Chicago Cubs news — Shaw, Brown, PCA

Today’s Reflections

I wondered what articles would be out there on the Internet today, thinking it would be rather limited or of one voice.

Turns out there’s quite the variety, shown by the number of sections below. Therefore, it becomes difficult choosing who or what to talk about. But let’s start where there’s major interest.

It’s not a surprise, but Matt Shaw is most likely to be the hottest commodity for the Cubs when it comes time to make big trades. I like his game and I like the improvement that he has shown this season before he got hurt. However, he is blocked in the infield for the future, so he at best is an alternative for the outfield in 2027. But if he is the big kicker to make a big trade, the Cubs have to be willing to let him go.

An article below mentions Shaw for Tanner Bibee of Cleveland. Bibee has struggled often this season, but his last outing against the hot Marlins shows the type of pitcher he can be. And he would be under team control through the 2029 season with a team option for 2030. He’s not a TOR guy, but he would be a big boost to the rotation. Straight up for Shaw? Um, that would leave a lot of available pieces for the Cubs to use in other trades, and there’s only a small handful of very good pitchers out there to trade Shaw straight up, so that type of deal could work out very well. I would have to think Cleveland would want more, though.

Ben Brown and Shota Imanaga were the top two of the Cubs’ rotation, and trade talk looked heavily into either a TOR pitcher or rotational depth to complement them. But it is unknown when Brown will return, and if he does, how long will it take for him to return to the rotation. Smaller pieces, like Michael Wacha mentioned below for example, should be the type of targets the Cubs should look at. Yes, ideally the Cubs would acquire a TOR guy for the playoffs. But they have to get there first. Colin Rea has been extremely solid for the Cubs, but they can’t depend on him as a No. 2 for the playoffs, and he needs help getting the team there.

And that’s just among the first section of articles! There more PCA stories, Second-Half stories, next-year stories, post-Draft stories, a surprise 2016 World Series twist that could’ve changed Cubs history — just go look, okay? 🙂

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Trade and Roster Talk:

• Ken Rosenthal, Patrick Mooney, Katie Woo and Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Blockbuster summer? Why buying and selling at MLB’s trade deadline is more complicated than ever. “Officials from teams throughout the league are tempering expectations of major deals at this season’s deadline.”
• Sam Caulder (North Side Baseball): If Cubs Are Willing to Trade Matt Shaw, What Framework Will They Look For? “He’s under team control for years and could be part of Chicago’s future, but Matt Shaw might also be the type of player who brings back the pitching help the Cubs desperately need.”
• Brandon Glick (Cubbies Crib): Cubs should solve overlooked need with trade deadline reunion for former slugging prospect. “Why not bring some 2016 mojo back to town?”
• Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib): Cubs next reunion for pitching staff may have just been cut loose by the Athletics. “This is the well the Cubs will remain at for the next week or two.”
• Conor Liguori (Sporting News): Cubs’ biggest trade deadline need revealed amid Ben Brown problem. “Chicago’s front office has plenty of work to do.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): Farewell Liam Hendriks, Aaron Bummer, Jake Woodford, and Kyle Wright (UPDATE: Welcome Back, Jake!). “These are reclamation swings for a reason, and although each did pitch for the Cubs at Triple-A in recent weeks, it looks like that time may be over.”

PCA- Mania Revs Up:

• Joey Ricotta (OnTapSportsNet): The Cubs Can’t Afford to Waste Pete Crow-Armstrong’s Historic Season. “Pete Crow-Armstrong is having an MVP-caliber season for the Cubs and is on pace for consecutive 30-30 years. With free agents looming, Chicago can’t afford to waste this championship window.”
• Matt Snyder (CBSSports.com): Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong pinpointed a problem and then turned into one of the best players in baseball. “Crow-Armstrong is walking more, chasing less and has become Shohei Ohtani’s biggest MVP challenger.”
• Casey McAleer (Da Windy City): Pete Crow-Armstrong was the Cubs first half MVP. “The Gold Glove winner became the heartbeat of Chicago and could be the player who leads the Cubs back to the top of the NL Central.”
• Sam Householder (Windy City Gridiron): Pete Crow-Armstrong is one of us. “Cubs star PCA is a Chicago Bears fan and still watches a Hall of Famers highlights.”

