Roberts and White Sox rumor

Well, Roch Kubatko, former O's beatwriter with the Suns over at MASN now, is reporting on an interesting deal - Gavin Floyd for Brian Roberts. Orioles want more, though. Anyhow, let the Roberts rumor mill really take off now (The Schmuck thing the other day was idle speculation, this one seems fairly solid considering the source and particulars).

Only has partial relation to our organization, but there's enough history there that I thought it was worth noting as a fanshot.

about 3 years ago toonsterwu 33 comments 0 recs |

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Good...

Let Sox fans stress over him until Spring Training only to have McFail nix the trade.

Someday we'll go all the way...

by CubsBullsBears on Jan 2, 2009 7:12 PM CST reply actions 3 recs

Rec'd

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

by Al Yellon on Jan 2, 2009 9:02 PM CST up reply actions

Just saw that

Do the Sox have pitching to spare that they would give up Floyd? That seems unlikely when they could just go and sign the O-dog to play second

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.

by bren on Jan 2, 2009 7:14 PM CST reply actions

Well

They do have Aaron Poreda as a guy they can slide in the 5th spot with Buehrle and Danks. That said, 3 lefties, so they’d have to find some righty arms.

by toonsterwu on Jan 2, 2009 7:20 PM CST up reply actions

I know people are sick of this but

I’d really like hendry to reevaluate anybtrade possibilities to acquire Roberts.

If Aaron Miles is an everyday I’ll have a heart attack. I’d rather have Soriano back in the infield, Bradley/Dunn in LF, and have Kosuke the everyday RF again.

by EJThunder on Jan 2, 2009 7:15 PM CST reply actions

Agreed

On the Roberts part anyway, I dont know that can afford to FA OFers.

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.

by bren on Jan 2, 2009 7:18 PM CST up reply actions

Meant either/or on Bradley/Dunn.

by EJThunder on Jan 2, 2009 7:37 PM CST up reply actions

on a side note

I think Baltimore can find a better deal. Yes, a cost-controlled young starter has value, but the Gavin Floyd’s of the league are a dime a dozen, unless you buy Floyd developing into something more. He’s an end of the rotation starter right now, and the O’s have some pitching depth. They are better off searching for higher impact arms, MI’s, maybe 3rd base.

by toonsterwu on Jan 2, 2009 7:44 PM CST reply actions

How about a better deal from us?

Just sayin’.

Someday we'll go all the way...

by CubsBullsBears on Jan 2, 2009 7:54 PM CST up reply actions

I'm not sure we have the goods to make it happen

and sign Bradley (which seems almost certain to happen). Even if we had the financial leeway, I’m not sure we have the assets to make a deal.

by toonsterwu on Jan 2, 2009 8:05 PM CST up reply actions

Really?

I think we could offer Marshall, Hart, Pie, and whoever else. That doesn’t seem more attractive than just Gavin Floyd straight up?

Someday we'll go all the way...

by CubsBullsBears on Jan 2, 2009 9:15 PM CST up reply actions

Well

You can always overpay to make something happen.

by toonsterwu on Jan 2, 2009 10:31 PM CST up reply actions

*Ref. Yankees, New York (AL)

Bleed Cubbie Blue: Like Drāno for your internet tubes.

by znohitter on Jan 2, 2009 11:23 PM CST up reply actions

WE SHOULD OVERPAY

OUR WINDOW OF OPPURTUNITY IS SHORT . MAYBE TWO YEARS LEFT . CUBS HAVE A GOOD PITCHING STAFF . WOULD BE GREAT ADDING PEAVEY . WOULD NEVER GO IN A FIVE GAME LOSING SKID . Z ,DEMPSTER , LILLY , HARDEN , PEAVY . NEED BRADLEY FOR SOME POWER , MANNY RAM I WOULD PREFER , AND TRADE THE FARM FOR A SWITCH HITTING GOLD GLOVE SPEEDSTER FOR LEADOFF , NAMED BRIAN ROBERTS … ROBERTS , FONTENOT , LEE , ARAMIS R . MANNY RAM , SORIANO , FUKE/REED , SOTO .. NOW PITCHING PEAVEY , ZAMBRANO , HARDEN , DEMPSTER , AND LILLY

by CUBFANINAZ on Jan 3, 2009 10:40 AM CST up reply actions

Could you take your caps lock off, please?

