The Cubs have interest in D-backs outfielder Jarrod Dyson and have been “gathering information” on Blue Jays infielder Eric Sogard, according to Patrick Mooney, Sahadev Sharma and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Yesterday, Chris McCosky of the Detroit News reported Chicago’s interest in outfielder Nicholas Castellanos, and today’s report from Mooney, Sharma and Rosenthal doubles down on that interest while also acknowledging that Castellanos’ remaining salary could make such a move difficult to piece together.
Chicago hopes to land a veteran hitter with quality contact skills, per The Athletic, and both Dyson and Sogard would fit that bill. Dyson is hitting .254/.335/.369 with six homers and 21 steals on the season. His strikeout rate is sitting at 19 percent, which is elevated quite a bit from the 13.3 percent clip he notched across the past three seasons but is still lower than the league average (22.2 percent among non-pitchers). Sogard, meanwhile, is batting .305/.369/.491 with 10 home runs, six steals and a 14.1 percent strikeout rate (career 13.3 percent).
Adding Dyson, 34, to the fray would give the Cubs an excellent defensive outfielder who can handle all three positions. His presence would surely push struggling Albert Almora Jr. out of the lineup against right-handed opponents. Dyson’s career platoon numbers are pronounced, and his left-handed bat makes him a natural pairing with Almora. The 25-year-old Almora has been uncharacteristically awful against lefties in 2019 but is still a career .286/.335/.420 hitter against them. Dyson owns a lifetime .257/.324/.360 line against right-handers.
Dyson is earning a reasonable $3.5MM in 2019 and is still owed about $1.32MM of that sum between now and season’s end. Contrast that with the $3.75MM remaining on Castellanos’ $9.95MM salary, and he’s not only the better defender of the two but the more affordable. Dyson can’t match Castellanos’ bat, though, and the Diamondbacks aren’t the slam-dunk sellers that the Tigers are known to be. It’s certainly possible that Arizona could deal Dyson and other short-term pieces, but at 50-50 through 100 games, the Snakes likely haven’t determined how they’ll proceed over the next nine days. As a pending free agent, Dyson could be moved even as the D-backs look to simultaneously add longer-term parts who can help in 2020 and beyond.
Sogard, 33, seems a near-lock to be traded so long as there’s sufficient interest. His power surge and general offensive production are largely out of the blue — Sogard was released by the Brewers in 2018 and signed a minor league deal in Toronto this winter — but his strong output has likely positioned as a piece the Jays can flip. As a versatile defender capable of handling second base, shortstop, third base and the outfield corners, Sogard could give the Cubs a sort of Ben Zobrist-lite skill set at a time when the organization still isn’t sure when (or if) Zobrist will return. Sogard’s numbers at second are down this season, but he has a long track record of plus defense there. And after inking a minor league pact in the offseason, he’s assuredly an affordable option for the Cubs or any other interested team.
I love the new absolute trade deadline.
I am not liking it, extra outfielders and relievers you could pick up right before the rosters expanded….without having to find a spot til September….will be an issue
Heaven forbid ownership has to plan in advance and can’t buy their way out of mismanagement in late August…
All teams do that . Astros got verlander and won it dodgers got Darvish and won it then machado and won again, oh wait
But they’ve already got a jump on that sort of thing with the backup catcher pickup in Maldonado. Beat the Astros to the punch. I like how they’re adapting to this already.
It’s not about mismanagement, it’s about having less time to make decisions and the chaos that an injury can create on an otherwise well managed club.
Now there’s no recourse for a good team with bad luck, as well as less opportunities for losing clubs to take advantage of winning clubs in need.
I’m still not sure how i feel about it all
If you plan well enough, one injury should not take you out of contention. It’s not a very well-managed club if “praying for full health” is one of your top strategies.
I personally really like the single trade deadline as it gives less clubs the option to just roll over and give up, none of that is good for MLB and fan retention. More clubs are going to push for the playoffs and it should increase competitiveness and parity around the league
Not saying it would take a club out of contention, but it could greatly impact the team regardless.
And how in the heck does this improve parity?
Winning teams are more likely to hold onto the young trade chips that would have otherwise gone to rebuilding clubs in need of young talent and offloading high prices vets.
I think it’s gonna widen the gap between the big clubs and small, not shrink it.
Plus no team can just plug in another all star caliber player from the bench or minors when one goes down.
