12-16-2019, 06:28 PM
Another Q&A with Mooney and Sharma on The Athletic today. Relevant excerpts:
Q: What percentage chance would say Bryant gets traded? Same for Contreras?
S: I don't really like doing percentages, because my general feeling is that unless I hear wind that something is done or close to it, that a deal won't happen. but i'd say that with what we're hearing, the odds of a KB trade are greater than Willson, which is something that changed over the last few weeks. not 100% sure why it changed, but my guess is that they have a better sense of potential value on the market for both guys now and perhaps KB isn't as low as they thought. That's educated speculation, I don't know that for sure.
Q: Are the Cubs really going to try and sell everyone on Almora again this off season? Or will they at some point address the Centerfield position?
S: I think if you read the piece I wrote about him, it's pretty clear they're not trying to sell anyone on him being the regular. the message is: he needs to be more selective with what he swings at and, most importantly, really embrace his role. what they leave unsaid is what that role is. but do you think he'd have trouble embracing the role of an everyday center fielder? I doubt that. if that's the role they envision for him, why say that? they need him to accept that right now in his career, he's a fourth outfielder who should hit lefties. embrace that. thrive in that role. maybe it resuscitates your career and you can earn a starting job... either with the Cubs or elsewhere.
Q: Any chance the Cubs may try to get one MLB ready player and one high quality prospect in a trade rather than something like 4 prospects commonly seen in trades today?
M: The assumption is that some element of any deal will involve at least one player who is already in the big leagues or close to making an major impact.
Q: In your opinion would trading Bryant be a mistake? I know it's hard to answer not knowing what the return would be. Just talking big picture thoughts on trading an MVP caliber player while your window is still open
S: I get the nuance of it all and understand where they're coming from. part of me thinks that if you get a haul, it makes sense. the other part of me thinks about how good KB really is and how hard it is to find players that can put together All-Star seasons, let along MVP seasons and I realize it's going to be really hard to trade him and not think that for at least two years, it'll look like a mistake.
Q: Who do you think the Cubs would look at in the infield market? Cesar Hernandez? Brock Holt?
S: they're looking for a lefty hitting 2B to complement Nico. hernandez would make a ton of sense, but I heard his market may be too robust. not sure how realistic he is. but that's the right mold of player.
Q: What are the odds the Cubs move a smaller piece like Ian Happ or David Bote instead of Bryant or Contreras?
S: this can't be emphasized enough: when theo said no one is untouchable on the MLB roster, he's never meant it more with the cubs than he does right now. their goal is to find good value for players and extend what they perceive to be a window that's closing in 2021 unless they take action.
Q: How is that window going to stay open if you trade an All Star like Bryant? Plus I’m still asking this. Why has there been no discussion of trading Jason Heyward? He’s the highest paid player on the roster, and two years straight his batting average has dropped. Cubs should trade him before they ever consider trading Bryant.
S: in theory, the window stays open because you get a bunch of good, young players for bryant who will be around beyond 2021, which bryant may not be. i'm sure the cubs wouldn't mind trading heyward, but other teams have noticed his poor offensive numbers and large contract as well, so it makes trading him a bit harder.
Q: Were the Cubs in on Kluber at all? For the kind of price he went for, I can’t imagine why we wouldn’t take the chance on him.
S: their plan this offseason has been stated pretty clearly. they don't want to fall off a cliff after 2021. with the way the system is, they can't do that without perhaps spending on a big FA (which clearly isn't happening) or trading valuable pieces to add young players who are under control and could impact that team for the next six-plus years. While I totally get why fans would want him, Kluber doesn't fall into that category and just isn't the direction they're going this winter.
Q: Is it possible that none of the stars get traded? All these reports make it sound inevitable that at least one will be traded.
S: of course it's possible. theo even said it's possible they go with the status quo. but that also means they didn't accomplish some of their stated goals. but if I had to bet, i'd think they make a big move. but they need a parter to trade with that really makes them believe it's the right thing.
Q: Do you expect Bryant to be traded shortly after Donaldson signs?
