Lukewarm Stove: Boston Wants David Robertson? Cubs as Aaron Judge Suitors? Benintendi, Marlins, More

The Cubs are heading to the East Coast tonight to tackle the New York Yankees.

And in case you weren’t conscious, the Yankees (41-16) are MLB’s high workforce this season, with a commanding 7.0-game lead within the highly-competitive AL East. But when the season ended at present, the Yanks can be joined by THREE OTHER AL East groups within the newly expanded postseason format, because the Rays, Blue Jays, and Crimson Sox maintain the three Wild Playing cards for the time being.

Which brings me to Boston.

Though they’re presently fourth within the AL East standings, the Crimson Sox are literally one of many hottest groups in baseball. Their seven-game successful streak might have snapped final night time, however they’ve gone 20-9 since Could 10! Additionally they have the seventh highest run differential in baseball, and an anticipated file that’s three wins increased than their precise place within the standings.

Evidently, after a tough April, the Crimson Sox are clearly a workforce on the rise, and definitely appear to be would-be consumers on the deadline, given how a lot they really stand to realize.

So what are they going to be on the lookout for? Nicely, that’s our first rumor of the day.

Sounds Like Bloom Desires Actually David Robertson

In two separate conversations at The Athletic, we’re made very conscious of the Crimson Sox bullpen struggles this season. Thus far, Boston relievers have blown 11(!) saves, and so they’re presently dead-least in common exit velocity and barrel% allowed.

“It’s honest to say at this level, we had been hoping to have a extra settled image within the bullpen than now we have,” mentioned Crimson Sox Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom.

However .. okay, what’s the large deal, proper? They’re a workforce on the rise on the lookout for aid assist. Doesn’t that describe a ton of groups? Nicely, positive. For probably the most half, it does, even when the Crimson Sox are in all probability a little extra determined for aid assist than most groups. However what Bloom mentioned subsequent actually caught my consideration (bolded emphasis mine):

“I don’t assume anyone ought to promote brief the worth of expertise, particularly in a spot like Boston,” Bloom mentioned. “Nonetheless, you look across the league and among the best bullpens usually are not essentially probably the most skilled or most well-known or greatest compensated, they’re simply guys who’re actually good at getting folks out, however I feel not only for themselves however generally the worth of that have on the opposite guys within the ‘pen to assist settle everyone, and you’ll see that actually yearly I’ve been right here.”

Bloom isn’t simply search for a great reliever. He’s on the lookout for a great reliever (1) with a whole lot of expertise to assist quiet down the remainder of the pen, and (2) who’s finished it on an enormous stage earlier than, like in Boston.

Nicely it simply so occurs that the Cubs’ cheap, veteran nearer on an expiring deal is a 14-year veteran with 144 saves in cities like New York, Chicago (each Sox and Cubs), and Philadelphia. He’s additionally a former (and could-also-be-2022) All-Star and a World Collection champion, with 37.2 postseason innings in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2017, 2018, and 2021.

In different phrases, it seems like Bloom is describing David Robertson, who’s having among the best years of his profession thus far: 21.2 IP, 1.66 ERA (1.94 xERA).

Given his efficiency and contract alone, Robertson already figures to be probably the most coveted deadline items, nevertheless it seems like his expertise may very well be a determinative issue for Boston, particularly. I actually assume that is one thing to control.

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For what it’s price, they’re additionally on the lookout for the right-handed aspect of a platoon – in different phrases, somebody that may hit left-handed pitching, maybe particularly at first base, the place Bobby Dalbec is placing out 35+% of the time in opposition to southpaws, and behind the plate, the place Kevin Plawecki has a -12 wRC+ in opposition to lefties.

Cubs as Suitors for Aaron Decide?

Within the spring, Aaron Decide turned down a seven-year, $213.5M extension provide from the Yankees, and thus far … that’s labored out for him. By means of 55 video games (241 PAs), Decide is hitting higher than he ever has earlier than: .310/.383/.671 (197 wRC+). He’s main the Majors in wRC+ and homers and is second solely to Manny Machado in whole WAR (however solely barely).

Level being, if he retains this up, he’ll earn a contract that pays him greater than what the Yankees already supplied. Clearly, that will nonetheless come from the Yankees, however Jon Heyman studies that New York is already “sizing up the competitors.”

“One Yankees individual was heard to comment just lately that simply 5 different groups can fairly afford Decide — the Mets, Dodgers, Giants, Cubs and Crimson Sox.”

Now, for probably the most half, that’s only a checklist of the largest market groups. So, like, yeah … okay. However Heyman did go on to reiterate that the Cubs are “anticipated to spend” this offseason, although he expects them to prioritize different spots, particularly mentioning shortstop and beginning pitching.

And, certainly, that final bit tracks with different rumors on the market already:

As for Decide-Cubs … I actually can’t see it. Decide solely simply turned 30, however he seems like extra of a closing piece than a constructing block. Until (1) the Cubs have some surprisingly improbable developments on the large league stage from right here on out *and* (2) the proper gamers are traded on the deadline, I simply don’t assume Decide will find yourself in Chicago. Frankly, I feel he’ll re-sign with the Yankees.

The Mets and Dodgers have their very own limitations that restrict the potential for signing Decide. So possibly this comes right down to the Yankees, Crimson Sox, and (don’t sleep on them) Giants, who play in Decide’s hometown.

Andrew Benintendi Will Be Traded

In a current Royals Mailbag, Alec Lewis mentioned the “0 %” likelihood that Andrew Benintendi continues to be with Kansas Metropolis after the commerce deadline:

Benintendi — 0 %: The Royals have a 0.2 % likelihood of constructing the playoffs, per FanGraphs. Benintendi is within the closing yr of his contract. Gamers usually have two occasions of their careers at which they’ve a say within the workforce they play for: the MLB Draft and free company. Benintendi is probably going headed free of charge company. That being the case, the Royals ought to commerce him.

Benintendi, 27, is a free agent after the season and is presently having one of the best yr of his profession: .312/.378/.405 (129 wRC+). His protection continues to fee out as beneath common, at greatest, and he doesn’t hit for a lot energy, however he’s barely placing out (14.8%), he’s taking his walks (9.6%) and he’s low cost ($8.5M this season, lower than half that due after the deadline). He’s going to be traded.

Odds and Ends

•   The Yankees are additionally on the lookout for aid assist this season, with David Bednar, Michael Fulmer, Mark Melancon, Ian Kennedy, and David Robertson all listed as the highest targets.

•   It sounds very speculative – plus a lot has modified already this yr – however Willson Contreras will “seemingly” be in search of $100M+ for 5 years as a free agent after this season. I don’t assume the Cubs will provide him that type of deal and I feel he’ll discover different groups that can if he retains raking like he’s. Once more, appears speculative. Simply FYI.

•   In case you missed it, Ian Happ desires to be a Cub eternally: