Chicago Cubs: Are the San Diego Padres in on Marcus Stroman?

The Hot Stove continues to churn ahead of the holidays, while the Chicago Cubs made a fairly insignificant move, signing right-hander Kendall Graveman.

Talk about an underwhelming move to irritate an already dismayed Chicago Cubs fanbase. In the aftermath of the rival St. Louis Cardinals traded for Paul Goldschmidt and signed Andrew Miller, Theo Epstein added another long-term project.

Chicago inked former Oakland Athletics right-hander Kendall Graveman to a one-year big league contract with a team option for 2020. That option is significant because the righty is recovering from Tommy John surgery, meaning he won’t factor into the Cubs’ plans early in 2019.

Sound familiar? It should. Chicago took a similar path with Drew Smyly last winter. He never threw a pitch for the Cubs and was traded to the Texas Rangers last month to help alleviate the financial stress of retaining Cole Hamels‘ $20 million team option.

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In the days following their blockbuster deal with the Reds, the Dodgers are reportedly in talks with the Indians for right-hander Corey Kluber. Los Angeles boasts the prospect depth to pull off such a deal – especially after picking up two more pieces in the trade that sent Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp to Cincinnati.

As we all sit here twiddling our thumbs waiting for Epstein and the Chicago brain trust to pull the trigger on a major move of some kind, another rumor of a National League team improving continues to swirl.

The Toronto Blue Jays and San Diego Padres are reportedly in talks involving right-hander Marcus Stroman. The Padres boast what is widely regarded as the game’s best farm system and surely have what it takes to pull off a deal. From the Jays’ end, they’d undoubtedly be selling low on their young hurler. Stroman pitched to a 5.54 ERA last year and couldn’t stay healthy. That’s a far cry from his stellar 2017 All-Star campaign where he finished eighth in American League Cy Young voting.

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These & Other Stories You May Have Missed

Cubs, Graveman agree to terms on deal – MLB.com

Reds, Dodgers shake up the NL Central – Cubbies Crib

More Kluber rumors to drive you crazy – Believeland Ball

Projecting the pen without any additions – Cubbies Crib

Is Marcus Stroman on his way to San Diego? – Friars on Base

What’s Next?

So far, it’s been a pretty underwhelming offseason experience for the Chicago Cubs. With only minor additions, the team has failed to make strides. We’ll see how the rest of the offseason plays out, but don’t be surprised if things quiet down over the next few days with the holidays upon us.