It’s considered shouting.

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

by Al Yellon on Jan 3, 2009 3:04 PM CST up reply actions

Sorry my first blog

by CUBFANINAZ on Jan 3, 2009 6:48 PM CST up reply actions

No worries.

You’re welcome here. Just write in upper and lower case. Thanks!

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

by Al Yellon on Jan 4, 2009 4:03 AM CST up reply actions

I AGREE

OVERPAY NOW .. WE ARE SOOOO CLOSE TO A WORLD SERIES . NEED A BIG BOPPER AND LEADOFF MAN . ALONG WITH PEAVEY . OUR TIME FRAME IS SHORT

by CUBFANINAZ on Jan 3, 2009 10:49 AM CST up reply actions

THROW IN THE PROSPECTS

IN ADDITION THROW IN THE INDIANS PROSPECTS WE RECIEVED FROM THE DEROSA TRADE .. WE NEED BRIAN ROBERTS FOR 2ND BASE AND LEADOFF .. JIM HENDRY MUST MAKE IT HAPPEN

by CUBFANINAZ on Jan 3, 2009 10:57 AM CST up reply actions

I AGREE

NEED ROBEERTS DESPERATLY . GREAT GLOVE , SWITCH HITTER , BASESTEALER , SMART , NICE WAY TO START THE GAME . A TRUE LEADOFF GUY .. GIVE THE O ’S WHAT THEY WANT

by CUBFANINAZ on Jan 3, 2009 10:53 AM CST up reply actions

NOT FUNNY

stop shouting

"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton

by CubFreak on Jan 4, 2009 10:00 PM CST up reply actions

If you look at the time stamps of his posts...

… you’ll see he finally figured that out. I also sent him a note asking him to take the caps lock off.

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

by Al Yellon on Jan 5, 2009 4:43 AM CST up reply actions

Floyd

I disagree with the contention that pitchers like him are a dime a dozen. He was a highly touted prospect who last year took a big step forward. He topped 200 innings, had a very nice ERA and really looked like he was someone capable of being a #1 or 2 type of starter. Probably not an ace in the making but someone who can have dominant performances.

if I were the O’s I’d hold out for more as true leadoff hitters are very rare, but Floyd would be a nice piece. The real issue here is his major league service clock. He was first called up in 2004 so he’s not really cost controlled.

by dmlichte on Jan 2, 2009 8:28 PM CST up reply actions

To each their own

I see a guy with an average K rate (6) with average control that benefited from luck last year (BABIP 0.268, FIP of 4.78 or xFIP of 4.61). To me, he’s Jeff Suppan but with a little potential for growth, an innings eating arm, nice, but for a rebuilding team like the Orioles, for a team with pitching depth like the Orioles, hardly that great of an asset, outside of the fact that he’s a local boy that is cost-controlled (Cots has him going into his third year of cost-control).

I’m not saying Floyd is a bad asset, but that a Floyd/Roberts trade should not be enough. They need to land another asset to really make it worthwhile for them.

by toonsterwu on Jan 2, 2009 10:29 PM CST up reply actions

This is false rumor

Or so says Kenny Williams. He says Sox are content with Chris Getz, Brad Lillibridge and Wilson Betemit vying for the 2nd base job.

by BLou on Jan 2, 2009 10:36 PM CST reply actions

Looks like McFail...

Is demanding Getz now too, this is definitely not happening.

Someday we'll go all the way...

by CubsBullsBears on Jan 3, 2009 1:25 AM CST up reply actions

if I'm the White Sox

I would do Floyd/Getz for Roberts. why not? You can find back of the rotation pitching to fill in. Maybe they revisit old friend Jon Garland on a discount? Either way, options are there, including Aaron Poreda (although that would mean 3 lefties). Getz shouldn’t be a big deal? I don’t think many buy that power surge yet, but the bigger reason why giving up Getz wouldn’t be a big deal? They have Alexi Ramirez at short and Gordon Beckham coming up, along with Brent Lillibridge and Wilson Betemit. They are covered up the middle. In Roberts, they’d get one of the better leadoff options in the league … and if Roberts leaves after 2009 (allowing them to slide Beckham in for 2010 perhaps), they’ll net 2 picks to replenish a weak system. And even if Gordon fails, it’s not as 2nd base is the hardest position to fill, and Wilson or Brent could likely be decent. All in all, feels like a solid move for me.

Btw, I think the Getz thing was speculation.

by toonsterwu on Jan 3, 2009 1:41 AM CST up reply actions

Doesn't this sound like deja vu all over again?

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

by Al Yellon on Jan 3, 2009 8:33 AM CST up reply actions

Roberts makes no sense for the Sox

I believe Kenny Williams when he says this is a false rumor. Chris Getz, Brad Lillibridge and Wilson Betemit give them plenty of options at 2nd base, at least for the short term. Plus they are not going to do something to block the impressive ascent of their number one prospect in Gordon Beckham, who most believe is ideally suited for 2nd base.

Also, the Sox look thin in the starting pitching department. Why would they move Gavin Floyd? He’s young and cheap, and should be reasonably counted upon to once again deliver 200 innings and around 15 wins.

by BLou on Jan 3, 2009 10:12 AM CST up reply actions

Well, a counter to that would be

Getz/Lillibridge/Betemit could all be backup type talent. To expect Beckham to be ready in 2009 is probably unlikely, so adding Roberts for a year doesn’t block him. They also lack an established leadoff hitter right now.

by toonsterwu on Jan 3, 2009 1:28 PM CST up reply actions

one other thing to keep in mind is that

if beckham looks like he can stick at short, and there’s many that think that way, they can bring him up slowly with the intention of perhaps shifting Ramirez to the OF at some point, a position that some thought Alexei was better suited for. Thus, they could pursue a Roberts extension as well, to offer them a new look.

Anyhow, I don’t think anyone’s suggesting it will happen. I do believe Roch, though, when he is adamant that discussions have happened. Kenny has every reason to play a smoke and mirror game on news.

by toonsterwu on Jan 3, 2009 1:33 PM CST up reply actions

Alexi Ramirez has the makings of a Gold Glove caliber shortstop

And Gordon Beckham is said to be defensively challenged at shortstop. His real future is at 2nd base.

Brian Roberts is not happening for the White Sox. They have other pressing needs. And they already have plenty of intriguing current and future infield options. Josh Fields and Dayan Viciendo at 3rd base. Alexi Ramirez at shortstop. Chris Getz, Brad Lillibridge and eventually Gordon Beckham at 2nd base. And the presence of veteran jack of all trades Wilson Betemit.

The Sox need starting pitching too. They can’t afford to trade Gavin Floyd.

by BLou on Jan 3, 2009 2:02 PM CST up reply actions

i'm not sure where you are getting that

Gordon Beckham is defensively challenged.

Gordon Beckham scouting report.

“UPDATE (5/1): Beckham is a front runner for 2008 college player of the year by virtue of the .401-23-57, 76 runs, 17 stolen-base season that he assembled in leading Georgia to a surprise regular-season championship in the Southeastern Conference. Beckham’s defense, which can be spectacular at times, was much more consistent on routine plays, something very important with the Bulldogs staff of control-oriented sinker-ballers. Two weeks out from the draft, it remains difficult to link Beckham’s name with a single team at the top of the draft, but it’s safe to say that he is every team’s short list in the top 10 picks. –DR”

He’s not a lock to stick at short, but defensively challenged? I haven’t heard any minor league reports or AFL reports to suggest that Rawnsley’s comments were off.

As for Alexei Ramirez, when he came to the White Sox, a lot of people had him pegged for the OF. He eventually moved to 2nd, where he was below average. In the games he spotted at short, he was below average as well. Does he have the tools to be a solid shortstop? Sure. But to say he has the makings of a Gold Glove shortstop right now, when scouting reports and performance suggests otherwise?

Anyhow, only time will tell. As noted, I have no reason to doubt that Roch is telling the truth that the White Sox approached Baltimore about Roberts. Williams has previously wanted him before. It might not happen, but as noted above, I think it makes logical sense for them, provided they can sign one more arm. They have the financial capability to make one big move, by most accounts, and there are arms sitting out there. It’s not as if an end of the rotation starter in Floyd is irreplaceable.

by toonsterwu on Jan 3, 2009 2:11 PM CST up reply actions