Trade Deadline Rumors and Discussion Thread 2021

[Grant77]

If the Cubs are selling, we should be looking at Rex Brothers and MVP finalist Ryan Tepera for our bullpen.

[THANOS]

Biggio alone is worth more than than entire package. Not kidding

 

Absolutely.

[connorp]

Biggio alone is worth more than than entire package. Not kidding

 

If you grab a 6 WAR All star on an expiring contract (2mo rental), doesn’t seem hard to out value that. There’s more to it than face value obviously. Though at least nobody does anything stupid anymore really

[G-Snarls]

Asking price for Adam Frazier said to be through the roof

 

Pirates want a blue chip prospect in return

[Laika]

If you grab a 6 WAR All star on an expiring contract (2mo rental), doesn’t seem hard to out value that. There’s more to it than face value obviously. Though at least nobody does anything stupid anymore really

 

Yeah, WAR is worth more in a playoff race (leveraged wins) but it's still not going to happen for Kris Bryant (who is on a projected pace of like 3.7 WAR). Note that I don't think Kimbrel is worth anything because of his poison pill 2022 vesting option, and Hendricks is also not worth much IMO given his contract.

 

Manny Machado didn't even land a player as valuable as Biggio.

 

I think they would consider trading Biggio if they are getting back a star that helps now and has some control.

[saskjayfan]

Yeah, WAR is worth more in a playoff race (leveraged wins) but it's still not going to happen for Kris Bryant (who is on a projected pace of like 3.7 WAR). Note that I don't think Kimbrel is worth anything because of his poison pill 2022 vesting option, and Hendricks is also not worth much IMO given his contract.

 

Manny Machado didn't even land a player as valuable as Biggio.

 

I think they would consider trading Biggio if they are getting back a star that helps now and has some control.

 

Kimbrel actually is worth 16 mil this year and may very well be worth 16 mil next year. I don't really view it as a poison pill. How many more wins would the team have had if they had Kimbrel this year? 3, 4,5? His contract is fully valued, but he's more than earned his money and I don't see it as a problem committing 16 mil next year. The expensive contract will reduce his trading price. The cubs have had a carousel going for the back up catcher spot. At this point Reece Mcguire and a lottery ticket prospect. I'd do that deal.

[Laika]

Kimbrel actually is worth 16 mil this year and may very well be worth 16 mil next year. I don't really view it as a poison pill. How many more wins would the team have had if they had Kimbrel this year? 3, 4,5? His contract is fully valued, but he's more than earned his money and I don't see it as a problem committing 16 mil next year. The expensive contract will reduce his trading price. The cubs have had a carousel going for the back up catcher spot. At this point Reece Mcguire and a lottery ticket prospect. I'd do that deal.

 

Even if you think he's worth $16M he's still worth nothing in trade.

 

I certainly don't think he's worth $16M though, because of demonstrated downside risk.

[Jays24]

Even if you think he's worth $16M he's still worth nothing in trade.

 

I certainly don't think he's worth $16M though, because of demonstrated downside risk.

 

Agree with that. If we thought Kimbrel was worth 16M then we should have just tried to sign Hendricks in the offseason. Cubs would for sure have to pay some of that salary or attach another player with him if they expect to get anything decent in return.

[Dr. Dinger]

I would love to acquire Kimbrel and would be perfectly happy for that option to vest, but Nicky is right that his trade value is nil; an org prospect. There aren’t even many buyers who are capable of allocating the salary he comes with.

[glory]

If Kimbrel only needs 26 more games finished for his option to vest, then he'd get that before September with the way Buntoyo uses relievers. The Jays would have to be willing to have him back at $16m next year, and I'm not sure they would. Atkins doesn't usually invest heavily in the pen.

 

My guess is he'll find a more cost effective RP or two that are having bad years but have great K rates and velocity.

[RobinThicc]

Kimbrel back at 16 mill next year would not be great.

 

Having as much financial flexibility for this upcoming free agent class would be better than Kimbrel.

[Laika]

Toronto gets:

 

Bryant, Hendricks, Kimbrel, and Rizzo.

 

Chicago gets:

 

Biggio, Grichuk, Will Robertson and Adam Kloffenstein.

 

Money would move around in some way. Chicago to Toronto for this year probably.

 

The two prospects don't have a lot of value but help Chicago sell the deal to fans.

 

Grichuk for Hendricks + Kimbrel is kind of a bad contracts swap and lets Toronto's position player roster work better.

