Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2018 0:46:47 GMT -5
Chicago Cubs GM Matt Andersen pulled off a handful of late trades and FA signings that have Cubs fans feeling like maybe Andersen if finally
building a squad that can put the Cubs over the top and give them their first HOFFBL championship. The Cubs have been known to be shopping
1B Cecil Cooper for the last handful of seasons in an effort to open a spot for top prospect Alvin Davis. After Davis dominated AAA last season
the Cubs could wait no longer. After receiving minimal interest and numerous poor offers they were able to package CL Larry Anderson who they
essentially got for free from the Philadelphia Phillies the year before with Cooper to receive 3 draft picks in the upcoming amateur draft. Many
draft pundits are already declaring the 85 class as the best draft in the history of HOFFBL. The Cubs were stacked with potential impact bullpen
arms making Anderson expendable. Then, in somewhat of a shocking move the Cubs moved one of their other top bats in C Ernie Whitt to the
Twins picking up two more draft picks in the 85 draft. Many wondered what the Cubs were thinking when they seemingly overpaid on a one year
contract to acquire All Star C Gene Tenace early on in free agency, and now it's clear that they must have felt they had a deal to move Whitt in
place. In a smaller deal the Cubs traded 34 year old SP Ron Cook to the Mets and picked up yet more draft capital in the upcoming draft, nabbing
building a squad that can put the Cubs over the top and give them their first HOFFBL championship. The Cubs have been known to be shopping
1B Cecil Cooper for the last handful of seasons in an effort to open a spot for top prospect Alvin Davis. After Davis dominated AAA last season
the Cubs could wait no longer. After receiving minimal interest and numerous poor offers they were able to package CL Larry Anderson who they
essentially got for free from the Philadelphia Phillies the year before with Cooper to receive 3 draft picks in the upcoming amateur draft. Many
draft pundits are already declaring the 85 class as the best draft in the history of HOFFBL. The Cubs were stacked with potential impact bullpen
arms making Anderson expendable. Then, in somewhat of a shocking move the Cubs moved one of their other top bats in C Ernie Whitt to the
Twins picking up two more draft picks in the 85 draft. Many wondered what the Cubs were thinking when they seemingly overpaid on a one year
contract to acquire All Star C Gene Tenace early on in free agency, and now it's clear that they must have felt they had a deal to move Whitt in
place. In a smaller deal the Cubs traded 34 year old SP Ron Cook to the Mets and picked up yet more draft capital in the upcoming draft, nabbing
a 2nd rounder for him and taking on the contract of aging MR Jim Todd. All in all the Cubs added 6 picks in the upcoming draft.
As for this years squad, the Cubs not only signed Tenace, they swooped in and nabbed 27 year old UT IF Damaso Garcia and SP Andy Messersmith to
replace Cook in their rotation. The Cubs signed Garcia to a 3 year deal and clearly think he has a future with the team, while also adding Darrell Evans
to share time at 3B with Garcia. Andersen said "with the players we were able to bring in, I really think we were able to add lots of draft capital without
hurting this years team". The veterans will be joined by many new faces as the Cubs look to break camp with not only rookie Alvin Davis in the lineup but
also pitchers Roger Mason, Mark Langston, Chuck Cary, Ken Dayley and bench bats Ron Gardenhire and Dion James. Also heading north with the squad
are relievers Brad Leslie, who the Cubs sent to AAA last year to work through issues with lefties, and 26 year old Victor Cruz, acquired in a change of scenery
deal with the Dodgers when the Cubs shipped out Pedro Guerrero.
to share time at 3B with Garcia. Andersen said "with the players we were able to bring in, I really think we were able to add lots of draft capital without
hurting this years team". The veterans will be joined by many new faces as the Cubs look to break camp with not only rookie Alvin Davis in the lineup but
also pitchers Roger Mason, Mark Langston, Chuck Cary, Ken Dayley and bench bats Ron Gardenhire and Dion James. Also heading north with the squad
are relievers Brad Leslie, who the Cubs sent to AAA last year to work through issues with lefties, and 26 year old Victor Cruz, acquired in a change of scenery
deal with the Dodgers when the Cubs shipped out Pedro Guerrero.
The Cubs have put themselves in a spot to at least be competitive this year, they already have one of the top minor league systems in baseball, and that
only looks to get deeper with the draft capital they have added, and Cubs fans are starting to think that maybe they actually are going to have a team that
can compete on a regular basis, not just for playoff spots, but for titles.
only looks to get deeper with the draft capital they have added, and Cubs fans are starting to think that maybe they actually are going to have a team that
can compete on a regular basis, not just for playoff spots, but for titles.
