The Cubs weren’t included on Cole Hamels’ updated 20-team no-trade list, ESPN’s Buster Olney reports (Twitter link). The Cubs are known to be looking for top-of-the-rotation arms this winter, and the remaining four years/$96MM on Hamels’ contract would cost Chicago less than what it would take to sign a top free agent starter like Max Scherzer or Jon Lester. On the other hand, the Cubs would have to give up multiple top prospects to obtain Hamels from the Phillies, so they could prefer to just keep their young talent and spend extra to sign a free agent ace. The Red Sox are thus far the only team known to be on Hamels’ no-trade list.
Here’s more from around the NL Central…
- Right field has sadly become an offseason concern for the Cardinals due to Oscar Taveras’ untimely death, GM John Mozeliak told MLB.com’s Jen Langsoch. “I think it certainly leaves that position in question,” Mozeliak said. “Clearly internally, we have [Randal] Grichuk and potentially [Stephen] Piscotty to fill that spot. I would also say that it does now force us to explore other options, whether it’s the free-agent market or the trade market….I’m not saying it’s a must, but I also think we need to be prudent and make sure that we understand what that landscape looks like.” The Cards will explore both short-term and long-term options in RF, Mozeliak said. Out of respect for Taveras, Mozeliak waited a week after the outfielder’s passing to begin making calls to agents and general managers, Langosch writes.
- The Reds “are listening” to offers for their starting pitchers but ace Johnny Cueto seems the least likely to be moved, CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reports. Cincinnati would probably have to be “absolutely overwhelmed” to deal Cueto, Heyman writes, as the team plans to contend in 2015.
- Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan also hears that Cueto is unlikely to be traded, though rival executives tell Passan (Twitter link) that the Reds are willing to discuss trading Mat Latos and Mike Leake.
- The Reds are “at [a] fascinating crossroads,” FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal notes in a series of tweets. If the Reds deal Cueto, they might as well deal Aroldis Chapman too as part of a rebuild, Rosenthal opines. Attendance and the fact that they’re hosting the All-Star Game could make 2015 a bit of a “buffer” year for the Reds, though Rosenthal points out that the team might not want to rebuild in a season when they’re hosting the Midsummer Classic. Back in September, I explored Cincinnati’s trade options with their rotation members in a Trade Candidates piece.
- Major League Baseball has opened an investigation into whether or not the Cubs tampered with Joe Maddon when he was still under contract with the Rays, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports. The Rays asked MLB to investigate last week. “There was no tampering whatsoever,” Cubs president Theo Epstein told reporters (including ESPN Chicago’s Jesse Rogers). “I’d rather they investigate so we can clear our name and move on from this quickly. We’re giving our full cooperation and we welcome it.”
“Right field has sadly become an offseason concern for the Cardinals thanks to Oscar Taveras‘ untimely death”
Man, putting “thanks” makes the sentence just not right… Sounds a little morbid? Probably would have sounded better if it was “due to OT’s death”.
I think Reds should definitely keep Cueto. He’s by far their best pitcher. Trading Latos might be the better route.
Yeah, exactly my thoughts. Absolutely disgusting.
I didn’t finish the article. Read that line and came to post requesting a change. Mark ,please step up and correct this.
2.
“thanks to, because of: e.g. thanks to him we lost the match”
“Disgusting” seems a bit much
That’s an understatement. The fact that somebody would be so thrilled to hop up on their sanctimonious high-horse over one incidental word is what’s really disturbing.
I’m glad to see that the wording has been changed. Thanks for catching this.
Mariners could potentially go all in for Cueto if they get that right handed clean up.
Epstein has a history of spending a lot of money on pitchers, most of whom don’t pan out. It’s a perk of working for a large market franchise.
I expect to see a lot of high priced, high visibility pitchers going to the Cubs in the next 3-4 years.
Agreed. Grienke will most likely opt out of his contract after next season, I can see the Cubs going after him if they don’t get anyone this off season.
