Why are so many people against trading Gallagher?
by Morg98 on Jun 24, 2008 6:47 PM CDT
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PrintI know I am in the minority, but I think you trade what you can to get a proven quantity that significantly improves the chances of this team to WIN the World Series this year. Obviously, this doesn’t mean trading Marmol or Soto because they would weaken the team and the gain would become negligible. If we have to give up Gallagher and a couple other prospect for the services of a top tier pitcher (even a rental), I am all for it.
I know we (I haven’t participated until now) have debated this over and over. I want to add a slight spin to it and maybe take it in a new direction. Here is how I see it. This year, Gallagher is a 4/5 starter. Z, Demp, Lilly are our top 3. I think we all agree on this. When it comes down to the playoffs, a team uses its top 3 pitches almost exclusively and depending on how a series goes, maybe their 4th sparingly. If we can add to the top of our rotation by trading Gallagher, and this increases the odds of making the playoffs and winning the World Series this year then I just can’t understand not making the trade.
Don’t get me wrong, I would love to keep Gallagher on this team. He has shown signs of being a quality pitcher and could easily fit into Dempster’s spot in the rotation if Ryan doesn’t come back next year. With all the great pitching he has done so far, he is still not a proven commodity. We can play the “what if” game all day, but we don’t know if he is a solid young pitcher or a slight flash in the pan. I know I am not alone, but I was expecting Rich Hill to be our 3 or 4 pitcher this season and we all know what happened to him.
My point being, he just isn’t proven yet. The slight spin I wanted to make was this, what if he turns out to be a 2 pitcher (I think unlikely, but not impossible)? Then people would be upset that we traded away a superior young prospect for an equal or lesser pitcher. And as upset as I would be along with the rest of you, a future good #2 Gallagher is not what we have now or what we need now. The trade that would be made would be us giving up the possibility of him being a solid to good pitcher in the future, for a proven top of the rotation pitcher NOW.
Finally, I am of the opinion that world championships are hard to win in any sport. The window to win such things is extremely small. So many factors besides a player’s ability come into the equation. For example, our beloved Chicago Bears. They had a window of 2 years to win the Super Bowl. Yes, I know there are differences in the situations. But my point is that you never know what the future will hold. Am I glad we got to the Super Bowl? Of course. Am I disappointed we didn’t try and find a better quarterback? You betcha. I would rather be here saying, well, management did what they could to win the Super Bowl when we had a chance. But I can’t say that.
Next year, A Ram could get hurt, D Lee could decline, Z could have shoulder problems and Lilly loses it all together. Then what good is Gallagher if we don’t make the playoffs? We have to play for now; we have to play for this year. We have to trust Hendry to make the right decisions and if that includes trading Sean Gallagher I know I wont be mad at him or mad at the results (cause I don’t think Gallagher wins or loses us a World Series this year).
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'm with ya
i would trade anyone (yes, anyone) if it improves the team. nobody is untouchable
Before Edmonds: 24-16, (.600); With Edmonds: 24-12 (.666)
Edmonds with Cubs: .311 / .358 / .581
Except for those with full no-trade clauses in their contracts
Whoops.
"I think Hendry still has a few years to serve on his 'grand larceny' sentence before he can shop in Pittsburgh again" - ballhawk
Or
With the last name Zambrano, Ramirez, or Lee
That is if they don’t have the clause already…
Zambrano, Ramirez, and Soriano.
Ramirez’s full no-trade is up after the 2010 season, while Zambrano and Soriano have it for the entirety of their contract (2012 and 2014, respectively). Coincidentally enough, Scott Eyre had a full no-trade in 2006, when he first signed with the Cubs. Because, you know, full no-trade’s are only for those who are absolutely detrimental to the team. Like Ramirez, Zambrano, Soriano… and Scott Eyre.
"I think Hendry still has a few years to serve on his 'grand larceny' sentence before he can shop in Pittsburgh again" - ballhawk
they can waive that
Before Edmonds: 24-16, (.600); With Edmonds: 24-12 (.666)
Edmonds with Cubs: .311 / .358 / .581
I'm with you buddy
ANYONE is fair game. Though some guys are a hundred times more likely to be dealt than others – no trade clauses aside – Hendry is looking at all scenarios. Of course, huge contracts on one side or another could be the reason someone doesn’t get dealt.
Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.
I'm worried
I’m more worried about trading Gallagher for a pitcher that might not even be much better this year. Bedard has exactly the same ERA and WHIP as Gallagher this year, and has been awful (6.59 ERA) away from home. Also I would put Gallagher as our 3 starter this year as his ERA is almost a full run below Lilly’s.
IF
If you can get somebody who is a front line, top-2 starter and keep them for a while, then you can trade Gallagher. But I think the young man will be very good for a long time, and I don’t think you trade him for the likes of Randy Wolf.
In the middle of a good time, Truth gave me her icy kiss. Look around, you must be joking. All that way, all that way for this -Oysterband
by Ross on Jun 24, 2008 8:53 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Sean Gallagher is an important pitcher
I like the kid. He is a souped up version of Steve Trachsel, meaning he can have good success in this league. I would be very hesitant to trade him. Sean Marshall sucks, Rich Hill is a mess and there are no other arms within the system on the verge of being able to help the rotation.
GET Rich Harden !!! 10 starts, 4-0, 59 IP, 72 Ks, 2.44 ERA !!!
I agree, he is very important.
He might be the only one that can secure us a top of the line pitcher. I am not saying we should be trying to get rid of him. But if the right deal presents itself, he shouldn’t be off limits to being traded.
