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By Mark Polishuk | at
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cubby82
As it relates to the Cubs, does anyone else think the way to strengthen the bullpen might be “from within” while instead adding to the starting rotation?
More specifically, as great as Hammel and Hendricks have been this season, it is only natural to assume there is going to be some regression (for anyone watching Hammel’s start against NYM 48 hours ago, that regression seems to be kicking in). What if the Cubs, dare I say it, made a play for a Sonny Gray, a Chris Sale, and or a Julio T out of Atlanta, while moving Hammel and Hendricks down to the bullpen in long relief roles?
Granted-this is NOT going to happen, but… the weapons are there both in their farm system and at the MLB level (Soler, Schwarber), to pull off a trade or two of this magnitude. With that kind of surplus of talent, if you were Theo or Jed… would you go that route?
cubsfan24
I think they make a move or 2 for both. The preference is Gray/Doolittle combo but I don’t think it’s gonna happen. It will probably end up being somebody that hasn’t been mentioned as a trade candidate yet. I wouldn’t mind kicking the tires on Matt Moore. I know he’s been pretty bad since TJ but I think a change of atmosphere would do him good
Gogerty
They have the pieces to get it done for sure. I think Cubs will surely do something, the above two starters you mentioned will regress, I agree.
Should be an interesting few weeks.
jaygrouch
Not a chance in the world Cubs trade Schwarber
thebare
No Scwhaber no Hendricks no one not in the majors except Miggy Montereo will bring a bullpen guy lefty only and top minors or Solerto the As’s for Dolittle
jfa23
What about I.Happ, J.Candelario and maybe D.Vogelbach for Andrew Miller? Or maybe switch Candelario for Jimenez
petrie000
as a Cubs fan i’d riot if they overpaid that badly for a reliever. Two AAA power hitters and the best overall hitter left in the system? yeah, if that’s what the Yankees want it’s time to stop returning their calls…
jfa23
Yea I think you’re right, maybe remove J.Candelaerio and go with Happ and Vogeldbach for Miller but I don’t think the Yanks accept that.
Philliesfan4life
thats a deal the yankees should think about, because the cubs are not trading schwarber
thebare
Yankees all ways get the best of Theo hope that ends SOON!
IAmNumber_4
The Cardinals in my opinion need bullpen, like they said, but also corner outfielders, because holliday is getting too old and tommy pham isn’t ready to play everyday. They could playoff push for Ryan Braun or someone of that caliber
Gogerty
But who would Cards give up within the division that they would want to face later on?
RedFeather
The Cardinals need to go after Chapman. 1. Automatic save 2. Block the cubs from getting him 3. We need a solid closer and if Rosenthal can get back to old for he would be a dominate set up man
thebare
Then Give Rosenthal up for Soler Donnie Deweese c jEdwards
rk34
I don’t understand why the cardinals haven’t even inquired about starting pitching help and moving Jaime Garcia to the bullpen.
The Tampa Bay Rays are struggling bad and i don’t think that they will be post-season contending .why not try to get Jake Odorizzi or (long-shot ) Chris archer .we have the prospects ,why not go all or nothing.
rk34
Also This off-season the cardinals should REALLY push for Mark Trumbo if he doesn’t sign an extension with Baltimore.
Catcher: Yadier Molina (Long-Shot Lucroy)
1st base :Moss?,Adams? (possibly Edwin Encarnacion)
2nd base:Matt Carpenter
3rd base:Jhonny Peralta?????
SS :Aledmys Diaz
Left field: Jose Bautista /Mark Trumbo/Holliday?
Center Field : Grichuk and Pham (Long-shot Yoenis Cespedes)
Right Field :Stephen PIscotty
This would be a greatly improved ,already amazing , Offense.
Gogerty
Sounds like fantasy baseball, but Cards do have resources to do it.
EndinStealth
Sounds like utter ridiculousness.
jakem59
You just don’t give a hoot about defense, do you?
thebare
No Cards minors league suck s that why they didn’t like Maddon shirt /try not to Suck lol at St. Louis nation
EndinStealth
The Cardinals need to be sellers, not buyers.
stl_cards16 2
The Cardinals don’t sell even when they should. They’re definitely not selling sitting 2 games out of the playoffs.
EndinStealth
I know. They never sell and they end up with to many guys at one position. I just don’t see them being consistent enough to make the playoffs this year. Moving guys like Moss, Adams, Rosenthal (he will straighten out), Peralta, Grichuk etc… could really help bring in fresh talent.
TheHittingGuy
More than 1. Believe that my friend. More than one.
cardfan2011
Cardinals need to address the bullpen issues, Rosie’s been terrible, and Oh hasn’t pitched as well in the closer role
fanofcards
The Cardinals have some excellent players with no super star on the team. Ranked highly in the MLB in offense. However, in my opinion, there has been a tremendous cause to be frustrated with the management. There has been no consistent line up placed in the field in a regular basis all season. Important keys players are rested on the same day. As many as 4 main players out in the same game day. Starting pitchers who are carrying the team in a game day get the hook just because it’s the 7th or 8th inning, just because it’s the 7th or 8th inning. Impact players never knowing which position they might be playing day to day. Which brings to light that multiple player are playing out of position in a daily basis. Double switches made just to be made which regularly involves a key offensive player is removed in tight games which could go into extra innings. “Some” starting pitchers are left in the game to give up 5-6 runs in the first 3 innings just because they are a starter. Just actually giving the game away deliberately not to hurt the starters feelings. There is no consistency of the manager working to win every game they play. Sunday’s are give up games. Key players are rested on Sunday’s on a regular basis. How can this managing attitude keep our Cardinal attitude on a positive level? Players know that there will never be an impact superstar obtained to solidify their team. Oh yes, the GM will come in second in a consistant basis to make it appear they are actually trying when in reality, big money is not going to be spent on big time players, big contracts cost. As long as Busch Stadium is bringing in 40,000 per game, no big impact improvements will be made. We as fans know this, and the players know this. How frustrating for both !! But, having said all of that, I have been a Solid Cardinal fan for over 60 years, and will be for the rest of my life. No matter what their records are at the end of the season, I always have my tickets purchased and reservations made to go to spring training ever year, just to see my Cardinals. I guess I just miss Walt Jockerty, Dave Duncan, Kissell, McGwire as the hitting coach and as much as I doubted his use of his relievers, Tony LaRussa!!!
strike4
Red’s continue to be the class of the NL Central..
.”We want you to promote you to pitching coach. Yes, we’re in a major rebuild and got fleeced by the White Sox and Yankees so our farm system is still in shambles. What have you got to lose?”
You’re fired!
jaygrouch
STOP people…..stop with the Schwarber trades…Ain’t gonna happen. Period. He’s untouchable. LH, Catcher, walks, power, plays under pressure. Top 25 MLB home run leaders going into this weekend, 7 ……SEVEN….are LH and three are DH-types and much older than Schwarber. NONE catch…even part-time.
So while the Cubs most-certainly may trade Soler, and I believe Candelario is in the bigs to showcase and be a “major -leaguer” when traded, you WILL NOT see Schwarber traded.