Tag: andrew miller

Cubs still in on Aroldis Chapman

aroldis_chapmanI’ve assumed for some time now that the Cubs weren’t really all that interested in Aroldis Chapman. I had assumed their real and only interest was Andrew Miller, but according to Ken Davidoff, the Yankees have asked for best and final bids from four teams. Those four teams are the Nationals, Cubs, Indians and, you know it, a mystery team.

They’re advancing on a different front. An industry source told The Post that the Yankees had asked serious Chapman suitors — a list believed to include the Nationals, the Cubs and the Indians, as well as a mystery team — for their best and final offers. While that doesn’t clinch a trade of Chapman, the impending free agent, it makes such a transaction darn likely. The Yankees intend to hold onto Miller, who is signed through 2018.

Davidoff suggests the Yankees will not be moving Andrew Miller now who I actually thought was no longer a target after the Cubs acquired Mike Montgomery. But I do have to admit that acquiring Chapman intrigues me. A 7th, 8th and 9th inning of Pedro Strop, Hector Rondon and Aroldis Chapman is awfully good. It would give the Cubs the shutdown bullpen that teams try for when they’re serious about the playoffs.

Add in Carl Edwards, Jr., Mike Montgomery and I’m still hoping Justin Grimm can return to form. All of a sudden the Cubs would have a very good bullpen. It wouldn’t come cheap, but probably cheaper than it would cost to get Andrew Miller.

The Yankees gave up quantity to get Chapman, but not a lot of quality. They did give up a couple of prospects ranked in the lower half of the top 10 (#6 and #10) and then two prospects ranked outside the team’s top 30. More than half a season later and Chapman is closer to free agency. There’s also no possibility of getting a draft pick if Chapman signs with another team for next season.

I’d have to give it some more thought, but Billy McKinney and Jeimer Candelario are ranked by Baseball America in similar spots in the top 10. Eloy Jimenez has made a huge step forward and is now easily in the Cubs top 5 and probably off the table for Chapman. What do you guys think it would take to acquire Chapman?

Cubs Hot Stove 7.18.2016

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?