While the Cubs are getting some phone calls on veteran righty Yu Darvish, the team ultimately can’t move him on its own accord. That’s because his contract includes full no-trade rights for the time being. (That’ll turn to a dozen-team no-trade list at some point in 2020.)
In theory, the Cubs can sort out a swap and then leave it to the prospective acquiring team to convince Darvish to waive his protection. But that may be an uphill battle — if it’s possible at all. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (via Twitter), Darvish “has no intention” of agreeing to a swap.
It seems that Darvish is quite fond of playing in Chicago, even if the team is at least listening to scenarios that might involve moving his contract. He certainly seems to have settled in at Wrigley after a calamitous, injury filled 2018 season. In the just-completed campaign, Darvish worked to a 3.98 ERA with 11.5 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 over 178 2/3 innings. He continues to be prone to the long ball but also managed to carry a personal-high 13.4% swinging-strike rate.
Darvish already bypassed a chance to opt out of the remaining four seasons and $81MM left on his contract. That seemed like a rather obvious decision at the time, but it’s now fair to wonder just how well the 33-year-old might have done on a market that is doling out huge contracts to top starters. At minimum, the Cubs would presumably be able to offload a major chunk of what it owes Darvish — if, that is, he’s even amenable to considering the possibility of wearing a new uniform.
Yu got that right!
As someone who is not a Cubs fan I’m glad he’s staying in Chicago.
Yu is a good egg and he seems to value stability. I like this. Here’s to hoping he can maintain what we saw in the second half this year
I’m a Cub fan and I’m glad that he’s committed to the Cubs.
You must be a salty Dodger dog. Use your derision against the Astros.
cubs fans still use the word “salty”
Yeah, but I combined it with Dodger Dog, so bite that.
dewsox everyone does.
Dewssox79 still generalizes an entire fan base based on a single comment
And fans of every other team still move the goalposts after 2016 to make themselves feel better.
Trashstro’s fixed that for ya
As someone is is a Cub fan, I hope the Cubs trade him to someone he didn’t block on his no trade clause! The Cubs need a do over on that deal.
The Cubs are thrilled to have him
Trading Darvish would only happen if they give up on contending and start the rebuild.
I wouldn’t rule that out.
Previously, they had a 108 year rebuild. They want another record, they want a 120 year rebuild. I hope they succeed.
Lmao amen to that
If he likes the city and team and he’s pitching well why even think about trading.
Rebuild?
He has pitched Meh enough to not likely improve his $20.5m a year remainder
Weaselpuppy
Did you sleep thru the winter meetings?
Yu pitched well and would easily have surpassed the 4/81m deal he has left.
Not every single ball player is all about the money. The way starting pitchers are receiving big paydays this off-season Darvish could easily have increased his revenue.
You are wrong, unless your are referring to state income tax
At best the cubs would have eaten salary or threw in a prospect to get rid of him. Absolutely no say he was getting any kind of extension as part of a trade
The simple fact that teams are actively pursuing him says he’s worth more than he’s being paid.
The cost of a #1 starter has EXPLODED. Even if people choose to ignore how he dominated hitters the latter 2/3 of last season and only want to call him a #2 starter fine. Even then what he is getting paid at $21 mil per year has almost become a bargain. No wonder teams are inquiring after him. The Cubs cannot afford to trade him one bit. With Lester at the tail end they need to be adding to not subtracting from the rotation. Darvish and Kyle are the top two, Q and Lester are the three/four, hopefully whomever they get from trading KB or Contreras slots in towards the top of that rotation.
Getting rid of Yu would yeah save money but anybody they want to try and get anywhere close to as good as Darvish would cost a ton more to sign. There’s no point to not keeping him.
wonder if he’d waive it for the other team that plays in chicago that needs some pitching
No thanks.
Foolish. He’s a bargain at $21MM in this market.
Yu is mentally weak, especially in prime time moments.
Cubs will yus Yu to tank their season for a good draft pick.
Christmas Vacation is about to start little guy. Hope Santa brings you some good stuff.
Now that we know the Astros were cheating it’s hard to know what was real with Yu in that World Series. And as 4th grader ChiSox Fan of course didn’t bother to even check was how utterly dominating Yu was last year. 8 starts in a row with 10 K’s and 1 or fewer walks I think at one point? Sox won’t be able to sniff anyone even close to as talented in this free agent market little guy.
In a no playoffs, no pressure environment, I could pitch as well.
Yu has a meltdown in the playoffs.
Idk, the pressure of the real world has you languishing on a website for a good majority of time.
In 30 years, in a non pressure environment, you haven’t moved out of mom’s basement, hard to see you pitch anything, except the occasional temper tantrum when mom runs out of hot pockets…..
ChiSoxFan
Its past your bedtime.
ChiSoxFan
You could not pitch nearly as well. Grow up. Have your mommy read you a bedtime story
Nailed it!
Chicago is a great city. So much to offer, art, arquitectura, restaurants, good schools, parks, a wonderful lake, and amazing people! No wonder Darvish is so reluctant to leave.
Bullets, drugs, gangs, murders… (hey I live there)
I almost gave a thumbs up but only to agree with what you said. Giving a thumbs up does not seem like the right thing to do when you are talking about what you are talking about.
You probably live out in Naperville or Glenview or the northwest suburbs
Anthony, I don’t live there, but I visit often. Like most major cities, the bulk of the crime is heavily concentrated in a couple of neighborhoods. There are still a lot of great things about Chicago and I feel perfectly safe when I’m in those areas of the city.