I like that, souped up version of Trachsel
Thinking of it this way, he’s a souped up version of the human rain delay.
I’d like to think Gallagher has a little higher upside than Trachsel.
Otherwise, I think he’s fair game to be dealt as most other youngsters with a good upside. It’s all what you get in return is what will determine if the trade is viewed as a good one.
I mean look at one deal over 20 years ago. The Tigers wanted Doyle Alexander. They got him. Who did they deal? John Smoltz. That’s probably the deal Hendry would NOT want to make. Another one? 10 years ago. The Cubs dealt a kid to the White Sox for Matt Karchner. Who’d they give up? Jon Garland.
Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.
Depends on what we get
if we have to include him in a package to get something like Sabathia, i say go for it. if it’s for, say, a Randy Wolf than i think that’s a mistake. Gallagher’s only 23 years old this year and has done pretty well so far, showing flashes of great potential at times.
We need a more consistent 2 behind Zambrano, and Gallagher has a legit shot to become that in the next few years. so I, for one, would not be so eager to get rid of him for a 3 month rental.
Correction
Gallagher is 22. He won’t be 23 til’ December.
My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Kayla Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!
thank you
even more reason not to move him
Agreed...
After 2008, we’re going to either lose to free agency, or re-sign Ryan Dempster
After 2009, it’s Marquis.
After 2010, It’s Lilly.
Winning for now is all well and good, but a cheap Gallagher is extraordinarily valuable to our team… even this year.
Help me Obi-ONEDEC. You're our only hope.
we have money
go out and pay for a pitcher if you need one. and to petrie, i do not think the cubs would be dumb enough to include gallagher in a trade for a guy like randy wolf. if they moved him i would assume it is for a top of the rotation starter.
The Aramis BB/K Watch: 40 BB to 41 K's. Im not sure who the last Cub to have more bb's than k's was, but Im sure it was a very long time ago.
The only way
I would trade Gallagher would be to get “CC”, not for Randy Wolf not even for Bedard, Bedard has had one good year and one average year in the bigs, not worth the risk. Gallagher is 22, has a fastball 92-94, with movement. It appears from a far, he has a desire to be really good.
I would move, Pie, Veal, Colvin, Cedeno before Gallagher.
"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"
I wouldn't.
Simply because I think Gallagher will surpass everyone’s expectations and be a successful #2.
The reason why? Gallagher has dramatically turned into a power pitcher and his stuff has the potential to be dominate. He can crank his fastball upto 97 MPH, and if he can learn to mix his pitches and be more efficient then I think he projects to a #2. Really no chance to be a #1, but I think he has a 60% chance of being a dominate #2.
The only person I would trade him for that happens to be on the market, is C.C. Sabathia. And that’s only if we can get Sabathia to sign to an extention.
My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Kayla Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!
I would really think about it.
Greinke looks to have really turned it up a notch this year, (small sample size & all, but comp him to CC and then rethink your no)
if i could please
have the video tape of gallagher throwing 97, that would be appreciated because i just do not believe that.
The Aramis BB/K Watch: 40 BB to 41 K's. Im not sure who the last Cub to have more bb's than k's was, but Im sure it was a very long time ago.
he also throws 98
and struck out 10 two nights ago. “not dominating” is a stretch
The Aramis BB/K Watch: 40 BB to 41 K's. Im not sure who the last Cub to have more bb's than k's was, but Im sure it was a very long time ago.
That is a tough call
I know what I have read Greinke has had depression problems, and apparently has worked that issue to a positive. I like Greinke, but at this point I wouldn’t trade Gallagher for him.
"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"
No...
Too close to call and Gallagher is still a couple years younger yet…Gallagher in a CC trade? It depends on what the Cubs have to give up overall.
Does anyone know Cliff Lee’s contract status? My guess why no one is talking about him is that the Tribe has him locked up for a few more years. K/BB > 5, WHIP under 1.1, ERA under 2.45 and he’s 10-1 on a team under .500…..
Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.
We have 7 starters for 5 spots
Remember when that was said?
Well, it’s not true. We have 5 starters plus Marshall capable of spot starting. I’m okay with trading Gallgher or Marshall, but not both. We don’t really have anyone else that’s ready to step up and start (I guess Lieber is a possibility).
I'm not against this at all
as long as the return serves the 2008 goals fo this club. I agree with Al that Gallagher will be good if not great someday. i would rather retain him however with Z on the DL and some of the other inconsistencies in this rotation, I would gladly send him packing for a highly probable improvement to this pitching staff.
Calm down.
We cannot ignore the future
Gallagher has the opportunity to be a great pitcher for many years for us. If he doesn’t bring Sabitha for an extended contract, he’s not worth losing, and he’s not worth trading for anyone else.
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
good post
gallagher has been a nice surprise, has good stuff, and has shown potential to be a #3, possibly a #2 if he really learns to command his pitches and really “knows how to pitch.” that said, we can buy that kind of player. we have these kind of guys in our system. the window for us to win the WS is closing as lee ages, hell as everyone ages. most of our key offensive pieces are on the wrong side of 30. this is one hell of a baseball team and our time to win is NOW! gallagher will not be starting any all star games, he wont compete for a cy young. those are the type of guys you regret giving away. so we lose gallagher, who cares we can go sign another ted lilly to be a solid middle of the rotation pitcher.
trade gallagher, as long as we are getting an ace in return. anything less than an ace and obviously it would not be smart to trade him. but for a CC, pack your bags sean.
The Aramis BB/K Watch: 40 BB to 41 K's. Im not sure who the last Cub to have more bb's than k's was, but Im sure it was a very long time ago.
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