The Cubs Hot Stove Action Thread

[CSF77]

Phillips offensive prowess is already in full decline, been two straight years below a 100 OPS+. I'm not sure how much having him around would help the team, especially since he could be displaced in just a few months by Baez.

Transition and team leadership. The Cubs need a voice and a on the field leader

Even in decline he is better than Barney

Thinking of Baez well he is a SS now. He could goto 3B also. Bryant could goto a corner OF spot

Regardless that is not here and now. Cubs need a proven bat.

 

[TL1961]

Dodgers seem luke warm on Tanaka. People are really ramping it up as the Yanks vs. the Cubs. There is one issue I have with this. Cubs fans aren't very smart. Every fan base has their dumb ones, but Cubs have such a large fan base that they pop up more. If Tanaka is signed, they are going to expect an elite pitcher. I don't think that's fair to Tanaka. He isn't elite. He isn't an ace. He is not Yu Darvish. He is a 2 or a 3 that's is 25 years old and could be a real good pitcher in the majors but highly doubtful he will ever be a true ace. I just want Cubs fans to understand that this guy isn't the savior. He would be just a valuable piece to the puzzle, if that makes sense.

Oh, NOW I get it. Now that YOU have explained it to those of us not so smart, it is much clearer. Thank you.

 

[TL1961]

He threw like over 200 pitches in 2 days over there for the playoffs. lol They don't baby there arms. Also, yes, Shark has better stuff hence why I said his ceiling is better. Shark ceiling is a 1. Tanaka ceiling they are saying is a real good 2. Shark is a power pitcher that can still throw 97 in the 9th. Teams covet that potential. Stop looking at his age and look at the mileage on the arm. Tanaka has more already and is 25. I am no way saying Shark will ever get there. I am just saying ceiling point of views.

Japanese Dusty Baker apparently managing him.

 

[theberserkfury]

Looks like we signed Jonathan Sanchez to a minor-league deal...

 

[patg006]

Looks like we signed Jonathan Sanchez to a minor-league deal...

:fap:

I dont think im able to contain myself

:cum:

 

[beckdawg]

Looks like we signed Jonathan Sanchez to a minor-league deal...

Like the depth. He's 3 years away from a season where he went 13-9 with a 3.07 ERA. Granted he had an xFIP of around 4 but when he can keep his walks down he's been an effective pitcher. They supposedly want him as a reliever but doesn't hurt he can be a spot starter if needed as well.

 

[CSF77]

Rakuten Planning Record Offer For Tanaka
By Aaron Steen [December 19 at 7:15am CST]
The Rakuten Golden Eagles appear to be settling on not posting Masahiro Tanaka and plan to offer him a contract with a record annual salary of 800MM yen, or around $7.7MM, Sports Hochi reports. Tanaka said in a press conference this week that he had communicated his desire to pitch in the U.S. in 2014 to Rakuten. However, it appears that the maximum $20MM posting fee agreed to by MLB and Nippon Professional Baseball negotiators under the new posting system -- a drastic reduction from what Rakuten was expected to receive under the old arrangement -- is giving club ownership considerable pause.

The 800MM yen ($7.7MM) offer would double Tanaka's current salary and make him the highest-paid pitcher in NPB history. However, it's much less than what he was likely to get from an MLB club. One GM recently told Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com that Tanaka was certain to receive a deal worth more than $100MM if posted. The hurler nevertheless appears ready to accept whatever decision Rakuten comes to. "If the team tells me, 'We're not going to post you. Please stay,' the professional thing to do is give it your all and get back to pitching," Tanaka told reporters this week. "I'm ready to do that."

The starting pitching market appears to be waiting for a resolution on the Tanaka issue, as Ervin Santana, Matt Garza and Ubaldo Jimenez have all remained on the board while top bats have signed. It's difficult to say where the market heads if Tanaka isn't posted. While competition for pitchers like Santana and Garza would intensify, Tanaka has the potential to drive up their prices further still, as many see him as a $100MM pitcher. Santana's representatives at Proformance are also known to be seeking a $100MM deal for their client. If Tanaka received a contract of that size, the agency could argue that Santana, who's already shown the ability to be an impact starter in the majors, has earned a similar deal.

Tanaka, 25, had a 1.27 ERA in 212 innings this season in Japan and owns a lifetime 2.30 ERA over seven seasons. Teams connected with him recently include the Diamondbacks, the Cubs, the Yankees and the Rangers.

