Winter Meeting (Trades)

[DJMoore_is_fat]

So the Dodgers now have two closers in their walk years (Chapman and Jensen). They understand that the Nationals of last year are a perfect example of what happens when a team acquires a closer it doesn't need. Sure sounds like the Dodgers are going to use at least one of them to flip them for the SP they need.

Dodgers aren't a threat anymore anyways. Losing Greinke is a tough, tough blow. Plus they have a lot of poorly aging talent on their rosters. I'm more concerned with a team like the Diamondbacks now. They have a lot of young talent -- they could pretty tough next year. I'm a lot more concerned with Pittsburgh and St Louis -- not just because they are in our division but because they are both better.

 

[brett05]

http://www.csnchicago.com/blog/kapman/ricketts-forced-tribune-take-huge-debt-cubs-purchase



http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2014/3/29/5520408/fan-foils-by-the-numbers-sam-zell

http://www.bleachernation.com/2014/...d-the-syncing-of-baseball-and-business-plans/

The reason it's not more public is most people don't publicly comment on their owner's requirements (Zell still owns 5% I believe). I mean, let's be clear here, Sam Zell is probably the largest anchor on this franchise

- He stupidly re-upped the Cubs TV deals when there was a huge demand/market for a premium channel
- He forced any owner to carry long term debt that the Cubs can't really pay down so Zell could make money on the sale
- The Cubs, due to that debt, have strict payroll constraints as to how high they go when they absolutely don't need them in place

The vast majority of fans refuse/don't understand the constraints that the Cubs have to act under

It's not what I was looking for, but I appreciate your hard work for me.

 

[brett05]

Dodgers aren't a threat anymore anyways. Losing Greinke is a tough, tough blow. Plus they have a lot of poorly aging talent on their rosters. I'm more concerned with a team like the Diamondbacks now. They have a lot of young talent -- they could pretty tough next year. I'm a lot more concerned with Pittsburgh and St Louis -- not just because they are in our division but because they are both better.

I was just listening to ESPN and it's believed that the Dodgers are getting closer to landing Jose Fernandez. If that happens, they become the favorites bypassing the Cubs IMO. For the record, it would take a Fernandez type for the Dodgers to pass the Cubs.

 

[PrimeTime]

Winter Meetings: Rays, Cubs potential trade match with pitching, Baez

"Might the Cubs and Rays each deal from strength to shore up the weaknesses here during the Winter Meetings? It's entirely plausible and the rumor from tampabay.com is that the Rays would like to land young Cubs infielder Javier Baez."

 

[JimJohnson]

Winter Meetings: Rays, Cubs potential trade match with pitching, Baez

"Might the Cubs and Rays each deal from strength to shore up the weaknesses here during the Winter Meetings? It's entirely plausible and the rumor from tampabay.com is that the Rays would like to land young Cubs infielder Javier Baez."

Sure Baez for Archer

 

[beckdawg]

I was just listening to ESPN and it's believed that the Dodgers are getting closer to landing Jose Fernandez. If that happens, they become the favorites bypassing the Cubs IMO. For the record, it would take a Fernandez type for the Dodgers to pass the Cubs.

Rosenthal had a story about this earlier. I was going to mention it here but chose not to because it doesn't sound very likely. Regardless, since someone else bought it up, Rosenthal reported a rival exec said the cost for the dodgers would be Urias, Seager and Van Slyke. If that is indeed the price, you have to imagine Baez Soler and say Johnson is a similar level value. Maybe that's a bit low. I'm not sure but it seems in a similar ballpark.

 

[Boobaby1]

Sure Baez for Archer

I would take Matt Moore and Jake McGee right now for Javier Baez and not think twice about it. Lefty for the rotation, and a lefty for the pen who has the ability to close out games.

 

[beckdawg]

Bleacher nation citing I believe Jesse Rodgers on ESPN mention Kevin Gausman as apparently having come up. The O's have to active roster Bundy this year as he's out of options. Ubaldo is the only big time pitcher they are on the hook for. Tillman is headed to arbitration. If they re-sign Chen I don't think it's that crazy for them to slot in Bundy at #4 and go with whomever at #5. Regardless, if Gausman is available I'm interested.

 

[brett05]

Rosenthal had a story about this earlier. I was going to mention it here but chose not to because it doesn't sound very likely. Regardless, since someone else bought it up, Rosenthal reported a rival exec said the cost for the dodgers would be Urias, Seager and Van Slyke. If that is indeed the price, you have to imagine Baez Soler and say Johnson is a similar level value. Maybe that's a bit low. I'm not sure but it seems in a similar ballpark.

i definitely think the Cubs offer gets the conversation started

 

[JimJohnson]

Dodgers trade for Chapman.

Theo Epstein are you awake this winter?

 

[beckdawg]

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 1m1 minute ago
Source: #Rays have indeed talked to #Cubs about Baez, as @TBTimes_Rays reported. TB has both starters and relievers to trade.

Not exactly new news but seems lots of people talking about it so have to believe it's more than just mild talks.

 

[JimJohnson]

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 1m1 minute ago
Source: #Rays have indeed talked to #Cubs about Baez, as @TBTimes_Rays reported. TB has both starters and relievers to trade.

Not exactly new news but seems lots of people talking about it so have to believe it's more than just mild talks.

The only starter they have that I'm interested in is Archer. Otherwise not much reason to trade Baez.

 

[CSF77]

Cahill resigned.

 

[CSF77]

2 for 2 Thought Lackey and Cahill this off season. Not sexy moves but both are hard nose pitchers.

 

[chibears55]

@TBTimes_Rays: #Rays target with #Cubs is definitely Baez. They are weighing a handful of deals with other teams to similarly add pitching for hitting.

@MLBBruceLevine: Cubs and Braves still talking


If you go by these rumors, sounds like a deal will be had to either Rays or Braves for pitching. .


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[beckdawg]

@TBTimes_Rays: #Rays target with #Cubs is definitely Baez. They are weighing a handful of deals with other teams to similarly add pitching for hitting.

@MLBBruceLevine: Cubs and Braves still talking


If you go by these rumors, sounds like a deal will be had to either Rays or Braves for pitching. .


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My take based on what's been reported is the cubs probably move Baez but are trying to get the best deal possible for him and playing teams against each other.

 

[chibears55]

My take based on what's been reported is the cubs probably move Baez but are trying to get the best deal possible for him and playing teams against each other.

That what I was thinking too...

They probably have something agreed on with the Rays but just checking elsewhere before pulling trigger.

Seems like Baez is gone

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[beckdawg]

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 2m2 minutes ago
Source: Miley traded by #RedSox to #Mariners.

 

[DanTown]

Call me crazy, but I think the Cubs are going to use Wood/Cahill as a sort of "longer" reliever instead of having guys like Hendricks go through the order multiple times

Starters
Arrieta - Lester - Lackey - Hammel - Hendricks

High Leverage Bullpen
Rondo - Strop - Ramirez - Grimm - Richard (LHP) - Brothers (LHP)

Long (1-2 inning) arms
Cahill - Wood

If the Cubs then need a guy to start, I'd assume they'd call up a bullpen arm as a starter, send Cahill/Wood to Iowa to stretch out.

 

[DJMoore_is_fat]

If we can make it out of the off-season with only giving up one good major league prospect (Baez) I think it'll be a success.