Starting rotation options available now

[Rcal10]

3 hours ago, Bertz said:

As the Twins fade further and further down the standings I'm having my morning coffee and eying that roster like the Vince McMahon meme

Love to get Joe Ryan. But with 3 years of control he isn’t going to be cheap. He would be a great addition, however. 

[Stratos]

3 hours ago, Bertz said:

As the Twins fade further and further down the standings I'm having my morning coffee and eying that roster like the Vince McMahon meme

[JD94]

Twins still only 2 back in the WC. Could be enough to keep them from selling. Especially somebody like Ryan with multiple years 

[Rcal10]

1 minute ago, JD94 said:

Twins still only 2 back in the WC. Could be enough to keep them from selling. Especially somebody like Ryan with multiple years 

I know. More wishful thinking than anything else. I don’t think there are going to be a lot of sellers. Which might up the cost of acquiring a guy. Just not much out there. Hard to face your fans when you sell 3 games out of a WC spot. And I think that will be the case with a lot of teams. 

[cubfansince77]

Good thread with some really valid points. It'll be interesting to see what they do when Imanaga comes back in a few days. Either Brown or Rea to the pen, but which one? Horton stays in cuz he's looked very good. Only bad part with him is that at some point they'll have to limit his innings which is just another reason they absolutely need to trade for another starter in the next few weeks.

Lord only knows who that'll be, pure speculation but then again this is a message board so.....I do like a couple of your suggestions in this thread guys. Here is an MLB.com article that's pretty good. I personally like Lugo of KC. He's a proven vet, and wouldn't cost too much:

https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-trade-deadline-2025-trade-candidates-on-playoff-bubble-teams

[chibears55]

If Hoyer is going to make a move for a SP soon, I have a feeling it will be for Alcantara who has had 4 pretty good outings in a row now this month.

This week with the rotation shuffling due to Imanaga return, this would be a good week to make that deal, plus you wanna get as many starts from him as possible going forward. 

 

[Rcal10]

8 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

If Hoyer is going to make a move for a SP soon, I have a feeling it will be for Alcantara who has had 4 pretty good outings in a row now this month.

This week with the rotation shuffling due to Imanaga return, this would be a good week to make that deal, plus you wanna get as many starts from him as possible going forward. 

 

If we are to believe Bruce Levine that something may happen soon do we choose not to believe a direct question to him with his direct answer? He was asked if it could be Alcantara and he said “NO”. Now, understand Bruce might not know what he is talking about. But if that’s the case maybe they aren’t close to anyone now and Bruce is wrong about that. Hard for me to get all excited about Bruce saying a deal is close because I believe him and then decide not to believe him when he says it isn’t Alcantara. But, that said, I do hope it is Alcantara. But it isn’t what Bruce is reporting. 

Edited June 23, 2025 by Rcal10

[chibears55]

50 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

If we are to believe Bruce Levine that something may happen soon do we choose not to believe a direct question to him with his direct answer? He was asked if it could be Alcantara and he said “NO”. Now, understand Bruce might not know what he is talking about. But if that’s the case maybe they aren’t close to anyone now and Bruce is wrong about that. Hard for me to get all excited about Bruce saying a deal is close because I believe him and then decide not to believe him when he says it isn’t Alcantara. But, that said, I do hope it is Alcantara. But it isn’t what Bruce is reporting. 

I had no idea what Bruce was reporting,  just going off my own feeling about Alcantara. 

With Sale hurt now, just feel if there is a deal to be had sooner rather then later, I just think Alcantara would be the choice for a TOR type that could be available now off a bad team.

[Rcal10]

12 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

I had no idea what Bruce was reporting,  just going off my own feeling about Alcantara. 

With Sale hurt now, just feel if there is a deal to be had sooner rather then later, I just think Alcantara would be the choice for a TOR type that could be available now off a bad team.

The site has been talking about Levine’s report for a few pages. I just thought you had to see it. Whatever. I do agree that I would like it to be Alcantara, but it doesn’t sound like it is, if Bruce is right. 

[Dfan25]

Levine said that on Sunday the  Cubs thought they were close on something but doesn’t look like it’s going to happen right now . Mentioned Marlins, Rockies , A’s . 
 

Also said Royals and Guardians could become sellers in the coming weeks as well .

 

 

 

 

[Dfan25]

Edward Cabrera would fit that young veteran description of Levine .

[Jason Ross]

14 minutes ago, Dfan25 said:

Edward Cabrera would fit that young veteran description of Levine .

I think he'd fit young, but he mentioned a "good, young veteran" and I just don't know if he's pitched enough to earn that moniker. Merrill Kelly would hit the good and the veteran, but not the young. It's hard to make what of what from that as we don't usually attribute "young" and "veteran" in the same player...usually one or the other. 

We'll see if anything happens or goes down. Wonder why it isn't going to happen. Is it because Shota is for sure a good to go? Did the team have a good last 10 games (Like, say, the Tampa Bay Rays and Drew Rassmussen?) and don't want to sell so much? Did the Cubs decide to aim higher? Do they like Cleveland or KC more? Interesting stuff.

[Rcal10]

45 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

I think he'd fit young, but he mentioned a "good, young veteran" and I just don't know if he's pitched enough to earn that moniker. Merrill Kelly would hit the good and the veteran, but not the young. It's hard to make what of what from that as we don't usually attribute "young" and "veteran" in the same player...usually one or the other. 

