The Cubs have acquired outfielder Terrance Gore from the Royals, per an announcement from the Kansas City organization. Cash considerations will head back in return.
Gore, 27, will presumably reprise his role as a late-season/postseason threat on the bases. No doubt he’ll begin his tenure with the Chicago organization in the upper minors, where he has typically resided until rosters expand in September.
Since first cracking the majors in 2014, the light-hitting Gore has taken only 14 plate appearances at the game’s highest level. But he has appeared in 49 total games and racked up 21 steals.
Of course, utilizing a specialist in that manner only requires the commitment of a 40-man spot once rosters have expanded. For the time being, the Cubs won’t even need to tie up a slot on Gore, who had re-joined the Royals on a minors deal over the winter after being cut loose last fall.
Whether or not Gore could also feature on the Cubs’ presumptive postseason roster remains to be seen. The Royals carried him throughout the 2014 and 2015 postseasons, up to but not including the club’s successful return to the World Series in the second of those two memorable campaigns. Despite being in uniform for quite a few contests, Gore has only appeared in eight total playoff games, stealing four bags but never striding to the plate.
tim815
Surprise level on this move is about zero.
baseballpun
Championship.
Christian Larsen
billy hamilton 2.0
Paul Heyman
Pretty much.
Priggs89
This guy makes Billy Hamilton look like he actually knows how to hit.
ba2929
More like Billy Hamilton 0.5
Gore makes Billy Hamilton look like Tony Gwynn at the plate.
gomerhodge71
More Quintin Berry
msjrn509
HARRISON BADER IS BETTER THAN BOTH BY A MILE.
fasbal1
Hopefully they need him for the post season
agentx
I totally get various contenders’ reasons for such pickups but still find it curious how a handful of guys like Gore can log such a significant percentage of their service time as late-season / post-season pinch runners and defensive specialsts.
JDC
Because he is a FAST runner
mattg3
Nothing more than a base stealer when rosters expand and the late season push for the playoffs begins.
ba2929
Gore’s only major league tool is speed, and it’s like an 80 speed.
He’s easily the fastest guy on the Cubs 40 man now and it’s probably not even close.
ThatBallwasBryzzoed
He’s still not the beat baserunner on the team. Being completely unbiased. Kris Bryant is the best base runner in baseball.
Bruin1012
Lol
WarkMohlers
Are you sure you are not a little bit biased? Maybe just a tiny bit?
ThatBallwasBryzzoed
It’s a nonbiaised fact. Theres no one better. I challenge you to name some one who is better running the bases than kris Bryant.
Bruin1012
Mookie Betts and it’s not really close there is one for sure.
Bruin1012
Easily a better base runner.
WarkMohlers
I would have said Heyward is a better baserunner off the top of my head.. For non-Cubs I would say Cain, Albies, Gardner, Altuve, and Hamiilton (when/if he gets on base).
mike127
It’s hard to say the BEST…but if not considered ONE of the best he’s vastly underrated. For my money and all of the theatrics, Kris Bryant’s baserunning ability alone won game seven of the 2016 World Series. He is an excellent base runner and the best on the Cubs. I watch a lot of baseball, but not the enough to say he is the best in baseball. I would find it hard to find five better, though.
Bruin1012
I am probably a little biased but advanced metrics on both baseball reference and Fangraphs say that Mookie is easily a better base runner then Kris Bryant. I watch a lot of baseball admittedly not as much of the Cubs and other teams but for my money Betts is an unbelievable base runner he puts so much pressure on the others teams defense he takes the extra base and I have rarely see him make a mistake on the base path.
justinept
Bryant is an elite base runner. Anyone that disagrees with that can just look at his UBR numbers. And yea – tagging up from 3rd on a shallow flyball in G7 was definitely a big run for the Cubs!
But Betts has led the league in ubr multiple times before having a random off-season with that metric this year. Bryant has some top-5 finishes in his career. But if we’re simply asking who is better between Betts and Bryant – it’s Betts
notin
Per Fangraphs, Kris Bryant has been worth -0.4 BsR this year on the bases, which ranks him 39th on the Cubs, behind several pitchers..
That total also has him tied with many players for 1,210th in MLB, not counting pitchers. Bear in mind there re only 750 MLB roster spots on any given day.
I know he has missed some time, but honestly, it might be safer to say Kris Bryant is one of the worst baserunners in MLB this year.
wellhitball
He’s also been playing injured for the majority of the year. I know it’s a shoulder injury, but the fact that his worst baserunning season is also the only season in which he’s sustained a major injury is probably not a coincidence.
