This morning, The Athletic reported that the Cubs did not anticipate buying at the deadline. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer essentially confirmed as much in a chat with reporters just before tonight’s matchup with the Brewers.
Hoyer said the front office will approach the deadline with an eye toward to the future. “Where we are right now, I would have to say that moves only for 2024 – unless things change over the next week – we probably won’t do a lot of moves that only help us for this year,” Chicago’s baseball ops leader said (link via Jesse Rogers of ESPN). “If moves help us for 2025 and beyond I think we’re exceptionally well positioned.”
While Hoyer left open the slight caveat that the situation could change this week, there’s not much ambiguity in how he expects to handle the deadline. He spoke frankly about the team’s “poor position” with regards to this season. “We simply dug a hole with underperformance for two months. That doesn’t affect how I view the organization or how I view things going forward but it certainly affects 2024,” Hoyer said.
It’s clear the Cubs aren’t going to pursue any impending free agents. Hoyer didn’t term Chicago’s approach as buying or selling. That leaves open the possibility of trying to acquire MLB talent that is under team control beyond this season. While that’s not unprecedented (the Reds’ acquisition of Trevor Bauer and the Mets’ deal for Marcus Stroman in 2019 are examples of teams acquiring controllable players at the deadline despite being out of contention), it’s not common. The Cubs would need to outbid teams that are motivated to land those players for both a potential playoff push this summer and future seasons.
Chicago’s farm system is regarded as one of the strongest in the league. That gives Hoyer and his staff the ammunition to make a deal for a controllable player of note, but the likelier outcome is that the Cubs will just move a few short-term veterans. Hoyer shot down any suggestion of a complete teardown, saying it’s “not going to be an option so (there’s) no point in going through the hypothetical.” That makes it unlikely they’d deal core pieces who are under contract or team control beyond this season (e.g. Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, Ian Happ, Michael Busch).
Prioritizing 2025 would ordinarily put a team’s rentals on the table, but the Cubs don’t have much to offer in that regard. Kyle Hendricks, Drew Smyly (whose deal contains a $2.5MM buyout on a $10MM mutual option) and recent minor league signee Jorge López are the only true rentals. Hendricks is playing on a $16.5MM salary and has an earned run average pushing 7.00. While he has pitched better lately after a dismal start to the season, there’d be minimal interest. The Cubs could try to pay down almost all of the contract to find a trade partner. Hendricks also has full no-trade rights after reaching 10 years of MLB service (at least the last five of which have been with his current team) earlier this season.
Smyly has a 2.92 ERA across 37 innings in a long relief capacity. That solid run prevention isn’t supported by mediocre strikeout and walk rates (21% and 10.2%, respectively). Between his $8.5MM salary and the aforementioned option buyout, there’s likely to be limited interest in the veteran left-hander.
Cody Bellinger has the ability to opt out of the final two years and $50MM on his contract. He has had a fine but unexceptional season, hitting .269/.331/.410 across 344 plate appearances. That’d be a difficult contract to move even if Bellinger were healthy, and he went on the injured list a couple weeks ago with a broken finger.
If the Cubs wanted to more or less run things back in 2025, they’d be in for a very quiet deadline. Yet even if they’re not likely to move long-term core pieces, Chicago could entertain offers on role players who are controllable beyond this season. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported over the weekend that the Yankees and Red Sox were looking at starter Jameson Taillon, who’ll make $18MM annually between 2025-26. Rogers reports that the Cubs have also gotten interest in third baseman/DH Christopher Morel and relievers Héctor Neris, Mark Leiter Jr. and Tyson Miller.
Morel, 25, is under team control through 2028. He’ll be a borderline candidate for the Super Two cutoff for early arbitration next offseason. The Cubs are certainly under no financial pressure to move him, but it’s possible they’re prepared to move on if another team views Morel as a regular. Morel is a good athlete with big power upside who has never found a defensive home. Chicago has unsuccessfully tried him in second base and throughout the outfield in previous seasons. They’ve given him 562 innings at third base this year, hoping his top-of-the-scale arm strength would work at the position. Defensive Runs Saved and Statcast’s Outs Above Average have each given him very poor grades for his stint at the hot corner.
This also hasn’t been a great season for Morel at the plate. While he has 18 homers, he’s hitting .202 with a .304 on-base mark. It’s a step down from the .241/.311/.471 career slash line that Morel carried into the season. While that’s clearly not ideal, it belies some intriguing developments from a process perspective. Morel has upped his walk rate by a couple points while dramatically slicing his strikeouts. After fanning in over 30% of his plate appearances for his first two seasons, he’s striking out 23.8% of the time this year. An unsustainably low .221 average on balls in play has kept that from materializing into better results.
Even if the Cubs expect Morel’s offensive performance to normalize with an uptick in his average on balls in play, the lack of a defensive fit makes him a difficult player to value. The Cubs could hope to turn third base over to last year’s first-round pick Matt Shaw as soon as next season. They don’t have much in the way of short-term alternatives. If the Cubs traded Morel, they’d probably rely on Miles Mastrobuoni and Patrick Wisdom to cover the position for the rest of the season.
