Here’s the latest from around the NL Central…
- While the Cubs’ trade deadline moves may not reach the blockbuster level of last year’s Aroldis Chapman trade, the team has the resources to make upgrades if necessary, CSN Chicago’s Patrick Mooney writes. The Cubs’ hot start and their clear need at the back of the bullpen led to the aggressive Chapman move, GM Jed Hoyer said, though it’s still a bit early to say what the most pressing need is for this year’s team. “You can’t get in a cycle where you’re always doing something for rentals,” Hoyer said. “But at the same time, every season is sacred and you only have (so many chances). There are going to be years where things don’t come together, you have injuries, another team runs away with it. That’s going to happen. So when you know you’re in a good position, (go for it).”
- Junior Guerra and the Brewers hope the right-hander can return by the end of May, manager Craig Counsell told MLB.com’s George Van Benko and other reports. Guerra threw two innings of a simulated game against Class-A hitters on Saturday and is scheduled for a live batting practice on Wednesday in Milwaukee. Guerra strained his right calf on Opening Day, with initial estimates putting him out of action for at least six weeks, according to Counsell.
- The Reds’ rebuild is examined by Tyler Kepner of the New York Times, who writes that as part of the process, Cincinnati has spent heavily to upgrade its scouting, analytics, sports science and medical departments. The Reds, who are the only team to never have a Japanese player on their roster, have also invested in a Pacific Rim scouting department.
Hey Theo-our door is open for trades. We have a controllable ace in Quintana, very solid closer in Robertson, and elite setup man in Nate Jones. LMK-Rick Hahn
Lick my knuts?
I picked up Quintana in The Show so quick I’d be hype if they got him in real life
I picked up Quintana in The Show so quick I’d be hype if they got him in real life unless it meant they got rid of Jimenez or Happ (Which it probably would)
The cubs should make that trade but I wouldn’t give up Happ
Me or no one would Happ is the next Cory Seeger
Word on the street is Happ is a horrible clubhouse guy. Who knows how true it is? He’s more than likely trade bait, as if it’s true, this won’t jive with the Cubs’ clubhouse way.
Their team is fine and young. I’d give one of those up lol. Their rotation is garbage
What would a healthy Arrieta fetch in July?
Nothing, because the Central is so weak that they won’t be selling pieces.
Why on Earth would they trade him in the middle of a playoff race?
Not the question.
The question was, “What would he fetch?”
A healthy Arrieta in July would most likely fetch a start for the Cubs, every fifth day.
Only good moves the Reds have made during their rebuild were the trades of Latos, Simon and Straily
The Chapman trade was the only real miss and there were extenuating circumstances. Getting Duvall and Crawford for a half of year of Leake was a great deal, the Cueto deal will be a very good one too, even if Finnegan is the only productive major league in the group. They could have possibly gotten more for Frazier but that hasn’t been bad either.
The Reds totally biffed the Chapman trade. They actually got Mella and Duvall for Leake and I can’t give them much credit for the Leake or Cueto trades because they waited too long to trade them. If they had traded them in the prior offseason, the acquiring team would have gotten them for a full season rather than just two months and would have been able to recoup a draft pick by way of the qualifying offer. That is way more valuable than two months of them and no draft pick which means better trade return. And it’s not like either of Leake or Cueto were coming off a down year in the 14-15 offseason so they wouldn’t have been “selling low.”
CIN definitely misread where they were in their competitive cycle.
They did that when they gave Bailey 100 million contract.
The Reds started their rebuild process a year earlier, in 2014, when they traded Latos for Desclafini and Alfredo Simon for Eugenio Suarez and Jon Crawford. They knew where they were. They either over estimated the return they would get for Leak and Cueto OR they just weren’t getting any good offers. They have made some questionable trades for sure, but they have made some great trades as well.
Yet, who would’ve guessed the Reds would be in first place on May 8?
Obviously, nobody expects them to stay there for long, and they certainly did wait too long before starting their rebuild, but the way they’re going they may actually leapfrog over the Brewers in their timetable to be a competitive team in the NL Central once again.
They need one more solid starter to emerge. Feldman, Garrett and Arroyo have been solid after the first couple cycles through the rotation. Davis could be good and hopefully regains his first start form when he returns. The short bench is intriguing and Price’s use of the bullpen has been excellent. They run well and can hit plus they play in a launching pad. If they get through this month at above .500 they may be in the hunt for a wild card.
Hopefully Finnegan regains his first start form when he returns.
It’s comical that the Cubs writer says they are off to a hot start. On May 8th 2016 Cubs were 24-6 now that’s a hot start.
16-15 is a mediocre start for any defending champ who returned much of the same team.
He was talking about last year.
He was talking about the Chapman trade which happened last year hence he was talking about last years start. Your reading comprehension is comical
Haha, you beat me to it.
cubs hot start? look where they are. treading water around .500
Read much? As stated multiple times above, and in the article itself, he was referring to last year.
Ready, fire, aim…..
Well, his name IS troll, so…
Cue the minority of clueless dumb @ S $ weekend Cubs fans who will blame Maddon for the slower than usual start. Still not bad, by the way.
I swear, some of these people think baseball is football, where every single game matters. These “fans” are hanging on every single game as if it’s game 6 of the World Series, and you’re down 3 games to 2.
A few guys are off to a slow start. They’ll come around and be fine. The bullpen is isn’t that great, aside from a few guys, but they’re beyond overworked (to no ones fault), and management WILL go out and get what they need.
What more do you Cubs “fans” want?? You have arguably the best front office and coaching staff in all of sports.
R. E. L. A. X.
It’s a long season.
-A REAL baseball man and Cubs fan
cardinals fan here….(i come in peace) any cub fan would be dumb to blame maddon for anything. maddon and theo are 2 of the best and have done a great job restructuring the cubs… i do think you “W” hats are stupid though. :)