UnrulyManBun27

I’m curious to hear what other people think about the Upton extension. Is it too early to give up on him? I worry he’s going to be somewhat like another Pujols these next few years, low average, poor defense, and playing based on name recognition and some occasional pop.

Stand pat with pitching Sign Jason Castro (2 years $13 million) Not what I want to happen but what I'm expecting

I don't know what package you can put together that will get the Cubs to agree to this, but if it's possible I think this is best case scenario

I feel like it’s a lot to assume Upton can make that switch. Has he shown that he can play 1B in the past?

Eppler needs to find guys that can give this team innings. Bumgarner was the best bet to do that, and he let him sign somewhere else for 17 mil AAV. Kluber, if he comes back close to healthy, is another bulldog who has always given his teams 200+ innings. This team needs guys who can be reliably counted on to give the team 6+ innings a start, and reliably be counted on to make starts. At this point I'm worried we are going to overpay for either Ryu or Ray. We don't need to pay $20-25 mil AAV for a guy who has thrown 150+ innings once since 2014. I love Ray's K rate, but his BB rate and the frequency of short outings makes me really nervous. Most of all, I'm nervous we aren't going to get any pitching this offseason. I can't really stand the idea of trying to watch another season where our only pitcher to throw 100+ innings has a 6 ERA and gets sent to the bullpen.

Kluber and Bumgarner both seem to have more of that bulldog, tough veteran mentality the rotation is lacking. Bring them both in and we have that in spades. Would love to see the impact that would have on the younger guys in the rotation.

Does anyone think Jared Walsh could be a viable plan to start at 1B? In my opinion it seems like that’s the higher upside plan than giving La Stella 1B.

If the Red Sox are looking to shed salary, would it make sense to try and swing a trade for Sale? Is he too much of an injury risk? Too big a contract? What prospects would it take?

This team needs 3 SP’s who can reliably make 25+ starts, throw 150+ innings, and hold a sub 5 ERA every year. Is that too much to ask? What pitchers out there fit that mold? I’m done with rolling out pitchers who get hurt every 7 starts.

I am well aware these trades are crazy. They were more thought experiments and interesting ideas then serious proposals. I fully expect the offseason to go somewhere along these lines: - Sign either Gerrit Cole or Madison Bumgarner/Hyun Jin Ryu - Sign a low to mid-tier starter (Dallas Keuchel, Julio Teheran, Kevin Gausman, etc.) - Sign a catcher (Martin Maldonado, Jason Castro) - Sign a (probably lefty) bullpen arm (Ryan Butcher, Jake Diekman, etc.) I really think we add 2-3 more rotation arms, a catcher, and depending on payroll, positional depth/bullpen help. I don't expect all of this will come from free agency, but it's easier to prognosticate free agents than trades. This is probably still too optimistic of a prediction due to significant payroll increase this would cause, but I'm expecting Arte to get close to the luxury tax threshold this offseason. I know none of the above trades are realistic, and I know that management would be crazy to trade Adell, but it is fun to think about Bryant, Lindor, Betts, etc. playing for the halos.

I still think we need to give Cole a blank check. Sign Cole for whatever it takes and round out the rotation by signing Julio Teheran (durable, above average starter). A rotation of Cole, Ohtani, Heaney, Teheran, Canning, and Bundy could be serviceable, albeit nerve wracking with potential Ohtani/Heaney injuries. Sign Maldonado to fill the catching void and make Cole/Ohtani happy. Expensive offseason, but I think this gives us a chance to compete for a wild card spot.

Two trade ideas (Cleveland): A) Francisco Lindor and Corey Kluber for Andrelton Simmons, Brandon Marsh, Jordyn Adams, Luis Rengifo, Jaime Barria, and Jose Soriano B) Francisco Lindor, Mike Clevinger, and Corey Kluber for Andrelton Simmons, Jo Adell, Brandon Marsh, Will Wilson, Luis Rengifo, Jaime Barria, Griffin Canning, and Jose Soriano Two trade ideas (Chicago): A) Kris Bryant and Tyler Chatwood for Brandon Marsh, Jordyn Adams, Matt Thaiss, and Jaime Barria B) Kris Bryant, Wilson Contreras, and Tyler Chatwood for Brandon Marsh, Jordyn Adams, Will Wilson, Jeremiah Jackson, Jaime Barria, and Jose Soriano Two trade ideas (Boston): A) Mookie Betts for Jo Adell B) Mookie Betts and David Price for Brandon Marsh, Jordyn Adams, Jaime Barria and Stiward Aquino I understand the likelihood of any of these trades happening is slim to none, but of these hypothetical trades, which would you most want to see and why? Do you think any of these trades are somewhat realistic? Would we be giving up too much or not enough?

I think the Cubs want major league ready players to go with high upside prospects. I think it would take something like Brandon Marsh, Jordyn Adams, Matt Thaiss/Taylor Ward, and Jaime Barria to land Bryant. If we took on one of their bad contracts (Chatwood, Darvish) I think we could get him for less. In an ideal world I love the idea of a Bryant, Contreras, and Chatwood for Brandon Marsh, Jordyn Adams, Matt Thaiss, Jaime Barria, and a pitching prospect (Stiward Aquino, Hector Yan, etc.) trade.