I agree that the likelihood is none of these things happen, but the Cubs should have figured out how to extend Tucker as soon as the trade became official. Giving up what they did to only get a comp pick back is inexcusable, and it’s not like they can’t afford a big contract. The Cubs did have a lot of good position-player prospects pushing for playing time (Matt Shaw, Smith and Owen Caissie), but if you make this move for Tucker, you have to extend him as a condition of the trade.
Almost certainly, but I'm not sure it's a lock either makes the roster. From a roster standpoint, Paredes being able to play 2B means I imagine they are also competing with Cam Smith, Dezenzo and maybe Whitcomb. 6 Everyday locks (Diaz,Walker,Pena,Paredes,Altuve,Yordan) 3 Bench locks (Caratini,Meyers,Dubon) 2 Highly likely (Gamel,Chas) That leaves 2 roster spots for everybody else. Rodgers is fighting to be the everyday 2B, if he doesn't look good enough in camp to be an everyday player I imagine he's gone.
Yeah, I agree with you. That said, there’s zero chance Tucker would agree to a contract with them without testing the open market unless they just straight up made him a ridiculous offer. Regardless, it’s not like Tucker is going to give them (or any other team for that matter) some discount because they traded for him. If they want to sign him long term, they could have just waited until this offseason without giving up anything. The move really only makes sense if they think they can win this year…I just don’t see it.
Not necessarily. They are complementary players as Rodgers has been better against LHP and Guillorme better against RHP. There are scenarios where they both make the team. Also plenty of scenarios where neither guy makes it.
Dubon fields literally every position except catcher and earned a gold glove doing that job. Rodgers is 2B/SS. Guillorme 2B/3B/SS. In terms of roster utility, Dubon fills more gaps. None of them are impressive hitters.
I think Dubon and Guillorme are similar and complementary players. Both guys are utility players with high contact rates and minimal power, with opposite splits. Dubon has the added versatility of having experience in the OF and at 1B. I think they could combine for a very productive 2B platoon. I also think Guillorme is a nice option for backup SS because he can hit RHp which Pena cannot. Rodgers is less versatile but offers a much higher ceiling. He was the #3 overall pick for a reason; if he can somehow able (after nearly a decade of the Rockies trying and failing) to improve his launch angle without sacrificing contact then he will be a star player. He is a premium defender at 2B and can probably handle SS and 3B but I don’t think he has much value as a bench/utility player. Either he’s unlocked his bat (in which case he’s a star everyday 2B), or he is who he’s been (in which case he has no place on Houston’s roster). Rodgers has historically been better against LHP which would make him redundant to Dubon and Pena and so not really a fit as their backup/platoon partners.
Huh? Guillorme is a good defensive SS. He can spell Pena against the occasional tough RHP and can handle the strong side of the 2B platoon with Dubon (or Rodgers). Rarely strikes out. Good clubhouse dude. Excellent 12th or 13th position player.
Nah, he's meh. He just seems incredibly redundant if you have, say, Dubon on the bench already. Maybe have someone on the bench who can do something that those 2 guys don't already do.
Guillorme is the only middle infielder in camp who has proven he can hit RHP at all. He’s not badass or anything but he’s league average against righties whereas Rodgers, Dubon, Short, and Pena are nearly unplayable against righties.
Guillorme has a career .690 OPS against righties while Pena is a career .664. I don’t know how the former is average and the latter is nearly unplayable.
“Nearly unplayable” may be a little harsh for Pena, although it certainly applies to the other guys I listed. But there is a meaningful difference between Pena and Guillorme against RHP; the difference between wRC+ of 98 vs 88 is the difference between “average” and “below average”.
