9:05am: The Cubs have now formally announced this set of moves, further specifying that Steele’s injury is a lower back strain. His placement on the 15-day IL is retroactive to Sept. 2, per the team.
8:12am: The Cubs are set to select the contract of pitching prospect Hayden Wesneski for his Major League debut, per the team’s transactions log at MLB.com. Righty Kervin Castro is being designated for assignment in order to open a spot on the 40-man roster. Left-hander Justin Steele, meanwhile, will be placed on the 15-day injured list. Steve Greenberg of the Chicago Sun-Times tweeted yesterday that Steele’s next start — which had been scheduled for today — was being pushed to the weekend due to a nagging back injury. Now, it seems the Cubs will now give him at least a two-week break to heal up.
Wesneski, 24, was acquired from the Yankees in the one-for-one trade that sent righty Scott Effross to New York prior to the trade deadline. He currently ranks sixth among Cubs farmhands at Baseball America, 12th at MLB.com and 16th at FanGraphs.
The 6’3″, 210-pound Wesneski has appeared in five games in the Cubs organization, all coming with Triple-A Iowa. He’s posted an ugly 5.66 ERA in that time, although that’s due primarily to a disastrous eight-run clunker through just 1 2/3 innings in his organizational debut. Wesneski has bounced back with a 2.37 ERA and 21-to-6 K/BB ratio over his next four appearances (three starts, one relief outing, 19 total innings).
Wesneski has spent the entire season at the Triple-A level despite this just being his second full season after being drafted in the sixth round back in 2019. (There was, of course, no minor league season in 2020.) He’s turned in a 3.92 ERA with a 23.2% strikeout rate, a 7.9% walk rate and a 42.7% ground-ball rate. Wesneski works primarily off a two-seamer and a lesser-used four-seamer (the latter reaching the upper 90s on occasion), complementing those two heaters with a trio of offspeed offerings, all with at least average potential.
Even at the time of the deal, Wesneski was touted as a quick-rising, near-MLB-ready arm that could find his way into the Cubs’ rotation in the very near future. Whether this will just prove to be a spot start or the first step in a more permanent audition remains to be seen, but Wesneski figures to get legitimate chance to crack the rotation next spring, even if this is just a one-off promotion born out of necessity. The scouting reports at BA, MLB.com and FanGraphs all tab him as likely fourth/fifth starter. He’ll be controllable through at least the 2028 season.
As for the 23-year-old Castro, he was a waiver claim out of the Giants organization in early August who wound up throwing 10 2/3 innings out of the Chicago bullpen. Castro’s 92.7 mph average fastball was down nearly two miles per hour from his 2021 velocity, and he’s had considerable issues throwing strikes both in the big leagues and in Triple-A this season (with both the Giants and Cubs). He’s been tagged for 14 runs in 12 1/3 MLB frames this year (10.22 ERA) and also has a 5.19 ERA in Triple-A. He’s walked 15.1% of his opponents between Triple-A and the Majors this year. The Cubs will place Castro on waivers or release him within a week’s time.
No reason to bring Steele back this season. The last thing you need is to risk arm problems if he starts compensating for back problems.
That’s a medical team decision but I agree if there is a worry About Steele mechanically then shut him down.
I’m excited to Wesneski and Brown eventually… Browns been a beast since returning from TJs…
100% agree, boxer—-no reason to see Steele nor Thompson the rest of the way. I think they have shown enough to vie for the 3/4/5 spots next year (if not higher). No reason to use Brandon Hughes again either—shut him down—he’s proven enough.
I am perfectly fine with watching guys that have zero chance of being on the team next year, like Newcomb, Farrell, and Leiter Jr (probably Miley and Smyly). pitching as many innings as possible the last 30 games.
Leiter may actually be worth a look for next season. Take a look at his split stats this season as a reliever. They are actually pretty solid (2.70 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 43 IP, 49 K).
His off speed options aren’t all average potential. He has a 20” break on his slider, top 5% in baseball.
Slider is filthy
Anytime you can trade a reliever for a starting pitcher, you do it. Unless the guy is a closer of course. And even then you consider it. After all, most relievers are just failed starters. As a Cubs fan, I really liked Effross. His sidearm delivery is a nice compliment to any bullpen. But they need starters, so let’s see what this kid has and go from there. I like it.
