The Astros “checked in” with the Cubs about two of the team’s biggest trade chips, as USA Today’s Bob Nightengale writes that Houston inquired about right-hander Marcus Stroman and outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger. Either player would essentially be a rental pickup for the Astros, as Stroman and Bellinger are each widely expected to become free agents this winter — Stroman via an opt-out in his contract, and Bellinger in declining his end of a mutual option.
The Cubs are 43-49 after today’s loss to the Red Sox, and are facing an increasingly uphill battle in both the NL Central (though Chicago is the only NLC team with a positive run differential) and NL wild card races. Unless the Northsiders go on a real hot streak over the next two weeks, it looks like the Cubs again be looking to sell some veteran players at the August 1 trade deadline.
Houston GM Dana Brown has cited both starting pitching and a left-handed hitter as his team’s two primary target areas heading into the deadline, and landing Stroman and Bellinger in one mega-deal would check both boxes at once, if such a blockbuster trade could be negotiated. Of course, it isn’t known at this point whether or not the Astros’ inquiries were anything more than due diligence, and it may be yet some time before the Cubs determine whether or not to pivot into seller mode. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said yesterday that “there is nothing we want more than to add,” so if the Cubs are even still on the fringes of the playoff race, they might still opt to keep their roster mostly intact.
From a financial perspective, the Astros’ luxury tax number is approximately $218.2MM, as per Roster Resource. This is well under the first $233MM tax threshold, giving Houston some room to add salary — such as the roughly $10.43MM still owed to Stroman and the $5.21MM owed to Bellinger, plus the $5MM buyout of his mutual option — while avoiding a tax bill entirely. Houston were taxpayers in 2020, however, and it isn’t out of the question that they could absorb another one-year tax hit in the first penalty tier in pursuit of another World Series title. Of course, Chicago isn’t entirely in salary-dump mode since the organization clearly wants to compete as early as 2024, so the Astros could make a deal for either player more likely by offering more of a prospect return than a financial return. In that scenario, the question might be how much minor league depth would the Astros want to surrender for a rental player.
Starting with Bellinger, he would add some balance to a heavily right-handed Astros lineup, and strengthen an outfield that is missing both Yordan Alvarez and Michael Brantley. Alvarez is at least making some progress in his way back from an oblique injury, while Brantley’s status is still up in the air as he has experienced several setbacks in his recovery from shoulder surgery almost a year ago. If Bellinger stepped into the regular center field role, Chas McCormick could spell Bellinger against southpaw pitching, and the McCormick/Corey Julks/Jake Meyers group would rotate through left field duty, with Alvarez getting most of the DH time when he returns.
Bellinger is hitting .301/.358/.524 with 12 homers and 11 steals (from 14 chances) over 257 plate appearances. He missed about a month with a knee contusion that limited him to first base in his return to the field, but Bellinger has resumed his regular duty in center field and also regained his hitting stroke. Bellinger had a scorching 1.209 OPS over his last 69 PA heading into today’s game.
Stroman has been outstanding all season, posting a 2.88 ERA over 118 2/3 innings. Despite below-average strikeout and walk totals, Stroman has done an excellent job of limiting damage (an elite 3.6% barrel rate) and keeping the ball on the ground (58.4% grounder rate). A .251 BABIP has certainly contributed to Stroman’s success, but his knack at avoiding home run damage would likely translate well to any number of contending teams with decent infield defense.
As such, many teams will surely be calling the Cubs about Stroman’s availability, and another intriguing landing spot besides the Astros has already emerged. The Score 670’s Bruce Levine reports that the Blue Jays (Stroman’s former team) “have expressed strong interest” in the righty’s services, which would count as a bit of a surprise considering the hard feelings that reportedly existed between Stroman and the Jays before he was dealt to the Mets in 2019. However, Stroman expressed nothing but positivity about his old club when the Cubs visited Toronto last year, and assuming the Jays front office feels the same, a Stroman return would certainly bolster the rotation.
