12/07 Rotoworld Rumors

[Derwood]

I love this time of year. It's rumor madness!

 

- Royals could trade Angel Berroa to Atlanta for Kelly Johnson or Ryan Langerhans

 

- Phillies have talked to Dodgers about an Abreu for Lowe or Penny deal

 

- Philly is desperate to unload David Bell

 

- David Wells to San Diegi is still alive. Dodgers are in it too, though the same prospects rumored to be for Wells are also mentioned in a Soriano deal

 

- Mariners need a DH, and are interested in Trot Nixon, Jacque Jones, Carl Everett and Jeromy Burnitz

 

- Kip Wells to Washungton for Brad Wilkerson?

 

- Renteria to ATL for Andy Marte, or Renteria to ATL, Marte to TB, and Lugo to Boston

 

- Walt Jocketty admits Cardinals are out of the running for Matt Morris. Likely signing with the Giants

 

- Cardinals have made 1-year offers to Braden Looper and Octavio Dotel

 

- Reds interested in Gil Meche and Tony Armas Jr.

 

- Toronto aggressively pursuing Lyle Overbay

 

- Twins have contacted agents for Nomar, Frank Thomas, Rondell White and Mike Piazza. Nomar could play 3B, while the other 3 would be considered for DH

 

- Ramon Hernandez close to a 3-year deal with Baltimore

 

- Cubs are now top suitors for Milton Bradley as talks with the A's for Zito have died

 

- Frank Thomas to sign with A's?

 

- Reds could make an offer to Matt Morris using the newfoud Sean Casey money

 

- Padres could send Adam Eaton to Texas for gerald Laird

 

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[Backtobanks]

That Phillies-Dodgers rumor is really something. Abreu & Bell for Lowe & Penny would certainly give the Phillies the starting pitchers that they need. Apparently the hangup is that the Phillies might not have the money to pay the salaries of Lowe & Penny.

[Jehrico]

Ramon Hernandez to the O's? I thought they had Javy as their catcher. They must have soured on him if they're going to replace him before his contract is up.

[fromthestretch]

Ramon Hernandez to the O's? I thought they had Javy as their catcher. They must have soured on him if they're going to replace him before his contract is up.

 

I believe Javy told the O's after the season that he'd be willing to play some 1B and DH occasionally.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Ramon Hernandez to the O's? I thought they had Javy as their catcher. They must have soured on him if they're going to replace him before his contract is up.

 

My buddy the O's fan suggests that Javy would become the DH and backup catcher.

[JeffH]

The Devil Rays evidently refused Marte for Lugo.

 

Is Marte a child molester or something?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

The Devil Rays evidently refused Marte for Lugo.

 

Is Marte a child molester or something?

 

Didn't he drop from BP's #1 overall prospect to something like #4 in the Braves list?

[Jehrico]

Ramon Hernandez to the O's? I thought they had Javy as their catcher. They must have soured on him if they're going to replace him before his contract is up.

 

My buddy the O's fan suggests that Javy would become the DH and backup catcher.

 

I guess that makes sense, as catchers play fewer games than any other starter if healthy. Now you can get them both in every game.

[StMarksCubs]

 

- Cubs are now top suitors for Milton Bradley as talks with the A's for Zito have died

 

-

 

In all honesty, if we can get Bradley, and maybe one more pitcher for the 'pen or rotation, I would be quite content to open the season as is with Cedeno/Walker as our DP combo. I know the grass is always greener in Free Agent/Winter land... but let another team overpay for Lugo, especially now that the Red Sox decided they want to move Renteria; I think Cedeno is legit enough to take a chance on.

[Andy]

If Lowe and his massive contract, or Penny is enough to land Abreu, then how is Williams/R. Hill/another prospect not enough to get a deal done? :?

[Jehrico]

If Lowe and his massive contract, or Penny is enough to land Abreu, then how is Williams/R. Hill/another prospect not enough to get a deal done? :?

 

I don't really think it would take Prior. Philly took a chance...Prior's missed a bit of time the last couple of years, they were probably hoping we were souring on him a little, and decided to see what kind of response they got. I can't blame Philly, and all things considered, it was a reasonable thing to ask. That doesn't mean that is what we would have to give up to match up with them though.

[rawaction]

If Lowe and his massive contract, or Penny is enough to land Abreu, then how is Williams/R. Hill/another prospect not enough to get a deal done? :?

 

Because Rich Hill is untouchable.

[StMarksCubs]

If Lowe and his massive contract, or Penny is enough to land Abreu, then how is Williams/R. Hill/another prospect not enough to get a deal done? :?

