Rosenthal: Cubs to pursue best available starter
by Wreckard on Jun 11, 2008 12:28 PM CDT
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PrintAs mentioned on MLB Trade Rumors, Ken Rosenthal's latest has a couple of nice Cubs nuggets in it.
The Cubs not only will pursue the best available starting pitcher — C.C. Sabathia? — but they also have shown interest in Rockies closer Brian Fuentes, a left-hander who would help reduce the late-inning load on righties Carlos Marmol and Kerry Wood. Fuentes, a free agent at the end of the season, could fill a variety of roles — matchup specialist, setup man, closer — making him appealing to virtually every contender . . .
Food for thought. Fuentes would be an incredible addition to an already excellent bullpen. Sabathia is the only starter who could be available that I would sell the farm for without any reservations whatsoever.
Update: Per Northsider below, Rosenthal has backpedaled and now says the Cubs are not interested in Fuentes.
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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I Hope Lou Uses Fuentes
Evidently, Lou does not have a lot of confidence in Eyre and Cotts. From what little I’ve seen, those guys seem to be doing the job. They don’t get used much. I like Fuentes. The Cubs need good lefties in the pen in crunch time. I hope Lou uses Fuentes, if the Cubs get him. If the Cubs don’t get him, use Eyre and Cotts more.
"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray
I would think Lou is starting to trust Eyre.
Quoted from the Sun Times today…
...Eyre making his 31st consecutive outing without allowing a run to tie Ryan Dempster for the franchise record. Eyre also has stranded all 13 inherited runners he has had.
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jun 11, 2008 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions
Right.
What’s wrong with Eyre and Cotts? Geez, the way you read this, you’d think the Cubs were eight games behind.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
The way you read what? Rosenthal's quote?
Fuentes is lights-out. His WHIP has been around 1.15 for the last 3 seasons. He would make our bullpen better. In fact, as Rosenthal notes, he’d make just about anybody’s bullpen better.
There’s nothing wrong with Eyre and Cotts. It’s just that Fuentes is better than either of them.
The point is...
... the Cubs are winning with what they have. Why mortgage the future for a marginal upgrade?
Further, Fuentes is just the kind of pitcher the Rockies might want to hang on to even if they tank this season.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al Yellon on Jun 11, 2008 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Exactly.
Lou’s prejudices against players who don’t make good first impressions are going to cost this club a lot of trade capital by the end of this year. Scott Eyre started bad last year, but he’s been great since he turned things around last year. I’d rather have him on the mound in the late innings than Fuentes.
Why would they hang onto him? For the draft pick?
Fuentes would probably be a Type A but they could almost certainly get more than that in return, judging by the Gagne trade from last year.
Yes the Cubs are winning now. I guess I just don’t see why you wouldn’t try to make the team even better if the price was right. No one is going to “mortgage the future” for a middle reliever, but giving up a couple of solid prospects for a guy who can take some of the load off of the overused Marmol in particular would be a great idea for the Cubs – not only for this season but for the future of the club.
And one big difference with Fuentes – he’s good enough against righties that you can use him in non-platoon situations. Eyre has been great but he seems to be more of a lefty specialist (and for good reason – he’s been lights out against lefties).
Cotts can do that.
And actually, Eyre’s not really a LOOGY, Lou has just been using him that way.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
There are two separate issues here and opportunities
First, watching the ROX, they are spent this year, they got real lucky winning out last year and getting a phantom call against the Padres to get into the playoffs, but they are not that good. The ROX however have an opportunity for they have a big bat in LF that can be traded for necessary prospects, and they have Fuentes, both who are free agents.
The Cubs could use a Fuentes as a true late game LOOGY for this is why Marmol is getting a load of work, save Marmol as set up along with Howry and Eyre and have the best bullpen in the majors. Fuentes would also be blocked from another team that would need him. The cost would not be huge, possibly Cotts or Ascanio
and another throwin like Murton. (BTW, Reed Johnson is Murton who can play the OF.)
