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* Your unsolicited advice to the White Sox, Cubs and/or Cardinals ahead of the August 1 trade deadline? Choose one, choose ‘em all, but put a little thought into it. Thanks.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 12:34 pm
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For the Cubs - doesn’t really matter. They would still fill the park if they lost every game.
They do need to do something about their atrocious owners though.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 12:35 pm
Sign Stroman and Bellinger for next year. Trade them for the rest of 23 to a contender but bring them back for 24.
Comment by Dan Johnson Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 12:42 pm
Bellinger was always a one-year rental player. Thankfully he’s increased his trade value, but I don’t see a scenario where the Cubs sign him to a long term deal worth way more than the $17M he’s making now.
Stroman, in my opinion, assuming he’s healthy, would be a better bet to resign, but the Cubs are treating him like he’ll be gone soon. Pitching wins championships and is much more valuable than position players.
For fans of Moneyball, not mentioned in the movie about signing a bunch of no-name, cheap players who get on base, is that the A’s pitchers that year included Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito. That was why they were successful in that era. They had excellent starting pitching.
There is no substitute for starting pitching. So again, if Stroman is healthy, he and Steele are the kind of guys you can build a staff around.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 12:49 pm
The entire sox bullpen (current active) should be cut, traded, exiled. They are responsible for at least 15 loses. Probably more like 25. They are the worst in baseball right now.
I would also let Moncada, Lynn, and Clevinger go.
The rest can be built around.
Comment by JS Mill Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 12:49 pm
I can only speak to the Cardinals.
I am of the mind the team simply needs time to redevelop into a contender. They seem to have the talent potential, but are committing too many dumb mistakes.
Oh. And the pitching. Definitely need to create a new cadre of starters and middle inning pitchers. That takes time, and money (and luck).
I look at the Cubs as a historic phenomenon. I wouldn’t know what to suggest for the Cubs.
As to the Sox, wow. They remind me of Wynonna Judd’s lyric - “when you hit rock bottom, you’ve got two ways to go - straight up, or sideways.” I wish for them the former.
Comment by H-W Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 12:53 pm
Sign Stroman, trade Bellinger. Belly was always a one year deal…
Keep Giolito and all the young talent, trade Lynn and Grandal. Keep youth… let the aging guys move on (and figure out why such a good core doesn’t win more games!) That core is worth another chance…
Comment by Lincoln Lad Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 12:59 pm
White Sox: trade everyone that you can, including Cease. Cease is a FA after next year, and this team isn’t going to contend next year.
Cardinals: I’d think seriously about trading Goldy and Arenado. I’m not sold on the Cardinals over the next 2-3 years, and those two are your best trade chips to rebuild.
Cubs: sigh. Mediocrity is frustrating. But there’s no question that the SP could allow this team to make a run. And CIN and MIL are not good.
But I’d trade Bellinger — I don’t think that this recent success is sustainable based on his batted ball data. I’d trade Stroman. I wouldn’t extend or re-sign either them. Bellinger because his underlying numbers give me pause. Stroman because he’s at his peak, and you’re only paying for the way down moving forward.
Comment by JoeMaddon Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 1:03 pm
Sox should take the highest bid for Giolito (I would like to have the Sox sign him next year), Lynn (hopefully he pitches well Wednesday), and if you get anything for Kelly and Gravemen. I think the return for Anderson and Moncada may be too low so hope they improve next year.
I thought last year was the mpost disappointing Sox year ever. I was wrong.
Oh, and trade Reinsdorf, Williams and Hahn.
Comment by James the Intolerant Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 1:04 pm
Cubs
First, check the entire history of players that signed with a team that traded them at the previous deadline. It’s a *really* short list. If they trade anyone, they should not expect to re-sign.
If I were them, I’d get everything I could for Belli - he was always a one-year rebound candidate. If you can resign in the offseason, great, otherwise get assets.
For Stroman, I’d have an agreed trade ready to go but make every effort up to the deadline to sign to an extension. He’s valuable and if they want to win, they’re gonna need that pitching.
