The Cubs “may have interest” in Blue Jays lefty J.A. Happ, per Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun (Twitter link). Chicago’s rotation has a pair of notable question marks, as it’s not yet clear when Yu Darvish will be able to return to the mix, while Tyler Chatwood’s season-long struggles to throw strikes have been a well-documented issue. Happ has been most prominently linked to the Yankees and the Mariners thus far, though as a pending free agent on a clear non-contender, he figures to draw interest from a large number of clubs as the non-waiver deadline approaches. Happ’s two most recent starts haven’t been good ones, though as long as there’s no medical reason for the pair of ugly outings, that’s not likely to impact his trade value much, if at all.
More from the division…
- Brandon Phillips chatted with WEEI’s Rob Bradford about his opportunity with the Red Sox and the manner in which he remained motivated and ready to play even when interest was limited throughout the offseason and early in the season. The 37-year-old veteran notes that he’ll play anywhere the Sox ask of him and is hopeful of returning to the Majors and helping Boston toward — but also enjoys working with the team’s minor leaguers as he gets back into playing shape. “I was waking up at 5 o’clock in the morning in the Gulf Coast League trying to get my work in,” says Phillips, who worked out with Boston’s GCL affiliate before moving into game settings at the Class-A level. “They’re like, ‘Brandon, you don’t have to do this.’ I’m like, ‘Man, I’m here for this. I want to work out with those guys. I just want to get back in the feel of it.’” Phillips makes clear that he has no desire to hang up the spikes at any point in the near future and wants to win a World Series ring before even beginning to consider retirement.
- The Rays had a pair of scouts watching the Nationals’ Class-A affiliate over the weekend, tweets Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post. While most teams obviously send scouts to watch other clubs year-round, and other teams surely had scouts on hand at that game as well, it’s nonetheless notable at a time when rumors have been circulating that the Nationals could pursue a trade that would bring Tampa Bay catcher Wilson Ramos back to D.C.
- Aroldis Chapman will likely be dealing with his current left knee issue for the rest of the season, Yankees skipper Aaron Boone said before yesterday’s game (link via George A. King III of the New York Post). Chapman has been playing through a minor bout of tedinitis in his left knee and was held out of yesterday’s game even when the Yankees found themselves with a late 2-1 lead. Boone explained that he wanted to stay away from Chapman and Dellin Betances, instead turning to David Robertson to nail down the save. With a doubleheader set for Monday, it makes some sense to give Chapman that extra day of rest. King also notes that the Reds, Rangers and Royals were all among the rebuilding teams scouting the Triple-A tilt between the Yankees and Red Sox’ top affiliates yesterday. Several contending clubs were on hand as well, though, including the Indians, Phillies and D-backs.
Happ would be a great pickup for the Cubs. Could get him cheaper than other options and would give some much needed starting pitching
Cubs fans would be “Happ”y to get him
If it should ‘Happ’en
The Cubs would set a major league record for most Happs on a major league roster.
Happ would actually be a better addition to the Yankees then the Cubs. Just FYI
How many more awful moves can Theo make as an exec? He now has a long history of really questionable (sometimes awful) moves.
And a trophy. Flags fly forever
He unburdened two of the four biggest baseball franchises of centuries-long championship droughts. Even one made him worthy of the exec hall of fame. Doing it twice makes it unanimous.
Theo has time to make Cleveland winners too
Cant see theo ever leaving the Cubs.
And ending the 2 longest championship droughts in sports history. I would say he is an HOF GM based on this alone.
Really, seriously? Epstein has orchestrated 2 Championship runs not to mention many other highly competative years.
No one is perfect, but what he has done is hall of fame worthy. Pat Gillick won 2 Championships and he is in the HOF and my call is so will Epstein be there.
Winning two—or twenty—championships for historically deprived franchises is irrelevant to my charge. For all his accolades, Epstein has a proven propensity for some bad moves. He has made so many over a long stretch now, and a compelling case could be made that one championship with the Cubs—as liberating as it was for a starved fan bade and franchise—represents a significant underachievement relative to what most had projected for the Cubs several years ago.
And the onus for that—as much as the championship—is on Theo.
