AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

The Rundown: Pitching Market Starting to Move, Latest Cubs Blockbuster Trade Suggestions, Dodgers Sign Snell

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterNovember 27, 2024

I love the Cubs’ chances of signing Rōki Sasaki now that Blake Snell has signed with the Dodgers, something I projected in yesterday’s Rundown. Snell signed a five-year deal late Tuesday night with an annual average value of $36.4 million, and I think we can safely say the Cubs were never going to drop that kind of coin on the two-time Cy Young Award winner. Los Angeles is paying Snell Tyler Glasnow money, something I never thought I would write, but that’s the going AAV for a No. 1 starter these days.

Corbin Burnes will probably fall somewhere between Snell and Wheeler once he is signed. Chicago’s highest-paid pitcher is Jameson Taillon, who will earn $18 million this year and now looks like a bona fide trade candidate. By comparison, Yusei Kikuchi got $63 million over three years from the Angels. It might be time for the Cubs to explore extensions for Justin Steele, Javier Assad, and possibly Cade Horton.

The Dodgers seem to have an endless supply of money, and the team is not averse to blowing past luxury tax ceilings, though a lot of Snell’s money is deferred. Their next target is probably Juan Soto, but they could chase Burnes and Sasaki, too. A rotation of Snell, Glasnow, Burnes, and/or Sasaski, plus Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani is reminiscent of the dynasty-era Chicago Bulls.

Where does that leave Jed Hoyer and the Cubs? Max Fried remains a good fit, but he’s carrying a qualifying offer. The best of the rest — excluding Sasaki — includes Walker Buehler, Shane Bieber, and Jack Flaherty. Each of the three is probably looking at AAVs similar to Taillon.

Sasaki is Hoyer’s top target, and my guess is Chicago will be one of the finalists to sign him. To me, it feels like it will come down to the Cubs or Padres, but I wouldn’t count out the Yankees or Giants, who now have to replace Snell. The Dodgers should never be counted out, but I don’t think Sasaki wants to be a 6th or 7th wheel because he needs local and national marketing opportunities to offset his restricted MLB salary and relatively small IFA signing bonus.

Cubs News & Notes

Odds & Sods

I’ll need Joe Biden or Donald Trump to call in the National Guard if the Dodgers sign Soto and/or Sasaki.

Central Intelligence

Wednesday Stove

The Red Sox are stepping up their efforts to sign Soto.

Now that Snell has signed, the Yankees and Red Sox could engage in a bidding war for Fried. The team that loses Fried might then become the frontrunner in Crochet trade talks.

There is a “growing sense” that the Cardinals intend to trade Nolan Arenado.

The Astros are looking for a left-handed hitting centerfielder with a little pop. Are you thinking what I’m thinking?

The Giants and free agent catcher Max Stassi have agreed to terms on a minor league contract.

Extra Innings

Sometimes I think the theory of intelligent spending has gaslighted us into aiming low when it comes to free agency. Or, as Maxwell Smart would say, “A coward is a frightened man who’s scared to be brave, chief. But a brave man is only a coward who isn’t scared to be frightened.”

Happy Turkey Day (Feed the World)

I’m not sure if I will write tomorrow, but in case I do not, I hope you enjoy your holiday. Remember that some folks aren’t as fortunate as the rest of us, so please consider a donation to the Chicago Food Depository. Every dollar buys three meals, and thank you for your consideration. It would be nice to feed the world, so let’s start by helping those in our backyard.

Gobble Gobble

Here are 30 reasons to be thankful if you’re a baseball fan no matter which team you support.

They Said It

  • “We’ve worked very hard to do a good job in the assimilation process for Japanese players. Seiya has done a really good job. Quietly, he was top 20 in OPS in baseball this year. And Shota had a great year. So I would expect that in the Japanese market, the Cubs and Chicago are appealing.” – Hoyer

Wednesday Walk-Up Song

I’m just gonna leave this right here…

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterNovember 27, 2024
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