And We Shall Rumor...
The GM Meetings have begun and every agent wants the Cubs excess in their clients' pockets. So where we at...
- Russell "31-year-old Career Year" Martin wants Brian McCann money, something in the vicinity of 5/75-80M. Beefy seems to be just fine back there, don't you think?
- The Phillies are allegedly in blow-up mode, but beyond Cliff Lee or Cole Hamels, can't imagine there's much for the Cubs to look at. Hamels DID NOT put the Cubs on his list of teams he could block a trade to, but the Phillies are asking for 3 top prospects and I don't think they mean Alcantara, Edwards and Vogelbach.
- There's some ruminations that the Red Sox will end up bringing Jon Lester back, potential price tag in the 6/120M range.
- Theo isn't too keen on drawing too many conclusions from one post season and is still focused on upgrading the rotation rather than the bullpen.
- Theo also mentioned that he doesn't see any international free agents as an obvious fit with the Cubs.
- A few days back, Patrick Mooney mentioned that the Cubs would probably prefer Lester or Shields over Scherzer and throws out Andrew Miller's name as a possibility.
- Justin Upton has the Cubs as one of 4 teams on his no-trade list, he might not want to play here or he might just be looking for leverage.
- Torii Hunter was linked to about 10 teams, one being the Cubs. I think we'd all be surprised if that happened.
- The Mets are gonna look at trades to upgrade at shortstop and Starlin Castro's name is a natural fit, but the Mets are notoriously difficult to deal with and Andy Martino of The Daily News says, "it has so far been difficult, if not impossible, for the Mets and Cubs to agree on Castro’s trade value."
Comments
Hey, Rob--I realize that you
not sure what you're asking
not sure what you're asking me about there? The entire mention is this.
The Cubs are believed to prefer Lester or James Shields to Scherzer. People around the team say lefty Andrew Miller would make a lot of sense as the new lights-out reliever. Peavy can sing “Go Cubs Go” but otherwise makes little sense on the North Side heading into his age-34 season.
Did I summarize it poorly?
I was unclear. It's not
ah got it...pretty sure
ah got it...pretty sure reporters are quite creative in how they attribute something. In this example, it said "Cubs are believed" which could mean Theo or Jed, could mean an agent claimed to have talked to Theo or Jed, could mean the secretary passed something along, could mean a scout heard something from someone, could mean the Cubs are known to want a SP and have some ties to Shields (through Maddon) and Lester (through Theo and Jed) and Mooney needed a column idea..who the 'eff knows?
http://espn.go.com
http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chicago/chat/...
Jesse Rogers seems hellbent on the Cubs signing Martin.
says keep an eye out on Jason Heyward if he becomes available and says Cubs brass know that next year is very unlikely the year, offense will need time to grow.
Doesn't think Cubs will end up signing Shields, Lester or Scherzer, says Lester wants to win now and doesn't think Cubs are there quite yet.
Some other names mentioned: Nick Markakis, Mike Morse, Gomes, J. Hammel
Lest we forget..
on that Heyward mention,
on that Heyward mention, would you trade Soler for Heyward?
Heyward is 2 1/2 years older than Soler. Left-handed bat would be nice in that lineup somewhere.
Not saying I could pull that trigger, but it's intriguing.
Heywards frame is too big for
Heyward listed at 6'5", Soler
Heyward listed at 6'5", Soler at 6'4", one of them has been injured a lot, it isn't Heyward.
If they would get so lucky to make the playoffs, they'd get eaten alive by good bullpens without a good L/R mix imo. Also Heyward's defense has been rather exceptional to this point with good on-base skills.
Power has been disappointing though.
Heyward listed 245
I'm not sure keen is the
I'm not sure keen is the right word, Heyward is a FA after next season and Braves seem to have realized they need to do a minor rebuild before they go into their new stadium. I imagine the asking price for Heyward would be quite steep, his WAR numbers since his rookie year have been (4.6, 2.0, 6.3, 3.4 and 5.1). That's a damn good player who is going to be playing his age 25 season next year and any smart GM is gonna take a look if the Braves make him available, which is what I got Rogers was hinting at.
Ultimately no one knows what the Braves are asking for and if he'll be traded, but good players are offered up all the time and we're never sure why.
Unless it's the Marlins or
Justin Upton was a helluva
Justin Upton was a helluva get for the Braves.
I think much like Castro, teams will find the price too steep as is the case most of the time.
Add the Rays to the list too.
I'd trade Baez for Heyward.
throw in Olt too!!!!
throw in Olt too!!!!
think it would take 3 very good prospects to get Heyward with a Baez or Soler type being the centerpiece.