S: depending on how you'd define 'shortly' I kinda do. they're waiting for the free agents 3Bs to sign to really see what they can get for KB. There are other trade options (Seager), obviously lesser than KB, but it'll be interesting to see if that hurts their leverage at all. I think the way FA prices have gone, teams that are really approaching or in the peak of a contention cycle may not be as turned off at parting with unproven young talent for two years of Bryant at ~$40M.
Q: What do you think it would cost the cubs to lock up Bryant for the next 7-8 years? Assuming that figure is comparable to Arenado’s and rendons, are the cubs better off paying Bryant or flipping him now for pitching/centerfield pieces? It’s hard to imagine them being able to trade for the next KB
M: The reference points would be Arenado and Rendon.
Q: What’s the plan at third if KB gets shipped away? Think Happ will have a shot at near-every day ABs? He’s a positional fit at 3rd, 2nd, OF..
S: it'll really depends on what the trade return is. I wouldn't be shocked if they try happ there regularly. bote seems less likely to me, but no clue what the roster will look like.
Q: Do you still expect an extension to happen for Baez this off-season and what do you think it would take in terms of AAV & Contract Length to get it done?
M: Both sides are open to that idea.
Q: What if anything do you make of the Nicholas Castellanos rumor from Saturday night? Seems... odd...
M: Not buying it.
Q: How comfortable is the front office with Nico being the everyday 2nd basemen moving forward?
M: The Cubs haven't totally committed to that idea yet -- there are a lot more viable second-base options out there than center fielders on the market -- but Nico should have a good opportunity in 2020.
Q: When will KBs grievance be resolved?
M: The Cubs are hoping for early January. (The Cubs also thought it would be decided by the winter meetings.)
Q: Who are the 3 Cub minor league players that could have an effect on the major league team this year?
M: Assuming Nico Hoerner doesn't count: 1. Zack Short (if Javy gets hurt and the Cubs need a backup shortstop); 2. Adbert Alzolay (last chance to make an impression?); 3. Brailyn Marquez (if he stays healthy and the Cubs are in the race and need a lefty who throws 100 mph).
Q: What percentage chance would say Bryant gets traded? Same for Contreras?
S: I don't really like doing percentages, because my general feeling is that unless I hear wind that something is done or close to it, that a deal won't happen. but i'd say that with what we're hearing, the odds of a KB trade are greater than Willson, which is something that changed over the last few weeks. not 100% sure why it changed, but my guess is that they have a better sense of potential value on the market for both guys now and perhaps KB isn't as low as they thought. That's educated speculation, I don't know that for sure.
Q: Are the Cubs really going to try and sell everyone on Almora again this off season? Or will they at some point address the Centerfield position?
S: I think if you read the piece I wrote about him, it's pretty clear they're not trying to sell anyone on him being the regular. the message is: he needs to be more selective with what he swings at and, most importantly, really embrace his role. what they leave unsaid is what that role is. but do you think he'd have trouble embracing the role of an everyday center fielder? I doubt that. if that's the role they envision for him, why say that? they need him to accept that right now in his career, he's a fourth outfielder who should hit lefties. embrace that. thrive in that role. maybe it resuscitates your career and you can earn a starting job... either with the Cubs or elsewhere.
Q: Any chance the Cubs may try to get one MLB ready player and one high quality prospect in a trade rather than something like 4 prospects commonly seen in trades today?
M: The assumption is that some element of any deal will involve at least one player who is already in the big leagues or close to making an major impact.
Q: In your opinion would trading Bryant be a mistake? I know it's hard to answer not knowing what the return would be. Just talking big picture thoughts on trading an MVP caliber player while your window is still open
S: I get the nuance of it all and understand where they're coming from. part of me thinks that if you get a haul, it makes sense. the other part of me thinks about how good KB really is and how hard it is to find players that can put together All-Star seasons, let along MVP seasons and I realize it's going to be really hard to trade him and not think that for at least two years, it'll look like a mistake.
Q: Who do you think the Cubs would look at in the infield market? Cesar Hernandez? Brock Holt?
