy, I'm okay with it. His deal would need to be three years with a fourth year option so that his contract could end at the same time we have to start paying our core.

I'm signing Paxton/Tanaka and trying to trade for Lynn. I just need a year or two out of these guys to buy me time to see if Kopech and Cease have it.