The Cubs are among the teams with interest in free agent outfielder Denard Span, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports. Chicago is also continuing to pursue Jason Heyward, Heyman adds, as has been reported previously.
Span comes to the free agent market offering the upside of a high-quality regular at a reduced asking price. He’s nearing 32 years of age and, more importantly, has dealt with fairly significant core muscle and back issues.
But Span has been excellent when healthy, slashing a combined .301/.358/.421 over the past two seasons with 42 stolen bases in 943 plate appearances. He could provide a near-term replacement for fellow free agent Dexter Fowler in center.
It’s not immediately clear whether the team has any inclination to add multiple outfielders. Notably, the addition of Ben Zobrist provides another outfield-capable player to the mix.
If Chicago were to add multiple outfielders, that would certainly seem likely to be done in concert with a trade involving one or more of the team’s current players. Per Joel Sherman of the New York Post (via Twitter), Chicago was second in the bidding for Shelby Miller and was willing to send Jorge Soler to Atlanta. That doesn’t mean that Soler is being shopped around, of course, but does suggest that the club feels comfortable parting with him in the right scenario.
What is the asking price for Span? I really liked Fowler and the Cubs could use some speed. This makes more sense than Gordon.
I liked Fowler at the price we had him that is.
Not sure what the asking price is; MLBTR estimated 3/$39MM in their prediction contest though. I agree that in terms of free agent options, Span makes more sense than Heyward or Gordon.
Agreed but only 2 years for the hometown kid Span
It better be better than the Castro warren trade if we deal Solar better be a all star cause he will make several all star games
Bryan Lahair made an all star team….being an allstar doesn’t say a ton
Castro was a 3 time reserve all star. One was a replacement for another injured player. He’s also hitless in 5 ABs. He also has 3 errors.
Surprised their not in on Chet Lemon.
They’re *
I am also thinking the Cubs would have to be a frontrunner in the Parra bidding. Not many speedy Cfers out there, and thats what Cubs need. I thought I saw somewhere before Zobrist signed that a big piece of the puzzle on where he was going to sign was who would let him primarily play his position. That leads me to believe that Zobrist will rarely play in the OF. I would like to know what teams are shopping Center fielders and need A fifth starter or 2. Cubs seem to have a logjam at 5th starters and long relievers right now.
I’d like Parra over Span. Great glove, would fill the leadoff spot nicely. Probably would be decent (cheapish) money over 3 years.
Parra is more a left fielder than a center fielder. He get exposed whenever he plays extended time in center.
Dern….was really hoping that soler was who we could have gotten for Miller, but also no one saw the package we got coming…..you simply don’t pass that up.
I really thing Schweiber is the player Chicago should be looking to trade, has a good bat with tremendous power, but also think he is an American League player who has the hype machine at be highest right now. If they could get a Salazar or Carrasco in exchange for him as head of a package, really think that makes more long term sense. Soler may not be as developed with the bat, but his overall game is more nl based and he has decent to good defense. Overall though, the zobrist signing makes the Cubs have a logjam any team would love to have.
Starting pitching really isn’t a need though. I’d rather keep Schwarber personally
I think Theo is maybe a little gun shy on giving out HUGE contracts again after what happened in Boston.
He signed lester last year?
I would love Heyward. The Cubs strike out a lot and and having a high on base guy like him could really help. He could lead off for that team and he wouldn’t be expected to bring power because that team has plenty of it. He might cost a lot but he might also be the piece that puts that team over the top.
The Braves need to offer Teheran, Bourn +7 mil, along with Banuelos to the Cubs for Soler and Baez. I’m sure the Braves would have to give up a little more, but if the Cubs were still in the pursuit on Miller, then they are still looking for more pitching. Atlanta has it and has shown the ability to be creative in trades. I would say Atl might throw in Vizcaino 🙂 but I’m sure everyone is getting tired of them trading him back and forth lol.
As for the Cubs it would give them a defensive CF in Bourn. A very very good pitcher in Teheran, who has shown the potential to be dominate. Plus frees up RF to sign Heyward. Vizcaino looked like he could be a great setup guy last year and good fill a much need hole in the Cubs bullpen.
For Atl this gives them 2 power bats they plug in behind Freeman. This would obviously put the Braves in a position to trade Markakis…..Or they could put Markakis in LF keep Olivera at 3rd, for now, and put Baez at 2nd. I actually prefer trading Markakis and playing Baez at 3rd.
This trade will obviously never happen, but the Braves could find someway to offer a deal that at least perks the Cubs interest.
That’s hilarious. Baez should not be traded. He’s way too good to give up on. He’s only 22. Soler has 6 years maybe 7 years left of his 9 year 30mil deal. Far as I know the deal didn’t kick until he was on the 25 man roster.
If the Arizona-Atlanta trade from December 8th at the MLB winter meetings is the template for getting a trade deal done, then listed below is the equivalent for a Braves-Cubs deal. The Braves can send pitchers Julio Teheran (Better than Miller) and Jose A. Ramirez (Received in trade from Mariners earlier this year, better than Gabe Speir) to the Chicago Cubs for a package of Javier Baez (not quite at the level of Inciarte) and prospects Gleybar Torres, SS, (MLB #31 overall vs Swanson, MLB #10 overall) and Carl Edwards, P, MLB #57 (almost the same as Blair, MLB #61).
So you’re saying the Braves would give up more and receive less? That makes no sense. Baez isn’t even close to Inciarte right now, and Torres really isn’t that close to Swanson either.
Yes, that is what I was saying. Basically the Braves overvalue Soler and Baez, who have proven nothing so far but have great potential according to the hype.
The “more” and “less” refers to the Arizona trade not the players involved in a Cubs Deal.
If the Arizona-Atlanta trade from December 8th at the MLB winter meetings is the template for getting a trade deal done, then listed below is the equivalent for a Braves-Cubs deal. The Braves can send pitchers Julio Teheran (Better than Miller) and Jose A. Ramirez (Received in trade from Mariners earlier this year, better than Gabe Speir) to the Chicago Cubs for a package of Javier Baez (not quite at the level of Inciarte) and prospects Gleybar Torres, SS, (MLB #31 overall vs Swanson, MLB #10 overall) and Carl Edwards, P, MLB #57 (almost the same as Blair, MLB #61). If the Cubs need an outfielder, the Braves can send Nick Swisher or Michael Bourn in lieu of Jose Ramirez.
Trade voglbach almora and someone else for Teheran. You don’t trade Baez and Soler for him those two are 30+ hr and 90+ rbi each you shouldn’t give that up. The entire infield 3rd to 1st can project 150 hrs potentially. Bryant 35-40 Russell once he develops power can hit 20ish Baez can hit 30+ and Rizzo 45-50and now zobrist is 20hr player. Then the outfield. Schwarber and Soler can hit 30 each easy. They need a power cf now. That can hit 20-25
Baez is not going to hit 30 HR if he does not start. Cubs need a LH hitting outfielder with high OBP. Markakis would fit the bill in right for Soler. Bourn can come to play center for a #20-29 prospect. Outfield set unless Cubs find a way to make it better. If Baez sits for a year his vaalue will crumble. Where is he going to play? Zobrist is better at every position. If the Cubbies get Heyward, bot Soler and Baez will ride the pine.
You must not be familiar with how Joe Maddon puts out a line up. Baez will get playing time at multiple positions.
Why do the cubs need a lhh? They have Zobrist, Schwarber and Rizzo to break up the RHH. Additionally, they have LHH Chris Coghlan, who is better than both Markakis and Bourn.
Braves could send Michael Bourn and Nick Markakis for Jorge Soler in a simple deal. Cubs outfield solved. Ready to go to WS.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA….downvote
The Braves fleeced the DBacks good in the shelby Miller trade.Your not gonna fleece Theo with them ridiculous trade offers.
Fleece has two sides.
That would be awful. Are you trying to make the cubs worse?
How do the Cubs get worse by getting a 2.5 WAR player with 181 hits last year and a centerfielder with 0.2 WAR in limited play and give up a player that had a negative -0.1 WAR. This must be Emanuel accounting.
Nick Markakis did not have 2.5 b or f war last year. Steamer has him at 0.6 next year and projections have him declining, as you’d assume from a guy who will be 32.
Bourn was worth 0.2 bWAR and 0.0 fWAR. 141 games and 482 plate appearances isn’t exactly limited playing time for someone of Bourn’s age and skill set, either.
Steamer has Soler projected to be worth more than Bourn + Markakis in less than half the at bats for 2016.
