MLB 2017 Season

[LloydsLegs]

 

[Pakuni]

Loved reading this in Jeff Passan's column on the trade:

The White Sox now have the best farm system in baseball. This is inarguable. It’s not just Jimenez and Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech, three of the top 10 or 15 prospects in the game. Their depth is frightening. It’s fair to say Dane Dunning, a right-handed pitcher acquired in the Adam Eaton deal, is somewhere in the vicinity of their 12th-best prospect. It’s also fair to say Dunning would be the No. 1 prospect in a good five to seven other organizations.
That’s how deep this White Sox system now runs. It’s Jimenez and Moncada and Kopech and the Cuban outfielder Luis Robert, on whom they spent more than $50 million. It’s Cease and Dunning and Lucas Giolito and Carson Fulmer and Reynaldo Lopez and Alec Hansen, all potentially dynamic arms, each part of a surplus for the inevitability of some failing. It’s Zack Collins and Jake Burger, their last two first-round picks, neither of whom will win the cover of Men’s Fitness anytime soon, both of whom resemble the Cubs’ thinking with Schwarber: If he can rake, we’ll find a place for him to play.

https://sports.yahoo.com/jose-quintana-trade-proves-money-matters-cubs-nurse-world-series-hangover-195650568.html

[GB Warrior]

Brewers swing their own "big" deal. Get lefty Tyler Webb from Yanks.

It actually might be significant. Means they could move top pitching prospect Josh Hader into the rotation soon. He was only lefty in bullpen.

Love the trade. We can safely unload prospects that are blocked as Cooper was. Our infield candidates should be fair game, save Dubon. I'm hoping he can replace Villar soon.

[MU82]

As a detached observer who doesn't care whether the Cubs or Sox win or lose, I love this trade for the Cubs. You have a chance for a championship, you go for it - period. And if it doesn't work out this season, you've still got a stud-ish pitcher for the future.

Nobody knows if any of the prospects the Sox got in return will be any good (as has already been discussed), but I don't blame them for making the deal one iota.

I actually had just read a second-half-of-season prediction in SI saying Theo would do whatever it took to get Bumgarner. Whether there was any possibility of that or just SI throwing noodles against the ceiling, it's pretty unlikely now.

[4everwarriors]

Dat's watt der flingin' in Karolina, hey?

[rocket surgeon]

so those who didn't cash in their winning world series bet-if they(the cubs) continue to suck and the goat returns, do these betting slips go up in value?

http://www.espn.com/chalk/story/_/id/19991049/chicago-cubs-fans-uncashed-betting-slips-boon-sportsbooks

[Jockey]

I actually had just read a second-half-of-season prediction in SI saying Theo would do whatever it took to get Bumgarner. Whether there was any possibility of that or just SI throwing noodles against the ceiling, it's pretty unlikely now.

I thought the Cubs might go after Cole Hamels. Texas isn't sure whether they are a buyer or seller yet, though.

[#UnleashSean]

As a detached observer who doesn't care whether the Cubs or Sox win or lose, I love this trade for the Cubs. You have a chance for a championship, you go for it - period. And if it doesn't work out this season, you've still got a stud-ish pitcher for the future

Nobody knows if any of the prospects the Sox got in return will be any good (as has already been discussed), but I don't blame them for making the deal one iota.

I actually had just read a second-half-of-season prediction in SI saying Theo would do whatever it took to get Bumgarner. Whether there was any possibility of that or just SI throwing noodles against the ceiling, it's pretty unlikely now.

Schrubs is still up in the air. His true value was as a catcher. But after the acl injury he's really destined for a dh spot in the AL. The cubs still have a solid core of outfielders and trading their worst glove for a pitcher still seems quite likely.

[Pakuni]

Schrubs is still up in the air. His true value was as a catcher. But after the acl injury he's really destined for a dh spot in the AL. The cubs still have a solid core of outfielders and trading their worst glove for a pitcher still seems quite likely.

The Cubs never intended to use Schwarber as a catcher.

[Lennys Tap]

Schrubs is still up in the air. His true value was as a catcher. But after the acl injury he's really destined for a dh spot in the AL. The cubs still have a solid core of outfielders and trading their worst glove for a pitcher still seems quite likely.

He's still up in the air only due to his youth. But right now he's a slow footed guy who's a liability at any position and can't hit left handed pitching (.148 career vs lefties with no power - 3 HR in 108 ABs). IOW, a platoon DH.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Schrubs is still up in the air. His true value was as a catcher. But after the acl injury he's really destined for a dh spot in the AL. The cubs still have a solid core of outfielders and trading their worst glove for a pitcher still seems quite likely.

I would not say Schwarber is untouchable but the chances of him being moved are pretty minimal, especially after that trade, IMO. 