The Cubs should be open to offers on anyone in their bullpen. Neris has handled the ninth inning since Adbert Alzolay went down with a forearm strain. The offseason signee has been shaky, walking 16.1% of opponents and blowing four saves in 17 attempts. Neris had a 1.71 ERA for the Astros last season, but that’s up two runs this year thanks to his control woes. The 35-year-old righty is playing on a $9MM salary and has a matching option for next year. That’s currently a team option but would convert to a player option if Neris pitches in 24 more games.
Given his inconsistency, the Cubs aren’t likely to want Neris back at that price point. They’d presumably be happy to find a trade partner, but the potential for being saddled with a $9MM player option if Neris hits his vesting marker could make other teams wary. There’s less risk with regards to Leiter and Miller. The former is striking out 34.4% of opponents with a 50.6% grounder rate across 34 innings. He’s playing on a $1.5MM salary and is under arbitration control through 2026. Miller, whom the Cubs acquired from Seattle in May, has broken out with a 2.04 ERA while striking out nearly 26% of opponents across 35 1/3 frames.
Whether the Cubs get compelling enough offers to move anyone from that group remains to be seen. They’re not entirely buried in the Wild Card standings, sitting 3.5 games back of the last playoff spot (currently held by the Mets). With four intervening teams to jump, the front office has decided they’re at best a long shot to make the postseason. How much they’re willing to reshape the roster with the ’25 campaign in mind will be one of the bigger questions of the upcoming week.
Fire Hoyer
For the love of Theo… please move Morel out of Chicago. The Cubs have given him an opportunity to play and showcase his raw skills; it’s just not coming together.
Please Jed, just bring up Shaw and Ballesteros and let them take over the corners ASAP.
Shaw’s mot ready and us just as bad defensively as Morel.
Ballesteros isn’t very tall; he needs to catch or be a DH. Busch is fine at 1B.
Shaw is just as bad defensively as Morel? You clearly haven’t watched Shaw play.
Shaw is not an ideal fit at 3B because of his fringy arm strength; however, he’s looked better than Morel at the hot corner. Ideally, he’d play 2B but they seem to love Nico.
I want to agree with you on Morel but moving Busch off of 1B makes no sense at all.
Agreed. They aren’t moving Busch from 1B. Ballesteros should be up with team yesterday though – taking the DH spot from Morel.
This is the correct approach. Now let’s see Jed follow through and do it.
Let’s GO !! Auction time baby.
Auction who? Did you read the article? They don’t have any rental pieces that anybody would want. Now, if you’re suggesting they move players under contract, I’m all for that, but it would be a challenge. Both Suzuki & Happ have full no-trade clauses. And I like Busch at 1B. He’s been their best hitter and his defense has improved. And apparently they’re committed to PCA in CF, although I seriously question if he can hit a major league fastball.
I did read the article but you’re right, I got excited by the very first line…
“This morning, The Athletic reported that the Cubs did not anticipate buying at the deadline.”
That doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be selling a ton of their pieces. Good call.
Gary owns his misplaced phrase I respect it. They really don’t have much anybody else wants that would help now. They have the record of a seller with nothing to sell and the farm system to buy without a good enough club to invest in. Stand pat basically
I think the Cubs do much of nothing at the deadline. Maybe a fringy, inconsequential move here or there. Outside chance Jed moves Taillon if someone gets silly with an offer. Hope he takes anything he can get for Morel. PTBNL, bag of balls, etc.
Corporate speak for wait till next year. Cubs are the longest running joke in sports.
Brown and Raiders would like a word.
As well as (insert name of every team that hasn’t won a World Series in the last 8 years here).
Indians/Spiders/ Guardians now have the longest championship drought in sports. Mariners don’t count since they’re the only baseball team to never win a pennant. Best change was 2001 when they won 116 games. Tying the 1906 Cubs who also fell flat in the world series and lost to the white Sox.
In sports? I believe the Arizona/St.Louis/Chicago Cardinals have a longer championship drought going. (1947) In MLB they do, yes.
It’s literally a year difference. 1947 and 1948. Abd the Rams have since one twice once in St. Louis and the Bears win in 1985. The Cardinals moved to Arizona in 1988.
Many teams have a longer drought. It’s only been 8 years since they last won. What are we talking about here?
Cleveland hasn’t won a world series since 1948. It’s been 8 years and a terrible name change since they last won a pennant.
That’s ridiculous but you are either just a Cub hater or you lack sports knowledge altogether, so we will end this here you’re not worth arguing with
And yet you responded Oldguy58.
So what? Is that the goal of commenting, to say something that makes you look like a fool and hope for a response? If so, that’s just dumb.
They won a title in 2016 dude so just back off. Bad take!
