Let me begin by saying that as always these are rumors. We are NOT stating that this WILL happen, we’re only relaying to you the reader what’s being thrown out there by people who have built up credibility. These are not my sources, you can go to their Twitter accounts and complain if you wish. I have to say this because apparently some of you can’t comprehend what we do around here.
Anyway, let’s get to this juicy Jason Heyward trade rumor.
As we know, the Chicago Cubs signed Heyward to a huge contract, 8 years worth $184 million. That includes a couple opt out and opt in clauses and a full no-trade clause for the first three years of his contract. So, obviously that includes the 2018 season. Lots of money and despite remaining the best defensive right fielder in baseball we can all agree that Heyward hasn’t played up to his expectations with the Cubs.
The Cubs also have a few big holes to fill this offseason, as Jake Arrieta, John Lackey and Wade Davis are all free agents and Theo Epstein has discussed how the team would be exploring trading MLB talent to address the club’s deficiencies. Everyone immediately thought of Kyle Schwarber, Ian Happ, Javier Baez and Addison Russell, but ESPN 1000’s David Kaplan threw out that it’s Heyward who will be dangled as trade bait in the offseason.
Kaplan just said Cubs will explore trading Jason Heyward in offseason. Basically bad contract for other bad contracts..I can't see it though
— WhenClarkMetAddison (@ClarkMetAddison) October 27, 2017
Kaplan specifically discussed the San Francisco Giants as a team that could be willing to take on Heyward’s contract, while trading away a few of their big contracts the other way. The Giants were 64-98 in 2017, and are rebuilding, so Kaplan mentioned starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija and closer Mark Melancon as two viable options to be traded to the Cubs.
Kaplan also brought up Giancarlo Stanton as a possible trade candidate, but here’s why this is focusing on the Giants.
A few hours later, White Sox Dave, who has broken several MLB stories before including the Jose Quintana trade, tweeted this out.
Hearing the Cubs and Giants have to some degree discussed a Heyward for Samardzija/Melancon trade FWIW #ScoopCity
— whitesoxdave (@barstoolWSD) October 27, 2017
I don’t care what you think about Dave, we’re here to talk about how every Cubs fan should hope this becomes true.
Love Jason Heyward. Great defense, great teammate, great speech, but let’s get this trade done. One, the Cubs get Jeff Samardzija who immediately comes into the rotation as the number four starter. Plus, the Cubs then don’t have to worry about over spending in free agency for two starting pitchers. Second, the Cubs make the bullpen better by getting Mark Melancon. Forearm injury is a concern, but it’s a risk you’d be more than willing to take as insurance if Wade Davis isn’t re-signed.
HOWEVER!
This is the perfect trade for the Cubs not because they get two guys to plug into the rotation and bullpen, but because then guess what position is left wide open? Right field. Who plays right field?
It all sets up to then open up the checkbook for Bryce Harper next offseason when he becomes a free agent.
But hey dumbass, you might be saying right now, why would the Giants do this trade and how realistic is it anyway?
Well, I wish I had a better answer because it really makes no sense for the Giants to take on Heyward’s deal unless the Cubs cover a lot of the money and even then it’s still a little tricky. For starters, Heyward has that no-trade clause, so the Cubs can’t just ship him off. He has to want to go. Not only that, but Melancon also has a full no-trade and Samardzija can block a trade to eight teams, although I don’t know what eight teams those are.
Samardzija has four years left on his contract, worth $79.2 million. Melancon signed a four-year deal worth $62 million. So, he still has three years remaining on his contract.
I don’t think there would be any issue with Samardzija and Melancon wanting to leave the Giants, but Heyward, that’s going to be tough. No matter what, Heyward’s going to make his money, so who knows, maybe he’ll believe he can be better with the Giants? Though again, why would you want to leave the Cubs, who are still in their prime window to compete for championships.
So, with all that taken into consideration, I don’t doubt that the Cubs are trying to find a way to trade Heyward and that possibly with the Giants is great for the Cubs, but I just can’t see it happening. Think whatever you want about Kaplan and White Sox Dave, but they’ve been plugged in and have been spot on before. Are talks happening? I believe it. Will Heyward actually get traded? Doubt it.
That doesn’t mean I hope it doesn’t happen because again Bryce Harper to the Cubs becomes a lot more realistic. And really that’s what all Cubs fans should be rooting for here.
By the way, lots of people mad that the Cubs would get Jeff Samardzija. He had a 3.8 fWAR in 2017 with the crappy Giants. The only Cubs pitcher that was better was Jose Quintana at 3.9 fWAR.
Jeff Samardzija's 2017 season:
3.8 fWAR – 15th in MLB
3.60 xFIP – 16th in MLB
3.61 FIP – 13th in MLBhttps://t.co/rZ7H107y00— Aldo Soto (@AldoSoto21) October 27, 2017
Also, Theo Epstein wanted to sign him in free agency a few years ago, so no, there’s no bad blood between the two sides.
