01-11-2024, 04:37 PM
If it wasn't a trade with the Dodgers (or say the Braves or Rays) I would be stoked, but what are the chances the Cubs got one over on the Dodgers? Well, actually, maybe pretty good because the Dodgers are so loaded Busch could simply be blocked there. From the reports, it sounds like Busch is more of a first baseman than third, that he's better suited for 1B. With Freeman there, Ohtani now the DH, and Muncy at third through 2025, Busch would have a hard time getting in the lineup. So this could be the Cubs taking advantage of the Dodger's situation, or a deal that's good for both teams.
Regardless, this is a huge twist for the Cubs off season. It seemed almost certain that the Cubs would sign Hoskins to a pillow deal to play 1B. Maybe Busch is now the opening day starter there and Chapman at 3B is the more likely target. Belli made a lot of sense, as you don't break camp with PCA in center if you don't want to, and when he's ready you put Belli at 1B. But again, this impacts things there as well.
Obviously this means nothing until we see if Busch can hit at the MLB level, but this could end up being one hell of a move. BA had him as the Dodgers' top prospect entering 2024, other services have him at 2. Ferris may be a stud, but if you had to bet on one of them working out, particularly if arm surgery is almost inevitable these days for pitchers, I think Busch is the much safer bet.
A baseball prospectus take:
"The second of two first-rounders selected by LA in 2019, Busch has separated himself from Kody Hoese—a full-fledged bust at this point. If he played almost anywhere but in the Dodgers’ organization, Busch probably would have made his MLB debut by now. He had nothing left to prove in the minors after July, but he lacked the Veteran Presence many teams have come to love. That, and there was literally no playing time for him in Los Angeles. He’s a bat-first “second baseman” who might end up as a first baseman or left fielder. He’s heading into his age-25 season and has all the makings of the next Max Muncy—the rectangular one, not the teenager (coincidentally) drafted by the Athletics. And like the quadrilateral Dodger slugger, Busch is going to make it on the strength of his bat (even if Muncy’s defense is underrated by most)."
Obviously this before he played with the Dodgers last year a bit, but interesting about 2B.
Regardless, this is a huge twist for the Cubs off season. It seemed almost certain that the Cubs would sign Hoskins to a pillow deal to play 1B. Maybe Busch is now the opening day starter there and Chapman at 3B is the more likely target. Belli made a lot of sense, as you don't break camp with PCA in center if you don't want to, and when he's ready you put Belli at 1B. But again, this impacts things there as well.
Obviously this means nothing until we see if Busch can hit at the MLB level, but this could end up being one hell of a move. BA had him as the Dodgers' top prospect entering 2024, other services have him at 2. Ferris may be a stud, but if you had to bet on one of them working out, particularly if arm surgery is almost inevitable these days for pitchers, I think Busch is the much safer bet.
A baseball prospectus take:
"The second of two first-rounders selected by LA in 2019, Busch has separated himself from Kody Hoese—a full-fledged bust at this point. If he played almost anywhere but in the Dodgers’ organization, Busch probably would have made his MLB debut by now. He had nothing left to prove in the minors after July, but he lacked the Veteran Presence many teams have come to love. That, and there was literally no playing time for him in Los Angeles. He’s a bat-first “second baseman” who might end up as a first baseman or left fielder. He’s heading into his age-25 season and has all the makings of the next Max Muncy—the rectangular one, not the teenager (coincidentally) drafted by the Athletics. And like the quadrilateral Dodger slugger, Busch is going to make it on the strength of his bat (even if Muncy’s defense is underrated by most)."
Obviously this before he played with the Dodgers last year a bit, but interesting about 2B.