What's your wish list for the trade deadline?

[Clem Fandango]

Acceptable SB% or not, he's not as good as people suspect he is and because of this he'll cost more than he's actually worth. Probably something not too far off from what we gave the Marlins for Pierre, when you think about it.

[imb]

im not a huge fan either but he's uh, much better than our current 2b

[Clem Fandango]

There's a lot of 2B better than Russell. And most of them are on teams that have no reason to trade their 2B, least of which is Miami who P.S. is paying $0 for Dee Gordon this year because the Dodgers picked up the tab on his 2015 salary. And as someone else mentioned, he's under control for 3 more years.

 

So we got a 2B who is 27, costs nothing this season, is under control for 3 years, who is currently the 4th most valuable 2B in baseball (2.8 fWAR).

 

And Miami will trade this player... why? Because they're not contending? Seems silly. Let's look at the 2B better than Russell with at least 200PA this season...

 

Jason Kipnis - 4.8 fWAR - Currently making $4 million signed to a team friendly $52 million deal through 2019 with an option year

Joe Panik - 3.4 fWAR - 24 year old currently making league minimum until he hits arbitration in 2018 on a contending team

Brian Dozier - 3.3 fWAR - In the midst of an absurdly team friendly $20 million deal through 2018 on a contending team

Logan Forsythe - 2.4 fWAR - Making $1.1 million in arb this year, under control until 2017 on a contending team

Brock Holt - 2.4 fWAR - League minimum until 1st year of arb in 2017. Also a supersub who has started at every position except catcher this season

Dustin Pedroia - 2.3 fWAR - He's not going anywhere

Danny Espinosa - 2.2 fWAR - Making $1.8 million in first year of arbitration. Under control through 2017 on a contending team

Kolten Wong - 2.2 fWAR - HE'S THE DEVIL and he costs the Cards league minimum until his first year of arb in 2017

Jose Altuve - 2.1 fWAR - He's under a $12.5 million contract through 2017 with two option years through 2019 taking it to $25 mil. Contending team.

Devon Travis - 2.0 fWAR - 24 year old rookie on a team in contention.

Ian Kinsler - 1.9 fWAR - 33 years old signed through 2017 on an $85 million deal with one option year.

DJ LeMahieu - 1.8 fWAR - An "all-star" heading into his first year of arbitration next year, under control through 2018

Neil Walker - 1.7 fWAR - Arb eligible through 2016. FA in 2017. Contending team, and division rival

Howie Kendrick - 1.5 fWAR - 32 year old free agent at year's end on a contending team, but blocking a Cuban signee 2B in Alex Guerrero

Jace Peterson - 1.2 fWAR - 25 year old rookie making league minimum

Addison Russell - 1.1 fWAR

 

Selection of bigger name players Addison Russell has been more valuable than this season:

 

Brandon Phillips

Ben Zobrist

Daniel Murphy

Robinson Cano

Stephen Drew

Aaron Hill

Omar infante

Chase Utley

 

So on that list of 2B in the league... there's only one who truly fits as a trade candidate and that's Howie Kendrick. The next best option is Danny Espinosa, but the Nats are in first place plus he's having a nice bounce back year after two consecutive years of injury plagued awfulness. Every other 2B better than Russell is either too good, too affordable, too old, too expensive, or some combination of those.

 

It's basically Howie Kendrick or bust if you want a new 2B via trade, cause no other teams has any good reason to move any of their 2B unless they just want to deal from a position of strength to fill a hole elsewhere, but that doesn't exactly fit the description of many of these teams. And even then, Kendrick does not provide a substantially large upgrade over Russell (0.4 fWAR upgrade)

 

Or if you want to go with the SS moved over to 2B role, there's not a whole lot of options there either...

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=ss&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=200&type=8&season=2015&month=0&season1=2015&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0

[imb]

Yeah, I don't care if we can trade for him or not, but acting like he's not any good when we have Addison Russell grounding out four times a game is pretty preposterous

[Guest]

Yeah, I don't care if we can trade for him or not, but acting like he's not any good when we have Addison Russell grounding out four times a game is pretty preposterous

 

What does one thing have to do with the other?

 

And I wouldn't be even slightly shocked if Russell is a more productive player the rest of this season.

[Felix Leiter]

It may provide an opportunity for the Cubs to clean out some of the minor leagues of players like Almora, Lake, Alcantra, Vogelbach and young pitching like Corey Black and others. Teams like the WSox, Marlins and Rox who realistically can't compete with their current rosters may do a 3 for 1 more readily. Much of it depends on whether we can trade Castro, the development of Baez into a 3rd-ss-2nd starter and whether it's decided that Bryant stays at 3rd or not. Is McKinney an untouchable?

[Guest]

It may provide an opportunity for the Cubs to clean out some of the minor leagues of players like Almora, Lake, Alcantra, Vogelbach and young pitching like Corey Black and others. Teams like the WSox, Marlins and Rox who realistically can't compete with their current rosters may do a 3 for 1 more readily. Much of it depends on whether we can trade Castro, the development of Baez into a 3rd-ss-2nd starter and whether it's decided that Bryant stays at 3rd or not. Is McKinney an untouchable?

 

I don't think anyone in the minors not named Schwarber is or should be an (within reason) untouchable.