You make no sense at all. The Cubs have been a powerhouse the last four seasons and are built to contend for that many more.
This is baseball not the NBA where a team like Golden State can win again and again. Baseball very rarely has dynasties where teams win year after year. I would say the cubs are very much still in their prime and they could win another any year. Theo is the reason for this.
If you can name one GM who has made no bad moves then I would be floored.
The Cubs had a great 2016. Everyone performed well above expectations. They are not good enough to win another WS without more moves and every year moving forward adds more money to an already expensive roster. Remember that Baez, Contreras, Edwards Jr, Schwarber, Almora, and Happ are all making below $1 million.
The Cubs got their World Series but they are in win-now mode with their core about to cost $$$$
I’ve stated myself rather clearly, and stand by what I’ve said. Some others have added to it, namely to point out that the roster is going to get very expensive. Chatwood, Darvish and Heyward hardly help either.
Last year was a significant disappointment and this year (despite being “in contention”) isn’t looking like it’s meeting expectations either.
Well yeah, people who have to make a lot of moves to succeed will naturally make some bad moves. So I guess GMs who make no moves make fewer mistakes and are better than Theo
Dude. Get out of here with that nonsense.
You also have to look at the free market pool the last 2 off seasons. it was below average. Theo got the best that was available for what was being asked. read The Cubs Way by Tom Verducci for some great insights into the building of this team. even if you’re not a Cubs fan it’s an interesting baseball read. Theo has accomplished extraordinary things.
If they are good enough to make the playoffs, they are good enough to win the World Series. The playoffs are a crapshoot. Wasn’t it just last season that the Yankees beat an odds on World Series champion Indians in the playoffs? And the almost beat the Astros? Wasn’t it the Cubs last year that beat the favorite Nats in the playoffs before losing to the Dodgers? Get to the playoffs and play roulette. Until baseball changes the format (never will) of the playoffs where you only need a three man rotation and about a three-four man bullpen because of the constant off days–everyone that makes it has a chance. The best team(s) will conquer a 162 game season. The most well rested and hottest team will win a short series.
It doesn’t matter how expensive it is going to get. They will have their own TV network in a year, have deep pockets to begin with, and quite frankly, I doubt that it is any of your money. If winning 92 games and losing in the NLCS is a significant disappointment, then obviously Theo knows what he is doing and has made many more good moves than bad. Only one team “meets” expectations anyway.
The team with the hottest pitching usually wins the playoffs. Having said that, I am sticking to my spring training call.
Bosox win the AL East and Yankees win the world series.
I’ll take that bet and double down on the Astros.
Bold prediction to pick a WC team as a WS winner, especially when they have an automatic elimination game. Surely it can happen though.
I’m fascinated here. Your overarching assertion seems to be that good teams with savvy general management generally go on to win multiple championships. As such, you frame theo’s one ring with the cubs as a disappointment. But, uh, there are an extremely limited number of teams that win successive rings. Winning rings in any capacity tends to be a combination of talent and luck. All a gm can do is put his team in the best possible situation to win. He’s not perfect, but Theo has two more rings than so many other gm’s.
Are you being serious? Heyward is having a fantastic year. Chatwood and Darvish have been busts so far and the Cubs still have the 2nd best record in the NL. I believe Darvish will still contribute a lot before October rolls around. Making it to a third straight NL championship series can hardly be considered a disappointment, let alone a significant one, and you’d be hard pressed to find anyone who knows a thing about baseball that would be surprised if they get back there again. Your post shows that you know nothing about baseball.
That’s a cool story, BUT… just a couple of things here. 1- That core that won in 2016 hasn’t even peaked yet, still under team control for years to come. 2- The Cubs have plenty of money to spend when they need something, Theo spoke about this very thing actually, how he intentionally kept the Cubs out of the luxury tax so he could blow past it in the winter of 2018 without being a repeat offender, he’s set up perfectly for just that.
This isn’t an old, aging, over the hill veteran laden team. Considering Bryant, Contreras, Baez, Almora, Russell, Happ, Schwarber, Edwards, etc… haven’t even hit their peaks yet and are still under team control for years to come. Again, the Cubs have the resources to add where needed. Their window is wide open.
