Trade deadline target

[squally1313]

9 minutes ago, Stratos said:

We need a backup in case any of our INF get hurt.  Shaw is it.  We also may be replacing 2 corner OF next year.  I don't see them trading Shaw.  I think Rojas and/or Ramirez are much more likely to be traded, or other prospects.

Given how Jed has behaved in all previous deadlines i think an average or worse SP and/or reliever seems more likely than any impact arms, unless we get a guy with control.

We need to keep him around to be a backup infielder in case of injury??? Have you seen our rotation?

[Backtobanks]

3 hours ago, Stratos said:

We need a backup in case any of our INF get hurt.  Shaw is it.  We also may be replacing 2 corner OF next year.  I don't see them trading Shaw.  I think Rojas and/or Ramirez are much more likely to be traded, or other prospects.

Given how Jed has behaved in all previous deadlines i think an average or worse SP and/or reliever seems more likely than any impact arms, unless we get a guy with control.

Ramirez is now up and can be the utility IF, but if we don't get some rotation help soon it won't matter.  I don't think we'll be replacing 2 corner OFs next year because Jed is too cheap to sign any other FAs and too afraid to trade the prospects needed to acquire a big-name replacement.  Now might be the time to take a chance and get Duran and Tolle/Early from the Red Sox for Shaw plus others.

[Dfan25]

If they can find a team that wants to buy into the top prospect pedigree and team control , and willing to move a SP , they should absolutely move Shaw ( not for a rental )

The reality is that Matt Shaw hasn’t been able to hit RHP at this level . His main value is that he is cheap and can play a few different positions at this point . I am not convinced he is the answer to anything in the OF long term . 

Edited Friday at 11:43 PM by Dfan25

[Stratos]

7 hours ago, squally1313 said:

We need to keep him around to be a backup infielder in case of injury??? Have you seen our rotation?

Why not just trade Ramirez or Rojas?  They have little use on this team this year.

[Geographyhater8888]

10 hours ago, Stratos said:

Why not just trade Ramirez or Rojas?  They have little use on this team this year.

You can start with them but it’s a good bet another team will offer better prospects. Shaw for Skubal, even for a couple months is worth turning the teams biggest weakness into a strength IMO. This team won’t win a World Series with this rotation as is and probably not with Joe Ryan either, who’d cost even more prospect capital. 
We’re talking about a pitcher who basically carried a mediocre Tigers team in the playoffs and will significantly move the needle. Enough of these half measures from Jed. 
 

Edited Saturday at 02:10 PM by Geographyhater8888

[Soul]

Keep going like this and we will be sellers at the deadline.

[Tryptamine]

Hot take, I have no desire for them to waste prospect assets on the team as it stands now

[731.4life]

On 5/23/2026 at 6:25 AM, Geographyhater8888 said:

You can start with them but it’s a good bet another team will offer better prospects. Shaw for Skubal, even for a couple months is worth turning the teams biggest weakness into a strength IMO. This team won’t win a World Series with this rotation as is and probably not with Joe Ryan either, who’d cost even more prospect capital. 
We’re talking about a pitcher who basically carried a mediocre Tigers team in the playoffs and will significantly move the needle. Enough of these half measures from Jed. 
 

Jed got caught. He and Breslow from Boston are operating at the same level. Just a bunch of B/C level players in hopes that one of them catches fire, and gives the team the chance. The team is just average. The 10+ game winning streaks were pretty much a fluke. Having 3 walk off wins against Cincinnati in a row is something that doesn't really happen. We played Philadelphia at the right time. 

But the lack of firepower on the offense and pitching is killing this team. The lack of identity of the organization is hurting as well. Someone mentioned it, we're last in the MLB in velocity. We have nothing that scares anybody across the MLB.

[Geographyhater8888]

11 hours ago, 731.4life said:

Jed got caught. He and Breslow from Boston are operating at the same level. Just a bunch of B/C level players in hopes that one of them catches fire, and gives the team the chance. The team is just average. The 10+ game winning streaks were pretty much a fluke. Having 3 walk off wins against Cincinnati in a row is something that doesn't really happen. We played Philadelphia at the right time. 