And any time you can trade a pending FA for a prospect when you have no chance in Hell of making the playoffs, you do it. But I guess Hoyer didn’t get the memo.
You don’t know what was offered in trade, fact of the matter is contreras didn’t have much trade value and hoyer thinks the draft pick compensation is more important.
I might not know EXACTLY what was offered but I do know what other players fetched at the deadline, that Contreras started the All Star game for the NL and that the comp pick isn’t until right before round 3… not good.
You also do not know EXACTLY what the reasoning is/was for Hoyer not to trade Contreras.
You’re also undervaluing the compensation pick considering the Cubs nabbed Naiser Mule in the fourth round and Pacillo in the third and Ferris in the second (only mention Ferris because of money aspect).
I hate to break the news to Cubs fans, but Contreras was NOT more valuable in trade than David Robertson, who was pitching lights out as a closer and Cubs fans would be crying until the Cows come home if we traded Contreras for Ben Brown. With the years of control, Contreras’s value would have been somewhere between Effros and Robertson, Robertson had more value because more teams would have been bidding on him.
Frankly, if you ask me, would I rather have a compensation pick than Wesneski for Contreras, I would take the compensation pick. This is the reality, teams were not going to mess with their batteries in the middle of the playoff run unless they absolutely had to and none had to.
None of the playoff teams changed their primary back stop, as per usual, some teams added depth but no team changes their primary catcher in the middle of the season except in an extreme situation. The Astros kicked the tires because they could use depth at catcher and a DH but Mancini was preference at DH… or at least Mancini for Siri was their preference.
In 100 simulations the comp pick provides more surplus value to the Cubs than whatever prospect(s) they could have traded Contreras for maybe once or twice. So it could happen but it’s not all that bloody likely.
Wilson value wasn’t where you believe it was at and actually if Wilson had been traded he would have been used at DH and backup catcher for the playoff teams because he hasn’t worked with any of those pitchers and Wilson game calling ability is questionable.
For a Catcher Wilson is high up there but for any other position he is average at best but again his game calling isn’t that great.
@Jake1972 Was his value less than a 2nd/3rd round sandwich pick? Because that is all the Cubs are getting for him now.
But that has nothing to do with this. I was more than a little surprised that Hoyer didn’t pull the trigger on Conrreras. I think Houston deciding to go with Vasquez removed one of the main teams looking for a catcher. And Cleveland is Cleveland – don’t want to spend. But yeah, Hoyer should have lowered his asking price after gauging the market accordingly
Yeah…. Hoyer should have totally accepted a trade for Jose Siri…
This kid has a fantastic arm. Effros is a good relief pitcher but the Cubs certainly received the better end of this deal, particularly with the current state of the Cubs. His first appearance for them was an aberration; his last several appearances are much more indicative of his expected performance.
As of today, Effross is a proven and effective big league reliever with control. While Wesneski may one day be more valuable, it’s hard to argue that the Cubs got the better end of the deal.
He relieved Miley last night and had 8 Ks in 5 shutout innings and a W in his ML debut. Nice beginning.
Sorry Kevin. You were a great giant
There have only been 6 Kevins in Giant’s history.
Kevin Mitchell
Kevin Gausman
Kevin Frandsen
Kevin Rogers
Kevin Pillar
Kevin Bass
and Kervin “Kevin” Castro!
After they sign deGrom in November to slot at 2 behind Hendricks, Stroman moves down to three and Steele/Thompson can fight it out for four/five.
That’s a joke right? You need to put LOL after that.
As always, we await developments.
On a side note, don’t look at Hayden’s Twitter feed. Don’t even mention his Twitter feed. My opinion is fact. Your opinion is a lie. That’s how it works, and don’t accuse me of being a crusty, stubborn curmudgeon. That’s just your opinion, and I disagree with you, so you can’t possibly be correct. Now let’s talk about something that happened 47 years ago, because I can’t be bothered to keep up with new players or prospects. I’d rather live in the past.
Jimmy Forum’s burner.
Wouldnt mind seeing 3-5 starts each from Wesnecki and Killian. Let them get their feet wet. The Cubs are in a spot where you can see they have 7-8 starting options next year that may all be useful but they dont really have anybody to anchor the rotation.
Maybe someone like Rodon? Rodon/Stroman/Steele/Hendricks/Thompson is pretty good.
