(07-19-2017 12:37 PM)bricksnivy Wrote:  Yankees are making their move for this year.

If Cubs are in serious talks with Baltimore for Britton, it has to include Albert Almora. He seems to be the odd man out in Chicago with the emergence of Happ in CF. Talks with Oakland died apparently. They wanted Happ and Chicago said no. I think the Cubs can still add another strong pen arm, and get the back up catcher they need this year without sacrificing the future.

A Cubs pen that includes Davis, Britton, CJ Edwards, Strop, Rondon, and Montgomery is very strong. Not as good as NYY, but probably as good, if not better than the rest of the league. Interestingly, there is a kid that Jim Hendry drafted in 2011 out of Pinecrest, NC that has moved fast this year. Dillon Maples never moved beyond A+ ball until this year, but was recently promoted to Triple A Iowa. His FB sits b/w 96-101 and the Cubs see him as having an 80 slider on the 20-80 scouting scale. It's a long shot that he'd contribute to the Cubs this year, but he's someone to have your eye on in September (and may also explain why they were willing to trade Cease to the CWS).

Believe it or not, that move while it helps this year was more about next. Both those pen arms are really really good. Chances are they have to pay Betances more than they would like too in arbitration, i'd be shocked if he doesn't get traded this offseason.