IST: Chicago Cubs (38-48) at Cincinnati Reds (45-42)

[SilenceS]

I think it's a bit early to make that assumption. The first game after the trade that were sort of screwed as it was a Shark start and they didn't have a lot of time to get anyone ready which lead to Villanueva who arguably shouldn't be on the MLB team even as a reliever getting the start. That in turn lead to an obvious loss. Next game out Arrieta goes out and does his thing but they didn't score like the cubs previous to the trade often would do. Yesterday, Jackson went out and did Jackson-y things. Today Wood went out and did Wood-y things of late and Wada threw a pretty nice game but the bullpen blew up.

If we look at the players who've made spot starts for the cubs, Beeler and Wada both have been decent. We've yet to see Hendricks and he could be good. It's entirely plausible that they might not have that much of a drop off from Shark/Hammel to whomever they replace them with especially when you consider Shark was 2-7 or whatever. The real crux of the issue is if they will finally call up Alcantara or not. If you call up Alcantara in the next few weeks, that's potentially a pretty big addition to the line up allowing Valbuena to start at 3B daily. I also don't get why Coghlan and Ruggiano aren't starting daily. Maybe they are trying laughably to build up any value Barney and Schierholtz might have. Also, getting Bonifacio back would be a plus.

You're also underestimating other teams ability to suck. The DBacks have been terrible pitching all year and they are starting to deal pieces. Colorado, Houston, Philly, Texas, Minnesota, Boston, and tampa all still could sell off pieces and get worse. The cubs have a better run differential than all of those teams. Don't get me wrong the 2nd half will be ugly but I'm not sure it's going to be the ugliest girl at the party.

Lets the league see these pitchers more then once. I know you like to try to counter bad stuff, but this team is about to be horrific.

 

[beckdawg]

Lets the league see these pitchers more then once. I know you like to try to counter bad stuff, but this team is about to be horrific.

I'm actually just suggesting other teams are already horrific. So, competition to be the worst is stiff.

 

[dabears253313]

Man I get the trade and it looks good for the future...but man the selling gets old. I just hope this is it for being outright sellers at the deadline.

They are seriously competing to be the worst team in baseball. You wouldn't think that type of competition exists, but apparently it does lol.

They want to trade players so they "make room" and "not block" the prospects but then they leave the prosepcts in the minors!!! Starlin Castro came up at age 20, Bryce Harper age 20, Mike Trout 21, Madison Bumgarner 20, etc.

They traded Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel so they have to keep Kyle Hendricks and Dallas Beeler/Chris Rusin on the roster. Junior Lake is struggling but why not play the guy? He is only 24. They should trade Justin Ruggiano and Chris Coghlan while they still can because they aren't part of the future.

Bring up Arismendy Alcantara now and bring up Javier Baez and Kris Bryant as well so they can get some experience!!!

Honestly, I would rather the Cubs trade any prospect not named Kris Bryant or CJ Edwards. Giancarlo Stanton anyone? I'd give up a combination of Javier Baez/Addison Russell and Dan Vogelbach/Christian Villanueva if that's enough considering Baez is top 10 and Russell is right there with him. Add an outfield prospect or pitching prospect if need be because adding Stanton would be a major improvement adding him with Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo. Is Stanton still on the trading block?

David Price is supposed to be a free agent after this season but they can stat bidding for him now.

 

[Boobaby1]

The Cubs are going to free fall badly. We are easily going to be a top 3 pick again.

Top 3 now, top 5 if we keep Shark. Big deal!

Do you think Shark would have acted any different with the team still losing and Hammel being traded. Might have been more detrimental to the team, and frankly, I am glad the Shark rumors have been finally put to rest.

Not that it matters, but one would have to think that Shark will be a free agent again just as if he stayed here. Who knows, maybe the Cubs will make a push for him in 2016, and hopefully then, regardless, the Cubs will be contending.

 

[beckdawg]

Top 3 now, top 5 if we keep Shark. Big deal!

Do you think Shark would have acted any different with the team still losing and Hammel being traded. Might have been more detrimental to the team, and frankly, I am glad the Shark rumors have been finally put to rest.

Not that it matters, but one would have to think that Shark will be a free agent again just as if he stayed here. Who knows, maybe the Cubs will make a push for him in 2016, and hopefully then, regardless, the Cubs will be contending.

