JotCast | Cubs Offseason In Review Chat With Tim Dierkes

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Hosmer

9:16

Should Hosmer be the primary 1B or should we move on with a combination of Rios, Mancini, and Wisdom with Morel, Wisdom, and Madrigal at 3B?

Tim Dierkes

9:17

I'm not a fan of the Hosmer experiment. He just doesn't hit enough to be a regular 1B. Other than him costing the league minimum, why bother?

9:18

I'm not convinced Matt Mervis is a better hitter than Hosmer is in 2023, but at least he has more ceiling and you can dream on him.

Steve d

9:18

Do the cubs have a legitimate shot at the np central crown (>25%) in your opinion or is hope just springing eternal for me?

Tim Dierkes

9:18

>25%, no, I would not take that bet, not even close.

9:19

FanGraphs projects a 9.5% chance they make the playoffs. Seems reasonable enough

Over/Under: 9.5% chance of Cubs making playoffs

Over (58% | 83 votes)

Under (42% | 60 votes)

Total Votes: 143

9:20

This actually helped me notice that I made a big mistake in citing the Rangers' playoff chances in my Cubs post. Theirs is 34.5%; I accidentally looked at their chances of winning the WS (1.5%)

Eric Hosmer’s mom

9:21

With Matt Mervis’ struggles so far this pre-season, should Cubbie fans be all the more glad they got my boy at such a bargain?

Tim Dierkes

9:22

To be fair, if Hoz put up a 115 wRC+ for the Cubs after doing 103 over the last two seasons, that would not be a shocking outcome. It's not likely, but it's within the range of possibility

Tyler

9:22

A projected 4-5-6-7 of the order that is Mancini, Bellinger, Hosmer and Wisdom is really concerning to me. Should it be?

Tim Dierkes

9:23

That feels like four league average bats in a row.

MLBTR Fan

9:23

The Cubs seem to have a recent history of successfully pulling relievers out of nowhere that perform above average. Who is your favorite sleeper in the bullpen this year?

Tim Dierkes

9:23

I suppose Merryweather

Sammy

9:23

If belli rebounds in a big way will the cubs try to extend him or move him at the deadline?

Tim Dierkes

9:23

I think neither. Make him a QO after the season.

The Youth Movement

9:23

Mervis, Canario, and Brennan Davis by July 1st?

Tim Dierkes

9:25

I'll say yes to Mervis. Davis maybe, but someone would have to be hurt to get him regular playing time. Canario, similar. Both Davis and Canario need to prove health at Iowa as well.

Aaron

9:25

Good Morning! Even if the Cubs are middling around the deadline, can you see this year as an opportunity, considering the depth of the farm, to go out and get a pitcher with multiple years of control considering Stro’s pending opt out & the uncertainty of the rest of the staff?

Tim Dierkes

9:27

Yes, I could see that. Trying to come up with some potential names since the Brewers might not want to send any aces the Cubs' way.

Shane Bieber is one, but that would assume the Guardians being bad and the Cubs being good, which is a stretch.

9:29

If that were to happen, Cal Quantrill or Zach Plesac could also be fits. Maybe JT Brubaker?

La Familia Madrigal

9:29

Does Nick Madrigal finally break the mold and emerge as the next elite Cubs third baseman?

Tim Dierkes

9:29

No, elite 3Bs generally hit for power

Cubs Ace

9:29

Will the Cubs trade for an ace this season, or trade or sign an ace this next offseason? I can't see anyone on the current roster stepping up to fill that hole. Or do you think that's the Cubs' plan all along, to not go with an ace? Is it even necessary in today's age of baseball? THE QUESTIONS COMPOUND!!!

Tim Dierkes

9:30

Probably not a controversial thing to say, but, um...aces are good and playoff teams usually have one or two?

Perusing next winter's market...

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023-24-mlb-free-agents

9:31

Ace potential aside from Ohtani...

Giolito, Nola, Severino, Scherzer, Urias

This assumes Kershaw isn't really an option for the Cubs

9:32

Some really strong SPs out there, potentially, but if they have good healthy seasons the price tags will be enormous.

Vintage MadBum fan

9:32

Outside of his contract, what else would deter the Cubs from a potential trade for MadBum? I have a hard time believing the MadBum of old jumped out the window the moment he signed with Arizona. There's still bound to be a few good years left in the tank in the right situation, isn't there?

Tim Dierkes

9:33

Lot of mileage on the arm, and he was hit very hard in 2022.

9:34

He just doesn't miss bats anymore, although that's not really a velocity thing. A pitching analyst could tell you more about what changed and why he doesn't strike anyone out

If you want MadBum you might just wait until he's potentially released...

???

9:35

Can Bellinger be an all star if his exit velocity is fixed.

Tim Dierkes

9:36

He doesn't really have an exit velo problem. He has a contact problem, and doesn't draw walks like he used to.

Can the Cubs or a change of scenery fix what the Dodgers could not? I lean against, and think it's wise to lower expectations from the All-Star level.

9:38

That said Belli is a lot more likely than Hoz to have a nice year. Maybe there's something like Belli's 2018 season lurking in there? He's only 27, and he's in a lower-pressure environment.

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