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Cubs Offseason Chat With Tim Dierkes
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Tim Dierkes
8:53
Hi everyone!  I'm so excited to do this today, thanks for joining me.  After finishing my Cubs offseason outlook post and getting into the comment section a bit, I realized it might be cool to hold chats for each of the 30 teams, talking about offseason plans and such.
8:54
I'm the owner of MLB Trade Rumors.  My website is about to turn 17 years old, and while we've done thousands of live chats, I don't remember every doing team-specific ones.  So let's do this!
A few links before we get started.  If you haven't yet read my Cubs offseason outlook, check it out here: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/10/offseason-outlook-chicago-cubs-...
8:57
Also, if you'd like to directly support our efforts here at MLBTR, please consider purchasing an ad-free subscription.  Along with the removal of ads, you get exclusive weekly live chats with Anthony Franco (lower question volume means much more likely to get yours answered) as well as exclusive articles from Anthony and Steve Adams.  The subscription costs $2.99 per month or $29.89 per year and includes a money-back guarantee.  I've got some plans to add additional benefits to the subscription as well.
Learn more about subscribing here: https://mlbtraderumors.com/membership?ref=cubschat-10-18-22
Medium-gruntled STH
8:57
Hello and thanks for doing this. How can Tom Ricketts keep a straight face and claim revenue from his other entities like the surrounding rooftops, Hotel Zachary and other adjunct businesses owned wholly or partially by Ricketts' corporations are independent from Cubs operations? I understand he can form LLCs all he wants, but charging $600+ per night at the Hotel Zachary is completely independent of it being directly across from Wrigley Field? He can do what he wants with his money, but how bout some transparency? "We won the World Series in 2016 so now we'll just keep all the money for ourselves"
Tim Dierkes
8:58
Transparency and private companies generally don't go together.  And the Cubs are very much a corporation.  Might I suggest reconsidering your season tickets?  Could be nice to wait until a few hours before the game, make sure you like the weather and the pitching matchup, and get a good price.
Cubs Fan
8:58
Here is my wish list: Tyler Anderson (three years, $30 million), Robert Suarez (three years, $20 million), Franmil Reyes (release and resign one year, $1 million), Kevin Kiermaier (two years, $12 million), Jacob deGrom (two years, $80 million with opt-out after one) or Carlos Rodon (two years, $60 million, with opt out after one)
Tim Dierkes
8:59
I think you're a little light on Suarez and Franmil.  deGrom could look for three or four years and may want to join a more clear competitor, plus there's been a rumor he'd like to be closer to Florida.  Rodon, we're thinking five years and the esteemed Anthony Franco has suggested six.
Guest
8:59
Of the 4 upcoming star free agent shortstops, which do you feel best fits what the Cubs would like to do next year and beyond? Obviously the youth of Correa is a positive, but what about overall game and value?
Tim Dierkes
9:00
I still think Correa, just for his all-around game and his youth.  I also think he can gracefully move to third base and be a plus defender toward the end of a deal or if a stronger SS comes along.
JJJ
9:00
If the Cubs sign a free agent short stop does that mean Nico moves to second and it adios to Nick Madrigal?
Tim Dierkes
9:00
I think all it does for sure is boot Madrigal into a utility role, but not a very useful one since he only plays second base.  So I do think he'd be available in trade.
Johnson
9:00
Who do you believe will win more games for their respective team, in 2023?  Hayden Wesneski for the Cubs, or Kopech or Giolito for the Chisox?
Tim Dierkes
9:01
I'll take Giolito.  He's the one who can give you 160-180 innings since he's done it before, and I do think he'll bounce back.
Guest
9:01
What do you think of the Cubs platooning Wisdom and Mervis at 1st base, plus some DH for Wisdom and finding a 3rd baseman?  Also assuming signing a top free agent SS moving Hoerner to 2nd, and adding a #1 or #2 starter. Fill remaining holes with Davis in CF and additional pitchers mid-season or next winter and really compete in 2024.
