Trade targets 2019

[TomtheBombadil]

Don't the Rangers and Willie Calhoun have a funny relationship that might make him attainable at a bargain?

Calhoun was optioned again today, but his MiL numbers suggest a guy who might hit like Schwarber was hoped to minus some walks. He's at .298/.361/.510 with an 11% K rate in 1159 AAA PAs going back to his age 22 season, including .302/.417/.540 with a 14% K rate this year. He's 24 all season. He an underrated athlete and possibly baserunner thanks to good instincts, does things like score on a sac fly from 2B in ML games, especially after rebuilding his 5'8" frame and coming in as a Best Shape of His Life guy this spring. He is not a good defensive OF, LF only and probably will never be particularly good at it, but he's also new at it (former 2B/IF) and could be tolerable or better with a little work maybe

[We Got The Whole 9]

I wonder if the Marlins would deal Garrett Cooper. I was intrigued in May but I figured he would cool off. Hes done the opposite.

May wRC+ 112
June 165
July 181

Hes 28 with just 1 year of service time. Looks to be playable in COF. Not looking like a platoon guy either.

The fact that his breakout has happened so late into his career I would think they might consider selling high on him.

[Bertz]

I think this is where I'm at now:

Schwarber to San Fran for Pillar and Watson
Almora to Iowa until 9/1
Castellanos for prospects
Happ replacing Descalso on the roster

- Pillar is what Almora is supposed to be: a strong defensive CF who can hit lefties. He takes Almora's spot while Almora get his horsefeathers together in Iowa
- Watson fills an obvious need
- Castellanos is a modest upgrade over Schwarber. I've also noticed his current HR/FB is under 10%. That's ridiculous for a guy as strong as him in this environment, so he's a candidate to ride the wave of positive regression and go HAM the next few months
- Happ forms the strong half of a platoon with Pillar. The lineup also could use his lefty thump with Schwarber leaving. We also need to see if his work in Iowa has made him a guy we can feel comfortable handing LF to for 2020

Nothing wild and crazy, but I think it does a good job smoothing out some of the rough edges on the roster while keeping the powder dry to have an active winter if needed.

[Backtobanks]

Schwarber, Russell, Happ, + Chatwood + 1 Iowa Shuttle pitcher for Soler, Diekman, + Kennedy.

KC needs 2B, CF, and DH (after trading Soler). Chatwood + Iowa pitcher can vie for rotation spots.

Cubs get bullpen help and replacement for Schwarber. Money is fairly neutral making PTR happy.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Schwarber, Russell, Happ, + Chatwood + 1 Iowa Shuttle pitcher for Soler, Diekman, + Kennedy.

KC needs 2B, CF, and DH (after trading Soler). Chatwood + Iowa pitcher can vie for rotation spots.

Cubs get bullpen help and replacement for Schwarber. Money is fairly neutral making PTR happy.

I’ll assume that by Soler you meant Merrifield.

[Cubswin11]

I wonder if the Marlins would deal Garrett Cooper. I was intrigued in May but I figured he would cool off. Hes done the opposite.

May wRC+ 112
June 165
July 181

Hes 28 with just 1 year of service time. Looks to be playable in COF. Not looking like a platoon guy either.

The fact that his breakout has happened so late into his career I would think they might consider selling high on him.

If we’re going after a Marlin I’d go after Anderson. I’d be willing to pay a decent amount too.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

hypothetically trading Schwarber for Soler is a master class in uselessness and separation from reality

[We Got The Whole 9]

I wonder if the Marlins would deal Garrett Cooper. I was intrigued in May but I figured he would cool off. Hes done the opposite.

May wRC+ 112
June 165
July 181

Hes 28 with just 1 year of service time. Looks to be playable in COF. Not looking like a platoon guy either.

The fact that his breakout has happened so late into his career I would think they might consider selling high on him.

If we’re going after a Marlin I’d go after Anderson. I’d be willing to pay a decent amount too.