[Lennys Tap]

I would not say Schwarber is untouchable but the chances of him being moved are pretty minimal, especially after that trade, IMO.

If he's "untouchable" it because his trade value has plummeted and the Cubs don't want to ell this low.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

If he's "untouchable" it because his trade value has plummeted and the Cubs don't want to ell this low.

They would certainly be selling low but I think Epstein still strongly believes he will be an impact LH bat. 

[GB Warrior]

Schrubs is still up in the air. His true fantasy value was as a catcher.

FIFY.

Also, Jon Morosi is reporting that the Cubs are still interested in Gray. That might be a home for Schwarber. 

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

FIFY.

Also, Jon Morosi is reporting that the Cubs are still interested in Gray. That might be a home for Schwarber.

Turning Schwarber into Gray would be tremendous. You can run with Jay, Haap and Almora in the outfield. You can't run with Lackey in the rotation.

[MerrittsMustache]

FIFY.

Also, Jon Morosi is reporting that the Cubs are still interested in Gray. That might be a home for Schwarber.

Would the A's accept a deal built around Schwarber and Candelario? Does someone like Almora go too? Should be an interesting couple of weeks!

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Would the A's accept a deal built around Schwarber and Candelario? Does someone like Almora go too? Should be an interesting couple of weeks!

Turning Schwarber into Gray would be tremendous. You can run with Jay, Haap and Almora in the outfield. You can't run with Lackey in the rotation.

You guys are highly overrating Gray, IMO.  I don't think I would trade Schwarber straight up for him, let alone adding Almora and Candelario. 

[MUBurrow]

Schwarber has the feel of a guy that Beane would be interested in right now, doesn't he? Buy low candidate, has the look of a low avg, high power type the A's have had reasonable success with. Just from a market perspective, it would seem it would take more than Schwarber, but I've also been surprised of all the buzz around Gray. He had a great 2014-2015, but that was a couple of injuries ago now. The track record shows that he could certainly still be a top 20 starter, but I think teams' interest has as much to do with the lack of quality pitching/hitters' dominating the sport right now as it does with Gray himself.

[MerrittsMustache]

You guys are highly overrating Gray, IMO.  I don't think I would trade Schwarber straight up for him, let alone adding Almora and Candelario.

You're vastly underrating a 27-year-old front-end guy who's controllable for 2 more seasons. If the A's offered Gray for Schwarber the Cubs would take the deal in a split-second.

Gray is never going to be Kershaw or Scherzer but for a team in desperate need of starters going forward, he has tremendous value.

[GB Warrior]

I am not a believer in Gray, though Wrigley is a much better home for him than Miller Park. A bad ERA in the Coliseum is bad.

I think it takes more than Schwarber, though, given Gray's resume, but it's not going to demand NEARLY the haul that the Sox got for Quintana. But it'll take one top-end guy. My gut says him or Happ plus some low A talent.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

You're vastly underrating a 27-year-old front-end guy who's controllable for 2 more seasons. If the A's offered Gray for Schwarber the Cubs would take the deal in a split-second.

Gray is never going to be Kershaw or Scherzer but for a team in desperate need of starters going forward, he has tremendous value.

I don't consider Gray a front-end guy.  He was horrendous last year and has been average this year.  While his K rate is up this year he's never missed enough bats in his career.   

[MerrittsMustache]

I am not a believer in Gray, though Wrigley is a much better home for him than Miller Park. A bad ERA in the Coliseum is bad.

Gray has a 3.49 ERA at home this season and the A's defense is not good. Aside from 1 bad start at Cleveland, Gray's ERA has been 3.41 and his overall FIP is 3.58. I don't think he's the answer to the Cubs' prayers but he's a solid starter and far better than anything they have going forward.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Gray has a 3.49 ERA at home this season and the A's defense is not good. Aside from 1 bad start at Cleveland, Gray's ERA has been 3.41 and his overall FIP is 3.58. I don't think he's the answer to the Cubs' prayers but he's a solid starter and far better than anything they have going forward.

"but he's a solid starter and far better than anything they have going forward."

How so?

[buckchuckler]

You guys are highly overrating Gray, IMO.  I don't think I would trade Schwarber straight up for him, let alone adding Almora and Candelario.

Wow.  Really?  That seems quite unreasonable.  I would think Gray is much more valuable that Schwarber, even with Gray's struggles last season, they didn't result in having to be demoted like Schwarber. 

You just said you wouldn't trade a career .210 hitter for a career 3.50 ERA pitcher.  On a team that is rich in young hitters and thin in young pitchers.  That doesn't seem to make much sense. 

[buckchuckler]

I don't consider Gray a front-end guy.  He was horrendous last year and has been average this year.  While his K rate is up this year he's never missed enough bats in his career.

To say this about Gray, and ignore Schwarber's season shows an amazing ability to compartmentalize reality.