There’s a “very real” possibility slugger Kyle Schwarber will be able to contribute for the World Series-bound Cubs in their matchup with the Indians, reports FanRag’s Jon Heyman. Schwarber has been out since early April after tearing the ACL and LCL in his left knee, but, as the Cubs were in the midst of defeating the Dodgers to clinch their first pennant since 1945, the 23-year-old returned to action Saturday in the Arizona Fall League. Schwarber accrued four plate appearances and said afterward that “it was overall a really great day for me” (via Jack Thompson of the Chicago Tribune). If Schwarber does return for the World Series, the player whom Cubs baseball president of baseball operations Theo Epstein deems a “special talent” could factor in as a DH and pinch-hitter.
More from Heyman:
- The Dodgers and soon-to-be free agent Justin Turner have mutual interest in renewing their relationship, according to Heyman, who notes that the third baseman’s age could prevent that from happening. The fact that Turner will turn 32 next month might cause the Dodgers to shy away from approaching or matching any mega-offers that come his way on the open market. Turner is in position to cash in on the heels of a three-year run in which he combined for 12.4 fWAR and slashed .296/.364/.492 in 1,383 plate appearances.
- As for another of the Dodgers’ key impending free agents, Kenley Jansen, the club will “make a nice attempt” to re-sign the closer, writes Heyman. The 29-year-old Jansen has been a premier reliever since debuting in 2010, so the Dodgers’ interest in keeping him is no surprise. He and fellow free agent-to-be Aroldis Chapman look primed to become the two highest-paid relievers in baseball history.
- Both Turner and Jansen will be among players landing $17.2MM qualifying offers after the season. Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported earlier this month that Major League Baseball could introduce a new rule to preclude players from receiving a QO in consecutive offseasons. That now seems unlikely, though, as a source told Heyman there hasn’t been much discussion about it.
- The Tigers received calls on outfielder Justin Upton over the summer, ESPN’s Buster Olney reported Saturday. Heyman contends that dealing Upton would be a “tall task,” pointing to the amount of capable right-handed hitters in the offseason’s class of free agents. There are other factors that could stand in the way, too, including Upton’s 20-team no-trade clause and his right to opt out of his contract after next season. Upton just finished the first season of the six-year, $132.75MM deal he signed with Detroit last winter. A torrid September helped prevent a disastrous year for Upton, whose overall output – .246/.310/.465, 1.4 fWAR over 626 PAs – was nonetheless disappointing.
- The Red Sox are seriously considering exercising their $13.5MM club option for 2017 on right-hander Clay Buchholz, per Heyman. The weak group of free agent starters could lead Boston to pick it up, as Heyman concurs with MLBTR’s Steve Adams that he’d potentially end up with a multiyear deal on the market. The 32-year-old Buchholz has been inconsistent during his Red Sox tenure, including a subpar 2016 spent both in the rotation and bullpen, though he was highly effective as recently as last season and could garner trade interest if the club retains his rights.
Yes, it would be great to see my Kyle plant a baseball on the video board again! A walk off against Allen would do!
I just don’t see it. Not only a very quick recovery, I just can’t imagine he’s ready to just step up to major league pitching.
They say he’s looking okay in the AFL but out in front of breaking stuff. I think they’re better off with Heyward over Schwarber right now.
I heard the Cubs called in Tim Tebow to pray as he rubbed Schwarber’s knee
Really?? Where?? Oh wait, what?? You were lying?? Go troll somewhere else. Leave the sports to the adults
I thought that that was funny. Lighten up…
Yeah bud calm down people are allowed to joke
That was funny, JB that that out of your mouth when texting
Sports isn’t for adults.
I am an adult. I’m Joe Orsulak.
The Dodgers need to resign both Turner and Jansen. Given the age factor Turner will be offered less years, but more $ per year; Jansen will get both as he is just entering his prime. The Dodgers need to shop for a big middle of the order RH bat like a Cespedes (if he opts out) or Braun, re-sign Rich Hill and go get a RH starting pitcher. I see Kersh, Hill, Maeda, and Urias in the rotation. McCarthy could be their long man in the bully. Will not resign Anderson and have no idea if Ryu will be healthy. DeLeon and Stewart are the first guys up from OKC. Also think Ravin and a healthy Liberatore will be in the pen with Dayton, Blanton, and Jansen. I also think we’ve seen the last of these guys in Dodger Blue: Kike, Puig, JP Howell, Baez, B Anderson, and one of my favorite players Andre Ethier. I can see them re-signing Utley for another year because he is such a great veteran presence, can still play and Willie Calhoun is still a year or two away in the minors. I can also see them carrying Grandal, Ruiz and Barnes because Barnes can hit and can also play second base. Big question: Where do Trayce Thompson and Van Slyke fit in their plans? IsToles their leadoff guy going forward?
