r/CHICubs • u/cmmoore307 #FlyTheW • 7d ago
I’m going to need a inhaler
If this actually happens, I would lose my mind.
436
u/schladopian_fir 7d ago
He's getting mighty close to his twilight years. Dunno what this even does for the Cubs.
179
u/upscalescumbag 7d ago
Yea, this move solves nothing.
168
u/laughing_andcrying tougher than a $2 steak 🥩 7d ago
I agree - we don’t need a Bryce Harper, we need a working bullpen and an ace 😭
35
u/BasedSliceOfWinning 7d ago
2 of our 3 starting outfielders are free agents.
One way or another, we're going to need a few new bats.
18
u/THE_GUY_ON_THE_C0UCH 7d ago
We’ve also watched out offense die out the past 2 years heading towards october, not saying we need to pursue harper, but a guy like him would certainly help.
10
u/YourCummyBear 7d ago
While I agree.
I’m not sure if we need an ace. Other teams are getting in done in the playoffs with numerous solid starters.Bear with me, we nothing to trade for an ace and Skubal won’t come here. We are too cheap.
I believe we need a LOT of bullpen help, we need a consistent threat at the plate outside PCA and Bergman, a couple no.3 starters, and we need Steele and Horton to come back healthy.
Obviously if Steele and Horton aren’t expected to return healthy, that changes things.
But Steele is our Ace. He’s unlikely to be a top 10 pitcher but he had a 3.12 FIP between 2022-2024, starting 24,30,24 games, before getting hurt and having a set back.
If those guys can’t be reliable expected to return healthy then we are already screwed.
We are losing Boyd and Shota. We traded for Gausman, Holmes, and Peterson who we are losing as well.
We have maybe Assad and Ben Brown who can slide in. If Horton and Steele don’t return then we have the worst rotation in baseball.
31
u/moGUNZthanROSES 7d ago
Good points, we better get another ace.
6
u/laughing_andcrying tougher than a $2 steak 🥩 7d ago
😂 precisely, cant hurt… right?????
→ More replies (1)4
u/YourCummyBear 7d ago
I’m just not getting my hopes up.
Who is a FA ace you can see us targeting or trading for?
We have no trade capital and we won’t spend for one.
5
u/Senator_Workholeface Castro Shock 7d ago
Verlander is eventually going to get bored (I'm labeling this as sarcasm)
2
u/laughing_andcrying tougher than a $2 steak 🥩 7d ago
I mean……… you never know lol 😂 (labeling this as a wishful thinking joke)
→ More replies (6)7
u/artsy_slappy 7d ago
A guy that hasn’t pitched in almost 2 years cannot be an ace right now.. he might turn into one but he’s now considered “injury prone”. They need someone that is pretty reliable and can throw hard. They also need bullpen help; a lot of it.
To be honest I think they are a long way away from having a good pitching to be able to compete with the current playoff teams an even the brewers, unfortunately.
→ More replies (1)12
9
u/brmoser 7d ago
He very likely outperforms whoever's spot in the lineup he would take.
Is it a good use of resources? No. Better to focus on fixing weaknesses than snoring up strengths in this case.
Would I still be excited if they did it anyway. Yeah.
→ More replies (5)6
u/MrFlags69 7d ago
No thank you. We do not need aging players on this team. Go get pitching for the love of God…
17
u/rikrok58 Nico 7d ago
If they weren't going to go after Schwarber who is a better hitter and was a free agent, then why would they go after Harper, who they would have to trade for?
12
u/TheBigF128 Stupid Sexy Rizzo 7d ago
He’d be a very good DH or even first baseman despite being a poor fielder. However if we have to give up significant farm then definitely a no deal
18
u/Bersho Kris "The Carpenter" Bryant 7d ago
Idk if he’s on the table but I’d prefer Schwarber over Harper any day… especially given Harper’s insane contract
41
u/cubs_2023 7d ago
Harper had a higher OPS+ this year than Schwarber and is owed less money over the remaining 5 years of his deal than Schwarber is over the remaining 4 years of his deal.
