The Tatsuya Imai Market | Bregman for Nico? | Cubs Baseball Rumors

The Tatsuya Imai Market | Bregman for Nico? | Cubs Baseball Rumors

Winter meetings are underway and the Cubs, well, they’re being rumored to have some interest in some big high leverage arms, including one from Japan who could be the hottest arm on the market this year, Tatsua Emi. Are the Cubs really in on? We’re going to get into this. Are the Cubs going to trade Nicoer? What to expect there? and how it ties into the Bregman conversation. And also another big-time player that the Cubs have certainly thought about adding and that’s Robert Suarez, the closer that’s been one of the best in baseball for the Padres’s over the last couple of seasons. Well, he’s available and it’s rumored that maybe they’re interested in him. All that and more right here on the Cubs baseball channel. Let’s get this show started. Great to see you guys today. Go Cubs. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Hey everybody, Mick Gillespie Cubs baseball channel. Hey, make sure that if you want one of these, then you do one of these right here, right under the microphone. There’s the QR code. Avenue DM McNation. That’s where we pick games. That’s where we give away weekly prizes. Be a part of it. It’s all free. That’s our web 3 home. We’re building that right now. And we appreciate you guys being a part of it. Okay. All right. Let’s get into the headline today. And that’s Japanese right-hander Tatsua Imi. Now, Immi is someone who a lot of teams would love to have, right? He is a star young pitcher from Japan. and he’s 27 years old, turns 28 next season and another NPB season. That was amazing. He had a 192 RA. Uh he’s a Scott Boris client, right? And he’s a guy that brings in just everything you want. And he’s got an electric fast ball between 99 uh well at the at at the high end of it. 95 though 95 to 99 I should probably say is his uh velocity. He’s got a deceptive arm slot around 20° that creates a flat hard to perceive for hitters. He’s got that sharp uh sidearm slider and uh he’s also got a splitter change up. I mean, look, the guys just bring so much to the table, right? The slider is really unique because it’s a reverse gyro and um it’s just so hard for batters to pick up on, you know, and he’s got this deceptive delivery that makes him really, really interesting. and someone who has wanted to pitch in the major leagues for a long a long time, right? So, kind of that Joe Ryan type of arm slot. And then he kind of reminds you of Yamamoto of well of the Dodgers who was the MVP of the World Series. And and for looking at a multi-year deal, obviously he’s been posted by the Sabu Lions, so you’re going to have to pay them a posting fee. And then you have to pay him. And it looks like it’s going to be anywhere from 135 million to 190 million. So about 25 million annually. And the Cubs have competition. And it’s big-time competition. Mets and Yankees, right? So if the Cubs are going to get this guy, they’re going to have to pay some money, right? And when you talk about someone that brings that much to the table, uh, well, you know, you need to be able to go out there and, uh, and and expect to pay a lot. Pitching and starting pitching costs an awful lot, right? So, I’m I’m thinking six or seven years and you hope that you build, uh, you know, your rotation around Emi and and and where would Em kind of slot in with the Cubs? I mean, I think he’d be right up at at the top. They would hope uh like Yamamoto’s been for the Dodgers, but you know, like I said, you got both New York teams, uh some maybe Giants thinking about him, Tigers, maybe even Baltimore. So, you know, we’ll see what happens here. But it is interesting that, you know, John Haymon is saying that amongst other teams, the Cubs are really interested in him. Now remember he made the comment that he, you know, didn’t have to basically it translated into, you know, him kind of wanting to uh blaze his own trail or, you know, whatever. Basically saying, “Hey, I don’t have to be on the team with Japanese players, you know.” Um, and I and I almost felt like that was more directed at the Dodgers than any other team just because it was like you got all of a sudden Otani and then Yamamoto and then Sasaki. He was like, “Oh, okay. All the Japanese guys.” Well, Cubs do have a couple of Japanese players and they’re two of their best players. Uh, obviously I know Sey Suzuki. So, you got dudes there, but at the same time, I uh would look so good in a Cubs uniform and they need the pitching and I’m sure that he’s going to go where the the best fit is and and monetarily is is is a part of that, right? So, it’s I’m I’m glad that we keep hearing his name, right? And when you when you hear guys like John Haymon saying, “Look, don’t think that the Cubs are out of this.” Well, that tells me that, you know, the that the Cubs are still in it. Remember the whole show to Ianaga? It was the Red Sox, it was the Giants, it was the Angels, it was the Cubs, and it looked like he was going to San Francisco, and then at the last minute, he ends up coming to the Cubs. So, you know, hopefully that that happens. Now, if the Cubs would have got Zack Allen, then I don’t think this would have been on the table anymore. I think