Winter Meeting (Trades)

[CSF77]

I will vomit if we get Papelbon.

It will be a season of waiting for the clubhouse to implode.

No thanks. Guy's a ******. We just acquired one in Lackey. We don't need another.

Really? So wanting to win makes you a ******? Guessing that means Lester has no sense in choosing his friends also. Wow

I blame Williams for running a shitty clubhouse.

It began when Papelbon jawed at Harper for his failure to run out a pop fly, then led to Harper, who had been ignoring the yelling, starting right back at Papelbon. The veteran quickly charged at his young teammate, taking him by the neck before the pair was separated by teammates. It was perhaps the only memorable moment Papelbon has had in Washington following his ill-advised trade that happened to coincide with the Nats’ summer collapse.


Though Harper seems to have a national reputation that he’s combative and showy, he’s really neither of those things, except with the occasional umpire. And, in this case, this was all on Papelbon. He started it, he continued it and he made the first physical move.

Screen Shot 2015-09-27 at 4.14.37 PM
There had been been tension in the Nats clubhouse for weeks, culminating with damning reports this week that manager Matt Williams has completely divided the clubhouse. The manager’s job security has been scrutinized at length over the past few days and this ugly incident in D.C. — on a weekend that saw the preseason World Series favorites eliminated from playoff contention — can’t help.

When the Nats traded for Papelbon in late July, many Nats observers believed that demoting an already fragile closer in Drew Storen was a questionable move. The Nats’ problem wasn’t the ninth inning, it was the seventh. General manager Mike Rizzo saw it differently and thought Papelbon was a huge acquisition.

(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

“This guy wants to win,” Rizzo said of Papelbon. “First and foremost, he wants to win. He’s a winner. He’s won his whole career. He excels in pressure situations, and that’s his personality. Does it grate on the opposition at times? Yes, it does, but he comes with high credentials, high praise from his teammates and guys who have been around him.”

 

[CSF77]

Just to show how shitty Williams was:

Not so much. But, look, two players — both fiery competitors — getting into it at the end of a rough season is hardly shocking. (Maybe the choking was, but not the arguing.) What is shocking is that Matt Williams let Papelbon go back into the game to pitch after the fight! He promptly gave up five runs, including a two-run homer. Fans were displeased, to say the least. And that decision somehow is a microcosm of Williams’ days in D.C. which truly seems numbered. He delivered a statement after the game that had all the forcefulness of a scolding by a high-school substitute teacher:

 

[Parade_Rain]

Really? So wanting to win makes you a ******? Guessing that means Lester has no sense in choosing his friends also. Wow

I blame Williams for running a shitty clubhouse.

It began when Papelbon jawed at Harper for his failure to run out a pop fly, then led to Harper, who had been ignoring the yelling, starting right back at Papelbon. The veteran quickly charged at his young teammate, taking him by the neck before the pair was separated by teammates. It was perhaps the only memorable moment Papelbon has had in Washington following his ill-advised trade that happened to coincide with the Nats’ summer collapse.


Though Harper seems to have a national reputation that he’s combative and showy, he’s really neither of those things, except with the occasional umpire. And, in this case, this was all on Papelbon. He started it, he continued it and he made the first physical move.

Screen Shot 2015-09-27 at 4.14.37 PM
There had been been tension in the Nats clubhouse for weeks, culminating with damning reports this week that manager Matt Williams has completely divided the clubhouse. The manager’s job security has been scrutinized at length over the past few days and this ugly incident in D.C. — on a weekend that saw the preseason World Series favorites eliminated from playoff contention — can’t help.

When the Nats traded for Papelbon in late July, many Nats observers believed that demoting an already fragile closer in Drew Storen was a questionable move. The Nats’ problem wasn’t the ninth inning, it was the seventh. General manager Mike Rizzo saw it differently and thought Papelbon was a huge acquisition.

(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

“This guy wants to win,” Rizzo said of Papelbon. “First and foremost, he wants to win. He’s a winner. He’s won his whole career. He excels in pressure situations, and that’s his personality. Does it grate on the opposition at times? Yes, it does, but he comes with high credentials, high praise from his teammates and guys who have been around him.”

It upsets team chemistry.

 

[85Bears]

It upsets team chemistry.

Yeah, and I think team chemistry was a VERY important piece of the 2015 puzzle.

 

[chibears55]

I will vomit if we get Papelbon.

