JotCast | Cubs Offseason In Review Chat With Tim Dierkes

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Steve C

9:38

Why is Hughes not being considered at all for the Cubs closer role when he did such a good job at the end of last year? The other candidates are not at all proven.

Tim Dierkes

9:38

Just the modern way of running bullpens, not managing to the save situation.

Curt

9:38

A ton would have to go right for the Cubs to compete with St Louis and Milwaukee this year. Even if that were to happen they are still nowhere close to SD/LA/NYM. And I feel like this is true for not only this year, but I don't even see that much hope on the horizon either. At least not enough to truly compete with the top teams. As a lifelong Cubs fan, what am I missing? There has be a silver lining here somewhere, right?

Tim Dierkes

9:39

Honestly I think this is a clear-headed analysis of the current situation. Something goes wrong with the two NL Central favorites, a lot goes right with the Cubs, OK, they're in the playoffs. Making a meaningful playoff run just does not seem likely even if they get there.

9:41

Baseball America ranked the Cubs' farm system 17th this offseason. It's not like they're the Orioles or D'Backs with multiple near-MLB stars on the horizon. They might have a dozen grade 50 prospects, but with varying timelines.

Walton Dilcox

9:41

After lots of complaints of not moving a 2016 player soon enough, what are the chances Hoerner or even Crow-Armstrong become available during or after 2023?

Tim Dierkes

9:42

Moving PCA, their best prospect, does not make sense. I guess in a year or two if no extension seems possible, they could consider trading Hoerner.

Cubbies Fan

9:43

Who's at first and third for the Cubs? Where does Mancini fit it? Full time DH? Part time 1B? Emergency OFer?

Tim Dierkes

9:44

Hosmer and Mancini get 1B, though Wisdom can play there as well. Rios and Wisdom take 3B, and McKinstry and Morel are also options there.

9:45

Mancini is needed in RF with Seiya out. If all three main OFs are healthy, and Hosmer is doing OK, Mancini is the primary DH. If Hosmer is doing poorly or gets hurt, Mancini could get more 1B time, pending how Mervis is playing at Triple-A.

So, Mancini is a guy the Cubs hope will hit for some power, and can move around as needed based on what happens with other players.

Peter

9:46

What’s your thoughts on just letting the kids play if we’re out of it by July. Just mass call ups.

Tim Dierkes

9:46

Yes, definitely. That would salvage things for some fans.

Jimbo

9:46

Although the star aspect of the farm system is not as prevalent, I think there has been robust debate about the farm system. Plus, many of them are going to make their debuts this year. The pitching in particular has been really impressive in the farm system if you ask me. I really like Alzolay as the closer this year. What do you think?

Tim Dierkes

9:48

Hard to make a lot of six appearances, but Alzolay was kind of intriguing last year as a reliever. Curious to see how that goes.

9:49

You're right that it's not at all set in stone that the Cubs' farm system actually is 17th. I'm sure the team would disagree with that. And if enough of those 50-55 grade guys reach the Majors and have some success, the 2024 outlook heads upward.

Lt Data

9:49

Well, look at the 2022 Phillies…Cubs could surprise despite having obvious flaws.

Tim Dierkes

9:50

I don't think the Cubs have Harper, Schwarber, Realmuto, Nola, Wheeler types in the organization for 2023. But you look at the 2021 Giants winning 107 games, and it's a good reminder that unexpected things happen and that's what makes baseball great.

Jed vs Tom

9:51

Jed "We will need a left-handed power bat next offseason especially if we lose Happ" Tom "Happ is the biggest left-handed bat out there." Jed "Especially if we lose Stroman, we will need a big starting pitcher to make up for Stro and Hendricks" Tom "Aces are expensive, why don't we just resign Stroman" Jed "Or we could take the 20 mil from Heyward, the 25 mil from Stroman, and 15 from either Hendricks or Bellinger and grab OHTANI!!"

