The Grass Is Always Browner

by Al Yellon on Dec 28, 2005 5:24 PM CST in Chicago Cubs News

So you think the Cubs made a bad signing in Jacque Jones?

(Yes, Chuck, I do too.)

Then just think about what the Orioles did, or are apparently just about to do if they haven't already -- pay Jeromy Burnitz MORE than Jones -- (at least on a per-year basis) $12 million for two years.

The mind boggles. Orioles fans are beyond livid. One of them posted this quote from Rotoworld:

What a remarkably bad idea. Maybe the worst of the winter so far, which is really saying something. Burnitz has had OPSs of 676, 786, 915 and 757 the last four years. His one good year was Coors Field aided, of course, and he had a road OPS of 775 that year. Burnitz turns 37 in April, so he's going to get worse, not better. As a one-year stopgap, he'd be tolerable. $12 million over two years is just flushing Peter Angelos' money down the toilet.

So -- don't think our team is the only one making dumb moves. Incidentally, Camden Chat and Rotoworld both hint that Eric Byrnes may sign with the Diamondbacks soon.

Another opportunity missed. Wade Miller's still out there, Jim Hendry. Go get him.

Next up: the deadline has passed for entries to the Draw Chuck contest. The judging committee is meeting tonight in executive session, and the four finalists will be posted tomorrow. Voting will begin then, and continue through Tuesday, January 3.

Speaking of voting through Tuesday, the gauntlet has been thrown by The Cub Reporter, after our flurry of votes put us ahead of them in the 2005 Best MLB Blog voting, sponsored by The Red Reporter.

I know you guys can rise to the challenge. There are a couple of thousand of you. Go vote! The link is above. We can win this thing!

Finally, I hate to bring this up again, because there have been about 12,573 diaries on the topic, not to mention my own posts, but I received a call from one of my sources today indicating that the current Tejada rumor (Patterson/Hill/Prior for Tejada/Bedard) is, in fact, "on the table", despite the denials, and further, other Oriole prospects are being discussed.

For once, our favorite site and I are in agreement. Stay tuned.

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Comments

Secret Agreement

This has to be part of some secret agreement to take on washed-up Cubs outfielders in perpetuity.

As a nominal Orioles season ticketholder (I sold off my entire plan last year), I suppose I should be irritated, but what I really want to know is exactly what kind of pictures Hendry has of Peter Angelos. I might be able to use them go get Nationals TV freed from purgatory.

by 08Cubs on Dec 28, 2005 5:35 PM CST reply actions

Maybe...

... there's something to the Patterson thing, then.

by Al Yellon on Dec 28, 2005 5:40 PM CST up reply actions

I Thought..

...that one reason the Cubs and Burnitz had a mutual, friendly parting of the ways was because he wanted to play somewhere close to his home in San Diego. If I recall, he said it wasn't necessarily about the money at this point in his career but being able to spend more time with his kids and he might retire if he couldn't play close to home. Either no team wanted him, he was blowing smoke, or it was about the money. OR... he changed his mind.

Given the way things have shaken out, I just might have preferred him and his $7M option over Jones in 2006.

by BeerCub on Dec 29, 2005 10:33 AM CST up reply actions

since you are about the only one

with an insiders pov on anything, and this is drivin me (as well as many others) absolutely nuts, what would you give as odds on this deal happening or not happening al? and if it does happen, what would be next? do you think it is the right direction? id just like to know your opinion

by geetarnwhiskey on Dec 28, 2005 6:02 PM CST reply actions

It's driving all of us nuts!

... yesterday I'd have said "no way". But I trust today's source, and I have to believe that Jim Hendry's public denials may be a smokescreen.

I hate to do this, but right now I've got to put it at 50-50. Could go, or not go. I really don't have a read on it.

by Al Yellon on Dec 28, 2005 6:15 PM CST up reply actions

I hope I win something from the contest

I need something to cheer me up amid all of the rumors going around.

That and winter break homework.

Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?

by Keith on Dec 28, 2005 6:11 PM CST reply actions

sigh, big sigh....

If this offer is on the table, then tell me where so I can go throw it off. I'm young, but will die very soon if Hendry doesn't stop doing this to me. First we don't sign Furcal, then we sign Jones, and now he wants to trade Prior. I need to breathe. If he does end up trading Prior, why didn't he do it for Abreu? He at least is left handed and a patient hitter. And we wouldn't have Jones.

How can your sources say it wasn't discussed and then say it was? This all makes no sense and will end up making no sense.