It will be a season of waiting for the clubhouse to implode.

No thanks. Guy's a ******. We just acquired one in Lackey. We don't need another.

Yea...
Epstein going to reunite all the "OLD" Sawx and win a world series with them..
Might as well get Damen to play CF

 

[jooo83]

Really? So wanting to win makes you a ******? Guessing that means Lester has no sense in choosing his friends also. Wow

I blame Williams for running a shitty clubhouse.

It began when Papelbon jawed at Harper for his failure to run out a pop fly, then led to Harper, who had been ignoring the yelling, starting right back at Papelbon. The veteran quickly charged at his young teammate, taking him by the neck before the pair was separated by teammates. It was perhaps the only memorable moment Papelbon has had in Washington following his ill-advised trade that happened to coincide with the Nats’ summer collapse.


Though Harper seems to have a national reputation that he’s combative and showy, he’s really neither of those things, except with the occasional umpire. And, in this case, this was all on Papelbon. He started it, he continued it and he made the first physical move.

Screen Shot 2015-09-27 at 4.14.37 PM
There had been been tension in the Nats clubhouse for weeks, culminating with damning reports this week that manager Matt Williams has completely divided the clubhouse. The manager’s job security has been scrutinized at length over the past few days and this ugly incident in D.C. — on a weekend that saw the preseason World Series favorites eliminated from playoff contention — can’t help.

When the Nats traded for Papelbon in late July, many Nats observers believed that demoting an already fragile closer in Drew Storen was a questionable move. The Nats’ problem wasn’t the ninth inning, it was the seventh. General manager Mike Rizzo saw it differently and thought Papelbon was a huge acquisition.

(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

“This guy wants to win,” Rizzo said of Papelbon. “First and foremost, he wants to win. He’s a winner. He’s won his whole career. He excels in pressure situations, and that’s his personality. Does it grate on the opposition at times? Yes, it does, but he comes with high credentials, high praise from his teammates and guys who have been around him.”

Hahaha choking a player equates to wanting to win. Obviously, Papelbon has had a negative reputation for a long time. That shouldn't be debated.

 

[The Bandit]

I'd rather trot out Edwin Jackson to close the ninth than surrender anything of any amount of value and bring in Papelbon.

 

[CSF77]

I'd rather trot out Edwin Jackson to close the ninth than surrender anything of any amount of value and bring in Papelbon.

Doubt it would take value. Just moving a contract for trash

 

[CSF77]

Anyways it's more to do with being a hothead but good and want to win versus being calm minded and ineffective. Jackson was not good

 

[CSF77]

Yea...
Epstein going to reunite all the "OLD" Sawx and win a world series with them..
Might as well get Damen to play CF

More like Victerino

 

[chibears55]

More like Victerino

He wasn't an Epstein guy

 

[CSF77]

Shane started with the Padres just like Theo did

 

[chibears55]

Shane started with the Padres just like Theo did

Lol..
Ok, he wasn't an Epstein guy in Boston with the other 3
Lester Lackey and Ross

 

[CSF77]

Lol..
Ok, he wasn't an Epstein guy in Boston with the other 3
Lester Lackey and Ross

In Boston. But was in the Pads system from 1999-2003 while Theo was there before he moved to Boston.

I'm not saying they should go there but from what it sounds like they are thinking of a CF platoon with Baez getting the small part. That means they need a LH bat to soak the majority. Add to it the budget has little wiggle room. Especially if they take on contract in a closer.

Shane does fit the criteria.

 

[beckdawg]

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 13s13 seconds ago
Sources: #Dodgers in talks to acquire Aroldis Chapman from #Reds for prospects.
4 retweets 1 like

 

[CSF77]

Cubs den:

The Rays are looking for young hitters. The Cubs are looking for pitchers. Each team has what the other wants in surplus.

Could there be a match there?

Marc Tompkins writes the Rays may be interested in Cubs young hitters Jorge Soler (who isn't?), Javier Baez, and Starlin Castro.

As for the Rays, Chris Archer isn't going to be traded, not on that friendly contract and his production. So let's get that out of the way off the bat.

Jake Odorizzi probably isn't going anywhere either, but it is not as outlandish as Archer. Still, I think the Illinois native is unlikely.

Even if we leave them out, there are some creative options if the Cubs are up for taking a gamble on upside. If the Cubs are willing to wait until late in 2016, Alex Cobb might be a pitcher they can pry loose. Cobb is 28 years old and coming off of Tommy John surgery this past May. Given a typical 14 month recovery, that means he may be ready by August, effectively giving the Cubs a deadline deal acquisition down the stretch and then another top 3 level starter for 2017 if he stays healthy. It would be a creative way of stashing depth on the DL and in the minors (for rehab).

One name I've heard in the recent past is Matt Moore, who came back from his own TJ surgery to make 12 starts last year with mixed results. Moore posted a 4.82 FIP with 6.57 Ks vs. 3.29 BBs per 9 IP. On the bright side, he did regain the velocity he had in the year prior to the surgery and perhaps can even get back into the mid 90s again after another offseason of rest, recovery, and rehab.

Additionally, the Rays are said to have been shopping Brad Boxberger, which fits with the somewhat surprising news that the Cubs were looking to add a closer despite Hector Rondon's excellent 2015 season. Boxberger, however, did not perform as well as Rondon did. He misses bats (10.57 Ks per 9 IP)with a good fastball, hard slider, and change, but his control (4.57 walks per 9 IP) isn't ideal for the role.

Personally, I'd be more interested in Jake McGee because of his better control (1.93 walks per 9 IP), also misses bats (11.57 Ks per 9 IP) and conveniently throws with his left arm. The Cubs seem to want to shore up that part of their bullpen and don't really have a high leverage lefty at this point. Getting a closer makes more sense to me if it is a lefty, as Joe Maddon likes to match-up sometimes depending on the team and situation. That would make Rondon the primary closer but give them a solid 1A closer who could take over if there is an injury. McGee saved 19 games for the Rays in 2014.

The Cubs could even expand the deal as the Rays have a little depth at another Cubs need...CF. Starter Kevin Kiermaier is a league average hitter at best but he is an elite defensive CFer, perhaps the best in the game today. He won a Gold Glove in 2015. He also hits LH, which is another attribute the Cubs seem to be focusing on. The Rays may want to sell high here.

If not, there's also Desmond Jennings. He's a lesser defender -- excellent in LF and a good, but not great CFer. On the flip side, he also has more offensive potential, though he had a poor season and hasn't yet played up to his ability. At age 29, the likelihood of him becoming the player some thought he could be has diminished. He'd probably be less costly, however.

One other option is Mikie Mahtook who played some CF, though he was slightly below average there and like Jennings, plays better on the corners. He did have a strong offensive showing, though he had just 115 PAs. Mahtook batted .295/.351/.619 with 9 HRs, posting a .411 wOBA and 168 RC+. Again, those numbers were in a very small sample size and Mahtook's minor league history showed no indication of that type of power. The Steamer projection for 2016 is much less optimistic. I mention Mahtook because he was a player the Cubs liked prior to the 2011 draft, though that was the previous front office, of course. Mahtook would be better as a depth option, however, than a full-time starter.

 

[JimJohnson]

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 13s13 seconds ago
Sources: #Dodgers in talks to acquire Aroldis Chapman from #Reds for prospects.
4 retweets 1 like

Another opportunity bites the dust for the Cubs.

 

[chibears55]

In Boston. But was in the Pads system from 1999-2003 while Theo was there before he moved to Boston.

I'm not saying they should go there but from what it sounds like they are thinking of a CF platoon with Baez getting the small part. That means they need a LH bat to soak the majority. Add to it the budget has little wiggle room. Especially if they take on contract in a closer.

Shane does fit the criteria.

I wasnt being serious when i mentioned Damon

 

[CSF77]

I wasnt being serious when i mentioned Damon

I would hope not.

 

[SilenceS]

A couple of things, sources on the Rays side say they are targeting Baez for talks between them and the Cubs. This news would go hand and hand with Gordon Wittenmeyer report that the Cubs told Castro he was not going to be traded after the season. See article.

http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/7/71/1158534/cubs-still-questions-hope-answer-winter-meetings

He goes into whether that means he is deadline bait or not is different but he believes no talks are about Castro.

He also states that recently Montero has been open to discussion. It seems they had no intention to trade him now they are hearing teams out. His sources said that the system doesn't believe Contreras or Schwarber are ready though.

So, we will see what is true but the Castro thing was intriguing. He seems to be saying fact they told him that. Now, if they live up to their word is a different story.