Are the Cubs foolish or making the right move acquiring Kyle Tucker? | Baseball Today

[@wallberlin]

1:12 missed an opportunity to name him Flouffe Plouffe

[@nicholaskatsikas4904]

The Cubs needed to trade for Tucker to at bare minimum placate a fan base who has been VERY disappointed with their team and the front office. The roster as it was had reached its ceiling and Tucker at bare minimum should raise that ceiling and will be co favorites for the division. What the Cubs now need to do is make decisions on Bellinger and Horner because they need to get some of those prospects up to the major league level and have legitimate upside.

[@ryanfoltz1276]

The only problem with trading Belli is if PCA gets hurt. Even still, Cubs could bring up Owen Caissie. Cubs don't really need OF right now. They do need another starter and a closer. Trading Belli means Cubs could sign Finnegan or Scott and still be able to afford Burnes, Flaherty, or another FA starter

[@DixonCider1234]

$32M for a 4th OF...

[@jtrades2134]

Or trade PCA for Jared Jones and sign Finnegan.

[@resmarted]

@@jtrades2134 pirates fan suggestion

[@michaelthiel3161]

Backup CF with trading Belli is Alcantara. He would be talked about like PCA as CF for next 10 years for Cubs if not for PCA.

[@resmarted]

@@michaelthiel3161 Alcantara has 55 grade defense compared to PCAs 80. Alcantara's potential is in his bat, they're different players.

[@figmillenium]

King Tuck is a top 5 everyday player.

[@ryanfoltz1276]

The Cubs FO offered Rizzo, Bryant, and Baez long term deals. All of them rejected it. They wanted to test free agency. It worked out beautifully for the Cubs though that all 3 of them declined. Rizzo ended up taking less from NYY.

[@brandonthompson628]

All 3 ended up with less actually

[@resmarted]

We got PCA in the Baez trade. Not much resulted from the others.

[@tomflorio3639]

@@resmarted I'd say what resulted was that you weren't saddled with them

[@resmarted]

@@tomflorio3639 Very true, but you could have accomplished that by simply not extending them. We attempted to get value by trading them at the deadline and we didn't get much for them, didnt lose much either, but still a wasted opportunity.

[@resmarted]

correction, Rizzo was not traded, Bryant and Baez were. We got Canario and Killian for Bryant. Killian didn't pan out, Canario hasn't yet, but might. Not horrible, but the Baez for PCA trade was stellar in comparison especially with Baez's decline.

[@SymboIik]

I like this show the best. Especially cause Chris keeps Trevor from rambling off repeating words when it comes to a yes or no question and Trevor does the same 😂

[@BrotherIntel]

Yes, these guys are top tier baseball content

[@lousassle9387]

7:10 Plouffe is helping everyone understand what the Dodgers demonstrated on route to a CHAMPIONSHIP.

[@Golden_OG]

Busch at 3B is questionable, can't rely on Shaw to be an every day guy at 3B either. 3B and bullpen is what the Cubs need to define still. Note: They could still move Nico (hearing Mariners?) and Busch could play 2B.

[@billmiller9448]

Congratulations Ploufe's I need a puppy video!

[@GamingClips7]

Busch at 3rd? Where are we getting ideas like this?

[@wesleypriebe6750]

its not a crazy idea lol

[@nurifle04]

It’s not an idea. He actually played 3rd in the Dodgers minor leagues

[@brandenblack8907]

bro can absolutely play 3B

[@Mike-G-15]