 

Biggio is the meat of the deal for Chicago and is a controllable, cheap player with upside.

 

Hendricks+Kimbrel makes it not a pure win-now move for Toronto.

 

Rizzo and Bryant make the offense absolutely unbelievable for the 2021 push.

 

I know Chicago laughs Atkins off the phone if he actually proposes this unless they are stupid in love with Biggio.

[glory]

This version of Kimbrel would be great next year. I assume we are trying to win a WS next year so you will get full value from Kimbrel in the playoffs.

 

I also think his skills have taken a jump relative to his peers because he was not a guy that needed the sticky stuff to live at the top of the zone. He lives there because of his delivery.

 

But we should make them take Grichuk.

 

If the Cubs took Grichuk back, then I think a Kimbrel deal makes more sense. Only a minor hit to 2022 payroll (about $5-6m more) followed by a ~$10m savings in 2023, but the Jays would have to add some real sweetener in that deal as Grichuk provides no type of value to the Cubs.

 

I vaguely remember reading that Atkins wanted to save financial bullets for this coming winter, which is why other than Springer it was basically all one year deals, so as mentioned before I don't think they take Kimbrel if they are adding $16m to the payroll next year. If they are only adding ~$5m (with Grich included), then it's a different ballgame. Don't think either scenario is all that likely.

[G-Snarls]

Toronto gets:

 

Bryant, Hendricks, Kimbrel, and Rizzo.

 

Chicago gets:

 

Biggio, Grichuk, Will Robertson and Adam Kloffenstein.

 

Money would move around in some way. Chicago to Toronto for this year probably.

 

The two prospects don't have a lot of value but help Chicago sell the deal to fans.

 

Grichuk for Hendricks + Kimbrel is kind of a bad contracts swap and lets Toronto's position player roster work better.

 

Biggio is the meat of the deal for Chicago and is a controllable, cheap player with upside.

 

Hendricks+Kimbrel makes it not a pure win-now move for Toronto.

 

Rizzo and Bryant make the offense absolutely unbelievable for the 2021 push.

 

I know Chicago laughs Atkins off the phone if he actually proposes this unless they are stupid in love with Biggio.

 

Remove Rizzo and just maybe......

 

I can't see them trading him

[G-Snarls]

Who is more likely to be traded:

 

Anthony Rizzo

 

Freddie Freeman

 

I guess I'll say Rizzo just because of the status the Cubs are in vs the Braves but it's hard to picture either player being traded IMO

 

In the much more likely scenario that they're kept, how much do contract extensions cost and which team is more likely to regret that contact?

[Benito]

Rizzo looks to me to be trending down. He’s 32 next month and a FA. I wouldn’t mind trading for him and taking a chance he returns to level he was in 2019, but not at cost of Biggio. I view Biggio as a core player, and I’d only be in favour of trading him for another core type player.

[Laika]

I know people love Biggio and I like him too but IF the Blue Jays think his physical limitations are starting to be exposed (I don't think so, but I can see the argument), then now would be the time to deal him.

 

Imagine this lineup:

 

Semien

Bichette

Guerrero

Springer

Hernandez

Rizzo

Bryant

Gurriel

Kirk

 

They wouldn't even need pitchers. Trent Thornton could win every start.

[Spanky99]

If you grab a 6 WAR All star on an expiring contract (2mo rental), doesn’t seem hard to out value that. There’s more to it than face value obviously. Though at least nobody does anything stupid anymore really

 

Bryant isn't a 6 WAR player... wtf?

[Spanky99]

I know people love Biggio and I like him too but IF the Blue Jays think his physical limitations are starting to be exposed (I don't think so, but I can see the argument), then now would be the time to deal him.

 

Imagine this lineup:

 

Semien

Bichette

Guerrero

Springer

Hernandez

Rizzo

Bryant

Gurriel

Kirk

 

They wouldn't even need pitchers. Trent Thornton could win every start.

 

Hah!

[saskjayfan]

Bryant isn't a 6 WAR player... wtf?

 

Bryant has a .530 OPS over his last 28. I know you have to look at the full season, but trading for a slumping player is a bit scary. Yeah Bryant is on pace for 4 wins, but only if he turns things around.

[Virgil_Hiltz]

Bryant has a .530 OPS over his last 28. I know you have to look at the full season, but trading for a slumping player is a bit scary. Yeah Bryant is on pace for 4 wins, but only if he turns things around.

