Non Tender Deadline Moves

[Illiterate Scholar]

Sharma mentioned a week or two ago in their podcast that the Cubs would be looking for a veteran backup catcher, but he also said something about trading for a prospect with upside as an idea. Now that Jed picked up a 2nd/3rd catcher type and retained him, it has me wondering if he'll do something a little more creative than Jansen or Kelly.

I was thinking something like Alcantara for Dalton Rushing. Similar to last year's trade. They'll likely be ranked close to each other on prospect lists, though we'd probably have to throw in another decent piece since Alcantara only has one option year left. Seems like the Dodgers would have more use for a CF than C in the near or even long term and the opposite for us.

[Post Count Padder]

I have had that thought. A follow up prospect for prospect trade with the Dodgers like last year. They have Will Smith locked in for nearly a decade and have Rushing and Cartaya knocking on the door. Maybe something crazy like Alcantara or Caissie and Ben Brown or Jordan Wicks for Rushing and a pitching prospect like Maddux Bruns. 

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Between Amaya's uncertain production and the soft skills/experience that the FO values in the position, I would be pretty surprised if they ended up making such a deal for a catcher.  And for any other position it runs into competition with their own prospects, so I would expect any deal of this flavor would be more on the pitching side.

[KCCub]

 

[Stratos]

On 11/22/2024 at 9:29 PM, Rob said:

Tauchman is a surprise. But if we aren’t getting nibbles on Bellinger, then Tauchman is too well-paid to be a fifth outfielder.

Still, I can’t believe there was no trade value there. Maybe there’s an off-season medical issue?

Tauchman non-tendered was interesting.  I agree its odd they couldn't even get a bit of cash in a trade for him, but age isn't on his side.

To be honest, it makes some sense they ditched Tauchman since they have 4 starting OF already with Bellinger and one of the Iowa OF prospects probably comes up if there's any injuries, or at the very least have a good chance to be in the majors by mid-season.  That would leave Tauchman the odd man out and he has no options left, so there's a decent chance they would have cut him and eat his salary at some point in the year if he couldn't be traded.

Canario or a minor-league invite could make the team as a 5th OF out of ST, if they even need one.  We have lots of CF depth already.  If Suzuki has to move back to RF because of an OF injury there's lots of options in the minors to start or platoon at DH.  Even Shaw could do it.

With Cowles, Shaw, Vazquez, Mastro on INF and Bellinger/Mervis/Ballesteros as 1B backup there's a chance the Cubs could fill out their whole bench with whomever is in the org right now and just rely on minor-league ST invites to add depth.  This saves several million towards actual good acquisitions this winter.  I'd bet they find a cheaper/better RH bench corner bat to replace Wisdom in case Busch struggles vs LHP, but i'd prefer they dumpster dive for that.  Belli can start at 1B if Busch gets hurt, no need to spend lots.

Edited November 24, 2024 by Stratos

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Keegan got 850k, just above league minimum: https://apnews.com/article/hays-finnegan-rodgers-free-agents-b4b78dcd742d874f206a1f638f981963

Not called out as a split contract though others in the article are, so have to assume it's a straight MLB deal for the time being.