JotCast | Cubs Offseason Chat With Tim Dierkes

Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page

Tim Dierkes

1:36

I think if Ricketts keeps the payroll around the first CBT threshold (237 mil), Stro opts in, and the team were to successfully sign Yamamoto, I could see them shopping around Stro to dump the salary.

Henry Rowengartner

1:36

Better bleachers spot, left field or right field?

Tim Dierkes

1:36

This is how you know I'm not a good Cubs fan. I hate sitting in the bleachers. I hate not having a reserved seat or a back on my seat. Just not my jam.

CeramisWettBuTT

1:37

Matsui a legit closer and what is the projected contract if u had to make a guess rn????

Tim Dierkes

1:38

We have been researching Yuki Matsui lately. The thing is he's like Tim Collins-level small. 5'8", 167 lbs according to B-Ref. It's not a size at which guys succeed in MLB.

Nonetheless I think he could maybe snag a 2/16 type of contract. Need to do some more homework there

1:38

Touching on Happ, do you think the extension was a good decision? I'm not sure it was. For example, I'd have liked the Cubs to be in on Jung-hoo Lee, but I'm not sure I see that happening with Happ settled in for the next few years.

Tim Dierkes

1:39

I can't lie: I liked the value at the time. He'd have gotten more than three years in free agency for sure. I think Happ is a fine complementary piece.

Jose Altuve

1:40

Excuse me??????

Tim Dierkes

1:40

Haha good point, I should've said pitchers have rarely succeeded at this size anytime recently.

Guards Fan

1:41

I read all the chats and some of these guys here need to lighten up. They now this is numbers based opinions, educated guesses and not facts. The Cubs will sign at least one guy that hasn't been mentioned in here at all, like all the other teams.

Tim Dierkes

1:41

Well, yeah. That's what makes the hot stove season so fun! Although I don't think the Cubs' 2022-23 offseason had any real surprises.

Butch

1:41

In all due respect Tim, but I really don’t think that you have a close handle on Cubs baseball. 1) Morel hasn’t shown any indication he is, or will be able to play 3B. And 2), the Cubs would never consider trading Cade Horton.

Tim Dierkes

1:43

Morel has played 180 2/3 innings at 3B, so I'd argue that he hasn't really been given much of a chance. And I think I've been clear that the team would need to focus on 3B only and put major effort into working with him all offseason. If that happens, you run him out for 2-3 months at 3B and he's terrible, then sure, you've established he is not able to play 3B.

Also I know I said only PCA is likely off-limits, but yeah, generally agree with the point that the Cubs aren't gonna trade their best pitching prospect. Not really a groundbreaking take

Guest

1:44

what are your thoughts on Blake Snell. I feel he would do great in chi town

Tim Dierkes

1:44

He seems like a free agent landmine. I could see it costing $200MM

Owen

1:44

Outside of Chapman/Candelario and converting Morel, are there any trade candidates for 3B you can envision?

Tim Dierkes

1:45

Eugenio Suarez, Yoan Moncada, DJ LeMahieu?

Ivy Caretaker

1:46

Who are some realistic extensions candidates for the Cubbies?

Tim Dierkes

1:46

PCA would be an interesting one. If you take a leap there it could really pay off if he succeeds.

1:47

Steele is the more obvious pick.

Unclemike

1:47

I agree with you that Morel needs to go to AZ and 500 ground balls a day until Spring training and let him play. I'm in the minority it seems that think he can do it. If not Morel then can Shaw play there/

Tim Dierkes

1:48

From what I've read Shaw's arm could be weak for 3B. And he only has 15 games at Double A so I don't think you can count on him for 2024.

Cubs4EZVA

1:48

Chances and cost of Cubs trading for Juan Soto?

Tim Dierkes

1:50

I think Alonso is the better fit. It'd be less than ideal to get Soto and move Happ to CF, or get Soto and tell him he's now a DH in his contract year. I suppose you could move Happ to DH or try to kind of rotate guys in.

1:51

This is where I think Cade Horton comes in. The Padres would at least be trying for him. Otherwise I guess the Cubs could try to base something on young position players, I have no idea the Padres' appetite for any of that

My Name

1:51

Don't you think Happ, as well as maybe Morel, would be part of any deal for Soto?

Tim Dierkes

1:52

Generally if you're moving Soto to save the $33MM, you shouldn't take back Happ's $20MM. Morel, yes I would think he'd be part of a deal.

Nightmare Scenario

1:52

Flipping things on their head for a moment here, what's the quickest path to failure for the Cubs in 2024? What has to go wrong for them to have a 2023 Cardinals-type of year?

Tim Dierkes

1:53

This is where I may be accused of more pessimism, but the first thing I think of on that question is a major downturn for Justin Steele, most likely an injury. Obv not rooting for that

Juan Soto

1:53

I used to take ground balls at first base when I was with the Nationals. Could it possibly help my marketability if I demonstrate I can play a little first base, too?

Tim Dierkes

1:54

Interesting point. Yeah, that definitely helps and a willingness to play there a la Bryce could only be viewed as a positive

Catalina Club

1:54

Some of your readers forget that Happ has a no-trade as part of his deal.

Tim Dierkes

1:54

That was a kind way to put it, because I forgot it too! Good point though

I just don't think in general that the Cubs extended Happ to trade him 7-8 months later

Butch

1:55

Madrigal for Moncada, who says no?

Tim Dierkes

1:55

If there aren't a good number of dollars coming to the north side, Cubs say no

Dale

1:55

Do you like Morel as a hitter? Seems like the second coming of Javy Baez to me with maybe just a touch more plate discipline.

Tim Dierkes

1:57

I like him, he's fun to watch. But yeah, guys who strike out 30% of the time seem to have a ceiling on how good of a hitter they can be. From 2021-22 only three qualified hitters had a 30%+ K rate, and all had a 109 wRC+ or worse.

Connecting…