There was a point in the offseason when Padres’ GM A.J. Preller almost acquired Blake Snell, Yu Darvish, and Joe Musgrove on the same day, he said on Jon Heyman and Tony Gwynn Jr.’s Big Time Baseball podcast. Ultimately, it took a span of roughly three weeks to get all three arms dressed in brown, white, and gold. The deals took some finagling, as at one point, at least one of the players who ultimately went to Tampa Bay was slated for both the Snell and Darvish deals. Once the Snell deal went through, Preller and the Cubs had to renegotiate and swap in new names. Preller did not say which of the Rays’ new prospects was also coveted by the Cubs. But he did touch on their pursuit of one-time free agent and current Los Angeles Dodger Trevor Bauer. Preller and the Padres felt Bauer was going to take his time making a decision, and they didn’t want to be left holding the bag, so to speak, if he chose to go elsewhere. The Padres executed their trade plans instead, completing the most dramatic winters in recent memory. Despite the myriad additions, the Padres will have room for an in-season addition, should they feel the need, noted Preller. More on the Cubs…
- After months – years, even – of trade speculation around their star core, the Cubs see varying levels of uncertainty around the respective futures of Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, or Kris Bryant, writes Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago. Bryant seems destined for free agency. Rizzo is confident that he’ll remain a Cub beyond 2021, and the Cubs’ affection for Rizzo has never wavered. He’s the likeliest of the trio to receive an extension. Baez wants an extension, but given the potential options in free agency next winter, the Cubs would be wise to wait unless the Wasserman client succumbs to team friendly terms. Our speculation need not end on April 1st, however. Unlike some other players seeking extensions – namely and most apropos, Francisco Lindor – Baez has no problem continuing extension talks into the season, notes Wittenmyer. It’s worth noting that Wasserman also represents Kyle Hendricks, with whom the Cubs worked out an extension late in March, 2019.
- Newfound command of his slider has helped Shelby Miller make a compelling case to make the Cubs’ roster, per Meghan Montemurro and Lamond Pope of the Chicago Tribune. Said Miller, “Opposing hitters have to respect a whole other pitch that they haven’t seen. I’ve just got to keep throwing it, and hopefully it gets better. And I’m just going to go out there and get outs. That’s all I can say really.” Miller is a long shot to make the rotation out of camp with Hendricks, Zach Davies, Jake Arrieta, Trevor Williams, Alec Mills, and Adbert Alzolay ahead of Miller in the pecking order. He’s in the mix for a bullpen spot, however. A lot may depend on whether Alzolay is granted another option season. If not, he’ll be on the roster in one form or another. Miller is a non-roster invitee who would need to be added to the 40-man roster to make the team. The Cubs have one open 40-man roster spot.
Holding the bag spelled backwards equals New York Mets
You should seek nay.
Ah yes, the age old Cub conundrum-sign the popular player or the better player.
In this case, which is which?
Yes.
The Padres and Mets are not going to regret getting nut job Bauer. He does that stupid one eye thing and ends up hitting a batter. Thinks he’s a top 3 pitcher which he is no where close. He always has beef on twitter with someone or is attacking someone. I hope he has a 4.00 ERA or completely bust during the postseason.
You got some serious hate in your heart.
I used to like Bauer but that has transitioned since the off season began and his shenanigans
So you hate him because he got paid and enjoyed the process?
No??? He’s ignorant idc he got paid. I also found out other stuff he did like attack a fan for just saying she hates Bauer. Bauer is soft and thinks he is great.
No evidence to support your assertion of him being ignorant and certainly not true that Bauer has transitioned. At last check Bauer identifies as a male.
He said his like for Bauer transitioned, you tool box.
I think he just gets hot and bothered anytime he hears “transitioned.”
Luc, Bauer has never attacked a fan. Compose yourself
philliesphan you thought I was being serious? Easy there toolbox. No wonder there is a low opinion of Philly fans. Change your name. Half kidding here.
si.com/mlb/2019/01/09/indians-trevor-bauer-college… Hosmer read this….. Bauer also got many of his fans to attack her. Can someone not say they dislike a player????? Bauer is a child
Sounds like you’re a child, Luc. Hating Bauer doesn’t make you cool.
