Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein says his team’s deal with Ben Zobrist and its trade of Starlin Castro to the Yankees were a matched pair, Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago writes. “This was a multiple-bank shot,” says Epstein. “We needed all the components of both deals to line up. That included the medicals and timing to sync up. We were not counting any chickens before they had hatched.” The pair of moves, in which the Cubs essentially used the money they would have had to pay Castro to fund most of Zobrist’s contract, will not limit the team’s options as its offseason continues to unfold, Epstein says. “Really, all the moves we were pursuing previously are still potentially alive for us,” Epstein said. “We don’t have to act out of need or desperation now. We now can be pretty selective.” Here’s more from the Central divisions.
- The Rangers have had recent trade talks with the Indians, MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan tweets. The Rangers are looking for a catcher, Sullivan notes, and the Indians’ Roberto Perez would make sense for them — he’s a good defender with a bit of hitting ability.
- Ricky Nolasco’s contract with the Twins allows him to block trades to three teams each year, and Darren Wolfson of 1500ESPN tweets that those three teams are the Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays. As Wolfson suggests, that might not matter much right now — Nolasco has two years and $25MM remaining on his contract, and it doesn’t appear likely the Twins could trade him after two ineffective seasons, except perhaps in a swap of bad contracts.
- The Reds have promoted Nick Krall and Sam Grossman to assistant GM, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer tweets. Krall had been the Reds’ senior director of baseball operations, and Grossman their senior director of baseball analytics. The team recently promoted assistant GM Dick Williams to GM.
As the Heyward>>>>>Cubs heats up, one name that would likely go away would be Montero. A replacement would be needed. My idea? Jonathan Lucroy, who is affordable for the next two seasons.
The Cubs would have prospects to grease the skids.
But 2 questions… 1) How much do you want to give up to a division rival that you play 17 times per year and 2) how much do you want to give up IF you believe that Contreras will be catching for the Cubs in 2017?
I get that the money would help in a potential push for Heyward, but the Brewers are going to want a lot – and I think the Cubs could free up enough money for a serious Heyward bid simply by trading Hammel.
That would be splendid if that were enough. Then roll it that way. I was thinking it might cost more than that.
The Cubs have quality depth, and the goal would be coughing up guys the Brewers value more than the Cubs do. No Torres, but maybe Happ. I have no idea what ideas are being floated.
I just want to clarify that I’m not suggesting a Hammel for Lucroy deal. That would be nowhere near enough to acquire a relatively inexpensive, young all-star caliber catcher…
I’m saying that if the Cubs want to clear money to make a run for Heyward, a smarter move would be to simply trade Hammel’s $9 million salary… to a team in need of a 4th or 5th starter… that wants to pay his entire contract… and I don’t care if the Cubs receive anything back in return.
Theo would get a reasonable surrender value on Hammel. I have no worries on that. Plenty of teams need pitching.
I don’t think shedding Hammel’s contract alone equals Heyward.
I think the goal is Heyward in RF. If Lucroy is added, Jackie Bradley Jr. could play CF and hit .200, and nobody should complain.
If Hammel being purged does it, Heyward should be with the Cubs by three this afternoon.
Wait, where are they getting JBJ from? Boston obviously, but for who?
I think they would have clear Hammel and Montero money before Heyward. I say they sign Span or Parra for center unless they get rid of those contracts.
That’s what Theo might be doing over morning tea.
And then what do you do behind the plate?
I like Lucroy, a lot, but I don’t know if these division rivals would be too interested in being trading partners.
If Happ gets Jason Heyward, indirectly, then I’m good with it. Happ crushed the Brewers in Appleton, so their scout might have a yen for him.
One prospect isn’t getting it done. Lucroy, when healthy, is one of the best catchers in the league. A deal for a catcher usually involves some sort of catching prospect going back (if the team doesn’t already have a backup plan). Cubs would need to send a catching prospect plus one or two more prospects.
Nope. I wouldn’t think so. I could throw in other names, but I have no other ones in mind the the Brewers might value more than the Cubs. It would take a package, but it seems plausible.
We the Cubs got are back up for catcher his name is Wilson Contraries and the time now for Montereo to go get something and lose that contract plus we got Scwhaber and a old guy one year in Ross till Wilson ready
Nolasco for Melvin Upton?
Maybe each player could fill a need. An overpriced pitcher might fit better on another team, who may have an overpriced player at a different position. The contacts are guaranteed, so cutting players on bad contacts doesn’t free money, and tana won’t want to trade for overpriced players, unless they give up an overpriced player of their own.
Still learning about the transactional side of baseball. I’m just wondering, in regards to that Nolasco situation, why would teams want to swap bad contracts?
Nolasco $$$ to Orioles for Chance Sisco
Lucroy is overrated in my mind.
He’s good defensively and offensively but
I’d take my chances on Bethancourt if he’s available and comes cheap.
He seems have problems with pass balls but
the guy is a plus plus defender that throws out at least 35% runners that run on him
and the Cubbies need that more than more offensive forces in the lineup.