I agree.

Listening to Coomer on with McNeil and Parkin the other day, two things stood out. First, Lester Strode was let go (I wasn't originally sure if it was voluntary, but Coomer confirmed it was not), and Coomer seemed to intimate that Bryant will likely be gone. When asked if Bryant might do better with a change of scenery, he said "yes, maybe" pretty matter-of-factly.

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Even tho trading a former MVP naturally brings hesitation, I don’t really see MANY other options to improve the farm system/pitching staff.

Outside of trading Baez or Willson.

If that happens I’m done with the Cubs for a few years.

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Coomer doesn't know shit. I think Contreras will be the big piece dealt. His defense sucks and his framing is bad. Bryant has the lowest value because Boras is his agent.

another Red Sox hired.

Napoli hired as some kinda quality assurance coach. What the fuck does that mean anyhow? Must be meaningless, as the last guy to hold that "position" was Chris Denorfia

Epstein just cant wrangle free of the Red Sox. He's like a little villager. Cant go outside what he knows.

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This is more to do with Ross than Epstein. Napoli played for a lot of teams. He played for Sciosia and Francona, he's a former catcher, and yes he and Ross played together in Boston. The position is a second bench coach type, but in the press box or back in the clubhouse instead of in the dugout (MLB limits the number of uniformed coaches)

He's going to be the consigliere.

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

Javy and the Cubs working on long term extension.

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Bryant is as good as gone.

I think Bryant is gone too..but Coomer has no inside info.

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Bryant will not sign a long term deal...so it's really about when do you get max return for him. Now? Deadline? next offseason? next deadline? Roll of the dice, but I think the best bet is now.

Contreras is overvalued in terms of what the Cubs have. Caratina is a batter game caller and they have someone they're high on in minors. Takes nothing away from Contreras being a good player. He is....but I think the Cubs are a better team going in with Caratini is the #1 catcher. This has the potential to be a win-win trade if the Cubs get value in return.

I think both get traded plus very possible Schwarber goes as well....however...he still has not restored his 2016 value. They were stupid for not dealing him after the 2016 WS. He's a DH.

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What if the "max return" for the Cubs is to let Bryant play 120 games in 2020 and 2021, hit .275 with 25 HRs, then let him walk?

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Better off using that money for Castellanos and let Bote be the black hole at 3b instead of Almora in CF, and get some pitching for Bryant.

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

Akiyama in CF and leadoff, Almora is our 4th OF. Trade Bryant and resign Castellanos

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From the Athletic:

The Cubs have Japanese outfielder Shogo Akiyama on their radar as they explore ways to boost production from the leadoff spot and improve their up-the-middle defense.

After a long hiring season, Cubs officials are only in the preliminary stages of trade talks and free-agent discussions, but they did check out of the Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia on Thursday with a better sense of which teams might match up with certain players on their roster.

Epstein’s front office will have to get creative. Given the limitations on the budget for baseball operations, the Cubs have no plans to be involved at the top of the free-agent market this winter. There is no guarantee that the Cubs will trade All-Star catcher Willson Contreras or former NL MVP Kris Bryant or anyone else remaining from the 2016 World Series team.

Akiyama, who will turn 32 in April, is a left-handed hitter with a career .301 average for the Seibu Lions. Across the last five seasons in Japan’s Pacific League, his on-base percentages look like this: .419, .385, .398, .403 and .392.

A productive, two-way center fielder is a rare commodity in today’s game. Someone like Akiyama would allow the Cubs to diversify their lineup and move Jason Heyward back to right field, where he has won five Gold Gloves.

“Every year, you factor in all available avenues,” Epstein said when asked about the international market. “We’ll look and see if there’s a fit on that front as well.”

Love how people here pretend other teams don't know Boras is Bryant's agent . That hurts his trade value. Contreras is the most logical to go and will net the most talent.

No to old Japanese players. They don't see the same pitching speed from good pitchers in Japan.

That said, Almora could probably benefit from a year in Japan. Right now, he's Henry Cotto, a CF of occasional defensive value who can hit lefties. Another stint in Iowa won't help.

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

I have no problem with the Napoli hire. Seems like a good no nonsense ass kicking John Lackey type. They need some red ass on this team if in fact that is his M.O.

I'm ok with bringing this guy in for the bench if we can get him cheap. Let's be honest, our depth is a joke. If he can get on base a little and flash some leather, that's a good thing. But he is no more than a 4th/5th outfielder.

I love it. The new Cub fan narrative. Old Japanese players.

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Elections have consequences.

Trolling in other areas that ostensibly should be of little concern to you. Completely normal. For the better part of a decade this clown still hasn't figured out that no one actually cares about his views on the Cubs or anything else for that matter. He exists solely for the purpose of being an irritant on the internet.

And in doing and being that he thinks he is "completely normal".

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Completely normal to make a reply to a fairly innocuous post seven weeks later.

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Just got a call from the Cubs...apparently I’m near the top of the season ticket waiting list. Funny since the last update had me at around #39,000. They must have a lot of non-renewals. I don’t think I’m interested anymore.

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And so the plan comes full circle.

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Elections have consequences.

Easy there, Mike Grandal.

Why can’t others be as good natured as us?

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Elections have consequences.

Yup! I was 10,000 before 2019 season and got the call. There's zero value to being a STH.

It used to be a good investment. You could go to the games you like and sell off the rest for a profit. They are priced so high now in the primary market that you are lucky to break even for games you sell. Also, the e ticket can be awkward to move around, which I suspect is the unstated primary incentive for teams switching to exclusively e.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

I just picked up an 8 game package for the Durham Bulls for $101 total. 18th row aisle even with where the 3B plays on the grass for bunts. Plus $2/game off of parking.

The same ticket at Wrigley would cost me $90 for one game. Can't do it... I liked going during the rebuild, when I could pick up Terrace Box seats for $19 on stubhub the morning of the game.

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

fuck!

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Sherman remarked, "Well, Grant, we've had the devil's own day, haven't we?" Grant looked up. "Yes," he replied, followed by a puff. "Yes. Lick 'em tomorrow, though."