Chicago Cubs

The Miami Marlins are among the teams that reportedly are looking to trade for Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras. 

Craig Mish of SportsGrid reported the Marlins have the assets the Cubs are looking for as they attempt to "go young" and retool their roster after the departure of president of baseball operations Theo Epstein. The Cubs already traded Yu Darvish to the San Diego Padres last month.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported the Los Angeles Angels have also considered adding Contreras. 

The Cubs are clearly under some level of mandate to slash payroll despite winning the NL Central in 2020. The franchise has made the playoffs in five of the last six seasons, the longest run of sustained success in club history.

New president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer, an Epstein disciple, may be attempting to replicate the stripping of the roster Epstein did when building the current Cubs core and looking to replenish the farm system while staying competitive.

Contreras, who has one year of arbitration remaining, made the All-Star team in 2018 and 2019 and is one of the best hitting catchers in baseball. He has the seventh-highest WAR among catchers between 2017 and 2020, per FanGraphs.

The Chicago Cubs are looking to move third baseman Kris Bryant, and while the New York Mets are the team that most of those trade talks have been centered around, at least one other club has inquired about the star.

According to MLB Network's Jon Morosi, the Blue Jays "have checked with the Cubs" on Bryant, though "there haven't been active talks" between the two sides recently.

Bryant is entering the last year of his contract, but the Cubs have been open to trading the six-year veteran before this offseason. 

The 29-year-old hit just .206 with four home runs and 11 RBI through 34 games in 2020. But even in a pandemic-shortened season, with an added loss of time due to a wrist injury, his numbers didn't match the ones he has put up in the past.

In an All-Star campaign in 2019, he batted .282 with 31 home runs and 77 RBI, and in his 2016 National League MVP season he slammed .292 with 39 home runs and 102 RBI.

Bryant, who has played his entire career with the Cubs, was named the NL Rookie of the Year in 2015 and picked up two other All-Star nods, in addition to his one from 2019.

The Mets, who have already landed their potential franchise player in Francisco Lindor as new owner Steve Cohen engineers a rebuild, had piqued Chicago's interest in a trade via the team's No. 2 prospect, catcher Francisco Alvarez. But Mets president Sandy Alderson said the team will not trade the top members in its farm system. 

Toronto looked to Travis Shaw on the hot corner last year, though Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has reportedly been working to move to third base this offseason. Shaw is versatile and if he sticks around following arbitration Guerrero could easily continue at first base or designated hitter, so there'd be plenty of room for the Blue Jays to add Bryant if those talks resume. 

The New York Mets reportedly haven't engaged in trade talks with the Chicago Cubs for third baseman Kris Bryant in quite some time.

According to SNY's Andy Martino, the two sides haven't spoken in "several weeks." Martino noted that the Bryant talks occurred before the Mets knew they were going to land shortstop Francisco Lindor in a trade with Cleveland.

The Mets acquired both Lindor and pitcher Carlos Carrasco from Cleveland this week in exchange for shortstops Amed Rosario and Andres Gimenez, as well as prospects Josh Wolf and Isaiah Green.

Per Martino, it is "difficult to imagine" the Mets reopening Bryant trade talks, and they may be further back in the pecking order now even if they do.

Mike Puma of the New York Post reported Friday the Cubs had interest in Mets catching prospect Francisco Alvarez, but Mets President Sandy Alderson's lack of intertest in trading top prospects may have what been led to the end of those discussions.

Bryant, 29, has played all six of his MLB seasons with the Cubs and experienced no shortage of ups and downs during his tenure.

He has been named an All-Star three times, won the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2015 and won both the World Series and NL MVP award in 2016. Bryant's MVP-winning season was a career year, as he hit 39 home runs and 102 RBI. He hasn't come particularly close to matching that overall production since then, however.

He had an especially rough season in 2020, hitting just .206 with four homers and 11 RBI in 34 games. Bryant missed time and was ineffective due, in part, to a wrist injury.

Bryant has just one year remaining on his deal, though, and plenty of incentive to bounce back and put up big numbers in 2021.

He stands out as one of the likeliest trade candidates in MLB entering the 2021 season, but even though the Mets have already shown a willingness to spend money and make splashy moves, they may not be the ideal landing spot any longer.

The Chicago Cubs shocked the baseball world by trading ace Yu Darvish and catcher Victor Caratini to the San Diego Padres for pitcher Zach Davies and prospects Reginald Preciado, Owen Caissie, Ismael Mena and Yeison Santana. 

Not even Darvish saw it coming.

"With what's happening with the coronavirus and the money the Cubs have, I wasn't thinking about being traded," he told Jesse Rogers of ESPN. "And also, they are a winning team and I thought we would be able to compete."