2457charlie
are you HIGH
2457charlie
You are high
2457charlie
fastest in the league
Houston We Have A Solution
Speed kills
Ully
Cubs love doing this, they get a speedster in August for a pinch run opportunity in the playoffs.
daved
A C-note will be all the cash considerations needed.
daved
Didn’t they sign Bourjos this off season only to release him? He’s better than Gore.
Balky
No one says Gore is better than anyone. He’s not a major league player except for his speed. This is a luxury that a few of the post season teams can get in order to use in very specific/important situations.
daved
Waste of spot for a guy who all he does is run. Big deal. There are options out there of guys who can run, play defense and even hit a little.
Balky
It probably is a waste, but it’s a luxury they’re willing to try. He has elite speed so no, not a lot of guys can do that as well or better and be available. I’m not saying it’s smart, just explaining why they did it.
stubby66
Brewers do the same thing with Quinton Berry.
stan lee the manly
He costs next to nothing and that spot is pretty irrelevant when rosters expand, why not have a guy who could come into a tied extra innings game as a pinch runner? That extra 90 feet can be the difference between winning and losing, an average hitter does not trump the speed of you have all of those extra roster spots
TrueOutcomeFan
Waste of the open 40 man roster spot for a player than can safely be stashed at AAA for two weeks until rosters expand? The only reaction to this trade should be, “OK”.
ThatBallwasBryzzoed
That’s who the Cubs got in 2015. He stole 2nd ans 3rd to secure game 2 vs st. Louis in st Louis.
wrigleywannabe
And we don’t need those guys. Heyward and Almora are great defenders. That is 2/3 of an OF if you want defense.
Rosters will expand. They will have other defensive guys or guys who can hit.
What they won’t have is a guy with this kind of speed.
Also, who says he cant play D?
clarknaddison
Just ask Mr Roberts, the Dodgers manager….
jumsy
Luxury for post season teams or a luxury because the Cubs’ farm system is empty and they don’t have talented players that need protection on the 40 man roster?
wrigleywannabe
Do you seriously believe they have NO ONE needing to be protected?
He will take spot 40. Big deal.
Gavin B
I find it hard to believe the Cubs farm is as terrible as everyone says it is seeing that Bote was there 14th prospect haha.
clarknaddison
Their talented players graduated and helped them to 3 straight NLCSs….prospects are cool but parades are cooler.
baseball10
Bourjos also cant steal bases despite being fast
allweatherfan
No he’s not. Bourjos is a terrible base stealer.
daved
Who cares if he can steal bases. Bourjos can still run the bases. He can score from 2nd on virtually any hit. Score from 1st on anything to the gaps. And he plays defense and can hit a little. Now, who adds more value and flexibility. Getting Gore ranks a -2 on a scale of 1-10.
justinept
Every player on the Cubs has proven able to do exactly what you just said. It’s not some great skill. Hell, Contreras scored from 1st on a single this year…
ba2929
The entire point of having Gore on your team is to pinch run late and steal bases. Not stand at first and run the bases after someone else gets a hit.
ThatBallwasBryzzoed
Contreas is a great base runner for a catcher and he has decent speed too.
wrigleywannabe
Because that is why he is there.
PB would never be used to hit in a critical situation.
Gore can run the bases and steal them. That’s one up on PB.
Again, who says he can’t play defense and why would he need to?
ABCD
They would probably have had to carry him on the 40 man all season or with a player opt-out similar to Jimenez. The Cubs currently have 26 pitchers on the roster and they have used all of them except Alzolay who’s out for the year.
justinept
Peter Bourjos? We’re arguing about Peter Bourjos in mid-August? Jesus…
The Cubs have 13 hitters that are better than Bourjos. Hell, they have 5 outfielders who hit better. You’re arguing about a guy who, at best, would represent the 14th best offensive player and the 6th best outfield option.
But hey – let’s complain because the Cubs decided they wanted a guy to do nothing other than pinch run and steal bases in late-inning situations- and they chose a guy who is faster and significantly better at stealing bases over the guy you’ve heard of…
daved
And yet they acquire Terence freaking Gore? That’s the joke
wrigleywannabe
Why? He is the definition of what they wanted.
Daved is the joke.
ronnsnow
Hold your horses, the Cubs need to get to the post season first. There’s no guarantee they even make the playoffs. They are scuffling and the Brewers and Cardinals are heating up.
daved
Cubs will make the playoffs
baseballpun
Well that settles that.
themed
No they are done. They aren’t good at all. They will be dwelling in last place in two years wondering what happened. They have no pitching and they can’t seem to develop pitching. Pitching is the name of the game.
daved
Don’t quit your day job
ray_derek
Somehow they have the best record in the NL though. I guess everyone sucks.
