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NL Central Notes: Lauer, Cubs, Hoyer, Pirates

By Mark Polishuk and TC Zencka | March 1, 2021 at 12:23pm CDT

The shoulder impingement that slowed Eric Lauer last March was more serious than reported at the time, as the Brewers southpaw tells MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy and other reporters that there was actually a tear to the shoulder capsule of his throwing arm, as later tests revealed.  The shutdown allowed time for Lauer to recover physically, but he then missed two weeks of Summer Camp on quarantine after being in close contact with someone who was COVID-19 positive.

It all added up to a forgettable debut season for Lauer in Milwaukee, as he was rocked for a 13.09 ERA over just 11 innings.  Acquired along with Luis Urias for Zach Davies and Trent Grisham in a November 2019 deal with the Padres, Lauer is looking to live up to his end of the trade return by matching or bettering his past numbers (4.40 ERA, 20.6K%) over 261 2/3 innings with San Diego in 2018-19.  Lauer does have minor league options remaining, however, which could put him in line for some shuttling back and forth from Triple-A as the Brewers mix and match their starting pitchers to keep everyone’s arm fresh.

More from the NL Central…

  • The Cubs’ payroll situation has been a major focus of the offseason, but president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer is “confident” the team would be able to add salary for midseason additions “if we play well and there’s clear things we need to do to add to the team.”  As Hoyer told The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney and other reporters, however, much will depend on such uncertain revenue streams as the number of fans the team will be permitted to allow into Wrigley Field.  The Cubs opened the winter in clear cost-cutting mode, culminating in the trade that sent Yu Darvish to the Padres, and Hoyer admitted that “we were probably on the more pessimistic side of things” in terms of payroll in the wake of the 2020 season.  More recently, a modest spending spree for players on one- or two-year contracts does indicate some willingness on the team’s part to stretch the payroll, or as Hoyer put it, they became “more optimistic or less pessimistic” about their spending capacity.
  • The Pirates overhauled their rotation in the offseason, and while they have a provisional starting five in place, most or all of the arms competing for jobs will probably end up getting starts this season, The Athletic’s Rob Biertempfel writes.  Apart from Tyler Anderson, none of the Bucs’ other starting candidates have pitched more than 157 1/3 innings in a season, so there will be plenty of need for multiple hurlers to cover innings as pitchers rebuild arm strength in the wake of the shortened 2020 season.  “I think we’re talking about like 10 or 11 [pitchers],” Pirates pitching coach Oscar Marin said.  Considering how the Pirates remain open to trade ideas, it’s very possible that even more pitchers will be needed should the club move a veteran arm or two at some point prior to the trade deadline.
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Chicago Cubs Milwaukee Brewers Notes Pittsburgh Pirates Eric Lauer Jed Hoyer

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58 Comments

  1. Luc 2

    4 years ago

    That Grisham trade may be a steal. Not sold on Grisham yet. Urias could possibly step up same with Lauer. I guess you have to trade a player like Trent after messing up horribly against the Nats (thx you Trent)

    Reply
    • Herc33

      4 years ago

      That trade could still be a win for both teams, but Urias needs to hit enough to start in the IF for it to work out for MIL. Lauer provides some value as a back of the rotation arm, but SD found their starting CF in Grisham and Davies also ended up performing well before being traded again, so if it ends up being that MIL got a utility player and a 5th starter for that, then thats really not a good outcome for them.

      5
      Reply
      • Luc 2

        4 years ago

        Agreed

        Reply
    • DrDan75

      4 years ago

      Everyone makes errors. You don’t trade a player just because he flubs one play, even if it is a playoff game.

      Grisham got a gold glove in center field last year. Take that, Brewers. Take that, Cody.

      7
      Reply
    • amk1920

      4 years ago

      Grisham looks like a typical modern hitter. Right now that’s a lot better than what Urias has shown.

      2
      Reply
    • Hosmer for HOF

      4 years ago

      The tough part about keeping Urias is he may never have the power numbers expected of him to be an all star or start a World Series game, but once he accepts that he’s a singles all day kind of hitter I have no doubt he will play a long time and make some money. Lauer to me leans towards low chance of being good.

      5
      Reply
      • Marcus was already taken

        4 years ago

        What are your thoughts on Xavier Edwards? Is Edwards and Urias comparable players

        1
        Reply
        • Hosmer for HOF

          4 years ago

          It seems like edwards could be anything and he’s one of the few I regret we traded. The rays Indians and Padres have made some tricky trades the last five years I don’t wanna get into. I mentioned a comment a few days ago about how I’m very confident in Pads GMs ability to determine who’s worth what and is more like a daytrader. As a pads fan I think of when the Red Sox traded us a very high prospect pitcher (Espinosa) for pomeranz. Both were damaged goods months later and Preller was deemed to be withholding injury info showing there was some intent to screw each other over. Red Sox did that to us in the a-gon trade.. Then Rizzo got stolen by Jed Hoyer to the Cubs.