 

[CSF77]

Writing is on the wall.

 

[beckdawg]

Writing is on the wall.

In some ways it might turn out to be an advantage for the cubs. One less pitcher on the market makes it one more team presumably in the market for a starter. The cubs also have a giant chunk of money they were sitting on presumably for Tanaka. So, the teams that are scurrying for pitching and may end up over paying what is out there may need to free up some salary and the cubs might be able to get a decent guy that way. Really, it's not like the cubs needed Tanaka for 2014. They need him for 2015+ and assuming he posts next year they still would be in a position to get him.

At this point if you're looking for a starter your options probably aren't great. You have Gazra who's the only starter who wouldn't require a draft compensation. You have Santana who's coming off a career year and has draft pick compensation. You have Burnett who apparently is the pirates of retire. You have Ubaldo who's got draft pick compensation and who had a rebound year after a couple of poor years. And finally you have 4th or 5th starter types. You also have the Yankees, D-backs, Mariners, Toronto, Pittsburgh, KC and probably other teams I'm forgetting who are hunting for pitching.

Seems much more likely for someone to over pay for Shark in this climate. If you sign Ubaldo or Santana you're giving up your first round pick anyways(unless your in the bottom 10) which should be a top 5 prospect in time. I definitely see someone would be willing to give up two of of their top 5 prospects plus a lessor guy to save $10-15 mil on Shark especially if that's KC or Pitt. It should also be curious to see the Price market because it appear Seattle is the only team with the guys to get him at the moment. Perhaps if the Rangers were to include a Profar type they might be in play.

 

[CSF77]

In some ways it might turn out to be an advantage for the cubs. One less pitcher on the market makes it one more team presumably in the market for a starter. The cubs also have a giant chunk of money they were sitting on presumably for Tanaka. So, the teams that are scurrying for pitching and may end up over paying what is out there may need to free up some salary and the cubs might be able to get a decent guy that way. Really, it's not like the cubs needed Tanaka for 2014. They need him for 2015+ and assuming he posts next year they still would be in a position to get him.

At this point if you're looking for a starter your options probably aren't great. You have Gazra who's the only starter who wouldn't require a draft compensation. You have Santana who's coming off a career year and has draft pick compensation. You have Burnett who apparently is the pirates of retire. You have Ubaldo who's got draft pick compensation and who had a rebound year after a couple of poor years. And finally you have 4th or 5th starter types. You also have the Yankees, D-backs, Mariners, Toronto, Pittsburgh, KC and probably other teams I'm forgetting who are hunting for pitching.

Seems much more likely for someone to over pay for Shark in this climate. If you sign Ubaldo or Santana you're giving up your first round pick anyways(unless your in the bottom 10) which should be a top 5 prospect in time. I definitely see someone would be willing to give up two of of their top 5 prospects plus a lessor guy to save $10-15 mil on Shark especially if that's KC or Pitt. It should also be curious to see the Price market because it appear Seattle is the only team with the guys to get him at the moment. Perhaps if the Rangers were to include a Profar type they might be in play.

He is holding back movement.

Diamondbacks and the Yank's should get 2 of the 3 starters. The 3rd should be under contest. All 3 should be in the 100 mil arena.

Cubs should resign Baker. He is a #3 on this rotation. Pushes Arreta into the 5 role which he is at this point.


Choo is tied to a draft pick so I doubt they go that direction.


Like I posted before if they trade for Phillips and resign Baker I would feel this off season was acceptable.


IMO Phillips would be worth Barney (be a solid UI) Russell (They are stacking LH BP depth anyways), and a prospect that is not affecting the Cubs. I'd give them Candi or Alberto Cabrera because he is out of options anyways and they may end up losing him. Shoot toss them Vitters or Jackson and see if they can fix them.

I wouldn't give them anything valuable for sure. They want out of him. He caused waves towards ownership regarding Votto's contract and how they low balled him. There is a reason why. But he is a GG and is good for 20 HR's and 80+ RBI's at 2B. On the Cubs that is #4 hitter production.

Now if the demands go into any of the top 4 then no. Phillips is not worth that.

All in theory craft anyways.

 

[SilenceS]

Oh, NOW I get it. Now that YOU have explained it to those of us not so smart, it is much clearer. Thank you.

You're welcome. I know its hard for YOU to understand things. I am always here to teach.