→ More replies (2)34
u/One-Knowledge7097 7d ago
Don't be coming at people with your whole facts vs. vibes schtick.
9
u/Senator_Workholeface Castro Shock 7d ago
Do I own a Cubs' Harper jersey? No. Do I own a Cubs' Schwarber jersey? Yes. The answer is Schwarber. (I'm labeling this as sarcasm)
15
3
u/Key_Environment8179 Derrek Lee 7d ago
We have been given no indication that Schwarber is even available
2
3
→ More replies (9)5
u/lttpfan13579 7d ago
And ego. I get that he's a star, but he makes sure everyone knows. Much rather have Schwarbs who apparently mentored PCA during the WBC and is already beloved in this town.
4
u/Key_Environment8179 Derrek Lee 7d ago
We have been given no indication that Schwarber is even available
→ More replies (2)→ More replies (1)2
3
u/chrisGNR Chicago Dubs 4d ago
This feels like what the White Sox used to do when they’d bring in guys like Ken Griffey Jr., Andruw Jones, Manny Ramirez, Jose Canseco, etc.
That said, I don’t think Bryce is washed. But he’ll be 34 this month and has 5 more years on his contract. It’s just not a deal the Cubs would ever do.
The deal they SHOULD have done is signing Harper when he was a free agent and we still had the World Series core. Bryce also would have bridged the gap along with Happ to our current core. Harper averaged 140 wRC+ 2019 to present day.
2
u/verdango That Wednesday in Cleveland 7d ago
He’ll have a great half year and then not hit in the playoffs just like the rest of Hoyer’s signings.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (12)4
138
u/caleb_vvilliams 7d ago
We need pitching
17
u/NUMBNUTZ42069 Lester 7d ago
We need both
6
u/caleb_vvilliams 7d ago
The cubs FO wont see it that way with how well our offense performed on paper
12
u/NUMBNUTZ42069 Lester 7d ago
Sure they will when they lose two of their top 9 hitters one of them being the 2nd or 3rd best
→ More replies (3)2
u/Nosferatu616 Chicago Cubs 7d ago
What do you mean "on paper"? By any reasonable metric (runs scored, OPS, OPS+) we were the best offense in all of baseball this year. How could they possibly have performed better?
→ More replies (1)
180
53
24
u/AshWilliams2021 This Old Cub 7d ago
Literally all of our Starting Rotation is either going into free agency or coming off injuries. Please no more bargain bin shopping
5
u/sdpcommander I miss Yu 7d ago
I agree we need pitching, but trading for Bryce Harper is hardly "bargain bin shopping".
7
u/AshWilliams2021 This Old Cub 7d ago
I’m not saying Harper is bargain bin shopping. I’m saying our pitching staff is
2
u/atooraya Will be triggered if downvoted 7d ago
Who we gonna trade? We have no farm system besides Hartshorn, Ayers and Conrad. Most of these guys will be ready in 2028. Harper is going to clog these guys up.
2
u/cubswin2015 7d ago
I’m with you, but also wouldn’t be surprised if they pick up another 3 pitchers that are coming off injuries for bottom dollar and hoping one works out. For what it’s worth, I’d give up my first born for Paul Skenes
→ More replies (1)
23
u/Medical-Analysis-554 7d ago
The Cubs just had a historic gap between the quality of their position players and the quality of their pitchers.
No team in history had more WAR created by their elite hitting and defense and so little from their pitching.
Unless the front office is going Dodgers spending strategy (not happening) I expect all efforts to spend money or improve the team to be 100% All In Pitching
→ More replies (1)
16
u/JerryS2R 7d ago
This has all the earmarks of the Garciaparra deal!!!
5
u/KerryWood34 7d ago
Nomaaaaaaaaaaaaar! Loved his pre at bat glove routine lol
3
u/JerryS2R 7d ago
I still have the 5 garciaparra jersey!!
2
u/Stefmeister71 6d ago
Legends will remember him wearing 8 for a game and then Barret trading him 5.
11
u/Cordo_Bowl 7d ago
This cubs team had the best position player group in baseball. Best defense and best offense. Does Harper actually make them better? 20teens harper does, 2027 harper probably does not.
