The Cubs acquired catcher Martin Maldonado from the Royals just two weeks ago, though Chicago is already exploring the possibility of flipping Maldonado elsewhere, The Athletic’s Robert Murray reports (subscription required). The veteran backstop “has been marketed in trade discussions….with the Houston Astros emerging as a particular team of interest,” The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney writes.
Willson Contreras hit the injured list at roughly the same time as the original Maldonado trade, and since Contreras is now back in action, Maldonado is something of an expendable piece on a Cubs catching depth chart that also includes Victor Caratini. Maldonado has seen barely any action since coming to Wrigleyville, and is hitless (0-for-11) over 13 plate appearances in four games for the Cubs.
If Maldonado is dealt, it will be interesting to see what the Cubbies will net in return, given that they sent a fairly interesting asset in swingman Mike Montgomery to Kansas City for Maldonado in the first place. Montgomery has struggled in 2019, though he has posted good results in the past and is under control through the 2021 season.
It isn’t any surprise that Houston is again linked to Maldonado, as the Astros were had interest in obtaining him from the Royals before he was dealt to Chicago. If a deal was completed, it would mark the second straight year that the Astros picked Maldonado up in a trade deadline move; Houston nabbed him from the Angels last July.
What a joke
Buyer’s remorse!
What did you just say? Dylan Cease?
Did you mean Kimbrel?
Uhh, they also got Eloy in that deal. Bad one to bring up. Should’ve gone more towards the James Shields route.
Little known fact, Tatis Jr hadn’t even took a swing stem the Sox made the trade. A lot closer to Lou Brock
Hahahaha
This was an outstanding exchange.
If I was a Cubs fan, I’d try to stop remembering the trade that brought Eloy Jimenez (and Dylan Cease) to the South Side of Chicago.
I still love Jose Quintana, though. It’s unfortunate you guys will never get to truly fully appreciate him.
This Cubs fan isn’t really bothered by the memory. Quintana is pitching fine, the Cubs don’t need a left fielder, and Cease is still a work in progress
Like the way chicago feels of the white Sucks!!
He’s a third string catcher. It’s not like it’s James Shields they’re trading.
I think they bought him as an insurance policy for Contreras’ injury. I’m not sure what the joke is, this makes perfect sense.
The Cubs obviously underestimated the staying power of Kansas City B.O.
How about this trade? Cubs acquire Whit Merrifield from Royals for Nico Hoerner, Miguel Amaya, and Oscar De La Cruz. Too much or too little for Whit?
Too much
Probably too little. Merrifield is cheap, controlled, and very proven. They’d most likely have to add another legitimate pitching prospect and another positional prospect.
Either way, I don’t see the Royals trading Merrifield, though it seems like it could bolster their rebuild quite a bit.
He is older and all his value is in his legs
And his .300+ batting average and 120 Ops+. Not just his legs, he can hit for average and has a little pop while playing in a terrible park for hitters
All in his legs? He has a .302 BA, .843 OPs. and 120 OPS+
If he had no legs his numbers would probably be worse.
Way too much. Whit is the wrong side of 30.
Batting .000 for the lowly Cubbies.
It’s a “what have you done for me lately” world.
The lowly, playoffs 4 straight years, 3 NLCS appearing, 2016 World Series champion Cubbies who have won 93+ games every year in recent memory.
Sounds like Sox fan little brother syndrome.
Lol Is 4 straight years in the playoffs that impressive? What about 27 consecutive winning seasons?
So long as we’re having a conversation about dominance in the mid 20th century, I think you should invest in some Sears stock.
Indeed
With all the talent, should have won more , but hey that’s Maddon for you.
I mean, we’re still in first place, so why is that past tense? I’m not sure what you mean they shouldn have won more and Madden is the reason… he’s only been here 4 years, made the playoffs every year, won 93+ games every year, 3 NLCS appearances in 4 seasons, 1 World Series won, and in first place again. What should they have done more of?
Honestly, Madden’s literally the best manager in baseball.
Your last sentence explains why so many people will just make up reasons to hate the man so irrationally
The Yankees play in a division with a rotating dumpster fire of Toronto, Tampa, and Baltimore, and play in a park with little league dimensions to right field.