You had to go there, didn't
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
theo already made that
rather stick with Alcantara,
rather stick with Alcantara, but Crawford should be a useful 2 WAR player going forward. All depends on the deal.
I think last year the average rate was about $6M per WAR, and Crawford is owed over $20M+ the next 3 seasons. If Dodgers pay about $8-10M per year and Cubs give up some bullpen arms? Not sure I'd do it, but not terrible either.
Crawford seemed comfortable being rotated in that Dodger OF last year, could be helpful.
and that would free up the
not sure I'm following...
not sure I'm following...
if someway Cubs took on Crawford and paid 3/36M plus prospects with Dodgers paying the rest around 3/24 (he's owed a little over $60M the next 3 years), how does that free up money for Edwin for the Cubs?
Now if Cubs pawned Edwin off on the Dodgers and a bullpen arm while taking Crawford's contract back with a little money help from Dodgers that would be neat, but don't see the Dodgers doing that, although Edwin did play for Rays once upon a time. I don't get Dodgers are just trying to dump Crawford or any of their outfielders at this point.
How about giving Ichiro a
to do what? usher?
to do what? usher?
Ichiros' just above replacement level at this point and not sure he'd stay above it next season. I'd stick with Coghlan in that case.
sorry if 3/44, but ~swoon~
sorry if 3/44, but ~swoon~
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2014/11/06/maddon...
If you don’t have that guy [Rivera or Percival were examples he used], it’s about leverage situations and matchups and who’s the better guy right now. The difficulty with that is you have to have those conversations in spring training. Before you ever leave camp, you tell different guys, ‘Listen, you’re not just a seventh-inning guy, you’re not just the eighth-inning guy. You’re the guy based on this part of the lineup or that part of the lineup. These are your strengths.’ So you build your bullpen that way.
Free agency sucks. I'm just
this thread features c
most of Crawford's pre-Boston
most of Crawford's pre-Boston WAR value DID NOT come from his defense actually and if he had just regressed to a 3-4 WAR player, he would still be decent value at $20M per season. He obviously couldn't stay healthy and his speed tanked almost immediately.
Theo spent money though, I believe this makes a good move by your rules.
you're right about the D
speaking of bad contract
speaking of bad contract swaps, BJ Upton out there. 3/45M 'ish left.
rather keep Edwin.
speaking of rumor...
And we have our 2015 version
And we have our 2015 version of Jake Peavy
so what's next for Witty..
Desmond is allegedly a year
Desmond is allegedly a year from free agency too, sure wouldn't mind a deal getting J. Zimmerman and Desmond for Castro and shitload of B/C prospects. Russell just isn't ready and i think we're all sketchy on Baez.
Getting zimmermann is it's own thing, figure out what an extension is going to cost or take your chances or deal him at deadline if he seems unwilling.
Wow, that was a real Twitter
Sullivan dumping water on the
Sullivan and Mooney dumping water on the whole rumor btw.
Levine and Rogers jump on the
Levine and Rogers jump on the denial dogpile as well.
good.
Rogers doubles down on
Rogers doubles down on Heyward, but points more towards a FA signing next year.
http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs
I can pretty easily draw up a
I'd like to see one mlb
Tall people prejudice is so
He's an inch shorter than
Hoyer said the Cubs are drawn
Hoyer said the Cubs are drawn to contact hitters, as their stable of young players is loaded with power hitters who swing and miss often.
"We have to get on base more,'' Hoyer said. "We have to figure out ways to limit our strikeouts. We're not going to get away from them completely because of the makeup of our club. We do have a lot of power. But we have to figure out a way to fix some of those issues. It's less positionally, more fit.''
http://m.mlb.com/news/article/101197620/chica...
The music to my ears was:
Exactly. Anyone who sees them
Jim Hendry waves
Carrie Muskat ✔
Cubs claim RHP Donn Roach
Cubs claim RHP Donn Roach off waivers from Padres
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/play...
Huh, not sure I see the
Theo talked up his sinkerball
Theo talked up his sinkerball fwiw, says he'll be in mix vying for a spot.
rumor mill is quite today..
rumor mill is quiet today...let's guess where the big 3 pitchers go
Scherzer - Yankees
Lester - Red Sox
Shields - Angels
Scherzer-Detroit
Scherzer NYY
*sharpens pitchfork*
Scherzer - Cubs
agreed. along with g.stanton
I'm not so sure. Will we
Victor Martinez re-signs with
Victor Martinez re-signs with Tigers for 4/$68M
kluber wins the AL CY...damn.
