I understand the value aspect but you have to pitch to win playoff gashes. The Cubs might have one starter, if this is legit from Arrieta. Cubs have money to spend, so maybe overpaying a pitcher you airway have might not be a bad idea.

 

I could see them signing Lester and trading for David Price

The sox have lots of trade chips though. It's not like they don't have a chance to add.

 

I was surprised by the value that Viciedo supposedly has from that article today.

I'd definitely rather Addison Russell and the other valuable pieces than Samardzija/Hammel on talent-appropriate extensions

Not to mention they have a chance to get him back when he's a FA. Highly unlikely Beane resigns him.

I could see them signing Lester and trading for David Price

 

I don't. They don't have money and have show no desire for major league talent. Why trade Samardzija and then trade David Price? Price is obviously better, but the marginal gain isn't enough to justify all the effort.

I don't. They don't have money and have show no desire for major league talent. Why trade Samardzija and then trade David Price? Price is obviously better, but the marginal gain isn't enough to justify all the effort.

 

Samardzija told them he wanted to test the market, so they knew they had to deal him. Everything I have read says they will start going after major guys like Lester this offseason.

I understand the value aspect but you have to pitch to win playoff gashes. The Cubs might have one starter, if this is legit from Arrieta. Cubs have money to spend, so maybe overpaying a pitcher you airway have might not be a bad idea.

I don't agree they have money to spend. The owners are broke and are begging for city money to fix their stadium. The team is highly leveraged already.

Samardzija told them he wanted to test the market, so they knew they had to deal him. Everything I have read says they will start going after major guys like Lester this offseason.

He's going to get major money in the offseason.

I understand the value aspect but you have to pitch to win playoff gashes. The Cubs might have one starter, if this is legit from Arrieta. Cubs have money to spend, so maybe overpaying a pitcher you airway have might not be a bad idea.

As I said earlier, currency is currency. If even half of their terrific hitting prospects continue to perform as they should/have been doing, they'll have pieces left over to trade for pitching. Not to mention almost their whole roster will be on league minimum/arb, leaving them to go wild in free agency. Hell, what's to stop them going after Samardzija in 2015 when they're actually ready to contend and now have Addison Russell and co in return for letting him out for a year and a half and getting higher draft picks as a result.

Think on the bright side....at least they didn't draft Rodon.

The sox have lots of trade chips though. It's not like they don't have a chance to add.

But not chips as valuable as last years chips. Less chance to get players who are more talented.

Samardzija told them he wanted to test the market, so they knew they had to deal him. Everything I have read says they will start going after major guys like Lester this offseason.

 

I'd rather have Samardzija than Lester

Think on the bright side....at least they didn't draft Rodon.

I'll feel much better when he signs on the dotted line.

But not chips as valuable as last years chips. Less chance to get players who are more talented.

We don't have as many holes either. The Sox are in pretty good shape and also will have money to spend.

Think on the bright side....at least they didn't draft Rodon.

I'd still take Rodon now but there's a non-zero chance that with Schwarber and their prep overslots that they get more value

As I said earlier, currency is currency. If even half of their terrific hitting prospects continue to perform as they should/have been doing, they'll have pieces left over to trade for pitching. Not to mention almost their whole roster will be on league minimum/arb, leaving them to go wild in free agency. Hell, what's to stop them going after Samardzija in 2015 when they're actually ready to contend and now have Addison Russell and co in return for letting him out for a year and a half and getting higher draft picks as a result.

 

That makes sense, just seems risky. How many FA pitchers have you seen completely fail?

That makes sense, just seems risky. How many FA pitchers have you seen completely fail?

I think the Cubs scouting department has earned some trust in terms of their evaluation of players, and Theo/Jed in terms of player procurement

Cubs have made a lot of good moves. This is another one of them. For as bad a team as they've been, they always seem to have starting pitchers to flip, and those guys always bring back at least some interesting prospects.

I think the Cubs scouting department has earned some trust in terms of their evaluation of players, and Theo/Jed in terms of player procurement

 

The Edwin Jackson deal is solid.

 

I get what you are saying, but when it comes time to compete you can't depend on finding a diamond in the rough.

I don't agree they have money to spend. The owners are broke and are begging for city money to fix their stadium. The team is highly leveraged already.

 

 

They do have one thing the SOx don't. A fanbase that will actually go out and pay to watch them play, especially with any sign of being good. Even now the Sox are a better team and the Cubs draw more and are charging higher ticket prices.

 

 

Bob

They do have one thing the SOx don't. A fanbase that will actually go out and pay to watch them play, especially with any sign of being good. Even now the Sox are a better team and the Cubs draw more and are charging higher ticket prices.

 

 

Bob

Well, I think you mean a broker base that will pay for tickets but that's true.

They do have one thing the SOx don't. A fanbase that will actually go out and pay to watch them play, especially with any sign of being good. Even now the Sox are a better team and the Cubs draw more and are charging higher ticket prices.

 

 

Bob

 

This can't be overstated. There's really no mystery to it. If every team could simply take every decent major league player they had and "flip them" at the deadline, they'd have a lot of good prospects, too -- and an awful lot of high draft picks as well. Then add the minor league players that Hendry signed before he left (for which he'll never receive credit because the media is TheoJed brainwashed) -- guys like Baez and Alcantara -- give it 3 years and . . . yes, you have a deep farm system. But that only happens when you can still draw, and they can.

Fantastic deal for Jed and Theo.

I disagree. It really risky trading away MLB pitching for hitting suspects no matter how good they may be. It's probably a good deal when you need to factor in how they will acquire any pitching.

 

Although they will get the best pitcher in next year's draft now

The sox have lots of trade chips though. It's not like they don't have a chance to add.

 

Who exactly? Viciedo, De Aza, Danks, Alexei, Dunn, Gillaspie, Belisario, Lindstrom (when healthy). That's all I got.

It is a great return but I think the Cubs would be better off paying Samardzija. When you want to compete you can't keep banking on finding the next Scott Feldman or Jason Hammel.

 

That's just it. Are they going get a pitcher that is better than Smarj? Then they are setting their rebuild back two to three more years.

Who exactly? Viciedo, De Aza, Danks, Alexei, Dunn, Gillaspie, Belisario, Lindstrom (when healthy). That's all I got.

Well, that's a lot. You can add Beckham and probably Petricka and Putnam too.

Alexei must be put front and center.