Well, anyway, since Mets Blog and Bat-girl are leading the way I decided to check them out. I don't really like Mets Blog. Bat-girl I like because they like Johan, obviously since it's a Twins site. From what I read they thought Jones was a nice guy with a nice smile. At least he has that going for him, too bad it wont help prevent K's.

Cubbie Blue always sPaRkLes in my eyes. Time to sPaRkLe Jimmy!

by sparkles721 on Dec 28, 2005 6:11 PM CST reply actions

As I said above...

... public pronouncements and privately given information are two different things. Different sources, both reliable, have told me different things. This doesn't mean they're both not correct, given what they have been told.

Geez, I sound like a spy now, don't I?

Relax a bit. It is, after all, still more than three months till Opening Day.

by Al Yellon on Dec 28, 2005 6:16 PM CST up reply actions

It is...

three months till Opening Day, but if Prior is going to get traded, I doubt that trade is three months away.

You do sound like a spy. :)

Cubbie Blue always sPaRkLes in my eyes. Time to sPaRkLe Jimmy!

by sparkles721 on Dec 28, 2005 6:26 PM CST up reply actions

LOL!

You are right, and I think we can all agree. If any trade involving players as high-profile as Prior and Tejada does happen, it'll happen sooner rather than later.

by Al Yellon on Dec 28, 2005 6:28 PM CST up reply actions

No offense...

But you stating the on again off again rumors are just as bad as the sports radio you were bashing yesterday. Maybe since you have conflicting "sources" you should keep them to yourself this time and let things play out.

No matter what Prior is being dangled and Hendry is willing to unload him for Tejada in some sort of deal.

And either way it is a very poor move by Hendry in my opinion.

PITCHING wins...

by mannytrillo on Dec 28, 2005 6:34 PM CST up reply actions

Well...

... your point about sports radio is well taken. I had thought, based on what I heard yesterday, that it was BS, especially since the original deal rumor came from Bruce Levine, who's about as breathless as you can get.

But my source today is also someone I trust, and who has given me good info in the past. I felt you guys would want to know.

by Al Yellon on Dec 28, 2005 6:37 PM CST up reply actions

Who is your source?

Can we guess while you say, "no" or "no comment"?

If that's the case is it Jim Hendry himself?

by nickler on Dec 28, 2005 6:44 PM CST up reply actions

You can guess...

... but I'm not telling.

by Al Yellon on Dec 28, 2005 8:37 PM CST up reply actions

My source

has assurred me that the trade will not happen. And to go one step further, I'll even name him even though I promised I wouldn't.

He's Keith Brazos and he drives a garbage truck in Houston. That's how he has so much information from various sources. He found a proposed trade written on a napkin from Whataburger that was addressed to a J.H. Anyway he said it was hard to read it all because it had ketchup all over the napkin. It said something about a prior deal and at the bottom someone had written that he wasn't over the hill.

Anyway I'll get back to you when he gives me any more inside stuff.

Players win awards but teams win championships.

by tharr on Dec 28, 2005 10:24 PM CST up reply actions

damn!

i always saw old jim as a mustard man!

by kjk on Dec 28, 2005 10:40 PM CST up reply actions

I think it's still on the table,

That's my opionion, but it makes sense that Hendry would deny it as damage control, I don't think Mark Prior likes this talk.

by dan the fan on Dec 28, 2005 6:44 PM CST up reply actions

Agree 100%

It is amazing that Hendry has not come out with a full fledge denial instead of his no comment in the Trib today. That to me almost guarentees it is being serious talked about and most likely on the table.

Sadly, a very poor move in my opinion by Hendry.

by mannytrillo on Dec 28, 2005 6:51 PM CST up reply actions

Also...

I am sure Prior does not like the talk. I know I wouldn't.

But he has 3 years to get over it as the Cubs own his rights through 2008. And hopefully a new GM will convince him to stay at that time.

by mannytrillo on Dec 28, 2005 6:52 PM CST up reply actions

OK, I admit it ...

I love both sites. I voted once for each ...

by kjk on Dec 28, 2005 6:12 PM CST reply actions

me too ken

and one for viva el birdos.
(not really, but I love that title)

by dan the fan on Dec 28, 2005 6:42 PM CST up reply actions

now ...

... if our site was nominated ... the tables would be turned .... mwah ha ha ....

by kjk on Dec 28, 2005 8:31 PM CST up reply actions

mwu ha ha ha haa

by dan the fan on Dec 29, 2005 7:51 PM CST up reply actions

I voted for BCB...

