***official 2016 chicago cubs season thread***
 

Alright Congratulations to the 2015 Royals for their World Series championship, but now it's time to get a head start on our Chicago Cubs!

First off, nothing to be ashamed of this year we did fantastic and proved to be a contender in the NL Central and in baseball. The NLCS is nothing to hang your head on. We are built on a young team and will only get better with experience.

Young guns: Jorge Soler, Tommy La Stella, Javier Baez, Addison Russell, Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber. All of these kids proved time and time again that they are ready to be here despite age and inexperience.

Pitching: Arrieta came through as a huge contender and proved his dominance, while Lester proved he could be lights out or light up. Hendricks and Hammel are not postseason pitchers and the back end of our pitching staff needs a drastic change of that be via trade or free agency. Greinke and Price are both possible choices.

Veterans: Anthony Rizzo, Austin Jackson, David Ross, Miguel Montero, Chris Denorfia, Chris Coghlan, Starlin Castro and Dexter Fowler. They have all proven their worth this previous season and have all played a part in 2015's success. I think we could have a better hitting catcher but that may happen if Schwarber works on it this offseason. Castro could still be on the trade block but after tumors and potential trades this year he started to play like he wanted to be there. And Rizzo, well you just have to love Rizzo.

Bullpen: Tommy Hunter, Pedro Strop, Fernando Rodney, Hector Rondon, Travis Wood, Jason Motte, Neil Ramirez, Trevor Cahill and Clayton Richard. Of all these guys I was most impressed and confident with Travis Wood, they got the job done most of the time but I think there is room for a better arm or two. Cahill was also outstanding with us, which was unexpected but very promising.

CF issue: We could lose out on Dexter Fowler who has proven very strong with us, I also believe he enjoyed being with us and would like to stay if there is a deal in place. If we were to lose him Jason Heyward is an option, expensive, but an option. I would like to see Fowler re-signed but it's up in the air for now. I don't think it's a good idea to give the spot to Austin Jackson who has proved a good backup but I don't think he'll be overwhelmingly great starter.

[B]Additional:[/B] We have eleven players that are hitting the free agency. Trevor Cahill, Chris Denorfia, Dexter Fowler, Fernando Rodney, Dan Haren (supposed to retire), Austin Jackson, Tommy Hunter, and Jason Motte. Who should get qualifying offers and who shouldn't? Also who is on your top list of specific players to acquire? Also, we will be opening up the 2016 against the Angels and Jake Arrieta shaved his beard!

Offseason Key Focus: Pitching, pitching, and pitching. Like I said before there were many reasons that we lost in the NLCS but one huge issue was that Hendricks and Hammdl aren't above average pitchers, didn't go deep into innings and give up a fair share of runs. Am I saying we need 5 Nolan Ryan's as a starting rotation? No, but we do need better pitching. This needs to be address and I believe this one key focus that Theo is looking to fix this offseason.

We made it farther than we were expected to in 2015 and let's strive for even more in 16'! This team is going to do great things and they're only going to get better. The whole North Side is behind you and loved this team and the Friendly Confines, let's see what we do this offseason and get ready for a competitive 2016! Go Cubs Go! And don't forget, #FlyTheW :)!

I'm quite sure you'll see the Cubbies make a run at Alex Gordon in free agency.

Offseason wish list:

Zack Greinke
Darren O'Day
Alex Gordon - If Schwarber can work on his catching.

I'm thinking I'd rather keep Castro than Baez. Obviously losing Russell wasn't the only reason they got swept, but it did them no favors and Baez wasn't a good replacement.

As long as they don't sit on their hands, then they'll make progress.

[QUOTE=BOOMER7;10053190]I'm quite sure you'll see the Cubbies make a run at Alex Gordon in free agency.[/QUOTE]

Great arm and glove. He showed on the national stage what he can. I'd welcome it.

[QUOTE=BOOMER7;10053190]I'm quite sure you'll see the Cubbies make a run at Alex Gordon in free agency.[/QUOTE]

Cubs don't need Alex Gordon they need arms Frontline and bullpen

[QUOTE=blackandgold;10053206]Cubs don't need Alex Gordon they need arms Frontline and bullpen[/QUOTE]

Gordon isn't the top priority. That doesn't mean he'd hinder this squad. Anything but.

I am positive KC will find a way to keep Gordon. He wants to stay in KC, he wants more $ though, I doubt he will pull a Butler. Good luck Cubbies!

It's tough seeing Gordon in another uniform, but you never know.

My wish list for Cubs would be:
Cueto (way better in the NL and he'd be #3 on Cubs)
Ziegler (not sure if he's a flat out FA or arb)
Bastardo or Cotts need a good left handed relief pitcher.
Offense really isn't a concern but IF Fowler leaves I'd rather look in house or someone not with a draft pick attached to them.

Gordon grew up in NE and wants to stay in KC, I'd be surprised if they don't work something out.

[QUOTE=Wolves4Life;10053305]My wish list for Cubs would be:
Cueto (way better in the NL and he'd be #3 on Cubs)
Ziegler (not sure if he's a flat out FA or arb)
Bastardo or Cotts need a good left handed relief pitcher.
Offense really isn't a concern but IF Fowler leaves I'd rather look in house or someone not with a draft pick attached to them.[/QUOTE]

I fear they'd overpay for Cueto after his playoff magic in Game 5 and Game 2. He's proven, though how much?

Gosh it'd be nice if this team had more homegrown pitching.

[QUOTE=sjorgen5;10053318]Gordon grew up in NE and wants to stay in KC, I'd be surprised if they don't work something out.[/QUOTE]

If he stays then he would be taking a hometown discount. He's worth about 12-15 mill a year. KC going to pay that? They are not exactly big paying type.

It would be nice to add an actual outfielder (not a converted one) and get Schwarbs back behind the plate. Defense in the outfield was atrocious at times. It would also be nice if it was an obp guy, with so many boom or bust guys in the lineup. I do think the rookies will become a little more patient and learn to shorten up with two strikes, but I wouldn't want to lose the aggressiveness altogether. It was very apparent in the nlcs - everyone was swinging for the fences. Just look at the Royals - get the ball in play, make the defense work and good things will happen.

[QUOTE=SportsAutoFreak;10053326]I fear they'd overpay for Cueto after his playoff magic in Game 5 and Game 2. He's proven, though how much?

Gosh it'd be nice if this team had more homegrown pitching.[/QUOTE]

They have good pitching in the farm but their year away. I'd rather "overpay" Cueto than Greinke who would probably double what Cueto costs.

[QUOTE=Wolves4Life;10053383]They have good pitching in the farm but their year away. I'd rather "overpay" Cueto than Greinke who would probably double what Cueto costs.[/QUOTE]

Greinke is 32. Cueto is 28. So I'm guessing Cueto gets more, though not as much as Price. Greinke gets a pretty penny, though I doubt he gets Scherzer money.

[QUOTE=SportsAutoFreak;10053198]Offseason wish list:

Zack Greinke
Darren O'Day
Alex Gordon - If Schwarber can work on his catching.

I'm thinking I'd rather keep Castro than Baez. Obviously losing Russell wasn't the only reason they got swept, but it did them no favors and Baez wasn't a good replacement.

As long as they don't sit on their hands, then they'll make progress.[/QUOTE]

Every team wants Darren O'Day. He's going to get paid

[QUOTE=enbambam6986;10053411]Every team wants Darren O'Day. He's going to get paid[/QUOTE]

In case you haven't picked up on it, I'm a huge O'Day fan. I'd love him here. He'll command cash. Some bullpen help wouldn't hurt since the pen isn't terribly deep.

[QUOTE=SportsAutoFreak;10053419]In case you haven't picked up on it, I'm a huge O'Day fan. I'd love him here. He'll command cash. Some bullpen help wouldn't hurt since the pen isn't terribly deep.[/QUOTE]

Why would I pick up on it? I don't keep track of your Darren O'Day posts


A lot of teams have average bullpens and want him

[QUOTE=enbambam6986;10053436]Why would I pick up on it? I don't keep track of your Darren O'Day posts


A lot of teams have average bullpens and want him[/QUOTE]

I took him in the MLB redraft, dynasty and the failed experiment of the salary cap draft. That's no accident.

Cubs have the money. Shell it out for him.

The odds favor the Cubs to win the 2016 World Series.

Schwarber!!!

[QUOTE=SportsAutoFreak;10053400]Greinke is 32. Cueto is 28. So I'm guessing Cueto gets more, though not as much as Price. Greinke gets a pretty penny, though I doubt he gets Scherzer money.[/QUOTE]

Cueto is actually 29 and will be 30 in February.

[QUOTE=death2redemptions;10054082]Cueto is actually 29 and will be 30 in February.[/QUOTE]

Well I stand corrected. For some reason I thought he was born in '87, not '86.

[QUOTE=SportsAutoFreak;10054099]Well I stand corrected. For some reason I thought he was born in '87, not '86.[/QUOTE]

Still makes him a few years younger than Greinke which should mean a larger contract. Maybe not quiet as much per year but he should get a longer contract, which means more overall money.

I really liked seeing Dexter Fowler in Cubbie blue and really hope Theo can keep him in 2016. It seems CF has always been a revolving door for the Cubs. We had Corey Patterson who was supposed to be our CF for years to come(that didn't work out to well). We had Kenny Lofton in 2003 I was really happy and thought we found our CF and he will be here for a few seasons. Sad to see KL leave after 1 season with the Cubs.

Then Cubbies signed Juan Pierre in 2006 I was really excited because he is such a great hitter and defensive player. Thank you JP for your time at Wrigley you will be missed!

So I hope we can keep Dexter Fowler on the team for at least another season or 2. Do you think Theo will go pedal to the metal and go after Price?

Fly the W
Go Cubs Go