Score Reporting Craig Monroe Deal

by HectorVillanueva on Nov 13, 2007 11:40 AM CST Comment 54 comments

George Offman is reporting that the Cubs have a deal in place. Craig Monroe to the Twins for a player to be named.

This very well may be the "Who cares of the month" award winning story, but then again...

Let the speculation begin that this is setting the stage for more dealings with Minnesota.

Let the "who's the ptbnl" guessing game commence as well.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Well, given what the Cubs' biggest need is...

I'd say the ptbnl is going to be either

Al Newman
Wally Backman
Tim Teufel

or the immortal...
- Rob Wilfong

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Nov 13, 2007 11:32 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

What?

Why no love for Roy Smalley?

by HectorVillanueva on Nov 13, 2007 11:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Announced

It's Bombo Rivera, guys. Give credit to Hendry for getting quality on this one.

The artist formerly known as JoshinLA

by Josh77 on Nov 13, 2007 4:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

HEY if the twins

make big cardboard cutouts of the letters P - T - B - N - L, I would take that as compenstion for K-raig Monroe.

I can see it now, Hendry walks to the mic and announces the cubs have traded monroe for these 5 pieces (building blocks for the future)!! in the distance we hear a faint holy cow and a toast from Harry

I propose a toast to the great 100th anniversy gift known to mankind - A CUBS WORLD SERIES VICTORY!

by BigZ 4 Cy on Nov 13, 2007 11:33 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

PTBNL?

How about Johann Santana? :)

"I guess you had some lean years, and didnt have to beat it hard" - Craig Sager

by Galvan316 on Nov 13, 2007 11:36 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Liriano!

We do loved those hurt pitchers.

by Arbusto on Nov 13, 2007 12:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Could be, if the "p" in ptbnl...

...stands for photo.
http://shop.mlb.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2105400&cp=1485908.1858701.1851909

whaddyathink? does 80 bucks sound about right for Monroe? ;-)

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Nov 13, 2007 12:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Okay this is small good will but obviously leading

to something else brewing. Monroe is Rondell White incarnate, what does Minnesota need that the Cubs have? What do the Cubs need.

My guess is that SS is on top of the list outside of RF and another starter.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Nov 13, 2007 11:52 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

UPDATE!!!

George Offman is now reporting that the Cubs have made a three-way-deal as they traded Craig Monroe to the Twins who then sent him back to Detroit for Jacque Jones. In turn, the Cubs sent the Twins Omar Infante and Ronny Woo-Woo and received Jones back a day after trading him away. The Cubs believe the change of scenery will help Jones this upcoming season...

by bergs55 on Nov 13, 2007 11:59 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

LMAO

I think they call that "churning" in the stock market world -- a lot of activity for no good reason. Then again, if we can get rid of Woo-Woo,...

"I took an IQ test and it came back negative." -- Woody Paige

by BlueSox on Nov 13, 2007 12:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Getting rid of Woo-Woo...

...would qualify as just a dump, period.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Nov 13, 2007 12:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I guess everyone is

hopefully waiting for the Fukudome sign. Boy if Hendry takes a called third on this guy.....

by Johnny Callison was a Cub on Nov 13, 2007 12:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Done deal

Monroe sent to Twins for PTBNL

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20071113&content_id=229945 5&vkey=pr_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

by flachimesa on Nov 13, 2007 12:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Official press release...

... here.

So, essentially, this becomes Clay Rapada for a PTBNL from the Twins. If that player (likely a low-level prospect) turns into anything, it's a successful deal.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Nov 13, 2007 12:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

It'll be interesting to see if money was involved

If not then that's another few million off the payroll. He's doing a good job so far of making room for a big signing, assuming that they are indeed limited to a $15M increase in the team payroll for next year.

by Wreckard on Nov 13, 2007 1:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

We could have non-tendered Monroe

and paid nothing. You can't call this move a salary dump.

by IllinoisCubs on Nov 13, 2007 1:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Right, but...

... if the Twins take Monroe's contract, you pay nothing AND get a player. Good deal.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Nov 13, 2007 1:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

True that

but not a salary dump. It's not good to think of trading Monroe as $5M more in cap room for the Cubs.

In other news, Mark Prior and Angel Guzman have been activated from the DL to the 40-man roster. We now have 38 guys on the list which means two free agents can be signed!

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=76554&src=152

by IllinoisCubs on Nov 13, 2007 1:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This is as good a time as any to note...

