Cubs / Cardinals trade

[Chicago Cubs]

Cardinals get:
Carlos Carrasco SP CLE - $9/$9.5TO/UFA
Ryan Rolison SP COL - $0.2 prospect (#69 MLB)
Orelvis Martinez SS TOR - $0.2 prospect

Cubs get:
Clayton Kershaw SP LAD - $8/$24.75/UFA
(Contract shown with 50% salary coverage in 2019)


I’ve had half my top 6 starting rotation on the shelf for much of the season, so adding an upgrade there has been a priority of mine for the deadline. Shipping Stanton out created some cap space flexibility and I am happy to use it to go get Kershaw for a hired gun for the playoffs.

Carrasco has been a 14.5-16.5 ppg SP for 4 straight years just a tier below Kershaw until to his health concerns and IL stint this season. He’s hopeful to be back later this season and should be good to go for next season, which fits the Cards timeline building towards next season. He’ll also cost $15m less in salary compared to Kershaw for next season which will gives the Cards more flexibility and what the reason I needed Stsnton’s Contract off the books. The extra prospect capital to get a deal done was Ryan Rolison who’s currently 69th on the MLB Pipeline top prospects list and the Cards specifically targeted Orelvis Martinez to complete the trade as well. He was tough to part with since I’m a Jays fan and the sky seems to be the limit for him, but ultimately he’s a few years away and not somebody I could let hold up the acquisition of Kershaw.

Thanks to the Cards for some easy negotiations. Best of luck with the retool towards next year.

[Deleted]

Cardinals accept.

While giving up a stud like Kershaw wasn't easy. We feel like adding Carrasco will give us more flexibility and options in the coming years over Kershaw who was likely headed for FA after next year. Ultimately, building towards a more competitive team for years to come.

Rolison and Martinez are two prospects on the rise, both whom I expect to see as a mainstay on many top prospect lists in the future and we are excited to add them to our farm.

Best of luck to the Cubs!

[Colorado Rockies]

docced

[Chicago Cubs]

50% of Kershaw’s 2019 salary is retained by the Cards. Just need to update on the docs whenever anyone has a min. Thanks guys!