The Chicago Cubs are "willing to discuss" trades

involving most of their players http://www.redsoxproshops.com/authentic-j.-d.-martinez-jersey , including star third baseman Kris Bryant, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney."We've never operated with untouchables," Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said at the general manager meetings earlier this week, per Olney. "It sends the wrong message. Given what we're trying to accomplish, it would be virtually impossible to envision the deal that would make sense to move them. I just don't believe in untouchables. Why limit yourself?"However, Epstein offered a follow-up that makes the Cubs sound less eager to move on from their stars."I answered a general question about whether we have untouchables," the Cubs president said, per Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. "Like most every organization, we will listen to anything, but that's just an operating philosophy. We are lucky to have some impact players and we are looking to add to them, not subtract."Bryantis under club control through the 2021 season.The 26-year-oldis coming off his worst season as a Cub, hitting .272/.374/.460 with 13 home runs, 28 doubles and 52 RBI. He was limited to 102 games as he dealt with shoulder inflammation throughout the summer. It marked the first time he landed on the disabled list in his four-year career.He was able to work his way back onto the field for the stretch run David Ross Jersey , helping Chicago earn a wild-card berth. The slugger couldn't come through for his team in October, though. He went 0-for-2 with a walk in a 3-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in a one-game playoff for the National League Central title, and he went 1-for-6 with three strikeouts in an extra-inning loss to the Colorado Rockies in the NL Wild Card Game.There was plenty of blame to go around on offense in October. But after regressing in the two seasons following their World Series championship in 2016, the Cubs might be looking to make changes to put themselves in better position for 2019.Chicago may be willing to listen to offers, as Olney notes, but it would take quite the haul to get Bryant out of the Windy City. This is a player who nabbed a Rookie of the Year award, an MVP award and a World Series all within his first two seasons. Prior to this past season, he had received MVP votes in all three of his years in the big leagues.Not to mention the fact that he can't hit free agency for three more seasons.Ultimately, though, it's a business. The Cubs have to do what they feel is best for the organizations they did when they manipulated his service time prior to calling him up in 2015.Jon Heyman reported for FanRag Sports in June 2017 (h/t SB Nation) that Bryant turned down an extension without even presenting a counteroffer. Bryant had told the Chicago Sun-Times' Gordon Wittenmyer in May 2017 that he wasn't looking to make a long-term commitment at that point."I guess it's a little early," Bryant told Wittenmyer. "I still feel super-young. I'm still getting used to all of this playing at this level. I'll listen to whatever they have to say, but I just think that it might be in my best interest to just play it out and see where things go."Olney added that the Cubs made a "significant" offer last year, but talks have not gone anywhere. Bryant and agent Scott Boras filed a grievance in 2015 over the way the franchise handled his initial promotion. That situation could be playing a factor in his decision not to sign an extension.If the Cubs get the vibe that Bryant will leave via free agency when the time comes Steve Cishek Jersey , they would have to explore all options. It's not clear how likely a trade might be this winter, but the team is reportedly at least going to field offers. If there's an offer that's too good to refuse, Bryant could be wearing a different uniform next season. TORONTO (AP) — Marcus Stroman doesn’t like the idea of his season being cut short. Lingering blister issues might leave the Blue Jays right-hander no choice.Stroman got roughed up early in his return from the disabled list, and manager John Gibbons said after a 7-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays that Toronto might have to shut Stroman down early.Making his first start since Aug. 17, Stroman (4-9) allowed four runs and six hits in 1 2/3 innings. It was Stroman’s shortest start since Aug. 15, 2014, his rookie season, when he got only two outs against the Chicago White Sox.Stroman left a start Aug. 7 against Boston because of a blister on his middle finger, then was forced out early against the Rays on Aug. 12 and at New York five days later. He is winless in five starts.“There’s no doubt it’s still bothering him,” Gibbons said, adding the Blue Jays aren’t likely to push Stroman until the end of September if his finger doesn’t improve.“That’s probably what’s going to happen,” Gibbons said. “We’ll have to see, I don’t know yet.”Stroman declined to specifically address the blister Drew Smyly Jersey , blaming his poor outing on a lack of feel for the ball. The competitive Stroman also made it clear he’s not interested in missing the final month of a frustrating season.“I don’t like sitting,” Stroman said. “I only get to go out there one every five days to begin with. Being out there every fifth day is a priority. I hate being on the DL. I hate watching. I hate not being out there. It frustrates me, it kills me inside. I’m going to do everything in my power to be out there.”Rays outfielder Mallex Smith said he hadn’t forgotten about Stroman holding Tampa Bay to one run over five innings on Aug. 12, and enjoyed turning the tables on the Toronto righty.“Definitely,” Smith said. “You come in with that mindset, ‘I’m going to get him back,’ and we did.”Kevin Kiermaier returned after missing Sunday’s game because of a sore back and had three hits and an RBI, coming within a home run of the cycle. Joey Wendle had three hits, Matt Duffy had two hits and two RBIs, and Tommy Pham reached base three times for the Rays, who are 11 games over .500 for the first time since the end of the 2013 season.“We have a lot of guys clicking on all cylinders at the plate right now,” Kiermaier said.Tampa Bay won its third straight and fourth of six following an eight-game winning streak that ended Aug. 28.Ji-Man Choi homered for Tampa Bay off Taylor Guerrieri in the seventh, a second-deck drive to right. The drive was Choi’s sixth http://www.redsfanproshop.com/authentic-drew-storen-jersey , three of which have come against Toronto.Ryan Stanek opened for the Rays and left after a perfect first inning. Yonny Chirinos (3-5) followed with seven innings of relief, allowing one run and four hits. Jaime Schultz pitched the ninth.Rays catcher Nick Ciuffo was selected from Triple-A Durham and made his major league debut, batting ninth. To make room on the 40-man roster, Tampa Bay put catcher Adam Moore on the restricted list, citing ‘improper documentation’ with his passport. He could still join the Rays in Toronto before the three-game series concludes.ROTTEN AGAINST THE RAYSToronto is 2-8 against Tampa Bay this season. The Blue Jays are batting .175 (53 for 303) in those games, their lowest average against any opponent.NO REUNIONThe Blue Jays won’t be seeing former 3B Josh Donaldson when the Indians come to Toronto for a four-game series that begins Thursday. Cleveland put Donaldson (left calf) on the 10-day DL Monday. Donaldson was traded to the Indians on Friday for a player to be named later.TRAINER’S ROOMRays: Smith was activated off the 10-day DL after missing eight games because of a viral infection that led to a brief hospital stay. … RHP Jake Faria will likely be activated Tuesday.Blue Jays: RHP Mark Leiter Jr., who was claimed off waivers from Philadelphia on Saturday, reported to the Blue Jays on Monday and pitched the ninth. Leiter became Toronto’s 35th pitcher of the season, a franchise record. Toronto used 34 pitchers in 2012. … INF Yangervis Solarte (strained right oblique) took batting practice Monday for the first time since his injury. Solarte has been out since Aug. 11.UP NEXTStanek will open for the Rays again Tuesday, while the Blue Jays will counter with rookie LHP Ryan Borucki. Over his past three starts, Borucki has a 10.03 ERA.