Could the Chicago Cubs make THESE trades!?

[@MedicTJ]

Belly is likely more valuable on July 30th than mid November.

[@MikeBell-i1h]

When is the last time he was valuable? 3 years ago!

[@TheCreepedPig]

​@MikeBell-i1h he was just ok last year, but was definitely valuable 2023

[@robhansen6370]

Ichiro Suzuki won ROY in 2001, he wasn't exactly a "rookie" when he came over from Japan. Shota should have been in the final three.

[@ImperiusFlex]

I understand the situation the cubs are in. Hoerner led the team in hits, stolen bases and doubles. Also, has a gold glove.

[@kevinkucera5338]

Sam, I think your trade proposal is brilliant. You get Shaw and Caissie both in the starting lineup and acquire a young stud pitcher. I would go one step further and sign Bregman for 3b. Shaw at 2b. Paredes can become the new Patrick Wisdom. You still have $ to fix the pen. A batting order with PCA, Shaw, Belli, Bregman, Seiya, Happ, Swanson, Caissie, & Amaya.

[@20marzboy]

Not sure why we'd trade for nailor, we have Busch and he was really good this year as a rookie, think he has flashed some power and is probably going to win a gold glove in the future as he progresses at the position. We then open up second for the prospect

[@johnfo3924]

Funny how both Matt and Sam both wanted Bellinger and Jordan Montgomery last year, and now want neither lol

[@aduncaroo]

They were both talking about tuning Belli 7-8 years and Ricketts was cheap for not having it done already 😂

[@JohnDePewIII-tn6ui]

What I am hoping for this off-season is the Cubs finally make a deal that really makes a difference. An impact player or players

[@mikemahoney6840]

Don't count on it.The Ricketts are content at being average and not contenders.As long as they draw 2.5 million fans the owners are happy

[@mikemahoney6840]

The latest Cub rumor has Tyler O'Neil coming to Cubs.He has had injury issues but he hit 31 homeruns

[@mikemahoney6840]

Louis Castillo was in our division at one time so that is useful

[@mikemahoney6840]

One thing to remember is injuries affected Bellinger, Hoerner, Suzuki, and Steele.Keep them healthy and they win closer to 90 games.

[@MikeBell-i1h]

The cubs will sign whatever bum wants to retire while playing

[@rodneyelylesrealestate]

Sam's trade proposal is more realistic and one I would feel better about. I like Busch okay, but the Bellinger deal restricts this team for the next two years. Someone has to go to make room for Shaw.

[@josephhall657]

Not much will happen until the meetings. The 22nd will start a little action as teams with have to tender by then. The Cubs have a bunch of wasted contract tied up in tendered cases.

[@ChaseStorey]

Cozzi showing a fiery side. I like it

[@Ksmskns]

Up until now I've always been a bit against trading players we developed and got to know as they earned their place in the organization. Maybe I'm getting older and wiser (definitely not) but I'm on board entirely with trading Nico as much as everyone likes him

[@bennyb2784]

Great show! I really enjoy it. My question is about Amaya. What do you think his ceiling is as far potential goes and could he be a potential trade option?

[@DavidRoberg-v8b]

Bench players should be three top prospects and Ballasteros as the backup catcher! This would be exciting and high energy team. COMPETITION IS THE KEY!

[@AbeFroman-c3t]

Remember all the trades and FA the Cubs were going to do last year?! Pepperidge Farm remembers..

[@bobdi2003]

With some of these trade proposals, I could see them being worse instead of better.

[@vincentgerage]

Great episode Matt cozy

[@jtavegia5845]

NO, No, NO. Bellinger for pitching. Shaw to 3b. Ballesteros to fight for the No 1 Catcher's spot. Do not trade Hoerner as you would then have a Gold Glove infield and a superb OF. So some confidence in your minor leaguers.

[@AndrewCalhounSongs]

Bellinger and Hoerner were mentioned in Passan.

[@DougKillian]

The Seattle Mariners hope to improve on this year's team wRC+ of 104 (just as the Cubs hope to improve on this year's lower team wRC+ of 101). After August 15 the Mariners posted a league-leading wRC+ of 118. Seattle would move Luis Castillo only for salary relief so the M's would have no interest in Cody Bellinger. The Mariners are unlikely to trade Logan Gilbert, especially for quantity over quality.

[@BigLar56321]

Keep Busch, move Horner, slot Busch or Bellinger to bat 3rd in the lineup, get a 4th hitter somewhere. Busch or Bellinger 5th and the rest however. If Parades stays he’s a 6 hitter at best.

[@RojoCube]

Nico for Josh Naylor? Hard pass. Give me jose Ramirez and Clase for Nico and caah. If you insist on trading Nico.

[@markymark1112345]

Does someone have a link to where Bill Simmons said the cubs are the 12th most recognized sports team in the world?

[@brotherhiram5682]

They could...but they wont. It's too much work making all those phone calls and besides, they have hotels and bars to run.

[@JefferyEvenson]

Hoerner & Parades for Logan Gilbert

[@rebth1st]

Anything below ... the mid-tier Cubs making mid-tier pitching acquistions will inevitably show them obtaining mid-tier free agents or making mid-tier trades. Welcome to the mid-tier Central Division Cubs. 87 wins, here we come.

