When Mike Montgomery stepped into the Cubs’ rotation following Yu Darvish’s placement on the 10-day disabled list skipper Joe Maddon characterized the move as temporary and suggested that the lefty would be bullpen-bound once everyone was healthy. After four excellent starts by Montgomery, though, GM Jed Hoyer is making no such proclamations, as Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times writes.
Hoyer suggests that the Cubs will “use common sense,” noting how well Montgomery has pitched and plainly stating that the front office has taken notice. The GM also stressed, however, that his comments don’t necessarily indicate that one of the team’s five members of the Opening Day rotation — Jon Lester, Jose Quintana, Kyle Hendricks, Tyler Chatwood and Darvish — will be losing his spot, either.
[Related: Chicago Cubs depth chart]
The Cubs have utilized a six-man rotation in the past, and it seems that could be a possibility based on Hoyer’s comments. Darvish is set to throw a simulated game on Tuesday of this week, as MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat wrote last night, and Montgomery will step up and make his fifth start in place of Darvish on that same day. It’s not hard to see why Montgomery at least has the Cubs thinking about altering their plans; in 23 2/3 innings over four starts in place of Darvish, he’s pitched to a 1.14 ERA with a 14-to-3 K/BB ratio. While the lack of punchouts isn’t ideal, Montgomery has induced grounders at a 60.9 percent clip and has allowed hard contact at a below-average clip (29 percent) while inducing plenty of weak contact (21.7 percent) as well.
Of course, Montgomery has had opportunities in the rotation in the past and has not locked down a long-term spot in the Cubs’ rotation, so it’s not especially surprising to hear Hoyer imply that the four-start stretch, while impressive, isn’t guaranteeing him anything. Beyond that, the Cubs have invested significant financial resources in Darvish (six years, $126MM) and Chatwood (three years, $38MM). While both have struggled — Darvish with home runs and Chatwood with a staggering 8.2 BB/9 mark — each right-hander figures to be afforded ample opportunity to work things out given those contractual obligations.
I could see Chatwood taking a DL leave of absence once Darvish returns.. not because he’s injured, but just to buy him time to fix his mechanics. His walk rate throughout his career has always been high, but this week has been far and above his career average.
Montys trade value has probably hit an all time high. There could be a trade lurking that we dont see.
Don’t understand why they would entertain the idea of trading him… if one of your other starting 5 gets hurt, you’re in real trouble especially with Alzolay out. If anything, they could add a depth piece. If they move Monty and one of their starters gets hurt and the deadline is passed, that could cost them the division.
Can’t add solid depth with the worst farm in baseball, eventually they will have to trade from the major league team to add.
Worst farm in baseball? Reeeeeeally?
How come they lost four players in the Rule 5 Draft in December? Apparently some of their guys aren’t ready for the glue factory.
Post draft prospect rankings had them with the 30th ranked farm system.
What that doesn’t take into account is the fact that they have so many key controllable players on the MLB roster. If they aren’t building up the lower levels of the farm now they will be hurting in a couple years. Not having top end talent in AAA and AA now is no reason to sound the alarm.
They have enough prospects to add “solid depth”, even enough to add Machado. They might not have any “top 100 prospects”, but that doesn’t mean they can’t add. I just don’t get why they would trade Monty. No reason to deal from the big league roster when you are a World Series contender.
bleacher report ranks the Cubs farm system 30th(last) in baseball.
Rolling my eyes on that World Series contender comment.
I would love to see which prospects the Cubs have that could land Machado… Keep in mind they won’t be the only ones bidding on his services.
Do you watch the Cubs at all?
Ummmm… have you looked at baseball history? When you get to October, anything can happen.
They *can* land Machado, but it would cost a significant chunk of their farm system. Top two prospects probably isn’t even enough
I really don’t think you understand how hard of a path it is for a AL team to make it to a World Series than it is for a NL team. The AL teams bullpen (whoever it is) will be less used and won’t have to have faced such hard teams! Any team who makes it to October can get hit at the right time and win!
My bad the NL teams bullpen will be less used and will have an easier path.
The competition in the NL is the Brewers, Cubs, Nats, Dodgers, St.Louis, Atlanta, and Phillies then take a look at the AL Mariners, Angels, Yanks, Red Sox, Astros, and Detroit is starting to come around. All those teams are much harder to beat than most NL teams
Why would you say that about the Tigers and Angels?
The Tigers are a pipedream contender with Miguel Cabrera lost for the season and only relevant in the AL Central until the Indians do their annual second half surge to the division title.
The Angels are buried in the competitive AL West as well as the wild card race. With super rookie phenom Shohei Ohtani recently suffering a grade-2 UCL tear and 14 other teammates on the DL as well, they have little to no chance of contending in 2018.
I agree with most of your posts but not this one. Maybe Detroit isn’t a long run contender but they are to thier division and I also forgot the tribe. I agree with anything can happen in October and Detroit is within 3 games of thier division and things can happen. Same with the Tribe. With the Angels- while they aren’t contenders with thier division right now they are still a threat. They have the best player in baseball and many others who are underperforming. All it takes is one week and they could go on a huge run with a good trade to go along with it.
So you are saying don’t trade from the Major League club but they can still add pieces? I’m not sure who in their farm has any value at all. Being a Brewers fan I enjoy saying the Cubs have the worst farm in baseball lol
Care to explain or are you just trolling?
So,trade depth to get depth?
You make no sense.
Pitching is the thing you can never have enough of.
Monty gives them depth.
They have IF and OF depth, too.
The only trade that makes any sense involves Happ, but for what position, IDK.
Good thing their major league team is the best in the division.
The cubs 100% do not have enough in their minor leaague system to add MAchado without plucking someone off their M:L roster. They will get outbid from any number of teams based on their minor league pool.
Second-best record in NL, won title two years ago, three NLCS appearances in a row…and same roster essentially. Why not a ws contender? You must be a StL fan, or just bitter. But explain why not?
The only way I see the Cubs getting him is in the offseason on a signing somehow
Exactly!
Priggs89: Clearly the Cubs aren’t landing Manny Machado with an elite prospect package that netted them a rental in closer Aroldis Chapman in 2016 and controllable SP Jose Quintana last summer. It would cost them at least a solid young player off of their active roster.
Consider also the Orioles seem to operate very much like the White Sox had before the South Siders finally decided to blow things up with their decision to rebuild two summers ago. I’m not all that certain that soon to be 89-year old owner Peter Angelos would be willing to sign-off on a full scale rebuild like an 80-year old Jerry Reinsdorf did back in 2016. If that’s the case, the Baltimore front office might be forced to reload with an established young player or two which the Cubs could certainly provide.
The brewers are starting to slowly choke. They aren’t that good.
Keep telling yourself that. Brewers are in a much better position to add a rotation piece before the trade deadline due to their farm system being much stronger. But go ahead and let Fangraphs tell you the Brewers aren’t very good.
#Machado. That’s why. Russell, Monty, Happ. Get it done.
cubbie991@gmail.com: I can see the Padres biting on Mike Montgomery and Addison Russell for lefty closer Brad Hand. It would be a gamble on the Cubs part but one I would be willing to take as a GM.
Hand would become the primary Cubs closer with Brandon Morrow in reserve while resuming his more accustomed role of 8th inning setup man. Javier Baez would shift to SS, Ben Zobrist would become the regular at 2B. Offseason free agent starters Yu Darvish and Tyler Chatwood would need to improve on their performance and the rotation would need to stay healthy. A third FA addition, Drew Smyly might provide some insurance down the stretch if his rehab from TJ surgery continues to go smoothly.
The final piece to this puzzle would be the Cubs signing free agent SS Manny Machado next offseason with Baez returning to 2B and Zobrist to his role of super-sub.
We can also hope and pray that Jason Heyward continues his strong rebound on offense in 2018 to supplement his Gold Glove defense in RF. Maybe he would actually have some trade value despite his excessive contract or even consider opting out of it with an MVP- caliber second half. Lots of praying would be required for any of this to happen but I’m willing to wear out my knees and perhaps even resort to some flagellation in order to achieve a positive outcome, especially if it opens up RF and some salary relief to pursue Bryce Harper this winter. lol
I don’t think the Cubs or Padres would want to make a trade like that. The Padres would want valuable prospects for Hand, and the Cubs would likely want to hold onto those guys at the major league level.
You have to consider what the Padres want: prospects as opposed to win now pieces. Also, they would be down to 5 big league starters at that point, and the Cubs are going for it right now. That’s a huge risk to take betting that your top 5 starters will stay healthy for the rest of the season. They might, but if not they are in huge trouble.
The Orioles and Royals are the teams that would be more likely to value prospects in exchange for their veteran talent this summer. The Padres are much more advanced in their rebuild and might look to become contenders in the NL West as soon as next season. Clearly with Hand’s team control he could be a part of that as well which is why it would take a huge overpay for a contender to pry their 28-year old closer away this summer.
The Padres already have a deep minor league farm system with their most elite talent at SS and in pitching. They might prefer one of the Cubs young outfielders in exchange for Hand rather than Addison Russell or last year’s alleged target Javier Baez. That being said, their #1 prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. is a big 19-year old and may eventually profile at 3B when he is ready to debut later next season or in 2020. Their #3 prospect Luis Urias is on the small side and figures to become their future leadoff hitting 2B later this season or in 2019.
There is no way Chicago does that.
Trade a guy who gives you pitching depth for a closer you don’t need and throw in your starting SS, too?
I’m glad you’re not the GM .
You’ve now destroyed the rotation and infield depth, plus hampered the OF depth on the corners, for a reliever you don’t need.
wrigleywannabe: I’ve seen enough of how Theo Epstein operates to know that anything is possible in pursuit of a World Series title. He mortgaged what was left in the Cubs farm system to rent Aroldis Chapman back in 2016 and add SP Jose Quintana last summer.
Epstein had also done this with the Red Sox and not just with prospects. Perhaps you are not old enough to remember when he dealt fan favorite superstar SS Nomar Garciaparra to the Cubs at the 2004 trade deadline in a multi-team deal that saw Expos SS Orlando Cabrera and Twins 1B Doug Mientkiewicz land in Boston. Epstein wanted to shore up the Red Sox infield defense and this trade helped secure the first Red Sox championship since 2018 when they broke the “Curse of the Bambino” by defeating the Cardinals in the 2004 World Series.
In 2007, Epstein orchestrated a deal that sent highly regarded young OF David Murphy and others to the Rangers for over-the-hill suspected steroid using reliever Eric Gagne. That trade did not work out so well but fortunately a young Jonathan Papelbon was still on board to help the Red Sox win their second World Series title that fall versus the Rockies.
For what?
If the Cubs need to trade for anything, it’s more pitching. It makes no sense to trade one of your best-performing pitchers for another pitcher.
He looks like he has a sore thigh.
Or will around the All-Star Break.
While I see what your saying with trading Monty, I just can’t see the Cubs doing that because he is a strong bullpen piece and with him in the starting rotation right now there is only 3 solid starters. But Quintana is starting to look better. In order to win in postseason you do need at least 4 very good starters if your not a great team st hitting. The Cubs average in their 28 losses is around 200 with an average of 2 runs per game. In their 40 wins they average 7 runs per game with around a 300-350 batting average. Thier a very inconsistent hitting team and they will need all of the starters they can get.
Monty would be a great #5 starter. But I have mixed feelings about that idea because it was comforting knowing he was in the bullpen when one of our starters was having a bad bad day. If Lester has one of those days where he, oh, I don’t know, gives up 10 runs in the first inning, Monty is the guy who can step in and pitch 5+ innings. On the other hand, Chatwood needs help. I like Chatwood, I really do. I think he has good potential. But some time off to develop that potential would be nice.
Also, there is no way Cubs trade Monty. No. Way.
Tyler Chatwood has thrown 711 major leagues to the tune of a 4.13 ERA and 4.6 FIP. GM’s around baseball and guys on this sight got caught up in a mancrush with this guy this offseason.
All the Cubs need for him and Darvish to do is to pitch a 3.50 ERA that would be a great bounce back for both.
Chatwood’s control is HORRIBLE.
Mike Montgomery has earned a spot in the starting rotation. Tyler Chatwood looks to be the odd man out unless he can stop walking the ballpark or the Cubs do go with a 6-man rotation when Yu Darvish returns from the disabled list.
In either case, I look for the Cubs to prioritize adding a relief pitcher this summer, probably a lefty if Montgomery stays in the rotation and 35-year old Brian Duensing continues to struggle. Duensing and Wilson are currently the only veteran southpaws in the pen. Wilson has pitched better this season than last since becoming a Cub but still has issues with his control as a 6.9 BB/9 in 2018 would indicate.