Cubs currently sit at $215M payroll, or $26M below the $241M CBT line. They will likely stay around $230M going into the season, so let's say they currently have $15M available. Here's the path if they actually want to be a serious WS contender, alleviate some logjams, and still hold onto most top prospects: 1) Complete Bellinger trade with Yankees for Warren and Effross. Warren goes to AAA for more SP depth, Effross rejoins Cubs bullpen on projected $1M arb salary. For Bellinger's contract, Cubs eat $2.5M of the $27.5M in 2025, and $5M in 2026 (either the $5M buyout if he opts out, or $5M of the remaining $25M if he opts in). That makes Yankees responsible for just $25M in 2025, or $45M over both years (probably close to what his market value would be anyways). Cubs gain $24M in available spending from this move, so they now sit at $39M available. 2) Complete the rumored Luzardo trade with Marlins (return would likely be something like Triantos, Wicks or another young depth SP, a lower ranked prospect, and maybe an expendable but intriguing 40-man OF bat like Canario). Rotation is now set with Steele-Imanaga-Taillon-Luzardo-Boyd, sliding Assad back in bullpen swingman role and first up for any spot starts (Brown, Horton, Warren, Birdsell, Kilian plenty of SP depth at AAA). Luzardo is projected for $6M in arbitration, so Cubs now sit at $33M available. 3) If you're sending out an impact bat in Bellinger, better bring in one, and the best spot for that with Paredes gone is now 3B - give Bregman the nearly $200M deal he's looking for ($189M over 7 years or $27M AAV). Bregman would also be a positive factor when trying to re-sign Tucker next year. Shaw slides over to his more natural 2B position, and Hoerner is traded to Seattle for top catcher prospect Harry Ford (blocked by Raleigh in Seattle). Hoerner's AAV is $12M, so you're only adding another $15M AAV total by signing Bregman and trading Hoerner. Cubs now sit at $18M available. 4) Need 2 more bullpen arms including a proven closer - Kirby Yates has been rumored and can probably be had on a 1 or 2 year deal at $10M AAV. AJ Minter has also been rumored and can fill the role of a lefty setup man on a 2 year deal for the remaining $8M AAV. Lineup: Happ, Bregman, Tucker, Suzuki, Busch, Swanson, Shaw, PCA, Amaya/Kelly Rotation: Steele, Imanaga, Taillon, Luzardo, Boyd Bullpen: Yates, Hodge, Minter, Miller, Pearson, Morgan, Effross, Assad (Thompson, Little, and Roberts depth at AAA) Only traded Smith and Triantos from top 100 prospects. Still have Shaw, Caissie, Horton, Ballesteros, Alcantara, and Rojas. (Caissie or Alcantara would be best trade assets at trade deadline, keep one trade one)

[@CreativeYouTubeHandle1]

I like how this looks on paper but Bellinger brings an X factor to a depleted fanbase. Hoping he can find his stride from the Dodgers pre injury and maybe the Cubs can wing it for pitching if there’s a playoff push.

[@Arizzo97]

I love that I'm catching up on this podcast and as I listen to Plouffe say not to trade Bellinger, Passan breaks the news that he's traded to Yankees

[@MarkRichardsonDigital]

Man, these MOVA globe ads are brutal lol. Rosey is the ultimate team player.

[@Glazetrain23]

As a lifelong cubs fan I would push some chips in to get aggressive with the prospects not named Caissie or Shaw. Called the Athletics and gauge how much it would take to get mason miller. Stop fighting the media war negotiations with the Yankees for Belli and test Seattle’s mettle for Logan Gilbert for Nico, Belli, and some prospects

[@IdliAmin_TheLastKingofSambar]

I suspect the Cubs would need to set their sights a bit lower than Mason Miller or Logan Gilbert, if they’re unwilling to include Shaw, and/or Caissie in a deal (especially if they also want to shed even part of Bellinger’s salary). I doubt Miller or Gilbert are getting dealt, anyway.

[@michaelthiel3161]

Caissie is my only untouchable. I'm fine trading Shaw if it's in a package for Miller. Shaw's value will never be higher and he basically only has one tool: his bat. Not a particularly good defender, has okay speed but not great, lackluster arm... Triantos has higher floors for his tools.

[@RohanShah-l3g]

im a life long cubs fan and i wanted cubs to trade belli. saved a lot of money for other things. matt shaw needs an opportunity to play 3rd. Busch has to play 1st. PCA is a generational talent they need him as well. Belli has reached his peak and is on the downturn. I hate to see belli leave but I would rather have one more starter or a bullpen that doesn't blow games. we have enough prospects for the outfield one of them can hit as good as belli i guarantee it.

