2020 Chicago Cubs Offseason Thread

[1908_Cubs]

If I remember correctly, Heyward had an opt out after 2018- which I also think the Cubs expected him to exercise if his career had continued as expected. That would have freed up left field and a ton of cash for Harper/other as well.

Yeah, but in the offseason of 2018, it was clear he wasn't going to be using that opt out. Even then, the Cubs went out and dropped $36m immediately on Chatwood, then went after Darvish in the winter. At the time it was pretty widely believed that this move would not eliminate a move for Harper the next offseason. I think something happened in the budget that caused that to change. Up until the Darvish signing the Cubs acted 1 way. Immediately after that, outside of the Kimbrel mid-season deal, the Cubs have acted a completely different way for 2.5 years.

Also, welcome!

[1908_Cubs]

The Cubs have signed Austin Romine, Catcher to a deal.

https://twitter.com/Feinsand/status/...827720192?s=20

Don't get too excited. He's a 69 wRC+ career hitter, and in 406 games has been worth .2 fWAR. There's a good chance it's not for a guaranteed contract, either.

[Stevemil505]

We're the loveable losers again. Imagine being one of those people that spent 60+ years of their life watching bad Cubs teams and then they finally won the WS.

Thats me, had just turned 70 when they won the WS; was a fan since 1952, 64 years Don' think I'll be around in anther 60 years.

[cuzi]

Yeah, but in the offseason of 2018, it was clear he wasn't going to be using that opt out. Even then, the Cubs went out and dropped $36m immediately on Chatwood, then went after Darvish in the winter. At the time it was pretty widely believed that this move would not eliminate a move for Harper the next offseason. I think something happened in the budget that caused that to change. Up until the Darvish signing the Cubs acted 1 way. Immediately after that, outside of the Kimbrel mid-season deal, the Cubs have acted a completely different way for 2.5 years.

Also, welcome!

The belief was the Cubs were going to move Heyward to free up not only money but also a spot in the field. No one believed the Cubs were going to sign Harper with Heyward on the books. The Cubs were already over the thresh hold and their cheap core was going into their arbitration years and not going to be getting cheaper so anyone who thought the Cubs were just going to add another $300M+ contract on top of their existing payroll don't really understand how things operate.

[Stevemil505]

The Cubs have signed Austin Romine, Catcher to a deal.

https://twitter.com/Feinsand/status/...827720192?s=20

Don't get too excited. He's a 69 wRC+ career hitter, and in 406 games has been worth .2 fWAR. There's a good chance it's not for a guaranteed contract, either.

He's a decent #2.

[1908_Cubs]

He's a decent #2.

He's pretty bad, I'd hesitate to say he's decent. He doesn't frame well. He hits significantly worse than league average (even as a catcher). He's a replacement level player (meaning any random AAA catcher would do just what he'd do) over his 400+ game career. 2021 is a year the Cubs have made it clear; they don't care, so it's whatever, but he's not a decent #2. He's the kind of guy you have when you just don't give a **** who your number 2 is, and you only care about how cheap your #2 will be on the books.

Romine's a JAG who probably took the least amount of money out of all of the other JAG catchers. Is what it is.

[1908_Cubs]

Romine gets $1.5m. I believe that's the most money the Cubs have signed anyone to in like 2+ years.

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[CubsRule08]

Romine gets $1.5m. I believe that's the most money the Cubs have signed anyone to in like 2+ years.

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Holy ****. I didn’t think they actually had money to spend.

[CP_414]

Romine gets $1.5m. I believe that's the most money the Cubs have signed anyone to in like 2+ years.

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Moneybags Ricketts isn’t messing around.

[1908_Cubs]

Moneybags Ricketts isn’t messing around.

I'm sure it's like the Lester contract where they're giving Romine like $200K in 2021 and then deferring the rest until 2044. Or maybe they did the Bobby Bonilla thing and will pay him $50K on January 22nd for the next 50 years.

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[CP_414]

I'm sure it's like the Lester contract where they're giving Romine like $200K in 2021 and then deferring the rest until 2044. Or maybe they did the Bobby Bonilla thing and will pay him $50K on January 22nd for the next 50 years.

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$1500 per month for the next 83.3 years.

[WOwolfOL]

$1500 per month for the next 83.3 years.

This should be every American's stimulus

[cubs1423]

https://twitter.com/ScottyMitchTSN/s...338968067?s=20

I've come to terms that there will be turnover but trading Hendricks would be really disappointing. Almost as disappointing as trading Rizzo.

[1908_Cubs]

https://twitter.com/ScottyMitchTSN/s...338968067?s=20

I've come to terms that there will be turnover but trading Hendricks would be really disappointing. Almost as disappointing as trading Rizzo.

[CP_414]

This should be every American's stimulus

Only if we all rotate as the Cubs backup catcher.