Reports continue to surface connecting the Cubs with veteran outfielder Josh Reddick. According to a report from Jon Heyman, the Cubs “are showing interest” in Reddick and Jon Paul Morosi reported for the third time in as many days the Cubs, along with the Indians and Dodgers, are in the mix for Reddick.
During his show Saturday morning on 670 The Score (Inside Baseball), Bruce Levine said Reddick is “the ideal guy to plug into the outfield.” Chris Coghlan has dealt with injuries and been ineffective at the plate when he’s played. Levine, who first mentioned the Cubs interest in Reddick back in April, confirmed he is on the Cubs’ list right now.
Levine is not convinced how much Miguel Montero will catch the remainder of the season. With Willson Contreras likely playing less in the outfield, Reddick would help the Cubs in the outfield.
Montero has a lot of value to the Cubs as a receiver, game caller and pitch framer. The Cubs’ staff struggled with Contreras behind the plate. Montero has caught four of the seven games out of the break.
According to Levine, Oakland and Tampa are the main teams the Cubs appear to be talking to as the non-waiver trade deadline quickly approaches.
The Cubs are interested in Rays’ pitchers, namely LHP Matt Moore, RHP Chris Archer and RHP Jake Odorizzi. The Cubs have been connected to the Rays heavily for more than a full calendar year. Odorizzi has been high on the Cubs’ list with Moore not too far behind.
Matt Moore is 6-7 in 20 starts this season with a 4.31 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 4.56 FIP. Moore has pitched well for Tampa this season. Moore had a bad month of May that really skewed his stats. Moore is under team control through the 2019 season due to three club options. Moore is being paid $5 million this season. Moore’s extension, that was signed in December of 2011, has three club options for 2017 ($7 million, $2.5 million buyout), 2018 ($9 million , $1 million buyout) and 2019 ($10 million, $750,000 buyout).
Jim Duquette reported earlier this week there were eight or nine teams interested in Matt Moore.
Chris Archer has struggled this season (5-13 in 21 starts with 4.60 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 4.13 FIP) and pitched nowhere near expectations. While there is concern about Sonny Gray, most think Archer is just having a bad year. Archer is a top of the rotation starter on likely the second most team-friendly contract in baseball. Archer is under club control through the 2021 season due to two club options.
Archer is owed the remainder of his $2.75 million salary for this season. Archer’s contract calls for $4.75 million (2017), $6.25 million (2018) and $7.5 million (2019) salaries the next three years. Archer’s first club option in 2020 is for $9 million with a $1.75 million buyout. The final controllable year, 2021, has a club option for $11 million that includes a $250,000 buyout.
The problem the Cubs might have in matching up in a deal with Tampa is the lack of pitching prospects in the system that could be included in a package going back to the Rays. The projectable arms in the Cubs system have either missed significant time this season due to injury or have struggled on the mound.
Another player from the A’s of interest is RHP Ryan Madson according to Levine. The Cubs would like to add a right-handed reliever to the backend of the pen. Madson could fill that role. Madson’s contract would not be ideal for any team, much less the Cubs. Madson is on the first of a three-year, $22 million contract. Madson is owed the remainder of his $6.5 million salary for this season and he’s due to make $7.5 million in 2017 and another $7.5 million in 2018. Madson’s injury history makes him a questionable acquisition and coupled with the fact he turns 36 next month (Aug. 28), it’s hard to see how any team could see the value beyond the risk.
Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer are not focused on one area. The front office is looking to add talent to the roster. It’s believed the Cubs would like to add pitching (left- and right handed relievers, starting pitchers) and a left-handed hitting outfielder before the deadline.