Starting Pitching candidates

[Cubswin11]

I’d kinda be fine with bringing everyone back (Arrieta, Davis, Jay, Avila) then adding Cobb to take Lackey’s spot. This is all assuming no Otani. Liriano as a bullpen arm intrigues me as well.

 

At this point, I'm for this, except definitely Otani.

I know it’s not realistic/likely but bringing the guys back I mentioned above along with a bullpen arm (Liriano) plus Otani would be an awesome offseason. Theo should probably do that.

[Post Count Padder]

I have just assumed we're losing Arrieta. The acquisition of Leonys makes me think he'll be the Jay-type outfielder next year.

 

I really want to bring Davis back on a reasonable deal. I think Avila gets starter money or promised more at bats by someone else. I'd be cool with keeping Rene Rivera though. Definitely have to add another pen piece and at least one starter.

 

I've also wondered if there's even room for La Stella on the roster anymore. He barely played this year and can play on 2B (where Javy, Zobrist, and Happ can all play) and 3B. He's out of options right? Might make sense to see what we could get for him in the offseason, some kind of interesting pen arm to throw into the mix/stash at Iowa? (Since our interesting pen arms are all in the majors or were jettisoned on waivers. RIP Pierce Johnson and Jack Leathersitch)

[davell]

https://www.fanragsports.com/murray-majority-of-mlb-teams-attend-alain-tamayo-showcase/amp/

 

Obviously not a trade, but evidently an interesting option for the off-season.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

https://www.fanragsports.com/murray-majority-of-mlb-teams-attend-alain-tamayo-showcase/amp/

 

Obviously not a trade, but evidently an interesting option for the off-season.

you know who else throws 96? Justin Wilson just did

[Bull]

https://www.fanragsports.com/murray-majority-of-mlb-teams-attend-alain-tamayo-showcase/amp/

 

Obviously not a trade, but evidently an interesting option for the off-season.

you know who else throws 96? Justin Wilson just did

It would be nice if he wasn't a crap bag during the playoffs.

[minnesotacubsfan]

So. All you smart people. How in the hell is TheoCo going to shore up our junk pitching staff

[jersey cubs fan]

So. All you smart people. How in the hell is TheoCo going to shore up our junk pitching staff

 

Sign one starter and two relievers, then take a nap.

[Derwood]

So. All you smart people. How in the hell is TheoCo going to shore up our junk pitching staff

 

Take three seconds to see that four of your relievers had sub-3.00 ERA's in the regular season and then don't overreact like a ninny

[minnesotacubsfan]

What would it take to get Yu Darvish

[Transmogrified Tiger]

What would it take to get Yu Darvish

 

Lester money, with a chance at needing another year on the deal

[Tedward]

What would it take to get Yu Darvish

 

Lester money, with a chance at needing another year on the deal

 

Yep, Dave Cameron in his Fangraphs chat earlier this week estimated 7/175, I believe Lester was 6/155

[bauermj]

So. All you smart people. How in the hell is TheoCo going to shore up our junk pitching staff

 

Take three seconds to see that four of your relievers had sub-3.00 ERA's in the regular season and then don't overreact like a ninny

 

Aren't half of them free agents?

[davell]

This is a weak ass class. That much is for certain. We need at least one Starting Pitcher, with some depth as well. The depth will be easy to find. The replacement for Jake? Not so much. Here are the options for this off season via Free Agency......

 

Jake Arrieta- 32 168.1, 8.71/2.94, 3.53/4.16/4.11, 45.1%GB

 

I'd like to bring him back, but not at the 5/125 or whatever it is he'll wind up getting on the open market. I think 5/125 is a bad idea, and he may get more than that. I can't see it working out well for whoever signs him, but, that's just pitching......

 

Andrew Cashner-31 166.2, 4.64/3.46, 3.40/4.61/5.30, 48.6%GB

 

He's rumored to be getting a QO. If that doesn't tell you how bad this market is, I don't know what will. In no way, shape, or form do I think we'd consider him.

 

Tyler Chatwood-28 147.2, 7.31/4.69, 4.69/4.94/4.27, 58.1%GB

 

Well, Chatwood is young, at least. He's a big GB guy and his road splits are much better than his home splits. He'd be a very nice secondary addition, but I figure he's going to find good money himself.

 

Jhoulys Chacin-30 180.1, 7.64/3.59, 3.89/4.26/4.54, 49.1%GB

 

He's had some decent seasons, but he's had some clunkers too. I think he's had character concerns in the past, can't remember for sure. At any rate, he'd be a solid depth addition, if he's cheap enough.

 

Alex Cobb-30 179.1, 6.42/2.21, 3.66/4.16/4.24, 47.8%GB

 

Cobb is one of the better options, in my mind. He's a pretty solid mid rotation guy, but we'd need to give him 3-4 years probably. Is he worth 4/64? I doubt it. But, it may be a better contract than 5/125 on Jake, I guess.

 

Yu Darvish-31 186.2, 10.08/2.80, 3.86/3.83/3.65 40.7%GB

 

He's the prize. And if you get him, its at least been rumored, you get Ohtani with him. He supposedly doesn't like cold weather and I think only cold weather teams were on his NT list?(could be imagining this) At any rate, I'm not sure he's worth more than Jake. But, I'd gladly give him more if it enhanced the shot at Ohtani.

 

Jaime Garcia-31, 157, 7.39/3.67, 4.41/4.25/4.18 54.8%GB

 

Not a bad option here either, but will likely command a solid monetary outlay, for back end production. Personally, I doubt we give more than one starter and one pen arm multi year deals. He's in the mix of possibilities though.

 

Lance Lynn-31, 186.1, 7.39/3.67, 3.43/4.82/4.75, 44.0%GB

 

Rumored to get between 80-100 mill. WTF? No way in hell would I go that route. If the market passes him by laughing and he's out there in January.....I'd probably be OK at 3/45 or so.

 

Masahiro Tanaka-29, 178.1, 9.79/2.07, 4.74/4.34/3.44, 49.2%GB

 

I'm assuming he'll opt out of 3/67 in this market. But, he seems happy in NY, so he could stay there without truly hitting the market. He's had arm concerns, so while he's a solid option, especially in this group.....He still gives lots of pause, not to mention he's not even an option unless he opts out. He'd be 3rd behind Darvish and Jake, if he does though.

 

Jason Vargas-35, 179.2, 6.71/2.91, 4.16/4.67/4.94, 40.3%GB

 

Innings eater that lost serious steam over the course of the season. Not exciting on any level, but is a decent 5th starter. If we don't think Monty is that guy anyway.

 

These guys are available too, but they're either hurt or have other flaws.....Still, the scrap heap can be useful and my guess is we'll use it......These guys will all get one year deals, probably with incentives.

 

Chris Tillman-30 93, 6.10/4.94, 7.84/6.97/5.87, 39.5%GB

 

Holy horsefeathers, he was rancid. Can Bosio fix him? He was 172, 7.33/3.45, 3.77/4.23/4.54, 41.2%GB in 2016. The FB velo dropped a MPH, but the rest of his pitches were right in line with his norm. He kind of intrigues me, as a buy very low guy. But, you have to compete with teams that conceivably could guarantee him a spot.

 

Wade Miley-31 157.1, 8.12/5.32, 5.61/5.27/4.66, 50.3%GB

 

What do the damn Orioles do to their pitching? 5.32 BB/9? He hadn't been above 3.35 since 2011 lol. Again, I'd be fine with giving him a shot at the 5th spot.

 

Looking deeper into the scrap heap, I'm just not motivated lol. There's a bunch of guys that'll get major league deals, with incentives.....

 

Matt Garza, probably burned bridges with us. CC Sabathia doesn't seem like he'd leave NY. We've had Brett Anderson and we saw.....Trevor Cahill or Scott Feldman The Sequel? Eh, at least they're probably worth a swing role looksy. Doug Fister or Miguel Gonzalez? I say no. Yovani Gallardo and Jeremy Hellickson will find work somehow. Ubaldo seems borderline intriguing as a pen option. But no way as a starter. And then there's Tyson Ross.....We "missed out" last year on him. He'd be much cheaper, probably non guaranteed, at this point. For that alone, he's a solid flyer to try.

 

I'll add the foreign guys as they become known. Alain Tamayo is a Cuban that SUPPOSEDLYT has 2/3 upside. If so, he's got to be near the top of this entire group. That said, we know the hype train on some of these guys is insane.

 

Miles Mikolas is a guy returning from some decent Japan years.

 

And then there's that guy that plays both ways that is easily first on this list, if he gets posted......

[minnesotacubsfan]

The sky was blue and some birds fly by......

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[KrisBryantisaBeast]

What would it take to get Yu Darvish

 

Lester money, with a chance at needing another year on the deal

 

Yep, Dave Cameron in his Fangraphs chat earlier this week estimated 7/175, I believe Lester was 6/155

 

Hard pass.

[Cubswin11]

So. All you smart people. How in the hell is TheoCo going to shore up our junk pitching staff

Probably by starting with the realization there's not "junk" to shore up.

[Tim]

So. All you smart people. How in the hell is TheoCo going to shore up our junk pitching staff

Sign one starting pitcher and trade for another. Go all in on trying to sell Otani on the Cubs (I know it is a long shot). Alzolay is not far away from being a contributor in the rotation. They have a few other guys in the low minors that show promise for 2019 or so.

 

There's a bunch of promising arms for the bullpen on the farm, as well. Wilson is a much, much better pitcher than he showed with the Cubs in 2017. They'll probably sign three FA this year, including one from the top group and one loogy. Say the FA are Shaw, Neshek and loogy. That gives you Shaw, Strop, Edwards, Wilson, Monty, Neshek, loogy & minors guy.

 

Shored.

[davell]

I'd take Shaw, Neshek, and a LOOGY and be very happy with the pen. I agree I expect a trade for a Starting Pitcher, but I kind of think Theo is pimping Alzolay, in order to trade him......Happ plus Alzolay should net something very fun......Then, I can see us signing Chatwood. He's got some upside, with his insane splits and it keeps away from a long-term commitment that'll be needed more next off-season anyway.

