Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein allocated up to $272MM to free agents Jason Heyward, Ben Zobrist and John Lackey last winter. Now, a year later, the architect of the 2016 World Series champions expects a relatively quiet offseason.
[RELATED: Cubs Offseason Outlook]
“We made two offseasons worth of acquisitions last winter, two offseasons worth of spending,” Epstein told Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. “We were very open about that at the time, knowing this winter there wouldn’t quite be the same type of talent available to us.”
Epstein admitted, though, that a loss to the Indians in Game 7 of the World Series might have led to a “different kind of mindset.”
“Sometimes when you do win it, it can allow you to take a little bit of a deep breath and survey the landscape more objectively,” he said.
The Cubs have two high-profile free agents in center fielder Dexter Fowler, to whom they extended a $17.2MM qualifying offer last week, and closer Aroldis Chapman. If Fowler rejects the QO by Monday’s deadline and signs elsewhere on the open market, the Cubs will still have plenty of in-house outfield options in Heyward, Zobrist, Kyle Schwarber, Jorge Soler, Albert Almora and Matt Szczur. Heyward and Almora jump out as potential successors to Fowler in center, though the former has far more experience in right field and Epstein isn’t yet eager to hand the role to the latter. Instead, he’d add someone to “complement [Almora] and allow him to grow into the job” – likely a lefty-swinging center fielder, per Sullivan. As this year’s free agent list shows, center fielders who should come at modest prices and are either left-handed or switch-hitters include Jon Jay, Coco Crisp and Michael Bourn. Picking up one of them (or anyone else) would further crowd the Cubs’ outfield, perhaps making a Soler trade even more probable than it appears now. Epstein remains bullish on the 24-year-old, but he isn’t ruling out moving him.
“We don’t have any untouchables, but I still think there’s a lot more in there offensively,” stated Epstein. “He hasn’t had the season yet where he has put it all together, hit 30 home runs and been a force in the middle of the lineup. But it’s so obviously in there. We’d like to see him reach his full potential with us, if possible.”
Soler looked like a star in the making late in the 2014 season, his first taste of major league action, when the Cuba native slashed .292/.330/.573 in 97 plate appearances. Soler has tumbled to earth since, having hit .253/.328/.413 in 668 PAs dating back to 2015, though he’s under control through 2020 and could tantalize outfielder-needy teams if Chicago shops him.
It’s possible the Cubs could acquire pitching in a Soler trade, either in the bullpen to help replace Chapman (general manager Jed Hoyer has indicated they’re not looking to spend big money on a reliever) or the rotation. Having declined Jason Hammel’s option last week, the Cubs might be in the market for starting help to complement an enviable top four of Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks and Lackey. For now, swingman/Game 7 World Series closer Mike Montgomery is the favorite to take over Hammel’s vacated fifth spot. Montgomery told MLB Network Radio earlier this week that he’ll enter spring training as a starter (Twitter link), but it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Cubs at least land more depth for their rotation – whether in a Soler deal or by other means.
You know, Jarrod Dyson on a one year rental makes a lot of sense for the cubs. The royals never really understood how much of an impact player he can be. 5 WAR in CF if handed role.
Did Dyson get cut or something? Royals aren’t gonna randomly give him up, he’s good.
He’s a delusional homer fan. They think that teams will give their team good players/players who fill their team’s hole[s] for nothing or scraps.
I think the Cubs and Royals hook up pretty nicely on a deal involving Soler, either including Wade Davis or Herrera. I know the Royals would like to save some cash and need some power to replace Morales. Clearly more would have to be involved, but both teams needs can be met. Anyone know if there were any issues between Maddon and Wade Davis while in T.B.?
I trust Cub management. And Theo did say they were spending more last year because the market was poor this year.
Do they really need to do anything? They’re a very solid team overall
Just bullpen help.
I think they want an extended stay starter. And would have an outfield bat and prospects to give to obtain one.
I really think they’d prefer to use Montgomery as more of a skeleton key guy than a pure SP.
I figure they will be cheap overall but will pick up a veteran reliever on a one-year deal. A Uehara, Romo, Casilla -type.
