Jays want MLB talent for Marcus Stroman

North_of_Border · Post #1 » by **North_of_Border** » Mon Jul 17, 2017 2:07 am

https://www.mlbdailydish.com/2017/7/16/15979550/mlb-trade-rumors-blue-jays-marcus-stroman-cubs

The Toronto Blue Jays were seeking a major-league player from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for starting pitcher Marcus Stroman in talks before the Cubs acquired Jose Quintana, according to Peter Gammons. Toronto has begun the second half with two losses and now sit 8.5 games behind the Red Sox for first place in the AL East.

Stroman, 26, is under team control through 2020 and has quickly established himself as one of the top young pitchers in the game. The right-hander is 9-5 with a 3.28 ERA in 2017 and is back on track after a 2016 season in which his ERA rose to the mid-fours. Despite unexceptional strikeout numbers, Stroman has shown impressive command and stamina: his 112.1 innings pitched this season ranks 23rd among all starting pitchers.

The Cubs, who sent top prospects Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease to the White Sox in exchange for Quintana on Thursday, now have significantly less minor-league depth to deal from. For a controllable asset like Stroman, the Cubs would most likely come up short in assembling a package of minor leaguers. However, the Cubs have strong depth in both the infield and outfield at the big-league level, and could make infielders Addison Russell or Javier Baez, or outfielders Kyle Schwarber or Albert Almora, available in discussions.

Whether the Blue Jays are ready to begin a complete teardown will dictate the ace's availability as the July 31st deadline approaches. While it is unlikely that the Cubs deal a major-league contributor off their roster mid-season, Cubs President Theo Epstein may simply be doing background work on a deal that could come to fruition in the offseason. If Jays General Manager Ross Atkins does indeed take the franchise into a rebuild over the next several months, Stroman and fellow teammate Josh Donaldson would be hot commodities for clubs hoping to contend both now and for years in the future.

Post #2 » by **Schad** » Mon Jul 17, 2017 2:33 am

We wanted a trade where we could pretend to get better immediately. The White Sox wanted a better trade, period.

At the same time, I like that Shapiro/Atkins are entertaining these deals. I don't get the impression that they're in love with the current direction, and if we can swing trades where we split the difference ('oh hey, we received [name player who is no longer good] plus a king's ransom in prospects") that would be fine by me.

dagger · Post #3 » by **dagger** » Mon Jul 17, 2017 1:36 pm

Schad wrote:We wanted a trade where we could pretend to get better immediately. The White Sox wanted a better trade, period.

At the same time, I like that Shapiro/Atkins are entertaining these deals. I don't get the impression that they're in love with the current direction, and if we can swing trades where we split the difference ('oh hey, we received [name player who is no longer good] plus a king's ransom in prospects") that would be fine by me.

The Brooklyn Nets of the AL East!

bluerap23 · Post #4 » by **bluerap23** » Mon Jul 17, 2017 2:02 pm

Why would we even consider trading Stro and Sanch? We have no starting pitching depth as it is. These are the only 2 pieces to look forward to.

Post #5 » by **The Duke** » Mon Jul 17, 2017 4:16 pm

Trade for Overpaid Player Who Sucks now + Bag of Top Prospects

That's what I want.

dagger · Post #6 » by **dagger** » Tue Jul 18, 2017 6:43 pm

The Duke wrote:Trade for Overpaid Player Who Sucks now + Bag of Top Prospects

That's what I want.

Not a bad idea if it's clear to all - no illusions - that we're taking on a bad contract to get better prospects. Let's not perpetuate the myth that the current iteration of the Jays has a more or less painless path forward to contention.

North_of_Border · Post #7 » by **North_of_Border** » Wed Jul 19, 2017 8:08 pm

I have a feeling the Jays are gonna keep their pieces in hand to make a playoff run next season... and that is just stupid.

Look at what the Yankees are doing. Look at what Baltimore is about to do. We all see what the Red Sox have. The Rays have been doing for a while.

The Jays want to squeeze every little drop out of their window. Though the window is closed. So why pretend. Why run the treadmill. We need to rebuild. And that means Sell, Sell, Sell.

No?

Natural11 · Post #8 » by **Natural11** » Wed Jul 19, 2017 10:17 pm

North_of_Border wrote:I have a feeling the Jays are gonna keep their pieces in hand to make a playoff run next season... and that is just stupid.

Look at what the Yankees are doing. Look at what Baltimore is about to do. We all see what the Red Sox have. The Rays have been doing for a while.

The Jays want to squeeze every little drop out of their window. Though the window is closed. So why pretend. Why run the treadmill. We need to rebuild. And that means Sell, Sell, Sell.

No?

We may know that and Shapiro may know that, but Rogers are looking at the bottom line. Right now the Jays are #1 in the AL in attendance. Despite an underperforming team, fans are still coming to the ballpark because this team is coming off back to back playoff appearences and that euphoria hasn't worn off yet. Raising the white flag may very well cue a reversal in attendance (and fan interest) which is the last thing Rogers wants.

If the Jays are buyers or remain quiet over the next 2 weeks, we'll know Rogers intervened. Hopefully if they are running on orders not to 'blow it up', his team will find a way to make some creative moves to improve the ballclub without moving any of our last few prospects.

LBJKB24MJ23 · Post #9 » by **LBJKB24MJ23** » Fri Jul 21, 2017 7:55 pm

dagger wrote:
Schad wrote:We wanted a trade where we could pretend to get better immediately. The White Sox wanted a better trade, period.

At the same time, I like that Shapiro/Atkins are entertaining these deals. I don't get the impression that they're in love with the current direction, and if we can swing trades where we split the difference ('oh hey, we received [name player who is no longer good] plus a king's ransom in prospects") that would be fine by me.

The Brooklyn Nets of the AL East!

??? what lol

akakalakin · Post #10 » by **akakalakin** » Sun Jul 23, 2017 4:36 pm

Not unless someone is willing to take Tulo with Stroman. Same as JD he comes with Martin.

Post #11 » by **Schad** » Sun Jul 23, 2017 7:04 pm

akakalakin wrote:Not unless someone is willing to take Tulo with Stroman. Same as JD he comes with Martin.

If we're rebuilding, the Tulo contract isn't a huge deal. I mean, it's not pretty, but we can carry him for a couple seasons in the vain hope that he remembers how to baseball, and DFA him in a couple years if not. Not worth taking a lesser return to clear.

Martin's movable if we eat money, though, with only two seasons remaining after 2017. I'd happily eat most of his contract next year to do so.

I_Like_Dirt · Post #12 » by **I_Like_Dirt** » Mon Jul 24, 2017 4:01 pm

bluerap23 wrote:These are the only 2 pieces to look forward to.

This is kinda the entire argument for why you'd at least consider trading them.

johanliebert · Post #13 » by **johanliebert** » Mon Jul 24, 2017 7:48 pm

Schad wrote:We wanted a trade where we could pretend to get better immediately. The White Sox wanted a better trade, period.

At the same time, I like that Shapiro/Atkins are entertaining these deals. I don't get the impression that they're in love with the current direction, and if we can swing trades where we split the difference ('oh hey, we received [name player who is no longer good] plus a king's ransom in prospects") that would be fine by me.

I just read they want something proven. A guy like eloy isn't better than almora

Post #14 » by **Schad** » Mon Jul 24, 2017 8:09 pm

Eloy is a big risk, but you take risks because of the upside.

Further, the Cubs are more likely to part with a top five prospect than a proven player currently serving as their fourth OF, because competing teams don't want to part with talent that might help them win this season. To get guys who have proven something in the bigs, you either need to hope that they're hopelessly blocked, or take cents on the dollar.