Tuesday Evening Winter Meetings Update: Tanaka, Storen, Clippard, Russell, Choo, Mulder, More

winter meetings 2013In addition to the Samardzija rumors and the Hammel rumor

  • I’ll get into more specifics tomorrow, but I didn’t have the heart tonight. Suffice it to say: there is still no meaningful clarity on the Masahiro Tanaka situation. He might be posted. He might not. We probably won’t know more until next week. I wonder if that will hold up the Jeff Samardzija trade market further (not only for teams considering both, but for teams considering Samardzija versus Garza/Santana/Jimenez, each of whom might be waiting on Tanaka’s decision).
  • The Cubs’ talks with the Nationals regarding relievers Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard might already be dead. That’s what Adam Kilgore reports, saying that the talks never really went very far to begin with. I guess a lot of teams have come calling on those two, and the Nats might thus be keeping the price very high.
  • Relatedly? Separately? Bruce Levine reports that the Cubs and Nats discussed James Russell – the Nats are very much in the market for a lefty – but there wasn’t a match. I like James Russell, don’t get me wrong. But I’ve got a sinking feeling that the Cubs will regret not selling as high as possible on him this offseason. He’s made so very many appearances over the last two and a half years.
  • Seriously, where is Shin-Soo Choo going to sign? The Diamondbacks are out after picking up Mark Trumbo, and the Tigers might be out after signing Rajai Davis. The Rangers reportedly find the price to be too steep at this point. Big bucks from the Mariners? Back to the Reds? It seems like weeks ago that Bruce Levine reported that the Cubs were seriously interested in Choo, who figures to get far more than it would be prudent for the Cubs to spend on him right now.
  • The Cubs were reportedly interested in Joba Chamberlain, and I could see some value in a flyer deal with him, but Buster Olney reports he’s already been offered upwards of $3 million from the Diamondbacks.
  • The Pirates are listening on 26-year-old reliever Justin Wilson, who is a lefty. That probably impacts the Cubs more in terms of any James Russell market out there (if there is one) than it does in terms of the Cubs seeking to add a third lefty to the pen. Wilson would probably cost a bit, too.
  • Mark Mulder, 36, wants to hang up his microphone and come back to baseball. Apparently he’s figured out a delivery that doesn’t cause him the problems that ended his career prematurely after shoulder surgeries. He hasn’t pitched since 2009.
  • The Rockies are getting $2 million from the A’s in today’s Brett Anderson trade, by the way, making the deal even more attractive for the Rockies. Still understandable for the A’s, though.
  • 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

    Taillon Coming Back, Busch’s Integrity and Success, Bad News for the White Sox, Wicks, Hendricks, and Other Cubs Bullets

    As the father of a toddler who was sick for an entire week — the same week Brett was out from his back surgery and the Cubs were playing almost exclusively late-night ballgames on the West Coast — I was...

    You’ll Be Even More Impressed with Hayden Wesneski, When You Hear What it Took to Get Him to Arizona

    Hayden Wesneski was the hero of yesterday's finale and series-win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, coming in to clean up Jordan Wicks' (little) mess in the 5th ... and then tossing 4 shutout innings to save an over-used bullpen and help...

    Offseason Cubs Target Robert Stephenson Now Out for the Year

    Hand up, I really wanted the Cubs to sign reliever Robert Stephenson this offseason. I felt like they could use one more impact arm (accurate), and I felt like Stephenson was one of the best available (about that ... )....

    Rays Closer Pete Fairbanks With a Wonderful and Brutally Honest Line About His Performance

    Rays closer Pete Fairbanks has been an extremely effective reliever the last four years, posting a 2.66 ERA from 2020 through 2023, with a 34.8% K rate and worth 4.1 WAR. But things have started out much more rough for...

    Still Thinking About That Incredible Christopher Morel Play

    I don't want to overreact to a relatively brief stretch of success, and I certainly don't want to jinx anything. But Christopher Morel has looked pretty darn solid at third base the last couple weeks, hasn't he? Maybe some of...

    Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 5, Diamondbacks 3 – April 17, 2024

    UNCLENCH. They did it. There was 9th inning drama, because of course there was, but Drew Smyly was able to get the job done, pitching for the third consecutive day. Cubs win the game, Cubs win the series. Cubs win...

