Cubs acquire Daniel Murphy from the Nationals

[bill hAll Star]

So where is Murphy going to play? Or does this indicate in a not so subtle way that Bryant is nowhere near 100%?

 

These moves are basically just cash grabs, you're not going to see significant prospects change hands - the Cubs giving up anything other than $ basically just gets the deal done 2 days faster rather than the Nats just letting Murphy walk.

 

I remember how much Cub fans hated Murphy back in 2015...they've gone full evil empire at this point.

 

When Bryant returns:

 

Against lefties, bench bat.

 

Against RHP, Baez plays SS, Murphy at 2B.

 

So who is the current Cub active roster player to go back to AAA to make room for Murphy right now while Bryant is still on the DL? And I don't think this move gets made unless the Cubs know they're not getting a healthy Bryant back soon. Wouldn't surprise me to see Murphy/Bote in a 3B platoon with the other serving as a primary bench bat.

 

I don't think this moves their needle all that much, if at all.

 

Russell has been a bit banged up so probably will just milk a DL stint until Sept 1.

[KeithStone53151]

So where is Murphy going to play? Or does this indicate in a not so subtle way that Bryant is nowhere near 100%?

 

These moves are basically just cash grabs, you're not going to see significant prospects change hands - the Cubs giving up anything other than $ basically just gets the deal done 2 days faster rather than the Nats just letting Murphy walk.

 

I remember how much Cub fans hated Murphy back in 2015...they've gone full evil empire at this point.

 

When Bryant returns:

 

Against lefties, bench bat.

 

Against RHP, Baez plays SS, Murphy at 2B.

 

So who is the current Cub active roster player to go back to AAA to make room for Murphy right now while Bryant is still on the DL? And I don't think this move gets made unless the Cubs know they're not getting a healthy Bryant back soon. Wouldn't surprise me to see Murphy/Bote in a 3B platoon with the other serving as a primary bench bat.

 

I don't think this moves their needle all that much, if at all.

 

I'm pretty sure Murphy has a terrible arm, no way is he playing 3b. Could argue that Russell or Baez plays 3b when Murphy plays...I think the Cubs would be better off with Rizzo at 3b and Murphy at 1st than letting Murphy play 3b.

[liveforoctober]

Is this the same Daniel Murphy who holds a -.8 WAR on the season?

[bill hAll Star]

Is this the same Daniel Murphy who holds a -.8 WAR on the season?

 

Well, for one, he has only played for about 2 months - he was hurt for a long time.

 

His bat is coming around over the past 3 weeks, though.

[liveforoctober]

Is this the same Daniel Murphy who holds a -.8 WAR on the season?

 

Well, for one, he has only played for about 2 months - he was hurt for a long time.

 

His bat is coming around over the past 3 weeks, though.

 

I know, he is hitting well. I am trying to talk myself into this not being a big deal..

[coolhandluke121]

 

Even the Yankees learned over the last decade that you can't just give away the farm and throw money at everyone and expect to be anything more than mediocre eventually.

 

Oh yeah, that 1 year the Yankees missed the playoffs really taught them. EDIT: I guess they missed the playoffs in '14/'15 as well, but they're back.

 

 

Well, that's a pretty important "EDIT". They played exactly 1 playoff game in 4 seasons as a direct result of trying to but a title every year, and they have even more resources than the Cubs.

 

Nobody's suggesting big markets don't have a huge advantage, but I'm very confident the Cubs are going to regret a lot of their recent moves soon. The Murphy deal isn't as bad as I expected (I'm surprised nobody else claimed him, assuming they knew the Nats were asking so little) so maybe it was a weird time to say so, but I firmly believe it.

 

If I liked gambling, I'd bet pretty good money on the Brewers having a better record than the Cubs over the next 7 years or so.

[KeithStone53151]

Is this the same Daniel Murphy who holds a -.8 WAR on the season?

 

Well, for one, he has only played for about 2 months - he was hurt for a long time.

 

His bat is coming around over the past 3 weeks, though.

 

Right, he was very rusty early on but he's been very solid at the plate lately. I'm very aware of how he's doing as he's on my fantasy team(or will be until I trade him as I won't roster a filthy cub) and has been starting regularly for me. I know I made an anti-Theo comment previously...but reality is they gave up nothing for a month and playoffs of this guy, and Murphy is going to be good down the stretch. This was a no brainer move for them and basically a zero risk move. If he sucks, don't play him. Rosters expand in 2 weeks, worst case scenario Murphy goes cold and you bench him and you wasted a couple bucks.

