Rizzo to Cubbies

by casejud on Jan 6, 2026 3:00 PM EST

... for righty arm Andrew Cashner and, outfielder Kyung-Min Na today. The padres also included righty Zach Cates. This is a great move for Rizzo, obviously. He goes from a ballpark where is power doesn't play (Petco HR factor for lefties:59) to one where it really, really plays (Wrigley HR factor for lefties:119). Theo makes his first, big splash here with Rizzo going full-circle back to him. An excellent move by the Cubs, in my opinion. For the Padres, I think maybe they moved Rizzo a bit hastily but, Cashner is a very high-upside arm, if healthy.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120106&content_id=26278338&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

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Read More: Andrew Cashner (P - SDP), San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs

Comments

I approve this as a Cubs fan.

Surprised we got Cates back as well… he isn’t overly impressive but had decent peripherals - he’s probably one of our top 30 prospects at this point.

by bdlugz on Jan 6, 2026 3:06 PM EST reply actions

Decidedly lukewarm

As noted in the other thread, the chances of Cashner becoming a starter were getting slimmer and slimmer. That said, there was still a chance, and while I wasn’t that excited about his starting potential when he first came into the system, he looked dang intriguing a year ago. Add in that I’m decidedly lukewarm on Rizzo, who I think is over-hyped (I’d still have BJax over him personally), and I’m just decidedly lukewarm on the whole thing overall.

It makes sense, and with the addition of Volstad/Wood, they did get two upper-level cost/team-controlled arms in, so overall, I’d lean slightly on the positive side as Rizzo/BJax starts giving them a core of young talent to go with Castro (leaving aside the news today on Castro), but here’s hoping Rizzo develops into the corner slugger some think he is.

by toonsterwu on Jan 6, 2026 3:15 PM EST reply actions

should add I'm simply lukewarm on Rizzo

Logically, the deal is sound even if Rizzo busts. If he’s even a decent starter, I believe the deal becomes worthwhile. With Cates in there, this really tilts the Cubs way.

by toonsterwu on Jan 6, 2026 4:01 PM EST up reply actions

yea, seems like we agree

by philadelphiacub on Jan 6, 2026 4:13 PM EST up reply actions

Per Hoyer, the Cubs saw Cashner as a reliever. Because of his injury,

and the fact that he strained his RC not once but twice last year, it’s hard to disagree. Even the Padres apparently see him as a reliever. So getting back an everyday position player who’s under control at league minimum for max years, not to mention the high ceiling, is a win for the Cubs to me. Although he could of course fail to become an everyday player, but when you’re rebuilding, this is exactly what you do.

by philadelphiacub on Jan 6, 2026 4:12 PM EST up reply actions

logically

no problems with the deal. Cashner’s best case of hitting rotation duty would’ve been 2013, and perhaps 2014. That’s too many wasted years of waiting. Rizzo fills a big need and has upside.

As a total side note, having a tough time figuring out where to slot Cates. I’m going with Rizzo 2nd between BJax/Baez, thinking Cates will be 15th or so to start for me.

by toonsterwu on Jan 6, 2026 4:20 PM EST up reply actions

I'm putting Rizzo at 2nd as well.

I’m surprised you have Cates so high, though. His walk rates last year put me off a little bit, and he seemed to get very unlucky at times. I don’t know enough about him to be a fair judge, but I kind of pictured him in the 25-30 range.

by bdlugz on Jan 6, 2026 5:47 PM EST up reply actions

possible that may be a touch high

was just randomly pondering where to place him and thought 15th looked good when I skimmed through my list. I see Callis said he was in the 21-30 range of their list, near Ben Wells. I’m far more bullish on Wells than they (and most) are, though, and had him topping my C+ list (roughly 9-26, so really not that big a difference in that range). So i can easily see him mid-20’s as well.

by toonsterwu on Jan 6, 2026 6:11 PM EST up reply actions

money ball baby? How about a Movie for Theo Epstien and Jed Hoyer

If they turn this pathetic Cubs team around. (which it looks like they’re doing)

I mean Zambrano for Volstad 15 M eaten = good move
Cashner, Na for Rizzo & Cates = good move
David DeJesus = good move
Sean Marshall, others for Travis Wood others = questionable
Reed Johnson re-sign = for me, good move
3B ………..?

