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JAF373 · 04-22-2021, 11:29 PM

June 18, 2021 (Team record: 25-42)

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06/02/21: Traded RHP Cory Abbott to Los Angeles Dodgers for 3B Cristian Santana and RHP Andre Jackson

On the surface, this seems like a minor move, but it's emblematic of what I'm trying to do in Chicago. Abbott entered the season as the 11th-best prospect in the organization and pitched quite well over 22.1 big league innings (all in relief), compiling a 3.22 ERA (4.94 FIP) with 27 strikeouts and 10 walks. Rather than waiting for the downfall (.235 BABIP), I struck while his stock was elevated and dealt him to the pitching-ravaged Dodgers, who have nearly half of their pitchers on the IL. Every scouting report pointed to Abbott's ceiling as a "spot starter" or multi-inning bulk eater. It's not that bulk guys aren't valuable in modern baseball (they certainly are), but more so that Andre Jackson is almost a full year younger and comes with a higher ceiling (and a lower floor). Since arriving in AAA Iowa, Jackson, 25, is 2-0 (3 starts) over 18 innings with more than a strikeout per inning (3.44 ERA). I'm not adding him to the 40-man for now, but he may get a big league shot later in the season. The real wild card here, though, is Cristian Santana, 24, who signed back in 2014 for $170,000. It's your typical "pull hitter" profile, but he's a premium defender on the corners (60 1B, 55 3B) and is showing vastly improved batting skills in AAA this season. Between OKC and Iowa, he's slashing a prolific .332/.363/.604 with 8 home runs in 100 at-bats (.277 ISO). Perhaps it's just a small-sample hot streak, but my scouts think he's a 45. Potential gem here and, maybe, just maybe, he'll find at some at-bats on the corners later this season if a certain guy (or two) are no longer occupying those positions at Wrigley...

06/07/21: Claimed 1B/OF Jake Bauers off Waivers from Cleveland
-60 defender at 1B and LF with 65 plate discipline (double-digit walk rates in each of his first four MLB seasons). Got squeezed out of Cleveland and was out of options. Had a .755 OPS at the time of the waiver claim and should be a decent fit backing up Rizzo and getting periodic starts in LF against RHP. If it goes well, he's an option for an increased role next season as he won't be arb-eligible until after 2022.

06/18/21: Traded SS Javy Baez to Oakland for LHP Sean Manaea, SS Elvis Andrus, and OF Luis Barrera

What the Cubs Get
Given the circumstances, it's a quality return. Sean Manaea is a durable innings-eater and just inked an extension last month with the A's (pre-trade) that will keep him in Chitown through 2025 at approximately $11M per season. We're desperate for length from our starters and he has the added perk of being a lefty in a rotation full of right-handers. The over-arching goal of this rebuild-that-isn't-truly-a-rebuild is to add high-floor pieces in the upper minors and majors while building the high-ceiling guys up from the low minors.

The key to consummating the deal was agreeing to accept pitifully under-performing Elvis Andrus, who currently grades out among all players with at least 100 PA's as the worst player in baseball. Yeah, it's that bad (.167/.207/.259). Fortunately, he's owed just $4M the rest of this season and $6.7M next season. We can bury him on the bench, or, if necessary, bite the bullet and cut bait. Things became so dire in Oakland that the A's parked Andrus on the bench and promoted Nick Allen - their top infield prospect - straight from High-A. Predictably, Allen has been overmatched by big league pitching (43 OPS+) and the A's - positioned to win now - felt that their organizational approach could fix some of Baez' longstanding woes and cure their internal shortstop deficiency. It's unlikely Baez re-signs in Oakland long-term, but the short-term marriage is a logical one and they rid themselves of a a burdensome 2022 salary hit with Andrus gone.

The other guy in the deal, Luis Barrera, 25, was Oakland's 7th-rated prospect per MLB Pipeline and is one who I specifically targeted because he offers a skillset anathema to the current Cubs organization with 65 speed and 60 steals/baserunning. He also possesses a rocket arm (65) tailor-made for right field at Wrigley. My scouts thinks he's an overall 45 with a chance to hold down a part-time outfield role as a premium defender and runner with a high-contact hitting approach. He took a major step forward at AAA Vegas prior to the trade, ranking near the top of the PCL in OPS (.321/.357/.513) and carried a paltry 13.9% K rate. He won't walk much, but he could carve out a role towards the bottom of the big league lineup as soon as mid-summer.

