Winter Meetings Tuesday Evening: Escobar, Keppinger, Reynolds, Grilli, Parra, Betancourt, Hoyer

Day Two of the Winter Meetings is in the books. It was a surprisingly quiet day, outside of a couple moves (Victorino and Haren would be the biggest). It was particularly quiet on the Cubs’ front, though we did hear a few interesting rumors. Here’s the latest …

  • Multiple reports have the Tampa Bay Rays as the favorites to land Yunel Escobar in trade, none of which even mention the Cubs as extant suitors. That means either that the Cubs have backed away, the Cubs were never involved, or the Cubs have gone stealth.
  • Speaking of third base options, Jeff Keppinger’s reported asking price is three years and $12 million. Coming off a career year in an extremely weak third base market, I can understand that request. Seems incredibly steep for the Cubs’ purposes, though.
  • Speaking further of third base options, Jon Heyman says the Cubs – among a very long list of other teams – have some interest in non-tendered free agent third baseman Mark Reynolds. He’s been discussed here before, and the story remains the same: intriguing bat, attached to a guy who almost certainly can’t play passable third base. Unless Cubs scouts have identified curable issues in his game at third base, I don’t really know that they should be all that interested. The offensive upside isn’t SO great that you completely ignore the deficiencies at third. A one-year deal with an option year? Sure, why not, given the market. But, thing is, a team that doesn’t plan to use him at third base might be willing to give him much more.
  • Brewers manager Ron Roenicke suggested that reliever Jason Grilli, to whom the Cubs have been attached, is seeking a deal in the $5 to $7 million range (it was unclear if that was total, or per year – given his dominance over the last two years, and the market for late-inning relievers, I’m assuming that’s a per year figure). That would put him on par with some of the larger reliever deals handed out this Winter, including to a couple closers. There is some value to be had in getting Grilli, 36, for a couple years and no more than $5 million. Go higher than that in years or dollars, and you risk purchasing a middle relief egg that you can’t easily shed.
  • There was a Justin-Upton-for-Cliff-Lee-and-cash rumor, sparked by Pedro Gomez, which lasted about 15 minutes before being shot down by every other writer in the industry, and the Phillies’ GM. That’s the kind of thing this year’s Meetings have been missing: crazy rumors that explode on the scene before being widely shot down.
  • The Diamondbacks are reportedly making outfielders Jason Kubel and Gerardo Parra available, in addition to Upton. I’ve discussed Parra here before as a possibly intriguing target for the Cubs, but Kubel seems like a weaker fit. He’s on a decent contract – $7.5 million in 2013, $7.5 million club option in 2014 with a $1 million buyout – and offers quality offense, but defensive metrics say he’s terrible in the outfield. The best place to hide him, if you don’t have a DH, is in left field – but the Cubs have Alfonso Soriano (for now).
  • Speaking of Soriano, the Phillies are reportedly dangling Vance Worley and/or pitching prospect Trevor May in their attempt to pick up an outfield bat. Could Soriano (plus a boatload of cash) net the Cubs Worley, who had surgery in September to remove bone spurs from his elbow (but who is expected to recover)? Eh, if everyone believes he’s going to be healthy, he’s a cost-controlled young started with middle-of-the-rotation upside. The Cubs would probably be very intrigued. It’s noteworthy that, in that Phillies piece about their outfield search, five outfielders are named, none of whom is Soriano.
  • Buster Olney says the Diamondbacks have put together a four-team deal that would net them Asdrubal Cabrera from the Indians, but the deal, for now, remains dormant. Please pull it off, because four-team deals are a like a shooting star: rare and beautiful to watch from afar. And, hey, who knows? Maybe the Cubs are in there somewhere. There hasn’t been a single trade yet at the Meetings, by the way.
  • The Cubs are considering Yuniesky Betancourt for third base says Carrie Muskat, which is borderline wretch-inducing. Given that he has been hilarious offensively and terrible defensively over the past, well, entire career, it’s not surprising to learn that he’s got a negative WAR since 2009. Maybe a shift from shortstop to third base would help the defense, but that wouldn’t help the fact that he was so undesirable in the clubhouse that the Royals dumped him for nothing last August (his manager essentially called him out for being selfish). This has minor league deal/Spring Training invite written all over it. He’s not even a good platoon candidate.
  • Jed Hoyer took the ball tonight for the Cubs, meeting with reporters. He didn’t share too much, though I might have more on it later. The short version: Carlos Marmol is the closer if he’s still on the team, and the Cubs have spoken to more agents at the Meetings than they have spoken to other teams. So, if something happens, he says, it’s more likely to be a signing than a trade. But it’s possible nothing will happen this week (that’s always a possibility).
  • Obligatory: follow BN on Twitter, “like” it on Facebook.
  • written by

    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

    Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 7, Braves 1 – May 15, 2024

    The Cubs took the lead on the very first pitch of the game and didn't look back. They needed that. I needed that. Offense up and down the lineup. Two extra-base hits for Seiya Suzuki. Three times on base for...

    Curt Casali Has Opted Out of His Cubs Deal and is Already Starting Tonight for the Giants

    There's fast, and then there's Curt Casali fast. Er, well, not his basepath speed, but the speed with which he went from catching at Triple-A Iowa for the Cubs to starting behind the plate tonight for the Giants in San...