 

with his history with the Cubs and how the Cubs are nosediving I wouldn't put all my faith in his slump now. I would be cautious but if he could play good D at third and let Biggio (if not traded) be the super-sub.

[Spanky99]

Bryant has a .530 OPS over his last 28. I know you have to look at the full season, but trading for a slumping player is a bit scary. Yeah Bryant is on pace for 4 wins, but only if he turns things around.

 

I know, trust me... have him in fantasy, he's been lingering with injuries for a while now. Cubs should just IL him like yesterday, over the break is a perfect time, so he can come back fresh, their dumn.

[Eat My Shatkins]

Trade #1 - Randal Grichuk for Craig Kimbrel

Trade #2 - Tyler Saucedo, Kevin Smith, CJ Van Eyk for Taylor Rogers, Nelson Cruz, Jose Berrios

Trade #3 - Cavan Biggio, Adam Kloffenstein for Jose Ramirez

 

 

Probably not giving up near enough in any of these trades?

 

Rosterbation:

 

2B - Semien

SS - Bichette

1B - Vladdy

DH - Cruz

CF - Springer

RF - Hernandez

3B - Ramirez

CA - Kirk

LF - Gurriel / Dickerson

 

B - Gurriel / Dickerson

B - Jansen / Mcguire

B - Espinal

 

SP - Ryu

SP - Berrios

SP - Ray

SP - Stripling

SP - Manoah

SP - Matz

 

CP - Kimbrel

RP - Romano

RP - Merryweather

RP - Rogers

RP - Borucki

RP - Cimber

RP - Richards

RP - Barnes / Castro / Axford / Mayza

[connorp]

Bryant isn't a 6 WAR player... wtf?

 

One of my unclear posts. I wasn’t referencing Bryant but can see how it looked like I was. Just meant hypothetically

[Spanky99]

One of my unclear posts. I wasn’t referencing Bryant but can see how it looked like I was. Just meant hypothetically

 

Yer dumn.

[saskjayfan]

Kimbrel back at 16 mill next year would not be great.

 

Having as much financial flexibility for this upcoming free agent class would be better than Kimbrel.

 

If Kimbrel was a free agent at the end of this year he probably gets 3 and 45 or 3 and 48. He's been stupid dominant this year and rich clubs pay big money. He might even get a 4th at a reduced AAV. One year 16 mil is actually a pretty good deal. You get the best closer in baseball from 2021 who's put up an ERA of .57 without the long term risk.

[Spanky99]

Trade #1 - Randal Grichuk for Craig Kimbrel

Trade #2 - Tyler Saucedo, Kevin Smith, CJ Van Eyk for Taylor Rogers, Nelson Cruz, Jose Berrios

Trade #3 - Cavan Biggio, Adam Kloffenstein for Jose Ramirez

 

 

Probably not giving up near enough in any of these trades?

 

 

Yeah, that's not happening. Sorry, #2 is far too light.

[BlueRocky]

Trade #1 - Randal Grichuk for Craig Kimbrel

Trade #2 - Tyler Saucedo, Kevin Smith, CJ Van Eyk for Taylor Rogers, Nelson Cruz, Jose Berrios

Trade #3 - Cavan Biggio, Adam Kloffenstein for Jose Ramirez

 

 

Probably not giving up near enough in any of these trades?

 

Rosterbation:

 

2B - Semien

SS - Bichette

1B - Vladdy

DH - Cruz

CF - Springer

RF - Hernandez

3B - Ramirez

CA - Kirk

LF - Gurriel / Dickerson

 

B - Gurriel / Dickerson

B - Jansen / Mcguire

B - Espinal

 

SP - Ryu

SP - Berrios

SP - Ray

SP - Stripling

SP - Manoah

SP - Matz

 

CP - Kimbrel

RP - Romano

RP - Merryweather

RP - Rogers

RP - Borucki

RP - Cimber

RP - Richards

RP - Barnes / Castro / Axford / Mayza

 

Atkins would need to include some criminal evidence or explicit photos for these deals to go through.

[connorp]

Yeah, that's not happening.

 

Imagine being a CLE fan and giving up 2.5 years of cheap control of JR for Biggio

[Spanky99]

Imagine being a CLE fan and giving up 2.5 years of cheap control of JR for Biggio

 

There'd have to be addition spects, but that's not egregious. Dingleberry!