How are teams around the NL Central handling the impending trade deadline?
Chicago Cubs
Continuing their all-out approach as the trade deadline approaches, the Cubs have inquired about seemingly every trade chip, whether they are on the market or not. One of the biggest focal points has been the bullpen. With the addition of Aroldis Chapman, the Cubs are out to prove they aren’t messing around on trying to break the curse.
The Cubs reportedly weren’t looking to invest in a rental piece, but the Yankees weren’t giving the Cubs supposed depth any breaks. In order for the Cubs to acquire Andrew Miller, the Yankees wanted Kyle Schwarber in return. Miller is one of the best high-leverage relievers in baseball, and Schwarber’s future after surgery to repair his ACL and LCL is far from certain. However, Cubs media balked at the idea of dealing Schwarber, who is under control for five years, for Miller, under control for two more years.
To put into perspective the Chapman deal and the Miller rumors which fell apart, the Cubs also inquired about the Royals’ closer Wade Davis, but according to Jayson Stark, the deal for Chapman, which was considered by some (including myself) to be highway robbery by the Yankees, would not have landed Davis in Chicago. It’s only fair. Davis has been arguably the best or second best closer in all of baseball, and while he doesn’t have a fastball that easily eclipses triple digits, the numbers don’t lie. Makes you wonder what the Pirates could truly get for Melancon if a package headlined by top prospects and loaded with potential wouldn’t get his American League equivalent.
Areas of Minor League Depth: low-level pitching and outfield prospects
Areas of Minor League Need: Infield
Areas of Major League Depth: Starting pitching, infield
Areas of Major League Need: Bullpen
Prediction: The Cubs could still stand to add another reliever to round out the bullpen. After designating Clayton Richard to clear room for Chapman, they could really benefit by adding a potential swing man to injury-proof their rotation down the stretch. With their unwillingness to part with major league pieces and disdain for high prices in a seller’s market, the Cubs could also be idle as the non-waiver deadline passes.
St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals are among the many teams looking for late-inning relief help, which was one of the last things most people would have expected to hear entering this season. Trevor Rosenthal, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list this week, entered the season with a 2.66 ERA, could reach the high-90s with his fastball, and consistently closed out games. This season, he has allowed 7.33 BB/9, leading some to question whether or not this DL trip is legitimate or not. Jon Heyman believes Rosenthal could be a potential trade chip, but much like the Diamondbacks with Shelby Miller, the Cardinals aren’t likely to give up on a young, high-profile pitcher going through a down year.
it's not sure trevor rosenthal is available, but since he's out as closer in STL, teams in need will investigate, nats too
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 24, 2016
Even with Matt Carpenter, Brandon Moss, Bryan Pena, and Johnny Peralta on the disabled list, the Cardinals aren’t interested in pursuing a rental bat, according to Mark Saxon.
Source: #Cardinals have no interest in trading for a hitter, even with 3 impact bats on DL, unless it would be a long-term impact player
— Mark Saxon (@markasaxon) July 19, 2016
The move wouldn’t make a lot of sense with the Cardinals’ uncanny ability to find the diamond in the rough with lesser-name prospects, even to some extent early this season. However, Brandon Moss is a free agent after this season, and the Cardinals could possibly consider looking for his potential replacement now for the right price rather than waiting for the offseason if they feel they will unlikely be able to re-sign him.
On Tuesday, Tyler Waite presented his case for and against trading for the head case that is Chris Sale. As the biggest household name out on the market this season, just about every fan base has been clamoring for what it would take to land the ace. The Cardinals media has been no exception. According to Viva El Birdos, the Cardinals are unlikely to have the pieces necessary to land Sale. The White Sox are reportedly looking for five prospects in return, at least two of which would certainly be top-five prospects
Areas of Minor League Depth: Well-balanced
Areas of Minor League Need: No glaring needs
Areas of Major League Depth: Starting pitching, Outfield
Areas of Major League Need: Bullpen, Bench
Prediction: The Cardinals are likely to stay the course and only buy or sell if there is an offer they can’t refuse. If they would do anything, I feel like they would seek out a veteran bullpen option with some control. Otherwise, they are likely to do what has kept them successful for so long by staying the course and letting their development coaches keep them competitive.
