Lukewarm Stove: Astros Get a Catcher, Four Superstars Still Very Available, Braves Pessimistic on Donaldson? More

It may be the weekend, but with the holidays quickly approaching, there’s actually a lot to get into. Here’s the latest from the stove.

  • The Houston Astros reportedly entered the offseason with an eye on trading for Cubs catcher Willson Contreras, and for a while, they weren’t alone (other interested parties included the Rays, Angels, Rockies, and Padres). But since late November-ish, those rumors have significantly died down, and the Astros may have even officially moved on:
  • No one is mistaking Martin Maldonado as a replacement for Willson Contreras (especially at the plate), but he is the third catcher on the Astros watcher (Dustin Garneau, Garrett Stubbs) and is a fairly elite framer/defender. I could pretty easily see the continued need (and space) for someone like Willson Contreras on the Astros roster, but for now, they’ve at least reduced any urgency for such a deal. Also, the asking price on Contreras has been reported as hilariously high in the past, which I’m very happy to hear. Nothing about The 2020 plan requires moving the eminently affordable Contreras, in my opinion, so this is all good to hear.
  • Speaking of the early-offseason trade market … remember when it was a foregone conclusion that Mookie Betts and Francisco Lindor would join Kris Bryant on the trade market … but then the heat for both players completely died down? Well, it’s all back with a vengeance. Two high-ranking executives have predicted that “both Betts and Lindor will be traded this winter.”
  • It’ll take too much time to get into the entire narrative arc of each player’s market this winter, but the latest on Lindor had the Indians asking for best and final offers on Friday, so that they could make a decision (one way or the other) over this weekend. Meanwhile, both players have been pretty strongly connected to the Dodgers (and to a lesser extent, the Padres), who’ve been speculatively connected to Kris Bryant, as well. Needless to say, the actual availability of Lindor and Betts harms Kris Bryant’s market (Lindor, in particular, as a fellow superstar infielder with two-years of service time remaining). Given the contracts, expected performance, positions, etc., it’ll require the most to get Lindor, the second most to get Bryant, and the least to get Betts.
  • Three superstars not enough for you? Don’t forget about Nolan Arenado (who’s totally, actually available and definitely not out there as a leverage play for a few teams (Rangers, Braves, Dodgers) also pushing on Josh Donaldson). For what it’s worth, the Dallas-Morning News does a good job of explaining the Rangers interest in Arenado as well as the issues in actually completing a trade.
  • Jon Heyman, meanwhile, just likes stoking the flames:
  • I just don’t think this one is going to happen, folks.
  • David O’Brien (The Athletic) has been all over Braves rumors this offseason and reported late last night that Atlanta is unlikely to re-sign Josh Donaldson unless they go “beyond their comfort zone to include a guaranteed four year.” The pessimism in that post is palpable. Indeed, it feels like a last ditch effort to say, Hey, we’re really not going to four guaranteed years, but we know this is where you want to be. Take it or leave it. In fact, O’Brien even reinforces our belief that the Twins and Nationals (both willing to go four years) are leading the charge right now and that the Braves may have to turn to a trade for Kris Bryant, specifically, if they can’t get something done. Needless to say, you should be rooting for Twins to come out on top, because a bidding war between the Nationals and Braves (plus, perhaps the Dodgers/Rangers/Phillies) for Bryant could be very good for the Cubs.
  • The Tigers have signed free-agent second-baseman Jonathan Schoop and free agent first baseman C.J. Cron to identical one-year, $6.1M contracts (well, the particulars/escalators/etc. may be different, but the foundation of each deal is the same). The Cubs were never really in on either player – particularly Cron – so there’s not much lost here. With that said, the Cubs have indicated the need for an external middle infielder, but Scoop’s right-handed bat, 25% strikeout rate, and 4.3% walk rate in 2019 don’t quite fit on any number of levels. If the Cubs do add a second baseman from outside the organization, it’s likely to be one who bats from the left-side of the plate, makes contact well, and is generally cheaper than Schoop. Bonus points if he can backfill shortstop in a pinch.
  • And finally, Blue Jays still doing stuff:
  • The Brewers were in on Edwin Encarnacion for a hot minute, but have since signed Justin Smoak to be part of a first base platoon.
  • written by

    Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

    more cubs news

    Wrigley Field is Gonna Be Lit This Year (As in New Colored Lights!)

    Last year, the Cubs started using their new LED outfield lights to do a little dancing display during 'Go Cubs Go,' lighting along with the song and throwing in a W. It was very fun and I liked it. This...

    The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

    Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

    Why Craig Counsell Wanted Miles Mastrobuoni on the Cubs’ Bench

    I don't know why Miles Mastrobuoni bugs some folks, but it's probably heavily-weighted toward his small-sample, bad-batted-ball-luck start last year, and that time he didn't dive while playing in right field. It can be hard to shake initial impressions, I...