The starter (or selling the farm) for a power play playoff team, CC is an interesting move and with each ChiSox win the more CC is coming available. The other player to watch is Sheets. He will be traded by Melvin and the Brewers need the farm. I could see the Cubs loading up with Hill or Gallagher, Marshall, Ceda, Patterson or Pie. I would hate to see Gallagher go but, Sheets is a heck of back up top of the order starter.
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
A rental as Plan B?
Not a big risk
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
Depends on the price
especially when you are trading to a divisional rival. The risk would be us sending Felix Pie and Rich Hill to them for Sheets and both regaining their star-level form.
Righties have batted .281 against Eyre in his career
Where they’ve only batted .229 vs. Fuentes in his career.
Cotts has better splits, but he’s still Neal Cotts – I’m just not a believer that 2005 wasn’t a fluke.
Again, I’m not saying Cotts and Eyre can’t get the job done. Just that Fuentes can do that same job much, much better. He’s a dominant reliever, you can’t say that about Cotts or Eyre.
and why
why would fuentes want to be a setup man? his max payday will come because of being a good closer.
Dear SBnation, We need our own server here at BCB seeing how its became very slow due to enormous amounts of traffic. P.S. Impeach Bud Selig!!!
The short answer is...
because he’d be on a playoff team, with a chance to win a championship, but I still don’t want him.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jun 11, 2008 6:51 PM CDT up reply actions
I Hope You're Right
I would love for Eyre to throw more innings. Cotts has been good in limited action. Lou’s the manager. I’m not. If Lou has more confidence in Fuentes than Eyre and Cotts, then Fuentes would be a good guy to get. Fuentes is a good reliever who could get a lot of action in the bullpen from Lou. I don’t think Cotts will get a lot of work. I’m thinking Eyre’s work load will increase.
Fuentes is an upgrade over Cotts. That doesn’t mean I think Cotts is bad. That just means I’d rather have Fuentes pitching in a late-inning pressure situation. Fuentes could be a lefty closer to go along with Wood being a righty closer.
"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray
Brian Fuentes?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jun 11, 2008 12:36 PM CDT reply actions
+1
"What a great call! Your doing a fantastic job, but people expect me to come out here and be upset. So I'm gonna kick some dirt, you understand?" - Lou Pinella
by Lou In Blue on Jun 11, 2008 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jun 11, 2008 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Safe for work.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jun 11, 2008 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Her glazed ceramics are...breathtaking.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.
jeepers.
But can she throw 100mph?
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on Jun 11, 2008 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions
She can throw anything she wants
Plus i hear she’s a great presence in the clubhouse!!
by bluekoolaide on Jun 11, 2008 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions
those can't be real
they look as fake as the photoshopped glistening drops all over her torso and the hungry as the wolf look just looks so .. meh ..
And Mrs Cubnational makes her look like Ugly Betty .. She’s all yours boys
Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!
The more I see this team consistently winning games...
...the more I’m tempted to want them to go “all in” on Sabathia (if, in fact, he’s available and willing). I’m usually more conservative when it comes to this kinda stuff, but I’m starting to believe that It’s so close.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.
Going all in...
is a relative term as well. They’ve clearly got no idea on what to do with Felix Pie so he’d be sure to be gone, as well as probably two from the Hill/Marshall/Gallagher trio. My guess would be both lefties. Then at minimum someone like Colvin and Ceda and/or Samardjza.
Among all the guys available to trade only the CF spot and possibly middle IF spots could open up in the next 3 years. Those are also the weakest spots in the system so there’s no reason to hold on to anyone. Murton, Pie, Cedeno, Patterson, etc. should all be available with one caveat.
I’m not sure if it’s allowed in-season but the number/quality of prospects going to Cleveland should be proportional to the time the team will have his services. If the Cubs are able to talk to him and work out some kind of contract extension before committing to a trade then the more prospects I’d be willing to let go. Then again, getting him for the stretch run to lose him for compensation draft picks could be a smart play if Hendry is able to trade away guys who aren’t as good as the possibilities available between rounds 1 and 2.