"A spokeswoman for the
Cardinals ....tradition...
His BAC was higher than his
@CSNMooney
@CSNMooney
Theo: "People predict that we’re going to sign 2 top-of-the-rotation starters who both require 9-figure contracts. That’s not happening."
So all 3?
People = ?
Add Gordon Wittenmeyer
Nice!
Ha ha! That made my day!
Shields won't get 9 figures,
Pirates trade RP Justin
Pirates trade RP Justin Wilson to Yankees for C Francisco Cervelli
Bye Bye Martin.
cervelli finally gets his
Zambrano no hitter on CSN
Yep! In Milwaukee, vs. the
http://espn.go.com/blog
http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/i...
Martin, more Martin, and at last Martin
speaking of Martin, another
speaking of Martin, another story on Martin
http://chicagosuntimes.com/sports/cubs-inchin...
Witty gives Cubs the kiss of death and labels them as the frontrunner
And I've got some land on
Martin rapidly becoming the
I haven't given up on Brian
The year is 2108. Cyborg
But nobody expected Brian
if Cubs don't get Martin,
if Cubs don't get Martin, Alex Avila and Jason Castro are two names that are rumored to be available. Neither will remind you of Johnny Bench with the bat, but neither will Martin once he ages and regresses.
Ronny Cedeno
I nearly ran into Cedeno once
"Can't talk !! Running late
"Shit. Where the hell is
E-MAN: Ronny Cedeno is
E-MAN: Ronny Cedeno is playing in the Venezuelan Winter League (VWL). He has too much MLB Service Time to be able to play in the AFL.
It's not that unusual for veteran Venezuelan players like Cedeno to play in the VWL during the MLB off season, just like it's not that unusual for veteran Dominican players to play in the Dominican Winter League, either as a way to pick up some cash, and/or because the player's hometown team entices the player to play.
PHIL: I get daily feeds from
Some people just obviously
Jake Arrieta received 3 5th
“In reality, they’re a
“In reality, they’re a powerhouse,” Cubs president Theo Epstein said. “The Cardinals are the standard in a lot of ways. They’ve built an incredibly healthy baseball organization and a thriving, robust business operation and they combine those things really well. I don’t think they’ve reached their potential yet. I think there isn’t a player in baseball that they couldn’t go get if they wanted to. If they sensed a threat and they wanted to put their foot on the gas I think it’s almost unlimited what they could do.”
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/profe...
I see Concepcion has kind of
he's fulfilling what everyone
While Gerardo Concepcion and
While Gerardo Concepcion and Zach Cates have generally stunk, C. J. Edwards looked great yesterday in his three innings of work (his best game so far), and Ivan Pineyro threw the ball very well today. His fastball had zip (topped out at 93), his curve had some bite, and his change-up was outstanding, keeping the Glendale hitters off-balance.
Among the Cubs minor leaguers eligible for selection in next month's Rule 5 Draft, C. J. Edwards is a lock to get added to the Cubs MLB 40-man roster by the 11/20 desdline, and I would say that Pineyro has pitched himself into serious consideration with his impressive showing in the AFL. The main problem with Pineyro was the recurring forearm issues, but he sure looked plenty healthy today.
Nice summary of the winter
Looks like the Winter
it's what you said, the GM
it's what you said, the GM meetings are preliminary, start the ball rolling on talks. The Winter Meetings come after non-tender decisions are made and is a bigger spectacle that culminates with the Rule 5 draft.
Dustin Geiger update... Where
[Enter Koyie Hill, frantic.]
Former Cubs Alvin Dark
"According to Jon Heyman on
If it was Wittenmeyer, "22"
Rosenthal says Marlins and
Rosenthal says Marlins and Stanton discussing $300M extension.
Dear lord, what is Bryant gonna end up costing?
We should trade him now for
Someday, baseball players are
Mike Trout takes AL MVP
Mike Trout takes AL MVP unanimously.
Guessing Kershaw takes NL MVP
@BNightengale
@BNightengale
Cole Hamels open to trade, and #Phillies likely will move him to loser of Lester sweepstakes: #Redsox or #Cubs. http://usat.ly/1uofAWl
Seems like Theo and Jed were
things change, could be
things change, could be Castro, Castillo and some non-elite prospects.
Don't get it. If you're
all depends on the haul and
all depends on the haul and player in return...a younger player with a smaller contract would cost more in prospects most likely. Taking on Hamels contract should offset some of what the Cubs would have to pay in prospects.
Should being the operative word, really depends if Phillies back off on 3 top prospect demand and what top prospect really means to them.