Few teams use a 3 man rotation in the playoffs. 4 man is the norm.
On top performing above expectations they lost kyle Schwarber game 3. That shows they were honestly destined to win.
Interesting thought that a sporting club can be destined to win regardless of player circumstances. I totally beleive that.
That means there is a bigger picture that we can see, perhaps orchestrated by intelligent design far beyond our comprehension.
I wonder is that intelligence predestined the Yankees to win the world series this year? I say yes.
How many championships were projected upon the Cubs years ago???
3 straight NLCS appearances. Who compares to that?
Disregard the troll, people….. The guy is an idiot…..
Jimmertee Gillick actually won 3 championships, 2 with Toronto and 1 with the Phillies. Epstein has also won 3 and is only 44 years old. I do also believe that Epstein is a lock for the HOF.
Anyways, bringing up Gillick is an excellent comparison imo. Neither was perfect, for example Gillick’s most maligned trade for the Phillies:
20 year old Gio Gonzalez
23 year old Gavin Floyd
For
50 innings of an injured Freddy Garcia (who Gillick did not review the medical records for prior to completing the trade).
The main point being here is that the above is a horrible move. A huge mistake for even the most seasoned GM and also, imo worse than the Tyler Chatwood signing. Does Gillick still deserve to be in the HOF? No question in my mind.
On March 30 1993, Pat Gillick perhaps had the worst day of his legendary career when he traded Derek Bell to San Diego for Darrin Jackson, and released David Wells.
Jays had a glaring hole in LF all year until the acquisition of Rickey Henderson for Steve Karsay and a minor leaguer, and starting pitching became a problem down the road. Until Shannon Stewart, Jays had a problem with the LF position.
Gillick had his bad days, and had some great moves and a strong organization that developed talent for many years. Epstein thinks he’s a pitcher away from reaching the World Series and he’s correct. No team in the NL is a cut above the rest. Cubs are ready to win now and it probably won’t take much to get a lefty starter like Happ.
I stand corrected. Forgot about the Phillies championship in 2008.
Don’t forget that Gillick tried to make it work in Baltimore and nearly succeeded. O’s fans must wonder what could have been had Angelos took a step back and allowed Gillick to operate.
Even as a Brewers fan who despised the Cubs you have to give props to Theo. He’s a HOF candidate for sure. Not every move a GM makes is going to stick. With that said, I’m glad the Brewers have Stearns and hoping I can see the Brewers in a WS in my lifetime.
Theo will absolutely go into the HOF. I say that thinking he has no business being in there as of now but he’s doing fantastic GM work.
As a Cub fan who finally saw my team win one. I truly hope that If the Cubs don’t go that the Brewers do. They need Degrom in my opinion not Machado. The offense is scary but I’m concerned their bullpen will be totally gassed at the end of the year
So would you trade Bryant for DeGrom ?
no
So much wrong here. Are you crazy?
Yankee fan checking in: love Theo. The mans a genius and deserves to be in the HoF. Everyone makes questionable choices, no exec is perfect. But Theo is cream of the crop (besides Cashman 🙂 )
Agreed. Cashman is heading to the HOF as well.
Haha…. it’s bad enough to troll, pathetic really, but at least be good at it. There’s a reason why those who actually get paid for their opinions praise Theo. I hope he never leaves Chicago. How many other front offices hit gold on 5 straight 1st round picks? Fleecing the Rangers for Hendricks and Edwards, Fleecing Oakland and Billy Beane for Russell and of course fleecing Baltimore for Arrietta and Strop. Signing Lester when they were still “rebuilding” hiring Joe when they noticed a weird opt out in his TB contract.
Continuing to do really well acquiring assets in the international market. (Jimenez, Torres, Soler) they don’t win in 2016 without those assets to flip. Oh, and breaking the “curse” in both Boston and Chicago, BTW the young core currently thriving in Boston… yep, Theo. There’s a reason he’s widely regarded to as the best front office guy in the game. Hahaha, we’re pretty happy to have him. The results cannot be disputed.
Bryzzo2016, not arguing against your point just saying Soler and Jimenez aren’t used as trade chips got their 2016 championship
Very well said Bryzzo! Seems to have got rid of the troll.
