MLBTR should be boycotted...

by PrincetonCubs on Feb 15, 2008 10:17 PM CST

for posting stupid rumors like this one:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/02/angels-trade-fo.html#comments

"Angels trade for Aramis Ramirez

I have just learned from my Cubs contact that the Angels have traded Erick Aybar and Chone Figgins for Aramis Ramirez. More to come. Stay tuned.

Nugs"

Whoever "Nugs" is...well, that's just crazy. your Cubs contact has an amazing sense of humor. I post this reluctantly, as I don't like giving undue attention to wild rumors, but before anyone breathlessly reports this...I just don't believe this could possibly be accurate. It would take a lot more than that to get Aramis, first of all, but more importantly it seems inconceivable that he is on the block. but for all of your information...

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It's already gone...

I saw it too and thought that Hendry had lost his mind. Thank goodness that it was false.

by gacubbie20 on Feb 15, 2008 10:17 PM CST reply actions

and during the time I was writing that...

someone removed it from the MLBTR site. false alarm--but they should probably be a little concerned if random folks are posting stuff to their front page...

by PrincetonCubs on Feb 15, 2008 10:18 PM CST reply actions

Am I the only person...

...that would at least seriously consider Ramirez for Aybar and Figgins? Bueller? Anyone?

I has a blog.

by cwyers on Feb 15, 2008 10:24 PM CST reply actions

Where would you play Figgins?

Are you thinking of Figgins as a CF or 3B? He's an awful 3B and a worse 2B. It's tough to play IF with bad hands. I have no problem with him playing CF, then you need a 3B or 2B (depending on where you play DeRo). Does Aybar play SS?

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Feb 15, 2008 10:30 PM CST up reply actions

That also eliminates...

a pretty large source of power from the line-up. Figgins would more than likely lead off and that would push Soriano to either the 3 or 4 spot. While I like him further down in the order, I think I would much rather have him leading off and having another consistent high-average, high-power bat behind D. Lee than having a streaky hitter that strikes out a lot in one of those two spots.

by gacubbie20 on Feb 15, 2008 10:33 PM CST up reply actions

after doing a double take...

I'd still say no. Figgins is a rich man's Ryan Freel, and Aybar is 24 and losing luster quickly. he only hit .237 in ~200 ABs in the show last year, and seems to have lost his knack for stealing bases. for the premier power producer on the Cubs, I'd expect a bit more than that (I hope.)

add Brandon Wood or Nick Adenhart or Kendrick, then maybe Hendry would listen...Ramirez is too valuable (IMHO) otherwise.

by PrincetonCubs on Feb 15, 2008 10:52 PM CST up reply actions

probably not

but I'm not on the same mind in this. I'm pretty sure it's a couple more year of Rami at his prime, then the Cubs either let his contract expire or trade him to make room for Vitters when he's ready to move to the big leagues. Aybar's already looking like a dud and Figgins is just a skinnier Mark DeRosa. in my personal, uneducated, completely amatuerish opinion, Rami's worth quite a bit more than that.

by petrie on Feb 16, 2008 12:08 AM CST up reply actions

Hacked

Blogs aren't immune to hackers, and apparently, that's what happened to MLBTR. Tim Dierkes has some new writers, and one of them had his account info compromised. That's a dumb rumor, though; if I was going to hack a popular site, I'd post something better than that.

Since I left, I've always missed Chicago but never as much as I do right now!

by TMOX on Feb 15, 2008 10:44 PM CST reply actions

Possibly something involving...

our favorite second basement from Baltimore? ; )

by gacubbie20 on Feb 15, 2008 10:50 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah

I saw that and wondered about the people that Tim got to help out with his site. That isn't even a rumor that can be cited, that is just plain hearsay.

I go to MLBTR for a collection of rumor that have been published in print about baseball teams, not what some secret source says...

If I wanted that, hell, I would just read blogs all day.

"Oh, I get a little tired now and then, but knowing my lifestyle, that's only natural." -- Harry Caray

by Cribbs463 on Feb 15, 2008 11:58 PM CST reply actions

somewhat useful

MLBTR is useful in the sense that it's 'one stop shopping' for the latest rumor buzz. it's not the most accurate site on the web, but like Wikipedia, can often point you to something or someone who actually does know what they're talking about.

by petrie on Feb 16, 2008 12:10 AM CST reply actions

indeed

I was just irked when I saw the post and I thought they'd moved over into the realm of wild speculation, whereas before they seemed to basically collate links, the drudge report of baseball transactions. I duly call the boycott off. Makes you wonder, though, who spends that much time trying to break into a baseball-related website just to post a quasi-realistic "rumor."

by PrincetonCubs on Feb 16, 2008 11:46 AM CST up reply actions