Lukewarm Stove: Soler, Inciarte, Dodgers Trading, Cahill, Phillips, More

old stove featureThere are three business days in the coming week before Christmas Eve, and I tentatively expect those days to be busy on the rumor and transaction side in baseball – not for any procedural reasons, mind you. It’s just that the involved parties are all humans, and humans often went to spend these particular holiday days with family. Some of those humans are players who also want to have certainty on where they’re going to be playing before those holiday days, which in turn moves various things along. That’s how it’s been in years past, anyway. That’s not to say things can’t and don’t happen on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, and things definitely happen thereafter on into and through the New Year. I’m just saying it’s fair to expect some movement around the league this week, at least before Thursday.

  • Jon Heyman’s latest notes looks at a variety of topics, and includes a mention of the Cubs “still taking offers” on Jorge Soler. In the same breath, Heyman mentions the Indians’ pitching duo of Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar as possible targets, which is not new. The thinking around baseball, however, is that Carrasco would cost a lot more than just Soler, and Salazar probably would, too. And, at that price, it’s tough to give up a potential franchise-altering positional talent PLUS more prospects for an arm, given the special risks associated therewith. Setting that specific match-up aside, I’m still of the mind that the Cubs aren’t going to deal Soler just to open up right field for Jason Heyward (and create another hole for themselves to fill in center. If the Cubs consider a move on Soler at this time, it’ll be only because the return – presumably a cost-controlled starting pitcher – was just too good to pass up. Frankly, if that killer deal never comes along, you’re not going to see me disappointed to see Soler out there in right for the Cubs on Opening Day.
  • [adinserter block=”1″]

  • As you’d expect, by the way, Theo Epstein isn’t out there sounding like a guy who wants to trade Soler.
  • Of other note in Heyman’s column: the Orioles aren’t keen on dealing Kevin Gausman, if that’s where you had your hopes. Also, as you read Heyman’s bits on every team, you are reminded just how many free agents are still out there, and just how many teams still have significant moves to make. The Cubs acted relatively quickly and comprehensively, but they seem to be the exception to date.
  • The Braves are listening on outfielder Ender Inciarte their GM tells Ken Rosenthal, though in so confirming, the GM also threw out the Shelby Miller comparison – as in, they weren’t planning on trading him, but a deal came along (which included Inciarte, incidentally) that the Braves could not decline. If the Braves are expecting an over-the-moon return like that for Inciarte, you won’t see him dealt to the Cubs or any other team (you know, since the Diamondbacks won’t be involved in trading for him). Inciarte has popped up in connection to the Cubs a fair number of times this offseason.
  • Being that they’ve not yet picked up a significant starting pitcher in free agency or trade, being that they lost Zack Greinke, and being that they’ve stockpiled prospects, there is some thinking that the Dodgers are readying themselves to make a run at a trade for a starter. Dave Cameron wonders what a realistic Dodgers trade for Chris Archer would look like, because why not make things extra exciting? It’s an interesting read on valuations, and a reminder that the Dodgers could easily pull off a deal for even a stud like Archer – who is on one of the most team-friendly contracts in baseball – or a guy like Jose Fernandez, or a lesser starter if they were so inclined.
  • [adinserter block=”2″]

  • Nick Cafardo’s latest includes a note on the Dodgers’ interest in Jake Odorizzi, for what it’s worth, which is the second time we’ve heard of that particular connection. Also, there’s an item on Trevor Cahill opting to re-sign with the Cubs, despite the fact that he’ll most likely be a reliever there, when he instead had the option of signing with the Pirates and Orioles as a starter. It would have really stung to see a revitalized Cahill sign with the Pirates, who are long known to be excellent at reclaiming starting pitchers, and then see him break back out in a way that harms the Cubs. Not that I would have rooted against Cahill in that situation – it’s just that I am still really, really glad he elected to stay with the Cubs. His $4.25 million deal contains significant incentives, by the way, if he winds up becoming a regular starting pitcher for the Cubs this year.
  • That Brandon Phillips Nationals trade isn’t happening after all, according to reports. Despite much optimism earlier in the process, it now sounds like Phillips wanted a financial incentive to waive his no-trade rights, and the sides couldn’t make that work. (Unrelatedly, that MLB.com article notes that the Nationals could be in on free agent lefty Wei-Yin Chen, whose market has been slow to develop, thanks in part to reportedly very lofty contract demands.)
  • 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

    Oh, Come On: Cody Bellinger Lifted Mid-Game with an Apparent Injury (UPDATE: X-Rays Negative)

    The Cubs cannot catch a break this year, man. They've already dealt with injuries to Jameson Taillon, Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks, Drew Smyly, Julian Merryweather, Seiya Suzuki, and Ian Happ (did I forget anyone?). And tonight, it seems maybe something...

    Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 7, Astros 2 – April 23, 2024

    Well there was one big thing not to like about tonight's game - Cody Bellinger was lifted with a right rib contusion after colliding with the outfield wall - and about a million things that were great. And since we...

    Mike Tauchman Did it AGAIN – Second Oppo Homer of the Game!