S: they're looking for a lefty hitting 2B to complement Nico. hernandez would make a ton of sense, but I heard his market may be too robust. not sure how realistic he is. but that's the right mold of player.
Q: What are the odds the Cubs move a smaller piece like Ian Happ or David Bote instead of Bryant or Contreras?
S: this can't be emphasized enough: when theo said no one is untouchable on the MLB roster, he's never meant it more with the cubs than he does right now. their goal is to find good value for players and extend what they perceive to be a window that's closing in 2021 unless they take action.
Q: How is that window going to stay open if you trade an All Star like Bryant? Plus I’m still asking this. Why has there been no discussion of trading Jason Heyward? He’s the highest paid player on the roster, and two years straight his batting average has dropped. Cubs should trade him before they ever consider trading Bryant.
S: in theory, the window stays open because you get a bunch of good, young players for bryant who will be around beyond 2021, which bryant may not be. i'm sure the cubs wouldn't mind trading heyward, but other teams have noticed his poor offensive numbers and large contract as well, so it makes trading him a bit harder.
Q: Were the Cubs in on Kluber at all? For the kind of price he went for, I can’t imagine why we wouldn’t take the chance on him.
S: their plan this offseason has been stated pretty clearly. they don't want to fall off a cliff after 2021. with the way the system is, they can't do that without perhaps spending on a big FA (which clearly isn't happening) or trading valuable pieces to add young players who are under control and could impact that team for the next six-plus years. While I totally get why fans would want him, Kluber doesn't fall into that category and just isn't the direction they're going this winter.
Q: Is it possible that none of the stars get traded? All these reports make it sound inevitable that at least one will be traded.
S: of course it's possible. theo even said it's possible they go with the status quo. but that also means they didn't accomplish some of their stated goals. but if I had to bet, i'd think they make a big move. but they need a parter to trade with that really makes them believe it's the right thing.
Q: Do you expect Bryant to be traded shortly after Donaldson signs?
S: depending on how you'd define 'shortly' I kinda do. they're waiting for the free agents 3Bs to sign to really see what they can get for KB. There are other trade options (Seager), obviously lesser than KB, but it'll be interesting to see if that hurts their leverage at all. I think the way FA prices have gone, teams that are really approaching or in the peak of a contention cycle may not be as turned off at parting with unproven young talent for two years of Bryant at ~$40M.
Q: What do you think it would cost the cubs to lock up Bryant for the next 7-8 years? Assuming that figure is comparable to Arenado’s and rendons, are the cubs better off paying Bryant or flipping him now for pitching/centerfield pieces? It’s hard to imagine them being able to trade for the next KB
M: The reference points would be Arenado and Rendon.
Q: What’s the plan at third if KB gets shipped away? Think Happ will have a shot at near-every day ABs? He’s a positional fit at 3rd, 2nd, OF..
S: it'll really depends on what the trade return is. I wouldn't be shocked if they try happ there regularly. bote seems less likely to me, but no clue what the roster will look like.
Q: Do you still expect an extension to happen for Baez this off-season and what do you think it would take in terms of AAV & Contract Length to get it done?
M: Both sides are open to that idea.
Q: What if anything do you make of the Nicholas Castellanos rumor from Saturday night? Seems... odd...
M: Not buying it.
Q: How comfortable is the front office with Nico being the everyday 2nd basemen moving forward?
M: The Cubs haven't totally committed to that idea yet -- there are a lot more viable second-base options out there than center fielders on the market -- but Nico should have a good opportunity in 2020.
Q: When will KBs grievance be resolved?
M: The Cubs are hoping for early January. (The Cubs also thought it would be decided by the winter meetings.)
Q: Who are the 3 Cub minor league players that could have an effect on the major league team this year?
M: Assuming Nico Hoerner doesn't count: 1. Zack Short (if Javy gets hurt and the Cubs need a backup shortstop); 2. Adbert Alzolay (last chance to make an impression?); 3. Brailyn Marquez (if he stays healthy and the Cubs are in the race and need a lefty who throws 100 mph).
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)