Pederson Signing Aftermath, Iowa Cubs, Junior Gets a Job, Historical Throwbacks, and Other Cubs Bullets

Pederson Signing Aftermath, Iowa Cubs, Junior Gets a Job, Historical Throwbacks, and Other Cubs Bullets

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I was not sure if I would reach these Bullets, with the signature of Joc Pederson, the interest update by Jake Arrieta and the news that the payroll is opening. I better go before something else happens …

• Again, the big news from the transaction this morning is that the Cubs are taking Joc Pederson (read all about it here). To take a step back and give some context: this seems like a “don’t think too much” situation. Pederson is being replaced by Kyle Schwarber, a very similar profile, but who came with much less contact and worse defense. So Cubs probably think this is a pretty simple one-to-one upgrade, and if the deal turns out to be for less money (now it’s a little confusing with the mutual option), then it makes even more sense. This is probably the MAJORITY of what this is. Just a simple business where there was an excess of talent available on the market and a clear need on the list.

• But that can’t be EVERYTHING that is, right? In an off-season in which everything the Cubs did and say they are doing was directed to NOT sign agreements like this? So what does it mean that Cubs are now suddenly able to lose $ 7 + million while looking at all these initial recovery pitchers at no cost? (Heh. I wrote all this just before the news of the budget opening fell, but it still works, so I’m leaving it.) Well, the problem is this: the Cubs should be interested in businesses like Pederson’s * no matter what * the plan for 2021. It’s just a good value deal, and if that means it will supply the production this year to help compete in a low quality division, great. If that means it will become a commercial piece in the middle of the season, great. If he means he plays well and likes it here and wants to stay a few more years with a reasonable contract, great. Nothing the Lions are doing – or not doing – in 2021 is inconsistent with the signing of a one-year bargaining agreement in a position of need. They are not trying to make a Pirate-level tank; they are trying to see what they can do in 2021, while looking to add potential long-term talent, if possible. This means that even if the Cubs negotiated far one or two guys from here for potential talent, they should STILL be out there hiring guys like Pederson, who are only available for money and who can help create more value. Period.

• As for the pitcher’s pitch, I think we can still conclude that the money is too tight. (Again, written before the budget report, but I still think that’s basically true – adding some flexibility probably doesn’t mean it’s not tight yet.) But we can probably also conclude that Cubs simply feel that this market is so full of low buying opportunities that they want to get a lot of them (again, it’s just a matter of value).

• At the moment, Pederson imagines being the left defender of the Cubs against righties, with guys like Phillip Ervin and Michael Hermosillo playing games against lefties (each one, at different times and at different levels, hit the lefties very well). If there are no further negotiations, the main open question now is second base. The Cubs pumped Nico Hoerner as the starter, and while the glove is already clearly exceptional on second base, we still think the best way to get the most out of the bat in the long run would be to ensure that he gets at least SOME development time at AAA this year. . Hoerner just wasn’t close to being offensively ready last year, which was just a product of not having seasons in the minor leagues (so the Cubs had to make a choice between two bad options for him). David Bote is probably the best service guy (or third base if the Cubs switch to Kris Bryant), so I’m still hopeful that a signature will happen on second base before the end of the season.

• Another bonus about Pederson and his brother Champ:

• The Cardinals finalized a one-year deal to keep Adam Wainwright close last night, and Derrick Goold provides an update on the financial side – it was reported as a $ 8 million (surprisingly healthy) deal for 2021, but that actually includes several incentives if Wainwright really gets them right.

• The news here is less about staying with the Iowa Cubs – as Tommy Birch noted, we already knew that part – but maybe it’s more about the fact that these PDLs are now being officially signed, which is a step closer to finishing OFFICIALLY plans for the minor league season:

• Everyone loves Junior:

• Craig Edwards, longtime FanGraphs writer / market analyst, is bringing these talents to the Players Association, which seems like a smart move for them before the CBA negotiations:

• The bore for the rest of us is that we will lose Edwards’ public insights into the process, the economy, the problems, etc. He always had a great mind to think more broadly about the game business.

• Good news from the Brewers:

• I am relieved to see that the great story of Jeff Passan that will be out next week is NOT really horrible news, but a very interesting story about which I know nothing:

• I liked this photo:

• And another cool thing from the old days:

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