Jed Hoyer says conversations about pitching are happening now
Jed Hoyer Says Cubs Are Talking Pitching Trades, But He Has His Work Cut Out for Him
The Cubs are hunting arms this trade deadline for the rotation and bullpenSean Sears|
The Cubs need pitching help, and there's no way around it. They are currently tied with the Reds for the third-worst pitching fWAR at 3.0 on the season. When compared to their 2nd-best offensive fWAR at 15.6, it's painfully obvious where the Cubs need to improve.
Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer spoke with 104.3 The Score's Mully & Haugh on Tuesday, discussing the Cubs' plans to address their pitching woes. And once Hoyer confirmed veteran lefty Justin Steele was unlikely to return to the rotation this season, the question of trade deadline intentions came up.
“The conversations are certainly happening. You talk to teams about pitching. And usually this time of the year, it’s still on the smaller side of those transactions …
We still have five or six weeks to go until the trade deadline, and that’s a lot of time," Hoyer said. "The major moves, and the significant transactions that people will talk about, those are much more likely to happen post All-Star break or even closer to the deadline. So, yes, there are small transactions we can make and you work on everyday to make those moves. And, sometimes, those smaller transactions end up being big transactions.”
Hoyer was also asked if the team was more focused on starting pitching or help for their bullpen, with the Cubs' top front office man saying they are looking for simply any arms who can help.
This isn't a surprise, as the Cubs rotation and bullpen have both had their issues. But the obvious need for them right now is the rotation. Having to survive without Steele, Matthew Boyd, and Cade Horton for most of the season has taken its toll. And even with Boyd likely returning, the Cubs' postseason rotation would likely feel incredibly light.
So, Will the Cubs Make a Move For a Front-End Starter?
Jed Hoyer confirmed the team is talking about pitching ahead of the August 3rd Trade Deadline. However, the Cubs will face plenty of competition to acquire a top-of-the-rotation arm, with teams like the White Sox and Nationals having surprise seasons and in need of their own assistance.
It also doesn't help that the Angels are reportedly planning to retain pitchers Reid Detmer and Jose Soriano, two arms that would be near the top of the available pitchers on the market. The Tigers are expected to trade their Cy-Young winner Tarik Skubal at the deadline, but the asking price will be incredibly high. He's also a pure rental, who's future contract next offseason will likely shatter Max Fried record $200 million deal (the most given to a LHP ever).
Former Brewer and current Mets starter Freddy Peralta could be available, but with New York giving away two top prospects to acquire the RHP, I would expect the asking price to be high as well. It's hard to see the Cubs parting with top prospects like Josiah Hartshorn or Jaxon Wiggins for a rental.
Teams like the Giants or Rangers could be possible targets for the Cubs with arms Logan Webb or Jacob deGrom potentially available, assuming the Cubs would absorb most of their contracts. I'm not sold Jed Hoyer will be looking to add more long-term money to their payroll, though. It's already roughly $4 mil over the first luxury tax threshold.
And, of course, there is the looming MLB lockout as owners and players will need to agree to a new CBA before the start of next season, which feels unlikely. Jed Hoyer will once again have to thread the needle for the Cubs organization that needs pitching to compete, but has underachieved thus far. Their farm system has players of interest, but they don't have a Cam Smith or Owen Caissie to deal with this time around. Factor in that other buyers are also looking for the same pitching help as the Cubs, and Hoyer will have his work cut out for him.
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Published 17 hours ago
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SEAN SEARSSean Sears is a contributor for Sports Illustrated Cubs who previously wrote for NBC Sports Chicago and FanSided. He also worked as a producer at 104.3 The Score, running baseball shows like Hit & Run and Inside the Clubhouse. A graduate of Iowa State University, Sean lives in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood and spends his free time walking his dog around Wrigley Field and listening to Cubs games from his patio.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
