Reasonable Trade Discussion

[R-V]

Astros acquire Scott Kazmir.

Oakland gets righty Daniel Mengden and catcher Jacob Nottingham, neither of whom I know the first thing about.

Both are in A ball. High risk, high reward, ranked #19 and #22 in the Astros farm system. If that's gonna set the market I like the Cubs chances of landing something good without giving up a Baez.

Just came back from Houston's MLB Pipeline portal to post the same thing. Assuming the systems are roughly equal, which most do, that would have been Jacob Hannemann and something called Daury Torrez from the Cubs for two, but hopefully three, months of Kazmir.

Hannemann is the meh outfielder and Mormon who knocks back Shirley Temples and optoats with Kris Bryant and PANK. And I had literally never heard of Daury until five minutes ago. Sorry, Daury.

To be fair Nottignham is a catcher who is absolutely raking and would probably be ranked higher than that today, but yeah, it's still not an overwhelming return. Cubs should do well if that's where the market starts

Nottingham's numbers in the Midwest League are impressive - it typically plays right down the middle between offense and defense. Cal League, less so, because it heavily favors offense. That 1:3 BB:SO ratio might spell trouble for him, though. And 6'3 sounds pretty rare for a catcher so I'm not sure he sticks there long-term but like Schwarber, might as well keep him there as long as you can. Finally he's young for the level at only 20. Him alone would have been a nice return, but fortunately the Cubs are lousy with guys like that.

I'll reserve judgment until I know his BMI.

[Quality Start Machine]

Astros acquire Scott Kazmir.

Oakland gets righty Daniel Mengden and catcher Jacob Nottingham, neither of whom I know the first thing about.

Both are in A ball. High risk, high reward, ranked #19 and #22 in the Astros farm system. If that's gonna set the market I like the Cubs chances of landing something good without giving up a Baez.

Just came back from Houston's MLB Pipeline portal to post the same thing. Assuming the systems are roughly equal, which most do, that would have been Jacob Hannemann and something called Daury Torrez from the Cubs for two, but hopefully three, months of Kazmir.

Hannemann is the meh outfielder and Mormon who knocks back Shirley Temples and optoats with Kris Bryant and PANK. And I had literally never heard of Daury until five minutes ago. Sorry, Daury.

To be fair Nottignham is a catcher who is absolutely raking and would probably be ranked higher than that today, but yeah, it's still not an overwhelming return. Cubs should do well if that's where the market starts

Nottingham's numbers in the Midwest League are impressive - it typically plays right down the middle between offense and defense. Cal League, less so, because it heavily favors offense. That 1:3 BB:SO ratio might spell trouble for him, though. And 6'3 sounds pretty rare for a catcher so I'm not sure he sticks there long-term but like Schwarber, might as well keep him there as long as you can. Finally he's young for the level at only 20. Him alone would have been a nice return, but fortunately the Cubs are lousy with guys like that.

I'll reserve judgment until I know his BMI.

The Cubs have 6'5 Cael Brockmeyer in Myrtle Beach. His crouch makes him look like a giant grasshopper.

[CBStew]

Astros acquire Scott Kazmir.

Oakland gets righty Daniel Mengden and catcher Jacob Nottingham, neither of whom I know the first thing about.

Both are in A ball. High risk, high reward, ranked #19 and #22 in the Astros farm system. If that's gonna set the market I like the Cubs chances of landing something good without giving up a Baez.

Just came back from Houston's MLB Pipeline portal to post the same thing. Assuming the systems are roughly equal, which most do, that would have been Jacob Hannemann and something called Daury Torrez from the Cubs for two, but hopefully three, months of Kazmir.

Hannemann is the meh outfielder and Mormon who knocks back Shirley Temples and optoats with Kris Bryant and PANK. And I had literally never heard of Daury until five minutes ago. Sorry, Daury.

To be fair Nottignham is a catcher who is absolutely raking and would probably be ranked higher than that today, but yeah, it's still not an overwhelming return. Cubs should do well if that's where the market starts

Nottingham's numbers in the Midwest League are impressive - it typically plays right down the middle between offense and defense. Cal League, less so, because it heavily favors offense. That 1:3 BB:SO ratio might spell trouble for him, though. And 6'3 sounds pretty rare for a catcher so I'm not sure he sticks there long-term but like Schwarber, might as well keep him there as long as you can. Finally he's young for the level at only 20. Him alone would have been a nice return, but fortunately the Cubs are lousy with guys like that.

I'll reserve judgment until I know his BMI.

The Cubs have 6'5 Cael Brockmeyer in Myrtle Beach. His crouch makes him look like a giant grasshopper.

