Last year and a half he has been pretty meh.

'14 we trotted out Shields, Ace, Vargas and Guthrie

This team has never relied on SP to win playoff games - why start now?

I do think we need to find a guy, but we are pretty thin in the farm system, so unless we plan on dangling Ashe ... I don't know what we're expecting. It's not like we have Reed/Finnegan/Lamb or Manaea these days. I don't know who we're going to beat in a bidding war at the deadline for pitching. Everyone needs pitching. The Cubs desperately need pitching.

I think we're ok with Duffy/Vargas/Kennedy ... but throwing another similar caliber pitcher into that mix would certainly do wonders.

It's too bad Dayton couldn't look into his crystal ball and resign Holland - a Minor/Soria/Herrera/Holland bullpen looks pretty elite to me.

If Kennedy keeps up his past couple performances we have a capable 1-3. Hammel and Wood are fine for 4/5 types. Another pitcher would be neat, but as has been mentioned, at what price? Mondesi? Dozier/Starling? Nah. Let's roll with who we have and see how it plays out.

Yes

They tried before signing Minor.

Basically, the contract Minor got is what they offered Holland. He wanted a guarantee to close when he came back.

They also looked hard when he was rehabbing this winter, but between the relationship cooling and him not telling people what was going on, too much damage to the relationship.


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I wish we could afford to get him.

Moose and Justin Turner lead the Final Vote tally so far. Bogaerts is in 2nd though, going to have to fend off the Red Sox fans for the next two days.

Yea all of Canada is going for Xander

What? Why? Blue Jays fans hate the Red Sox.

No idea but last I saw Xander had 40% of the vote and Moose only had 10%

*** Official 2017 Royals Repository ***
 

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He's not a real ace but will command ace prices.

Just lacks that dominant put-away pitch. He's a really nice no. 2/3 starter, but not as good as James Shields was when KC traded for him, for example.


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Cubs going after Verlander?

MLB Trade Deadline Rumors: Cubs reportedly eyeing Tigers' Verlander, Avila

The reigning World Series champion Cubs are a disappointing 42-40 on the season (through Monday night), but thanks to the surrounding mediocrity in the NL Central they're still very much in the race. They do, however, need roster improvements, and that's why they're expected to be an active buyer leading up to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. On that point ...

#Cubs inquired to #Tigers on availability of Justin Verlander and Alex Avila, sources say, but sides have not engaged in trade negotiations.

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 4, 2017
Needless to say, the Cubs dealing for Justin Verlander and Alex Avila would qualify as a blockbuster.

The Cubs indeed need help in the rotation. At present, they rank seventh in the NL in rotation ERA and ninth in rotation WAR. Those aren't necessarily dismal numbers, but it's certainly something a team that aspires to make the postseason should seek to improve. As for Verlander, he has had a disappointing season. The 34-year-old has an ERA of 4.96 (87 ERA+) through 17 starts and his K/BB ratio of 1.96 is his worst such mark since 2008. Obviously, the Cubs wouldn't deal for Verlander unless they project significant improvement going forward. Also worth noting is that Verlander still has at least $70 million or so left on his contract. That is, if the Tigers want anything of long-term value in return, they'll need to throw in a lot of cash.

As for Avila, he's enjoying a career year at the plate thanks in part to some mechanical changes to his swing. After cutting bait on Miguel Montero, the Cubs might be looking for some additional catching depth. Avila could also spell Anthony Rizzo at first base on occasion.

Developing, possibly.


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Eh Verlander has been ass this year. Avila would be a good get for the Cubs