Trade deadline/rumors

[chibears55]

Developing a team culture is important to the Cubs both short term and long term. That is why Maddon brings in rookies that are good people and former players he knows and trusts. Teams like the Yankees will bring in anybody whether there is a cultural fit or not.

Personally I haven't seen anything about him being a cancer in locker room, except what was posted here.
So, I don't know

Like i said... I've seen my share of "cancer" guys go to new teams and everything was fine...

Sometimes it could just be personal within the organization they were with..
Not all have to be ahem Milton Bradley..lol
Just to be clear, I was in favor of signing Milton Bradley at the time .

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[beckdawg]

Will Smith is an option I haven't heard mentioned. He strikes me as an interesting consideration though his fastball velocity is down 2 mph which is worrying.

 

[CSF77]

Dated info but if they are looking at another starter he profiles well

Shifting gears to the major league side, the 38-49 Friars have the second-worst record in the NL West and will no doubt look to sell as the Aug. 1 deadline nears. The team has already jettisoned right-hander James Shields and cashed in 39-year-old reliever Fernando Rodney for a prospect, and it hasn’t ruled out trading its best starter of 2016 – lefty Drew Pomeranz – writes Shaikin.

Pomeranz, 27, is making a paltry $1.35MM this season and has two years of arbitration eligibility remaining, but the All-Star is scheduled to become a free agent when the Padres’ prospective window of competing, 2019, opens. Given his eminently affordable contract and excellent production – he ranks fifth in the majors in ERA (2.47) and 10th in strikeouts per nine innings (10.15) – Pomeranz could be one of the most appealing players available around the deadline. While the Padres aren’t against selling high on him, the same isn’t true regarding first baseman Wil Myers.

 

[TL1961]

Nobody will be laughing if they don't get a guy in the pen who can actually retire batters.

 

[CSF77]

Nobody will be laughing if they don't get a guy in the pen who can actually retire batters.

You can't make 1 guy pitch every game. They need to get what they have working first then add vs the reverse.

 

[TL1961]

I dont believe I suggested one guy pitching every game

 

[CSF77]

I dont believe I suggested one guy pitching every game

The suggestion was there in that get a guy that can actually get outs. As in what is there is not doing that and they need to bring a guy in that does.

If you meant something else that is fine.

I see the biggest issue is just getting a LOOGY.

 

[DJMoore_is_fat]

Well, we have guys in the pen who can pitch. I think Rondon, Edwards JR, and Strop are all pieces. Some of the guys make me nervous though. Cahil and Warren, in particular. Does anyone feel confident in those guys being out there in a critical moment of a playoff game? Wood has had some success. Neither him nor Strop are sure things though.

We are not the KC Royals of 2015. Where once you get to the 7th with a one run lead, the game is over. Our pen just isn't that good. Would adding Chapman alone be enough? Maybe -- we just don't know. It depends on if our guys are hitting. We have problems with RISP.

You have a one run lead going into the 8th with Chapman and Rondo pitching, we have pretty good odds on winning. But our starters need to put us in that position.

 

[Omeletpants]

Chapman wont be happy as a set up man

 

[CSF77]

Well, we have guys in the pen who can pitch. I think Rondon, Edwards JR, and Strop are all pieces. Some of the guys make me nervous though. Cahil and Warren, in particular. Does anyone feel confident in those guys being out there in a critical moment of a playoff game? Wood has had some success. Neither him nor Strop are sure things though.

We are not the KC Royals of 2015. Where once you get to the 7th with a one run lead, the game is over. Our pen just isn't that good. Would adding Chapman alone be enough? Maybe -- we just don't know. It depends on if our guys are hitting. We have problems with RISP.

You have a one run lead going into the 8th with Chapman and Rondo pitching, we have pretty good odds on winning. But our starters need to put us in that position.

Yanks proved that 3 guys can shut down a team. Mixing in a 4th here and there to give a guy a day off is the smarter decision vs depending on the starter to pitch 7 innings.

The cubs have a solid 8-9 with Wood added in. They are by no means elite but adequate. Edwards could become a 4th guy if Maddon even gave him the shot. He could even surpass Strop and Wood and become the 8th inning guy I'll bet.

That leaves 3 guys in the pen. 2 you need to be able to pitch 2 innings. Warren and Cahill having been starters is not a reach here. This is for the games the starter gets into pitch count issues. Which is happening more than not.

That leaves 1 guy. Right now it is Grimm. That one guy should be a LOOGY. Gerardo Concepcion is the in house option and he is not ready. 1.90 WHIP in AAA is not effective right now. But he needs to be put into 1 out situations more now at AAA.

