That late movement on his pitches is back since the all star break, and he is a solid playoff contributor.

If you were Jed Epstein what would you do after the season?

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I chose the second option because I couldn't stomach giving him the $200+ million his agent will ask for. There's way too many younger, not yet tapped their prime players to pay on this roster.

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Yeah, man, second option.

I'd offer 5 years / $140M and hope he says yes. Maybe a little higher. Not sure I like 6 or 7 years though.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

only if the contract explicitly states he stays on whatever juice he's on now.

No way 6 or 7 years. Nothing over $150 million.

Going to see just how much he loves this team and organization during the offseason because there will def be a team or two or three overbidding for his services.

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Absolutely not.

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So why did you choose "fuck off Jbi11s then"?

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Principle, I'm sure.


You and IMU more or less have it right ... I'd just say 'show me the numbers' and then answer, but definitely not what Boras wants.

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Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

I would but only for the 2nd option.

But that aint happening. Jake looking better lately is going to make sure that does not happen. Some team will give him the huge deal Boras will want.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

The one major distress I have about the farm system is there is no Ace level arm being talked about. Just one young high caliber pitcher would alleviate the minor anxiety I have about how long this window can stay open.

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Jake is looking for a huge contract because it'll be his last. Boras can get him one. I doubt Jake will take a "hometown" discount. If Jake isn't a Cub next season, Theo better use that money to go after Harper the following winter.

If you sign Harper, the team will be Harper, Bryant, and a bunch of replacement level players by 2020. I love the thought of having two of the very best baseball players on the same team, but man, it would cost a fortune.

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Good thing the Cubs are making fortunes.

The Cubs still wouldn't be close to a team like the Dodgers.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

Looking at the 2018 Free Agent SP's .... that's a lot of 'oy'.

http://www.spotrac.com/mlb/free-agents/starting-pitcher/

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Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

Which makes it all the more distressing there isn't an ace being talked about in the farm system.

Edit: LoL maybe I'm wrong tho. Our top 5 prospects now are pitchers.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/mlb/news/prospects/index.jsp?c_id=chc

Maybe the window is firmly open for longer than I thought.

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Yup.

Would do it for 4 years max, but zero percent chance that happens.

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Not a mult.

2022 Free Agents:

Anthony Rizzo
Addison Russell
Kris Bryant
Javy Baez
Kyle Schwarber

2023 + 2024 Free Agents:

Wilson Contreras ('23)
Albert Almora ('23)
Jason Heyward ('24)


All of those guys are not replacement level players. Harper would be playing with everyone for 3 full seasons. Theo's repeated that the idea is to get to the playoffs each of the next five seasons and compete for championships because his deal will be up after that time (winter 2021). Jed can figure out the rest when he takes over.

Bryant, Contreras, Rizzo are my priority guys barring injury right now.

What I think you're telling me tho, is if Harper signs after the 2018 season we could potentially have 3 or 4 seasons of the most loaded offensive Cubs team I have ever seen. Correct?

Sprinkle in some young pitchers from the farm system, and I could see some great things continuing.

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Thanks for doing the leg work on the contracts Wolfley. Appreciate it.

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Kershaw is opting out after next season. Both the Dodgers and Cubs will have about $72 million committed to the 2019 payroll. Are the Dodgers going to spend $600 or $700 million next winter on Kershaw and Harper?

Yessir. I'd love to see that offense every day.

Bronson Arroyo is still cashing MLB checks? Holy shit.

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You guys are nuts, I wouldn't offer him anything more than a year 22 million.

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I tend to agree...nothing long-term. Arrieta and Boras would probably not even consider that though.

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