No matter how good the depth or management your back up could slump in everyday at bats or whatever, anything can happen.
You might think differently and be a little more forgiving if that responsibility was actually on your shoulders
Fewer moves were made by the August deadline because of the waiver rules so I don’t think it’s a big deal. I like the new setup. It makes it more interesting to me.
Dyson would be a sound move.
Yep. Dyson and Villar. Sogard maybe but Villar and his numbers vs. righty pitching would be awesome for Cubs.
The new “hard deadline” will be interesting…. it also has linked the Cubs to most every player available on most every non-contender.
(Has also linked the Pirates to none, sadly)
I’ve seen dyson play and he’s a great player, but I think sogard would be a better fit for the cubs.
Dyson is a nice role guy, but by no means is he a “great player”.
Yeah you’re right. He has power and speed but would probably be a bench bat if the cubs traded for him
I’ve seen dyson play and he’s a great player, but sogard would be a better fit for the Cubs.
I don’t know if Dyson is enough of an upgrade from Almora to make the move. It would also give you an all lefty-hitting Outfield which isn’t ideal.
Sogard could be a great fit for a rental at 2nd over russell.
More mediocre bench players won’t make a bit of difference against LA or ATL. How about an UPGRADE to the roster for once, Theo?
You had a “contact” hitter off the bench before. His name was La Stella. Now you’re trying to trade for that guy again. Either get an impact bat to replace Almora or throw in the towel. Same goes for 2B. Worst $200MM+ roster in the MLB history, and you’re trying to fix it with journeymen?
ChiSoxCity is just angry because if Great Value bought out the Sox stadium naming rights it would be an upgrade.
More like…Dollar General Field
Cubs have made the playoffs 4 years in a row and are trending towards five. The NL central has been a very competitive division for years. This year they have 5 solid teams. I’d say the front office has done a phenomenal job. This appears to be a top notch troll job. LA looks to be a pretty complete team but in a 5 to 7 game series you never know. Cubs get a couple bullpen arms and I think they win the central and have a solid shot at the World Series. Any other add ons would be a bonus.
Cubs have 6 less wins than any division leader 10 less than most.
Easy schedule with 7 Marlins games.
Wild card will not be out of this division.
Mediocrity looks good in that division.
Cubs pitching spending more than other 4 teams combined.
One and done
Complete AL pitching staff.
Based on overspending
Crystal balls are funny to look through. And the “one and done” slant always comes from those who follow losing teams and dispute that they’d be throwing parties if their team was good enough for “one and done”.
Easy schedule with 7 Marlins games? So all the teams in the NL East must be horrible since they have double digits….
Wild card not from this division? of the 4 closest to wild card contention 2 are east and 2 are central.
Not sure if this comment was serious or satire.
Hmmm, White Sox get nineteen games vs. Royals and Tigers plus three games against the Marlins and six games vs the Orioles and Blue Jays. They should be over .500.
Cubs may overspend but Sox can’t lure anyone with their bargain basement bidding.
More of a top notch ninny.
“Wild card will not be out of this division.” If it ended today, Milwaukee is in and St. Louis misses by half game…..
But of course, Milwaukee and St. Louis benefit from playing the Marlins 7 times, unlike the Nationals and Phillies who have to play them 19.
Crystal ball: Is that what they call scouting and analytics now? I know, I know… cubs fans don’t pay attention to things like that. They’re still waiting for Shawn Dunston to figure out how to hit a curve ball.
Bill Walsh… Are you having your stroke in installments?
If you play in the NL you have played one of the 15 toughest schedules in baseball, period. AL has some real dumpster fire teams. The only argument you can make is the Marlins are terrible but I’d still take them over Baltimore, Toronto, kc, Detroit and probably the white Sox now. I mean the AL central is making the Twins team look like the 1927 Yankees.
Dumb. If anyone outside the Rawlings plant saw double-digit HRs from LaStella, let alone 20….they’re both delusional and lying.
I liked Lestella, nobody saw what he is doing this year before injury , if so every team would have fought for him and he would have more money and years
You and Aaron should tie the knot.
They don’t have anything to trade. Of course, that’s Theo’s fault, too.
Yes they do. Brennan Davis for Sogard.