It’s really not hard to check stats before you post non-sense.
As a more Complex combination, Braves send Julio Teheran, Nick Markakis and Michael Bourn to the Cubs for Javier Baez, Jorge Soler, Gleybar Tores and Carl Edwards. This takes care of the starting pitching and the outfield for the Cubbies. Nothing to stop them after this deal.
Ew. Bourn is a salary dump and markasis blows, Pass x1bajillion.
Markakis hit .300 last year and power started to return at end of year following surgery.
This isn’t 1990 anymore…
And they already have Coughlan, who is better than Markakis and Bourne
That trade is ridiculous. Why would the Cubs trade two young players for a good pitch yes, but two highly overpaid outfielders??? Not a chance bud
I can see it now..Braves fans will be offering Bourn for Fernandez now lol…You guys pulled off the crime of the century with Arizona.It wont happen twice..Executives all over baseball are laughing at the DBacks right now.
How about Tehran,Freeman,and lets say Incarte to the cubs for David Ross straight up..
Looks like a solid trade offer. A catcher and relief pitcher in Ross. Braves should be all over that.
I still don’t think Braves are done I think there still a trade with Braves and Cubs . So here my trade proposal
Braves trade
Micheal Bourne ( who could play center field for Cubs and play good cf still and lead off and last year of his contract
Julio Tehran ( a great young pitcher 24 years old under contract for 4 more years at 12.5 million and Cubs could use warren as stretch pitch which he was good for the Yankees)
Jason Grilli ( vet Rp with play off experience and on last year of his contract that only pay him 3 million
Lp Marksberry ( very good young left under team control for 7 more years)
Prospect pitcher Grosser
And 8 million to help pay Bourne contract
And then Cubs could sign Jason Heyward to oaky right fielder
And Braves get
Soler (with this trade and signing of heyward they don’t need him)
1b Dan vogelbach (with Cubs having Russo there no place for him)
Lp Justin Steele ( lp that could help in 2018 in bullpen )
C victor caratini ( brave know what they would vegetating from him)
3b jeimer Candelario ( with Cubs have a lot of infield including Bryant there no place for him
And com pic
Win win trade for both team. And before any one says brave have Freeman they don’t need 1b well I have trade for him to
Here is my trade for Freddy
Braves trade
Freeman
Mckirkham
William Perez
Christian bethancourt
Brandon cunniff
Adonis Garcia
And 15 million to
Pirates
For
Austin meadows ( ga boy and with pirates have 3 great outfield already they don’t have room for him)
James taillon ( I know he great young pitcher but he been hurt and pirates are trying to win now)
C Reese McGuire ( in this trade pirates get bethancourt who is young def catche elite McGuire but he can play for them now)
Lp Stephen tarpley
1b josh bell ( with Freeman in trade and he sign for 7 more years no place for bell)
And com pic
This trade help both teams
Pirate get great 1b who can play for them for years and help solve that for them and they could throw morse in the trade so he can play 1b for brave now .
They get solid 3 sinker ball pitcher in Perez
Bull pen help that can make there bull stronger
A young def catch that help them now
And brave get more great prospects for 2018
Are you freaking high these trades you are proposing are video game trades that’s way too many players you have zero baseball knowledge this is so damn stay off the discussion boards with this stupid crap this is the 2nd time I have seen you make a stupid comment virtually the same thing
upvote!!!!!
