Latest news with #Cubs-Pirates
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Paul Skenes trade grades for ex-MLB GM's Cubs-Pirates hypothetical
The post Paul Skenes trade grades for ex-MLB GM's Cubs-Pirates hypothetical appeared first on ClutchPoints. Paul Skenes broke onto the scene in 2024 when the Pittsburgh Pirates brought him up to the major leagues in 2024. He went 11-3 en route to starting in the All-Star game, making Skenes the first Pirates pitcher to do so in 50 years. In 2025, Skenes has shone as an individual, but the team around him has faltered. The Cubs could be a dark horse team to entice Pittsburgh to give him up this summer. Advertisement Former Major League Baseball general manager Jim Bowden put together deals from every team for Skenes, and the Chicago Cubs' package features top prospects like Matt Shaw and Cade Horton. Almost every potential deal for the 23-year-old would require a team's best young players. The Cubs are one of the more interesting packages in the league; their top two prospects are already playing in the majors. Skenes and the Pirates have been fighting trade rumors since they started after the team's slow start. However, experts like Bowden continue to explore the possibilities. According to him, the Chicago Cubs' players provide the most immediate upgrades to the Pittsburgh. Proposed package: RHP Cade Horton, 3B Matt Shaw, OF Kevin Alcántara, SS Juan Tomas 'The Pirates would acquire Horton, the Cubs' top pitching prospect, who could immediately go into their rotation, and he'd come with an extra year of control than they have with Skenes,' Bowden. 'Shaw could be moved to second base. Alcántara could be promoted to the majors to play left field, and he'd be an instant upgrade in the Pirates' lineup. Tomas, 17, is a solid prospect who could develop into their long-term solution at shortstop. Meanwhile, Skenes would make the first-place Cubs a real October threat.' Why the Chicago Cubs should make the trade Adding Skenes would take teams from the fringe of contention to serious World Series consideration. The Cubs' rotation is led by Shota Imanaga, who would be in All-Star consideration if he wasn't on Chicago's injury list. Behind him, Matthew Boyd and Jameson Taillon have been serviceable, but Craig Counsell is in need of a second star. Skenes fills that hole emphatically and could be the team's ace for the next decade if they can keep him in a Cubs uniform. Advertisement Both Imanaga and Skenes have ERAs less than 2.90. If they joined forces, they would be one of best pitching duos the league has to offer. For a team that is always done in by their pitching in the postseason, bringing in the young ace would give the Cubs peace of mind in tense playoff matchups. Skenes has yet to pitch in the playoffs, but odds of him translating poorly from the regular season to the playoffs are slim considering just how dominant he has been so far in his career. Shaw and Horton recently made their MLB debuts for Chicago and have impressed so far. Giving them up leaves some immediate holes in the Cubs' roster, but it is well worth the price to bring in Skenes. However, losing both of them, along with two promising prospects still in the minor leagues is enough to give Chicago's front office a reason to step back and look at the deal closely. Many of the Cubs' concerns would go away if they sign Pete Crow-Armstrong to a long-term deal. Doing so would secure their star of the future and allow them to be more aggressive. The move guts the top of their farm system, but Chicago is capable of developing talent as well as most other teams in the league. Cubs Trade Grade: B+ Why the Pittsburgh Pirates should make the trade Oneil Cruz, Bryan Reynolds, and Ke'Bryan Hayes are the leaders of the Pittsburgh Pirates' offense. However, Cruz and Skenes have both been thrown out as potential trade candidates. The future of the Pirates cannot be carried by just their ace, no matter how good he is. For that reason, Pittsburgh could make the tough call to bring in a variety of players instead of putting all their hopes into one. Advertisement The Pirates moved on from Derek Shelton, a sign that more changes are coming. Things around Pittsburgh are in a state of flux, including the roster. However, losing so many games makes it difficult for the organization to determine which players are worth keeping. Because of that, the Pirates could chose to stand still at the deadline. If they do make a deal, they need to make sure it is the right one for their future. Pittsburgh needs a miraculous turnaround to return to contention. Despite losing so many games, fans expect improvement from a roster that surprised the league in the second half of last season. Bringing in prospects would definitely give the team a different look. Horton would immediately have a spot in the rotation. Straw would move from third base, but the Pirates' infield is in need of an upgrade as well. Alcántara is a bigger question mark. With Andrew McCutchen mentoring him, though, he could turn into an asset in the field. The Pirates struck gold when they picked Skenes in the 2023 draft. However, if they team can't pay him what he will want in free agency, the best move could be a trade. The Cubs give them players to build around, but it is a tough sell to their fans. However, big risks are necessary for the Pirates to eventually get over the hump. Pirates Trade Grade: B
