What in the world? A Lukewarm Stove (which is our cheekily-named rumor feature at BN, if you’re unfamiliar) at the end of April? This can’t be!
In all honesty, I hadn’t intended on even thinking about Lukewarm Stove items until much later in the season, but three things popped up all at once that I thought were worth sharing and discussing, so this was the best way to do it. Don’t expect the rumor mill to actually kick up for a while, and, assuming the Cubs become buyers again this year, we don’t even really have any idea right now what the Cubs would be looking to buy. Sure, we could do some reasonable speculating, but so much can happen between now and August 1 (did you remember that the non-waiver trade deadline was moved to August 1 this year?) that much of it would be fruitless.
[adinserter block=”1″]Still, as I said, three interesting things popped up. So let’s discuss …
Jon Morosi, formerly of Fox Sports, writes about MLB.com about Oakland A’s outfielder Josh Reddick, but boy does the name “Theo Epstein” come up a lot in the article. Although Morosi is writing generally about the 29-year-old free-agent-to-be, and how he could be shopped if the A’s aren’t in contention at midseason, he also mentions that the Cubs could eventually be in the market for a corner outfielder, points to Epstein’s and Reddick’s prior connection with the Red Sox, and says, “Epstein is a close friend of A’s executive vice president of baseball operations Billy Beane, and the two have completed numerous trades over the years. Perhaps Epstein, who kept his word about never trading Reddick, will trade for Reddick prior to this year’s Aug. 1 non-waiver Trade Deadline.”
Although Reddick still hits quite well – 117 wRC+ in each of the last two seasons, and he’s at 126 already this year – he was also well-known for his elite defense in the outfield. But the metrics have been unkind to him the last few years, which makes you wonder if it’s just a fluke, or if the ability is trailing off. In any case, I’m not so sure it’s clear that the Cubs will be in the market for a rental corner outfielder at midseason, even granting the injury to Kyle Schwarber. With Jorge Soler, Javy Baez, Matt Szczur, and Albert Almora all plausibly in the mix to get second half outfield starts (and plausibly in the mix to be solid or better), that might not be a trading focus. Unless, of course, there are more injuries. Which we can’t know right now. As I said above.[adinserter block=”2″]
Speaking of possible midseason trades and the A’s, Buster Olney writes about Sonny Gray, who might be the best pitcher available in a weak trade market this year (or after the season). The free agent market this offseason will be thin, too, so it might be the best time for the A’s to get the biggest return for Gray.
I know Gray is a popular topic of conversation around here, and I am also a big fan (some folks get too caught up in his slash line, but forget that he’s doing that while also going deep into games – he’s not just dominating lineups two times through the order and then being pulled). Gray won’t even be eligible for arbitration for the first time until next season, so the A’s don’t have to move him. And, if they do, the price tag is going to be so very steep. Still, as Olney notes, the Cubs have “followed Gray’s career with interest,” and he does set up quite well to help the team cover the possible loss of Jake Arrieta after the 2017 season. If and when Gray starts popping up in rumors this year, it’s going to be something we’ll want to follow.[adinserter block=”3″]
There’s no specific Cubs involvement here in the last one, but I still thought it was interesting: JeffPassan reports that the Braves are trying to “buy” draft picks by taking on bad contracts. No takers yet, but with the team pretty much trying to lose as much as possible in the near-term, they also want to make sure they have as much bonus pool space available as possible in the coming draft. It’ll be interesting to see if they’re able to pull any deals off, and, if so, how they’ll be received. You’ll recall, the Braves essentially “bought” pitching prospect Touki Toussaint from the Diamondbacks by taking on Bronson Arroyo’s contract last summer.
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...
On Friday, Trea Turner and the Philadelphia Phillies (11-8) open a series versus Gavin Sheets and the Chicago White Sox (3-15) at Citizens Bank Park, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM ET.Keep reading to find out all the details...
The Atlanta Braves (12-5), with Chris Sale on the hill, host the Texas Rangers (11-9) who will counter with Nathan Eovaldi, at 7:20 PM ET on Friday.The article below will provide you with everything you need to watch Atlanta play...
The Cleveland Guardians (13-6), with Triston McKenzie on the mound, host the Oakland Athletics (8-11) who will start Joseph Boyle, at 7:10 PM ET on Friday in a series opener.Keep reading to find out all the details on how to...
On Friday at 6:45 PM ET, Jose Altuve and the Houston Astros (6-14) play C.J. Abrams and the Washington Nationals (8-10) at Nationals Park.The article below will provide you with everything you need to know to watch Houston play Washington.When...
The New York Yankees (13-6), with Clarke Schmidt on the hill, host the Tampa Bay Rays (11-9) who will start Tyler Alexander, at 7:05 PM ET on Friday.The article below will give you everything you need to know to watch...
The Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls meet to start the first round of the NBA Playoffs. The Heat are favored by 1.5 points in the contest, which will be broadcast on ESPN at 7:00 PM ET. The matchup has...
On Friday, April 19 at 6:40 PM ET, a three-game series between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the visiting Boston Red Sox will begin.Pirates vs. Red Sox Series Info Red Sox @ Pirates Time: Friday, April 19 at 6:40 PM ET...
A three-game series between the New York Yankees and the visiting Tampa Bay Rays will start on Friday, April 19 at 7:05 PM ET.Yankees vs. Rays Series Info Rays @ Yankees Time: Friday, April 19 at 7:05 PM ET Yankees...
The Cincinnati Reds will be hosting the Los Angeles Angels for a three-game series, with the first matchup getting underway at 6:40 PM ET on Friday, April 19.Reds vs. Angels Series Info Angels @ Reds Time: Friday, April 19 at...
A three-game series featuring the Philadelphia Phillies and the visiting Chicago White Sox will begin on Friday, April 19 at 6:40 PM ET.Phillies vs. White Sox Series Info White Sox @ Phillies Time: Friday, April 19 at 6:40 PM ET...
NEWSLETTER
What in the world? A Lukewarm Stove (which is our cheekily-named rumor feature at BN, if you’re unfamiliar) at the end of April? This can’t be!