he’d have been gone, you know. So, maybe maybe it worked out if uh you know, if the Cubs end up getting this this superstar, he comes over and and performs like, you know, like Yamamoto, then I mean, you’re you’re feeling pretty good about it, right? Um but yeah, he’s been one of the best pitchers in Japan. And those guys here lately have come over and and they’ve been just off the charts. Uh all right. Now the second thing I wanted to talk about with you guys was uh was was this now not the pronunciation of imi but don’t expect a Nicoer trade. Now, we heard and kind of when you do the math, you know, you feel like because of Ian Hap’s no trade clause and Sey Suzuki’s no trade clause and that, you know, you’re not trading Michael Bush and and you know, nobody’s I don’t think you could trade Danby Swanson with the big contract. Maybe you could, but I don’t know. Um, Matt Shaw being a guy who we’re trying to figure out what the Cubs really think of him. You know, you like gonna trade Carson Kelly, you know, you going to trade Pete Crow Armstrong? I mean, it’s just not anything there that you’re looking at and going, “Hey, this is where I would make a move.” Maybe some of the guys on the pitching staff, but Nico would be an ideal trade fit. And that’s what Mark Feinstein said, the MLB insider. And I couldn’t agree with him more. I mean, he’s coming off of a great year. He’s a goal glover. He is a table setter. You know, sometimes it feels like he’s a little underutilized with the Cubs, but he’s been so consistent. A lot of you guys don’t want to see him trade it. And he’s going to be a free agent, you know, so you’re going to have to pay him. And, you know, he’s going to get paid a pretty good contract when it’s all said and done, right? And it would be weird to see Nico in another uniform. But um you know after that was was kind of said, John Haymon, you know, talking on on his show basically said he doesn’t expect the Cubs to trade Nico. And and and what he was basically saying is that the Cubs are clearly in on Alex Bregman. This is the second year in the postseason that the Cubs have been interested in Alex Bregman. There’s definitely uh smoke and I believe fire for the Cubs and Bregman. They tried to get him last year, ended up with the Red Sox. You know, this year the Cubs and the Red Sox uh are in the mix to get him again. You know, maybe there’s another team in there. The Tigers could potentially get him. I saw one report where there’s a mystery team that’s interested in him. Uh you know, the Cubs have money to spend right now. We know what would you do as Shaw if you got Bregman. I think maybe like that utility role that we saw Willie Castro provide the Cubs after they traded for him at the deadline could be something that you think about. But the Cubs are in on him. But one other thing that uh that Haymon said is that he just doesn’t see the Cubs trading her, you know, and he thinks that that that you know that he’s a guy they would want to keep. And uh that’s interesting, you know, uh because there is some value there, but it’s not like you want to move Nico for anything other than just value. You really like him, but other teams would like him, too. And if you go and get Bregman, and then you got Shaw who can play second base, he’s not going to be as good, but he’s going to hit for more power than Nico, you know? So maybe that’s that’s a, you know, reason why. I don’t know. Nico puts the ball in play so much. She’s so solid and and and you feel like in this day and age where it’s hard for guys to get on base with hits. You like a guy that gives you a lot of hits and that’s Nicoer. So, some of you guys can take a deep breath because I know there’s been this, oh, we’re going to get rid of Nico. I think we’re all right. All right, last thing. Robert Suarez, serious free agent target for the Cubs. And I’m, you know, I’m curious myself, is he a serious contender to be a potential Cubs free agent signing? Um, you know, the Cubs went out and and got Phil Mton and that that was a good pickup. I mean, he’s been in a really good pitcher, but now what? Now what are we looking at? And and if if the Cubs are serious about Suarez, you know, that’s going to cost them some pretty good money because, you know, you’re talking about uh really he and Diaz being the two, I’d say, the two hottest commodities on the market right now. I mean, and Suarez, who has over the last couple of years, uh closed out 76 games, you know, and that’s um more than anybody, right? Right. And then he he’s got a 287 erra. That’s like ninth best. And his walk rate is pretty good, too. And and I mean, look, his strike out the walk rate’s good. This is a guy who throws it consistently over well, about 99 miles an hour. Are you going to pay to have them? and and and and these guys are a commodity because you get in the postseason and these are the guys that get you there and the and the premium’s going to look something like you know two years$ 25 million 3 years 50 million uh and I even saw where uh the athletic was saying um Jim Bowden was saying five years 80 million no no nobody’s paying this guy five years Jim but you know two or three years with that type of money for a backend reliever is really really good. The problem is is these