MLBTR reports that Tigers executive Scott Reid is scouting Cubs outfielder Nate Schierholtz and infielder Darwin Barney. Bruce Levine reports that the Cubs would be looking for pitching in return. The Tigers have lost outfielder Andy Dirks and shortstop Jose Igleias for the year due to serious injuries.
Barney has played shortstop, and he recently said he would be comfortable to return to that position. He played one game at short when Castro was hurt this spring. He currently is the second shortstop on the team's depth chart.
In return, the Cubs would be looking for at least one major league ready player, like LHP Ian Krol and pitching prospects.
Tigers Top Ten prospects include Jonathan Crawford (#5), Jake Thompson (#4) and Robbie Ray (#2) but it is doubtful the Tigers front office will part with any of them for a short term fix in the outfield and shortstop.
Showing posts with label Schierholtz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Schierholtz. Show all posts
March 19, 2014
March 12, 2014
HALF WAY
Teams are half way through spring training. General managers have a pretty good grasp on what players will break camp with the major league squad. This time is used to stretch out starters, get bullpen arms into a routine, and hitters working on their timing. Teams usually only have one or two open spots to fill during the final 10 days of camp, usually referred to the 25th man (bench player) and a final pitcher for the bullpen.
It is rare for trades to happen late in spring training. Teams have concentrated so much on their own organization and talent to focus in on potential trade partners. Teams do scout other organizations, but mainly to get updated books on other team prospects.
However, if a preseason contender is beset with early injuries, like the Tigers with OF Dirks or the Braves who lost two starting pitchers, a last minute trade is a possibility.
If the Tigers want to replace their outfielder with a proven veteran, Nate Schierholtz's name has come up in recent reports. Apparently the Tigers inquired at last year's trade deadline. Since Schierholtz is in the final year of his Cub contract, it would make sense if he has any trade value to move him. The Tigers are still in "win now" mode and may give up some pitching prospects.
Likewise, the Braves are also in "win now" mode after re-signing many of their young players to extensions this off season. Number one starter, Kris Medlen, left his start with a forearm strain. With Medlen--who already has one Tommy John surgery on the punch card--and the Braves awaiting results from an MRI, Brandon Beachy left his spring start a mere 24 hours after Medlen. Also a Tommy John recoverer, he left with tightness in his throwing elbow. In the span of a day, the Braves went from a young, deep rotation to one on the verge of falling apart before they break from Spring Training. Two bad MRIs, and the Braves would suddenly, breathtakingly be stripped of their status as favorites for the NL East crown. As insurance, the Braves traded for journeyman starter/reliever Zach Stewart from the White Sox system. But clearly, Stewart would not be a long term solution.
UPDATE: The Braves have signed free agent Ervin Santana in a one year deal for $14.1 million (the same money as the qualified offer he rejected from his previous club).
The weak point is lack of depth of major league starters, so Jeff Samardzija's name will come up as a possible solution. There is no question that the Shark is frustrated with the Cubs. He wants to play for a winning club. The Cubs and his representatives are at an impasse on a contract extension. At age 29, Samardzija's championship window is starting to close.
The Cubs are gearing up for another 100 loss season, so losing Samardzija or Schierholtz is not going to make a great deal of difference. There are plenty of journeymen outfielders in camp to platoon in RF. Chris Rusin, Carlos Villanueva or Justin Grimm could take Shark's rotation spot.
The plan is that Jorge Soler would take the long term RF spot, but Soler is slated to start this year at Class A again. That projects to not being major league ready until 2017. The Cubs really do not have a sure fire "ace" in the minor league system who would replace Samardzija as an opening day starter/innings eater. Even if the Cubs take the best college pitcher available in this year's draft, he will not be ready for at least two years. In essence, the Cubs "rebuild" plan is only halfway to completion.
It is rare for trades to happen late in spring training. Teams have concentrated so much on their own organization and talent to focus in on potential trade partners. Teams do scout other organizations, but mainly to get updated books on other team prospects.
However, if a preseason contender is beset with early injuries, like the Tigers with OF Dirks or the Braves who lost two starting pitchers, a last minute trade is a possibility.
If the Tigers want to replace their outfielder with a proven veteran, Nate Schierholtz's name has come up in recent reports. Apparently the Tigers inquired at last year's trade deadline. Since Schierholtz is in the final year of his Cub contract, it would make sense if he has any trade value to move him. The Tigers are still in "win now" mode and may give up some pitching prospects.
