The Cubs are essentially the mirror image of the Mets — their deep prospect base is position players, rather than pitching. Yet even with their century-plus championship drought, five straight playoff-less seasons and a considerably worse record (273-375) over the past four years than the Mets (304-344), the Cubs still are looking at a big picture in which they do not expect to be serious contenders until 2016.
Like last offseason with Scott Feldman, David DeJesus and Scott Hairston, the Cubs are again looking to add smaller, less-expensive pieces who either help them win at a higher level next year and/or become trade chips during the season.
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The Rays do indeed have interest in Ike Davis and Lucas Duda as first-base alternatives. But they view a few other candidates as better and want to see about them first, including trying to retain free agent James Loney.
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The Rangers are looking to add corner bats and have their eyes on some similar players as the Yankees, notably Carlos Beltran and Brian McCann. Texas has acknowledged to interested clubs a willingness to trade from a surplus of middle infielders — Elvis Andrus, Ian Kinsler and Jurickson Profar.
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The Yankees are planning on putting two right-handed starters who began last season at Single-A and ended up at Double-A onto their 40-man roster — Shane Green and Bryan Mitchell.
Both are expected to be in the Double-A rotation in 2014, though the Yankees seem to have more belief Mitchell projects as a starter. Mitchell did not pitch well at High-A (4-11, 5.12 ERA). But the 22-year-old was nevertheless promoted and had three strong late-season starts at Double-A and then was one of Trenton’s playoff starters en route to an Eastern League championship. And word is he was impressive for the Yankees in Instructional League, as well, hitting 98 mph.
Green, with a strong fastball/slider combo, projects more to being a seventh-inning-type reliever, according to executives who have seen him.