But the lack of firepower on the offense and pitching is killing this team. The lack of identity of the organization is hurting as well. Someone mentioned it, we're last in the MLB in velocity. We have nothing that scares anybody across the MLB.

Adding wins by hacking the system through finding war from elite gloves, handing out record breaking contracts to managers and giving a 32 YO Bregman 5 years, in large part due to for his great club house presence, with the idea that it’ll give this team some enormous edge on the margins, is so Jed. It’s a $240 million money ball roster.

Still without a past version of Imanaga, Boyd or Bellinger to save the day and shatter their projections. They’re a 6 month slugger and true top of the rotation starting pitcher away from even competing with the Dodgers. Same as always. But the injuries to the rotation have really lowered the teams high floor.

Edited 23 hours ago by Geographyhater8888

[PeanutPunch33]

15 hours ago, 731.4life said:

Jed got caught. He and Breslow from Boston are operating at the same level. Just a bunch of B/C level players in hopes that one of them catches fire, and gives the team the chance. The team is just average. The 10+ game winning streaks were pretty much a fluke. Having 3 walk off wins against Cincinnati in a row is something that doesn't really happen. We played Philadelphia at the right time. 

But the lack of firepower on the offense and pitching is killing this team. The lack of identity of the organization is hurting as well. Someone mentioned it, we're last in the MLB in velocity. We have nothing that scares anybody across the MLB.

Two iconic franchises being run into the ground by morons.  At least the Red Sox can fire Breslow after this season, the Cubs are stuck with Jed for 4 more years and probably longer since the Ricketts family loves him so much.  

From his very first draft here, he's been a horsefeathers idiot.  They pick Jordan Wicks and the 2 picks immediately behind them end up being Gavin Williams (current MLB leader in strikeouts) and Colson Montgomery (probably a top 3 shortstop).

I get that the draft is a crap shoot and it's easier to criticize moves years later, but when you are getting outshined by the horsefeathers White Sox and Guardians, it's time to have honest conversations.  Fast forward 6 years and they still don't have a single guy in the rotation as good as Williams or a position player as good as Montgomery.  

In fact, they've never developed a home grown bat worth a damn, the more I think about it.  Caissie looks terrible for the Marlins, Cam Smith is probably a few weeks away from being sent back to the minor leagues, Shaw looks exceptionally average,  Ballesteros has already been benched.  Alcantara is a strikeout machine.  I like Pedro Ramirez but I highly doubt he's going to take the league by storm as a hitter.  The only 2 great moves they've made in 6+years are acquiring PCA and Busch.  And I bet if Busch came up with the Cubs he'd probably stink, we got the Dodgers to thank for his development. 

[gflore34]

1 hour ago, PeanutPunch33 said:

Two iconic franchises being run into the ground by morons.  At least the Red Sox can fire Breslow after this season, the Cubs are stuck with Jed for 4 more years and probably longer since the Ricketts family loves him so much.  

From his very first draft here, he's been a horsefeathers idiot.  They pick Jordan Wicks and the 2 picks immediately behind them end up being Gavin Williams (current MLB leader in strikeouts) and Colson Montgomery (probably a top 3 shortstop).

I get that the draft is a crap shoot and it's easier to criticize moves years later, but when you are getting outshined by the horsefeathers White Sox and Guardians, it's time to have honest conversations.  Fast forward 6 years and they still don't have a single guy in the rotation as good as Williams or a position player as good as Montgomery.  

In fact, they've never developed a home grown bat worth a damn, the more I think about it.  Caissie looks terrible for the Marlins, Cam Smith is probably a few weeks away from being sent back to the minor leagues, Shaw looks exceptionally average,  Ballesteros has already been benched.  Alcantara is a strikeout machine.  I like Pedro Ramirez but I highly doubt he's going to take the league by storm as a hitter.  The only 2 great moves they've made in 6+years are acquiring PCA and Busch.  And I bet if Busch came up with the Cubs he'd probably stink, we got the Dodgers to thank for his development. 

I think drafting someone who, could, like, actually play would be a monumental improvement.  Who knows about Conrad, it's been 2+ months since the Cubs said a back injury was going to delay him for a month.  Back injuries effectively ended Bryant' career, Conrad may be done before he ever got started.  Hell, be completely radical and draft some pitchers with velocity, instead of a bunch of soft tossing spinners of the ball.

Edited 18 hours ago by gflore34

[PeanutPunch33]

1 hour ago, gflore34 said:

I think drafting someone who, could, like, actually play would be a monumental improvement.  Who knows about Conrad, it's been 2+ months since the Cubs said a back injury was going to delay him for a month.  Back injuries effectively ended Bryant' career, Conrad may be done before he ever got started.  Hell, be completely radical and draft some pitchers with velocity, instead of a bunch of soft tossing spinners of the ball.

Yeah, Conrad doesn't even profile as a + hitter even if he ever does get past the injury issues.  More of the same garbage from this team.  Drafting mediocre players that can make it to the big leagues quicker instead of making any attempt to draft franchise cornerstone type of players.  Of course, that would require taking some actual risk.  From my recollection I can't remember them ever drafting a high schooler in round 1 in Jed's entire tenure here.  They will never go for the "high risk, massive reward" move.  

I wonder what Jed does if/when he ever goes to a casino.  Probably watches his wife gamble while he sits at the bar.  

Edited 17 hours ago by PeanutPunch33

[Rcal10]

39 minutes ago, PeanutPunch33 said:

Yeah, Conrad doesn't even profile as a + hitter even if he ever does get past the injury issues.  More of the same garbage from this team.  Drafting mediocre players 

I’m not sure the Conrad comment is true. I thought prior to the injury last year he was absolutely a top 10 pick. Is it possible to be a top 10 pick and not have a + hitter profile? Maybe someone who is more versed on last years draft can answer this. 

[PeanutPunch33]

4 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

I’m not sure the Conrad comment is true. I thought prior to the injury last year he was absolutely a top 10 pick. Is it possible to be a top 10 pick and not have a + hitter profile? Maybe someone who is more versed on last years draft can answer this. 

To me, his profile looks more like a "do a little bit of everything" type of guy like Ian Happ.  In fact, I think they drafted him specifically so that he could replace either Suzuki or Happ next year and get to the majors quickly.

Maybe he's a better hitting prospect than I give him credit for, not sure.  But when I watch highlights of the kid I don't see a big time hitting prospect.  I see a guy who chases a lot, who also doesn't have a lot of pop.  

[Rcal10]

48 minutes ago, PeanutPunch33 said:

To me, his profile looks more like a "do a little bit of everything" type of guy like Ian Happ.  In fact, I think they drafted him specifically so that he could replace either Suzuki or Happ next year and get to the majors quickly.

Maybe he's a better hitting prospect than I give him credit for, not sure.  But when I watch highlights of the kid I don't see a big time hitting prospect.  I see a guy who chases a lot, who also doesn't have a lot of pop.  

Are you a scout? Maybe a college coach or someone who had a career in baseball?             I watch a lot off baseball and played it long ago. But I can’t breakdown a players swing or even pretend to know a guys ability just by looking at his highlights. No disrespect, but my guess is you can’t either. Besides that, if Conrad had an Ian Happ career that would be considered a solid pick in the draft. 

[PeanutPunch33]

13 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Are you a scout? Maybe a college coach or someone who had a career in baseball?             I watch a lot off baseball and played it long ago. But I can’t breakdown a players swing or even pretend to know a guys ability just by looking at his highlights. No disrespect, but my guess is you can’t either. Besides that, if Conrad had an Ian Happ career that would be considered a solid pick in the draft. 

I wasn't aware that I need to be a scout or a former coach to have an opinion?  There's a track record of mediocrity in drafting in the current regime - no need to get defensive or be dismissive when I'm only pointing out what's obvious to most fans.  Otherwise, point to me where all of these incredible players are that Jed has drafted.  

In either event, the dude is a walking injury so it's hard to tell what he is when he's never on the field.  After 6 years you'd think they could nail 1 draft pick.  Horton is the only solid pick that comes to mind and he's also a walking injury.   

[Rcal10]

8 minutes ago, PeanutPunch33 said:

I wasn't aware that I need to be a scout or a former coach to have an opinion?  There's a track record of mediocrity in drafting in the current regime - no need to get defensive or be dismissive when I'm only pointing out what's obvious to most fans.  Otherwise, point to me where all of these incredible players are that Jed has drafted.  

In either event, the dude is a walking injury so it's hard to tell what he is when he's never on the field.  After 6 years you'd think they could nail 1 draft pick.  Horton is the only solid pick that comes to mind and he's also a walking injury.   

I am not disputing your opinion the FO drafted poorly. I have no issue with your opinion. 
I am only speaking of your critique of Conrad. If you are basing your opinion on him based on highlights you saw of him, I thought maybe you had a baseball background. I would think that would be very hard to do otherwise. As I said, when the Cubs drafted him there were several scouts who had indicated he was trending to be a top 10 pick until he got hurt. I would think, strictly on what I read, that would indicate he was a + hitter. 

[Hortonhearsawho]

Just sell off whoever you can you to rebuild the farm and then go from there.

[Rcal10]

24 minutes ago, Hortonhearsawho said:

Just sell off whoever you can you to rebuild the farm and then go from there.

At this point that would be the biggest overreaction a team on a pace to win 85-90 games could ever do. Not saying it might not come to that, much closer to the deadline. But there is a lot of baseball to be played before they need to do something this drastic. 

[PeanutPunch33]

46 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

At this point that would be the biggest overreaction a team on a pace to win 85-90 games could ever do. Not saying it might not come to that, much closer to the deadline. But there is a lot of baseball to be played before they need to do something this drastic. 

Trade Wiggins + Shaw for the best hitting prospects that they can find.  I know Shaw isn't a prospect anymore but basically, a prospect for prospect trade makes a lot of sense.  

[Backtobanks]

35 minutes ago, PeanutPunch33 said:

Trade Wiggins + Shaw for the best hitting prospects that they can find.  I know Shaw isn't a prospect anymore but basically, a prospect for prospect trade makes a lot of sense.  

Those two could be headliners in a package for Duran + Early/Tolle.

[gflore34]

39 minutes ago, PeanutPunch33 said:

Trade Wiggins + Shaw for the best hitting prospects that they can find.  I know Shaw isn't a prospect anymore but basically, a prospect for prospect trade makes a lot of sense.  

Given Wiggins inability to stay healthy enough to actually pitch why would he have much interest from other teams?

[Stratos]

On the positive, Webb was hitting 96-97 today, which is a 2mph bump from his season avg, and has pitched well since the early struggles. Ramirez has also looked good at the plate.

[Geographyhater8888]

19 hours ago, PeanutPunch33 said:

Two iconic franchises being run into the ground by morons.  At least the Red Sox can fire Breslow after this season, the Cubs are stuck with Jed for 4 more years and probably longer since the Ricketts family loves him so much.  

From his very first draft here, he's been a horsefeathers idiot.  They pick Jordan Wicks and the 2 picks immediately behind them end up being Gavin Williams (current MLB leader in strikeouts) and Colson Montgomery (probably a top 3 shortstop).

I get that the draft is a crap shoot and it's easier to criticize moves years later, but when you are getting outshined by the horsefeathers White Sox and Guardians, it's time to have honest conversations.  Fast forward 6 years and they still don't have a single guy in the rotation as good as Williams or a position player as good as Montgomery.  

In fact, they've never developed a home grown bat worth a damn, the more I think about it.  Caissie looks terrible for the Marlins, Cam Smith is probably a few weeks away from being sent back to the minor leagues, Shaw looks exceptionally average,  Ballesteros has already been benched.  Alcantara is a strikeout machine.  I like Pedro Ramirez but I highly doubt he's going to take the league by storm as a hitter.  The only 2 great moves they've made in 6+years are acquiring PCA and Busch.  And I bet if Busch came up with the Cubs he'd probably stink, we got the Dodgers to thank for his development. 

Do any of the blocked infield prospects have the bat to play corner outfield since they’re all blocked? Swanson earned his $ in his first few years while the rebuild was incomplete and it’s downhill for him at age 32. 

Edited 57 minutes ago by Geographyhater8888