2015 Cubs Offseason: Building a Winner Around David Ross

[Eli]

Welp.

David Price: Two agents for free-agent starting pitchers predict that Price will sign with the Cubs. An executive who knows Price says that the Cubs are his first choice. It's all talk until the contract is signed, particularly when the Dodgers, Giants, Cardinals and Red Sox all could be in the mix.

Also.

On his podcast, ESPN.com's Buster Olney said that he has heard that the Cubs are "heavy, heavy, heavy, heavy favorites" to sign Price in free agency.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

Welp.

David Price: Two agents for free-agent starting pitchers predict that Price will sign with the Cubs. An executive who knows Price says that the Cubs are his first choice. It's all talk until the contract is signed, particularly when the Dodgers, Giants, Cardinals and Red Sox all could be in the mix.

Also.

On his podcast, ESPN.com's Buster Olney said that he has heard that the Cubs are "heavy, heavy, heavy, heavy favorites" to sign Price in free agency.

This makes sense, to me, if it means they're not worried about locking up Arrieta after next year which, as strange as that sounds, is just the type of coldblooded, objective move that would get me even more excited about this front office were that to come to pass.

[SKO]

Welp.

David Price: Two agents for free-agent starting pitchers predict that Price will sign with the Cubs. An executive who knows Price says that the Cubs are his first choice. It's all talk until the contract is signed, particularly when the Dodgers, Giants, Cardinals and Red Sox all could be in the mix.

Also.

On his podcast, ESPN.com's Buster Olney said that he has heard that the Cubs are "heavy, heavy, heavy, heavy favorites" to sign Price in free agency.

This makes sense, to me, if it means they're not worried about locking up Arrieta after next year which, as strange as that sounds, is just the type of coldblooded, objective move that would get me even more excited about this front office were that to come to pass.

This is pretty much exactly how last offseason started with Lester, so God I hope it plays out the same way.

[Eli]

I'm still not sure that $200MM+ for Price is the best use of resources but if Jepstink decides it is, I'll shut up and enjoy the dumb ensuing debate about who starts Opening Day.

[SKO]

I'm still not sure that $200MM+ for Price is the best use of resources but if Jepstink decides it is, I'll shut up and enjoy the dumb ensuing debate about who starts Opening Day.

My guess is they wouldn't put all of their eggs into the Price basket. I doubt they'd sign him if they weren't assured that there would still be some flexibility in future offseasons. Obviously not a 200 million dollar contract added every year, but I feel like they wouldn't commit everything to Price if they knew they were fucked if it fails.

[SKO]

If they did sign Price, I'd still want them to get another starting pitcher in a trade. They wouldn't have to go get a Tyson Ross or Corrasco that would cost them a guy like Soler, but trading whoever in the minor for a quality, cost-controlled #3 type would be good. Whatever they do I'd like them to be in a situation where Hammel and Hendricks are competing for one spot in the rotation, rather than counting on both of them.

[Quality Start Machine]

If they did sign Price, I'd still want them to get another starting pitcher in a trade. They wouldn't have to go get a Tyson Ross or Corrasco that would cost them a guy like Soler, but trading whoever in the minor for a quality, cost-controlled #3 type would be good. Whatever they do I'd like them to be in a situation where Hammel and Hendricks are competing for one spot in the rotation, rather than counting on both of them.

Unless one of them goes the other way in the trade for said pitcher.

[Armchair_QB]

If the front three are Lester, Arrieta & Price, why deal for a fourth starter? Why not a low-money deal for another free agent?

[Eli]

If the front three are Lester, Arrieta & Price, why deal for a fourth starter? Why not a low-money deal for another free agent?

Because a rotation isn't like taking an average. They would ideally still have 5 capable starters, regardless of how good the top 3 are.

[SKO]

If the front three are Lester, Arrieta & Price, why deal for a fourth starter? Why not a low-money deal for another free agent?

Because a rotation isn't like taking an average. They would ideally still have 5 capable starters, regardless of how good the top 3 are.

And it would be nice to balance out the three expensive vets (Jake gonna get paid in arbitration whether they work out an extension or not) with some cost-controlled, talented young guys at the bottom.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

If they did sign Price, I'd still want them to get another starting pitcher in a trade. They wouldn't have to go get a Tyson Ross or Corrasco that would cost them a guy like Soler, but trading whoever in the minor for a quality, cost-controlled #3 type would be good. Whatever they do I'd like them to be in a situation where Hammel and Hendricks are competing for one spot in the rotation, rather than counting on both of them.

Unless one of them goes the other way in the trade for said pitcher.

If Hammel can be used to get anything that's notjasonhammel that'd be good enough for me.

[PenFoe]

Arrieta
Lester
Price
Wei-Yin Chen
Hendricks/Pierce Johnson/Hammel

[Tonker]

If they did sign Price, I'd still want them to get another starting pitcher in a trade. They wouldn't have to go get a Tyson Ross or Corrasco that would cost them a guy like Soler, but trading whoever in the minor for a quality, cost-controlled #3 type would be good. Whatever they do I'd like them to be in a situation where Hammel and Hendricks are competing for one spot in the rotation, rather than counting on both of them.

Unless one of them goes the other way in the trade for said pitcher.

If Hammel can be used to get anything that's notjasonhammel that'd be good enough for me.

I reckon they should ride Hammel's inevitable first-half hot streak and then flip him at the deadline even though they're twenty games over .500 and obviously buyers.  Baltimore will give up something decent for him.

[InternetApex]

Arrieta
Lester
Price
Wei-Yin Chen
Hendricks/Pierce Johnson/Hammel

I've wanted Chen for a long time but I doubt they would or should try to outbid the Yankees who are in hot pursuit.

[CBStew]

I'm still not sure that $200MM+ for Price is the best use of resources but if Jepstink decides it is, I'll shut up and enjoy the dumb ensuing debate about who starts Opening Day.

That's easy.  The one who doesn't need Tommy John surgery.