NEWSLETTER
While you watch the Cubs and Sox, check out the latest from the rumor mill with the Trade Deadline looming five days away …
The #Cubs remain team most interested in Justin Verlander, but his contract is stumbling block. #Tigers could find more takers this winter.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 26, 2017
Cubs doing lots of due diligence on Verlander.
— George Ofman (@georgeofman) July 26, 2017
Some think Tigers will be more open to eating money as trade deadline nears: One team believes they are under pressure to move payroll.
— anthony fenech (@anthonyfenech) July 26, 2017
Then there’s the matter of the financials, with Britton making $11.4 million this year (not an insignificant consideration for the Cubs, who are approaching the luxury tax limit, and very much are not going to want to go over it this year, given that it would increase their cost to sign qualified free agents after the season and reduce their return for departing qualified free agents). Even if Britton is only so-so the rest of this year, he’ll get a bump in his final year of arbitration in 2018, and could be making upwards of $15 million.
How much prospect currency would you want to give up for what could ultimately become an extremely expensive reliever whom you may or may not want to even retain if he doesn’t regain pre-injury form?
Sources: #Nationals interested in Yu Darvish, although they would prefer to acquire a controllable starting pitcher. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 26, 2017
#Brewers, who picked up rental reliever in Anthony Swarzak, are monitoring rental starter tonight, Texas' Yu Darvish.
— Tom (@Haudricourt) July 27, 2017
