BCB Cubs After Dark: Locking up the future

Thanks for stopping by BCB After Dark: The ultimate hangout for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs Fans abroad. It's so good to see some familiar faces and some new ones too. Please allow us to inspect your coat for you. There is no cover charge this evening. We still have two tables available. Bring your own drink.

BCB after dark It's the place for you to talk about baseball, music, movies, or anything else you need to get rid of, as long as it's within the site's rules. Late nighters are encouraged to get the party started, but everyone is invited to join you when you wake up the next morning and into the afternoon.

Last night, I asked you what your grade was on the Cubs' new spring training caps. Opinions were all over the place on the subject, but the letter grade “B” came out on top at 29 percent. “D” came in second place with 23 percent, followed by “C” with twenty percent. “A” got 19 percent and “F” came in close behind with nine percent. So there are more people who like them than people who don't, but there's clearly a significant minority who don't.

This is the part where I put music and movies. Those of you who are skipping this can do so now. You won't hurt my feelings.

Tonight I have a performance by Canadian guitarist Jocelyn Gould and the Jocelyn Gould Quartet from a show in Winnipeg in 2021. This show features Will Bonis on piano, Rodney Whittaker on bass, and Quincy Davis on drums. This is “kindling”.

You still have until Wednesday evening to vote in BCB Winter Western Classic between The good, the bad and the ugly And Rio Bravo. As I write this, the current vote is completely tied.

Tomorrow, you will get the chance to choose between Middle back (1952) and Stagecoach (1939).

Welcome back to all who skip the jazz and clicks.

The Cubs made a minor trade today, sending right-handed reliever Michael Rooker to the Phillies for cash considerations. Rooker was appointed for the assignment following the signing of Hector Neres.

The Royals just signed shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. to a 14-year contract, with 11 of those years guaranteed. This got me thinking which Cubs prospect would you like to see sign one of these long-term deals?

Yes, I know Witt is not a likely candidate anymore, he has two years of experience. But the Brewers' starter, outfielder Jackson Chorio, signed an eight-year, $82 million contract before playing his first game earlier this winter. So this is the real precedent for tonight's question.

You've seen Kurio play in the minor leagues and I can promise you you'll hate him. It's really good. I have no problem saying he's better than any of the current Cubs players. However, that doesn't mean there aren't any Cubs who still have starter eligibility and aren't worthy of a similar, if not quite as lucrative, extension.

So, just last week, I wrote a whole series of articles about the Cubs' prospects. Baseball America, MLB Pipeline, ESPN And The athlete I put together a top 100 prospect list in the last week or two that also includes several Cubs players. I'll ask you which of the top seven prospects you'd like to see sign a long-term extension of eight years or more.

Now obviously, a player has to want to sign this type of extension, and your opinion on whether it's a good or bad thing will depend on how much the Cubs are offering the player. I get it. But what I'm saying is that if you assume all players are willing to sign an extension at a fair market price, what would make you happier to see the signing on the dotted line? Who would you like to see in Cubbie blue in the next 8-10 years?

(I suppose you could say six to eight years for Bush, since he's a bit older than most of the potential nominees.)

I'll let you vote for your top seven potential players and I'll give you an “other” if you want to vote for a different player. I suppose you can vote “Other” if your choice is “None” as well. Just explain your reasons in the comments.

So who would you like to see signed to a long-term extension?

Thank you for stopping by this evening. I hope we made your night a little better. Please bus your schedule. Recycle any cans and bottles. Get home safely. Instruct your service staff. And join us again tomorrow evening for more BCB after dark.