Not trying to be a jerk, but you should try *watching* Merrifield before commenting on what his value is.
Moot point, not gonna happen.
That would probably get the deal done
I think so. Whit has has a helluva couple years. He’s almost reached like legendary status. If he were 25 having the year he had last year and so far this year he’d be untouchable. But at 30 it makes no sense not to trade him for KC. They can ask for a Lamborghini, if you only get offered a Porsche doesn’t mean it’s a bad deal.
Pretty close.
The only minor leaguer I wouldn’t give up from the Cubs is Pedro Martinez. He is hitting like .360 in the minors this season. You heard it here first, he will be a top 100 prospect in a couple years.
K.
Agreed
Yes way to much whit it good but at thirty just to be ask for him
Merrifield might be the 2nd most untouchable player (in a good way) in baeaball right now. he isnt going anywhere.
hahahaha behind trout i assume right? i guess that statement would be plausible if you said “2nd most untouchable player over 30” because i could probably name at least 50 players id consider untouchable before whit
Sandwiched in between Vladito and Tatis Jr., I take it Which of the two is #1 and which is #3 then?
Considering that this package is only slightly less than what the Marlins acquired for a 26-year old Christian Yelich, I’d say it’s way too much. Merrifield is really good. And his contract is nice. But he’s nowhere near as valuable as Yelich was two off-season ago.
You want to trade 3 of the Cubs top 10 prospects? They’ll have need for all 3 players no later than 2021. Oscar De La Cruz ETA is 2020. Miguel Amaya eta is 2019
DeLaCruz was switched to pen this year, so could be up next year. Amaya won’t see Wrigley until 2022 at earliest.
Amaya will never see Wrigley as a Cub… Catcher is, by far, the strongest position in the system. He’ll be traded somewhere before his debut.
Unless it’s Caratini that’s dealt instead of Amaya.
WAY TOO MUCH. Hoerner is MLB ready now, and most likely is going to be a perennial .280 -.300 hitter with his contact skills. Substitute Aldzolay for Hoerner, and you have a deal
I would still reject that deal from the cubs perspective.
Way too much! I would much rather have the prospect haul there. 0% change the cubs would ever do that trade.
To much.
You probably can headline with Amaya, but you need to send 4 pieces.
I understand the arguments as Whit is over 30. However, when you think of this guy think Ben Zobrist and what he’s accomplished in his 30s. Merrifield is everything Zobrist ever was.
Except a World Series champion.
Way to much, Amaya and Horner should stay and de la Cruz should also stay
Too much….
Little bit of both
Probably not enough to interest KC and too much for the Cubs to spend given their currently weak farm
Maldonado for Whitley or tucker lol.
Preston Tucker maybe.
A’s in 3 Team deal with also Mets. A’s get Maldonado,Wheeler,Cubs get Diaz and Mets Prospects.
I’m not sure the Mets are looking for prospects but looking for major league ready players.
After getting Stroman, I dont think the Mets know if they want prospects or not.
I think you mean Mets get prospects. I doubt the Mets are giving up on Diaz. If A’s want Wheeler they can deal with Mets directly. I still think Mets are most likely to deal Vargas and keep the rest of the pitching staff.
The GM’s cannot even get 2-team deals done.
Why would the cubs want Diaz? Makes no sense at all. Kimbrel is already there and a better option to close games.
He looked awesome Saturday. Nice ERA for that pitcher.
Diaz is an absolute monster having a meh year. Cubs cant accord to have another arm that is just meh.
the Yankees could use a catcher right now
How long is Sanchez out for?
It’s just a Grade-1 strain, assuming everything goes according to plan it’s 3-4 weeks. Not sure that’s long enough to make too drastic of a move or not but I understand the thinking.
Wellington Castillo could be available. Hes terrible…but available.
Maldonado for Alvarez
Pedro Alvarez.
You want the Stros to sign Pedro Alvarez and send him to the Cubs for Maldonado. Sure.
Astros should’ve kept Maldonado since the offseason. Always find it funny when a team lets a player go only to trade for that player back midseason.
They offered him far more than what he signed in KC for and when he said no, they went and got Chirinos for the same price. We owe him a big thank you for turning down the offer. Chirinos far better
And yet they still want Maldonado. As far as defense goes…Maldonado > Chirinos. It would appear the astros agree with me on this one.
