The Pirates Would Trade Their Mother, Javy’s Recruitment Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

Made the mistake of taking an awkward-necked nap on an already cricked neck, which then yielded a terrible night’s sleep last night and an even worse neck this morning. Need someone to WORK on this thing today … you reading this, The Wife?

•   Pirates to the rest of the league [in an Australian accent], “You call that a tank? THIS is a tank”:

•   When he’s been able to pitch, which has been precious little for the now 29-year-old Taillon, the dude has been really good. And the Pirates simply cannot risk that.

•   After dealing Taillon, the Pirates’ payroll will dip *UNDER 40 MILLION*, nearly a third of which will be taken up by Gregory Polanco. They won’t be able to deal him right now after his terrible trend the last couple years and his broken wrist, but you better believe they’re working to find a home for Adam Frazier ($4.3 million), Colin Moran ($2.8 million), Chad Kuhl ($2.1 million), and Steven Brault ($2 million). If the Cubs had any money, buying low on Adam Frazier would actually make a ton of sense, given his high-contact/line-drive skill set at the plate, and his ability to play second base and the corner outfield spots (with two years of control). He’s not a stud or anything, but a steady, solid player at a reasonable price, who offers versatility and lineup diversity. Alas … no money …

•   Random factoid via David Laurila: “Jon Lester had a .636 winning percentage and a 3.64 ERA in nine seasons with the Red Sox. He had a .636 winning percentage and a 3.64 ERA in six seasons with the Cubs.”

•   EXTEND this man:

https://twitter.com/CubsCentral08/status/1353012862541828098

•   I’m not even kidding when I say that if you happen to have one of the most popular athletes in the sport, you absolutely have to consider the extra benefits that accords your organization. In this instance, having Javy Báez “as a Cub” makes the Cubs a more compelling organization to young prospects from all over the world, be they international or even draft signings. It gives you a slight edge. How much is that worth if it nets you an extra prospect or two each year?

•   Speaking of important guys to extend:

•   There were two other pictures that immediately came to mind for me (Miggy’s grand slam lean back, and Javy’s bubble gum blowing homer – both from an NLCS game, as a matter of fact!), but decided to go with this one:

•   Marquee showed a previous Cubs game with Boog Sciambi and David Ross in the booth:

https://twitter.com/WatchMarquee/status/1353156816801312768

https://twitter.com/WatchMarquee/status/1353145492084056065

•   The Orioles reportedly asked arbitration-level players to defer some salary for a year or two, despite their razor thin payroll for 2021. Although deferrals have become increasingly common in free agent deals, it is apparently unheard of when guys are signing to avoid arbitration (the Orioles players refused to do it).

•   Jason Heyward and Hank Aaron:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jason Heyward (@jheylove22)

•   Big NFC North news:

•   If you’re wanting a little side action for the NFL conference championship games today, our partners at DraftKings and FanDuel have huge promo offers there at those links. Thanks for checking ’em out and supporting BN in the process.

written by

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.

more cubs news

The First Chicago Cubs Lineup of the Year is Here!

*SHORT COURTS: It's Time To Bring The Home Court, Home! Looking for a unique way to celebrate your athlete or team before you peruse the FIRST CHICAGO CUBS LINEUP of the Year? Don't miss out! For just one more week...

The Cubs Are Among the Most Returning-y Teams

I am still mostly incapacitated at the moment, so apologies for the short shrift on such an otherwise blessed day. In between pokes and prods, I wanted to share a chart I saw that was pretty interesting, even if unsurprising:...

Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

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...

I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

I Dug Deep on the Cubs 2024 Schedule (And I Like What I See)

Finally, with Cody Bellinger in the fold, we can start focusing more seriously on the season ahead. So today, I thought we'd take a look at the Cubs 2024 schedule. You can flip through the Cubs 2024 schedule right here...

Here’s What I’m Betting on the Cubs for Opening Day

I get it. Sports betting isn't for everyone — like, say, the interpreter for an international baseball superstar — but some of us quite enjoy it! If you are one of those people, this article is for you. Below, I'm...

WAKE UP, BASEBALL IS BACK

The day has arrived. Opening Day. The most glorious day on the baseball calendar, save for the day of each Chicago Cubs World Series win, of course. See, I get to say things like that on Opening Day. Maybe the...

Latest News

Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

Braves vs. Phillies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

Ronald Acuna Jr. and the Atlanta Braves take on Kyle Schwarber and the Philadelphia Phillies in their season opener on Friday, with first pitch at 3:05 PM ET.The article below will provide you with everything you need to watch Atlanta...

Jonas Valančiūnas Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Bucks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

On Thursday at 8:00 PM ET, the New Orleans Pelicans play the Milwaukee Bucks, and Jonas Valančiūnas' 3-pointer prop for this clash requires just one trey.Jonas Valančiūnas' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the BucksJonas Valanciunas' over/under for three-pointers in this game:...

Top 25 College Basketball Picks and Best Bets: March 28

The Illinois Fighting Illini and the Iowa State Cyclones hit the court in one of four games on the college basketball slate on Thursday that include a ranked team.How to Bet on Top 25 Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Top 25 Games for...

What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

Diamondbacks vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Arizona Diamondbacks look to start their season with a win as home favorites (-226) in a season-opening matchup with the Colorado Rockies. First pitch is on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET on ARID, live from Chase Field.Arizona's Zac Gallen...

Mariners vs. Red Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Seattle Mariners look to start their season with a win as home favorites (-155) in a season-opening matchup with the Boston Red Sox. First pitch is on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET on NESN, live from T-Mobile Park.Luis Castillo...

Guardians vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Cleveland Guardians begin their season as -156 favorites in a road tilt against the Oakland Athletics on Thursday at 10:07 PM ET, live on NBCS-CA.Cleveland's Shane Bieber gets the start, and he'll go against Oakland's Alex Wood.Guardians vs. Athletics...

Damian Lillard Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

Will Damian Lillard make four 3-pointers when the Milwaukee Bucks face the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday at 8:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.Damian Lillard's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansDamian Lillard's over/under for...

Brook Lopez Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

To beat his 3-point prop, Brook Lopez needs to make two from beyond the arc on Thursday, when his Milwaukee Bucks meet the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday at 8:00 PM ET.Brook Lopez's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansBrook Lopez's...

more cubs news