[Fear The Chorizo]

Keeping Murphy's bat in the lineup leads to the Cubs' defense suffering at a couple middle infield positions. Baez is good at SS but not as good as Russell, and Murphy is terrible defensively at 2B compared to Baez.

 

I keep going back to the likelihood that this move happens only because Bryant's shoulder is still jacked up, and the Cubs know they are going to need more offensively down the stretch. Especially considering they still have TBA pitching probables every 5th day for the next couple weeks because they're terrified at Chatwood needing to make those starts with no offdays for the bullpen to recover.

[MrTPlush]

Is this the same Daniel Murphy who holds a -.8 WAR on the season?

 

Well, for one, he has only played for about 2 months - he was hurt for a long time.

 

His bat is coming around over the past 3 weeks, though.

 

I know I made an anti-Theo comment previously...but reality is they gave up nothing for a month and playoffs of this guy, and Murphy is going to be good down the stretch. .

 

Not if they lose in the wild card game...is it still worth it for them?

[KeithStone53151]

Keeping Murphy's bat in the lineup leads to the Cubs' defense suffering at a couple middle infield positions. Baez is good at SS but not as good as Russell, and Murphy is terrible defensively at 2B compared to Baez.

 

I keep going back to the likelihood that this move happens only because Bryant's shoulder is still jacked up, and the Cubs know they are going to need more offensively down the stretch. Especially considering they still have TBA pitching probables every 5th day for the next couple weeks because they're terrified at Chatwood needing to make those starts with no offdays for the bullpen to recover.

 

And remember, Maddon style bullpen management is to try and use every reliever you have every game for 1-2 outs...and then wonder why they keep getting injured. In fairness, at this point I would almost prefer that style to the CC try to be efficient style where he leaves relievers in consistently 2-3 batters too long.

[bill hAll Star]

Keeping Murphy's bat in the lineup leads to the Cubs' defense suffering at a couple middle infield positions. Baez is good at SS but not as good as Russell, and Murphy is terrible defensively at 2B compared to Baez.

 

I keep going back to the likelihood that this move happens only because Bryant's shoulder is still jacked up, and the Cubs know they are going to need more offensively down the stretch. Especially considering they still have TBA pitching probables every 5th day for the next couple weeks because they're terrified at Chatwood needing to make those starts with no offdays for the bullpen to recover.

 

Last I read, Bryant had a pain free batting session the other day. I'd imagine he's back around Sept 1.

 

And I think a lot of GMs are jumping on the 2B defense not being a huge deal thing.

[Thurston Fluff]

How did no one else claim him before the Cubs?

 

Probably because everyone knows the Nats are going to ask for more than most teams would be willing to pay.

 

Not really the case regarding cost.

 

If the Brewers didn't want him going to the Cubs they should have put a claim on him, offer nothing and risk the Nationals just giving him to us for the cost of his remaining contract. I assume unwritten rules would be broken though.

 

The risk would be losing someone on the 40 man roster just to block the Cubs from getting him. Hell the Cubs could have claimed the guy we dumped and made their farm system a little stronger at our expense.

[illiniguy]

 

Even the Yankees learned over the last decade that you can't just give away the farm and throw money at everyone and expect to be anything more than mediocre eventually.

 

Oh yeah, that 1 year the Yankees missed the playoffs really taught them. EDIT: I guess they missed the playoffs in '14/'15 as well, but they're back.

 

 

Well, that's a pretty important "EDIT". They played exactly 1 playoff game in 4 seasons as a direct result of trying to but a title every year, and they have even more resources than the Cubs.

 

Nobody's suggesting big markets don't have a huge advantage, but I'm very confident the Cubs are going to regret a lot of their recent moves soon. The Murphy deal isn't as bad as I expected (I'm surprised nobody else claimed him, assuming they knew the Nats were asking so little) so maybe it was a weird time to say so, but I firmly believe it.

 

If I liked gambling, I'd bet pretty good money on the Brewers having a better record than the Cubs over the next 7 years or so.

Yep, trading away this bum was the straw that broke the Cubs back. Without Kris Bryant they are having a better year than the Brewers. He gonna miss the next 7 as well?

[Fear The Chorizo]

Yep, trading away this bum was the straw that broke the Cubs back. Without Kris Bryant they are having a better year than the Brewers. He gonna miss the next 7 as well?

 

I sure hope not - I hope he's around for all 7 and the Cubs wind up paying through their teeth for a guy with chronic shoulder problems. For all the love the young Cub position players get, reality this year is that aside from Baez this season (A Jim Hendry draft pick), the rest of them aren't proving to be special. Heck Kris Bryant's 2018 shell has a better season-long OPS than all of them aside from Baez. It's nice having them around to offset some of the stupid contracts currently on Cub books, but as these youngish, slightly above average position players start getting expensive, the assumption that they'll all be Cubs longterm is going to quickly prove foolish.

