Question of the week: What is the Cubs' biggest need heading toward the deadline?

[Rcal10]

52 minutes ago, NorthsideAvenger said:

 

 

 

I had not thought about that. Interesting.

But with Levine keeps saying the Cubs are trading for a starter soon (does not sound like it will be Alcantara), I wonder if a Suarez and Kelly or Gallen package could be something they are pursing? 

Well it seems so many people think there is no way the Cubs carry a Tucker contract. Devers is pretty close to that sort of deal. So if they were checking in on Devers that would suggest they aren’t that worried about a high priced long contract. 

[Dfan25]

Levine seems to think Cubs will make a move sooner than later for a SP . Mentioned it could even happen this week  

. Maybe looking to get a 3B as well in a potencial deal . Something to keep an eye on , I doubt it’s the Dbacks  seems to early for them to give up   

[Rcal10]

19 minutes ago, Dfan25 said:

Levine seems to think Cubs will make a move sooner than later for a SP . Mentioned it could even happen this week  

. Maybe looking to get a 3B as well in a potencial deal . Something to keep an eye on , I doubt it’s the Dbacks  seems to early for them to give up   

Keller and Hayes? I doubt it since both have years left. But that would fit young experienced pitcher and a 3rd baseman. And Pirates are selling, I am sure. 

[muntjack]

Hayes makes Matt Shaw look like Cal Raleigh.  

[Rcal10]

21 minutes ago, muntjack said:

Hayes makes Matt Shaw look like Cal Raleigh.  

You’re not wrong about Hayes not hitting. What the hell happened to him? In ‘23 he hit 15 homers and looked like he might be a decent offensive player with great defense. He has been really bad since.

[muntjack]

Yeah, I knew he had fallen off offensively,  but I didn't realize he was on the short list of worst hitter in the majors.  

[Rcal10]

21 minutes ago, muntjack said:

Yeah, I knew he had fallen off offensively,  but I didn't realize he was on the short list of worst hitter in the majors.  

Just don’t know what 3rd baseman are available. Is Rengifo someone to consider? I know the Cubs like Soriano. Or is there anyone on the Rockies worth considering, so they can get McMahon and that pitcher? 

Edited June 23, 2025 by Rcal10

[Bertz]

I'm skeptical they make a deal for a SP early, but certainly at 3B if they do anything it's just going to be for a bench bat to add a less terrible alternative to Vidal Brujan and give Shaw a break against some of the tougher righties.  Not him for obvious reasons but someone like Miles Mastrobuoni.

[mul21]

3 minutes ago, Bertz said:

I'm skeptical they make a deal for a SP early, but certainly at 3B if they do anything it's just going to be for a bench bat to add a less terrible alternative to Vidal Brujan and give Shaw a break against some of the tougher righties.  Not him for obvious reasons but someone like Miles Mastrobuoni.

Levine seems to be convinced they're going to jump the market for a pitcher, possibly even this week.  He doesn't usually come out with something that strong without some smoke so I'd bet there's something to it.

[Rcal10]

Just now, Bertz said:

I'm skeptical they make a deal for a SP early, but certainly at 3B if they do anything it's just going to be for a bench bat to add a less terrible alternative to Vidal Brujan and give Shaw a break against some of the tougher righties.  Not him for obvious reasons but someone like Miles Mastrobuoni.

I think it has to be more than that if they do go with another bat. Otherwise just keep what you have. I don’t view Mastrobuoni any more favorable than what is currently there. So someone like Mastrobuoni is who we have already. Not saying they give up on Shaw. But maybe this year they do. Or at the very least improve the bench, not add another similar guy. 

[Bertz]

2 minutes ago, mul21 said:

Levine seems to be convinced they're going to jump the market for a pitcher, possibly even this week.  He doesn't usually come out with something that strong without some smoke so I'd bet there's something to it.

It would be great when paired with the return of Shota, but between how uncommon deals are this early, Jed's deliberate pace, and how turkey the standings are for a lot of bubble teams (e.g. Arizona) I'm skeptical.  Levine was first on the Luzardo stuff last winter so who knows maybe he's sniffed something out.

[mul21]

1 minute ago, Bertz said:

It would be great when paired with the return of Shota, but between how uncommon deals are this early, Jed's deliberate pace, and how turkey the standings are for a lot of bubble teams (e.g. Arizona) I'm skeptical.  Levine was first on the Luzardo stuff last winter so who knows maybe he's sniffed something out.

It really sounds like the noise is about Alcantara and he's been better of late, so I tend to believe something with him may be getting close.

[Rcal10]

4 minutes ago, mul21 said:

It really sounds like the noise is about Alcantara and he's been better of late, so I tend to believe something with him may be getting close.

I thought when asked specifically if it was Alcantara Levine said no, not him. I hope it is him, but I thought that was what was said. 

Edited June 23, 2025 by Rcal10

[Rcal10]

Big news just broke. Fulmer called up and Pearson down. 🤮 Hope that wasn’t it😓

[Jason Ross]

6 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Big news just broke. Fulmer called up and Pearson down. 🤮 Hope that wasn’t it😓

Levine specifically mentioned trading for a SP. So this isnt it. Likely just swapping Pearson for Fulmer so they have more BP coverage.

[Rcal10]

1 minute ago, Jason Ross said:

Levine specifically mentioned trading for a SP. So this isnt it. Likely just swapping Pearson for Fulmer so they have more BP coverage.

Maybe I should have been clearer. I was only kidding. Of course that is not it. Guess I need to work on my sarcasm. 

[JD94]

He said a “good young veteran SP” and had a tidbit about a 3B potentially in the same deal. That very clearly screams Gallen and Suarez to me. Gallen needs fixing though. I’d be happy to take on that talent, but he’s been getting shelled this year. Sign me up for Suarez though. Think he got removed from the game tonight after a HBP in the hand/arm area. Hope it’s nothing serious. 

[Stratos]

I think they most likely acquire a #2 or 3 type they can pitch in the playoffs, maybe a Taillon type, and a reliever of some sort.  Hoyer has never acquired an ace (Imanaga not considered a real #1 when acquired).  SP are expensive around the deadline.

I think a 3B is on the table too after pitching needs are met.  I could see them trying to sign Candelario who was just DFA'd.

Edited June 24, 2025 by Stratos

[JD94]

5 hours ago, Stratos said:

I think they most likely acquire a #2 or 3 type they can pitch in the playoffs, maybe a Taillon type, and a reliever of some sort.  Hoyer has never acquired an ace (Imanaga not considered a real #1 when acquired).  SP are expensive around the deadline.

I think a 3B is on the table too after pitching needs are met.  I could see them trying to sign Candelario who was just DFA'd.

Signing Candy would be pointless. He can’t hit or play the field. I’d rather have Shaw playing every day. At least with Shaw you’re getting good defense. You can’t platoon Candy with Busch either because both are LHH. 

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, JD94 said:

Signing Candy would be pointless. He can’t hit or play the field. I’d rather have Shaw playing every day. At least with Shaw you’re getting good defense. You can’t platoon Candy with Busch either because both are LHH. 

Candelario is a switch hitter and he isn’t hitting now. But supposedly he has been hurt. If he doesn’t cost anything to work out there is no reason not to check on him. He hit 20 homers last year and “when healthy” would be the. Each bat the. In’s would have, at the very least. Besides being able to play 3rd and 1st. 

[JD94]

1 hour ago, Rcal10 said:

Candelario is a switch hitter and he isn’t hitting now. But supposedly he has been hurt. If he doesn’t cost anything to work out there is no reason not to check on him. He hit 20 homers last year and “when healthy” would be the. Each bat the. In’s would have, at the very least. Besides being able to play 3rd and 1st. 

Totally forgot he was a switch hitter. Oops. But even if he is hurt, he had a 87 wRC+ and a -0.3 fWAR last year. He’s no better than what we currently have 

[Stratos]

4 hours ago, JD94 said:

Signing Candy would be pointless. He can’t hit or play the field. I’d rather have Shaw playing every day. At least with Shaw you’re getting good defense. You can’t platoon Candy with Busch either because both are LHH. 

They could sign him to a minor league deal or something.  No risk really.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

45 minutes ago, Stratos said:

They could sign him to a minor league deal or something.  No risk really.

But there is risk. You're taking ABs away from guys you either consider part of the future or keys in a trade. If Matt Shaw dies tomorrow I would rather ride with Berti or Jonny Long than hope Jeimer and his back are suddenly fine. Lower back injuries (especially after 30) do not disappear.

[Jason Ross]

18 minutes ago, Ding Dong Johnson said:

But there is risk. You're taking ABs away from guys you either consider part of the future or keys in a trade. If Matt Shaw dies tomorrow I would rather ride with Berti or Jonny Long than hope Jeimer and his back are suddenly fine. Lower back injuries (especially after 30) do not disappear.

I wouldn't advocate him starting with the Cubs. But as a reminder, the Cubs start Chase Strumpf at 3b in Iowa many days and routinely start Darius Hill or a similar ilk at DH. The Cubs could carve out a role for him in Iowa if they look at the tape/scouting and feel like they have a plan to rehab him. 

I'm not over the moon on the idea, but its a low risk move if they made it. And could give the team a switch hitting 1b/3b option if they get him back to something resembling to what he was. And if not, an easy release candidate! 

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, Jason Ross said:

I wouldn't advocate him starting with the Cubs. But as a reminder, the Cubs start Chase Strumpf at 3b in Iowa many days and routinely start Darius Hill or a similar ilk at DH. The Cubs could carve out a role for him in Iowa if they look at the tape/scouting and feel like they have a plan to rehab him. 

I'm not over the moon on the idea, but its a low risk move if they made it. And could give the team a switch hitting 1b/3b option if they get him back to something resembling to what he was. And if not, an easy release candidate! 

This is my feeling on him. Sign him and let him get right in Iowa. If he does, you bring him up. Play him some but have him your bench option. And if Shaw is still not hitting maybe you play Candy a little more. And if he doesn’t hit in Iowa you release him. No risk with him, imo.