I really hope MLB announces/leaks/whatevers the Biogenesis suspensions by the end of this week to help clarify the trade market. I say that not as a fan of a selling team (although, yes, mass suspensions on contending teams would probably help the Cubs), but instead as someone trying to track trade rumors. Until there is relative certainty on the Biogenesis stuff, it’s hard for teams to make moves. The trickling effect isn’t difficult to imagine: say the A’s really like Yovani Gallardo, but don’t want to make a move until they know what’s up with Bartolo Colon’s possible suspension. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks kinda like Matt Garza and would be ready to offer the best package, but they won’t do it until they know that the same package won’t land them Gallardo. And the Brewers aren’t going to move Gallardo until they know if they can get that one special, awesome prospect they’ve always wanted from the A’s. That’s not only a plausible example, it’s a tiny, tiny circuit when compared to how extended this trickle could become. I want clarity, and, for that reason, I’m quite certain all of the buyers and sellers out there want clarity, too.
He sat the last two days before the All-Star break to get a full week’s rest, but Nate Schierholtz remains a popular name in trade circles discussing available outfielders. “Multiple sources” tell TribLive that the Pirates are checking in on Schierholtz in their pursuit of an outfield bat. My position on Schierholtz remains unchanged: if he can net you a very good prospect/player, or he can supplement a bigger trade and turn a package of so-so prospects into a package of elite prospects, then, sure, make a deal. But short of that, he’s under control through 2014, will make a very reasonable salary next year, and has taken quite well both to platooning and Wrigley. The Cubs don’t have a ton of starting-caliber outfielders ready to break through by the start of 2014, so there’s just no rush here.
It’s been a long time – well, a long time in rumor season days – since the Padres were “surprising” and “competitive” and “buying.” Danny Knobler reports that they’ve now swung completely in the other direction, and are ready to sell.* The big name that could mean is Chase Headley (no, I don’t see a fit with the Cubs for the reason I’ve said before: Headley doesn’t help the Cubs for the rest of 2013, even if he would in 2014. Because he doesn’t offer the Cubs value in 2013 (i.e., they aren’t playoff contenders), but does offer that value – hugely – to other teams), other teams will rightly be willing to pay much more for him. Where the Padres selling does affect the Cubs, however, is if they make Edinson Volquez (a cheap rental, though largely ineffective) or relievers Huston Street or Luke Gregerson available. Those latter two would command serious attention, even if it’s a down year for both.
*Another exemplary reminder of how difficult it is to peg the market in early July, let alone mid-June. And buyers – the legit ones – know this. They frequently would rather wait to buy until late July when there might be more players on the market. This is why a team like the Cubs, even if they for certain want to sell in June or early July can’t always pull it off. You’ve got to have a developed market for it to work.
As one team comes onto the market, one team might come off (kinda). That team would be the Marlins, per Joe Frisaro, who are now sending signals that they don’t want to trade any of their younger/cost-controlled players, including Giancarlo Stanton, Logan Morrison, Steve Cishek and Mike Dunn. No one thought Stanton would be traded this year anyway (though this report, coupled with one from Danny Knobler, suggests the Marlins won’t trade him this Winter, either), and the Cubs don’t really have a competing piece on the market for Morrison, so there’s no impact there. But if Cishek and Dunn aren’t available, that helps the reliever market for the Cubs.
It doesn’t sounds like scouts trust Kevin Gregg as a sure-fire closer for contenders, given that, when asked by Danny Knobler, the listed on Jonathan Papelbon as a reliable closer that might be available (forget that Papelbon has blown 5 of 25 save opportunities this year … (ok, that’s a little unfair, because he actually has been dominant, though his strikeout rate is way down)). Gregg’s tough two games against the Cardinals on national TV the last two days probably haven’t helped.
Speaking of Papelbon and the Phillies, with Ben Revere going down with a broken foot, Phillies GM Ruben Amaro is openly admitting that they’ll look for a center fielder in trade. Too bad David DeJesus has been out, and that Ryan Sweeney broke his rib. Not sure either of them would have been a perfect fit, but desperation is always welcomed by sellers in late July.
Ken Rosenthal suspects that scouts from the Pirates, Orioles, and Tigers could have been looking at Cubs relievers this weekend, rather than, for example, Matt Garza.
Jon Heyman was on the Score this morning, and, among other things, he said that there should be more interest in Alfonso Soriano than there is, and that the Cubs would likely focus on the prospect return, rather than just saving money. That last bit could ease the fears of folks who had heard Ken Rosenthal’s thoughts on the Cubs’ priorities in a Matt Garza deal …
A trio of pitcher injury news updates, all of potential relevance to the Chicago Cubs ... Sandy Alcántara - The Marlins' ace, out with a UCL sprain, was trying to hustle his way back through a rehab assignment so he...
Well there it is. Another surprising turn in the ever-mysterious, ever-twisting saga of Marcus Stroman's injury and return. It's very good news: https://twitter.com/jon_greenberg/status/1705330802802757828 https://twitter.com/WatchMarquee/status/1705333054691070457 The Cubs obviously kept that one very much close to the vest, with Stroman pitching twice...
