This is a good article. I would try and split the difference with Bregman. Give him 175/6 take it or leave it. Give him a week. If he doesn't take it move on. Signing Bregman is our clearest path to being competitive, but timing is paramount.
I was also thinking - just split the difference and see what he says. Apparently his wife loves Houston and is from the area? Right? RIGHT????????
The Severino signing Huge spotlight: Crane needs to rethink his limits and budget. Whatever those were 2 years ago, add at least 1 year and $10M per year for any star player he wants. Huge spotlight: starting pitching has never had more value. NOW imagine what Framber would bring? Plwase please please Lance and Cristian - get healthy
#1 priority still must be 3b and I still see very very few acceptable options besides Bregman. CF is another position with very very few options. Because of this, I would be OK with Bellinger if the Cubs paid enough of his salary. Bellinger is about -$10.5M in 2025 and about -$8M in 2026 if he takes the player option (though he is much more likely to take the $5M buy out and look for a bigger guarantee). Pressly is probably more valuable than I originally thought, after Chapman's $10.75M deal. I would say Ryan is at least worth $11M, so -$3M trade value. If the Astros trade for Bellinger, they are taking all the risk of his 2026 contract if he gets hurt or totally flops. That means the Cubs must pay a premium to get rid of that deal. Bellinger +$12M in 2025 and $5M in 2026 for Pressly. The Cubs get their closer, reduce 2025 payroll by a little less than $1M, and are only on the hook for the buyout in 2026. The Astros get a LH bat that can provide power in the #5-7 spot in the lineup and play good defense in 2 currently weak lineup spots. He is also historically above average vs LHP, but better vs RHP which is a big need. They only add $1/4M for 2025. If Bellinger takes his option in 2026, they are on the hook for $20M but that only happens if he's hurt or TERRIBLE TERRIBLE otherwise the Cubs pay his buyout. And that's why they got a $17M player for $14.25M in 2025.
This is the guy I hope they bring in. Stud hitter that will fit in well at the Dyke and a GG fielder. Sign this guy and bring back Bregs. Trade for a young OF like Robert/Nootbar or Abreu. Play Dezenzo in LF and if he's not ready hopefully one of Melton/Matthews/Baez will be ready by the All Star Break. I would also bring back Gamel as insurance/bench bat.
Potential lineup: 2B- Altuve RF-Tucker DH- Yordan 1B- Walker C- Diaz CF- Bellinger SS- Pena LF- Chaz 3B- Polanco Bench: Dubon, Caratini, Dezenzo, Meyers Also, FWIW, Polanco is a career .314 hitter at Daikin Park(damn that sounds weird). With a .999 OPS and 8 homers. 21 games played.
Belly would hit under .240 for the year with 16 HRs. Maybe have a good month but overall would kill us in the clutch. I prefer to have guys that can move the lineup over and hit when the pressure is on. He'd consistently whiff and can see him going back to the dugout shaking his head every time. For me I'd rather have Jake Meyers than Belly (even at the same price point)
I would resign Bregman, trade for B.Lowe to play LF and Bellinger. Vs RHP: Singleton at 1b, Bellinger in CF Vs LHP: Bellinger at 1b, Meyers / McCormick in CF
Do we have the cap room for that?? I think I could warm up to Bellinger in this clubhouse. 1} Altuve 2} Yordong 3} Breg the Mang 4} Tucker 5} Diaz 6} Bellinger 7} Lowe 8} MVPeña 9} Chas Chomp Am I wrong, or does that lineup not throb?
Unless Bregman gives a big discount and the Cubs eat a ton of Bellinger’s salary, it’s extremely unlikely Crane would pony up for both of those moves. But yes that lineup would be one of the 3 best in the league. Even if you swap Bregman for Polanco that’s still an extremely deep lineup.
