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Cubs Offseason Chat With Tim Dierkes
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Tim Dierkes
9:39
If you're all-in to win in '23 - which the Cubs may not be - you do a full court press on deGrom and/or Verlander.  It'd help if they first signed one of the shortstops plus another respected piece like Abreu.  I don't believe those two would be excited to pitch for the Cubs, but does two years and 100 mil get Verlander's attention?  I do think they'd have to go way over the top.
Guest
9:39
Do You see Happ getting an extension with the Cubs? If so what are the figures of the Deal?
Tim Dierkes
9:41
Kind of hard to figure out extension comps on the fly, but a 5+ service guy generally just needs to be paid like a free agent or 90% of that to get extended.  I could see Happ wanting four or five years (not including 2023) at $16-20MM per.  I don't expect the Cubs to do it.
SouthpawJosh
9:41
Why wouldn’t they give Franmil a shot at full time DH for a full season?
Tim Dierkes
9:42
They may think there's a better way to spend 6 mil.  There's always the chance of a pre-tender - make him an offer before the non-tender deadline, 4 mil or something.  But it may be that the Cubs saw all they needed to see of Franmil and don't think he's their best 2023 DH.
kj831
9:42
Do you agree the Cubs should be shopping for a 3rd baseman, 1st baseman and a Center fielder?  I think they have the other positions set for now.  Maybe a #1 starter and a back end reliever is something they need as well.
Tim Dierkes
9:43
If you read my article, yes I do.  That's...quite a few positions.  And your list should include a middle infielder since they only have one good one.
Duffy Scliff
9:43
Just wanted to say this is an absolutely great idea to do these team chats. You guys are always coming up with new things and it’s fantastic! Keep it up, Tim!
Manfred Man
9:43
Could the Cubs realistically acquire Ohtani?
Tim Dierkes
9:44
The availability question is not known.  If he were to be made available, they have the players to get it done.  But the Cubs would only have one year of him and they're too far from contention at present for that to make sense.
Jae
9:44
Nico is a top 3 defensive short stop in baseball. Does it make sense to move him off short, even for Turner?
Tim Dierkes
9:45
I'm not sure that's agreed-upon as his actual skill level defensively.  I do see your point - what if Nico is a better defensive SS than Trea or Xander?  The thing is, it's easier to get buy-in to move Nico, and in fact they already have it.
Andrew
9:45
Will Myers has had his fair share of injuries and he was overpaid on his contract extension; but he seems like a good rebound candidate that wouldn't break the bank and sure up 1B.  He is a real athletic defender & player option than Jose Abreu and younger as well.
Tim Dierkes
9:46
Myers is younger and more athletic, and also a markedly worse hitter than Abreu.  So it's a tradeoff
Austin
9:46
Sign Josh Bell
Tim Dierkes
9:46
I can see it, especially if Bell's poor second half depresses his asking price.
baseball gods laugh and laugh
9:46
What is the ETA of PCA?
Tim Dierkes
9:46
I think Pete Crow-Armstrong has a 2024 ETA.
Airmchair GM
9:47
I know earlier you said you’d rather predict the teams off-season moves… but what moves would you make in Jeds shoes, to become a true talent 85+ ? Specific names Tim, who are you going out to get ? Thanks for your time!
Tim Dierkes
9:48
I'm kind of a "it's not my money" guy, so my ideas would be kind of simple.  Just sign all of the best players.  Correa, Rodon, Verlander.  Maybe get Drury, Kiermaier, and about four solid relievers.
Cardinal fan
9:48
Rotation for 2023?  Stroman, Hendricks, Steele, FA, FA?
Tim Dierkes
9:49
Hendricks is in if he's healthy.  I'd expect two players from the outside, yes, although one could be Smyly.  They may find a place for Sampson.
JB
9:49
Tim, thanks for this chat.  I agree with you that this team in this market should never rebuild and I was thrilled to see the Cubs have the lowest attendance numbers in about 25 years.  Nothing will get Tom's attention faster than the fans bailing on this subpar team. I don't know why more people don't think this way.
Sasmith
9:49
The Cubs did finish the season on a 88ish win rate through the last couple months…do you think that was more playing free and easy or are they legitimate?  As I recall they did sweep the Mets and Phillies during this period.
Tim Dierkes
9:50
Weak opponents, no pressure, and some luck.  For example, beyond Stroman and Steele their rotation wasn't really worthy of its ERA.  Or at least, you wouldn't predict them to post sub-3 ERAs in 2023.  I haven't run numbers on the Cubs' true talent level but I think it's quite far from 90 wins.
Austin
9:50
Sign Josh Bell, Turner or Swanson SS/2B, Get a frontline SP. Isn't this a recipe for success next year? Let one of your three top prospects take over CF
Tim Dierkes
9:50
I'm not all that big on Bell or Swanson.  Swanson, in particular, has a bit in common with Javy Baez as a free agent.
Tom
9:51
How realistic is the following:  one of the big SS, a stopgap 1B (think Abreu or Rizzo), and a front-line starter?  I think if the Cubs can get those things, this team could win 85 or so games, which we've seen puts you squarely in the mix.
Tim Dierkes
9:51
Depends on how you define frontline starter.  If we assume Verlander, deGrom, and Rodon are off the table, and Bieber and Ohtani are not traded, who are you getting?  Frontline starters are, by definition, rare.
Tampa Rays
9:51
The Rays are notorious for shipping off players. Are there any players  (other than Kevin) that the Cubs might be interested in and able to acquire from the Rays?
Tim Dierkes
9:52
Most of the Rays' arb class is pretty cheap:
9:53
Guys like Choi and Yarbrough should be available, whether via trade or non-tender.
Also...I'd be wary of trading with the Rays.  They could easily get the best of the Cubs.
KMan
9:53
The best offensive "CF" available might be Duvall, right? Would love the bat, and Wrigley is a good center to hide a meh defender. He should be available,  correct?
Tim Dierkes
9:55
Well, he's 34 years old, was a lousy hitter this year, and he played fewer than 400 innings in center.  He is indeed available.
Randy Myers
9:55
Bryan Reynolds would sure look nice in a Cub uniform.
Tim Dierkes
9:55
Not sure they'd want to pay the prospect price if they feel good about their longer-term options.  But, Reynolds could also be a Happ replacement after this year, so there's some logic to it.
Brian Dayett
9:55
Whoever was talking about the Cubs somehow bringing back Javy Baez...please don't ever speak or type those words again!
Jae
9:55
What are the chances the Cubs go big at the back end? Edwin Diaz?
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