Some of the casual fans don’t remember things like winning a WS.
Is this towards me? The Indians didn’t win 2016.
M’s fan here, and I am thinking that might be our crown.
If it was me I’d move Morel, Miller and Lopez. If somebody offered me a load for Tallion I’d move him as long as I didn’t have to eat salary. He’s reasonably signed for the next 2 years and quality starter. I’m pretty sure as I’m typing this that the Cubs will be all over Roki Sasaki this off season. I wouldn’t deal Tallion until I had his signature on a contract so that means holding on to him into the winter.Then if they had to deal him I might entertain eating some salary depending on what you have to pay Sasaki.
Lastly I’d try to get Bellinger to opt out. If he opts in I’d try and deal him. 2 Years with an opt can be movable. I wouldn’t go hog wild but I approve of him looking to the future anyway. They don’t need much. Even Amaya is starting to hit after a supposed change in his approach but they should get at least a C who can hit.
Morel has barely any value at all. Bellinger has negative value. Taillon maybe someone will take the contract but you aren’t getting much back for him. The Cubs are just not set up to sell.
Morel and Bellinger have no value? Really? Well I guess we’ll find out. I didn’t get why Hoyer offered him a contract with all the power over the team when Boras guessed wrong again. I’d feel a lot better if his salary was gone next year because it would give them about 70 million to play with. They need to hold on to that money like I said so at the next deadline if they need someone money isn’t an object. Morel and Bellinger have value that’s a ridiculous statement on your part.
Bellinger got paid based off his 2023 numbers. In 2024 he’s been worse so yeah no value that deal is underwater. And Morel is playing like a replacement level player he’s cheap and maybe someone would take him but he’s not worth much.
Morel is a below replacement level player. He does not have value.
Check out the lineup that the Mariners are running. Morel may be below replacement but is still an upgrade over multiple players for them
Speaking of no value, perhaps they want Baez back in a deal for one of them 😉
You didn’t get him from us. He’s all yours.
Morel is worth a fair bit. He’s got a pretty big power ceiling, has shown an ability to make plate approach adjustments that should help him get to his power and get on base more, is a good athlete, and has 4 years of control. He doesn’t have a defensive home yet and it looks like 3B isn’t it, but his bat will play anywhere including DH if it has to come to that. He has a .351 xwOBA this year. The Statcast metrics are great. I think there’s a whole lot for a team to see in him. Probably not a priority target for a contender prioritizing this season, but a team in a soft buy stance on the rise and at the beginning of a competitive window would make sense. Or even a team selling that has an eye on ‘25, though that would require the Cubs to be buyers. As a Blue Jay fan, Morel has the feel of other great Blue Jay acquisitions like Teoscar Hernandez, Jose Bautista, and Edwin Encarnacion. If the Cubs are done with him and want to prioritize other players, other teams will be happy to give him the opportunity to put it all together.
KamKid… People saying he has “no value” are way off base. I don’t need to repeat what you wrote but I couldn’t agree more. I would add that I think it would be a mistake for Hoyer to trade him with his current value so low.
Mike you would have been the first person to question Hoyer if he didn’t re-sign Belli and you know it!
Ugggh. I loved him in Chicago but he’s like a different player since he came to Detroit.
Morel is playing like a replacement level player. For his career he’s a 1 win player over 600 at bats. If you think he can get better then sure keep him. But he isn’t worth much at all today right now.
Morel and Bellinger have no value? Really?
======================
I guess we’ll find out if/when opts out of his contract (or opts in). I’m betting that he takes the $25M (net).
As a RS fan, I’d have a modest interest in Morel. We could easily have 3 lefty outfielders next year, along with a lefty 1B & 3B. He’d be a nice fit, with some upward potential. The K/W has improved a lot, without a material loss in power.
Sorry but I was not in that Conga line Coop. And certainly not for the :
1. Years
2. Money
3. Opt outs in his favor
For a guy who’s market had tapped out so you’re completely wrong. Hoyer did the right thing by waiting. Then incredulously gave him a top of the market contract. I would have offered him 1 year at 27.5, They couldn’t tag him again and I bet he would have taken it. He deserved a raise. Not a lottery win.
A top of the market contract for Bellinger would have been a giant long term deal. He didn’t get that because he had an inconsistent track record. It was a gamble one that looks bad for the Cubs now. It happens. Can’t trade him now nobody will want him.
What do you think RS be willing to give up for him?
Sasaki is going to sign with the Dodgers. Everyone should probably just accept that now. As a Giants fan, it’s not even worth getting my hopes up about top tier free agents signing anywhere else.
I’d put the Dodgers and Cubs at 50-50. Then you have the Padres and lastly the Mariners who are the team that needs him the least.
Shohei put the odds at 60-40 Dodgers
He put money on it.
Uncle, this is a rare post from you, that I agree with ‘each point’ you made lol.
And more surprising, you made these points while maintaining a cordial tone!