Many people don’t like Bauer so how does that make me cool you clown
Bauer is the type of person to come out as trans for a season just to be the first female baseball player.
Harassing is not attacking, jeez. I cannot stand Bauer, but at least get yr accusations correct.
As far as sharing opinions (as she did), well…ask Sharon Osbourne if that is still okay in 2021.
LOL, no one cares about his Twitter. All that matters is his pitching. Completely dominated a Braves offensive juggernaut so your dreams of him being bad in the playoffs are not likely to come to fruition.
Wrong. He has been pretty bad in the postseason. and im not taking one start. The only other good playoff moment was 2017. Had 2 starts 8 IP so he only went 4 innings each start which is kinda bad if you’re supposed to be an elite pitcher. Other times he has been rocked. Yes he dominated in that game but so have other pitchers had one good performance in the playoffs then choked. For example Mike Folty 2019, and he cheated by using substance after calling Cole out so he’s kind of a hypocrite.
I love how the people who think Bauer stink don’t recognize he made major mechanical changes after 2019 that lead to his new success. Yes he used to be an average pitcher but after years of tinkering he found a way to be elite. It’s all good tho keep acting like he stinks. When he is a big piece of back to back champions you will see.
@amk1920 I somewhat agree with you but with that logic I guess Wil Myers and Hosmer are now elite too
Mechanical changes = pine tar
I got a chance to check out the new altered MLB baseball last week; the so-called “deadball”. It might create a whole new world order among pitchers this year. Specifically, its raised seams make it more gripable enhancing spin rates. Some say it’s going be lively but harder to control. I’m getting too old to snap off breaking balls but I was able to toss a few knucklers that went Richter Scale.. it’s definitely a different ball than we’ve seen in the past decade..
“@amk1920 I somewhat agree with you but with that logic I guess Wil Myers and Hosmer are now elite too”
Oh Brewer. You and I both know that every year, Myers has these 50-60 game hot streaks that date back till at least 2017. And yet, he’s been mediocre every full season in that span. Almost like he’s a streaky hitter who got lucky the season ended when it did. Too bad 2021 is 162
“ Mechanical changes = pine tar”
Yeah. Driveline had nothing to do with getting Bauer to hit potential. It was all pine tar. Every pitcher can become 2020 Bauer, just need that pine tar!
@ Lurking. I agree about Myers. And same can be said of Bauer. See what I did there?
He has literally done everything but say he is using a foreign substance. I love Bauer and totally understand why he is doing it, but he has basically admitted to using it to prove a point to the MLB who seem to not enforce the rule.
And just to be clear, he has admitted personally, the only way to add 300-400 RPMs on your spin rate is pine tar and guess how much his spin rates improved last season?
No it cannot Brewer. Bauer has been exceptional since 2019. There’s no streaky nature. He was average as a young pitcher, made multiple changes, and has been a very good pitcher since
Myers is streakier than Andre Ethier and has been his entire career
Never said he doesn’t use something. Per recent reports, so does 75% of the league “minimum”
It still is not the only thing he has done to improve himself since 2019 Nebraska, which is what you are trying to imply. If that was the case, 75% of the league would have had 2020 Trevor Bauer years, right? If it was ONLY the pine tar? Cmon man.
You know that’s BS. Something helping vs something being the only thing to lead to success is a mighty different mountain
He’s been up and down his entire career, but if he can string another good year onto the last 1.5 then I’ll join in and call him “elite”, but he’s not there yet..
I used Myers (and Hosmer) as a general comparison only because they too seems to have figured some things out. In the case of Myers he’ll need to prove that though (and stay healthy for once). We’ll see.
