Hey everyone... isn't free agency frenzy fun!??

Looks like Hawks are working on a lot of things right now as some of there "plans" are falling through. They will make some signings official soon I'm sure.

Also, I've heard if Bowman isn't liking what he's seeing (or hearing) on the open market, he will turn back to the trade route. Keep an eye on that.

I say Gravel may be a worthy addition. 26 year old defensive dman
- ikeane

I would love that.

Hawks need at least one or two true defensive Defenensmen to balance the puck-moving, offensive-minded blueliners.

Hey everyone... isn't free agency frenzy fun!??

Looks like Hawks are working on a lot of things right now as some of there "plans" are falling through. They will make some signings official soon I'm sure.

Also, I've heard if Bowman isn't liking what he's seeing (or hearing) on the open market, he will turn back to the trade route. Keep an eye on that.
- Justin Lowe

Thanks for the update, Justin!

Yea,

FraFra , Wolfie, Hank ,

Im a Cubs fan die hard since 81. Baseball is first true love. If the Whitesox outbid everyone this winter 10/400 they get a top 10 player in Machado . Machado in a line up with Moncada and Eloy ? Damn. Of course I hope it does not happen but it could.

Plus from the Cubs point of view , if Heyward is fixed at the plate there really is no room for Harper, would rather have Machado on a 10/350 deal. Could flip Russell for arms. Plus I think the Cubs are fed up with AR's off field antics. But he is a super star SS with club control remaining.
- mrpaulish

Imho they really miss a great lead off hitter like Fowler, and they need a #1 or #2 starting pitcher.

Kopech is struggling because they want him to learn how to throw offspeed/breaking pitches. They don't want him relying on throwing smoke--which I'm OK with.

Moncada is scary because the dude is so hot and cold both at the plate and defensively. He also looks like he has an attitude problem.

Personally, I think another part of the issue is Ricky. I was hoping the Sox would have got Girardi when he was let go from the Yanks.
- Hank3Henshaw

Girardi would be GREAT when it is time to compete. Another wild card...terry francona depending on what happens w the Indians over the next 18 months.

What prospects do the Cubs have to get Manny? Their best prospect isn't even really that good.
- kwolf68

Ademan at SS, Tseng RHP are decent prospects. Alzolay won't be in return to O's. So one of those guys, plus Happ and Addy. 5 more years control/arb for Happ, 3 more for Addy.

That puts the Cubs lineup in killer mode with Manny. Sooooo many options.

But SP's is my biggest concern. I never hid my dislike for the Darvish deal. And now, he is turning into Derrick Rose. Chatwood is a poor signing. Q is just OK, but I like his makeup and approach. Kyle is lost without Bosio, so the only SP worth his money right now is Jonny.

Kopech is struggling because they want him to learn how to throw offspeed/breaking pitches. They don't want him relying on throwing smoke--which I'm OK with.

Moncada is scary because the dude is so hot and cold both at the plate and defensively. He also looks like he has an attitude problem.

Personally, I think another part of the issue is Ricky. I was hoping the Sox would have got Girardi when he was let go from the Yanks.
- Hank3Henshaw

How else do you propose he be a starter without off speed pitches? And when the Sox traded the brilliant Chris Sale I was hoping for more of a "can't miss" type prospect, not someone who had to be molded so much. Keep in mind also, the Sox could have had Andrew Beniteindi instead of Moncada.

The Sale trade worries me...

but the Cubs trade looks awesome. Eloy looks like a star in the making and Dylan Cease has top of the rotation upside even though Cubs fans were screaming bullpen bullpen when he was moved. Cease will be a ML starter.

Hey everyone... isn't free agency frenzy fun!??

Looks like Hawks are working on a lot of things right now as some of there "plans" are falling through. They will make some signings official soon I'm sure.

Also, I've heard if Bowman isn't liking what he's seeing (or hearing) on the open market, he will turn back to the trade route. Keep an eye on that.
- Justin Lowe

Hey everyone... isn't free agency frenzy fun!??

Looks like Hawks are working on a lot of things right now as some of there "plans" are falling through. They will make some signings official soon I'm sure.

Also, I've heard if Bowman isn't liking what he's seeing (or hearing) on the open market, he will turn back to the trade route. Keep an eye on that.
- Justin Lowe

I would actually - at this point - prefer a trade. Provided it’s a hockey trade that makes the Hawks better now and future.

I would actually - at this point - prefer a trade. Provided it’s a hockey trade that makes the Hawks better now and future.
- Marlowe

Ademan at SS, Tseng RHP are decent prospects. Alzolay won't be in return to O's. So one of those guys, plus Happ and Addy. 5 more years control/arb for Happ, 3 more for Addy.

That puts the Cubs lineup in killer mode with Manny. Sooooo many options.

But SP's is my biggest concern. I never hid my dislike for the Darvish deal. And now, he is turning into Derrick Rose. Chatwood is a poor signing. Q is just OK, but I like his makeup and approach. Kyle is lost without Bosio, so the only SP worth his money right now is Jonny.
- blackhawk24

Decent not gonna cut it for Machado. Tseng is a back of the rotation starter. I just don't think the Orioles couldn't do better elsewhere.

@DarrenDreger

4 minutes ago

Vanek has agreed to a 1 year deal with Detroit. Believed to be $3 million.

But really now, do we even care about this one?

How else do you propose he be a starter without off speed pitches? And when the Sox traded the brilliant Chris Sale I was hoping for more of a "can't miss" type prospect, not someone who had to be molded so much. Keep in mind also, the Sox could have had Andrew Beniteindi instead of Moncada.