And you didn’t rip into Jed.
Well done!!!
Why don’t you two get a room lol.
And BTW, what’s wrong with ripping Jed? He spent 230 million dollars for a team of mediocre talent. Every team in the division spent less, and yet here we are.
Jed already knows he did a bad job, The proof is in the record. Stevie Wonder can see that. In Braile of course. Anybody who doesn’t think so is just kidding themselves. What I didn’t realize was how slow and stubborn he was to admit it( He still hasn’t BTW), And keeps trotting out that same mess. However the one thing I realized over the All Star Break is the 4 days without baseball, Because I refuse to watch those 4 days of pablum television, Is even bad baseball is better than no baseball. So I still watch like I watch NASCAR- For some of the crashes. I mean what other team could get walked 7 times and get shutout? Then the Brewers almost did it 2 days later.
Don’t you kind of already know what you have to pay Sasaki? Most of your bonus pool and then league minimum for three years.
I don’t think that’s been totally figured out yet. He’s like the youngest, Or one of the youngest Japanese players to be eligible to come here. The difference with him is he has an opt out in his contract that I don’t think anyone else ever had. Most guys have to buy out their contracts in Japan before they can leave. You know what they say, There’s an exception for every rule and he just might be it.
Not a realistic take on Taillon there Uncle Mike. You sound like you are a Cubs fan that is letting your emotions cloud reality.
Of the contenders looking for mid rotation help, he’s down the list of options. True, he is in the mix but with guys like Fedde, Bassitt and Flaherty. But his contract has him on the outside looking in unless Hoyer eats salary.
I agree to a point. As I said, I certainly don’t think theybwill get a “load” for Taillon. However, keep in mind that there are few true sellers and lots of teams that want starting pitching. That is supply and demand economics.
Coop. Point taken on the probability of scarcity of sellers. Hmmm. Per Uncle Mike’s take, if Taillon goes, Hoyer doesn’t have to eat contract?
I didn’t realize it was an opt out. I thought it was a clause that he could trigger a posting. Regardless, no matter whether he’s posted like Ohtani was or is a pure free agent, it’s the MLB rules and his age that limit him to the international free agent bonus pool system and blanket minor league contract. Just like Ohtani. This isn’t going to be a financial bidding war. I’m not sure how the league would enforce any closed door handshake agreements to workaround these limitations, but the writers here have suggested the league would intervene if a team tried to do something that was obvious such as an immediate extension.
The question, As I understand it, Is whether he’s too old to be considered an International kid and most of them get signed between 16 and 18, Or whether even if he takes his opt out whether his Japanese team is entitled to some kind of posting fee. And the last I heard it was up in the air so if anybody has heard something else I’d be interested in finding out. But I don’t think it’s going to be finalized until this off season.
The rule is 25 and he won’t be if posted this offseason. The uncertainty as I understand it is more about whether he’d make the move early like Ohtani did or wait until 25.
mlbtraderumors.com/2024/05/report-mlb-teams-planni…
Nobody is going to offer a “load” for Taillon. Yes, he’s a solid starter, but you’re not getting a top 100 type prospect. But given that this is a sellers market, I’d listen and see what I could get. But Hoyer is going to be under pressure to win in 25, so I’d keep him.
Taillon still has 2/$18 – very reasonable for an acquiring team. He’s the most valuable piece that Jed could move.
Bellinger’s opt out/ins and his lackluster performance devalues him a bit, although there aren’t many players at his overall caliber available. They aren’t getting a ton for him, but he’s movable.
There are so many teams bunched up that the deadline could really be a factor in who makes the playoffs and who doesn’t. I don’t understand why the Cubs would rule out trading for a rental catcher when that’s probably their biggest need and one should be available in Jansen or Diaz. I agree they do have a good future but make a couple small moves at least try. I don’t get it.
You don’t know which teams Hoyer has spoken with. Maybe he doesn’t want to mortgage part of the future for an outside shot at making the playoffs this season. He could have selling trades lined-up already.
I don’t think the Cubs should sell and I don’t think they could sell if they wanted to. Maybe he’s trying to use some leverage to drive the price down on a catcher or 3b help. The Cubs wouldn’t have to give up much to get a little bit of help.
Every team can sell if they wanted to. Brian Cashman could theoretically eat some money and trade Soto, Volpe, Torres, Gil, Stroman, Schmidt, Verdugo, Holmes, and bullpen pieces and stock up the farm nicely next week. The fans would riot though.
There’s no leverage to be had. He’s just being honest. But if they somehow have a fantastic week and get a game out of wild card he might change his mind. Won’t find anyone cheap though. Teams will be paying for impact talent. Looking like platoon rentals will be getting top 30 prospects.
Who else is looking for a catcher?
You tell me.