An inconsistent offense has perhaps been the Blue Jays’ bigger problem in 2023, as a rotation that was seen as a potential weak link has been more or less solid, due to Jose Berrios’ resurgence and Yusei Kikuchi’s ability to at least stick as a fifth starter. However, Alek Manoah’s inexplicable first-half collapse makes him an x-factor going forward, even if Manoah looked sharp in his first start back after a month-long retooling process. Hyun-Jin Ryu (Tommy John surgery) is also expected back within the next few weeks, so technically, Toronto could have six viable starters and perhaps less of a pressing need to devote trade resources on a major arm like Stroman.
The Astros have a much clearer need for pitching, considering how injuries have drastically thinned the rotation. Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. are both gone for the season, and Jose Urquidy is just starting a rehab assignment after missing two and a half months with a shoulder injury. Framber Valdez has already been dealing with a sore ankle and left yesterday’s start with a calf problem manager Dusty Baker hoped was only a cramp. If this wasn’t enough, Cristian Javier has been badly struggling over his last few starts, leaving swingman Brandon Bielak and rookies Hunter Brown and J.P. France as the Astros’ most viable starters.
It simply isn’t a rotation that looks like it can contend for another championship, and even making the playoffs might be difficult for Houston given the Rangers’ lead in the AL West and the crowded nature of the wild card race. Adding a starter in some form certainly seems like a must for the Astros, and it will be interesting to see how aggressive Brown will be in bolstering the rotation in his first trade deadline as a Major League general manager.
Just. Sell. Cubs.
I m a Cody fan. If he goes to the cheaters after all that happened. I will be done with him. Doubt he cares..lol! The Dodgers better step up and make sure it doesn’t happen! The fan base better start Squawking! Dodger Nation better Screammmm! They need a RH bat. So dont see it as a fit. Unless they dump Heyward or send someone down!
Cody going to Houston would be like Mookie going to LA
Bellinger wouldn’t have a choice… if he is traded, there is nothing he can do about it besides retiring….
Lol. Dude literally did the same thing and won an MVP doing it. He is a giant hypocrite. That’s it.
Astros got rent free brain housing all over LA and NY. You guys sure to whine without fail.
Dodgers lost. Yankees lost.
All the boo birds are is encouragement. Keep booing, birds.
@Finatic: Where he goes would be up to the Cubs, not the Dodgers.
Interesting that a championship ballclub still tries to improve. Other teams should learn a lesson from that.
They made a phone call and leaked the info. Do you think they are the only teams making phone calls? I wouldn’t consider that as trying to improve. Let me know when they actually do something.
The Astros’ fortunes improved drastically once they dumped Bo Porter and his throwback, militant, 1960d viewpoints.
Do the Astros have the prospects to make a big deadline deal?
My thoughts exactly. I think they need to go for some innings eater starters that will cost less prospect capital but could potentially take some pressure of the young starters and bullpen. Lance Lynn and Kyle Hendricks come to mind.
Yeah I think they have money and that will definitely help. Lynn could be had for not much more than salary relief I think.
They have the prospects to get anyone that isn’t a all star with multiple years of control. Even a strong outfield group they could afford to move the ones they don’t prefer.
I don’t think that’s the case.
I would bet my reputation as everyones dream gm on it. They could probably get some all stars but it would take some prospects that wouldn’t want to part with. Don’t think they are wanting to go all in and don’t blame them.
The term all in is not used correctly. Even when the Cubs traded Torres for Chapman they weren’t all in.
I simply don’t think they have the prospect capital to make a big trade. Specifically the one mentioned here for Stroman or Bellinger or both.
Astros have had a great run. And it might not be over yet. But this isn’t their year.
Agree, both the Astros and Blue Jays are dried up in the minors. I was suprised when looking over their top prospects. The Yankees want Bellinger but have nothing to give in return. Wonder who steps forward?
People say this every year about every team with a 20 something ranked farm and every year they get what they need. Braves is the best empty farm system people love to trash. Go read comments on them. Farm is empty and they trade for Olson. Oh nothing left worst farm in baseball and they trade for Murphy. I hope the Astros make a move for someone relevant.
The Olson and Murphy trades are exactly why the Braves have a terrible farm system right now.
Both are free agents at the end of the season. Both aren’t going to cost a lot of prospects or blue chip prospects.
People like you said they did before those trades and could never get those players. Every year it’s the same thing. Might be a dozen knowledgeable interesting commenters on here. Other than that it’s just a bunch of parrots. That move will get them the world series. Dumpster diving move. All our trash prospects for your best players.