Cubs president Jed Hoyer seem to suggest while speaking with reporters that the current team's title window is closing, however:

"We've been as aggressive as possible for this group over the past six years ... with prospects, with money. At some point you have to have one eye on the present and one eye on the future. ... We have a lot of really good players, but do we need to make some moves with the future in mind after six years of moves being directed on the present? Yes. I think that's the prudent thing to do."

Granted, this is a Cubs team that won the NL Central last year. And it isn't as though Chicago is some small market. And yet, it appears the Cubs are about to embark on a firesale. 

Ditching Darvish—who is set to make $22 million this year, $19 million in 2022 and $18 million in 2023— only makes sense within the context of a salary-slashing, retooling project. The 34-year-old was spectacular in 2020, finishing 8-3 with a 2.01 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 93 strikeouts in 76 innings. He finished second in the NL Cy Young voting behind Trevor Bauer. 

Granted, the Cubs got back some nice prospects, though none of the top players in the Padres system like MacKenzie Gore, CJ Abrams, Luis Campusano or Robert Hassell (the Padres did give up highly touted pitcher Luis Patino in the Blake Snell deal). 

"By acquiring really talented but young players, I think we were able to infuse that much more depth into the organization," Hoyer told reporters. "So, that was something that we definitely weighed during that process."

Perhaps those young players will become stars in the future. For now, though, Cubs fans are left with an organization that appears to be looking past the 2021 season. 

The Chicago Cubs have reportedly shown interest in free-agent catcher Jason Castro amid a retooling effort for the franchise.

Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reported the Cubs could consider adding Castro as teams call about incumbent catcher Willson Contreras.

The Cubs are in the midst of a retooling effort that began this week with the trade of Yu Darvish to the San Diego Padres.

As of now, it's unclear if the Darvish trade was the beginning of a full-scale rebuild or simply a salary-clearing move as the Cubs try to reconfigure their roster. Mooney reported the Cubs view Castro as a "complement" to Contreras, meaning they may not be as motivated as some think to move on from the two-time All-Star.

On Wednesday, Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer told reporters any Contreras rumors were "fictional": "Listen, Willson Contreras, I think he's one of the top handful of catchers in baseball. We control him for two more years. I think that catching is a strength of this team as a result of having him on the roster."

Castro, a 2013 All-Star, split last season with the Angels and Padres. He hit .188/.293/.375 with two home runs and nine RBI in 27 games.

President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer called the rumors about the Chicago Cubs shopping veteran catcher Willson Contreras "fictional" on Wednesday, per Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. 

On Tuesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweeted that the Cubs were "extensively shopping" Contreras:

The Chicago #Cubs, after trading Yu Darvish and non-tendering Kyle Schwarber, are now extensively shopping catcher Willson Contreras. Contreras is projected to earn at least $5 million and perhaps as much as $7.4 million in salary arbitration, per @mlbtraderumors

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 29, 2020

Joel Sherman of the New York Post also reported on Dec. 3 that the Cubs were "very open" to trading the veteran catcher. And on Wednesday, a number of reporters hinted that the Cubs might still be interested in dealing Contreras despite Hoyer's comments:

Hoyer says a 'report' from yesterday that Willson Contreras is being shopped is 'fictional'

Could be splitting hairs/words because the Cubs have talked with teams about him a lot, not just now but in the recent past. But nothing is imminent.

— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) December 30, 2020

While Jed Hoyer called reports of the Cubs "extensively shopping" Willson Contreras "fictional" I wouldn't take that as a sign he's not available or won't be moved. More an indication that nothing is imminent and no substantive talks have taken place on WC in last couple weeks.

— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) December 30, 2020

And then there was this from Contreras:

https://twitter.com/WContreras40/status/1344295090882289665

Read into that what you will.

The 28-year-old catcher hit .243 with seven homers and 26 RBI in 57 games last season. The two-time All-Star and has spent his entire five-year MLB career with the Cubs, helpling lead them to their first title since 1908 in the 2016 season.

If the Cubs are willing to move Contreras—despite Hoyer's insistence to the contrary—he would be a logical target for teams that need to address catcher but miss out on J.T. Realmuto in free agency. 

But it would also leave no doubt that the Cubs are in fire-sale mode after already trading Yu Darvish and Victor Caratini and non-tendering Kyle Schwarber. This from a team that won the NL Central last season and plays in a major market like Chicago. This could be a very rough offseason for Cubs fans.

The Chicago Cubs appear to be clearing their books of high-priced contracts.

The team reportedly is shopping catcher Willson Contreras on the trade market, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today, after already dealing Yu Darvish to the San Diego Padres and non-tendering slugger Kyle Schwarber. 

Per that report, Contreras is owed $5 million for the 2021 season, a figure that could rise to $7.4 million in arbitration.

