Offseason Rumors

[Sammy Sofa]

The real reason the Wrigley renovations are on hold is until they can sell it to the public based on the raw sexual magnetism of Vogelbach.

[Guest]

Let's try and get this back on track. ABTY rumor from this morning:

 

The Cubs seem to have advanced interest in acquiring JP Arencibia, likely as the primary back...

 

Samardzija is apparently the 'top target' of the Royals...If he is dealt this offseason, the Royals likely set the market on his value...

 

I've been thinking a good bit about the catching situation recently, since it's a bit of a wild card for the offseason. I have little reason to think anything significant will change in the infield or in the bullpen, but trading/replacing Castillo would definitely have repercussions on how they treat the rest of the offseason. Arencibia could simply be the new Navarro, but there's been enough rumors about trading Castillo and signing Saltalamacchia or McCann that I can't help but wonder if Arencibia isn't a good RH complement to one of those guys. I couldn't make it work exactly right, but a 3-way deal with Castillo to LA, Kendrick to Detroit, and Porcello/Bourjos to the Cubs would seem to have appeal at some level for all 3 teams.

 

The Samardzija news is encouraging to me, partially because I've been coming up with deals involving the Royals for a while now, but partially because I think they're the best target we've heard mentioned as a possibility. They have a GM with different methods of valuation, have shown to pay significant value for pitchers in exactly Samardzija's situation, and they have the current assets that line up well with not completely punting 2014 by trading Samardzija. If they were able to pull off something along the lines of Duffy and Zimmer, not only would it only be a half step down in MLB quality for the upcoming season(with the potential for no change at all), but adding Zimmer opens up more possibilities in trade and in future rotation building.

[davell]

I'm not sure if I'd want Zimmer or Ventura as the lead piece. I lean Ventura honestly. Duffy as a second piece would be great though.

[Guest]

We already have Ventura, his name is Arodys Vizcaino. Given the choice, I'll take the guy with a better chance at being a rotation mainstay with that type of stuff, especially given that so many of our current top pitching prospects are guys with doubts about stature(Vizcaino, Edwards) or stuff(Hendricks, Zastryzny)

[Guest]

[expletive] I wish they still had Wil Myers.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

We're seriously going to be sellers this offseason, aren't we?

[Guest]

We're seriously going to be sellers this offseason, aren't we?

 

I mean trading Samardzija for a near ready highly regarded early 20's SP and another piece wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

The Royals pieces for Shark are bleh.

[Guest]

The Royals pieces for Shark are bleh.

 

Not a fan of Zimmer?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

We're seriously going to be sellers this offseason, aren't we?

 

I mean trading Samardzija for a near ready highly regarded early 20's SP and another piece wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

 

I don't think it'd be terrible, either. But only from the sense that we're in a terrible spot and it doesn't make things any more terrible to do it.

[Guest]

The Royals pieces for Shark are bleh.

 

That would be the Nationals. Buncha 25 year old MiLB arms and toolsy low level outfielders.

[SouthSideRyan]

We're seriously going to be sellers this offseason, aren't we?

 

On several levels.

 

#10-90Raffles

#Bullpencatcherforaday

#Everythingmustgo

#PoorTomRicketts

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

The Royals pieces for Shark are bleh.

 

Not a fan of Zimmer?

 

I can't believe they'd give up Zimmer. I thought we were talking Ventura and somebody like Bonafacio.

[Guest]

The Royals pieces for Shark are bleh.

 

Not a fan of Zimmer?

 

I can't believe they'd give up Zimmer. I thought we were talking Ventura and somebody like Bonafacio.

 

I'm certainly not. The good thing about the state of the Royals is that in order to have a chance to get to a talent like Samardzija, they pretty much have to give up their best assets, and assets that are near MLB-ready. It'd have to be something like Duffy + Ventura/Zimmer or Ventura + Zimmer, the pitching market is too competitive for them to get away with sending us Bonifacio or Colon or some nonsense.

[Guest]

The Royals pieces for Shark are bleh.

 

Not a fan of Zimmer?

 

I can't believe they'd give up Zimmer. I thought we were talking Ventura and somebody like Bonafacio.

 

I'm certainly not. The good thing about the state of the Royals is that in order to have a chance to get to a talent like Samardzija, they pretty much have to give up their best assets, and assets that are near MLB-ready. It'd have to be something like Duffy + Ventura/Zimmer or Ventura + Zimmer, the pitching market is too competitive for them to get away with sending us Bonifacio or Colon or some nonsense.

 

Plus they gave up Wil Myers for [expletive] James Shields (and Wade Davis).

[rawaction]

Get Tanaka and a trade of Samarzdija is almost preferred. Might be any way as he'll probably get more than he's worth. Not a true ace, but will get paid like one. And I doubt the Cubs will pay him. I'd probably do the trade anyway and if not Tanaka, go after a 2nd tier arm to fill out the rotation. Then put the other resources into the bullpen.

[Guest]

Add Zimmer and next year's draft pick to CJ Edwards and suddenly the pitching looks almost as stacked as the hitting.

 

Since the top college bats are pretty uninspiring, are any of the non Rondon pitchers considered near MLB ready?

[Guest]

Would also be easy to acquire the Royals competitive balance pick though I like TT's suggestion if the Cubs have to trade Samardzija this offseason.

 

I'm sure Barney would be headed to KC in any trade with the Royals.

[Guest]

Add Zimmer and next year's draft pick to CJ Edwards and suddenly the pitching looks almost as stacked as the hitting.

 

Since the top college bats are pretty uninspiring, are any of the non Rondon pitchers considered near MLB ready?

 

Most potential high college Ps would take about 1-2 years (a la Gerrit Cole).

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

If they can get Zimmer as the main piece, I'm all for it.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Get Tanaka and a trade of Samarzdija is almost preferred. Might be any way as he'll probably get more than he's worth. Not a true ace, but will get paid like one. And I doubt the Cubs will pay him. I'd probably do the trade anyway and if not Tanaka, go after a 2nd tier arm to fill out the rotation. Then put the other resources into the bullpen.

 

We really shouldn't be putting any resources into the bullpen. We've already spent money and time and roster spots building up a ton of interesting (although not amazing) arms. Got to see what they can do.

[Guest]

What's the reasoning for trading Castillo when the team appears to need as much cheap talent as possible?

[SABR Gamer]

What's the reasoning for trading Castillo when the team appears to need as much cheap talent as possible?

 

FO may believe he over performed. Value at it's peak.

[jersey cubs fan]

What's the reasoning for trading Castillo when the team appears to need as much cheap talent as possible?

 

He's got no personality.

[Guest]

What's the reasoning for trading Castillo when the team appears to need as much cheap talent as possible?

 

He's got no personality.

 

10/10