Verlander to the Cubs is Getting Serious
Featured pic courtesy of USA Today
So there has been this little rumor going around that the Chicago Cubs inquired about Justin Verlander, and that the Detroit Tigers front office is doing their due diligence in scouting the Cubs. While these are just early signs, it does point to the rumors being legitimate.
For instance, when AM-670 The Score’s Julie DiCaro reached out to a source with the Cubs.
https://twitter.com/JulieDiCaro/status/883041515970453504
We know this is legit since there are multiple sources confirming discussions, and the Tigers scouted the Cubs farm recently. Verlander himself seems aware of the possibility.
“Obviously, where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” Verlander said. “It’s not completely out of the realm of possibility. It’s just the way sports are now,”
“It’s just the way sports are now,” Verlander continued. “It’s the aberration the other way around, for a player to stay with their organization over his whole career – the Jeter’s the Chipper Joneses of the world.”
Now, before you say it, yes, Verlander is older (34) and is expensive (owed nearly $70 million) but the National League would be the perfect fit for him at this point in his career. I know you won’t believe me immediately, but believe a Major League scout the CBS Chicago’s Bruce Levine spoke to.
“He would be a better National League pitcher now,” a scout said. “He will face one less hitter in the NL, and he will automatically have to come out in the sixth inning for a pinch-hitter. He could thrive in that type of environment”
He would thrive. In a league which he wouldn’t be exposed through a third at-bat by opposing hitters. But also facing one less pitcher will make his numbers against the bottom third (.211/.297/.289) look even better.
Justin could also help the Cubs pitching staff’s first inning woes as opposing lead-off hitters are batting just .176 with a .176 OBP against him.
Of course, there is his money. He earns $28 million this season, $28 million next season, $28 million in 2019, and would earn $22 million if he is in the top five in CY Young voting for 2020. This is a lot of money to hand over to a 34-year-old pitcher, who has lost a bit over the years, but the Cubs are in a position to manage that contract.
The deal isn’t close, and although there is a ton of steam, there is a lot that would need to happen before a deal could take place. The two sides would need to agree on players, then Justin would need to agree to the deal as he has 10-and-5 rights. This is a clause in MLB contracts, afforded to them through the collective bargaining agreement, which allows players with at least 10 years experience, with five consecutive years with the same team, to veto any trade.
There is no telling for sure Justin would accept a deal to come to Chicago, and I think that is exactly what he was talking about here.
“I think there’s so many different things that would need to be discussed and thought about, it’s almost too much to think about right now,” Verlander said. “If I started thinking about all those possibilities, that could become overwhelming, so I’m not.”
One would guess that any player in the league would agree to be moved to the Cubs. Even if the 2017 season isn’t looking as promising as their 2016, this team is set-up to compete for several years. Why wouldn’t you want to be a piece of that?
And Verlander could end up being a huge piece of that.
Lastly, what would they look for in return? Well a local media affiliate in Detroit, Click On Detroit, had mentioned three possible Cubs.
Jiemer Candelario
Javier Baez
Kyle Schwarber
Yes, they are absolutely high if they think the Cubs would part with Kyle for a 34-year-old pitcher, they are mildly crazy if they believe Jazy Baez would go to Detroit as well. However, Candelario is more likely to be added to a deal.
If you believe it or not, Schwarber IS a cornerstone of this franchise. He will not be traded.
Baez at one point was potentially available, but there are way too many questions about Addison Russell (his arm, his personal life, etc) for the Cubs to part with him.
Other potential pieces are Ian Happ, Eloy Jimenez, and Dylan Cease. If the Tigers include Alex Avila, maybe the Cubs would consider dealing Victor Caratini as well.
Like mentioned in the last Justin Verlander post, get ready for a crazy trade season, just about anything can happen.
Cubs are going for the win . They have the players to trade . Will Verlander put them over the TOP? That is the question. Money is no object ..