The Cubs “may have interest” in Blue Jays lefty J.A. Happ, per Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun (Twitter link). Chicago’s rotation has a pair of notable question marks, as it’s not yet clear when Yu Darvish will be able to return to the mix, while Tyler Chatwood’s season-long struggles to throw strikes have been a well-documented issue. Happ has been most prominently linked to the Yankees and the Mariners thus far, though as a pending free agent on a clear non-contender, he figures to draw interest from a large number of clubs as the non-waiver deadline approaches. Happ’s two most recent starts haven’t been good ones, though as long as there’s no medical reason for the pair of ugly outings, that’s not likely to impact his trade value much, if at all.
More from the division…
- Brandon Phillips chatted with WEEI’s Rob Bradford about his opportunity with the Red Sox and the manner in which he remained motivated and ready to play even when interest was limited throughout the offseason and early in the season. The 37-year-old veteran notes that he’ll play anywhere the Sox ask of him and is hopeful of returning to the Majors and helping Boston toward — but also enjoys working with the team’s minor leaguers as he gets back into playing shape. “I was waking up at 5 o’clock in the morning in the Gulf Coast League trying to get my work in,” says Phillips, who worked out with Boston’s GCL affiliate before moving into game settings at the Class-A level. “They’re like, ‘Brandon, you don’t have to do this.’ I’m like, ‘Man, I’m here for this. I want to work out with those guys. I just want to get back in the feel of it.’” Phillips makes clear that he has no desire to hang up the spikes at any point in the near future and wants to win a World Series ring before even beginning to consider retirement.
- The Rays had a pair of scouts watching the Nationals’ Class-A affiliate over the weekend, tweets Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post. While most teams obviously send scouts to watch other clubs year-round, and other teams surely had scouts on hand at that game as well, it’s nonetheless notable at a time when rumors have been circulating that the Nationals could pursue a trade that would bring Tampa Bay catcher Wilson Ramos back to D.C.
- Aroldis Chapman will likely be dealing with his current left knee issue for the rest of the season, Yankees skipper Aaron Boone said before yesterday’s game (link via George A. King III of the New York Post). Chapman has been playing through a minor bout of tedinitis in his left knee and was held out of yesterday’s game even when the Yankees found themselves with a late 2-1 lead. Boone explained that he wanted to stay away from Chapman and Dellin Betances, instead turning to David Robertson to nail down the save. With a doubleheader set for Monday, it makes some sense to give Chapman that extra day of rest. King also notes that the Reds, Rangers and Royals were all among the rebuilding teams scouting the Triple-A tilt between the Yankees and Red Sox’ top affiliates yesterday. Several contending clubs were on hand as well, though, including the Indians, Phillies and D-backs.
Happ would be a great pickup for the Cubs. Could get him cheaper than other options and would give some much needed starting pitching
Cubs fans would be “Happ”y to get him
If it should ‘Happ’en
The Cubs would set a major league record for most Happs on a major league roster.
Happ would actually be a better addition to the Yankees then the Cubs. Just FYI
How many more awful moves can Theo make as an exec? He now has a long history of really questionable (sometimes awful) moves.
The Yankees had a scout at the Royals game over the weekend watching Moustakas play first base. Cash get it done please.
Happ for McKinney and Johnny Lasanga
No point is guessing players in trades, that is a pointless excercise and never comes true. Let’s just say that Happ will be traded for a fair price somewhere and the Yankees could use him.
jimmer don’t pay attention to this guy, he’s a Troll.
Swihart for Trout.
Happ is going to get traded somewhere soon. Jays better be auctioning him off to the highest bidder;
That’s some ground-breaking observations there! #scourseyes
Hey Red Sox fans…..what will it take to get HOFer Swihart? Will Snell be enough? Do I have to add Duffy?
2 packs of Big League Chew and a bucket of sunflower seeds and we have a deal.
That’s a good start. Keep going.
At least a FHOF like Mateo or Rutherford would suffice.
Neither are in the organization. Try again troll.
The Cubs “may have interest”… Amazing journalist insight…
I hear the Long Island Ducks may have interest in Kershaw.
Y wld the Yankees want happ he’s not any better than German
Wrong. And he’s proven. With playoff pedigree. So there’s that.
A 1..81 Postseason WHIP isn’t exactly a “pedigree!”
It may be Gray, not German, that you are replacing in the rotation.
Quick question about the playoffs that hopefully someone can answer.
Before in the wild card round, 2 teams from the same division couldn’t play each other. When they introduced the play in game, did that change?
So say the Yankees win the division(and number 1 seed) the Red Sox(4) play the Mariners(5) and win, they would either play Houston or Cleveland, which ever was the number 2 seed? Or would they play the Yankees?
no, it no longer works that way. the Diamondbacks beat Colorado last year in the wild card and then played the Dodgers in the NLDS.
Thanks! I know I could have used the good ole google. But figured baseball fans would have the answer.
It’s always by seeding now. Wild Card winner will play the team with the best record, whether they are in the same division or not. And Wild Card team will not get Home Field Advantage in LDS or LCS
I wonder if the Wild Card team can get Home Field Advantage in the WS if they have a better record than the team in the other league (assuming the team is a division winner). I’m guessing Yes because I believe it’s now by best record.
It would pain me to see them in pinstripes but a Smoak/Happ Trade to NYY actually makes a lot of sense.
Great idea JD, That .wou;ld be a great deal for the for both clubs. I assume the Jays would demand a lot in return. Smoak comes with a cheap team option for one year? If I were Shapiro/Atkins I would offer it up to the Yankees in a heartbeat.
Wound like to see the Rays grab Garcia and one of Tetreault/Raquet/Johnson for Ramos. Even better would be if the Nats want Ramos and Eovaldi and the Rays can get Kieboom as the headliner.
Given that Happ is 35, the price shouldn’t be to steep. I’d like to see the Cubbies make this move.. While I’m confident that Hendricks will rebound, I have no faith in Darvish being healthy + Chatwood just needs to be a DFA candidate since he’s that brutal.
It would be funny if they offered Ian for J.a
If I’m Rizzo I’d want Archer if I’m giving up Kieboom. His deal looks a lot like what they gave Gio when they traded for him way back when.
Could see a package of Max Fried, Christian Pache, and Sam Freeman for Manny Machado, Adam Jones and Zack Britton. Comfortable with passing and trying for Nathan Eovaldi or Zack Wheeler instead of expiring contracts. Can see a couple nice prospects for each.
Yea and I see the Yankees getting DeGrom for McKinney and Gray. Seems as realistic as your proposal mhm.
Backatit you were joking correct
I’m here for two Happ(s) on the same team.
Jen-Ho Tseng and Mark Zagunis for J.A. Happ?
Unless the blue Jays want low Single A playsets the Cubs wont get him. They wont get anyone like Russell or happ or Baez or Schwarber.