SAN DIEGO – Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer acknowledged that with Justin Steele present process season-ending elbow surgical procedure, he’s going to be making calls to potential commerce companions.
“We’re going to be open, nevertheless it’s additionally April, and people issues are uncommon,” Hoyer stated Tuesday. “So proper now, our largest focus is internally, simply ensuring that guys are throwing properly and that we are able to 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 staff in-season final yr, each on the commerce deadline and within the months main as much as it. However the Padres added their large rotation piece, Dyan Stop, late spring coaching – which is basically an extension of the offseason.
The Cubs might possible 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 supply.
“That’s a component to it,” Hoyer stated. “However it’s additionally, is there anybody really, really out there?”
Groups with gamers who’re anticipated to garner sturdy 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 gives.
Take the Marlins, for instance. They’ve proven a willingness to execute trades early within the season. Look no additional than final yr, once they dealt Luis Arraez to the Padres in early Might. However The Athletic reported earlier this week that the staff is pushing 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 by means of his first three video games. And although the 2022 Nationwide League Cy Younger winner’s historical past carries weight, a bigger post-operation pattern measurement might enhance his mid-season commerce worth.
So, at the least for now, the Cubs are masking Steele’s innings with pitchers already within the group.
“On a private stage, bummed out for him,” Hoyer stated of Steele. “I do know he labored so exhausting 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 staff, we’re disillusioned, after all. He’s one in every of our greatest beginning pitchers and a incredible teammate.
“However in these moments, you form of must: ‘OK, because of this you construct depth.’”
Veteran right-hander Colin Rea, who started the season within the bullpen, began Sunday rather than Steele, limiting the Dodgers to 1 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 acquired just a little drained, possibly, however he’s wholesome, and he must pitch. However all reviews, actually proud of the way it went.”
The Cubs even have left-hander Jordan Wicks ready within the wings at Triple-A. And although prime pitching prospect Cade Horton isn’t anticipated to be the subsequent man up, he’s on monitor 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, if 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.”