guys get hurt all the time. Uh and and I and I kind of thought when you know and I I’m not changing my mind here, but I’m thinking it’s more like Tyler Rogers, Pete Fairbanks, uh maybe Kyle Finnean, you know, somewhere in that neighborhood, you know, bringing Brad Keller back. I just think that we’re kind of looking in that instead of going out and and signing and paying for a Suarez. But to to add that type of leverage to the back end of the bullpen to me puts you in a position where you if he stays healthy have a lot of options. I mean, you know, you’re talking about uh having guys at the end of the game that can get big outs and you need that. Uh you still got to have the starting pitching and the Cubs have made it clear they’re going to go out there and try to do that. You know, is is Emma someone that you add? Could you get Emi Anna, you know, Anna Suarez? I don’t know. So So we’ll find out. It’s interesting. You know, the the the crazy part to me is that a lot of this stuff to me, the direction of the off season would have changed had they signed Gallon. And I don’t think it would have been a bad signing to get Gallon. And if they do, I mean, I don’t think it’s a bad signing at all, but I you know, is has maybe you you don’t really know what you’re going to get, but there’s a really high ceiling there, and we found that out with Yamamoto. Anyway, look, we’re watching this thing. It’s going to be a fun week. Uh, doesn’t really seem like anything’s imminent as far as a signing goes, but that can change in a second. So, make sure that you guys uh stick around on the channel, get in the comments section, tell me what you think. You know, what do you what do you want? Do you want Bregman? You know, is it is it worth it signing a third baseman? You know, would you would you trade Nico? I know a lot of you guys wouldn’t. I’ve always liked Nicoer. Uh, I I saw him and, you know, I think I’ve told this story on here many times. I I saw him and I saw his last double A game and I I said to him, I said, “Man, be ready. We’re walking off the field at the end of the game.” I said, “Just be ready.” Because you could tell that on that team in the big leagues that there was just like an injury away from him getting there and he ended up getting there. And I thought he was ready to do that. And I’ve always just kind of saw a a a lot of Ryan Samberg in him. Not not the power. Look, Rhino’s our favorite player. I know that uh the guy on the morning show got offended because I said that he reminded me of Rhino. He just does like the way he moves. He was a shortstop in the minors. I knew he’d be a second baseman in the big leagues. You know, he squares the ball up, but he just doesn’t hit for power. I mean, I think that’s the biggest difference, right? and Rhino hit all those home runs, but they were both really consistent defenders and goal glovers and, you know, made made all the plays and, you know, uh, one scout described Rhino as a stiffbacked, uh, you know, defender and and and did so well. You know, Nico kind of has to me like a mechanical moving too. I didn’t know that there was a term for it, but I’ve loved watching him and I I I’m excited to see what he could do on a on a team that makes a run for a championship. I mean, I you love hit when he bats in the clutch because he puts the ball in play. So, I just feel like on in the right situation, he could be a real thorn in the side of a team on a run to a World Series, you know, and if that’s what the Cubs, that’d be great. if it was somebody else, you know, would not surprise me. So anyway, you guys tell me what you think. Thank you for hanging. We’ll talk again soon. Um, also I want to tell you that we’re presented by the great people in Severeville. Yep, that is Severeville, Tennessee, home of the Smoky Mountains. Great time to go out there right now. They get the third or the fourth most visitors to the Smokies from the Chicagoland area. So you guys are going and I just wanted to remind you the Christmas lights are up. It’s a great time of year to go check it out. When you head to the Smoky Mountains, it’s only natural to visit Sevirville. Even we had to check it out. And we’ve been here our whole lives. Experience the adventure of a lifetime. Come of the world. Even you can get a bird’s eye view of the Smokies. You’re going down, Billy. [Applause] Whoa. Your smoke is start Yeah. [Music]

The Cubs Baseball Channel proud to partner with AveD! Follow the link to join Mick Nation. This includes interactive games, contacts and prizes!
https://www.aved.ai/mick-nation

This Episode:
– Japanese RHP Tatsuya Imai on Cubs Radar
– Don’t Expect Nico Trade
– Closer Robert Suarez Serious Free Agent Target?

If you’re new to the Cubs Baseball Channel don’t miss anything and join! Like and subscribe here! https://www.youtube.com/@cubsbaseballchannel

Mick Gillispie has covered the Chicago Cubs since 2007 and has been a fan of the team since the 1984 season. He has broadcasted spring training games or been heard on Cubs.com, MLB.com, 670 The Score, WGN, CSN-Chicago and Marquee Sports Network. He is an award winning play-by-play voice for the Tennessee Smokies Cubs Double-A Affiliate. He has also hosted many forums over the years at Cubs Convention including Down on The Farm