The middle of the two sides with Arrieta and the Cubs is ~$10 million, which is the most likely scenario. At worst it's an extra $3 million than expected, which I don't think is enough to hold up a possible deal. The bigger problem with the Cubs is opening up a spot for Fowler, not paying him. My guess is they wanted to trade Soler, but don't like the offers out there and don't want to sell low on him.

What do you mean the middle is the most likely scenario? I thought if it went to arbitration they have to either go with the player's ask or the team's ask. If so, we're talking about a $5M to $6M gap, which is a sizable chunk of change. I really don't think the Cubs have enough money to add a guy like Fowler unless they win the arbitration hearing and even then I think it's a stretch financially.

Soler isn't the guy the cubs need to trade, its Coghlan. We all know that Soler is horrible in RF so a Fowler signing gives the cubs a switch hitter in CF, Heyward's LHB in RF and Soler's RHB platooing LF with Schwarber's LHB. Coghlan and his LHB should be the odd man out. Now, finding a trade for Cophlan is another story.

 

Imo, the cubs are waiting to see what happens with Arrieta and hoping Fowler will sign a one year deal while advocating to him the benefits of re-entering FA next year in a thinner talent pool of outfielders. Just a guess on my part.

 

 

I'd actually really like to have Coghlan on the Sox. Petricka for Coghlan. Done.

What do you mean the middle is the most likely scenario? I thought if it went to arbitration they have to either go with the player's ask or the team's ask. If so, we're talking about a $5M to $6M gap, which is a sizable chunk of change. I really don't think the Cubs have enough money to add a guy like Fowler unless they win the arbitration hearing and even then I think it's a stretch financially.

 

The expectation is that they settle somewhere in the middle before the hearing.

Another possibility could be that Fowler is waiting to see if Angels are able to unload Wilson's contract.

Another possibility could be that Fowler is waiting to see if Angels are able to unload Wilson's contract.

I think the reality is the offers are not really in the amount he is looking for. If he's waiting for the Angels to unload CJ Wilson's contract, he might as well announce his retirement.

Edited February 5, 201610 yr by Dick Allen

If you look at who the Cubs are trying to sell on, I think they realize that both Baez and Soler are more hype than substance and they are trying to sell on them as quick as possible before their market collapses.

It's possible their markets have collapsed already. If Baez was all that, then why sign Zobrist? I'm thinking teams have wondered the same thing.

 

IMO, as for Soler, the cubs were stung badly by the Miller trade. Before AZ jumped into the mix, there was alot of buzz going on about a potential deal centered around Miller for Soler+. Once AZ put Inciarte on the table it was over for the cubs. The cubs can still put Soler in LF with Schwarber so its not the worst situation but Cophlan really should be the guy they trade, which is probably doubtful this late in the off season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If I had to guess, it is all about money.

 

And the money might not be there from the Sox because they don't think he'd be a good fit.

For real though pitchers and catcher report in two weeks. This needs to get done.

It's possible their markets have collapsed already. If Baez was all that, then why sign Zobrist? I'm thinking teams have wondered the same thing.

 

IMO, as for Soler, the cubs were stung badly by the Miller trade. Before AZ jumped into the mix, there was alot of buzz going on about a potential deal centered around Miller for Soler+. Once AZ put Inciarte on the table it was over for the cubs. The cubs can still put Soler in LF with Schwarber so its not the worst situation but Cophlan really should be the guy they trade, which is probably doubtful this late in the off season.

 

I think to some extent they have definately saw their markets decline. I think two years ago they could have been moved as centerpieces. Now? Nope.

Was the title just recently changed to Sox or Cubs for Fowler? When has it been reported that it is down to two teams? Did I miss something?

Was the title just recently changed to Sox or Cubs for Fowler? When has it been reported that it is down to two teams? Did I miss something?

 

It wasn't changed. It was reported in the first post of this thread, I want to say about week ago or so.

Cubs currently have 150M committed to 18 players. Add five league minimum players and that total comes to 152.5M for 23 players. That leaves the cubs with 26.5M to sign Arrieta and Fowler while staying under the luxury tax threshold. The cubs and Arrieta aren't going to take the chance of actually going to arbitration because one side is going to get screwed. They will meet each other half way and make a deal, probably 10-11M. That leaves 15-16M to sign Fowler.

 

The cubs have the money to sign Fowler and I'm guessing they do once they come to an agreement with Arrieta. Fow!er re-signing with the Cubs for a one year deal has its merits for both sides. The cubs can afford a little extra splurge this year knowing they will have Edwin Jackson's salary off the books after '16.

Cubs currently have 150M committed to 18 players. Add five league minimum players and that total comes to 152.5M for 23 players. That leaves the cubs with 26.5M to sign Arrieta and Fowler while staying under the luxury tax threshold. The cubs and Arrieta aren't going to take the chance of actually going to arbitration because one side is going to get screwed. They will meet each other half way and make a deal, probably 10-11M. That leaves 15-16M to sign Fowler.