As I see it the only “untouchable” in any regards would be Vitters and one of the three pitchers so as not to completely eliminate any semblance of pitching depth.
Agreed
As far as Im concerned the only untouchables, at this point, should be Gallagher and Vitters; the latter only b/c he hasnt even had a chance to prove himself.
Id be fine if they gave up Pie, Hill, Colvin, Ceda etc for CC Sabathia and some other throw in. Then go w/ Reed and Jimbo in center, and maybe E Pat for the longer term?
CC is a big boy w/ a lot of miles though, so its a risk for sure, id also vote for Greinke as well.
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
+1
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jun 11, 2008 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions
Sabathia
is great, but there goes our farm. I would still do it though because it’s what we need to win it all this year. I would trade for Harden if it takes less prospects and have him sit till late September. Since it seems like you only lasts a month or so before going on the DL it would be the best idea to just have him for the playoff run. He also has an option for next year if his arm holds up.
by CubFaninStLouis on Jun 11, 2008 12:49 PM CDT reply actions
MBNIU... is that you?
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jun 11, 2008 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Not at all.
Cubs won and Soriano played well. He’s out of ammo.
"And there's a...BASE HIT! Fair ball! Fontenot will score! CUBS WIN!" -Len Kasper, 5.28.08
by neverAcquiesce on Jun 11, 2008 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Hmmm, though I believe MDBNIU is already shopping around...
...for alternate user names to use after Al ban’s him (what’s the over/under on that, by the way?), this user at leasts recognizes the fact that Harden is an injury risk. I would point out, though, that I’m not sure how feasible it is to trade for a starter like Harden and then just sit him until late September. Are you suggesting he fake an injury? Talk about irony.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.
No
I used to be CunFaninSTL when we had the old blog, but for some reason this one wouldn’t let me use that name.
What I’m saying is that we really don’t need another pitcher to make it to the playoffs. This team is good enough to do that. In fact, Dempster should be rested a little in September if we can because he hasn’t pitched 200 innings in a long time and that worries me. The Red Sox did this last year to some of there pitchers. Get Harden just to pitch in the playoffs. Sounds weird, but the last thing I want to see is Harden getting hurt late in the season right before the playoffs if we get him.
by CubFaninStLouis on Jun 11, 2008 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions
I think the main reason folks want another quality SP...
is not to get to the playoffs… but to WIN in the playoffs.
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jun 11, 2008 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions
watch out on betting the farm
Mets are being blasted on a daily basis for raping their farm system over the
last few years especially re Santana. Cubs farm may not look like the best but
it is what we have and if you give up too much of it especially for a rental bad things
usually happen.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
by Doggie Stalker on Jun 11, 2008 12:52 PM CDT reply actions
I don't think the Santana trade was that bad
Mets fans are still grieving over Zambrano for Kazmir. That trade didn’t make sense the day it was made and it looks even worse now.
Mets fans
just like to gripe. That’s why they’re Met fans.
It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.
by Josh Timmers on Jun 12, 2008 1:11 AM CDT up reply actions
loud and possibly sustainable applause
predicated on whether Cotts really is any good this time up .. taking over in LA, he looked ok .. but that was what .. his first appearance back??
and will Eyre’s arm hold up?
.. hmmm ..
maybe that Fuentes guy might be worth a look ..
Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!
Other rumors...
have the Red Sox asking about Sabathia. While I haven’t heard who they might offer, if the Red Sox offer something around Buchholz and Lowrie, it might be tough for the Cubs to match. That said, I haven’t heard anything definite on what Boston might offer.
