Bleacher Bums Forum

Levine seems modestly well-connected - he's usually not totally out in left field.

Darvish is the sort of opportunity that just doesn't come around that often.  If his WS bomb is causing his price to drop, we really should be all over that.

Flying to Dallas to meet with Yu indicates that at the very least, the Cubs are serious about this and think they have a great chance if they want to pursue it.  Especially with Theo bringing Jed to fetch the coffee.

I don't get the Archer inclusion, unless his late-season arm problems are serious enough to have depressed his trade value a lot. 

If you want to trade for a good player on a good contract, I don't think that works if your best minor leaguers are Ademan, Alzolay, Albertos, and Caratini. 

Flying to Dallas to meet with Yu indicates that at the very least, the Cubs are serious about this and think they have a great chance if they want to pursue it.  Especially with Theo bringing Jed to fetch the coffee.

Due diligence!    Not sure it says anything about "great" chance.  I'd assume they'd do diligence on even a teensy chance. 


There are four variably decent SP FA's in Darvish, Arrieta, Cobb, and Lynn. I think they ought to be flying wherever it take to sales-pitch each of those four guys/agents, perhaps repeatedly if needed. 


Adding one of those to your rotation (and your budget) is obviously very impactful.  With at least >$50+ at stake (Cobb, Lynn) or >$100 (Darvish or Arrieta), and your odds of competing this season as well as beyond, I think it's well worth some flights to try to get the right guy and make the right deal!   

Am I understanding right that *IF* they were to sign Darvish, he'd not cost them a draft pick? 

Obviously a second-round draft pick isn't a big deal, I don't think.  But it would be kinda fun to keep them all, and perhaps draft smart and luck into a good player or two this draft. 

McLeod's 2nd-rounders have been: 
*Zastryzny,
*Stinnett,
*Donnie Dewees>Alec Mills.... 
*This year Cory Abbot, who knows how he'll turn out. 
*Duane Underwood, back when we drafted at the top of the round, instead of the back.

So keeping or losing a guy like that isn't much of a reason for Darvish or against Cobb or Lynn.  Still, it would be fun to have a first plus three 2nd-rounders this draft 

Theo/Jed flying somewhere is certainly past the tire kicking stage.  It might not get done, but this is at least serious.

Darvish+Yelich+Prado would put the Cubs over the luxury tax in 2018 and 2019. 

Sign Darvish.  Trade Happ and a prospect for Yelich, Barraclough and Prado.  Done - great offseason, worry about next year next December.

I don't think the Marlins are going to be motivated to trade Barraclough unless someone overpays. He's not even arbitration eligible, and has a far lower profile than guys like Yelich and Realmuto (so no one is going to even notice or care if he demands a trade). And I still think Almora would have to be included even if the Cubs took back Prado.

But man, finishing off the offseason with Darvish and Yelich would be exciting. It would put the Cubs right there with the Astros and Dodgers for best team in baseball.