And now he’s facing his lone Star player STARLIN Castro with an sexual assault charge, and must now overcome that.
If the comes start winning in 2012 or 2013 This thing needs its own movie.

Yoenis Cespedes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW9ge8l3jY8

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Jan 6, 2026 3:30 PM EST reply actions

Ian Stewart at 3B = good move

I think people have written off Ian Stewart way too early. That was a good acquisition. And I hate the Cubs, but they’re going to be the class of the NL central in no time.

by my dixie wrecked on Jan 6, 2026 3:41 PM EST up reply actions

acutally all the moves this offseason have been fairly good

about my only complaint was leaving Flaherty/Goznalez unprotected with so many 40 spots and a clear need for some positional options on the 40 and in AAA, and then turning around and signing Bianchi (who I don’t think much of), along with uh, who’d they sign the other day, Mather and Edgar Gonzalez I think to fill AAA roles.

by toonsterwu on Jan 6, 2026 3:59 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed 100%

by bdlugz on Jan 6, 2026 5:48 PM EST up reply actions

I love it.

I beat the drum pretty hard for Rizzo during last year’s community list—I love his bat, and I think he can be a very good 1B glove. Really liked Cashner too, but his shoulder issues may limit his upside to being an impact reliever, as opposed to the starter I would have hoped for. Getting Cates is a nice little bonus.

by PrincetonCubs on Jan 6, 2026 3:35 PM EST reply actions

plus

one

"Does it make your life easier to just throw a quick, racist term at somebody? A man who has seen the things I’ve seen… experienced the loss and pain that I’ve experienced… I transcend race, hombre." - Kenny Powers

by casejud on Jan 6, 2026 8:49 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Looks Highly Suspicious

Rizzo for what? heh heh

Is there an investigation underway? What’s the upside for the Pads on this? Na should be spelled Nah, as in no way this makes sense. Chaser? comm-ooon… Does anyone think Padres could maybe have gotten more for Rizzo from almost anyone else who needs a 1B guy — or from the Cubs, who also really needed a 1B guy.

by Hairylady on Jan 6, 2026 3:35 PM EST reply actions

Waht A Bad Deal

by Hairylady on Jan 6, 2026 3:37 PM EST reply actions

analysis

Trade analysis at the top of the hour.

Cates is a BIG sleeper. Big.

by John Sickels on Jan 6, 2026 3:52 PM EST reply actions

Phoebe?

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jan 6, 2026 3:59 PM EST up reply actions

Probably not

Nothing sneaky about her former prospect status. Nothing at all.

by Matt0330 on Jan 6, 2026 4:29 PM EST up reply actions

yup

love the arm. A bit surprised that it seems like Cashner was the top valued asset (as it seems that would be the motivation to put Cates in to “balance things”) unless the Padres really valued Na that highly.

by toonsterwu on Jan 6, 2026 4:00 PM EST up reply actions

There were three pitchers in the AFL this season to hit triple digits on the gun.

Cashner was one of them.

by Kelsdad on Jan 6, 2026 4:03 PM EST reply actions

Cause Jeffress was high

and wasn’t there.

Just kidding, but just saying 100 mph doesn’t mean everything. Calling captain Fastball, aka Bobby Parnell.

by wobatus on Jan 6, 2026 4:25 PM EST up reply actions

he's got a great arm, no doubt

I’m just way more doubtful that he can start longterm after this season (and apparently Theo/Jed were as well, judging by the comments)

by PrincetonCubs on Jan 6, 2026 4:31 PM EST up reply actions

Hard To Believe

With so many teams interested in Rizzo and needing a 1B guy (Cleveland, Tampa Bay, Milwaukee, Baltimore, etc.) we think it difficult to fathom Cashner and Na is the best offer Padres could come up with.

by Hairylady on Jan 6, 2026 4:56 PM EST reply actions