"not worthy of its own thread" offseason thread

[Farewell Friends]

I’m in Mesa this week checking out the Cubs. Word down here is they expect to jump out of the starting gate quickly, no three month mulligan this year. With their star studded lineup and superior pitching, it appears to me the FO is wildcarding this year with hopes of catching the Cubs next year or in 2020 if their highly touted pitching prospects materialize. This goes to what I’ve been saying on these posts for a while: the Cubs are very good and trying to be great, the Cards are average trying to get better. Fair summation?
by Jack 1:21 PM

Wow. That's pretty much a game changer if they are expecting to get off to a good start. I bet Jason Heyward is even rebuilding his swing.

[dmarx114]

Cubs and Cards seem to be competing at different levels these days. Anyone who doesn't admit that is avoiding the truth.
by BenFred 1:22 PM

I’m in Mesa this week checking out the Cubs. Word down here is they expect to jump out of the starting gate quickly, no three month mulligan this year. With their star studded lineup and superior pitching, it appears to me the FO is wildcarding this year with hopes of catching the Cubs next year or in 2020 if their highly touted pitching prospects materialize. This goes to what I’ve been saying on these posts for a while: the Cubs are very good and trying to be great, the Cards are average trying to get better. Fair summation?
by Jack 1:21 PM

What does competing at a different level mean? Is it payroll related? Is it talent related?

[Jocephus]

[Fat Strat]

Cubs and Cards seem to be competing at different levels these days. Anyone who doesn't admit that is avoiding the truth.
by BenFred 1:22 PM

I’m in Mesa this week checking out the Cubs. Word down here is they expect to jump out of the starting gate quickly, no three month mulligan this year. With their star studded lineup and superior pitching, it appears to me the FO is wildcarding this year with hopes of catching the Cubs next year or in 2020 if their highly touted pitching prospects materialize. This goes to what I’ve been saying on these posts for a while: the Cubs are very good and trying to be great, the Cards are average trying to get better. Fair summation?
by Jack 1:21 PM

What does competing at a different level mean? Is it payroll related? Is it talent related?

Yes and yes, but it's really the sum of our current goals, regardless of payroll. It's pretty clear we're currently not really trying to compete with the Cubs for the division -- we're not trying to throw a roster out there that projects to 95+ wins. It's also pretty clear that the Cubs have their sights set on building and maintaining one of the best teams in all of baseball. Their eyes are set on winning the World Series. Our eyes are set on trying to make the playoffs.

Like BenFred, I don't really see much debate about that.

[Hoot45]

I’m in Mesa this week checking out the Cubs. Word down here is they expect to jump out of the starting gate quickly, no three month mulligan this year. With their star studded lineup and superior pitching, it appears to me the FO is wildcarding this year with hopes of catching the Cubs next year or in 2020 if their highly touted pitching prospects materialize. This goes to what I’ve been saying on these posts for a while: the Cubs are very good and trying to be great, the Cards are average trying to get better. Fair summation?
by Jack 1:21 PM

Wow. That's pretty much a game changer if they are expecting to get off to a good start. I bet Jason Heyward is even rebuilding his swing.

Don't forget Schwarber BSOHL. And I hear the mimes that Maddon brought in to camp have done a lot to bring the star personalities together.

[Jocephus]

arrieta...still out there

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Nationals "remain engaged" with free agent starter Jake Arrieta.
It seems like his primary suitors at this point are the Nats, Phillies, and Brewers, but many more teams could jump into the mix if the veteran right-hander begins fielding shorter-term offers. Something has to give soon with the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues entering their second week of play. Arrieta, who turns 32 years old early next month, registered a 3.53 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 163/55 K/BB ratio over 168 1/3 innings (30 starts) last season with the Cubs.
Related: Nationals
Source: Bob Nightengale on Twitter
Feb 28 - 11:50 AM

[Fat Strat]

arrieta...still out there

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Nationals "remain engaged" with free agent starter Jake Arrieta.
It seems like his primary suitors at this point are the Nats, Phillies, and Brewers, but many more teams could jump into the mix if the veteran right-hander begins fielding shorter-term offers. Something has to give soon with the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues entering their second week of play. Arrieta, who turns 32 years old early next month, registered a 3.53 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 163/55 K/BB ratio over 168 1/3 innings (30 starts) last season with the Cubs.
Related: Nationals
Source: Bob Nightengale on Twitter
Feb 28 - 11:50 AM

I wonder how many bad spring starts from Mikolas it would take before we call up Arrieta. Or an injury to someone important -- Weaver and Wacha come to mind.

[heyzeus]

Logan Morrison hit 38 HR with an .869 OPS last year, and had to take a 1/$6.5 mil contract with the Twins.

[mikechamp]

arrieta...still out there

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Nationals "remain engaged" with free agent starter Jake Arrieta.
It seems like his primary suitors at this point are the Nats, Phillies, and Brewers, but many more teams could jump into the mix if the veteran right-hander begins fielding shorter-term offers. Something has to give soon with the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues entering their second week of play. Arrieta, who turns 32 years old early next month, registered a 3.53 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 163/55 K/BB ratio over 168 1/3 innings (30 starts) last season with the Cubs.
Related: Nationals
Source: Bob Nightengale on Twitter
Feb 28 - 11:50 AM

I wonder how many bad spring starts from Mikolas it would take before we call up Arrieta. Or an injury to someone important -- Weaver and Wacha come to mind.

Even then, they still wouldn't spend the kind of money needed for Arrieta. Maybe Cobb, but even that's a stretch.

Besides, we've got Bud (Chuck) Norris! We'll be fine.

[dmarx114]

arrieta...still out there

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Nationals "remain engaged" with free agent starter Jake Arrieta.
It seems like his primary suitors at this point are the Nats, Phillies, and Brewers, but many more teams could jump into the mix if the veteran right-hander begins fielding shorter-term offers. Something has to give soon with the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues entering their second week of play. Arrieta, who turns 32 years old early next month, registered a 3.53 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 163/55 K/BB ratio over 168 1/3 innings (30 starts) last season with the Cubs.
Related: Nationals
Source: Bob Nightengale on Twitter
Feb 28 - 11:50 AM

I wonder how many bad spring starts from Mikolas it would take before we call up Arrieta. Or an injury to someone important -- Weaver and Wacha come to mind.

Any GM who thinks this way should be fired immediately.