Theo has won world series with the Cubs and Red Sox. I don’t think making horrible moves ended those two championship droughts.
Actually when he signed Hayward I was like are you kidding your giving all this money to this dude, He’s actually a good defender but his batting average is like 250 and would only give you like 12 to 15 homeruns he is not worth all that money the Cubs give him.
he turned down more from the Cardinals.
The Yankees had a scout at the Royals game over the weekend watching Moustakas play first base. Cash get it done please.
Over the last 30 days,
Player A – .356 OBP, 103 wRC+, 0.3 WAR
Player B – .253 OBP, 66 wRC+, -0.1 WAR
Player A is Greg Bird. Player B is Mike Moustakas.
Yankees need a First Baseman and a starting pitcher.
Starting pitcher Yes.. As far as First Baseman goes, it’s a little too soon to give up on Bird, and there’s no signs that Moustakas is an upgrade when he’s gotten worse.
Take happ and smoak. We’ll take Frazier and Sheffield.
Lol, not a chance the Yankees do that.
Couldn’t agree more. Why waste prospects on a marginal rental. We have a guy that strikes out a lot with a little pop. His name is Greg Bird. We don’t need another one
Lol
Why are they scouting Moustakas then?
I have zero clue. Maybe just as insurance in case Bird gets hurt
+steph
Have you ever heard of due diligence
Lol. I never know how a post with just numbers gets downvoted. Men lie, women lie, numbers don’t.
Because you’re just skewing numbers…Moose has more HR, better BA, better ops…anyone can skew numbers…so some people disagree with how you are doing that, ergo the down vote
I guess you (or anyone who downvoted) are unaware that Greg Bird’s first game this season was on May 26th whereas Moustakas has played in 85 of the Royals 89 games. Perhaps that’s why Your post has been downvoted, especially when you’re comparing total HR hit and using BA as a comparison.
If you want, i can just breakdown Moustakas’ numbers for the entire season by month. Because a red hot March/April (which he had) means nothing now. Just like how the Mets 11-1 start and Yankees 9-9 start mean nothing now since the Mets now have the 2nd worst Win% in the NL and the Yankees have the 2nd best Win% in
Moustakas was great to start the year. He has done a complete 180 since
wRC+ by month for Moustakas
March/April – .144
May – 107
June – 80
July – 34
To use a stat you used (even though I find it useless), Batting Average
March/April – .302
May – .255
June – .217
July – .143
OPS
March/April – .914
May – .776
June – .665
July – .515
Moustakas right now is simply Not an upgrade over Greg Bird. Can he improve and finish better than Bird? Sure.
If not Moustakas then someone.
What other 1B do you see available?
There’s Smoke and oh a guy in Miami Justin Bour that can probably be had. Here goes the prospects cries.
Interesting choices.
Hey I wasn’t arguing for the Yankees to get Moose lol I was explaining the reason for the down votes like you asked…I actually think it would be stupid if the Yankees did that…as a matter of fact if you want a bat the Cardinals might trade you Jose Martinez…not the best defensive 1b but the man can hit…go ahead and look up his numbers…you won’t be disappointed
Moustakas over Bird? Some iterations of a trade between KC and the Yanks had Bird going back for Moustakas. Uhhh, no.
Yes, I am as frustrated by Bird as anyone, but this guy is only 25 and played great in the playoffs last year. Yanks will regret giving up on Bird if they were to do so.
Bird has got to go back to the minors to figure it out.
What exactly does he have to figure out? In a very limited sample size this year, his BB and K rate are in line with his career numbers (11.9/26.9 in 2018, 11.2/27.2 Career)., and he has a 100 wRC+ which is exactly league average.
Yankees are ranked 26th in MLB in production from first base. The guy was correct the other day calling out Bird as Nick Johnson 2.0. No matter how hard you try and spin it they need an upgrade.
Yup. well said Pope. 1st base must have high production. Runs runs runs.
That 26 rank in First Base production is because of Neil Walker who is no longer the team’s everyday 1B. The Yankees have a -0.6 WAR at 1B. Without Neil Walker it is a +0.3 (which of course is still not good at this point in the season.)