[@uwupandaXD]

i don't believe that michael busch is a 3B, i haven't seen anything that proves he could do it. C: Amaya / Kelly 1B: Cody Bellinger 2B: Michael Busch (while Nico Hoerner recovers from surgery, won't be ready to start the season) 3B: Matt Shaw SS: Dansby Swanson LF: Ian Happ CF: Pete Crow-Armstrong RF: Kyle Tucker DH: Seiya Suzuki

[@ayydubs987]

as a dodger fan, he’s definitely not a 3rd baseman.

[@arkhaminmate3727]

This lineup could win the central with the addition of some pitching

[@craigbrindle108]

Busch ain’t moving to third. He could play second base until Nico is healthy.

[@TheTEN24]

The cubs had to make a move like this, I still feel really bad for As fans man

[@evanmartinez3799]

What are the chances the Cubs trade their prospects to get Mason Miller?😂Jk but I would trade for Clase in a heartbeat

[@IPANoah]

In fairness to the cubs- they offered the all of the core guys contract extensions except Schwarber

[@DaddyRatchet23]

And in hindsight I think he's the only one they really would have missed, and when then I am a pretty big Happ proponent (obviously he could DH now though). Would have loved to have had Rizzo obviously, but I don't think he moves the needle given the roster and his production and injuries.

[@mastod0n1]

​@DaddyRatchet23 iirc Rizzo was still hitting at an above average rate until he played 3 months with a concussion last year and he hasn't been the same since

[@bevrosity]

the only one thats still good.

[@Teremei]

Busch sucks at 3B. You are not going to downgrade defense at 3B that much when D is so important.

[@thejazzman210]

As much as I would love to see Bellinger, Tucker and Susuki in the middle of that lineup at the same time, but the only way it'll work is if they trade Hoerner for some pitching and move Busch to 2nd, or package Busch and one of their top prospects for some pitching. Any trade combo would have to bring a starter and/or reliever back. Then you could have Bellinger at 1st, Tucker in right and Susuki DHing.

[@ren1818ren]

Dang it’s been to long, thanks fellas

[@mjkirch100]

No way we should trade Cassie! He can replace Happ or Tucker (if we let him get away - which we better not). Not sure I'd wanna put Busch at 3B either. Hopefully, Shaw can handle 3B (possibly this year but most likely next). Would like to keep Suzuki at DH (his defense is average at absolute best), but if he's really that unhappy at DH, then trade him and get a good bullpen arm or two or acouple nice prospects for him.

[@CrashPK77]

"Don't trade Cody Be- GODDAMMIT!" His WAR was barely over 1.0 in the 2 years he was in Chicago. No big loss.

[@markbailey17]

as if i needed another reason to love trevor plouffe.

[@Feanor026]

which part ?

[@markbailey17]

@ haha he got his kids a dog!

[@XCal1bur23]

Don't trade Bellinger? Where will he play on the Cubs? Do either of you even know the Cubs roster? You don't have a $30M bench player. Good gawd. It's baseball. Look it up. 😂

[@naturallawman2965]

The only way it could work is moving Busch to 3B (which he can) and your full-time roster becomes -- Happ LF / PCA CF / Tucker RF / Busch 3B / Swanson SS / Hoerner 2B / Bellinger 1B / Amaya C / Suzuki DH.

[@ledflaplin2001]

@@naturallawman2965exactly!!!

[@jordancrosno9711]

Shoulda named it Luigi

[@jacobsommer2336]

I'd rather have Tanner Scott for less money than Cody Bellinger Cubs OF w/o Bellinger (Happ, PCA, Tucker, Seiya, Cassie #34 Prospect) Owen replaces Seiya or Happ in 2 years when their contracts end, can't trade him (Also is the insurance plan if Tucker leaves)

[@myndgruv]

I think once Nico is healthy again he will be on the block. He is going to want to be paid and I’m not sure they will, even though they should. I would love to keep bellinger but that contract was done thinking he was going to rake again last year and walk, and not they don’t know what to do. Idk how Busch would be at 3B but I’d be ok to try it out in spring training cause we say what happen early last year when you don’t have someone good defensively there.