...that players on the DL cannot be traded.

Just saying.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Nov 13, 2007 1:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

So long as we're on the topic of...

...the Cubs' roster - whoever updates the depth chart on Cubs.com (we've argued over whether or not Muskat herself does it, to no real resolution) is driving me up the wall.

It has to have been updated yesterday at the latest, because Omar Infante is all over that thing and Jacque Jones is erased. So how is Trachsel still in the rotation? Floyd and Kendall are apparently still starting for the Cubs next season, and Soto is third on the catching depth chart.

This isn't the first time I've complained about such things, either. I'm tempted to find some "cheap as free" web hosting out there and put up my own depth chart and roster, just so I don't have to try and reference that crap.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Nov 13, 2007 2:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

re: So long as we're on the topic of...

I noticed this problem during the regular season and it drove me nuts. Please do start your own online depth chart -- I know I'd refer to it. Maybe Al can set something up here?

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by dat cubfan daver on Nov 13, 2007 2:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually...

... I might be able to do that. There is a script floating around SBN -- Let's Go Tribe uses it, check their right sidebar -- that has the updated 40-man roster. But how you would go about extrapolating from that to an actual positional depth chart, I do not know.

If anyone out there has any ideas on how I could do this, email me and I'll work with you on getting it posted here. I know a lot of people would like to have a better one than the one at cubs.com.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Nov 13, 2007 7:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Either someone over there...

...is reading this site, or someone noticed what I noticed.

If it's the former... Daryle Ward isn't our starting right fielder, and Henry Blanco isn't our starting catcher.

(Actually, if you pay attention to the spacing, those spots are simply blank now. I can see the reluctance to pencil in Murton, because he's not getting the job, but Soto?)

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Nov 13, 2007 7:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Whats wrong with the depth chart at yahoo?

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/chc/depthchart;_ylt=ArKVHXEXqDGTcJkEeHSTRv8V0bYF

n/t

by LT on Nov 13, 2007 7:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Do you mean other than the fact...

...that nobody knew about it?

I dunno.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Nov 13, 2007 7:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That's what I meant...

Should have said "Try the depth chart at yahoo".

by LT on Nov 13, 2007 8:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't know Yahoo! had one either...

If creating a depth chart on BCB would be prohibitively complicated, maybe we could just add a link to Yahoo!'s on the sidebar? And by "we" I of course mean you, Al. :-)

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by dat cubfan daver on Nov 14, 2007 9:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ask and you shall receive.

It's on the left sidebar under "General Baseball Links".

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Nov 14, 2007 9:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

re: Ask and you shall receive

Thanks, Al. Wow, I never looked all that closely at that list. That's more linkage than a Denny's breakfast plate.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by dat cubfan daver on Nov 14, 2007 10:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I would highly recommend...

... looking through that list -- I put a lot of stuff in there that's useful.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Nov 14, 2007 3:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

the value of control of the contract status

If as DML has suggested the Twins are looking at offering Monroe less than his $4.7M and he takes it, it is better than competing in the uncertain FA market where Monroe would have ended up.

PTBNL is probably based on the outcome of the process. It might also be a bridge for further negotiations.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Nov 13, 2007 1:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ah

For some reason I thought his 2008 was guaranteed. Never mind then.

by Wreckard on Nov 13, 2007 1:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

How could they trade Craig Monroe?

I mean the guy belted one homers!

"Baby, I'm born to lose." ~ Johnny Thunders, 1977

by dat cubfan daver on Nov 13, 2007 1:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Haha

I had completely forgot about Monroe until they traded him. Wow he really had a "big" impact on this team!

Is it too early to be thinking about Spring Training?

by DenverCub on Nov 13, 2007 2:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

To be honest with ya

I had forgotten about him too!

Nothing like making a splash with your new team, K-raig:)

He actually hit a homer run?!?, I guess I must have blacked out for a second and awoke right after he touched home and figure him walking back to dugout menat he struck out again. (Actually that homerun was a bomb, but what do you expect, the sun shines on a dog's *ss every now and then)

I propose a toast to the great 100th anniversy gift known to mankind - A CUBS WORLD SERIES VICTORY!

by BigZ 4 Cy on Nov 13, 2007 2:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Prior

Early reports say Prior just re-injured himself when he was removed from the disabled list....

