Offseason Rumors

[KingCubsFan]

I always forget exactly how huge Samardzija's initial contract and the one he signed for five-years a year later was. The idea that the Cubs never spent in the draft back in the day is colored by a couple of high-profile busts, mostly Simpson.

 

 

Edit: Numbers are not as interchangeable as they seem

 

Is that a thing? The Cubs always spent on their drafts under Hendry/Wilken, they just didn't do it well, and they didn't go way super crazy like we thought Theo/Jed might have before the CBA nixed it.

There was also the report that Wilken wanted Wieters but had to take Vitters because of money.

[ctcf]

Bruce Levine @MLBBruceLevine

Atlanta and Yankees join the group of teams interested in Jeff Samardzija.

 

Yawn

[davell]

Want nothing to do with Yanks, but I like Sims from Atlanta enough to where I could talk myself into an Atlanta deal being OK, I think.

[Splendid Splinter]

Want nothing to do with Yanks, but I like Sims from Atlanta enough to where I could talk myself into an Atlanta deal being OK, I think.

 

 

Heyward/Sims and call it a day... haha

[RammyFanny]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AkhDlMg1E8

 

Saw this last night and immediately assumed Theo max texted this before the meetings.

[EhDubya]

Want nothing to do with Yanks, but I like Sims from Atlanta enough to where I could talk myself into an Atlanta deal being OK, I think.

 

Yeah, I'd def want Sims. But if what Hoops says is true in the other thread, what about a package involving Bethancourt? Not sure ATL has any OFs I'd want.. but a stud defensive C would be nice. Maybe work a 3-way trade to bring in the SP or corner OF our FO wants.

[davell]

The Shark musical arms game for teams in need of pitching.....

 

Solid Free Agents Left

 

Arroyo

Burnett

Colon

Garza

Jimenez

Maholm

Santana

 

Also available in Free Agency

Baker

Hammel

Pelfrey

 

Flier Group

Capuano

Floyd

Freddie Garcia

Hanson

Hudson

Johan

Westbrook

Jerome Williams

Zito

 

Posted or Foreign Imports

Yoon

Tanaka

Maede

 

 

Trade Market

Boston could trade one of their group

Price

Hamels or Lee

Reds rumored to be trading one of their group

Masterson

Shark

 

Teams looking for pitching at this point

Toronto

Yankees

Baltimore

Atlanta

Mets

Phils

Indians

Royals

Twins

Pirates

Reds?(if they trade one of theirs)

Cubs

Rangers

Angels

Mariners

Astros

Dodgers

Padres

Diamondbacks

 

There are obviously more pitchers than teams in need, but the quality isn't there. And there are plenty of contenders or hopeful contenders out of those teams that want more than a flier or a Pelfrey in their rotation.

 

Hopefully Burnett retires, Tanaka goes to New York, LA, us, or isn't posted, and the Twins, Mets, Angels, Dodgers, Yankees, Astros, and Rangers contribute to taking a couple of the 2 higher groups I listed off the market.

 

It may take a while, but the scarcity, coupled with many teams not looking at giving out longterm deals, should net us a nice haul once some of the others fall off the market. I know I'm frustrated by how long this is taking, but the options will dwindle and someone will pay up for Shark eventually.

[Clem Fandango]

Saw this over on PSD...

 

Know the Yankees have been trying to get a third team involved, possibly flipping Gardner for prospects- Royals of course- Mariners were briefly, seems they prefer to just simply sign a Garza instead- A team no one is talking about is the Pirates- if AJ Burnett retires, Samardzija is their top target- another under the radar team was the Rockies who apparently offered Pomeranz plus for Shark but were rebuffed...

 

Not sure what else they have that they'd be willing to part with that would be decent enough for Shark.

[davell]

Eddie Butler is a very good pitching prospect, top 70ish or so. My guess is he would have been in it.

 

ABTY says Cubs will make last ditch effort to sign Shark tomorrow, if it doesn't happen, 80% chance he's dealt by Thursday.

 

Arguello just said some industry speculation has him being dealt by end of tomorrow.

[Guest]

If we do trade him, I hope it's soon. His salary for 2014 could give a trading team plenty of flexibility to make another impact type move as well. Which could increase his value a bit. I don't want another 3 months of drawn out crap, get him extended or trade him. Hell, it gives us a known direction as well. Just do something with him.