[@joshuaspidel6603]

This isn't MLB the Show...you can't just "put Busch at 3rd." Busch also was really really good defensively at 1st after the 1st month or so. It seems Cubs want Shaw at 3rd so they might sign a Moancada type to battle with Shaw/have on the bench. You don't have a 20+ million dollar player on the bench (Suzuki or Bellinger) and your not taking PCA out of center...so there's just no room...so why not free up money to upgrade at places that need it? (bench, SP and RP)

[@kennylevine1150]

Bellinger wouldn't play center, they'd start him at first and probably move Michael Busch to third base

[@kelsibradley4800]

I mean Kyle Tucker was out of the line up for majority of the year and the Astros still made it to the postseason. Even if it was only for 2 games. Tucker doesn’t usually do good in the post season. I’ll miss him. Hopefully he does good. I don’t think Bregman will be back unfortunately. I think him leaving stings more than Tucker😢 Ryan Pressley did horrible last year. Relief pitching was not good last year. Hopefully if we keep him he’ll be better. I think he’s better as a closer.

[@allentrinidad2355]

CUBS NEED PITCHING. Trading Nico is the best route to acquire good pitching. The Cubs have many MANY interesting infield prospects other than Matt Shaw and James Triantos so trading nico won’t hurt them as much as trading Belli. Imagine cubs getting a Seattle Mariner SP.

[@alexfross4927]

busch isnt a guy we trust at 3rd. if anything we trade nico and let busch or shaw play second. i think itd be a good idea to keep belli but i doubt they will

[@johnkawalski48]

If they don't do anything else this year then it's not worth it

[@tylerb3428]

Big cubs fan here. If we don’t re sign Tucker this will be unfortunate. We weren’t 1 piece away. But, this forces Jed to actually go for it and step up to the plate. We have the money, but don’t spend the money. Cam smith is the only worry. We need to double our highest contract ever to re sign him. However, this makes the Cubs a playoff team.

[@tylerb3428]

PCA is playing CF everyday. Cody will need to play 1st and fill in for outfield. Michael Busch could play 3rd or 2B if Nico is gone in a Castillo deal.

[@tylerb3428]

Matt Shaw coming up to fill in 2B/3B. While Cody is 1B/OF & Busch 1B/3B. We need another starter and bullpen. Not really thrilled about luzardo. But if we rolled out 1. Imanaga 2. Steele 3. Castillo 4. Taillon 5. Luzardo That would be legit. Plus Kirby Yates or Finnegan

[@beokayian5378]

Cubs may as well jump in the DEEP END and make a move for Vlad Jr too. Let's go delulu and pair King Tuck and Vlad Jr.

[@brapblap0429]

cole palmer reference

[@oliverturner6823]

Yes Toronto has money on the books, but they're all leaving within 2 years. They have the money to extend Vladdy

[@tylerjacobs2200]

Losing Bellinger is perfectly okay with me. Make an all out effort to extend Tucker. The number one priority should be filling out the bullpen before you end up with another Hector Neris-esque closing situation. The 2024 Cubs bullpen was a white flag for chunks of the season and it is absolutely unacceptable.

[@shaylarz]

If the A’s continue to improve their pitching staff, they’ll be a competitive team. Offense has been decent for the last couple seasons. But I don’t want John Fisher to have nice things.

[@the_beef4762]

After the Padres lost the playoffs I had to take a break from baseball for a while. First time tuning in for a couple months, missed Trev's gorgeous face. Still healing but starting to get excited again for the season. Soccer has been good to pass the time but starting to get the baseball itch.

[@calvinthagoatENT]

We smoking that Padre pack 😂

[@jadap1789]

Rose confirmed not in the cult 🙏🏽

[@VegasLoungeAct]

Tucker isn't making much money this year. Can't welcome the Cubs to the big boy table unless they extend him.