Good breakdown. Andre’s got 2 years left on his contract. Not sure if anyone would trade for him. He’s a valuable vet presence and will have to redesign himself as an OF/1B and take over the spot SVS played the last few seasons. I don’t see Scotty sticking around. I like Puig a lot, and I want him to succeed with the Dodgers, but he’s clearly the centerpiece of a trade that will shore up the batting order.
Dodgers won the NL with grit and not speed. We need a bit more of the latter. I hope the offseason plans involve moving away from the 3-run homer as our main offensive threat.
Ethier has 1 an option and there’s NO WAY the Dodgers let the option vest.
Good points on all…. Off-season musts; A right- handed bat or two, another RH starting pitcher, and 1/2 middle relief guys. I do think the Puig/Braun deal will be revisited, as will a deal for Archer and/or Longoria if they don’t resign JT. I do see an AL team trading for Andre as a DH and 4th outfielder because the Dodgers can eat most of the contract $. I agree about the speed factor. Think Doc hit on something with Toles leading off. A full season of Ravin, in place of Baez, will help the bully as will a healthy Liberatore…he was lights out when healthy. Our best and most ready minor league hitters are Bellinger (IB/OF), Verdugo (OF), and Calhoun (2B). They are getting there but I can only see Bellinger potentially getting called up at some point next year. Big question: Is Joc a trade chip if we get a couple of right handed power bats? This way Toles leads off and plays CF. Second question: Do we try to re-sign Reddick? He’s a good ball player. Third question: How many years and how much $ do we offer Rich Hill? Two and $25? Thoughts?
The idea of trading Ethier to an AL club holds merit. The price shouldn’t be that high, and he would be a huge lefty for a club like Boston to break up the heavy right-handed lineup without Ortiz.
A lot of these were “musts” before this season started, everybody knew it. But they didn’t get met, did they? I’d be very surprised if Jansen or Turner come back. Management effectively tossed them overboard when neither got an extension offer. They are now going to the highest bidder, which almost certainly isn’t going to be the Dodgers. As for Reddick, at best he’s a belt on a pair of suspenders. They already have that player under contract for another year. His name is Andre Ethier. Hill is also virtually certain to go elsewhere. Management has already been quite clear that they don’t sign pitchers into their late 30s.
Dodgers 2017 opening day OF: Cespedes-Pederson-Puig
Don’t think for a second they aren’t about to go all early 00’s Yankees on us. I see them signing Cespedes, Turner, Hill, Jansen, Chapman, Neil Walker and also clearing the farm to make a trade for an ace SP – Chris Sale maybe?
No chance. Everybody seems to expect the Dodgers to make blockbuster signings, but when was the last time they actually did?
Not gong to happen. ,maybe they go nuts in 2018, but not with all the money still owed to Ethier, Crawford, Kazmir, etc
News Flash. Nobody Wants Ethier, especially the Red Sox!!!
But they already said they want to bring Hill back. Also if Jansen and/or Turner leave you know we will get very good players to replace them. They have to, you saw how important they were in the playoffs. There is always an exception eventually. Nothing is ever set in stone.
The thing with Andre is he’s a questionable commodity. I’d think missing a season would scare teams off. If the Dodgers are going to pay for the 1 + option, then they might as well have him as a veteran presence. Especially if they don’t resign Utley (which I hope they do…. Can’t have too many veterans with the right attitude…. Add in Chooch, too).
I like Joc, but agree that he’s a trade chip. Reddick is alright, but how many left handed outfielders are they going to keep? The only question of yours I feel I can answer is Rich Hill. Definitely a 2 year offer. Not sure about money as that has gone off the rails and who knows what’s what with all that, but $25 mil per sounds about right.
If you know this FO you would know that they are not against blockbuster deals. As long as it makes sense. They practically had ZG signed to a pretty hefty deal until Az swooped in last minute with a few more bucks. They will make offers for those block busters but they won’t match that crazy money if it doesn’t make sense period. Blockbuster trades or signings are definitely not out of the question here. Especially with ned still having a voice. These guys are money ball, but with money this time. They are just more methodical with the money and trade chips.
It must be awesome to be a Dodgers fan and realistically think they can spend the money to do all those things.
We aren’t all deluded. Some of us have seen how this FO operates in the real world.
Who knows or cares, the LA FO made 350 moves, only 1 or 2 were good, and they got credit for a roster/prospects that were in place, what a country and what BS
Not true at all. They made solid moves to vastly improve the farm which was able to create trades to add depth. Which is why with record breaking numbers of players going to the DL, the Dodgers still managed to go deep into the post. Not bad for a team that people were saying would finish 4th or 5th in their own division.
Upton contract is going to be hard to move, he is such a streaky player.
I think LA is going to Turner walk and take the compensation pick. Turner had a great year but it was also the 1st time he has ever had more than 500 PA’s….let alone 600. I think he ends up getting 3-4 years @15-17M per year. LA actually has quite a bit of money coming off the books after next season. Their opening day payroll will drop by $100M next season and then another $60M after that. I can see them revisiting the Puig/Braun swap, and then calling TB about Longo. One thing is for sure is that they’ll need to fix that BP. It was evident that the only RP that Roberts trusts is Jansen.
If management thought the bullpen was broken they would have fixed it already. What we are going to see next year, realistically, is more of the same: the awful Baez, the worse Hatcher, and hopes for a rehabilitated Liberatore, complemented by a few random retreads who nobody else wanted. Jansen almost certainly gone, to be replaced by someone not as good. Anyone who thinks this FO will play next season any differently than they played the last two has my vote for dreamer of the century.
Pretty much *all* bullpens work this way, though. You look for failed SP’s whose stuff might play up in the pen. You look for dudes who might not have been properly utilized by their old teams. You look for dudes who might have been unlucky and see if their luck can’t turn around.
This F.O. is not perfect — none of them are, not even the vaunted Cubbies who had to suck ass for years and also get a bit of luck themselves. But I actually think this F.O. has done well with the bullpen. Hell, look at the numbers this year:
-3rd in WAR
-6th in K/9
-1st in ERA (if you prefer outdated stats)
-1st in IP
Before he got hurt Liberatore looked like nails. Joe Blanton was an amazing pickup. They got Grant Dayton off the scrap heap for Chris Reed, who was becoming a tire-fire of a prospect. They prioritized relievers with options so they could shuffle players up and down from OKC, thus spreading out the major-league-leading workload.
If we can expect more of the same next year in terms of bullpen performance, I’ll be very happy.. And considering the kids we’ve got coming up (as well as having McCarthy coming back, whose a bit of a wild card but also has a decent, realistic ceiling of a nice #4), I’m not worried about the starting rotation.
For me, the biggest issue is the erratic, inconsistent offense, which is far too homerun dependent and is just terrible on the base paths.
Again, the aggregate bullpen numbers don’t mean a lot when so much of it comes from two players. I’ve been saying since July at least that Blanton and Liberatore were burnout candidates. The latter hit the rocks midseason and Blanton in the postseason. Big surprise? Not. That record number of innings pitched was a function of a rotation that wasn’t any more durable than could have been expected. Roberts spread the load out as much as he could during the regular season but when it got to the postseason we could easily see who he thought was good enough to run out there in a tight spot.
What point does that prove? Take away the best two relievers from any team and see how their pen looks. LOL
Blanton pitched a good number of innings this year — I’ll give you that. But it’s only four more IP than he went last year, and in both seasons he has been very good. Would you go back on that one-year-deal for him? His slider looked like shit in the playoffs, not gonna lie. But who could foresee that coming?
Liberatore only went 42.2 IP through the month of September, so I don’t know where you’re headed there. If you’ve got a crystal ball that predicts arm injuries, then I’d go ahead market that bad boy ASAP.
Blanton a burnout candidate? Lol. He used to start, so burning out from being a middle reliever was never a question. All pitchers can be lights out perfect. We got two bad pitches from Blanton in crucial spots. But he also pitched great games in the post. And I’m glad you are able to predict injuries and then say it’s a burnout. Lol. Kind of an ignorant comment there
Also: it’s been widely reported that the Dodgers made Darren O’Day a *very* competitive offer, but he’s an east coast guy and wanted to stay there.
They also traded for Aroldis Chapman, but nixed the deal for moral reasons — something I was quite proud of. Cubs are gonna have some bad juju for that in the World Series. The baseball gods always find a way to pay you back for stuff like that. lol
Anyway, you acting like all Friedman and Zaidi do is stand is just not true. There’s evidence it’s not true.
And lots of evidence that they won’t make the big moves. You’ll see, if you haven’t already. Payroll will go down but the team will still have gaping holes that everybody and their grandmother can easily see.
I just gave you two pieces of evidence. Two. And that was all from one offseason.
Did you really want to give NYY what Cleveland gave for Miller? Or how about what Boston gave Preller in SD for Kimbrel?
Hell, they even made a very fair offer to AZ to take Greinke off of their hands, but the D’Backs are blowhards who couldn’t admit they made a bad signing (and for a former Dodger, no less).
The only one here who is clueless on this FO is you buddy. You seem to have no clue on what they are cabable of doing or what their vision is to improve this ball club. They have managed to do what other teams cannot. They built the farm to arguably the best in the game while still making the Dodgers contenders. They will spend money and make trades. They are just methodical about it. I’m happy they didn’t over pay for a few big names out there. Doesn’t mean that they aren’t trying to get them, or there wouldn’t be an offer to begin with. You think they will just let KJ leave and not replace him with somebody of equal or greater value? Who takes KJs place in your scenario. You seem to think that next season the FO is going to let the team fail because they aren’t going to throw 100s of millions at random players.
Boy, that says a lot for a team with the highest payroll. I thought Doubleday
Care to make a wager on whether or not jansen gets a contract for LA? The only way KJ leaves is if AC takes his place. Not sure why you think the FO won’t spend money or make trades? They have showd they will do both.
Zero chance the Rays trade Longo. He just came off a monster season and is the face of the franchise. They know their attendance is already bad and if they deal Longo it will be even worse. I could see them listening on Archer but considering his solid second half and super team friendly contract it would take a haul to get him.
I would think it be harder to trade archer now after the tragic loss of Jose. Longo is a perfect sell high candidate for the Rays. I know they were in talks of trading both to the Dodgers in July. So I guess we just have to wait and see what happens. Should be an interesting winter
Funny how people are still talking bullpen when the Dodgers had the best pen in the league. I’m sure they will look to improve. But it won’t be near the top of the winter priority list.
This is the last chance for a big payday for Turner and Jansen, the Dodgers have the money to resign these guys so they should give them top dollar. They are both key parts to their team, There isn’t a better option to replace either player. Dodgers get 200 in TV revenue each year more than 10 times the Yankees. It’s a no-brainer. They are the new evil empire!
Chapman is a free agent so there is an equal if not better option than KJ. Personally I like KJ better. He and that cutter get better and nastier every year. For Turner if we can somehow land longo from the Rays, I’ll take that all day. Dodgers have the young talent to make that deal while still keeping key pieces of the farm
Whose spot on the roster would he take? Coghlan?
My bet is Rob Zastryny
Dodgers need to resign JT. The team got going once he did. The Dodgers should offer him a lot of money. I hope he doesn’t skip out for the years.
Kenley will be a very hot bidding war. Hopefully he’ll see the Dodgers offer as close enough to the blow out of the water high bid he’s going to get and stick around. He can redefine the closer role, especially in the postseason.
It’s too bad they can’t get limit the QO to once per player. That seems like low-lying fruit and a clear inequity–especially as it relates to older players.
lol The Dodgers should of traded for Braun in August
100% correct, that was the move they needed to make.
Absolutely….. Hide and watch…..this trade will be revisited over the next two months.
Yeah, even then it seemed the Dodgers would need all the firepower they could muster to beat the Cubs.
Buchholz will come in handy should Farrell misuse another starting pitcher, as he did with Steven Wright.
If the Detroit Tigers “received calls for outfielder Justin Upton over the summer”, it was because he was having the worst season of his life and the callers thought they could “buy low”.
Although the Cubs would never do it, I wouldn’t mind seeing a trade of Justin Upton for Jason Heyward.
The Tigers need to trade Miguel Cabrera, Ian Kinsler and JD Martinez while they have peak value. Providing that the owner stays out of it and the Tigers have the ability to avoid making the list of historically bad trades.
there is no way the tigers move the contracts of verlander and miggy, unless they eat most of the money they are owed.
The Tigers are not going to move JV or Miggy period!! They want to has one more shot at the W.S. while Illich is alive. Both guys produced 6.6 & 4.9 of WAR in 2016 and will be Hall of Fame Tigers. Detroit’s TV contract is up in 2018 and they were 3rd (behind KC and St.Louis) for the highest ratings in 2016. Illich can expect a big payday if the team is fighting for the Central Crown in 2017.
Tigers are boxed in with all these big contracts, nothing good comes out of it.