You said same thing about miller and look what happen and bye way there been trade like this before team that like Cubs and pirates are going for it and look in to your history . The biggest trade made between two team is 18 players between the Yankees and tigers in 1956 and and prospect are not given thing all you need to realize this . You all are over rating them. If you want to win you have get something to get something. For every Bryant Russell Schwarber there are ten to guys like Kevin Maas Taylor Lombard Henson chad Hutchison cust Burroughs Juden bush Ben Davis Munson delcarmin shoppach Maine delmon young Joel zumaya Brian Anderson Dallas McPherson Brandon woods dan Meyers Andy marte Kyle Davies Wilson Betemits Jeremy hermida Scott Olson lasting milledge
Rick ankiel merkin Valdez josh barfield Connor Jackson Steven drew of the world great prospect that never made it or guys never got where they where suppose to be . So you all need to realize this so these trade are not stupid . The problem is you are all to young and sold a bill of goods and you realize as team like Arizona realize to win you have to give up future if you want to win so stop acting like these deal make any since know your history and realize this baseball any thing can happen because you never though Braves could get what they got for miller
Then may be they could make this trade
Braves send
Markakis and terdolavich and Cuban they sign last year and maybe Ruiz and some pitcher not top banuelos
For
Frazier
Aiken or
Sheffield
Jesus Aguilar
Claudia Bautista or yandy Diaz work for both clubs Indians get out fields now that could help them win and not give away the farm and Braves get another ga boy that help in future another left and other infield prospects then brave can sign more lower leave free agent that can play know and maybe trade at the all star game
Words can’t explain how dumb this sounds, this isn’t mlb the show 2016 buddy can’t make unrealistic trades like this please quit posting the same thing over and over again nobody wants to see your fantasy trades
upvote again
Like said before you all said there no way brave could get what they got for just miller and they did. What make my trade a video game because you all have been sold on prospects that where you all done know baseball for every great prospect that makes it and become what every body thought they would be there are 10 player that where bust and never make it to the majors . Makes it and only have one to two good years and after that are gone or they end up be ok but never living up to there hip . Where prospect are nice but if you are going to win World Series which what every team wants you have give up something to get the peace that lead you to that . And you young fan who don’t know your history and only about number don’t get it . More time then not prospects will get you fired and teams like pirates . Who have window to win a World Series and next couple years player like cole mcCutchen marte polancio Harrison mercer will come up for new contract and they have to pay them and won’t be able to keep them all . So they have window to go for it . If pirates don’t want to end up what happen in 1992 again have to see player like bonds and Bonilla bell drabek leave for nothing and they did win World Series there fan could have had if they had trade few of there prospect to get the player so they could have beat my Braves . The reason was they would go get the closer like lee which at the time they could have had and didn’t want to trade prospect it would take to win and look where it lead them 20 years of lossing and have nothing for there loss’s . So if pirates fan want to have that happen again and keep there prospect and if they don’t get that word series they could end up with the history repeating it self again and when it come to the Cubs . They haven’t won a World Series since 1909 and how much longer do Cubs want to go with out one . And hate tell you all pitching wins World Series not hitting . And few years Cubs will have to pay the Bryant arrieta Russell Schwarber (Gettis 2.0) Almora Baez rondon Rizzo and if they all hit let project Bryant ( 25 to 35 million Russell 20to 25 million a year arrieta 30 to 35 million Almora 15 to 20 million Beaz 25 to 25 million Rizzo 25 to 30 million wow they won’t be able to pay them all there not the Dodgers money . Salaries are just going up . So If Cubs want to win World Series they need pitching and 106 year wow. If they sign heywood like they talk about for 10 200 million and just sign zobrist /50 something they are going for it and Almora won’t be ready tell 2017 so they have opening I love heyward but there is reason Braves didn’t play him in centerfield. He is Rf ball come off the bat different in Rf them in cF but you know that if you played the game. So teams like want to beat the cards and win the division and not have to play the wild card game again there going to have to make a trade to do it and that means prospects . Every teams have budget they have to go buy so only way the can get better and brave have pieces that will help both pirates and Cubs to win . But team like Braves want top prospects just ask dback . So know you history and stop attack like you all know every thing “prospect are not the all to end all every 1 get prospect that ends up being all star I can show you ten that didn’t make it
I dont know how I made myself read all of this,but I honestly feel dumber now for doing so..Im pretty new to watching baseball,Ive only been watching for 35yrs or so but im willing to bet your spewing the trades you have been orchestrating on your Xbox.Stick to MLB the show man..No one wants the Braves scrap parts.Tehran is just so-so.Yes you recieved a haul from Miller,and 99% of baseball fans,writers and execs agree it was a massive overpay..Good luck..It wont happen again this year,but congrats on the trade tho
Bye way I still think dback got away best in that trade I liked Swanson and Blair but there prospect that you are unknown now and this could end up being miller for inciarte and where inciarte is good player I don’t see him on brave in 2018 when there ready to win and I still think Shelby is future cyoung winner ex special since he going to a team in Arizona who team president know him . He drafted him . He pitching with one top 3 pitcher in baseball I. Greinke and trust me mr Greinke will help Shelby and ready of the pitcher get better bye talking to them and showing them how to be one the best and winning .and with that off they will score runs . The only thing that bothers me Arizona is little like Colorado ball flys there but at lease they can have some to put on it . But trust me Shelby will when a cyoung in near future . As Braves fan we better hope Swanson does pan out to be a super star . Because I thing Blair will most likely be back of rotation starter or reliever . I worry that lp will turn out great to. Remember Braves had Collins before they traded him to kc and hey only had him for few week then to and he turn out be great bull pen guy for kc .