I love the personal expereines Al thows in there and this site tends to be much nicer to people who don't agree with the majority. Very few personal attacks...

THANKS AL, you got my vote!!

by mannytrillo on Dec 28, 2005 6:55 PM CST up reply actions

Fox sports says no Tejada Trade

and the signing of Burnitz is near...

http://tinyurl.com/8gzeb

by LT on Dec 28, 2005 8:26 PM CST reply actions

What was said was, according to that article...

"There is absolutely no deal we find acceptable to trade this very special player to another team," an Orioles official said.

That's not a denial, that's a public statement saying to Hendry, "Make us another offer."

Because I hardly think Tejada will think that signing Jeromy Burnitz is "improving the team".

by Al Yellon on Dec 28, 2005 8:36 PM CST up reply actions

I was thinking the same thing

I don't think this is going to make Tejada feel any better about the O's ability to compete in the AL East...

by LT on Dec 28, 2005 8:50 PM CST up reply actions

I can paste and cut what I hope is true, also!

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-051227cubs,1,2415796.story?coll=cs-c ubs-headlines

December 28, 2005

The Cubs apparently are no closer than they were last week to dealing Mark Prior to Baltimore for Miguel Tejada, but the very thought of trading away the popular right-hander has Cubs fans in a lather.

Judging by unscientific Web polls and radio talk-show callers, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry will have a difficult time rationalizing the trade, even though he would be getting a former Most Valuable Player and one of the top players in the game in return.

After floating the rumor Hendry may be getting cold feet.

That's how I choose to read into this.

I have only one superstition. I touch all the bases when I hit a home run. - Babe Ruth

by Kurt on Dec 28, 2005 9:00 PM CST up reply actions

You've got a point, but...

... baseball teams have never been run by focus groups. Or boycotts.

by Al Yellon on Dec 28, 2005 9:03 PM CST up reply actions

Unless you're this years version

of the many-headed Red Sox GM monster!

I have only one superstition. I touch all the bases when I hit a home run. - Babe Ruth

by Kurt on Dec 28, 2005 9:07 PM CST up reply actions

So which one is that?

A focus group?

Or a boycott?

;)

by Al Yellon on Dec 28, 2005 9:10 PM CST up reply actions

If Hendry..

is even considering making this move he ought to do it now and get it over with. If hes not going to just openly deny it (which he hasnt). Ive got to agree with you Al we have to get Wade no matter what but for insurance and good keeping if Prior is traded. I have heard many ?'ing wood in the future. In fact i was about two to three weeks ago, but i will be praying that he gets to form for this season if prior is traded. I have reluctantly put my faith back in woods hands. We all know that Z will do his thing its the wood is the X factor on how good our team is next year if prior is traded.

Hey Al? any other trades possiable besides the tejada mess?

by jfkjunior2004 on Dec 28, 2005 9:20 PM CST reply actions

Have heard no other rumors at all..

... but I'd agree. If the Tejada thing really is dead (and despite the wire service story "denials", I don't believe it is), then Hendry ought to go out and sign Miller, NOW.

by Al Yellon on Dec 28, 2005 9:22 PM CST up reply actions

Regardless of Tejada

The Cubs should take a chance on Miller.

I had to give up my moniker so that Chuck could have it back.

by Scott @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Dec 29, 2005 8:21 AM CST up reply actions

I agree, but...

...apparently Miller isn't scheduled to be ready for Opening Day. Neither is Wood, of course. That would mean two starting pitchers not ready for Opening Day, and when they return, more pitchers than we need.

Not sure if that is Hendry's style.

by The Boar on Dec 29, 2005 8:49 AM CST up reply actions

It may not be...

... but why not sign him to a minor league deal, then? Give incentives if he makes the Opening Day roster, which means he makes good money if he does, otherwise you could either release him, send him to extended spring training, put him on the DL, or send him to Iowa.

Didn't Miller start 2005 the same way?

by Al Yellon on Dec 29, 2005 9:01 AM CST up reply actions

I'm not sure...

...but I'd be all for that option. He could definitely be a useful addition. Much better than whatever else is out there.

by The Boar on Dec 29, 2005 10:59 AM CST up reply actions

This is not true

"apparently Miller isn't scheduled to be ready for Opening Day. Neither is Wood, of course"

Wood is scheduled to be ready for opening day. Recent articles have him resuming his throwing next month. What has been said is that the Cubs would be foolish to expect him to be ready for opening day. This is far different than him being on schedule. It's more of a commentary on Wood's past health issues.