Lamarr make a suggestion. People keep saying they won’t cost elite talent or blue chippers or whatever. That’s nonsense. They will cost a lot. The Astros don’t have the prospects to make a deal that makes sense for both sides.
Astros Jays better make their move. Price is rising. Now the Yankees don’t have anything.
To be fair the headliner was Shea Langeliers, Estes has potential, Cusick and Pache were throw-ins. And Pache a defensive wiz and no bat, was on his last leg and since has been released/traded and now is with Philly. I am sure the Astros have a Shea Langeliers type player they would be willing to trade away.
Langeliers was a top 100 prospect at the time of that deal
Do they have a top 100 prospect?
King, Yes in Gilbert. And neither player is going to net a 100 top prospect as a 2 month rental.
Wait and see. We will most likely find out.
I bet the Astros trade for someone who is making a lot of money and thar keeps the prospect return down.
We will see soon enough
People say this every year about every team with a 20 something ranked farm
================================
Almost every team has some mix of 45+ or 50 FV players, in addition to some recently signed international signings. The issue is more that the teams with a weak farm don’t want to completely decimate it.
For once we agree, also the A’s weren’t exactly selling at the market value… They were trying to get rid of those two just to lose
Verlander, maybe?
Yeah trade values has Giblert at about 17. Next is Clifford at 8 and Melton at 7 and the number 4 guy is at 2.
And thats their top 4 guys.
And the Cubs don’t really need more minor league OF. They have Crow-Armstrong ticketed for CF and a couple of more guys like Canario who may be in the mix for a #4 OF role.
What the Cubs need is a solid 3B prospect.
Maybe Orioles and Cubs work something out.
If the Cubs need 3B prospects, the Astros can give them Joe Perez who’s their top 3B prospect & has big time power potential at the hot corner. Zach Dezenzo is a popular name in the Astros system as well at 3B…he hit .400 for a good portion of this year, leading all of the MILB. Perez is in AAA & more major league ready while Dezenzo is in AA currently after just being drafted last year in ‘22.
Perez’ scouting report from MLB.com doesn’t sound promising at all, they graded him at the same 40 overall as the Cubs’ AAA 3B/2B Chase Strumpf, and seem to think he won’t be even average defensively at 3B.
Bellinger might refuse the Astros or threaten to sit out. Highly doubt Astros trade for him could be club house drama between Bergman and altuve the only ones who remain from the old championship in 2018?
Or he could want to troll them for non tendering him. Or he is simply a professional. Don’t know his personality.
Why would he refuse? He is just as guilty as them, except he got by without getting the hatred the Astros receive.
Or Bellinger won’t say anything. Not like he owes anything to that Dodger team that non-tendered him.
Bellinger, Stroman and $5mill for Jacob Melton, Spencer Arighetti, and Andrew Taylor. Who hangs up?
The Cubs
With Happ and Suzuki signed for next 3yrs and PCA knocking on the door along with Canario, Alcantara, Cassie and Morel Cubs dont need anymore OF Prospects
Cubs wouldn’t target outfielders but if it’s the best offer. You need 4 of them and a dh and injuries happen. Can trade some away as well.
The Cubs wouldn’t have enough space on the 40-man for more minor league outfielders. They need a 3B. Houston needs to rope in Colorado so that the Rockies send Ryan McMahon to the Cubs, and Houston sends 2 better prospects to Colorado and 2 A-ball to Chicago.
Would love to see McMahon in Chicago could dump like 3 guys taking up roster space
The Cubs don’t even pick up the phone.
Stop with the “give us your stars for our junk” scenarios–that’s for Mets and Cardinals fans.
Stop with the generalizations about others. That’s for lame fans.
Neither of these teams have the farm to trade for Stroman or Bellinger. Although wouldn’t mind seeing what a package that includes Orelvis Martinez from Toronto would look like …
Both teams have the farm to not only get 1 of them but both.
Astros have one of the worst farm systems in baseball. Ranked 26th.
Fair enough about the Stros system having a down year but they still have a couple young international players in the lower minors who are doing good.
Even some of their prospects who have lost value like Korey Lee, could be packaged with a Spencer Arrighetti and Joey Loperfido and it wouldn’t be a bad package. They should be able to afford the prospect cost for a rental but Astros would be better off spending $ on expensive rentals like the 2 cubs mentioned.
