As the trade deadline on August 1 creeps ever closer, the Cubs stand as one of a handful of teams that has yet to make a decision regarding whether they will be buyers or sellers this trade season. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer spoke to 670 The Score on Friday regarding the club’s plans. Hoyer asserted that “there is nothing we want more than to add” at the coming deadline, though he made clear the club was willing to pivot if buying at the deadline seemed imprudent.
The Cubs currently sit at a record of 43-48 following today’s win against the Red Sox, a record that will leave them seven games out of first place following this evening’s game between the Reds and Brewers. While the club’s +27 run differential is by far the best in the NL Central, Hoyer acknowledged that in order to justify buying at the deadline, “We need to make up ground on first place, and we need to make up ground on .500.”
Should the Cubs fail to do so over the next two weeks, the club seems poised to shop players like center fielder Cody Bellinger and right-hander Marcus Stroman to contending clubs. Stroman, whose lack of extension talks with the club has been well documented, told reporters (including Bruce Levine of The Score) today that he does not expect an extension offer from the Cubs prior to the trade deadline. Even if he’s traded, however, Stroman indicated he would have interest in returning to Chicago on a new contract during the offseason. Stroman can opt-out of the final year and $21MM on his contract after the 2023 campaign comes to a close, and seems all but certain to do so after posting a 2.88 ERA in 118 2/3 innings across his first 20 starts of the season.
More from around the NL Central:
- While Stroman’s future is up in the air, the same can’t be said for Brewers ace Corbin Burnes, who told reporters (including MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy) that GM Matt Arnold has privately told him that he will not be traded. That matches what Arnold has said publicly, as he previously indicated that Milwaukee would look to add at the deadline and would not consider moving either Burnes or shortstop Willy Adames. The news hardly comes as a surprise given the step back Burnes has taken this season relative to the Cy Young-caliber performance he offered from 2020-22, during which time he posted a 2.62 ERA and 2.40 FIP across 428 2/3 innings of work. In 2023, Burnes has been more solid than spectacular, with a 3.73 ERA and 4.07 FIP in 19 starts with a reduced 24.8% strikeout rate.
- Cardinals veteran Adam Wainwright has endured a difficult season as he prepares to retire following the 2023 campaign. In 11 starts with St. Louis this season, Wainwright posted a ghastly 7.66 ERA and 5.87 FIP prior to heading to the injured list prior to the All-Star break with a shoulder strain. Wainwright is expected to return to the mound this season, however, and manager Oli Marmol today provided an update on the veteran’s status. In conversation with reporters, including MLB.com’s John Denton, Marmol noted that Wainwright was set to resume throwing off a mound on Monday after receiving multiple shots in his shoulder to help alleviate pain. Once back on the mound, Wainwright will be built up to return to the club’s rotation later this season.
I guess Burnes was rewarded for his underperformance by not being traded. Maybe, more players should try it? Lol
Verlander
The Mets were supposed to be contenders after their 101 win season, and Verlander was supposed to make them better. Trading Verlander was never anything but a very very remote possibility. Given the Heyman/Morosi/fans’ hate toward the face of their franchise, deGrom, I kind of enjoy seeing this epic disappointment, tbh. I’d rather see the Mets finish under .500 than see the Rangers make the playoffs.
Underperformance? How so?
His trade value went down, so he probably won’t be traded.
Seems like Stroman is going to be very popular if the Cubs make him available. I really don’t understand if the Cubs are trying to contend or not I can’t figure it out. If Stroman is available I don’t think you could find a better rental starter for the stretch run.
Cubs should extend Bellinger, trade Stroman, look to possibly add a guy or two with multiple years of control by trading from their outfield prospect depth, shortstop and catcher.
The reality of the situation is Hoyers saying one thing while doing another, “we would love to add” while sending Wesneski down to stretch out is sending two completely different messages.
Bellinger has stated several times he wants to play where his dad played
I’ve made my thoughts clear about the rest of the season. I want to see more of Wesneski, Asad and Brown. And less of Stroman, Smyly and Hendricks. Taillon is here for 3 more years so Steele and Jamo are guaranteed to be here next year. let’s see who else will be here with them. I’d like for Belli to stay, And that’s where the stupidly timed extension for Happ ruined everything. Bellinger could be protection in case either PCA or Mervis wash out. And there’s always DH.
Assuming PCA is in the minors for another year (starting around now) Bellinger can play center and then we can trade Suzuki with a year and a half on his contract.
As you said, there is DH and 1st, Bellinger could push Suzuki to DH or he can cover first. Suzuki isn’t a bad player but he’s a two hole hitter and unless he somehow breaks out, which I don’t think he will, 2/5 is where he should hit. Unfortunately, Happs a 2/5 hole hitter as well as is Swanson.
There is a lot of things I want, doesn’t mean I’ll get any of them.
@drascoo
You become a ‘2 hole hitter’, when: A) You actually HIT like one, or B) if your team doesn’t have a legit one, and you get anointed by default.
Unfortunately Seiya was anointed by default. It certainly doesn’t mean Seiya or Happ are legit – hitting in that particular spot in the order. Neither HAS to hit in that spot.
Personally I’d rather see Belli, Morel and Mervis in those spots for the rest of the year – along with one of Happ or Seiya or Dansby.
And Suzuki has a no trade contract.
> Marmol noted that Wainwright was set to
> resume throwing off a mound on Monday
> after receiving multiple gunshots in his
> shoulder to help alleviate pain.
PEW-PEW-PEW!!!
Come to think of it, Marmol probably thinks gunshots reduce pain.
Wtf?
He must be from South Florida…
Substance D is there… N,N-Dimethylpentylone (hydrochloride)
Yeah… that’s what’s wrong with him.. one to many caps of death… DONT DO DRUGS KIDS, YOULL START TALKING ABOUT GUNSHOTS BEING COOL AND HEALING… since the DEA believes this drug will lead to more GUN VIOLENCE
Hopefully Wainwright gets to 200
Ripper switch to decaf
I can see Stro definitely going to the NL West
Cubs seem pretty content on dealing Stroman, cannot say I blame them, he’s having a great year in part due to some great catching and defense. Deal him and let his number fall back to earth and see if he’s interested in re-signing at seasons end.
Bellinger can be offered a QO, hang onto him, try to re-sign and if you cannot, you at least will get a comp pick.
Taillon should have two starts before the deadline, if he can regain some semblance of last year then maybe hang onto Stroman and nibble on some relievers who are pitching beneath their peripherals. Cubs should really look at guys who just give the pen a different look vs super high leverage guys. Intelligent bullpen management goes a long way of you can change eye levels and angles
I hope Wainwright gets healthy and can get 2 more W’s to reach 200 for his career.
I’m a Cub fan and even I want to see this happen.
I agree. He’s always seems to have been tough on the Cubs but I respect him as a good player.
I was looking at Wainwright’s pitch speeds this year versus last—
Pitch 2022, 2023
4-Seamer 88.0, 86.1 (-1.9mph)
Sinker 88.6, 86.9 (-1.7mph)
Cutter 84.3, 82.8 (-1.5mph)
The speeds being down a bit versus last year are concerning. Maybe he has simply run out of juice.
He’s running on fumes. Wish he would have retired last year with Yadi and Pujols.
There are high schooler throwing better than him right now
I was sentimental last year when Pujols was making 2.5 million and was playing like Pujols from a decade earlier.
This year Waino is making 17 million to suck. He’s a good guy but gosh he’s been a burden on the payroll for many many different years.
When you try to hang on too long, it will always end badly. Waino & “Mad Max” have long been among my favorite players/pitchers. That being said, watching these over the hill pitchers trying to hang on has been cringeworthy this year, it reminds me of when I watched a post prime Muhammad Ali getting beat up by inferior fighters as a kid.
Scherzer has a record of 8-3 this season, but ok…
> Scherzer has a
Are there really 3,232 of you?
So, a 4.32 Era and top 10 in homeruns allowed(18) in only 70+ innings is a 40 million dollar a year pitcher to you?..I would also add, that I strongly doubt either “Mad Max” or Justin Verlander have EVER been BOOED, like they have this year by NY fans. There is a reason the Mets are 19 games out of first place.
Actually he’s making 7M this year, with 10M deferred annually over next 10 years. It’s as if he agreed to build in risk protection for team in case a season like this happened. Still, it always surprises me when teams are willing to risk these high dollar contracts on aging players, even legacy players like AW. To keep running him out there when there are others they should be looking at is shortsighted. Maybe its just the PR value at this point. If SL was contending for playoffs I doubt we’d be seeing him.
They should build around Belli and Stroman. Trading them to hope that prospects pan out later doesn’t make sense. Get a 3B, a 1B, a Pitcher or two and let’s go for it.
I pretty much agree. With them gone, that leaves 2 big holes to fill next season for a team that seems poised to contend soon. If only the Cubs weren’t stuck with Suzuki and Happ each making $20 M a year the next 3 seasons…
I would even be ok with trading Happ and Suzuki if they can get anything back in return.
2 more wins for Waino then he out !
Bellinger and Stroman to SF? I think Farhan would be interested…,
But does SF have near-ready ML talent the Cubs would be interested in?
Yes, absolutely.
Can any of us place blame on a player for NOT walking away from $17,000,000,000? I’m sure Wainwright never imagined in his wildest dreams that this year would have turned out to be the nightmare that it has. Some of you that have never put on a jock need to lighten up.
Isn’t that 17 trillion dollars? I wouldn’t walk away from that either.
Billion I think….but point still valid.
“Lighten up”..Rule #1 in intelligent Fandom: Don’t fall in love with players and don’t take it personally or become irate, simply because another person has a different opinion than you.
> Can any of us place blame on a player for
> NOT walking away from $17,000,000,000?
No, because he’d have to walk really far.
Take 17 billion $1 bills and put them in a stacked line (I’ll not wait) and after about 510 years of stacking, your pile would measure 6,094,670 feet or 1154.3 miles long.
In area: 17 billion $1 bills would cover a 68-square-mile area or the equivalent of 43,435 acres.
Likelihood of multiple players being dealt in one trade is low. Maximum return comes from moving each player separately.
The Problem with Stroman is, He is the kind of player thats agents dont like. Mostly because he realllly wants to stay with the Cubs almost to the point he is begging to stay he has no hard feelings. But, being that happy it makes it hard for agents to strike a good deal thats not team friendly. At his age its tough to project his value.. You are starting to see pitchers become dominant in their 30s. Id probably go 27-30mil for 4 yrs team option 5 and player can opt out after 2 yrs.. You might see a team like the cubs go 32-34Mil for 3-4yrs mostly high AV/Yr but, less guarentee.
Wainwright getting two more wins reminds me of Bernie Mac getting back to Mr 3000
News reports this morning say the Savannah Bananas have had some pitcher’s with vocal cord injuries. They’re preparing a trade package for Waino. Stay tuned for developments.