DmL

by dmlichte on Dec 29, 2005 9:55 AM CST up reply actions

True...

Good point, thanks.

by The Boar on Dec 29, 2005 10:59 AM CST up reply actions

Al do you...

Think that Hendry is the one that is holding this deal off and is wanting more in return for prior so that this deal doesnt look so bad. And who else could Hendry be wanting in return?

by jfkjunior2004 on Dec 28, 2005 9:40 PM CST reply actions

No...

... I think that the things we have heard, appear to me to be typical negotiating tactics, including the public statement from the Orioles sniffing that they won't make the deal under any circumstances.

What this says to me is that they're looking for more, and private talks were going nowhere, so they thought they'd go public.

It still might turn out to be nothing. But I do not yet think it's dead.

by Al Yellon on Dec 29, 2005 3:35 AM CST up reply actions

Byrnes and other things

I noticed it was mentioned that Byrnes is apparently close to signing with Arizona. There's another player who could help us that we'll likely miss out on. I just read about this on mlb.com before I saw this comment, but if you get a chance, you should take a look at the article on Orlando Hudson joining the D'Backs. I know at one point it was speculated that the O-Dogg could become a Cub, even if there was never actually a deal in the works. But from reading the mlb.com article, he has a pretty refreshing outlook on the game. Too bad Corey doesn't have the same attitude. We could use a couple of more guys like Hudson, too.

Any info on the possibility of signing Miller, other than the fact that most of us seem to think it's a good idea?

P.S. It's funny you begin this post with Jones and Burnitz being bad ideas and mention our favorite site in it. They're currently running an item that says we're close to signing Preston Wilson.

And the revolving door of suckitude continues...

"If it takes forever."

by JDay on Dec 28, 2005 11:00 PM CST reply actions

hey you all need to stop

whining about byrnes. i used to watch him all the time when i was in norcal and took in way too many a's games. he has tremendous heart and desire, but it's a talent issue here. he's just too inconsistent to be an everyday outfielder, and that's why beane got rid of him. he'd definitely be a fan favorite, but i'm not sure he's what the cubs need right now.

by dholl @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Dec 29, 2005 8:49 AM CST up reply actions

More on Tejada

I listen to sports radio too much, but just passing this along. I was listening to David Kaplan on WGN on the way to a movie, so I didn't get to hear all that much, but he began Sportscentral this evening saying that Hendry would be absolutely out of his mind to trade Prior. He pointed out the issue of Tejada hitting seven home runs in the second half of the season as being of major concern. Then he said that two people he talked to, two high ranking officials in MLB believe that Tejada used steroids, specifically while he played in Oakland.

Now on the outside, it seems to me that this Prior situation is indicative of some bigger problems.

What are the Cubs problems in developing players? Why has Prior not lived up to his potential? Is he hurt? Why have the Cubs top two starting pitchers been hurt/ineffective?
What is going on between Prior and the Cubs? Is Hendry moving him because he knows that Prior wants out of town? Will he not stay beyond 2008? Does he know something about Prior and wants him gone?
Where is this ballclub headed and what type of plan does Hendry have?

This may be an even up trade and if it is, what a mistake this may be. We saw Maddux dominate for a decade away from the Cubs. I don't think I can bare seeing Prior do the same elsewhere. Most imporantly, however, is that something seems amis in the Cubs organization, and as well as MadPhail has done getting expansion and building up the business aspects of the Cubs, he now needs to do an inventory and assessment of the baseball side of things.

DmL

by dmlichte on Dec 29, 2005 12:32 AM CST reply actions

i was thinking along similar lines ...

Maybe there is no deal. Maybe this is all just Hendry sending some kind of message to Prior.

Has anyone heard or seen comments from Prior on this?

by kjk on Dec 29, 2005 8:27 AM CST up reply actions

What kind of plan Does Hendry Have?

That is the part that's most troubling to me.
One thing that I took comfort in was that the cubs at least seemed to have a plan. They were built around young, domininant, homegrown starting pitching.
If you are going to build your team around anything, do it around young dominant homegrown starting pitching.

I wonder what happened to that plan when you talk about trading prior. Prior is a franchise player. You just don't trade a guy like him, especially when hes under cubs control for a few more years at a budget cost.

