The Cubs are set to meet this week with the representatives of several top free agent starters, including David Price, Zack Greinke, and Jordan Zimmermann, according to Patrick Mooney of CSNChicago.com. That’s not exactly a surprise, as Chicago has long been rumored as a major factor in the upper-level pitching market, but it seems to confirm that the club is eyeing a major acquisition. It’s also interesting to consider that all three pitchers offer different blends of expectations and risk, as well as different anticipated years and dollars. MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes ranked all three within the top ten free agents on the market, predicting that Price (#1 overall) would end up with the Cubs.
Here are a few more notes on the Cubbies:
- What the meetings probably don’t signify is any inclination by the Cubs’ brass to attempt to add two high-end free agents. As ESPNChicago.com’s Jesse Rogers reports, both president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and GM Jed Hoyer have recently downplayed that possibility. “If we want to do two things we have to get pretty creative,” Epstein said, referring to managing payroll. “Even if we do one really big thing we have to get creative. We have the ability to add a little bit from where we are right now. I don’t think we have room to do everything that’s been speculated in some areas.”
- The front office appears set to continue trying to build a consistent contender rather than gunning for 2016 success at all costs, as Hoyer suggested yesterday and Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports (subscription required). “Baseball is a sport that does involve some randomness,” said Hoyer. “To me, the goal is to win a lot of games and get to the postseason. If you do that year in, year out, that’s how you end up being good.” He went on to explain: “But if you put yourself in to be there every year, that’s the goal. Would it be disappointing if we didn’t make the playoffs? Absolutely. … Would I say it’s ’World Series or bust?’ That’s (not) a fair thing to put on a team.”
- While some analysts have floated the concept of the Cubs dealing catcher Miguel Montero, Epstein says that’s not been considered, as Rogers reports.“We haven’t talked about that at all,” Epstein said. “[Montero] was a big part of helping our run prevention last year. His framing, his pitch calling. We set a record for strikeouts, we were third in ERA. He was a big part of that. It’s not something we’re looking to disrupt at all.” The emergence of Kyle Schwarber last year made it fair to at least wonder whether Montero could be moved, particularly since his salary ($14MM a year over the next two seasons) might be allocated elsewhere. But it does seem premature for the club to rely on Schwarber regularly behind the plate.
My guess is that they start phasing in schwarber even more at catcher. If he performs even at an average level, you have to be pleased because of how great his bat is.
They likely will but not to the extent that is takes away from his offensive production. Kyle Schwarber is a work in progress behind the plate, one that may or may not materialize into an everyday MLB catcher. His time spent catching this season may have as much to do with his future development as it does with manager Joe Maddon’s incessant need to micro-manage each and every ball game. (lol)
If the Cubs do not sign Fowler, any guesses on who starts (and/or plays most of the year) at CF in 2016? It’s still too early for Almora, and I’m not sure that’s a position they want Bryant playing.
They would probably sign Span
Possibly Parra
I could see us bringing Austin jackson back. He’s nothing special, but wouldn’t cost much in terms of dollars or commitment years. Could find out about the prospects or fill it later via trade.
I like that idea, or Austin Jackson – both would be cheaper and could probably be had for 1-2 years.
Span seems too risky to count on everyday. He’s been injured the last few years, and it showed in his defensive performance last year. Nothing against Span, he’s a very good player when healthy, but there’s a reason Washington wouldn’t offer a QO, he just can’t be counted out to stay healthy
They’d have to acquire someone. If not, their best in house option at the start of next season is szczur
The Cubs will likely sign or acquire a veteran stop gap in CF who would command or has a contract that doesn’t exceed two years or can play other positions, in which case the years may be longer.
Their internal options seem limited until Albert Almora’s arrival but if they can’t find a worthwhile trade this off-season for either Starlin Castro or Javier Baez they ought to consider picking one of those two for a crash course in CF. One of them will likely be the Cubs regular second baseman in 2016 while the other could be at least a part-time option in CF. Why not choose one, likely Castro, and have him play CF full time in winter ball. Castro could play in his native Dominican Republic if a trade doesn’t materialize. It would also give him added versatility, something manager Joe Maddon relishes with his players.
If the Cubs pursue veteran FA Ben Zobrist, Maddon’s star pupil in Tampa Bay for 9 seasons, he along with Castro might be able to rotate in CF as well as other positions in 2016. Zobrist could also fill the role of the Cubs regular lead-off hitter in 2016 while also playing up to 7 positions in the field, a super sub in the mold of Tony Phillips or Chone Figgins who has less speed but profiles as an unconventional #1 batter with high BA/OBP numbers.
zobrist and castro in center are terrible ideas. even as a once a week fill in
I would sign Span and bring back Austin Jackson. Just go with a platoon in CF
Yeah, and I would sign Price and Grenke, and trade for Sonny Gray. We would be great GM’s, we have all of the worlds problems solved.
With Arrieta and Lester, the Cubs really just need J Zimmermann. They rightly won’t splurge for Price or Greinke, IMO.
