Chicago Cubs news: David Price signing won’t change Cubs approach towards Zack Greinke
By Paul Steeno
The original plan was for the Chicago Cubs to add an ace this offseason. After missing out on David Price, will they now try to sign Zack Greinke?
On Tuesday afternoon, free-agent starting pitcher David Price signed a seven-year, $217 million contract with the Boston Red Sox. Will this make the Chicago Cubs more desperate to add Zack Greinke because he is one of the last aces remaining on the free-agent market? Various sources indicate that the Chicago Cubs won’t let the Price signing influence their decision on how hard they pursue Greinke.
USA Today Sports writer Bob Nightengale tweeted on Tuesday that the competition for Greinke is a two-team race.
Zack Greinke now expected to sign with #Dodgers or #Giants by the end of the week on a 5- or 6-year deal. The #Dodgers still the favorites
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 1, 2015
With a bidding war expected to ensue between two of the MLB’s wealthiest franchises, Greinke’s signing price could exceed Price’s contract in terms of average annual value. In a tweet on Tuesday, ESPN writer Jerry Crasnick confirmed that Greinke wants an average annual salary that exceeds the $31 million per year that the Red Sox gave Price.
On Monday, CSN-Chicago reporter David Kaplan correctly predicted that the Chicago Cubs would not sign David Price. He also predicted that Zack Greinke wouldn’t sign with the Cubs.
Cubs are being very active on all fronts but as I said 2 weeks ago, I do NOT see them as major players for Price or Greinke.
— David Kaplan (@thekapman) November 30, 2015
In 2015, Greinke recorded a historic season. He finished with a 1.66 ERA and a 19-3 record to go along with a .844 WHIP and a 2.76 FIP (suggesting that some of his production was based on luck). Greinke turned 32 in October which makes signing him to long-term contract a risky ordeal because he has passed the prime pitching age in terms of wins above replacement production.
With Price off the table and Greinke not really a realistic option because of his price, look for the Chicago Cubs to re-think their approach to the offseason. Instead of an ace-focused approach, look for the Chicago Cubs to add a second-tier free agent starter or acquire a cost-controlled young pitcher via a trade.
October 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) watches game action after being relieved in the seventh inning against New York Mets in game five of NLDS at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
A number of second-tier starters remain free agents, and the Chicago Cubs could choose to pursue one or more of these pitchers. Jeff Samardzija, Mike Leake, John Lackey and Scott Kazmir among others are all quality free agents starters that the Chicago Cubs could realistically go after. In recent days, various sources reported that the Chicago Cubs have explored a number of possible trades with various teams. An intriguing option would send Jorge Soler to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Julio Teheran or possibly Shelby Miller. Both players are young, talented and would solidify the middle of what would be an outstanding starting rotation. A trade for Padres starter Tyson Ross or Cleveland Indians starter Carlos Carrasco are other possibilities.
Next: Cubs shouldn't overspend to get Jason Heyward
The bottom line is this: obtaining an ace this offseason was more of a want than a need. The Chicago Cubs already have two aces in Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester; they just need talent to fill the middle of the rotation. The Chicago Cubs have several opportunities to make this happen either through the second-tier free agent market or via a trade. From the beginning of the offseason, the goal was always to solidify the starting rotation in whatever way possible.
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"“The topic sentence is we would like to add more quality pitching. Anybody who follows the team knows that. We’ve been open and transparent about it, that we’re really building a foundation of young position players and that we’re going to trust ourselves to add pitching along the way and build really effective pitching staffs each year and over time add impact pitching.” —-courtesy of CBS Chicago"
Price or no Price, Greinke or no Greinke, the Chicago Cubs still have a golden opportunity to accomplish this goal.