An extension for Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein is “just a matter of time,” team owner Tom Ricketts told reporters, including Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times at a charity event on Wednesday. “We talk all the time, and it comes up,” Ricketts explained, adding that he is “on the same page” with Epstein in that regard. Epstein, of course, is entering the final season of his five-year contract with the Cubs, though given the manner in which Chicago has returned to prominence in the NL Central and the team’s very positive long-term outlook, it’d come as a surprise if the two sides didn’t work out a new contract.
Here’s more from the division…
- Brewers GM David Stearns wouldn’t disclose whether he will continue the “file and trial” approach to arbitration that the Brewers have employed in recent years, writes MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy. For those unfamiliar, “file and trial” teams cease negotiating one-year deals with players once arbitration figures are exchanged — which will happen this Friday. While some file-and-trial clubs will continue negotiating multi-year deals after arb figures are exchanged, such teams will head to a hearing if no multi-year deal talks are in the works. The Brewers have three arbitration-eligible players — Wily Peralta, Jean Segura and Will Smith. Stearns said he didn’t expect any updates on the trio’s contract status until closer to the exchange deadline.
- Seung-hwan Oh told reporters in Korea, including Jee-ho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency, that he got the impression all throughout negotiations with the Cardinals that the team felt it needed him, and he’s happy with the deal he received. Oh apologized to his Korean fans for some legal troubles that he incurred which resulted in a 72-game suspension from the KBO, though his actions wouldn’t have warranted any consequences in the United States. Oh was suspended for gambling at an overseas casino in Japan (not on baseball), which is against the KBO’s rules. He’d be forced to miss a half season if he returned to Korea’s top league, though he spoke like a man who doesn’t intend to do so in the near future, saying he hoped to reach the World Series and wouldn’t be satisfied with an ERA over 3.00. Instead, Oh said, he hopes to keep that number closer to 2.00 — a threshold with which he is familiar after a stellar career in both Korea and Japan. Oh said he doesn’t plan to add a new pitch but might rely more heavily on his split-finger. He’s also looking forward to a potential showdown with countryman and new division rival Jung Ho Kang, who was 4-for-13 with a homer off Oh in Korea, per Yoo.
- Pirates GM Neal Huntington told reporters, including Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, that right-hander Juan Nicasio will be stretched out in Spring Training so that he may serve as depth in a number of roles (Twitter link). Depending on how Nicasio fares, he could be used as rotation depth, a long man or in middle relief, according to Biertempfel. Nicasio was a bit wild but had generally strong results out of the L.A. bullpen last season, working to a 3.86 ERA with 10.0 K/9 against 4.9 BB/9.
Pirates better be in top miracle mode if they’re gonna use Nicasio as a starter. Man is a high pitch count machine. Everyone gets a 3-2 count.
Nicasio was brought in to pitch in the bullpen and not the rotation but given his previous starting experience it makes sense to stretch him out so he can potentially be used in multiple roles in the pen such as a long reliever, piggyback starter for the days Locke or Vogelsong get knocked around, or going in for the twelfth inning and lasting as long as necessary to win a marathon game.
He’s a spot starter at best but might be better suited for middle inning/long relief.
If Oh pans out I see Rosenthal being dealt in a midseason deal.
That will not happen. While I believe that the (gulp) Cubs look primed to run away with the NLCD, I have all the faith in the world that the Birds will be competing all the way. I would wager the same three teams representing the Central, except with Chicago taking the crown this year. Rosenthal is the closer. No ifs, ands, or buts. I see Oh and Seigrest sharing setup duties in a situational capacity and hopefully resting Seigrest a bit more so he’ll have some in the tank near the end of the season. With Matheny and how he over manages the bullpen and lets some of his guys stay in too long…………who really knows? What I do know is Rosenthal is controllable through arbitration in 16, 17, and 18. He’s also our closer with proven postseason grit. I doubt he goes anywhere. Except to the bullpen for warm up prior to the 9th inning.
Beside the fact the cardinals keep losing players and more so all of their pitching
Oh will never be a closer on a contending team…….wishful at best
That’s all true, but the almost sent him to Colorado at the deadline last season in a package deal for Tulo. So I wouldn’t be surprised.
“Oh was suspended for gambling at an overseas casino in Japan (not on baseball), which is against the KBO’s rules.”
Just a note on this… Both Oh and Lim did not gamble in Japan, it was at Macau. The KBO league decided to put a suspension on Oh even though he wasn’t a KBO league player that time (he was still a member of the Hanshin Tigers), cause they said there’s still a possibility that Oh will head back home, that’s the time the ban will take effect.
I think teams should try to avoid arbitration hearings whenever reasonably possible, as the nature of the hearings sometimes tend to evoke some negative feelings between the teams and their young players. There are some teams who have successfully managed to avoid a hearing for over a decade and are proud of that fact.
100% agree. The Cardinals actually do well in that regard. Just making a point that even through arbitration, Rosenthal is under control for 3 more seasons. A top tier, proven postseason closer, with 3 years of control isn’t going anywhere.
Long way around to agree with you.
Oh may be oh no. A jason frasor type. Decent numbers until his deception fades. Then boom. Its all done. But st louis doesn’t have bullpen depth so they have to take a chance
Haven’t heard much about the Cubs lately but wonder if Jed and Theo have other moves waiting in the wings.
from what i’ve read they’re done making big moves unless something comes along they can’t pass up. i would expect some depth signings before spring training but not much else.
I think they always have there ears open to possible deals for starters but am betting that the next move will lead up to the trade deadline.
Yeah the Cubs are done Rn. There’s not much they can do anyway. All the left over outfielders are not in their plans nor should be. Unless TB comes to terms this is it. Not say Theo not fishing. They still want that pitcher. But not enough to sign Y Gall. They will probably go into spring training and see how things are going. I expect the next major move or moves will be after the season starts n up to trade deadline to measure we’re their at. Clev not selling, not for what they want. SD fell off the grid and is probably waiting to see how their season goes first. TB has to cone down in price. No ace is being traded forget it. Aka Grey, Fern, Sales. Their not sign Y Gall so their going what they have for now them make adjustments n trades.
Again, I’m a suffering Reds. Do I jump to the Cubs after 40 some years ? It’s awfully tempting. They have a ready made club of young Cubs. It’s looks like the Reds have some up and comers,but it’s going to be a while. 2019 ? I’m hoping,but that’s it. I grew up with the BRM . Went through 82-84. Wasn’t fun. I think this is a repeat,with more veteran talent. That team had Bench(my idol) and Concepcion. About it. So,let’s see what the Kiddie Corps starters can do.