Lukewarm Stove: Offseason Pitching, Soriano, Jackson, Baez, Valbuena, Garza, Hamilton

Sep 10, 2012

The Lukewarm Stove continues to take on a decidedly “offseason” flavor, as the Cubs plod toward the end of the 2012 season …

Dale Sveum was recently asked about his expectations for the offseason. Specifically, does he think the Cubs will be adding pitchers to the big league rotation? “Yeah on a realistic basis you’re looking at seeing who’s out there and then it could be more than that,” Sveum said, per Doug Padilla. “Whatever resources we have to spend sometimes and you go from there, but there is obviously some pieces that we have to put together and the more competition and the more you have the better off you’re going to be.” I doubt the Cubs add any big name type pitchers, but I similarly doubt – quite strongly, actually – that they’ll open 2013 without at least a new face or two in the rotation. But, if you read between Dale’s lines, when asked if he thinks his bosses will go after pitching in the offseason, he’s answering, “OMG YES MOAR PLEEZ KTHXBYE.”

Nick Cafardo thinks that teams who were considering Alfonso Soriano midseason this year really missed the boat by not getting a deal done. He cites a “talent evaluator” for that opinion, and suggests that Soriano could still be a quality middle-of-the-order bat for most teams, while playing adequate left field. That sound you’ve heard over the last month is the market for Soriano’s services this Winter expanding. The Cubs, should they wish to move Soriano for a prospect and a little bit of salary relief, will probably have options.

Doug Padilla talked Cubs this week, and among his thoughts: (1) The Cubs won’t bring in a veteran center fielder in the offseason to compete with Brett Jackson for the job in 2013 – in other words, while they might bring in a veteran 4th outfielder, the center field job is Jackson’s; (2) I like Doug, but I think he really flubbed a question about the types of free agent pitchers the Cubs will pursue this offseason (Doug says the Cubs will be looking for “guys who are young and about to break through,” which, like, so is every team ever; the Cubs, in free agency, will be looking for middle tier starter types who could rebound and provide trade value mid-season – I think Doug was thinking about trades, in which case, yeah); (3) Doug doesn’t expect ticket prices to drop in 2013 (which would, I think, be a pretty tough sell given the last two years and the expected 2013 team (I’m not saying the Cubs are doing the wrong thing rebuild-wise, but you have to be sensitive to the wallets of your fan base – there is a breaking point)); (4) 2014 is the probably the earliest we see the Cubs kicking the tires on “big name” free agents; (5) Doug sees the “dream” future infield as Anthony Rizzo at first, Javier Baez at second, Starlin Castro at short, and Junior Lake at third (Lake’s defense at third would have to be pretty awesome to justify that – I could just as easily see the Cubs dreaming about Christian Villanueva at third, or Baez there with someone like Roni Torreyes at second); (6) trading Soriano in the offseason is still a tall task given the artificial restrictions his no-trade rights place on the market (no team in the West save for the Dodgers, no rebuilding teams); and (7) Matt Garza likely starts 2013 with the Cubs.

Bruce Levine also chatted, and … (1) He thinks the Cubs could make Jeff Samardzija an extension offer this Winter, though no deal is likely given Samardzija’s three remaining arbitration years (I’d say the limited track record as a starter – albeit a good one – and the fact that he’s already got quite a bit of cash in his pocket are the bigger reasons you won’t yet see an extension); (2) Bruce spoke to three different scouts about Javier Baez, all of whom saw him as Major League ready within a year and a half (which I take to mean mid-2014), which is pretty awesome, given that he’ll be just 21 at that time; (3) All three scouts, by the way, see Baez as capable of handling shortstop in the big leagues; (4) Bruce suggests the Cubs try to get their big league players to participate in a 10-ish day minicamp before the holidays in the offseason (in the Dominican Republic, perhaps? Pretty nice facilities being built there … ) to work on things like pitch selection (yes!) and small ball philosophy (hmm); (5) Bruce agrees with Doug, and says he’d be shocked if Brett Jackson is not the Cubs’ starting center fielder on Opening Day 2013; and (6) Bruce reiterates that he gets the sense from the Cubs that they view Luis Valbuena as a potential future contributor (in the sense that they need to give him at bats now to continue developing him).