ABCD
Cards will have to play .700 ball the rest of the way to catch them. It can happen but the odds are against it.
We will worry about two years from now in two years.
themed
You had better worry about the Cards right now. They are the hottest team in baseball and show no signs of stopping. They are in fire so just sit back and enjoy. It’s going to be fun to watch them back on top where they have been most of this young century!
daved
Yep, the Cardinals will never lose again. Just like Pitt would never lose again when they win 11 straight. Where is Pitt now?
PopeMarley
Bruh, very well said. Can these guys not see who’s got the best record in the NL, all without their best player by the way. This is a money move by a team that should have no trouble winning the division. “they are the hottest team in baseball” I’ve read how the NL better watch out because the Dodgers, Brewers, Rockies, Diamondbacks, and the Pirates have had hot spells. Meanwhile the Cubs have played so-so all year for various reasons, but HAVE THE BEST RECORD. Oh and I’m not a Cubs fan but someone who recognizes the better all round team.
thegreatcerealfamine
I really don’t think you’re serious here, or at least I hope not…
TrueOutcomeFan
Tissues are in aisle 4.
wrigleywannabe
Gained 1 game in the last 30…
wellhitball
The hottest team in baseball is Oakland. They’ve been playing .750 ball for like two months straight now.
Gavin B
The Cubs are more than likely going to the playoffs the thing that no one is seeing yet is that there obstacle is the cards and not the Brewers. I know it’s unlikely but I really hope the pitching staff clicks… if that happens the cubs will be in great shape with the way their hitting has been. Everyone can keep critiquing Theo but just look at how hamels and Chavez have pitched.
frankf
The Cardinals are on a hot streak, but the Cubs aren’t really scuffling.
ray_derek
The Cubs are 17-13 last 30, Milwaukee 13-17 and STL 18-12.
If anyone is scuffling it’s Milwaukee.
twentyforty
The Brewers are heating up? Please explain. If anything their bullpen is showing significant signs of overuse.
wrigleywannabe
They are back to a season high 19 games over 500. Pay attention.
Also, roster expand in Sept.
ThatBallwasBryzzoed
Lol the brewers are not going to the playoffs. St. Louis Ann Altanta win the 2 NL WC spots. Phillies and dbacks take the east and west
AL
Houston
Cleveland
Boston(pending a major collapse then new York.
Seattle
Oakland
JT19
The first position listed on his bbref page is Pinch Runner lol.
Thomas Walker
I remember when I was a kid, I had a Wallace Johnson Expos baseball card, 88 or 89 Donruss I believe, and he was listed as a PH. To this day, the only reason I know who Wallace Johnson is. Only card I’ve ever seen, where the player didn’t have an actual position.
Monkey’s Uncle
I remember that card as well. Johnson got part-time action in a bunch of different seasons mostly with the Expos through the 80s, and in a couple of those years he rarely put on a glove. For what it’s worth Wallace was a pretty good pinch hitter, if you didn’t mind him having little power and zero speed.
frankf
So he’s basically the dead man’s Billy Hamilton. Never the less, come roster expansion, this guy should be useful.
bhunt95
In 2014-15 he could almost Guarantee to swipe you a bag. Not sure if he still has his peak speed he did 4 years ago.
ethan 3
I think he can do pretty good in that role for the Cubs. I don’t think they had anybody for those types of situations before the trade
imgman09
The A’s “The Team of the 70’s “were the Pioneers of this with Herb Washington etc. I think it worked real well for them!
colonel flagg
The Athletics may have been successful, but it wasn’t because of anything Herb Washington did. He stole 29 bags in 1974, but was caught 16 times. He was 0 for 2 in the post season that year.
In 1975 he was 1 for 2. The experiment didn’t last long.
billyisgone14
There’s now almost twice as many more comments (27) on this thread than official Plate Appearances (14) in Terrence Gores career.at the Major League level. Perhaps we don’t need to discuss him so much?
