Latest Roberts Rumors

by John Q Freejazz on Feb 15, 2008 1:32 AM CST Comment 41 comments

One of the alleged insiders on OriolesHangout.com has posted some new rumors in regard to the possible Brian Roberts trade. Take this with a pillar of salt.

"My understanding is the talks are way more serious then the media is picking up on. My prediction- The Cubs will get him soon."

Q: Think PGA will sign off on it?????
A: I sure do!!!

Q: Same cast of characters we keep hearing for BRob?
A: Not all of the same names.

Q: I'm wondering if we are trading with the Cubs if we get back some players who we will not have to put on the 40 man roster.

A: Most likely would get players that wouldn't be on our 40 man.

The specific posts start here:

http://forum.orioleshangout.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59240&page=12

Discuss.

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.

0 recs | Comment 41 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Same old same old comments

I been reading that Roberts is close to being traded to the Cubs from the Orioles insiders since late December. The Orioles fans are kinda crazy to think thier gonna get some package like Colvin, Veal, Gallagher and Cedeno. They think if they throw in Jay Payton it will make it fair. I'd be shocked if the Orioles even get two of those players, there's no way Hendry trades all four of them for Roberts and Payton. Bruce Miles even said Colvin is unlikely to be traded in any deal for Roberts. So the Orioles might get two of those players, and another player or two thrown(of lesser value). IMO it's gonna be the Orioles who give in not Hendry.

by cubsfan25 on Feb 15, 2008 3:19 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Re-run of a bad movie

Then tomorrow, he'll shoot down the rumors and say "Peter's at it again, wants too much more for Roberts"....This guy is less credible than McNamee.

by hightightfastball on Feb 15, 2008 4:03 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Deric McKamey with an extensive

Run down on Cubs Minor League prospects
over at INsidetheivy.com.

by hightightfastball on Feb 15, 2008 6:00 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Nice artile in East Valley Tribune

a newspaper in Phoenix about The Cubs and their fanatic fanbase

by hightightfastball on Feb 15, 2008 6:11 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Mesa's Weather forecast for today:

RAIN and lots of it.

by hightightfastball on Feb 15, 2008 6:47 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Why the Orioles shouldn't trade Roberts

The more I think about this possible trade, the less I think it will happen.

When it comes down to it, the Orioles will likely not get enough in return for him to make it worth it for them. Sure, one can argue that they aren't winning with him, so why not lose without him? While their is truth to this, the Orioles still need to field a team, attract fans, etc.

I look at Roberts as very similar to Mark Grace during the mid 90's. Good player, not great. Could the Cubs have traded Grace for a nice prospect? Sure. Would that prospect have been a stud who would go on to lead them to glory? Highly unlikely. In reality, a cheap OF, a young #4-5 starter and a possible middle IF or reserve player, would seem to be a fair trade on paper. But is that really worth it to the O's?

For those who think that the Cubs should give up Murton, Cedeno, and Gallagher/Marshall, ask yourself how you would have felt had the Cubs traded Grace in 1995 for a similar haul.

Eamus Ursuli!

by WGNstatic on Feb 15, 2008 7:36 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Only in a vacuum can the Grace comparison be made

If the Cubs were in a self-declared rebuilding mode back then, of course it would make sense to visit that scenario.

However, to be fair two very, very good players on the Cubs that season would have had to already been dealt, and for a good number of quality prospects.

Several weeks ago I was more in favor of Roberts if he could have been had on the cheap or included with Bedard. Now, he'd have to be really cheap for it to make sense, plus depending on who Hendry had to give up, Hendry would have to be sure moves subsequent to the Roberts deal would provide a good chance to replenish the portion of the farm system lost in the Roberts deal.

by blackhawk24 on Feb 15, 2008 7:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's tough to compare any fans to Cub fans

and that Wrigley will be filled no matter the record.

Do you really think that if the Orioles start out 4-20 for instance and are completely out of it by May and the losing continues, that the fans will continue to come out just to see Brian Roberts?

I certainly don't.

Why it makes sense for the Orioles to trade Roberts now and not at the All Star Break, is because there will be a lot more available players similiar to Roberts by then that the Cubs can turn their interest too, as obviously by then, teams will know if they have a legitimate chance to contend as opposed to now, where 90% of the teams out there, believe they can contend for a playoff spot. One of those 10% of teams to not have any legitimate hopes of contending, are the Baltimore Orioles, who are in full blown rebuilding mode.

Hence why it would be dumb of Angelos to hold onto Roberts for a trade deadline deal, as I doubt then, he can get the prospects for Brian Roberts as he can now. Also, it's a risk to wait that long for obvious reasons of Roberts getting hurt or not performing to career averages. Right now, the Cubs are filled with the potential of what Roberts can do and are looking more at his years of putting up better numbers.

