More on the Jacob Turner Trade: Cubs Rationale, Roster Moves, Pitch Mix, More

Aug 09, 2014

I will have thoughts on the Cubs acquiring 23-year-old righty Jacob Turner from the Marlins next week, but, until then, here are some of the thoughts from folks involved in the deal and those who are looking at it from the outside (and a few from me, too) …

From the man on top, here’s how Theo Epstein explained the desire to pick up Turner (CSN): “He was one of the better starting pitching prospects in all of baseball a couple years ago. We feel like that talent is still there. If you look at his velocity, it’s still there. If you look at some of his peripheral numbers, he’s still pretty decent.” That’s literally exactly how I described Turner when the Marlins DFA’d him earlier this week, which is not a self-pat on the back, but instead is a confirmation that, when it comes to guys like Turner (and low-cost acquisitions), we’re looking at the right things when evaluating targets on a very superficial level. That’s comforting. Also, it’s an opportunity to say: yeah, I totally agree with Epstein here. It’s no lock that Turner lives up to his considerable potential, but he’s got the hallmarks of a guy on whom you’re happy to take a chance.

The CSN piece has a great deal more from Epstein on Turner and on the deal, and is worth a read. Epstein points out that Turner’s big league deal out of the draft may have artificially accelerated his ascent to the big leagues (the implication being that he may have initially missed out on some development), and the Cubs hope they can give him a bit of a reset between now and Spring Training.

Speaking of which, you’re probably wondering what I was: since Turner is out of minor league options and has to immediately go on the 25-man roster … why isn’t he yet? Consider this a learning opportunity on roster rules (we’re getting a lot of those with this Turner business). I knew that, upon a transaction, guys are permitted a period of time to report to their new team, but (1) usually that happens immediately when there’s a big leaguer involved, and (2) I’d never considered the interplay between the reporting time and the 25-man roster in a situation like this (again, typically when a team acquires the type of player who has no minor league options, it’s a guy they want playing in games ASAP). So, what we’re seeing is a rare situation where the Cubs are content for Turner to take his time reporting, which affords them a little more time to figure out what they’re going to do on the 25-man. I expect Turner to work out of the bullpen for now for the Cubs, so it seems most likely that he’ll replace a reliever on the roster. The Cubs could option someone like Chris Rusin, could DL someone like Brian Schlitter or Justin Grimm for rest purposes (a la Neil Ramirez), or could start the process of moving someone like Carlos Villanueva out (if there’s a sense that they can find a taker). This should happen in the next couple of days.

I like the way Eno Sarris describes Turner:

Turner has issues, but so far he’s shown an above-average two-seamer, slider and curve by swinging strikes & grounders. That’s a proven mix.
— Eno Sarris (@enosarris) August 8, 2014

To that end, the obviously missing pitch is a changeup, which would help Turner be more effective against lefties. Dave Cameron writes a quick take on the Turner deal, and characterizes Turner’s lack of effectiveness against lefties so far in his career as a reason for pessimism about what Turner can be. It’s an interesting read, but I’ll toss out a bunch of caveats: there’s a sample size issue, there’s Turner’s extreme youth (he was facing big leaguers as a 20-year-old – of course he struggled against lefties at that age), and there’s the fact that no one is looking at this deal is the Cubs picking up an ace. As a roll of the dice on a guy who *could* be a quality middle-of-the-rotation arm (with upside at his age) for cheap (both in salary and acquisition cost), this is a great move.

I’ll have more thoughts later on Turner’s platoon splits, and the implications thereof.

On his pitches, C.J. Nitkowski sees a dominant two-seamer (mid-90s with great movement and a huge groundball rate) and a wipeout curveball. And, if it’s true that Turner has only two excellent pitches, Nitkowski points out that he could become a quality late-inning reliever. Given his age and physical ability, obviously the Cubs would love to be able to keep him starting, but it sounds like it’ll take an improvement in his slider or changeup.

Keith Law, who broke the trade initially, called it a good move for the Cubs, and says that Cubs fans should be “very pleased” with the deal. Ok. We will be.

J.J. Cooper offers the tweet of the transaction:

To sum up, the Jacob Turner deal makes all kinds of sense for the Cubs. Makes no sense for the Marlins.

— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) August 8, 2014

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

Brewers Pitcher Jakob Junis Taken Off Field in an Ambulance After Being Struck by BP Ball

A very scary scene in Pittsburgh, where Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jakob Junis, currently on the IL with a shoulder impingement, took a batting practice ball off the neck and went down. Junis was apparently on the ground for a long...

Brett Taylor

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Nico Hoerner is Back to Being Nico Hoerner

On April 9, I took an early look at Nico Hoerner's apparently evolving approach at the plate, which featured a lot more patience and a lot more big hacks. Effectively, it seemed like he was trying for a little more...

Michael Cerami

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLBits: Spencer Strider Speaks (His and Other Pitcher Arm Injuries), Shohei Ohtani’s Latest Milestone, More

There's been much debate about pitcher arm injuries lately, much of it sparked by Spencer Strider's season-ending Tommy John surgery, and Strider spoke to the media for the first time since the injury on Friday. Spencer Strider on pitcher arm...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Sign Lefty Pitching Prospect Mitchell Tyranski

A new signing popped up on the Chicago Cubs' transaction log: lefty Mitchell Tyranski. Tyranski, 26, put up a 3.83 ERA over 42.1 innings at High-A last year in the Dodgers organization, striking out 47 and walking 21. Were you...

