Lukewarm Stove: Aceves, Barney, Price, DeJesus, Samardzija, More

Apr 25, 2013

stove The latest from the rumor mill …

The Red Sox have decided (probably) to cut ties with swing starter/reliever Alfredo Aceves after a poor start to the 2013 season (and some off-the-field stuff in months past). He’s 30 and makes $2.6 million this year, his second-to-last arbitration year, and is really scuffling. So, the Red Sox have informed him that they intend to demote him to AAA, and he’s got a couple days to report to Pawtucket if he wants to keep his contract. In the interim, the Red Sox will try to trade Aceves, per Nick Cafardo. Thanks to his down stock and the Red Sox connection, you’d have to think the Cubs would kick the tires. Sure, Aceves has been a headache off the field, and he’s had a very down year and a half, but he could come on the cheap (as in, probably just for a small amount of salary relief), and the Cubs would be happy to add another reliever to the mix (why the hell not?). Aceves is also the kind of guy who, in the right setting, could recover value, and possibly even become a flippable asset,* if not this year, then possibly next year (assuming he’s worth tendering a contract at that point). Prior to 2012, he looked like a great reliever/swing-man, but the question is whether he’s worth the trouble. Jon Heyman discusses the latter question at length, and concludes that he’s really not, at least not on a team like the Red Sox. And a GM tells Heyman that Aceves’ trade value is zero. It’s an interesting story, and could see the Cubs involved. Kevin Gregg just got a save for the Cubs, for crying out loud. They can’t afford to turn a blind eye to *any* bullpen options out there.

*Not that he’d return much in trade, even if he was dominating at the time. Let’s just be clear on that.

Paul Sullivan writes about the likely impending sell-off for the Cubs, in the face of a terrible start to the season. Darwin Barney shares his thoughts on what it’s like not to be mentioned as part of the “core” with a trade season looming. Barney’s value has always been tricky to define, given the huge glove and light bat, but it will be very interesting to see how frequently he pops up in trade rumors this offseason. In theory – and only in theory – the Cubs could have as many as six legitimate second base options emerging at or near the AAA level within the next year (Logan Watkins, Christian Villanueva, Roni Torreyes, Arismendy Alcantara, Stephen Bruno, and … Javier Baez). It’s a position at which they could probably afford to shop Barney around, especially if there are teams out there who view him as a quality defensive shortstop, where he could provide quite a bit more value.

Bruce Levine chatted at ESPN Chicago, and … (1) a package for Giancarlo Stanton would start with Javier Baez and would take quite a bit more, but that doesn’t make sense for the Cubs’ model (I disagree, in general, even if it might agree with respect to certain packages. In general, I can see the Cubs parting with a package to get a young, controllable superstar – that’s very much in line with their model/plan. Bruce later seems to concede this in acknowledging that the Cubs could go after David Price); (2) Bruce believes Carlos Marmol will be the closer again with a week or 10 days; and (3) Bruce anticipates that David DeJesus will be traded at some point, but not until much later in the season.

Tim Dierkes did the chat thing at MLBTR, and … (1) Nate Schierholtz is in the (very early) running for best signing of the offseason; (2) Luis Valbuena might be the worst regular in all of baseball (which is a very odd comment from Tim, a latest Cubs fan … Valbuena has been quite good this year, relatively speaking; he’s not a guy you want starting long term, but I could find many, many far worse regulars if I dug around); (3) if the 2014 outlook doesn’t look good, the Cubs may be wise to entertain offers on Jeff Samardzija this Summer (to which I’d say, sure, always listen – but if Samardzija is giving you signals that he’ll sign a long-term extension (they have him for two more years, as it is), there’s no rush to trade him right now); and (4) we can’t really speculate on Matt Garza/Rangers trades until we see how healthy he, Colby Lewis and Matt Harrison are.

written by

Brett Taylor

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 5, Pirates 4 – May 12, 2024

It's Mother's Day. I'm hanging with the family. I don't feel like being as pissed off as a game like that threatened to make me. So I am QUITE relieved by that 10th inning (and the fact that the Cubs...

Brett Taylor

May 12, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Christopher Morel Kicks Off Mother’s Day With Some Love

I'll just presume he was sending this one out for mom. And I'll also presume that the knee is indeed feeling good. Home run number nine on the season for Christopher Morel: https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1789713524052087082

Brett Taylor

May 12, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Pirates (12:35 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs have played thirteen series so far this season, and this is already their eighth rubber match. Let's see if Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs can bring this one in. Chicago Cubs Lineup: Nico Hoerner, SS...

Michael Cerami

May 12, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Roster Move: Kyle Hendricks Activated to Start Today

No surprises here, as the decision to start Kyle Hendricks this afternoon against the Pirates was made yesterday, but the news has officially hit the wire, and here it is. Kyle Hendricks Activated Kyle Hendricks is returning from his short...

Michael Cerami

May 12, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Horrible History, Morel’s Knee, Almonte’s Shoulder, Hoerner, Wesneski, Hendricks, Mervis, and Other Cubs Bullets

Happy Mother's Day to the mothers among you, and to the mothers in my life! I'll be doing some extra family stuff today, so I'm gonna cruise through these Bullets ... Up front, because this was certainly the thing most...

