Lukewarm Stove: Updating Conforto’s Market, Marlins Looking for a CF, Grichuk Trade, Stassi Extension, More

We are officially LESS THAN two weeks away from Opening Day. But the rumor mill is still buzzing, so let’s check in on what’s going on around the league …

Michael Conforto’s Market

Michael Conforto is still a free agent, the last free agent of an impact-type level, and it’s very likely tied to his rejection of the qualifying offer back in November. Now, any team interested in signing Conforto – besides the Mets – will have to give up a draft pick, the associated bonus pool space, and varying levels of available IFA dollars (for the Cubs, it would be their second round pick and $500K in IFA spending for the next period).

To that end, yes, we’ve been proponents of a pursuit of Michael Conforto this offseason if on a favorable deal, but given the pickup of Seiya Suzuki, the presence of Ian Happ and Clint Frazier (you really do have to find out what those two guys have in them), the playable center field platoon of Michael Hermosillo/Rafael Ortega, and the presumption that Brennen Davis will arrive in Chicago at some point this summer, the remaining fit is difficult to see. And that’s without mentioning how much more the Cubs may value that high second round pick than we already assumed. So who will get the Conforto lottery ticket? Well …

On his most recent Big Time Baseball podcast, Jon Heyman identified the Texas Rangers as the favorites to land Conforto, in large part because they’ve already signed two free agents attached to the qualifying offer, making the marginal cost of adding another (Conforto) lower than any non-Mets team. But even as Heyman calls the Rangers the favorites, he believes the White Sox “make the most sense,” and it does align with their remaining needs. So no arguments here. The Rays and Giants are the other two teams name-checked by Heyman.

Elsewhere, Shi Davidi reports that the Blue Jays “have checked in on Conforto,” but chalks it up to little more than due diligence. And Anthony DiComo calls a reunion with the Mets “extremely unlikely.”

Marlins Not Done?

One team not mentioned in the hunt for Conforto, the Marlins, are reportedly still looking for help in the outfield, but not at a position Conforto is expected to cover:

Clearly, they’re open to a trade, which does get the wheels turning given that the Cubs arguably have four center-field-capable outfielders on the roster: Ian Happ, Rafael Ortega, Michael Hermosillo, and Jason Heyward.

My personal preference, however, would to be give Happ starts in left field with a potentially productive Ortega/Hermosillo platoon in center, but … it just seems like the Cubs are not yet willing to cut bait on Heyward. More on that right here:

Grichuk-Tapia trade

Hey, while we’re on the outfield market, the Blue Jays have traded (former Cardinal) Randal Grichuk and $9.7M to the Rockies for Raimel Tapia and MiLB infielder Adrian Pinto.

The cash helps offset the $18.7M Grichuk is due over the next two seasons and gives the Rockies another option for their outfield? I guess? Grichuk hasn’t been very productive over a full season for a long time, but I suppose he offers more immediate offensive upside than Tapia for whatever it is the Rockies are trying to accomplish this year.

Max Stassi’s Extension and Impact

With Willson Contreras likely opening the season without a deal in place with the Cubs beyond 2022, we’re a little more sensitive to catcher news around the league. For example, the Angels just extended catcher Max Stassi to a three-year, $17.5M contract, with a club option for 2025, taking him off next offseason’s free agent market:

Stassi, 31, would have been a free agent next winter and could’ve been seen as a potential Cubs target if Contreras landed elsewhere. But now he’s locked up through his useful playing days and that’s that.

Although Stassi had similar offensive production to Contreras last season (and significantly more defensive value, according to the advanced metrics), his limited big league track record, his age, and smaller overall offensive upside make his deal a poor one for comparison’s sake. Instead, Contreras is likely looking for something closer to the contract the White Sox gave Yasmani Grandal ($73M), and probably believes he can get it, considering everything that’s broken his way so far: Another free agent catcher just came off the market, next offseason’s free agent class is particularly weak on hitters, the NL adopted the DH, and Contreras is hitting the market at a time when revenues should be back to normal, with labor peace ensured for four more years. I suppose it will come down largely to how he looks this season, and whether the Cubs seriously re-engage on extension talks.

Odds and Ends

•   I am happy that MLB has spent a record amount of money this offseason, but I always struggle with the usefulness of these comparisons, given how different one free agent class can look than the next. For example, next offseason’s class doesn’t look like it’ll have HALF the talent of this year’s group, so measuring that spending on an “offseason by offseason” basis just feels … not particularly useful, even if it is a good thing in isolation (and still has value as a data point for multi-year trends). Either way, there is a TON of useful context in Jeff Passan’s latest, I jut wanted to add my two cents.

•   31 arbitration-eligible players have failed to reach agreements on a new contract for this season, which is an absolutely huge number relative to the last decade of arbitration (info via MLB Trade Rumors): 2021 (8), 2020 (12), 2019 (10), 2018 (22), 2017 (15), 2016 (4), 2015 (14), 2014 (3), 2013 (0), 2012 (7). Willson Contreras is one of the most notable players of the bunch, but there are plenty of other big names: Aaron Judge, Dansby Swanson, Jacob Stallings, Victor Robles, Austin Riley, Trey Mancini, Jesse Winker, and so on (full list here).

•   Unfortunately, I’m not sure if I have a perfect explanation for the delay. The crunched time to get a deal done (because of the CBA negotiations) certainly plays a role. HOWEVER, you might just as quickly have expected players and teams to be especially motivated to get a deal done so as not to drag out these cases into the regular season, another unfortunate side effect of the lockout. And I do wonder how early season performance or health may affect these cases, regardless of if that’s “allowed.”

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

13 MLB Free Agents Receive Qualifying Offers

Today was the deadline to extend Qualifying Offers to outgoing free agents, and the following 13 free agents got the offer from their respective teams: SS Willy Adames, Brewers1B Pete Alonso, Mets3B Alex Bregman, AstrosRHP Corbin Burnes, OriolesLHP Max Fried,...

Cubs Roster Moves: Almonte, Bethancourt, Brewer, Paredes, Herget Off the 40-Man

Today, the Chicago Cubs opened up their four necessary 40-man roster spots by waiving relievers Yency Almonte, Colten Brewer, and Enoli Paredes, and catcher Christian Bethancourt. Each player cleared waivers and elected free agency. Meanwhile, in order to make room...

Cubs Claim Lefty Rob Zastryzny Off of Waivers

*cracks knuckles* *practices typing z-a-s-t-r-y-z-n-y again* Time to welcome back an old friend, as the Chicago Cubs are using today's rostering deadline to pick up a lefty off of waivers. Kinda sorta World Champion Rob Zastryzny is back: https://twitter.com/WatchMarquee/status/1853560486991933899 Zastryzny,...

Gerrit Cole is Sticking with the Yankees

UPDATE: A couple of days ago, Gerrit Cole opted out of his deal with the Yankees in hopes of getting them to pick up their additional option year for $36 million. If they didn't, Cole would have been allowed to...

MLB Free Agent Projections Are Out – Let’s Look at Some Possible Cubs Targets

MLB Free Agent Projections — Although a full accounting isn't quite there yet, we do have a good sense of how much money the Cubs will be available to spend this offseason. With Cody Bellinger opting in, Drew Smyly's option declined,...

The Oakland Athletics Are Officially Now Just The Athletics

Rooted in Oakland no more. The wandering baseball players formerly of Oakland, who'll play the next three seasons in Sacramento before a permanent move to Las Vegas, are now city-less as far as their name is concerned: https://twitter.com/JohnSheaHey/status/1853500649322713554

Seiya Suzuki is a 2024 Silver Slugger Finalist

The Chicago Cubs had, I would argue, a better offense than some gave them credit. Still, you wouldn't say they had a very good offense for the full season, and you also wouldn't say they had a number of huge...

San Diego Padres Reportedly Pull Deal After Learning International Prospect is Five Years Older Than Previously Believed

A relative scandal in the international free agent world, where a would-have-been San Diego Padres prospect has had his verbal agreement revoked after MLB discovered he was five years older than he claimed to be. The report from Jorge Castillo...

Must-Read of the Day: Cubs Pivoting Further Toward Data and Analytics

It's not as if the Chicago Cubs weren't an analytics-friendly organization. They've been in that group since the days of Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer's arrival over a decade ago. But as technology and knowledge advance, so must their application...

Golden History for Happ, Brewers and Williams, Cole, Sasaki, and Other Cubs Bullets

It doesn't MATTER, but I can't help it: I'm still ticked about Dansby Swanson not winning the Gold Glove. It just doesn't make sense. Anyway. Ian Happ DID win the Gold Glove, and with it came some Cubs history: https://twitter.com/M_Montemurro/status/1853259207006617893...

Latest News

Dimitrov vs. Norrie Prediction at the Moselle Open – Wednesday, November 6

No. 10-ranked Grigor Dimitrov will take on No. 57 Cameron Norrie in the Moselle Open Round of 16 on Wednesday, November 6.In this matchup, Dimitrov is favored (-375) versus Norrie (+275) .Moselle Open InfoTournament: The Moselle OpenRound: Round of 16Date:...

Kings vs. Raptors Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Wednesday, November 6, 2024

The Toronto Raptors (2-6) are 9.5-point underdogs as they attempt to stop a three-game road slide when they take on the Sacramento Kings (4-3) on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at Golden 1 Center. The contest airs at 10:00 PM ET...

Celtics vs. Warriors Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Wednesday, November 6, 2024

The Boston Celtics (7-1) bring a three-game winning streak into a home matchup with the Golden State Warriors (6-1), who have won four straight. The Celtics are favorites (-7.5) in the contest, which tips at 7:30 PM ET (on ESPN,...

Knicks vs. Hawks Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Wednesday, November 6, 2024

The Atlanta Hawks (3-5) host the New York Knicks (3-3) after losing three home games in a row. The Knicks are favored by 7 points in the matchup, which tips at 7:30 PM ET on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. The...

East Carolina vs. Florida Atlantic Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – November 7, 2024

AAC play features the East Carolina Pirates (4-4) meeting the Florida Atlantic Owls (2-6) on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at Bagwell Field at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. The Pirates are considerable favorites in this one, with the spread sitting at 8 points....

Coastal Carolina vs. Appalachian State Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – November 7, 2024

The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (4-4) will face off against their Sun Belt-rival, the Appalachian State Mountaineers (4-4) in a matchup on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at Brooks Stadium (SC). The betting information foretells a close game, with the Chanticleers favored...

Pittsburgh vs. Canisius Women’s Basketball: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Pittsburgh Panthers open their 2024-25 college basketball season on November 5, 2024, playing the Canisius Golden Griffins at Petersen Events Center.Pittsburgh went 8-24 last year. Canisius finished 17-14 last season.Watch women's college basketball, other live sports and more on...

How to Watch Xavier Musketeers vs. San Jose State Spartans Women’s Basketball: Live Stream or on TV

In the opening game of the 2024-25 season for both teams, the Xavier Musketeers take on the San Jose State Spartans on November 5, 2024.Last season Xavier went 1-27. Last season San Jose State finished 7-24.Watch women's college basketball, other...

Dayton vs. Southeast Missouri State Women’s Basketball: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

In the first game of the 2024-25 season for both teams, the Dayton Flyers battle the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks on November 5, 2024.Dayton finished 12-19 last season. Southeast Missouri State went 9-20 last season.Watch women's college basketball, other live...

UCF vs. Iona Women’s Basketball: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The UCF Knights take the court against the Iona Gaels on November 5, 2024 ET in the opening game of the 2024-25 season for both teams.Last season UCF finished 12-17. Iona went 11-19 last season.Watch women's college basketball, other live...

more cubs news