Soto

[Lefty]

Using the "Garza" standard, wouldn't Soto be a strong candidate to be traded? He'll be on the wrong side of 30 at a demanding position when the Cubs are ready to contend. Shouldn't they try to trade him for a young catcher or a busted prospect and a pitching prospect from a team that fancies themselves in contention?

[KingCubsFan]

I'm sure he will, but my guess is that they'll hope for a rebound this year in order to build up his value.

[davell]

Yeah, but who needs a catcher right now? Tampa's the only contender that looks like they could. If they don't like Soto, we're stuck. My guess is we're waiting for an injury or two to go down AND for Soto to rebuild some value as well, to maximize our return. Once he's dealt, I'd expect Castillo gets the rest of the season as an audition.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm sure he will, but my guess is that they'll hope for a rebound this year in order to build up his value.

 

Yup, no point in pulling a Garza with Soto because there's no way you can drive up his price this offseason. In the meantime, the Cubs aren't exactly flush with guys who can do what he's done in the majors, which has been at the very least not hurting the team, and at times essentially carrying the team. I wouldn't mind trading him by July if he has a hot start, but right now there's next to no point in even asking.

[Rob]

Yeah, but who needs a catcher right now? Tampa's the only contender that looks like they could. If they don't like Soto, we're stuck. My guess is we're waiting for an injury or two to go down AND for Soto to rebuild some value as well, to maximize our return. Once he's dealt, I'd expect Castillo gets the rest of the season as an audition.

 

This.

 

Soto makes a lot of sense to shop around, but you never want to sell low. Coming off a down year and with only one real suitor isn't the best situation for making a good deal. Hold him, hope he rebounds and you can sell him after a couple other teams have some injuries.

[RynoRules]

Going somewhere, Soto?

[Guest]

Maybe a trade deadline candidate, but I have to agree that there is no reason to rush any moves for a guy who's value isn't quite where it needs to be to get maximum return. Not to mention the fact that the goal is to improve the future of the team without killing off ticket sales entirely for the upcoming season.

[rawaction]

I could be completely off here, but is there a history of catchers being traded at the July deadline? Seems like playoff teams may value stuff like "working with pitchers" down the stretch and may not want to bring in a new guy toward the end of the season.

[Northside Blues]

I could be completely off here, but is there a history of catchers being traded at the July deadline? Seems like playoff teams may value stuff like "working with pitchers" down the stretch and may not want to bring in a new guy toward the end of the season.

 

Ivan Rodriguez has been traded in the middle of the season twice. Mike Piazza was traded in the middle of the season twice, in the same season. We acquired Jason Kendall in the middle of a pennant race. Those are just off the top of my head.

[jersey cubs fan]

I could be completely off here, but is there a history of catchers being traded at the July deadline? Seems like playoff teams may value stuff like "working with pitchers" down the stretch and may not want to bring in a new guy toward the end of the season.

 

It's certainly not as easy as trading a solid starting pitcher, but it's definitely happened and is possible.

[rawaction]

I could be completely off here, but is there a history of catchers being traded at the July deadline? Seems like playoff teams may value stuff like "working with pitchers" down the stretch and may not want to bring in a new guy toward the end of the season.

 

Ivan Rodriguez has been traded in the middle of the season twice. Mike Piazza was traded in the middle of the season twice, in the same season. We acquired Jason Kendall in the middle of a pennant race. Those are just off the top of my head.

 

See, I completely forgot about those.

[Tracer Bullet]

I could be completely off here, but is there a history of catchers being traded at the July deadline? Seems like playoff teams may value stuff like "working with pitchers" down the stretch and may not want to bring in a new guy toward the end of the season.

 

Ivan Rodriguez has been traded in the middle of the season twice. Mike Piazza was traded in the middle of the season twice, in the same season. We acquired Jason Kendall in the middle of a pennant race. Those are just off the top of my head.

 

See, I completely forgot about those.

 

It's not every year you can get Jason Kendall for the stretch run.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I could be completely off here, but is there a history of catchers being traded at the July deadline? Seems like playoff teams may value stuff like "working with pitchers" down the stretch and may not want to bring in a new guy toward the end of the season.

 

Ivan Rodriguez has been traded in the middle of the season twice. Mike Piazza was traded in the middle of the season twice, in the same season. We acquired Jason Kendall in the middle of a pennant race. Those are just off the top of my head.

 

See, I completely forgot about those.

 

It's not every year you can get Jason Kendall for the stretch run.

 

Good God, how had I forgotten that Jason Kendall was a member of the he was a Cub once club. He'd been OPSng .542 that season and Soto had been mashing the ball since the moment he was called up.

[sneakypower]

Paul Lo Duca was traded midseason, and losing him was blamed for Gagne's subsequent struggles

[Little Slide Rooter]

Paul Lo Duca was traded midseason, and losing him was blamed for Gagne's subsequent struggles

 

Or maybe he was his supplier.

[Butterscup1679666578]

i totally forgot paul lo duca was a thing

[Little Slide Rooter]

If you recall, he signed with the Nationals and was named in the Mitchell Report not even a week later. They wouldn't let him catch the opening day ceremonial first pitch from George W. as a result.

[bhogg]

Going somewhere, Soto?

 

 

 

well played

[hardcorecubfan]

Maybe a trade deadline candidate, but I have to agree that there is no reason to rush any moves for a guy who's value isn't quite where it needs to be to get maximum return. Not to mention the fact that the goal is to improve the future of the team without killing off ticket sales entirely for the upcoming season.

 

Wonder what we could get at the trade deadline for Soto/Wood combo (if Kerry doesn'r have a blister) to a contending team

[bukie]

Because contending teams always have that popular middle reliever/catcher tandem need.

[hardcorecubfan]

Because contending teams always have that popular middle reliever/catcher tandem need.

 

Teams like the Yankees mid-season will be once a middle reliever is rotated to starting pitcher and Joba the hut takes a mi-season nose dive they will be looking for anybody, and they will be looking to replace Jorge Posada Legend) if Martin or cervelli don't seem to be working

[davell]

The price for obtaining middle relievers/set up guys will go down, because of the new CBA. No comp whatsoever. The prices for ANYONE in the last year of their deal, getting dealt at the deadline will be going down actually, since there's no comp unless they've been on your team all season.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Tampa Bay is still looking for a starting catcher. In addition to Davis and Niemann, both somewhat intriguing they also have several outfield options, and now that they have Pena, they don't need to use Morse or Zobrist at 1st.

 

They have Morse, Jennings, Upton, Zobrist, Scott, and then Fuld and Guyer behind them.

 

I doubt that they'd trade Jennings or Morse, and they just signed Scott, but would Zobrist or Upton be attainable targets in a deal for Soto? Would we be able to swing a deal for one of them and Davis or Niemann? Obviously, Soto would be just 1 piece of a far bigger package, but what would it cost and would it be worth it? Maybe work in Marmol?

[SouthSideRyan]

Did I miss Mike Morse getting traded to the Rays?

 

We're not getting BJ Upton for Soto.

 

We're certainly not getting Upton+ for Soto, Marmol (AND HIS CONTRACT), and junk.

 

Where's Reid Brignac in this offer?

[sneakypower]

ok, i'm now convinced WSR is a lonely 9-year old kid