SP Samardzija cemented himself in Cub lore by having an awful outing against the Mets. He gave up 9 earned runs in less than five innings. His replacement, Coleman, gave up 7 more in the Mets 17-1 rout at Wrigley Field. The last time two Cub pitchers gave up more than 7 runs each in a game: the mighty combo of Steve Traschel and Willie Banks.
The Cubs blew up the 2011 bullpen to shore up the starting rotation and now the starting rotation is falling a part. Wells has been designated for assignment by the Cubs after his last awful outing. Dempster is still on the disabled list. Garza is driving people nuts in the dugout. It is time to really blow up the roster because things can't get much better (even in this new Rizzo Era).
The Yankees have placed starters Sabathia and Pettitte on the disabled list. The Yanks have a sudden need for at least one, maybe two, good starting pitchers to shore up their rotation. Garza has pitched well in the AL East so the Yanks would be an obvious landing spot. But the Cubs will not be able to acquire 5 prospects as the Rays did when the Cubs got Garza. Other teams are aware that the Cubs are in rebuilding mode and want to trade high cost players who don't fit into a long term plan. Dempster would also work for the Yankees as a "rent a player" for the remainder of the season. We just don't know if Dempster wants to go into the media pressure cooker of NYC in a pennant race. That would be the opposite of the cozy Cubs club house that he has been used to since becoming a Cub.
But the Yankees don't have much to trade. Three of their top seven prospects are on the disabled list. Others are struggling (one demoted).
Manny Banuelos, LHP is on the DL at AAA. His stuff has not progressed this year from last.
Dellin Betances, RHP, was demoted to AA with control issues.
Gary Sanchez is a power hitting catcher in A ball.
Mason Williams is A outfielder with potential.
Jose Campos is another pitcher on the DL from A ball.
Slade Heathcott is a struggling OF in A ball.
Austin Romine has been on the disabled list all year with back issues, was slated for ML service this year.
This prospects don't fit into the Cubs blueprint. Theo has signed so many outfielders (like Soler) and drafted young pitchers that there may be a logjam of prospects in the system. Besides, you don't trade a work horse starter in Garza for disabled prospects. Even though the Yankees have a need, they do not have the assets to make a Garza trade, like a major league ready third baseman or second baseman.
So it is possible that the Cubs will not be able to find a trading partner for either Dempster or Garza, and will ride out the season with them.