I think they might be in the hun to to add Jonathan Niese to a minor league deal with some opt outs.
Soler for James Paxton give or take a little?
It’s not going to happen, Seattle will try to send a few minor league arms instead of Paxton and Cubs will just ignore it. They want to keep Paxton, if he could just have stayed healthy the last few years he could of been our ace replacing Felix now, he was our number 2 the first week of the season in 14 until he was out until august.
As a Mariners’ fan, I’ll pass. I’m not sold on Soler (not saying he can’t be good, but don’t think he’ll be as good/valuable as some people say he is/will be). I know Paxton has a bad injury history, but we (the Mariners) saw what happened the last time we gave up a high-upside pitcher for a high-upside hitter (Pineda for Montero). Plus, with Felix struggling last year, Iwakuma getting older, and Walker going through some issues as well, I’d rather them hold on to their pitching depth.
Does CLE move Andrew Miller? Say Soler, Rondon and Cadelario? Just askin’, not sayin’
Not nearly enough. Miller has control (two years left I think) and is signed at a slightly below market rate (Jansen and Chapman will probably get more than what he makes, Melancon might) for closers. Cubs would need to send more top prospects/young players.
No reason for Cleveland to move Miller. Even if they did, I think it takes a whole lot more than that to get him.
Soler Happ and one other for Paxton and Diaz. Or walker and Diaz.
No way that happens. Soler for Paxton is kind of iffy for both sides. Adding Diaz (controllable young closer) or substituting Walker (a slightly more consistent Paxton) is not equatable to Happ plus one other. If Diaz has to be involved, I’d want Edwards back or multiple top prospects (two more alone for Diaz). There just really is no reason for the Mariners to move Diaz, whether they’re rebuilding or retooling, unless someone overspends. And the Mariners have been unwilling to move Walker for more established guys, why would they want someone who hasn’t proven himself yet.
Thank you for explaining this for them.
What do you guys say about Soler, Cease, Underwood for Ventura?
No thanks.
I can’t see them giving up their top 2 pitching prospects (who are both probably going to be ranked top 5 overall or so team wise next year). Ventura’s contract is appealing, but I can’t say the same about his apparent attitude problem.
As long as they don’t trade Clifton. He’s the best SP they have in their pipeline.
I say Ventura is a bad apple. Would not want him near my team
I call BS on Theo. No untouchables is hard to believe. Schwarber Rizzo Bryant Baez Heyward Lester Edwards should be and pretty much are untouchable. They won’t break up their core players. If anyone is traded its Soler. And he’ll be the only one from the 25 man roster to go. The other piece will be Ian Happ. And one other.
1) how do you list Edwards as a core piece and not Hendricks? lol
don’t be shocked if Baez gets moved. he’s superfluous to the cubs and a lot of teams love him,
rays have Blake Snell and honeywell and are big Baez fans.
Dodgers have Jose de leon, yadier alvarez and walker beuhler. holes at second and third and could conceiveably move seager to 3rd and Baez to short. they don’t get all 3 for Baez but probably 2 out of 3.
I think this is the best course because then they could flip arrietta and get even more long term pitching assets and still have happ to play second if zobrist starts to decline.
My point was Theo is full of it on no one being untouchable. Hendricks is another. Arrieta is not gonna be flipped at all. There’s a great chance he stays. Not sure what $ figure he wants but if he back to his 2015 form he’ll get what he wants from the cubs. Maybe not 7 years. Its not a secret long term deals with pitchers have never worked out. As I’ve said before. Give him 5 years with incentives to go up to a 6th and 7th year. 5/150 and incentives to get up to 210mil. Yes it’s 30mil a years but he’s year younger than Lester. And Lester got 155mil. Arrieta will get close to the same or so 165/6. That’s 27.5mil.aav. I don’t see how the cubs can let Arrieta walk. Its smart to keep him. Lock him up before next year. Make it a priority after this off-season. Get it done before spring training.
They still have to save money for the inevitable extensions given to Bryant, Rizzo, Russell, Schwarber, etc.
Not necessarily. By the time any of those guys is up for contract negotiations, the Cubs will have a shiny new TV contract to help soften the blow.
lester got that money for his consistency and the fact that a loss of velocity is less likely to effect him than other pitchers.
they will not give arrieta 150 mil lol
Why is 150mil out of the question for Arrieta. He’ll ask for at least 150-160mil. 6years will be the max They go. He’ll be 31 at the start of next season. Give him the contract now before he goes 24-3 with a 2.14 era. He’ll ask for more than that. Doesn’t help that boras is his agent. He’s already said he wants Bryant to leave Chicago once his contract is up. He a conniving jagoff. Who is just greedy. He gets awful players like Cody Ross 30mil bucks. Pretty sure he got Milton Bradley his first long term deal way back when. That’s a shocker because Bradley had previously played for 8 teams in as many years.
None of them are untouchable.
If someone makes a foolish enough trade, any of them would get dealt.
A few days ago Wrek you were giving Arrieta 36 million. Now you got him to 30 million. Keep going down. He is not a $30 million pitcher either
I was just saying boras will ask for 36mil a year. 30mil is more ideally for him. Boras is greedy as f***
“Theo2016” one, you need to change your name. And 2, you must be living in Denver, or a legal state, because there’s no way in hell, that the Cubs trade Baez, get it through your head!
man, he went from 0 to overrated real quick by a large portion of cubs fans that lack critical thinking.
Baez will be an All-Star for years to come, and he makes peanuts right now. Why on earth would you trade him?
all star for years to come? he was 9% below average offensively despite going 8 for 15 on bunts! he’s a great defender and good baserunner but lol at anyone thinking he will be an all star with the cubs.
For young cheap controllable SP. both Schwarber
@theo2016 you just are clueless
How is Baez superflourous
because they have a 4 war 2b in zobrist that is capable of playing all over and tommy la Stella is actually one of the better back ups in baseball.
No one is untouchable. Certain players just have absurd price tags. Mike Trout is relatively untouchable, but if the Cubs offered Bryant, Russell, Hendricks, and Schwarber, I don’t think the Angels would say no.
Mike Trout is the best player in MLB, hands down. That being said, his worth is nowhere near the value of Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Kyle Hendricks and Kyle Schwarber combined. Any GM would be hard pressed to part with even two of those players for Trout, especially if Bryant had to be one of them.
Nobody is untouchable if Trout is involved.
Are they announcing that Jake Gyllenhaal has agreed to portray Theo Epstein in an upcoming biopic?
Soler and another prospect for the White Sox Nate Jones. Doubt the two Chicago teams deal with each other, especially involving Sale… but this makes a lot of sense.
Soler plus one does not get Sale. White Sox wanted JBJ plus prospects (multiple top prospects, like Benintendi/Moncada/etc) from the Red Sox, why would they take less from the Cubs?
he said it was for jones not sale. read better.
He also mentions Sale at the end “especially involving Sale”.
meaning they are unlikely to ever do a sale deal for appearances. never proposes an offer.
as in the cross town rivals won’t do a big time deal like that for obvious press reasons.
Yes, but that statement had no connection to his trade offer made at the beginning. You just saw Sale mentioned at the end and assumed that was the trade offer he was making.
what are you smoking?
Nate Jones isn’t worth Jorge Soler by himself and this is coming from a die-hard White Sox and Cub fan. Jones is a fine setup man and is controllable with a team friendly deal but he also has had major arm problems in recent years including TJ surgery.
Soler’s upside as an everyday player trumps (sorry!) that of Jones’ as an 8th inning reliever, something the Cubs already have a surplus of in Pedro Strop and Carl Edwards Jr. While Soler is the apparent odd man out in the Cubs outfield, his value would be better utilized as part of a trade package for a starting pitcher or maybe even for another White Sox player, Adam Eaton, as some Cub fans have wished.
Soler plus what for Quintana? It won’t happen, of course.
Perhaps Jorge Soler, Albert Almora and Carl Edwards Jr. might get the job done for Jose Quintana. Ian Happ and Jeimer Candaleria might also appeal to the White Sox who would prefer MLB ready players or prospects knocking on the door. The South Siders would obviously prefer Kyle Schwarber or Javier Baez instead of Soler in any package for “Q” which would shorten the list of other players/prospects involved.
A potential trade for Chris Sale would likely require Kyle Schwarber or Javier Baez just to start any talks, along with a more sizable combination of those other players mentioned.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Heyward is the opening day CF. I hope Fowler comes back but he’s earned his shot at FA (again).
Defensively, Ithink Heyward is capable of being a very good CF and I honestly don’t think it’s much of a conversation if he wasn’t built like a rush end.
I also don’t see this FO selling low on Soler.
I see an outfield mix of Schwarber, Soler, Heyward, Almora, Szczur, Zobrist, and Bryant. Maybe a summer trade if one or more of them is underperforming.
I know that Bryant’s main position is 3B, and assuming Schwarber, Heyward, Zobrist take the three outfield spots, that’s three bench spots for three OFs. Don’t know/remember if Soler or Szczur can play the infield (and I know Zobrist can) but if neither of those three can, I can’t imagine them holding all three of them on their bench.
I wonder if any of the other 29 teams would offer interesting talent (MLB or MiLB) for Szczur. Had a very good season. Great team mate, and all. Out of options.
nah, maybe something like a guy who touches 98 but has a hard time hitting a barn. he’s basically just a 4th or 5th of.
I think the Cubs and Rays are good trade Partners, I think the Cubs should go for Archer for Soler, Villanueva and Young. Soler has tremendous upside and could be a 30 HR 100 RBI guy and Villanueva can play 3B and 1B and will be a 20 – 25 HR guy. Chesny Young could probably top out at 10 HRs in his career but is more like a Dee Gordon like player and good defensively at 2nd
I’m sure Archer gets much more than that.
yeah that’s not close to archer. he has like 140 mil in surplus value. that’s like soler, happ, jiminez, cease and candelario.
The archer conversation starts with Baez or schwarber. Soler is a throw in as part of this deal.
You’re insane if you think they give up Baez and Schwarbs just to start a conversation archer. They have plenty of prospects to deal to get an archer or sonny gray. As I said before. 20 of their 25 man roster is untouchable. Guys like soler and Grimm can be traded otherwise. Trade Happ and others that are not on the 40 man roster .
I have an idea for the cubs, Do they resign jake arrieta or do they let him walk, then they trade prospects to replace him with chris archer, jake odorizzi , chris sale , jose quintana or sonny gray?
So what was your idea? You just asked a very vague question.
Cubs receive one of these aces : Sonny Gray , Jose Quintana , Chris Sale , Chris Archer
giving up these players: Soler , Candelario and possibly Ian Happ
Quintana and a buy-low Sonny Gray can probably be had for that. Maybe Archer as well, but Rays might want another B-level prospect/lottery ticket considering Archer’s age and cost-controllability. Sale would definitely take more that that.
Quintana has 100 mil surplus value. he can not be had for that.
Let him walk!
Cubs send: Jorge Soler, Dylan Cease and Jemier Candelario to Oakland for Sonny Gray. A’s get a nice diversified set of players (MLB everyday, MLB ready and Prospect) for the established pitcher coming off a down year. At least in the offseason, it’s doubtful that Beane would get a better offer. I’d figure Bosio can help get Gray back to where he needs to be. Archer’s contract is insanely friendly and even after a bad year it would take far too much to pry him loose.
Even as a non-fan, it’s depressing to watch Tampa Bay be forced to trade assets for rookies because of financial pressures. I blame the stadium (closest to home for me, it’s a dump) and the local fans (most watch it on SunSports instead of trekking out for the 20 dollar outfield first row seats. Some fans!)
Why do some think soler has all this trade value?
If the Cubs want gray it’s going to sting in terms of what they’ll have to give up.
Jeez, some of these trade ideas are crazy. Hey Cubs fans, just because you guys won a World Series doesn’t mean other teams are going to sell low so you can continue winning WS! All for coming up with trade ideas, it’s part of what makes these types of sites so great, but at least come close to a offer that is relatively close value wise and makes sense.
you just accepted a trade in the white Sox behalf that would be selling low. guess that goes for you too.