3
u/NUMBNUTZ42069 Lester 7d ago
Well they are losing Happ and Seiya, Harper is probably better than an unproven rookie. But Harper also would DH/1B
→ More replies (3)
11
11
u/cherrywaves3333 Chicago Cubs 7d ago
If we spend all our money on Harper I will be bummed. Can we please get a serious pitching staff and just train Shaw,Nico, and Ramirez to fucking hit line drive and bloops like the brewers and have Pete, and Breg send it over the wall to bring em in lol.
6
u/chefc1515 7d ago
Harper’s contract is not bad at all. Wouldn’t even be close to spending all our money.
→ More replies (9)4
u/BasedSliceOfWinning 7d ago
I mean Harper makes like 28 mil a year. We just paid Shota 22 mil for his qualifying offer that he took in 2026.
So what, a 6 mil difference?
Not saying do it. But I think people are forgetting just how much money is coming off our books for 2027. (Ian Happ's 20 mil, Seiya's 17 mil, Shota's 22 mil, Taillon's 18 mil, etc).
We'll have SOME money to spend, even with an owner with a rap of not being a big spender.
→ More replies (1)4
u/johnjohnjohn93 7d ago
I think the Phillies only trade Harper if someone takes Turner’s albatross contract with him. Harper is a positive asset.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (2)2
87
u/pmorter3 7d ago
Lmao he seems like just the kind of “was a star a few years ago and is now washed” guy we’d get
41
u/NUMBNUTZ42069 Lester 7d ago
He’s not washed though
9
u/elgenie Go Cubs Go 7d ago
Yep, he’s still a 3 WAR guy with a wRC+ in the 130s. For now.
The problem is that he’s also a DH-quality first baseman in his mid-30s with a ton of swing and miss in his game. Any sort of small age-related falloff in bat speed could render him sub replacement level at the drop of a hat … and he’s signed through the 2031 World Series.
→ More replies (1)26
6
u/zrk23 Rally Bucket 7d ago
contract wise he is
4
u/sdpcommander I miss Yu 7d ago
Honestly his AAV isn't that bad compared to what other hitters have been getting in recent years.
2
u/elgenie Go Cubs Go 7d ago
That’s mostly because of how many years he’s signed for, the last couple of which are exceedingly likely to be post collapse.
→ More replies (2)2
→ More replies (7)3
18
u/Niz285 7d ago
nah, rather pay Suzuki. We need pitching. We can figure out hitting with what we have. If we had good solid pitching we would probably finished around 100 wins.
→ More replies (3)
8
12
u/Raftel_17 7d ago
Is he purely a DH/1B these days or can he play at LF to replace Happ? Imma assume this won't happen.
36
u/MyDadLeftMeAtArbys 7d ago
Put him in LF and watch how the people trashing Happ will post 'i miss Happ's defense' all season
→ More replies (3)6
→ More replies (1)6
u/Bersho Kris "The Carpenter" Bryant 7d ago
His defense is straight ass now in LF and he’d have even a harder time with Wrigley’s tricky OF
→ More replies (6)
6
5
u/letsago9987 Chicago Cubs 7d ago
CAN WE GET SOME FUCKING PITCHERS WHO DON'T SUCK ASS FIRST
→ More replies (2)
7
u/PerryPortabello20XXL 7d ago
This is from some lame ass instagram account that always posts shit like this with BREAKING or TRENDING in huge font despite that never being the case.
7
u/Different_Coat5375 7d ago
"he's on the wrong side of 30!!"
"We need to trade to bring Schwarber back home!!!"
...both these guys are 33!!!! Which wrong side of 30 is which??
→ More replies (4)
10
u/JJustis15 7d ago
I love Bryce Harper, but I would have to pass. That’s a big contract to take on.
2
u/sdpcommander I miss Yu 7d ago
I mean it's 5 years, which is roughly what a lot of the other big FAs will be getting this off season, and the AAV isn't that bad.
