In a relatively surprising development out of Chicago, the Cubs will option Carl Edwards Jr. to Triple-A Iowa, per Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun Times (via Twitter). Mike Montgomery, meanwhile, has been put on the injured list with a left lat strain, per ESPN’s Jesse Rogers (via Twitter), who also announced the Edwards Jr. move on ESPN 1000 this morning, and MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian (Twitter link). Bastian was among those to report that the club has promoted lefty Kyle Ryan and selected Allen Webster from AAA Iowa. Righty Jen-Ho Tseng was designated for assignment to make room for Webster on the 40-man.
Edwards’ decline, while not wholly out of character, took a sudden downturn this season after he had entrenched himself as a key piece of Joe Maddon’s bullpen since 2016. Edwards Jr. no doubt has wipeout stuff, but he has long struggled with loss of command in stretches, never more clearly than in the early stages of this season. In four appearances spanning just 1 2/3 innings, Edwards has surrendered 6 earned runs, 2 home runs and 5 walks (32.40 ERA). Still, the move must come as somewhat of a shock to the system for the “Stringbean Slinger,” who has averaged 66 appearances per season over the last two seasons with a 2.81 ERA and 12.2 K/9 to 5.3 BB/9.
With the Cubs losing six in a row after a win on Opening Day, changes were clearly in store for the Northsiders. Edwards’ had one option remaining, which could be a consideration here, as the only other pitchers on the staff with options remaining are lefty Randy Rosario (1) and starter Kyle Hendricks (3). Hendricks is clearly going nowhere, while Rosario has been one of the few strike-throwers out of the Cubs’ pen so far this season.
Montgomery, meanwhile, has similarly struggled through the first week of the season, appearing four times with a 16.88 ERA over 2 2/3 innings of work. He has been a key swingman for the Cubs over the last three seasons, appearing in 82 games, 33 of them starts since his acquisition from Seattle in the middle of 2016. As you may recall, Montgomery relieved Edwards Jr. to get the save in the game seven of the Cubs World Series win in Cleveland – his first career save.
Webster, 29, was a former top prospect in the Dodgers and Red Sox organizations, and was a key figure in the blockbuster waiver deal that sent Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, and Josh Beckett to Los Angeles in August of 2012. He struggled mightily in Boston, with both arsenal and command, and was quickly shipped to Arizona, where the troubles worsened. The former 18th-rounder’s been a reclamation project in the Chicago farm since last Spring, and the club will hope he can suddenly regain his long-ago form.
Ryan, 27, has appeared in 86 big-league games with the Tigers since his debut in 2014, posting a 3.87 ERA/4.29 FIP/4.50 xFIP over 128 innings. He rarely misses a bat, having struck out just 4.92 men per nine since his debut, though is typically adroit at keeping the ball out of the air (54% career ground-ball rate). Ryan’s been much more effective against lefties (3.39 FIP against) than righties (4.76 opponents’ FIP) in his four-year career thus far.
Tseng, a 24-year-old righty who appeared in three games for Chicago over the last two seasons, was hammered in 24 starts for Iowa last season (6.27 ERA/5.13 FIP).
How exactly is this surprising? Montgomery wasn’t ready to go full speed and Edwards has been horrific. Poor choice of words to start your article…
Btw, Matt Spiegal of 670 the score reported this move 15 minutes ago when it was first tweeted out.
You really commented just to tell them someone else tweeted this already? Nice trolling moron.
ZP, really? This site prides itself on reporting and TC took 25 min to report it. How is that trolling? Go away.
This site prides itself as a one stop shop for all rumors which is updated constantly throughout the day. A vast majority of their articles are summaries of other writers work and information. They usually aren’t the first to break the news as evidenced by the citations to other journalists in every article.
You should go away since you clearly don’t understand the purpose and focus of this site.
This site has always been more concerned with being accurate over being first, and I for one appreciate that.
Dude is ridiculous. It it what it is. Some people just suck.
Well, last weeks dinner date that was reported being Hosmer and Machado talking the owner into calling up Tatis wasn’t exactly accurate.
Ur grammar sucks. “It it”??!
Okay ZP, because you clearly follow the Cubs…
Dave13, take your own advice…
I’m a huge Cubs fan actually. Die hard. I just don’t like stupid trolls like yourself, that ruin comment sections, where real baseball fans like to converse. Give it up dude. You are a troll. I know it. You know it. Everyone here knows it, and so do your disappointed parents.
How exactly am I a troll? My parents? That’s funny, because you know so much about myself. I stayed my opinion and you’re throwing a tantrum. Grow up.
Last week Adams described Hendricks curveball as an excellent hook. How accurate is that?
Tension is clearly building in cub nation. Please don’t fight like this in front of the children
who cares.
The optioning of Edwards also isn’t a super big news story outside of Chicago.
AM670 The SCORE predicted it early this morning before it even happened!
I predicted (at least recommended CEJ to minors) it days ago – when Cubs were a relatively “respectable”
1-3. Ha!
Ikr, not surprising at all. fans have been demanding this.
He’s been a key piece of your bullpen for 3 years. A rough first week typically doesn’t do a guy in. It’s a little surprising even though he was awful.
I haven’t been a fan of him at all. With the exception of some spots in 16, he has choked. They are sending him down because his new stretch is illegal and they have to re-do it and see if he can get his control back.
It’s surprising because this is WAY too reactionary. This guy was probably their best bullpen arm, sans Chapman, for three years, an established major league and now he has a bad week, not even a month, a week, and he gets get sent to the minors. This would have been unheard of even 10-15-20 years ago, What happened to actual coaching and developing your players not just in the minors but in the majors? As a league, sports in general, society in general, is falling prey to overreaction theater.
Cubs have ZERO effective pitchers in the bullpen right now, this was a must. Bullpen is the main reason why the Cubs are 1-6 so far. Got to do something and Edwards still has an option
Look out below. It’s called urgency. this is what theo was talking about. urgency and preparation. cub needs some home cooking
Webster was throwing upper 90’s 1st ST as remember when 1st arrived in boston for short duration and sitting mid 90’s as a starter. His problem was always terrified of throwing inside back when he was in the US and he would fall apart after getting touched early on. His slider wasn’t to shabby either, but once again.. back then, he was afraid of throwing inside to either LH/RH hitters with his FB.
His talent was tops and shame he didn’t make it. FB had good sink as remember and that good velo. Seems Epstein picked up another ex player, maybe this time he gets something.
If Theo didn’t waste money on Heyward, Darvish and Chatwood they wouldn’t be in this predicament.
since MAY 12 OF LAST YEAR, Edwards has posted a 4.91 ERA, and a mere 23.1% K rate against a 17.2% (MY GOD) walk rate.
And you think he’s there best bullpen arm?
He has options left and has stunk it up for almost a year. And MLB just came down on him telling him his new delivery is illegal. He needs to go down and work on cleaning things up and throwing strikes. Doesn’t matter how nasty his stuff is if it’s not over the plate
Lol, lol, lol. Best bullpen arm? Lol, lol.
Edward’s has never been nor will he ever be “one of the best relievers” for the Cubs or any other team.
Dude has great stuff but has very little control over it which has been his problem since he was in Texas. He will have 2-3 good appearances followed by 3 weeks of walk after walk interspersing the occasional wild pitch that allows the tying or winning runs to score.
He has had periods where he has been serviceable but nothing close to being elite or even above average.
I know, right?
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Cubs imploding.
Sub .500 year this year!
I’ll wager your double wife they are above .500….
They said “relatively”. You can start any article with that.
Nobody cares
That’s right pads fanatic, nobody does. Especially when it comes to you..
Cute
Thanks, Ryan.
Lol this incel
“Lol this incel” what? Finish your sentence.
If you’re gonna steal other people’s jokes at least use them correctly.
Okay, Ryan. Just admit it’s you and I’ll stop.
Just admit you have an extra chromosome and I’ll stop.
Yep, it’s you. Funny you say that when I’m sure I have a higher education that you and make more money than you’ll ever see. But sure.
Than*
“Corey Seager is on steroids. This is my opinion. Stop oppressing me!”
“I was born in 1989. Actually I was born in 1983. Just kidding it was 1989!”
“Go have mommy bring you more hot pockets.”
“This isn’t who you think it is.”
When did I ever say Seager is on steroids? Please, produce proof, Ryan.
Easy.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/08/corey-seager-to-undergo-hip-surgery.html
That wasn’t me, but nice try.
At some point it becomes impossible to not connect those dots. For you, that point was when you used your current account to misuse the “finish your sentence” joke as you always used to do. For the record, that joke was in response to someone saying “I really hope your joking” as opposed to “I really hope you’re joking.” Similar to replying to “Your missing the point” with “My what is missing the point?”
Ryan, give it up. This isn’t the other cubs fan guys account. You’re really starting to look pathetic.
Yes it is but that’s ok.
Try again.
REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Pathetic.
Yes you are
It amazes me that you sit there and wait for replies from someone you don’t know, and will never meet, just because you’re a keyboard warrior. What’s next? “I know you are but what am I?”
And yet, you are doing the EXACT SAME THING.
Actually I’m not sitting here waiting. I check this app many many times a day to keep up on MLB, NFL, and the NBA. Every time I swipe to the Cubs page, this is highlighted by another new comment. What’s wrong Ryan? Can’t get onto your old account because you were banned for being a d’bag?
And this is coming from you, the guy who was literally confirmed as banned by the mods.
By the way I post through my phone and have notifications turned on for this thread so I don’t have to check to see if you respond. I get a notification when and if you do.
Right, since every guy that has cubs and fan in their name is the same person. Oh that’s right, mine is “guy”. Where’s this proof that mods banned him? And you’re the one who won’t admit you are who you are.
Dancing around my statement in 3, 2, 1…
Here is the proof that they banned you.
https://www.jotcast.com/chat/mlbtr-live-chat-4903.html
Anyway, if you didn’t want people to know you two are the same person you would have done well to not make it so obvious.
Again, not me but thanks for the proof. Appreciate it.
Nice to see you’re going by Fred now. How many personalities do you have Ryan?
You are cubsfan. You two have the same IP address.
You’re so funny. Try again.
Thank you for laughing at the truth. Even though it wasn’t meant to be humorous.
I’m laughing because you’re pathetic and I tried to leave my email so we can settle this off of here. But you’d probably just have mommy answer the door and fight your battles for you. Ever think we are related genius? No? Hmm, guess you’re not as smart as you claim, Ryan.
That’s exactly what cubsfan says… verbatim.
Downs?
Actually, I put an emoji that didn’t end up showing up. But while you’re constantly checking to see if I responded, I’ll leave you with this. The fact that you have to look up IP addresses, and pick battles with anyone on here, shows how low of a human you are. You are going nowhere in life fast, and I hope that many of the people your age turn out better than you. Because it’s people like you that are ruining the world. Sorry if you got picked on in school for being weird, or turned down by who knows how many women. But take a hard look in the mirror before you end up being like the dark knight rises weirdo from Colorado. Because that’s where your life is headed, loser.
You know, I’m actually feeling really sorry for you. You keep saying these things to me that probably hurt you because they are you. And I’m just scratching my head wondering why you would think that would offend me. And then it dawned on me – because it really hurt you and describes you lol. It shows you.
Who is replacing them on the roster?
MLB.com
Craig Kimbrel
Ricky Bobby will replace Edwards.
Yikes
“October starts in March.” In case of emergency, break glass.
When you blow all of your money on average starting pitching and a terrible outfielder…..
You win a World Series and reach the playoffs 4 years in a row?
Anybody else sick of hearing that one measly World Series comment in 110 year crap yet?
Anybody else sick of reading themeds crap yet? Two way street bud.
About time! Edwards is broken mentally and Monty needs to stop getting advice from a batting practice machine
Cubs’ pitching staff needs someone like Cooper to coach them.
Rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic
This.
If I wasn’t on the app this would have an extra like from me.
LOL! Or having Joe Maddon play his typical “musical chairs” game with the relievers. Problem being in 2019, the “genius” has also been forced to play the game with no set closer this season.
Signing Craig Kimbrel pronto is the only solution I can see to salvage the Cubs 2019 season and also straighten out the remainder of a veteran bullpen that should still be a strong suit once everybody is up to speed with their health and performances. Having a certifiable closer in Kimbrel to man the 9th inning should allow Maddon to assign their other capable relievers to proper roles of effective setup men which they have been throughout their MLB careers.
Kimbrel would be a ridiculous signing! You would have a questionable ninth inning guy and still nothing else. Cubs have no answer for 5, 6, 7, and 8. Why worry about 9!
Cubs have the last ranked farm system in mlb…there are no reinforcements. This is one of the worst pitching and defensive teams assembled in last 100 seasons. Ranked 93rd worst at this time, of almost 3000 teams, and on pace to allow 1000+ runs. Might be time to make some considerable moves.
Are you seriously ready to state unequivocally that the 2019 Cubs have “one of the worst pitching and defensive teams assembled in last 100 seasons” just 7 games into the season?
The only “considerable” move the Cubs ought to make in order to salvage their bullpen and pitching staff right now is to sign FA closer Craig Kimbrel. If the bleeding continues for too long, the next move would be to fire their “genius” in the dugout who is on notice anyway as a lame duck manager. Kimbrel could not only “save” the Cubs season but also salvage Maddon’s job beyond 2019.
Amen bro
Zero money to spend.
The Ricketts brought a long sought after championship to the city and got their TV deal they wanted get ready Cub fans your gonna see how much the Ricketts really don’t care about winning it’s all about the money not the product on the field
Uhhh what? They overspent on Heyward and Darvish, they spent a wise ton on Lester. They basically knocked down and rebuilt Wrigley with far more amenities. What rock do you live under?
The Ricketts purchased that team knowing anything they put there would be to bring in more revenue. They purchased the Cubs with the intention to add more amenities so that they can make these exclusive through the addition of a pass available to people who signed up to be in their clubs.
Every little thing added to that park is with the intent to make a lasting product.
How about you go do some research before you try and talk down on someone?
Uh because you’re an idiot. Tickets brought in Theo Epstein who built a championship caliber team. Yes Ricketts wants to make money, it’s a business first and foremost, but he gave that 2016 team everything they needed.
What did Theo preach to the fan base about growing the organization from top to bottom to build a sustainable winning organization? Now into the 3rd season after the World Series Championship and it looks as if a complete rebuild from top to bottom is about to start possibly as soon as this years trade deadline
After 7 games into the season you draw this conclusion?
Started September of last season.
Theo Epstein and Tom Ricketts should bite the financial bullet and finally sign a free agent closer before the 2019 season gets too far gone. Craig Kimbrel is an historic closer and not too old even when he turns 31 late next month. They ought to offer him a reasonable long term contract with vesting options or even an expensive pillow deal just for this season to help their woeful bullpen.
As a one inning pitcher Kimbrel should be up to speed within a week or two and then be utilized as the Cubs 9th inning man for at least the duration of the 2019 season. This would take the pressure off of the remaining bullpen who are best suited for setup roles anyway. When Carl Edwards Jr. gets back on track at AAA and Brandon Morrow and Mike Montgomery return form the IL the Cubs will have the necessary depth in innings 6 through 8 that also includes other veteran relievers such as Pedro Strop, Steve Cishek and Brad Bach among others.
