Trade Deadline rumors, musings, and such

[CubsWin]

Lester has been scratched from his start tomorrow...

He's been reported as one of the FA pitchers the Cubs were interested in this offseason. Any trade would make it that much more expensive to sign him.

I take it that's because he wouldn't cost interested teams a draft pick and thus there'll be a bigger market/more competition for him?

 

The way the Cubs FO has gone about bidding for FAs has been to determine what they think the player is worth and not going above that amount. In that sense, if all teams did that, being traded shouldn't affect his price. But I doubt all teams approach spending on FAs with the same discipline.

[CubsWin]

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=11282088

 

It could just be posturing to get interested teams to meet the Cubs asking price, but based on Theo's comments in the ESPN interview posted by David and linked above, the Cubs are more likely to trade guys that will be free agents at year's end than those with extra years of control. Both Russell and Wright have one more season of arb eligibility left before becoming FAs in 2016. That doesn't mean one of them won't be traded, just that they'd be more expensive than other left-handed relievers (that will be FAs at the end of the year) being made available by other teams, thus lowering their likelihood of being traded.

 

Players that are straight up FAs at the end of the season are Carlos Villanueva, Nate Schierholtz and Emilio Bonafacio. Fujikawa has a team option for 2015 at $5.5 million (that will not be picked up) with a $500,000 buyout which I guess would make him a FA despite still having his three years of arbitration left.

 

Villanueva has pitched well since a horrid start, but I still don't think he carries enough value for contending teams to pony up much to get him. There are a lot better options out there, so if he goes, he'll go cheap.

 

Schierholtz, schmeerholtz. Whatever. 'Nuff said.

 

The one player that fits Theo's description that should have decent value to contending teams, is healthy and currently playing well is Bonafacio. His versatility sets him apart from other position players on the market and should increase other team's interest. He's my pick for most likely to go. The presence of Alcantara makes him even more expendable. My hope is that he'll bring back something decent like an A-ball level lottery ticket. There's a fairly long list of teams in need of a second baseman with the Giants and Blue Jays at the top of the list.

[Sammys Boombox]

Based on his 365 days comment I think we need a poll asking: "Will the Cubs be above .500 on July 29, 2015?"

[neely crenshaw]

It's doubtful that Jackson goes, but perhaps if some of the bullpen moves-we can put Jackson out there and see if he can do anything of value in that role. He has always been talked about becoming a closer because of his stuff. Obviously he doesn't have the fastball that warrants that role anymore but maybe in a set up spot or in Villanueva's role if he goes.

 

I think it's too late to hope he'll turn the corner, and clearly no one would want him even if we paid most of the tab, so maybe we can get some use out of him.

 

Position players that could/should be moved Valbuena/Bonifacio (I don't see any other position players that teams have a need for). So it looks like bullpen, and as dark horse guys, maybe Wood or Castillo.

[Banedon]

Don't know this guy but...

 

@TheKennyM

 

Lester to the Pirates is imminent. Hearing 2 other Red Sox involved.

[jersey cubs fan]

Don't know this guy but...

 

@TheKennyM

 

Lester to the Pirates is imminent. Hearing 2 other Red Sox involved.

 

Has to be a pretty clear "let's throw this out there and see what happens" account, no?

[dcvalpo]

He flat-out admitted he was trolling.

[Guest]

It's 7/30. All deadline trades are imminent.

[thefranchise]

Masterson to the Cardinals

[Guest]

Gammons just said Masterson is getting traded to the Cardinals in a tweet. No follow up info so this could be the monkeys on typewriters moment for his pants pocket.

[jersey cubs fan]

Gammons just said Masterson is getting traded to the Cardinals in a tweet. No follow up info so this could be the monkeys on typewriters moment for his pants pocket.

it was bound to happen

[Guest]

For James Ramsey....thoughts?

[KrisBryantisaBeast]

Good deal for the Indians I think. There wasn't going to be a huge market for a pitcher with an era of 5.51 who is about to be a free agent.

[Tryptamine]

For James Ramsey....thoughts?

 

Don't get me wrong, the numbers look really nice but the guy is going to be 25 before opening day next year and he's repeating AA.

[Guest]

Good deal for the Indians I think. There wasn't going to be a huge market for a pitcher with an era of 5.51 who is about to be a free agent.

 

Not a bad deal for St Louis either since Ramsey wasn't going to get much of a chance their with their depth. If Masterson isn't hurt and just has mechanical issues, the Cardinals should be able to diagnose and fix.

[bukie]

Good deal for the Indians I think. There wasn't going to be a huge market for a pitcher with an era of 5.51 who is about to be a free agent.

 

Not a bad deal for St Louis either since Ramsey wasn't going to get much of a chance their with their depth. If Masterson isn't hurt and just has mechanical issues, the Cardinals should be able to diagnose and fix.

Sure, if you replace "diagnose and fix" with "inject steroids".

[Derwood]

Don't know this guy but...

 

@TheKennyM

 

Lester to the Pirates is imminent. Hearing 2 other Red Sox involved.

 

Has to be a pretty clear "let's throw this out there and see what happens" account, no?

 

They were talking about this on the Freddie Coleman show last night, actually.

[gscool89]

Looks like Lester is going to Baltimore. I would assume Gausman going to Boston.

 

RT @PeteAbe: #RedSox in discussions on a deal that would end Jon Lester to the #Orioles sources from both teams say. Would return a pitcher

[Tryptamine]

Looks like Lester is going to Baltimore. I would assume Gausman going to Boston.

 

RT @PeteAbe: #RedSox in discussions on a deal that would end Jon Lester to the #Orioles sources from both teams say. Would return a pitcher

 

I can't imagine they'd give up Gausman as he's probably the best pitcher in their rotation right now. I think it would have to be Harvey or maybe Bundy.

[Guest]

Joel Sherman ‏@Joelsherman1 2m

I am told #Orioles do not have deal for Lester or anything close. Still working mainly on small things

[Tryptamine]

If Miguel Gonzalez ends up being the lead piece in this trade.....

[Rob]

If Miguel Gonzalez ends up being the lead piece in this trade.....

 

It cracks me up how much O's fans value the guy. The Red Sox are giving us a better pitcher in Doubront for a PTBNL. I doubt they turn right around and trade Lester for Gonzalez.

[Tryptamine]

If Miguel Gonzalez ends up being the lead piece in this trade.....

 

It cracks me up how much O's fans value the guy. The Red Sox are giving us a better pitcher in Doubront for a PTBNL. I doubt they turn right around and trade Lester for Gonzalez.

 

It's insane how much they overvalue him. They're convinced he's a good #3 type when he's as back of the rotation as you can get and he's getting worse each year.

 

I don't even like the idea of giving up Gonzalez for Lester. We've got him for three more years.

 

I mean, I'd do it, but I wouldn't be happy about it. And I definitely wouldn't give anything else of value. Ed Rodriguez and Gonzalez would be way too much. I imagine Boston will be able to find a better deal elsewhere.

[Felix Leiter]

Interesting the Cardinals are doubling down with pitching, rather than acquiring some power in the OF. Holliday is struggling with power, Craig is really struggling, Jay is a punch and judy hitter and Oscar Tavares hasn't figured it out yet. They really miss Beltran.

[NonProfitCow]

Interesting the Cardinals are doubling down with pitching, rather than acquiring some power in the OF. Holliday is struggling with power, Craig is really struggling, Jay is a punch and judy hitter and Oscar Tavares hasn't figured it out yet. They really miss Beltran.

Beltran is hitting .236 .292 .428 .719

 

They don't miss him.