That was true before they demolished the projects. There is less crime today than 20 years ago but it’s more widespread. I have lived in the city my entire life, family has been here for over 100 years. I am planning my escape. Terrible public schools, crime, political corruption, crumbling infrastructure, bad weather, massive public debt and outrageous taxes. That is Chicago. I can get Portillo’s elsewhere. Back on topic
Last time I checked, Darvish lived in Evanston. I know that because he was being sued by his neighbors. If or when he comes to the city he probably frequents the same 2 or 3 neighborhoods all the other tourists do.
Portillo’s? You sure you’re from the city? If easy access to that is a primary concern, you’re much better off in the suburbs anyway.
Demolition of the projects has nothing to do with the current state of crime in the city, nor did it “spread the crime around” or something
That’s on the south side. (hey I live there)
And the public schools are aren’t much more than day care centers
Lol
I live in Chicago as well. Just want to add the high taxes=Some of he highest in the country. Political corruption and some of the worst roads. Two more years until retirement. Then, hopefully off to parts unknown.
Sounds like you are describing every major US city
Some are worse then others. Particularly in liberal states where they claim to care so much for people.
Illinois is 3rd highest ranked state for income disparity only by California and New York, followed by Massachusetts. States with the highest taxes have the most unequal income. It’s counter-intuitive to those that didn’t learn basic economics.
From there crime follows.
Except you don’t know what you are talking about. There appears to be absolutely no correlation between the income tax rate and income disparity. The GINI Index which measures this shows Illinois 9th worst, just ahead of (no tax) Texas at 10th worse.
Among the Top 5 worst are New York, Louisiana, California, Alabama, Connecticut and Mississippi. A pretty good representation of those “Liberal” states you mock and those “red states” that you likely find as Libertarian paradises.
I also wonder why when people like you take political jabs don’t talk about levels of 1) health, 2) obesity, 3) education standards, etc. ALL areas of social living where red states typically grade out very poorly.
In the end, there is a LOT of good about the blue states like California, NY, Illinois. And there is some bad. SAME with the red states, there is some good and some bad. But whatever fits your political narrative.
But Obama said its a great place to grow up and live…how can all this be true?
I agree with what you say but the wind, snow and biting cold would be what keeps me from moving there. Of course Darvish can afford to avoid all that.
Simple. Stay in the City. Move to the South Side. Win/win. Sox are eager to spend, Cubs cut payroll.
If he continues to pitch like he did on the 2nd half, then glad he is sticking around. He was one on the small bright spots last year.
Someday the Yankees will be asking Gerrit Cole to pack his bags but they signed the contract.
Never hurts to ask……doe he have a full no trade?
Maybe. Maybe he’ll age like Verlander or Mike Mussina. They have to play the games to find out. Love these empty predictions, though. Were you one of the ones who predicted the Yankees wouldn’t sign him? Probably.
Nope I actually predicted Cole to NY in the contest. Was one of the few I’ve got correct so far. I don’t have anything against the Yankees really. Just trying to make the point that the majority of these big deals don’t work out long term in the teams favor.
Fair enough. It came across as a statement of certainty rather than probability, though.
you wish!
he must not want to go to the angels and to be compared to ohtany.
Did he suddenly become a slugger too?
that’s a dumb joke!
He likes stability, but I would welcome him back to Texas with open arms.
Watch out for that 12-6 curve…
If he wants stability I think the Cubs might want to talk to the Yankees. Stable franchise and he would win a World Series.
We’re over the third tier luxury tax bracket. Cashman will be thinking of ways to get us back to the second one. Pass on Darvish
Darvish has at least two hairs on his chin that don’t fit “the Yankee way”.
Overpaid and Overrated!
Who ever gets him, if he is traded can have him!
As a Cubs fan i’m ok with this. If we want to compete, he’s our #1. If they blow it up, he’s a mentor and positive influence in the clubhouse. By all accounts he’s a good guy and teammate.
With a wicked sense of humor on twitter!
Yu could had him DODGERS……but now Yu are sorry !
My guess is with rizzo, Bryant and Lester free agents in a year or two, the cubs are going to sell off pieces and rebuild. At least compete one more year. Trade Hayward first at least.
citizen. Hayward is the most unmovable contract in baseball. Based on his career stats, why did the Cubs sign Hayward in the first place.
Myers.
Dervish seems to be an important part of the rotation. If he goes, who takes his place? I would think Schwarber could be dealt to an AL team for some pitching prospects who would help the Cubs fill an obvious deficit in their farm system. Sure, Schwarber hits homers (37 last year?), but in this era that’s not at all unique. It’s not even rare. Does anyone think Schwarber should be untouchable?
*Darvish
I think Schwarber is someone the team gravitates to plus he will be a lot cheaper in the long run to keep. I believe NL teams are keeping borderline fielding players that can hit just by chance the DH is added to the NL.
The cubs front office is silently desperate to blow that team up. Too bad the only players with any real value are Baez and Contreras. Bryant might get them a few top 100 prospects if he’s traded this year with a few years left on his contract.
ChiSoxCity is the most ridiculous poster in all threads on this website. That is an incredible feat.
Hi got blasted a couple years ago by the media about his work ethic and it must have worked for him because if it wasn’t for the bullpen blowing leads his win would be been a lot better.
reunite him with Maddon , they need pitching
That’s why you don’t give NTCs. I thought Theo knew that…
You don’t give the NTC, you don’t sign the player…….
Big free agents contracts get NTC all the time. I thought you knew that.
Jesus you think Cole does not have a NTC
Darvish not going anywhere. Yu can tell by his words that he values stability and comfort. He took a year to settle in with the Cubs! It took that long for them to build trust. Now that he’s comfortable, I don’t think he’d want to go thru the transition again.
Darvish was one of the league’s best pitchers after the break.