Brett Taylor

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs Have TWO of the Early Front-Runners for NL Rookie of the Year

We already dove deep into Shota Imanaga's latest impressive start against the Marlins yesterday. And there's been no shortage of love for Michael Busch this season either. But I do want to take this time to illustrate just how good...

Michael Cerami

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

My Expectations and Realistic Hope for the Cubs VERY Tough Upcoming Schedule

Even though Sunday ended in a loss for the Chicago Cubs, we did get some good news in the form of positive injury updates. Ian Happ (hamstring) was available off the bench and could be good to go tomorrow, when...

Michael Cerami

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Aaron Boone Just Got Ejected Despite Saying Literally Nothing

I know that sometimes there is a history between an umpire and a manager. I know that sometimes a manager can subtly get under the skin of an umpire without doing much that we can see or hear. And I...

Brett Taylor

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | April 22, 2024: Weekend Wrap

Let's get caught up on all of the action down on the farm in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm Report | April 22, 2024 Triple-A Iowa Cubs (13-8) The Cubs were swept in a doubleheader by the Louisville Bats...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Looking at the Positives, Bellinger and Morel Streaking (in Opposite Directions), and Other Cubs Bullets

What started as a small convo for the bullets ballooned into a deeper dive on Kyle Hendricks, what's going wrong, and where the Cubs go from here. So if you're looking for the Hendricks discussion, that was earlier today. Despite...

Michael Cerami

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Latest 2024 MLB Mock Draft Lands the Cubs a Top Prospect Out of Wake Forest

Baseball America today released its updated (version 2.0) 2024 MLB mock draft. With more of the amateur season taking place, we are starting to see more of the top tier become firmly crystalized with eight names, none of whom are...

Brett Taylor

Apr 22, 2024

Picks

76ers vs. Knicks Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets for NBA Playoffs Game 3 – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Philadelphia 76ers are 4-point favorites in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center on Thursday, beginning at 7:30 PM ET on TNT. The Knicks lead the series...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

Picks

Magic vs. Cavaliers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets for NBA Playoffs Game 3 – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Orlando Magic are slight 1-point favorites heading into Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Amway Center on Thursday, tipping off at 7:00 PM ET on NBA. The Cavaliers lead the...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

NBA Picks

Bucks vs. Pacers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 2 – Tuesday, April 23, 2024

The Indiana Pacers are slight 1-point underdogs in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday, beginning at 8:30 PM ET on NBA. The Bucks are ahead 1-0 in...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

NBA Picks

Timberwolves vs. Suns Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 2 – Tuesday, April 23, 2024

The Minnesota Timberwolves are slight 3-point favorites in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the Phoenix Suns at Target Center on Tuesday, starting at 7:30 PM ET on TNT. The Timberwolves hold a 1-0 series...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

NBA Picks

Mavericks vs. Clippers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 2 – Tuesday, April 23, 2024

The Los Angeles Clippers bring a 0-1 series record into Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs. The Mavericks are favored by 2.5 points in the matchup, which airs on TNT at 10:00 PM ET. The point...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

How to Watch

Cardinals vs. Diamondbacks: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Tuesday, Nolan Arenado and the St. Louis Cardinals (10-13) take on Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks (11-13), with first pitch scheduled for 7:45 PM ET at Busch Stadium.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

Picks

Hurricanes vs. Islanders NHL Playoffs First Round Game 3 Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Carolina Hurricanes travel to face the New York Islanders on Thursday, and are -155 favorites on the moneyline, with the home team at +130.Hurricanes vs. Islanders Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Hurricanes (-155)Underdog: Islanders (+130)Total: 5.5Best Hurricanes vs. Islanders Promo Codes[lasso...

Data Skrive

Apr 22, 2024

Picks

Maple Leafs vs. Bruins NHL Playoffs First Round Game 3 Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

The Toronto Maple Leafs meet the Boston Bruins on April 24 at 7:00 PM ET, and are -115 on the moneyline, with the latter at -105.Maple Leafs vs. Bruins Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Maple Leafs (-115)Underdog: Bruins (-105)Total: 5.5Best Maple Leafs...

Data Skrive

Apr 22, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Giants vs. Mets: Live Stream or on TV

On Tuesday at 9:45 PM ET, Michael Conforto and the San Francisco Giants (11-13) play Pete Alonso and the New York Mets (12-10) at Oracle Park.The article below will give you everything you need to watch San Francisco take on...

Data Skrive

Apr 22, 2024

How to Watch

Orioles vs. Angels: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Baltimore Orioles (15-7), who will give the ball to Grayson Rodriguez, visit the Los Angeles Angels (9-14) with Griffin Canning on the hill, Tuesday at 9:38 PM ET.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Baltimore-Los Angeles matchup...

Data Skrive

Apr 22, 2024

More on the Jacob Turner Trade: Cubs Rationale, Roster Moves, Pitch Mix, More

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular