Within a broader look at the potential return of Ben Zobrist later this season, The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney writes (subscription required) that the Cubs believe they can shift their trade-deadline focus to acquiring left-handed relief help now that they’ve addressed their biggest need by signing Craig Kimbrel.
Lefty relief has indeed been an issue for the Cubs in 2019, as they’ve had somewhat of a revolving door to the bullpen while cycling through southpaws. Kyle Ryan has been a relatively steady presence, pitching to a 4.37 ERA (3.55 FIP) with a strong 27-to-8 K/BB ratio in 22 2/3 innings. Beyond him, the club has received sub-par results from Mike Montgomery, who has also missed time due to injury. Xavier Cedeno, signed in Spring Training, has only been healthy enough to tally a pair of innings but began a minor league rehab assignment this week. Randy Rosario hasn’t fared well in a small sample of work, nor has Tim Collins.
One key but yet-unknown variable in the Cubs’ search will be just how much financial leeway the front office has at its disposal. Cubs ownership plainly stated it had nothing more to spend on the roster back in February; it was largely because of the money saved from placing Zobrist on the restricted list that Kimbrel even became a viable option. That said, Mooney notes that president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and his front office typically set aside a “significant” amount of money for in-season additions each winter.
If the Cubs do have some reserve funds at the ready, then acquiring a half-season of a lefty reliever’s salary could well be feasible. Even if that’s not the case, it’s always possible to convince a potential trade partner to include some cash in a deal. Doing so would likely require a greater prospect package, though, and the Cubs’ farm system is not among the game’s most highly regarded.
As for lefty relievers that can be expected to become available, the market should bear plenty of options. Giants southpaw Will Smith will headline the rental class, though his teammate, Tony Watson, is a highly appealing alternative. Kansas City’s Jake Diekman is in the midst of a strong season and should be available, too. Depending on how the next several weeks play out for their respective clubs, either Sean Doolittle or Brad Hand could become available, though each would have a substantial price tag attached to his name in negotiations. Either San Diego’s Robbie Erlin or Seattle’s Roenis Elias could be more affordable alternatives. Both are controlled beyond the 2019 campaign and in the midst of solid seasons. Other names will surely emerge — particularly if some current fringe Wild Card contenders fall out of the race and sell off pieces.
In speaking with Mooney, Epstein voiced a willingness to be “proactive” while noting that this year’s one true trade deadline could create a unique market environment. “It’s very competitive out there, so we’ll see,” said Epstein. “…The new rules this year, too, will probably make for a higher volume across the industry, even if there are a lot of small deals.”
I can see Smith as a Cubbie.
More like Tony Watson.
What assets do the Cubs have?
Nico Hoerner is the golden goose of that farm.
And way, way too valuable to move for a middle reliever
Addison Russell and Ian Happ. Pretty much
No one wants the Cubs junk players.
They still have value. That’s all I’m saying. Russell is ultimately a cancer. And Happs potential is still high.
Just because the mainstream taunts don’t rank the Cubs prospects as highly as some doesn’t mean they don’t have talents other teams may want. To think otherwise is foolish.
While a LH is needed in the BP, I wonder if they’ll bring up Adlozay (sp) or trade for another starter if Lester’s troubles continue.
cubs fans be like “brad hand and we will give descalso, anymore is too much”
Such a White Sox response….see Gleybar Torres and Eloy Jimenez… worry about your own team for once and the cool things going on down on the South Side!
Cubs would love to have Sox’ Bummer.
But they have no money and no assets to trade.
Cubs are gun shy to trade with Sox after getting fleeced by Hahn in the Q trade.
You should be more gun shy about commenting. Really.
Feldman/Clevenger for Arrieta/Strop is an example of a fleece job. When Eloy WINS a World Series, chirp away. Until then, continuing trolling.
Truth hurts, doesn’t it?!
That you again, Eric Dybas?
No money yet spent 43 million on kimbrel. Tv deal next year , 2020 and beyond cubs will be biggest spenders of all every year .
Eloy another HR!
This time off CC.
“Must see” TV!!
2 HRs tonight!
6 RBI’s
So far
Eloy will hit 30 HRs even after missing games due to injury!
Cubs should be “ gun shy” SOX HAVE NOTHING BUT GARBAGE TO TRADE A L W A Y S!!!
And how many World Series did Quintana win?
You make no sense.
How were they”fleeced” they gave up only eloy Jimenez and Dylan cease was a throw in whose done nothing special yet.
And 2 more players…
We just know Q not so good without the quality Sox team behind him.
So Cubs were fleeced.
Don’t think they’re any cool things on the south side if you are going by wins and losses
I think there are plenty of cool things going on the South Side. They were 24-44 through their first 68 games last year, and they’re .500 this year. That’s pretty cool.
They have a young left side of the infield that is performing at a high level. They have a young left fielder named Eloy that’s going to be an excellent hitter. And oh yeah, they’ve got one of the best young pitchers in baseball that just won his 10th game, making him the first in baseball to reach that feat. It’s going to be a lot of fun watching him start for the AL team at the Allstar game.
Hand would be ideal but costly.
I don’t see them going after a rental though. Morrow most likely gone. Cishek F/A. Srop F/A. Kintzler F/A.
It would make sense to go off the beaten path here and talk to a team that needs a starter or 2. SDP comes to mind. And then look to trade parts to fit both teams needs going forward.
On the Cubs part they could trade both Montgomery and Chatwood and take back contract. Maybe Will Meyers and Earlin who goes into Arb3 in 2020.
They don’t have the right prospects for Cleveland to trade hand. Oliver Perez, Tyler Olsen or josh Smith maybe….Ian Happ?
Thinkin’ Happ would be a buy low considering how mediocre his game is right now. Theo will probly wait for him to regain some value.