[davell]

So, who may actually be available thru trade in the off season? I'm looking over teams and heres what I've got....

 

AL East

 

Yankees- Nah, don't see it.

 

Red Sox- I can see them trying to move on from Price. But, his elbow and contract seemingly make that wishful thinking.

 

Toronto- They're planning on going for it, so Stroman and Sanchez seem to be staying put, FOR NOW. I'd check back at the deadline though.

 

Baltimore- Bundy ain't going nowhere and if he was, I'd be scared anyway. Gausman is always a possibility, but they seem to value him quite a bit higher than he probably should be, at this point.

 

Tampa- Sure, Archer will be rumored again. But, it'd take more than we gave up for Quintana. Just don't see it. Odorizzi? More likely to be moved, but not anything remotely special.

 

AL Central

 

Indians- Salazar possibly? Clevinger? I don't trust Salazar's health, but I can see them having an interest in Schwarber.

 

Royals- If Duffy hadn't had elbow surgery already this off season, I'd love the idea.

 

Twins- No reason for them to deal anyone.

 

White Sox- No one left for them to move that's not going to fit into their next timeline.

 

Tigers- We were rumored with Fulmer previously, but he too, just had elbow surgery. Norris and Boyd aren't good enough to use any of our major league position guys on.

 

AL West

 

Astros- Don't see where they'd need our guys. I'd still like to see if we could pry Musgrove away with something else, but again, why would they move anyone?

 

Angels- Skaggs? Not for our major league guys though. And I don't see why they'd move him.

 

A's- Manaea? Graveman? Graveman is averageish and we'd want more than him for our ML guys. If you see Manaea breaking out, he's an interesting option. The A's could conceivably be interested in our bats too.

 

Rangers? Is Hamels going to be available, if they miss out on retooling in FA? If he is, is he any good still? Perez? For cheaper obviously.

 

Mariners- Time for them to rebuild, but would they? And if so, how much would Paxton cost?

 

I'll do the NL soon. But, in the AL, I'd say the best guys legitimately likely to be reasonably available would be Salazar, Manaea, and a bunch of guys not worth dealing from our ML stash. Hell, Salazar may not be either.

[davell]

In the NL, I guess I'd look at it this way.....

 

Atlanta- Teheran will be available, but he's not worth any of our ML guys.

 

Washington- Nah, don't see it.

 

Mets- I can see them shopping deGrom. They obviously need bats.

 

Marlins- Straily doesn't interest me, but he's probably getting dealt.

 

Phillies- Nola would definitely interest me, not sure they're ready to move him though.

 

NL Central

 

Brewers- Not dealing with them.

 

Cards- Not dealing with them.

 

Reds- Have nothing we'd want.

 

Pirates- Its time for them to move on from Cole, but he just had a down year and they've said they're keeping him. Maybe at the deadline?

 

NL West

 

Diamondbacks- I guess I could see them with an interest in our guys, to replace Martinez. If they think Banda is ready, would they flip Walker for a bat?

 

Padres- They got nothing.

 

Dodgers- Seriously doubt a trade gets done with our chief competition.

 

Giants- I'd be very happy to reacquire Shark. It'd hurt to have to give up ML pieces for him though. But, maybe he could get done without THOSE guys being involved. Monty, plus minor leaguers?

 

Rockies- I can see where they'd need bats going forward, but I don't see them moving Gray. And I'm unsure if Marquez, Freeland, Hoffman, or anyone else truly fits into a teams plan of counting on them immediately.

 

So, in the NL, the best I see are deGrom, Shark, and then a step down to Teheran, unless Nola or Cole could be had.

[Cubswin11]

2 of Almora/Schwarber/Happ, Monty and a combo of the following guys; Zagunis, Zas, Albertos, Caritini, Tseng, De La Cruz for Betts or Benintendi (lead off hitter), Price (Red Sox throw in ~$50 mil of remaining ~$150) and Eduardo Rodriguez. Who says no?

[davell]

I don't think everyone you named gets Betts alone. Adding Almora, I guess it's enough for Betts by himself.

 

I don't think they'd do it for Benintendi, Price, and Rodriguez either. MAYBE if there was no money changing hands at all.

[StarlinOnYou]

I feel like we’re going to have to trade for another arm looking at the options available. I don’t see anyway around it. That class is BAD.

 

Is Chris Archer still maybe available? I would offer some of the farm for him.

 

Archer/Lester/Quintana/Hendricks/Montgomery is strong.

 

If we go the cheaper route via trade someone w/ upside coming off a down season makes sense for this front office.. maybe Daniel* Norris types?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I like a Wade Miley signing for the BOR.

[raw]

Alex Cobb. He started to look like the pre-injury guy toward the end of the season. K9 up to 7.3 in the 2nd half of the season, but that included 8.9 K/9 in the last 2 months. He also brought his HR/9 back to his career numbers the last 2 months after give up over 1.1 HR/9 the rest of the year after giving up 2 HR per 9 in his limited starts in 2016. Familiarity with Maddon and potentially will have his pitching coach again next year if the Cubs hire Hickey. Plus, he's a generally a decent fielder from what I understand. And FWIW, he's historically dominated the NL during interleague play.