You're the GM (Game)

[CSF77]

Nothing wrong with Jackson/Shark as an answer. They don't need an ace

 

[beckdawg]

On an unrelated note, seattle DFA'd Danny Hultzen. I imagine someone will give him a shot post rule 5. He pitched well when not hurt. Wouldn't mind seeing the cubs offer him a minor league deal prior to spring training.

 

[DJMoore_is_fat]

Looking all but a foregone conclusion at this point that the cubs will sign shark. I'm typically not inclined to believe Levine but he was speculating 3-4 years at $15 mil/season with incentives. I'd take that all day honestly. Would suck to give up a draft pick but you're probably getting one back with Fowler anyways. Regardless, Shark's been durable and he pitches like a #3 with some upside to pitch better if things fall right year to year.

It's not really that surprising to me that this would be their approach. The more interesting thing to me though is what do they do with the rest of their money. If they lock down Shark early as it seems they might, it basically let's them pick and choose value. For example, if teams are light on Heyward you have the money to sign him. If teams are light on Span/Fowler you can go after them. If teams are light on one of the bigger name pitchers you go after them and then look to trade for a CF. I'm also hoping they can re-sign Jackson early because him and Shark basically give you fall back options where if you did nothing else you would be ok though obviously you would still hope to do more.

If Shark is willing to sign for 3-years at $15M per -- we'd have to do that deal all day long. I'm scared of his insanely high ERA last year, but that would be a must-make move -- given our budget.

And I agree completely on signing Jackson early as a fall back option. However the rest of the season unfolds, at least we'll have two key holes filled.

Shark will definitely rebound next year, it's just a matter of how much. If he can log 200 innings and keep us in games, that's about all we can ask.

 

[beckdawg]

And just like that the castro for gardner rumors are dead....

http://www.bleachernation.com/2015/...own-starlin-castro-brett-gardner-trade-rumor/

 

[TC in Mississippi]

And just like that the castro for gardner rumors are dead....

http://www.bleachernation.com/2015/...own-starlin-castro-brett-gardner-trade-rumor/

Just FYI New York fans were completely pissed on their end think Gardner was too much to give up for Castro. We're all pretty insular fanbase wise after all.

 

[beckdawg]

Just FYI New York fans were completely pissed on their end think Gardner was too much to give up for Castro. We're all pretty insular fanbase wise after all.

Well whether or not a fan base overvalues their player, I mean at the end of the day you're trading a 26 year old for a 32 year old. Even if their player is relatively similar, the 32 year old isn't likely to be hitting the same in 4 years at 36 as Castro is at 30. To me that's where the concept all falls apart. And while I get the idea of Gardner being a stop gap for a couple of years for Almora, he wasn't particularly amazing. I mean surely if you're making this sort of trade with Castro you could instead find some team willing to do a 3 way deal with Boston for say Bradley Jr or some better fit in CF.

So, as I said, I get the concept but in a straight up trade I think it's selling incredibly low on a 26 year old multiple time all star.

 

[DanTown]

Just FYI New York fans were completely pissed on their end think Gardner was too much to give up for Castro. We're all pretty insular fanbase wise after all.

They traded for Hicks while having Jacoby and Beltran already. They're obviously looking to move Gardner. And Theo/Cubs are never vocal about their trades.

 

[beckdawg]

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/just-a...ohn-lackey-fernandez-gray-trade-rumors-112015

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 6m6 minutes ago
Per sources, #Cubs doing background work on a dozen or so starting pitchers. #Braves believed to want young position players for Miller.

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 6m6 minutes ago
Adding to this from @jonmorosi - http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/just-a...ohn-lackey-fernandez-gray-trade-rumors-112015 … - #Cubs also have talked to #Braves about controllable SPs (Miller, Teheran, etc.)

 

[CSF77]

.Guess Gardner had a wrist injury last year and players are only allowed 3 Cort. Shots per year. He used them up and his production evaporated after the third wore off. Something like .203 BA after it gave out.

 

[DJMoore_is_fat]

Soler for Shelby Miller. Bryant to RF and Baez to 3B.