What would the Astros trade to get both Stroman and Bellinger?
They don’t have the system to make that deal.
Go look at past trades. Majority don’t include elite prospects. Lots of quantity trades. Trade values and prospect ranking sites often under value lower level and international prospects. Any team in baseball has enough to get 2 month rentals other than maybe Ohtani.
Cubs got PCA for Baez rental
Agree, rentals never have the cost that people speculate.
Stros best prospect is a 5′ 9″ OF who’s OPS is .629 in AA. The Astros have nothing of value.
They are rentals. Every team has enough.
Bellinger and Stroman each have two months of control and about $14mill still remaining on their deals. They’re not bringing back elite prospect talent.
Ketch they might not bring elite prospect talent back. But they will bring something better than the Astros can offer.
WRONG!!
We get it you don’t like the Astros but to say they don’t have any prospects to grab a two month rental is just foolish and shortsighted on your part.
Use mlb trade simulator and show me a deal that makes sense.
You can’t
I could see the Astros using their money to pick up a guy like Lynn. But they don’t have the prospects to make a trade for a guy like Stroman.
Too much ESPN.
BTV values
Stroman – 6.4
Bellinger – .4
Top 100 prospects are all 10+ value
Every playoff team can get either/both of these guys.
BTV values lmao
There are too many other teams interested in both players that can easily outbid the Astros broke farm system. The Astros and Cubs aren’t in their own bubble. Astros aint getting either player with their prospects.
This is the point for me. It’s a seller’s market.
Stroman and Bellinger are both rentals, so they still won’t command top 100 prospects, but it will likely take 5 prospects instead of the 4 it would have last year. Those prospects will be 40+ or better instead of 40 graded lottery tickets that a rental would have brought back last year.
The Astros also have young MLB players that might appeal to the Cubs to help them contend next year.
The Cubs might take:
Jake Meyers who is among the best defensive CF in baseball (5th in OAA). His bat is inconsistent and just below avg (.696 OPS / 92 OPS+) and 5 years of control.
J.P. France who is a rookie and currently their #4 starter. 1.2 WAR and 3.31 ERA while averaging 6 innings over 12 starts. His ceiling is likely a #3 starter and most likely to remain a #4 or 5 which is why the Astros are looking forcan upgrade.
Both of these guys are proven at the MLB level making them more valuable than any typical unproven 40 or 45 grade prospect.
Add a couple of Houston’s 45 grade prospects like Spencer Arrighetti (who will likely be a 50 when mid-season grades come out) and Pedro Leon who has huge tools including 60 grade speed/ and 70 arm but needs to keep reducing his Ks. But has 2 yrs in a row at AAA now.
Stroman is having a top end starter year… Clubs are paying for the new Kanye not the 4 year 25AAV Kanye… he will bring top end return if Jed sells. Same w Belli … +LH bat w positional flexibility and no strings attached, just a quick suck for 2023.
What are you smoking?? These guys are rentals not players with 2 or more years on the current deals, EVERY team has the prospects to trade for one of them or both.
But…but…but…he has a hot take.
A HOT TAKE!
Check past rental trade deals homes. I’ll speak for the Cubs: Chapman for Gleyber Torres. Baez for PCA.
Bellinger and Stroman are rentals, won’t fetch what people might think.
Rentals still bring back good players at the deadline. There is a long history of guys traded at the deadline who are rentals.
Years ago that was true. In recent years teams don’t make dumb trades.
You must be new here.
The Cubs got PCA from the Mets for Baez and Kevin Alcantara from the Yankees for Rizzo at the trade deadline. So your statement is inaccurate.
Was just going to say the same thing. Except the Cubs got a top 3-5 prospect from NYM for half a season of the streakiest player in baseball two years ago….
Trevor Williams was also in that deal and wasn’t a rental. Not that he provided the majority of value.
Baez for a 19-year old and Rizzo for an 18-year old. That sounds about right. They are not exactly blue-chippers. Prospects with potential.
The Chicago Cubs are In the dump cash mode.
The reason this off season Tom R will be La to get the Angel to come to Chicago IL. And be the next MJ In Chicago.
