Cubs and all the Cubs writers shooting down the rumor, but "barstoolcarl" is sticking by his sources.
The Rays trading Longoria suggests they'd be willing to trade Archer. The Cubs would have to take from the major league roster to make a deal work, but that could potentially be more appealing than Darvish/Cobb because of his deal which locks him up for the next four years super cheap.
If the trade ends up making the Cubs look light on bats, the free agent market is currently overloaded with them, available for less-than-usual prices.
Id bet a lot of money that anything barstool "breaks" isn't real.
In fact, its most likely a) a plublicity stunt and/or b) hes just messing around.
Id bet a lot of money that anything barstool "breaks" isn't real.
In fact, its most likely a) a plublicity stunt and/or b) hes just messing around.
Also Barstool is a trash publication as a whole, and the idea of them taking one on the chin here is *most* pleasing.
This off season has been bizarre across the MLB.
MLB trade rumors posted their top 50 free agents at the end of the season. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/11/2017-18-top-50-mlb-free-agents-with-predictions.html
Of the top 11 free agents listed, 1 never became a free agent with Tanaka declining to exercise his option. Of the remaining 10, so far Wade Davis is the only one to sign.
Pitchers and catchers start reporting a mere 44 days from now.
Supposedly the Cubs are willing to go four years for $110 million for Arrieta now.
Rumors that Garret Cole is being traded from the Bucs to the Astros.
This is good because it gets Cole out of the League (wouldn’t want him on the Nats for example) and because it presumably removes one of the Arrieta/Darvish/Cobb bidders from the field.
That would make the Astros prohibitive favorites to repeat. Of course, nothing is set in stone but with that offense, they will be hard to stop by adding Cole.
I know that by the time Playoffs roll around teams aren't concerned about their 4th or 5th starter. But if the Cubs landed any of the names they have been tied to (Darvish, Arrieta, Cobb) they would have one of, if not the deepest, starting rotation in baseball. At that point you either have Chatwood (whose numbers away from Coors have been pretty darn good over his career) or Quintana as you number 5. Without going through all the rosters I would have to guess that those two would be solid 3's on 75% of all the teams in MLB.
Quintana had the best WAR of any Cubs starter last season (assuming you include his time w/ the White Sox). He's nowhere near a number 5. :tsk:
Surely Quintana would be listed as No. 3 behind Lester and Hendricks right now, wouldn't you think?
That's my point though. The Cubs' number 5 starter this upcoming year could be ridiculously good, and not just for being the fifth starter.
Yes, and I foresee him being their eventual #1 this season.
Yes, and I foresee him being their eventual #1 this season.
I've already got Quintana above Lester. With him and Hendricks you basically have 1a and 1b.
But of those three pitchers, Lester will pitch opening day , out of the respect Joe has for him , and frankly, Lester has earned. So "officially" Lester is #1.
Now if Arietta somehow comes back to Cubs , all bets are off as to who opens. Arietta is your new #1 in talent and may get the nod from Joe as a thank you for coming back. I would be cool with that.