Offseason Rumors & Transactions Thread

[Clem Fandango]

Didn't the metrics say Ethier is a passable CFer?

 

Quite the opposite, IIRC

[Cubswin11]

Didn't the metrics say Ethier is a passable CFer?

 

Quite the opposite, IIRC

He had a -.8 UZR and -2.1 UZR/150 this past year in CF in ~500 innings. FWIW

[RynoRules]

MLBTR says we have kicked the tires on Tori Hunter.

[UMFan83]

Thought this was a semi-interesting quote

 

Epstein said "you can make mistakes by holding on to your prospects too long," and he expects to make a trade "of some significance" in the next 15 months.

[Clem Fandango]

Thought this was a semi-interesting quote

 

Epstein said "you can make mistakes by holding on to your prospects too long," and he expects to make a trade "of some significance" in the next 15 months.

 

STANTON

[MWV]

An invitation to speculate: What would it take to get Stanton?

Baez + what?

B2B, feel free to include as many teams as you want.

[Clem Fandango]

Well, if we can make a move this offseason and Baez is still viewed as a potential monster, I think...

 

Baez + Alcantara + Edwards/Johnson + Vogelbach

 

Makes their heads turn in our direction at the very least. I'd rather use Almora instead of Alcantara though, and if that's not enough you can always add expendable depth (Olt, Lake, Sczur) or throw in one of our pitchers that might get forced out from a reliever or starter signing (Wood, Wright, etc.)

 

But I think that's a good foundation of an offer right there.

[Clem Fandango]

FOX Sports' Jon Morosi reports that Justin Upton has updated his no-trade list in order to allow him to block deals to the Cubs, Brewers, Indians, and Blue Jays.

Also of note is CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reporting that Upton has removed the Mariners from his no-trade list. The Braves are said to be contemplating listening to offers for Upton, Jason Heyward and Evan Gattis this offseason. Upton is slated to hit free agency after the 2015 campaign.

[Guest]

FWIW

 

http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpost?blogname=bostonred-sox&city=boston&i=TWT&id=41068&w=1ekks

 

PHOENIX -- Few things invite more skepticism than the suggestion that the Red Sox will re-sign free-agent pitcher Jon Lester. Given where the market for elite starting pitching is headed, and the fact the Sox offered Lester only four years and $70 million this spring before trading him in July, that skepticism is well-placed.

 

But Monday night, a well-connected baseball executive who has had conversations on the subject with the Red Sox, predicted that Boston will indeed re-sign Lester, and may make an exception in Lester’s case to their pledge not to offer a long-term deal to pitchers north of 30 years old.

[SouthSideRyan]

Well, if we can make a move this offseason and Baez is still viewed as a potential monster, I think...

 

Baez + Alcantara + Edwards/Johnson + Vogelbach

 

Makes their heads turn in our direction at the very least. I'd rather use Almora instead of Alcantara though, and if that's not enough you can always add expendable depth (Olt, Lake, Sczur) or throw in one of our pitchers that might get forced out from a reliever or starter signing (Wood, Wright, etc.)

 

But I think that's a good foundation of an offer right there.

 

Olt, Lake, Szczur, Wood and Wright ought to be enough on their own.

[Deeg]

Per Cotillo, Kwang-Hyun Kim bidding is over but the Wyverns are pissed about how low the bids are and may not post him. No word on who won the bidding.

[Clem Fandango]

Kwang-Hyun Kim

 

http://i.imgur.com/f34pfrF.gif

[Hairyducked Idiot]

FWIW

 

http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpost?blogname=bostonred-sox&city=boston&i=TWT&id=41068&w=1ekks

 

PHOENIX -- Few things invite more skepticism than the suggestion that the Red Sox will re-sign free-agent pitcher Jon Lester. Given where the market for elite starting pitching is headed, and the fact the Sox offered Lester only four years and $70 million this spring before trading him in July, that skepticism is well-placed.

