With trade season in full swing, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. The Trade Deadline Draws Near:
MLB’s trade deadline is less than 36 hours away, and things kicked into gear in a big way over the weekend. The Rangers transformed their rotation by adding Max Scherzer in a deal with the Mets and Jordan Montgomery in a deal with the Rangers. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays found a replacement for the injured Jordan Romano in Cardinals closer Jordan Hicks. The Angels added depth to their position player group by acquiring Randal Grichuk and C.J. Cron from the Rockies, while the Braves added infield depth of their own by dealing for Nicky Lopez from the Royals.
Looking ahead, the Red Sox are at least listening on outfielder Alex Verdugo, who could hold extra appeal to teams seeking a lefty-hitting outfielder after the Cubs took Cody Bellinger off the trade market. Among the biggest question marks headed into the last day before the deadline is Mets ace Justin Verlander. He signed a two-year, $86.666MM deal with the Mets during the offseason that included a no-trade clause, though comments from Verlander have indicated that the club’s decision to deal Scherzer and that decision’s implications for the club’s competitiveness in 2024 could make him willing to waive that no-trade protection. The Dodgers, Astros, Braves, and Reds have all been connected to the future Hall of Famer.
2. Thor Starts In Cleveland:
Right-hander Noah Syndergaard was recently shipped from the Dodgers to the Guardians in a change of scenery deal that sent infielder Amed Rosario the other way. He’ll make his first start for his new club today, taking the mound this evening against J.P. France and the Astros in Houston this evening. It will be Syndergaard’s first start since a three-inning, six-run blowup against the Reds in Cincinnati that raised his season ERA in 7.16. That was nearly two months ago, as the Dodgers placed Syndergaard on the IL with a blister issue. Now that Syndergaard is presumably fully healthy, the Guardians will hope that a new organization can help him get back on track, allowing Syndergaard to stabilize a Cleveland rotation that will be without Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie for the foreseeable future.
3. Series Preview: Reds @ Cubs
The NL Central has been one of this summer’s most back-and-forth division races, and a coming four-game set between the Reds and Cubs at Wrigley Field could once against turn the tides in their division. The Reds took the lead in the Central yesterday, putting them half a game ahead of Milwaukee and four games ahead of Chicago. The Reds are 3-3 in their last six games, while the Cubs just saw an eight-game win streak snapped by a loss last night. The Reds will try to pull further ahead in the Central with rookie left-hander Andrew Abbott on the mound (1.90 ERA). The Cubs will counter with right-hander Marcus Stroman (3.51 ERA) as they try to gain ground in the division.
Nobody cares about division races with a stove this hot! Let’s circle back next week
Division races literally determine who’s going to make a move on that hot stove.
The name that keeps popping into my head that would not only a great addition this year but also future years that might be worth a couple decent prospects is Ryan McMahon. He could fill a need for the near future and still be tradeable if something better comes along. If the Cubs picked up McMahon and either Bednar or Barlow, I’d be very happy. Jed, Make it happen.
And Keegan Thompson returning to form would also make me happy. He came back and threw darts for 2 innings the other night. Hope whatever was ailing him is gone. They could really use last years version of him.
News Flash- PCA finally at Iowa. About time.
yes indeed. I actually had forgotten about him. He was huge last year.
The only move the Cubs need is to convince MLB to let them play bad teams every day so they can rack up more wins.
Hope the Cubs go get Verlander
Yes, a streak of beating sub.500 teams should convince them to go all in.
Wheeler Dealer… You are the very definition of a cubs fan.
Says a White Sox homer.
rondon: Giants.
So, I’m not seeing Verlander but honestly, if the Cubs aren’t going to go pedal to the metal, I don’t see the purpose of not selling Bellinger and Stroman while the sellers market is this hot. You’re not getting anything for Stroman if he walks, which he will and you’re not getting near the return for Bellinger. Even Smyly and Fulmer might get you something worth while. Pick a lane.
If the cubs don’t go all in or deal Bellinger and stroman, it’s likely because they decide to just see how far they go with this team. Meaning since they have a team largely set for next year, they avoid mortgaging any future prospects and just look for complimentary pieces. Sometimes it’s not necessarily a bad thing to just stay put. Just means they don’t feel like giving up prospects, but because of being in contention, don’t want to sell off. They also just likely don’t see a clear cut path to being a World Series contender and not just winning a weak division.
It looks like they picked the lane you didn’t want them to, but they did pick one.
The Cubs are rightly going for it. Getting a couple more 45FV prospects is probably not going to impact things to the degree a pennant run would. The Cubs have only been to the playoffs twice in the last 5+ yrs and those were WC and they lost both. So the Cubs need to compete now.