So that is a glaring need going on. They have no one that can come in and get a lefty out. With a RH dominate staff that issue is glaring.

 

[chibears55]

Chapman wont be happy as a set up man

If the Cubs got Chapman ...

Maddon probably uses him in both roles
Setup and Closer
Depending on situations and it would keep him Strop and Rondon fresh..
Pretty much like how pinella used the nasty boys with Reds..

Being on a team that winning and favorite to play in WS should be incentive enough to do what it takes for 3 months.


Chapman being a FA , should be smart enough to know he excels with Cubs and helps them win it will get a big pay day to close from someone. .
At least im sure his Agent will remind hin of that

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[beckdawg]

Cubs have sent Matusz to AA meaning he theoretically could be ready for the majors by the deadline or possibly sooner. They've stretched him out as a starter but that sort of feels odd because he's not on a long term deal and we're already half way thru the season. My guess is they plan to use him more in a Warren/Wood/Cahill role toward the end of the year. If they do indeed use him out of the bullpen he's got a pretty good split against lefties at .208/.269/.358 on his career and .185/.231/.333 in 2015. Matusz also pitched well in his AA debut with the cubs striking out 6 in 3.1 innings while giving up 2 walks and an earned run.

Given the guys the cubs have coming back in the minors(Nathan, Matusz, Leathersich, Crow) I'm not entirely convinced they are going to deal for a reliever. If the right deal is there, sure I can see them making a move but those 4 guys alone give them multiple righty and lefty options and all have preformed well in the past. Given that Theo specifically mentioned looking for a starter and some what shied away from the reliever talk, I think that might be their primary focus which isn't to say they wont do both or neither but relievers come and go. Finding a long term starter in case you lose Arrieta to FA is a bigger deal for the long term plan.

Additionally, I was reading something on ESPN about how the cubs have built their team and it is kind of interesting that unlike many teams they have yet to give up that big prospect package to acquire someone. Biggest players were either Castro or Alcantra and Castro obviously didn't have a fit here anymore and Alcantara they didn't believe would make the roster next year and was out of options. Most of the rest of their top 10 prospects for the past 2-3 years are still in the organization. This leads me to wonder if they don't continue this approach when looking for a young starter. Find someone to buy low that they think they can fix and use the time between now and Arrieta's impending FA or Lackey or whomever to build that player up. I suppose Matusz could fit that description if they are able to re-sign him.

 

[CSF77]

The next two weeks will dictate what they do. It comes down to if the rotation bounces back or not.

If the rotation looks like early year then I see them focusing on a Lefty in the pen. If the rotation goes south then I see them trading for a starter.

Pomarenz would be ideal. 2 years of control. Not too expensive. (Wood was a all star in a meaningless year. Didn't mean much long term) SD needs more of a LH presence in their line up so Candiero and McKenney would be a strong offer. They might even get a young pitcher in return.

 

[beckdawg]

Pomarenz would be ideal. 2 years of control. Not too expensive.

Think your underselling his cost. For one thing the years of control mean they don't have to deal him. His 2.5 fWAR is the 16th best pitcher in the majors. And on top of matters, look at the contending teams. The o's are in first place and have the 3rd worst ERA in baseball among starters. Red Sox are the 12th worst. Miami is looking for starters. Texas is looking for starters. Mets probably are but not at that price. There's probably more but those are the bigger names.

I don't think Pomeranz get quite Shark level prices namely because Hammel probably doesn't get enough credit as part of that package or for that matter even Miller level prices but i don't think that's far off. If you're San Diego there's no real push to trade him other than being shit but capitalizing on your current pieces who are worth something is one of the keys to a quick turn around. That's why the cubs currently have Hendricks, Edwards and Grimm and Russell on their active roster not to mention Strop and Arrieta though in Arrieta's case that's not the norm.

I doubt Candelario or McKinney even gets the conversation started for him. If we assume none of the MLB pieces(ie Baez/Soler/Almora/Contreras) are being considered then in my eyes you'd have to starter with at least Torres, Happ or Jiminez in any conversation for him and possibly multiple of them. It's why I prefer the idea of going after someone who's got a crap ERA right now but looks like they can be fixed. I really like the idea of Kevin Gausman but I still haven't quite figured out a way to make it work other than a three team deal with Oakland and admittedly that idea is a bit flimsy with no real inside rumors there yet though it could work in theory.

 

[CSF77]

Think your underselling his cost. For one thing the years of control mean they don't have to deal him. His 2.5 fWAR is the 16th best pitcher in the majors. And on top of matters, look at the contending teams. The o's are in first place and have the 3rd worst ERA in baseball among starters. Red Sox are the 12th worst. Miami is looking for starters. Texas is looking for starters. Mets probably are but not at that price. There's probably more but those are the bigger names.