→ More replies (1)2
5
u/Ok-Oil-2578 7d ago
Harper may have mostly been interested in the Cubs back in 2018 when his good buddy Bryant was here, which was a long time ago anyways
6
4
u/Own-Pickle9871 7d ago
If they replace happ it will be with a younger, cheaper player or a vet on a short deal
5
u/Second_City_Saint #wearegood 7d ago
Does he still have a dog named Wrigley?
2
u/Littlest_viking This is Addison, doors open on the left. 7d ago
No but I do.
2
u/motypl Duck 7d ago
Can you pitch?
2
u/Littlest_viking This is Addison, doors open on the left. 7d ago
I pitch like Theilbar.
→ More replies (1)
3
u/pokerScrub4eva 7d ago
1st harper is 10/5, so the phillies can shop him to their hearts content but its up to harper if he goes anywhere
2nd do the cubs want to take on 125m in salary for a 34 year old harper and the down side of his career? Probably not. Unless the phillies are eating a big ole chunk of that there should be no deal
→ More replies (1)
3
4
u/Mroadster00 7d ago
Worry about adding another aging veteran with a big salary.
→ More replies (1)3
4
u/MasterHavik Southside Cubs fan 7d ago edited 6d ago
If he was in his late 20s, I would be more for this but I don't know we already paid big money to a veteran bat in Bregman. This is risky.
3
u/SwAeromotion This Old Cub 6d ago
For comparison consider that Seiya Suzuki would be more or less the same amount of money and years in free agency this upcoming off-season as Harper.
I would still take the guy 22 months younger (Seiya) that also fills an empty spot on the field (OF), but Harper is a 2 time MVP and will likely be a DH soon where father time can be a bit less harsh than a player on the field.
→ More replies (1)3
u/UniversalMonsterFan 6d ago
In 2018 I was all over this. Now? Not so much. Use the money on pitching, and I love ya Happ, but an upgrade at LF
→ More replies (2)
5
u/Ryanscalves28 5d ago
Michael Busch is still at 1st and Harper was not good going back to RF this ain't happening
10
u/Yetis22 7d ago edited 7d ago
He’s awesome. Anyone saying otherwise is crazy. He’s also got a pretty affordable salary all things considered.
Put him in LF and DH. He’s the type of hitter the cubs need.
Also I will die on this fucking hill. It’s insane how many fans in here are over compensating for ownership. Just because we need pitching doesn’t mean you pick a lane and stay in it. You can do both! And anyone that thinks the offense should just be run back is nuts. Seiya is gone. Who are filling that vacancy with? Don’t say Ayers, Alcantara and Shaw.
2
u/J_Peterman32 7d ago
Why is everyone so sure Seiya is gone?? Hearing this all over Reddit pretty much confirms hell get resigned
→ More replies (2)
5
u/4browntown Chicago Cubs 7d ago
Weren't the Cubs high on his list in '18 so he could play with buddy KB?
→ More replies (1)
3
u/ProductIntegortion 7d ago
I like Harper, he's a fine player. The priority should be pitching. We have the worst staff in the league and all of the starters are hurt or leaving.
→ More replies (1)
3
3
u/glitch241 In Theo We Trust 7d ago
Cubs would need a lot of lucky breaks at this point to really be more competitive. Other than Pete and Seyia (no gone) most players got worse. And there are now really zero SPs we can count on. Idk how you acquire an entire new staff that is any good. Maybe Steele, Horton, Brown, Cabrera all be come good and healthy again. But I doubt it.
→ More replies (2)3
u/BearFan34 Chicago Cubs 7d ago
Maybe Steele, Horton, Brown, Cabrera all be come good and healthy again.
How many do you realistically expect to return to previous form? For me, maybe 2, if we are lucky. If we are really lucky, they will be the first two names you listed. But I doubt that will happen.
→ More replies (1)2
u/glitch241 In Theo We Trust 7d ago
I think Brown’s career is over unless he totally relearns to pitch. Horton has spent much of the last 5 years hurt. Steele hasn’t pitched in just so long and is getting older/ only signed for one more year. Cabrera was a disaster this year. Awful when pitching. And then it felt like blaming it on minor injuries. Just a terrible acquisition.