It's really hard to say what his value is
The market has really changed, you just don’t see nearly as many deadline deals of free agents to be as you used to. I think I agree with your guess though – 2 solid A-list prospects with low service sounds about right. For us that would probably mean, what, Gallagher + Colvin?
no way
I want to lose Easy-Gas. that’s a bad trade.
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on Jun 11, 2008 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions
what's the background on the nickname "Easy-Gas"?
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jun 11, 2008 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions
That's what Lou (I think)
said Sledgehammer’s stuff was like.
"Let's not get too giggly." ~Lou Piniella
thx
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jun 11, 2008 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions
Actually, I believe it was Bob Brenley who said that.
Kudos to you, JohnM, for using Sledgehammer, however!
Vote Sledgehammer in ‘08!
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.
For a chance at winning the WS there's no one in the farm I wouldn't trade
And CC massively improves our chances of that.
If you are the Indians though....
You may not want to trade Sabathia to the Red Sox for competitive purposes
by IllinoisCubs on Jun 11, 2008 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions
If the BoSox
offer Buchholz and Lowrie for Sabathia, not only would that be tough to beat, it would be insane to beat. The only way the Red Sox offer that for Sabathia is if Theo Epstein is kidnapped by space aliens who replace his brain with that of Chief Wahoo’s.
Sabathia is a free agent at the end of the year. You are going to give up Buchholz and Lowrie for two months of Sabathia? I don’t think so. And I don’t think we should try anything like that either.
It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.
by Josh Timmers on Jun 12, 2008 1:14 AM CDT up reply actions
I like BOTH moves
Fuentes- had a rough stretch for a while, but is FANTASTIC against lefties.
Sabathia- how high would his value go were he (with Z) lead this team to the promised land? He gets the Cubs a ring, the Cubs gladly let him go, and he gets a 7 year/$140m deal. Everybody wins!
That said- if the Indians act like the Rays and demand every bit of talent for a 3 month
rental, then get Maddux or someone else.*Synth intro to "Jump"*
That last bit
was supposed to be “if the Indians turn into the Rays and demand every bit of talent for a 3 month rental, then get Maddux or someone else.”
*Synth intro to "Jump"*
by SouthsideCub on Jun 11, 2008 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions
I had something to say... I'm sure of it
But, I lost my train of thought… hmmm… Daisy….
I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008
What recent MLB deadline deal.............
..........has involved “giving up the farm”?
Generally speaking, teams out of the race are looking to get the best deal possible for a player that is not returning to their roster the following season.
And since the acquiring team is usually renting said player for only a few months, the price tag is generally not that high.
Why does the BCB conventional wisdom seem to think the Tribe will be able to command such a lofty premium for Sabathia, whether it be from the Cubs or any other team interested in his services?
This is not an off-seaon deal, folks. It’s a mid-season pick-me-up that should not likely cost the Cubs every player from AAA on up and every draft pick until 2023.
"Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle." ~ George Burns
I always liked the...
deal where the Twins got Liriano, Boof Bonser and Joe Nathan from the Giants for Pierzynski…i think i have that right for the most part
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
Exactly right
Except that was an off-season deal.
It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.
by Josh Timmers on Jun 12, 2008 1:22 AM CDT up reply actions
What recent trade?
Grady Sizemore, Brandon Phillips, Cliff Lee and Lee Stevens for Bartolo Colon on June 27, 2003.
Sure, that was a weird example, but Zambrano for Kazmir pretty much also meets the definition.
It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.
by Josh Timmers on Jun 12, 2008 1:21 AM CDT up reply actions
Rosenthal...
.... has mostly been wrong about his Cubs rumors. Take with LARGE grains of salt.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
The Rosenthal article itself
now says the Cubs are not interested in Fuentes. It does still mention a starting pitcher and Sabathia.