Next offseason is loaded with good starting pitchers. Price, Zimmerman, Cueto, Grienke maybe like you said, few others but those are the top ones.
Yeah, I think Cubs are better off waiting. I say they should just take this year and evaluate how Wada, Hendricks and Arietta fair then see who they can add next off-season. I have never been too much of a fan of Sherzer and while Lester had an amazing season last year, he wasn’t that great the year before. I think he’s in decline.
I still think they sign Lester though. Arrieta and Hendricks are pretty set on being in the starting rotation for years to come (unless they totally blow up).
I’d say they’ll get Lester. I don’t think they’ll have to overpay, unless the Red Sox start to show great interest, and he is a fit given his history with Epstein. As for waiting untill next year, the price of pitchers’ll probably get higher and higher, better to get it at a better rate, where many teams (as it seems right now) have yet to show interest in paying “the big 3” the money they’re asking. I’d say Price and Cueto will be able to get a similar contract to Scherzer, while Zimmerman will command more along the lines of Lester. Of course, add inflation to these deals. As for Greinke, he’ll be interesting to watch. IMO, I don’t think he is going to opt out, as he’ll be making 25-26 million each year till the end of his current deal. At the age of 35, if he continues to be successful, he could still get a contract of ~20 million AAV when inflation comes into account.
I agree, but the Cubs going to be having a lot of revenue coming in this year and next year with a new TV deal and more revenue with adding onto Wrigley. Cubs are willing to overpay for pitching while developing the hitters.
I think they are more than willing to overpay for quality SPs too, specifically for an ace. The question I propose to you is this: Would you rather the Cubs sign Lester and have some extra money left over, or go after better pitchers next year in Cueto and Price, knowing they’re going to cost more?
I think they go after Lester and then go after Cueto,Price, or Zimmerman. I just don’t think the Cubs sign 2 starters this offseason like some think they will
agreed it’s overkill, and by doing so you may be missing out on the guy who’s the best piece for the organization. Signing Lester makes the cubs fringe wild card contenders this year as it is. But Price or Cueto are really better fits than Scherzer or Shields
I agree, I don’t think the Cubs are in on Scherzer or Shields. Only going to want Lester and if they don’t get him then so be it. But they want Lester and Martin this offseason and then go after one forsure and maybe even 2 big SPs next offseason
If the pitchers are past their peak and expect to be overpaid, Epstein’s history is that he will do that.
Oh come on he really only had two big FA SP signings in Boston. Lackey was a rough start but the last 2 years and the option more then made up for it. Dice K was huge his first two years in helping them win a ring in 2007 and get to the ALCS in 2008.
Neither were great signings but Epstein has had more of a problem with FA SS which the Cubs don’t have to worry about.
He had far, far more then 2 big FA signings in Boston. He was buying pitchers every year, as well as taking pitchers salaries on in salary dump trades.
If there was some money if it for me, I’d go through the rosters and point all the signings/trades out.
As for SS’s – you hit it on the head. He had Orlando Cabrara and won a WS with him. But like all the moneyball guys, he wanted to continue to churn because he thought he saw something better. The guy fit with that team, he had chemistry with that team. The Sox would have been a lot better off if they’d have kept him for 3-5 more years.
Don’t see the Cubs trading any of their top prospects to get Hamels. Most likely going to get Lester and with how loaded the free agent market is next year with SP’s, I can see them really getting 2 of those guys next offseason
Phillies will ask far too much for Hamels. Wouldn’t be worth it. I’m no Cubs fan, but I think they’re heading in the right direction.
With a core of Soler and Rizzo in the lineup, plus a load of young talent in the minors, they could be a really good team in the next 3 years maybe. They just really need to strike gold and make sure they sign the right FA’s.