It isn't the first report that the Cubs are willing to move on from Contreras. On Dec. 3, the New York Post's Joel Sherman wrote that Chicago was "very open" to dealing the veteran catcher. 

Contreras, 28, has spent his entire five-year MLB career with the Cubs, with two All-Star Game selections and a World Series title in 2016. He hit .243 with seven homers and 26 RBI in 57 games last season, posting a .763 ERA. He has two seasons with 20 or more home runs, offering solid pop from the catcher position. 

For teams that miss out on the J.T. Realmuto sweepstakes in free agency, Contreras could be a nice contingency plan. 

It would be a somewhat curious move from the Cubs, however, with the team trading its other catcher, Victor Caratini, to the Padres in the Darvish deal. But it appears as though the Cubs are entering fire sale territory:

This is what a salary dump in a pandemic looks like. The Cubs aimed to transfer debt.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 29, 2020

They have a financial crisis over there. That is a fact. A billion dollars of debt, a lousy farm system, a pandemic that cost them close to 200 million. These are just facts. Add in a TV station that is not producing revenue like they thought it would + they have serious issues.

— David Kaplan (@thekapman) December 29, 2020

2021 is the year for which the Cubs fought tooth-and-nail to keep Kris Bryant. The year for which they manipulated his service time and for which they took him through a contentious arbitration in order to hold on to him. Now they're cheaping out this year. What a league.

— Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra) December 29, 2020

Do you want good news, or do you want the truth?

The good news is that this move accelerates the Cubs' transition to building a new championship-caliber roster, and Jed Hoyer knows what he has to do. The bad news is that I'm not sure ownership will allow him to do it.

— Rany Jazayerli (@jazayerli) December 29, 2020

This from a team that won the NL Central in 2020 and has reached the postseason in five of the past six seasons. Cubs' fans have reason to be irate if the team continues down this path. It might be a long season in Chicago. 

Jon Lester wants to return to the Chicago Cubs, but it doesn't appear the interest is mutual.

FanSided's Robert Murray reported Tuesday the veteran southpaw would like to rejoin the Cubs for the 2021 season. However, Murray added that "there has been little indication of progress toward a reunion."

The Cubs declined Lester's $25 million mutual option in October, a move that was widely expected because the 36-year-old is no longer one of the game's best pitchers. That doesn't preclude Chicago from signing him to a smaller contract ahead of the upcoming season.

Bringing Lester back doesn't fit with what seems to be the franchise's priorities.

Chicago non-tendered Kyle Schwarber rather than enter into arbitration with the veteran left fielder. Per multiple reports, the team is also nearing a trade that will send Yu Darvish to the San Diego Padres for Zach Davies and four minor league prospects. Team president Jed Hoyer indicated Kris Bryant could remain in the Windy City, but few will be surprised to see the 2016 National League MVP gone, too.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale posited the odds of Lester staying with the Cubs should be improved based on how the offseason has unfolded:

Now that the #Cubs just shed $59 million by dumping Yu Darvish's contract, there's no reason not to bring back beloved veteran starter Jon Lester for one more year.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 29, 2020

That implies ownership and the front office would allow emotion and sentiment to override what could be considered the most cost-effective baseball decision.

The organization is lowering payroll after having made five playoff appearances in six years. If this isn't a total rebuild, it's a transition in which the Cubs are looking to get younger and cheaper. Even on a team-friendly deal, that might not leave much room for Lester.

To the extent ownership would look to reinvest the money it's saving, you'd assume extensions for Anthony Rizzo or Javier Baez to be a larger focus.

A trade sending Yu Darvish from the Chicago Cubs to the San Diego Padres was completed Tuesday night, the Padres announced.

ESPN's Jeff Passan first reported the deal Monday night.

The Cubs' return is starting pitcher Zach Davies and four prospects, while Victor Caratini and cash considerations are also going to San Diego.

On Sunday, Passan reported the Padres were landing 2018 American League Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell.

MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported Dec. 21 that Darvish had surfaced in trade rumors but downplayed the likelihood he would leave Chicago:

Cubs ace Yu Darvish seems out there in trade talks, but it may be an example of a willingness to consider anything. And, off 2nd place Cy finish plus big 2nd half in ‘19, 1 exec rates trade chance as “very low,” and 1 uninvolved rival exec, guessed this on the ask: “Babe Ruth?”

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 21, 2020

The move didn't come as a big surprise, though, since ownership has shown restraint toward the payroll in recent years. Also, in announcing his departure from the organization, president of baseball operations Theo Epstein alluded to "a number of decisions this winter that carry long-term consequences."

Some took that to mean Chicago was looking to move on from proven stars.

Darvish is under contract for three more years and $59 million, and he's a four-time All-Star who finished second in the 2020 National League Cy Young Award voting. By trading the veteran right-hander, the Cubs can lessen their financial burden and add some pieces to replenish their farm system.