The Sale trade worries me...

but the Cubs trade looks awesome. Eloy looks like a star in the making and Dylan Cease has top of the rotation upside even though Cubs fans were screaming bullpen bullpen when he was moved. Cease will be a ML starter.
- kwolf68

Give the Sale deal another two years before we pass judgments. Moncada will be a different hitter then and Kopech will have figured it out. Kopech is to determined not to be a stud. The Athletic had a great article about his journey to the mlb. Guy was throwing 90mph as a 14 year old lol

Eloy and Cease deal was an A+! The deal that might have really changed the frachise down the road though was eaton for lopez/dunning/ giolito. Rick Hahn fleeced Washington. Thats why I wanna see what Hahn will do in free agency this winter. Like I said...make Manny an offer he cant refuse...10/400

How else do you propose he be a starter without off speed pitches? And when the Sox traded the brilliant Chris Sale I was hoping for more of a "can't miss" type prospect, not someone who had to be molded so much. Keep in mind also, the Sox could have had Andrew Beniteindi instead of Moncada.

The Sale trade worries me...

but the Cubs trade looks awesome. Eloy looks like a star in the making and Dylan Cease has top of the rotation upside even though Cubs fans were screaming bullpen bullpen when he was moved. Cease will be a ML starter.
- kwolf68

Cease is a 2/3 on a good team. Needs to mix it up more; that will come with more time. Kopech is too predictable now. That happens A LOT. I wouldn't worry about the offspeed stuff unless he can't locate it by late next season.

I would actually - at this point - prefer a trade. Provided it’s a hockey trade that makes the Hawks better now and future.
- Marlowe

This should have been the tact all along.

Did it just occur to Bowman the market was tight? It's a sellers market and the players are holding the high cards. Other than Moore, maybe deHann and dumpster diving specials, the Hawks should have been out of this mess and working trades to begin with.

How else do you propose he be a starter without off speed pitches? And when the Sox traded the brilliant Chris Sale I was hoping for more of a "can't miss" type prospect, not someone who had to be molded so much. Keep in mind also, the Sox could have had Andrew Beniteindi instead of Moncada.

The Sale trade worries me...

but the Cubs trade looks awesome. Eloy looks like a star in the making and Dylan Cease has top of the rotation upside even though Cubs fans were screaming bullpen bullpen when he was moved. Cease will be a ML starter.
- kwolf68

I know what you mean.

Kopech admits he tried blowing the ball by everyone. I think there is fear that he'll blow his arm out and MLB hitters aren't going to be overpowered by his fastball if there's not a lot of movement. He's trying to learn to be a pitcher now and not a thrower.

As much as we want to think of him as a Nolan Ryan type pitcher, he's not. We'll never see another Nolan. That dude was incredible. He believed every time he went out he should be his own closer. A legit warrior.

So Stanbo rightly sitting out this overpriced, overhyped FA market has resulted in this board devolving into White Sox talk? Ugh - who cares? No one except their 15,000 fans.

Decent not gonna cut it for Machado. Tseng is a back of the rotation starter. I just don't think the Orioles couldn't do better elsewhere.
- kwolf68

Ademan is where I think the Cubs can get the O's to bite. Tseng is a 3/4 guy potential. Can't see him as a 2 even in a couple years. Selling point on Addy and Happ is the 3 and 5 years of team control.

Kinda like all the ranting about KB and the Cubs waiting until mid April to bring him up. 7 > 6.

@DarrenDreger

4 minutes ago

Vanek has agreed to a 1 year deal with Detroit. Believed to be $3 million.

But really now, do we even care about this one?
- blackhawk24

As Lazerus pointed out Vanek is already signed up for a deadline trade.

Cease is a 2/3 on a good team. Needs to mix it up more; that will come with more time. Kopech is too predictable now. That happens A LOT. I wouldn't worry about the offspeed stuff unless he can't locate it by late next season.
- blackhawk24

I know he is young, the potential is surely there. I watched Cease pitch in Spring training (against Seattle I think) and WOW...if he doesn't make it I'll be shocked. But he also needs to be built up, he has already pitched his most innings I think. But next year??? I could see him in the rotation...

Rodon
Kopech
Cease
Stephens
Gilitto
Dunning
Lopez
Hansen

are all EIGHT legitimate pitchers and ALL of them have high ceilings, though I'd say Stephens probably lower than the others.

This should have been the tact all along.

Did it just occur to Bowman the market was tight? It's a sellers market and the players are holding the high cards. Other than Moore, maybe deHann and dumpster diving specials, the Hawks should have been out of this mess and working trades to begin with.
- kwolf68

Hopefully they were/are doing both!

So Stanbo rightly sitting out this overpriced, overhyped FA market has resulted in this board devolving into White Sox talk? Ugh - who cares? No one except their 15,000 fans.
- BMWChiFan

Just some dudes talking baseball for a few minutes. No big deal.

Better than reading your insight

Hopefully they were/are doing both!
- Marlowe

I'm sure they were, but you have to kick the tires in free agency

I'm sure they were, but you have to kick the tires in free agency
- BetweenTheDots

Agreed. Have to explore all options.

Hey everyone... isn't free agency frenzy fun!??

Looks like Hawks are working on a lot of things right now as some of there "plans" are falling through. They will make some signings official soon I'm sure.

Also, I've heard if Bowman isn't liking what he's seeing (or hearing) on the open market, he will turn back to the trade route. Keep an eye on that.
- Justin Lowe

Anisimov for Kempny?