Really high upside OF that’s a couple years away. Cubs will be into a rebuild by then anyway and Theo will be moving on to his next challenge. 🙂
Not bad Dexxter. Pretty good actually. Because if someone said back in March that Sogard could fetch a longterm, potential asset 3-4 years down the road you’d take it. Well done.
I’d still settle for Ian Happ and play him in CF. I know he’s K’ing a lot and his play screams Colby Rasmus. I think he can play and Toronto could be a great landing spot for him to clear his head and take that next step.
Yeah man. Anything they can get for him is a bonus. If a small bidding war breaks out… great!
I was thinking they might extend him. 2 years at $3 million/year or something like that he would probably jump at. If his improvement is sustainable it’s a steal. If not…. the money won’t cripple you and he can easily slide into a bench role.
I hear you. Assuming they deal both Galvis and Sogard, wouldn’t mind seeing Urena be the backup INF. Blue Jays may need to explore a veteran with a SS primary given Bichette’s uncertainty to handle SS defensively this offseason. Biggio’s flexibility also alleviates the need to keep Sogard.
Bottom line I just want to see Galvis, Sogard and Smoak moved to open a path for Bo.
Id like to introduce you to Steve Pierce…. Same things said about him…. before he became the WS mvp. So ya. These kinds of moves do provide results when it matters.
I would rather go after Dylan Moore, Tim Lopes or Nate Orf then Sogard.
Neither of these two is a difference-maker. If these are the “upgrades” they are a joke. Sogard wont keep those numbers up—look at his history! Dyson is fast w a good glove, that’s it.
This is classic Cubs action though. Felt the same way when they signed Gonzalez—just taking at-bats away from someone else. Ugh.
“Classic Cubs action.” How so?
Tough 9 game road trip upcoming before the deadline. It will be interesting to see where the Cubbies are heading into the final 2 months. Cards have 4 in Pittsburgh, then 3 vs. Houston before Chicago pays a visit. Of the 3 top teams in the Central the Brewers have the more favorable schedule, but losing Woodruff could be costly. Soon the Red Birds will be getting back Carpenter, Molina, and Ozuna. Edman, Munoz, and Wieters have all played well in their absence. The Cubs remaining schedule is the most difficult. Should be fun to see which team adds.
Not saying you’re wrong, just wondering, but where did you find that the Cubs have the most difficult remaining schedule of the top 3 in the NL Central? Cubs broadcast just the other day had Cubs with one of the easiest in the NL and 3rd toughest out of the NL Central top 3 with STL (#1 out of the 3) and MIL pretty close in comparison for the toughest.
@csamson—according to power ratings guru–the Cubs have the EASIEST schedule of all division teams the rest of the way followed by Reds, Pirates, Brewers and Cardinals. Cardinals have the FOURTH toughest remaining in all of baseball (behind Padres, Giants and Rockies). Not surprising that the Cards are there as not only do they have Cubs and Brewers, they still have Dodgers and Astros on the schedule.
Since when is Milwaukee considered tough?
@twentyforty, I would say since September 2018 and game 163 the Brewers have been considered “tough”.
The Cubs have the 13th easiest schedule in the NL in the second half and the 5th easiest in the Central.
I don’t know that getting Carpenter back would be an upgrade. Way guys have been playing I think he has a spot on the bench waiting for him.
Makes MUCH more sense than Nick Castellanos. Speed, lefty and good glove.
No one can tell, as far as just being baseball fans, how true or realistic any of these rumored names really are. It’s that time of year. Soon we will see what eventually happens. One issue remains fact. The Cubs roster needs help and improvement now and into next season. That being said, since this past off season, Theo and the Cub’s front office seem to be firing bird shot in every direction hoping some pellets land on their mark.
Pragmatic AND honest criticism from a cubs fan? I’m speechless.
Speechless? One can only hope.
Hamels will be back, Zobrist if he comes back would be like picking up someone in September, since he’ll need a few weeks at AAA that’s a wild card. That being said I think this team is just in need of depth in case someone goes down and you can pick that up on the cheap stashing it at AAA. Rajai Davis or John Jay come to mind and won’t cost you anyone in your top 30 prospects. For pitching I’d look mid tier at Toronto and see what a Hudson, Gaviglio or Biagini would cost or if you want to spend more maybe a left handed Garcia from Miami that you would have some control over.