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cubs' Hoerner Raves About Justin Turner's On, Off-Field Impact
When the Chicago Cubs signed 40-year-old Justin Turner to a one-year, $6 million deal this offseason, it was unclear where he would fit in on the team. With top prospect Matt Shaw manning the hot corner for Opening Day, Turner figured to be nothing more than a reserve veteran who could mentor the rookie and spell starting first baseman Michael Busch. Advertisement Despite Turner's lackluster slugging, his Cubs teammates know his value extends far beyond the diamond and his occasional designated hitter opportunities. Here is what second baseman Nico Hoerner had to say on his new teammate, via Marquee Sports Network: For all of the excitement and potential with this team, they are still relatively young. Key contributors like Busch (27), Horner (28), Pete Crow-Armstrong (23), and Kyle Tucker (28) are mostly established players by now, but can always benefit from someone such as Turner and his vast baseball wisdom. Chicago Cubs first baseman Justin Turner (3) celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off two-run double against the Miami Marlins during the ninth inning at Wrigley Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Turner may have a .203 batting average, a .541 OPS, and a 58 OPS+, but his versatility and leadership have made Chicago's cheap investment worthwhile. Turner also has familiarity with big markets. He launched his career with the New York Mets from 2010-13 before moving to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Advertisement It was in Los Angeles where Turner established himself as a marquee hitter in this league and helped the Dodgers to three National League pennants, including a COVID World Series victory in 2020. In the twilight days of his playing time, he has bounced around the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, and Seattle Mariners before joining the Cubs this winter. Even with Turner's prime production feeling like a distant memory, he is the type of veteran every clubhouse needs, and his impact will be felt all summer. Related: Jed Hoyer Reveals Cubs Trade Deadline Plans With Questions Mounting Related: Blockbuster Cubs-Pirates Trade Idea Lands Chicago Cy Young Contender Cubs' Hoerner Raves About Justin Turner's On, Off-Field Impact first appeared on Athlon Sports on May 22, 2025
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Man who fell at Cubs-Pirates game is awake as new details emerge in incident
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 30: A fan is carted off the field after falling from the stands during the seventh inning of the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by) Man who fell at Cubs-Pirates game is awake as new details emerge in incident originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia The man who fell from the top of a 21-foot-high wall onto the warning track at PNC Park during a game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night is awake and alert. Advertisement The organizer of a GoFundMe page for Kavan Markwood, the 20-year-old who slipped off a railing and onto the field during the seventh inning of Pittsburgh's 4-3 win over the Cubs, shared an update Saturday that Markwood is improving. According to Jennifer Phillips, who is organizing the fundraiser, Markwood has made significant progress since being admitted to the trauma center at Allegheny General Hospital on Wednesday in critical condition. 'After everything he's been through since the accident on Wednesday night, this progress feels nothing short of miraculous,' wrote Phillips, who once taught Markwood. 'He still has a long road ahead of him, but today brought a moment of hope that we've all been holding onto.' Phillips added that Markwood can speak and encouraged others to support him during his 'next phase of recovery.' Advertisement As of early Saturday evening, the GoFundMe had raised more than $27,000. The Pirates have conducted an internal investigation into the incident, which included interviewing fans and analyzing credit card receipts by others in Markwood's group. Brian Warecki, the club's senior vice president of communications, said the investigation concluded that Markwood did not buy any alcohol but did consume two beers over the course of the game. Markwood attended the game with three other people, the club said. Credit card receipts indicated that one party in the group legally bought seven alcoholic beverages during the contest. Advertisement The team said it received conflicting accounts from fans who sat near Markwood in the section that sits above the Clemente Wall, which is named for Hall of Famer and franchise icon Roberto Clemente. One fan told the team that Markwood appeared intoxicated. Others said he did not do anything of note until the moment he stood up to celebrate a hit by Pirates star Andrew McCutchen, at which point Markwood leapt out of his seat toward the 36-inch railing in front of him before flipping over the top. Pittsburgh Public Safety, which includes Pittsburgh Police and EMS, has labeled the incident an accident.
