Lukewarm Stove: Tanaka, Samardzija, Price, Balfour

Dec 20, 2013

lukewarm stove Rounding our your final week before the brief Christmas rumor lull …

Rejoice! You’re being spared a dedicated Masahiro Tanaka update in favor of a mere, densely-packed Lukewarm Stove bit. If and when Tanaka is posted, it sounds like the Yankees – despite all of the $189 million talk, and the posting system change that hurt that goal – are still in the driver’s seat for him, per each of Buster Olney and Andrew Marchand. The Mariners may not be as major of a player as we had once thought, if Ken Rosenthal’s report about suddenly limited funds is accurate. As for whether Tanaka will come at all, Ben Badler hears from sources that, the longer a decision from Rakuten takes, the more likely it is that they’re trying to figure out crafty ways to get more than the $20 million maximum posting bid for Tanaka. To that end, Badler writes up a creative take on how Rakuten could net quite a bit more than $20 million by bundling Tanaka with another Rakuten player (who could generate his own *wink wink nudge nudge* bid). It’s a great read.

Jon Heyman reports that five or six teams have showed interest in putting together a deal with the Rays for David Price, but the packages are not wowing Tampa Bay (for example, the Mariners refuse to include top pitching prospect Taijuan Walker in a Price deal). Price is hugely valuable, but I can’t help but wonder how much his brief arm injury last year, his lost two MPH of velocity last year, and his very expensive arbitration years (could be $30 million for his two final years, which is only a bit below his projected free agent rate) are tamping down his market. While I still wouldn’t be so brash as to suggest that Jeff Samardzija should be more attractive than Price to have in your rotation, I do wonder if there are several teams that would view Samardzija as the more attractive overall trade target. No arm issues, high velocity, “young” arm, less than half the projected salary for the next two years, and likely a lower prospect cost.

Speaking of Samardzija, Shi Davidi confirms earlier reports that, in talks with the Blue Jays, the Cubs were asking for top pitching prospects Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez, as well as “more” to land Samardzija. If the Blue Jays would part with the first two for Samardzija, the Cubs would have to seriously consider it. But, to date, there is no indication that the Blue Jays would give up their top two arms. And the Cubs are content to wait.

It’s apropos that the first three names in this Stove are Tanaka, Price, and Samardzija. Their futures, it seems, are inexorably linked. If Tanaka is not posted, Price and Samardzija become even more attractive. If Tanaka is posted, any possible trades for big arms are likely to have to wait until teams know where they stand with Tanaka.

The Orioles had agreed to terms with free agent reliever Grant Balfour on a two-year, $15 million deal, but it’s apparently in limbo thanks to something ugly popping up in the physical with respect to his right shoulder. The two sides could work out a renegotiated deal, or he could be turned loose to find a lesser deal elsewhere. I didn’t love Balfour as an option for the Cubs (which is why this is the first time his name has come up here, despite the Cubs’ bullpen needs), and even if he’s forced to take a nothing prove-it deal, I’m not sure there would be a spot on the Cubs. I don’t want to sound like an idiot in July, but the Cubs are loaded with decent bullpen options at this point.

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

Dansby Swanson with a First Inning Three-Run Homer

For the second straight night, the Cubs are jumping all over the Astros in the first inning. After a couple hits from Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ to get things going, Michael Busch hit a sac fly, Christopher Morel walked,...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Welcome Back to Iowa, Brennen Davis: Rocket Homer in His First Game Post-Rehab

What a road it's been - continues to be - for Cubs outfield prospect Brennen Davis. The former top prospect was on a rocket ship to Triple-A in 2021, and then mostly lost the last two years to various injuries....

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

CRAAAAAP: Cody Bellinger to the Injured List (UPDATES)

So much for all those words of optimism and negative X-rays. After colliding with the outfield wall last night, Cody Bellinger fractured his rib (Update: It's actually TWO fractured right ribs) and will hit the injured list today. Chicago Cubs...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Lineup: What is it, June 2023?

CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs took Game 1 against the Houston Astros in convincing fashion last night. So tonight, they'll go for the quick series win against Spencer Arrighetti at Wrigley Field (it'd be a good idea to win...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Bellinger Optimistic Post-Injury, Busch’s Defense, Almonte Stock Rising, Tauchman Slugging, and Other Cubs Bullets

Ed. Note: Since this article was published, a CT scan revealed a rib fracture for Cody Bellinger, who is now on the Injured List. You can find all the details of that news in our most recent article right here....

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Outfield Prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong Coming Up

With Cody Bellinger headed to the Injured List with a rib fracture, the Cubs are in need of another outfielder: center field prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong is coming back up to the big leagues for the second time. https://twitter.com/670TheScore/status/1783217891195625709 Crow-Armstrong, 22,...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Is Mike Tauchman the Best Player in Baseball? An Exploration

Hey, we're just having some early-season fun. So allow me to present the 'Mike Tauchman Is Clearly Better Than' list. As of this moment, Mike Tauchman has ... ... a higher wRC+ (151) than Pete Alonso, Fernando Tatis Jr., and...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | April 24, 2024: Kevin Alcántara Cannot Miss Right Now

Name a player hotter than Kevin Alcántara right now. Go ahead, I'll wait. (He's already raking again today. Literally as I type this.) More on Alcántara's big day and the Smokies home run parade last night in today's Cubs Farm...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Oof: Blake Snell to the Injured List Just Three Horrible Starts into His Giants Career

Just three starts into his San Francisco Giants career, Blake Snell is heading to the injured list with a left-adductor strain. Oof. You hate to even say it — and who really knows if this was related — but early...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

It’s Gotten Impossible to Not Comment on the White Sox Making Futility History

In 1997, I was a miserable Chicago Cubs fan. I mean, that was true a lot of the time, but I mean it in a very specific way that year: the Cubs had started the season 0-14. They had literally...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Dansby Swanson with a First Inning Three-Run Homer

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Phillies vs. Reds: Live Stream or on TV

The Philadelphia Phillies (15-9), with Zack Wheeler on the hill, visit the Cincinnati Reds (13-10) who will start Nick Martinez, at 1:10 PM ET on Thursday in the rubber match of the series.See how to watch the Philadelphia-Cincinnati matchup below.When...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

How to Watch

Brewers vs. Pirates: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Milwaukee Brewers (14-8), with Freddy Peralta on the hill, visit the Pittsburgh Pirates (13-11) who will hand the ball to Mitch Keller, at 12:35 PM ET on Thursday.Find out how to watch the Milwaukee-Pittsburgh matchup below.When is Brewers vs....

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

How to Watch

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

Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers (14-11) visit C.J. Abrams and the Washington Nationals (10-12) on Thursday, with first pitch at 4:05 PM ET.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for TV and streaming options for the...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

NBA Picks

Magic vs. Cavaliers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 3 – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Cleveland Cavaliers are slight 1.5-point underdogs for Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on Thursday, tipping off at 7:00 PM ET on NBA. The Cavaliers have a 2-0...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Welcome Back to Iowa, Brennen Davis: Rocket Homer in His First Game Post-Rehab

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Wurth 400 Odds from Dover Motor Speedway

Betting

Wurth 400 Odds from NASCAR Dover Motor Speedway: Betting Bubba Wallace at the Monster Mile

The Monster Mile roars to life this Sunday and the 2024 Wurth 400 odds have been revealed! Dover Motor Speedway welcomes NASCAR for its annual racing weekend and unlike last week’s Geico 500 from Talladega Superspeedway, the race favorites are...

Brian Twining

Apr 24, 2024

News

2024 Zurich Classic Tee Times, TV Channel, Live Stream

The fleur-de-lis flags are flying, and the beignets are hot! The 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans tees off this Thursday, bringing back the PGA Tour's electrifying two-man team format. TPC Louisiana is set to be buzzing with a unique...

Brian Twining

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Bulls

Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese Officially Introduced, And She Sounds Motivated

The new face of the Chicago Sky franchise officially arrived on Wednesday. Angel Reese met with media members at the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield. The former LSU standout and NCAA National Champion is only nine days removed from hearing...