    Mike Tauchman Ends the Cubs Scoreless Streak on the First Pitch of the Game!

    The Cubs scored exactly zero runs in their last 18 innings in Atlanta. But Mike Tauchman did not let that streak continue long tonight. On the first pitch of the game, Tauchman lifted one over the left field wall for...

    Chicago Cubs Lineup: Happ Sits Again, Still No Nico

    CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs have dropped each of the first two games in this series, failing to score a single run. Let's see if the following Cubs lineup can have any more luck against Charlie Morton and the Braves...

    Cubs Roster Move: Thompson to the IL, Little Comes Back

    Another day, another Injured List move for the Chicago Cubs. And it's another reliever. That's 15 total Cubs hitting the IL at some point already this year. It's May 15. This time, it's Keegan Thompson going on the IL with...

    Cubs Announce Their Upcoming Rotation, Answering Some Role Questions Along the Way

    When Hayden Wesneski came into relieve Shota Imanaga against the Braves on Monday night, the Cubs all but confirmed that he had temporarily exited the rotation. Wesneski had made three really nice starts against the Red Sox, Brewers, and Padres,...

    Nine Years Ago Today, Gregory Polanco Simply Fell Down

    You know the play. You know the moment. You know how much stupid, silly, hilarious fun it was. What you may not remember is that, but for a NEARLY IDENTICAL pop up to right a couple innings earlier that DIDN'T...

    Cubs Farm Report | May 15, 2024: Promotions, Demotions, and Debuts

    Before we discuss the highlights from Tuesday's action on the field, let's start today's Cubs Farm Report with some roster moves within the system. Right-hander Eduarniel Nunez was promoted to Triple-A Iowa. Nunez has allowed no earned runs in 15.2...

    Hector Neris Has Literally Been the Luckiest Pitcher in Baseball So Far This Season

    I don't think this should come as a surprise to anyone who's watched even one of Hector Neris' 15.0 IP this season, but he has been, by at last one measure, the luckiest pitcher in MLB this season. Why do...

    FanGraphs Just Dropped a Top-47 Cubs Prospects List

    Put your reading glasses and prospect hat on, as FanGraphs just released its 2024 Chicago Cubs top prospects list, which comes in at 47 names. Unlike other lists with a set number of names per org, FanGraphs ranks all prospects...

    Latest News

    Best MLB Prop Bets Today, May 16, 2024

    The New York Yankees versus the Minnesota Twins is a game to see on a Thursday MLB slate that has six exciting contests.If you're interested in MLB prop bets for today's games, we're here to assist you. Below you'll find...

    Best NBA Prop Bets Today – May 14, 2024

    The NBA playoff lineup today, which includes the Minnesota Timberwolves squaring off against the Denver Nuggets as one of two games, is sure to please.There are usually plenty of NBA player prop bets available for each and every matchup. Keep...

    Best MLB Prop Bets Today, May 14, 2024

    Today's MLB schedule includes top teams in play. Among those 16 contests is the New York Yankees playing the Minnesota Twins.Below you'll find MLB player prop bets for each and every game on today's slate -- MLB prop bets are...

    Nationals vs. White Sox: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Trevor Williams will take the ball for the Washington Nationals (19-20) when they visit starter Chris Flexen and the Chicago White Sox (12-29) in a series opener on Tuesday, with first pitch at 4:40 PM ET.Keep reading to find out...

    Nationals vs. White Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, May 14, 2024

    Led by Eddie Rosario (two-game homer streak), the Washington Nationals (19-20) are favorites versus the Chicago White Sox (12-29) Tuesday at 4:40 PM ET. Sportsbooks have named the Nationals as -120 favorites for the game, which airs on MASN2.Trevor Williams...

    Nationals vs. White Sox Probable Starting Pitchers – May 14

    The Chicago White Sox (12-29) kick off a three-game series on Tuesday against the Washington Nationals (19-20). The contest begins at 4:40 PM ET at Guaranteed Rate Field.The Nationals will look to Trevor Williams (4-0) versus the White Sox and...

    Top Player Prop Bets for Knicks vs. Pacers Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 5 on May 14, 2024

    You can wager on player prop bet odds for Jalen Brunson, Pascal Siakam and other players on the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers ahead of their matchup at 8:00 PM ET on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.How to Watch...

    Braves vs. Cubs Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, May 14, 2024

    The Atlanta Braves will take the field against the Chicago Cubs (24-18) on Tuesday. The game begins at 7:20 PM ET on BSSO, with the Braves listed as -198 favorites on the moneyline.Atlanta's Chris Sale gets the start, and he'll...

    Red Sox vs. Rays Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, May 14, 2024

    The Boston Red Sox (21-20) and Tampa Bay Rays (21-21) meet Tuesday at Fenway Park, with first pitch at 7:10 PM ET on NESN. The Red Sox are -118 moneyline favorites for the contest, however, the Rays are favored against...

    Tigers vs. Marlins Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, May 14, 2024

    Led by Spencer Torkelson (two-game homer streak), the Detroit Tigers (21-20) are favorites versus the Miami Marlins (11-32) Tuesday at 6:40 PM ET. Oddsmakers have named the Tigers as -182 favorites for the game, which airs on BSFL.Reese Olson gets...

    more cubs news