[BigAlBarampGrill]

[quote name=

If I liked gambling' date=' I'd bet pretty good money on the Brewers having a better record than the Cubs over the next 7 years or so.[/quote]

Yep, trading away this bum was the straw that broke the Cubs back. Without Kris Bryant they are having a better year than the Brewers. He gonna miss the next 7 as well?

 

Good post. I predict the 2025 Brewers team is going to be a juggernaut!

[lcbj68c]

wut

 

ETA: Keep mortgaging that future though. Central will the Crew's for 5 years or more soon.

 

Seems like something somebody says when they get dumped while dating, to make themselves feel better. Chicago North has enough money to do whatever they want, so if their A and AA teams suck, it doesn't mean the Brewers will be winning anything at the MLB level.

[BigAlBarampGrill]

wut

 

ETA: Keep mortgaging that future though. Central will the Crew's for 5 years or more soon.

 

Seems like something somebody says when they get dumped while dating, to make themselves feel better. Chicago North has enough money to do whatever they want, so if their A and AA teams suck, it doesn't mean the Brewers will be winning anything at the MLB level.

 

LOL, and very true!

[OnaBadger58]

wut

 

ETA: Keep mortgaging that future though. Central will the Crew's for 5 years or more soon.

 

Seems like something somebody says when they get dumped while dating, to make themselves feel better. Chicago North has enough money to do whatever they want, so if their A and AA teams suck, it doesn't mean the Brewers will be winning anything at the MLB level.

 

LOL, and very true!

 

So the Cubs aren't flush with cash and now they have enough money to do whatever they want? Which one is it Big Al?

[Boomer5]

I just saw his stats at Wrigley. 1100 OPS.

[Chicago Here]

How did no one else claim him before the Cubs?

 

Probably because everyone knows the Nats are going to ask for more than most teams would be willing to pay.

 

It's a weird situation because they didn't decide to sell until after the non-waiver deadline, but now that they've decide to be sellers, they're still in a position to ask a lot. Kind of a perfect storm for blockbuster waiver deals.

 

I love that the Cubs continue to be ridiculously all-in in a season in which they probably had an 80% chance of winning the division anyway. They're really slamming face-first into a wall of diminishing returns on their win-now moves.

 

Classic Theo, pedal to the floor at all times...until you've used up all the resources. Then leave and move on to the next big market team in a favorable situation.

they didnt pay or give much. There is a reason why the Cubs are in the playoffs every year under Theo. There is also a reason why our crew isnt. Other teams chase their money and push themselves in the playoffs with waiver moves. KC and cleveland are 2 small market teams that did this successfully for ws games.

[brooks_quichenick]

This is a great move for the Cubs. I hate Daniel Murphy for his bigotry, but he’s a good hitter especially in Sept/Oct. Cubs got better for next to nothing. It does make you wonder if they believe Bryant has no chance of being 100% the rest of the way and will be always at risk of re-injuring the shoulder, needing Braun-like days off every week.

[TexasCheesehead]

There’s no doubt about this one. The Cubs lineup just improved. They were already very good and just got better.

 

If it’s any consolation though, Murphy is pretty rough defensively.

[BigAlBarampGrill]

This is a great move for the Cubs. I hate Daniel Murphy for his bigotry, but he’s a good hitter especially in Sept/Oct. Cubs got better for next to nothing. It does make you wonder if they believe Bryant has no chance of being 100% the rest of the way and will be always at risk of re-injuring the shoulder, needing Braun-like days off every week.

 

Oh, bigotry. Kind of like a certain relief pitcher we all know??

[brooks_quichenick]

This is a great move for the Cubs. I hate Daniel Murphy for his bigotry, but he’s a good hitter especially in Sept/Oct. Cubs got better for next to nothing. It does make you wonder if they believe Bryant has no chance of being 100% the rest of the way and will be always at risk of re-injuring the shoulder, needing Braun-like days off every week.

 

Oh, bigotry. Kind of like a certain relief pitcher we all know??

 

Yes, it’s the same reason I don’t like Josh Hader. You trying to pull some “gotcha” deal on me here? You sure post a lot when people question/criticize the Cubs. Might I suggest a Cubs board?

[PeaveyFury]

Ok guys, though it's perhaps fair to note that Murphy does have a bit of controversy in his past, let's not let that become the focus of the thread. Thanks!