Speaking of batting stances:
http://deadspin.com/high-school-baseball-player-has-extremely-complex-plate-1719743742

[Saul Goodman]

I'm conflicted by the trade of Aramis Ramirez back to the Pirates.  I want him to do well, but not at the expense of the Cubs.  Maybe he can only hit homers against the Cardinals or something.

[Shooter]

I've decided that if you can get Price for any combo of guys without losing Baez (assume anyone on the ML roster that we care about is staying) that the Cubs should do it.

Having him in the rotation, playing for Maddon, playing in a raucous Wrigley Field down the stretch, would probably hit all the right notes. It would allow them to start talking about a possible extension early, as well.

I want to keep Baez pretty badly - but I guess if it was Baez for Price straight up I'd have to think pretty hard about that, too.

don't think Jepstink move on Price without an extension already in the works. They could just as easily get Hamels, who is already signed for a while.

The upside to moving on Price is that a package with Vogelbach has more value to an AL team.

Unless that AL team has Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez signed for multiple years.

[Saul Goodman]

The Mets have said Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, and Steven Matz are all unavailable, which sucks, because Kyle Schwarber and Starlin Castro and Pick A Guy would be on a plane to New York for deGrom five minutes ago.

[SKO]

Gordo is adamant that the Cubs cannot add more than $5 million in payroll at the deadline, yet says the Cubs have talked to the Phillies about Hamels. Why does he think Theo would have even asked about Hamels if he only had 5 million bucks to spend?

[Powdered Toast Man]

Gordo is adamant that the Cubs cannot add more than $5 million in payroll at the deadline, yet says the Cubs have talked to the Phillies about Hamels. Why does he think Theo would have even asked about Hamels if he only had 5 million bucks to spend?

I'm calling bullshit on that.

[SKO]

Gordo is adamant that the Cubs cannot add more than $5 million in payroll at the deadline, yet says the Cubs have talked to the Phillies about Hamels. Why does he think Theo would have even asked about Hamels if he only had 5 million bucks to spend?

I'm calling bullshit on that.

I think everyone is. For one, they claimed Hamels when he was on waivers last year (although I'm sure Gordo would say they wouldn't have gone after Lester if they'd got Hamels then), but they also according to multiple sources made a 4 year, $60 million offer to James Shields. Kaplan has indicated they've had serious talks about Hamels. Nothing about it meshes with what everyone else has said, so typical Gordo.

[Quality Start Machine]

I've decided that if you can get Price for any combo of guys without losing Baez (assume anyone on the ML roster that we care about is staying) that the Cubs should do it.

Having him in the rotation, playing for Maddon, playing in a raucous Wrigley Field down the stretch, would probably hit all the right notes. It would allow them to start talking about a possible extension early, as well.

I want to keep Baez pretty badly - but I guess if it was Baez for Price straight up I'd have to think pretty hard about that, too.

don't think Jepstink move on Price without an extension already in the works. They could just as easily get Hamels, who is already signed for a while.

The upside to moving on Price is that a package with Vogelbach has more value to an AL team.

Unless that AL team has Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez signed for multiple years.

OK, so maybe not this AL team. Cross them off, then.

[Yeti]

Gordo is adamant that the Cubs cannot add more than $5 million in payroll at the deadline, yet says the Cubs have talked to the Phillies about Hamels. Why does he think Theo would have even asked about Hamels if he only had 5 million bucks to spend?

I'm calling bullshit on that.

I think everyone is. For one, they claimed Hamels when he was on waivers last year (although I'm sure Gordo would say they wouldn't have gone after Lester if they'd got Hamels then), but they also according to multiple sources made a 4 year, $60 million offer to James Shields. Kaplan has indicated they've had serious talks about Hamels. Nothing about it meshes with what everyone else has said, so typical Gordo.

Gordo/TheSunTimes are the Cubs' Paul

[Saul Goodman]

The Cardinals are reportedly close to getting Steve Cishek from the Marlins.

[Chuck to Chuck]

The Cardinals are reportedly close to getting Steve Cishek from the Marlins.

ERA+
2013: 167
2014: 119
2015: 85

Gonna need that Cardinal Magix.

[Saul Goodman]

Intrepid Reader Cole Hamels

Please Theo for the love of God get me the fuck out of Philadelphia.  [1st inning]  Is this good enough?  [2nd inning]  How about this?  [3rd inning]  Maybe this will do it.  [4th inning]  Are you not intrigued?  [5th inning]  Okay how about if I do this?  [6th inning]  Have I been traded yet?  No?  Fuck my life.

[Saul Goodman]

Colorado trades Troy Tulowitzki to Toronto. Thanks, Rockies, for your help with this series.