[jersey cubs fan]

It may provide an opportunity for the Cubs to clean out some of the minor leagues of players like Almora, Lake, Alcantra, Vogelbach and young pitching like Corey Black and others. Teams like the WSox, Marlins and Rox who realistically can't compete with their current rosters may do a 3 for 1 more readily. Much of it depends on whether we can trade Castro, the development of Baez into a 3rd-ss-2nd starter and whether it's decided that Bryant stays at 3rd or not. Is McKinney an untouchable?

 

I don't think anyone in the minors not named Schwarber is or should be an (within reason) untouchable.

I don't think Schwarber should be untouchable.

[Guest]

It may provide an opportunity for the Cubs to clean out some of the minor leagues of players like Almora, Lake, Alcantra, Vogelbach and young pitching like Corey Black and others. Teams like the WSox, Marlins and Rox who realistically can't compete with their current rosters may do a 3 for 1 more readily. Much of it depends on whether we can trade Castro, the development of Baez into a 3rd-ss-2nd starter and whether it's decided that Bryant stays at 3rd or not. Is McKinney an untouchable?

 

I don't think anyone in the minors not named Schwarber is or should be an (within reason) untouchable.

I don't think Schwarber should be untouchable.

 

That's why I said within reason. There's not many guys I'd trade him for...they do exist, but they aren't likely to be traded.

[Guest]

Among names that have been talked about even a little bit, Sale is the only one (and I'd pack his bags for him).

[Little Slide Rooter]

I'll probably regret bringing this up, but I've quietly wondered for a few weeks if Chase Utley could have a little bit of lighting left in the bottom of the bottle ala 2008 Jim Edmonds. I know he's on the DL, but if they were willing to give him up for a few AAAAs/Rule 5 bait and a bit of cash, would anyone be interested? Ish?

[jersey cubs fan]

if Chase Utley could have a little bit of lighting left in the bottom of the bottle

 

 

 

http://cdn.decoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Lantern-styled-wine-bottle-pendant-light.jpg

 

[sontensei]

Im gonna hear it hard because "he aint a mlb catcher" and "he aint ready yet" but my wish list including trading Montero to Seattle and giving Schwarber the job. In terms of return from Seattle nothing major, eat a little salary and get some pitching "Depth" that they were talking about not a 5th starter even. I think schwarbers bat is amazing and even if he isnt as good behind the dish as Montero his bat will make up for it. call me crazy. my 2 cents. =P~ Edited July 16, 2015 by sontensei

[Sammy Sofa]

http://herbiepopnecker.com/examples/butt/fw116-11.jpg

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Is McKinney an untouchable?

I sure as hell hope not.

[sontensei]

http://herbiepopnecker.com/examples/butt/fw116-11.jpg

 

Jed Epstein said any offensive upgrade would be from within, its either him or baez or both.. not a chance they address CF in a trade unless someone falls in the cubs lap.

[Guest]

It may provide an opportunity for the Cubs to clean out some of the minor leagues of players like Almora, Lake, Alcantra, Vogelbach and young pitching like Corey Black and others. Teams like the WSox, Marlins and Rox who realistically can't compete with their current rosters may do a 3 for 1 more readily. Much of it depends on whether we can trade Castro, the development of Baez into a 3rd-ss-2nd starter and whether it's decided that Bryant stays at 3rd or not. Is McKinney an untouchable?

The Cubs should not "clean out" players for the sake of streamlining positions.

[Sammy Sofa]

http://herbiepopnecker.com/examples/butt/fw116-11.jpg

 

Jed Epstein said any offensive upgrade would be from within, its either him or baez or both.. not a chance they address CF in a trade unless someone falls in the cubs lap.

 

What the hell did you think you were replying to?

 

Can you taste colors?

[Guest]

hahahahahahaha

[Guest]

Yeah, I don't care if we can trade for him or not, but acting like he's not any good when we have Addison Russell grounding out four times a game is pretty preposterous

 

Rest of Season ZiPS sees very little difference between Russell and Gordon. 2 runs if you want to use fWAR.

[Felix Leiter]

It may provide an opportunity for the Cubs to clean out some of the minor leagues of players like Almora, Lake, Alcantra, Vogelbach and young pitching like Corey Black and others. Teams like the WSox, Marlins and Rox who realistically can't compete with their current rosters may do a 3 for 1 more readily. Much of it depends on whether we can trade Castro, the development of Baez into a 3rd-ss-2nd starter and whether it's decided that Bryant stays at 3rd or not. Is McKinney an untouchable?

The Cubs should not "clean out" players for the sake of streamlining positions.

 

Disagree completely. We played Mike Baxter in RF and Lake, Alcantra, etc.. weren't even mentioned as replacements. It's obvious the FO has soured on them and they could be stopping other AA-AAA players from getting playing time. Would the Rox even listen to a deal for Nolan Arenado if the Cubs offered Baez, Alcantra, Black and Pierce Johnson?

[Guest]

We can see if players are blocked, they are not.

 

The Rockies would not be remotely interested in a deal like that.

[Sammy Sofa]

Wait, why the hell would the Rockies even trade Arenado in the first place? I know they stink this season, but he's only 24 and they have other older assets that could net them decent returns.

[Felix Leiter]

We can see if players are blocked, they are not.

 

The Rockies would not be remotely interested in a deal like that.

 

Doesn't hurt to ask the Rockies what they might want. If you could turn Arenado into 2 everyday position players and 2 starting pitchers, I think they'd listen.

[Sammy Sofa]

The Rockies have a top 10 farm system, so it's not like they're desperate to rebuild. Only a absurd return is going to get them to give up someone like Arenado.