 

[CSF77]

I would hold onto Shark at this point. If they post Tanaka next year and shark is still a pain then sure trade him.

But as we are seeing quality starters are going for 100 mil range. If Shark scales up next year into to 1-2 range vs right now 3 then sure give him what he wants. If he sticks as a 3 then trade him and lower the asking price.

 

[beckdawg]

IMO Phillips would be worth Barney (be a solid UI) Russell (They are stacking LH BP depth anyways), and a prospect that is not affecting the Cubs. I'd give them Candi or Alberto Cabrera because he is out of options anyways and they may end up losing him. Shoot toss them Vitters or Jackson and see if they can fix them.

I'm sort of meh on Phillips. His salary goes from $11 mil up $1 mil a year from 33-36 to $14 mil. That's not outrageous but at 33 next year he is past his good years. He doesn't walk enough to offset his decline in average. Plus, they really need to be playing Alcantara, Baez and Bryant soonish in the majors. So, unless they deal Castro you're blocking a position that should be filled by someone in August. I get the argument some make about blocking not being a bad thing because what if prospects suck but in this case it's not blocking one guy. It's at least 2 not to mention Watkins.

I have no issue with moving Russell and Barney but I'd prefer they got better OFs. I would like them to give Vitters a shot in LF just to see what he is. Jackson I'm pretty meh on as well. Honestly, I wish they would have made a move for Dexter Fowler.

 

[beckdawg]

Mariners officials are signaling to agents and others in the industry that they could be nearing their payroll limit, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Rosenthal opines that, if true, this makes the decision to spent the majority of their available funds on Robinson Cano shows that there was no plan in place for the Mariners.

Rosenthal adds that the Mariners could make exceptions "for the right player" and are continuing to discuss David Price with the Rays. Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports noted in yesterday's 10 Degrees column that the M's are softening on their stance that righty Taijuan Walker is off limits.

Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik appeared on MLB Network's Hot Stove this morning and addressed the issue directly when asked by Rosenthal:

"We're at a point where I think we are trying to do a few more things. I'm not sure that anything is going to be a huge splash. We have some options out there that we can either make a trade or could add another piece to it. I think that if we go for another large deal, that obviously is going to have to go above my head. And at this moment we are where we are, and we're trying to make things work with what we have."

In addition to Cano, the Mariners have also added Corey Hart on a one-year deal, re-signed Franklin Gutierrez and acquired Logan Morrison from the Marlins in exchange for Carter Capps. However, the addition of Cano and Hart certainly wouldn't seem to be enough to fix a team that finished 12th in the American League with 624 runs scored.

The Mariners have been linked to big-name free agents such as Nelson Cruz, Shin-Soo Choo and Kendrys Morales, but each of those players figure to command a sizable payday that now could be beyond Seattle's financial capabilities.

Guess they wont be in on the Garza's of the world. I don't get what seattle is doing at all. They have like 5 LF/1B/DH guys and 5 2B guys. Seager, Bloomquist, Ackley, Cano, and Franklin can all play 2B. Hart, Morrison, Smoak, and Montero are bad enough they need to DH, LF or 1B.

 

[CSF77]

Cubs Sign Tsuyoshi Wada
By Steve Adams [December 19 at 12:54pm CST]
The Cubs have signed Tsuyoshi Wada to a minor league deal with an invitation to Major League Spring Training, the team announced. Wada, who is represented by Octagon, is viewed by the Cubs as a starter, tweets Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune.

Wada, 32, posted a 2.76 ERA with a 60-to-22 K/BB ratio over his final 78 1/3 innings for the Orioles' Triple-A affiliate in 2013 as he worked his way back from 2012 Tommy John surgery. Though he inked a two-year, $8.15MM contract with the O's prior to the 2012 campaign, Wada's injury prevented him from ever pitching in Baltimore.

The Cubs have plenty of starting pitching depth with Jeff Samardzija, Travis Wood, Edwin Jackson, Jake Arrieta, Carlos Villanueva, Justin Grimm, Chris Rusin and Arodys Vizcaino all in the system, so Wada will have to be impressive in order to earn a spot.

 

[CSF77]

I'm sort of meh on Phillips. His salary goes from $11 mil up $1 mil a year from 33-36 to $14 mil. That's not outrageous but at 33 next year he is past his good years. He doesn't walk enough to offset his decline in average. Plus, they really need to be playing Alcantara, Baez and Bryant soonish in the majors. So, unless they deal Castro you're blocking a position that should be filled by someone in August. I get the argument some make about blocking not being a bad thing because what if prospects suck but in this case it's not blocking one guy. It's at least 2 not to mention Watkins.