334 xwoba
Cooper is 374

I think Anderson would be more coveted also due to lack of track record for Cooper.

[NewUserName]

I think this is where I'm at now:

Schwarber to San Fran for Pillar and Watson
Almora to Iowa until 9/1
Castellanos for prospects
Happ replacing Descalso on the roster

- Pillar is what Almora is supposed to be: a strong defensive CF who can hit lefties. He takes Almora's spot while Almora get his horsefeathers together in Iowa
- Watson fills an obvious need
- Castellanos is a modest upgrade over Schwarber. I've also noticed his current HR/FB is under 10%. That's ridiculous for a guy as strong as him in this environment, so he's a candidate to ride the wave of positive regression and go HAM the next few months
- Happ forms the strong half of a platoon with Pillar. The lineup also could use his lefty thump with Schwarber leaving. We also need to see if his work in Iowa has made him a guy we can feel comfortable handing LF to for 2020

Nothing wild and crazy, but I think it does a good job smoothing out some of the rough edges on the roster while keeping the powder dry to have an active winter if needed.

i know it wasnt a complete sell, but I think the Giants may be more interested in adding at this point. I do kind of like the Pillar idea though

[Backtobanks]

Schwarber, Russell, Happ, + Chatwood + 1 Iowa Shuttle pitcher for Soler, Diekman, + Kennedy.

KC needs 2B, CF, and DH (after trading Soler). Chatwood + Iowa pitcher can vie for rotation spots.

Cubs get bullpen help and replacement for Schwarber. Money is fairly neutral making PTR happy.

I’ll assume that by Soler you meant Merrifield.

There's no way to get Merrifield unless you're adding 2-3 of our top prospects to that package.

[17 Seconds]

Schwarber, Russell, Happ, + Chatwood + 1 Iowa Shuttle pitcher for Soler, Diekman, + Kennedy.

KC needs 2B, CF, and DH (after trading Soler). Chatwood + Iowa pitcher can vie for rotation spots.

Cubs get bullpen help and replacement for Schwarber. Money is fairly neutral making PTR happy.

I’ll assume that by Soler you meant Merrifield.

There's no way to get Merrifield unless you're adding 2-3 of our top prospects to that package.

2 weeks ago

Happ + Russell + Montgomery + Chatwood for Merrifield + Kennedy.

KC saves money and gets 4 younger players to play immediately, while Cubs get 2B/leadoff hitter and dependable relief pitcher.

[Edith Cox]

Schwarber isn't perfect but it would be counter productive to trade him for this year and the next when he will still make a reasonable amount.

[Cubswin11]

I wonder if the Marlins would deal Garrett Cooper. I was intrigued in May but I figured he would cool off. Hes done the opposite.

May wRC+ 112
June 165
July 181

Hes 28 with just 1 year of service time. Looks to be playable in COF. Not looking like a platoon guy either.

The fact that his breakout has happened so late into his career I would think they might consider selling high on him.

If we’re going after a Marlin I’d go after Anderson. I’d be willing to pay a decent amount too.

334 xwoba
Cooper is 374

I think Anderson would be more coveted also due to lack of track record for Cooper.

Yeah I get Cooper is doing better but I’m just an Anderson fan and think he’d fit the team decently. He’s still young enough there’s potentially another level, he’s a plus (or at least neutral) defender in the OF and 3B and would give roster flexibility now and in the future and could be somewhat of a hedge for KB leaving at some point. Plus like a lot of their guys who have left recently he’d likely get the offensive boost leaving Marlins Park.

[squally1313]

If we’re going after a Marlin I’d go after Anderson. I’d be willing to pay a decent amount too.

334 xwoba
Cooper is 374

I think Anderson would be more coveted also due to lack of track record for Cooper.