Second-Half Stories:

• Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation): Cubs Second-Half Projections: What ZiPS Expects From the Core Nine. “Although the next 2.5 weeks are arguably the most important 2.5 weeks left in the regular season, there’s still a lot more baseball to be played after that.”
• Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib): Jacob Misiorowski shades Cubs while identifying Brewers biggest NL Central threat. “Wait…what did he say?”
• LaMond Pope (Chicago Tribune {$}): Chicago baseball report: Season resumes with Cubs chasing Brewers — and White Sox exceeding expectations. “Despite all of their injuries, the Cubs open the second half in playoff position.”
• Troy Andracki (Bleacher Nation): Five Cubs Storylines to Watch in the Second Half. “The All-Star Break is a perfect time to catch your breath — to contextualize the season that has already transpired and think about what’s to come.”
• Ryan Gilbert (SI.com): NL Central Division Odds: Can Brewers Keep Pulling Away From Cubs? “Jacob Misiorowski and the Brewers are NL Central favorites at the All-Star break.”
• Elias Schuster (Chicago Cubs On SI): Cubs Finalize Starting Pitchers as They Look to Set Second Half Tone vs. Twins. “The Chicago Cubs will not go with David Peterson or Javier Assad in their first series after the break.”
• Cory Sparks (North Side Baseball): At Least Alex Bregman Has Nowhere To Go But Up. “Alex Bregman struggled in the first half at the plate, starting his expensive contract with the Cubs on an off-key note. Better days should be ahead, so long as he makes the proper adjustments.”

Minors and Post-Draft Articles:

• Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib): Owen Ayers promotion could be early clue for Cubs offseason need hiding in plain sight. “He’s now a part of the conversation.”
• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): The Cubs loaded up on pitchers in the MLB draft. Here are the arms they’re excited about. “The Cubs added pitching to their system with Cade Townsend, Carson Jasa and several other arms.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): Two More Undrafted Free Agent Signings for the Chicago Cubs: John Alkire II, Grant Gray. “Coming out of their pitching–heavy draft, the Chicago Cubs immediately went on a signing spree of positional undrafted free agents.”

Assorted Stories:

• Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): Cubs’ 2027 schedule features season-opener at home ahead of All-Star Game at Wrigley Field. “The Cubs’ schedule for the 2027 campaign was released Thursday, featuring a second consecutive Opening Day in late March at Wrigley Field ahead of the Friendly Confines’ first All-Star Game since 1990 in mid July.”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com): ‘It’s going to be crazy’: PCA pumped for Wrigley to host ASG, HR Derby in ’27. “Pete Crow-Armstrong has seen what the atmosphere is like at Wrigley Field for a weekday game in the middle of summer.”

2016 Reunion:

• Rich Eberwein (Cubbies Crib): Theo Epstein reveals 2016 World Series twist that could’ve changed Cubs history. “A TV network nearly ruined Game 7 of the 2016 World Series.”
• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune {$}): Column: 10-year reunion of Chicago Cubs’ 2016 champions is a reminder the saga is still in progress. “Not that long ago, Chicago Cubs fans dreamed of a dynasty.”
• Jon Greenberg (The Athletic {$}): As Cubs celebrate their World Series anniversary, let’s raise a glass to Joe Maddon. “”The Chicago Cubs are the big leagues of the big league,” Maddon said, reflecting on his tenure and the team’s championship window.”

Food For Thought:

Born and raised in Dallas, Stevie Ray Vaughan began playing guitar at age 7, inspired by older brother Jimmie. By age 12 he was playing in garage bands, and within a few years he joined semi-professional bands that occasionally landed gigs in local nightclubs. At 17 he dropped out of high school to concentrate on playing music. In 1970 Stevie was playing in a nine-piece horn band and then formed his first blues band, Blackbird, a year later. Blackbird moved to Austin and after a few more stints in various bands Vaughan joined Paul Ray and the Cobras in 1975. The Cobras were Austin’s Band of the Year in 1976. After paying his dues as a sideman Stevie formed Triple Threat Revue in 1977. Triple Threat also featured bassist W.C. Clark, and vocalist Lou Ann Barton. Barton left the band in 1979 and the group became Double Trouble, the name inspired by the Otis Rush song. Double Trouble featured Jack Newhouse on bass, Chris Layton on drums and Vaughan became the band’s lead singer. In 1981 Tommy Shannon joined on bass and the power trio was set.

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