No idea yet. Some teams haven’t even decided what they are doing yet. I imagine some of them would be interested in upgrading catcher. Only team I follow is the Pirates. Seems they can do better than Grandpal. Even then some teams like the Rockies who have 2 catchers to trade will just keep their players even if they are gone in 2 months if they don’t get what they want. They are famous for doing this. In their case it’s probably unrealistic expectations and poor front office. But other teams it’s a boss move. Minor league roster spots are valuable. PR is valuable. Marketing is valuable. But if the Cubs truly are the only team interested in a catcher there is no need for Hoyer to lie in some crazy way to create leverage. Teams will be well aware of this from the lack of inquiries by other teams.
Pirates have Bart and they also have other needs.
Too many complacent teams.
YBC- You are 100% correct. he absolutely shouldn’t mortgage the future for a shot at a Wild Card in 2024. Not at this point anyway. Because this isn’t the D-Backs from last year. This a collection of bad bench players and prospects who haven’t even seen Major League AB’s yet. The pitching is solid but without an offense is going nowhere. But a couple of shrewd moves could set up 2025 very nicely. Let’s see if he’s up to the task. I personally have my doubts.
What future? Continuing to bumble on a mediocre team? At least the Cardinals, while they punted last season, got ABs for guys like Burleson so he could take a huge step forward this year.
The problem with the Cubs is they wouldn’t really be selling anyone at a high value other than Taillon, which would profoundly affect the return.
“What future?”
One of the best farms in baseball with some great players at the mlb level
I’m sure you’ll see plenty of young guys getting ABs after next week
Wanna bet?
If we were IRL friends, I would certainly take that bet. Once the Cubs are out of contention (like if they decide to actually sell this week), the youth will have more playing time
John and UncMike, FaceTime and you’ll be friends then create an IG page to keep us posted on the bet… It’ll give us all something to do lol
Hoyer’s not bringing up a ton of prospects after the deadline( As Much as he should). He’s not going to start that many guys clocks ticking towards arbitration that much sooner. Not saying he’s wrong there, This season is a bust. Plus he’s completely unwilling to admit this is a bad offense with a bad bench( That he put together). He’ll keep trotting out the same retreads and hope they catch fire. As much as I like Caissie he’s 22 and starting towards arbitration at 28 doesn’t make a ton of sense either. There are guys he should be giving at least a chance to like Murray, Strumpf and Hill just for no other reason so they can move them out of the way. They signed all 20 of their draft picks so they’re going to need to go somewhere and they can’t all go to rookie ball. But Hoyer still thinks it’s a winning team. I don’t.
Fair enough. We shall see if PCA ever proves he can hit MLB pitching (I’ll take the under on that one) Busch is already aged out of being a true prospect at 26+ (although he looks like a solid player)… as Bon Scott once said, it’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock n’ roll!!!
IMO, Hoyer’s always been one of those GMs that overvalues his own prospects. Of course, he’s not the only one….but as you point out, a GM’s job is also to accurately evaluate the team you put on the field and not just the guys in the cupboard.
PCA will never hit MLB pitching if they keep letting him wrap his bat around his head like some sort of cobra or something. If you watch him he’s always late on every swing just about and only manages to pull off speed stuff. He has the bat speed to be a good hitter but as long as the bad hitting coach lets him do that approach he’ll always be late on heat. Plus he swings a lot a pitches out of the zone like a lot of young guys. He’ll either stop that at some point or turn into Baez, Remains to be seen. The point is if I can see it, Why can’t the hitting coaches? I guess they were spending all their time trying to fix Amaya.
Hoyer drinks the cubs kool aide: “Wait til next year.”
Oh yeahhhhh! Kool Aid’s here…
This site seems to rehash the same news every few days or so. I think a lot of the comments are made by bots, because they regurgitate the same comments. It’s like the same 10 bots commenting on every article pertaining to the Cubs.
You clicked, you viewed, you commented. Mission accomplished
Sooo, the Cubs are sellers only of anyone without a long term deal? No one is taking Smyly or Hendricks so they are doing nothing? That sounds about right.
I gotta say, after a recent trip to Chicago…Babe Ruth was correct. Wrigley is a dump.
You gotta give up something of value to get value in return.
If I’m a POBO of a contender, there’s only one Cub I’m inquiring about and that’s Steele. Period. Trillion is interesting but what an ugly contract.
That’s why we won’t see you at the GM meetings anytime soon because you would suck at it.
Good morning Uncle Mike. Thanks for sharing. Your level of humility in responding to my post is impressive.
How is that an ugly contract? Have you seen what starters are getting paid these days??
It’s an ugly contract in comparison to the contracts of other mid rotation guys who look like they’re on the open market. IE Fedde, Flaherty, Bassitt, Kukuchi
Taillon’s ERA would put him at #18 overall in MLB if he had the innings to qualify.
Jameson’s contract is actually very good for his production. That really made you sound like you have no idea what you’re talking about.
Taillon has 2 years at $18 mil. That’s far from an ugly contract by today’s baseball standards.