I don't think Pomeranz get quite Shark level prices namely because Hammel probably doesn't get enough credit as part of that package or for that matter even Miller level prices but i don't think that's far off. If you're San Diego there's no real push to trade him other than being shit but capitalizing on your current pieces who are worth something is one of the keys to a quick turn around. That's why the cubs currently have Hendricks, Edwards and Grimm and Russell on their active roster not to mention Strop and Arrieta though in Arrieta's case that's not the norm.

I doubt Candelario or McKinney even gets the conversation started for him. If we assume none of the MLB pieces(ie Baez/Soler/Almora/Contreras) are being considered then in my eyes you'd have to starter with at least Torres, Happ or Jiminez in any conversation for him and possibly multiple of them. It's why I prefer the idea of going after someone who's got a crap ERA right now but looks like they can be fixed. I really like the idea of Kevin Gausman but I still haven't quite figured out a way to make it work other than a three team deal with Oakland and admittedly that idea is a bit flimsy with no real inside rumors there yet though it could work in theory.

SD is seeing themselves in a winning window after the control is over. They are looking at future control after some of the contract commitments go away. Candy fits their profile. They are building around Meyers at 1B now.
Matt Kemp rf 16-19:$21.5M/year
Melvin Upton Jr. cf 16:$15.45M, 17:$16.45M

Those 2 you are stuck with. CF is opening up. Manny Margot should be ready soon. Yangervis Solarte can be moved to 2B if they gained Candi. Upton's control ends after next year and McKeeney would be in AAA next year anyways. That park prefers LH gap hitting so he might excel in that park.

Now McKenny is a top 100 player and Candi is ranked #7 3B prospect in baseball. It is not like these guys are mid tier talent. They are closer to the north side. If the Pads started talking about a SS to replace Alexi...and they really don't have any close anyways. but they have Javier Guerra at A adv and is the #50 prospect in BB. Add to it he is known for his D first. I don't see them blocking him at all.



The crap ERA is fine with a low cost input but they still have to address this year vs next year.

Hunter Renfroe is on the temp inactive list but profiles as a RF with his plus arm and power bat.

You could be looking at Kemp, Margot, Renfroe next year out there. Upton may become quality trade bait this year in view of this. Both guys are at AAA on the temp inactive list.

 

[SilenceS]

You dont buy high on a guy like Pomeranz. Dude will be 28 in November. First season of 100 or more innings. This is where teams make mistakes. He is in a weak division with big ball parks. Im reading fans wanting to give up Baez which is laughable to me. If you can get him, fine. But, you dont pay a high price for him. Let other teams do it.

 

[TL1961]

The suggestion was there in that get a guy that can actually get outs. As in what is there is not doing that and they need to bring a guy in that does.

If you meant something else that is fine.

I see the biggest issue is just getting a LOOGY.

My comment was made after reading we brought up a guy who makes the clubhouse laugh. If nobody in the pen can get outs, nobody will be laughing.

We need several pitchers getting people out. Obviously.

So should I have said "acquire 7 new guys"?

Start with one. But don't pitch him every inning. I think Joe will figure that out.

 

[brett05]

You dont buy high on a guy like Pomeranz. Dude will be 28 in November. First season of 100 or more innings. This is where teams make mistakes. He is in a weak division with big ball parks. Im reading fans wanting to give up Baez which is laughable to me. If you can get him, fine. But, you dont pay a high price for him. Let other teams do it.

I agree with what you have said here. However the laughter is that you think Baez is an overpay when he's realistically an underpay. Not saying the Cubs should go after Pom either.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

I agree with what you have said here. However the laughter is that you think Baez is an overpay when he's realistically an underpay. Not saying the Cubs should go after Pom either.

Sorry, Baez is an overpay for Pomeranz and a fairly substantial one. Pomeranz is having a really good year but he's likely a #3 starter on a championship team and that's if he continues to improve. Baez is a tremendous defender at multiple positions and at worst is a super sub with pop in his bat and at best is a starting player with 30 HR potential and he has 3 more years of control than does Pomeranz.

 

[CSF77]

You dont buy high on a guy like Pomeranz. Dude will be 28 in November. First season of 100 or more innings. This is where teams make mistakes. He is in a weak division with big ball parks. Im reading fans wanting to give up Baez which is laughable to me. If you can get him, fine. But, you dont pay a high price for him. Let other teams do it.

That is why I put up the Wood comp. He had 1 all star year and ended up in the pen. You pay for a track record.