Here's how MLB.com ranks the prospects in the deal in the Padres system:

• Reginald Preciado, SS, 11th
• Owen Caissie, OF, 13th
• Ismael Mena, OF, 15th
• Yeison Santana, SS, 16th

That probably won't satisfy fans who can correctly argue the Cubs have a window to contend right now, thus making it a good idea to keep Darvish around.

We’ll see. If these Yu Darvish trade rumors are true, they will receive an entire top ranked farm system out of it. Cubs fans will be mad at first, but long term potential. https://t.co/g3eQB2sbiY

— Cody Decker (@Decker6) December 23, 2020

Darvish's Cubs tenure didn't get off to a great start, as a stress reaction in his elbow and a strained triceps limited him to eight starts in 2018. He rebounded with a 3.98 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 2019 before putting together a dominant 2020.

In 12 starts, the 34-year-old averaged 11.0 strikeouts per nine innings and a career-best 1.7 walks per nine innings while posting a 2.23 FIP, per FanGraphs. His 3.0 WAR was first among National League pitchers.

Given his age, you'd think Darvish would be losing some zip. Instead, he averaged a career-high 96.0 mph on his four-seam fastball and 95.1 mph on his sinker, his second-best mark, according to Brooks Baseball.

"I feel like a lot of hitters are behind my fastballs," Darvish told The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma in August. "It's coming out good; I have more rise on it than last year. I want to use it when I want to use it, not every time. That works for me too. Because they have to sit on my fastball too. It's 96-97, and then I throw a lot of breaking balls."

Opposing hitters have to pick their poison. They need to be wary of the mid-90s fastball and sinker in addition to the biggest arsenal of pitches in MLB. Darvish added the "supreme" in June even though he already had 10 options in his toolkit.

これがスプリームです🤗
150km/hはでます😃
ただまだバッターがどう反応するかはわかりません。 pic.twitter.com/tUOcZAKXiI

— ダルビッシュ有(Yu Darvish) (@faridyu) June 20, 2020

Brooks Baseball offers a more conservative total of eight:

• Four-seam fastball
• Sinker
• Changeup
• Slider
• Curveball
• Cutter
• Splitter
• Slow curveball

Because the season was so short and started months later than scheduled, Darvish's 2020 production might be skewed slightly. He could be unable to maintain the kind of performance he showed over a full campaign.

Even if that's the case, his body of work speaks for itself. His 25.2 WAR since 2012 is 15th-best among pitchers even though he's made only 182 starts during that span, per FanGraphs, which is at least 22 fewer than all but one player ahead of him.

He will significantly strengthen the San Diego rotation.

With top prospect MacKenzie Gore on the rise, the Padres may have thought they had found a bridge in trading for Mike Clevinger on August 31. But that plan went awry when Clevinger underwent Tommy John surgery in November, likely wiping out his 2021 season.

As bright as Gore's future is, San Diego is looking to compete right now. Luis Patino, the team's No. 3 prospect, is the centerpiece of the Snell swap, per Passan.

If Dinelson Lamet's breakout was a sign of things to come, then the team will have the requisite arms to improve upon a sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Division Series. And the Dodgers could have some serious competition in the NL West.

Although Yu Darvish is reportedly "out there" in trade talks, the chances of the Chicago Cubs moving him is "very low," according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

A rival executive guessed it would take a return involving Babe Ruth to land Darvish in a trade.

The projection comes after Philadelphia Phillies owner John Middleton said earlier this month he wouldn't trade Zack Wheeler for Ruth, Ted Williams or Mike Schmidt, via Buster Olney of ESPN.

Darvish reacted to the latest reports on social media:

😳 https://t.co/7uqCgrhAFP

— ダルビッシュ有(Yu Darvish) (@faridyu) December 21, 2020

The 34-year-old is coming off arguably his best season in the majors, finishing 8-3 with a 2.01 ERA and 0.96 WHIP. He added 93 strikeouts in 76 innings on his way to finishing second in Cy Young voting behind only Trevor Bauer.

Despite some inconsistency with the Cubs since signing a six-year, $126 million deal in 2018, he has proved he can be an elite pitcher at his best. Not only does he have four All-Star selections, he currently ranks first in MLB history with 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings.

The recent success could also make it a perfect time for Chicago to capitalize in a trade.

The Cubs haven't won a playoff game in the last three years and could be on the way to breaking up their core, with plenty of speculation surrounding a trade for Kris Bryant. The organization already declined its option on Jon Lester to save money and could clear more payroll with Darvish set to make $59 million over the next three years.

Trading Darvish at his peak value could allow Chicago to replenish the farm system and kickstart a rebuild.