I gotta confess, here in hour 37, I’m running on fumes – I honestly don’t know if I already used that already-overused metaphor in my last post – so the analysis here is going to be whatever crumbs I’ve still got rolling around the old noggin.
Cubs GM Jed Hoyer addressed the media after the non-waiver trade deadline passed this afternoon (Cubs acquired reliever Joe Smith), and …
Hoyer said Smith gives them another look in bullpen from the right said. Nice to have hard throwers, but Smith comes from side & gets GBs
— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) August 1, 2016
In other words, as we discussed, he’s a kind of ROOGY – a match-up righty to get other righties out, especially when you’re looking to get a groundball.
Hoyer adds Smith offers a different look as sidearmer in pen of power arms. Soler to be in Tenn lineup tonight, Cahill for Iowa on Tuesday
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) August 1, 2016
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Still not clear as to when Jorge Soler would return. Jed Hoyer said he's still working to get better & that "hopefully he'll be here soon."
— Mark Grote (@markgrotesports) August 1, 2016
With a full roster and outfield right now (and rotation and bullpen, with respect to Cahill), there’s no particular rush to get Soler back to the big league club until and unless he’s ready to be a real upgrade over what the team is using now. We know he can get there. But first he’s got to be 100%, and also have his offensive timing back.
Hoyer did address the roster crunch. Basically said they'll have to be creative and thoughtful until September when rosters expand.
— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) August 1, 2016
Unless injuries pop up, it’s going to be complicated, and might involve more “big league players” going temporarily to the minors.[adinserter block=”2″]
#Cubs did look at ways to add LH bat. No match, Hoyer says. However, feels versatility of roster can cover them in outfield
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) August 1, 2016
The rumors were persistent about Josh Reddick, for example, who ultimately went to the Dodgers, together with Rich Hill, for three very good pitching prospects.
Cubs tried for a young starter but price too high and two teams selling in the division and one other in the city made it tougher, per Hoyer
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) August 1, 2016
Hoyer pointed to Arrieta and Hendricks as examples of getting young, controllable starting pitchers as easier to acquire as sellers
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) August 1, 2016
Not too much to say on these. Getting controllable young starters is very difficult for the very reason you want them in the first place: they’ve established themselves in the big leagues, have demonstrated health, are relatively inexpensive, and can’t leave you for a while. Unless you count Drew Hutchison, who went to the Pirates in a deal for Francisco Liriano, the only younger controllable starter who was dealt today was Rays lefty Matt Moore, who cost the Giants a whole lot, including Matt Duffy.
The Cubs will have to make due internally on the depth front for the rest of this season, and then probably try to explore the starting market again in the offseason.
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