Trade Rumor

Also, I was just thinking about 10 minutes ago how boring it was that there wasn't a whole lot to talk about today with no game.

He would be a upgrade from Jay Gibbons or >shudder< Freddie Bynum.

When he first got here, I remember being a little annoyed by the cocky way he flung down his bat when he hit a home run. I've grown to dig it. That kinda sums up about how I feel about the man himself.

And I doubt somehow that Jacque is requesting a trade. He appears to be getting along with this teammates and has been playing pretty well the last few games.

Coming into the season, the big debate was about how LF would be manned.  That's now a moot question.  Soriano has emerged as the answer, and he's going to play every game he's physically able to there.  That leaves center and right.

CF has been turned over to Pie.  Perhaps it was a bit too soon, but once it was decided Soriano had to move, Pie is, barring a significant trade that's unlikely to happen, the best option.  He will need, however, time on the bench as well as on the field, so the Cubs need someone who can spell him.  That someone is clearly Jones, the only person on the roster who can competently play there.

So, even if one believes Jones' bat isn't as good as Floyd's or Murton's (it's not, but the differences aren't significant), and his arm is a noodle, he's a much-needed LH bat who does go get tough balls tailing away in right.  Floyd can barely move.  And while Murton could be passable, he's a RH bat who seems to need to play regularly to put up his good offensive numbers.

Result?  Murton needs to go to AAA to get him his needed playing time and keep him ready for when he's needed.  Jones needs to stay and play RF/CF.  Ward needs to be dumped in favor of a speedy defensive OF replacement.  And Floyd needs to become the part-time RF and power PH.

It's not a perfect solution, but it's the best use of the current roster and what each player can do.  Trading Jacque Jones would create more problems than it would solve.

You have to play Soriano.  Period.  That's one outfield spot.  If Pie is going to remain on the big league roster, then you have to play him every day, because he will never improve offensively coming off the bench and he plays a rock- star center field.  That's two outfield spots.  That leaves Murton and Floyd to platoon in right field, and I'm happy with either one of these guys in the lineup.  I realize that Floyd is injury-prone and if he goes down at some point this year as he usually does, he will really miss JJ.  It's risky.  But you can't possibly get at-bats for three additional outfielders if you keep Pie.  

As much as I would hate to see him go, if it came down to trading Murton instead of Jones for a starting pitcher or a left-handed bullpen guy, I would do that also.  

The answer is Murton. It is a sad thing to see the guy who led this team in OPS and BA last season, riding the pine. Hendry made moves this season that were silly. DeRosa, rather than trusting Theriot. Cliffy, rather than trusting Murton or JJ. Yes we have far too many outfielders, and we will eventually need a 5th starter. Unless we want to be down one infielder, if you can call Cedeno an infielder, you send Big Red to Iowa and let him hit every single day. If/When Floyd gets hurt, he comes up. It is the only way.

With Cliffy in the lineup against power rightys, we are at least competitive

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If we choose Murton over Jones. We will be screwed over by other teams bull pens, and we will see a lot more D Ward off the bench as a lefty. Anyone want that?

The contract won't be an issue because its not overpriced in the current market like it was last year at this time.

You throw in a reliever if you have to, but if you're the GM of the Cubs you should try to make a deal for one of the Braves SS's.

The other option would be to work out a similar deal with the Angels, who also have a ton of organizational SS depth but could use another bat. Jones and a mid-level prospect for Erick Aybar may make sense for both teams.