Author Topic: Around Baseball  (Read 421650 times)

Reb

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Re: Around Baseball
« Reply #1455 on: November 13, 2015, 11:20:36 pm »
Last time it came up, Chapman said he preferred closer role over starting rotation. The guy is a closer, unless persuaded otherwise. Pending FA, so you'd think it would have happened already if had change of heart. Think he's right---a prototype dominant short reliever.

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/42857168/aroldis-chapman-says-he-prefers-closing-over-starting


CUBluejays

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Re: Around Baseball
« Reply #1456 on: November 14, 2015, 12:32:18 am »
I've suggested this several times and no one has commented.  Probably because everyone has me on Ignore, too, but would there be no chance to switch Chapman back to a starter?

The Reds wanted to and he didn't want to do it.  There would also be the issue of how many innings he could handle. He could be amazing as a starter or his arm could break, kinda a risky move for a contending team and a free agent.

CUBluejays

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Re: Around Baseball
« Reply #1457 on: November 14, 2015, 01:15:40 am »
The Rays get the exhibition game in Cuba if MLB can work out the details.

CurtOne

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Re: Around Baseball
« Reply #1458 on: November 14, 2015, 06:53:30 am »
Thanks, CBJ and Reb.  My memory was wrong.  I thought it was Dusty that insisted he stay at closer because he had nobody else.  I thought that became an issue between Dusty and the front office.  I just assumed that Chapman had grown into the position.  Gotta wonder whether an agent mentioned how much more $$$ might be in being a SP could change his viewpoint.

craig

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Re: Around Baseball
« Reply #1459 on: November 14, 2015, 07:40:27 am »
Wow! I'd be really pissed if the Cubs made an equivalent trade. Kimbrel is fantastic, but he's getting paid like it, so it's not as if there's a ton of surplus value there. ....  STUNNED the Pads got that much.

Speaks to the high price of trading for seriously good players with some club control. 

We've talked about the Cleveland pitchers.  But it's hard to imagine how much Kluber, signed through 2015 at a $7.5 average, would cost?  Or Carrasco (if viewed as fine medically), signed through 20120 at $5.5 average?  One of those two would require a ginormous package of prospect talent. 


Why FA is probably the avenue for us.  Trade for an anti-awful roster filler, maybe.  Trade for a prospect who hasn't broken through yet?  Maybe.  Maybe/perhaps trade for a pitcher whose value is depressed by approaching free agency?  Maybe.  Trade for a pitcher who has some talent but has underachieved?  Maybe. 


But trading for a healthy, proven, plus-plus, pitcher with years of control and a fair or favorable contract?  Market price is just too high. 
« Last Edit: November 14, 2015, 07:45:27 am by craig »

craig

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Re: Around Baseball
« Reply #1460 on: November 14, 2015, 07:53:24 am »
I know Curt hates him on par with Samardzija, and maybe worse.  But I still wonder if Cashner might be an interesting guy.  He's got only one year of control = price down.  He hasn't been very good = price down.  he hasn't been very durable = price down.  Maybe he isn't a good chemist and lacks a good face = price down. 

Might be something of a buy-low value candidate who wouldn't cost the house.  Might even be an interesting bullpen guy in postseason. 

And would be fun to get Curt riled up for entertainment sake!   

craig

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Re: Around Baseball
« Reply #1461 on: November 14, 2015, 08:05:08 am »
How about Leonys Martin as a buy-low defensive CFer?  Coming off a .576 OPS season  :):):), and having gotten bumped by DeShields, he couldn't cost a ton.  But good defensively.  Previous two seasons he was .690-ish offensively, which is kind of what we hope Almora might blossom into someday. 


Ron

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Re: Around Baseball
« Reply #1462 on: November 14, 2015, 08:55:42 am »
How about Leonys Martin as a buy-low defensive CFer?  Coming off a .576 OPS season  :):):), and having gotten bumped by DeShields, he couldn't cost a ton.  But good defensively. Previous two seasons he was .690-ish offensively, which is kind of what we hope Almora might blossom into someday.

