AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast

The Rundown: Radical Plan to Retool Cubs Roster, Theo Epstein Not Interested in Phillies Position, Hot Stove Notes

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterNovember 28, 2020

“A true gentleman has no vices, but he allows you your own.” – Michael Sharra

I have a six-step plan to fix the Cubs which is a little radical and will likely upset some fans, but allows Jed Hoyer to retool and save a little money so he can shop the premium section of free agency. It also gives a little boost to the team’s farm system. The moves I’ll suggest will strengthen the rotation and bullpen and, though it removes some longball firepower, the Cubs get three professional hitters in return. My plan also means saying goodbye to Jon Lester.

Let me point out that these are not rumors. Everything that follows comes from my brain and my brain alone. So while the entirety of these deals is more than likely impossible, there may be similar deals to be made with other teams. I’d love to hear your rebuttals in the comments section.

  1. Keep and extend two members of the core. Of the team’s core players, I believe Javier Báez and Anthony Rizzo are the ones who must stay. That means a possible increase in payroll, but it also means moving some players that may upset you.
  2. Make a trade with the Royals. Last year the Cubs probably could have swapped Nico Hoerner straight up for Whit Merrifield, but this year I’m not so sure Kansas City would acquiesce. Nevertheless, Hoyer should try. I still believe Hoerner is overrated and struggles against any pitch that’s not a four-seamer. The problem is, if I know this other front offices do, too. There are financial savings here for the Royals, Hoerner is still young and developing, and Merrifield doesn’t represent too big a hit to the Cubs payroll.
  3. Make a blockbuster trade with the Angels. Get ready to attack, but I’m sending Ian Happ and Willson Contreras to reunite with Joe Maddon and play with Mike Trout in exchange for Dylan Bundy, Max Stassi, Cam Bedrosian, and minor league second base prospect Jahmai Jones. The Cubs get a legit 2-3 starter, a backup catcher to spell Victor Caratini and hold a place until Miguel Amaya is ready, a hard-throwing reliever, and an infield prospect with 60-grade speed and excellent bat-to-ball skills. At 23, Jones just may be a little old to be considered a blue-chip prospect, but the Cubs’ system is deep at middle infield. The salaries work out pretty equally and if the Cubs aren’t going to extend Contreras there’s no reason to keep him. Bundy would give the Cubs three of the top 20 starters of 2020. The Angels could replace Bundy by signing Trevor Bauer.
  4. It’s time for a crosstown trade. Next, I’m sending Kyle Schwarber to the White Sox for a prospect and a cheap, hard-throwing reliever. The ChiSox get a DH replacement for Edwin Encarnación and the Cubs get salary relief, starting pitching prospect Dane Dunning, and reliever Codi Heuer. I’m not sure Rick Hahn would do this deal, but I do believe the sides could be close enough to make it happen. If not, there are similar trades out there with other teams, like the Yankees or Indians.
  5. End the Bryant saga by just ripping it from its roots. The Cubs need salary relief and the Mets, under new owner Steve Cohen and his bottomless checkbook, want to win right away. They’re not going to steal DJ LeMahieu from the Yankees and Kris Bryant is their backup target. In this deal, the Cubs would get outfielder Jeff McNeil and hard-throwing swingman Seth Lugo, who can eat innings and provide depth for the rotation. The Cubs would throw in Dillon Maples and minor league prospect Chase Strumpf to make it work.
  6. Make a big splash in free agency. With the money you save in the Schwarber and Bryant deals, sign George Springer to a five-year, $125 million deal. He is exactly what this team needs.

Though I hate doing potential lineups, here’s how my retooled squad would take the field in 2021, assuming there is no DH in the National League:

  1. Merrifield 2B
  2. Springer CF
  3. McNeill LF
  4. Rizzo 1B
  5. Baez SS
  6. Jason Heyward RF
  7. David Bote 3B
  8. Caratini/Stassi C

Cubs News & Notes

Odds & Sods

Bo Jackson, destroyer of bats and baseballs.

Saturday Stove

The Blue Jays are said to be very interested in signing Springer.

The Phillies laid off 80 administrative and front office employees yesterday, giving Black Friday a whole new meaning.

Padres outfielder Tommy Pham is suing the strip club where he was stabbed last month, claiming he was left with “catastrophic injuries.”

The 2021 free agent class could include four starting pitchers who are likely ticketed for the Hall of Fame once their careers are over: Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Max Scherzer, and Justin Verlander.

Adam Wainwright reaffirmed his desire to stay with the Cardinals, but acknowledged that he and catcher Yadier Molina may have to move on.

Joc Pederson could be a perfect fit for the White Sox and would solve their ongoing right field problem.

One MLB insider predicts the Yankees will sign free agent reliever Trevor Rosenthal.

Many MLB players believe it will be a bleak winter for free agents.

On Deck

It’s Cyber Saturday and the Cubs Insider store has perfect stocking stuffers for your holiday needs, or if you just want to treat yourself to something that will make you the envy of your friends at your fantasy baseball draft.

Extra Innings

Who knew 20 years later that the kid would be one of the highest-paid athletes in all of professional sports?

They Said It

  • “I honestly believe, with the combination of vaccines and treatments and home testing and a few other ways people can be safer, and spreading people out around the ballpark and everything else, I think we’ll be able to get people back in the park. But only time will tell if we get enough people in the park (to fill it). Whether we’ll get 10 percent or 20 percent or 30 percent, only time will tell.” – Tom Ricketts

Saturday Walk Up Song

Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus – What else after all that?

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterNovember 28, 2020
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