He has little to no value.
He came up early. So little data to exploit. Banged a bunch of HR’s.
Year 2 all of the data compiled took away his advantage and all of his holes were exploited. Add to it he showed an inablity to adjust to it.
Now he is scuffling in Iowa.
He is worth nothing.
Seeing how his strike out rate climbed after he went to AAA, not sure his value will ever go back up…he needs to go somewhere else to regain his composure. Still probably worthy more than a lefty specialist. But josh smith is in his 1rst year, so 6 years of control for a guy who may never regain his form. Oliver Perez can be be more than a lefty specialist, and Olson has 5 years of control….any one of the 3 would be a help, but Cleveland would have to add a lottery ticket or 2 for Happ
Cubs most likely will sit on him. It serves no purpose to trade him. If he can figure it out then he becomes a asset.
But my prediction is Brett Jackson. Bust and out.
Just to toss out a trade possibility and some roster moves. Ian Happ, Mark Zagunis and minor league prospects catcher Miguel Amaya and RHP Keegan Thompson to Kansas City for Whitt Merrifield and LHP Jake Diekman. Ian Happ is in need of a change of scenery and a chance to play ever day without the pressure of a being on a play off team. Same can be said about Zagunis. Minor league catcher Miguel Amaya, wh0 was ranked in the top 5 Cubs prospects is maybe a year or two away and does not really have a spot with Contreras and Caratini. LHP Keegan Thompson is one the the Cubs many minor league pitchers who was currently ranked 11th in the Cubs system. The Cubs get Merrifield who is signed to a team friendly contract goes to 2nd base and leads off. Diekman is the lefty in the bullpen the Cubs need and has a team option for 2020. Then cut your losses DFA Brad Brach and Daniel Descalso.
I’m guessing Merrifield will require a bigger name and better overall package alone. I could see one of the minor leaguers for Diekman but the Royals don’t have to rush and take any offer an Merrifield. If anything, they probably should hold out because he is the only player who can bring back a headliner to the farm
That’s not bad. If that’s not enough on the Cubs side I’d also be fine throwing in Mike Montgomery who can go back to being a full time starter for another team. Plus he’s still on an incredibly insane team friendly deal for years still so it’s a good asset to move.
Adding Montgomery makes that more attractive. Even though neither he or Happ is doin’ great, the team control and potential are powerful for a budget concious team like KC
Cubs really don’t need him.
They have Bote and Russell fighting over the spot anyways.
I still think that SDP is the way to go. Meyers will scale up but the Cubs already have Heyward in CF anyways. Meyers slots in RF. Add to it Joe is really good at managing his players time.
To offset Chatwood and Montgomery. Cubs take Erlin who has control.
Pads add starters this year to reel in the innings to their young SP core. Plus it adds depth next year.
Cubs just promote Alzolay to get his feet wet as a long arm. He defaults to Hamels rotation spot in 2020.
But when Meyers deal escolates the Cubs are losing payroll in the pen and are getting into the meat of their drafting over the past few years.
This is what I’d like to happen. But, other teams would probably beat that package. Would have to add Nico or Almora instead of Zagunas. I’d prefer it be Almora and let Whit take his place in CF and finally have a Leadoff man with Whit.
Schwarber is finally coming around now. He was being too passive and letting close pitches go by that he should have been turning on earlier in the count.
I would sit on this for a year and if it flips then address it in the off season.
i think it’s worth giving rosario the benefit of the doubt, and believing that Collins will improve a bit. pen still needs work, but they have a lot of unappreciated options.
Uh, no. Those options aren’t appreciated cause they are lousy. Will Smith will bring a pretty sweet return, and the Cubs will have some stiff competition. Maybe Happ plus another decent prospect would tempt S.F., but Happ has been exposed. He hits well enough for a 2nd baseman, but his defense is average there, and lots of corner outfielders hold as much promise offensively. My guess the North-siders will have to lower their expectations and settle for a Watson type. And if Zobrist returns any additional salary will be tough to manage.
Let’s remember the Cubs don’t have any money.
Read the article, this is discussed!
No money? … Hmmmmm, right, that’s why they couldn’t get in the Kimbrel sweepstakes. lol
They used the Zobrist money for Kimbrel.
Now they have no money again!!
FFS “Theo Epstein and his front office typically set aside a “significant” amount of money for in-season additions each winter.”. Learn some reading comprehension, and go troll somewhere else with the 5 other Sox fans.
Cubs have NO money!
Smith and Watson for Cole Roederer, Justin Steele and Yovanny Cruz
Smith and Watson would sure up that pen with CK being the 9th inning guy
You aren’t getting Smith for that trio besides both.
Smith’s a rental. That is going to limit what they get for him.
I’m all for an upgrade their, but if we can not give up too much for a rent-a-loogy, that would be super.
s/b “there”
Erlin and Elias aren’t any better than the guys they have ran out so far.
Smith would give the Cubs more than just a lefty specialist.. he’s capable of closing, setting up and obviously getting lefties out.. I think the Cubs would be in search of a cheaper more specialist type… but Smith would make the Cubs bullpen go from a weakness pre-Kimbrel to a strength if they were to add Smith.. as of right now, I see the Cubs pen as average prior to any further moves being made.
If Kimbrel is lights out (big if), Cishek/Strop/Kimbrel would be well above average to close out a game. It’s up to the starters to keep the cubs in games past the 5th-6th inning.
Tony Watson seems a perfect fit for the Cubs.
Happ seems like a buy-low target that the Giants would slot right into the corner outfield.
RP-L Tommy Milone and 2B/CF Dee Gordon to CHC; SS Addison Russell, IF Robel Garcia and C Jhonny Pereda to SEA.
I can’t see why the Mariners would want Addison Russell and the Cubs can not afford Dee Gordon.