Lukewarm Stove: Stroman, Hamels, Doubront, Castillo, Diamondbacks, More

Mar 11, 2015

Some big stuff going on around the league …

The biggest of which is probably a huge, unfortunate injury for the Blue Jays: young righty Marcus Stroman, who was emerging as a possible ace for the team, tore his ACL during pitcher fielding practice yesterday. The 23-year-old is out for the season, and it sucks, once again, not only for the Blue Jays, but also for baseball fans who enjoy watching talented players. The Blue Jays now are going to have to scramble to figure out what they want to do. They had previously been connected to Cole Hamels, and it would seem like they are even more likely now to go after him (unlike the Rangers in the Yu Darvish situation, the Blue Jays are definitely set up to win right now) … except Ken Rosenthal questions whether they can afford his contract, and whether they’d be willing to give up to prospects in addition to that price. For now, the Blue Jays are saying they will fill the rotation hole internally, but they don’t have a lot of depth as it is.

Indeed, Joel Sherman writes that the Blue Jays could wait out the Spring and try to grab an option that becomes available because of a roster squeeze elsewhere, such as the Cubs’ Felix Doubront, who is out of options, and could be on the outside of the Cubs’ rotation looking in, even after injuries to Jacob Turner and Tsuyoshi Wada. For their part, the Cubs now may prefer to hang onto their own depth until the very end of the month when roster decisions will be due, so maybe there will prove to be a good fit here. Then again, another injury or two in Cubs camp, and they may suddenly not want to move any of their pitchers.

The other connection to the Cubs in all of this: the Blue Jays are already trying to unload catcher Dioner Navarro, and I wonder if they’ll now be even more incentivized to take the best deal possible, either to save money to be used on a starter, or to pick up a fringe starter in the deal. That obviously impacts the Cubs’ efforts to market Welington Castillo.

Speaking of which, Diamondbacks catcher Oscar Hernandez – one of a few super fringy catching options for the D-Backs, which is all they have – left yesterday’s game with a wrist injury. You’d think that could push Arizona further into pursuing Castillo, to whom they’ve been connected before, but the cynic in me immediately thinks, “Are they really going to be competitive this year anyway? So who cares if they lose another catcher?”

But Navarro’s agent says those D-Backs, as well as the Tigers, have shown interest in trading for Navarro (Toronto Sun). So there you go.

Padres backup catcher Tim Federowicz is having knee surgery, which has the Padres contemplating their options behind the plate. I don’t think a move for Castillo is likely, though, given the presence of Derek Norris (a good bat, dicey glove type) as the starter. Instead, the Padres will probably be looking for a cheap, defensive-minded true back-up type.

Meanwhile, those Padres might now be the favorites to sign Cuban second baseman Hector Olivera (Jeff Passan). If they do, and if he’s healthy, it’s yet another improvement for a team that projects to be right there in the Wild Card fight (if not the NL West).

Cliff Lee has a tear in his flexor tendon – not the UCL – which is essentially the injury he’s been dealing with for almost a year, and he’s going to try and pitch through it (Phillies.com). If he can’t, surgery might be on the table. It’s a bummer for Lee, and also for the Phillies, who likely had hoped to wield a healthy Lee as a trade chip come July.

Lee’s injury hasn’t changed GM Ruben Amaro’s thinking on how aggressive to be in shopping Cole Hamels, as he discussed with Jayson Stark at length. Amaro has gotten a lot of flack for how he’s handled the Hamels situation, sticking to his guns on what other teams have described as unrealistic trade demands, but I agree with him in this instance. Lee getting hurt doesn’t really impact the Phillies’ position with respect to Hamels, who is presently healthy. All pitchers are at a risk for injury, and whatever chances the Phillies are taking by holding onto Hamels for now are the same as the chances they are taking by holding onto him after Lee got hurt. The longer you hold an asset, the more you risk he could get hurt or become ineffective … but you also leave open the chance that the market develops for you (the Cubs did this very thing with Matt Garza and Jeff Samardzija). Nothing that happened with Lee impacts that discussion with respect to Hamels in any way. (Instead, it’s always been my argument that the real issue the Phillies are facing is Hamels’ age and contract stacked against the impending wave of free agent starters. That could put more arms on the market than usual in July, and it could also give teams plenty of other options if they’re willing to wait until after the season. *That* is why the Phillies should deal Hamels now, not because of some inarticulable connection between Lee’s injury and Hamels’ potential for injury.)

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

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...

Brett Taylor

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Cubs

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...

Michael Cerami

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Cubs

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...

Michael Cerami

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Cubs

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....

Michael Cerami

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Cubs

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...

Michael Cerami

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Cubs

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....

Michael Cerami

Apr 17, 2024

Gunnar Henderson Adley Rutschman Orioles

Chicago Cubs

MLBits: Orioles Can’t Stop Hitting Home Runs, Learn Jac Caglianone’s Name, More

If you have an MLB.TV subscription: I suggest you try to catch a Baltimore Orioles game soon. The Orioles lineup is chock-full of young talent, and they're absolutely mashing the baseball right now. They're fun to watch if you can...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | April 17, 2024: PCA Goes Yard, Cade Horton Dominates, More

Pete Crow-Armstrong showed some life on Tuesday with a solo home run for the Iowa Cubs, but it was Luis Vázquez who played hero for Iowa in the end. Plus, Cade Horton dominated for the Smokies once again. That and...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Baseball America Has Added Another Chicago Cubs Prospect to Their Top-100 List

If you have been paying attention at all, I think it's going to be very easy for you to fill in these blanks: https://twitter.com/BaseballAmerica/status/1780601113198383137 Yes, that'd be Jefferson Rojas, the still-18-year-old shortstop for the High-A South Bend Cubs, currently hitting...

Brett Taylor

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cade Horton Dominated Once Again at Double-A, So What’s the Plan There?

As he's done nine times before, Cade Horton dominated in his latest outing for the Tennessee Smokies. It took him just 47 pitches to cruise through 4.0 innings of work and carve up the Rays' Double-A squad. https://twitter.com/MLBPipeline/status/1780387010039210247 Horton has...

Brett Taylor

Apr 17, 2024

Picks

Red Sox vs. Guardians Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 18, 2024

The Boston Red Sox (10-9), led by Connor Wong on a two-game home run streak, are -126 favorites on the moneyline to defeat the Cleveland Guardians (12-6). First pitch is set for 1:35 PM ET Thursday, live from Fenway Park...

Data Skrive

Apr 18, 2024

MLB Prop Bets

Best MLB Prop Bets Today, April 18, 2024

The Cleveland Guardians versus the Boston Red Sox is one of five strong options on today's MLB slate.One of the best ways to wager on baseball is via MLB player prop bets. There are props for each of today's matchups,...

Data Skrive

Apr 18, 2024

Picks

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

The Texas Rangers (10-9) are the underdogs on the moneyline (-108) in Thursday's contest with the Detroit Tigers (10-8). Game time is set for 1:10 PM ET on MLB Network. The Rangers are favored against the spread in this one...

Data Skrive

Apr 18, 2024

Picks

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

The Tampa Bay Rays (10-9) are favorites (-159) on the moneyline when they take on the Los Angeles Angels (9-9) Thursday at 1:10 PM ET, live on BSSUN.Ryan Pepiot will get the ball for Tampa Bay while Los Angeles will...

Data Skrive

Apr 18, 2024

MLB Prop Bets

Red Sox vs. Guardians Probable Starting Pitchers – April 18

The Boston Red Sox (10-9) square off against the Cleveland Guardians (12-6) on Thursday at Fenway Park at 1:35 PM ET.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Red Sox will send Brennan Bernardino (0-1) to the mound, while Carlos...

Data Skrive

Apr 18, 2024

MLB Prop Bets

Tigers vs. Rangers Probable Starting Pitchers – April 18

The Detroit Tigers (10-8) play at home against the Texas Rangers (10-9) at 1:10 PM ET on Thursday.The Tigers will give the nod to Kenta Maeda (0-1, 6.00 ERA), who is eyeing win No. 1 on the season, and the...

Data Skrive

Apr 18, 2024

MLB Prop Bets

Rays vs. Angels Probable Starting Pitchers – April 18

The Tampa Bay Rays (10-9) face the Los Angeles Angels (9-9) at home at 1:10 PM ET on Thursday.The Rays will look to Ryan Pepiot (1-2) versus the Angels and Griffin Canning (0-2).Rays vs. Angels Pitcher Matchup and Game InfoWhen:...

Data Skrive

Apr 18, 2024

NBA Picks

Nuggets vs. Lakers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets for NBA Playoffs Game 1 – Saturday, April 20, 2024

The Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers square off to start the first round of the NBA Playoffs. The Nuggets are favored by 7 points in the contest, which airs on ABC at 8:30 PM ET. The matchup has...

Data Skrive

Apr 18, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Red Sox vs. Guardians: Live Stream or on TV

On Thursday at 1:35 PM ET, Tyler O'Neill and the Boston Red Sox (10-9) take on Josh Naylor and the Cleveland Guardians (12-6) at Fenway Park.Find out how to watch the Boston-Cleveland matchup below.When is Red Sox vs. Guardians and...

Data Skrive

Apr 17, 2024

Chicago Bulls

UGH: Alex Caruso’s Availability Already in Doubt for Next Play-In Game

The Chicago Bulls can't seem to swat the injury bug. Despite Andre Drummond and Ayo Dosunmu returning from their multi-game absences on Wednesday, the Bulls have likely lost their defense ace. Alex Caruso suffered a foot injury in the first...

Elias Schuster

Apr 17, 2024

Lukewarm Stove: Stroman, Hamels, Doubront, Castillo, Diamondbacks, More

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular