Holding two game-changing trade chips puts the Yankees in an enviable position, and Tyler Kepner of the New York Times argues that the organization should exercise every bit of leverage it possesses. There’s plenty of demand for the southpaw relief duo of Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman, and New York is perhaps uniquely well-suited to sit back and wait for someone to overwhelm with an offer. (After all, the club is within striking distance of contention, can utilize the qualifying offer or extend Chapman, and still controls Miller for two seasons.)
Here’s more on some major trade deadline storylines:
- We’ve seen rather clear indications that the Cubs won’t be parting with Kyle Schwarber, whether for Miller or anyone else, but that hasn’t stopped the idea from being batted around. Bob Nightengale of USA Today looks at the concept, noting that president of baseball operations Theo Epstein continues to be clear that he has no intentions of moving Schwarber — but also that he is letting teams know that the ballclub is looking for an impact addition. For those interested in all of the dimensions of the Cubs’ decisionmaking on their injured young slugger, this piece is worth a full read.
- With the Cubs looking at any number of possible means of upgrading at the deadline, GM Jed Hoyer says to “expect the unexpected,” as Patrick Mooney of CSNChicago.com writes. Hoyer noted that “you can’t have untouchables and you have to be willing to explore bold ideas,” but also suggested the organization will be hesitant to part with certain assets. “We really like our core and I think that’s something that we plan to build around,” he said.
- We’ve heard plenty of chatter surrounding the Rays, potentially involving just about any player on their roster. They’ve been tied, in particular, to the Rangers (see here and here). But the two clubs have “nothing brewing at the moment,” per Crasnick (via Twitter).
- One league executive tells ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick (Twitter link) that the Dodgers are “big-game hunting,” indicating that the organization is primarily interested in the kind of “elite-level players” that president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has cited previously. Meanwhile, MLB.com’s Jon Morosi says that the Dodgers and Rays have been in trade talks of late, though it’s not clear where the focus lies in those discussions. (Morosi seemingly suggests that Evan Longoria is of interest to Los Angeles, but says there’s no real chance of him changing hands this summer.)
- Though the Indians aren’t generally the type of organization to engineer major deadline swaps, that could change this year. As MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian reports, president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti suggested that budget constraints won’t be a problem. “I don’t think economics will have an impact on which players we acquire,” he said. “I think we’ll have the flexibility that we need to acquire a player. I think our difficult decisions are going to come down to what level of talent are we willing to part with to acquire players, and whether or not there’s the right fit out there.” That’s certainly an interesting point to keep in mind as Cleveland works to bolster its roster, as the team might be inclined to take on a somewhat more expensive player than might normally be expected if it helps avoid the loss of significant prospect assets.
- Antonetti also suggested that the Indians aren’t necessarily particularly focused on their bullpen. Instead, he said, the club is open to improving everywhere but the rotation — where a stacked group is hardly in need of change. Though the relief corps still seems the biggest area of concern, the recent news on Michael Brantley could increase the need for a lineup boost, with Antonetti acknowledging that could be a factor in his approach over the next ten days.
cano24
Where does Theo think Schwarber is going to play for them? OF after that bad knee injury? 1B is uh, occupied. NL doesn’t have DH. So….?
37santobanks
He will play LF, and be a backup/possibly emergency catcher.
cano24
That’s pretty optimistic for a guy with his build and that bad of an injury. If I were looking to trade for Schwarber it would be with the understanding that he’s probably not an OF anymore, 1B/DH/emergency catcher only.
37santobanks
That is a fair assessment. I personally believe his work ethic will get him to where he wants to be, health-wise, and I believe he will greatly improve his OF play. Obviously it can’t get much worse than it looked last postseason, but I think he will be ok. With Almora and Heyward sharing the OF with him, I think/hope everything will go well. Only time will tell.
natsfan3437
They should trade him and resign fowler to play lf. Call up Albert Almora and have him or Jason Hayward play center/ right field.
Toksoon
You yanks fans are absolutely hilarious , nfl players make it back from that injury all the time and to think a baseball player can’t. Pretty funny you Yankee fans can keep dreaming about schwarber Baez eloy almora Russell happy as its not going to happen
Thomas 7
National league will have a DH before he becomes a free agent. He’ll play left field until then.
MB923
I couldn’t care less if the Cubs don’t want to improve their team by trading an injured player out for the year who can pretty much only play a position that is not available for the team he plays for
You can mock Yankee fans all you want for “dreaming about Schwarber, Baez, etc”
I’m pretty sure Yankee fans (or all of Baseball and professional sports fans to be honest ) can mock the Cubs about a thing or 2.
ralphrc
So be it. We don’t have to trade either reliever, and I ‘d rather not.
tsolid 2
You act like GOOD hitters are EZ to come by. If he HITS, they will find a spot for him.
petrie000
the Cubs have 5 more seasons after this one to figure out what to do with Schwarber… and the Doctors so far see no reason why he won’t make a full recovery
I know long-term thinking isn’t a hallmark of the Yankees, but come on… let’s apply a little logic here
southbeachbully
Realistically, if I’m the Yanks, I wouldn’t event contemplate trading the necessary assets to acquire Shwaber given the injury. Yanks have few assets to trade and have had a rash of injuries among their own prospects. How you can say “lots of football players comeback easily from the injury” is funny to me”. What about his current and past physical health should make any of us believe he would absolutely dedicate himself to NOT just the rehab but the routine maintenance necessary to avoid further structural health to the leg? Read below.
Dr. Rodney Benner, Shelbourne Knee Center, Indianapolis:
It’s a very serious one. Multiple ligament knee injuries that involve the lateral (outside of the knee) structures can even injure the peroneal nerve, one of the main nerve structures supplying the lower leg, ankle, and foot. These injuries can result in a foot drop and threaten the athlete’s return to sport ever happening at all. Luckily, we have no indication, at least in the media reports, of any nerve dysfunction complicating an already difficult injury.
EndinStealth
Dear God I hope not.
astros_should_be_fortyfives
You mean the NFL players with the 16 – 20 game schedule who don’t have squat down hundreds a times a day for a couple hundred days a year comparing an NFL player to a baseball player is asinine at best , no catcher is going to go out with a huge cyborg brace on and jump up and down out of a dead crouch all damn day.
bsteady powers
Oooh he told y’all!
bsteady powers
Turd
jobro1973
We haven’t won a championship in a whole 6 years you Cubs fan, can you even count that high
Matthew23Baltimore
The Yankees can resign Chapman anyway
chickenparm311
You can keep dreaming of that elusive World Series championship.
chickenparm311
A thing or 1908
Mikel Grady
Do U not understand that Adrian Peterson came back and he has to make hard cuts and 16 games of nfl wear and tear equal 5 years of standing at plate hitting 450 ft dingers
killerbumblebee
With that bad of a knee injury. He ain’t catching anymore.
ray_derek
Why are you acting like it’s a career ending injury?!?! Lmao, of course he’ll play LF
Mikel Grady
For a 40 hr 120 rbi guy they will find a place for him.
southi
I think Schwarber will have a great career, but please don’t give him credit for something he hasn’t done. The facts are he had a terrific half a season and a great post season. That doesn’t mean he automatically repeats that pace.
Other players have had great starts to their careers and never repeated that type pace again the rest of their careers. I’m not saying that Schwarber won’t repeat, I’m only saying that there is no guarantee and that he didn’t actually achieve the numbers you posted.
He still has tons of potential, but he has multiple question marks as well.
Mikel Grady
He had 16 hr and 43 rbi in 232 ab. 650 ab would be 44 hr 120 rbi. He was 2nd in majors for mph off his bat for batted balls. Cubs must have seen something in him he was #4 pick and Yankees asked Cubs for him not other way around. Kris Bryant avg looking at his short sample was 35 hr 110 rbi. He leads majors in hr right now and will hit those numbers. Small sample size but gotta go from something. Schwarber if traded will be for a controllable young starter. Go Schwarber go Cubs!
southbeachbully
No one is disrespecting Schwabby but he’s not the only guy to start red hot and then fall off the face of the earth, whether it was struggles at the plate or injuries.
You point out his 16 hrs in 232 ab and I can reference Sam Horn and his 14 hrs in 158 ab and Kevin Maas and his 21 in 254 ab. There are many, many more. Add on to the fact that his physical health and poor defense has limited his value on the defensive side of the ball AND the suffering of a major leg related injury further clouds his ability to play a position. He would have to be a consistent 30-40 hr .380 OBP guy to have real value to a team if he’s limited to a DH role full time.
Sam.rhodes16
Whoa whoa whoa down boy. That’s such an aggressive guess for him. That MIGHT be his absolute best season, but dang dude that’s a lot to ask.
petrie000
it’s also not out of the question
it’s why the Yankees want him so badly, because he could very well do just that for them
mrnatewalter
Dave Cameron said in his chat over at FG that he’s hasn’t seen a young player overrated as much as Schwarber in years.
This only proves his point. Good grief.
Mikel Grady
How many home runs does Dave Cameron have? Is that kirks younger brother?
petrie000
i think they’re going to wait and see how well that knee heals before just assuming his mobility is crippled for all eternity
that’s yet another good thing about cost-controlled players like Schwarber… you have time to think things through before rushing to make a bad trade with him….
jasonpen
He’s actually not that bad in LF, and as far as the injury is concerned, his rehab work ethic has put him ahead of schedule. He’s reportedly already jogging. Other athletes have came back from much worse in more physical sports. If Tom Brady can do it, Schwarber will have no problem.
guinnesspelican
Uh? Cub fans should look at Schwarber like us Cardinal fans look at Holliday. We all know what they both are saying when someone comes to the plate “Please don’t hit it to me”.
They both remind me of Adam Sandler’s bit on his first album where the ball keeps hitting him on the head.
Both of these guys are nothing but DH material.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Catcher and left field. He’s too valuable for a over hypered rental
One Fan
Yes as the knee would be heeled by then
desertbull
They might trade schwarber but it won’t be for a freaking relief pitcher.
jljr222
This Yankees winning streak is a mirage. Most fans know the future for this franchise lies in their return for their current assets. If ownership approves moving them, then I think we’ll all be surprised by how much the Yankees actually move and how much they will get back. I’ve seen so many trade proposals based on prospect volume and not value. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Yankees do a 1 for 1 swap with Chapman if it means bringing back a young major league ready impact player. I also do not think Miller will get moved because I don’t see any team meeting the asking price. I also don’t think Cashman will lower his asking price either.
A team would have to suffer a bullpen injury or blow quite a few late-inning games over the next week or so to pony-up the type of return Cash will seek.
MurderersRow27
I agree. Cashman has absolutely no reason to lower his demands on a player like Miller.
Frank Richard
Finally a guy who makes sense. Miller is valued high for good reason. Chapman isn’t worth 2 top 100 prospects or even 1 for that matter. As a Cubs fan I agree that the Yankees should be asking for he moon for Miller. If the Cubs gave up Vogelbach and a low level arm the Yankees should be happy. The get a mashing DH.
southbeachbully
This is laughable. It’s a sellers market and Chapman is arguably the most dominant closer in baseball and as far as salary, pretty cheap. Now I’m not saying we should expect a top 10 prospect in all of baseball but certainly a top 50-75 and maybe a lower level prospect who hasn’t charted yet is reasonable. Your tone makes it sound as if you’re doing us a favor as if Chap was a salary dump or something.
Matthew23Baltimore
Chapman is gonna be a free agent so he’s not worth 2 prospects, maybe 1
HalosFan
They won’t get anything close to what they sent to the Reds
One Fan
Chapman is worth more then one as they can make a QO and get a good prospect that way
Acuña Matata
Lol I wonder what the framework of a Longoria to LA deal would look like
rycm131
Longoria and one of their pitchers for 4 or 5 prospects?
hanks1hammer
ANY…four or five prospects?
BlueSkyLA
It would look like a Martian invasion, and is nearly as probable.
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
No chance this summer. None at all.
BlueSkyLA
Of a Martian invasion? Darn. What am I going to do with all these extra hotdogs?
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
I thought the Martian invasion was scheduled for next year? I might be wrong you might want to hold onto those hot dogs just in case.
BlueSkyLA
Okay. Can I borrow your freezer?
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
That was actually destroyed in the last Martian attack lol.
BlueSkyLA
Hah. You made my day, thanks!
jakethesnizake
I’m sorry, but if I am a Cubs fan and Epstein has the opportunity to add a true difference-maker like Miller, who they desperately need to solidify the back end of the bullpen (for a modest $9m/yr from 2016-2018 mind you), and Schwarber is what it takes to get him, then I’d be pissed at Cubs management for passing on that opportunity.
Where does Schwarber fit in long term for Chicago? Do they seriously consider him their future catcher when Contreras has already demonstrated an ability to handle those duties? OF??? That didn’t work out too well this season did it? Dude ain’t built for that. 1B? You got Rizzo there. DH? Nope, not in the NL.
Simply put, they don’t need Schwarber and he is truly expendable, however good of a hitter he is. They’re loaded offensively for at least the next three years with the core of Rizzo, Bryant, Heyward, Contreras, and Zobrist, And guys like Addison Russell and Javier Baez will only get better and better with experience.
This is a no-brainer as far as I’m concerned.
If the Yankees are dealing Miller to the Cubs, Schwarber absolutely must be the return. Anyone else I’d say no thank you to.
Otherwise, send him somewhere else.
morgannyy 2
I think it’s just Theo posturing…
ilikebaseball 2
He’s a fan favorite and was a play-off hero last year, Its not uncommon for any team to say they won’t trade so and so to keep that players value high. And there are other reasons not to trade him, he’s very young so the likelihood of bouncing back quickly without detriment is high. He has positional flexibility, something Joe Maddon and the FO value highly especially being able to handle catching duties. He’s a left handed bat with power. You could be talking about 15 WAR before he becomes a free agent. The same argument that the other young players will ONLY get better also applies to Schwarber. These are all young players it’d be silly to think they’ll all be offensive stars to so easily let go of a player like Kyle who has shown such hitting acumen at a young age. And above all else he seems to be a quality human being with a great work ethic. And trading that for Miller who like most relievers has had plenty of up and down in his career, and would maybe add 5 WAR before his contract is up (ideal conditions similar to the 15 WAR quote I gave already), is a high risk move, when similar assets can be found while giving up much less. And of course, who’s to say next year every player will stay healthy?
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
I’m not a Cubs fan but Schwarber was a heck of a lot better in lf this year. His routes were a lot cleaner. He got hurt in a freak accident. They happen. Does he need to be cemented in one spot to produce for the Cubs? To be honest the Cubs positionally are in a great spot. Bryant can be moved around the diamond and is so athletic he could be a fixture in RF especially if Baez can hit. Schwarber can be a lf. You’d then hope Heyward gets hot. Heyward and Soler could then become trade bait in the offseason. That being said next year all being healthy the Cubs are probably the favorite to win it.
37santobanks
I can’t see Heyward being traded in pretty much any capacity that would make sense. At least right now.
ilikebaseball 2
Heyward has full no trade clause in his contract. He’s not going anywhere, Soler, yeah he’s just got to prove he can produce and shows that same control over the strike zone that made him such an intriguing prospect in the first place and he’ll be on his way out.
Alastair
Whether Schwarber is traded or not isn’t the issue at this junction- the issue is the obvious fact that he will net more value than Andrew Miller on the trade block. Once the Cubs front office makes Schwarber available they’ll want to talk to all 29 other teams. No doubt they’re answering their phones now, but there’s no rush to move his power, contract, and clubhouse presence for a lefty in the pen.
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
That’s a little presumptive don’t you think. Not all 29 teams would be in on him or even have the assets to acquire him. They probably aren’t talking with all 29 teams concerning Schwarber.
cubsfan24
While I agree with he should probably be in the AL so he can DH or play 1st there is absolutely no reason to trade Schwarber now. 1st off Hes not going anywhere for a relief pitcher plain and simple. Miller would be great to have but he is not the only relief pitcher out there. And there is a very thin line between elite and good relief pitching. Trade for someone who doesn’t cost as much. And no rush to trade someone who isn’t even playing this year. Hes not blocking anyone, and if he has this much value now while he is hurt how much value is he going to have when he proves to be healthy?? Schwarber isn’t happening, which means Miller probably isn’t either and Cub fans will be just fine with that. It’s time for people to get over it and move on
etsuvol13
You do not trade a hitter like Schwarber for a relief pitcher. Not to mention, if you send him to an AL team that only raises his value. Yanks don’t have the guys to get kyle imo, and if they traded him for a freakin RP I’d be pissed. Nothing less than a front of the rotation starter.
MB923
You’re 100% wrong if you don’t think the Yankees have players to get Schwarber. Heck just about any team can get him if he’s a 1 position (DH) player which is what a lot of people say. And I don’t just mean fans. I mean the media and scouts around the league
petrie000
you’re dreaming if you think there’s anything in the entire Yankees organization the Cubs need or want badly enough to give you Kyle Schwarber
he’s a left-handed power bad who’s dirt cheap for years to come in an era where power is hard to find
This is why the Yankees want him so badly, and why the Cubs have no interest in moving him
If the Yankees can find an ace-upside starting pitcher somewhere in the minors, then maybe that discussion even gets off the ground
for a reliever, who’s only good for 60 innings a year if you’re lucky and is only of any use when you’re already winning? Yeah, that’s a pipe dream
cano24
Relievers aren’t that important, eh? How did you like the game last night?
Now multiply that by 10 for the postseason. Yankee fans know how important it is, I think some Cubs fans don’t.
MB923
Not once did I say they could get Schwarber for Miller. You specifically said “they don’t have the guys”. They landed 4 prospects in the top 50 in mid season rankings. If for some whacko reason Cashman offered all 4 of them to the Cubs for Schwarber (plus Miller), are you really going to tell me Theo would say no to that???
Again, you said “guys” which is plural. And not once did I say they would get him for Miller.
petrie000
if Relievers won you champsionships the Yankees wouldn’t be scrapping their all-world bullpen for parts at the deadline, would they?
and besides Miller, Chapman and Beltran (whom the Cubs clearly don’t need), the Yankees have nothing of much value to trade and no blue-chip pitching prospects in the system that the Cubs would want
so i stand by my original statement : there is nothing in the Yankees organization that will get you Kyle Schwarber
Cubs don’t need 4 random top 50s, they need impact starting pitching at AA or above. that’s the only thing they lack. Yankees don’t have it.
MB923
They are not “random top 50”. The Yankees have had actually some very good pitching at AA this year. Not quite MLB ready but they still have done well thus far. Look up the stats yourself before making yourself look silly with false statements. You seem to be just making statements probably because you hate them. I hate the Red Sox but I at least can admit they have a good farm.
Gerry G
Any team can get him but for a boat load more them Miller and I mean a cruise ship type boat
petrie000
i have looked up the stats. the only guys who even arguably fits what the Cubs would want is Kaprielian… who’s sudden velocity spike seems to have messed up his arm pretty bad.
and if Schwarber’s knee is really as big of an issue as Yankees fans seem to believe, imagine what that does to Kaprielian’s value….
other than that you have Mateo (a SS… anybody believe the Cubs need another one of those? especially one with maturity issues?), Judge (an OF who’s not much defensively and strikes out a ton, something the Cubs spent a lot of effort to not do anymore) and Sanchez, who’s basically a Willson Contreras clone.
those are your 4 top 50’s… in what reality does any of that make sense to the Cubs?
i do actually follow the minor leagues fairly closely
cubsfan24
Agreed. He can be traded bit he better be in a package for a TOR pitcher
Toksoon
Jake plz your not a cub fan, montero and Ross are gone after this season ( not to mention every team now plays 2 catchers) contreras catches 70% while schwarber the other 30% . There are other relief pitchers out there.
stymeedone
Why would the Yankees start their rebuild by acquiring a DH? Don’t they have enough options for that position? If they were to put Schwarber in LF, after having Gardner patrol there for so long, it would seem like he was worse defensively, than he has already shown.
HalosFan
Thank god you’re not their gm then. You don’t trade a middle of the order power pat for a reliever. Never.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Schwarber is worth more than Andrew miller who has 8 years on Schwarber. If you trade Schwarber you get both miller and Chapman. The cubs would have to throw in Ian happ and maybe soler a third team would be involved and cubs get a 3rd reliever or a starter. Maybe sonny Gray
One Fan
Jake your comment makes no sense. You dont give away a quality LH power bat that every team craves for a middle reliever because he is “expendable” without getting his proper value back.
Yankees can keep Miller or trade him elsewhere. If he gets traded you will see the Yankees will not get anyone near the value of schwarber
coo coo
The Yankees aren’t sitting that bad. They have a couple young players getting ready to come up plus the money coming off the books They can restock their team either way
adyo4552
Money coming off the books but one of the worst free agent classes in recent memory. IMO the Yankees’ best-case scenario would be unload Chapman for AAA prospects and then bench the old men on the team to let the next wave of players get major league experience.
Toksoon
Who ? Coming up to help the Yankees ? Judge ? Mateo ? Bird ? Lol that’s funniest stuff I’ve seen today. Oh I forgot Sanchez who a been on the prospect list for the last five years . I think if they had help in the minors that you wouldn’t be playing refesynder at first lol. Or that pitching staff
Toksoon
Football players hockey players basketball players all make it back regularly from this injury but I guess according to Yankee fans baseball players don’t . What a laugh
emac22
No one says Schwarber wont make it back.
They’re saying he couldn’t play defense before the injury and now it will be worse.
Add in the fact that he can’t hit left handed pitching and you have a platoon DH.
etsuvol13
I’ll wait until he has more than 56 at bats against left handed pitching to say he can’t hit it. Good lord.
emac22
Why would you assume he can do something he has shown he cannot do until he proves it for a really long time? Don’t you generally assume people don’t have elite skills until they show them?
I have no problem with the cubs not wanting to sell low but I don’t get the idea of ignoring a players stats and actually assuming the opposite until he has x number of at bats to confirm what we’ve already seen.
The bottom line is he can’t hit left handed major league pitching. Nothing says he will can’t adjust but he was terrible and until he shows otherwise he has shown he cannot hit major league left handed pitchers yet. What’s the big deal?
HalosFan
Based on what? His few ABs he had last season? Look what Rizzo has done over his career against left handed pitching. Players evolve. If anyone’s a candidate to improve its Schwarber. And this bullshit about him being a horrible LF is just that, BS. Because he had 3 bad innings in the NLCS the national idiots wanna label him a DH only. Truth is he’s an average LF to slightly below average and with work ethic and team culture he’ll improve. Schwarber isn’t going anywhere. Period. Unless it’s for a top end arm like sale or Fernandez he’s Hoyer and epsteins favorite son. Get that crap outta your heads Yankee fans.
One Fan
Emac you are confused. He told you he only has 56 at bats against lefties and you say that proves it?? Well he hit them just fine in minors. 56 AB does not prove anything. You know not what you are talking about
emac22
Bird, Severino, Judge, Sanchez (signed at 16 so time to develop is how it work) Plus guys like Austin, Enns and others who are doing very well in AAA.
Beltran and Didi are both playing very well in the majors. They have 3 elite closers and incredible depth in the lower levels of the minor leagues.
They have more than enough prospects and it’s management’s unwillingness to let any of them play in the majors that makes the Yankees a 500 team.
Toksoon
Bird and judge did not sign at 16
Toksoon
3 elite closers hmmm Miller has 44 saves betances has less than 10 , Miller finally put it together in the last 2 1/2 years, severing got sent down after being horrible , Sanchez can’t force McCann to first, heck he’s not even in their catching rotation, keep dreaming
emac22
You asked who was coming up and I gave you a list while including the reason you were wrong to dismiss Sanchez for being in the system for 5 years.
emac22
Come on back when you know what you’re talking about.
adyo4552
don’t be a dbag emac
Toksoon
Sanchez I their system 7 years has a career avg 274 and a career obp of .337 not stud numbers , Byrd and judge defensive liabilities who strike out a ton , hit for low average and don’t walk . They do have power but hey so did Pete obrien so please put away your Yankee hat and get a dose of reality.
Toksoon
Sanchez in system 7 years career 274 hitter with a career obp of .337
Toksoon
So please post again when you know what your talking about e
MB923
You can easily say Toksoon is being one too.
emac22
It doesn’t matter what I or anyone knows if you can’t process the information.
Career minor league OBP for a catcher somehow overrides all of the scouting services in determining the value of a catching prospect.
You can’t even be taken seriously because you know so little and think you’re the expert in fields you just don’t understand.
Toksoon
Lol
Toksoon
Yep that’s why he has slid on the prospect ranks . How many other 5 year prospects are on that list. Good enough to be a mlb catcher but not in the elite class
One Fan
Emac I would not tell others they do not know what they are talking about as your are completely ignorant
emac22
Onesey – There isn’t a single subject that you more about than I do but thanks for playing.
timm-2
is that why the Yankees AAA, AA, and A teams are in first place?
The prospects are there.
Toksoon
Really the free agent pool stinks next year and contrary to your belief players No longer take the biggest contract out there. It seems winning and haven’t by a chance to win figures more into their decisions to sign. As for the Yankees they are quite a bit away. Needs 4 starters not named tanaka plus a warranty for his elbow , needs at 1st , 3rd , 2nd( Castro is league average) cf,rf
emac22
I was wondering why all the cubs fans seem to be little kids.
I guess being terrible for so long means their only fans left have only been following the game for a couple of years.
Stay in school!
Don’t do drugs!
Toksoon
Yankee fans are the most delusional ones I’ve experienced. Btw say no to crack . Always over value your players while chomping everyone else’s . Read more books spend less time day dreaming
emac22
Don’t so competitive that you have to be more unreasonable that then dumbest Yankee fan.
I haven’t proposed any trades or given any value comparison with Yankee players beyond commenting that situational relievers and closers aren’t in the same ballpark.. I was saying I don’t want Schwarber and don’t feel the need to trade any of the relievers since we still have to play next year and have a very deep system to get whatever we need.
You’re the one trying to assess value and claiming to be the expert on Yankee prospects you don’t follow using insignificant snippets of stats you clearing don’t really understand and ignoring the assessment of people who do..
I know you’re excited because you team is actually better than some other teams for the first time in your life but you shouldn’t assume Yankee fans have the same level of desperate need to acknowledgement as you do.
You should try day dreaming. Having a functional brain capable of original thought is far more valuable than you think.
Toksoon
Typical New York fan , claims of I know everything I’m right about everything and everyone else is just plain ignorant.
One Fan
Emac I was wondering if all the yankee fans are as stupid and ignorant as you. Moron
emac22
Isn’t that what you’ve been doing all day?
Are you a closet Yankee fan?
emac22
I’m sure you wonder about a lot of things.
I hope you get some help with that but maybe just try a little harder and don’t talk as much so people don’t notice.
timm-2
its how that’s the key. There is no SP in the FA market. That is their biggest need. They could make a play for a Cespedes or Bautista if they wanted to play the same old game but without the SP they are going nowhere.
yankees33
Doubt the Yanks trade anyone besides Chapman. MAYBE Beltran but I just doubt it.
I’m a big Yanks fan but in all reality, we maybe get Vogelbach for Chapman or a Nats b-level SP prospect.
DeadliestCatch
Brad Hand and Ryan Buchter are available and will cost a fraction of what Miller and Chapman will.
Miller- 1.30 xfip, 15.24 k/9, 1.52 BB/9
Chapman- 2.47 xfip, 12.71 k/9, 2.54 BB/9
Buchter- 3.97 xfip, 12.51 k/9, 4.61 BB/9
Hand- 3.99 xfip, 10.73 k/9, 4.67 BB/9
Against lefties in same order
.167/.189/.343- miller
.154/.267/.154- chapman
.130/.230/.226- buchter
.143/.260/.207 – hand
For Hand who has 3 more arb years I can see the padres asking for Bryan Hudson and Dan Vogelbach.
For Buchter whos got 6 more years I could see them asking for Christian Villanueva, Victor Caratini, Bryan Hudson, and Brad Markey
Theyre cheaper in cost of acquisition and overall financial committments.
mrnatewalter
They are a fraction of the cost of Miller and Chapman, but their numbers are nowhere near Miller’s or Chapman’s. Those walk rates…. yikes.
DeadliestCatch
If you look at the splits Buchter has only allowed 5 BB to lefties in 17.1 innings and 16 to righties in 23.2 innings. His walk rate is skewed because of that.
Hand on the other hand has walked righties and lefties at about an equal rate.
Hand and Buchter may not have the same abilities vs righties, theyre not awful against righties but not as effective as miller and chapman, but theyre on par with miller and chapman against lefties.
emac22
HIs walk rate is skewed by the walks he has given up?
Really?
How about pitching in San Diego instead of NY? remember the DH thing they have in the AL?
I do agree the cubs should settle for players like that if they want to hold onto their prospects but pretending they are the same thing isn’t realistic.
DeadliestCatch
Yeah, who would of thought looking at a pitchers splits and not overall numbers combined for righties and lefties has value…..you should try it sometime!
Had you read the previous comment youd see the poster commented on the cumulative BB/9 of buchter and hand.
My response was Buchter, as expected, is more effective vs a lefty than a righty. Which, if the cubs acquire buchter, doubt they’d put him out there facing righties often given the domaninance of their righties in the bullpen as evident by
Strop posting .171/.215/.241 in 25 innings vs righties.
Grimm posting .200/.277/.373 in 20 innings vs righties.
Cahill posting .217/.316/.289 in 25 innings vs righties.
Knowledge is power and context is important.
Also, the final segment of my 2nd comment blatantly said buchter and hand may not be as dominant against righties but they are on par with miller and chapman against lefties.
emac22
It is. As long as you are looking at situational relievers.
Chapman and Miller are not situational relievers and comparing their cost to the cost of a situational reliever is completely invalid.
I do look at relevant splits such as Schwarber’s inability to hit lefties even when he’s doing well. Looking at left/right splits for relievers as a reason to pass on an elite closer in favor of a cheaper guy who can only be effective against one side is using splits to talk yourself into a bad decision.
Knowledge is knowing how a bullpen and pinch hitters are used
Context is comparing apples to apples.
stymeedone
Remember, relievers seldom get to pitch against the pitcher in the NL, unless they are the mop up guy. That seems to off set the DH argument.
emac22
“but it only seems that way”
Situational relievers don’t work very well when you pinch hit on them, unless you plan to switch relievers every time a pinch hitter comes up. The fact that the NL has more pinch hitters is a reason you need someone who can face either side. Not a reason you don’t.
Having one guy who is virtually automatic has a ton of value. Especially in the playoffs.
You aren’t seriously trying to make a case that platoon relievers are about the same as an elite closer are you?
DeadliestCatch
Brad Hand isnt a situational reliever, nor is ryan buchter.
Furthermore, theyve both pitched well on the road vs. home.
Against righties
*Hand has posted .246/.339/.370 and an era of 1.13 away from petco with a line of .163/.256/.253 in 23 innings.
*Buchter has posted .195/.320/.337 and an era of 0.60 away from petco with a line of .102/.254/.229 in 15 innings
Compare that to
*Miller who has posted .155/.214/.275 against righties and .141/.217/.317 away from home in 20 innings
*Chapmam who has posted .182/.234/.295 against righties and .192/.250/.346 away from home in 14 innings
You can see hand and buchter are not just products of petco park and can hold their own against righties.
petrie000
those trades are worse for the Cubs than the Schwarber nonsense
Miller at least as a track record outside of an extreme pitchers park
ThePriceWasRight
holding two amazing rp pieces in the trade market a sellers one no less. why would the yanks not Consider trading both Chapman and miller. I mean trade miller and insist on shwarber. They want impact without giving up anything come on. and chapman to Indians or Rangers or nats and then if the yanks aren’t convinced betances is a closer yet resign Chapman.
etsuvol13
You make it seem like the Cubs can only get Miller if theyes trade Schwarber. If they insist on Schwarber, they will be getting crickets on the other end, because that would be a bone headed move.
jasonpen
Exactly! If Schwarber wasn’t hurt, his name wouldn’t even be being brought up in trade talks. And the Cubs have the prospects AAA and below to get any player they want to get this year, including Miller. These Yankee fans are delusional. Theo and Jed wouldn’t even discuss trading a left handed power bat like Schwarber for a 60IP relief pitcher. The WAR difference alone over these next few years would mean it would take 3 pitchers of Miller’s caliber to even start to level out the trade value on both sides.
pittsburghwayne
Yankees need to make a team take ellsbury w/ either chapman or Miller and eat some of his contract. They need to trade as many people as they can get and get some minor leaguers then do a partial cheap rebuild over the winter and get money ready for free agency after 2018 season
emac22
Why should the Yankees have any motivation to trade any of their top 3 relievers?
Chapman will return next year or they get a first round pick. Anything less than a 1st round pick in a trade is a bad trade. Trading for a DH is also a terrible way to start a rebuild.
The idea of trading the teams best players for a bunch of mid level prospects is also nuts unless you are just looking to save money. The reason the team sucks isn’t because they lack prospects or good players. The reason they stink is because they insisted on building the offense around Tex and Arod and continue to ride that train to nowhere. You make every hitter in the line up worse when you have automatic outs in the middle of the batting order.
Next year the team will have a huge influx of young high end talent with Bird, Severino & Sanchez They also have a few other players who should be solid contributors ready for big league action in addition to a very deep pool of talent in the lower levels of the system.
Schwarber seems highly valued in Chicago and is completely unnecessary in NY where Sanchez and McCann can easily rotate between Catcher and DH. Dismantling the best bull[pen in the history of the game to have some theoretical upgrade at DH while once again tying the position up full time is poor roster management at best.
If there is a team that thinks Chapman is the difference between a possible world series victory and maybe missing the playoffs and is willing to overpay for that final piece I think you look at it but if your return is simply a prospect comparable to the 15th pick in next years draft I wouldn’t even trade Chapman.
The key for the Yankees is cutting the fat giving your own prospects an opportunity to exceed expectations while looking at the team on a long and short term basis with every decision. Making wholesale changes when you basically need to make one or two adjustments is a bad idea and the current management shouldn’t be allowed to start over.
ThePriceWasRight
are you a Yankees owner? to think this team only needs one or two changes is delirious. need more sp and have no real sp prospects. need a 3b a 1b a t least one outfielder and you want to rely on McCann who is getting older and an unproven commodity. good luck with that. just like with the yanks front office, this crash is going to smack you in the face.
emac22
The crash has already happened and even with the front office refusing to react to it the team is still at .500.
The Yankees actually have a lot of pitching prospects.
Enns is in AAA with a 1.17 era and hasn’t given up more than 2 runs in at least 10 starts.
Severino is also in AAA and ready to go in the majors when there is an opening.
Kaprielian is injured but should be in the majors next year.
Beltran is a far better hitter than Schwarber and can actually hit lefties or righties.
Bird is an outstanding prospect at 1b who hits about as well as Schwarber.
They have Headley under contract and Andujar is playing exceptionally well in AA.
McCann is older but is still one of the better two way catchers in the game and in AAA they have the best catching prospect in the minor leagues
Eovaldi, Pineda and Nova are all young starters with very good stuff
Austin, Judge and Gamel are in AAA and hitting very well. Austin can also play 1st base.
The teams problem is arod and tex in the middle of the line up. Not a lack of prospects and certainly not a lack of any major league talent on the big club.
and no, If I owned the team that wouldn’t be playing tex and arod just so they can get their moneys worth on their contracts.
Toksoon
Enns averages less than 5ip a start , Sanchez career .274 hitter career .337 obp in 7 years in the minors , bird hitting .251 , Beltran old and on last year of deal. Three young pitchers with good stuff , injury histories , and no clue how to pitch
timm-2
and what is his innings cap? and how many innings did he pitch last year?
you would think with a 1.17 whip him pitching 5 ip per start would have something to do with something else besides being ineffective right?
simple logic right?
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
That’s assuming all prospects will pan. You’re also assuming Scwarber can only DH. The difference is Schwarber was a first round pick that hit his way to the majors the latter is an unproven wild card that will probably bring you a back end of the 1st round pick as those are the teams that are going to pay.
emac22
It doesn’t assume anything of the sort. They have a lot of duplication at almost every position.
Chapman, assuming he is the latter, is an elite bullpen piece I would just as soon keep next year since I expect the team will be good instead of trading him for a prospect we don’t need.
ThePriceWasRight
so in your baseball world every prospect pans out, free agency is just a myth and headley is playing like an all star. got it.
emac22
In your world reading comprehension is secondary to winning the point.
Are you suggesting the Yankees should trade an elite closer for a back up DH in case their other options don’t work out?
The Yankees have 4 catchers I would be OK with seeing in the majors next year as well as 8 starting pitchers and over a half dozen outfielders and about a dozen infielders.
Why in the world would the Yankees trade for Schwarber because Headley isn’t hitting like a an all star?
Do you have a point or do you just have some childish need to defend Schwarber’s honor? I understand that you don’t know anything about the Yankees farm system but pretending they don’t have prospects because you don’t know anything about them is just weird.
Next time just scream at your computer instead of wasting my time pretending you have a thought.
Toksoon
Take some Prozac e , just another over emotional yankme fan
horrorluvr
If anyone think this Dodger FO makes a “elite player” deal is smoking crack. And no, Odorizzi is NOT elite.
angelsinthetroutfield
Calhoun to Cleveland for Bradly Zimmer, Zach Crockett, and a lower lvl prospect?
Too much?
boah
Schwarber for miller is laughable.A 23 year old power hitting lefty who will hit 30-40 hr’s and have a 380-400 ob% will be in the line up with bryant and rizzo for years.Miller is 30 schwarbers value will be greater long term and he can impact the cubs daily.I don’t want andrew miller go get dolittle or abad let the yankess keep miller and continue to be irrelevant with their old washed team.
Gerry G
You don’t trade a lefty power bat for a pitcher who might pitch 50 innings at best . As good as Miller is not 1 GM would trade Schwarber for Miller straight up its not happening
Niekro
If a GM thinks it is the difference in winning a world series or not I think a lot would actually do it Cubs fans seem to think every thing is given and this team will always be this good from here on out that is not the case. Cubs fans penciling in Schwarber for 30-40 homers a year is funny too. You never want to sell your future in a reckless manner, but to not even consider it is the type of mentality that ends up with a team that hasn’t won in over 100 years.
Gerry G
Wow we should fire Theo and hire you immediately , you have all the answers
Niekro
No need looks like Theo agrees with me
Ken M.
Just won 6 of 9 from the Indians, Red Sox and Orioles.
This team should not be selling.
MB923
Stop trolling Sox fan
HalosFan
Not catching the Os, six or Blue Jays. Sell all.
pflabby
The more I read about Schwarber I think the Yankees should pass on him and the Cubs for that matter. They should keep Miller and trade Chapman, Beltran and Nova to Nats, Royals and Texas. Since Schwarber is obviously the second coming of Ruth perhaps he can pitch relief for the Cubs as well.
SupremeZeus
If the Cubs move Schwarber it will be for a youngish long term cost controlled starter in the offseason. The cubbies current dominant starting pitching window only goes through 2017. After that It is murky and acquisitions will cost major $ or major prospects.
intheowetrust 2
Trust me I’m engraved here in Chicago baseball since 1988. We Will Not Trade Kyle EVER! Everybody important and fans love him! You don’t get rid of your teams all time post season home run leader who hasn’t even gotten a chance to play a full season yet, and he’s what 22,23 years old! He’s not going anywhere! In Theo We Trust
cubsfan24
Cubs and Yanks aren’t a good match up and should just both move on. The Cubs can get what they want elsewhere and the Yanks can see if they can get someone else. The Cubs have the luxury of sitting on Schwarber until he is healthy and either playing LF or C or being healthy and getting packaged for a TOR pitcher. Done and done
timm-2
they Yankees need at least controllable SP.. Sabathia is on his way out. I wonder how much patience they have left with Eovaldi and Pineda. Nova isn’t a long term player whereas Severino in. There is nothing in the FA market next winter. Kaprelian might be up at some point next year and they have other SP coming.
They need SP more than any hitter. Even a good one like Schwarber and as good as he is …. where does he play?
No SP is probably the way they want to go. So are the Cubs a match?
braves4life1
The Cubs need to just go get Chapman and stop worrying about ways to add on Miller or Eovaldi. Management has already said that they will not move Schwarber. So drop the idea of getting Miller and send the Yanks 3 prospects to snag Chapman,
Toksoon
2 month rental not worth three prospects, that’s short term as chapman said he’d happily go back to the Yankees
coo coo
The Cubs could always just stick with Carl Edwards Jr.
Gnotorious
Question for Cub fans. Which would you rather have, Schwarber or a championship? I’m not saying the Cubs should or should not trade Schwarber as I don’t have any allegiance to either team. I think adding Miller and / or Chapman greatly improves their chance of winning a championship, Schwarber isn’t helping them this year. Would a WS ring be worth trading Schwarber? There may be other chances with the Cubs core but anything can happen. Players get hurt, other teams find a better mix of players, teams have bad luck. The Cubs have a legit shot at winning it all this year, In my opinion, they should explore all options that can help them win this year.
mrnatewalter
I love the “we have so much depth” comments from the Cubs, but then the moment you suggest trading someone, it becomes, “he’s untouchable!”
Maybe, just maybe, you don’t have as much depth as you think if you can’t give guys who aren’t even playing right now up.
Toksoon
Cubs just made a trade with Seattle
Toksoon
Get lhp Montgomery for vogelbach. No need for Miller now
gwm0221
Love how people get so angry/ nasty over hypotheticals. The point of a team trading a guy on their major league roster is because another team is willing to overpay. While chapman def isn’t worth Schwarber, he will still fetch a good package, or he won’t go anywhere. A non contending team isn’t gonna take something fair for one of their players, they want to get a haul. There are no favors in MLB. Don’t see miller going anywhere, Cash likes him to much and will ask for a kings ransom.
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
“After all, the club is within striking distance of contention, can utilize the qualifying offer or extend Chapman, and still controls Miller for two seasons.”
No, the Yankees can NOT extend Chapman. He WILL test the open market this offseason.
fightcubsfight
Yankees don’t have what it takes to land a Kyle schwarber. With all due respect to Miller and chapman you do not trade a talent like schwarber who is under team control for years to come for a half of a season of chapman or two and a half years of Miller.
Pasquale Salvatore
You Cub fans are delirious. I guess that must be from waiting 108 years for a championship. You want to make an impact deal but you don’t want to give up the only impact prospect (Schwarber) you have. You can keep Schwarber and watch someone else in the WS!! And I am not a Yankee fan!!