Padres southpaw closer Brad Hand would be the logical target but he will be expensive considering his age (28), production and 3-1/2 years of team control. With a depleted farm system, the Cubs would likely have to part with a key young member off of their active roster and potentially two.
Duensing has been struggling lately but it’s only been for a few games. Before that he was very good. Wilson will walk a guy then he will get out the next three so I think he’s fine. I think Duensing will be an easy fix but I really would hate the fact if cubs trade for Hand considering the fact they also have Smyly and Edwards coming back. They really need another 280+ hitter because of their inconsistency or add a dominant starter but I’m not a big fan of that either.
Chatwood has an electric arm and when he doesn’t walk guys he all the sudden allows a ton of contact. I’m fine if he walks three guys a game just not seven.
chatwood’s last start was great…the team gave him zero run support.
He gave up 4 ER’s in 5 innings. I think you should raise your standards a bit.
As soon as Yu shows he can go, trade him to the Yankees for Sonny Gray. Gray has been horrible in the Bronx. Spacious Yankee stadium may be just what the Doc ordered. Yanks can take on that big contract.
Why would the Yankees do this? If they wanted Yu Darvish so badly they could have pursued him last offseason?
The problem with your proposal is money. The Yankees are in deep luxury tax waters which carry even more significant penalties under the new CBA with repeat abusers. Trading a struggling Sonny Gray for Darvish would only add to the Yankees tax problems, both this season and beyond.
Trade a guy who had been so so, but getting better for a terrible guy….brillant
If you’re the Cubs and Yanks do you swap Darvish for Ellsbury with the Cubs paying the remainder of Darvish’s salary in 2018 and the Yanks assuming the balance from 2019 on?
why would the Cubs do that? I can’t comprehend why all these Yankees fans seem to think they can move ellsbury without eating 90% of that contract.
No
No idea why the cubs would do that. They already have a crowded outfield.
It’s kist my opinion, but I really hope the Cubs don’t trade for more bullpen. Why do you guys think they need it?
I could see an argument to add a LHP but are you really going to find one better than wilson without hurting your ML team? Probably not.
Britton.
Just*
I’m hoping the Cubs don’t deal anyone from the mlb roster. If they make any minor bullpen move from one of their prospects fine. But unlike last year with Quintana and Avila, don’t give up anything of value if you really don’t need to. If the Brewers take the division so be it. They have enough on the roster now to win the division. Now they have to perform better. No excuses.
I think he should replace Chatwood. It’s not that Chatwood is a bad pitcher, but his exorbitant walk rate is a problem.
He’s basically giving teams an extra 5-6 hits, per game, with all his walks. Good teams are going to take advantage of this.
I think Montgomery earned it. He has been extremely solid. A great tool to have at the bottom of the rotation.
Chatwood is just Edwin Jackson part two.
58 walks to 58 strikeouts, I think the guy had his chance and has shown a pattern over the last few years..
Forget the contract. Does he have minor league options?
With Rosario emerging as another lefty in the stable, I’m in the “we don’t need an acquisition” camp. Maybe an acquisition at the AAA level after losing Alzolay. Another LHP for depth down there.
The price for Machado is going to be less than what many assume. I think Brewers make the most sense. Then Phillies/Braves. I think it takes an MLB piece (Arica; Franco/Crawford; Camargo) & high-ceiling young arms
The Cubs will never allow the Brewers to get Machado, and his first choice is playing for the Cubs (and with his best buddy Almora), anyway.
…….and even if the Brewers were to somehow pull a trade off for him, this year, he’d just sign with the Cubs, next year, anyway.
Like the Cubs or Albert Almora have a say in any trade discussions between the Orioles and Brewers this summer. lol
The only thing that Theo & Company can do to influence a trade is to offer a better proposal that would most certainly involve a player or two off of their own active roster, perhaps even one involving Machado’s “best buddy”. lmao
Hey I’m just saying What team has been better the past five years. The Cubs have been much better than the Brewers. Hey guys I’m just saying if I was Machado, yes I have no say in where I go now, but at the same time if I were him I’d want to win and if the Cubs offer me a little bit of a cheaper price I would want to go there because I would want to win. I don’t think the Cubs will get Machado, but I can’t imagine how great the Cubs would be with him on thier club
Duane Underwood Jr. Making his ML debut today vs LA.