Cubs Rumors: A look at the latest rumblings from the Hot Stove

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As the Winter Meetings approach, the Hot Stove is scorching. What are the latest Cubs rumors? Will the team make a run at Bryce Harper this month?

This week brought the first major free agent signing of the offseason. You likely won’t find it on any Cubs rumors board – but it will undoubtedly impact the club in 2019.

Left-hander Patrick Corbin, who also drew heavy interest from the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees, inked a six-year, $140 million deal from the Washington Nationals – trumping the six-year pact the Chicago Cubs gave Yu Darvish late last offseason. Added to the likes of Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, the Nats now boast one of the most formidable front trios in all of baseball.

The market is still developing for several other big name free agents but only time stands between them and cashing in. All it takes is one signing for the possible domino effect. Outside of a backup catcher, the Cubs seem pretty quiet – for now. Let’s see if they choose to get in on the Hot Stove over the next week in Vegas.

With that said, let’s start with some names and what the scoop is right now.

Cubs Rumors: Did the Dodgers sit down with Bryce Harper?

According to Yahoo Sports MLB insiders Jeff Passan and Tim Brown, executives from the Los Angeles Dodgers met with Bryce Harper but that’s since been denied. However, the Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees are planning on meeting with Harper during the Winter Meetings next week.

The article goes on to mention the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Washington Nationals, Houston Astros and St. Louis Cardinals plan to talk with him as well.

These teams have been in the rumors for some time now but from the looks of things, select clubs are preparing their pitch for Harper. I’m not sure where the Cubs stand here, but they would be my pick as a sleeper as of right now.

The Dodgers are a team in win-now mode coming off two straight World Series appearances (in which they lost both), the Phillies just made a blockbuster-type move in landing Jean Segura and have plenty of money to spend, the Yankees need a big move to that could potentially put them ahead of their longtime rival Boston Red Sox and the Chicago White Sox has an attractive set of young prospects their front office can sell Harper on, sort of how the Cubs pitched themselves to Jon Lester in 2014.

That said, Theo Epstein is still one of the best office executives in baseball and I would be shocked if he did not at least try to sneak in the conversation.

The market for Machado quieting?

Despite the move the Phillies made in acquiring Jean Segura, Michael Bradburn of The Score says Philadelphia is still in on the All-Star infielder. There hasn’t been much said about the Cubs and Machado but if he were to sign with any team outside of the Dodgers in the NL, it would be an eye-opening move.

As far as the Cubs’ chances at landing him, I’d say landing Harper has a better odds. Above all, as long as it’s not in the NL Central, Cubs fans can breathe, easier at least.

Cubs Rumors: Goldschmidt could tilt power balance in the Central

The Cardinals seem to be very interested in All-Star first baseman, according to Derrick Gould of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. This has been a rumor all offseason, but it seems talks have heated up. How this could affect the Cubs?

Well, Goldy has been at least a 5.0 WAR player in five of the last six seasons. He could fix the Cardinals’ apparent lack of an impact bat and drastically help improve their league-worst defense. The NL Central race could be a much tighter and feature four All-Star potential first basemen in Joey Votto, Anthony Rizzo, Jesus Aguilar and Goldschmidt.

Seattle isn’t done yet

While the Seattle Mariners continue their fire sale, Mitch Haniger could be the next to go, according to The Athletic (sub required). After watching them move Edwin Diaz, to say it’s not a possibility is foolish.

I don’t see the Cubs in here as Seattle is looking for minor league prospects. Though, could one of the Cubs young position players be a possibility? Doubtful. However, Haniger would be a nice addition to this Chicago ballclub.

Cubs Rumors: Mets, M’s dominating the offseason early on

The New York Mets seem to be all over the rumors this offseason. Rosenthal continued in his MLB roundup claiming they are interested in catcher J.T. Realmuto, but lack the prospects the Marlins are seeking in a deal.

According to Sirius XM’s Craig Mish, the Cubs were interested in the catcher and willing to part ways with Willson Contreras, but who knows how much truth was into that. That rumor was spread last week and not much has been said since.

The Cubs currently need a backup catcher – we all know as much. But a trade for Realmuto, while a major move, doesn’t make a ton of sense given the team’s other needs. Rosenthal also reported the Cubs were in on signing Brian McCann but he signed a one-year deal with the Atlanta Braves last week instead.

Gray looking to reestablish himself in 2019

The Brewers have been in discussion with the Yankees for a potential trade for right-hander Sonny Gray, according to Gotham Sports Networks’s Max Wildstein. Gray is coming off a tough season where he fell out of the New York starting rotation.

His 4.90 ERA, 4.17 FIP and 1.50 WHIP make him a possible buy-low option for Milwaukee who, despite reaching the NLCS, would be smart to add some depth to their rotation. Considering their staff was better than many expected last season, the Brewers may try to continue that trend with Gray, hoping he could bounce back in a smaller market outside of New York.

Next. The latest in the Bryce Harper sweepstakes. dark

If he could regain anything from his days in Oakland it could be a huge get for the Brewers, who will undoubtedly seek to retain the NL Central crown in 2019.

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