2016-17 Hot Stove Thread

Time to turn our thoughts to the offseason.

 

Another year, another Cubs failure ...

Oh, wait.

Sorry, force of habit.

 

Do not touch a hot stove. It ends poorly.

 

D'backs and Rockies expected to name managers soon.

Top free agents or potential free agents:

C Wilson Ramos
1B Edwin Encarnacion
3B Justin Turner
LF Ian Desmond
LF Yoenis Cespedes (has an opt-out)
CF Dexter Fowler ($9MM mutual option w/ $5MM buyout)
RF Jose Bautista
RF Josh Reddick
RF/DH Mark Trumbo
RF Jay Bruce ($13MM club option w/ $1MM buyout)
SP Andrew Cashner
SP Doug Fister
SP Gio Gonzalez ($12MM club option w/ $500K buyout)
SP Rich Hill
SP Jered Weaver
RP Greg Holland
RP Jonathan Papelbon
RP Kenley Jansen
RP Fernando Rodriguez
RP Aroldis Chapman

 

I will happily turn my thoughts away from the Cubs winning the World Series.

 

I am trying to imagine what the Cubs look like with Schwarber all season and Hendricks logging more time. 110 wins?

I imagine they would keep Fowler even if it relegates Heyward to expensive bench duty. Right? Or do they move Heyward to center?

 

Then I recommend you not watch TV for the next 48 hours. Stick to Netflix.

 

I think half of Wrigleyville is still in my city. Probably won't be able to avoid running over a few of them on my way to work.

 

If they cut Fowler loose, who hits leadoff? Maybe Almora becomes the full-time center fielder?

 

The bullpen needs some work, especially if Chapman leaves. I think they should keep Fowler, but I could see them wanting to give Heyward another shot to give them some return in that big investment.

 

I'm guessing Zobrist goes back to second base and Baez back to a super-utility role. Zobrist played 115 games at 2B this year, and that was even with Schwarber out for basically the entire year.

So, vs. RHP you have Zobrist at 2B, Schwarber in LF and Heyward in RF.

Vs. LHP, you have Zobrist in LF, Baez at 2B and Soler in RF.

 

What are people saying about Tornoto? Will they lose Bautista and Encarnacion? Will they pay them?