8 replies to this topic

[Luke D]

per Ken Rosenthal

https://twitter.com/...945533140742144


Panic. Panic. Inhale. Exhale. Go Jedstein, Go!

Get this done!

[Crockett]

He'll need a 40 man slot. So if the Cubs do sign him, bye bye someone.

[Luke]

If, and it is a giant IF, the Cubs can get this done, it would mark a notable turn around in the farm system.

On January 1 2011 the Cubs farm system had virtually no potential power hitters. The best slugging prospect in the system was Brett Jackson. That was not a good thing.

Then the Gorzelanny trade brought in Michael Burgess. Burgess has prodigious power, but trouble making contact (though he has made some improvements this season in Tennessee). His acquisition made a small improvement to the situation, but it was still a fairly bleak outlook.

And then the 2011 draft brought in Javier Baez and Dan Vogelbach, both of whom project to have pretty decent power.

And then came the Anthony Rizzo trade.

And now, perhaps, Soler, who would have as much power as anyone in the system.

And, to push things further, if the Cubs can land Zunino, Correa, or Almora in the draft on Monday, that would likely be yet another legitimate slugging prospect for the farm.

That's not a bad turn around in the power department for 18 months.

Hopefully, 18 months from now we will be saying similar things about a marked improvement in front line pitching prospects in the system.

[Rated Rookie]

Looking at the amount of payroll freed up after last season that has not been used, we virtually need to get Soler. He'd be the cornerstone of the Epstein Era, and is exactly what the organization needs going forward. As a big market team with financial flexibility, even if they went nuts with a 30+MM offer, it would have a huge impact on the future plans. The previous offer that The Cubs may or may not have made in March was I believe 22-27 mil. Since then, a good chunk of Kerry Wood's 3 mil salary is off the books. Not sure if they got any cash back in the Byrd trade, but if so, tack that on as well. As for freeing up a spot on the 40 man, there is no shortage of options. We could easily trade Baker or Johnson for a PTBNL. Make Koyie Hell mercifully go away. Let the Phillies have back what's his name that can't throw strikes. Jairo Asecio could be an easy come easy go. Much like Old Gil, we need this.

[Crockett]

Looking at the amount of payroll freed up after last season that has not been used, we virtually need to get Soler. He'd be the cornerstone of the Epstein Era, and is exactly what the organization needs going forward. As a big market team with financial flexibility, even if they went nuts with a 30+MM offer, it would have a huge impact on the future plans. The previous offer that The Cubs may or may not have made in March was I believe 22-27 mil. Since then, a good chunk of Kerry Wood's 3 mil salary is off the books. Not sure if they got any cash back in the Byrd trade, but if so, tack that on as well. As for freeing up a spot on the 40 man, there is no shortage of options. We could easily trade Baker or Johnson for a PTBNL. Make Koyie Hell mercifully go away. Let the Phillies have back what's his name that can't throw strikes. Jairo Asecio could be an easy come easy go. Much like Old Gil, we need this.

Yeah, we gave 6m to Boston for Byrd, no cash savings there. As of this moment, the non-arbitration payroll for 2013 is 35m. THIRTY-FIVE. The Cubs sure as hell better have 30m to invest in Soler. It's like buying an extra top-10 draft pick. Do it.

[Hector Villanueva]

Wonder if they will be scared off by Concepcion's lack of success in Peoria. Yes it's very early and he is adjusting to a new country, league etc but they invested if not overpaid a lot of dough in him. Read where Soler's agent asked for all offers to be in by June 7th so we should know by end of next week if Soler is a Cub. We all know we need impact prospects especially in the OF.

[Luke]

Concepcion, at the time of his signing, was projected as No 4/5 starter in the majors.
Soler's projections are much, much higher than that. It'd be similar to the Cubs letting Chris Rusin scare them off from Anthony Rizzo. The cases are so totally different that it's just not worth worrying about.

[Crockett]

Concepcion, at the time of his signing, was projected as No 4/5 starter in the majors.
Soler's projections are much, much higher than that. It'd be similar to the Cubs letting Chris Rusin scare them off from Anthony Rizzo. The cases are so totally different that it's just not worth worrying about.

Agreed.

[chirogerg1]

If, and it is a giant IF, the Cubs can get this done, it would mark a notable turn around in the farm system.

On January 1 2011 the Cubs farm system had virtually no potential power hitters. The best slugging prospect in the system was Brett Jackson. That was not a good thing.

Then the Gorzelanny trade brought in Michael Burgess. Burgess has prodigious power, but trouble making contact (though he has made some improvements this season in Tennessee). His acquisition made a small improvement to the situation, but it was still a fairly bleak outlook.

And then the 2011 draft brought in Javier Baez and Dan Vogelbach, both of whom project to have pretty decent power.

And then came the Anthony Rizzo trade.

And now, perhaps, Soler, who would have as much power as anyone in the system.

And, to push things further, if the Cubs can land Zunino, Correa, or Almora in the draft on Monday, that would likely be yet another legitimate slugging prospect for the farm.

That's not a bad turn around in the power department for 18 months.

Hopefully, 18 months from now we will be saying similar things about a marked improvement in front line pitching prospects in the system.

Don't forget about Junior Lake
---Lake can Rake---
I totally agree, btw, and Soler is much more than a power bat. He has a plus arm and above average defense to go with above average speed.