Likewise, the Braves are also in "win now" mode after re-signing many of their young players to extensions this off season. Number one starter, Kris Medlen, left his start with a forearm strain. With Medlen--who already has one Tommy John surgery on the punch card--and the Braves awaiting results from an MRI, Brandon Beachy left his spring start a mere 24 hours after Medlen. Also a Tommy John recoverer, he left with tightness in his throwing elbow. In the span of a day, the Braves went from a young, deep rotation to one on the verge of falling apart before they break from Spring Training. Two bad MRIs, and the Braves would suddenly, breathtakingly be stripped of their status as favorites for the NL East crown. As insurance, the Braves traded for journeyman starter/reliever Zach Stewart from the White Sox system. But clearly, Stewart would not be a long term solution.
UPDATE: The Braves have signed free agent Ervin Santana in a one year deal for $14.1 million (the same money as the qualified offer he rejected from his previous club).
The weak point is lack of depth of major league starters, so Jeff Samardzija's name will come up as a possible solution. There is no question that the Shark is frustrated with the Cubs. He wants to play for a winning club. The Cubs and his representatives are at an impasse on a contract extension. At age 29, Samardzija's championship window is starting to close.
The Cubs are gearing up for another 100 loss season, so losing Samardzija or Schierholtz is not going to make a great deal of difference. There are plenty of journeymen outfielders in camp to platoon in RF. Chris Rusin, Carlos Villanueva or Justin Grimm could take Shark's rotation spot.
The plan is that Jorge Soler would take the long term RF spot, but Soler is slated to start this year at Class A again. That projects to not being major league ready until 2017. The Cubs really do not have a sure fire "ace" in the minor league system who would replace Samardzija as an opening day starter/innings eater. Even if the Cubs take the best college pitcher available in this year's draft, he will not be ready for at least two years. In essence, the Cubs "rebuild" plan is only halfway to completion.
November 18, 2013
EARLY TRADE RUMORS
Jeff Samardzija appears to be a hot topic as the off-season trade market opens for business.
The Nationals seem to be on the Shark hunt. The Diamondbacks inquired before July's deadline.
The Nationals are probably better suited for a Cub trade. And this would be an easy one: CF Denard Span and LHP Ian Krol for Samardzija.
Span, 29, hit .279, 20 SB and 2.4 WAR for the Nationals last season. He would upgrade the lead-off spot for the Cubs and roam centerfield for the next two years at $15.5 million.
Krol, 22, a local kid from Naperville, IL, pitched 32 games in relief going 2-1, 3.95 ERA, 1.311 WHIP. He could move into the 5th starter role like Travis Wood did a few seasons ago.
If the Cubs are going to trade a starter, the team needs to get back manageable starters in return. Span would be under team control through 2015 so he won't block any prospect's promotion. Krol is young enough to contribute long term to the pitching staff since the Cubs don't have any minor league starter ready to make a permanent starter assignment. (Kyle Hendricks is probably the closest, but he was in Class AA last season.)
A Diamondback trade would most likely return more low level prospects.
The 40 man Snake roster has Randall Delgado, a pitcher who was going to part of the Dempster to Atlanta deal that fell a part. The D-Backs also have ex-Cub Tony Campana or another small OF in Adam Eaton as possible trade chips. A Samardzija for Delgado and Eaton trade seems to be less upside than the Nationals one above.
The Diamondbacks also have some interest in OF Nate Schierholtz, who could be packaged with Samardzija or traded alone. Arizona has payroll limitations bearing down on 2014 so Schierholtz fits in their outfield rotation at a reasonable cost. The more the Cubs could package to the Diamondbacks, the more talent the team should receive in return.
The D-Backs are not parting with number one prospect, Archie Bradley. However, No.4 prospect, RHP Braden Shipley or No. 5 prospect, LHP David Holmberg would be interesting prospects. Shipley played in A ball while Holmberg excelled in AA.
Also add the Blue Jays to the mix. The team has signaled it wants to be more active in the trade market than the free agent market this off-season. The Jays have targeted need areas of starting pitching, catcher and second base.
The Nationals seem to be on the Shark hunt. The Diamondbacks inquired before July's deadline.
The Nationals are probably better suited for a Cub trade. And this would be an easy one: CF Denard Span and LHP Ian Krol for Samardzija.
Span, 29, hit .279, 20 SB and 2.4 WAR for the Nationals last season. He would upgrade the lead-off spot for the Cubs and roam centerfield for the next two years at $15.5 million.