          Edwards could be an all star though just at 2B. Good fielder but power hasn’t come yet.. I figure that’s why we moved him. But what do you think of him man?

          1
          Reply
        • Marcus was already taken

          4 years ago

          Yeahh that sox trade was just terrible all around. And I agree those teams have done some crazy trades. I still can’t believe josh brynes did that rizzo for cashner one. But for edwards yeah it’s the power in his game that worries me. It makes me think of urias, i know it’s early in his career for him but damn I’m hoping more power comes from him. I think I see more in edwards skills than urias, but we’ll see

          Reply
        • Hosmer for HOF

          4 years ago

          Without power you’ve gotta hit like .280 and have a good strikeout/walk rate. It’s not his size that worries me because other players have defied that, it’s just naturally players done often evolve after the minors and his time for the big leagues is coming either way. He could still be a similar comp to Kolten Wong or maybe a Freddy Galvis hitter tool at best but that’s why I think he has a high ceiling and a low floor. If he struggles in the minors this year striving for power numbers that’d be way more progress than seeing him pull the same awesome numbers at a higher level. Now or never year for his development

          Reply
  2. Very Barry

    4 years ago

    Just heard Len Kasper’s first White Sox homerun call with Adam Engel going deep to left. Welcome to the South Side Len!

    3
    Reply
    • Josh5890

      4 years ago

      I’m really going to miss hearing him call Cubs games. Enjoy his talents!

      2
      Reply
    • Logjammer D"Baggagecling

      4 years ago

      He has a great home run call. I would put it in my top 10. Radio or TV. Pat Hughes is my favorite and Harry Doyle is a close 2nd despite hating the brewers.

      2
      Reply
      • Joe It All

        4 years ago

        I had to give you a thumbs up just for the fact
        that you referred to Bob Uecker as Harry Doyle.. well played

        2
        Reply
    • Fred K. Burke

      4 years ago

      Len is going to be calling a lot of HR’s for the South Siders. In June, July, August and early September when the weather heats up in Chicago. That’s a hitters park and the Sox have a few guys that can deliver.

      1
      Reply
    • SonnySteele

      4 years ago

      Who is broadcasting Cubs games now that Casper is with the Sox?

      Reply
      • Rsox

        4 years ago

        Jon Sciambi from ESPN

        Reply
        • SonnySteele

          4 years ago

          Working with Deshais?

          1
          Reply
      • Logjammer D"Baggagecling

        4 years ago

        Some dude named Boog. He called the Cubs/Marlins 2 game series last year. He was a major homer for the Marlins. He worked with David Ross on ESPN.

        ESPN Sunday, Monday and Wednesday is awful with a-rod and Jessica Mendoza. Both are awful.

        1
        Reply
        • Very Barry

          4 years ago

          Agree on A-Rod and Mendoza both are horrible. I don’t even like hearing them talk. ESPN has been ramming Jessica Mendoza down our throats for like 3 years now.

          Reply
        • SonnySteele

          4 years ago

          My favorites are Thom Brenneman on Reds broadcasts and Gary Cohen on Mets broadcasts. Both have great voices.

          Reply
        • Logjammer D"Baggagecling

          4 years ago

          That is until Thom f’d up big.

          Funny quick story. Just as a joke my dad pronounced Thom If the h wasn’t silent. Same thing Jim Thome. He had a thing for announcing every letter in most words.

          Also names Backwards.

          Reply
  3. 8

    4 years ago

    My bum hurts a lot!!!

    Reply
    • Luc 2

      4 years ago

      stop talking about your ass troll

      Reply
      • 8

        4 years ago

        IT HURTS!

        Reply
        • Luc 2

          4 years ago

          stfu for once. Your probably that kid that seeks attention

          Reply
        • 8

          4 years ago

          I will stfu when my bum stops hurting.

          7
          Reply
        • Hudson6

          4 years ago

          Maybe you should just tell your friend to pull out then.

          Reply
        • 8

          4 years ago

          That’s what caused the hurting bum though.

          1
          Reply
        • Ghost of past pirates

          4 years ago

          Ive always said that they should have a troll hunting season. Bag a troll then and grt a bobblehead

          Reply
        • Mjshof

          4 years ago

          So talking about covid is out of bounds but rump wrangling is peachy keen. SMFH

          Reply
    • Mjshof

      4 years ago

      So avant-garde

      Reply
  4. The Big Yo

    4 years ago

    Even tho a little off topic I think Dustin Fowler was a great pick up for the pirates. All that man needs is regular at bats and he’s sure to get them this season in Pittsburgh if healthy of course

    Reply
    • downeysoft42

      4 years ago

      Agree great low pressure maybe better hitting environment. If not now than probably never.

      Reply
      • Zico

        4 years ago

        PNC Park is pitcher friendly, sadly.

        Reply
    • bapthemailman

      4 years ago

      I liked that signing,also. Hope you’re right Big Yo

      Reply
  5. johnnyringofwc

    4 years ago

    Cubs are playing it right.

    Why any team would commit big money right now in this time period is beyond me.

    2
    Reply
    • themed

      4 years ago

      The cubs never have played it right. Thus the 1 win out of the last 120.

      4
      Reply
      • dray16

        4 years ago

        better check those numbers again, it’s 3 in last 113. which is 3 more than a lot of teams

        Reply
        • mike127

          4 years ago

          dray—don’t mind him (themed)—he’s still waiting for the Cardinals to beat the Cubs in a playoff series…..that has never happened.

          Reply
        • brodie-bruce

          4 years ago

          we might of lost to the cubs in the only time we faced each other in a 100+ years so yes they got there playoff win in 15 against us but i’ll take take my teams record in the postseason than the cubs

          Reply
    • Ronk325

      4 years ago

      I’d argue the Cubs couldn’t play it any worse than they have been lately. They should have traded Bryant or Baez this offseason because they’re going to lose at least one of them and very possibly both next year. They also enter this season with a mediocre roster that will likely miss the postseason. To put it bluntly the Cubs look like a mess in both the short and long term

      3
      Reply
      • djmac

        4 years ago

        Sox fan?

        Reply
      • dray16

        4 years ago

        should have? it takes two, they’re not just going to give either away, and with the unspatacular seasons both had, their value was quite low. I don’t blame them, they sold high on Darvish and will likely get more for each mid season if they choose to trade either

        Reply
      • babybears

        4 years ago

        uneducated fans are my favorite

        Reply
  6. DTDATL

    4 years ago

    I think the pirates underhauled their rotation

    7
    Reply
    • PiratesFan1981

      4 years ago

      I want to disagree with you so much, but what they have is back end starters. At least Pirates have draft capital next few years

      Reply
  7. citizen

    4 years ago

    cubs rotation should be top notch as long as the infield grass is grown long and the fences are raised 20 feet.

    Reply
  8. nentwigs

    4 years ago

    Not only has Eric LAUER been slowed….
    MATT LAUER has fallen off the planet !!

    Reply
  9. brodie-bruce

    4 years ago

    umm quick question i’m not a cubs fan but how can you say your going to compete but at the same time cutting cost. the 2 don’t add up even with the darvish deal which i think was a smart move overall even if it hurts there chances this year. if i was jed (or the cubs gm) i would try to compete but take a hard look at my team and see if this team is a ws competitor if not try and win a weak central get to the playoffs and not mortgage what future we have left on a hope. imo what the cubs need to do is stay competitive while rebuilding/retooling. this model has worked for the cards and can work for the cubs as well (even thou i kinda like when they suck cuz it helps out my birds but as a bb fan i’d rather see a knock down drag out fight between cards and cubs for the nlc every year and if the cubbies win when i don’t want them to i’ll tip me cap to em)

    Reply
    • dray16

      4 years ago

      they want to compete but money is tight, they owe a lot for renovations. they bank on a full stadium and without knowing what the ticket sales will look like due capacity or covid issues, it’s hard to plan. if enough fans can attend Wrigley they will spend, if it’s empty, they’ll sell.

      1
      Reply
  10. PutPeteinthehall

    4 years ago

    Weak division. I know as a Cards fan you don’t want to hear that but it’s the truth. Cubs, Cards, Brewers will be in the hunt. Look for the division winner to win 88 games and be a quick exit from the playoffs. Padres get one wildcard. The other probably from the East. Mets?

    Reply
    • djmac

      4 years ago

      As a Cubs fan, I have no problem saying all 3 of these teams will be in the hunt for the division. If the Cubs lineup plays to their normal level, they still have the most talent on offense in the division and their defense is still pretty good. The question is the rotation. Will management bring up Marquez this year and will they give Abbott a chance? At some point, they need to lean on the pitchers they’ve drafted.

      Reply
      • Dice 66

        4 years ago

        Cubs finish 4th !

        Reply
        • djmac

          4 years ago

          Sure, in your alternate universe…

          Reply
  11. Brew’88

    4 years ago

    Grisham GG and Davies (=Darvish) for Urias banjo and injured 4.40 ERA was yet another example Preller’s compulsive ineptitude. Fleeced.

    2
    Reply
  12. doug c

    4 years ago

    their pitching is not very good, but at least the owner has salary flexibility and good profit margin

    Reply
  13. joew

    4 years ago

    Getting the pirates pen to improve would go a long way to not being a total embarrassment.

    Reply

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