Brett Taylor

May 12, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Kyle Hendricks Will Start for the Big League Cubs Tomorrow

The Sunday TBD has been D'd, and it's going to be Kyle Hendricks coming back an outing early. Instead of making another rehab start at Iowa, Hendricks is going to be activated from the IL to rejoin the rotation tomorrow:...

Brett Taylor

May 11, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Pirates 10, Cubs 9 – May 11, 2024

The Cubs came within 90 feet of keeping that ridiculous game going. No dice. Stupid game. Early on, it just kinda seemed like the Cubs might lose a perfectly normal - bad, but normal - game. Justin Steele did not...

Brett Taylor

May 11, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Pirates (3:05 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — After a little tease yesterday, Seiya Suzuki is actually, officially in the Cubs lineup today. And he'll be greeted with a tough matchup against the top pitching prospect in Major League Baseball. Welcome back! Chicago Cubs Lineup:...

Michael Cerami

May 11, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Oh, Good, Yency Almonte is Now Also Hurt

Today the Chicago Cubs placed reliever Yency Almonte on the Injured List with a right shoulder strain. Jose Cuas has been recalled from Iowa to take his place in the bullpen. Almonte, together with Mark Leiter Jr., had been performing...

Brett Taylor

May 11, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Credit to Assad, Huge Ups to Brown, Hopes for Taillon, Happ’s Bat and Glove, Bellinger History, and Other Cubs Bullets

How did I not know that the Aurora Borealis was going to be visible last night?!?!? I woke up this morning to all these awesome pictures from friends and other people in the area, and I'm MISERABLE ABOUT IT. With...

Brett Taylor

May 11, 2024

Oakland Athletics 2024 Schedule and How to Watch their games

MLB

How to Watch Athletics Games: Full 2024 Schedule, Live Stream and More

It's a bittersweet season for the Oakland Athletics. As they prepare to begin their move to Las Vegas for the 2028 season, the A's are looking to make their final year at the Coliseum one to remember. With a little...

Brian Twining

May 12, 2024

How to Watch

Angels vs. Cardinals: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Los Angeles Angels (15-26), led by Taylor Ward, host Brendan Donovan and the St. Louis Cardinals (16-24) at 9:38 PM ET on Monday in a series opener.Keep reading to see how to watch the Los Angeles-St. Louis matchup below.When...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

How to Watch

Mariners vs. Royals: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Seattle Mariners (22-19), who will give the ball to George Kirby, host the Kansas City Royals (25-17) with Brady Singer on the mound, Monday at 9:40 PM ET.Keep reading to see how to watch the Seattle-Kansas City matchup in...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

How to Watch

Diamondbacks vs. Reds: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Monday, in a series opener at Chase Field, Jordan Montgomery starts for the Arizona Diamondbacks (19-22) against Graham Ashcraft and the Cincinnati Reds (17-23), with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET.Keep reading to see how to watch the...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Padres vs. Rockies: Live Stream or on TV

Jurickson Profar and the San Diego Padres (22-21) host Ryan McMahon and the Colorado Rockies (12-28) on Monday, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.The article below will give you everything you need to watch San Diego play Colorado.When is...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

How to Watch

Dodgers vs. Giants: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers (27-15) visit Michael Conforto and the San Francisco Giants (19-23) at 9:45 PM ET on Monday.Find out how to watch the Los Angeles-San Francisco matchup below.When is Dodgers vs. Giants and when does...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

Picks

Texas Rangers vs. Cleveland Guardians Series May 13-15: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

In the first of a three-game series, on Monday, May 13 at 8:05 PM ET, the Texas Rangers will host the Cleveland Guardians.Rangers vs. Guardians Series Info Guardians @ Rangers Time: Monday, May 13 at 8:05 PM ET Rangers Starting...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

Picks

San Francisco Giants vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Series May 13-15: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

On Monday, May 13 at 9:45 PM ET, a three-game series between the San Francisco Giants and the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers will get underway.Giants vs. Dodgers Series Info Dodgers @ Giants Time: Monday, May 13 at 9:45 PM ET...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

Picks

Seattle Mariners vs. Kansas City Royals Series May 13-15: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

On Monday, May 13 at 9:40 PM ET, a three-game series featuring the Seattle Mariners and the visiting Kansas City Royals will begin.Mariners vs. Royals Series Info Royals @ Mariners Time: Monday, May 13 at 9:40 PM ET Mariners Starting...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

Picks

Houston Astros vs. Oakland Athletics Series May 13-16: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

On Monday, May 13 at 8:10 PM ET, a four-game series between the Houston Astros and the visiting Oakland Athletics will begin.Astros vs. Athletics Series Info Athletics @ Astros Time: Monday, May 13 at 8:10 PM ET Astros Starting Pitcher:...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

Lukewarm Stove: Aceves, Barney, Price, DeJesus, Samardzija, More

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular