Well, the Cubs didn't make that huge deal, not that they didn't try. But in the end they had to do what made sense for the short and long term. And what makes sense is to add a starter and a bullpen arm.
We know about Dan Haren. Now the Cubs have acquired Tommy Hunter, a hard-throwing RP from the Baltimore Orioles...
Source: #Cubs get Tommy Hunter.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2015
In exchange, the Cubs traded OF Junior Lake, who has played well for the Iowa Cubs this year.
#Cubs gave Junior Lake to #Orioles for Tommy Hunter
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 31, 2015
Hunter is a power reliever who throws strikes but doesn't miss a ton of bats despite a fastball that averages 96 and has touched triple digits. Hunter has put up a 3.63 ERA (3.32 FIP) and importantly to the Cubs, has walked just 2.2 batters per 9 IP. Like Haren, he is a rental for this season.
All in all, the Cubs didn't make that huge impact move but both players should prove useful down the stretch. The Cubs future is still ahead of them and they have kept that completely in tact. They now have more time to evaluate what kind of impact players like Javier Baez might have for them in the short term.
Filed under: Uncategorized
...and people said that Lake had no trade value. ;-)
Like the deal for both teams.
Lake was done here. Glad to see the Cubs got something serviceable for him.
Tip of the cap to him for some improvements this year though when people last year thought he wasn't willing to put in the work. I think a lot of us on here included.
Yeah new management never got a fair chance after a sophomore jenks good for him .Hunter will help Harin might be the best 5th pitcher in the league
This again is an incremental improvement, Hunter is a nice piece for the next couple months, not sure about whether they can make an offer to avoid FA. What was made was IP and possibly the ability to go with 12 pitchers.
Lake will only reach his potential by playing every day. He would not have that luxury with the Cubs. I am happy he will get an opportunity.
That's the best way anyone could put it. Wish him the best.
He is not going to play everyday in Baltimore. They have a ton of left handed OFs
its a good thing hes right handed then...
For opportunity to be on the roster? Yes. To play everyday? Probably not.
they just sent Lake to AAA
How dare they. That is an insult to him. He has proven himself to be a major leag...wait a moment. WE had him in AAA? Nevermind!
He bat's right handed
I wasn't clear with my post. What I meant was they have a ton of lefties that will play the strongside in a platoon and get way more PT than the righthanded Lake, just like the Cubs had with Coghlan. Lake will still be a semi regular player with Baltimore (if he even is on their roster), just as he was with the Cubs. They are not going to run him out there everyday in LF.
seems we accomplished a couple of small goals, a BOR innings eater in Haren and a hard throwing bullpen piece in Hunter, and we didn't giv e up anyone considered top end. Lake has potential, but a long ways to go to reach it.
It also prevented a potential 40-man roster crunch...or at least made it less of a crunch. Rather than a pittance of cash in Rule 5 we acquired a decent player with low risk.
Keith Law was having fun with Junior backers when the trade was announced. Saying Junior has a great arm and maybe could pitch. Could tell he has had battles with Lake backers over the years. But it was all in a fun tone. I had to admit I laughed.
i believe that idea was once floated by the organization. i might be mistaken but i thought he hit 95 off the mound just messing around.
If Lake does turn into a ML starter than that is what was owed to Baltimore for the fleecing of Arrieta and Strop.
Agreed and he will be good there(Lake)
Alls well in the Cubs front office. They brought in a much needed starter and relief pitcher at the expense of nobody of importance in looking ahead to the future. A much needed bat would have helped but Theo will have the off season to address this issue.
They even cleared a spot on the 40 man roster.
How? Hunter and Haren added, Lake subtracted
Is Teagarden destined for waivers or maybe the guy we got for Castillo?
I like it. If I remember correctly John was pumping up Hunter in the offseason. I think he will be a good fit.
good trade for both teams. I was hoping Lake would get another shot in left this season. He has done a tremendous job of refining his approach. In the end, we need an impact player in LF, and I don't think Lake is going to be that player any time soon. Can't wait to the 2016 trade deadline. It should be much more exciting...
Lake did the Cubs a great favor refining his approach and putting up good numbers this year, Hop Hunter can be effective. Seems Baltimore arms have been pretty good so far
if Hunter becomes Pedro Strop, 2014, hed be a nice pickup. Certainly has a great arm.
Both deals get a big "Meh," from me. Ya we get a little help to ride this year out. Was really hoping to get a piece that would be a big part of next years team. Both of these guys are free agents after the year. Oh well, we move on....
Agreed. I have to admit that I was surprised to hear that the Cubs picked up 2 rentals. I'm happy we still have all of our major chips though. We'd have had to sell low on quite a few of them so I'd rather let it all shake out and see what we have in the off season.
Now we need Castro to go on a tear. This will make him more attractive to trade over the Winter. Of course this will also give ammo to all those folks that want to keep him.
The debate goes on......................
As I said in a previous post. "The Holy Roman Empire was neither 'Holy', nor 'Roman', nor an 'Empire'. Discuss." Or the old joke about Bay area Talk radio in the 90's: "OK, Joe or Steve" and then the sports radio hosts just sat back and watched the phones light up like a Christmas tree!
Fair trade as we get an experienced bullpen arm with Ramirez/Soriano having issues and we give up a young guy who doesn't fit in our plans moving forward.
Good luck to Junior.
Don't know what happened above .good luck Lake don't break any bats in O's county
I have to say I am very disappointed that the Cubs didn't deliver a little bit more. 107 years and counting.
There will be no wine before its time,or is that whine?
Current management only recognizes from 1916.
Tommy Hunter is intriguing.
His FB averages 96 MPH (which is top-10 of all relievers in the MLB), and he's had experience starting too. I think he could be a better Travis Wood.
No room for Lake anyways, so it made sense to see him traded.
Happy the Cubs didn't trade any of their prospects.
They should have a better idea of where the team stands in the winter, and it gives Castro more time to build his value and possibly be traded then.
It's not like the Cubs are winning it all this year anyways. No point of over-spending for rentals.
I like Hunter. Saw him on MLB network a couple of weeks ago and he was sitting 98. It was impressive. He may be a solid fill for Ramirez.
Although I was hoping for more, the Cubs did improve the team without giving up a player on the current roster, or too much from the minor leagues. They essentially made the types of moves that a lot of people here predicted: incremental, while keeping an eye on 2016 and beyond. I'm happy that the Brewers and Reds are weaker, and hope the Cubs can take advantage the rest of the year. I'm happy the Giants now have to face Cole Hamels tomorrow (although they did rough him up pretty good a few weeks ago). And I'm happy that the teams in the NL West didn't really weaken themselves (that I'm aware of), and won't make things easier on the Dodgers and Giants.
Had to figure that Lake was a candidate for trade as well. Out of options, would likely get crunched off the 40-man roster this Winter anyway.
He'll get a chance to sink or swim with the Orioles - and also gets to join my 'local' team out here in the DC/Baltimore metro area.
Good trade again - likely for both teams.
I guess we will find out soon enough if Lake had turned a corner in his approach and was ready to break out.
Tommy Hunter replaces Ramirez in the BP, I'm guessing ?
I think Medina goes down. Ramirez at least has potential to come in and get a big K.
I'd be mildly surprised if Ramirez comes off the DL this year.
And both contracts expire, we got rid of Pinyero and Lake. Now off-season decisions about the 40 man become easier.
yes only 150 or so to protect!!!!!!!!!! :-) :-)
Now it will be interesting to see how Baez and LaStella fit in this year and if Castro gets benched.
Or Castro improves now that the threat of trade is gone.... I have to believe that is part of his issues.
he might be a waiver candidate :D
could be but to trade him you need a waiver trade candidate on the other end as well and I doubt that player is the type the cubs would want.
no you dont, if a team claims him anyone in their organization is fair game in trade talks.
Or if anyone claims him., the Cubs can say you have him and his salary.
Im happy with the lack of major moves. Delay the important decisions as long as possible and don't jump the gun on deals for youngish pitching unless you are blown away, because they night still get hurt. Make your pitching acquisitions as late as possible and take the rest of 2015 for the young guys to play meaningful games all year and gather more information about who the cornerstones for the future truly are
Today gave all of us fans and denizens great insight to how this front office views Javy Baez. It might not be a clear picture but at least shows intentions.
I don't know how much this shows, as it seems pretty hard to trade someone who hasn't played much this year and just got off the DL.
Haren and Hunter for 3 minor leaguers that didn't fit into long term plans are exactly the type of acquisitions ID expect a value-based FO of a team with plenty of prospects to deal but are at the very beginning of their playoff window to make.
I'm pleased we will get the chance to see Baez develop, at least for a few more months.
And, prediction time, I think we will see Castro perform much better due to the relief of knowing he won't be traded.
And it's a team that seems to be setting itself up for a big offseason as well.
Castro's been performing poorly since long before the trade deadline. I don't think we can know what to attribute that to.
True, but the slow start was likely compounded by the threat of trade. It's best for everyone if he performs like he is capable of, so let's hope he does. Baez will still come up and give rest to Russell, Castro and possibly Bryant the rest of the year.
If he's that mentally fragile that his game tanks over a trade deadline, he's not worth having on the team. I don't think that's the problem.
I agree. I doubt the trade talk had much effect on his play.
I actually do think mental fragility and focus are his biggest issues. He clearly has the talent to do better than he is doing.
I would take the Castro from last night any day. Key play defensively late when only up a run. 1-4 with an insurance run scored. Was neat to see the big hug with Rizzo too.
They got something for (almost) nothing. Certainly nothing that will be felt long term since the traded players were going to be gone anyways. Haren for the rest of this season isn't much below what I felt like we'd get (Ross, Latos, etc.) and would have cost us true prospects.
Good luck to Junior. Good work holding the cards by the FO. Real happy with the acquisitions. Get well soon, Mr. LaStella.
If Hunter can stabilize that bullpen the rest of the way he is well worth the cost. But since this winter when Junior changed his approach so radically I have really wanted to see him get a second shot. In a matter of a few months he has gone from swing-happy to knowing and controlling the strike zone. His power all but disappeared but is now starting to come back as he learns to take advantage of those good hitters counts he is working. Baltimore is going to be happy with this trade.
His approach did change at the plate. He should be commended. The defense was going to be an issue. If he could have stuck in center...
Lets not forget there is another month of trading still to go. It actually might be easier to trade Castro during August.
Yep. I think the Cubs are being smart by being patient.
This is a solid deal for the Cubs. Hunter provides depth in the pen. Lake really had no place on the team. Maddon can mix and match late inning between Strop, Motte, and Hunter before handing it to Rondon. I think Rosscup will be back soon and Soriano might be cut soon.
One thing the Cubs could do is go after Brandon Beachy. Dodgers DFA'd him after all their moves yesterday. Beachy might be a nice low risk get to have in August/September. I think add Beachy to the bullpen and see what happens.
Solid trade deadline for Cubs, got a good pen arm, some guy with guts, the Brewers are a shell of themselves, the Reds are weaker, SF didn't do much, SD stayed competitive to battle SF/ LA , Pit didn't get that much better and the Red chickens traded away prospects much better than the Cubs gave up for Band Aids for injuries. Most important the Cubs still have all their Elite prospects .
The decks are clear for a serious run at David Price in the offseason. We got a starter and bullpen help, and gave up nobody that had a future with the Cubs.
It is certainly shaping up that way. Even if it isn't Price, there will be a few, nice options to choose from in FA. It'll be pricey but the starting rotation could look lethal come next April.
Price doesn't cost a draft pick now either or prospects , just cold hard cash and some escorts in Vandy cheerleader outfits
Good point! Forgot about the QO's that some of the FA starters will get. Really don't want to have to give up any draft pick. Price would be ideal in that case.
neither will cuerto or zobrist if they want to go that way. I live in southeast Virginia and get the orioles on mid-atlantic sports network so I have seen hunter a lot in the last couple of years. john is right, doesnt' miss a lot of bats but is solid and someone I wouldn't mind trying to sign in the offseason. he should be someone madden is familiar with as well
I live in the DC suburbs, but have a lot of friends who are Orioles fans. They are absolutely ecstatic to be rid of Tommy Hunter. From what I have watched and what I have heard, if the game is on the line, Tommy should be avoided.
Maybe you can put Jay Cutler in a skirt.
16 Sundays a year. Couldn't resist.
I'm just going to pretend he doesn't exist. I think it is pretty much a forgone conclusion he signs with the Dodgers.
Especially if Greinke opts out and the dodgers don't re-sign him.
Certainly starting to look that way. Price gets dealt so no draft pick compensation will be tied to him. The Cubs didn't acquire any other long term SP. I can't say i am thrilled with the prospect of another long term, huge money deal for a 30 year old SP, but if the club feels like they have the financial flexibility to potentially absorb a sunk cost on one or both of those big contracts than I guess it is fine with me.
They could simply recommence any SP trade discussions that they were having in the offseason though. SD didn't move any of their guys, so they will probably still be looking to deal in the offseason, and the Cubs will still have Castro or Baez as a centerpiece if they wanted to move one of them.
When it was reported a few weeks back that Baltimore was seeking an outfielder, Lake was the first name that logically came up to be a fit for them from our squad. However, I had no clue of the kind of return we would get for him. In this case, I think we just about maximized what Junior's value is and got a much needed piece for our bullpen. Hunter is going to do well for us here down the stretch and I really like this move. Very good for both teams and overall a nice day for our Cubs.
I'm glad they didn't make big moves that required a lot of prospects. A lot of other teams made big trades that made themselves more likely to get that 2nd WC spot. The Cubs offense is to inconsistent to be counted on at this time. Let the young guys learn on the job & let Villanueva, Olt, Szczur, Baez, & Alcantara get some time in Sept. Reevaluate what the needs are in the offseason & make a splash then.
I would have bet the house that we would have moved one of Castro or Baez. I don't understand why they didn't, Baez is blocked unless he plays in LF but they wont bench Cog. I don't get the lack of movement there
Because Baez has worked hard to back to MLB and they need to see what he can do. My best guess is he'll play a fair amount of 2B, Russell will move to SS and he and Castro will battle for playing time. When Montero is back Schwarber will play 4 days a week LF and Coghlan will push Soler for playing time on the days he's not in LF. Actually makes a lot of sense.
Agree
Cubs are a much better offense with Schwarber hitting 2nd.
Theo didn't want to sell for pennies on the dollar .
I think you'll see Baez stay in Iowa th rest of the year unless he is tearing it up with a 10% walk rate and less than a 30% K rate. Or if Castro continues to spiral out of control. I think they want to make sure that he doesn't go through such an epic failure again if they can help it.
I agree he will prob stay at iowa especially with Lastella coming back. Sucks that he blocked all over. Unless Castro gets moved to CF next year but then we would have no leadoff hitter
You never know what could happen with injuries, having depth like Baez is a great asset.
Not going to happen... but Baez in CF would be nice.
Good trade. It gives Lake a chance someplace else that he probably wouldn't get in Chicago and frees up a place on the 40 man roster that will be needed during the off season and the Cubs get a fair pitcher for a few months.
The Cubs should be happy with Hunter. He definitely has the stuff to come in and shut down the opposition. He's been better than his numbers suggest in Orioles pen. Orioles have a very deep pen. Too deep, maybe, if that's possible because guys were coming in cold on 4 and 5 days rest..not ideal for relief pitchers.
I was wrong. I though Hunter would be a free agent at the end of the year. Better trade than I thought.
He is a free agent at year's end.
Len Kasper @LenKasper 2m2 minutes ago
I'm not surprised didn't pick up a bat. You've got half a lineup of rookies. Let's see them play it out. Great experience down stretch.
Great tweet by Len. These rookies really need the mlb time. And they also get the benefit of a late season playoff run. All good stuff setting us up for the following decade!
I like the fact that they helped the pitching staff without giving too much away. Let this team battle it out for this season. Win or lose it will be good experience for them.
No complaints from me at all about the cubs acquisitions.Added a bullpen arm and a 5th starter without giving up much.Also we can see what la stella and baez can bring to the table the last 2 months.I'm glad theo wasn't shortsighted
I'm glad we did not trade Baez. The next 2 months should tell
if he fits in our long term plans. Also we get to judge our other
prospects who might be traded in a bigger package.
Sort of interesting that the Cubs gave up more (IMHO) for the reliever than the SP. I think others have mentioned this, but it must be that the Cubs took on Haren's salary so they had to give up less.
interesting that Baez lays an egg in the majors, goes back to AAA and makes some adjustments, and he's a potential superstar; Lake makes some adjustments of his own, tears up AAA, and he still "doesn't have a future here." I suppose all teams do this to some extent but I've seen the cubs so many times tattoo "Not An Every Day Player" on someone's forehead and toss them aside, and they go on to get a ring on someone else's WS team. Theriot comes to mind, Angel Pagan, Luis Gonzalez, Palmeiro, DJLM - all not good enough for the Cubs. Let's hope Lake doesn't come back to bite us.
Luis Gonzalez was not good until he got on the juice, Palmeiro was blocked by Grace and had issues in the club house, DJLM is nice but no one would have said he would turn into an allstar when the deal was made not even the rockies. Pagan was serviceable and Theriot had no bat. both were good because they fit the teams they played, they were needed to be good, just average
One was a 21 year old SS, that was being run out there everyday despite huge and obvious mechanical flaws in his swing.
The other was a 23, then 24, now 25 year old failed IF that moved to LF that is now out of options beyond this year.
But other than that... same situation.
yeah, no team ever has a failed infielder that moves to the outfield and does pretty well. never happens.
Not to mention that Lake's defense is below average for a corner OF. That places a heavy burden on his bat.... I've always liked Lake and was impressed with his adjustments this year. But we are trading away excess depth. Him and Szczur were redundant and I'm not surprised to see this FO choose to keep the better defender. And I'll add that it's not a given Szczur sticks either.
Theriot was an everyday player here, they dumped him because he stopped hitting, was a tool and bad defensively. Pagan I will grant you never got a long enough look, especially considering the trash the team had at the time. Gonzalez went through 3 teams as a semi regular before he got on the juice and changed his batting stance. Palmeiro was a regular with the Cubs, he just played the same long term position as Grace and the Cubs chose the guy they thought would have more power (and he did, until again Palmeiro got on the juice once Canseco arrived in Texas). DJLM was a guy most people thought was a utility guy at best, he has obviously made good on the promise he had and more, but at the time the Cubs had a similar player entrenched at 2B in Barney and needed a 3B, so taking a chance on Stewart was not the horrible idea it looked in hindsight.
Every team has this stuff happen. The Cubs picked Luis Valbuena up on waivers because the Blue Jays didn't think he could hack it and turned him into a good player. Look at J.D. Martinez. Some guys just take longer, and sometimes roster situations (like Lake's lack of option years left) force guys out. That is actually why the options exist, so that players can eventually move on to other opportunities if they fail to establish themselves with a team.
I'm not saying it was outrageous to get rid of those guys at the time, I just think past FO's were lousy at evaluating their internal talent and putting it in the best position to succeed. Maybe this FO is different, and I certainly hope so. So far the Colvin/DJLM/stewart trade is one of only two things I've disagreed with them on from the start.
New rumor is that the Padres wanted Castro as part of a Kimbrel deal and the Cubs wouldn't budge....
