The Rundown Lite: Cubs Reportedly Talked Devers with Red Sox, Trade for 3B Still Possible, Imanaga Starting Thursday, 2027 ASG Announcement Pending
I wasn’t able to watch the Cubs game on Sunday because I was tied up with another form of baseball. My son’s team was participating in a tournament about 90 minutes south, which required us to be up by around 6am on Sunday to play three games in sweltering conditions. The end result was disappointing, a second-place finish for the second weekend in a row, but they’ve already won more games through four tournaments than they did all of last season.
It’s been fun watching the kid come into his own a little more on the mound. And based on how the Cubs played, maybe I was better off not watching them. Next up for us in a tournament in Louisville that runs Wednesday through Sunday, so it’s good the Cubs are playing mainly evening games. Ironically, my wife and daughter will be in St. Louis tomorrow for my daughter’s final follow-up at Shriners for her spinal fusion nearly six years ago. They aren’t planning on catching a Cubs game, though.
Does everyone else find it as odd and frustrating as I do that these historic rivals had to wait until three months into the season to play one another? Such a wait would normally create a little more hype for the matchup, but I’m just feeling kind of meh about it. Maybe that’s due to all the other responsibilities pulling me in different directions.
Speaking of which, I should probably get on with some of the topics du jour.
Cubs had Devers talks
As shocking as it was at the time, the dissolution of the relationship between Rafael Devers and the Red Sox had been brewing publicly for a while. I wrote back in May that acquiring the disgruntled infielder/DH didn’t make much sense for the Cubs, and I still that that is true in hindsight, but it sounds like they at least had exploratory conversations about the possibility.
“The Red Sox say that they had conversations with the Mariners, Cubs, Padres, Blue Jays and Atlanta about Devers before dealing him to San Francisco,” Bob Nightengale wrote in a recent column (you’ll have to scroll a while to get there).
I have a hard time believing this was much more than Jed Hoyer and Craig Breslow engaging in a little tire-kicking due diligence, especially given their history together. Breslow came up through the Cubs’ front office before taking over as the baseball boss in Boston, where Hoyer got his start as an executive. The associated costs for acquiring Devers made him an ill fit in Chicago, but Hoyer may still be in the market for another bat.
Third base could be trade upgrade target
As well as Matt Shaw has played defensively at third base since being called back up a little over a month ago, his bat hasn’t come around to the same extent. Despite eight doubles in that time, he’s got just an 87 wRC+ with one homer. Getting a little more power, even if it’s only in the form of a bench bat, makes a lot of sense for the Cubs.
Jon Berti has become a forgotten man, getting just six plate appearances since Shaw’s promotion, and could easily be replaced by someone who brings more offensive value than pinch running. As for where the Cubs can turn on that front, well, I’m really not sure. Third base isn’t necessarily replete with available hitters who present a significant upgrade in any facet, and I don’t think the Cubs are willing to pay a premium given Shaw’s youth and potential.
Imanaga returning against Cards
The Cubs are looking to add another starter, possibly in the next 7-10 days, but they’re getting reinforcements from the IL in the meantime. Shōta Imanaga will be activated on Thursday to start the series finale against the Cardinals. That will bump someone from the rotation, with Ben Brown and Colin Rea standing out as the most likely candidates.
After putting up a 2.38 ERA over his first 10 appearances (seven starts), Rea has posted a 7.11 mark over his last five starts. Brown has wrestled with inconsistent performances, but his outlook is stronger than his more tenured colleague. And while the timing of Imanaga’s start is more about his own rehab journey, having his start push Cade Horton back to what would have been Rea’s next bump day feels like a tell.
Then again, the Cubs could push Rea back as well and then bump Brown to either the bullpen or Iowa. That makes Monday’s start a very important one for Brown.
Cubs look like lock for 2027 ASG
Wrigley Field’s turn to host the All-Star Game again is long overdue, but the wait may soon be over. The team and league have hinted at the strong possibility of getting the midsummer classic back to the North Side, with the latest developments coming in late May. Bruce Levine reported that the announcement was just pending the approval of funds to upgrade security in and around Wrigley Field.
That approval came last week as the Chicago City Council approved a $32.1 million plan to install security bollards and widen sidewalks on Addison Street by four feet. The city and state will cover about $22 million of the project, with the Cubs picking up the rest between an $8 million guarantee and any overruns.
In that same piece noted above, Nightengale wrote that the Cubs “are quietly preparing for the official announcement” of the Midsummer Classic’s 2027 location.
Ed note: Has anyone seen The Life of Chuck yet? Would love to get your thoughts.