Whoa. My hopes for Almora are certainly higher than that.

CUBluejays

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Re: Around Baseball
« Reply #1463 on: November 14, 2015, 09:00:31 am »
Martin would interest me. He has some speed as well.

Cashner would be really interesting depending on price. If you could flip Castro for him that might be fair value and only having him for one year, limiting the injury risk. With the free agent class being a mess next year he could get a QO to recoup some of the cost.

CurtOne

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Re: Around Baseball
« Reply #1464 on: November 14, 2015, 09:04:39 am »
I know Curt hates him on par with Samardzija, and maybe worse.  But I still wonder if Cashner might be an interesting guy.  He's got only one year of control = price down.  He hasn't been very good = price down.  he hasn't been very durable = price down.  Maybe he isn't a good chemist and lacks a good face = price down. 

Might be something of a buy-low value candidate who wouldn't cost the house.  Might even be an interesting bullpen guy in postseason. 

And would be fun to get Curt riled up for entertainment sake!   
I have resigned myself to the fact that we will have a rotation of Arrieta, Lester, Smarj, Cashner, and Eddie Jackson next year.  Bring 'em all back!

CurtOne

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Re: Around Baseball
« Reply #1465 on: November 14, 2015, 09:40:21 am »
So Estrada turned down a one year deal for 15.8M for a 2 year deal for 24.5M.   Does his agent do Jesmath?

Deeg

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Re: Around Baseball
« Reply #1466 on: November 14, 2015, 09:46:21 am »
I would be perfectly fine with Cashner as a lottery ticket, the 2nd starter acquisition.  He's exactly the sort of pitcher you might just be able to get with Castro, and there is some potential for a surprise on the high side with him.  Padres are likely in fire sale mode, so it's definitely not unrealistic.

brjones

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Re: Around Baseball
« Reply #1467 on: November 14, 2015, 09:53:43 am »
Maybe he isn't a good chemist and lacks a good face = price down. 

Does Cashner have a reputation of a bad clubhouse guy?  I'd never heard that.

It doesn't really matter, though.  The Cubs should be past the point of adding guys with big question marks in significant roles.  This team should be good enough to win a World Series next year, so spend enough to get someone who is better and more reliable.

Deeg

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Re: Around Baseball
« Reply #1468 on: November 14, 2015, 10:00:14 am »
Does Cashner have a reputation of a bad clubhouse guy?  I'd never heard that.

It doesn't really matter, though.  The Cubs should be past the point of adding guys with big question marks in significant roles.  This team should be good enough to win a World Series next year, so spend enough to get someone who is better and more reliable.

He did badmouth the Cubs' organization, but that's all I've heard about him being a clubhouse problem.

I'm not totally in agreement with the "big question marks" label here, because of context.  If you bring in Cashner to effectively be the fifth starter, the question is more whether he'll surprise you and pitch like a #2 or #3 - even bad Cashner is likely a decent #5.  Unless you figure the Cubs are going to bring in two legit SP who are better - and to do so I think you have to trade Soler or Baez - I think a guy like Cashner makes a lot of sense.

CurtOne

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Re: Around Baseball
« Reply #1469 on: November 14, 2015, 10:19:37 am »
Castro is too much for Cashner, considering he's a FA after next year.  Cashner has been horribly injury prone.  He's on the DL all the time.  He has had very mediocre success, hasn't really eaten innings, and has been a big disappointment to San Diego, considering what they gave up for him.  Rumor has it that they were praying Ian Kennedy wouldn't take the QO and are grateful he didn't.  Next, they'd like to get rid of Cashner, but the price may be taking Shields, too.  But all things considered, I don't think I'd give up Castro.  If they'd give him up for Underwood and another minor prospect, fine.