Per MLBTR: Cubs have reached out to Angels for pitching help

[Mark68]

Cubs Canvassing Market For Starting Pitching

By Jeff Todd [June 23, 2015 at 11:34am CDT]

The Cubs’ need for starting pitching is well known, but it remains somewhat unclear how much flexibility the team has in addressing it, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Chicago would optimally add a controllable-but-established arm, per the report.

Of course, cost-controlled starting pitching is among the game’s most sought-after commodities, so they won’t be alone in that search. The club appears to be looking at a broad range of options as the trade deadline comes into focus, as a source tells Wittenmyer that Chicago has cast a wide net.

The Cubs have reached out to a number of clubs, among them the Mets and Angels, in search of a match. Interestingly, per the report, one prospective swap was disrupted when young infielder Javier Baez suffered a broken finger a few weeks back.

Pursuing an upgrade certainly seems a reasonable strategy. With Tsuyoshi Wada down for an unknown amount of time after leaving his last start early, the team can turn back to Travis Wood, though that duo has been underwhelming. Jacob Turner is working his way back to health and could soon be available, but he has much to prove at this stage of his career.

It remains conceivable that the Cubs could look to acquire a serviceable, short-term veteran to add innings, but the possibility of a more significant addition remains tantalizing. While Baez appears to be on the table, at least if he can get back on the field in time, Wittenmyer says that the club does not appear inclined to move its blue chip assets to strike a deal.

Adding impact pitching without parting with top prospects is obviously a tall order, though we have increasingly seen teams utilize their wallets to facilitate deals. President of baseball operations Theo Epstein indicated that the team’s overall financial situation has not changed significantly, with the club’s current budget already determined by “anticipating some of the new revenue streams, new revenues and expenses as well.” Of course — and this is my speculation — Chicago may have more capacity to take on future obligations.

 

[Mark68]

"Interestingly, per the report, one prospective swap was disrupted when young infielder Javier Baez suffered a broken finger a few weeks back."

 

Were the Angels looking to get Baez for a pitcher? If so, could be HUGE....

[Stradling]

Yes please

[Tyler]

Chicago would optimally add a controllable-but-established arm, per the report.

 

____

 

Sounds like Santiago or Richards to me.

 

No to Richards, yes to moving Santiago.

[Stradling]

I would absolutely trade Santiago for a player like Baez.

[Chimi]

Do they have any outfielders we could get from them?

[WallyWorld]

if it was the Angels talking about Baez, who does he replace, Aybar or Gia? Neither is spectacular, but both are decent and not really hurting you. It's LF/DH/3B/C that are all bigger weak spots. Maybe the Angels would turn around and trade Aybar? I have to imagine he has more value than Gia.

[Mark68]

Do they have any outfielders we could get from them?

Maybe Dexter Fowler.

[Cdaniel]

WW, I think Baez can play 3B and OF as well.

[stevestevens]

Rizzo and Bryant for CJ.

 

 

There is a lot of risk there for us taking on such young guys and giving up an established veteran. 

[Angelsjunky]

Javier Baez is hugely overrated - he looks like another Trumbo/Cron to me.

[tdawg87]

The Cubs don't really have anything that I would want that they'd likely be willing to trade.

[ELEVEN]

The Cubs don't really have anything that I would want that they'd likely be willing to trade.

A zaftig Polish girl to be named later?

[wopphil]

Schwarber and Russell for Richards.

[Blarg]

"Wittenmyer says that the club does not appear inclined to move its blue chip assets to strike a deal."

 

 

Then there doesn't seem to be anything to talk about.

[Second Base]

If the Angels were to acquire Baez, it'd likely mean they intend to play him at 3B, shifting Kubitza to LF.  That's one way to do it.  About a month ago, I suggested the Angels try to acquire Baez, but it was done so without any internal knowledge, just speculation. 

 

As for the price, Santiago looks good but most teams are smart enough to doubt the validity of his success right now.  It doesn't mean he isn't valued, it simply means he isn't valued like a young LHP with an ERA under 3.  Wilson is too expensive for this scenario, Richards isn't available, Weaver is too expensive/not good and Shoemaker's value is all but gone.  That leaves Heaney. 

 

Heaney-Baez might be a decent deal for both ball clubs.  If not, Santiago and a good prospect like Jeremy Rhoades or Nate Smith might do the trick. 

[Chuck]

Schwarber and Russell for Richards.

Baez & Schwarber for Richards.

[Cdaniel]

Santiago got it done for white sox and he had good year last year. I feel like he would be enough to to get it done.

[mtangelsfan]

Heaney-Baez might be a decent deal for both ball clubs

 

So, in essence, that would basically be trading Kendrick for Baez.

 

 

 

 

lame

[mulwin444]

15 BB and 95 K's in 52 games last season...on pace for 300 K's in a season

 

He'd fit right in...

[Mark68]

Heaney-Baez might be a decent deal for both ball clubs

 

So, in essence, that would basically be trading Kendrick for Baez.

 

 

 

 

lame

Actually, it would be trading one year of Kendrick for several years of Baez + millions in savings.

[Docwaukee]

I don't know much about Baez, but from what I have seen, I'd be concerned that there is some Brandon Wood there.  

[Angel Dog and Beer]

15 BB and 95 K's in 52 games last season...on pace for 300 K's in a season

 

He'd fit right in...

Holy Adam Dunn that's terrible.

[Reveille1984]

Baez is still super young obviously, but he has bust written all over him IMO.  In a quarter season cup of coffee last year, he had the lowest contact rate (59%) in the league with a minimum 150 PA's and a 41.5% K rate!  I mean, that is just abysmal even for a rookie.  He doesn't have the profile or the plate discipline to make that work at the major league level and become the next Joc Pederson or Adam Dunn. 

 

That on top of the fact that he fractured his finger a couple weeks ago makes it even less likely.

[OregonLAA]

No to Baez. Way too much risk

Edited June 23, 2015 by OregonLAA