 

But Monday night, a well-connected baseball executive who has had conversations on the subject with the Red Sox, predicted that Boston will indeed re-sign Lester, and may make an exception in Lester’s case to their pledge not to offer a long-term deal to pitchers north of 30 years old.

 

Maybe I'm being super-paranoid, but I'm wondering if our sudden love of Russell Martin came about from getting vibes on the big FA pitchers.

[Backtobanks]

FWIW

 

http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpost?blogname=bostonred-sox&city=boston&i=TWT&id=41068&w=1ekks

 

PHOENIX -- Few things invite more skepticism than the suggestion that the Red Sox will re-sign free-agent pitcher Jon Lester. Given where the market for elite starting pitching is headed, and the fact the Sox offered Lester only four years and $70 million this spring before trading him in July, that skepticism is well-placed.

 

But Monday night, a well-connected baseball executive who has had conversations on the subject with the Red Sox, predicted that Boston will indeed re-sign Lester, and may make an exception in Lester’s case to their pledge not to offer a long-term deal to pitchers north of 30 years old.

 

Maybe I'm being super-paranoid, but I'm wondering if our sudden love of Russell Martin came about from getting vibes on the big FA pitchers.

 

Martin makes a lot of sense (OBP, better pitch framing, veteran leadership, etc.) for the Cubs, but only in addition to the one big name FA pitcher.

[rawaction]

FWIW

 

http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpost?blogname=bostonred-sox&city=boston&i=TWT&id=41068&w=1ekks

 

PHOENIX -- Few things invite more skepticism than the suggestion that the Red Sox will re-sign free-agent pitcher Jon Lester. Given where the market for elite starting pitching is headed, and the fact the Sox offered Lester only four years and $70 million this spring before trading him in July, that skepticism is well-placed.

 

But Monday night, a well-connected baseball executive who has had conversations on the subject with the Red Sox, predicted that Boston will indeed re-sign Lester, and may make an exception in Lester’s case to their pledge not to offer a long-term deal to pitchers north of 30 years old.

 

Maybe I'm being super-paranoid, but I'm wondering if our sudden love of Russell Martin came about from getting vibes on the big FA pitchers.

 

Martin makes a lot of sense (OBP, better pitch framing, veteran leadership, etc.) for the Cubs, but only in addition to the one big name FA pitcher.

 

I think Martin makes more sense if the Cubs are going after more reclamation guys. Not that a big name pitcher couldn't use his pitch framing, game calling abilities, but I would think Lester/Scherzer would need it less so than the Scott Feldmans of the world.

[Guest]

I think Martin makes sense either way since there's another 10-11 guys who will be pitching many, many innings.

 

Also, a lot of times front line starters are pretty picky about who is catching for them, so I think this whole conversation is kind of silly. He makes sense regardless of who we are signing to pitch and I don't think it signals much about what we want to do pitching-wise.

[rawaction]

I think Martin makes sense either way since there's another 10-11 guys who will be pitching many, many innings.

 

Also, a lot of times front line starters are pretty picky about who is catching for them, so I think this whole conversation is kind of silly. He makes sense regardless of who we are signing to pitch and I don't think it signals much about what we want to do pitching-wise.

 

I didn't say he wouldn't make sense regardless. He would. But whatever marginal difference it is, I think it would make MORE sense if the Cubs are not signing a big name.

[Backtobanks]

FWIW

 

http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpost?blogname=bostonred-sox&city=boston&i=TWT&id=41068&w=1ekks

 

PHOENIX -- Few things invite more skepticism than the suggestion that the Red Sox will re-sign free-agent pitcher Jon Lester. Given where the market for elite starting pitching is headed, and the fact the Sox offered Lester only four years and $70 million this spring before trading him in July, that skepticism is well-placed.

 

But Monday night, a well-connected baseball executive who has had conversations on the subject with the Red Sox, predicted that Boston will indeed re-sign Lester, and may make an exception in Lester’s case to their pledge not to offer a long-term deal to pitchers north of 30 years old.

