From a Cubs fan perspective, today hasn’t been nearly as crazy as yesterday was, though I suppose it’s only fair to point out that, until about 4:30pm CT yesterday, many Cubs fans were pinging me to tell me how bored they were. Things change quickly at the Winter Meetings.
So, then, while I completely credit Cubs GM Jed Hoyer when he says that the front office is not expecting to make any more moves before the meetings conclude, I also know that it’s not always within their control when opportunities can pop up. I’d also add that, even if the Cubs don’t make another substantive move before the end of the day Thursday, the conversations and idea formation will not stop. Which is to say, the rumors probably won’t stop either …
The Phillies are sending closer Ken Giles to the Astros for pitchers Vincent Velasquez and Brett Oberholtzer, outfield prospect Derek Fisher, and one more. It’s a really significant haul for the Phillies – and a great move for them in their rebuild – but Giles is a cost-controlled stud. He looked to me this past year like the next elite closer (which, well, he already is). Within a couple years, the Phillies are going to be very good again. And the Astros are going to be very good again in 2016.
Meanwhile, the A’s did wind up trading Brett Lawrie, who heads to the White Sox for a couple young pitchers I’ve never heard of. There are other pieces that could work out still from last year’s deal, but, man, that Josh Donaldson trade is not looking great for the A’s. The primary bet seemed to be on a Lawrie rebound, and that did not happen, to say the least.
[adinserter block=”1″]
The Cubs are planning to hang onto Javier Baez as a super-utility player says Marc Topkin, so the talks between the Cubs and Rays aren’t really going right now, though he says talks could be rekindled. I don’t read a ton into that, though, because that role was always true with Baez – either he was going to be traded, or he was going to be on the team in a utility role (or at AAA). With Adam Warren in the fold, the Cubs’ urgency to pick up an arm definitely steps back a bit, but for the right young impact type, I’m sure the Cubs are still listening.
The Marlins are still talking to a handful of teams about Jose Fernandez, but they’re not backing down from their “astronomical” asking price (Jon Morosi). It’s just fun to follow, and I don’t care what anyone says.
Jon Heyman writes about free agent lefty Wei-Yin Chen, whom he says is drawing interest from the Cardinals, Giants, Nationals, and Royals. The Cubs were briefly connected to Chen this past weekend, but I’m tentatively expecting the only way the Cubs even poke around in the second tier of pitching at this point is if someone get stuck holding the bag after the turn of the calendar and the Cubs can snipe a bargain. Otherwise, I expect them to continue to poke around the trade market for a real impact younger type, but that’s it.
I’m sure this is true, but when you think about it, there’s not really much new information added to your reserves because it may as well have been the case back in July just as it was a week or a day ago:
Sources: #Cubs talked with #Indians about trading for Carrasco or Salazar, with package to Cleveland including Soler; no momentum now.
The Mets are signing Asdrubal Cabrera to a two-year deal, with an option for 2018. After adding Neil Walker earlier today in trade, the Mets’ infield is either going to employ a variety of rotational options, or they’re going to move one of Wilmer Flores or Ruben Tejada.
Scott Boras met with the media tonight, and among his talking points was that Denard Span is not looking for a one-year, prove-it deal, even though some believe that’s what he’ll have to settle for (Marc Carig). The Cubs are reportedly interested in Span.
Speaking of outfield options, the Rockies are listening not only on Carlos Gonzalez, but also Charlie Blackmon and Corey Dickerson, according to Morosi.
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.
Even with tonight's rainout, the Chicago Cubs are still making some roster moves. When Patrick Wisdom was removed (perfectly healthy) from the I-Cubs game in the 4th inning on Wednesday, we had an idea of what was coming next. When...
The weather wasn't going to cooperate for Jameson Taillon's season debut, and tonight's Cubs-Marlins tilt has been postponed. The game will instead be part of a split-doubleheader this Saturday, with the first game at 1:20pm CT and the second at...
If you're into tracking young pitchers with star potential like I am—as I watch Jack Leiter's debut while typing this column—then you're probably itching to see Pirates top prospect Paul Skenes make his way to Pittsburgh sooner than later. While...
Cubs vs Marlins — Whew! The Cubs got through their first West Coast road trip of the year, and did so with a winning record (5-4) against the Padres, Mariners, and Diamondbacks. They definitely let a couple games slip out...
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...
Kevin Alcántara hit his first home run of the season for the Tennessee Smokies last night, and Owen Caissie hit his first Triple-A home run for the Iowa Cubs as Iowa and Tennessee secured victories. The same can't be said...
Given the way the offseason played out for super agent Scott Boras's top available clients - Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Blake Snell, and Jordan Montgomery - you wouldn't be shocked to see some unhappiness behind the scenes. Did Boras overplay...
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...
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 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...
It's a first-round matchup with a history of fireworks! The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers lock horns once again in the NBA Playoffs. This year marks the third time in five years these two teams meet in the opening...
The NBA Playoffs are here, and the Eastern Conference first-round ignites with a clash of styles. The Indiana Pacers, boasting the league's top-scoring offense, bring their high-octane attack to Milwaukee to face the experienced Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo's status adds further...
Quinn Priester will take the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates (11-8) when they host starter Brayan Bello and the Boston Red Sox (10-10) on Friday, with first pitch at 6:40 PM ET.The article below will provide you with everything you...
On Friday at 9:40 PM ET, Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres (11-10) face George Springer and the Toronto Blue Jays (10-9) at PETCO Park.The article below will give you everything you need to watch San Diego play...
Blake Snell will take the ball for the San Francisco Giants (8-11) when they host starter Jordan Montgomery and the Arizona Diamondbacks (9-10) on Friday, with first pitch at 10:15 PM ET.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading...
Yoshinobu Yamamoto will take the ball for the Los Angeles Dodgers (12-9) when they host starting pitcher Sean Manaea and the New York Mets (10-8) on Friday, with first pitch at 10:10 PM ET.If you're planning on watching this game,...
On Friday, April 19 at 8:10 PM ET, a three-game series featuring the Minnesota Twins and the visiting Detroit Tigers will begin.Twins vs. Tigers Series Info Tigers @ Twins Time: Friday, April 19 at 8:10 PM ET Twins Starting Pitcher:...
A three-game series featuring the St. Louis Cardinals and the visiting Milwaukee Brewers will begin on Friday, April 19 at 8:15 PM ET.Cardinals vs. Brewers Series Info Brewers @ Cardinals Time: Friday, April 19 at 8:15 PM ET Cardinals Starting...
The Baltimore Orioles will be on the road, opening a three-game set against the Kansas City Royals on Friday, April 19 at 7:40 PM ET.Royals vs. Orioles Series Info Orioles @ Royals Time: Friday, April 19 at 7:40 PM ET...
The Seattle Mariners are on the road, beginning a three-game series versus the Colorado Rockies on Friday, April 19 at 8:40 PM ET.Rockies vs. Mariners Series Info Mariners @ Rockies Time: Friday, April 19 at 8:40 PM ET Rockies Starting...
NEWSLETTER
From a Cubs fan perspective, today hasn’t been nearly as crazy as yesterday was, though I suppose it’s only fair to point out that, until about 4:30pm CT yesterday, many Cubs fans were pinging me to tell me how bored they were. Things change quickly at the Winter Meetings.