Link below
Current Rosenthal column, which contains this:
The Cubs, contrary to what I reported previously in an earlier version of this column, do not have interest in Rockies closer Brian Fuentes.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Wheeew
"What a great call! Your doing a fantastic job, but people expect me to come out here and be upset. So I'm gonna kick some dirt, you understand?" - Lou Pinella
Ouch
That hurts when as a journalist you have to take back something like that in such a public way. As a former reporter, I can only say Rosenthal must be feeling pretty stupid right now. Someone from the Cubs must have been shouting at him today.
"Hey hey, kiss it goodbye! That one's in Milwaukee! Man oh man did he hit it. Isn't that something?" - Lou Boudreau, May 17, 1979
Is Daisy still on the table?
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.
Olney is saying the same thing in his column today
He claims that the Cubs will be the frontrunners for Sabathia if and when he becomes available. Pony up, I say.
Sabathia
isn’t going to cost the whole farm, assuming he’s even available. Cleveland still has quite a ways to go before they give up on their season. Their main competitor is doing worse than they are and the team leading their division still has plenty of non-believers. When and if they decide to deal him there is going to have to be a balance struck between the two teams as to his value. The deal would have to be worth more to Cleveland the the two draft picks they’ll get for him and it has to be favorable to the buying team because they’re only getting a couple months of Sabathia. That said, the Cubs are uniquely qualified as a suitor because they’re “all in” supposedly this year since it appears like they’re one of the strongest teams, their farm system isn’t barren and they’ve potentially got the money to sign Sabathia long term, or at least seriously attempt to, which would make this a non-rental.
I can’t even begin to guess would go back in the deal but obviously Pie would go since he’s still got some value, probably more to teams other than the Cubs for whatever reason. Other than that you could safely assume that Cleveland would be looking for hitters, specifically corner outfield types. We don’t have the thumpers they’d want but guys like Colvin, Hoffpair, Murton and Pie would be considered. I wouldn’t blink if it cost us two of those guys and a pitcher but I’m not sure Cleveland would go for it or just take their chances with draft picks.
I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. - Robert McCloskey
Sabathia ain't going nowhere me thinks
Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!
Cleveland hasn't shown any signs of turning things around
Though I think that Sabathia’s fate will be a mid-July decision, I still think if the team is even borderline he’ll be gone.
Cleveland is a small market team that has to think about maximizing what they can get for him; a sandwich round pick in a weak draft probably won’t get them as much back as a deadline trade would.
I would be shocked if...
1)Cleveland suddenly turns it around and 2) they don’t unload Sabathia at the deadline.
He already turned down a multi-million dollar extension-there’s no reason for them to hold on to him past July 31st.
I’ve been hearing too that the red Sox are going to go after him hard but I like the angle that the Indians might want to trade him to the NL.
Having Zambrano and Sabathia as a one-two punch has the potential to give us a scary-good rotation in the second half and post.
by bluekoolaide on Jun 11, 2008 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Actually adding CC would make the cubs very strong
It would push Dempster to #3 and Lilly to #4 and Marquis to #5.
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
Hopefully itd push Marquis out of town..
Im liking what we’re seeing from Gallagher, if he falters theres always lieber or marshall, even freddy garcia will be auditioning for teams later in the year.
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
I agree he won't cost the whole farm
but I do expect him to be available. I don’t expect the Indians to bounce back this season so come July, I think they will be listening.
Hoffpauir
has pretty much zero value but the other three do. I’m not sure any of them get us Sabathia though. More like Sean Gallagher plus Donnie Veal or Jose Ceda to get a deal done. The Cubs would have to throw in one more piece, probably, although it’s tough to guess on that. I don’t know where Colvin’s value is right now.
It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.
by Josh Timmers on Jun 12, 2008 1:26 AM CDT up reply actions
I would love Fuentes
He would help a lot. As long as he doesn’t meltdown like last year.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Jun 11, 2008 1:41 PM CDT reply actions
Ahhh geeees
Like being demoted from the closer role the first month of THIS season? Or perhaps giving up almost as many hits as innings pitched so far this year? Or the fact that he cannot pitch in pressure situations. Sounds like the perfect candidate to pick up going into the playoff push of the season…..
