2012 Free Agent and Trade Ideas Thread 14.0

[gocubs2118]

The brain trust apparently told season ticket holders today that there wouldn't be any impact free agent signings until there was a simultaneous wave of impact prospects from the minor leagues ready to come up in the following season.

Given the current timetables for our current prospects, that means at least two more years of tanking.

I'm not so sure about that. I think we could see both Soler and Baez making their debuts sometime during 2014. I think next year we'll start seeing more significant moves, even if it's just 1 or 2 of them.

[Mell413]

I'm going to be in my 30's by the time the team starts winning again

Although I guess that depends if they are going to spend when the prospects make their debuts or when they are ready to kick ***. If we are waiting for guys like Baez and Soler to kick *** that's probably not until what 2017?

Some days I wish Carl Crawford caught that ball

[utkcub]

The fact that they are still flirting with the idea of keeping Stewart baffles me, there is no reason he should be on this ball club come Spring. We will spend money this offseason and make a lot of moves but I get the feeling it won't be for any marquee players.

[ZamboniCub]

i wish Jim Hendry was gm still just so i wouldnt have to read kyles posts

[gocubs2118]

I'm going to be in my 30's by the time the team starts winning again

Although I guess that depends if they are going to spend when the prospects make their debuts or when they are ready to kick ***. If we are waiting for guys like Baez and Soler to kick *** that's probably not until what 2017?

Some days I wish Carl Crawford caught that ball

I don't think that's what they meant. They only have a 5 year deal. I HIGHLY doubt they start going for it in 2017. They need to start winning at some point in the next couple years.

[KyleJRM]

I'm not so sure about that. I think we could see both Soler and Baez making their debuts sometime during 2014. I think next year we'll start seeing more significant moves, even if it's just 1 or 2 of them.

I think that'd be an odd departure from the way the organization has handed things such far. In general, they've been putting players on a fairly slow track.

[Mell413]

I don't think that's what they meant. They only have a 5 year deal. I HIGHLY doubt they start going for it in 2017. They need to start winning at some point in the next couple years.

Not trying to have that debate again, but I dont see anyone in the upper levels helping the big league team in a major way any time soon. Obviously things can change with prospects, but most of our potential impact guys are at least 3 years away. If they are trying to win in 4 seasons I don't see a way where that can work considering how they are currently constructed.

[KyleJRM]

i wish Jim Hendry was gm still just so i wouldnt have to read kyles posts

Jim Hendry: 33% division titles.

Cubs New Brain Trust: 0%.

[gocubs2118]

I think that'd be an odd departure from the way the organization has handed things such far. In general, they've been putting players on a fairly slow track.

That might be a little aggressive with Baez but I always thought they'd might fast track Soler more than usual since he's supposed to be more advanced.

[1908_Cubs]

Not trying to have that debate again, but I dont see anyone in the upper levels helping the big league team in a major way any time soon. Obviously things can change with prospects, but most of our potential impact guys are at least 3 years away. If they are trying to win in 4 seasons I don't see a way where that can work considering how they are currently constructed.

Baez has been fast tracked as of this point. He obviously wont be up in 2013, but 2014 is certainly not out of the question. With Soler's contract, he too, should be a fast tracked prospect, also, a possible 2014 candidate. They're not in the upper levels, but there's certainly optimism (not a guarantee by any stretch) here that these guys could be ready by 2014 at some point. Vizcaino seems as though he could be given a shot at some starts (Svuem speculated his innings ceiling would be around 100 IP, and that indicates more SP than RP), and could be an impact SP arm in 2014. If that's the case, impact talent could just be one year away via FA.

This offseason isn't going to be the big boomer I think many are hoping. My main hope is the front office can find a few more long term assets, even if they're only in that steady MLB mold and not in the Anthony Rizzo mold.

[Mell413]

Even if they make it up here in 2014 I don't expect them to kick *** right away. If they do that certainly speeds it up, but I'm not expecting that. It could take a few years before it clicks for them. I just don't see where the talent is going to come from to win a WS in 4 years. I guess Theo could be extended, but I can't assume that now.

[cubsfan2206]

speaking of impactful talent, the d-backs are loaded with top pitching prospects. I know this has been discussed little bit here but Theo and Jed should be ringing their phone off the hook trying to acquire one of Bauer, Skaggs, Bradley this offseason.

[cubbiefan_est88]

i wish Jim Hendry was gm still just so i wouldnt have to read kyles posts

Jim Hendry: 33% division titles.

Cubs New Brain Trust: 0%.

0 world series may I repeat 0 world series for hendry and a ton of bloated contracts and mishandled prospects. Track records speak for themselves 2 rings to 0. Hendry could talk to agents but couldn't tell you how too scout or handle young talent. Your just ignorant for trying to compare Theo to hendry. That just made you look stupid.

[Jack the Ripper]

Jim Hendry: 33% division titles.

Cubs New Brain Trust: 0%.

I hope you're joking.

[cubbiefan_est88]

The fact that they are still flirting with the idea of keeping Stewart baffles me, there is no reason he should be on this ball club come Spring. We will spend money this offseason and make a lot of moves but I get the feeling it won't be for any marquee players.

Hes cheap why not keep him? Try and see what he can do after this surgery if we can't sign a Reynolds or youk or Ryan Roberts or drew.