Thomas Walker
Terrance Gore is a game changer. Word is, the Cubs are working on a 4 year extension for 15 million a year. Don’t you dare downplay his significance.
ethan 3
and why would they do that? he has very little power. And he usually is only called up during roster expansion in September. That wouldn’t be something that I think any team would do.
ray_derek
nor does anyone else here, I believe it’s called sarcasm
JJB
The Braves are going to counter this move and just sign The Freeze for the stretch run. He already works for the team. In the offseason, they can just “outright” him back to his day job.
hmmmm1234
Cubs going for it
CardsNation5
Reminds me of when the Cardinals used to use Adron Chambers in September for the September/October stretch
CardsNation5
I was surprised to see that Chambers was still in baseball in the Phillies organization. Until I read on here that they released him yesterday
Djones246890
“Say hey!……….Willie Mays Hayes here!”
johnnyg83
21 SB in 11 ABs … best ratio ever?
mike127
Still have to go with Herb Washington…..33 runs scored, 31 stolen bases and ZERO at bats. (Actually zero plate appearances)
bobtillman
Didn’t I dance to his granny’s records?????? And vote for his third cousin on the third side twice removed????
simschifan
Boy everyone just loves to rip on the Cubs. It’s not a huge move but it’s smart considering they don’t really have anyone that can give them an automatic stolen base
themed
That’s because most cub fans don’t know the difference between catchers interference and a balk. Most of them don’t understand the game. They’ve only paid attention to the game the last couple of years. Without a doubt the absolute worst fans in baseball.
simschifan
Just worry about your Cardinals. You’re showing that your fan base is the worst.
jdgoat
Actually, Themed is the worst fan in baseball
mike127
But most Cub fans are smart enough to know that the Cardinals have never beaten the Cubs in a postseason series.
themed
Can’t help it the cubs hardly ever make the playoffs.
mike127
But, that’s not really what I said—I said the Cardinals have never beaten the Cubs in a postseason series. The Cubs have never lost a postseason series to the Cardinals.
wrigleywannabe
The people ripping the move are mostly NON Chicago fans.
Right, we draw 40 thousand a game regsrdless of record
Gavin B
Boy themed is a funny man
partyatnapolis
didn’t the cubs do this back in the day with quinton berry?? (i think that was his name, i could be wrong)
simschifan
And Leonys Martin last year
stubby66
No your right but now the Brewers use Quinton Berry in the same roll. It’s funny how some make fun at these moves but you these speed guys will have an affect on close games. Yet with a lot of these races are going to come down to one or two games. So if you ask me these can be very important to teams.
Monkey’s Uncle
Certain teams and managers have done this in the past with players. For examle, going back to the 70s, Chuck Tanner often kept a designated pinch-runner on his roster well before August or September, both as manager of the A’s (Herb Washington) and the Pirates (Matt “The Scat” Alexander)… and these were guys who almost never played in the field.
daved
Cardinals just signed Usain Bolt.
Bryzzo2016
Hahaha, a lot of action on tiny move by the Cubs. The haters are so transparent. It cost them nothing to acquire a guy that can steal some bags in key situations in the playoffs. Pretty simple. A base stealer can certainly play a big part in a post season. I bet Yankee fans will never forget Dave Roberts with a huge steal for the BoSox in ‘04
Robert hunter
You idiots do know that the guy can be used without swinging a bat right. When one of our regular players gets on with a walk or base hit it literally has just become a triple because Gore is going to immediatlly steal second, then steal third. Brilliant pick up by the cubs. They got Billy Hamilton without having to trade even a class A minor leauger away. Maddon is going to go crazy with this guy.
MWeller77
How awesome would it be if Gore sticks with the Cubs into next year, gets a start in an interleague matchup with Texas, and comes to the plate in the late innings with Matt Bush on the mound?
Would be the most notable name matchup since Jim Gott faced Tim Teufel in the 80s (Gott is “God” and “Teufel” is “devil” in German, for those who don’t know)
pt57
Dave Engel would have to be the catcher.
Robert hunter
You idiots do know that the guy can be used without swinging a bat right. When one of our regular players gets on with a walk or base hit it literally has just become a triple because Gore is going to immediatlly steal second, then steal third. Brilliant pick up by the cubs. They got Billy Hamilton without having to trade even a class A minor leauger away. Maddon is going to go crazy with this guy.
Robert hunter
Brilliant move. Guy has 21 stolen bases in just 49 games. Now he didn’t start or play in all those 49gms so basically when maddon subs him in at first base after one of the regular players get on first it’s basically a tripple.
GarryHarris
How is Terrance Gore’s defense? What ever happened to Billy Burns?
TLB2001
Terrance Gore has played in 49 regular season games and only has 14 plate appearances. In 8 playoff games he’s never appeared as a hitter. Nobody cares if he can hit. He has game-changing speed. Even when he doesn’t steal a base, he distracts pitchers, makes them throw over a bunch and virtually guarantees whoever is at bat isn’t going to get a curve in the dirt. Also, he scored on a sacrifice fly to the shortstop once and it wasn’t some freak play where the shortstop broke his fibula after catching it or something.
2457charlie
when he steals home to win the World Series you will all love him