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...]
The Daily CCO: Cubs Winter Meetings News, Notes and Rumors
Baseball’s Winter Meetings officially get underway today. There was a lot of buzz and a big-name signing Sunday as the baseball world made its way to the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer are focused on upgrading the Major League pitching staff, both starters and relievers, according to Joel Sherman, which is exactly what the Cubs have said publicly. Epstein and Hoyer would like to acquire pitching this week. According to ESPN … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Let the Meetings Begin and Other Cubs News and Rumors
Baseball’s Winter Meetings begin Sunday and officially get underway Monday in National Harbor, just outside of Washington DC. The Meetings run through Thursday and conclude with the Rule 5 Draft. The Cubs are looking for pitching, both starters and relievers. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer are focused on acquiring pitching and exploring all avenues from veterans to young controllable starters with options and minor league depth. On the closer front, the Cubs have been linked to Kenley Jansen, … [Read more...]
Cubs Talks with Rays Have Reportedly Included Chris Archer
The Rays have reportedly made all of their pitchers available this off-season, in the right deal, as a way to improve other areas of the roster. The Rays are believed to be exploring options to add offense to a team that underachieved this past season. The Rays have a surplus of pitching, a rarity in today’s game. Offensively, the Rays have struggled with consistency for years. And with the cost of pitching, both in free agency and on the trade market, being so incredibly high, Matt Silverman … [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...]
It’s MLB Non-Waiver Trade Deadline Day
Major League Baseball’s non-waiver trade deadline is 3:00pm CDT today and the industry is expecting a very hectic day throughout baseball. The Weekend Headlines will return next week and the Daily Report also gets a well-deserved off day. After more than 365 days without a break it really needed a breather. Today is all about the non-waiver trade deadline and the moves the Cubs’ front office makes and the deals around the game that will impact the final two months of the regular season and … [Read more...]
Cubs Reportedly Continue to Scout, Pursue Rays Pitching
According to multiple reports Saturday, the Cubs continue to pursue the Rays’ controllable starting pitchers. And Marc Topkin reported the Cubs were among the teams that had scouts in attendance Friday night at the Trop. Marc Topkin confirmed Jim Bowden’s report that the Cubs continue to pursue Rays’ starting pitchers. Topkin said the Cubs, Blue Jays, Dodgers, Giants, Marlins, Orioles, Rangers, Royals and White Sox had scouts at Friday’s game. Jed Hoyer and Matt Silverman admitted last … [Read more...]
Cubs Weekend Headlines: Meat Loaf in Milwaukee, Roster Moves, Rumors, Fowler Returns and Aroldis Chapman
Joe Maddon’s team spent the weekend in Milwaukee and ended up winning a series against the pesky Brewers. Dexter Fowler supplied the spark, and a few big hits on Friday night in his return to the lineup. Fowler led off the game with a home run, doubled in a pair runs and scored twice. Saturday did not go the Cubs way. After being blanked for five innings on Sunday, the Cubs scored one in the sixth and five in the seventh with Anthony Rizzo delivering the big hit a bases clearing … [Read more...]
Josh Reddick, Rays Pitchers High on Cubs List
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 … [Read more...]