As far as the pedal to the metal… I don’t see any real game-changers out there. Unless the Dads are willing to trade Soto. Verlander? I doubt the Mets get a big enough offer and he might not be worth it. That leaves Jeimer Candelario and maybe a bp arm or two. And that is most I would expect.
I don’t know the cost but if I were the Cubs, I would address their poor performance against left-handed pitching. The player I would try to grab alongside perhaps Candelario is Lane Thomas. He’s killing lh pitching and could provide some lift in those situations.
Lane Thomas wouldn’t have a spot to play in the Cubs outfield unless they unloaded Suzuki on the Nationals.
The Cubs need a big bat to play third or DH, while DFA or sending Mancini off in trade in the event someone is willing to take a flyer on him.
I trust Hoyer is doing his due diligence, I don’t think it will be an earth shattering move this go round, team just isn’t there, unless it’s someone with multiple years of control (2.5+)
run—behind the Braves (of course) and the Reds the Cubs have the third best record in the league for almost a two month stretch now.
Hope they beat the crap out of the Braves this weekend
Everyone says all this but go look where the Phillies and braves were the last two years. Nationals too 4 ago. These teams seem to be more successful in the postseason than the power houses.
Even though I don’t believe the Cubs are for real, it would be nice to see them go for it. So much better than teams tanking and selling off all the time. That gets tiresome.
Let’s remember that the Cubs are only about a handful of millions under that first cap level and they are going to stay there. If the Mets agree to pay all but about a dollar of the contract, he’s not coming to the Cubs.
Anything the Cubs do will be very calculated .
I don’t know if the Cubs current state is worthy but Ricketts said he would be willing to go over the luxury tax in the right situation, but yes, they are close to the luxury tax now, and approximately 100 million next season assuming Stroman opts out.
If I were the Mets, no way do I trade Verlander. They ate it on Scherzer but you don’t want to fill your rotation again with free agents
drasco—with you 100%. And not that they can really compete with the Dodgers, Mets, etc—but I am sure that they are hovering under and will be players in the Ohtani chase. You know darn well that is the reason the Dodgers are staying under and I’m guessing it’s the reason the Cubs are, too.
Remember, the Cubs were in the mix when he came over to begin with BUT the National League didn’t have the DH at that point and to be a two way player he would have had to play the outfield.
The Dodgers were about 20 million over the threshold and took on even more with their recent trades. They also sent the White Sox additional money.
I strongly doubt they will be in the Ohtani market, I’m sure they will make an earnest effort but the cards are not in their favor (then again, no one thought the Phillis would land Harper).
I think they re-sign Bellinger, perhaps kick the tires on Matt Chapman and a middle of the rotation starter.
The Cubs would have to go over 284 million to incur any draft pick penalties. The only penalty would be a few bucks up to that. I don’t expect the Cubs to take on any huge salaries. They don’t need to. A Bullpen arm and RH bat better than Mancini are the top priorities. I think they have to DFA Mancini and eat what’s left of his salary. I don’t think he’s waking up this year. He’s awful. Nobody wants him. I still try and move Smyly, Somebody can probably use him. If Stroman stinks again tonight, I’d deal him.
I think the Cubs screwed themselves by putting one foot in the buy column and the other in sell.
A few weeks ago, the Cubs should have promoted Brown, kept Wesneski in the pen and brought up Wicks to see how they did in a relief role. Because out of those three, if two worked out (and Wesneski was) you wouldn’t need a reliever or two right now.
I’ve been saying all along that the rest of this season should be all about seeing who is in the rotation next year. Everybody seems to think that if they do that it means losing. I don’t see it that way. they were one of the best teams in the league in the second half last year. I see no reason why it won’t happen again and some questions need to be answered with the games left this year. A decent manager could set the rotation so that Hendricks, Steele and Tallion pitched the tough games and the others got some work. Not sure we have that and they could even split games if they have to. These guys need some MLB innings.
Yeah I thought it was kind of funny when Jed said in the off-season, “we all saw what happened when the pitching broke down”… yeah, we saw a bunch of kids come up and pitch lights out for 4 inning stretches. Now is that viable for a long term solution? Probably not but nor is signing retreads to be relievers year in and out.
If Ross is still planning on using an “opener” for Smyly, why not use Brown? Let them see some stupid heat for two-three innings and then bring in Smyly after their bats sped up.
Also, on Smyly, we saw how good he was to start the season and end last season, could it be he just needs a prolonged break? Maybe send him to the il for two weeks and insert a sixth man rotation for a bit, have Brown and Wesneski flip flop for 3/4 innings and then the other go another three. Not that I expect the Cubs to get Ohtani but the Angels work a six man rotation to accommodate him, maybe see the Cubs implement it could give them an edge in negotiations no matter how small
5 years ago, Verlander WAS the right situation. Not so much now. Hard pass.
