Jason Motte recorded a league-best 42 saves as the Cardinals’ closer in 2012, but thanks to Tommy John surgery and other injuries, he hadn’t saved a game since. That changed today, when Motte handled the ninth inning in the Cubs’ 6-3 win over the Nationals. Hector Rondon had already been brought in to pitch the eighth inning (and a tougher part of Washington’s lineup) and Pedro Strop was unavailable, leaving Motte to finish things off. Motte entered Sunday with a 3.98 ERA, 5.8 K/9 and 1.63 K/BB rate over 20 1/3 relief innings this season. Here’s some more from Wrigleyville…
- The Cubs announced that prospect Javier Baez suffered a non-displaced fracture in his ring finger and will miss 4-8 weeks of action. Baez was injured while attempting a steal during Triple-A Iowa’s game today. The one-time elite prospect was enjoying a very nice year in the minors (eight homers and a .314/.387/.540 slash line in 155 PA), though this injury, combined with defensive and strikeout concerns, will certainly hamper his chances of a return to the majors.
- The Cubs will require a designated hitter as they have seven games in AL ballparks over the next two weeks, and CSN Chicago’s Patrick Mooney suggests that calling up top prospect Kyle Schwarber would be a creative way to address this need. Schwarber is having a big year at Double-A, and promoting now would give him a taste of the majors without causing any real service time concerns (as presumably Schwarber would be sent back down once the Cubs are through their road interleague schedule). ESPN Chicago’s Jesse Rogers doubts Schwarber will be called up since the team already has Chris Denorfia on hand, Schwarber has yet to face even Triple-A pitching and there’s obviously no guarantee that the rookie will be able to provide immediate help. “Are the Cubs willing to use 10 days for curiosity or the best chance to win?” Rogers rhetorically asks.
- Some clubs have ruled Brady Aiken out of their draft plans given the prospect’s recent Tommy John surgery, but Cubs amateur scouting director Matt Dorey tells Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times that “it would be really irresponsible not to look at” Aiken’s latest medicals. If Aiken is healthy, the Cubs would potentially land a first-overall caliber talent with the #9 overall pick. On the flip side, Wittenmyer observes that Theo Epstein has drafted position players with his top pick in 10 of the 12 years he has spent running front offices.
No way Aiken go’s that early….
I wouldn’t rule it out entirely, he’s likely to still go at some point in the first round, and it’s really going to come down to what team is willing to take the gamble, more so than what number pick it is being used on him. There could be a team early on that likes his chances of rebounding through his health concerns more than they like any of the top talent’s chances to turn into a top talent.
Supposedly looks more like basic tj. And last year hoffman was taking 9th and just got back. Depends how they view the medical
It depends on how hes been rehabbing. If teams think the TJ is going well, someone will spend a first round pick on him. I honestly can’t see him dropping past the 27th overall pick. He has ace stuff and he would be a top 5 pick yet again, if he was healthy. A team like the Rockies (27th overall) probably won’t pass on a potential ace when they can barely convince anyone to come pitch there.
He has more than TJ problems in his elbow….
like what? I haven’t seen that.
Idk but it was something more complicated than a routine tj reconstruction….
He has a smaller UCL. It’s definitely abnormal, but no one really knows if it could lead to more issues in the future.
There have been recent reports that said there was a small tear in his elbow not a narrow UCL as initially reported.
Uhhh obviously, he had TJ to repair the tear. He still has a smaller than normal UCL.
Uhhh obviously, that meant the small tear was the issue instead of the narrow UCL.
Someone just watch Keith Law? Haha. But seriously, there is not much rehab to report. He can’t even begin throwing for quite a while.
I actually didn’t watch Keith Law, did he say something similar? Haha.
He speculated that the compensation round would be where it seemed Aiken might go. Also mentioned the Rockies as a possibility. He also said the Cardinals at 23 seemed possible for Aiken.
Good mind think alike, eh? I just don’t see a team using their only first rounder on a reclamation project.
If you’re comfortable with the medicals, it’s worth the gamble. It has worked out well for many teams drafting the injured pitcher who falls. Hoffman for the Jays looks good, Giolito with the Nats…
The Blue Jays had 2 out of 3 picks, so using one on a high risk, high reward type (like Hoffman or Aiken, in this case) isnt a bad idea because you still get a top talent (like Pentecost) to go with it.
