Chicago Cubs: Looking at the notable non-tenders from Friday’s deadline

The Chicago Cubs non-tendered a trio of players Friday, but there were some far more notable names hitting the market around the league after the deadline.

All eyes were on the Chicago Cubs and infielder Addison Russell ahead of Friday’s non-tender deadline. Of course, as we know now, the organization opted to keep Russell in the fold – at least for now – tendering him a contract for the upcoming 2019 season.

But while the Cubs moved forward with their shortstop, several other organizations decided it was time to go in different directions with mainstays in their respective lineups. None of the names who will now hit the market are complete game-changers, but the middle-tier of the free agent class is undoubtedly deeper than it was this time Friday morning.

Will any of these names make sense for Chicago? Maybe. But even if they don’t, it’s important to take stock of who’s on the market now – because, as we know, the balance of power in baseball could look quite different by the time Opening Day 2019 rolls around given this year’s free agent class and a Hot Stove that’s gotten quite toasty in the last week or so.

Chicago Cubs: Recently acquired Torreyes highlights list

Aside from Russell getting tendered a contract, perhaps the most interesting news coming out of Chicago yesterday (at least the North Side, we’ll get to the Sox in a minute) was the non-tender decision when it came to Ronald Torreyes.

Torreyes, acquired just days earlier in a deal with the Yankees, seemed to be the team’s primary backup option behind the likes of Russell and Javier Baez at shortstop and second base, respectively. He seemed even more critical after the team traded Tommy La Stella to the Angels later in the week.

But, here we are. Of course, there are multiple things that could happen. The Cubs reportedly have interest in bringing him back on a cheaper deal (because, you know, every dollar counts right now).   Bleacher Nation broke it down well in this tweet yesterday:

Time will tell what course of action the Cubs pursue when it comes to Torreyes, but, for the time being, he is no longer on the roster.

Hurlers Justin Hancock and Allen Webster joined the ranks of non-tenders on Friday, as well. Both saw limited action with the big league club this season. Hancock pitched to a 1.46 ERA in 10 appearances with Chicago but compiled a 4.57 ERA and 1.523 WHIP with Triple-A Iowa.

As for Webster, he made just three appearances for the Cubs at the big league level, allowing three earned in just two frames. Don’t be surprised to see one or both of these guys come back on a Minor League deal in the weeks to come.

Chicago Cubs: South Siders move on from Avisail Garcia

One year removed from a breakout campaign, the Chicago White Sox parted ways with corner outfielder Avisail Garcia. Should the Sox look to make a big splash in free agency this winter, freeing up the estimated $8 million he was projected to earn in arbitration only helps things.

Last year, Garcia slashed .236/.281/.438 as his batting average fell nearly a full hundred points from 2017. He checked in as a below-average offensive player (based on his 86 OPS+) and given the options available, his price tag didn’t justify retaining him.

The Venezuelan outfielder began his career with the Detroit Tigers but joined the White Sox in a midseason three-team trade back in 2013. Since coming to the Sox, he’s been essentially a league-average bat (105 OPS+) and will undoubtedly have little trouble joining on with a new club this winter.

This isn’t a guy the Cubs will check in on. With Kyle Schwarber, Ian Happ, Jason Heyward, Albert Almora and Ben Zobrist all vying for playing time in the outfield, there’s already quite the logjam. If anything, Chicago will trade an outfielder or two – not pick up someone like Garcia.

Chicago Cubs: Rival Brewers part ways with Jonathan Schoop

Looking for a boost in the middle infielder last summer, the Milwaukee Brewers traded for the Baltimore Orioles’ Jonathan Schoop. Coming off a 32-homer, 105-RBI campaign, Schoop had hit 17 homers and driven in 40 at the time of the deal – to go along with a disappointing .244 average.

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Clearly, if the Orioles were looking to maximize return, they should have dealt Schoop during the 2017-18 offseason, but that’s neither here nor there. Milwaukee acquired him on July 31 in exchange for Jonathan Villar, Luis Ortiz and Jean Carmona.

But instead of giving the Brewers a boost, he floundered as Milwaukee chased down the Cubs in the National League Central. Schoop batted just .202 with a dismal .246 OBP in 46 games for the Brew Crew – making the team’s decision on Friday a fairly widely-anticipated move.

Schoop was projected to make $10.1 million in 2019 via arbitration. The Brewers have no intentions of relinquishing their status atop the division and given that’s no chump change, the team will undoubtedly put that money to use in other ways this offseason.