They won’t make the playoffs
—-and just when the Cubs thought their schedule was “friendly” coming out of the break where they went 12-5, as needed….
—-in actuality, it was the worst case scenario—and I’m sure Jed and ownership wishes those two weeks just past were flipped with the two weeks coming up..
—-if they had played the Reds, Braves, Mets, Blue Jays out of the break and went even .500 they’d be 8-10 back and would have been sellers.
Now–they face the critical stretch where they could go “maybe .500” the next two weeks and again be 7-8 games out, with very little chance of the making the playoffs and not getting anything for what were deemed valuable assets, Bellinger among them.
If the schedule were flipped and they survived the rough patch with the terrible Cards, Nats, and White Sox these two weeks—boy it would be different.
This series against the Reds almost seems like a get 3 out of 4—or else take cover with the Braves coming in town over the weekend.
“If they had played…” “If the schedule were flipped…”
If pigs had wings, they could fly. If your aunt had balls, she would be your uncle.
And if your grimacing and dour aunt had blue balls, she’d be the Blue Baron.
@DCartrow: Fortunately for you, stupidity is not a crime. You’re free to go.
Unfortunately I hate to admit your scenario could very well be accurate Mike. Also I fear that going ‘into next season’, the Cubs will have no idea what they have – or don’t have- in Assad, Mervis or Wesneski. I wish I knew who is most responsible for that blunder: Ross, Hoyer or Hawkins.
Dogbone—I’m voting for Ross. He lost me fairly early in the season when he said in an interview that they were pulling back in the running game just after Bellinger and Wisdom went on relative homer binges. He said that he didn’t want to risk running into outs while they were hitting the ball out of the park.
That 100% coincided with the good start being washed away.
Now, they are running again (at least into Saturday, led the majors in stolen bases since the all star break) and playing winning baseball.
I know you will watch this series closely–please pay attention to how the Reds will run all day this series and the Cubs better keep up with them.
The Cubs have nowhere near the power lineup to be “that” kind of contender. They need to win by running, taking bases, and making things happen. If someone connects, that’s a plus.
Mike, I also think it’s Ross. I’m just disappointed that no one has overruled him. It makes me wonder if the rumor, earlier in the season is true – that the Cubs have already extended Ross’ contract and just are delaying the announcement.
I really hope they haven’t, Ross just seems far too conservative to be able to get them to the next level. Mervis should have already been brought back here. And IMO Morel should have been given more opportunities at 3B.
And it’s far too obvious what the Cubs have in: Mancini, Mastrobouni, Wisdom, Smyly and Barnhart and Fulmer
I think the have a really good idea of who Assad and Wesneski are right now. I see both having a role for the rest of the year.
I’d like to see Mervis get another look. Unless there’s an injury I doubt that happens. I’m guessing Hoyer/Hawkins has a good feel for what they have in Mervis. People have compared Mervis’ development to Rizzo’s. Nobody knows Rizzo’s path better than Hoyer.
Eh, after this stretch the Cubs then have 12 in a row against WSox, KC, Det, Pitt. in mid August. If the Cubs can hold serve – the Reds & Mets aren’t juggernauts – they’ll be OK.
I Really HOPE they get a bunch of broken old players and drain the minors of players setting them back years again
But deep down you know they wont.
Baseball is still being played. Shocking I know.
Syndergaard is gonna get tagged tonight. Guaranteed
For 1 ER over 7 IP 😉
He’d have had more trouble with Reno or Round Rock (were he still a Dodger) than he would with Cleveland
Thor says he wants to stop listening to everyone and just do what feels right. When he threw 100 and didn’t listen to anyone he looked dominant at times. Now throwing 92 and not wanting to listen he’s getting hammered. Either start throwing 100 again (step one might be to stop trying to build an Aaron Judge physique) or not only listen, learn! Plenty of pitchers have had success after losses of velocity, but to do so the pitcher needs to stop throwing and pitch.
Frank Tanaka comes to mind….
All eyes on Pham
Who will he slap tonight ?
Hahahha. The fate of fantasy football hangs in the balance!
Do you mean who will stab him tonight?
It could be the same person.
Syndergaard: 2.1 IP 7 hits 6 runs 1 BB 0K walks off the mound dejected believing deep down he is done and planning life after baseball
Who hurt you bro?
Just reality, Lindor. To be honest, I would love for Thor to return to his old power form..its best for baseball but I just don’t see it.
Why is that better for baseball than his downfall creating an opportunity for some young guy to come up and prove himself?
Anything could happen. Believe it or not, Synderguardian is only 30
Here is how Noah’s first inning will go: double down into the corner, liner up the middle for a 1-0 lead. Double off the wall for 2-0. Foul out to first. Grounder inside the bag and down into the corner for 3-0. Deep flyout and groundouts to 2nd inning over
Use that power for good
Tell us the Lotto numbers, which crypto will 10x and which stock will be the next big winner
Make us Billionaires and we can purchase our own hometown teams and have 30 Cohen type owners
It’s what’s best for baseball
Ms. Cleo?