Yeah, fan-prompted trades often are crazy sounding.
That said, the other 29 GMs are leaning toward buying the Cubs prospects more than in the past.
Vogelbach plus Blackburn for Montgomery would have been scoffed here before it happened, no?
I think Theo will be making several trades this offseason, mostly not big high profile players targeted.
I believe they’ll kill two birds with one stone in some trades. Trading away OF depth in return for bullpen arm(s), to make room so they can sign Fowler.
It’s exactly what they did last year with Castro to sign Zobrist.
Fowler is as good as gone. Probably StL or Blt offer a fourth year. Theo won’t.
JBJ for Schwarber—if you lose Fowler.
Sox might be tempted to do that, Cubs probably won’t. They wouldn’t part with Schwarber for Miller, and while JBJ offers team control and solves the CF hole for a few years, I just can’t see them trading Schwarber.
If anything, the Cubs should consider moving Bryant to RF, and move Rizzo to 3rd. That way Schwarber can play 1st base, keeping him healthy and in the line up everyday. Schwarber is flat out the best hitter on the team. While I like Rizz, Schwarber could be the Miguel Cabrera of his generation in a year or two. Think about it before you call me crazy.
Oh sure—now that they’ve won a World Series for the first time in 108 years, why don’t they just start performing tricks and win a World Series with a left handed third baseball???
I’m starting to understand the hoopla around White Sox fans just being clueless (and I’m only making an assumption due to your name).
Got your panties in a bunch? I forgot he was a lefty–sue me. My point was the Cubs need to keep Schwarber. Keeping him in the outfield or behind the plate will only shorten his career though.
Ok but putting him at first base is not an option and I dont think putting him in LF shortens his career nor do I think the Cubs are worried about that at all.
name the last left handed thirdbasemen. I’ll wait.
Mike Squires?
You’re not crazy your effing insane. They move Bryant to rf where does Heyward play?where does zobrist play? And Baez?
Slick fielding left-handed first baseman who appeared in 14 games at 3B and actually played catcher in two contests, 2 innings total.
Schwarber could get more than JBJ. He’s the type of player that could have gotten Jose Fernandez straight up..unfortunately that will never happen. You don’t trade Schwarber period.
Solar should be in their OF period !!
He’ll be lucky to hit .190
What about Inciarte from Atl if they are going outside for a CF, and Teheran for a SP? I’m not sure what it would take to get them but if I remember right, Atl was interested in Solar. So you would have a starting point.
If they are looking for a CF, maybe they should trade Soler, Almora, Happ and Draft Picks for Mike Trout. Probably not, but just dreaming.
Need a lot more than that for Mike Trout, especially since trading future Rule 4 (June amateur) Draft picks are not allowed under the (current/expiring) CBA.
OK – let’s be crazy
Here is what I would love to see happen –
Rondon, Candelario, Baez, Soler, and Arrietia for Mike Trout
Ok – before you shoot me think about the Angels problems, cash poor, need a lot of help every where and they can’t win with Trout as the team is built now. You get 4 Major Leaguers [ including a past Cy Young Winner] and a up and coming star all under control and cheap {Arrieta being the exception]!
The Cubs get the AL MVP and probably the best player in baseball. Just a passing thought.
Next years line up
Trout – CF [I know but he can play}
Schwarber – LF
Bryant – 3B
Rizzo – 1B
Zoberist – 2B
Russell – SS
Contreras – C
Hayward – RF
Pitcher
You need to fill the bullpen and find a starter – The fly the Championship W at least 2 more times!
They won without him. They’ll likely win at least once more with what They have. I wouldn’t put it passed them that they win at least 3 or 4 more world series with the team they have. They’ll be the new dynasty the giants once were. Only they won’t suck in odd years.
If the Angels trade Mike Trout they would be in some semblance of a rebuild. Why would they then want Jake Arrieta who only has one more year of expensive arbitration eligible control before becoming an even more pricey free agent in 2018.
If I’m the Angels I’d be demanding Kyle Schwarber as my first trade piece in any package with the Cubs. They’ve needed a left-handed power bat for some time now and he would fit the bill as a LF/DH.