Offseason Rumors

[davell]

I'm really looking forward to us congratulating ourselves for not selling Samardzija short of a blow-away package for a year and a half, then dumping him at the deadline in 2015 when we're 70-92 and getting half of what he's worth now, all because we don't want to pony up for a big-kid level extension.

I have ZERO issue with not giving him a NTC. Apparently you do?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I'm really looking forward to us congratulating ourselves for not selling Samardzija short of a blow-away package for a year and a half, then dumping him at the deadline in 2015 when we're 70-92 and getting half of what he's worth now, all because we don't want to pony up for a big-kid level extension.

I have ZERO issue with not giving him a NTC. Apparently you do?

 

A little, but I've been pretty unimpressed with the numbers floating out about the Cubs' side of things. I wonder how serious he would be about the NTC if the money was more realistic.

 

I don't have a huge problem with trading him at this point. Whatever, we suck and we don't seem to want to not suck anytime soon. But being unrealistic about trade demands is probably going to make us feel really good about ourselves but not actually do anything positive.

[davell]

I'm really looking forward to us congratulating ourselves for not selling Samardzija short of a blow-away package for a year and a half, then dumping him at the deadline in 2015 when we're 70-92 and getting half of what he's worth now, all because we don't want to pony up for a big-kid level extension.

I have ZERO issue with not giving him a NTC. Apparently you do?

 

A little, but I've been pretty unimpressed with the numbers floating out about the Cubs' side of things. I wonder how serious he would be about the NTC if the money was more realistic.

 

I don't have a huge problem with trading him at this point. Whatever, we suck and we don't seem to want to not suck anytime soon. But being unrealistic about trade demands is probably going to make us feel really good about ourselves but not actually do anything positive.

 

I'd rather trade him than not, so as not to repeat the Garza crap. I'm kind of gearing up for NOT trading him though. Especially with talk of meeting later in the offseason to discuss an extension. To me, NOW would be the perfect time to deal him. Strike first, before teams become so consumed with FA.

 

As for extension numbers, what have you heard? I've heard literally nothing. Last year, I think I remember 5/30ish, but he was 3 years away from FA and only had 1 solid season behind him. The idea is to lock someone in to a team-friendly deal, right? I thought that one made sense.

 

Now, he's added another solid season to his resume and lost one in his arb clock. He'll make 5 or so in arb for 2014 and if he has another solid season, 10 or so in 2015. To buy out 3 FA years on him, whats it going to cost? On the open market, assuming he'd sign a 3 year deal, 20 per maybe? Puts him at 5/75 on an extension, with the idea you get some semblance of a discount for giving it to him early. I'd be fine if we kept him at 5/60 or 5/65. Higher than that? I'll go year to year on him, because of risk.(injury or regression) At any rate, I've heard nothing on what he wants or what we're offering?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Last I heard, the Cubs wanted to give him normal arbitration bumps and then buy out three FA years at something like $10m each.

[Guest]

Last I heard, the Cubs wanted to give him normal arbitration bumps and then buy out three FA years at something like $10m each.

 

I'm not remembering anything along those lines, that would mean they were offering something like 5/45. You have a link?

[Tyrant]

I'm really looking forward to us congratulating ourselves for not selling Samardzija short of a blow-away package for a year and a half, then dumping him at the deadline in 2015 when we're 70-92 and getting half of what he's worth now, all because we don't want to pony up for a big-kid level extension.

 

You know you just make yourself miserable right?

[davell]

Last I heard, the Cubs wanted to give him normal arbitration bumps and then buy out three FA years at something like $10m each.

 

I'm not remembering anything along those lines, that would mean they were offering something like 5/45. You have a link?

 

Yeah, thats really low. But I don't remember seeing it either.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Last I heard, the Cubs wanted to give him normal arbitration bumps and then buy out three FA years at something like $10m each.

 

I'm not remembering anything along those lines, that would mean they were offering something like 5/45. You have a link?

 

Nope, just going off of memory. Every time I've seen a number floated of the Cubs' side of an extension, I've thought "really, that's all?"

[KingCubsFan]

Blue Jays and Pirates also may be interested:

 

http://www.bleachernation.com/2013/11/14/now-the-pirates-and-blue-jays-are-rumored-suitors-for-jeff-samardzija/

 

Taillon would be a good headliner.

[Cubswin11]

Last I heard, the Cubs wanted to give him normal arbitration bumps and then buy out three FA years at something like $10m each.

 

I'm not remembering anything along those lines, that would mean they were offering something like 5/45. You have a link?

 

Nope, just going off of memory. Every time I've seen a number floated of the Cubs' side of an extension, I've thought "really, that's all?"

Well if that would've been the offer last year it would have been pretty fair, no? He made just under $3m last year, probably will make around what 7-8 this year through arbitration? So his last year of arbitration and 2 years of FA for 3/35ish would seem to be fair. If that's still what they are still offering to buy out the last 2 years of arb and 3 FA years, I agree, that's low.

[davell]

Again, I've seen no numbers even speculated on an extension since last offseason. Of which I remember 5/30. Nothing since though, from a credible person or otherwise.

[pitchcs]

I'm really looking forward to us congratulating ourselves for not selling Samardzija short of a blow-away package for a year and a half, then dumping him at the deadline in 2015 when we're 70-92 and getting half of what he's worth now, all because we don't want to pony up for a big-kid level extension.

I have ZERO issue with not giving him a NTC. Apparently you do?

 

A little, but I've been pretty unimpressed with the numbers floating out about the Cubs' side of things. I wonder how serious he would be about the NTC if the money was more realistic.

 

I don't have a huge problem with trading him at this point. Whatever, we suck and we don't seem to want to not suck anytime soon. But being unrealistic about trade demands is probably going to make us feel really good about ourselves but not actually do anything positive.

 

Yeah, you're probably right.

[Guest]

Nathan Erbach ‏@naterbachhh 2h

@ProfessorParks @CubsDen How do you rank Giolito, Bradley, Taillon, and Sanchez? These guys seem to be at the top of the Samardzija rumors..

 

Jason Parks ‏@ProfessorParks 2h

@naterbachhh @CubsDen I wouldn't move Giolito for anybody; Bradley is a close second on the untouchable list; Taillon/Sanchez I'd consider.

 

Is Parks really saying he has Giolito ahead of Bradley?

[davell]

Yeah, but Parks is an upside guy. I can see it from that perspective.

[The-Kris-Bryant]

He's also an egotistical moron, but that's beside the point.

[Outshined_One]

Why wouldn't Rendon be on the table? I mean, don't get me wrong, it would be awesome if all of the Cubs' top IF prospects panned out, but Rendon would be an immediate upgrade over Barney at 2B and could easily move back to 3B if needed.

[Clem Fandango]

Don't the Nats really like Rendon? I just kind of got the impression they wouldn't want to move him.

[toonsterwu]

Arizona. Toonster, if that's the type of package Shark gets you back, I'm holding on to him. Worst package from Nats I'd consider is something like Cole/Jordan/Karns or Goodwin. Even then, I think someone beats it.

 

The short of it is, without Giolito or Rendon, I wouldn't really consider a Nats deal. I'm not huge enough on the combination of Cole/Jordan/Karns in that, I gotta think that we could get a higher impact piece to headline a deal. To be real clear, I'm a big, big AJ Cole fan, just not big enough as of right now to think that he should headline a Samardzija deal this winter.

 

To be clear, this isn't to say I'm not for dealing Samardzija. I've argued that we should consider it since early in 2013. If for some reason, that big trade doesn't come (seems like several teams will consider moving solid arms this offseason), I think we can push it until mid-season to move him. There's a risk involved in that, but it's worth the gamble, I think.

 

Simply put, I want one high level prospect in return for Samardzija.

[davell]

Yeah, I'd like an elite piece for him too. That said, out of the 5 best fits, there just aren't many "elite" guys.

 

Arizona-Bradley, is Skaggs still elite?

Pittsburgh-Taillon

Nats-Giolito(like I mentioned, I guess Cole could headline for me)

Toronto-None(Sanchez, Stroman both would need to be involved)

KC- Yordany(I love the guy) is Zimmer?

Dodgers-None

Baltimore-Gausman, Bundy

San Fran-is Crick elite or too volatile?

 

Any trade of Shark better have a guy I just mentioned included, preferably one without a ? attached.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

I still want Zimmer, unless Towers is crazy enough to give up Bradley.

[rawaction]

Why wouldn't Rendon be on the table? I mean, don't get me wrong, it would be awesome if all of the Cubs' top IF prospects panned out, but Rendon would be an immediate upgrade over Barney at 2B and could easily move back to 3B if needed.

 

Yeah, the original rumor was "a package the Cubs couldn't resist" I'd think Rendon would be a part of that package. He'd be the best option at 3B and 2B in 2014 for the Cubs.

[Guest]

Seems like Giolito is a tough trade piece for the Nats as his longterm potential value far exceeds his current value.

[davell]

Seems like Giolito is a tough trade piece for the Nats as his longterm potential value far exceeds his current value.

I wouldn't trade him if I'm them. Not for Shark anyway. I kind of like Glasnow/Kingham/De Jhang/Victor Black as a package for Shark.

[toonsterwu]

Yeah, I'd like an elite piece for him too. That said, out of the 5 best fits, there just aren't many "elite" guys.

 

Arizona-Bradley, is Skaggs still elite?

Pittsburgh-Taillon

Nats-Giolito(like I mentioned, I guess Cole could headline for me)

Toronto-None(Sanchez, Stroman both would need to be involved)

KC- Yordany(I love the guy) is Zimmer?

Dodgers-None

Baltimore-Gausman, Bundy

San Fran-is Crick elite or too volatile?

 

Any trade of Shark better have a guy I just mentioned included, preferably one without a ? attached.

 

Well, I'm painting a thin line here. I don't necessarily need an elite prospect for Shark, just a very good one, something higher than an AJ Cole. Maybe I'm over-estimating Shark's value in this market, as I haven't paid attention to any rumors to get a guage.

 

I'd probably take Stroman (who I'm not ridiculously huge on personally) or Sanchez as a headlining piece. I'd have to see the rest of the Blue Jays system to really get a gauge.

 

To be honest, I'd probably take Eduardo Rodriguez as a headlining piece (thought he was over-hyped entering the year, but he finished strong and looks really tantlizing) over AJ Cole by a smidgen, but off the top, I can't think of enough other pieces to form a deal that I would really love. I don't think Gausman or Bundy are going to be moved in anything this winter.

 

I admit that I haven't really pondered baseball in awhile, so maybe what I'm expecting can't be met, or maybe I'm not expecting enough. Just going on gut feeling with my comments.

[davell]

Toonster, I think you're hitting it a bit light. My over/under is a top 50, a top 100, and an org top 10 guy.

 

That said, Kaplan just mentioned they've approached him on an extension. I'm fine either keeping or trading him myself, guess I do fall in Kyle's camp though. Make a definitive decision this offseason. Either give him 5 years or trade him before the season starts.

Edited November 16, 2013 by davell