That's one of the great things about the trade being to the A's. It's possible and probably even likely that both Hammel and Shark end up FAs again in the next 2 years. Even if the cubs don't bring either back it makes the pool of FA talent bigger giving them a better shot at others.

 

[zack54attack]

So any reason for Carlos Villanueva to be on this roster? Any?

 

[zack54attack]

Also, Renteria continues to be clueless on using a bullpen. If not for two good plays by Castro, that 7th inning would have been worse.

 

[Parade_Rain]

So any reason for Carlos Villanueva to be on this roster? Any?

He had a really cool handlebar moustache earlier in the season?

 

[zack54attack]

He had a really cool handlebar moustache earlier in the season?

The 7-11 across from Wrigley has those now..He can be gone.

 

[SilenceS]

Alcantara batting second and playing second base.

 

[beckdawg]

Alcantara batting second and playing second base.

Was starting to think I'd taken crazy pills given all the CF talk. I suppose that isn't really a hint one way or another given he was called up to replace Barney but man... makes me feel better.

 

[SilenceS]

Was starting to think I'd taken crazy pills given all the CF talk. I suppose that isn't really a hint one way or another given he was called up to replace Barney but man... makes me feel better.

I thought it was a guarantee he was going to play second for these 2 days.

 

[beckdawg]

I thought it was a guarantee he was going to play second for these 2 days.

You're likely correct. What's more curious is if A) Barney/Valbuena gets dealt in the next week or so and B) if Alcantara is actually up for more than 2 days. It seems odd they would burn one of his 3 options for 2 days like this.

 

[Parade_Rain]

Was starting to think I'd taken crazy pills given all the CF talk. I suppose that isn't really a hint one way or another given he was called up to replace Barney but man... makes me feel better.

Or it could be he will be a super sub!

 

[CSF77]

You're likely correct. What's more curious is if A) Barney/Valbuena gets dealt in the next week or so and B) if Alcantara is actually up for more than 2 days. It seems odd they would burn one of his 3 options for 2 days like this.

If it was for 1-2 days you would think they would have recalled Watkins.

I look at it as this is not a weekend jaunt. Just like Hendricks they did not call him up for filler duty. They called Rusin then Rusin again than Beeler than Wada. All not in the top 20 list.

If it was a over night stay it would have made more sense to bring up Watkins who is also projected as filler and has had exposure.

I can see this being the start of the dominos falling with the turn over.

 

[Parade_Rain]

If it was a over night stay it would have made more sense to bring up Watkins who is also projected as filler and has had exposure.

Yep. How can he stay past Barney coming back from leave...unless they have plans to move another person currently on the roster. Would they keep him up and send Lake down? Trade for Barney in the works?

 

[CSF77]

Yep. How can he stay past Barney coming back from leave...unless they have plans to move another person currently on the roster. Would they keep him up and send Lake down? Trade for Barney in the works?

Not sure to be honest.

From mil trade:

The Dodgers talked with the Cubs about Jeff Samardzija before he was dealt to Oakland, but talks never got serious, as Los Angeles didn’t want to part with Joc Pederson or Corey Seager.
Speaking of the Samardzija trade, Rosenthal hears that the deal was almost larger, as the Athletics at one point were trying to get Chicago to include Luis Valbuena in the deal as well. The A’s like Valbuena as a potential second-base upgrade and could rekindle talks for him later this month, but Chicago is reluctant to deal him, as he’s controlled through 2016, according to Rosenthal.
The Cubs are receiving interest in lefty relievers James Russell and Wesley Wright, both of whom are more likely to be traded than Valbuena.

 

[CSF77]

So the biggest interest is in the 2 LH's in the pen. With Rosscup in AAA the Cubs can afford to pull that deal.

Valbuena is the guy teams are wanting right now. It would affect 3B more than 2B right now.

 

[Parade_Rain]

So the biggest interest is in the 2 LH's in the pen. With Rosscup in AAA the Cubs can afford to pull that deal.

Valbuena is the guy teams are wanting right now. It would affect 3B more than 2B right now.

Unless a team is willing to overpay, I would consider Valbuena too valuable to let go right now.

 

[chibears55]

they would still need to drop a position player if they traded Russell or wright, their not going to shorten the bullpen especially now with kids in rotation..

I see either lake sent to IOWA, or barney or valbuena traded