Lol… Maldonado > Stassi. Astros are in need of backup catcher
exactly. this isn’t about chirinos.
They offered him 2 yrs $17. He turned them down.
Padres should offer yates stammen and hedges in a deal with caratini as part of the return. If padres get ian happ as part of the return as well they should shop urias for a top of the rotation arm.
Cubs should take that deal if offered..I was thinking maybe caratini might actually be the one being shopped he carry’s more value keep Maldonado as a back up
Wow practically giving away yates there. Padres would be idiots for not getting a top 50 prospect or better for kirby yates. Happ is garbage and Caratini is just a shade better than replacement level. Padres would get much worse by making that trade.
I wanna see the cubbies pull off a package deal to get McNeil and Diaz from the mets. It would take a lot but would fill multiple holes with controllable players.
wouldn’t that basically kill their depleted farm system?
if they trade amaya & hoerner, they have zero top 100 prospects.
isn’t gary sanchez injured?
Farm systems are overrated . If you have cubs money just spend on free agents. Draft every year and international signings you can build quickly
With all the new spending restrictions in the amateur market that’s just completely untrue these days
McNeil would be perfect for the Cubs but no way are the Mets letting him go.
Why not the mets have been denying this rebuild for years now. The mets should keep the players they have 25 or younger and sell whatever else they have. McNeil is a late bloomer he’s already 27 sell him
And would be beyond shocked if nico was offered in any deal..they love him and he has the makings of someone who could be great at the mlb level
Agree. However Nico in a deal for Merrifield I can live with. Would take more than him of course but that’s the one deal I’d be okay with him a part of.
Really? I would rather have Nico WITHOUT QUESTION.
Probably a mood point..seem like cubs play salary cap roulette..saved money on zobrist bought Kimberl moved Montgomery saved over a million with Maldonado hold him till Contreras healthy dump Maldonado to save more cap space maybe
What is a mood point?
True. Next year they can spend , Hamels 20 million zobrist 12 m, strop 6.5, kintzler, 5 cischeck, 6.5. Morrow 12.. 62 million for bullpen and a second baseman and use alzolay as starter . Just punt this season tip your hat to the mighty dodgers and go for it next year.
Can the Angel’s please get him back… Smith is AWFUL catching and calling a game, hard to watch games when hes catching .
Then you guys should stick with Garneau. Finally hitting well and excellent defense.
maldonado and addy for thor and 2 specs. do the cubs say no?
Weed must be legal in your state.
BVW falls out of his chair laughing…
Mets would have to throw in Diaz and McNeil and maybe Pete Alonso to get that deal done. Syndergaard, McNeil, Diaz, and Alonso for Russell and Maldonado. Mets kick in 60 million cash as well.
Who cares… really who does…..Happ For Nick would make be exited
I can’t see happ as having much trade value right now. His stock has plummeted this season. Tigers would rather have the 1st round compensatory pick, I’m sure of this.
Castellanos not Saban..
Wow, this shows how little the cubs valued mike montgomery. Literally traded him for a week of a backup catcher.
They never needed Maldonado. He’s horrible on both sides of the plate. They need pitching.
Keep the prospects! You have Baez, Contreras, Bryant and Schwarber that will need to get paid eventually. I don’t see any more than 2 of those guys getting paid by the Cubs in the future.
Pull Schwarber from that list and insert Rizzo.
The Cubs have pieces that would allow another club to do a soft reset of their team roster. I would go after Blackmon who can leadoff play RF and move Heyward to CF. I’d have to believe some combination of Caratini, Happ, Almora and I dare say Russell should be able to get that deal done.
The Rockies would quite literally laugh in your face with that one.
I am laughing at it
A perennial AllStar, and top 3 leadoff hitters in baseball will need at least 2 top 50 prospects, as a negotiating fee.
Shop him? I would pin a note on him and drop him off at a hospital or police station and hope DFAC’s takes him
If I were the Astros I would not be interested in Maldonado at any cost. Not worth giving up any prospects for.
They won’t give much but other than the pitchers love him and not Stassi they have a ton of low A talent.
2 top 50 prospects for a 33 year old OF. No team in baseball would make a deal like that
What are you smoking this evening. Must be very good. Lol