Tim Dierkes

9:51

I'm curious to see what level of pitch the Cubs put on Ohtani next winter. I have no idea what their appetite is for that.

9:52

Ohtani contract

Less than $500 mil (41.3% | 38 votes)

$500-525 mil (31.5% | 29 votes)

$525-550 mil (12% | 11 votes)

$550 mil+ (15.2% | 14 votes)

Total Votes: 92

Cubs Fan

9:52

What's a realistic comp for PCA? I've seen some fans compare him to Steve Finley, Byron Buxton and even one to Mike Trout (?!). On the other end of the spectrum I've seen at least one fan compare him to Harrison Bader. Is he really a gold glove defender with an elite bat? Or is he just a really good defensive CF who will hopefully hit 10 HRs and steal 10 bases.

Tim Dierkes

9:53

These are PCAs scouting grades, per Baseball America: 60 hit, 45 power, 60 run, 80 field, 55 arm

9:54

Buxton prior to the 2015 season: 70 hit, 60 power, 80 run, 80 field, 70 arm

9:55

They don't have Bader's tools in that level of detail, but I can see that comp

9:56

PCA seems to be an awesome, MLB-ready defender, but we don't know how he'll hit. The downside might be Cristian Pache.

9:57

Pache: 45 hit, 60 power, 70 run, 70 field, 70 arm. Prior to 2020 Pache seemed like a very interesting big leaguer himself

Josh

9:57

It seems like this is a critical year for the unknowns. We don't know which prospects will emerge at the MLB level yet, or if Bellinger, Mancini, etc will do anything other than raise the floor slightly. We've seen flashes from some prospects but health has been an issue with a lot of them. It seems like we have solid depth in the farm but a lot of question marks still and a lot of unknowns on the star type prospects. It feels like we haven't done enough with our rotation and lineup to seriously compete with St. Louis and Milwaukee this year. PCA is probably the most obvious answer but what is one guy or maybe a couple guys other than PCA you feel like has the best chance to emerge ahead of schedule to potentially change the trajectory of the Cubs competitive window in the next couple years?

Tim Dierkes

9:59

If I had to pick one prospect for that, it'd have to be Kevin Alcantara

COOP

9:59

Tim, despite the changes, I see the Cubs as no better than 3rd place and about a .500 team? What do they need to put them over the top? I say an#1 starter and a true leadoff man, along with a 3rd baseman.

Tim Dierkes

10:00

I'm not big on the true leadoff man thing, because often when people say that they mean a small guy who gets on base but has limited power. No real reason to put yourself in that box.

10:01

I think you can feel pretty good about the Cubs' future outfield. The rest of the roster is just littered with question marks and mediocre-seeming players.

Not My Name

10:01

What is reasonable to expect from hayden wesneski this year? Seems like he could be better than a back of the rotation pitcher.

Tim Dierkes

10:02

For me it's, where's the evidence that he's gonna miss bats or has really good control? If he were to put up 150 innings with an ERA around 4, you'd have to be happy with that.

Jimbo

10:03

Any Cubs on your fantasy baseball team(s)?

Tim Dierkes

10:04

I have three fantasy teams this year. I have one Cub...in one league I grabbed Seiya late. Very light on Cubs for me

10:05

I will say, to the guy asking about a player changing the trajectory, Seiya is a good candidate. Once he's healthy, Seiya is the guy who could reasonably break out and hit 30+ HR with a good OBP and good defense, maybe a 5 WAR type season.

braves scraps

10:05

Who will have a better career with the Cubs, Dansby or Heyward?

Tim Dierkes

10:06

Heyward was worth 8.2 fWAR over seven seasons. If you're feeling generous, give him another 2.5 WAR for the pace he was on in 2020.

10:07

Dansby: 10 WAR over the next 7 years

Over (79.1% | 68 votes)

Under (20.9% | 18 votes)

Total Votes: 86

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