Missing Bryant. I’m pretty confident that Bryant is going to be a future all-star or even better. But I agree, they aren’t trading for Hamels with Lester this offseason and all the good Sp’s next year
I left him out cuz I figured they may not even bring him up until the ’16 season, or maybe till the end of ’15. Or is he on track to make the team after Spring Training?
He will be on the major league team by May. Have to wait like 2 weeks then they gain an extra year of control, so once that happens he will be up. Cubs are going to be in the playoff picture starting this year but they aren’t going to go nuts on the free agent market. At the best they get Lester and Martin
I think the Cardinals should sign Mike Morse. He would be a perfect fit in RF, and the Cardinals need a right handed power bat. He can also platoon with Adams at 1B whenever the Cards face a lefty.
That’s actually a good idea.
It is a pretty good idea. Morse is not very good on defense though. Why not just have Bourjos and Jay in CF and RF to start the season? If that fails, they can hopefully rely on one of Grichuk or Piscotty to step up to the plate and perform. And if neither one of Bourjos or Jay have the arm for RF, could they move Holliday to RF? Or is his arm weaker than the other two?
I think Bourjos has the strongest arm out of the three.
Piscotty has a cannon. He pitched and played third at Stanford. Grichuk has a better arm than Bourjos. Jay, however, is Juan Pierre reincarnate.
I like Morse, but as an extra guy, not crazy about him as an everyday player.
This coming from a Braves fan in myself, the Cardinals and Braves could seemingly be a perfect trade partner. A deal involving Justin Upton for prospects seems like the perfect fit. The Cardinals are obviously yearly contenders and have the financial capabilities to sign Upton long term along with having a plethora of prospects the Braves would covet. A possible deal could look something like Upton for Rob Kaminsky / Randall Grichuk / Tyrell Jenkins. Deal would likely hinge on Upton agreeing to an extension.
As a cards fan I’d make that trade in a new york minute, but would probably rather trade Piscotty over Grichuk
And I could totally see the Braves asking for Wacha along with Piscotty/Grichuk.
lol well can’t blame them for trying but Wacha aint happening. I don’t think the cards would go there, but they might be able to get Carlos Martinez if there was an agreed to extension.
I think they (Cardinals) would do something like Wacha and Jenkins for Upton. Reason I say that is with Wacha’s shoulder injury this year he presents a risk and I’m not sure the Braves would even take it themselves. Upton is a premier talent and would definitely be an asset that would help protect Holliday or vice versa. Just my opinion though.
Just don’t see Cardinals trading Wacha.
the only way the cardinals are trading Wacha is if they know he’s a ticking time bomb, and in that case why would you want him. Even before he debuted in the big leagues he was the guy that the organization said would eventually be the ace of the staff. Mozeilak has a good track record with trades where he hasn’t gotten burned much. So if they are offering Wacha it would only be because they know his shoulder is going to go. But I sincerely doubt that’s the case.
I hope it isn’t the case either and the only reason I said Wacha could be who the Braves target is simply because the amount of power bats is extremely rare at this point and the Braves should be able to name their price. With the unfortunate passing of Taveras they need someone to play RF and Upton would seem to be the best available. However I do believe a Kaminsky / Grichuk / Jenkins is pretty fair. The Braves could possibly even get something like Kaminsky / Martinez / Grichuk. I appreciate the fun discussion as most on here simply don’t know the game or they are just too biased to reason with.
Wacha is a 5 WAR pitcher who is cost controlled for over 4 years.
Upton is a 3-4 WAR corner outfielder with minimal control left
Wacha has greater value than Upton, even with the increase in pitching league wide
Wacha is a 5 WAR pitcher (if you put all of his MLB service, including post-season, you have 200 innings right at about 5 WAR) who is cost controlled for over 4 years.
Upton is a 3-4 WAR corner outfielder with minimal control left
Wacha has greater value than Upton, even with the increase in pitching league wide
Getting Kaminsky would make up for you guys giving us Waino. That dude is going to be amazing