With the exception of the Dodgers (Scott Kazmir, Kenta Maeda), it seems like most of baseball took the holidays largely off, leaving the balance of transaction season to play out in 2016.
It makes for an interesting position for Cubs fans to be in – we know that the Cubs have done the bulk of their offseason maneuvering already, but with so many moves out there still un-made, you just never know what’s going to open up as the offseason goes along. That might mean a less-expensive, depth/reclamation starter becomes available at the right price, it could mean a surprising trade comes along, or it could simply mean we fans passively watch along as other teams modify themselves in advance of the 2016 season. The only move out there to be made that I’m fairly certainly we’ll see the Cubs take on before Spring Training is adding a reserve outfielder capable of playing center field and probably batting from the right-hand side (and it could be a minor league deal, Spring Training invite type). Yes, Matt Szczur could be that guy, but you’d like to have some options.
Speaking of those Dodgers, Jon Morosi reports that it’s unlikely they’ll now make a move to acquire Jose Fernandez, which is sad for outside-observer-rumor-reasons, but was always highly unlikely. Morosi really takes the Dodgers to task for, in his opinion, underwhelming in their rotation moves, and becoming “just another large-market franchise with a flawed, lopsided roster.” Harsh. I also don’t really agree with the conclusion there, as I see a strong group of positional players, a very deep rotation, a solid-enough bullpen (especially as some of that rotation depth spills over), and excellent young redundancies that will factor in as the season goes along. Right now, on paper, I think I like the Dodgers as the second best team in the NL (maybe baseball) behind the Cubs.
Tony Blengino wonders if Chris Davis – and the peculiarly difficult job of determining how much he’s worth – is holding up the position player free agent market. It’s still hard to see Davis getting $150 million, though that’s been the rumored Orioles offer for a while. If he’s still got that offer available, he needs to take it. We’re still waiting on Yoenis Cespedes, Justin Upton, Alex Gordon, Dexter Fowler, and Denard Span to sort themselves out, and that’s just in the outfield.
Among the buy-low/reclamation type starters, many really like Doug Fister, given how consistently good he was before 2015. For me, there were enough red flags last year – forearm injury, declining velocity, underperformance – and the year before that, at age 32, I don’t see him as a preferred target on a big league deal for 2016. Buster Olney reports that he’s already got one and two-year offers in hand from multiple teams. A no-risk minor league deal? Sure, I’d be on board. But guaranteed dollars and a roster spot? I just don’t see it unless there was some obviously correctable flaw last year that was sapping his velocity and overall effectiveness.
[adinserter block=”2″]
Jon Morosi reports that the Diamondbacks could be looking to upgrade even further by adding free agent Howie Kendrick … but Diamondbacks GM Dave Stewart says it’s unlikely his team will sign another qualified free agent because they don’t want to give up their top two draft picks. Which, naturally, doesn’t make a lick of sense, since they gave up the number 13 pick to sign Zack Greinke, and hereafter giving up a pick (37th overall) to sign a free agent would be FAR less valuable. In other words, now is the time when you would want to sign another qualified free agent – or, at a minimum, the draft pick better dang well not be the reason you don’t. I’m going to assume Stewart is posturing, rather than actually saying something silly, since he wouldn’t have any incentive to admit that the D-Backs are willing to give up a pick to sign another free agent.
(Also in that MLB.com piece, Stewart says that it’ll be tough to pick up a reliever by trade, and all I can hear screaming in my head is, “BECAUSE YOU GAVE UP SO MUCH FOR SHELBY MILLER ALREADY!”)
The Padres – whom you’ll recall were at one time a rumored trade partner with the Cubs, given their available pitching and need at shortstop – are reportedlylooking at free agent Ian Desmond.
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.
A surprising report tonight ahead of tomorrow's off-day for the Chicago Cubs. Another infielder is coming up, and he'd be making his big league debut in the process. It's defensive stud Luis Vazquez, a guy whom many had been calling...
The brutal, brutal run for the Chicago Cubs' offense continued today. It's really hard to win that way, and even harder to watch. Jameson Taillon was a touch better than his line today, without a lot of defensive help behind...