We'll see if anything happens or goes down. Wonder why it isn't going to happen. Is it because Shota is for sure a good to go? Did the team have a good last 10 games (Like, say, the Tampa Bay Rays and Drew Rassmussen?) and don't want to sell so much? Did the Cubs decide to aim higher? Do they like Cleveland or KC more? Interesting stuff.

It is a problem fitting a pitcher into the categories of good, young and veteran. When you then add “available” it getting even harder. I am not sure too many teams are selling yet. I would think the Marlins, Nationals, Pirates, Rockies, A’s and the White Sox are all definite sell teams. Then you get to “maybe” Angels. & Orioles. After that the ones that if the absolute right price was given maybe they sell. Twins, Royals, Braves, Dbacks. I don’t think the maybes and the right price teams are ready yet. Given the idea the Cubs will made a move soon I have a hard time figuring who that is. Alcantara makes the most sense, however Levine said it wasn’t him. Does Keller fit the “good”  description? Heaney? Is there anyone on any of those other teams that would qualify and be someone those teams would realistically trade? Love to get Gore, but he would cost a lot. If either of those maybes decides to move to sell that opens up a few more options. Kikuchi, Soriano and Eflin are all possible. Debatable it these guys meet all of the 3 characteristics. 

[Dfan25]

1 hour ago, Jason Ross said:

I think he'd fit young, but he mentioned a "good, young veteran" and I just don't know if he's pitched enough to earn that moniker. Merrill Kelly would hit the good and the veteran, but not the young. It's hard to make what of what from that as we don't usually attribute "young" and "veteran" in the same player...usually one or the other. 

We'll see if anything happens or goes down. Wonder why it isn't going to happen. Is it because Shota is for sure a good to go? Did the team have a good last 10 games (Like, say, the Tampa Bay Rays and Drew Rassmussen?) and don't want to sell so much? Did the Cubs decide to aim higher? Do they like Cleveland or KC more? Interesting stuff.

I think the deal they thought was close on Sunday night was with MIA / Pit / Col / Sac . Those were the teams mentioned . 

[Rcal10]

17 minutes ago, Dfan25 said:

I think the deal they thought was close on Sunday night was with MIA / Pit / Col / Sac . Those were the teams mentioned . 

Of those teams Alcantara would be the most appealing. But doesn’t sound like it was him. I know you mentioned Cabrera. He has been a guy who basically underperformed. But he is an option. And then Keller. I don’t see a Rockies or A’s as an option. 

[Rcal10]

Bleacher Nation mentioning Keller and Bednar. I would be ok with that combo. I think with both not being cheap after this year they might not be that pricey. Maybe they can get them and still be able to go after Alcantara closer to the deadline. 

[chibears55]

3 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

Bleacher Nation mentioning Keller and Bednar. I would be ok with that combo. I think with both not being cheap after this year they might not be that pricey. Maybe they can get them and still be able to go after Alcantara closer to the deadline. 

Id rather just take Bednar and use whatever sources that was gonna be added for Keller, elsewhere for a better SP.

I dont think Keller will be much of an upgrade if any over just staying with Horton and hes definitely not that TOR guy they need.

 

 

[Rcal10]

2 hours ago, chibears55 said:

Id rather just take Bednar and use whatever sources that was gonna be added for Keller, elsewhere for a better SP.

I dont think Keller will be much of an upgrade if any over just staying with Horton and hes definitely not that TOR guy they need.

 

 

But Horton can’t throw 130 innings this year and then the playoffs. Keller isn’t great. I agree. But he is a decent MOR starter who might be available now. 
i agree with you if by saving that prospect you can get that better pitcher now(Alcantara) by adding that guy to whoever else you have to give up. But if they can’t get Alcantara now but can get Keller I would take Keller now and worry about later, later. 

Edited June 26, 2025 by Rcal10

[Bull]

22 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

But Horton can’t throw 130 innings this year and then the playoffs. Keller isn’t great. I agree. But he is a decent MOR starter who might be available now. 
i agree with you if by saving that prospect you can get that better pitcher now(Alcantara) by adding that guy to whoever else you have to give up. But if they can’t get Alcantara now but can get Keller I would take Keller now and worry about later, later. 

I think this is the key. I think there's a possibility that Horton starts in the playoffs, but if he does, he's got to be moved out of the rotation ASAP. I still like piggybacking him and Pomeranz 3 and 3 for around a month. 

[muntjack]

Royals have lost 5 in a row,  scoring a grand total of 4 runs.  Only 3.5 games out of the WC, but 5 teams in front of them.  Would love to strike a deal there. 

[JD94]

2 minutes ago, muntjack said:

Royals have lost 5 in a row,  scoring a grand total of 4 runs.  Only 3.5 games out of the WC, but 5 teams in front of them.  Would love to strike a deal there. 

Thought I saw a reputable reporter report Bubic could be on the table. He’s intriguing 

[Rcal10]

56 minutes ago, JD94 said:

Thought I saw a reputable reporter report Bubic could be on the table. He’s intriguing 

And expensive maybe Lugo. 

[Bertz]

1 hour ago, muntjack said:

Royals have lost 5 in a row,  scoring a grand total of 4 runs.  Only 3.5 games out of the WC, but 5 teams in front of them.  Would love to strike a deal there. 

The Royals are also horribly desperate for outfield help so the fit goes both ways.

[We Got The Whole 9]

Royals hoping to pull a Scott Feldman with Kris Bubic. I have a feeling his market won't be what they expect. He's good, I could be wrong. But his record of success is short. 

Edited June 27, 2025 by We Got The Whole 9

[Rcal10]

I have a feeling fans are going to be shocked and upset at what the Cubs will have to give up to get a quality starting pitcher. But they have to do it.