If the Cubs don’t make a pro-active move on Kimbrel now other teams including NL competitors like the Brewers, Cardinals, Dodgers, Phillies and Nationals could sign him instead. For once in your Cubs tenure, make it so Theo and sign a legitimate closer instead of trying to trade for short term solutions like Aroldis Chapman and Wade Davis. Yes, it will cost you a compensatory second round draft pick and $500k of international spending money but if you wait until the conclusion of this June’s Rule 4 Draft the Cubs season could very well be over anyway.
This is what happens when you give Darvish and Hayward ridiculous contracts and have Joe Maddon the most overrated Mgr in the history of baseball in the dugout. Theo can get a team there as proved in both stops but can he sustain it is the big question?
LoL, what a dumpster fire. Can’t wait to see who Theo pulls out of a dumpster next.
Allen Webster, apparently, whose picture might just be in the dictionary under “dumpster”.
Watch Edwards catch fire with another team. These second tier relievers always seem to leave a team and have a great year or two afterward. I’d definitely take a flyer on him if I’m the Yankees. They know how to build relievers
He wasn’t DFA’d, he was temporarily demoted
Reading is hard
And so is the cubs finding relief pitching apparently
This is going to just be one of those years. Cubs as a whole are a mess. Team on the field and turmoil inside the leadership. At least they broke the curse when they had the chance
You think Bryant will walk ? If so biaz needs to show true leadership asap
Baez
Kris Bryant can’t become a free agent until following the 2021 season. I would guess that if he and his agent Scott Boras aren’t amenable to a contract extension before his “walk” year the Cubs would indeed trade their superstar 3B, especially if their current window of contending for another championship closes sooner rather than later.
As for team leadership, that already falls on the shoulders of veterans such as Ben Zobrist, Jon Lester, Jason Heyward and Anthony Rizzo in addition to Bryant. Zobrist figures to be gone as a free agent after this season and maybe sooner as a trade candidate should the Cubs be out of contention by July 31st.
Javier Baez has the same amount of arbitration eligible control remaining as Bryant and might be the more likely of the pair to sign an extension. Baez should also be another team leader as an exuberantly gifted SS and MVP candidate, at least among the Cubs hispanic players.
I find the last sentence in your post troubling. Why would Baez be a leader “among the cubs’ hispanic players” only? He’s clearly their best player; the club feeds off his energy and talent. Why would his heritage be a limiting factor? Oh wait, it’s the cubs, the most segregated and least diverse fanbase in sports.
Reading comprehension is a skill. Go back and re-read my last sentence where it states “at least” among the Cubs hispanic players, not “only” as you incorrectly interpreted.
Btw: Jose Abreu is considered the White Sox pre-eminent team leader, ” at least” among the White Sox hispanic players, no? After all, Abreu’s is now into his 6th season on the South Side and he still needs White Sox Spanish broadcaster Billy Russo to be his official interpreter for the media and the majority of non-latino players in the clubhouse. Russo also offers the same service for Yoan Moncada, Reynaldo Lopez and other Spanish-speaking Sox who don’t talk English well enough on their own. Give me and everyone else a break with your politically correct crap that just happens to be a necessity in the White Sox clubhouse even with a bi-lingual manager like Rick Renteria at the helm.
I read just find. Though I’m not fond of wading thru your mammoth nothing-burger posts. You should choose your words more carefully next time. A leader is a leader, and Javy is that. So is Lester, Rizzo, and Zobrist.
As a lifelong Cubs and White Sox fan I’m not fond of reading your incessant trolling on Cub articles, anymore than I am of hateful Cubs fans who do the same on White Sox comment boards. If you have something constructive to say, by all means chime in. If not, get lost and find something else do to with your life besides complaining.
I’ll pass on your stupid, passive-aggressive suggestion to “get lost”. Instead, I’ll give you some much needed advice. Focus on being succint and simple so people who actually read don’t “misinterpret” what you’re saying. The length problem with your posts should resolve itself as a result, and thank god for small favors, amirite?
