We were just discussing #HugWatch Sunday before the Cubs game, and after the game finished, some minor fireworks started to go off:
Sources: #Cubs working hard to land #Tigers’ Justin Wilson. At least one team involved thinks CHC will be landing spot. Others involved.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2017
Hearing same as @Ken_Rosenthal that #Cubs closing in on Justin Wilson. Heard Tigers like 3b Jeimer Candelario.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 31, 2017
We all know how Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer go in hard on their targets, and this appears to be one of those leaks/rumors that has some pull. Jeimer Candelario and Mark Zagunis were not in Sunday’s Iowa Cubs starting lineup, so that immediately conjured up some thoughts of trade pieces. While Justin Verlander comes with a huge contract, Justin Wilson is relatively cheap and controlled through 2018, while Alex Avila seems to be a more capable backup option than Victor Caratini despite the latter’s first career homer today.
I did think the Cubs as currently constructed were fine, and of course, in public, the players and staff reflected the same sentiment. Nevertheless, any addition to the club is based on logic, and it makes sense to add a solid lefty who also works well against righties, and who will be available next year to replace Brian Duensing (or Mike Montgomery, should the latter move back to the rotation). For both potential adds, it’s easy enough to option guys like Justin Grimm and Caratini back to Iowa without having to open up a new 40-man roster spot to manipulate the active roster.
Stay tuned for something more official…
UPDATE 8:10 PM: It appears that there is at least one backup catcher the Cubs won’t get:
Source: Lucroy to #Rockies.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2017
Lucroy’s value has dipped, and he was traded for a player to be named later. In the meantime, the Dodgers appear to be the most serious challenger to the Cubs for Justin Wilson’s services.
UPDATE 9:50 PM: It would appear the Cubs were the favorites after all:
sources: cubs are close to a deal to get justin wilson
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2017
UPDATE 10:05 PM: Might happen before the chime of midnight…
Waiting for it to be final, but sources say Justin Wilson should be a Cub tonight. Relief market has busy 16 hours ahead.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 31, 2017
And not too long after:
Source: #Cubs, if deal is completed, will get Justin Wilson and Alex Avila from #Tigers for Jeimer Candelario and at least one other. Close.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2017
The theory is that Zagunis might be the other piece, plus any extras as the news keeps leaking. If this trade does go through, expect Grimm and Caratini to hop a plane back to wherever Iowa is playing. Wow.
UPDATE 10:55 PM: Samsonite! I was way off…
The deal would be Justin Wilson and Alex Avila for Jeimer Candelario, Isaac Paredes and a Player To Be Named Later or cash, I'm told.
— anthony fenech (@anthonyfenech) July 31, 2017
If the official word doesn’t come soon, this gets updated in the morning. But this seems a fair enough trade for what the Cubs and Tigers both need. The Cubs have their core for the next few years and are going for it, while the Tigers get a solid return to boost their rebuild.
Now to sleep, because I gotta work tomorrow.
UPDATE 7/31 6:13 AM: Woke up to see that after medicals and stuff, the trade has been finalized…
FINALIZED: #Cubs acquire Justin Wilson and Alex Avila from #Tigers for Jeimer Candelario, Isaac Paredes and PTBNL or cash. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 31, 2017
Ho Ho Fun fact being that Detroit’s GM is the first in years to trade his own son, but at least it’s to a contender in his walk year. Now we wait for the rest of the world to wake up and make this official.
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