With the deadline looming less than two weeks from today, the Cubs rumors are heating up. Theo and Jed Hoyer are almost assuredly going to make some kind of roster moves to improve the team. We’ve discussed in the comments quite extensively Andrew Miller and what we would/wouldn’t like to give up. Here are some updates:
- Andrew Miller is still the Cubs number 1 target, according to George King of the New York Post
- Early rumors had the Yankees wanting injured C/LF Kyle Schwarber. I think we’d all be shocked for Theo to part with Schwarber for a reliever with two years left on his deal
- Yankees brass are reportedly still deciding what do at this deadline with an aging veteran squad. Cubs have plenty of positional talent to get a deal done should the Yankees not find another suitor willing to give up a big prospect
- Cubs are more willing to part with 3B Jeimer Candelario, according to Heyman
- Theo wants to upgrade the club, but also wants to maintain flexibility and not make a deal no matter the cost, according to Bruce Levine.
- Teams are scouting breakout prospect (and international bonus baby) Eloy Jimenez. Jimenez was signed during the same spending spree that landed Gleyber Torres. At the time, many had Jimenez as the top amateur player above Torres. Look for Jimenez to be on some top 100 mid-season propect lists.
- Dmick will happy to hear that the Cubs have scouted A’s OF Josh Reddick, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.
- Reddick is a pure rental as he becomes a FA after the season
- Cubs have also scouted LHP Rich Hill (yes that Rich Hill)
It’s generally thought that Cubs need to upgrade their bullpen (loogy and set up), left field, and/or a top tier starter. What do you want them to upgrade the most?
I wouldn’t mind the Cubs also getting Carlos Beltran if they are going to be going after Miller.
dmick89Quote Reply
That was just a preview.
Now that Hamels is over and it’s the Cubs’ turn to sweep the Mets, it can begin in earnest.
SKQuote Reply
Jesus DeRosa…..the trade scenarios in those mlbtraderumors comments makes me wish for all out nuclear war.
MuckerQuote Reply
Considering the rate at which Dexter Fowler is recovering (thankfully he hasn’t had any setbacks), they might need a center fielder.
dmick89Quote Reply
Twins just fired their GM.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I’d like to add 2-3 more Catchers to the roster.
EdwinQuote Reply
Can someone please explain to me why Ben Zobrist is getting two days off in a row when the all-star break was last week? I know he was in the game and was fairly busy, but come on.
dmick89Quote Reply
Edwin,
At least.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
I think the pressures of managing the team while also fulfilling his other responsibilities, such as schoolwork, wears Joe down and consume his free time. Joe’s friends do not like how Joe’s managerial responsibilities are keeping him away from being with them. Even when he’s physically present (as opposed to on the road with the team), he is typically distracted by team business. He’s also probably jealous that Ben Zobrist has taken a romantic interest in Joe’s mother, and so Joe has benched Ben out of jealously.
Although, now that I’m thinking on it, that might just be the plot to Little Big League, and not actually true.
EdwinQuote Reply
dmick89,
I’m annoyed at this, too. This lineup is pretty weak.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Also, why give Zobrist a break against lefties? He hits better from the right side.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
little big league was based on a true story
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
Chris Correa (Cardinals hacker) –> nearly 4 years in prison(!)
Seems absolutely stupidly long. I’m not even sure he should go to freaking jail over that. A lifetime ban from the industry, sure, but this is ridiculous.
mylesQuote Reply
fowler and soler are supposedly both playing in iowa tomorrow although i’ll believe it when i see it.
myles,
eh i don’t know if i feel like that’s too long. how much time in jail would he have got if he was hacking into like an investment bank’s server? i have no idea but i assume it’s similar to what correa got.
i don’t see a difference between what correa did and physically breaking into someone’s office and stealing their shit although now that i’m thinking about it, there’s no way that most people get 4 years for B&E.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
It doesn’t make any sense to me unless Zobrist is dealing with an injury.
dmick89Quote Reply
Yeah, he stole stuff, and in a really calculated, sneaky way. And losing that stuff potentially hurt the Astros more than if they just lost objects or cash. I don’t know what correct penalties are for any crime, but this was certainly a crime.
Also, perhaps Zobrist is day to day with a nagging injury or illness that isn’t our business. Or maybe all that travel out to San Diego tired his old ass out something fierce.
SKQuote Reply
myles,
Yeah, Correa got the exact same sentence as this person: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/chinese-national-pleads-guilty-conspiring-hack-us-defense-contractors-systems-steal-sensitive
dmick89Quote Reply
It was definitely a crime and there is certainly some form of punishment required. I also don’t know what that is. Sentencing for this type of crime is all over the place.
dmick89Quote Reply
i guess joe says that zobrist told him that he doesn’t feel rested after the break and could use another day off.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
I guess it makes some sense that he gets rested after the 24 games in a row and not getting a proper All-Star break. I still think it’s weird that Maddon waits until they face two southpaws in a row, though.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
If Zobrist doesn’t feel well enough to play, fine, but he had July 4th off, was only used as a pinch hitter on June 25th and had the two days off after the ASG.
It probably wouldn’t irritate me as much if the Cubs were healthy, but the lineup without him kind of sucks.
dmick89Quote Reply
Yeah, Szczur’s starting two games in a row irritates me. He shouldn’t start two games in a month.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Yeah, Joe himself made the point that HE was more tired than he had ever been at the break this year, so I can see it catching up on Zobrist too.
Plus, he likes resting guys in general and is seemed to work last year. Hopefully Arrieta’s break does the trick and they won’t miss Zobrist’s bat.
SKQuote Reply
I’m not sure that’s a good sign. The Cubs had a huge lead and were able to sit back and have fun. They didn’t play in that many tight games and even the ones they did were fairly meaningless since they had a huge lead. The division was pretty much wrapped up in May.
I’ll stop complaining now. (dying laughing)
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
I’m guessing it had to do with the constant travel of their last few weeks. I mean, I tend to believe that since everything is first class all the way and every possible convenience is provided for them means they shouldn’t really complain, but I bet even without having to endure waiting in lines or eating shitty airport/airplane food like the rest of us, it takes its toll. Look at rock stars on tour or how much being president ages someone so quickly. It’s all that constant air travel. Maybe.
SKQuote Reply
I just assumed Zobrist did something embarrassing like burn his ass lighting a fart, like that one guy who played for the Cubs a few years ago.
PerkinsQuote Reply
New Shit (with complimentary expletives)
http://obstructedview.net/series-preview-cubs-55-36-vs-mets-49-42-718-720/
mylesQuote Reply
SK,
Yeah, I’m sure it takes a toll, but I kind of feel if that’s the real issue then he probably should have declined to attend the all star game. he had the perfect opportunity to get a nice long rest and didn’t. I know it’s the all star game, but it’s still not as important as a regular season game.
dmick89Quote Reply