The Cubs’ rotation took a huge hit recently with Justin Steele requiring season-ending elbow surgery. However, they don’t plan to rush out and scramble for external options. Per a report from Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, the club is focused on internal solutions for now.
That’s a fairly understandable position to take at this part of the calendar. There are some unsigned free agents, with Spencer Turnbull arguably the most notable one, but that wouldn’t provide any help in the short term. Such a player would effectively require a delayed spring training ramp up, meaning they wouldn’t be an option for a few weeks even if they were signed today.
The trade market could provide some more hot-and-ready options but there are problems there as well. This early in the season, most clubs are still hoping to contend. The clubs that have no hope of contending this year don’t have a ton of exciting pitchers available.
It could be argued that Sandy Alcantara of the Marlins is the perfect storm of an exciting player on a rebuilding club that should be willing to deal him at any time. The Marlins did trade Luis Arráez in early May of last year, so it’s a possibility with some precedent. However, Will Sammon of The Athletic reported this week that the Fish haven’t yet decided if they will trade Alcantara. There is no real rush for them to decide, as the trade deadline is still months away and they are out to a respectable 8-8 start. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports similarly, noting that the Marlins feel they will get better offers in July.
Some less-established pitchers might be available. For instance, the Brewers just acquired Quinn Priester from the Red Sox to bolster their own injury-battered rotation. Priester is a former first-round pick and notable prospect but had a 6.23 earned run average in 99 2/3 career innings when Milwaukee grabbed him. The Brewers gave up the 33rd overall pick in this summer’s draft, a mid-tier prospect (Yophery Rodriguez) and a player to be named later to get him.
The Cubs already have some guys who are more or less in that Priester bucket. Jordan Wicks is a former first-round pick with a 5.02 ERA in 80 2/3 innings. Cade Horton, another first-rounder, hasn’t made his big league debut yet but is in the Triple-A rotation.
They also have a couple of other options. Javier Assad started the season on the injured list due to an oblique strain but has begun a rehab assignment and should be able to rejoin the club soon. As noted by Mooney, the club has a number of off-days coming up on the schedule. That could allow them to ride with a four-man rotation of Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd, Jameson Taillon and Ben Brown for a while, with swingman Colin Rea contributing from time to time via spot starts or bulk outings until Assad is back in the mix.
That’s a decent amount of depth for the time being and the club is out to a strong 12-8 start, so they probably don’t feel the need to make a panic move. Once the deadline draws nearer, it seems fair to expect their willingness to trade for external options will increase. It’s possible that guys like Wicks or Horton could take over roles in the coming months but other injuries are also a distinct possibility.
Photo courtesy of Kiyoshi Mio, Imagn Images
Can Gage Workman pitch?
The Cubs have rotation depth they can at least get to the deadline using their internal options.
The real problem is at 3b. They don’t have a quality 3b they can count on.
Unless Wicks or Horton steps up, their pitching isn’t going to be playoff worthy.
Like I said they have enough to get to July. At that point they can make a trade for a starter.
Caissie, Wicks, Ballesteros, and Triantos for Alcantara?
Three of those with Wicks being one and it’s a deal. So like:
Mo Baller
Triantos
Wicks
Mariners have Miles Mastrobuoni they could dangle but I think we really could use his hitting. /s.
Lol, nice! Well done!
Lol
no way they give up all that. Might as well throw in Wrigley, Craigs wife and our mascot!
Depending on how Craig feels about his wife this could be a great deal!
I just looked up Craig Counsell’s wife. No deal.
Clark would be devastated, but I think the fan base would sign off on moving that useless mascot!
It’s hard to know what is going to happen or what should happen. But I think there are two sobering realities that the Cubs FO should face:
1) Assad doesn’t throw very hard, and he doesn’t have consistent command or control. He isn’t really good enough to be in the rotation of a contender.
2) Wicks has a below-average fastball, and he kind of aims it in a way that is not deceptive. And when he tries to add an mph or two to it, he hurts his arm. That happened last year, anyway. He also isn’t good enough to pitch for a contender.
I hope and trust that better options will emerge.
Having gone all in acquiring Tucker the Cubs need to address their rotation.
One guy the Cubs should ask about is Kyle Freeland. Solid pitcher and the Rockies aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
That’s a solid idea… I honestly thought when they acquired Tucker there would be another significant move. There should’ve been. Another front of the rotation RHP to sit between Steele and Imanaga would’ve been sweet. Obviously, no Steele, but it would’ve been insurance against having Imanaga and a handful of fourth and fifth starters. Not to mention a less than stellar BP.
Maybe they should trade CC. Just an imagine what you could get for the world’s greatest manager. He has to be worth his weight in gold.
No mention of Connor Noland? Interesting
I hear Trevor Bauer is available.
I hear he is in a bread line somewhere.
Cubs need to move Busch to 3B. Bring up Ballestros to play 1B/DH with Turner.
As for pitching stretch Horton and Assad out and focus on getting better in the relief area.
And I know everybody loves Happ but bring up Alcantra and bench Happ for a few days to figure things out…
If they bring up Alcantara, who do they remove from the 26-man roster to make room for him?
Wow this is all bad, it has to be a joke smh
Dodgers had couples of youngsters like Knack, Wrobleski, Bobby Miller and Nick Frasso.
They won’t be available until their replacements are ready to go.
How long has the farm system been talked about being so stacked and nothing to show for it in the past 5 years? Quality pitching? Superstar position player? Division champ? Wild Card? Rebuilds are hard when incompetence starts with ownership hiring other really not good baseball people.
Yes–but a lot will depend on how the guys in your list pan out, plus Horton.
And no one has been as good as, say, Jackson Chourio. That’s what we’re waiting for–an undeniable star, as opposed to a “solid contributor.” Solid contributors get you 83-79.
How does a 72 year old Cub fan who has been watching the team since 1960 get banned from Bleacher Nation?
Because I wrote something several years ago that Brett, who is not particularly bright, misunderstood. I sometimes chuckle at the out-and-out obscenity that he doesn’t ban, but he thought what I said was beyond the pale (or, as he might spell it, beyond the pail).
Not sure how you found that out, that’s kind of personal, but among the many people I’m not afraid of in this world, is you. I have seen a lot in those years.
WAR numbers are used by guys who never played the game. Kinda like stat nerds.
Have they won anything in 10 years? Most of those guys are still in AAA. so basically 2 guys with consistency.. I’ll send my drawings later. But, you are so smart. Thanks!
5 yrs. Nice. Love mediocrity-is that a World Championship? They have won exactly 3 in their entire existence since 1876. But good burn on MLBTtadeRumors from your laptop!
Yanks will give you Stroman for your worst minor leaguer
HA!
Cubbies r still class of their mediocre division!
By stress-testing Wicks and Horton in MLB settings, the Cubs are building a data-driven trade package for Alcantara that balances cost (avoiding untouchables like Horton or Shaw) with impact (securing a Cy Young-caliber ace).