[@shaneturner1809]

Its certainly time to trade Vlad. However Atkins knows he'll be fired for even suggesting it. He's still going to be fired later on in 2025 once the Jays continue to falter with their new defensive first identity with no hitters outside of Bo and Vlad. But the front office wont admit defeat, nor will they do right by the fanbase. The Jays are going to be just good enough to not trade Bo or Vlad at the deadline, sell off what little is left on the farm. Not make the playoffs, and spend the next decade pondering what could have been without incompetent management trying to overthink everything Signed, A sad Jays fan

[@andrealouise4073]

We've already let go of Gimenez, if they got rid of Clase (or Naylor or Kwan) I will lose my mind this offseason.

[@jaimeaguayo1811]

Watching this as they traded a Belli to the yanks

[@arkhaminmate3727]

They should trade nobody now, sign two good starters. Go win the central.

[@ricogomez4020]

The Cubs will be better if they also keep Cody Bellinger. But if they now trade Cody then the Cubs are back to the same spot going into 2024.

[@nox1ck589]

The brewers have feasted on a weak NL central and just choke every year in the postseason they don't deserve to be in the playoffs cause they never go anywhere with even elite talent like their rotation that they wasted.

[@kyledrobnik3852]

As a cubs fan, I think Trading Seya is our best path forward. There have been some reports he or his camp aren’t happy with basically being a full time DH. And I think that opens up a lot of flexibility to give Happ, Tucker, Belli, Busch days off rotating in and out and still gives a path for a young guy or 2 (Shaw, Cassie, etc.) to come up for regular ABs. I’d then use his ~19M to get a bullpen arm or 2 in FA

[@kyledrobnik3852]

After further research, he may have a full no trade per spotrac, so it may be a little tricky, but I think it’s worth investigating.. Also agree w C Rose if we could get Clase that would be 🔥

[@hectorcastle1187]

Why are the Cubs wanting to trade Bellinger in the first place?

[@gabrielkrzysiak7497]

@@hectorcastle1187 Don’t need 5 outfielders, and his money is better spent on a starting pitcher or bullpen help. The cubs bullpen blew 30 saves last year, flip half of those and they very easily make the playoffs

[@hectorcastle1187]

@@gabrielkrzysiak7497 Thanks. I thought Belli playing CF makes the most sense. I know Cubs 4 of the 5 OF. But Belli is pretty expensive so using that $ on position of weakness makes sense.

[@srellison561]

Happ is 30. He's still good and we could get some young talent in exchange. He would be a better trade option to reduce the number of outfielders. The Cubs are too invested in Seya to easily let him go.

[@njfuentesrespecter81]

They’re dumb as hell unless they’re prepared to offer a 9 figure contract that starts with a 7, because that’s what Tucker will hold out to hit FA for. He didn’t even entertain an offer from the Astros

[@jasonmilly3320]

Trading a bum and a dude drafted a handful of months ago for a legit star in a winnable division, not stupid if they wanna win right now. Who cares if it's for 1 year.

[@demetriusarteaga8242]

I will laugh out loud if Kyle tucker does not re😂sign with the Cubs next season

[@demetriusarteaga8242]

@ yeah if he does put the numbers up and still does not resign with the Cubs I will still laugh out loud

[@AndrewCalhounSongs]

It's worth it even if he doesn't.

[@michaelthiel3161]

Cubs ended up in better spot by not getting the extensions done for the 2016 core guys. Javy and KB are two of the very worst MLB players! Also, Caissie is the big lefty bat Cubs have been clamoring for. He's basically the only untouchable prospect.

[@The_Real_OQ]

Keep Belli, he becomes everyday 1st baseman. Trade Nico and prospects to Seattle for a SP. Busch goes to 2nd, Shaw to 3rd. Sign or trade for more bullpen, maybe Kirby Yates or Andrew Chafin. Bam A+ offseason

[@lucasvaughn9759]

Idiotic if they don’t resign him, fantastic if they do.

