2022 Team

[rok]

He probably could have gotten a longer deal elsewhere. It takes 2 to tango though. I remain hopeful.

[funkster]

Plus he seems pretty competitive, doesn't sound like a guy with plenty of suitors willing to tank a few seasons.

[MrSheps]

Ivy, I think the deals the Rangers landed serve as a good balancing point to what you're saying about players factoring in the strength of the team. Most of the big signings so far have been with non-playoff teams. Obviously I think you're right that if things are equal, or near equal, the chance to win means a lot, but the Cubs have been a winning franchise for several years until this season. It's not like chosing the Lions over the Patriots or something. Assuming it's a deal for several seasons, I don't think players care that much about season 1 if they think the majority of their seasons will be with a strong team.

[funkster]

Ivy, I think the deals the Rangers landed serve as a good balancing point to what you're saying about players factoring in the strength of the team. Most of the big signings so far have been with non-playoff teams. Obviously I think you're right that if things are equal, or near equal, the chance to win means a lot, but the Cubs have been a winning franchise for several years until this season. It's not like chosing the Lions over the Patriots or something. Assuming it's a deal for several seasons, I don't think players care that much about season 1 if they think the majority of their seasons will be with a strong team.

In the end it will come down to mostly money, and that's just a fact.

[1060Ivy]

Regarding the Rangers and its free agent buying spree, theres a story in the Athletic regarding the Rangers acquisitions and how the Rangers facilities, staff, and cash played significant roles for each player.



Heres a synopsis:



Rangers came off a 102 loss season and just committed over $500 MM to free agents. That financial commitment demonstrates that ownership appears committed to changing around the team who went into developing a team that could compete for first time since going into sell mode in 2017.



For Semien who spent most of his career with Oakland and then had to play in Buffalo as Toronto had no home games in 2020, the Rangers facilities and deep coaching staff made a difference:



It) blew me away, the things that they could provide for a veteran like me and a young guy, you know, coming up in the system, Semien said. To me, I envisioned a culture where all young players and veterans can use these resources and get themselves better to win a championship.



For Seager, Rangers Manager Woodward had worked with the him in LA and coached both his brothers in Seattles system.



For Gray, pitching coaches Doug Mathis and Brendan Sagara had worked with him with the Rockies and had prepared him for all away games



How did a 102-loss Rangers team lure Marcus Semien and Corey Seager?



https://theathletic.com/2989918/2021/12/...ed_article

[MrSheps]

I don't know Ivy, the evidence in that article is so weak it sort does the opposite of the intent to me and underlines that it was indeed all about money. I mean the idea that Semien chose the Rangers because they have nice facilities compared to Oakland and the time he had to play in Buffalo is kinda sort of close to something semi-believable I guess...if you assume his other offers were in the same ballpark and yet somehow from teams with shitty facilities. And the lines about Seager and Gray barely register as an explanation for choosing the Rangers at all, like the writer / player are grasping at straws. "Seager's cousin once road on a plane with the assistant batting coach, and thought he was a great guy." 

[1060Ivy]

Agree that money trumps all. The money the Rangers are spending is north of a half a billion dollars - that’s several truckloads of cash as opposed to a few bucks more than last year. Guessing that mountain range of cash would demonstrate that these guys are actually finally thinking about winning

[VanSlawAndCottoCheese]

Man, I was secretly hoping thy'd make play for Stroman. I can't believe that they pulled it off.

 

In light of the Stroman signing, that Clint Frazier "buy low" deal is even more intriguing.

[rok]

It wasn't that long ago that the Yankees viewed Frazier as a future cornerstone. He could turn out to be a very shrewd addition, and he's still young. If Stone and the coaching staff can help him regain his opposite field power, and he can play a passable RF, an OF of Happ/Davis/Frazier with Ortega and Hermosillo on the bench could be pretty solid. I don't know if there's a place on the roster for Heyward.

[funkster]

It wasn't that long ago that the Yankees viewed Frazier as a future cornerstone. He could turn out to be a very shrewd addition, and he's still young. If Stone and the coaching staff can help him regain his opposite field power, and he can play a passable RF, an OF of Happ/Davis/Frazier with Ortega and Hermosillo on the bench could be pretty solid. I don't know if there's a place on the roster for Heyward.

Hell, he went number 5 overall in the draft, he was very highly regarded.

[funkster]

Lol if anything Jed has gotten people talking about them again, half of Goldstein's last chat questions were about what they're doing and can they land Correa.

[Butcher]

The more I think about it, the more I suspect that Stroman was signed to flip at the deadline. Stroman alone isn't enough to make the team a contender. Hell, even Stroman + Correa isn't. There are just too many question marks and holes in the roster to think this team can compete anytime in the next 2-3 years. It's a 2-year contract (plus an option year), which would be incredibly easy to trade. If he performs reasonably well, they could get a nice return for him at the deadline. It's actually a pretty smart move...but I'm not going to get my hopes up that it signals that they're looking to build a winner for 2022.

[funkster]

The more I think about it, the more I suspect that Stroman was signed to flip at the deadline. Stroman alone isn't enough to make the team a contender. Hell, even Stroman + Correa isn't. There are just too many question marks and holes in the roster to think this team can compete anytime in the next 2-3 years. It's a 2-year contract (plus an option year), which would be incredibly easy to trade. If he performs reasonably well, they could get a nice return for him at the deadline. It's actually a pretty smart move...but I'm not going to get my hopes up that it signals that they're looking to build a winner for 2022.

You can say what you will about the Cubs, but Jed doesnt seems like the kind of asshole who would purposely mislead him.  I find that hard to believe.

[1060Ivy]

Don’t believe that Stroman was signed to be flipped. Is it a possibility? Yes so the option is an additional benefit but not primary motivation. See it more as a Jim Hendry signing Soriano move - placates the fans and media but isn’t a final key to being MLB competitive. The 2021 Cubs starting rotation ended the season being one of the worse in the majors. The signing of Stroman and Miley should significantly improve this team.



Cubs are a long way from being competitive against the best in baseball - even with Correa addition - and most likely missed their opportunity to add power pitching to the 2022 roster but at least the front office spent some cash and attempted to improve.

[MrSheps]

I thought too about the signing being a potential flip, particularly if you think the new CBA brings a draft lottery. But the Cubs suddenly have three pretty decent starters and some other higher ceiling options. If they did manage to sign Correa the middle infield is pretty interesting with Correa+Madrigal+Hoerner. They could probably still afford to sign an outfielder as they await Brennen Davis. A<span>fter the parade of random dudes backing up at catcher, it's now more than solid. They could believe Marquez is ready to pitch next season and be a force by 23, when the team is really then ready to go for it.</span>

 

Or, they stand pat as is now and trade Willson and Stroman at the deadline after selling more tickets than they would have the first few months. We'll see I guess. Baseball can be a weird sport. The Braves were about .500 at the break, lost their best player and were potential sellers, made some good though not overly flashy moves, and then won the world series. I wouldn't be surprised if Acuna is back next season and absolutely rakes...and they finish third in their division.