CALL ME NOW
Draftking giving odds on that sequence?
How is that prediction working out for you?
Respect to the Rangers for making a deal with themselves (see first paragraph).
No proofreaders on this site’s budget
Who wins that trade? I say the Rangers!!!
Verdugo to the Padres for a couple of lower tier prospects. He’d fit really nicely in the OF/DH rotation.
I keep looking on in hopes the Cardinals are able to get some additional pitching prospects in return for some of the position players. I’m not confident the front office will address the rotation with free agency in the offseason because now they will have an excuse to see what they have in these minor leaguers they just brought on. I’m honestly good with that, but there better be a lot more of them to use as darts on a dart board cause prospects panning out and developing starting pitching is not as strong within the franchise as it once was.
Verdugo is on his way to Cleveland for Myles Straw and Xavion Curry per flagship station WTAM 1100 in Cleveland.
As a Sox fan I hope you’re correct about that.
“Verdugo for Straw and Curry”
I dont see how that helps Cleveland.
Reds will never spend that kind of money at the deadline. Even for JV. Low cost player is their only hope. Broke bob loves money to much.
Chase Petty for Sonny Gray. Oh the irony!
Someone please remind the Tigers that the deadline is tomorrow
Lorenzen would be an affordable option for Cincinnati or Baltimore.
The Reds have better internal options. Lorenzen would be the Reds fifth starter and then only until August 20th when Hunter Greene comes off the IL.
After working with Fetter, he’s not the pitcher he was last time he was with the Reds. He would be the 3 starter on the team, at worst. Plus they will have to watch the innings on their young pitchers. Whether Lorenzen or not, they need a starter.
Someone will need to first wake them up.
Hitz-I just left Harris a message> It’s cool
Best of luck to Noah tonight.
It’s interesting that Stroman is scheduled to start tonight. Does a team step up and make the Cubs an offer they can’t refuse, ensuring he doesn’t make the start tonight? Or do the Cubs let him pitch, see how he performs, and make a final decision on whether to keep him? Or have they already made a decision?
His value has declined steadily with each start. Only one quality start in his last 6 appearances. I could see them making a lateral move to swap him out for somebody that helps elsewhere – a reliever, maybe? Or multiple moves to trade his expiring contract and then bring in someone else with multiple years of control. Should be interesting.
He’s definitely been in a tough stretch, but now his overall numbers reflect his career numbers so he is who he is. With a nice rebound today, it’s possible he should still get a nice prospect, but… it’s hard to say what the Cubs are doing at this point.
It’s possible they move Stroman just to create a bit more room under this year’s tax threshold. Then they can get a couple pieces and still stay under. How much worse would starts from Wesneski or Assad be than from Stroman?
They don’t want to over the threshold til next year IMO.
That’s my thought. The way Stroman has been pitching lately, do you lose much by going with Assad/Wesneski or giving Ben Brown a shot down the stretch? I feel like you capitalize on any value Stroman has if he’s not in your plans beyond 2023, and do whatever else you can that makes sense to fill in in the gaps.
His $21mm player option next year may complicate things too much though.
I really wonder what that Rosario/Thor swap would’ve looked like had Cleveland’s pitching staff been healthier? Who else was discussed? Would we have seen a Bieber/Rosario for Thor/RHOf bat?
Cubs about to have their asses handed to them by the Reds. After this week, it will a two team race again.
Yeah, Cubs and Brewers.
Don’t like 4 game home series. Anything less than 3 out of 4 is no good.
Nicky Lopez is a joke
Noah is cooked. Notwithstanding his horrid MLB starts over the last couple of years, in his two “rehab” starts in AAA he stunk up the park: 2 starts, 10 IP, 6 ER, 6 SB.
I know it’s just a typo, but my OCD can’t handle. Edit: ‘Jordan Montgomery in a deal with the Cardinals.’ Rangers did not make a deal with themselves.
Who writes this mess? Earlier, I learned the Braves are in the NL West.. Now I found out the Rangers acquired Jordan Montgomery in a trade with the Rangers.
Hard to lose a deal when you deal with yourself. Of course, if they deal with themselves too much, they’ll go blind. At least that’s what my mother told me.
the Rangers got Jordan Montgomery in a deal with the Rangers? LOL
Thinking Nick may want to keep his eye on the Jays vs O’s series as it could re-shape the AL East standings!!! GO JAYS GO!!!!
Trade Stroman this afternoon before the Reds light him up tonight in a “key game” situation.
Who would have thought that a Reds-Cubs series in August would have playoff implications?