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I expected some big departures from the Cubs this offseason, but this one came as a shocker. Sources have confirmed to The Athletic that Len Kasper is leaving the Cubs to take the White Sox radio play-by-play job. Story: https://t.co/SSBZofOoTx
— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) December 4, 2020
The deal is reportedly just $750K.
#Cubs and RHP Jonathan Holder have agreed to terms on a 2021 non-guaranteed contract. Has pitched for the Yankees since 2016.
— Russell Dorsey (@Russ_Dorsey1) December 17, 2020
Cubs ace Yu Darvish seems out there in trade talks, but it may be an example of a willingness to consider anything. And, off 2nd place Cy finish plus big 2nd half in ‘19, 1 exec rates trade chance as “very low,” and 1 uninvolved rival exec, guessed this on the ask: “Babe Ruth?”
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 21, 2020
From MLB Trade Rumors:
Some degree of turnover and change on the Chicago roster still seems quite plausible, but it’s also possible that a continued lack of aggression in St. Louis, Cincinnati and Milwaukee could motivate the Cubs to keep the bulk of their core intact, recognizing that the NL Central appears to be largely up for grabs. The Cubs currently project to carry a payroll of about $157MM, per Roster Resource’s Jason Martinez, with only about $164MM of luxury-tax considerations on the books at the moment.
This is a Jed Hoyer quote from when he was promoted that was repeated in a 2021 Cubs Preview article at The Athletic. I am including it because I found it extremely interesting. Note that he says the Cubs’ goal is to compete for the playoffs every year – same as the Cardinals – but he also acknowledges there are times during which the Cubs may be able to assemble a team that is the World Series favorite. The latter is nothing we have ever heard from the Cardinals.
“I don’t think every single year you can put together a team that is the favorite to win the World Series,” Hoyer said. “I don’t think that’s possible and I think that’s probably a fool’s errand. But I think given our resources and given our talent level, we should field a team that’s playoff-worthy every single year. I think we can do that and have a team that’s positioned long-term as well.”
https://theathletic.com/2286521/2020/12/28/cubs-2021-outlook-prospects-free-agency/
Even after landing Blake Snell, the Padres are deep into talks to acquire Yu Darvish from the Cubs, sources tell @PJ_Mooney, @sahadevsharma and me. If the deal is completed, multiple players would head to Chicago.
— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) December 28, 2020
… and to the top in the West. I wonder if the Dodgers are going to respond? Why not trade Bryant, too? And LA needs a third baseman…
Have heard the same as Jon on this, that Caratini or Contreras could be in play as part of a Darvish deal from #Cubs to #Padres https://t.co/pKihuuyMjk
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 28, 2020
Per the San Diego paper, the Padres have accepted who they will send to the Cubs. Catcher Luis Campusano is rumored. I’d think Jake Cronenworth would be in the deal now that they have Kim. Maybe Morejon or another young pitcher.
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/padres/story/2020-12-28/padres-yu-darvish-cubs-trade
CHC would be sending a lot of salary to the SDP. Wondering if there will be a Davies, Pomeranz or Pham included to offset Darvish salary.
The Yu Darvish-to-the-Padres deal is on the verge of happening, sources tell ESPN. Darvish is expected to go with Victor Caratini to SD. Cubs' return is Zach Davies and four young prospects: OF Owen Caissie (18), SS Reggie Preciado (17), OF Ismael Mena (18), Yeison Santana (20).
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 29, 2020
CHC dump 54mil in salary and get 4 rookie ball players and FA-to-be in Davies. Talk about kicking the can FARRRR down the road.
That’s Davies and the Padres #11, 13, 15, and 16 prospects per MLB. Preciano got a record $1.3M out of Panama last year. Caissie was their 2nd round pick this year. Mena got a $2.2M signing bonus last year. Santana signed in 2017 and remains in rookie ball.
The Cubs took on a middling starter and a lot of risk/promise. It definitely appears that they are playing the long game. Hopefully it blows up in their face. On the surface, this is a bad deal for Chicago as they gave up the best player and didn’t get much but quantity in return. This is a jager dream trade (which I enjoy reading from time to time!) Ha ha
Cubs rotation this year may be Hendricks, Davies, Mills, Alzolay and Lester (a FA). Yikes.
Is there any chance the Cards see this giant “please take the NL Central” sign flashing and decide to at least put together a semblance of a winning ball club? The Central might be won by a true talent 82 win team.
And the Cubs are reportedly paying part of Darvish’s salary as well…
Telling factoid from this article. Darvish provided 44% of the Cubs' pitching WAR in 2020. But hey, they've got Davies now. https://t.co/5rKzJGadF2
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) December 29, 2020
I’ve never a MLB division where every team isn’t trying to win. This is wild. The NL Central is the MLB version of NFL’s NFC East. I’d be surprised if any of the teams win more than 85 games.
This is a pretty smart move for the Cubs. They shed some salary and got rid of a pitcher who could go either way. 2020 Darvish was great but 2018 and first half of 2019 Darvish was terrible. They probably figured they didn’t want to roll the dice and see which Darvish they got in 2021.
The Cubs also know, as do the Cardinals, that it doesn’t matter what they do this winter they will still be a division contender in 2021. Heck the Pirates are about two good players away from winning this pathetic division.
This is the Cubs giving up, to be clear. It makes about as much sense as Dewitt crying poor, but it is what it is.
The difference is that the Cubs don’t have anything exciting in their system to hope on. This trade gives them some potential excitement down the road, but it’s gonna be a long few years. Unlike gscottar, I don’t see the Cubs as contenders this year. That rotation is unusable so they had better sign some free agents with their savings.
I also think this was a smart move by the Cubs. They are striking while the iron is hot. Darvish could be great, but what if he returns to his 2018 form or has injury problems. His performance coupled with the size of his contract increases long-term risk by reducing the team’s flexibility to make moves. They moved when the could and got what they could.
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