Tim Dierkes
9:02
The patience of some Cubs fans amazes me.  I don't mean that as an insult.  But the willingness to punt on 2023 is really something.  Just go for it now dude!
At least at one of 1B/DH, the Cubs should add an established bat.
Guards
9:03
Does Reyes get a contract?
Tim Dierkes
9:03
I think Franmil is cut loose.
Guest
9:03
Best trade targets for 3rd?
Tim Dierkes
9:05
Possibly Gio Urshela?  I doubt Josh Donaldson would be too hard to pry loose.  I don't really see Rafael Devers moving this winter.
Pervis
9:06
It seems that the Cubs are still another year from legitimately contending. With that in mind, what’s the right player mix of one to two year deals? Do they they try to bring in a young player on a long-term deal to still be in his prime when they are contending again?
Tim Dierkes
9:08
It's weird because it feels like the rebuild should be over, but the Cubs still don't have nearly enough MLB-talent to project for 90 wins.  I think they'll splash around a bunch of free agent money but keep deals at three or fewer years, with the possible exception of signing one of the big shortstops since those guys aren't necessarily available every winter.
Guest
9:08
Thanks for this chat! After reading your brief review of the four free-agents-to-be in the Cubs outlook, Correa seems to make the most sense for the Cubs for his combintation of age and performance. Seven years besting the current AAV for SS?
Tim Dierkes
9:09
We have kicked around something like seven years and $270MM for Correa.  However, Scott Boras has pulled off some big free agent upsets over the years, and there's not a clear reason this needs to stop at a seven-year term.  The bigger question is, how many teams are ready and willing to spend $150MM+ on a shortstop this winter?
Jbird7171
9:09
I like keegan thompson but i am not sure if i like him more as a starter or reliever. What role do you see as better for him going forward?
Tim Dierkes
9:10
Seems like he flourished in that old school multi-inning reliever role.  Fairly small sample, but that's where I'd keep him.  Nice to have when a starter goes three innings.
marsbar67
9:10
Why can't they bring back Javier baez?
Tim Dierkes
9:12
I have thought it'd be kind of amusing or fun if the Cubs acquire Baez at pennies on the dollar.  But we are talking 5/120 on the contract coming off a 2-WAR season.  There is an amount of money eaten by the Tigers at which that makes sense for the Cubs, unless they are just really down on how Baez will age and prefer one of the four free agents.
Guest
9:12
Is Nathan Eovaldi a realistic option, and what would his price tag be?
Tim Dierkes
9:12
I think he's quite realistic for the Cubs.  We have 2/34 down as a tentative contract.
driemer723
9:13
I know we all have our opinions Tim, but given where the Cubs are at and the likely FA costs, in a perfect world, what realistic moves would YOU make that would put the Cubs into the playoff picture next season?
Tim Dierkes
9:14
I enjoy putting on my GM hat, but I usually try to predict more what the team will do than what I would do.  It's just so hard to answer because I have no idea what the Cubs' actual budget is.  It feels like a team that should be spending $230MM; they're nowhere close.  I also don't know the trade cost of various targets.
Kx
9:14
One popular trade concept that has been making the rounds: Nick Madrigal for Jarred Kelenic. What would your thoughts be on this swap?
Tim Dierkes
9:15
That's a fun one.  I don't think the Mariners would do it.  Kelenic has struggled a ton in about a season's worth of games, but I think his path to stardom or even just being a 3-WAR player is a lot more open than Madrigal's.  Madrigal has no power and only plays 2B.  That requires a whole lot of singles to be hit and he needs to stay healthy too.
kenny
9:15
As a cubs fan I want Xander the most of all FA SS most consistent imo.
Tim Dierkes
9:16
If I squint I can see a Xander-Jed connection, as Jed was still in Boston for a few months when the team initially signed him.  But who knows how involved Jed was in that.  I think Xander's power outage for part of this year, plus the defensive questions, are big factors to consider before giving him a seven-year deal.
9:17
Also think it'll be interesting to see Boras trying to avoid a conflict of interest repping Xander and Correa.
Cubs
9:17
What do you see the Cubs do about CF?
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