Not true, he’s given Hoyer the buy approval even to go over the cap. Ohtani next?
Thax guys! Cya in 2 weeks!
shouldn’t this be the year Astros are willing to go over the tax? they won a chip last year, might as well spend to defend it. rangers have been really good so houston might need high upside pieces like Stro and Belli if they want to win the division.
They will still win the division. They are simply better and will be when they get Altuve and Yordan back. Bellinger doesn’t move the needle that much.
You’re right but Astros need a lefty bat in a bad way and Bellinger would be a decent option to stick at 1B or corner OF, especially as Yordan injury insurance. I’m surprised the Astros don’t put Alvarez at full time DH to protect his bat. The bat is elite, why risk losing it playing him in the field?
Belli should refuse to go to Houston and set a precedent for all players
So he could be blackballed while setting that precedent? No player is going to do that.
You mean like all the free agents who have signed there and veterans that were traded for the last few years and didn’t complain?
You must be new here too.
As a Cubs fan. I’d be ok with a package from the Astros of Jake Meyers, Gilbert or Melton, Colton Gordon, and maybe Whitley. They’re gonna lose both anyways. I’ve always liked Meyers. See what he has until PCA is ready. And maybe the Cubs can turn Whitley around. That being said. I’d love for them to resign Bellinger in the offseason to play 1B. They also need to sign a couple of free agent SP’S. My choices would be 2 of Urias, Snell, Nola, or Giolito.
Stroman and Belliniger ain’t gonna come cheap so unless you plan on giving up TOP prospects don’t call
No one rumored to be available for trade this year – including Ohtani – is going to bring back one top prospect let alone two.
The way baseball is constructed a starting pitcher pitches one every 5-6 games. A hitter bats once every batters. Ohtani both pitches and hits – how’s his team doing?
You’re talking 2 month rentals here. A team has a greater chance of a star player getting injured the last 2 months and hurting the teams chances than it does of having a Stroman or Belliniger come in and put them over the top. Can they make an impact? Of course. Enough to trade a top prospect unless his team knows something about his weaknesses? No.
We’ll see about that
Fair enough, don’t expect the Cubs to give them away either. Hoyer, Cubs GM, is under tremendous heat to keep both player. FYI, both players fo not want to leave. It will take tremendous talent to obtain these players or they stay and negotiate with the Cubs.
No one ever “wants to leave,” at least outside the NBA. That’s the first thing agents teach their clients: Always say you love your team and your city. There’s no angle in doing anything else.
It amuses me that fans keep falling for that, right before they’re traded.
Cubs could trade them and still negotiate with them in the off season. Yankees pulled this when they traded Chapman to some team… Oh Yeah! It was the Cubs!
I feel a lot of cubs fans are going to be very dissapointed by the return they get for these guys just by looking at these comments
Trades always make us want the moon, sun and stars, on either side of the trade. Often we all just get asteroids and space debris.
F it deal em for a few high schoolers
Cubs need a third baseman it’s a big problem for them so go get a third base high prospect or everyday third baseman
With Ryu looking good in AAA start , and imo Schneider and Kikuchi hating each other , I can see a fit with a Stroman move. It’s just the starting point of course.
I want the Twins to trade for Bellinger just to see a Belli-Correa bromance
Cody has a no trade clause. Can only go to Canada or states where weed is fully legal.
🙁
What about medicinal weed? Does that pull any strings?
Did not know Stroman left the Jays on good terms. I remember the events unfolding much different, which included the dismissal of a coach and plenty of commotion.
But it would not be the worst idea to bring back Stroman. The Jays need a bat and another reliever. Stroman is neither.
The jays have since embraced the childish attitude… They’ll love him and his whining now
Marcus StroME
H@ll no on Bellinger to the Astros! With the way that guy ran his mouth about Altuve, he would be despised in that locker room and the fans will never accept him. Other than maybe Kelly I can’t think of another player I’d hate to see wearing Astros colors more.
The Astros won’t be getting any big names, they simply don’t have the depth in the farm system to compete with what others have to offer. They are in dire need of a starter and reliever, they might offer a Myers or Julks for marginal pitching improvement. Giving up any prospects for a rental would make the farm depth razor thin.
Would the Cubs be interested in Manoah