Latest news with #670TheScore
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
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MLB Insider Expects Cubs Might Land One or Two Starters in Coming Weeks
MLB Insider Expects Cubs Might Land One or Two Starters in Coming Weeks originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Rumors about Jed Hoyer's plans for the Chicago Cubs' rotation have been swirling in non-stop fashion, as for who and when, Hoyer hasn't given much indication except that he is scouring the market for starting pitching. However, Chicago MLB insider Bruce Levine thinks he knows when and, more importantly, how many. Advertisement In an appearance on 670 The Score, Levine offered his thoughts and insider knowledge. When talking about the Cubs' starting rotation situation, he had this to say: 'I will say that the Cubs are certainly out there trying to fortify their pitching right now. And over the next two to three weeks, I think they'll put a strong effort into trying to acquire a starting pitcher or two.' Jed Hoyer President of the Chicago Cubs prepares to throw balls to fans before a game against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Banks-Imagn Images The timeline itself is a bit of a bombshell. With a first-place record, there really isn't any need to rush a trade, but, as the saying goes, the early bird gets the worm. However, the real bombshell here is the quantity. Depending on who they target, the Cubs might have a superb rotation in the next three weeks. As for Levine's reasoning behind his assumptions, he gave this argument: Advertisement 'Yeah, why would you wait for the trade deadline? You have dead teams out there. You have the Marlins, you have the Rockies, you have teams like Arizona that might be going the other way very soon in one of the more difficult divisions in baseball. So, there are teams that are going to want to improve and do it before the deadline if you mention the right players coming back. And the Cubs have good minor league players. That's where they're gonna go. They're not going to wait until the deadline to make a trade. They're going to be proactive and move towards these teams that are not in contention.' The hot stove is always burning as the trade deadline nears, but thanks to Levine, it just got a lot hotter. If Levine is right, we can expect to see a new ball game in Wrigleyville very soon. Related: Cubs Expected to Aggressively Pursue Justin Steele Replacement Before Trade Deadline This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cubs Expected to be 'Proactive' In Trade Market For Starting Pitcher
Cubs Expected to be 'Proactive' In Trade Market For Starting Pitcher originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Cubs have a few key issues they need to solve to be among the top contenders for the 2025 World Series. With a stacked offense and a demonstrably improved bullpen, the only problem is starting pitching. Advertisement During a segment on 670 The Score, Bruce Levine predicted that the Cubs would aggressively pursue a trade for a Justin Steele replacement. After Steele suffered a season-ending injury, the Cubs' need for a starter only increased. Levine sees the Cubs making a move and being proactive in doing so. "I will say that the Cubs are certainly out there trying to fortify their pitching right now." Levine said. "And over the next two to three weeks, I think they'll put a strong effort into trying to acquire a starting pitcher, or two." Levine saying that the Cubs will explore the trade market for starting pitching in the next 2-3 weeks is a quick turnaround for the Cubs. With the MLB trade deadline not for over a month, a lot of teams will be patient when it comes to moving off their assets or trading for players. Advertisement The Cubs, however, need pitching help now. Levine says that with the Cubs' need being so clear, there is no need to wait. "They're not going to wait until the deadline to make a trade," Levine said. "They're going to be proactive." Chicago Cubs pitcher Justin Steele (35) looks on after throwing a pitch against the Athletics during the second inning at Sutter Health Szczepanski-Imagn Images With teams like the Colorado Rockies and Miami Marlins already being out of postseason contention, there are options for the Cubs to go out and acquire. Whether it's a big name like Sandy Alcantara or a lesser-known name like German Marquez or Cal Quantrill, the Cubs will be involved in trade talks before the deadline. After the Steele injury, Shota Imanaga being out for an extended period, and the Javier Assad setback, the Cubs have a clear need in the starting rotation. Advertisement Waiting to make a move could have the Cubs missing out on some of the top arms available. Being proactive and aggressive in their pursuit of starting pitching makes a lot of sense for the Cubs. With a great offense and an improved bullpen, the only place left to improve is the starting rotation. The Cubs are likely to acquire a new starting pitcher; the only question is when. This report from Levine suggests that the Cubs are being aggressive in their pursuit of starting pitching. Related: Cubs Given Major Update on Shota Imanaga's Potential Return Related: MLB Insider Floats Cubs as a Suitor for Diamondbacks' Pitchers This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
President Jed Hoyer Says Cubs Won't Trade For Reliever Until Mid-to-Late June
The bullpen is one of the largest issues plaguing the Chicago Cubs early in the 2025 season. After the Cubs' bullpen blew a game against the Miami Marlins, the concerns there have been heightened. During a segment on 670 The Score, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer provided an update on the Cubs' pursuit of relief help. Hoyer believes that mid-to-late June is the earliest the Cubs could make a move for a significant reliever. As a follow-up to the Cubs waiting on reliever help, 670 The Score described Hoyer's plan. "For now, as it pertains to the bullpen woes, the Cubs have to focus on other transactions, getting relievers healthy and working with them to improve, he [Hoyer] says." Advertisement With the Cubs' plan to be patient when it comes to acquiring bullpen help, the current crop of relievers needs to step up their game. The Chicago current bullpen has the 12th worst ERA at 4.36, and has blown 8 of their 18 save opportunities. Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Ryan Pressly (55) and catcher Miguel Amaya (9) shake hands after defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC LeClaire-Imagn Images The Cubs' bullpen is led by veteran Ryan Pressly, who has a 5.71 ERA in 19 appearances and 17.1 innings pitched. He's had 16 appearances without allowing a run, but didn't record an out against the San Francisco Giants while giving up eight earned runs. One bad outing ballooned his ERA, making his numbers look worse than his performance. Daniel Palencia is similar, as he'd been solid for the Cubs with a 2.30 ERA in 2025. But, in his most recent outing against the Marlins, he gave up a walk-off double after allowing two runners to get on with two outs. Advertisement Chicago's bullpen issues go beyond just those two players, as Porter Hodge has a 5.12 ERA, Julian Merryweather has a 5.00 ERA, and Elijah Morgan has a 12.27 ERA. While they all have different innings pitched, the Cubs' bullpen issues have come at the worst times. In the meantime, the current Cubs bullpen needs to improve, and quickly. Whether it's through in-house improvements or additions elsewhere, the Cubs need their bullpen to improve before mid-to-late June. There is a clear need in the bullpen for the Cubs, and while Hoyer recognized the need, the Cubs don't plan to address it until mid-to-late June. In the meantime, the current Cubs bullpen needs to improve quickly. Whether it's through in-house improvements or additions elsewhere, the Cubs need their bullpen to improve before mid-to-late June. Related: Former Cubs Fan Favorite Makes Pete Crow-Armstrong Admission Related: Cubs' Craig Counsell Provides Injury Timeline For Shota Imanaga
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLB Insider Jon Morosi Is Concerned About Cade Horton Ability to Limit Walks
With all of the injuries the Chicago Cubs' starting pitchers have been dealt to begin the year, the Cubs are calling up Cade Horton, the Cubs' second-ranked and 46th-ranked prospect in baseball. However, before his first major league start, an MLB insider is concerned about his game. In a segment on 670 The Score, MLB Network insider Jon Morosi was asked about his thoughts on the Cubs bringing up Horton to get his first Major League start. Morosi expressed concern about part of Horton's game. Advertisement "Really exciting, he's pitched very well at Iowa this year," Morosi said. "I'm a little concerned about the number of walks, and I think that's going to be the big question. The [New York] Mets are now a lineup that really grinds at-bats very well." While Morosi is excited to see what Horton can do in his first major league start, he is also concerned that his walk issues will plague him, especially against the New York Mets, who have the seventh most walks in baseball, along with being the seventh best offense in baseball. Horton made an appearance during the Cubs' 2025 Spring Training, where he had a 3.00 ERA across three innings pitched. He struck out two and walked two in his limited Spring Training action. Advertisement But Horton has been great in the minor leagues with the Iowa Cubs in 2025. Horton was called up after posting a 1.24 ERA in 29 innings of work, with two wins and one loss. Horton struck out 33 batters in 29 innings while walking 12 batters. Batters hit just .129 off Horton in 2025, and his WHIP was below 1.00, at 0.86. Chicago Cubs pitcher Cade Horton throws against the San Diego Padres in the first inning at Sloan Scuteri-Imagn Images His impressive campaign in Triple-A to begin the year is one of the reasons for his call-up. But the Cubs need to start pitching with Justin Steele, who has been done for the year, Javier Assad out for a while, and Shota Imanaga dealing with a hamstring issue. Horton will get his chance, likely against the Mets on Saturday, May 10. But Morosi threw a potential wrinkle in Horton's debut, mentioning a strategy the Cubs are reportedly mulling. Advertisement "The Cubs might actually have him pitch Saturday, but not start [the game]," Morosi added. Even if Horton doesn't start, he would likely still see an extended appearance. Using an opener in front of Horton could be done to ease him into the game, as opposed to sending him out right from the start. But regardless of when Horton enters the game, his command and location will be a significant focus point for both the Mets and the Cubs. While Horton's walk numbers aren't egregious in the minor leagues, Morosi is concerned it could become an issue in his first major league start. Related: Cubs Fans Want Veteran Cut Amid Poor Performance Related: Cubs' Ryan Pressly Makes Promising Comments Despite Concerning Start
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLB Insider Talks Cubs Pete Crow-Armstrong Contract Potential
The Chicago Cubs have a budding star on their hands in the form of Pete Crow-Armstrong, who put together an impressive first month of the season to help Chicago get off to a 21-14 record and first place in the National League Central. Coming into the season, it was well-known that "PCA", as referred to by the organization and his teammates, was going to be a gold glove level defender, and have the potential to steal more than 30 bases. However, considering how far his bat has come along and the production he's already had this season, he's far more valuable as a player than most had originally thought. Advertisement Through 35 games, he has 19 extra-base hits, an OPS of .867, and 12 stolen bases. His power and extra-base capability have been a surprise early on in the season, and he could be rewarded with a team-friendly deal as a result. Crow-Armstrong's 2.1 WAR ranks first on the Cubs as of right now. Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) yells after he hits a two-run home run during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field. Matt Marton-Imagn Images MLB Insider Jon Heyman was recently on the Chicago sports radio show "670 The Score" to discuss PCA's contract potential: "Still, their biggest contracts have been for Jason Heyward and Dansby Swanson," Heyman said about the Cubs' spending. "They gotta sign PCA, or Pete whatever you call him, you have to sign him at this point, you're going to get a good deal on him." Advertisement Later in the clip, Heyman says, "You gotta do that [extend PCA]" because you can do that for $100 million or less, which is nothing in today's day and age." Getting an upcoming star like PCA locked down for less than $100 million is ideal for Chicago; it just depends on whether or not the Cubs want to make that monetary commitment with a seemingly large contract being on the horizon for Kyle Tucker. Related: Cubs Urged to Call Up Top Prospect After Shota Imanaga Injury Related: Cubs-Yankees Trade Idea Sends Chicago's Utility Man to Replace Jazz Chisholm Jr.