It seems so reactionary to go after Tejada by dangling prior, and just bad in so many ways.
I don't believe that Hendry is 'over' the fact that he missed out on Furcal, and that's part of it.
I also believe that Hendry's lame duck status has caused him to make moves that might, I repeat, might, be good short term moves, but have terrible long term consequences.
Tejada may, I reapeat, may, be older than he claims to be,
He may, I repeat, may, have used steroids.
And if he helps the cubs reach the post season, the cubs are going to have a much much harder time advancing without mark prior in the rotation...

ok, clearly i'm still upset about this...
make it stop somebody, please.
no more mark prior trade talk please. I can't handle it.

by dan the fan on Dec 29, 2005 8:01 PM CST up reply actions

This is...

how I feel.

Cubbie Blue always sPaRkLes in my eyes. Time to sPaRkLe Jimmy!

by sparkles721 on Dec 29, 2005 9:09 PM CST up reply actions

ESPN Insider.....

is saying that the deal that the O's are mulling over is Manny and Clement from Boston for Tejada. The Cubs cannot compete with that deal.

Unless the Cubs thicken the pot, they won't even be considered. The deal stinks for the Cubs already if you ask me. If they throw anybody else in, people will have Hendry's head.

by martyblue on Dec 29, 2005 8:11 AM CST reply actions

if the sox

do that deal, lucchino needs to be taken out back and put out of his misery.

by dholl @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Dec 29, 2005 8:51 AM CST up reply actions

Why...

... do you think that's such a good deal?

Clement is not that good. I wish people around here would stop treating him like he were a 20 game winner. On any given day, he has the stuff to totally dominate while on other days he implodes. He is a middle of the rotation starter who has never been able to harness his stuff.

Manny is a premier player who makes a ton of money. If you are going to have a $150M payroll, he's fine, however he made nearly $20M last year (not sure what it is this year) and that is a big drag for most teams.

DmL

by dmlichte on Dec 29, 2005 10:07 AM CST up reply actions

Clement

he was a good pitcher for the Cubs in his final year with the team. My impression was that he was just unlucky in terms of run support during his outings. I'd say the Orioles would need to throw something else in that trade, even with the salaries that they'd be taking on.

by slink on Dec 29, 2005 10:53 AM CST up reply actions

2004 with the Cubs

Clement's final season with the Cubs was pretty solid (however I was glad that the Cubs didn't match the Red Sox offer). However he has only had two seasons with sub 4 ERAs. If Baltimore wants to trade for Clement, they aren't just going to consider his 2004, they've got to look at his 2005 (as well as the other up and down seasons). Perhaps Leo Mazzone will be able to do what several other good pitching coaches weren't able to do. However I think that, especially with dollars considered, Manny and Clement aren't such an overwhelming package.

DmL

by dmlichte on Dec 29, 2005 11:18 AM CST up reply actions

I'm Sorry...

...but how can you call his last Cub season solid? They pulled him from the rotation for the stretch run.

by BeerCub on Dec 29, 2005 11:38 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah...

he made me very mad. He pitched like 2 innings in the last starts he made. That's why I didn't want him back.

Cubbie Blue always sPaRkLes in my eyes. Time to sPaRkLe Jimmy!

by sparkles721 on Dec 29, 2005 11:43 AM CST up reply actions

I don't disagree

Which is why I didn't want to retain him. His numbers, overall, were solid, but he continued his bout of inconsistency and fell apart at the end of the season.

Again, I'm not a Clement fan and am quite frustrated by those who like to remember him more fondly than he really was.

DmL

by dmlichte on Dec 29, 2005 11:52 AM CST up reply actions

Clement...

...is an absolute headcase. As has been discussed on this board before, in any given start, he's definitely got the potential to have absolutely filthy stuff...but if he perceives that a call goes against him, or a fielder makes a mistake behind him, he's as likely as not to implode and give up multiple runs in an inning.

Besides, with the exception of 2003, he's shown that he's remarkably suceptible to the grind of the season. Essentially, you can't count on him after the beginning of August....

by Santos L Halper on Dec 29, 2005 11:16 AM CST up reply actions

Oops.....

Figuring that this was new information, I just posted a diary on this very subject. Unfortunately, I didn't read all of the posts in this thread first!

Anyhow, I honestly didn't mean to step on anyones toes here, and Al, if you'd like, you can delete my diary.

Sorry about that, marty!

by Santos L Halper on Dec 29, 2005 11:05 AM CST up reply actions