Warm stove: shark or Arrieta for cubs? Mets / Dodgers Battle for Bauer? Asking price of Hader? Arenado droom? More

Warm stove: shark or Arrieta for cubs? Mets / Dodgers Battle for Bauer? Asking price of Hader? Arenado droom? More

by

Oh boy. Did you pay attention? Because the last few days have done quite a bit for Cubs news, rumors and deals, and I think it’s not over yet. Things actually happen.

Tom Ricketts has reportedly increased the budget for 2021 for players’ payroll, the Cubs have signed Joc Pederson and Kohl Stewart, former prospects, for major league deals. reunion in Chicago, Jeff Samardzija throws for the Cubs, and direct Cubs rumors continue with Chris Archer, Mike Foltynewicz, Carlos Rodon, and Kolten Wong.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals have re-signed Adam Wainwright and they could be on the precipice of Nolan Arenado.

Stuff!

There’s a shark in Chicago and other pieces

Analyzing words is always a dangerous game when it comes to rumors, but when I read Patrick Mooney’s latest on the Cubs’ attempts at Jeff Samardzija, it’s hard not to get the feeling that there’s something – maybe something more than just old exhaust each option:

Mooney: The Cubs are among a group of teams that are expected to be at Jeff Samardzija’s training session on Friday as they continue to judge their options on the sidelines. If it’s healthy – and if the price is right – Samardzia could be the kind of veteran starter that takes turns and brings a competitive personality into the Wrigley Field clubhouse. Although the Cubs have not yet narrowed their focus on Samardzija – and its process for free agent is still evolving – there is an obvious history and a local connection with the former Cub / former Notre Dame star .

If I had to guess, it’s not a thing or something regarding guys like Samardzija and Jake Arrieta (and with whom they have shown interest in this level – there are many). Simply put, the Cubs are going to need someone to eat a few turns this season – even if the rest of the pitchers work excellently. Going from a 60-game season to a 162-game season is going to take its toll. Does that mean the Cubs will add ALL parent-veteran turns-eating-nostalgia types? No. I’m sure they want some guys with a little upside down for a more medium term stay with the team when it comes down to it (Carlos Rodon? Mike Foltynewicz? Chris Archer?), Hence the signing of Kohl Stewart.

I’m just saying, the Cubs very clearly want to add several entrees:

Arrieta Pitching, Mets Interested – also other moves to make

Speaking of Arrieta, the Mets are attending his session today, and it looks like they have a legal interest in him now that Steven Matz has been removed from the rotation and from the books. Clearly, Trevor Bauer is still an option (a more likely option, I would venture) and Jackie Bradley Jr. is still a target now that they missed George Springer, but Andy Martino says it’s very clear that the Mets have moved Matz’s salary to add another player:

Bauer, the Mets and the Dodgers

For that matter, it looks like Trevor Bauer is something that is going to happen for the Mets. According to Jon Heyman and Andy Martino, the Mets currently included an offer to Bauer in the 3-4-year series with opt-outs, but for slightly less than the average annual value of $ 36 million that Bauer is looking for (because it’s CLEAR). Reportedly, Bauer wants a longer deal – Heyman calls the Cole / Strasburg series, which again … LOL – but that’s the status of things now.

Of course, the Mets are not the only option:

The Dodgers have been big on these short-term high AAV offers over the past few years, so I could see that they make sense given what Bauer is looking for. But I just do not see how Bauer believes he will get a record AAV on more than one extremely short-term deal.

Josh Hader Trading Offers

Do you know what surprised this off-season? The lack of trade rumors for guys like Craig Kimbrel and Josh Hader. There were some, mind you, but not a ton. Today, however, that may change, at least with regard to the Brewers closer.

Robert Murray writes that “The Milwaukee Brewers continue to listen to trade inquiries for enlightener Josh Hader,” even though they do not feel has to trade him. According to Murray’s sources, the asking price is indeed absurdly high:

The asking price for Hader, according to sources familiar with the situation, is a combination of both players from the big league and prospects.

“We will not participate in that,” said one U.S. executive.

“Do not waste your time,” said another driver.

Michael’s Musings

• Earlier this season, I told Cubs fans to look out and forget the past … and the Cubs climbed into a time machine pretending it was 2015:

• Can we prevent the Joc Pederson misinformation campaign before it starts?

• I remember being so nervous that he was going to steal Kris Bryant’s 2015 NL ROY award in 2015. Do you remember how crazy his first half was? He hit 20 homers before the All-Star break with a 137 wRC +:

• It’s so incredibly unrealistic that I probably didn’t even have to put it in writing, but there were very few reasons for optimism in the off-season that I just wanted to produce some dream-sized vibes. Just leave me alone. Here’s it: * IF * third baseman Matt Carpenter – and his $ 18.5 million salary in 2021 – is expected to return to the Rockies as part of a Nolan Arenado deal, and * AS * the Cubs payroll just relaxed a bit, and * IF * the previous reports last year between the Cubs and Rockies about an Arenado trade (and failed this offseason) were ever true, then you MAY see Kris Bryant and his $ 19.5 million salary, but more favorable projectable 2021 performance could be a buddy for Carpenter in a similar exchange with the Cubs. There’s probably no chance the Cubs will be willing to take up the net, regardless of what’s left of Arenado’s $ 199 million six – year deal, but just think of Arenado’s glove in third place, Javy Baez’s glove in short. , and first Anthony Rizzo’s glove. Imagine that the Cubs also sign Kolten Wong … those are four Glove Glove favorites on the inside. Wake up now, because come on … … But nice, right?).

• The cardinals say they want to bring Wong back …

• … but wants Wong to go back to St. Louis?

• Here’s a stray thought based on the rumor below: If the Braves also clock in at Arenado, you have to wonder if they would be more seriously interested in trading for Kris Bryant. And if the Cubs are suddenly less worried about shedding every penny in the Bryant trade, you have to wonder if a team like the Braves will suddenly be more able to make a deal that the Cubs would consider (i.e. Cubs eat salary for a better return).

Odds and Ends

• Oh, hey! Matt Moore! I remember him. After throwing 85.0 overs of 2.65 ERA ball in Japan, Moore returns to the big leagues on a guaranteed $ 3 million deal with the Phillies. It’s quite nut. Good for him. The Phillies are probably not done yet, my friends.

• Old friend warning:

• We do not know if we could say that Willson Contreras Nats rumors will definitely be dispelled (the Nats could simply include Yan Gomes in another way, and Avila is the backup), but we do not like it anyway of those rumors.

Source