Reports of Cubs’ Involvement in ‘Blockbuster’ Brewing as Deadline Nears
It’s easy to get wound up as the non-waiver trade deadline nears, but when you see rumors like the one below from a reputable outlet like Buster Olney, the anticipation really gets ramped up. Throw in “blockbuster” and then mention Boston and San Diego possibly working with the Cubs on a deal…
There is some speculation within the industry about a possible BOS/Cubs/Padres three-way blockbuster taking shape. Lots of pieces that fit.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 31, 2015
This is rife with possibilities, none of which I’m qualified to comment on. But we’ve all heard the rumors about Tyson Ross and Starlin Castro, not to mention names like Craig Kimbrel, Ian Kennedy, Andrew Cashner, and Jedd Gyorko. And that’s just from the Padres!
Since taking over as GM in San Diego, A.J. Preller has been as active as any exec in baseball, loading his team up for what many had thought would be a competitive season. But now sitting 8 games back in the division and 7.5 back in the Wild Card, Preller looks to be prepared to shift into sell mode. It’s like a real-life version of cup-stacking, except with baseball players.
Boston is in even worse shape, languishing 13 games back in 5th place in the East and sitting dead last in all of the American League. Could they look to shed the salary of an aging Hanley Ramirez? Then there’s Pablo Sandoval, who’s tepid production has closely resembled that of a live-action Jack Black movie.
Those names are based on nothing concrete, mind you, just throwing out some guys the Red Sox might want to jettison (though I’m not sure why anyone would want Kung Fu Panda at $75 million or so remaining). You can rest assured that if this deal came to fruition, there would be a good deal of prospect movement. The Cubs want cost-controlled starting pitching and to get rid of Starlin Castro, the Pads need a shortstop, and the Sawx may want to get younger and/or cheaper.
Then again, this could all fizzle out amount to nothing. Welcome to the last 3 hours of trade season!
UPDATES
#Cubs, #Padres and #RedSox have discussed a three-team trade, source confirms.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 31, 2015
Jedd Gyorko's name has surfaced in #Padres trade discussions, source says. They are trying to attach his contract to pitchers.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 31, 2015
I really want this to happen, if for no other reason than to see/hear all the misspellings and mispronunciations (hint, it sounds like what George Costanza accused Reilly of being) that would rain down as a result. Also, the Cubs need to fill their quota for dudes with unnecessary double letters in their names after losing Donn Roach.
Most reports and rumors have Padres star closer Craig Kimbrel to the Red Sox or Yankees. Hearing strongly it will be the Chicago Cubs
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) July 31, 2015
Want this. I like Hector Rondon a lot, but if he can be the shutdown 8th inning guy feeding into Kimbrel in the 9th…woo, boy. That also generally lowers the leverage of the situations in which Pedro Strop and Jason Motte will be placed in.
More to come…
Haren traded to #Cubs and #Marlins getting 2 minor leaguers
— Joe Frisaro (@JoeFrisaro) July 31, 2015
Hmmm, okay. Not exactly what everyone was hoping for, though this could yet be a precursor to the aforementioned big trade.
Regarding rumored three-way deal between Cubs, Red Sox, and Padres, an official from one of the teams involved says a trade is unlikely.
— John Tomase (@jtomase) July 31, 2015
Or maybe not.
https://twitter.com/iamjoonlee/status/627182302049796096?refsrc=email&s=11
The #Cubs would love to pull off a blockbuster and land Ross and Kimbrel from the #Padres
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 31, 2015
Or maybe.
Cubs actively working phones according to MLB exec. "Theo+Jed just aren't comfortable trading away big pieces unless they hit HR in deal."
— David Kaplan (@thekapman) July 31, 2015
Still maybe…
The #Padres and #Cubs dealing primarily with one another, may not necessarily need 3rd team to pull off blockbuster involving Ross/Kimbrel
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 31, 2015