Sogard seems to me the better fit – second base and maybe they can dump Russell on the Jays in the process. Sogard is probably going to regress offensively as the season goes on, but he is still a quality defender in the middle infield and even with some regression is still better offensively than the production the Cubs have had from 2b all year. And the Cubs can finally show Descalso the door. They have hung onto him way longer than is reasonable. He has in essence been a waste of a roster spot since his hot week or so to start the season. Retire him and make him the coach in charge of sunflower seeds and bubble gum, but free up the spot for somebody who can contribute to winning games. Seems to me the Cubs are searching for a Zobrist replacement, Descalso is No=brist, but Sogard just might be the guy,
Sogard is a platoon player having a career year at 33 years old-2nd half regression is more likely and probable then continued success.
Jays didn’t keep one accused abuser (Osuna), why would they take on another who’s not as good a player as people think?
Valid point, Trim. On the other hand, I can’t say for sure that they moved Osuna because of their scruples about the DV situation, or as a “baseball move.” One of the returns they got was a PED violator, David Paulino (80 game suspension) who had been the Astros #3 prospect before the suspension as well as the Astros #10 prospect at the time in Hector Perez as well as Ken Giles. So maybe they were dealing their troubled closer because of their scruples about his legal situation for Houston’s troubled prospect and two other pitchers, or maybe they were just doing a typical deadline deal when they were 25.5 games out of their division race. So maybe they would not be averse to a second-chance for Russell. Probably not – I threw it out as a wish more than a reality.
I hear you Moe. The Jays 20 years ago would have been a perfect landing spot for Addison. They counseled and helped troubled players very well.
This regime is all about optics. They’ve been on the wrong side since the dismissal of AA, unfairly by the way, which is really why I commented the way I did.
There was more to the Osuna situation, and I cannot speak for the Russell situation with any knowledge. Forgiveness is a hard word to say and receive. I also can’t say for certain if Russell’s poor play is a result of the issue; his numbers have trended downward over the last few years. There has to be more to this.
Anything the Jays can get for Sogard is a win/bonus. Take anyone that has upside.
I hope and pray that Atkins and Shaprio do well this trade deadline. Remember it was them who traded fan favourite Pillar for two pylons and a lottery ticket that will likely never see a big league game.
Panic move followed by an awful extension to Grichuk. Pillar should have been dealt at the deadline 2 years ago. And now he’d be a fit for some teams needed stability and a RH stick in CF.
Get rid of Grichuk. I watched Naquin tonight hose Vlad from RF with an arm nobody else has on the Jays. Grichuk can’t play CF. He does not have a home in LF. He needs to be traded and that contract needs to go. They will reach a point where they wish they have wiggle room to spend and can’t thanks to that silly extension.
Can’t disagree with you. Kinda makes you wonder why they would do an extension like that. They actually want Grichuk on the team that hopes to win a championship. sigh.
Only thing I can think of is using Grichuk in ads to sell to women. Women find him attractive, they see him in ads and they buy a ticket.
It’s an awful idea if that’s why they extended him. Women want an attractive man WITH game.
lol. Marketing the game that way to women is nonsense.
Glad they DFA’d Pompey.
Yeah. Should have been done 6 months ago.
And I agree about the marketing idea I came up with. That was the best I could come up with. I still do not understand the move.
They should trade for dyson, sogard, and Greene, and then dfa Russell,descalso, and brach
Tinkering around the edges isn’t going to get it done this season.
When you don’t have the assets to trade to compete with other buyers or the payroll flexibility-tinkering is all you can do. I’d argue that the teams chasing you can’t land a big fish either.
The Cards absolutely have the payroll flexibility and pieces to land a difference-maker. Now whether they will be willing to pay the price to do it is an entirely different discussion, but they are set up fine to significantly improve if they decide to.
STL is already 7th highest payroll and have $160MM already committed to next year – they don’t have flexibility and they don’t have prospects because they aren’t trading Gorman or Carlson.
Ben Zobrist would be a nice addition
Red Sox fans are talking about possibly dealing Betts. Chicago Cubs are the team to go get him.
Package Schwarber, Caratini, Alzolay, a few more prospects.
Roll Lester, Hamels, Hendricks and Quintana, have Darvish come out of the bullpen. Cubs get their bat, Boston resets and sorts out their offseason.
Far fetched, but the Cubs are the one team in a position to do something bold while the window remains open.
Greene for Amaya