 

From one of my sources: Colby Rasmus' name has come up in the negotiations on Samardzija. Rasmus is arbitration eligible and will be a free agent after the 2014 season, but the Cubs have interest in locking him up and if the discussions on Samardzija progress, the Cubs may ask for a window to offer/negotiate an extension of 2 or 3 years.

 

Not that I think he's coming in a Samardzija deal at this point, but here's a semi-confirmation of what Hoops had a few weeks ago

 

Sportsnet ‏@Sportsnet 22m

Report: #BlueJays are actively trying to trade outfielder Colby Rasmus for starting pitching: http://ow.ly/rEzkp #MLB

[North]

Is the consensus here basically the same I've seen it in other places? Bradley-type pitcher or nothing?

[Guest]

Is the consensus here basically the same I've seen it in other places? Bradley-type pitcher or nothing?

 

I think that's more or less the consensus.

 

From what I've seen, most want something in the Bradley, Gausman, Zimmer, Ventura, etc. neighborhood or no deal. Granted, Bradley is a notch above those others.

 

Also, as an aside, in general, you'll probably see less enthusiasm about the whole "let's pretend we're a midmarket team and spend no money and sign no free agents til we're "ready" and tank for draft picks every year" thing than there is on PSD.

[SouthSideRyan]

Eddie Butler is a very good pitching prospect, top 70ish or so. My guess is he would have been in it.

 

ABTY says Cubs will make last ditch effort to sign Shark tomorrow, if it doesn't happen, 80% chance he's dealt by Thursday.

 

Arguello just said some industry speculation has him being dealt by end of tomorrow.

 

I mentioned it in the other thread, but I always kind of assume, "plus" to mean less valuable than the piece(s) named. Obviously if it's something like Pomeranz "plus prospects" it's different, but this to me looks like they were offering something similar to what they offered for Anderson.

[Fro]

One exec said #Cubs are meeting again with Samadzija on extension. Should tell u Chi not hearing what wants on trade mkt. But heard (cont)

 

Samardzija not anxious to commit long-term when not sure when #Cubs will contend, plus Chi execs know can always try to deal again in July

 

Joel Sherman of the NY Post also reporting Cubs are meeting Samardzija today to talk extension.

[Guest]

One exec said #Cubs are meeting again with Samadzija on extension. Should tell u Chi not hearing what wants on trade mkt. But heard (cont)

 

Samardzija not anxious to commit long-term when not sure when #Cubs will contend, plus Chi execs know can always try to deal again in July

 

Joel Sherman of the NY Post also reporting Cubs are meeting Samardzija today to talk extension.

 

ABTY mentioned something about this.

 

Cubs have a solid feel on exactly what deals they can pull together for Samardzija after detailed talks today with multiple teams- talking to Sharks rep's as a last ditch effort to see if he'll budge, if not I'd put an 80% likelihood Jeff Samrdzija will be wearing another uniform by Thursday at the latest...

 

The '80%' figure is my own... problem is, there are too many options on the market currently- the team dealing for him has to have him as their top choice and while there are a ton of teams 'in' on Shark, most have him as plan B (or even C)...Really, to my knowledge, only the Royals and D'Backs have targeted him as 'the' guy...

 

Side note: to those wondering, Skaggs was never a target by the Cubs in a Shark deal... dealing Eaton hurt a potential deal much more than Skaggs...

[Guest]

From what I've seen, most want something in the Bradley, Gausman, Zimmer, Ventura, etc. neighborhood or no deal. Granted, Bradley is a notch above those others.

 

I'd prefer any of those guys to Bradley, really. Maybe make extra sure Zimmer's arm/shoulder isn't damaged goods, but otherwise, yeah.

 

@JoelSherman1 One exec said #Cubs are meeting again with Samadzija on extension. Should tell u Chi not hearing what wants on trade mkt. But heard (cont)

 

That's some interesting logic, Joel. FWIW, Loxas is claiming the meeting is not about an extension.

[jersey cubs fan]

@JoelSherman1 One exec said #Cubs are meeting again with Samadzija on extension. Should tell u Chi not hearing what wants on trade mkt. But heard (cont)

 

That's some interesting logic, Joel. FWIW, Loxas is claiming the meeting is not about an extension.

 

What do you mean interesting logic? If Cubs are meeting with Samardzija's people, what else would it be about besides an extension talk, and if they are talking extension, why wouldn't that suggest they aren't hearing what they want on trade market. I mean, I guess they could just be having a courtesy meeting to let his people know what sort of destination may be in his future, that seems less likely to me.