Ben Nicholson-Smith also did some chatting over at MLBTR, getting a jump on the offseason. No overt Cubs bits, or even obviously connectable Cubs bits, but it’s always interesting to survey the broader rumor landscape. Makes for a more informed offseason. His prediction for Josh Hamilton? Nine years, $215 million. Before you scream that he’ll never get that much, keep three things in mind: (1) Hamilton is easily the top free agent in a really weak class; (2) every year we think the biggest contract handed out is ridiculous, and yet it keeps happening – at some point, that stops being “ridiculous” and starts being “normal;” and (3) I think salaries are going to keep trending up in the wake of the new CBA and the rash of extensions. I think Hamilton tops out at eight years, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see him get eight years and $180 to $200 million, which is really insane if you think about it.

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

Picks

Brewers vs. Pirates Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Milwaukee Brewers will take the field against the Pittsburgh Pirates (13-12) on Thursday. The game begins at 12:35 PM ET on BSWI, with the Brewers listed as -124 favorites on the moneyline.Milwaukee's Freddy Peralta and Pittsburgh's Mitch Keller have...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Twins vs. White Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Chicago White Sox (3-21) will try to end their six-game losing streak when they visit the Minnesota Twins (10-13) on Thursday at 1:10 PM ET on BSN. Sportsbooks consider the Twins to be -252 favorites for the contest, while...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Phillies vs. Reds Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

Expect a display of power when Kyle Schwarber (6 HR) and the Philadelphia Phillies (15-10) take on Elly De La Cruz (7 HR) and the Cincinnati Reds (14-10) at Great American Ball Park at 1:10 PM ET live on BSOH....

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Guardians vs. Red Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Boston Red Sox (14-11) and Connor Wong (2 HR in his last game) are underdogs (+133) on the moneyline for their matchup with the Cleveland Guardians (17-7) on Thursday at 1:10 PM ET on NESN.Cleveland's Triston McKenzie gets the...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Twins vs. White Sox Probable Starting Pitchers – April 25

The Chicago White Sox (3-21) carry a six-game losing streak into a road contest against the Minnesota Twins (10-13) at 1:10 PM ET on Thursday.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Twins will send Simeon Woods Richardson (1-0) to...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Mariners vs. Rangers Probable Starting Pitchers – April 25

The Seattle Mariners (12-12) face off against the Texas Rangers (13-12) on Thursday at Globe Life Field at 2:35 PM ET.The probable pitchers are Luis Castillo (1-4) for the Mariners and Andrew Heaney (0-2) for the Rangers.Mariners vs. Rangers Pitcher...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Guardians vs. Red Sox Probable Starting Pitchers – April 25

The Boston Red Sox (14-11) play on the road against the Cleveland Guardians (17-7) at Progressive Field. The matchup is set to begin at 1:10 PM ET on Thursday.The Guardians will look to Triston McKenzie (2-2) versus the Red Sox...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Phillies vs. Reds Probable Starting Pitchers – April 25

The Philadelphia Phillies (15-10) and the Cincinnati Reds (14-10) square off in Cincinnati on Thursday. First pitch is at 1:10 PM ET at Great American Ball Park.The Phillies will give the ball to Zack Wheeler (1-3, 2.30 ERA), who is...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Royals vs. Blue Jays Probable Starting Pitchers – April 25

The Kansas City Royals (15-10) host the Toronto Blue Jays (13-12) for a home game at Kauffman Stadium on Thursday. First pitch is at 2:10 PM ET.The Royals will give the ball to Cole Ragans (0-2, 4.32 ERA), who is...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Astros vs. Cubs Probable Starting Pitchers – April 25

The Houston Astros (7-18) and the Chicago Cubs (15-9) play at Wrigley Field on Thursday at 2:20 PM ET. In this contest, the Astros have the chance to end a four-game skid.The Astros will look to Justin Verlander (1-0) versus...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Lukewarm Stove: Offseason Pitching, Soriano, Jackson, Baez, Valbuena, Garza, Hamilton

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular