NEWSLETTER
MLB RUMORS — Already this morning, we discussed the White Sox rumored asking price for ace starter Garrett Crochet, and unsurprisingly … it’s a lot. Bruce Levine suggested that, for the Cubs, the return would be their three top prospects, including Matt Shaw. We got into that report and the attendant timeline earlier today, if you’re looking for more. But setting that aside, Levine dropped a separate interesting nugget on Nico Hoerner during his morning interview, and that’s where we’ll start today.
Another Nico Hoerner Suitor
As I reported earlier this week, I have heard that the Cubs have been trying to trade Nico Hoerner this offseason, which is consistent with reports we’ve seen on both a local and national scale. Specifically, we know that they have discussed Hoerner with the Mariners, who are seeking help along the infield and have a bevy of young arms from which to trade.
But according to Bruce Levine, the Mariners aren’t the only team talking to the Cubs about Nico Hoerner: “I know Oakland is one of the teams that have looked at (Nico Hoerner)….they were interested.”
Interesting, but two immediate caveats come to mind: First, the A’s share a division with the Mariners. It’s not at all inconceivable that this report finding its way out into the public is more about applying pressure to the Mariners than it is to actually happen. That’s just the nature of the beast. Second … would the Cubs really trade Nico Hoerner to the A’s? I know Jed Hoyer has to do what’s best for the Cubs, and if the A’s overwhelm him with an offer, it’d be malpractice to deny it.
But we also know the Cubs really like Nico Hoerner as a person and leader and teammate. So sending him to play with the awful A’s in their LITERAL minor league stadium for the last two years of the extension he only just recently signed seems a little cold. Maybe I’m way overestimating the Cubs front office, but I don’t think they’d completely ignore that fact. They’ll probably at least try to do right by Hoerner, even if he doesn’t actually have a say in where he ends up.
UPDATE: After I wrote this, the A’s signed Luis Severino to the largest contract in franchise history. So … maybe they will be a little more aggressive this offseason on the trade front?
Cubs Starters After Adding Boyd?
Sahadev Sharma also jumped on 670 The Score, reiterating a lot of what he said on his most recent podcast with Patrick Mooney. The big question in this interview is what the Cubs are looking to do in the rotation now that they’ve signed Matthew Boyd, and the response is basically: No, they’re not aggressively or specifically looking to add a starter, but they are looking to improve in any way they can, which could include the rotation.
And logically, that all tracks. While I personally believe the Cubs ultimately WILL add another impact starter this offseason, likely via trade, it’s not quite as immediate of a need now that they’ve added Boyd. Here’s what I said earlier today:
…the Cubs rotation already has a solid top-four: Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon, and Matthew Boyd, with plenty of depth behind them: Javier Assad, Jordan Wicks, Ben Brown, Cade Horton, Brandon Birdsell, Hayden Wesneski, etc. They can absolutely use a guy at the top, especially someone who throws hard (and I still think they’ll pursue someone like that this winter). But it isn’t like they have multiple spots to fill/an enormous need. Jed Hoyer can afford to be more patient than dealing Matt Shaw and two other top-75 prospects.
So I tend to think that if a trade comes up that allows them to add true impact to the top of their rotation, then they’ll get something done. Otherwise, I don’t think they’ll add another free agent or trade for a more middle-of-the-rotation starter. Just my take.
Juan Soto Fallout
Last night, we learned that Juan Soto’s final decision is likely coming down the pipe this weekend, after he takes his final meetings with the five involved teams: Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Dodgers. This morning, we learned that the Dodgers are probably falling out of contention a bit, as they turn their attention to free-agent outfielder Teoscar Hernandez. Mark Feinsand reported something similar this morning.
In that report from Feinsand, however, he reveals some useful fallout. In short, if the Yankees whiff on Juan Soto, then one of their “primary Plan Bs” is signing free agent infielder Willy Adames. That’s notable for all the obvious reasons (Adames is a big-time free agent), but for us specifically, because of the Cody Bellinger connection. Remember, the Yankees are seen as one of the most logical landing spots for Bellinger if they miss on Soto, so having a viable offensive alternative like Adames is an important wrinkle.
That said, I tend to think Bellinger fits a whole lot better overall positional fit than Adames. Plus, Adames will also cost some draft capital and IFA money, as a qualified free agent. So it’s not like he can be had for “only money,” whereas Bellinger is prospect capital.
For what it’s worth, Jon Morosi seemed to throw some cold water on the Yankees’ chances to sign Juan Soto this offseason. Likewise, Jeff Passan does agree that Adames is a viable option for the Yankees if they miss on Soto.
Twins Cutting Payroll
At The Athletic, Aaron Gleeman answered Twins’ fan questions in a mailbag, and one overwhelming theme emerged: The Twins are going to be SERIOUSLY cutting back on payroll/spending this winter.
Here’s one useful quote to illustrate how serious it has become:
“Right now, the Twins’ roster projects to cost around $140 million, which is $10 million higher than their expected 2025 payroll of $130 million….Last offseason, the Twins’ most expensive free-agent addition was Carlos Santana for $5.25 million. My advice to Twins fans this offseason: Assume they won’t sign anyone more expensive than that….”
They’re already $10M over where they want to be for next year, and they haven’t made a single move yet. So … here’s a look at their Cots Contract page. Scroll down and pick out someone expensive you want to pretend the Cubs will try to acquire. Pablo Lopez? Finally get Carlos Correa? Take the gamble on Byron Buxton? Finally get catcher Christian Vazquez, whom the Cubs targeted a couple of years ago? I tend to think it’s a no across the board, especially because it’s not like the Cubs are all that eager to add salary, themselves. But it feels like a notable factor for the upcoming Winter Meetings!
Other MLB Rumors
- Mark Feinsand suggests the Yankees and Red Sox are both interested in Max Fried.
- Jon Morosi reports that the Blue Jays and Giants have met with Corbin Burnes.
- Buster Olney has heard that the White Sox are quite serious about dealing Luis Robert Jr.: “Interestingly, the perception of some teams is that the White Sox are intent on dealing center fielder Luis Robert, and this is being read as a tell that Chicago wants to cash out on whatever diminished value Robert has now, rather than risk seeing his value crater even more through another subpar season. The 27-year-old outfielder will make $15 million next season, with $20 million club options for 2025 and 2026. “If they really believed he would bounce back, wouldn’t you hang onto him until next summer and look for him to rebuild his value?” asked one rival official.”