[Guest]

@JoelSherman1 One exec said #Cubs are meeting again with Samadzija on extension. Should tell u Chi not hearing what wants on trade mkt. But heard (cont)

 

That's some interesting logic, Joel. FWIW, Loxas is claiming the meeting is not about an extension.

 

What do you mean interesting logic? If Cubs are meeting with Samardzija's people, what else would it be about besides an extension talk, and if they are talking extension, why wouldn't that suggest they aren't hearing what they want on trade market. I mean, I guess they could just be having a courtesy meeting to let his people know what sort of destination may be in his future, that seems less likely to me.

 

Maybe they'd rather sign him and want to take one last crack at it before they trade him.

[imb]

maybe they just want to [expletive] with his head a little

[jersey cubs fan]

@JoelSherman1 One exec said #Cubs are meeting again with Samadzija on extension. Should tell u Chi not hearing what wants on trade mkt. But heard (cont)

 

That's some interesting logic, Joel. FWIW, Loxas is claiming the meeting is not about an extension.

 

What do you mean interesting logic? If Cubs are meeting with Samardzija's people, what else would it be about besides an extension talk, and if they are talking extension, why wouldn't that suggest they aren't hearing what they want on trade market. I mean, I guess they could just be having a courtesy meeting to let his people know what sort of destination may be in his future, that seems less likely to me.

 

Maybe they'd rather sign him and want to take one last crack at it before they trade him.

 

Maybe, though I don't see how it is more of a logical conclusion than what Joel Sherman wrote.

 

Even if you assume their preference is to sign him, that pretty much means it is because what they have seen on the trade market isn't as enticing as they would want to trade him.

[scarey]

@JoelSherman1 One exec said #Cubs are meeting again with Samadzija on extension. Should tell u Chi not hearing what wants on trade mkt. But heard (cont)

 

That's some interesting logic, Joel. FWIW, Loxas is claiming the meeting is not about an extension.

 

What do you mean interesting logic? If Cubs are meeting with Samardzija's people, what else would it be about besides an extension talk, and if they are talking extension, why wouldn't that suggest they aren't hearing what they want on trade market. I mean, I guess they could just be having a courtesy meeting to let his people know what sort of destination may be in his future, that seems less likely to me.

 

Maybe they'd rather sign him and want to take one last crack at it before they trade him.

 

Maybe, though I don't see how it is more of a logical conclusion than what Joel Sherman wrote.

 

Even if you assume their preference is to sign him, that pretty much means it is because what they have seen on the trade market isn't as enticing as they would want to trade him.

 

I think it's a much more logical conclusion. The Cubs don't want to sign Samardzija to what he's demanding. So you think they are going to run back to him after the trade market turned up nothing? How do you even start that conversation?

 

"Well... we can't get what we want for you in a trade... so how about that contract we offered you?"

 

My guess is they have a trade structured, they are going to Samardzija and telling him which team and just expressing to him one final time that they would rather sign him to the extension they've already offered. It can't hurt to make a final attempt, especially if there's a possibility that he is not agreeable to his destination.

[ScrubMD]

Yeah, panicking and running to Samardzija in the middle of the winter meetings because you can't get what you want in a trade doesn't make sense. They aren't on any tight deadline if they know they want an extension. Seems much more likely that they're trying one last time to get him to come down on his extension demands or trying to gain a bit of leverage in a trade.

[jersey cubs fan]

I think it's a much more logical conclusion. The Cubs don't want to sign Samardzija to what he's demanding. So you think they are going to run back to him after the trade market turned up nothing? How do you even start that conversation?

 

The same way you start any conversation involving contract negotiations? This isn't going back to your wife after trying but failing to hook up with a supermodel. It's not awkward or panicking or anything weird at all.

[biittner77]

Even if you assume their preference is to sign him, that pretty much means it is because what they have seen on the trade market isn't as enticing as they would want to trade him.

 

It could also mean they have an offer that is good but not so obviously good that they feel the need to jump at the chance. It's a subtle difference but an important one. They could be trying to assess the realistic possibility of an extension which could play a big factor in evaluating the value of the offer they've received.

[scarey]

I think it's a much more logical conclusion. The Cubs don't want to sign Samardzija to what he's demanding. So you think they are going to run back to him after the trade market turned up nothing? How do you even start that conversation?

 

The same way you start any conversation involving contract negotiations? This isn't going back to your wife after trying but failing to hook up with a supermodel. It's not awkward or panicking or anything weird at all.

 

There's absolutely no leverage for the Cubs in this proposed conclusion. It makes absolutely no sense.