Cubs Expressing Interest In Blue Jays Catcher Danny Jansen

[Brock Beauchamp]

As the Cubs still sit on the fence of buying or selling at the trade deadline, it appears they're exploring what players they might pursue if they decide to buy. Per Bob Nightengale of USA Today, one of those targets is Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen.

Should the Cubs decide to buy, this makes all the sense in the world. Jansen is a free agent at year's end, makes only $5 million this year, and is currently sporting a triple slash line of .223/.319/.397, good for a 103 OPS+. That's well above league average for the catching position.

On the other hand, the Cubs have the worst catching corps in baseball and it's not close. They rank 30th in baseball with a -1.4 fWAR on the season, with their backstops hitting for an abysmal 39 wRC+. The two teams above them are the Chicago White Sox and Miami Marlins, truly company you do not want to keep in the year of 2024.

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[Bertz]

 

[Tryptamine]

For me, the idea of buying/selling pretty much rests on todays game. They're 8.5 out of the division and 4.5 out of the WC and they lose the tie breaker to everyone in the central. Even with a win today I'm not 100% on board the buy train, but with a loss I'm firmly out.

[Brock Beauchamp]

58 minutes ago, Bertz said:

It’s a very logical move to make.  

[Tryptamine]

Just now, Brock Beauchamp said:

It’s a very logical move to make.  

Not sure it is.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Just now, Tryptamine said:

Not sure it is.

It really depends on Jansen. If he's open to an extension and avoiding free agency, it makes a lot of sense. If not, then it really depends on what the Cubs do in the next few days.

[Backtobanks]

1 hour ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

It’s a very logical move to make.  

He should be cheap and if you extend him, you have one less hole to fill for next year.

[Wilson A2000]

Just get him and get him now. No reason to wait until the trading deadline. 

[Stratos]

On 7/14/2024 at 1:04 PM, Backtobanks said:

He should be cheap and if you extend him, you have one less hole to fill for next year.

If they don't land him it looks like there's a pit of nothing at C in FA this offseason.

[LBiittner]

The true definition of slim pickings when a career backup who will be entering age 30 is probably the best option to satisfy our lust for jeds 85 win wildcard contention over  the next 3 or 4 seasons.

[JD94]

Is anybody else concerned that since May 20th Danny is slashing .175/.281/.267 with a 63 wRC+ and a .091 ISO? 

Edited July 20, 2024 by JD94

[Eeyore]

How close are the Cubs to the luxury tax? If they're close, I would expect a salary dump of some kind to accommodate the remainder of his deal.

How much would they be willing to give up for a pending free agent? They can always just try to use money to acquire him in a few months.

[LBiittner]

3 minutes ago, TomtheBombadil said:

Noooot even a little bit. I much prefer looking at a player’s entire body of work, especially when there’s such a skills fit, than the last 2 minutes. 15 minute info that might change how I perceive a player is like… velo jumps (either pitcher or hitter). Jansen’s approach is basically Isaac Paredes at catcher *plus* he can defend, demonstrated all this over time including all the way to being a Top Prospect in ancient times. The body of work is strong

——

There’s too many Cubs fans who buy into the whole One Man thing. They have plenty of options to get way better fast, hopefully the baaaaawlls to do it 

He keeps his baaaawls in Rickets safe

[JD94]

26 minutes ago, TomtheBombadil said:

Noooot even a little bit. I much prefer looking at a player’s entire body of work, especially when there’s such a skills fit, than the last 2 minutes. 15 minute info that might change how I perceive a player is like… velo jumps (either pitcher or hitter). Jansen’s approach is basically Isaac Paredes at catcher *plus* he can defend, demonstrated all this over time including all the way to being a Top Prospect in ancient times. The body of work is strong

I’m just not giving up much for a rental catcher who only has one year in his career with a greater than 2 fWAR. He turns 30 at the start of next year if you plan on extending him and he’s providing negative value with the bat already this year. He’s been better than Amaya this year, but not by much. I feel like we are overstating the upgrade that Jansen will be. 

[Bertz]

1 hour ago, Eeyore said:

How close are the Cubs to the luxury tax? If they're close, I would expect a salary dump of some kind to accommodate the remainder of his deal.

How much would they be willing to give up for a pending free agent? They can always just try to use money to acquire him in a few months.

I actually wrote about this, I think for a catcher there's value in adding a guy on an expiring contract with the intent to resign him

 

I'm also increasingly wondering if this logic applies to SPs as well.  Imanaga aside, most of the Cubs' higher end pitchers acquired in the Hottovy era have had a rough first half season before locking in.

[LBiittner]

11 minutes ago, JD94 said:

I’m just not giving up much for a rental catcher who only has one year in his career with a greater than 2 fWAR. He turns 30 at the start of next year if you plan on extending him and he’s providing negative value with the bat already this year. He’s been better than Amaya this year, but not by much. I feel like we are overstating the upgrade that Jansen will be. 

But 8 years ago he was the type of prospect who appeared to make dreams come true. Can't give up hope! I'm still finding him just absolutely dreamy and hopeful. Much like when Todd Hundley became a cubbie