Hoyer, “…Would I say it’s ‘World Series or bust?’ That’s (not) a fair thing to put on a team.”
Not *fair*? Since when are the media or rumor machines fair? Aah, it’s from Vegas. That’s fair.
Zimmerman’s the guy I’d want out of any free agent starting pitcher due to age, stuff, etc., but I think the Cubs will acquire a young MOR pitcher via trade instead. They currently have 2 first round draft picks, and under the current system, it makes more sense to go on a spending spree if you are going to sign players with a QO attached (which they won’t do since they have 2 first round picks).
Any other time, I’d agree with you completely, but the Mets’ killer rotation is still a fresh memory.
The qualifying offer situation is what is prompting much of the speculation that has the Cubs as front runners for David Price in free agency. Since he was traded during the 2015 season, Price wasn’t eligible to receive a QO from Toronto and will not require the forfeiture of a first round draft choice, unlike Zack Greinke and Jordan Zimmermann. Price’s connection to manager Joe Maddon in Tampa Bay is another factor, all things being equal money-wise in upcoming contract negotiations.
In my opinion, the Cubs will likely land Price and also pursue another younger starting pitcher they can slot in at #4, the latter likely through a trade. Jose Quintana, Tyson Ross and Carlos Carrasco are all names that have been rumored as possible targets and each one of them possesses a measure of affordable team control.
Sign Cueto and Alex Gotdon, and trade from the stable of young position players to get another young controllable arm like Rooss or Corasco. Gotdon’s age is why I want him over Heyward; can probably be had for 3 or 4 years vice 8 or 10.
If the Cubs land Greinke, it’s over for St. Louis and Pittsburgh.
Not even slightly. The cards and pirates are two of the best teams in baseball. The division will likely come down to the head-to-head matchups
They definitely are. IMO, these are the top 3 teams in baseball. But if Arrieta repeats (and that’s a pretty big if), and they land Greinke, that’s two very dominant aces. Even with Waino coming back, Cards/Bucs might be playing behind them all season.
“It ain’t over till it’s over”…and never will be…ever!
Tis true 😉 RIP YOGI
I have a hard time disagreeing with this, even considering how well both teams did last year. No Lance Lynn, Heyward, and possibly Lackey is definitely going to hurt the Cards, and I don’t see Pittsburgh getting any better. Still pretty early in the offseason though.
Yeah, just like the Nationals had the best rotation ever after signing Scherzer…until the season started.
Span a liability in center. Especially post surgery
I’d like to see them sign Maddon fave Ben Zobrist and trade the white sox all the surplus infielders they want and need for Chris sale
Surplus infielders aren’t going to get Chris Sale. A package of Castro/Baez/Alcantara isn’t nearly enough.
That is funny trade all your back ups for a Ace. Cubs fans have been so far out of contention they think teams trade a Ace for a package of back ups.
A package starting with Javier Baez might net the Cubs a pitcher like Jose Quintana from the White Sox.
Any thought of a deal for Chris Sale would require either Kris Bryant or Kyle Schwarber as centerpieces to a potential trade, making any deal highly unlikely.
I’m glad to see that you don’t overvalue Quintana.
I was in a discussion with a couple Sox fans on potential trades the other day. One said Quintanta would net Bryant AND Russell. Another said the Sox wouldn’t listen for anything less than Bryant + Schwarber + Baez + prospects.
well they probably would make those demands. they just don’t make big cross town trades. they hate each other in that sense. if someone becomes a star on the other the fan base is up in arms so yeah. however quintana commands a lot more than baez. you are looking at baez, happ and gleyber torres, and contreras. and thats dead serious quintana value. look at the hamels package.
Rivalries are a fan thing, not player or front office thing. If pieces fit trades happen. If they don’t they don’t.
do you consider bryant, rizzo, russell or schwarber surplus? because at least one of them is the start to a package.
If everyone remembers, Theo/Jed was basically saying same thing last year that there was no way they be able to sign 2 big guys. But rumors have it that they were in 2nd place to getting Shields. So I wouldnt be surprised if they would get Price and then go after the 2nd tier like for Zimmerman or Samardzija. Price has to be right of course with one of those two, but it really wouldnt be surprising.
Hell no on Samardzija. Zimmerman yes..
Why not trade Castro, K Hendrix, and Almora for Sony Gray? If not I would want Zimmerman, Heyward. And or Zobrist.
Castro, Hendricks and Almora wouldn’t even get their foot in the door for Gray. I’m a Cubs fan and even I know that trading for a 26 year old ace pitcher that is cost controlled through 2020 is going to cost at least 3 top prospects and a hell of a lot more. If the Cubs sign Price which it is rumored they are more than likely to do I could see them also in the market for Samardzija. That would probably make Hendricks the odd man out so a package including him, either Baez or Castro plus Vogelbach could net something pretty decent in the centerfield/bullpen market.
What do anybody think it would take to make a trade for tyson Ross?