CUBS LINEUP — Well, the good news is that the Cubs have an off-day tomorrow and Dansby Swanson is targeting a Tuesday return from the IL. So no matter what, this SHOULD be the last day the Cubs middle infield...
Despite everything, the Cubs are still three games up for the second Wild Card spot at the moment (and two games back in the NL Central). That's not a going-forward projection, it's just some context. The drama around the call...
If I were a catcher and wanted to record an out, I would simply not drop the ball. It's a jokey line, sure, but it's also correct in relation to yesterday's controversial conclusion. I think after seeing the replays of...
The Cubs pulled out a win in the bottom of the 9th yesterday, when Christopher Morel drove in Cody Bellinger to walk it off. The Pirates were undoubtedly displeased about the controversial ending, as it looked like Bellinger had been...
Whew. That game was kinda dumb, but I tell you, the ending sure was fun. And also weird! So, to set the stage, the Pirates and Cubs' offenses could do nothing all day long. The game was still 0-0 in...
This guy. What do I even say? I was already kinda buzzy when Brennen Davis homered again - a grand slam - for the fifth time in six games, and sixth time in eight games. THAT IS RIDICULOUS. https://twitter.com/IowaCubs/status/1791967453888598441 Truly...
What matters most is that the Cubs won the game. And it was a fun ending, too. So I'm happy. But I also do feel a little frustrated - or concerned might be the better word - as I'm sure...
CUBS LINEUP — Losing to the Braves (and then Jared Jones and Paul Skenes), when you have 10 people on the IL, including your entire middle infield, is not really that concerning to me. It sucks and banking losses is...
In a series opener on Monday, Framber Valdez will start for the Houston Astros (21-26) against Reid Detmers and the Los Angeles Angels (18-29), with first pitch scheduled for 8:10 PM ET at Minute Maid Park.Keep scrolling to find out...
On Monday, Marcell Ozuna and the Atlanta Braves (26-15) face Jurickson Profar and the San Diego Padres (23-24), with first pitch scheduled for 12:20 PM ET at Truist Park.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and...
The St. Louis Cardinals (20-26), led by Brendan Donovan, host Gunnar Henderson and the Baltimore Orioles (29-15) at 7:45 PM ET on Monday.Find out how to watch the St. Louis-Baltimore matchup below.When is Cardinals vs. Orioles and when does it...
Ryan Jeffers and the Minnesota Twins (24-22) visit C.J. Abrams and the Washington Nationals (20-25) on Monday in a series opener, with first pitch at 6:45 PM ET.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to watch Minnesota...
On Monday at 6:40 PM ET, William Contreras and the Milwaukee Brewers (27-19) play Jazz Chisholm and the Miami Marlins (15-33) at LoanDepot park.See how to watch the Milwaukee-Miami matchup below.When is Brewers vs. Marlins and when does it start?This...
The Boston Red Sox (23-24), led by Jarren Duran, visit Isaac Paredes and the Tampa Bay Rays (25-23) at 6:50 PM ET on Monday.Keep reading to find out all the details on how to watch Boston play Tampa Bay live.When...
On Monday, Jose Ramirez and the Cleveland Guardians (30-17) begin a series against Brandon Nimmo and the New York Mets (21-25) at Progressive Field, with first pitch scheduled for 6:10 PM ET.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on...
Marcus Stroman will take the mound for the New York Yankees (33-15) when they host starting pitcher Logan Gilbert and the Seattle Mariners (25-22) in a series opener on Monday, with first pitch at 7:05 PM ET.See how to watch...
The Toronto Blue Jays (20-25), who will give the start to Jose Berrios, host the Chicago White Sox (14-33) with Erick Fedde on the mound, Monday at 3:07 PM ET.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to...
A three-game series featuring the Cleveland Guardians and the visiting New York Mets will start on Monday, May 20 at 6:10 PM ET.Guardians vs. Mets Series Info Mets @ Guardians Time: Monday, May 20 at 6:10 PM ET Guardians Starting...
NEWSLETTER
With the exception of the Dodgers (Scott Kazmir, Kenta Maeda), it seems like most of baseball took the holidays largely off, leaving the balance of transaction season to play out in 2016.