Everyone in the NL Central seems to be bailing on the season outside Milwaukee and Pittsburgh (if they walk the walk). Sad to see.
Fire Hoyer. His regime does not know how to draft and develop. Braves, Twins, Orioles, Astros, Dodgers, Red Sox are stocked. Meanwhile, the Cubs next big thing? Center fielder they got in a trade, and he can’t even hit.
aj 16
Fire Hoyer. His regime does not know how to draft and develop.
========================
FWIW, FG has the Cubs farm ranked #2.
Just in case you are interested in facts.
Vlad Jr. would help us in 2025. Just sayin.
Hopefully, Craig Breslow’s recent history with the Cubs gives the Red Sox the inner lane on securing some much-needed pitching.
Unless the cubs trade a controlled player they really don’t have anything worth a dang to sell.
I think unless that changes they will look near the same after the deadline as they do now.
Yankee fan here with a trade proposal or better yet idea. Yanks send Stroman, Rizzo, Grisham, Gleyber Torres, and a top ten organizational prospect in Everson Pereira for Ian Happ, Cody Bellinger, and Jameson Taillon. Happ converts back to second. Torres signs extension with cubbies? Yanks get rid of some money to offset the money coming back. Cubs get rid of untradeable contracts for expiring contracts plus get a top 100 prospect currently injured. Thoughts?
Without considering the preference of the players being traded, it is equal value (more or less) if the Yankees pay all of Grisham’s contract and half of Gleyber’s remaining deal. The Cubs take on more of Grisham’s contract as more prospects of value are thrown in
That said, no one is taking Grisham’s contract, Ian Happ has a no-trade clause (I don’t know if he’d waive it or not), and there’s a universe where Marcus Stroman is angry enough by this trade to forfeit the rest of his 2024 salary, go home, and insist on a trade in the off-season (what I would personally do; he may or may not have a no-trade clause in his contract)
Disregard this, I thought Trent Grisham’s contract was Jake Cronenworth’s contract (yikes)
Update: it is equal value (more or less) if the Yankees pay all of Gleyber’s contract and all of Grisham’s remaining deal. The Cubs take on more of Gleyber’s contract as more prospects of value are thrown in
That said, good luck getting Stroman to go back to a team that wouldn’t re-sign him for the money he wanted when he signed with the Yankees specifically to be on a winner
There’s only one thing wrong with that trade. Everything. Happ play 2nd? That might be the funniest part of that whole paragtraph. If he would even waive his NMC which we’ve explained to everybody who’s ever brought it up it’s not happening.
Happ has played second and third base before. Not very good but he has played both positions. Even if we take out Happ because he refuses to waive NMC than Replace him with Nico Hoerner and add Ben Rice to the trade. The point is a trade can be made here to help both teams. As a Yankee fan I’m not even sure I want Bellinger but when healthy he’s an upgrade over Rizzo and better defensively than Ben Rice plus more versatile. Ben Rice can catch also and it’s a position cubs need. There is a trade path that can help both teams but both teams will have to take back players with expiring contracts.
Yeah in College. 1o years ago, LMAO.
There is literally nothing you mentioned that I as a Cubs fan would have any interest in acquiring. Stroman, Rizzo, Grisham, and Torres are your garbage. Happ, Bellinger, and Taillon are all productive pieces for the Cubs. This seems to be pretty typical for Yankee fans.
Bellinger and Taillon contract have majority of cubs fans calling for them to be dumped and some saying they have negative trade value but yeah I guess as a bias non Yankee fan you want them to send more top prospects than Periera and Rice because of your bias! Read the entire trade idea rather than making up nonsense.
The trade idea is nonsense. The Cubs have no use at all for an outfield prospect. They also have no use for a guy who isn’t hitting at MLB level and really has no position.
The Cubs get a current 1.8 bWAR and $55M in salary for a current 5.2 bWAR and $65M. I’d much prefer the Cubs players. None of them are bargains, but they can all play every day.
Everybody wants the Cubs players but wants the Cubs to pay them. So what’s the point of trading them? I’d much rather pay them too much to play here than pay them too much to play for somebody else. Paying everyone to play somewhere else is a bad business model. But I can totally see why Yankee fans would think it was a good idea. LMAO
Really?
Jed let Stro walk. He never offered him a deal.
Happ has a NTC. And he was a hack at 2B. That is why he is a LF.
Bellinger is injured. Even then his deal pays 27M next year and his production is not justifying it. Cubs would have to eat some and get a poor return. That is not smart baseball IQ.
So this is laughable at best. Cubs and NYY most likely hook up on Taillon and get a payroll cut out of it and a #20-30 prospect and a off the radar guy just to shed payroll.
Taillon is the big ticket. Hoerner is another that has value. Hoerner would take a offer that Jed has to say yes to as there is control and a solid contract for a player that can lead off and play GG level 2B.
Cubs will take it. Do you have the shipping address?
So, Cubs 2025 WS champions? That’s a bit too early, isn’t it? I’m expecting the next one happens in 2116.