I have no issue with moving Russell and Barney but I'd prefer they got better OFs. I would like them to give Vitters a shot in LF just to see what he is. Jackson I'm pretty meh on as well. Honestly, I wish they would have made a move for Dexter Fowler.

He could be re-flipped in a year. Like I said the Cubs need a vocal leader for kids like Castro and Baez to look up to. Baez plays aggressive so does Phillips but he gets GG's. Phillips would be an asset. Not to mention having a stable RH bat in the line up while the growing pains are going on.

I wouldn't bank on all of Bryant, Baez and Alcantara being impact players. As we say with Rizzo and Jackson. Top 100 rankings do not mean they are above major league scouting and pitching.

 

[beckdawg]

He could be re-flipped in a year. Like I said the Cubs need a vocal leader for kids like Castro and Baez to look up to. Baez plays aggressive so does Phillips but he gets GG's. Phillips would be an asset. Not to mention having a stable RH bat in the line up while the growing pains are going on.

I wouldn't bank on all of Bryant, Baez and Alcantara being impact players. As we say with Rizzo and Jackson. Top 100 rankings do not mean they are above major league scouting and pitching.

Who said anything about banking? I said they need to play. If they don't play you don't know. The biggest problem would be letting the languish in the minors not knowing what you have. If they are the future, they will show it. If they aren't, you move on.

 

[Boobaby1]

He could be re-flipped in a year. Like I said the Cubs need a vocal leader for kids like Castro and Baez to look up to. Baez plays aggressive so does Phillips but he gets GG's. Phillips would be an asset. Not to mention having a stable RH bat in the line up while the growing pains are going on.

I wouldn't bank on all of Bryant, Baez and Alcantara being impact players. As we say with Rizzo and Jackson. Top 100 rankings do not mean they are above major league scouting and pitching.

Won't Phillips block everyone regardless of where he is playing in the infield?

I like the idea, but not the player. Not that he is a bad player, just a bad fit. I would look into a team wanting to possibly make a salary dump, preferably from a larger market team who can swallow some of the payroll. Kind of like the Cubs did with Soriano.

 

[CSF77]

Who said anything about banking? I said they need to play. If they don't play you don't know. The biggest problem would be letting the languish in the minors not knowing what you have. If they are the future, they will show it. If they aren't, you move on.

Come on I get that but Alacantara will be in AAA at the start of the year. Not on the Cubs. Normal progression puts into consideration after the trade deadline.

What could happen:

S/T
Castro SS
Valbuena 3B
Rizzo 1B
Phillips 2B
Schierholtz RF
Lake LF
Sweeney CF
Castillo C

Say Baez gets promoted in June and Bryant goes to AAA at that time. Szczur and Alacantara play a full year at Iowa (makes sense as they were kept at Tenn the whole year)


So they put Baez at 3B at this point.

SS Castro
LF Lake (makes sense as he can play small ball)
1B Rizzo
2B Phillips
RF Schierholtz
3B Baez (too much to as to hit #4 right out of the minors)
CF Sweeney
C Castillo

Now at the deadline: Schierholtz should be traded. Not saying he will but he should be pushed back regardless

Promote Bryant

Castro SS
Lake LF
Rizzo 1B
Phillips 2B
Baez 3B
Bryant RF
Sweeney CF
Castillo C

After the rosters expand then they can mix and match. Promote Alacantata and Szczur. They promoted Watkins and he hardly go any P/T over Barney.

But we have to see what they have in Lake and Sweeney as F/T players also. The may fall short and they may think on having Alacantara play some CF to bridge the gap to Almora.

Too much can still happen and they need proven players to stabilize a unstable environment.

 

[CSF77]

Won't Phillips block everyone regardless of where he is playing in the infield?

I like the idea, but not the player. Not that he is a bad player, just a bad fit. I would look into a team wanting to possibly make a salary dump, preferably from a larger market team who can swallow some of the payroll. Kind of like the Cubs did with Soriano.

Sori played below league standards LF. Phillips is the best D 2B in the league and gives 18 HR and 80+ RBI. I wouldnt count on that from any project. That is solid production out of 2B.