CBS News
01-05-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Pittsburgh Police treating fan falling from stands at Pirates game as "accidental in nature"
Fan falls from stands at PNC Park in Pittsburgh during Cubs-Pirates game Fan falls from stands at PNC Park in Pittsburgh during Cubs-Pirates game Fan falls from stands at PNC Park in Pittsburgh during Cubs-Pirates game Pittsburgh Public Safety has provided an update on the man who fell 20 feet over the Clemente Wall at PNC Park on Wednesday night. According to public safety, they are now treating the incident as accidental. They also are not anticipating providing any additional updates to the public. The man remains in critical condition at the hospital. Pirates-Cubs game stops after fan falls over outfield wall On Wednesday night, following an RBI double from Pirates' designated hitter Andrew McCutchen, a man fell from the right-field bleachers onto the warning track. Trainers from both clubs, police, and EMS responded immediately to tend to him and his injuries. PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 30: A fan is carted off the field after falling from the stands during the seventh inning of the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Joe Sargent / Getty Images After a few moments, another fan jumped down from a lower section in the outfield to help the person who had fallen. Ultimately, the man was placed on a stretcher and carted off the field. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition. The game was delayed for about 10 minutes before play resumed. Pirates players react, team issues statement "Truly hate what happened tonight," McCutchen posted to the social media platform X after the game. "Cant (sic) help but think about that guy, his family and friends. I pray tonight for him. Let us think about his loved ones and hug our families a little tighter tonight." Shortly after, the team issued a statement saying in part, "Pittsburgh EMS, as well as the Pirates and Cubs athletic training teams, and other PNC Park personnel reacted and responded immediately and administered care. He was transported to Allegheny General thoughts and prayers are with him and his family." "It's extremely unfortunate," Pirates manager Derek Shelton told reporters following the game. "That's an understatement."
CBS News
01-05-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Pittsburgh Police treating fan falling from stands at PNC Park as "accidental in nature"
Fan falls from stands at PNC Park in Pittsburgh during Cubs-Pirates game Fan falls from stands at PNC Park in Pittsburgh during Cubs-Pirates game Fan falls from stands at PNC Park in Pittsburgh during Cubs-Pirates game Pittsburgh Public Safety has provided an update on the man who fell 20 feet over the Clemente Wall at PNC Park on Wednesday night. According to public safety, they are now treating the incident as accidental. They also are not anticipating providing any additional updates to the public. The man remains in critical condition at the hospital. Pirates-Cubs game stops after fan falls over outfield wall On Wednesday night, following an RBI double from Pirates' designated hitter Andrew McCutchen, a man fell from the right-field bleachers onto the warning track. Trainers from both clubs, police, and EMS responded immediately to tend to him and his injuries. PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 30: A fan is carted off the field after falling from the stands during the seventh inning of the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Joe Sargent / Getty Images After a few moments, another fan jumped down from a lower section in the outfield to help the person who had fallen. Ultimately, the man was placed on a stretcher and carted off the field. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition. The game was delayed for about 10 minutes before play resumed. Pirates players react, team issues statement "Truly hate what happened tonight," McCutchen posted to the social media platform X after the game. "Cant (sic) help but think about that guy, his family and friends. I pray tonight for him. Let us think about his loved ones and hug our families a little tighter tonight." Shortly after, the team issued a statement saying in part, "Pittsburgh EMS, as well as the Pirates and Cubs athletic training teams, and other PNC Park personnel reacted and responded immediately and administered care. He was transported to Allegheny General thoughts and prayers are with him and his family." "It's extremely unfortunate," Pirates manager Derek Shelton told reporters following the game. "That's an understatement."