What a boring, tired joke.
@ChrisEnvy76
And yet, you came to read it and took the time to reply. Thank you.
Your mom made me… She said you really needed the attention.
As a fan of an NL team that’s definitely, thankfully, selling (Nats) this deadline is really interesting to me, as opposed to depressing.
If the Cubs ultimately believe they’re not in it this year but will be in 2025 and Shaw’s the guy at 3B, why not deal Morel and promote Shaw after the deadline?
Shaw’s probably not going to come up and make a run at challenging Skenes for NL ROY (nobody is) but how he adjusts to being in the big leagues might give their front office an idea whether they want to spend $$ on a veteran 3B like Bregman in the offseason. Best case scenario, Shaw comes up, plays well, and that helps him heading into 2025.
Lastly, as a Nats fan, I *really* like Hoyer. That Candelario trade has already worked out pretty well lol. From a Cubs fan’s perspective, hey at least Hoyer was smart enough not to give Jeimer 3 years $45 million.
Shaw hasn’t made it to AAA yet, although he will probably get there in a couple of weeks. And the Cubs drafted a 3B in the first round last week. So at best Shaw will only play 3B until Hoerner becomes a FA or is traded, and then he will move back to 2B.
Morel defensively is Nick Castellanos. He really needs to go stand in LF, but Happ is there followed by a bunch of prospects.
Hoyer has acquired a couple of decent players. He is overall a pretty poor front-office guy.
Shaw is an interesting possibility and I am all over trading Morel away.
Hertz had control issues going on when Jed made that deal. He already had Steele and Wicks. Brown was close and Horton was owning AA and a top 25 prospect
So he traded away his #3 lefty. His #2 went to LAD for Busch.
It is a bit sad that Wicks has been dinged up because his SO/9 was better than expected for a change up guy. Hertz had better stuff but Jed decided on the better make up on the mound.
I do hope that Hertz progress but in the back of your mind is that wildness caused by his funky delivery. Add to it potential injury from throwing from a unnatural angle
The Cubs have plenty to sell if they are looking for prospects that 2-3 years away and ranked generally in the #15-#30 range in most organizations. Every contender needs relievers and Neris and Smyly fit that bill with their experience. Bellinger, Happ and Tauchman are left handed bats with varies values and Lopez would just be a back end starter for someone to have down the stretch drive..
Hoyer is a joke and Cubs ownership doesn’t seem to care. Fans show up anyway and they profit. I personally don’t like Counsell as a manager and I don’t believe they will win until he’s gone. They had better results from the same players last year and his selection of starters and bench players makes little sense. FIRE HOYER or it will just keep getting worse.
The Cubs should be “buying” players with extra control.
The Cubs haven’t played well at all but are about to get Alzolay back (fingers crossed) they just got back Merryweather as well, which bolsters a bullpen that has recently pitched extremely well. Starting pitching has pitched well all season aside from Hendricks, who only seems to pitch well against the Cardinals. Offense is hit or miss, adding an impact bat would be massive! Vlad for the rest of the year and 25 would really stretch that line up.
Jed has to drop payroll to add payroll. He has this thing called a budget to work with
So the goal will most likely be to drop whatever that he can and get back cost controlled players that can be MLB ready in a 2 year window
I would say right now that the only easy drop is Taillon. After that you are getting Hendricks off the books and can buy out Neris.
Brown should be ready soon so you have opportunity to give Brown a full 2nd half in the rotation. Wicks is toast so you need to have that info going into the off-season. If Horton is ready by Aug then call him up and push Assad into shorter innings. At this point I don’t see him being a long term solution and has spot starter upside.
Thanks for the breaking news! I never knew teams had to operate within a budget.
Assad has a career ERA of 3.07 as a starter. Assad has pitched like a middle of the rotation starter and pretty much gives the Cubs a chance to win every single outing. His only knock is that he doesn’t go deep into games, typically gets knocked around after the second time through a rotation. (Like most pitchers).
When is the last time Horton has pitched? May? Yeah he isn’t getting called up. He may have an outside chance to make the rotation out of spring training next season but I don’t see a call up in his 2024 future.
Jed doesn’t have to shed payroll. He’ll get that this off season between Smyly, Hendricks, Mancini, Barnhart, Bote come off the books that’s about 40 million right there. Plus any more he can shed- Hopefully Bellinger. I’m not exactly sure why people want to dump Tallion because he’s fine and worth his paycheck. But if those 2 go also brings the total up to 85 million in savings. Then you have to hope all the kid pitchers stay healthy next year. Big ask. With Birdsell and Noland at AAA now and Killian making his way back there are more options. As for Horton I can see two paths for him. #1 is he pitches in the AFL and if he holds up goes to ST to fight or a rotation spot. Or they pivot and ask Horton to be a Closer candidate. I doubt HE WANTS to go that way but if they don’t sign a Closer it could be an option and save his arm.