"What a great call! Your doing a fantastic job, but people expect me to come out here and be upset. So I'm gonna kick some dirt, you understand?" - Lou Pinella
"Or perhaps giving up almost as many hits as innings pitched so far this year?"
He is giving up a hit every 7 out of 9 innings. Not too shabby.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
21 hits in 25 innings....
I’m biased, I hate the guy. I live in Colorado and would hate to see him with the Cubs.
"What a great call! Your doing a fantastic job, but people expect me to come out here and be upset. So I'm gonna kick some dirt, you understand?" - Lou Pinella
Actually...........
...........he lost the closer’s role to Manny Corpas last season and started 2008 as the set up man. When Corpas began to flounder this year, Fuentes was re-inserted as the Rockies closer.
"Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle." ~ George Burns
Your right
I was thinking of last seasons debauchery.
"What a great call! Your doing a fantastic job, but people expect me to come out here and be upset. So I'm gonna kick some dirt, you understand?" - Lou Pinella
I think you mean debacle
not debauchery…unless you’re still looking at the Daisy Fuentes picture.
Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"
hmmpph
"What a great call! Your doing a fantastic job, but people expect me to come out here and be upset. So I'm gonna kick some dirt, you understand?" - Lou Pinella
Fuentes would be great...
I’m beginning to get very worried about Marmol. We use the *hit out of him!! I know he is young and doesn’t have a lot of miles yet, but he’s only been a pitcher for a few years.
One guy I definitely DO NOT want
is Gil Meche-he makes an insane amount of money (11 million) for an, at best, mediocre pitcher but, what’s worse, he seems content to stay in KC-latest rumor is that he probably wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause to come to the Cubs anyway. Anybody who has to be “talked in” to joining the (currently) best team in baseball for a (hopefully) historic post-season run is not somebody I want on my team.
I want Greinke
24 y.o. Had a great start. A bona fide number two now. Could be an ace.
I’m assuming the Royals will always take prospects for proven big leaguers just before they cash in.
"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outta here." --Michael Scott
I'd love to add Greinke, fwiw.
He’s a fun pitcher to watch and he has a good story, which makes him fun to root for in my book. I might even give more for Greinke than I would for C.C.
Except he's still under club control for a few more years
He’s never been on the block that I’ve ever heard of. Unless the Cubs are willing to talk Soto, I can’t see why KC would trade their best starting pitcher.
Are you sure?
Because everything I can find says that KC signed him to a 1-yr deal in Feb this year.
See:
sportsnet
Wikipedia
ESPN
RotoTimes
I admit my sources aren’t the most solid, and further, this is just my personal pipe dream. But I’m having trouble confirming your assertion on Greinke’s contract status.
"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outta here." --Michael Scott
1 year deal
I think he won’t qualify for free agency until a few years down the line, so there’s no incentive for the Royals to sign him to anything more than a 1 year deal. That’s the case for most young players, I believe, unless their clubs want to lock them up a la Braun or Longoria.
Exactly
It’s just like Soto for the Cubs who is probably under a one year deal. That doesn’t mean he’s eligible for free agency next year. Next year, the Royals and Greinke will agree to a new deal (or maybe go to arbitration) but Greinke will not be a free agent.
We Don't know
if there will be a block buster trade, but if there is and the Cubs do not make one I will be very disappointed.
If we bring in players like David Weathers and Michael Tucker and Delino Deshields and that dude from Detroit last year, it would be a terrible shame.
Good topic: Lame mid-season additions...
my vote: Fred McGriff
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jun 11, 2008 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Remember how long it took for him to finally waive that clause?
Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager
Steve Trachsel?
"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun
How bout Gerut?
How does that make you feel?
by Kinky Reggae on Jun 11, 2008 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Gerut got us Lawton.
That’s a two-for-one crappy deal!
