Gray is fragile and I believe a free agent next year so he should cost the least but bring the most risk. Also, while he would cost the least the price would still be significant.

The Pirates are a difficult organization to trade with and I expect they will be looking for a Sale level of trade value.

You have to expect that any significant starter is going to cost you Jimenez (and most likely ++). Don't bother to read the local experts who think the world is salivating to get Baez in exchange for their top pitcher...and Candalerio isn't going to be a centerpiece for any of those top guys either.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

If the year we are living in is 2019, then yes Gray will be a FA next year.

He can't stay healthy though, no question about that. Also he's not a big guy so, correctly or not, people tend to go with the narrative that those guys break down sooner.

Would have to pay the additional "Division" tax I'd assume.

FWIW Gammons said he thinks that Archer will not be traded.

Now, that would be incredible. Harper and Bryant are buddies...but this would happen after 2018, if at all...unless Washington trades him sooner.

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Jeimer hit a tater. Showcase is a success. Move him for Chris Archer.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

Your trolling is pretty good.

Word on Verlander is he'd take a deal to a contender. (Insert Cubs not contender jokes here.)

He's on the hook for 28MM per for two more years. Jake is gone next year, that's 15M off the books and at this point looks like Lackey is a goner also after this year, another 16M there. So Verlander in and those two out is a wash for next year's roster construction (albeit swapping one guy for two.)

Verlander isn't as sharp this year but the price in term of prospects is probably lower if the Cubs take the whole contract, which they probably are able to. Gives the Cubs a more viable arm in the rotation this year and helps solve the rotation puzzle for next season.

I wouldn't touch Verlander.

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Be well

GO BEARS!!!

I'll take him. Especially if Rays want to hold onto Archer.

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Sherman remarked, "Well, Grant, we've had the devil's own day, haven't we?" Grant looked up. "Yes," he replied, followed by a puff. "Yes. Lick 'em tomorrow, though."

I'd rather have Gerrit Cole.

Grin reported a couple of days ago that the Cubs had to take on another 65 million in debt to cover the purchase of rooftops. They aren't as awash in cash as some believe

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

I don't think you understand my post.

I mean, I'd rather have Corey Kluber, but...

Yeah, they are awash in cash, 65MM of it to be exact.

They basically consolidated the debt they inherited when they purchased the properties.

I'll take Verlander too.

I'm sure they're doing their due diligence on Verlander, but stats this year are of a #3 guy at best, so even if the cost in prospects is low, 28M per year through 2019 is a big risk. And I doubt DET will give him away in tyerms of eating half that salary.

He'd be no worse than the Cubs #2 starter right now.

Lackey blows, he's making 18 this year and last year.. He's basically our new lackey with a much higher ceiling.

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Remember this guy from the Hendry regime? Could he be this years C J Edwards??

Brett Taylor RetweetedScott Kornberg‏ @ScottKornberg 29m29 minutes ago

Scott Kornberg Retweeted Patrick Mooney

96-101 mph FB, two breaking balls that spin more than 3,000 rpm... Stuff is insane. EXTREMELY intelligent guy. Could reach Wrigley in 2017

Scott Kornberg added,
Patrick MooneyVerified account @CSNMooney
#Cubs planning to promote Dillon Maples to Triple-A Iowa after dominating Double-A hitters (28 Ks in 13+ IP). Intriguing story/arm to watch.

Dillon Maples walks about 5 guys per inning.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

wouldn't be surprised if the Padres flipped Wood to the Cubs

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Saw an alert this afternoon from Bleacher Report. They are reporting that Yu Darvish has the Cubs and Red Sox on his list of 10 teams he cannot be traded to. Why would that be? He hates Theo?

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Elections have consequences.