Milwaukee Brewers
You know how some stores will package a desired item with a significantly lesser or completely undesired item just to clear out stock around the holidays, even if it means a lesser return? The Brewers clearly think it’s a sound strategy because they have been lowering teams’ interest levels left and right by attempting to package Jeremy Jeffress or Will Smith with Jonathan Lucroy or Ryan Braun in a package deal. Is someone in Milwaukee’s front office simply opposed to doing more paperwork by completing more trades rather than lowering the value by packaging a player a team may not need with one they want? Prior to both Cervelli and Diaz having remarkable recoveries, Eric Fryer being surprisingly productive, and Chris Stewart making quick progress in his rehab efforts, the deal for a reliever and Lucroy may have made sense for the Pirates. That’s no longer the case, and that logic is the same one that will keep many teams from doubling down on one of these deals.
The Giants were interested in one of the Brewers relievers, and the Mets have reportedly been negotiating for Jonathan Lucroy in exchange for Travis d’Arnaud and prospect(s). The Mets are also looking for relief help, and the Mets may finally get their wish of being able to package a reliever with one of their franchise players. However, the Brewers have reportedly been scouting the Giants top prospects for a deal that would just be for a reliever, so the Mets are unlikely to have the prospects necessary to get a package deal done.
#brewers could be a match for #sfgiants in bullpen search. They've been scouting Sacto and thought to like SP Adelberto Mejia.
— Henry Schulman (@hankschulman) July 20, 2016
Areas of Minor League Depth: Well-balanced
Areas of Minor League Need: Could use some more infield depth, but that is something likely to be added with any trades that may occur before the non-waiver deadline.
Areas of Major League Depth: Trade chips
Areas of Major League Need: Starting pitching, Infield, Outfield not named Braun, Bench
Prediction: The Brewers will likely deal most, if not all, of their trade chips before the deadline, although I think they will or seem like they will hang on to one of their faces of the franchise in Lucroy or Braun. The market is just too thin and overpriced not to capitalize on a team desperate to either secure their playoff hopes or chase after that glimmer of hope that is the wild card game. If the prospects pan out, the Brewers could be a force to be reckoned with once again in the next few years. If not, well, rinse and repeat.
Cincinnati Reds
The Reds are in the unfortunate situation of having needs in almost every area and lacking the veteran trade chips necessary to effectively rebuild. Given their recent track record of developing prospects, the Reds could be stuck in the rebuilding process for a long time, but the Reds are looking to deal the chips they do have. Jay Bruce has been getting a lot of attention given his rebound year, and at least four teams have reportedly been in negotiation as the talks have advanced. He has a $13 million club option for the 2017 season and is willing to wave his no-trade clause if it means he would be on a contending club. The only drawback is his defensive liability, which makes his value significantly more appealing to an American League club in need of a designated hitter upgrade.
The #Reds have picked up the pace on Jay Bruce trade discussions. They're talking to at least 4 clubs. Seeking a top prospect in return.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 26, 2016
One name not originally thought to be involved in potential trade negotiations was 26-year-old Anthony DeSclafani. The young pitcher, who is under team control through 2020 has a 2.50 ERA, 7.15 K/9, and 1.61 BB/9 so far this season. In a thin starting pitching market, he could fetch a king’s ransom, despite not having the name recognition of some of the other big names out there. The Pirates are among the teams who have the prospects to get a deal done, but it would probably be unwise to be handing over top prospects like Tyler Glasnow, Josh Bell, Austin Meadows, etc. to a division rival looking to be competitive again sooner, rather than later. Ken Rosenthal reports that the Reds might not be willing to part ways with DeSclafini just yet.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”Ken Rosenthal” link=”” color=”#000000″ class=”” size=””]The timing not be right for such a deal. DeSclafani is under control for four more seasons after this one. The Reds built around him, and as long as he continues to pitch well, his trade value will continue to increase[/perfectpullquote]Devin Mesoraco underwent hip surgery, and his future behind the plate is now uncertain. With just one catching prospect in their top 30 list, the Reds could stand to add an insurance policy. The Pirates could look to flip Chris Stewart to clear a path for Elias Diaz or deal Diaz if they want to pursue a deal with the Reds for DeSclafani. Lucroy is also another intriguing option, but it seems unlikely the two NL Central cellar dwellers will be swapping players before the deadline.
Areas of Minor League Depth: Pitching, Outfield
Areas of Minor League Need: Catching
Areas of Major League Depth: Right side of the field (Brandon Phillips, Joey Votto, Bruce)
Areas of Major League Need: Easier to answer after the deadline, likely everywhere except first and second base.
Prediction: The Reds will likely remain relatively quiet at the deadline. Jay Bruce will likely be wearing another uniform by August 2, and the Reds will likely undersell one of their best players.
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