The Cubs, as you know, have had multiple pitching injuries.
That list got a bit longer Wednesday when Edward Cabrera left the game with a blister. Fortunately, that’s not usually a serious injury. Maybe he misses a start, maybe not.
The Cubs are not alone in having many rotation starters injured. Look at the Blue Jays, for example — and Toronto has had a rough time of it, currently sitting tied for third place in the AL East, 11.5 games out of first place at 22-27. At least the Cubs are still well
over .500 at 29-21.
In the comments in the recap to Wednesday’s debacle, BCB reader D98 reminded everyone that the Brewers acquired a starting pitcher early in the season last year (April 7, to be exact) who turned out to be pretty good.
That guy was Quinn Priester, who in 20 games for the Pirates (14 starts) in 2023-24, had posted a 6.46 ERA, 1.585 WHIP and allowed 19 home runs in 94.2 innings. He’d been so bad that the Pirates traded him to the Red Sox for Nick Yorke, a bench player who currently has a .555 OPS in 27 games for Pittsburgh. The Red Sox gave up on Priester after one start and sent him to Milwaukee for two minor leaguers, neither of whom has played above Double-A.
Priester — who was a former No. 1 draft pick — turned out to be really good in Milwaukee, posting a 3.32 ERA, 1.239 WHIP and 13 wins in 29 games (24 starts). He’s currently on the IL, rehabbing from thoracic outlet syndrome issues.
It’s my thought that no one could have possibly known Priester would be that good when he was acquired. In fact, after his first five Brewers appearances he had a 5.79 ERA, which included getting absolutely pounded by the Cubs in this game.
Obviously, he turned things around and was a key piece for Milwaukee, including in the postseason.
So now I’m asking you: Can you identify someone like this, under the radar, who the Cubs might be able to acquire now? Any pitcher with any sort of reputation (Freddy Peralta, for example) isn’t going to be available in mid-May.
And don’t say “Well, I don’t have access to the Cubs’ internal scouting reports.” That’s pretty obvious.
I’m asking you to speculate, think about guys who might turn it around if given a chance, who the Cubs could get right now for a couple of prospects similar to the ones the Brewers sent to Boston for Priester.
Basically, here’s a discussion topic for an off day. Have at it.