FINALLY. The Cubs really took care of business in a game where they were supposed to take care of business. The final regular season Friday at Wrigley Field ends in a W. Jameson Taillon was not super efficient today, but...
You really couldn't ask for a better second-half from Seiya Suzuki, who just hit his 20th home run of the season, as part of a 3-3 effort so far. https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1705304145962455136?s=20 He's now slashing .281/.352/.485 (124 wRC+) and has been the...
Was that headline a little mean-spirited? Perhaps. But we're all a little tense right now. So while I was very happy to see Kris Bryant get his standing ovation at Wrigley Field in his first at-bat this afternoon, I was...
Well the news is all there in the headline: Jeimer Candelario, who's been on the injured list with a strained lower back since September 10, could be back with the team as soon as this weekend. But we can get...
Some years, it's pretty easy to guess who is going to win player of the year-type honors in the Chicago Cubs' farm system. Other years, it's really difficult, either because several guys were so good that you're just picking between...
Cubs Lineup — The Cubs cannot afford to lose more than one game this series. In fact, they probably need to sweep. But let's just take it one game at a time ... especially with Jameson Taillon on the mound....
Cubs vs Rockies — I ended the last series preview asking the Cubs, directly: "Can you just not make this terrible, please?" They did not oblige. After dropping two of three to the Pittsburgh freakin' Pirates, who were playing on...
The Little Boy and I are headed to Chicago today for the final series of the year at Wrigley, and I gotta tell you, when we planned this a couple weeks ago, I didn't think THESE would be the circumstances....
The South Alabama Jaguars (2-1) and the Central Michigan Chippewas (1-2) square off at Hancock Whitney Stadium on Saturday, September 23, 2023.The Jaguars' matchup against the Chippewas will be available on ESPN+.When is South Alabama vs. Central Michigan and when...
The Eastern Michigan Eagles (2-1) visit the Jacksonville State Gamecocks (2-1) at Burgess-Snow Field at JSU Stadium on Saturday, September 23, 2023.Go to ESPN+ to watch this game live.When is Jacksonville State vs. Eastern Michigan and when does it start?This...
The South Alabama Jaguars (2-1) play the Central Michigan Chippewas (1-2) on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at Hancock Whitney Stadium. The Jaguars are without a doubt the favorites in this one, with the spread sitting at 16 points. The over/under...
The Baltimore Orioles (95-59) hope to avoid their fourth straight defeat when they visit the Cleveland Guardians (74-81) Saturday at 6:10 PM ET on BSGL. The Orioles are listed as -142 favorites to snap their losing skid, while the Guardians...
Following a stretch of three consecutive wins, the Philadelphia Phillies (85-69) play the New York Mets (71-83) at 4:05 PM ET on Saturday.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Phillies will send Zack Wheeler (12-6) to the mound, while...
The Oakland Athletics (47-107) play on Saturday in Oakland against the Detroit Tigers (72-82). First pitch is at 4:07 PM ET.The Tigers will look to Joey Wentz (3-10) against the Athletics and Joe Boyle.Tigers vs. Athletics Pitcher Matchup and Game...
The Toronto Blue Jays (86-68) visit the Tampa Bay Rays (94-61) for a road game in St. Petersburg on Saturday. The game starts at 4:10 PM ET.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Rays will send Zack Littell (3-6)...
The Chicago White Sox (58-96) face off against the Boston Red Sox (76-78) on Saturday at Fenway Park after a three-game losing streak. The contest begins at 4:10 PM ET.The Red Sox will give the nod to Nick Pivetta (9-9,...
After winning three games in a row, the Minnesota Twins (82-72) play at home against the Los Angeles Angels (69-85) at 2:10 PM ET on Saturday.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Twins will send Sonny Gray (8-7) to...
The New York Yankees (78-76) play at home against the Arizona Diamondbacks (81-73) on Saturday. The contest is set to start at 1:05 PM ET.The probable pitchers are Carlos Rodon (3-6) for the Yankees and Zach Davies (2-5) for the...
I really hope MLB announces/leaks/whatevers the Biogenesis suspensions by the end of this week to help clarify the trade market. I say that not as a fan of a selling team (although, yes, mass suspensions on contending teams would probably help the Cubs), but instead as someone trying to track trade rumors. Until there is relative certainty on the Biogenesis stuff, it’s hard for teams to make moves. The trickling effect isn’t difficult to imagine: say the A’s really like Yovani Gallardo, but don’t want to make a move until they know what’s up with Bartolo Colon’s possible suspension. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks kinda like Matt Garza and would be ready to offer the best package, but they won’t do it until they know that the same package won’t land them Gallardo. And the Brewers aren’t going to move Gallardo until they know if they can get that one special, awesome prospect they’ve always wanted from the A’s. That’s not only a plausible example, it’s a tiny, tiny circuit when compared to how extended this trickle could become. I want clarity, and, for that reason, I’m quite certain all of the buyers and sellers out there want clarity, too.