 

[beckdawg]

The Tigers have announced the acquisition of outfielder Cameron Maybin from the Braves. In return, Atlanta has added lefties Ian Krol and Gabe Speier.

 

[DanTown]

Cubs acquire Spencer Patton from the Rangers.

https://twitter.com/Sullivan_Ranger/status/667829665029951488

http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=patton000spe

 

[beckdawg]

TR SullivanVerified account
‏@Sullivan_Ranger
Rangers have sent Spencer Patton to Cubs in a small deal...

Damn dan beat me to it

 

[DJMoore_is_fat]

In other equally important news, CBS Sports is reporting Theo Epstein just put mustard on his hot dog -- but with held the relish.

 

[beckdawg]

Cubs gave up Frandy De La Rosa for Patton. He was a mildly intriguing MI prospect but the cubs are already so deep there it's not a huge loss.

 

[dreadpirateroberts]

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/just-a...ohn-lackey-fernandez-gray-trade-rumors-112015

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 6m6 minutes ago
Per sources, #Cubs doing background work on a dozen or so starting pitchers. #Braves believed to want young position players for Miller.

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 6m6 minutes ago
Adding to this from @jonmorosi - http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/just-a...ohn-lackey-fernandez-gray-trade-rumors-112015 … - #Cubs also have talked to #Braves about controllable SPs (Miller, Teheran, etc.)

Now, Miller is a guy I want. I think it is a perfect fit for both teams. Braves get their young, controllable hitter while the Cubs get their young, controllable pitcher. The Diamondbacks just recently rejected a trade proposal from the Braves that would have sent A.J. Pullock, 27, to Atlanta for Miller. If those reports are true, then Epstein should be able to do a similar deal with Castro, Soler, or Baez.

 

[beckdawg]

Now, Miller is a guy I want. I think it is a perfect fit for both teams. Braves get their young, controllable hitter while the Cubs get their young, controllable pitcher. The Diamondbacks just recently rejected a trade proposal from the Braves that would have sent A.J. Pullock, 27, to Atlanta for Miller. If those reports are true, then Epstein should be able to do a similar deal with Castro, Soler, or Baez.

I would be fine with Miller or Teheran depending on price. However, if those reports of the Pollock trade are accurate.... not sure I want to pay atlanta's price for Miller. Pollock was a 6.6 fWAR player last year which was more than Bryant. So, if that's the ask, I'd rather focus on Teheran who I honestly think is a similar young pitcher to Miller. Over 575.1 IP Miller has 7.56 k/9 3.24 bb/9 and 3.22/3.82 ERA/FIP. Teheran has 633.1 IP with 7.70 k/9 2.53 bb/9 and 3.44/3.90. So, they are roughly equivalent it's just Miller is coming off what could be argued as the best year of his career and Teheran is coming off the worst of his. Buy low and all that.

 

[chibears55]

Just curious for those who really dig into this stuff
With today being the deadline to protect for rule 5
does anyone know of a CFer that might be left unprotected that the cubs could look to grab

 

[beckdawg]

Just curious for those who really dig into this stuff
With today being the deadline to protect for rule 5
does anyone know of a CFer that might be left unprotected that the cubs could look to grab

I'll take a look for you once all the teams have finalized their 40 man. Hard to say atm because ya know.... guys who maybe around for the rule 5 might get 40 man'd. On the other hand, the cubs were at 32 people prior to the Patton trade which was the fewest in the league. They have a number of guys they may protect as well but there very well could be room to draft someone should the right situation arise. And even though the cubs have a lower pick, you probably can recall that often teams get low level teams to draft a guy and then trade money in exchange for the rights. This is how the cubs drafted Josh Hamilton and dealt him to the reds.

 

[beckdawg]

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/1...scott-boras-part-talks-miami-marlins-workload

So.... yeah considering the team says he wont be..... feels like a trade is gonna happen because the two sides don't appear to like each other much.

Some what related, Ozuna is also a Boras client whom Loria apparently doesn't like as well. Just seems like it makes sense to package those two in a trade to someone. Still think the cubs make sense but obviously they aren't the only ones.