Scholarship table
I've watched enough Cubs games to agree somewhat. Another 30-something starter may not be the answer. Avila as a back up catcher/left handed bat off of the bench with playoff experience couldn't hurt. To my eyes, the Cubs are suffering a post world series hangover, failing to reproduce the lightning-in-a-bottle and are going through growing pains. So the question is whether Theo wants to spend big to go for a repeat, or is willing to sacrifice the end results this season for longer term stability. If the Cubs DO pull the trigger on the deal, I expect they will end up Verlander's entire contract.
OK, Cubs fans. Verlander and Avila are available from the Tigers. What kind of package do you think it will take to get them?
I'd be all in on the Cubs acquiring Avila for the right price. The Cubs have been rumored to be interested in starters who are controllable for a few years (they'll lose Lackey and likely Arrieta after this season). Chris Archer would be the ideal candidate as he has an incredibly reasonable contract thru 2021. Unfortunately for the Cubs, the Rays are in the race in the AL (with a better record than the Cubs) and the TB front office doesn't seem to be all that enthused about working out a deal with the team that stole their manager. They asked for a boatload from the Cubs when discussing Matt Moore at last year's deadline and ended up getting an average package from SF instead. If they go for a veteran, it wouldn't surprise me to see names like J.A. Happ or Edinson Volquez pop up (both signed thru 2018). Considering their interest in Moore last season and the Giants' collapse, he's another guy who could be an option.
How would Moore or Volquez help this team? They need serious pitching help, and a couple of bottom feeders won't fit the bill either for the remainder of this year or next.
I don't think either guy is the answer to the Cubs' prayers but I'd take them over John Lackey and Eddie Butler. Both guys have pitched better than their numbers indicate. Lester, Arrieta, Hendricks (when healthy) and who else? Montgomery has been solid in the rotation but he was better out of the pen. Sonny Gray or Chris Archer would cost a ton. Guys like Happ, Volquez and Moore could be had for a much lower asking price, which is why I brought up their names.I agree that the Cubs need serious pitching help but it's not really out there right now and the FA market isn't great next season. Darvish, Tillman, Estrada - any of those guys do anything for ya? Someone needs to fill the gap until guys like Cease and De La Cruz are MLB-ready.
I'm not arguing with what you say but the Cubs need serious pitching help if they want to be a factor in post season conversations, both this year and beyond. Stop gap won't do it.
Marcus Stroman is potentially on the block and definitely on the Cubs' radar. He's only 26 and not eligible for free agency until 2020. The Cubs wanted him from Toronto when the Blue Jays were looking to acquire Jeff Samardzija. Would he be worth Eloy Jimenez?
A 26 year old, proven pitcher with team control until 2020 for a unproven outfielder when you have Happ and Heyward locked down for a while? Absolutely.
I guess when you put it that way...
Why not just ask the Dodgers for a Keyshawn for Jimenez deal?
This sun-out makeup game is awesome.
TAMUI do know, Newsie is right on you knowing ball.
At least we'll get to see who the Cubs' position player pitcher is now that they've traded Montero. I'm sure this game is fun for Brewers fans, but I'm OK with that
Yup. Definitely caught fire. Yep. Just call me nostradumous. Or nostradumbass?
Lol. It wouldn't be a good time to catch fire anyway. 1 series and then a break.
we learned one thing. Jon Jay has a better ERA then Montgomery.
Pretty funny when the Brewers have 4 outfielders better than any on the Cubs.
You think Perez is better than Happ? You'd take Broxton and his negative dWAR over Heyward and his Gold Gloves? If you want to make the argument that the Brewers' outfielders are having better seasons, that's one thing (though their WARs might surprise you). To say they're better players is highly questionable.