No just kidding...although wouldn't be surprised

by cubbiematt12 on Nov 13, 2007 2:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

One negative to this trade

Is that I thought the Twins made the best match with the Cubs for a Matt Murton trade (if the Cubs are inclined to trade him). Anyone else have a list of teams that you think Murton might fit with?

by DGU on Nov 13, 2007 2:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Just off the top of my head...

...Oakland?

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Nov 13, 2007 2:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think...

White Sox
Twins
Oakland
Nationals
Pirates (if the move Bay)
Royals (depending on how they view Butlers development)
San Diego
Seattle (interesting 4th OF option)
Orioles
Cleveland (Patterson and Murton for Peralta makes a ton of sense)

by Damen Jackson on Nov 13, 2007 2:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

im on

that peralta bandwaggon, and murton would be a perfect fit in left field in cleveland.

Kevin Hart Watch: IP: 11 K: 13 ERA: 0.82 WHIP: 1.00 K/BB: 3.25 a productive farm system is a wonderful thing.

by kylejo on Nov 13, 2007 2:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ok

White Sox: They have to trade one of Crede/Fields first.
Twins: Even now that they have Monroe?
Oakland: They want to resign Stewart, and if they don't they still have Swisher and Buck on the corners.
Nats: They're in on the CF market, and then still have Kearns, Church, Wily Mo, and then an assorted bag of 5th OFs
Pirates: maybe
Royals: They've got 25 mill to spend, are looking at OFs, and even then have DeJesus, Emil Brown, Gathright, Teahen, and Gload.
San Diego: They've already got Scott Hairston.
Seattle: Their OF is stocked with Ibanez, Adam Jones, and Ichiro. Maybe if they can dump Sexson and move Ibanez to 1B, but then, why not bring up Wladimir Balentien?
O's: maybe
Cleveland: They've still got Jason Michaels, right? maybe, but I think Cleveland would want more than just Murton and Patterson.

by DGU on Nov 13, 2007 2:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe I'm wrong....

But Murton would be an upgrade over Michaels.

by IllinoisCubs on Nov 13, 2007 3:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Arguably,

but yes. And easily close to two million cheaper.

by Damen Jackson on Nov 13, 2007 3:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Pirates et al

When in the heck would the Pirates think about moving Jason Bay?

The Nationals look pretty well set with Kearns, Pena and Andruw Jones in the Outfield.

The White Sox seem attracted to the type of player that Murton is not.

by frustratedfan on Nov 13, 2007 3:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow..

Well, you've said a mouthful. You'll let us know when Jones signs on with the Nats. As for Jason Bay, Pittsburgh has been speculating on this for weeks, including Jason himself. You might refer to: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07270/820896-63.stm for an example. Read the tea-leaves and you get a sense that a trade shouldn't come as a surprise.

As for Murton, why do people always feel you have to be starter in order to add value to a ballclub? I don't really want to open the whole Matt Murton debate again, but there are ballclubs that have a place for a cheap outfielder who gets on base. Maybe he starts, maybe not. But there are certainly teams that he matches well with. Perhaps you're right about the White Sox though. Have to see what they do with their young guys.

by Damen Jackson on Nov 13, 2007 4:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You're absolutely right...

... that players don't have to be starters to be valuable, and that insight alone could have saved a few dozen posts on the Infante thread.

But I'm assuming that for it to be worth the Cubs while to trade Murton, the club trading for him would need to see him as a starter.

by DGU on Nov 13, 2007 5:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

How about

We trade him for a player to be named later, and it turns out to be Dickie Noles (whom the Cubs once traded for a PTBNL, only to get Noles back as the PTBNL).

"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Nov 13, 2007 2:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I wish

I could do that with my car - sell it back to the dealer at the price I paid even though I drove it around for a bit.

by NO100 on Nov 13, 2007 3:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Noles

In regards to your comparison of the Dickie Noles for Dickie Noles trade with trading your car in - Noles had a lot of mileage on him by the time he came back. And not just on his arm!

"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Nov 14, 2007 9:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

anything for monroe

would be good I guess...

Hopefully Jim gets a diamond in the rough, kind of like what he did with Todd Walker

Live is boring until March 31st strolls by..

by Chanman25 on Nov 13, 2007 3:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Back to dealing with the Twins

It would have been nice to have sent Murton and a couple of other guys over for Joe Nathan. I have a feeling that he'll be moved by July at the latest, and I would much rather have a bona fide stopper than assume Wood or Marmol are the guy just because they have the tools.

by JDay on Nov 14, 2007 11:17 AM CST reply actions 0 recs