The other thing I’d do is trade Wisdom. Wouldn’t care what I got, just as long as I got him out of the lineup.
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 1:05 pm
Angels trade Ohtani to St. Louis for the Bud Light brand. Each may be more popular in their new states.
Comment by Moved East Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 1:05 pm
For the Cardinals, hold onto Walker and Gorman, but be bold. The defense is bad. The pitching is outdated (almost strictly pitch to contact), little team speed, poor team athletic ability. The scouting and analytical staff hasn’t performed well the last several years (letting players who developed into good players go, while keeping those that didn’t develop). Maybe follow Tampa’s or even the Cardinals of old motto of finding athletes. Players that have range in the field, that can steal a base, can take an extra base on a hit, that can stop a fly ball in the gap from going to the wall. Pitching, speed and defense.
Comment by Appears Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 1:16 pm
It starts at the top. Sell the team. Sorry I didn’t put more thought into it, but at this point anything else is just lipstick on a pig
Comment by Sox Fan Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 1:19 pm
Dear St. Louis Cardinals.
From 1980 until 2011 the Cardinals had a name brand Manager. Whitey Herzog, Red, Joe Torre, Tony LaRussa. Since then we have had a parade of “newbies” that supposedly embodied “the Cardinal Way.” Dispense with the hiring within, and go get someone that is a proven winner to lead the team.
Figure out how to bring Alex Cora, Dusty Baker, Bruce Bocce, Dave Roberts, or even Joe Girardi for goodness sake.
Comment by James Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 1:21 pm
===Sell the team. Sorry I didn’t put more thought into it===
Don’t be sorry. It’s a legit suggestion and one I’ve shared for quite a few years.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 1:34 pm
I personally like Jerry Reinsdorf but I’m not confident in the success of another rebuild. The Sox have talent but it never translates to the ball field. We can never seem to get off to a good start of the season (except 2005) and the team always stinks defensively. Part of the problem is Jerry’s loyalty.
Comment by Stones Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 1:44 pm
“Sell the team.”
Yes. Yes. Yes. But since that will probably never happen… I see no untouchables on the White Sox, except maybe Robert. Maybe. We’ve just got to start this whole thing over. Get as many quality prospects as possible. And get serious about development. The Sox can do what the Guardians and the Rays do; be cheap but good. They just haven’t done it. And I am of the opinion that it will take a new front office for this plan to actually work.
Cubs have to, have to get something for Stroman and Bellinger. You can’t lose these assets for nothing in a year like this.
Cards, I am a little less familiar with but… sell all expiring assets for pitching prospects.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 1:46 pm
The Cubs should be sellers.
The major problem with this ball club is how it’s built. It’s not built at all. It’s not even pieces for a building to get a 25 man roster.
There’s not a single player I see that can’t be moved, especially for getting minor league talent or taking on a rent a player the club will have no intention on signing in the winter.
The ideal situation would be signing Ohtani and Bellinger in the off-season, and really put out publicly after August 1st the reality of the want to win and spending the necessary dollars for young/prime talent, not spending on players that may be long in the tooth for any other reason clubs do bad signings like that.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 1:48 pm
Would recommend that Reinsdorf publicly apologizes to Sox fans for such bad returns on high expectations, and commits to rebuilding the team the right way (like he would ever do that). Use the trade deadline to start the rebuilding process.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 1:49 pm
The Cubs should sign Bellinger. He’s the most exciting and fun player to watch on the team bar none. Is it so wrong that I’d like them to keep him and his .320 BA and .920 OPS. When’s the last time the Cubs had someone with those kinds of numbers? And yea, I guess you sign Stroman too. He’s still too inconsistent for my taste but maybe I feel that way because I was at his two worst starts - both against the Cards.
As to the White Sox, good grief. Trade Reinsdorf for a cup of warm spit and be happy we fleeced someone with that deal.
Comment by New Day Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 1:53 pm
For my fellow Sox fans, I agree with your suggestions, but what would we get for some of these bums? Yaz? maybe a minor leaguer and a case of Modelo and a dozen Krispy Kremes?
