SAN DIEGO – Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer acknowledged that with Justin Steele undergoing season-ending elbow surgery, he’s going to be making calls to potential commerce companions.
“We’re going to be open, however it’s additionally April, and people issues are uncommon,” Hoyer stated Tuesday. “So proper now, our greatest focus is internally, simply ensuring that guys are throwing properly and that we will face up to that from inside.”
Hoyer has praised the Padres, who beat the Cubs 4-2 on Wednesday, for the way they strengthened their workforce in-season final 12 months, each on the commerce deadline and within the months main as much as it. However the Padres added their massive rotation piece, Dyan Stop, late spring coaching – which is actually an extension of the offseason.
The Cubs might seemingly discover extra depth. However starters who might improve the Cubs’ Steele-less rotation are rarer. Touchdown one would on the very least require an aggressive provide.
“That’s a component to it,” Hoyer stated. “However it’s additionally, is there anybody really, actually out there?”
Groups with gamers who’re anticipated to garner strong commerce markets are incentivized to attend till nearer to the July 31 deadline, when extra groups will probably be concerned. Extra suitors imply extra selections and extra competitors between affords.
Take the Marlins, for instance. They’ve proven a willingness to execute trades early within the season. Look no additional than final 12 months, once they dealt Luis Arraez to the Padres in early Might. However The Athletic reported earlier this week that the workforce is laying aside the choice on whether or not to commerce ace Sandy Alcántara.
Along with extra generic issues, Alcántara is in his first season again from October 2023 Tommy John surgical procedure. He posted a 4.70 ERA via his first three video games. And although the 2022 Nationwide League Cy Younger winner’s historical past carries weight, a bigger post-operation pattern dimension might enhance his mid-season commerce worth.
So, at the very least for now, the Cubs are protecting Steele’s innings with pitchers already within the group.
“On a private degree, bummed out for him,” Hoyer stated of Steele. “I do know he labored so onerous and also you get excited for a season – he makes 4 begins and goes down. I do know he was actually bummed about that. And clearly, as a workforce, we’re disillusioned, after all. He’s considered one of our greatest beginning pitchers and a improbable teammate.
“However in these moments, you form of should: ‘OK, because of this you construct depth.’”
Veteran right-hander Colin Rea, who started the season within the bullpen, began Sunday instead of Steele, limiting the Dodgers to at least one run in 3 ⅔ innings. The Cubs have three off days within the subsequent eight days, which might negate the necessity for a fifth starter.
Proper-hander Javier Assad, who started the season on the 15-day IL with a strained left indirect, continues progressing towards reinstatement. He threw 3 ⅓ innings Tuesday in his first rehab begin with Triple-A Iowa, and he’s scheduled to pitch once more Sunday.
“Type of what you’d anticipate,” Conunsell stated Wednesday. “He feels good. He bought slightly drained, possibly, however he’s wholesome, and he must pitch. However all stories, actually pleased with the way it went.”
The Cubs even have left-hander Jordan Wicks ready within the wings at Triple-A. And although high pitching prospect Cade Horton isn’t anticipated to be the following man up, he’s on observe to debut later this season.
“You by no means know what’s going to occur,” pitching coach Tommy Hottovy stated this week. “You by no means know who you’re going to lose, whenever you’re going to lose them. So, it’s been very rewarding for us the final couple years of constructing that depth. And now we simply have to determine the items that make this all come collectively.”