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Rich Harden is the answer
C.C. Sabathia weighs a metric ton and is a free agent at the end of the year. No way, no how do I pay that fat bastard the $100 million plus he wants in a long term contract.
GET Rich Harden. Felix Pie, Donald Veal, Jose Ceda, Josh Donaldson and Tony Thomas.
Rich Harden !! 8 starts, 3-0, 47 IP, 58 Ks, 2.85 ERA
OK
Carlos Zambrano---6’5’’ 255lbs
C.C. Sabathia-—-—-6’7’’ 290lbs
Big difference? I think not. Also, C.C. has 19 complete games on his record—-Harden has 2. Thats because Harden is breakable, C.C has proven to be not only good but durable. Weighing a metric ton is one thing being a big guy, but he is probably in tremendous shape.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
It would be fun to watch
CC bat and run the bases. I would imagine that he would be able to break up quite a few double plays
"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome
I would imagine he has homerun power
P.S. Rich Harden has sucked in 3 postseason games. SUCKED—-he only started one of them because of injuries (go figure)
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
You know who else was a good pitcher that was "a little overweight"?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jun 11, 2008 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Is that David Wells?
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
Only a fool would pay that much for Harden
I’m all for getting Harden but that price is just silly. If that’s what he’s asking, you just send Beane the number for a good shrink in the bay area, not half a team’s worth of players.
Two solid prospects at most. Anything more would be playing with fire.
Why, yes, he IS the answer.
Unfortunately, the question is: Which pitcher is most likely to be on the DL by the All-Star Break?
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.
Ruth
Was only overweight late in his career. Early on, he wasn’t svelte, but he wasn’t exceedingly fat, either. That ridiculous John Goodman movie from 1992 really gave people the wrong idea about Ruth, making him look like a big, stupid lug. He was one of the smartest players ever to play the game, both on and off the field. And he did steal plenty of bases – look it up.
"Hey hey, kiss it goodbye! That one's in Milwaukee! Man oh man did he hit it. Isn't that something?" - Lou Boudreau, May 17, 1979
Sabathia
I’d trade Pie and Gallagher for him in a heartbeat. Forget the future if it’s possible 2008 is the future. The Cubs traded Joe Carter and Mel Hall for Rick Sutcliffe in 1984, and did give up some of their future. But look how close Rick Sutcliffe got them that year. It almost worked.
"Hey hey, kiss it goodbye! That one's in Milwaukee! Man oh man did he hit it. Isn't that something?" - Lou Boudreau, May 17, 1979
Gallagher IMO
is currently more valuable than Donald Veal, Jose Ceda, Josh Donaldson and Tony Thomas.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
This may be true,
however, I’ll bet you never played baseball at NIU so you clearly have no talent evaluation skills.
"Dad gum right this games gonna be played under protest. . . I guarantee this is gonna be one protest that's upheld." --Hawk Harrelson, 6/24/07
He's the most valuable
trading chip we have, since Josh Vitters can’t be traded yet.
It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.
by Josh Timmers on Jun 12, 2008 1:28 AM CDT up reply actions
As mentioned several times earlier in this post..............
..............the “cost” of most mid-season deals is relatively small. If the Tribe is painted into an “unload” situation, lesser players will get the job done.
"Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle." ~ George Burns
Not even close.
How does that make you feel?
by Kinky Reggae on Jun 11, 2008 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions
I've read all the comments with interest
if you guarantee the guy can take us to the world series, no matter what his name is, what his weight is, how many fingers he has, I say let’s get him. This is looking like a year we don’t want to miss out on.
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
Yes, but at what cost?
IF CC is cut loose – a stupid move if Cleveland makes it – and the Cubs move, who will they demand?
I could accept a trade of Pie, Hoffpauir, Gallegher and Hill if we think he will be the punch to move us into the postseason. They are about the best we’ve got right now and nobody in the Indians’ organization is going to be blind to that.
But that is a heck of a LOT of potential future
Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!
What would you
trade for a wold series championship? That’s my point.
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
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