You are wrong. And everyone with some baseball knowledge (yes, this excludes the dbacks fo) disagrees with you.
No only you people who where not alive when Dodgers won a World Series and only about antics don’t like my trade once again know your history or fail to repeat it. All you be same fans same one who didn’t think miller trade was going to happen . And in 5 to 6 years and pirates and Cubs still haven’t won a World Series and brave are back in World Series I’ll be one laughing because I know that your team did so what ever it take to win a World Series and when all what you think are untouchable prospect 3/4 are bust and and play you do have leave for more money and better chance to win like Bryant leave for Dodgers and Russell is a Yankee and Schwarber is dh in al and pirates loss mcCutchen to Yankee or Dodgers and marte is tiger an cole is Red Sox and all you have is few wild card games . Bye the way my grandfather was Cubs fan. I also like Cubs as young man my step father who grow up and was drafted bye the Phillis in 1958 . So I know baseball and it history ex special these teams . So you not just talk to a Braves fan . JUST THOUGHT YOU ALL SHOULD KNOW . Ow bye way I think there was huge trade a couple years ago between the dodger and red sox for bunch of major player for top prospect most of you all did think could happen and it did. And before then same happen when red sox trade 5 of there too prospect for Gonzalez so know your history again this was not video game trade . There just prospects there not gold or untouchable (priceless )
Yeah..How did Anthony Rizzo turn out in that trade
If your prospects are that sought after in free agency it likely means they were good for the 6 years of control and you have derived the most possible value from them, so I’m not sure why you automatically assume it’d be a negative to let your players go to other teams.
Braves send Ted Turner, Chief Nokahoma, a case of Coca Cola and Matt Ryan to the Cubs for statue of Harry Carry, a Tony’s Italian Beef sandwich, Jeff Foxworthy and Jay Cutler.
Hey, now I see why cjh does this–it’s fun.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA NO DOUBT
Hahahahahaha I’m dying this is so funny
Way too fair. Jay Cutler is like negative eleventybillion on his own.
Add Chik Fil A and we have a solid deal
If I am Theo&Hoyer, I re-sign Austin Jackson to man CF. It’s not flashy, but he is a solid stop-gap for Almora in either 2016,2017 or 2018. No fat contract to give out to a guy like heyward. I think most Cubs fans would love heyward to sign, and if he is signed five minutes from now I would be happy, too, but a more realistic approach would be Austin Jackson. We still need a 4th/5th starter. As good as Arrieta, Lester, Lackey is, another solid option other than hendricks would be nice. Hendricks, is a very good 5th starter. Bullpen is looking deep, but not top heavy. Obviously, Rondon is a stud, but outside of him we don’t have another lights-out guy. I would’ve loved the Cubs to have gotten a guy like Andrew Miller, but it just wasn’t in the cards. I highly doubt the cubs trade young guys unless it is for another starter. Julio Tehran is an option, but he’ll likely cost a guy like Soler or minor league + +… The cubs need to keep their surplus of talent in case of injuries. This year, the cubs were incredibly lucky to have healthy seasons from starters (minus Hammel). If a guy like Rizzo, Bryant, Schwarbs, misses long time, the lineup will suffer dramatically. Keeping guys like Soler and Baez might stunt their long-term potential and growth, especially if they don’t start every day, but they will be huge upgrades over injured scenarios involving Russell, Zobrist, Schwarbs, Bryant. This team needs to keep building chemistry. I would love another 2 or 3 rotation slot pitcher, but it might cost the cubs mightily. Stick to the guns and wait until season if a trade needs to happen. Trade deadline this year will be hot as always.
I hear that A. Chapman can be had for a bucket of baseballs.
One word give SZUR a fair shot and this might be a bounce back for Alcantra in CF just stop the trades were good trust in the plan that got solved down are throat for 4 years