Cubs sign RHP Shae Simmons to Major League Split Contract … Transfer LHP Drew Smyly to 60-Day Disabled List The Cubs made it official and announced the split contract of right-handed reliever Shae Simmons on Friday. Simmons was added to the 40-man roster as he competes for a spot in the big league pen this spring. To make room for Simmons, LHP Drew Smyly was transferred to the 60-day DL as he continues his recovery from Tommy John Surgery. The Cubs did not announce the terms of the … [Read more...]
From the Wire: Cubs Agree to Terms on Two-Year Contract with Drew Smyly
Cubs sign LHP Drew Smyly to two-year deal With an eye on the future, the Cubs added a starting pitcher to the roster Tuesday night. The team announced signing free agent lefty Drew Smyly to a two-year contract. Smyly had Tommy John surgery last June and could pitch in the majors by the second half of the 2018 season. The Cubs are not planning on Smyly to be ready before the 2019 season. According to multiple reports, Smyly will be paid $10 million over the next two seasons and his contract … [Read more...]
Rays Have Reportedly Placed Hefty Price Tag on Pitching, Especially Chris Archer
Report indicates Rays looking for a Chris Sale return in any deal for Chris Archer The Rays have several starting pitchers on their roster that are of interest to other teams. The Cubs, Dodgers and Rangers have been connected to the Rays and are believed to have the players it would take to acquire one of their young hurlers. The Cubs have had conversations with Matt Silverman and Tampa’s front office for well over 18 months. The Cubs and Rays have admitted publicly that on paper the two … [Read more...]
Cubs Still Looking to Add to Bullpen After Acquiring Wade Davis
The Cubs have a new closer after acquiring RHP Wade Davis from the Royals for Jorge Soler. The Cubs have added two relievers to the bullpen in the last week but are not done. Jed Hoyer said Wednesday the front office would like to add more relievers, particularly left-handers and have stayed in contact with Travis Wood about a possible return. The Cubs have been linked to LHP Jerry Blevins, RHP Brad Zeigler and RHP Daniel Hudson. All three relievers are free agents and would add a veteran … [Read more...]
Report: Rays Likely to Trade Pitching to Improve Other Areas of Roster
The Tampa Bay Rays have several very good, controllable starting pitchers. And because of other areas Matt Silverman and the front office need to address, the Rays may trade pitching this off-season to improve the roster. According to a report from Joel Sherman, the Rays “left the GM Meetings under the stronger belief they would trade one from among starters Chris Archer, Jake Odorizzi, Drew Smyly and less likely Alex Cobb.” The Cubs are one of several teams that have prioritized adding … [Read more...]
Cubs-Rays Rumors Keep Surfacing
Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer said over the weekend the Cubs were likely done making big moves this off-season. And there was a slim chance a significant trade would be made before Spring Training. The front office is always looking for ways to improve the roster. The Cubs repeated numerous times during the Convention they feel very good about the work that was done this winter and the team is ready for Spring Training. “Every day we talk to different teams. We talk to agents,” Hoyer said. “I … [Read more...]
Rays Involved in Many Active Trade Conversations, Talks Reportedly Include the Cubs
Ken Rosenthal reported Tuesday that the Rays are “involved in many active trade conversations on both starters and relievers as the free agent pitching market thins out.” Rosenthal pointed out the Rays “line up with teams that need pitchers and can offer hitters” and added that the Cubs and Rockies are among the teams that could be trade partners with the Rays. There has been a lot of noise over the last three days about the Cubs and Rays matching up on a deal. The Cubs priority remains to … [Read more...]
Acquiring Young Pitching Reportedly Still a Priority for Cubs
According to a report Sunday from the Tribune, the front office’s priority remains to acquire young pitching. Mark Gonzales explained “the Rays remain an attractive target and a potential match with the Cubs’ young position players.” Gonzales’ report came on the heels of Matt Silverman acknowledging on MLB Network Radio that the Rays and Cubs have discussed deals this winter. Silverman, the Rays’ President of Baseball Operations, said he has talked to multiple teams this off-season, but the … [Read more...]
Matt Silverman: Rays and Cubs had Targeted Trade Talks, Could Matchup on Deal in Future
Matt Silverman, the Rays President of Baseball Operations, led off Sunday’s Front Office (MLB Network Radio) and talked about his team’s off-season with Jim Bowden and Jim Duquette. Bowden asked Silverman about the countless rumors that have tied Rays to the Cubs this off-season. Reports have suggested the two teams talked about starting pitching going from the Rays to the Cubs for a position player. Silverman would not comment about how close the two teams were or could be on making a deal, … [Read more...]
Cubs Reportedly Still Talking Trades with Multiple Teams
With 2016 quickly approaching, the Cubs are believed to be looking for ways to upgrade the starting rotation and bullpen. The Cubs are expected to make smaller deals to add depth to the roster in the coming weeks, and those players would likely be signed to minor league contracts with non-roster invites to Spring Training. Another big move or two would depend on the front office’s ability to acquire one of the starting pitchers the Cubs have been linked to for months, or a back of the bullpen … [Read more...]