The explanation behind Bauer’s success
youtu.be/-8zgvK1UAH4
a little off the exact topic but I predict that within a couple of years baseball will approve a substance that pitchers can legally use to better grip the baseball that do not discolor or leave residue on the ball. The products already exist. I say fine, we let hitters use pine tar for a better grip why not pitchers. They can have a rag in their back pocket, reach in between pitches and get a little on their fingers and they are ready to go…
What so big about Twitter that’s stupid
here is my 2 cents on bauer, he is a good pitcher not 40+ good especially with his “antics” but nonetheless he is a “tor” arm and he got paid as such especially in a weak sp market this year. with his argument on social media as a fan imo he should of walked away from it and let it go, your a pro and like or not your a role model of sorts and your also no longer representing yourself but also the organization that your attached too. tbh i think bauer needs a little growing up to do and if he does and really work on perfecting his craft in the next few years we may not even be talking about his social media antics when he was a “kid”.
I wish I could hear Preller talk to other GMs to see how he approaches these deals lol. I feel like he has a list of players he is willing to trade with a value set but lets other GMs mix and match under a specific value.
It’s probably reasonable to assume he does a list type negotiation
Would explain his ability to string deals together. To Boost an offer, Something like “you can add another name from column A”, or “take one out of A, add 2 from B and you got a deal”
Bauer in New York would have worked as well as oil and water. The Mets are lucky he is not there.
100%. Bauer had terrible attitude who is all about himself. NY fans would’ve ate him up and he wouldn’t be able to deal with it. Glad we didn’t get him.
The fans and throw in the media as well. The Post, Daily News, and Newsday would have a field day
Are you suggesting the NY media is harder on people than the Cleveland media?
If he had the same player in all three trades, I would argue no, he wasn’t close to acquiring all three on the same day at all.
One player was included in “two” of the deals and those two deals still got done on the same day.
It was the Musgrove deal that was a week later
Hey Farva, what’s the name of that restaurant you like with all the goofy stuff on the walls and the mozzarella sticks?
You mean Shenanigans?
OOOOOOHHHHHH!!!!!!
I don’t blame them for not wanting to stay in the Bauer soap opera. I also think he’s going to have a terrible year.
Why do you think that? Just because you don’t like him?
I think the offenses he faced last year in the central were garbage and he’s going to regress back to closer to his career norms now that he has to play everyone. We’re talking about 11 starts last year, 2 against PIT, 2 against DET, 3 against MIL, 1 against KCR, 2 against CHC and 1 against CWS. Aside from the one game he threw against the White Sox, he was working against teams that were in the bottom third of the league offensively. SD, SF, and Coors field are going to be a challenge for him.
By that same token, I would also admit that Darvish is probably also due for regression based on moving from the central as well, although Darvish had a tougher draw facing CWS 2x, STL 2x and MIN. Plus Darvish’s career norms are better than Bauer’s so I think he’s in better position anyways, but I would bet both of these guys start slipping a bit off last years mark,
Rizzo wants to stay and the team wants to keep him. As a 1B hitting free agency after his age 31 season we have seen the market traditionally be unkind to players like this, even though Rizzo is a plus defender at the position. Ultimately i could see him getting a four or five year deal to stay
must be a slow day in piratesville no cost effective players picked up
If Miller found his game again, get him in there–pardon me for not being too impressed w Williams or Mills. Each might make a five, but if you can push them to the bullpen you do it.
Couldn’t agree more. I don’t have anything against a solid soft tosser like Hendricks, but a rotation heavy bunch of em is too much IMO. Mills, ain’t the answer. I’m pulling for Miller.
Go Clippers! Kawhi to invest in the Padres ? Haha. Boston beat LA in the WS. Celtics rivals with Lakers. Not sure how this is going to go over with Angelinos. Curious to hear their take and LeBron angling to join the Celts at some point? Interesting
What you say? Go Conquistadors!
LeBron will never be a true Laker. What’s next? He’ll crash the Beatles.
Watched a snippet of a Cubs game the other day; Millers’ stuff looked good!
The issue with him is maintaining it. Can he at least make it to the AS break? If he does he will be a hot commodity or part of a playoff push. Win Win for him and the Cubs. If he does not do well? It was just a minor league contract anyway.
Think Bauer will not prove to be worth the 40 mil this season. An opposing manager will ask the umps to check him at the proper time. If there is enforcement it will be interesting to see if he’s still “elite”