All these factors on why it would be smart for the Orioles to trade Roberts now, is why ANgelo's a moron and why the Orioles have stunk horribly over the last 10 years.

by hightightfastball on Feb 15, 2008 7:55 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The only way it would pay for

the O's to hang on to Roberts now and look for a trade at the deadline is teams are a bit more desperate to trade for guys like him than they are now. There's a hard date/time; 31Jul @ 16:00ET.

Of course injuries and the like can affect that, which you pointed out well.

I agree that Angelos stupidity has cost that team dearly the past 10-ish years.

And if they do start 4-20, even with Bedard still there with Roberts, people would stay away.

by blackhawk24 on Feb 15, 2008 8:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Completely agree

n/t

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Feb 15, 2008 9:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't agree with this statement:

"there will be a lot more available players similiar to Roberts..."

How many TRUE lead-off hitters--let alone switch-hitting ones--are left in baseball?

If I weren't at work right now I'd do this myself, but we should make a list of all the TRUE lead-off hitters in baseball...

by Shawon12 on Feb 15, 2008 1:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll make the list...

just give me minimum required stats to use to determine a TRUE lead-off hitter.

<crickets.....>

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Feb 15, 2008 1:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd say

you would want a guy to have a minimum OBP of .360 and be able to steal at least 30 bases with a success rate of 80% or higher.

I know there is a lot of talk about a guy needing to see a lot of pitches, but I think that is overblown for a leadoff man. As long as he is getting on base at a good clip, that is all that matters. It's much more important for your 2 hole hitter to take pitches (to give your leadoff man a chance to steal).

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Feb 15, 2008 1:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Your criteria...

may be a little too stringent. It puts the following lists of players in the TRUE LEAD-OFF category.

2007
Brian Roberts
Ichiro Suzuki
David Wright

2006
Derek Jeter
Ichiro Suzuki

2005
Nobody

I have a spreadsheet with 2000-2007 batting stats, but I only did the last 3 years. If anyone is interested I guess I could do more.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Feb 15, 2008 5:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

lol

Nothing crazy, just a list of every single player who batted lead-off last year including OBP, OPS, % of ground balls vs. fly balls, SB%...and of course all of these stats must be park-adjusted...lol

I was just thinking we could start a simple thread, leading-off (pun intended) with the obvious ones...Ichiro, Jose Reyes, etc.

by Shawon12 on Feb 15, 2008 1:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That site is turning into a joke.

If I had time, I'd go through it and find all the posts that say "Roberts is going to be a Cub SOON". There must be a dozen or more times this so-called "insider" has said that. Hasn't happened yet. Not likely to happen now, with position players reporting in just a few days.

I'm SO tired of hearing about this. I think Jim Hendry has moved on. Let's do the same.

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

by Al on Feb 15, 2008 8:22 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I wonder how

Roberts physical went...?

And ESCAPEGOAT was never heard from again.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Feb 15, 2008 8:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm pretty sure that post was meant as a joke.

Atleast that's the way I took it.

by hightightfastball on Feb 15, 2008 9:11 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well youd have to read pretty

hard into the info in his diary to see that, I guess we disagree. Again.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Feb 15, 2008 9:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That site has long been a joke

Look at some of the players that the Orioles were supposedly going to get from the Mariners for Bedard, leading to many Orioles fans expecting a package of Adam Jones AND Carlos Triunfel / Jeff Clement and stuff.

visiting A's fan.

by rfloh on Feb 15, 2008 9:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Roberts again?

Why do you hate me?

by hoosiercubbie on Feb 15, 2008 9:53 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Levine is on ESPN1000 now

They're talking about Marquis trade value, which according to BRUUUUUUCE, he's been getting alot of attention from other GM's.

One scenario: Crisp from Bos to Chi for Marquis. Levine didn't get into details other that saying the Cubs aren't sold on Pie. I can't see why they'd do this.

by blackhawk24 on Feb 15, 2008 10:33 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Did Bruce Say...

... that the Cubs aren't sold on Pie?

I'd figure that Crisp would come in and be that 4th OF to replace Murton.

Jacque Jones is gone and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on Feb 15, 2008 10:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bruce said he thinks the Cubs

may not be sold on Pie.

I guess I struggle with the Crisp part. Not dissing Pie, but having a plan-C (Fuld being plan-B) isn't a bad idea, just having Crisp as that doesn't give me a warm fuzzy. Isn't the rap on that guy that he's lazy?

by blackhawk24 on Feb 15, 2008 11:01 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That makes sense

at the very least, I think they know they need a backup plan if Pie can't make the hitting adjustment (which he may not).

I'm not familiar with Boston's pitching situation, but I would be surprised if they felt Marquis would be very successful in the AL East.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Feb 15, 2008 10:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Backup For Schilling...

... who is out for half the year, perhaps the whole year.

What about Lester/Buccholz, though?

Jacque Jones is gone and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on Feb 15, 2008 10:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That's right

I forgot about the Schilling thing. In fact, it sounds like he may be done if the conservative approach doesn't work out for him.

It would be interesting, they may have to issue hardhats to those people sitting on top of the monster.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Feb 15, 2008 10:51 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Home runs allowed last season

Marquis 22 - 191 inning
Schilling 21 -151 inning

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Feb 15, 2008 11:07 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Point taken

but I have to say, Marquis' 4.60 era will balloon big time in the AL. Also, considering Schilling's age, a 3.87 in that league ain't too shabby.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Feb 15, 2008 11:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh

I was literally only posting that in response to the hard hats. But I know as you know, a healthy Schilling is not only more valuable but also a complete butt head.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Feb 15, 2008 11:57 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

there is no way Theo is interested in

..Marquis to play in that band box. They are LOADED with pitching even without Schilling...

Then again Crisp is pretty worthless to them..

Let me get back to you, will ya, Charlie? I got a guy on the other line asking about some white walls.

by JB 23 on Feb 16, 2008 5:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Makes sense to me

The Cubs have a plethora of #4 pitchers and Marquis would actually be a pretty darn good #5 pitcher, which he would be for the BoSox.

I don't think the interest in Crisp is more because they don't think Pie is a bust, but because the Cubs still need a RH CF to platoon with Pie. Crisp has put up decent numbers from the right side and a change of scenery could be good for him. Since coming to the Red Sox 2 years ago, he has pretty much stunk, but prior to that, he was putting up good numbers.

The salaries don't match up, with Marquis making $5 Million more than Crisp, so the Cubs would have to eat some of Marquis' salary, I imagine.

I think it'd be a good move for both teams.

by hightightfastball on Feb 15, 2008 10:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Marquis

Why on earth would Boston want Jason Marquis?
Schilling or no Schilling

by plenz on Feb 15, 2008 3:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Crisp............

last 3 years as right handed batter

.262 .320 obp .717ops

No thank you

Not a Marquis fan at all but I think a better alternative can be had. i'd sooner let Pie play against lefties

by plenz on Feb 15, 2008 3:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

From Rosenthal...

From his article entitled "10 things to watch in spring training ":

6. The Cubs' pitching competition: Who needs Prior? Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly and Rich Hill are the top three starters, but after that as many as six pitchers will compete for two spots. The candidates include Jon Lieber, who rejoined with the team only after receiving assurances that he would start; and Ryan Dempster, who hasn't started full-time since 2003.
A trade for Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts could help resolve the logjam; Sean Gallagher and Jason Marquis are among the pitchers who might be included in such a deal. Marquis also could be sent elsewhere, and the return of Dempster to the closer's role is possible. Then again, the Cubs believe that Bob Howry, Kerry Wood and Carlos Marmol are all strong candidates to close.

Injury and ineffectiveness can erode the depth of a staff quickly, but manager Lou Piniella figures to spend all spring toying with his options. If the Cubs acquire Roberts and identify the right pitching combination, the World Series could be within reach.

Source here.

Jacque Jones is gone and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on Feb 15, 2008 10:52 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

None of that info...

... is anything Rosenthal hasn't written before. Nothing new here.

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

by Al on Feb 15, 2008 12:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

cubs

if this deal is,nt made in the next few weeks i doubt we,ll have to suffer through these rumors again.marquis???if this guy could pitch the 2nd half like the first he,d be worth keeping.an innings eater,always healthy,im surprised it,s so hard to peddle him.i cant see boston wanting him though.

by NOMAR on Feb 16, 2008 6:15 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yawn

by MDBNIU on Feb 16, 2008 8:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

The cubs might get Roberts??

Thats awesome!!

by WUSTLCubsFan on Feb 16, 2008 10:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

'Good Marquis' in the rotation for the first half?

Its obvious that Lou/Hendry want to get rid of Marquis' salary tag, but has there been any discussion of letting Marshall or Gallagher start at AAA and let Marquis work the first half and let one of the Seans come up in mid-June?

That way, you get 'Good Marquis' for part of the year and you minimize the IP one of the Seans will have to endure given their durability issues.

Also, I guess this is why Marquis is being considered in Boston. If they can get a mediocre 1st half out of him, and Schilling can come back in the 2nd half they can ditch/DFA Marquis afterwards.

"I got a PBS mind in an MTV world"

by The Ryno and I Know on Feb 18, 2008 8:48 AM CST reply actions 0 recs