Welington Castillo

Mike Wellman 09/25/2023 - 09:24 pm (view)

Playoffs essentially start tomorrow for Cubs. Better pack for a week in Milwaukee.

Arizona Phil 09/25/2023 - 09:34 pm (view)

azbobbop: If Stroman does not opt out, the Cubs can trade him without any restrictions.

Stroman will make $21M in 2024 if he does not opt out, and Hendricks will make $16M if the Cubs exercise the club option. 

Also, it would cost the Cubs a $1.5M buy-out if they decline the Hendricks club option, so they would only be saving $14.5M by declining the option, not the full $16M.

azbobbop 09/25/2023 - 09:08 pm (view)

Phil, if Stroman opts in, does have any trade protection?

Arizona Phil 09/25/2023 - 09:52 pm (view)

CRUNCH: Unfortunately all of the tie-breakers work against the Cubs in the case of a tie with AZ, MIA, and/or CIN. 

Arizona Phil 09/25/2023 - 09:48 pm (view)

CUBSTER: The Cubs are expected to be "in" on Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but so will about a dozen other clubs. 

Arizona Phil 09/25/2023 - 09:54 pm (view)

Childersb3: I suspect the Cubs will pick-up the Hendricks $16M 2024 option rather than pay the $1.5M buy-out, and then depending on what else might happen during off-season (Stroman opt-out now not likely, Smyly to the pen permanently, might or might not sign Yamamoto), Hendricks will either be in the Cubs starting rotation on Opening Day, or else he will be traded. 

So while I don't think the Cubs will decline the club option, I do think he could be traded if it becomes clear during the course of the off-season and Spring Training that there is no place for him in the 2024 rotation.

With the need for SP being what it is throughout MLB, Hendricks still has value (especially on a one-year contract for reasonable money), whether it be with the Cubs or with another club (presuming he stays healthy, of course). 

Arizona Phil 09/25/2023 - 09:30 pm (view)

Cubs are pitch types / velo from the game: 

Alfredo Romero: FB 88-91 and CV 77-79 
Shane Marshall: FB 92, SL/CT: 87-88, CV: 79-81 
Mason McGwire: FB 93-95, SL/CT 85-88, SPLIT 76-78    
Kevin Valdez: FB 92-93, SL 80-83, CV 74 
Koen Moreno: FB 89-92, SL/CT 84-85, CH 79-81, CV 73-74 

crunch 09/25/2023 - 09:17 pm (view)

ARZ lost.  going into the last week of play ARZ + CHC are tied for the last 2 WC spots...MIA -1, CIN -2.5

Cubster 09/25/2023 - 09:17 am (view)

Tell us more about the chances of a Yamamoto?

Didnt Jed just scout in Japan?

Childersb3 09/25/2023 - 09:47 am (view)

Phil,

USA Today is reporting that Stroman is more likely now to take his option for next year rather than hit FA market.
21mil in hand and hope for a reset year in '24 a better outlook for him?
Does this mean Hendricks gets let go?
Smyly will opt in to his last year for sure.
So, Steele, Taillon, Stroman, Wicks, Assad, Brown, maybe Horton, with Smyly in the pen.
Will there be enough cash and spots for Hendricks to return?
I was hoping for a Steele, Taillon, Wicks, Assad, Brown and Yamamoto rotation.