    Nothing like a little insurance late. Mike Tauchman, who already hit his first home run of the season earlier in this game, just hit his second home run in the 8th! Another opposite field blast for Tauchman, who's been hitting...

    James Triantos Homers TWICE for the Smokies

    It really is a Cubs homer party up and down the system. In Chicago, Cody Bellinger and Mike Tauchman have gone deep. At Myrtle Beach, Christian Hernandez and Jefferson Encarnacion each homered. At South Bend, Yohendrick Pinango homered. And at...

    Kevin Alcantara Led Off Tonight’s Game with a Bomb (UPDATE: And Then Did It Again!)

    Kevin Alcantara wasted no time giving the Tennessee Smokies the lead on Tuesday night (or maybe he just wanted to be a spiritual part of the homer party going on at Wrigley Field). Facing off against the Rocket City Trash...

    Mike Tauchman’s First Homer of the Year Caps Off a 5-Run Cubs Ambush!

    I don't like to use "ambush" lightly. But what would you call it when the Cubs put five balls in play over 100 MPH, including a single, a double, and two home runs en route to putting five runs on...

    Ian Happ Hit Missed a Homer by a Foot, So Cody Bellinger Launched One into Space to Pick Him UP

    Ian Happ was back in the Cubs lineup tonight after missing a few games with a sore hamstring. And in his first at-bat back, he sent one 412 feet to dead-center field for a VERY long double (Statcast says it...

    Pre-Gamin’: Astros at Cubs (6:40 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs are back in action tonight for the first of three games against the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field. Here's a look at the Cubs lineup for Game 1. Chicago Cubs Lineup: Nico Hoerner, 2B...

    Jefferson Rojas Has the Longest Active Hitting Streak in High-A

    I know what you're thinking – what the heck is this basketball junkie doing over here on our turf!? He normally only shows up when he accidentally puts his Bulls articles in the wrong category! I need a little palate cleanser...

    MLBits: Jared Jones Made Brice Turang Look Ridiculous, Dylan Cease Dazzles at Coors, More

    If you're familiar with me/my writing, you know how much I love good pitching. To that end, Jared Jones has been one of my favorite stories of the young season. And on Monday, he gave us one of the best...

    Latest News

    Rangers vs. Capitals NHL Playoffs First Round Game 3 Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Friday, April 26, 2024

    The New York Rangers have been made -180 favorites over the Washington Capitals (+150) despite their game on Friday being at Capital One Arena in Washington.Rangers vs. Capitals Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Rangers (-180)Underdog: Capitals (+150)Total: 5.5Best Rangers vs. Capitals Promo...

    Giants vs. Mets: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The San Francisco Giants (11-13), with Blake Snell on the hill, host the New York Mets (12-10) who will start Sean Manaea, at 3:45 PM ET on Wednesday.The article below will provide you with everything you need to know to...

    How to Watch Orioles vs. Angels: Live Stream or on TV

    Jordan Westburg and the Baltimore Orioles (15-7) visit Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels (9-14) on Wednesday, with first pitch at 4:07 PM ET, and the Orioles going for a series sweep.The article below will provide you with everything...

    Mike Tauchman Did it AGAIN – Second Oppo Homer of the Game!

    Nothing like a little insurance late. Mike Tauchman, who already hit his first home run of the season earlier in this game, just hit his second home run in the 8th! Another opposite field blast for Tauchman, who's been hitting...

    Rangers vs. Mariners: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Texas Rangers (12-11), with Jon Gray on the mound, host the Seattle Mariners (11-11) who will counter with Bryce Miller, at 8:05 PM ET on Wednesday.Find out how to watch the Texas-Seattle matchup below.When is Rangers vs. Mariners and...

    Oh, Come On: Cody Bellinger Lifted Mid-Game with an Apparent Injury (UPDATE: X-Rays Negative)

    The Cubs cannot catch a break this year, man. They've already dealt with injuries to Jameson Taillon, Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks, Drew Smyly, Julian Merryweather, Seiya Suzuki, and Ian Happ (did I forget anyone?). And tonight, it seems maybe something...

    James Triantos Homers TWICE for the Smokies

    It really is a Cubs homer party up and down the system. In Chicago, Cody Bellinger and Mike Tauchman have gone deep. At Myrtle Beach, Christian Hernandez and Jefferson Encarnacion each homered. At South Bend, Yohendrick Pinango homered. And at...

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

    On Wednesday at 1:15 PM ET, Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks (11-13) play Nolan Arenado and the St. Louis Cardinals (10-13) at Busch Stadium.Find out how to watch the Arizona-St. Louis matchup below.When is Diamondbacks vs. Cardinals and when...

    How to Watch Yankees vs. Athletics: Live Stream or on TV

    Clarke Schmidt takes the ball for the New York Yankees (15-8) when they host starting pitcher Joseph Boyle and the Oakland Athletics (9-14) at 7:05 PM ET on Wednesday.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading for TV and...

    Twins vs. White Sox: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Minnesota Twins (8-13), led by Ryan Jeffers, host Gavin Sheets and the Chicago White Sox (3-19) at 7:40 PM ET on Wednesday.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to watch Minnesota take on Chicago live.When is...

    more cubs news