I got nothin’ on the Giolito thing. I guess they were comfortable with the medicals, or he was close enough and rehabbing (he did start 1 game in the minors the year he was drafted). So I guess they thought he was close enough.
I’d be happy with Aiken at 23. But my job isn’t on the line for those types of decisions. Haha.
Or the Dodgers…..
Under Friedman, they’d maybe take him if he dropped all the way to 35, but I doubt a guy like Friedman takes him at 24 with the question marks that he has.
They probably will pass on him just based on the money it will take to sign him.
Would a good gamble for the Cubs. They have money and hitting prospects already to fill any need on the diamond. Them taking Aiken would not be a shock considering their lack of pitching and it could provide them with an Ace pitcher down the road. Worth the gamble IMO.
Would be nice if CJ Edwards can turn into a lights out reliever for the Cubs in the 2nd half of the year. Sucks about Baez. He oozes with potential and is still younger than Kris Bryant. I don’t think Schwarber will be up this year and if he is it might only be in September.
If he’s their when they pick the Cubs will take Daz…..
Hope not. Id even prefer aiken or matuella than cameron
Theo only takes bats with high picks…..
He took Daniel Bard, Casey Kelly, Bryan Price, Anthony Ranaudo, Henry Owens, Pierce Johnson and Paul Blackburn with first round picks in his career.
This looks like evidence Theo should go with drafting bats.
Good point, but he still isn’t shy about drafting pitchers.
I agree. And I’ve seen many mocks that have them taking Tyler Jay which makes me sad.
– U of I guy
This seems to be an argument of terminology. The highest pick among those pitchers was Price at 28th overall. It suppose it depends on your–and Scann…’s–definition of “high pick.”
Well then it becomes a sample size issue if those don’t count, because how many times has he had a top 10 pick? Twice?
Well, three (Almora at 6, Bryant at 2, and Schwarber at 4), but I take your point.
I don’t think Schwarber will be promoted to the MLB this year. The issue with calling him up to play in the AL would be that were he to succeed, it would be awfully difficult to send him down. I don’t think the Cubs would like to have to face that issue with the media and whomever else looking down on them by making the right decision for the future.
He most likely will be in triple a after the all star game. I think its a september call up if anything
The Cubs haven’t had a completely reliable bullpen arm for the whole season.
Rondon’s command has been very bad lately (leaving most of his pitches right over the plate). Strop has been very good recently but was shaky earlier. Rosscup was good at first but has been bad lately. Grimm hasn’t had the best command. Motte and Russell’s peripherals aren’t good although Russell has had success. Wood and Jackson are only suited for mop up duty.
CJ Edwards could contribute, and I don’t know when Neil Ramirez will be back. Either way, would they be trustworthy?
I hope they make a trade for someone quality. Don’t give up a top 10 prospect for a rental, but get a steady, reliable guy.
I’m just spitballing here, about what about an Almora for Papelbon type swap.
Obviously some money/smaller pieces to even it out, but Almora is as good as blocked for the Cubs and Papelbon is wasting yet another All star-type season for a last place team.
Almora just turned 21. I know he hasn’t been lighting it up the past year and a half, but I’d be extremely hesitant to do that unless the Phillies paid for something like $12 million out of the $21 million that he will be owed (because his option will probably vest.
There have got to be other good non-closing relievers that can be had for a much smaller prospect and money.
I think the Phillies would have no problem doing that.
I doubt they’d do it. The Phillies are looking for power hitters and don’t need another centerfielder who draw take a walk or get an extra base hit. They have several. For the sound of it the Cubs would be happier with trading their #30 prospect for Jonathan Broxton and his 6.75 ERA.
I wouldn’t take Broxton, but I’d like K-Rod
K-Rod is 10 for 10 on saves. He’s going to cost serious prospects. If you’re looking for non-closing relievers that can be had for a much smaller prospect Broxton is more up your alley. Or maybe Neal Cotts, Burke Badenhop, or Rafael Betancourt.
Javier Baez–The “one-time elite prospect” and “hamper chances of return to majors”
He is 21!!!! He isounger than Schwarber–he’s younger than 1/3 of the first rd picks that wil be taken tomorrow…he’ll do quite well when he returns healthy
Ya this is textbook prospect fatigue.
I was thinking the same thing. Should have ended the sentence with “this year”
I would take a gamble on Aiken if nobody gets there first. Cubs can afford to gamble and I don’t see anyone else at 9 as a potential impact player.
Lake will be the dh.
Lake will be the DH