2
u/NumerousFly7490 6d ago
Is Browns injury really that devastating? Damn
Players like Cabrera can definitely bounce back, im just not sure i trust the organization to revitalize him.
Would Steele ever make sense as a relief guy?
→ More replies (1)
3
3
u/rvaughan85 7d ago
Good season and all, does he still play the field? I’m gonna pass on giving up anything significant
3
3
u/Dark_Wahlberg-77 7d ago
Cubs led the league in runs, rbis, slugging and third in HR. I don’t think that was the issue
→ More replies (2)
3
u/BigIdeas1982 7d ago
I just don't see it. We have a LHH 1B whose numbers were down but not THAT far off from Harper's. So, what, he's gonna play RF? As a late-in-life OF? At Wrigley, where RF is notoriously difficult to play because of the wind? And you're not taking on that contract just to have him DH. Nope. I'll be shocked if this happens.
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
u/Creepy_Dependent_239 5d ago
Why to be a permanent DH, to slow now to play outfield and no way he takes time away from Bush at 1st
5
u/Flaky-Debate-833 7d ago
Too many years left on the contract already on the wrong side of 30. The time to sign him was 8 years ago. The ship has long sailed.
4
u/freddyd00 Chicago Cubs 7d ago
Too expensive and our pitching is a MUCH BIGGER problem. Offense is good enough despite the inconsistencies
→ More replies (1)4
u/SwAeromotion This Old Cub 7d ago
His remaining contract is probably around what Seiya will get in FA.
2
u/NelsonMuntz007 7d ago
Ah yes the big names who are at the back end of careers where their contract is way over priced for their performance.
2
u/FlatTopTonysCanoe The Professor 7d ago
I like Harper but has he really shown he’s the guy to push a team over the top? I feel like if you’re signing a veteran guy in their 30s, you want at least that kind of clubhouse presence on the off chance the production falls off.
2
u/AssocProfPlum 7d ago
It’s hard to envision this FO buying a full-time DH, even if that is Harper. Feel like they value versatility from it too much
2
u/AlphaDag13 7d ago
If the cubs traded for Harper there’s no way they take on that full contract. If the price is right and we let seiya walk I could see it making sense. But that’s a big “if”
2
2
u/Key_Environment8179 Derrek Lee 7d ago
Why tf were the Cubs not able to afford Harper on 2018, but the Phillies were?
→ More replies (1)
2
u/BotherEconomy4413 7d ago
This will never happen. Cubs never give a lot of money to an old dude. Come on.
2
u/Drclaw411 smh 7d ago
Tom isn’t paying for fuck.
You know all those “Ohtani was always going to the Dodgers”, “Judge was always staying in New York” people? Yeah, Harper was always going to the Cubs. He was confused when they never called, so he stopped waiting and signed elsewhere.
2
u/JigglyOW 7d ago
Why would we need Harper when we had an insane offense and no pitching?
3
u/NUMBNUTZ42069 Lester 7d ago
They are losing some of that offense. They need both
→ More replies (2)
2
u/ZingBurford 7d ago edited 7d ago
I'd rather keep Busch at 1st and see if he can be halfway between last year and this year. What we need is pitching and outfield. Our infield is set and I don't really wanna lock a guy into our DH spot. Plus Harper is getting up there in age, so who knows how good he'll be in 2 years. Although our best window with this group is probably the next 2-3 years, so who knows.
2
u/Creative-Tip-9238 7d ago
This is probably the last move I want. We are already one of the older teams in the league. We need to invest in one thing: pitching
2
2
2
u/wetbutt32 7d ago
8 years too late, pass. Take the same energy it would take to acquire Harper financially and instead, put it into acquiring and developing pitching.
2
2
2
u/AffectionateLimit565 Chicago Cubs 7d ago
Well, He turns 34 next week. His contract has 6 more years left on a 13-year, $330 million contract he signed back in March 2019 with a no trade clause. I’m sure he’d lift due to his recent unhappiness with the front office that he has left no doubt about after being publicly vocal about it over the last year.
