2014-15 Hot Stove League Thread

[countryboy]

Question now is what does San Fran do for a 3rd baseman?

[countryboy]

Quote: Originally Posted by 13

While it will be disappointing if we don't bring in Lester, it won't be the end of the world. If we want a LHP, Liriano is still an option and could slide in nicely into that 2nd/3rd rotation spot, and could come at a much cheaper price. I wouldn't mind taking a look at Volquez as well. And really if we're patient, the heap of pitching FAs slated to become available after next year is even better than this one.

Are the Cubs out of the running for Cole Hammels?

[CameRoN0407]

Quote: Originally Posted by countryboy

Are the Cubs out of the running for Cole Hammels?

Pretty much everyone is until they lower the price tag.

[Nails4]

Quote: Originally Posted by 13

While it will be disappointing if we don't bring in Lester, it won't be the end of the world. If we want a LHP, Liriano is still an option and could slide in nicely into that 2nd/3rd rotation spot, and could come at a much cheaper price. I wouldn't mind taking a look at Volquez as well. And really if we're patient, the heap of pitching FAs slated to become available after next year is even better than this one.

Morrow could be an interesting low risk high reward guy for the Cubs when healthy he has the swing and miss stuff to pitch in Wrigley, he could also end up a valuable bullpen guy still as well.

[JODYE]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bobhead

The problem with that logic is that it assumes Castillo will just sit in a chair at Wrigley Field the entire season. Signing another catcher immediately renders Castillo as a tradeable asset, which means the Cubs could also get something else back. Maybe something that wasn't already available in the FA market

What exactly would you expect to get in return? Is it worth shelling out an additional 12-13 million for a marginal upgrade at the position to get a prospect that may never play at the major league level? Makes no sense. We already have tradeable assets. Thinking we need to overpay at a position just to get another one is silly.

Quote:

Morrow could be an interesting low risk high reward guy for the Cubs when healthy he has the swing and miss stuff to pitch in Wrigley, he could also end up a valuable bullpen guy still as well.

He def could step in and take over Villanueva's spot as a spot starter/long relief guy. However, he needs to improve his command dramatically. Something that Carlos worked at doing in his time here.

[PhilliesFan13]

The Phillies shouldn't have to lower their price tag for Hamels. He's one of the top pitchers in the game. They don't have to trade him. If the Phillies don't feel like they will get fair value for him then he stays.

[ShowTyme15]

Quote: Originally Posted by countryboy

Question now is what does San Fran do for a 3rd baseman?

Posey will probably move to 3B if they don't sign someone or make a trade. There is also a scenario in which Posey could move to 1B and Brandon Belt moves back to the OF.

[SPTO]

Brandon Morrow would be a good low risk/high reward for the Cubbies but he's had his fair share of injury issues and there's a question of just what role does he play because he's got the swing and miss stuff to be a dominating reliever which has intrigued a lot of baseball people to put him in the rotation where he isn't as effective because he has to dial down his fastball and the location issues crop up.

I think he's best suited in relief though when he had a shot late last year for the Jays in that capacity he didn't exactly set the world on fire to the point that after one such game Gibbons pretty much didn't use him.


EDIT: Just to add more things to think about in 2013 Morrow changed his approach to the "pitch to contact" philosophy and it worked very well for him for a good while though after he got injured and came back he went back to his "make the guy strikeout" philosophy of doing things. He hasn't been nearly as good with it either. I think that if he goes somewhere that preaches pitching to contact he could do better.