But if some of the rumors end up being true, Cubs could move Castro whom Phillies could desperately use and maybe Vogelbach, Castillo and a decent SP prospect (Edwards or Pierce Johnson), Cubs get Hamels and maybe another piece. Just spitballin' cause I have no idea what Phils will hold out for.
Another piece = Cliff Lee?
Might be overeaching there
Might be overeaching there and not knowing Lee's contract off hand, guessing he's more a trade deadline guy to build up his value. Figure teams want to see if he was healthy.
I was thinking a useful role player or change of scenery guy like Dominic Brown.
Phils will be holding onto
Maybe, seems easier to move a
Maybe, seems easier to move a multi-year contract in the offseason though. Seems most trade deadline deals are no more than a year+ left on their deals.
Just seems like there's no
"[Hamels for] Castro,
trigger pulled on that deal.
age and contract factors I
age and contract factors I can't be 100% sure on, but Cole Hamels 4-6 WAR seasons vs Castro's 2-3 WAR seasons I can. Hamels was the 2nd best pitcher in the NL this year behind Kershaw and is always near the top.
I think there would be some parts going both ways. Phillies are going to want more than one piece for Hamels and Cubs are probably going to try to recuperate a little on the youth they loss.
I'm with V-Phil on this one
I hear ya, and on further
I hear ya, and on further reflection I think you guys are probably right that it wouldn't be anything significant the Cubs would add to Castro, but I do think they'd have to give something up. Phils aren't gonna swap Hamels for just one piece.
Hamels has been ridicoulsy good though in his career and I don't worry as much about pitcher's age as I do position players. And the contract is more than reasonable that he's under.
Castro/Edwin/spare parts for Hamels/Rollins/spare parts?
Rollins would be a decent stop gap until Russell gets here or Baez figures it out. It's Rollins contract year, might be a bit more motivated this season.
That's kinda interesting.
Rizzo finished 10th in MVP
Rizzo finished 10th in MVP voting, 1 6th place vote was the highest spot he got.
But somehow couldn't beat a
Gonzalez finished ahead of
Gonzalez finished ahead of him in MVP voting.
Gonzalez had much better numbers than Rizzo with Runners on and RISP, which may not carry predictive value, but carries plenty of real value over a season.
.956 OPS RISP/.905 Runners On for Gonzalez
.788/.895 for Rizzo
Regardless, I think we all know Rizzo will be the better hitter going forward and probably had the better season, but doing it for a go-nowhere team will always be frowned upon unless it's an absurdly special season.
Fair enough. I didn't know
One of Sullivan's better
Joe Maddon on Dan Patrick-
"Wants to utilize old players
From MLBTR: "Olney also
No kidding! He just finished
It begins...
Seriously, Jacos? It may be
Yup, Maddon said he will have
addison Russell named top
addison Russell named top prospect over Bryant by Baseball Prospectus.
Seems like a bit of a click bait move, but I'm sure they have their reasons.
typical BP move...along with
yeah, and no Ryan Harvey
That's because his last year
Burnett signs 1/8.25M deal
Burnett signs 1/8.25M deal with Pirates
Stanton about to sign 13/325M deal, includes some sort of opt out and NTC.
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon-heyma...
I hope for everyone's sake he
burn declined a 12.5m player
i imagine nothing will come
i imagine nothing will come of it since Tony Bosch is the witness here, and I'm not sure it's anything necessarily illegal, but Boras tried to fabricate medical records when Manny got his first suspension and made up some stuff.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2014...
Any thoughts on the
Seems like a good Theo
Wait, we don't get all of the
Right? The Cubs haven't
he's a kinda boring player,
Point being, he could be a
yeah, myself...i have a hard
Most of the celebrating I've
it's nice to have expendable
peoria vs salt river AFL
this game went from good to
That's one helluva tell,
http://insider.espn.go.com
I don't hate it. But I'm not
I don't hate it either, but
Cubs would do that deal
Cubs would do that deal yesterday....
BP had a writeup on teams
That seems like a fair
yeah...it might be a good
Am I a terrible Bears fan for
Tampa newspaper article
You would think there would
it'd be interesting if the
Paul Maholm and Reed Johnson,
What?!!!!! We traded Vizcaino
LaStella apparently is a low
I've never even heard of him.
interesting, like LaStella a
interesting, like LaStella a lot
great numbers in Hi-A and AA, #2 Braves prospect heading into 2014
ceiling isn't high, but floor is
not a power hitter, but Cubs have plenty of those
if you want conspiracy theories, Castro or Baez are getting moved soon or Baez is gonna start season in minors.
I like your thinking on this.
well, it seems the cubs have