davell

Carl FTW

Favorite Cub ever? If not, he should be.

It happened. Missed where Miggy was set up at.

Some good stuff from Arguello on Javier Assad, Amaya, and Ademan.

He's interesting, but he's truly a project. He's got ridiculous stuff, or did anyway. In his case, I'm shocked he's got this few K's, even if it is a SSS. I'm sure he's attempting to work on his control. I'd be interested to see a current report on him, but he seemed like a guy that had no clue how to pitch, to me. Veeeeery raw, and he's certainly not getting younger. So, unless there's been a serious change in his mechanics and/or he's got some semblance of command now, I'd still look at him as an extreme long shot.

This is a very different point from the Cubs not being able to put together a package at all. Of course there will be competition, but the vast majority of better systems are with bad teams so we're dealing with not even a handful. From there even fewer will have the motivation to actually make a big trade, whereas the Cubs are losing a TOR pitcher + at least another starter this offseason. From there if the Cubs were to offer a Baez or Almora with Jimenez I would imagine there is no team matching that up top. That's a cheap, young MLer a selling/bad team can slide right into their lineups plus a top prospect with whatever else. ---- There's zero shot at Cease being the center of a trade for a SP, but that's fine. Just speaking hypothetically because I have some time on my hand right now, but I can think of a handful of teams that might be able to compete close enough with some sort of Almora/Baez and JImenez package up top, and have depth pull it out. It'd come down to what teams are looking for. Actually, I really don't see the Cubs moving Almora at all. Baez maybe, but I think they like Almora too much and he's "their guy" after all (not that I think being their guy would influence things if they liked a deal). Astros - To my own surprise, Derek Fisher has been better than I thought, and he's basically ready for a look. If a team's looking for arm talent in return, and the Astros go shopping for a starter, the ability to toss in a Francis Martes (still intriguing despite his command struggles so far) or the guy I like better, David Paulino, would be a factor. Sure, Baez/Jimenez is "better" on some generalized value assessment, but a possible starting corner OF and some intriguing, good ceiling, high level arms is close enough. Red Sox - Dombrowski not making a big trade would shock. I don't think they should move him, and if they did, I think it'd be for pitching, but Rafael Devers is looking really excellent and closer to being ready than I thought. Pair him with say, Sam Travis, and that's a nice power combination for some small market team. Indians - I really don't expect the Indians to go after pitching, but if they did, the best backstop in the minors (IMO) in Mejia (prefer him to Kelly) and someone like Triston McKenzie ... that'd be a tantalizing package, although it would be a total win now move thinning out the system. Brewers - if they manage to stick around, they have the system to pull of a big trade easily. Yankees - There seems to be some rumor-mongering that they would consider moving Clint Frazier in a deal, and with Gleyber in the system, Jorge Mateo could be shopped, and there's quality arms. Cardinals - If they really opted to shop for an arm, being able to dangle Carson Kelly in a trade means they could mix and match with the rest of the system. Yes, Baez/Eloy sounds great, and if it's just a two man deal, it'd be a tough one to crack but there are teams that can come close enough to match and it would come down to what the selling team prefers/was looking for. _____ I really don't see us moving Javy, because of the D and the still untapped upside hitting too. Been into that numerous times though and some will disagree. Either way, those packages literally don't come close to competing with Javy/Eloy. And we have the Jeimers, Zagunises, and Caratinis of the world to bump up the total value of a package considerably. If we decide we WANT a guy, we'll get him. No doubt in my mind, to be honest. Eloy as a lead piece is as valuable or more so than anyone else's Javy/Happ/Schwarber is MORE valuable than anyone else's 2nd piece 3rd/4th pieces of Caratini, Zagunis, Candelario, Clifton are just as valuable or more than what other teams are likely to send as their 3rd/4th types I still doubt we go "all in" for that type personally. But if we want to, we can and will grab one. No doubt in my mind.

Eloy not playing in either game.

Steele with a very solid outing. 7 8 3 3 0 5, 9/3 GO/FO, on 93 pitches. Gave up the 3 runs in the 1st and 2nd, then settled down.

[tweet] [/tweet] Deep Thoughts......by Mookie Wilson

God, I love Brisbee.

I think we'll do our damnedest to get a guy early. I think Zagunis, Caratini, and Candelario are all kind of tailor-made for Oakland. The question is what's it going to take as a lead piece? If a quantity package of that group and Cease(or Clifton, if Billy likes him) can get it done, I'm sure we'd jump. I've debated with a buddy about Gray. Just don't know what Billy thinks about him. Is he scared and will take what he can get, thinking this still may be the highest selling point? I go back to the Harden trade and wonder. Gray has an extra year of control and Harden had been hurt more too. But, it wouldn't shock me if other teams are scared of giving up major pieces for him too. So, maybe he's a guy we can entice Billy with, by our AAA group and a top 100ish pitching prospect?

Personally, I think we don't go totally into the deep end at the deadline. If only because I doubt those guys get moved. Gray is the guy I think we may go after. Buuuuuut, I definitely think we CAN go into the deep end.

Eh, I don't think you have to push him at this point(or even soon necessarily) If he's still pitching well in MB next year, you can move him to Tennessee at the midway point and still be in good position with him. He's also a guy, based on his age, that you could conceivably just start him off in Tennessee next year. Just let the higher(even if its slightly) profile guys get their innings. If he pushes his way into being relevant, then let him move quick. But, at this exact point, there's no one in MB to bump out of innings. Same with Tennessee. That's obviously subject to change, but not as of now.

[tweet] [/tweet] Part Deux

Aaaaaaand Rosscup down, Pena back up.

https://twitter.com/billazbbphotog/status/867098663410999296

I love the fact BA mentioned our FO sees some Youkilis in him.

Albertos went 3 innings today. Only took him 35 pitches. 5/0 GO/FO. Gave up 2 hits, a run, and 2 K's. No walks. Much better than his prior 2 outings.

"I believe I can fly"

Still love Z.

Hatch with his best start in MB, 5 3 0 0 2 4, on 86 pitches. He could come out for the 6th. Either way, I'm glad to see him put together a complete outing.

There will be a few more later. Awesome

Dammit, Eloy not in the lineup. Hopefully, its nothing. Hatch 3 3 0 0 1 0 so far on 43 pitches. Pitching to contact.

Thanks so much UK, you are the man!