Yeah I get Cooper is doing better but I’m just an Anderson fan and think he’d fit the team decently. He’s still young enough there’s potentially another level, he’s a plus (or at least neutral) defender in the OF and 3B and would give roster flexibility now and in the future and could be somewhat of a hedge for KB leaving at some point. Plus like a lot of their guys who have left recently he’d likely get the offensive boost leaving Marlins Park.

It's not as bad as I first thought after looking at the numbers, but the idea of 'hedging against KB leaving' with someone who's first name I didn't even know until now is just profoundly depressing.

[Cubswin11]

Do it

[TomtheBombadil]

Dooo it dooooo it, would love to get that kind of move out of the way with some time and room to do more

[Cubswin11]

[Cubswin11]

Castellanos was taken out of the game in the 8th tonight, they were down like 13 so maybe just being safe. But worth monitoring.

[d_money]

Dooo it dooooo it, would love to get that kind of move out of the way with some time and room to do more

If it is Lange, what else would it cost for a rental like Castellanos?

[TomtheBombadil]

If it is Lange, what else would it cost for a rental like Castellanos?

:shrugs: I can't imagine much to rent a corner bat. Maybe a couple DSL/AZLers? Zagunis or Short or Giambrone? Maybe someone from the Miller/Abbott/Richan/Thompson/Assad pool? Nothing but Lange would be sweet if this happens

[Cubswin11]

If it is Lange, what else would it cost for a rental like Castellanos?

:shrugs: I can't imagine much to rent a corner bat. Maybe a couple DSL/AZLers? Zagunis or Short or Giambrone? Maybe someone from the Miller/Abbott/Richan/Thompson/Assad pool? Nothing but Lange would be sweet if this happens

He’s going to cost more than he should given the lack of sellers, wouldn’t be surprised if he costs Ademan, Lange and another decent prospect like Miller

[TomtheBombadil]

If it is Lange, what else would it cost for a rental like Castellanos?

:shrugs: I can't imagine much to rent a corner bat. Maybe a couple DSL/AZLers? Zagunis or Short or Giambrone? Maybe someone from the Miller/Abbott/Richan/Thompson/Assad pool? Nothing but Lange would be sweet if this happens

He’s going to cost more than he should given the lack of sellers, wouldn’t be surprised if he costs Ademan, Lange and another decent prospect like Miller

Yeah, that sounds right. It also doesn't seem like Castellanos has much/any competition for best clearly available bat either

[d_money]

If it is Lange, what else would it cost for a rental like Castellanos?

:shrugs: I can't imagine much to rent a corner bat. Maybe a couple DSL/AZLers? Zagunis or Short or Giambrone? Maybe someone from the Miller/Abbott/Richan/Thompson/Assad pool? Nothing but Lange would be sweet if this happens

He’s going to cost more than he should given the lack of sellers, wouldn’t be surprised if he costs Ademan, Lange and another decent prospect like Miller

Damn. For a 2.5 month rental, that’s pretty steep. Let’s hope it’s just Lange. The others can be used for a lefty bullpen arm.

[TomtheBombadil]

Damn. For a 2.5 month rental, that’s pretty steep. Let’s hope it’s just Lange. The others can be used for a lefty bullpen arm.

Tbf, Miller's just meat for rebuilding/tanking teams. Not a prospect I think we should stress about losing...Ademan and Lange have some real upside potential to develop but they hardly generate confidence. That said, I wouldn't mind if Ademan were code for "bat/s" and the Tigers are picking among guys like Roederer, Pedro Martinez, Fabian Pertuz, but that might be wishful thinking

[soccer10k]

I’ll assume that by Soler you meant Merrifield.

There's no way to get Merrifield unless you're adding 2-3 of our top prospects to that package.

2 weeks ago

Happ + Russell + Montgomery + Chatwood for Merrifield + Kennedy.

KC saves money and gets 4 younger players to play immediately, while Cubs get 2B/leadoff hitter and dependable relief pitcher.

LOL.

Maybe he meant that they had to be top Cubs prospects at some point in time, so Russell and Happ qualify?