JotCast | Cubs Offseason Chat With Tim Dierkes

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Clark the Cub

12:59

What kind of odds would you give the Cubs of signing Ohtani, especially knowing they were his only non-west coast finalist last time around? What kind of contract length do you think it will take, and will that scare the Cubs off?

Tim Dierkes

1:00

I'm not good with betting stuff, but I'd say less than a 10% chance. Being a finalist in 2017...I dunno. What's the argument for the Cubs over the Dodgers, Giants, or Mariners for example? We're around 12/528 on the contract

FA Landmines

1:00

Since running a successful baseball ops department is also about the moves you don't make, what free agency move(s) should the Cubs take care to avoid this winter?

Tim Dierkes

1:01

I think signing Blake Snell would be one to avoid.

Cole

1:01

I tend to agree that the Cubs will not have enough stomach to bring the heft needed to bring back Bellinger. So are we looking at an all-time bad trade deadline decision not to trade him? I was very much for keeping things together then, but now I just shutter thinking of the return we could've gotten with Ohtani not being traded.

Tim Dierkes

1:01

They were two wins from being in the playoffs, so I don't think it's fair to say they should've traded Belli.

Bret

1:01

Do you think Sammy Sosa will ever be welcomed back to the Cubs organization?

Tim Dierkes

1:02

Ricketts are really weird about Sammy. Seems petty to me, because I think Cubs fans want him welcomed back. I have no idea what they're thinking. Maybe different owners would welcome him.

1:03

Should the Cubs welcome Sammy Sosa back?

Yes (hop out of batter's box) (65.8% | 100 votes)

No (boombox smash) (34.2% | 52 votes)

Total Votes: 152

Bryce

1:03

Cubs signing a Sonny Gray type? Thoughts?

Tim Dierkes

1:03

I mean, it'd be fine, but Stroman basically is a Sonny Gray type. I don't know that a four-year deal to Sonny would be the best investment

Ryan J.

1:04

Can having Suzuki give the Cubs an advantage in luring Ohtani/Yamamoto?

Tim Dierkes

1:04

Bit skeptical Seiya could be a major factor in guys that will cost $500MM/$200MM respectively. But he's a nice ambassador if offers are in the same range as another team that does not have a Japanese player.

The Professor

1:05

in my opinion, picking up Kyle Hendricks option is a 100% no brainer, but Stroman opting in to final year of his contract complicates things - what say you?

Tim Dierkes

1:05

Gotta worry about Hendricks' health and whether the 88 mph stops working again, but at one year and $14.5 mil you gotta take it.

Joe

1:05

Hendricks deal gets restructured from the $16M option, right?

Tim Dierkes

1:06

If Kyle wants to give a discount I can see it, but I don't think he'd want to sell his 2025 for 12 mil right now or something. Mid-range SP, if he can further re-establish himself as that, now get 18-20 mil/year

Dan t

1:07

If marcus stroman opts in next year and cubs pickup hendricks option, can both be traded or no?

Tim Dierkes

1:07

Yes. So I do think if Stro stays and the Cubs want to be done with him, they could perhaps wiggle out of most of the commitment via trade.

Bret

1:07

What deal are you thinking Jeimer Candelario gets? He comes with offensive and defensive question marks, but outside of Ohtani & Bellinger, he does appear to be one of the top FA hitters, at least excluding the DH types.

Tim Dierkes

1:08

I put some too-low number on him and Steve and Anthony helped talk me up to about 4/70 there. Like you said, it's just such a thin market.

Jenkins

1:08

I expect Horton in the rotation by late May. But who showed he was more ready to be in a major-league rotation with his 2023 performance--Jordan Wicks or Javier Assad?

Tim Dierkes

1:10

I'm gonna be honest here. I don't see either as a viable rotation piece. I suppose I prefer Assad but these guys just don't miss enough bats.

Mike

1:10

Who are some realistic FA or trade bullpen options for the Cubs?

Tim Dierkes

1:12

Chris Stratton, Phil Maton, guys like that. Miguel Castro, Ryan Brasier. Whoever will sign for $5MM or less

Love the chats!

1:12

Yan Gomes coming back? Seems like a leader and hit pretty decently last season. If not, who could the Cubs target at catcher?

Tim Dierkes

1:13

I think Hoyer was pretty clear he's happy with the Gomes-Amaya tandem. So I think they'll use their resources elsewhere

Ricketts should check out that Sammy poll - 84% want him back! Easy PR win at Cubs Convention!

SouthpawJosh

1:13

Do the Cubs need a lockdown closer to help balance the ‘pen? Or do you think Alzolay claims that spot from ST onward?

Tim Dierkes

1:14

The biggest concern with Alzolay has to be health. Adding another arm of that caliber would be nice, if the Cubs are willing to spend 30 mil or whatever on a reliever.

Dan t

1:14

Free agents id like to see for cubs. Resign bellinger cause he can fill 2 positions of need cf 1b. C gomes cubs should pickup his option. Wouldnt mind resigning 3b candelario either. Phillies sp aaron nola be nice pickup. Maybe a trade foem

Tim Dierkes

1:15

None of this is unreasonable, except that the total of these contracts would seemingly push payroll beyond the Cubs' comfort level

Cubs Hot Stove

1:15

Will a legit Cub fan who runs a trade rumor site ever get us real inside Cubs info we dont already know?

Tim Dierkes

1:15

I'm not really following this, but I think it's an insult toward me? In which case, um...go for it anonymous guy?

Dale

1:16

For a Cubs fan, you seem pretty pessimistic on most fronts. You don't think we will spend money. You don't like our young pitchers. You don't think we will upgrade the bullpen. And then you wanna trade prospects for 1 year of Alonso. Give us some positivity.

Tim Dierkes

1:16

I described this in the White Sox chat, but my Cubs fandom is pretty uncaring and kind of distant, so I'm never gonna kind of be the cheerleader you might want.

1:17

But yes, I'm cynical toward the franchise by nature. Don't think they'll spend money based on what Ricketts has said and done recently. I like Cade Horton? Don't think Jed will spend big on the bullpen based on the team not doing that since Kimbrel.

I also don't know that I "want" the Cubs to trade for Alonso. I think it'd be interesting but I'm not really invested in them doing that

1:18

I have said before, and this might seem kinda sad, but I mostly just root for interesting things to happen

seamer

1:18

Is there a world where the Cubs figure out how to sign Bellinger and move Happ to 3B to resolve the OF logjam?

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