 

The cubs have the money to sign Fowler and I'm guessing they do once they come to an agreement with Arrieta. Fow!er re-signing with the Cubs for a one year deal has its merits for both sides. The cubs can afford a little extra splurge this year knowing they will have Edwin Jackson's salary off the books after '16.

 

And Hammel will be off too. He's making what $10 mill?

I think to some extent they have definately saw their markets decline. I think two years ago they could have been moved as centerpieces. Now? Nope.

No doubt. If the cubs would have even thought of trading either, cub fans would have fudged their Huggies! A cub fan I worked with a few years ago was always talking about Soler, Baez, Almora and Bryant.

No doubt. If the cubs would have even thought of trading either, cub fans would have fudged their Huggies! A cub fan I worked with a few years ago was always talking about Soler, Baez, Almora and Bryant.

 

That was the mantra for years.

It wasn't changed. It was reported in the first post of this thread, I want to say about week ago or so.

 

Damn, I guess I have been away from ST this past week.

Cubs currently have 150M committed to 18 players. Add five league minimum players and that total comes to 152.5M for 23 players. That leaves the cubs with 26.5M to sign Arrieta and Fowler while staying under the luxury tax threshold. The cubs and Arrieta aren't going to take the chance of actually going to arbitration because one side is going to get screwed. They will meet each other half way and make a deal, probably 10-11M. That leaves 15-16M to sign Fowler.

 

The cubs have the money to sign Fowler and I'm guessing they do once they come to an agreement with Arrieta. Fow!er re-signing with the Cubs for a one year deal has its merits for both sides. The cubs can afford a little extra splurge this year knowing they will have Edwin Jackson's salary off the books after '16.

 

 

Where would he play though? They aren't going to platoon Schwarber with someone. They aren't going to platoon Fowler after giving him $$ either. I think the Cubs are out on Fowler. The White Sox have a price that they'd pay for Fowler with the pick attached and Fowler obviously isn't ready to sign for that amount yet.

Edited February 5, 201610 yr by Y2JImmy0

And Hammel will be off too. He's making what $10 mill?

Good call on Hamel. He makes 9M this year with a '17 option for 10M with a 2M buyout. So if the cubs could save an additional 8M next year if they buyout Hamel. I doubt they buy him out though, 10M is pretty cheap for what he gives the cubs.

Cubs currently have 150M committed to 18 players. Add five league minimum players and that total comes to 152.5M for 23 players. That leaves the cubs with 26.5M to sign Arrieta and Fowler while staying under the luxury tax threshold. The cubs and Arrieta aren't going to take the chance of actually going to arbitration because one side is going to get screwed. They will meet each other half way and make a deal, probably 10-11M. That leaves 15-16M to sign Fowler.

 

The cubs have the money to sign Fowler and I'm guessing they do once they come to an agreement with Arrieta. Fow!er re-signing with the Cubs for a one year deal has its merits for both sides. The cubs can afford a little extra splurge this year knowing they will have Edwin Jackson's salary off the books after '16.

 

From everything they've said, they've spent all the money they have available. Also, I really don't think they want to slow the development of Soler/Schwarber by platooning them.

Where would he play though? They aren't going to platoon Schwarber with someone. They aren't going to platoon Fowler after giving him $$ either. I think the Cubs are out on Fowler. The White Sox have a price that they'd pay for Fowler with the pick attached and Fowler obviously isn't ready to sign for that amount yet.

 

Not to mention Baez, who is expected to split time in the OF & IF.

 

They are full right now & unless they deal Soler, I can't see Fowler becoming a thing.

Good call on Hamel. He makes 9M this year with a '17 option for 10M with a 2M buyout. So if the cubs could save an additional 8M next year if they buyout Hamel. I doubt they buy him out though, 10M is pretty cheap for what he gives the cubs.

Theo needs the DH. No way they bring back Fowler without a trade. They have Soler, and now Baez playing the OF with Schwarber and Heyward. They don't have a spot for Fowler. Even Cubby boy Kaplan knows the Cubs are out. Tried to use the Rangers as the Sox competition, but they aren't adding payroll either apparently. Hahn isn't going to bid against himself. Fowler needs someone to get injured or he is probably going to have to settle for something a lot lower than he was figuring.

Cubs have nothing to gain by signing Fowler. If they had traded Soler for pitching it wouldve made sense, but I really think that ship has sailed.

Austin Jackson makes way more sense for the Cubs. Better defense and can still get the comp pick when Fowler goes elsewhere (while being way cheaper)

Austin Jackson makes way more sense for the Cubs. Better defense and can still get the comp pick when Fowler goes elsewhere (while being way cheaper)

 

Same reasons why he makes more sense to the Sox too.

Austin Jackson makes way more sense for the Cubs. Better defense and can still get the comp pick when Fowler goes elsewhere (while being way cheaper)

 

 

I'm not sure how cheap he'll be though with Boras representing him. They really don't need another OF. Their bench has a backup C, Baez who will play OF/IF, LaStella, and Coghlan already.