Cubs Acquire Michael Soroka

[Bull]

8 hours ago, Jason Ross said:

I think he's a BP person from what I have heard. The Cubs really like him as a reliever, he struggles third time through the order, and he was great in the pen last year. 

I think he'll take the Flexen spot. Taillon will eventually bump Rea.

Who bumps Brown? Unless and until they acquire a TOR starter the rotation is Boyd, Shota, Horton, Rea, Soroka.

[Jason Ross]

18 minutes ago, Bull said:

Who bumps Brown? Unless and until they acquire a TOR starter the rotation is Boyd, Shota, Horton, Rea, Soroka.

If the Cubs *dont* get a SP today, the rotation through the next few weeks would be:

Shota/Boyd/Horton/Soroka/Rea with Taillon bumping Horton. But I think the Cubs will get a SP today on top of Soroka. Sharma said at the time of the trade "a few" pitching additions and the Cubs have made two, so I think one more is incoming. 

I think the Cubs will spend the day really working on a controlled SP. That they have already acquired two rentals might be an indication they feel more confident on that than previously, or could suggest they just are not interested in the rental reliever market and this was their solution. Kittridge has a $9m team options, but I assume there is no way thats being picked up. Cubs can still pivot at any moment from the Cabrera/Gore/Ryan market to the Kelly/Morton/Gallen market and remain one of the few games in town for the former (there arent many teams with means and ability to nail down a real trade for the controlled arms).

I would assume in a perfect world for the Cubs that today would end with them getting Edward Cabrera and Willi Castro. 

[Rcal10]

4 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

If the Cubs *dont* get a SP today, the rotation through the next few weeks would be:

Shota/Boyd/Horton/Soroka/Rea with Taillon bumping Horton. But I think the Cubs will get a SP today on top of Soroka. Sharma said at the time of the trade "a few" pitching additions and the Cubs have made two, so I think one more is incoming. 

I think the Cubs will spend the day really working on a controlled SP. That they have already acquired two rentals might be an indication they feel more confident on that than previously, or could suggest they just are not interested in the rental reliever market and this was their solution. They Cubs can still pivot at any moment from the Cabrera/Gore/Ryan market to the Kelly/Morton/Gallen market and remain one of the few games in town for the former (there arent many teams with means and ability to nail down a real trade for the controlled arms).

I would assume in a perfect world for the Cubs that today would end with them getting Edward Cabrera and Willi Castro. 

That would be the perfect world. I agree. 

[Bull]

9 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

If the Cubs *dont* get a SP today, the rotation through the next few weeks would be:

Shota/Boyd/Horton/Soroka/Rea with Taillon bumping Horton. But I think the Cubs will get a SP today on top of Soroka. Sharma said at the time of the trade "a few" pitching additions and the Cubs have made two, so I think one more is incoming. 

I think the Cubs will spend the day really working on a controlled SP. That they have already acquired two rentals might be an indication they feel more confident on that than previously, or could suggest they just are not interested in the rental reliever market and this was their solution. Kittridge has a $9m team options, but I assume there is no way thats being picked up. Cubs can still pivot at any moment from the Cabrera/Gore/Ryan market to the Kelly/Morton/Gallen market and remain one of the few games in town for the former (there arent many teams with means and ability to nail down a real trade for the controlled arms).

I would assume in a perfect world for the Cubs that today would end with them getting Edward Cabrera and Willi Castro. 

Aha. What I was calling the Brown spot, you were calling the Flexen spot. (I never mentally had Flexen in the rotation)

[Jason Ross]

16 minutes ago, Bull said:

Aha. What I was calling the Brown spot, you were calling the Flexen spot. (I never mentally had Flexen in the rotation)

Oh makes sense! Yeah I think Soroka is going to be a better version of Flexen. Brad Keller lite? 

Flexen was kind of the "last guy" in the BP for many aspects. He'd pitch in extras in a close game because you ran out of options or he would be your " designated loser" when you were down and hoping he could give length and not give up too many when you wrre down to maybe mount a comeback. Soroka probably does that role better (specifically designated loser, a more important role than probably ever given credit for) but also could pitch in close games in the 6th and 7th far with much more confidence than Flexen was given. 

Could also be a starter if we had another injury too and be better than Flexen. 

But I do really think he's a nice upgrade in the BP. He might not be Duran, but I think he adds a nice bit of depth to a BP that needed it.

[Bull]

17 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

Oh makes sense! Yeah I think Soroka is going to be a better version of Flexen. Brad Keller lite? 

Flexen was kind of the "last guy" in the BP for many aspects. He'd pitch in extras in a close game because you ran out of options or he would be your " designated loser" when you were down and hoping he could give length and not give up too many when you wrre down to maybe mount a comeback. Soroka probably does that role better (specifically designated loser, a more important role than probably ever given credit for) but also could pitch in close games in the 6th and 7th far with much more confidence than Flexen was given. 

Could also be a starter if we had another injury too and be better than Flexen. 

But I do really think he's a nice upgrade in the BP. He might not be Duran, but I think he adds a nice bit of depth to a BP that needed it.

Ok, so maybe we aren't saying the same thing.

I think Soroka is in the rotation for the foreseeable future.

Even if there is a TOR starter added.

Rotation becomes Shota, Boyd, TOR, Soroka, Rea. (Horton gets a rest)

Then its Shota, Boyd, TOR, Taillon, Soroka (Horton builds back up)

Then it's Shota, TOR, Taillon, Horton, Soroka (Boyd gets innings limited. Assad to bullpen)

If there is no TOR guy added today, that puts Rea back in and delays hortons rest until Taillon and/or Assad return.

[Jason Ross]

12 minutes ago, Bull said:

Ok, so maybe we aren't saying the same thing.

I think Soroka is in the rotation for the foreseeable future.

Even if there is a TOR starter added.

Rotation becomes Shota, Boyd, TOR, Soroka, Rea. (Horton gets a rest)

Then its Shota, Boyd, TOR, Taillon, Soroka (Horton builds back up)

Then it's Shota, TOR, Taillon, Horton, Soroka (Boyd gets innings limited. Assad to bullpen)

If there is no TOR guy added today, that puts Rea back in and delays hortons rest until Taillon and/or Assad return.

I do not think he will be in the rotation. Both Zumach and Matt have said the Cubs like him in the bullpen. I think he would end up in a rotation spot for two main reasons:
1. The Cubs don't close the door on another SP
2. Someone eventually gets hurt

But I think the Cubs envision him as a reliever first and foremost.

EDIT: Maybe if they settle on Bieber, who has just made his last start in Double-A, Soroka would be capable of being in the rotation for 2 or 3 turns and then give way to Shane in 2 weeks or so when he's more built up and ready, as well.

[Named After Maddux]

Believe Soroka will be coming up. 2 inning role 

[Bertz]

24 minutes ago, Named After Maddux said:

Believe Soroka will be coming up. 2 inning role 

Awesome 

With wins and losses not meaning a ton over these last two weeks I wouldn't hate a bit of trial by fire to stress test how much we can count on Soroka, Hodge, and Brown for meaningful October innings.