It’s Tuesday night here at BCB After Dark: the happening-est hangout for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Thanks so very much for stopping by tonight. We always have room for one more. There’s no cover charge. There are still a few tables available. Bring your own beverage.
BCB After Dark is the place for you to talk baseball, music, movies, or anything else you need to get off your chest, as long as it is within the rules of the site. The late-nighters are encouraged to get the party started, but everyone else is invited to join in as you wake up the next morning and into the afternoon.
Last night I asked you which young backup infielder you’d rather keep around, Matt Shaw or Pedro Ramírez? The final vote was close, but by a narrow margin of 53 to 47 percent, you said you’d rather keep the younger Ramírez than the more veteran (but still young) Shaw.
On Tuesday nights I don’t normally do any movie stuff. But I always have time for jazz. That time is now.
Tonight we’re featuring Brazilian pianist/vocalist Eliane Elias performing “Brasil,” a song from her upcoming album Ao Vivo. You probably know this song already if you watch Terry Gilliam films. But you probably haven’t heard it sung in Portuguese before.
This was at SFJAZZ just this past May.
Welcome back to all those who skip the jazz.
The Red Sox have won 14 in a row and have played themselves back into a playoff spot. That probably means that for now at least, Aroldis Chapman, one possible trade target for the Cubs to shore up the back of their bullpen, is off the market. The Red Sox seem more likely to be buyers than sellers at the Deadline.
Since it doesn’t seem like a wise idea to rely on Daniel Palencia to return to being a dominating closer before the end of the year (next year is a different story), the Cubs may well have to look elsewhere. Meanwhile, while the Red Sox have been playing their way into the American League Wild Card race, the Astros seem to be stuck in neutral on the outside looking in. The Astros even have a dominating closer that might be available for trade: left-hander Josh Hader.
I’m sure you’re familiar with Hader from his days with the Brewers. Cubs manager Craig Counsell certainly is. Hader was always a big villain at Wrigley Field during his Brewers days. Over the course of his career, Hader has a 1.88 ERA and 18 saves versus the Cubs, more than against any team other than the Pirates.
Hader, now 32, has lost a tick on his power sinker/slider combo, but it’s as effective as ever. His sinker is now 95 miles per hour when it used to be 96. His nasty slider is now around 84-85 when it was 85-86 with Milwaukee. But the thing is, the pitchers are no less effective at a smidge slower. So far this year, Hader is 3-1 with a 1.47 ERA. He’s 11 for 11 in converting save chances. Over 18.1 innings, Hader has struck out 29 and walked eight. Opposing hitters are hitting .154 off of Hader this year.
So Hader looks ideal for the Cubs, especially considering his connection to Craig Counsell. But there are a few issues if the Astros decide to trade him. The first is that Hader is under contract for the next two years and a whopping $19 million a year. That’s a ton of money for a guy who pitches just one inning at a time. The two years of control are certainly nice. The money isn’t.
Another issue is that Hader missed the first 8-9 weeks or so of the season this year with left bicep tendonitis. He also missed the final six weeks of last year with a left shoulder strain. He’s been back healthy since early June and looks just as good as ever. But it is fair to say Hader doesn’t have the most promising injury history.
The other issue is simply that he’s Josh Hader. It might be hard for some of you to start cheering for Josh Hader after years of loathing him.
On the other hand, the Astros might be willing to pay off some of that contract for the right prospect package or accept a lesser group of players if the Cubs are willing to take the whole contract. As far as the injury factor goes, what pitcher does have a clean bill of health? And if Cubs fans were willing to accept Counsell, shouldn’t they be willing to give his former closer in Milwaukee the same benefit of the doubt?
Hader wouldn’t come cheap, but he’d come a lot cheaper than Mason Miller would if the Padres decide to deal him. I don’t think the Cubs would have to include anyone like Josiah Hartshorn or Owen Ayers. Jaxon Wiggins or (but not and) Jefferson Rojas would certainly be possibilities of someone to include in a deal for Hader. Matt Shaw or Pedro Ramírez might even get the Astros to eat some of the contract.
So are you willing to let bygones be bygones and start drinking some Hader-ade?
Thank you for stopping by tonight. We’re sorry we opened so late, but we had an issue in the kitchen. Please get home safely. Recycle any cans and bottles. Tip your waitstaff. And join us again tomorrow night for more BCB After Dark.
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