They never even spoke to kimbrell in the off season because they didn’t have the space. This is 100% about the zobrist money.
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They never even spoke to kimbrell in the off season because they didn’t have the space. This is 100% about the zobrist money.
Well, and also Kimbrel was asking for much more money. The price came down to a point that made sense and the Zobrist money made it a no-brainer.
Reports were that Kimbrel was asking for 6 years 100 million. That would be a hard stop.
With Kimbrel in the fold it’s time to think about other ways to continue improving the bullpen.
There was some crazy talk on the radio about the Cubs throwing their 1st round pick into the pen this season—similar to how the White Sox started Chris Sale’s pro career.
There was some crazy talk on the radio about the Cubs throwing their 1st round pick into the pen this season—similar to how the White Sox started Chris Sale’s pro career.
Hope they can find the left version of 2018 Jesse Chavez at minimum
Yep, but lets hope it'll keep strop and cishek healthy. W/O him I think they'd have jello arms by August.
whatever it takes for me to not see kyle ryan again...I'm down.
we have at least 1 too many kyles right now
OK, I'm ending my self imposed posting ban a day early... reading these posts since the Kimbrel signing is absolutely hilarious.
The excuse making by those so vehemently opposed to getting Kimbrel for the last month are now all aboard the "Kimbrel train".
I told you all a month ago that with the current shit show of a bullpen wasn't enough.
LOfreakingL.
The excuse making by those so vehemently opposed to getting Kimbrel for the last month are now all aboard the "Kimbrel train".
I told you all a month ago that with the current shit show of a bullpen wasn't enough.
LOfreakingL.
100% agree. I honestly don't even care who closes. Strop is capable, as is Cishek. No problems if Maddon rolls hot hand or whatever. Also fine with just plugging Kimbrel into the 9th once he's ready.
It’s no coincidence that he is getting almost exactly what they are saving on zobrist.
It was certainly a combination of things. Certainly his price did come down. Now we'll see what other moves the Cubs make. I would say the addition of CarGo and the signing of Kimbrell make it pretty clear that Zobrist is done.
I was thinking the Cubs were in on Kimbrel bc their pessimistic about Morrow for the rest of year or maybe eve the rest of his contract. They guy's had all last year, last off season and now this season, and every time he starts throwing, something else happens. That's why it's big the Cubs got Kimbrel. If Morrow were to make it back, that'd be a badass pen right there. Only thing you might want is a better left. You could start in the 6th inning - Cishek, Strop, Morrrow then Krimbel.
That was he whole point in getting Kimbrel. The Cubs had a whole bullpen full of set up guys and no shutdown closer.
Problem solved.
I still think there is one more guy out there that is a cheap throw away that will make a huge difference. This year's Chavez. I trust Theo to find that guy. As many mistakes as he's made he's pretty good at finding that diamond in the rough. Monty has been gold since getting him from Seattle. Another guy like that.
Junichi Tazawa has pitched fairly well at Iowa. I am surprised he has not been called up. I assume it’s a contract/40 man concern coming off of injury. But, his numbers have been good. Before a trade is made I thought they might explore this in house option.
I don’t know which of you fellas pays attention to the minors, but the Cubs bumped 19 year old prospect Luiz Vazquez up to Iowa. The last 19 year old to play for the I-Cubs was Carlos Zambrano.
There have been injuries at SS in the system, but this is a huge jump for a guy who was at Eugene last season.
There have been injuries at SS in the system, but this is a huge jump for a guy who was at Eugene last season.
He has been a weak hitter, but above average as a fielder. I am trying to figure out if there is some reward/challenge involved, or purely about injuries to Hoerner and Short. Adames has been injured, too. He isn't a prospect, but he was playing SS at AAA. I am positive the team wants to keep Ademan at one level for the whole season. They have other low level guys who they signed as IFAs with a lot of promise that they might want to be holding at one spot. This also seems like a situation where Theo finds a AAAA guy on the scrap heap, or calls up a GM and offers $50,000 for a contract.
But, I still find it curious they moved a 19 year old all the way up to AAA.
I heard a snippet of some talk on the Score today about the Kimbrel, and apparently David Ross and Jason Heyward played roles in recruiting him. Danny Parkins pointed out that Ross is a part time employee of ESPN, yet he went to watch Kimbrel work out, and supposedly told him that if a back up catcher like him is a hero in Chicago, imagine how he'd be received? Heyward and Kimbrel have a history with their time on the Braves.
You really have to tip your hat to Lester tonight. He sucked mightily in the 1st inning, but he pulled himself together, kept his focus, and has been able to grind out five more innings so that his teammates can pull things even.
Lester is a true throwback warrior pitcher.
Almora with excellent baserunning tonight. Scored easily on the Caratini double and tagged up from first of the sac fly to right when the throw went through.
Chatwood's stuff is so electric he bounced a curve ball halfway to the plate and got a swinging strike. LOL.
Caratini is too good to be a back-up catcher. The Cubs also have a top 10 C in the minors. Will be interesting to see how they handle this.
They're in a really interesting position. Caratini is a legit starting C or 1B, but he's behind Contreras & Rizzo. Contreras is also capable of being a starting OF. Lots of potential choices.
To be fair, was that the first batter? That was his first MLB at bat, and he looked like he was in awe of the moment.
Here is hoping that his several curveballs right down the middle get deposited on to the streets.