    Cody Bellinger’s Third Homer of the Year Breaks the Tie in Arizona!

    Thank god. I was starting to think Brandon Pfaadt was Cy Young in disguise or something. I can't stand (or understand, for that matter) how this guy carves up the Cubs while getting destroyed by almost everybody else. But at...

    Watch Owen Caissie Launch His First Triple-A Home Run (Off a Lefty, Too!)

    Owen Caissie is just one of several Cubs top prospects at Triple-A Iowa this season, but after a monster Spring Training performance (following an equally impressive Double-A debut last season), he's got a lot of eyes on him this summer....

    Cubs Call Up a Couple of Fresh Arms from Iowa

    In discussing the potential for a Cubs move today for a fresh arm, I wondered if they'd go down and grab someone already on the 40-man roster or if they'd shift Julian Merryweather over to the 60-day IL to make...

    Pre-Gamin’: Cubs vs Diamondbacks – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    CUBS LINEUP — How many rubber matches can one team have? After two wild games to start the series, the Cubs are looking to win their second-consecutive series this afternoon in Arizona. Jordan Wicks is on the mound for Chicago....

    Latest News

    Giants vs. Diamondbacks Probable Starting Pitchers – April 18

    The San Francisco Giants (8-11) host the Arizona Diamondbacks (9-10) on Thursday to kick off a four-game series at Oracle Park. The contest starts at 9:45 PM ET.The probable pitchers are Logan Webb (1-1) for the Giants and Ryne Nelson...

    Cubs vs. Marlins Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 18, 2024

    The Miami Marlins (4-15) enter Thursday's matchup with the Chicago Cubs (11-7) following their 1-2 series defeat to the Giants. The Cubs, coming off of a series win against the Diamondbacks, are listed as -160 favorites for Game 1. The...

    Draft Day is Coming, NFC North QB Prospect Watch, Crews, Warren, and Other Bears Bullets

    The Chicago Cubs finished a winning road trip with a series win against the defending NL champs. Taylor Swift has a new album that drops at 11 p.m. CT. And the Chicago Bears will usher in a new quarterback era...

    New Orleans Saints 1st Round Mock Draft: Saints Strengthen the Trenches with Offensive Line

    The New Orleans Saints enter the 2024 draft with a glaring need on their offensive line. This New Orleans Saints 1st round mock draft focuses on addressing their biggest needs. With questions surrounding the long-term health of Ryan Ramczyk and...

    Taillon Coming Back, Busch’s Integrity and Success, Bad News for the White Sox, Wicks, Hendricks, and Other Cubs Bullets

    As the father of a toddler who was sick for an entire week — the same week Brett was out from his back surgery and the Cubs were playing almost exclusively late-night ballgames on the West Coast — I was...

    If You Haven’t Seen Coby White Destroy Atlanta Yet, What Are You Waiting For?

    Coby White played the best game of his career on Wednesday night. In front of a packed United Center with the season on the line, White looked like the best player on the floor. He propelled the Bulls to a...

    Cubs vs. Marlins Probable Starting Pitchers – April 18

    The Miami Marlins (4-15) start a four-game series against the Chicago Cubs (11-7) on Thursday at Wrigley Field. First pitch is at 7:40 PM.The Cubs will give the nod to Jameson Taillon against the Marlins and Andrew Jacob Puk (0-3).Cubs...

    Green Bay Packers Draft Picks: Full List of NFL Draft Selections

    The Green Packers made some noise in the playoffs last season and hope to build on that success in the 2024 NFL Draft. Take a look at the Packers draft picks for 2024. Green Bay Packers 2024 NFL Draft Picks...

    Cincinnati Bengals Draft Picks: Full List of NFL Draft Selections

    The Bengals missed the playoffs in 2023 and QB Joe Burrow played just 10 games. The team is now moving forward and focusing on the 2024 NFL Draft. Check out the Bengals list of draft picks for 2024. Cincinnati Bengals...

    DraftKings Promo Code: Unlock $200 New User Bonus for Thursday!

    Are you ready to experience the thrill of sports betting? The new DraftKings promo code is here to get you started. DraftKings, one of the leading online sportsbooks in the United States, is offering a fantastic opportunity for new users...

    more cubs news