Go for Gold as a BIG market squad
Sign DeGrom
I’m not sure the Cubs will be in the market for starting pitching. Perhaps they jump into the free agent pool but the writing is on the wall that the Cubs want to be the Guardians as far as for having the ability to turn out starting pitcher after starting pitcher.
I do think with the way Steele has pitched (especially lately) and Thompson, they have the makings of a strong “home grown” rotation. Alzolay is making rehab starts, Assad has looked good, Kilian has not but still have some high hopes on him, then Wesneske, Brown, Hertz and Wicks are not all that far off either.
The Cubs could certainly look at a guy like Rondon and roll the dice on his health given their potential depth. I just have a hard time seeing the Cubs making any drastic moves unless their picture is a lot more clearer than the one I see for them.
IMO, need power… presumably from two spots in the order. By the looks of things, they are not going to look at adding a DH after claiming Reyes, especially how Reyes has hit since joining the team. I cannot see a line up being successful with both Reyes and Wisdom.
Nico has been a stud at the plate and in the field playing short stop. Madrigal has hit a lot better since coming off his injury and it’s too soon to give up on him which means the Cubs, really can only target a third baseman who has enough pop to be a middle of the order man (Bogaerts if he is willing to shift).
Mervis, crushing everything in the minors at the moment, along with already having Wisdom able to play first, will keep the Cubs from entertaining a deal for Bell (thank god).
If the Cubs did sign Bogaerts, that still doesn’t make this line up formidable unless Suzuki finds his power and one of Davis/Mervis make an immediate impact when called up.
I find it hard to believe that the Cubs will sign anyone that will cost them a draft pick, so I’m sure they like Bogaerts, but I’m not sure they will sign him.
If the cubs are seriously going to target a big free agent, the QO isn’t going to deter them (perhaps if they drop out of the bottom ten). The rules for signing a player with a QO attached to them are not as strict as they once were (although the “competitive balance” will still screw the Cubs for being successful business wise) and they will get a pick back with Contreras.
I know the Cubs had interest in Correa, who had draft pick compensation attached to him last year, but I’m not sure that interest still remains with Nico playing gold glove caliber defense at short. I think the value Correa has with his glove is negated some with hoerner which means they may turn to Bogaerts who’s bat, imo, is more valuable/consistent.
My guess is they sign a pretty good pitcher more at the Stroman level and resign Smyly or Miley. Steele has looked good but not sure he is really a #2 type and Thompson has been fine but he is a #4-#5 type. Then again, the question really is, what are the Cubs’ objectives in 2023 and do they want to win? because obviously the lineup needs at least 2 above average guys and the bullpen is pretty much barren..
The bullpen is barren huh?
Alzolay
Hughes
Roberts
Huer
Assad
Rodriguez
Wieck
Wick
Wesneske
All say hi.
Not to mention Thompson pitched like an ace most of the year until arm fatigue caught up to him and Steele has pitched like an ace since his conversion with Jon Lester about becoming more aggressive.
I image the Cubs will look at a retread or two like Hoyer has been doing but the bullpen and really the rotation isn’t a huge concern. I certainly do not see the cubs signing 2-3 starters with wesneske, Thompson, Kilian, Steele, Alzolay, Assad all as options and having Hendricks and Stroman assured spots.
Hoyer likened this team to the 2014 version which led to Lester signing and fairly aggressive trades for Montero and Fowler…
I don’t know how much breaking Covid protocol burned him, but I could see the cubs reuniting Mike clevinger and yan Gomes
Yes, that is a bunch of AAA guys, 2 guys who will likely be released and a bunch of unknowns. Hughes may make a nice 2nd lefty, so can Wieck if healthy, Heuer has some promise, etc.
You are just being a homer right now. The team is awful and the only way they really get better is through acquiring major proven talent.
Only way this team is like 2014 is if they can make magic trades for cy young winners like Arrieta was, sign big name pitching like Lester, be super healthy, bring in 2 middle.of the order bats, etc. The current team stinks.
Or maybe I actually watch the games…. I would suggest you do the same but I’m sure it would be difficult given your current rectal view.
I will forever have fond memories of the Kervin Castro era in the Chicago Cubs lore.
Only have used 40 pitchers this year. Just when I was just getting over Eric Stout.
Hayden Wesneski 5 shutout innings 2 hits 1BB 8Ks. Helluva debut. He got the win too.