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The Reds Are Cutting Payroll...Can The Cubs Take Advantage Of It?

 


Alright, y'all. I'll start out with some MLB news that isn't really related to our topic today, but it is interesting to note.

The Brewers traded for Mike Brosseau, the Ray's utilityman. 


The Rockies have signed free agent Jhoulys Chacin (who was a reliever for the Rockies in 2021).

 

Astros, along with the Phillies, Marlins and other teams, are showing interest in FA Starling Marte. I thought about him as a potential Cubs target, but I'm inclined to think he'd be too expensive and not the kind of guy they would be targeting.

 

The Giants have extended their manager Gabe Kaplan to a two year extension, which is no big surprise considering how he brought the team to a 107 win season.


Now for some exciting Cubs news: The Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game starts tonight featuring 3 Cubs prospects (Velazquez, Weber, and Kilian). It is televised and starts at 6:00 PM CST on 11/13/2021.


Now it's time for the main subject of today: can the Cubs capitalize on the Reds and Athletics shedding payroll? If you are unfamiliar with what "shedding payroll" means, it simply means they want to cut back on how much they pay all their players total, meaning they'll be trying to trade expensive players.

The Reds have been reportedly shopping some more-expensive players such as Mike Moustakas, Joey Votto, Sonny Gray, and Luis Castillo. They have already lost Castellanos and traded Barnhart, as well as losing Miley on waivers to the Cubs. The Cubs already got one Reds pitcher, can they get another Red's player?

  • Out of all those I mentioned, I can see Luis Castillo the most. He posted a 2.73 ERA from June 1st and on, and his durability and strikeouts would be a help to the Cubs rotation. He has 2 years left on his contract, so he would be 2-year solution to the Cubs rotation, if they don't trade him before that.
  • With Moustakas I'd say probably not. He can play 2nd and 3rd (if they had him they would put him at 3rd), but I don't think he's the kind of player they are wanting to target. He batted an awful .208/.282/.372 in 2021, and I don't think the Cubs would want to waste prospects on a guy that might do that bad for them, as well.
  • Votto obviously plays 1st, and though Schwindel is also 1st, if the DH comes to the NL, technically there would be room for both. He can slug, for sure, which is a great plus, but do the Cubs want to spend players on a veteran player that can play an already taken position? I'd say probably not.
  • Sonny Gray was paid $10M in 2021 (same as Miley), but he didn't have as good as results. He could end up having a great 2022, but again, the Reds want prospects and I don't think the Cubs want to trade too many. 
  • So, if there was one player they should target from the Reds, I would say Castillo. However, another team has been showing interest in the Reds' pitchers.

So, we'll see what ends up happening here. If the Cubs get the right deal with prospects and all, I could see them going for a player like Castillo. However, if the Dodgers or another team really want them, and are willing to give more in return, then I don't expect the Cubs to get them.

Anyway, that's all for today, so have a great day, follow me on twitter, follow Cubbies Gazette and GO CUBS GO!


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