AP Photo/Matt Slocum

The Rundown: Youth Movement Likely Winter Course of Action, Dodgers Advance to World Series, Potential White Sox Sale a Pathetic Mess

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterOctober 21, 2024

“Decisions to decisions are made and not bought.” – MGMT, Kids

The World Series is set, but I don’t think we can expect a four-game sweep by either the Yankees or Dodgers to allow us to slide into Hot Stove season succinctly. The Cubs have their share of needs, but there is no clear pathway to improving their roster. Fans and analysts alike believe Jed Hoyer will have to be creative, and though that’s a true assessment, it’s probably a combination of lofty wishes and irrational expectations.

In its quest for 90 wins, Chicago’s front office will seek depth additions, a starting pitcher, and better performances from its core players. The depth may come from Chicago’s pipeline of prospects, whose matriculation to the big leagues paces like a glacier. Hoyer’s hither-and-yon approach to free agency will yield a free agent or two, but if it’s not Juan Soto — and it won’t be — does it matter? This year’s class is loaded with potential qualifying offer candidates at its top end, which almost immediately eliminates the Cubs. Those players likely include Soto, Willy Adames, Pete Alonso, Alex Bregman, Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, Teoscar Hernández, and Anthony Santander.

Hoyer will have $70 million and change to spend and will be looking for value plays, the likes of which include Matthew Boyd, Carlos Estévez, Jack Flaherty, Mark Canha, Michael Lorenzen, Frankie Montas, Tommy Pham, and Milwaukee-hater Jesse Winker. There is some hope on the horizon, however. If you’re looking for one player who checks all of Hoyer’s boxes (late bloomer, no qualifying offer, and post-deadline regression), it’s high-leverage reliever Tanner Scott. The caveat is Scott’s expected contract, as he could be looking at $50 million or more over five seasons. That’s based on the contracts Edwin Díaz and Josh Hader signed, though both look like enormous liabilities going forward. Outfielder Tyler O’Neill is another player to keep an eye on.

A massive injection of youth into Chicago’s roster is a more plausible scenario. The Cubs have several non-tender candidates, and their replacements will likely come from within the organization. As many as six prospects should see time in Chicago next season unless Hoyer trades any of them. Owen Caissie tops a list that also includes Matt Shaw, James Triantos, Moises Ballesteros, Kevin Alcántara, and Cade Horton. They’ll join second-year players Ben Brown, Jack Neely, Porter Hodge, and, of course, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Shōta Imanaga. Cam Smith, Jefferson Rojas, and Jaxon Wiggins are on the cusp and each could get a cup of coffee or two in ’25.

Cubs News & Notes

Odds & Sods

This is fantastic.

Ball Four

I can cognitively make the leap that puts Rizzo back in royal blue pinstripes, but it’s kind of messy. The beloved ex-Cub would have to be a placeholder for Caissie. That means the promising prospect would need a full season manning first in the minors. Hoyer could then trade Isaac Paredes and move Michael Busch to third base, but he’d be keeping it warm for Shaw or Smith. Shaw would be stuck at Iowa because he’d be blocked in Chicago unless Hoyer also moves Hoerner. He might also be blocked by Smith at third in that scenario.

Finding a feasible way to add Rizzo feels more like the late-night, drunken machinations of a bored fantasy baseball GM. Chicago is a better team if it keeps Busch at first base, hangs on to Hoerner, and promotes one of Smith or Shaw to eventually replace Paredes. I’d love to see Rizzo back with the Cubs if he’s willing to be a backup, but the veteran might find a better opportunity elsewhere, even if it means signing with one of Chicago’s divisional rivals.

Central Intelligence

How About That!

The Dodgers beat the Mets 10-5 to advance to the World Series.

This year’s Fall Classic features a bevy of stars that includes Soto, Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Freddie Freeman. I’ll take Los Angeles in six games.

Tommy Edman is this year’s NLCS MVP.

Rob Manfred wants to nationalize MLB’s media strategy and eliminate those pesky blackouts.

Jerry Reinsdorf expressed interest in selling the White Sox. That might mean relocating the beleaguered team to Nashville or another city.

Fans of the team and many Bridgeport business owners believe Reinsdorf is pathetically attempting to leverage the city to get a new, publicly funded stadium.

Alderman Nicole Lee of Chicago’s 11th Ward said she has heard nothing from the White Sox regarding a sale.

Whether the White Sox stay or leave, what if the Rays move to Chicago’s South Side? Is that something that might interest you? One team won’t survive if three MLB teams call Chicago home, and it won’t be the Cubs or Rays.

Bear Essentials

The NFL’s best division this season is the NFC North where the 4-2 Bears trail the Lions (5-1), Vikings (5-1), and Packers (5-2). Still, last place has never been this much fun. I can see a scenario where all four teams jump to a 7-2 or better start, giving each a 90% chance of making the playoffs.

Extra Innings

Near the end of the season, Ian Happ called PCA a potential 6-WAR player. Let’s manifest that into reality.

They Said It

  • “I’ve been the hurt guy before in my career. I’ve had two Tommy John surgeries and lots of stuff before that. Being available and being out there is a big deal for me. There were for sure games this year where maybe I didn’t feel 100 percent. And I was still proud of being able to go out there and give a good effort. I’ve made it a point that everything I do in my routine is to try to be healthy.” – Taillon
  • “The genius in Shota this year is that he came here and simplified who he was. That’s hard to do when you come into a new place and think you have to be better. He didn’t have to be better. He made himself simpler.” – Craig Counsell
  • “What I’d like to see happen over time is, we do our national deals, [then] we convert some of that local inventory into national inventory. It increases our reach. And at the same time, when you think about it, we own the out-of-market rights already. If we control local rights as well, we can sell anything anywhere. Right? You don’t have to just sell in your market. And I’d like to get into a mode, where if it’s not in a national package, the consumer [can] go in, buy what he wants to watch, wherever he is, and we get rid of that questionable business concept of the blackout, meaning not letting people who want to watch, watch.” – Manfred

Monday Walk-Up Song

I’m working on a playlist called “Better Than the Original” and I’m including this John Mellencamp cover of the 1967 hit by The Hombres. Please provide your suggestions in the comments section.

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterOctober 21, 2024
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