Jeff Samardzija was traded to the Oakland A’s from the Cubs along with Jason Hammel for three players. Photos/Wikimedia Commons
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]pproximately 45 days ago the Chicago Cubs traded away Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel to the Oakland A’s for Addison Russell, Billy McKinney, and Dan Straily.
Since joining the A’s, Samardzija has gone 3-3 with a 4.07 ERA, while Hammel has totally disappointed in going 1-5 with a terrible 6.75 ERA over 32 innings. The Cubs have made several personnel moves since that trade took place.
Two minor league pitchers were brought up from Iowa to take the rotation spots made available by the trade to make their major league debuts. The recent additions are getting a longer than normal look at the big league level in order for the Cubs to evaluate these players that could potentially be roster additions for the 2015 season.
Here’s a look at the pitchers that made their debuts and filled the available rotation spots since the July 5th trade:
- On July 10th, the Cubs selected the contract of Kyle Hendricks from AAA Iowa. Hendricks took the rotation spot vacated by the departure of Jason Hammel. Since doing so, Hendricks has done nothing but impress. He is making a very strong case to be included into next year’s rotation by going 5-1 over-all with a 1.78 ERA including a rock solid 4-0 with a 1.44 ERA in 5 August starts. Hendricks has already exceeded the service time minimum for him to qualify for a rookie next year, so this season serves as his rookie campaign. If he continues to dominate hitters, he will get a very long look and opportunity to earn a rotation spot directly out of spring training since service time is no longer an issue.
- On July 8th, the Cubs selected the contract of Tsuyoshi Wada from AAA Iowa. After signing an 8MM deal as a 31 year old rookie in 2012 with the Baltimore Orioles, Wada finally made his major league debut after 2 injury filled seasons. Wada never pitched for the Orioles and made his debut as a 33 year old rookie for the Cubs on Juy 8th. Wada began his career giving up 15 hits in his first 16.0 innings in the month of July. August has been a totally different story. Wada carried a no hitter into the 7th inning on Sunday against the team responsible for bringing him to the Major leagues and has a record of 3-0 with a sparkling 2.12 ERA for the month of August thus far. Wada has settled into the rotation very well over his last 7 starts, and at age 34, he will be given every opportunity to be in the rotation next spring.
Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have made it no secret that the Cubs will be in the market for top of the rotation pitchers when the season concludes. With the exceptional performances from the two recent call ups, the rotation could very well be headed in a very healthy direction, especially if they land one of their rumored targets.
Since Hoyer and Epstein took over, the Cubs have bought low and sold high on pitchers that were underperforming. In acquiring struggling pitchers Felix Doubront from the Boston Red Sox and Jacob Turner from the Miami Marlins, the Cubs could be in position once again to rehab these pitchers and eventually turn them into prospects as they did with Hammel this season.
Jon Lester is one of the targets the Cubs are said to be after this offseason.
With this same line of thinking, the Cubs acquired Jake Arrietta who has become the Cubs ace by going 4-0 with a superb 0.92 ERA in June. Jon Lester has been the name most associated with the Cubs as their offseason target. Lester made his big league debut on June 6th 2006 after being promoted by Epstein, which should make for easier negotiations if Epstein were to actually pursue his former farmhand.
Cole Hammels was the first ace that the Cubs tried to acquire after the trade deadline. It remains to be seen if the Cubs are willing to part with the assets that it would require for the Cubs to acquire him. But if the Cubs were able to acquire Lester, retain Wada, Hendricks, and Arrieta in their current form and Travis Wood if he returns to his mastery of 2013, the Cubs could have a surprisingly good rotation.
Edwin Jackson is the biggest remaining question in terms of a rotation spot for 2015. The Cubs placed Jackson on the disabled list this week and could be hiding him in order to audition more youngsters from the minors. Jackson will undoubtedly be the first, second, and third person the Cubs will try to move in the offseason. If things go the Cubs way, Jackson will be dealt, opening up another rotation spot.
Worst case scenario would be Jackson pitching himself out of the rotation next spring, becoming the highest paid middle reliever in baseball. A potential landing spot that was reportedly discussed prior to the trade deadline was Atlanta for OF BJ Upton. Those talks could resume in the offseason if the Cubs are so desperate to move Jackson that they are willing to take on the three years and $46 million left on Upton’s contract.
Aside from Lester, Max Scherzer and James Shields are the other top target pitchers the Cubs are rumored be in the hunt for this offseason. Look for the Cubs to make pitches to all three free agents this winter, in addition to some second tier pitchers like Josh Beckett and Justin Masterson whom Epstein has previous ties to as well.
The Cubs winter will be a busy one, but the pitching performances by the two rookies have been encouraging and give us Cub fans hope for a brighter future and much better rotation for 2015.