[@taydcan]

Saying Tucker is a top 10 everyday player is pretty tough. Shohei, Judge, Soto, Acuna, Mookie, Freddie, Bobby Witt, Tatis, Lindor, Jose Ramirez. That’s 10 right there and there’s a couple more that I’d take over him. Maybe top 20

[@IdliAmin_TheLastKingofSambar]

Right now, I think you’d have to take Tucker over Acuña, since the latter won’t be ready by Opening Day, and the last time (!) he came back from an ACL tear, it took a full season for his production to recover, and even before he got hurt, he wasn’t off to a great start in 2024. Tatís is a better defender than Tucker, but his offense hasn’t recovered to its pre-suspension levels (2023-24 combined: 118 OPS+ for Tatís vs. 155 for Tucker). Freeman is slowly starting to show some signs of decline. But we’re splitting hairs; top 10, top 15, the difference is small, and everyone’s list is going to be slightly different.

[@taydcan]

@ that’s fair, we gotta see what Acuna does after a 2nd major injury as well. I can’t believe I also didn’t mention Bryce! But yes Tucker might be closer to top 15 given his + defense, and borderline top 10 with another great season.

[@IdliAmin_TheLastKingofSambar]

@@taydcan Haha, I forgot about Bryce too! 🤦🏽‍♂️😆 And yeah, I’d like to see Tucker put together a full MVP-caliber season. He was well on his way in 2024, with an incredible 180 wRC+, but he’s yet to have a full-season OPS+/wRC+ > 150 or put up 6+ bWAR/fWAR, though I didn’t realize how remarkably consistent his WAR totals have been. And let’s hope Acuña comes back at full strength (even though I’m a Mets fan lol). But man, we’re lucky to get to watch so many greats all playing at the same time. A majority of the guys you listed are likely Hall-of-Famers, maybe first ballot. That’s pretty cool.

[@colelarsen-cj-8952]

Team bad for getting good player?

[@utlonghorns104ever]

Based C Rose - it’s gonna be great for the next 4 years 🇺🇸

[@Peter-tn5hm]

Plouffecoin when

[@schlootle]

Yeah i think this is gonna be a sleeper year for the Astros. Trading Tucker was a great move IMO and necessary, 2024 clearly showed they have a lot of holes to fill while not having the resources to do so. In 2026 they will have $30 million come off the books in Abreu and Montero contracts ending. Financially they were in a terrible position. I think they actually are in a good position for 2026. RIP 2025 though

[@nicholaskatsikas4904]

Yeah I’ll be shocked if there not major players for Vlad who’s swing fits perfectly for Houston

[@doyce100]

Pressly asked to be traded

[@sdcubs]

THANK YOU PLOUFF DONT TRADE BELLI IT MAKES ZERO SENSE

[@GetMoneyFuggBidges]

Stay the course, don’t trade for a superstar, sail off into the dull sunset of mediocre baseball☀️

[@SicSh0t5]

alcantara is better than caissie

[@tomb5594]

I can tell ya what wasn’t good for my mental health Rose and that’s that rant about the sizable gap between the “mighty” cubs and the Brewers lol. Way to make a Brewers fan feel inadequate

[@DoctorDeuce]

Crazy to say the tigers whooped the astros, when it was close game 1 against a 2019 Cole level guy, and a blown save game 2. Forcing a division winner to play a wild card is rslurded in the first place.

[@joshymcguire]

Talk about baseball, not politics…

[@BornTroublesome]

Do you really think we care about your dog

[@TaterAvila]

Cubs don't show up to the "big boy table" until they actually fork out the coin to landing that super star player. He's here for 1 year, let's not get to excited

[@Thepinstripebugle]

Foolish

[@markstorts8303]

The cubs are cheap simple as that just like the bears! Ricketts sucks as the owner thank u for the ws. But at end of the day your crappy owner. Give me a owner like the mets Yankees dodgers or padres not afraid to go over the luxery tax once in a blue moon. Least they spend lot every year.Ricketts and hoyer are dumb asses!

[@TheSmithhhz]

Don't talk about the Blue Jays, your American ignorance shows everytime you do.

[@gdm1799]

Cubs still suck regardless

[@Snazzeo]

Kinda wish the Cubs got Soto last year tbh feels like a year late to make a move like this

[@emophase2224]

Yeah, just happy that Tucker's a Cub. Hope Ricketts will use some of Tom's 2.3 billion to keep him around