And another thing about trading Tallion is what kind of message does that send to other FA’s that the Cubs could sweet talk you into coming here and then bail on you a year and a half into a 4 year deal? Unless he comes to me I’m telling him he’s staying put because I don’t want that bad vibe going out into the league.
I only see Taillon having good trade value going in. The rest Jed will have to eat contract just to open up playing time for prospects.
But seeing how C and 3B are issues going into 2025 it makes sense that those two spots should be the desired returns.
The goal should be to open up RF for Caissie. If that means trading Hoerner and moving Busch to 2B and Cody to 1B so be it.
Cody is a backwards deal right now and Jed is better off maxing out his current value by making him a full time 1B and giving him room to nix his deal or up his value next year to deal out.
Ks are way too high for Cassie. Needs another year++ in AAA.
Lame excuse. His tool box is over all a plus and in a toss away year you push development
Not giving opertunity for growth is for losers
If this was a competitive team then yes I would agree with your viewpoint
The same can be said for Ballestroes. As a catcher he is not up to par. 1B too small. DH you would rather keep Suzuki at that spot to save runs in the OF
Caissie brings plus D. Strong arm. Good ability to get hits and has some of the hardest exit times in the minors. So the power will come with time
Pointing out strike outs is a small flaw that will improve with time. Vs another Morel who has to produce at the plate to have value
Busch cannot play second base at a major league level. The entire reason the Dodgers let him go is because DH was locked up and so was first, his only two viable positions. He also just so happens to be playing fantastic defense at first so moving him makes about as much sense as moving Bellinger to first to maximize his value… I guess in your mind first basemen are move valuable than center fielders? Or has PCAs massive offensive numbers sold you on him as being a lock at center for next year?
Caissie… his 94ks in 288 at bats doesn’t not scream “promote me” nor does his ops that is just above .800. Caissie is an exciting player but really needs his power to shine to justify a promotion and a position on the ml roster, 8 home runs isn’t going to cut it.
Cubs ownership loving the comments. They get richer while their cult argues that 1 win in 115 years is not only acceptable it’s great. The biggest joke in sports continues to laugh all the way to the bank.
How many WS have The Brew Crew won?
Or the Padres… how about the Rays? Oh wait… what about the Rockies?? Hmmmmm
How does Hoyer get to keep his job?
Should have traded Morel last offseason when he still had value. His terrible season has left his trade value and place on the team in serious jeopardy.
Morel is the exact type of player you keep and keep running out there because despite the results, he is advancing as a hitter. Striking out less, walking more, making hard contact. His BABIP is ridiculously low .220 given the quality of contact.
I’d guess they trade Hoerner and stick Morel at 2B if anything just for cost savings and Morel’s power potential. He’s had an odd year for sure. Not sure what the point is where unlucky becomes poor? The end results have certainly been poor despite the advanced metrics and lower K rate/ higher BB rate, etc. Seiya swings hard too but he finds holes. Morel has to start finding holes because nobody hits bombs every AB. He’s really only punished mistakes this year.
Morel is much like other players Craig Counsell has lionized in his managerial days: big swings, infrequent contact, and flashy but poor results. Many, many Brewer fans were not sorry to see him head to FIB land. Paddy Murphy uses some analytics but also goes “by the gut.” Hmm, who’s in first place in the NLC nowadays??
A team looking for a 5th starter might give up a low level prospect for Hendricks, given his last 3 or 4 outings. If even get someone to pick up the contract, do it. Same with Smyly. He’s also pitched better as of late. A lefty who can pitch multiple innings. There’s some value there.
Sorry, I can’t see the Cubs trading anyone this deadline. Not that I think they think they they make the playoffs. i just don’t think any team is desperate to offer Jed what he thinks is “fair market value” for any of the current Cubs player.
I don’t’ believe Jed will trade a player for what he believes is below market value. So I don’t’ think there will much action on the Cubs part this trade deadline.
Hoyer needs to man up this season and show some balls.
Trade Imanaga and cash to the Yankees for Dominguez and international money
Trade Taillon, a reliever, Nico, Alcantara and cash to the O’s for Mayo, Holiday and international money
Trade Tauchman, Madrigal, Bote and Wisdom for international money
Listen to offers on Neris and Bellinger, get creative if for Bellie if someone offers real talent and Neris should bring back something decent.
Cubs lack impact bats, have pitching depth, go make trades to bring back impact bats. Horton should be a guy who can replace Taillon next year. Horde international money to sign Sasaki, if that fails use it to sign a couple top international guys. Sign an Ace and/or sign Jordan Montgomery on the cheap on a one year deal.
Cubs could possibly have:
Happ, Dominguez and Suzuki in the outfield with Mayo at third, Busch at first and either Holiday or Shaw at second with the other putting pressure on Swanson at short.
Meh. Hover is awwrite – has another 101 yrs before the Cubs are due for another title. By that point, Apes will be roaming this great land of ours