04-22-2021, 11:29 PM	#4
JAF373 Minors (Triple A) Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 256	Mid-June Update - A Whopper June 18, 2021 (Team record: 25-42) Transactions 06/02/21: Traded RHP Cory Abbott to Los Angeles Dodgers for 3B Cristian Santana and RHP Andre Jackson On the surface, this seems like a minor move, but it's emblematic of what I'm trying to do in Chicago. Abbott entered the season as the 11th-best prospect in the organization and pitched quite well over 22.1 big league innings (all in relief), compiling a 3.22 ERA (4.94 FIP) with 27 strikeouts and 10 walks. Rather than waiting for the downfall (.235 BABIP), I struck while his stock was elevated and dealt him to the pitching-ravaged Dodgers, who have nearly half of their pitchers on the IL. Every scouting report pointed to Abbott's ceiling as a "spot starter" or multi-inning bulk eater. It's not that bulk guys aren't valuable in modern baseball (they certainly are), but more so that Andre Jackson is almost a full year younger and comes with a higher ceiling (and a lower floor). Since arriving in AAA Iowa, Jackson, 25, is 2-0 (3 starts) over 18 innings with more than a strikeout per inning (3.44 ERA). I'm not adding him to the 40-man for now, but he may get a big league shot later in the season. The real wild card here, though, is Cristian Santana, 24, who signed back in 2014 for $170,000. It's your typical "pull hitter" profile, but he's a premium defender on the corners (60 1B, 55 3B) and is showing vastly improved batting skills in AAA this season. Between OKC and Iowa, he's slashing a prolific .332/.363/.604 with 8 home runs in 100 at-bats (.277 ISO). Perhaps it's just a small-sample hot streak, but my scouts think he's a 45. Potential gem here and, maybe, just maybe, he'll find at some at-bats on the corners later this season if a certain guy (or two) are no longer occupying those positions at Wrigley... 06/07/21: Claimed 1B/OF Jake Bauers off Waivers from Cleveland -60 defender at 1B and LF with 65 plate discipline (double-digit walk rates in each of his first four MLB seasons). Got squeezed out of Cleveland and was out of options. Had a .755 OPS at the time of the waiver claim and should be a decent fit backing up Rizzo and getting periodic starts in LF against RHP. If it goes well, he's an option for an increased role next season as he won't be arb-eligible until after 2022. 06/18/21: Traded SS Javy Baez to Oakland for LHP Sean Manaea, SS Elvis Andrus, and OF Luis Barrera What the Cubs Get Given the circumstances, it's a quality return. Sean Manaea is a durable innings-eater and just inked an extension last month with the A's (pre-trade) that will keep him in Chitown through 2025 at approximately $11M per season. We're desperate for length from our starters and he has the added perk of being a lefty in a rotation full of right-handers. The over-arching goal of this rebuild-that-isn't-truly-a-rebuild is to add high-floor pieces in the upper minors and majors while building the high-ceiling guys up from the low minors. The key to consummating the deal was agreeing to accept pitifully under-performing Elvis Andrus, who currently grades out among all players with at least 100 PA's as the worst player in baseball. Yeah, it's that bad (.167/.207/.259). Fortunately, he's owed just $4M the rest of this season and $6.7M next season. We can bury him on the bench, or, if necessary, bite the bullet and cut bait. Things became so dire in Oakland that the A's parked Andrus on the bench and promoted Nick Allen - their top infield prospect - straight from High-A. Predictably, Allen has been overmatched by big league pitching (43 OPS+) and the A's - positioned to win now - felt that their organizational approach could fix some of Baez' longstanding woes and cure their internal shortstop deficiency. It's unlikely Baez re-signs in Oakland long-term, but the short-term marriage is a logical one and they rid themselves of a a burdensome 2022 salary hit with Andrus gone. The other guy in the deal, Luis Barrera, 25, was Oakland's 7th-rated prospect per MLB Pipeline and is one who I specifically targeted because he offers a skillset anathema to the current Cubs organization with 65 speed and 60 steals/baserunning. He also possesses a rocket arm (65) tailor-made for right field at Wrigley. My scouts thinks he's an overall 45 with a chance to hold down a part-time outfield role as a premium defender and runner with a high-contact hitting approach. He took a major step forward at AAA Vegas prior to the trade, ranking near the top of the PCL in OPS (.321/.357/.513) and carried a paltry 13.9% K rate. He won't walk much, but he could carve out a role towards the bottom of the big league lineup as soon as mid-summer. Last edited by JAF373; 04-26-2021 at 01:19 AM.