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The offense isnt the biggest problem by a long shot. The offense has been largely the same from 2015-2019. In 2015 and 2016 we had amazing run prevention: our defense and pitching was probably best in the league, or close to it.
Just take a look at the starting rotation in 2016. There were three legitimate Cy Young candidates on that staff. And our number 5 starter was 11-8 with a 3.35 ERA.
Our offense could certainly be more consistent, but it isnt our biggest problem at all.
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As Cubs aren’t going to acquire a combination of aces to return to 2016 starting rotation levels, offense should be less expensive means to returning to playoffs.
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Not a lot of official announcements until tomorrow, but it looks like things have shaken out as follows:
Cubs exercise 2020 options
Quintana ($10.5M option vs. $1M buyout)
Rizzo ($14.5M option vs. $2M buyout)
Cubs decline 2020 options
Barnette (would have been a $3M option, no buyout)
Graveman (would have been a $3M option, no buyout)
Holland ($500K buyout vs. $7M option)
Morrow ($3M buyout vs. $12M option)
Phelps (would have been a $5M option, no buyout)
Players declining to exercise opt-outs
Darvish
Heyward
This is not some silly theory that's unsupported and deserves being mocked by photos of Xena.
![[Image: ITgoyeg.png]](http://i.imgur.com/ITgoyeg.png)
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And the 40-man now sits at 31. Plenty of room to maneuver.
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Lot of hand wringing over that Graveman move.
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Another season of Quintana. Sweet.
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Any interest in Julio Teheran on a short-term deal?
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Cubs also decline to make qualifying offer to Cole Hamels, add RHP Colin Rea to 40-man roster, and outright Allen Webster to AAA.
This is not some silly theory that's unsupported and deserves being mocked by photos of Xena.
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Had you ever heard of Scott Harris before that tweet?
This is not some silly theory that's unsupported and deserves being mocked by photos of Xena.
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Yes. And he has been written up in places like the Athletic in the past as well as someone to watch. Just thinking ahead to the post-Theo world, and we've already lost several FO types in recent years (Shiraz Rehman to Texas most notably) across various departments.
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Shrug, good people get promoted.
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Lester Strode has also departed. I had forgotten that he was still here.
