06-08-2021, 12:37 PM
Hey man! My read is there was a time in which the Ricketts were basically crying poverty, so the front office was forced to pivot to some cost cutting measures. Darvish was traded for Davies and some very young, and thus risky, but high ceiling talent, and non-tendered Schwarber. Fast forward a month or so and suddenly the announcement of butts in the seats at Wrigley changed the forecast for the poor, put-upon owners, who released some funds allowing the front office add Joc to replace Schwarbs.
There's an argument that Pederson is very similar and even a slight upgrade over Schwarber, but I don't think it was like a plan the Cubs had. He sort of fell into their laps and pushed for the move himself, identifying the Cubs as a team who could use him and where he'd get a chance to play everyday. I'm not sure how how the FO has positioned the Darvish deal, but I don't get the sense it was a move they make if not for payroll concerns at the time.
There's an argument that Pederson is very similar and even a slight upgrade over Schwarber, but I don't think it was like a plan the Cubs had. He sort of fell into their laps and pushed for the move himself, identifying the Cubs as a team who could use him and where he'd get a chance to play everyday. I'm not sure how how the FO has positioned the Darvish deal, but I don't get the sense it was a move they make if not for payroll concerns at the time.