Only one that would get us some talent would be Cease and maybe Giolito?
Comment by 10th ward Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 1:56 pm
Sell the team Jerry and take Kenny, Hahn and the rest of the garbage you hired with you.
Keep Ozzie and Chuck on TV. At least they usually provide honest perspective
Comment by Erown Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 2:07 pm
The Cardinals have a potential juggernaut offense that has to out hit the opposition. The club’s “pitch to contact” philosophy just doesn’t work. They need to re-do the pitching staff and approach in the big and minor leagues. It shows you how valuable Yadier Molina was. The Sox are head scratchers. They look great on paper, but… I think it is time to let Kenny Williams, Rick Hahn and Grifol go. It makes me think about when Reinsdorf had to choose between Kenny and Ozzie Guillen. He picked the wrong one. They need a baseball guy (Girardi, Joe Madden) to take the reins and out of the sabermetrics MBA crew.
Comment by levivotedforjudy Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 2:09 pm
Not a fan of any of the teams, random thoughts.
White Sox - new owner(s).
Cubs - thorough reassessment.
Cardinals - with Shannon’s death, last link to Brewery is gone, now you’re just a small to medium market team with extraordinarily loyal and dedicated fans. Figure out how to make that work.
Comment by Anyone Remember Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 2:09 pm
===When’s the last time the Cubs had someone with those kinds of numbers?===
Nick Castellanos. And we let him walk in 2019 and he signed with the Reds for less than Bellinger is getting this year. He was an All Star this year and played in the WS last year.
The Cubs? Couldn’t use him.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 2:11 pm
The Cubs have to sign Stroman, and they should play like they’re trying to make the playoffs. Both the Reds and Brewers are among the luckiest teams in 2023, while the Cubs are nearly the unluckiest.
Seven left against Cincinnati, six against Milwaukee, and a whole lot left against last-place or second-to-last-place teams.
Play to win.
Comment by The Truth Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 2:15 pm
Sox: *IF* you can get “back of the card” value for Anderson and above-value on Cease and Robert, do a complete teardown. Why? Because your owner has admitted he plays for 2nd place. You don’t get “windows” where your owner spends to fill in pieces, you get dice-rolls. Thus, you need to start again with an abundance of great prospects and young players. Now, if the other teams aren’t cooperating with that plan, trade the end-of-contract players and hope Jerry will use the same amount in salaries to get replacement free agents.
Cubs - your owners are as bad fan-wise as they are politically (and that includes Luara “I’ll use my lefty cred to apologize for our homophobic signings”) Rickets. Resign Stroman and use your megabucks and mid-level prospects to get a rental - you are in contention, every season is sacred.
Comment by lake county democrat Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 4:11 pm
Final thought on Bellinger: he’s blocking the path for Pete Crow-Armstrong, the much-hyped center fielder of the future. Assuming the Cubs believe he will make it in the big leagues, they need to move Bellinger out of the way, preferably in exchange for some good pitching prospects.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 4:37 pm
Cards need to package some of the younger talented outfield for a 2 or three starter inning eater. They also need to look at the Manger and coaching. There has to be a feel for the game even with the modern saber etc. Marmol has neither. He leaves pitchers in on AB to many and brings in the wrong arm way to often. The GM should go as well. All that fire power and disastrous results ? Had all of session to find arms and did nothing.
Sox need a gut and replace starting in the pen. They can’t hold anything the looks like a lead. Tim Anderson showing enough life to get some value in the trade market. Sox fans are restless this year They will come if there is a chance.
Cubs have a core group that can play get a starter and a couple of arms and they can make a run at the central. What do you do with Belinger is a real question. Trade his bat and experience to a contender for a young arm ? Rays are stacked w pitching and they could use an experienced MVP down the stretch He can play the corners and DH. almost a sure thing he is traded someplace soon
Comment by NorthSideNoMore Monday, Jul 24, 23 @ 5:16 pm