This could work in our favor. They want a divorce there and they may be willing to not ask for much since they are getting the chance get rid of him halfway through his contract and he will only get harder to remove from the clubhouse as each season goes on.
They are both at a crossroads. It’s a now or never thing. I bet it would be a cheep and favorable for any team looking to help him get out of there, and would maybe be rewarded by the Phillies for being a team he would say goodbye to them for.
If we get him, we are marrying him for the rest of his career. His numbers aren’t going to get better.
→ More replies (1)2
2
u/Squatch-21 7d ago
Cubs and “budget restrictions”….. gotta love a rich team running itself like it’s a poverty franchise
2
2
2
u/smackdaddypugpoopies 7d ago
WE NEED PITCHERS!! WE OWN THE BEST FIELDING NOW! NO HARPER VALLEY! WE HAVE PCA!!
2
u/PolishAtTheDisco 7d ago
I would've been excited by this like 10 years ago.. maybe 5.. but hes just not going to put this team over that hump...
2
2
u/ChocoboForest 7d ago
This was known back then too. He is buddies with Kris Bryant. Would of been awesome in 2018, but not likely to happen now.
2
2
2
u/Strong_Hornet627 6d ago
You guys didn't learn your lesson with Old guys like Gausman? Way to ruin another season lol go Sox
2
u/sarcasm-only-please 6d ago
I’d rather trade for Acuna and have LF open for Shaw, Hartshorn, Conrad, or Kepley.
2
2
u/_diablito 7d ago
I know OP isn't claiming it's happening, but anyone who DOES fall for this has a brain smoother than a bowling ball. I pined for Harper once. Won't be fooled again. Ricketts would never try this hard to win.
→ More replies (2)2
3
u/Large_Butterscotch20 7d ago
This move absolutely wouldn't help us. He would eat up tons of money towards luxury tax and doesn't even help with our main issue: pitching. We need to shore up the starting rotation and fix the bullpen. We had the best defense by WAR by a long shot, but our pitching was barely positive
→ More replies (1)
3
u/bump-fish-bump-pump 7d ago
At first thought, I was all over this. But then I saw how unbelievably bad he’s become on defense. He had like 1.5 more war than Busch this year. It’s no surprise Philly is shopping him.
2
2
u/Yusuke_Boopermeshi 7d ago
Trading for an older version of him after not signing him would be a funny move
2
u/Im_TroyMcClure 7d ago
Unless Harper is secretly a really good reliever I don’t see the point in trading for the guy.
2
u/Urethra_Leakage_72 7d ago
unless he’s a starting pitcher, why would we even consider this?
and it has nothing to do with the money. his contract actually isn’t that crazy. i just don’t want him. he seems like a bit of a prima donna dick, and he’s on the downslope.
→ More replies (2)
2
2
u/WalterYeatesSG 7d ago
...Just resign Suzuki. Won't cost as much and no inflated ego.
2
u/NUMBNUTZ42069 Lester 7d ago
He will cost the same or more
2
u/WalterYeatesSG 7d ago
You are aware of his contract right? Also, with that argument Seiya played Gold Glove RF, and has been a top 20 hitter since 2023, the argument is still Suzuki.
→ More replies (3)
1
u/kubie1234 7d ago
I’m expecting Suzuki and Happ gone, if we can get him for a fair deal I’d take him
1
1
u/Penguinkeith Gullizzy 7d ago
This season was oops all offense enough for me please and thank you we need pitchers so bad
1
u/SelfDerecatingTumor 7d ago
Harper to DH would be nice but obviously the Cubs need pitching and this is not based on any actual rumors of the Cubs showing interest in him, but if the Phillies were really set on retooling and the Cubs eating the last 4 years of his contract would lower the prospect cost of Jhoan Duran I would be over the moon. Not gonna happen but I can dream, off-season is for dreams
1
1
1
1
1
u/FastAd74 7d ago
Only as DH would this help, he is not a very good RF and only if we can’t resign Seyia
1
1
1
519
u/TrainElegant425 7d ago
Can he pitch?