Chicago Cubs expected to be FINALISTS for Tatsuya Imai

16 comments

1. Watching from Japan.

2. Rob Refsnyder ($3M-$5M – mashes lefties, perfect platoon partner with Caissie in RF)
   Sung-mun Song ($3M-$5M – supplements Shaw at 3B and backs up 1B and 2B)
   Tatsuya Imai ($22M-$25M AAV – slots in between Boyd and Imanaga in the rotation, with Horton at the top and Taillon at the bottom (until Steele returns))
   Ryne Stanek ($3M-$4M – middle relief with Hodge and Milner, with Palencia-Maton-Thielbar on the back end and Rea/Assad long relief)
   That's a realistic $31M-$39M to fill out the roster and stay under their precious CBT line. Rental power bat and/or back-end reliever easier to acquire at deadline if needed.

3. I see this coming , you guys don’t see it because you don’t know Jed and don’t know or believe in his plan! All along from last year I know they will spend in 26 at least to tax line, more likely over the tax! That’s why they have to get under the tax last season in all cost!

4. At the beginning of this off season, I predicted there will not be a bidding war for most of the FAs. Only couple teams are willing to go all in! Now it seems worse than I anticipated that only Jays will push all in! Phillies will be next but they won’t go over last year payroll too much! Mets have the owner willing to spend but the GM is going to another direction !
   Yankees do not want to go crazy to spend, they sit at 280m, about 40m away from last year payroll. They have one big free agent to sign, that’s all ! They won’t sign two big names! And their priority is Bellinger!
   Look at all the big names, not a lot of teams want to bid !! Bo will go back to Jays; Mets will sign one pitcher and one bat! Phillies is done with Realmuto their last signing. Mariners are not gonna use money to improve after Naylor. Orioles will sign one 2nd tier bat. Tigers are done, they only have less than 20m to spend. Astros Padres DBacks are looking to trim payroll. Rangers definetly not going to spend. Redsox will sign one big FA! Brewers Reds Giants Royals are only have around 20m to spend!
   Thats about it!
   You have more big name FAs left than teams have the money!
   Thats why once they see a good offer, players go quickly take it!

5. I believe Jed! Whatever he decide to do, especially on pitchers, I trust him!
   I predict Keller and Pomaranz will not be as good as Maton and Milner !!

6. Cassie Ballesteros Shaw all will contribute big next season!

7. Busch has the best wRC+ last year , better than Tucker

8. Busch is our next Rizzo; then PCA is Baez; Nico is Zobrist; Happ is Fowler; Swanson is better than Hayward; Kelly is Ross; Suzuki is Swcharber ; only one missing is Bryant and Contreras which we have Amaya and Shaw, then we have Cassie , Ballesteros , 1 FA bat to cover those 2. Not bad!

9. Blake Cowell wants Matt Shaw over Alex Bregman 👀🤓. Another awful take by a kid who clearly doesn’t watch ball. Bregman is literally going to the hall of fame…. Matt Shaw batted .226 with an OPS under .600

10. Cubs are not gonna spend ever. Another year of developmental players. Journeyman veterans hoping one pitcher becomes Jake Ariatta. Baseball is not about loyalty. But Cubs management and Fans think so. I want Cubs to obliterate everyone and take on the Dodgers. But its veteran pitchers inexperienced fielders and an aging Dansby Swanson. PCA should be maxed today not years later before free agency. Sazuki will walk in enf 2026 probably to Dodgers. If no lock out in 2027. Cubs don't wanna bring Kyle Tucker, Bregman, Bischette, i hope wildcard season but regression likely

11. Ricketts won't spend much compared to total revenue. This is limiting.

12. 2027 potential strike limits long term contract appetite of owners. In a way this makes sense. Dodgers deep pockets makes big advantage.

13. Base running injuries have consequences. Tucker wasn't the same. Ruined second half of season.

14. You're not negative but realistic.

15. Cubs are paranoid of doing another heyward contract.

16. Missed the boat on schwarber.