Greg Bird is 18th in WAR among 1B in the last 30 days. Slightly below average, but it’s much higher than the team’s 26th rank. I would bet before Bird came back, they were ranked 30th.
Bird’s health is a huge question of course, and that’s a good comparison to Nick Johnson, but Mike Moustakas is simply Not an upgrade over him at this point.
Right as usual jimmer. Bird has been numerous chances and either can’t stay healthy or just doesn’t have it. We can all play the small sample size game and spin some numbers.
Happ for McKinney and Johnny Lasanga
No point is guessing players in trades, that is a pointless excercise and never comes true. Let’s just say that Happ will be traded for a fair price somewhere and the Yankees could use him.
jimmer don’t pay attention to this guy, he’s a Troll.
Swihart for Trout.
Happ is going to get traded somewhere soon. Jays better be auctioning him off to the highest bidder;
That’s some ground-breaking observations there! #scourseyes
Hey Red Sox fans…..what will it take to get HOFer Swihart? Will Snell be enough? Do I have to add Duffy?
2 packs of Big League Chew and a bucket of sunflower seeds and we have a deal.
That’s a good start. Keep going.
At least a FHOF like Mateo or Rutherford would suffice.
Neither are in the organization. Try again troll.
The Cubs “may have interest”… Amazing journalist insight…
I hear the Long Island Ducks may have interest in Kershaw.
Y wld the Yankees want happ he’s not any better than German
Wrong. And he’s proven. With playoff pedigree. So there’s that.
A 1..81 Postseason WHIP isn’t exactly a “pedigree!”
It may be Gray, not German, that you are replacing in the rotation.
Quick question about the playoffs that hopefully someone can answer.
Before in the wild card round, 2 teams from the same division couldn’t play each other. When they introduced the play in game, did that change?
So say the Yankees win the division(and number 1 seed) the Red Sox(4) play the Mariners(5) and win, they would either play Houston or Cleveland, which ever was the number 2 seed? Or would they play the Yankees?
no, it no longer works that way. the Diamondbacks beat Colorado last year in the wild card and then played the Dodgers in the NLDS.
Thanks! I know I could have used the good ole google. But figured baseball fans would have the answer.
It’s always by seeding now. Wild Card winner will play the team with the best record, whether they are in the same division or not. And Wild Card team will not get Home Field Advantage in LDS or LCS
I wonder if the Wild Card team can get Home Field Advantage in the WS if they have a better record than the team in the other league (assuming the team is a division winner). I’m guessing Yes because I believe it’s now by best record.
It would pain me to see them in pinstripes but a Smoak/Happ Trade to NYY actually makes a lot of sense.
Great idea JD, That .wou;ld be a great deal for the for both clubs. I assume the Jays would demand a lot in return. Smoak comes with a cheap team option for one year? If I were Shapiro/Atkins I would offer it up to the Yankees in a heartbeat.
Wound like to see the Rays grab Garcia and one of Tetreault/Raquet/Johnson for Ramos. Even better would be if the Nats want Ramos and Eovaldi and the Rays can get Kieboom as the headliner.
Given that Happ is 35, the price shouldn’t be to steep. I’d like to see the Cubbies make this move.. While I’m confident that Hendricks will rebound, I have no faith in Darvish being healthy + Chatwood just needs to be a DFA candidate since he’s that brutal.
It would be funny if they offered Ian for J.a
If I’m Rizzo I’d want Archer if I’m giving up Kieboom. His deal looks a lot like what they gave Gio when they traded for him way back when.
Could see a package of Max Fried, Christian Pache, and Sam Freeman for Manny Machado, Adam Jones and Zack Britton. Comfortable with passing and trying for Nathan Eovaldi or Zack Wheeler instead of expiring contracts. Can see a couple nice prospects for each.
Yea and I see the Yankees getting DeGrom for McKinney and Gray. Seems as realistic as your proposal mhm.
Backatit you were joking correct
I’m here for two Happ(s) on the same team.
Jen-Ho Tseng and Mark Zagunis for J.A. Happ?
Unless the blue Jays want low Single A playsets the Cubs wont get him. They wont get anyone like Russell or happ or Baez or Schwarber.