Krol, 22, a local kid from Naperville, IL, pitched 32 games in relief going 2-1, 3.95 ERA, 1.311 WHIP. He could move into the 5th starter role like Travis Wood did a few seasons ago.
If the Cubs are going to trade a starter, the team needs to get back manageable starters in return. Span would be under team control through 2015 so he won't block any prospect's promotion. Krol is young enough to contribute long term to the pitching staff since the Cubs don't have any minor league starter ready to make a permanent starter assignment. (Kyle Hendricks is probably the closest, but he was in Class AA last season.)
A Diamondback trade would most likely return more low level prospects.
The 40 man Snake roster has Randall Delgado, a pitcher who was going to part of the Dempster to Atlanta deal that fell a part. The D-Backs also have ex-Cub Tony Campana or another small OF in Adam Eaton as possible trade chips. A Samardzija for Delgado and Eaton trade seems to be less upside than the Nationals one above.
The Diamondbacks also have some interest in OF Nate Schierholtz, who could be packaged with Samardzija or traded alone. Arizona has payroll limitations bearing down on 2014 so Schierholtz fits in their outfield rotation at a reasonable cost. The more the Cubs could package to the Diamondbacks, the more talent the team should receive in return.
The D-Backs are not parting with number one prospect, Archie Bradley. However, No.4 prospect, RHP Braden Shipley or No. 5 prospect, LHP David Holmberg would be interesting prospects. Shipley played in A ball while Holmberg excelled in AA.
Also add the Blue Jays to the mix. The team has signaled it wants to be more active in the trade market than the free agent market this off-season. The Jays have targeted need areas of starting pitching, catcher and second base.
August 21, 2013
REBUILDING WITH JOURNEYMEN
Nate Schierholtz hit his 18th home run to lead the Cubs over the Nationals in game one of their Wrigley series. Fellow journeyman Donnie Murphy also hit 2 home runs, and back up catcher
Dioner Navarro hit his 11th HR of the season.
Schierholtz and Navarro are both 20; Murphy is 30. Murphy was a mid season free agent acquisition. Navarro and Schierholtz were off season role players who had not had a starting chance in a long time.
Schierholtz has one year of arbitration left so he is under control through 2014. This season he has a 2.5 WAR.
Navarro signed a one year deal with the Cubs so he will be a free agent. The switch hitting catcher will get a large raise in the off season through free agency. This season he has a 1.8 WAR.
Murphy, in only 13 games as a Cub, has a 1.2 WAR. Murphy can also be a free agent in 2015.
The question is why did it take so long for these three journeymen to become potential full time starters with the Cubs? First, the Cubs are a bad team short on talent and depth at positions. Second, these guys are entering their prime playing years. Third, they have something to prove to the other teams that let them go. Motivation to succeed can be very powerful, in the short term.
It is doubtful that the front office thought these three players would give the power production spark that has been missing from the team. Sometimes, a GM gets lucky.
But there stays in Chicago will be short lived since the entire rebuild philosophy of the organization is to build from within with home grown prospects. The Cubs want a long term pipeline of young players who can be called up year to year like the Rays. The rebuild Cubs have always traded away veteran talent to acquire more prospects. The Cubs have traded 11 players so far this season. This trend is expected to continue in the off season.
If the Nationals can make the strange move to trade for David DeJesus, when the Nats are 10 games out of a wild card, then other teams may want to cherry pick the Cubs roster with the intent of building for next year today. Schierholtz and Murphy could be valuable pieces for a ball club that believes it is one or two players away from a championship season next year.
And the Cubs will accommodate those bidders. Because the Cubs do not want to build a club through journeymen.
Dioner Navarro hit his 11th HR of the season.
Schierholtz and Navarro are both 20; Murphy is 30. Murphy was a mid season free agent acquisition. Navarro and Schierholtz were off season role players who had not had a starting chance in a long time.
Schierholtz has one year of arbitration left so he is under control through 2014. This season he has a 2.5 WAR.
Navarro signed a one year deal with the Cubs so he will be a free agent. The switch hitting catcher will get a large raise in the off season through free agency. This season he has a 1.8 WAR.
Murphy, in only 13 games as a Cub, has a 1.2 WAR. Murphy can also be a free agent in 2015.
The question is why did it take so long for these three journeymen to become potential full time starters with the Cubs? First, the Cubs are a bad team short on talent and depth at positions. Second, these guys are entering their prime playing years. Third, they have something to prove to the other teams that let them go. Motivation to succeed can be very powerful, in the short term.