Justin Upton had a .670 OPS in the first half and a .910 OPS in the second half, he’s going to be fine moving forward. He was a lifetime NLer and, due to the money he got and lack of patience by the fanbase due to that money, forgot that switching leagues ALWAYS takes an adjustment period. It is so dumb and impatient for people to not understand this. He’s not Jason Heyward, who’s mechanics at the plate went into the toilet entirely, Upton simply was learning the new league and all the new pitchers and style of gameplay.
I agree and can see him match or beat his career numbers in 2017. If so, he may bolt for FA. Detroit can then transfer that cash to sign JD. He is a big fan/team favorite who really appreciated the opportunity Avila and the Tigers gave him after Houston released him.
I guess expecting Justin Upton to adjust to the new league the way Ian Desmond, Camerin Maybin, Khris Davis, Todd Frazier, Starlin Castro or even Andrelton Simmons makes us “dumb and impatient…”
Boston just knows Clay will go to San Diego or somewhere without the pressure of Fenway and rack up Cy Young numbers. They’re trying not to embarrass themselves.
Oh what do you know, another San Diego jab by a Red Sox fan? Yeah because there is no pressure to play in the division that holds Kershaw & Bumgarner & Grienke. If my memory serves me right, the Giants & the Dodgers gave the Cubs all they could handle in the playoff’s. How many games did the AL East win in this years playoff’s? Oh they didn’t win any? Baltimore lost the play in game & Boston got swept? So much pressure playing in that brutal AL East. Keep dreaming buddy.
Correction Toronto went to the alcs and a lot of players leave Boston and talk about how hard it is like adrian Gonzales and lackey he’s just using San Diego as the example of a place to go and realistically pitching in the band boxes of the al. East vs pitching half your games at petco were would u think you’d have better numbers?
I’m not sure, neither you or I play professional baseball so I don’t know how I’d play at Petco. Your boy Moncada made Petco look pretty small in the Futures game, but it is what it is. I didn’t have a problem with the Red Sox’s before this whole Preller situation but the way it’s all been blown out of proportion I can’t stand you guys.
The preller situation is what it is it kinda was Cuz they didn’t ask for a do over how much did they really hide if it didn’t change your mind ? But it still was wrong to do and grimey something he did to Miami to so it’s more about how he’s done it to multiple teams and as far as not knowing what they would do I really disagree no dh to deal with and a way larger park plus even on the road he has to pitch in Toronto or Baltimore or Yankee Stadium vs la or San Francisco there’s two hitters ballparks in the nl west where as all of the al east are band boxes
These Sox are without Theo and Tito!
Didn’t have either in 2013
Dodgers should think about trading Clayton Kershaw for MIKE Trout. Dodgers would get needed right hand hitter and superstar. Kershaw is at his peek,they have been to 4division finals and have .gone no where. Trout is younger.
Angels would laugh at that idea. A single ace gets them nowhere. If they trade Trout it would be for a collection of a couple very good young major leaguers plus an organization’s 2-3 best prospects. For the Dodgers, maybe Urias-Pederson-De Leon-Buehler-Bellinger. And even that I’m not sure the Angels say yes.
As an angels fan, I would look at Boston or the Cubs if the angels ever tried to trade Trout
And who would you be asking for from the Cubs?
I think Mike Trout is the ONLY player in MLB that is off limits.
He should be…but their farm is decimated and moving Trout could restock it instantly. They are wasting his prime years there. I doubt he’d get moved because that’d be like trading Jeter at the peak of his popularity (and still not quite the same level). BOS and CHC have the talent to do it, but it’d take a HUGE haul and I’m not sure LAD wouldn’t do some long-term damage to their fan base for moving the best player in the game and one of the only reasons to attend an Angels game.
Very dumb idea. Sorry. Angels need a heck of a lot more that Kerhsaw. They still have no pen, nobody to pitch behind him really, and without trout their bats are just not good. They don’t have money to spend and no talent to trade. If the Angels do consider trading trout it needs to be for a nice little boat load of top tier prospects so that they can begin to rebuild.
… and that’s about what Schwarber is, a really good power hitter as long as a righty is pitching and he doesn’t have to play the field.
“dumb and impatient… ”
What is incredibly “dumb” is paying $110M and expecting feveryone to be patient with Justin Upton as if he was a prospect.
MIKE Trout needs to be traded to a contending team. The fans never get to see how good he can be. I don’t think he has ever been in a playoff game. If the Angels aren’t going to put players around him they should trade him. Their wasting his talents.
Ummmmmmmm, let me think, oh yeah in 2014 when the angels won 97 or 98 games and then trout ended up sucking in the alds and the angels put up no fight at all to the wild card royals.