 

Maybe I'm being super-paranoid, but I'm wondering if our sudden love of Russell Martin came about from getting vibes on the big FA pitchers.

 

Martin makes a lot of sense (OBP, better pitch framing, veteran leadership, etc.) for the Cubs, but only in addition to the one big name FA pitcher.

 

I think Martin makes more sense if the Cubs are going after more reclamation guys. Not that a big name pitcher couldn't use his pitch framing, game calling abilities, but I would think Lester/Scherzer would need it less so than the Scott Feldmans of the world.

 

My point is that Martin makes a lot more sense if we're really serious about contending this year (hence the big name FA pitcher). If we're going to putz around for another year with reclamation projects and see what happens, then we don't need to spend big on Martin. I'm assuming that our interest in Lester/Hamels/Shields and Martin means we're serious about contending in 2015.

[abuck1220]

man, I am usually all about signing ALL the free agents, but I can't believe you guys want to give $75 mil to a 32 year old catcher that has kinda sucked 5 of the last 6 seasons because he's good at catching the ball. craziness.

[Tyrant]

Well, if we can make a move this offseason and Baez is still viewed as a potential monster, I think...

 

Baez + Alcantara + Edwards/Johnson + Vogelbach

 

Makes their heads turn in our direction at the very least. I'd rather use Almora instead of Alcantara though, and if that's not enough you can always add expendable depth (Olt, Lake, Sczur) or throw in one of our pitchers that might get forced out from a reliever or starter signing (Wood, Wright, etc.)

 

But I think that's a good foundation of an offer right there.

 

I don't think the Cubs can get Stanton at this point without giving up Russell or Bryant. Too many questions about Baez after his time in the majors.

[rawaction]

man, I am usually all about signing ALL the free agents, but I can't believe you guys want to give $75 mil to a 32 year old catcher that has kinda sucked 5 of the last 6 seasons because he's good at catching the ball. craziness.

 

Your definition of kinda sucks, kinda sucks. Over half the MLB kinda sucks if you put Martin in that group. But yeah, Martin is likely going to be better than any catcher the Cubs are likely to get over the course of most of his contract.

[Guest]

@670TheScore: #Cubs are moving aggressively, already speaking w/ agents for Jon Lester and Jason Hammel, reports @MLBBruceLevine: http://t.co/u7BAJxDZHA

[abuck1220]

man, I am usually all about signing ALL the free agents, but I can't believe you guys want to give $75 mil to a 32 year old catcher that has kinda sucked 5 of the last 6 seasons because he's good at catching the ball. craziness.

 

Your definition of kinda sucks, kinda sucks. Over half the MLB kinda sucks if you put Martin in that group.

 

but half of mlb doesn't make $15 mil/yr.

 

But yeah, Martin is likely going to be better than any catcher the Cubs are likely to get over the course of most of his contract.

 

fine. but I'm not sure that's worth $75 mil.

[jersey cubs fan]

@670TheScore: #Cubs are moving aggressively, already speaking w/ agents for Jon Lester and Jason Hammel, reports @MLBBruceLevine: http://t.co/u7BAJxDZHA

 

What does he mean "already"?

[rawaction]

man, I am usually all about signing ALL the free agents, but I can't believe you guys want to give $75 mil to a 32 year old catcher that has kinda sucked 5 of the last 6 seasons because he's good at catching the ball. craziness.

 

Your definition of kinda sucks, kinda sucks. Over half the MLB kinda sucks if you put Martin in that group.

 

but half of mlb doesn't make $15 mil/yr.

 

But yeah, Martin is likely going to be better than any catcher the Cubs are likely to get over the course of most of his contract.

 

fine. but I'm not sure that's worth $75 mil.

 

Ok. I get what you're saying. Can't disagree. I'd only go 4/50-60 at most for him. That 5th year is a big issue to me.