[@DavidRoberg-v8b]

These players NEED A CHANCE TO PLAY or move them!!

[@brycecote]

As a Ms fan I don’t see any deal where the Ms get rid of Gilbert. I think if you sent that same deal (hoerner, Busch, prospect) for Kirby you might have a better chance of getting that done but the Ms are so cheap they would ask you to take on Hanigers money and try to find a way to attach him. Just my thoughts as a Seattle fan

[@kevinkucera5338]

I would take Kirby in a heartbeat

[@brycecote]

@ it still might take a little more is my point

[@mr.bohner6819]

Cubs wouldn't take on the Full 24 million owed to Castillo because Hoerner is making 11 million. That's a difference of 13 million so that's what payroll would increase by & estimated payroll for the next year. Is that worth it to upgrade your rotation to elite & give Shaw the job?? I would say yes but its tough. Castillo is under contract till 2028 if he reaches an IP threshold for an option on the 2028 season. Nico is under control this year & next year. So it'll probably take a prospect (NOT top 100 but a good prospect) or young MLB player as well as Nico to get this deal done.

[@gregthegroove]

IF Bellinger is gone it will only be at the trade deadline for a team that’s in serious contention. End of story. Bottom line he will be on the team on opening day. Who are we kidding? The true success of this team is this group of players playing to their potential and how they could that’s not to say that we don’t like trades or free agent signings but this team has to play better. Signing anybody or not trading anybody or not

[@joanshortall7333]

Would the Yankees be an option for Bellinger?

[@josephhall657]

Yes. I doubt that much will happen until Soto signs. Bellinger becomes a option for a tier 2 player.

[@RojoCube]

If the Yankees don't re-sign Rizzo, then they can trade for Belli to play first. The problem is the Yankees have no prospects worthy of trading for

[@JohnDePewIII-tn6ui]

Thanks Sam and Matt for the show and I really enjoyed Sam bringing up Cubs problem

[@fabiangomez6924]

I don’t like your first trade Sam! I’m not giving up Bush in this deal How about Horner, Parades, Alcantra, BJ Murray type or other For Logan Gilbert and low level catching prospect, this sounds better! ??

[@kevinkucera5338]

The Mariners would laugh in your face for those stiffs

[@fabiangomez6924]

@ The mariners have all stiffs on there team! lol They couldn’t hit water if they fell off a boat! They can use all the help they can get!

[@mr.bohner6819]

Sorry Matt but none of those trades are happening & none of those players listed makes the cubs better cuz you have to get rid of a guy almost as good to get them or 2 somebody's. Bellinger has value if you send about 5-7 million with him like you said. But even more to a team that needs him like the Yankees. Yankees need to fill OF & 1st base & Bellinger is both. Same with Astros for that matter & both teams would prefer a 1 year deal on Bellinger which is what they'd be baseing their hopes on to do the trade. (Nobody wants him if they think he will play bad & accept his 25 million option for '26)

[@mikecrespi1184]

Our pitching would be top tier if we aquire Fried… 3 no. 1’s. Sam said we would have had the best rotation going into the final 4 of MLB playoffs (without Fried). Don’t think we need too to much. Keep Lopez and Miller, added to Hodge and Little, add Brown. We would be straight on thr most important side of the ball. Belly Happ Hoerner Suzuki PCA Busch all very solid Add Shaw thats 7 good-very good bats. It all comes down to the CC’s though(culture and clutch) Keep our dudes together to accomplish this comfortably.

[@mr.bohner6819]

Guys Michael Busch has a TON of value. He was a top 10 first baseman in the MLB his rookie season & all signs point to this being his floor not ceiling. He makes league minimum & in control till 2030!!! Nico & Busch for Gilbert would be more than enough. Almost an overpay for the Cubs but it accomplishes goals for BOTH teams. Also Luis Castillo is a straight up BEAST!! Put a damn good defense behind that groundball machine who also strikes out a bunch of guys & he could get back into CY YOUNG talks like a couple years ago. Hes nvr had a bad season since his rookie years

[@mr.bohner6819]

Gilbert is making 4 million in 2024 & enters arbitration in 2025 which will probably start at something like 6 million. & that number will increase every year till 2028 when hes a free agent. Nico with 2 top 100 prospects gets Gilbert.. (Cam Smith & Alcantara) Or you can do Nico & Wesneski for Castillo... I prefer Castillo

[@MMBlizek]

If we trade Busch then who plays 1B after Bellinger leaves? Or if he gets hurt? Wisdom? If we trade Nico then who plays SS if Swanson gets hurt? Nobody good. Depth isn't a bad thing.

[@josephhall657]

Vazquez is a plus glove at SS. Plus his bat has some slg in it. Shaw is a SS Paredes has played 3B, 2B and 1B. Ballestroes plays C and 1B. 1B is a real option to get his bat up faster. Your point is unfounded

[@johnbrennan4449]

​@@josephhall657Vazquez can't hit. Paredes can hit, but is not consistent enough. Ballesteros can definitely hit, & is consistent, yet needs to remain as a catcher. let Ballesteros improve defensively while playing in the Majors.

[@johnbrennan4449]

Wisdom & Madrigal need to be non-tendered immediately. Paredes should also be non-tendered.

[@cameronbieri1779]

Great work Matt and Sam! In my opinion cubbies should hold onto bellinger if they don’t get Soto not sure anyone else they can positionally spend on who can hit well with risp and can play gold glove defense at 3 positions. Trust an uptick in power from what you saw from last year. Hoerner on the other hand I’m all for bring up shaw and let him swing it.

[@plus790]

Uff. If Logan Gilbert would require Busch (plus Hoerner and a piece), that really makes that Ferris/Hope to the Dodgers trade a fire-able offense for Jed Hoyer.

[@DavidRoberg-v8b]

You guys are acting like THE CUBS can be competitive for the WORLD SERIES THIS YEAR! Why? They are NOT! We should just get that 5 th starter and let THE YOUNG GUNS PLAY! The goal should be to compete for the division and make the playoffs!!!!! GET REAL!!!!!

[@tomslick2058]

Does not Bellinger have a no trade.

[@rebth1st]

What are we smoking?

[@jimdecker4760]

What do think about the Angels being the busiest team in the free agents time so far

[@aduncaroo]

Bohm after career year and referencing RBI? Please stop it 😂

[@aduncaroo]

Castillo for Bellinger is better though although I agree probably would take a prospect as well.

[@DougKillian]

@@aduncaroo Seattle is unlikely to take on the hefty contract of Cody Bellinger, who posted an OPS+ of only 111 this year, when the Mariners return an outfield and 1B of Julio Rodriguez (2024 OPS+ 116), Victor Robles (155 with Seattle), Randy Arozarena (118 with Seattle) and Luke Raley (129). The Cubs should probably keep Bellinger in hopes of improving the club's 2024 OPS+ of 100 (while the Mariners hope to improve their 2024 OPS+ of 103).

[@aduncaroo]

@ I don’t disagree, although anybody planning on Robles repeating that I think is out of their minds lol.

[@RodneyHennings]

That's what I was talking about in earlier comments, shopping at "Dollar Stores!!"🧐😲🤨

[@eddiemonster895]

I sincerely hope they move on from Jed he put us in this mess that guy is not the guy we haven’t been to the playoffs let alone win our division since this dude been in charge and this owner doesn’t want to compete with the top teams period we are waisting our breath on this team

[@Pumo2216]

Im really sick of all this crap with this team and all the other chicago sports teams, its embarrassing!!

[@kanderko9449]

Is Logan Gilbert a Cy Young candidate? You’re giving up a lot for a “good” pitcher. Our problem is we have a team full of good players. Don’t like any of your trade propels.

[@ChiGuy1837]

Jed Hoyer sucks at his job. Dude is a poor man's Theo.Cubs are gna keep suckn and fans are still gna watch.

[@born2run995]

we can all twist ourselves into a pretzel with these trades but none of it matters in the long run without a superstar. Only moves I make is Paredes, Busch, Caissie, Canario-like prospect for Vlad. then Shaw plays 3B

[@MichaelRuffrano-l8n]

bohm stinks errors

[@tomslick2058]

Get rid of Happ. Why is that not on the table. Plus Horner is coming off surgery.

[@kevinkucera5338]

Because Happ has a no trade clause given to him by the brilliant Hoyer

[@johnfo3924]

I highly doubt Cubs will trade Bellinger. I think Michael Busch is easiest to trade considering his salary and age. Cubs can easily put Bellinger at first base to replace him as well. Clearly, Cubs need a top tier hitter and starting pitcher. Otherwise, they’ll be average again

[@dave-pm9bu]

I hope people realize Busch is 26 sometimes people speak of him as if he still has years to develop. I wish Bellinger would have opted out.

[@rebth1st]

Does anyone really think that Shaw will be a better professional player than Nico Hoerner? Does anyone really think that the Cubs keeping Busch, PCA, and Amaya while adding two more rookies to that starting lineup, will actually make the Cubs a better team? Does anyone actually think that adding one mid-tier starting pitcher and a non-top reliever for later innings will take the Cubs over 90 wins? I DON'T THINK SO.

[@billkelly7973]

I do.Shaw is going to be a stud.

[@DionysusAlS]

You kidding? Shaw will be orders of magnitude better than Hoerner ever was. Hoerner is a Punch and Judy hitter and he doesn't even have superior bat to ball skills. So many times he's left guys stranded on third with less than two out or can't advance a guy from second to third with no outs.

[@billkelly7973]

@DionysusAlS Nico is a little better version of Nick Madrigal.

[@Youngstomata]

The cubs team as a whole, excluding Shota, has no exciting players to watch. Even one big bat isn’t that enticing to watch the 2025 season

[@jimdecker4760]

Bellinger gets traded. As soe many teams need a 1b

[@carloschristanio4709]

Could the cubs make them...yes. will they probably not. Keep buying that beer you suckers

[@Teremei]

I don't drink beer, nor do a go to the games, nor do I subscribe to marquee.

[@carloschristanio4709]

​@@Teremeigood