Not surprising at all. Cubs had to do something in effort to right the sinking ship of a bullpen. All the Cubs can to do now is to shuffle players back and forth and have the hope that someone is able to get hitters out consistently. The signing of Kimbrel is very unlikely as Mr. Hoyer recently stated the Cubs are more focused on what they have in place than what is availabe. Aditionally, as it has been well documeneted since the early off season, Mr. Ricketts is not spending any more money. At least this season.
Something had to be done as Carl Edwards Jr. was both ineffective and losing confidence with every appearance. Montgomery didn’t work much in spring training because of injury and I think the chance to heal up and then pitch in the minor will get him to right. Kyle Ryan seems to be a strike thrower and that is exactly what the Cubs need. The defense, other than the six error game and putting Jason Heyward in center, can help the pitcher if they can throw strikes and keep the ball in the yard. Allen Webster has got a great arm and stuff and looked decent when he was up last year with the Cubs. Two positive moves for a team that needed to do something to at least show the team that management is still trying to improve the squad.
Call the Blue Jays. Make an offer for Giles.
He has so little value now they can get more at the deadline for him
I ment they can get more at the deadline for him. Why can’t we edit after 5 minutes on this site ?
I agree. Still have to make that call if you are Chicago and you do not want to pay Kimbrel. Blue Jays would only deal if they are blown away. That would depend on how desperate the Cubs are.
To your second part….I do not know why. Is 5 minutes enough for anyone? 🙂
Should have used a longer title for this article imo
Trust your eyes, cubs pitching is what it appears. They should have invested in younger arms when they had the chance. There’s really no one to fix things now, other than trade guys or spend money.
You guys overreact much? Cubs are 1 and 6. Boston is 2 and 7. Seriously doubt either club stays at the cellar the whole season. Cubs should win today, and if they take tomorrow then they will have won their first series and be back on track. Edwards demotion was a no-brainer. He has always had the stuff, but never the right mentality to be consistent. I also agree that the Cubs needed to get big time bullpen help, but Ricketts closed his wallet this year. It would be incredible to have a Strop 7th, Morrow 8th, and Kimbrel 9th. Maybe this is the kick in the pants that Ricketts needs to finally spend. For those that think the farm system is broke in Chicago, need to research Nico Hoerner who is actually MLB ready right now, and Miguel Amaya who should be ready by end of next season.
I’d say we are reacting to the overreaction. We didn’t start this fire.
2-7 is better than 1-6
You watch much baseball? The underlining problems with this cubs team have been widely known since ‘17. They finally bit them in the behind late last season, and have carried thru to ‘19. It’s the old argument of depth vs. quality, and the cubs have too much of the former, and not enough of the latter. It’s already cost them prospects and millions on bad contracts. I could go into endless moves the cubs could have made to get younger/better arms in the rotation, while keeping their best minor league prospects. Theo’s obsession with Schwarber, Russell, Happ and Almora being one of the biggest roadblocks. To no one’s surprise, the rotation looks old, and the bullpen’s too thin to back them up properly. It’s a cautionary tale playing out on the northside.
Epstein is kind of throwing all his signings under the bus by saying its “on me”. I know that probably wasn’t his intention but still, not a good look
Really? That’s your interpretation of “that’s on ME”?
What’s with these Cub players? They win a championship over the Indians and then decide they don’t need to try any more? Look at how these guys have fallen since their championship. Happ is in the minors, Edwards is joining him. Russell is beating women. Bryant is semi retired. Rizzo forgot how to hit a baseball… Dynasty LOL
Cubs didn’t win the championship… Cleveland lost it.
People underestimate how important Chapman was to the championship run. Without him closing out games, the cubs would never have made it past the NLCS.
This doesn’t warrant a reply but I’ll bite anyway. Rizzo, since 2016, is averaging 29 HRs, 105 RBI, and like a .278 AVG. I’ll give you Bryant looks like a shell of himself for now. But Russell was doing that before a championship and Happ wasn’t really an part of that WS run.