Ahhhhh, love these rumors. We can argue for a dew more months now. lol
25 yr old shortstop on a friendly deal who has been a 3x all star for a Closer.. yeah, no
The only reason Castro had to worry about being trade was the way he was playing, not the other way around.
Maybe they can re-up Hunter for a couple more yrs. He might like Bosio like Arrieta & Strop have.
Our front office is cautious and methodical, but when the opportunity presents itself, they pounce(Maddon/Russell/ Arrietta).
Yep, they're always looking for that right deal.
Well from what it looks like to me. Cubs were very open to a lot of deals and seemed to try and get some bigger controllable pieces but found the prices too high for what Cubs willing to pay. I'm glad Theo and Jed have a line and they won't cross it regardless. Came down to the wire trying to get something done and they decided to make the improvements we needed without really giving up much at all. Solidified the back end of rotation and added another power arm to the pen. I'm not thrilled or anything but solid moves that needed to be made. I'm satisfied
have you ever been a tourist in a foreign country and seen a local pay one price for something, then when you belly up to the counter the price is twice as high? I wonder if teams saw the Cubs coming with their bulging wallet full of prospects and suddenly the price of a trade went through the roof?
Yep, nobody can say they didn't try. Just wasn't there for them. They had a backup plan ready.
glad they didn't deal baez. if shwarbs can catch, then why not bryant in LF, baez at 3rd, and castro at 2B.
Choice between Sczcur and Lake.
Matt passes the extra OF eye test much better than Junior.
Agreed. I think Junior needs a chance to play everyday.
as I have said before. I love this front office!
I'm glad the Cubs didn't blink. Let's see what the rookies do the rest of the season. Remember, this year is getting ready for next year but there's no reason why they can't win this year. Now we have a good pitching staff, both SP and RP. Haren will eat up more innings than Beeler or Wada, etc. lasted and that gives the RP more rest and they can be more effective that way.
As for the offense, if it can just hit what the pitcher is giving them, e.g. how Schwarber went the other way and how Rizzo chokes up on the bat with 2 strikes, we could be very pleasantly surprised this year.
I've never bought into Beeler as a Major League pitcher.
The guy doesn't have an out pitch. Wada gets hurt too much.
Haren is a real MLB starting pitcher, not a guy you hope can make it through a lineup twice.
He is going to report, right?? He almost retired rather than go to Miami.
To be fair, not having an out pitch is kind of the definition of a bottom of the rotation starter. But I agree, much better having Haren every 5th day.
At the end of the day and weeks of endless rumors the Cubs are a better team. Hunter for Medina is a no-brainer and Haren gives us a higher probability of getting out of the 1st without going to the pen.
Only concern is that Lake has finally turned the corner but that's a risk I'm willing to take.
All in all I'm satisfied w/today's deadline outcome. Sometimes the best trades are the ones that weren't made... Now lets get back to the games & minors recaps until Hot Stove Season.
Agreed! It's always fun, but when it's over, I am always relieved.
Great job as usual, John. You and Northside were outstanding as always. Loved it!
Thanks Blue!
Why is Carrie Muskat saying: "Hunter also can help the Cubs next year as he is under contract through the 2016 season". While most commenters here are saying he is just a rental until the end of the season. Even John mentioned it in the article. I am confused, wouldn't be the first time Carrie has confused me.
http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/140132628/cubs-get-tommy-hunter-from-orioles-for-lake
She's wrong.Hunter is a free agent after this season
Hunter will be missed in more ways than one. He was a solid reliever who had not allowed a run in his past five outings and who would have very good numbers if not for two bad appearances in which he allowed a total of seven earned runs over three innings. In his other 37 appearances, he had a 2.38 ERA.
He also was quite a character and a popular guy with his teammates and the media.
This is an excerpt from the baltimore sun about hunter
I saw that too. Two horrific games trashed his ERA.
Looks like a usable guy to me.
I felt like Lake had really turned the corner. Sorry to see him go. It has been quite an uphill climb and several changes of position. If hope he succeeds big time.