Rumor: Tampa Bay Interested In & "Doing Homework" on Marcus Stroman

[Jason Ross]

6 minutes ago, JD94 said:

This is a great idea. Sign me up for all of 1908’s content. When I learned PSD was shutting down, I messaged 1908 privately to make sure I didn’t lose touch with him. I wanted to make sure I went to the same message board as him. He’s incredibly gifted and knowledgeable and he’s completely changed the way I view players and the game of baseball, whether he knows that or not. Every time he posts, I learn something new. 

This is entirely too kind and more than just appreciated, JD.  

[thawv]

On 7/20/2023 at 12:31 PM, 1908_Cubs said:

Man, I just posted how the Rays are a great Stroman match; they have SP depth issues, and a great infield defensively.  Someone hire me for the front office in Tampa Bay...

 

Okay, enough, of that.  I'll say, I think Curtis Mead is possibly in play here.  I think it's your high-end win in a trade, requires the Cubs to eat Stroman's contract, but I think he's in play with the market, where the Rays are, the fit with Stroman, and the kind of good, but not great season Mead has had.  I agree, Caminero and Bradley are off the table, but I think with the real season Caminero is having, with Paredes at 3b...I think Mead is in a weird space between the two.   He's blocked in LF with Arozarena, they have Ramirez at DH (sometimes Yandy).   Maybe I'm just hopeful, though.  

 

(If Mead is on the table, he's easily my favorite return the Cubs could get.  This includes Baltimore) 

I think that all 3 are off the table with a one for one trade.  I think the Cubs would have to add a good prospect with Stroman.  And that's obviously paying Stro's contract.

[Jason Ross]

24 minutes ago, thawv said:

I think that all 3 are off the table with a one for one trade.  I think the Cubs would have to add a good prospect with Stroman.  And that's obviously paying Stro's contract.

Whoops, thought this was about Baltimore.  Let me amend: 

I think Mead's a possibility, though a stretch.  He's had a wonky season and doesn't have a super clear path to the MLB today; Parades remains ahead of him, Diaz remains ahead of him, Arozarena remains ahead of him.  With Camienro blowing up, he's got him breathing down his neck a level lower.  Mead's in prospect-no-man-land.  The Rays do trade these players (they traded Libretore for Arozarena, they gave up Joe Ryan, etc).  With the Rays losing Meija, you could package Gomes here; I don't think it has to be a prospect.  

Do I think it's likely?  Certainly not, there's like 10 teams Stroman could end up with so any one of them being likely is a long shot to begin with and Mead's probably off the table.  But I think there's world where he is on the table, moreso than the other names.

Edited July 22, 2023 by 1908_Cubs

[Brock Beauchamp]

41 minutes ago, 1908_Cubs said:

Whoops, thought this was about Baltimore.  Let me amend: 

I think Mead's a possibility, though a stretch.  He's had a wonky season and doesn't have a super clear path to the MLB today; Parades remains ahead of him, Diaz remains ahead of him, Arozarena remains ahead of him.  With Camienro blowing up, he's got him breathing down his neck a level lower.  Mead's in prospect-no-man-land.  The Rays do trade these players (they traded Libretore for Arozarena, they gave up Joe Ryan, etc).  With the Rays losing Meija, you could package Gomes here; I don't think it has to be a prospect.  

Do I think it's likely?  Certainly not, there's like 10 teams Stroman could end up with so any one of them being likely is a long shot to begin with and Mead's probably off the table.  But I think there's world where he is on the table, moreso than the other names.

In an article today, Matt brings up an excellent point: what about packaging Gomes in with Stroman to increase the return by a significant amount?

 

[Jason Ross]

6 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

In an article today, Matt brings up an excellent point: what about packaging Gomes in with Stroman to increase the return by a significant amount?

 

Great minds think alike, right!?  Actually, credit to Matt, it really is a good idea and he definitely had it first.  I think there's a possibility the Rays would be interested in that.  Meijia has been terrible this season and does nothing well.  He's bad at hitting and framing.  Christian Bethancourt has been, just regular bad himself; .3 fWAR, a 75 wRC+ and  55% framing.  Gomes would be a big upgrade on either, IMO (despite his framing metrics not being great this year) .  He's got the team friendly option as well and Bethancourt is a FAA at seasons end.  I think a Stroman/Gomes could really work there.

Edited July 22, 2023 by 1908_Cubs

[Hrubes20]

Mead seems like a pretty big stretch for a rental like Stroman, even if Gomes was added. I’m not advocating for it, but it’s probably more in the realm of a Xavier Isaac and mlb-ready reliever area.

[Tryptamine]

On 7/20/2023 at 11:57 AM, Transmogrified Tiger said:

I'm still skeptical that even in a seller's market that a prospect like Mead is in play for Stroman.  The Rays would potentially be a team that might be willing to take on a prospect with a Stroman in the right deal to make value align though.  Given their farm system depth it would have to be something far from the 40 man/Rule 5 line though, so my preferred guys in this space(Alcantara, maybe Herz) wouldn't be fits.

For me, the Rays play* is Aranda.  He's a good quality prospect but has had enough initial failure to cast doubt, and he doesn't have a clear path to a role  I think you throw him and Mervis at 1B/DH for the rest of the year you have pretty good odds of feeling confident you have one of those spots covered well in 2024 heading into the offseason.

 

*I'd also check to make sure they aren't completely soured on Baz, but that's likely wishful thinking.

If the "insider" over on Mets Refugees is to be believed, the Mets have been heavily scouting Aranda the last week or so and has become their focus if a deal comes together. 

[Tryptamine]

Zach Eflin is getting an MRI on his knee after today's start. Even if they add Lynn, they may need to add another arm now.