It is doubtful that the front office thought these three players would give the power production spark that has been missing from the team. Sometimes, a GM gets lucky.
But there stays in Chicago will be short lived since the entire rebuild philosophy of the organization is to build from within with home grown prospects. The Cubs want a long term pipeline of young players who can be called up year to year like the Rays. The rebuild Cubs have always traded away veteran talent to acquire more prospects. The Cubs have traded 11 players so far this season. This trend is expected to continue in the off season.
If the Nationals can make the strange move to trade for David DeJesus, when the Nats are 10 games out of a wild card, then other teams may want to cherry pick the Cubs roster with the intent of building for next year today. Schierholtz and Murphy could be valuable pieces for a ball club that believes it is one or two players away from a championship season next year.
And the Cubs will accommodate those bidders. Because the Cubs do not want to build a club through journeymen.
December 6, 2012
ANOTHER FLEA MARKET PICK UP
The Cubs made another "small market" type move to patch a hole in the roster. But the team is using a small band-aid to cover up a large hole in the roster drywall. The Cubs will sign Nate Schierholtz to play right field in 2013.
Schierholtz, 28, played for the Giants and Phillies last season. He was involved in the Hunter Pence transaction at the trade deadline. His season was cut short by a broken toe on August 13, 2012. The Phillies non-tendered him. So the Cubs will sign him to a one year, $2.25 million contract.
In 114 games last season, Schierholtz hit only .257, with 6 HR, 21 RBI, 3 SB, and .321 OBP. He had a combined 0.8 WAR. As a RF last season, he had 21 errorless chances. He is a career .988 outfielder.
He has never been a full time starter. He has never had 500 AB in any one major league season.
Schierholtz appears to be another David DeJesus Lite. DeJesus, before he signed with the Cubs, went .240, 10 HR, 46 RBI, 3 SB and .323 OBP for Oakland.
Even with Bryan LaHair's struggles last season, he hit .259, 16 HR, 40 RBI, 2 SB and .334 OBP.
Even playing most part time in Colorado, Tyler Colvin hit .290, 18 HR, 72 RBI, 7 SB, and .327 OBP.
There are a few confirmations with the Schierholtz signing:
1. The new front office has a bias against the old regime Cub prospects.
2. The Ian Stewart trade, from a pure evaluation stand point, was a complete failure by the Cubs.
3. The Cubs replaced LaHair with a lesser hitter in Schierholtz but for more money.
4. The Cubs are filling major starting holes with short-term journeymen bench players.
5. The Cubs have a habit of picking up players who are recovering from season ending injuries.
Reports from the winter meetings state that the Cubs are again actively shopping Alfonso Soriano. Why? He is the only proven offensive left on the roster. The Cubs have no ready prospects to fill any outfield roles, especially if Soriano is traded to another team.
Schierholtz, 28, played for the Giants and Phillies last season. He was involved in the Hunter Pence transaction at the trade deadline. His season was cut short by a broken toe on August 13, 2012. The Phillies non-tendered him. So the Cubs will sign him to a one year, $2.25 million contract.
In 114 games last season, Schierholtz hit only .257, with 6 HR, 21 RBI, 3 SB, and .321 OBP. He had a combined 0.8 WAR. As a RF last season, he had 21 errorless chances. He is a career .988 outfielder.
He has never been a full time starter. He has never had 500 AB in any one major league season.
Schierholtz appears to be another David DeJesus Lite. DeJesus, before he signed with the Cubs, went .240, 10 HR, 46 RBI, 3 SB and .323 OBP for Oakland.
Even with Bryan LaHair's struggles last season, he hit .259, 16 HR, 40 RBI, 2 SB and .334 OBP.
Even playing most part time in Colorado, Tyler Colvin hit .290, 18 HR, 72 RBI, 7 SB, and .327 OBP.
There are a few confirmations with the Schierholtz signing:
1. The new front office has a bias against the old regime Cub prospects.
2. The Ian Stewart trade, from a pure evaluation stand point, was a complete failure by the Cubs.
3. The Cubs replaced LaHair with a lesser hitter in Schierholtz but for more money.
4. The Cubs are filling major starting holes with short-term journeymen bench players.
5. The Cubs have a habit of picking up players who are recovering from season ending injuries.
Reports from the winter meetings state that the Cubs are again actively shopping Alfonso Soriano. Why? He is the only proven offensive left on the roster. The Cubs have no ready prospects to fill any outfield roles, especially if Soriano is traded to another team.
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