    Kinda Sounds Like Craig Counsell May Have a Set Top Three in the Batting Order

    New Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell has said, generally, his batting order philosophy is the very simplistic (and very correct): just get your best hitters the most at bats. Sure, there's some play in that to set up good match-ups,...

    Los Angeles Dodgers Signing Will Smith to a TEN-YEAR Extension

    The Los Angeles Dodgers have done it again. And by it, I mean they have signed a funkily-structured contract that is going to leave some folks annoyed. The Dodgers are extending catcher Will Smith on a DECADE-long deal with a...

    The Stretch: 2024 MLB Season Preview

    On Monday, during a team-building conversation with some of the Bleacher Nation and Betsperts Media Group folks, we discussed sports—shocking, I know—and Brian Twining asked the group what their favorite sport was. For me, it's baseball. There's no debate. I...

    We Have to Talk About Some of the “Deals” the Cubs Sat Out in Free Agency

    This week, in a conversation with Jon Greenberg at The Athletic, Cubs President Jed Hoyer made an honest and sober (but also moderately disappointing) admission about the 2024 Chicago Cubs: "We need to perform probably at or a little bit...

    The Chicago Cubs Are Reportedly Now Worth Over $5 Billion

    Given all the tumult in the baseball broadcasting world, and the uncertain future for that portion of revenues, you'd be forgiven for expecting that MLB franchise valuations would slow their recent surge. But, according to Sportico at least, you'd be...

    Reds Second Baseman Matt McLain Had Shoulder Surgery

    The injury to Matt McLain's shoulder issue obviously wound up being worse than he and the Cincinnati Reds had been hoping. The damage to his left (non-throwing) labrum ultimately required surgery: https://twitter.com/m_sheldon/status/1772993402604339478 When the hope is that a guy can...

    Cubs Actually Getting a Whole Lot of Votes to Win the NL Central

    ESPN dropped its big season preview, and included were a set of divisional predictions by way of their writers, editors, and analysts voting. There's nothing in the way of proof or certainty there, but with 26 voters, I do like...

    Latest News

    Celtics vs. Hawks Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Atlanta Hawks (33-39) are big, 17.5-point underdogs as they attempt to build on a three-game winning streak when they host the Boston Celtics (57-15) on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at State Farm Arena. The matchup airs at 7:30 PM...

    Celtics vs. Hawks Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Atlanta Hawks (33-39) are big, 17.5-point underdogs as they attempt to build on a three-game winning streak when they host the Boston Celtics (57-15) on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at State Farm Arena. The contest airs at 7:30 PM...

    Bucks vs. Pelicans Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The New Orleans Pelicans (44-28) are only 2-point underdogs against the Milwaukee Bucks (46-26) at Smoothie King Center on Thursday, March 28, 2024. The game begins at 8:00 PM ET on NBA. The matchup's point total is 223.If you are...

    How to Watch Indiana State Sycamores vs. Utah Utes: Live Stream or on TV

    The Indiana State Sycamores (31-6) will attempt to build on a three-game winning streak when they host the Utah Utes (22-14) on April 2, 2024. The Utes have also won three games in a row.Indiana State won its most recent...

    How to Watch Seton Hall Pirates vs. Georgia Bulldogs: Live Stream or on TV

    The Seton Hall Pirates (23-12) will attempt to extend a three-game win streak when they host the Georgia Bulldogs (20-16) on April 2, 2024. The Bulldogs have also won three games in a row.In its previous game, Seton Hall beat...

    Diamondbacks vs. Rockies: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Arizona Diamondbacks, led by Corbin Carroll, take on Nolan Jones and the Colorado Rockies in their first game of the season, at 10:10 PM ET on Thursday.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV...

    Mariners vs. Red Sox: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Seattle Mariners, led by Julio Rodriguez, square off against Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox in their opening game of the season, at 10:10 PM ET on Thursday.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming...

    Guardians vs. Athletics: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    In their season opener on Thursday, Jose Ramirez and the Cleveland Guardians face Brent Rooker and the Oakland Athletics, with first pitch scheduled for 10:07 PM ET at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.The article below will give you everything you need to...

    Senators vs. Blackhawks Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Ottawa Senators host the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday, and are -198 favorites on the moneyline, with the road team at +164.Senators vs. Blackhawks Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Senators (-198)Underdog: Blackhawks (+164)Total: 6.5Best Senators vs. Blackhawks Promo Codes[lasso type="table" id="1"]How to...

    Wrigley Field is Gonna Be Lit This Year (As in New Colored Lights!)

    Last year, the Cubs started using their new LED outfield lights to do a little dancing display during 'Go Cubs Go,' lighting along with the song and throwing in a W. It was very fun and I liked it. This...

    more cubs news