 

The Phils want a top of the line rotation guy (or two) back for Abreu. They're in win now mode, and I don't think are primarily concerned with prospects. I wouldn't be surprised if they're looking to dump Bell in the same move.. this doesn't feel like a fit for the Cubs.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

If Lowe and his massive contract, or Penny is enough to land Abreu, then how is Williams/R. Hill/another prospect not enough to get a deal done? :?

 

Because Rich Hill is untouchable.

 

Which is more accurate: untouchable or overrated?

[rawaction]

If Lowe and his massive contract, or Penny is enough to land Abreu, then how is Williams/R. Hill/another prospect not enough to get a deal done? :?

 

Because Rich Hill is untouchable.

 

Which is more accurate: untouchable or overrated?

 

It depends. He's overrated by the Cubs most likely, which makes him untouchable in their minds. But I think he's somewhere in between. He could be a good pitcher, but not good enough where I would hold on to him when I could get an impact bat for him.

[USSoccer]

If Lowe and his massive contract, or Penny is enough to land Abreu, then how is Williams/R. Hill/another prospect not enough to get a deal done? :?

 

Because Rich Hill is untouchable.

 

Which is more accurate: untouchable or overrated?

 

It depends. He's overrated by the Cubs most likely, which makes him untouchable in their minds. But I think he's somewhere in between. He could be a good pitcher, but not good enough where I would hold on to him when I could get an impact bat for him.

 

'Cuse's theory of Hendry pumping up his value has some merit, although I can't believe Hendry would pump up Hill's value when he did so much to wreck other players value in the past and present.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

'Cuse's theory of Hendry pumping up his value has some merit, although I can't believe Hendry would pump up Hill's value when he did so much to wreck other players value in the past and present.

 

I've thought the same thing since last year. I am not a fan of Hill, and I do not believe he will be a star in this league. Hendry talks as though he's the next coming of Babe Ruth, and I hope it's just to land a Hill for Tejada and cash deal. Wow, now I'm a little crazy...

[Derwood]

UPDATE:

 

- Nomar has been courted by Atlanta, Oakland, Minnesota, Baltimore, San Diego, Toronto, Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

 

- Benson deal to KC seems less likely, with the Royals going after Mark Redman as the next option

 

- Rich Aurilia could go to LAAAAA if Orlando Cabrera is returned to Boston in a Manny Ramirez deal

 

- Damon in negotiations to stay in Boston

[Jehrico]

If Lowe and his massive contract, or Penny is enough to land Abreu, then how is Williams/R. Hill/another prospect not enough to get a deal done? :?

 

The Phils want a top of the line rotation guy (or two) back for Abreu. They're in win now mode, and I don't think are primarily concerned with prospects. I wouldn't be surprised if they're looking to dump Bell in the same move.. this doesn't feel like a fit for the Cubs.

 

Could we convince you to choose a smaller avatar (or resize your current one)? It throws the geometry of the page off by quite a bit because it's too big.

[CoolHandLuke]

If Lowe and his massive contract, or Penny is enough to land Abreu, then how is Williams/R. Hill/another prospect not enough to get a deal done? :?

 

The Phils want a top of the line rotation guy (or two) back for Abreu. They're in win now mode, and I don't think are primarily concerned with prospects. I wouldn't be surprised if they're looking to dump Bell in the same move.. this doesn't feel like a fit for the Cubs.

 

what makes Brandon Backe or Chin Wang any more of a top of the line starting pitcher than Jerome Williams?

[StMarksCubs]

UPDATE:

 

- Nomar has been courted by Atlanta, Oakland, Minnesota, Baltimore, San Diego, Toronto, Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

 

Is he really that offensive to Hendry's plans that we can't find a spot for him to play SOMEWHERE?! His bat really came alive when he got back from his injury, and didn't seem to be the negative guy that the Red Sox media machine made him out to be.

[Andy]

UPDATE:

 

- Nomar has been courted by Atlanta, Oakland, Minnesota, Baltimore, San Diego, Toronto, Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

 

Is he really that offensive to Hendry's plans that we can't find a spot for him to play SOMEWHERE?! His bat really came alive when he got back from his injury, and didn't seem to be the negative guy that the Red Sox media machine made him out to be.

Hendry has said numerous times that if Nomar was willing to play OF he would be signed already. It looks like he wants to be a SS or at least an infielder, and there's no room for him here.

[Derwood]

UPDATE:

 

- Nomar has been courted by Atlanta, Oakland, Minnesota, Baltimore, San Diego, Toronto, Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

 

Is he really that offensive to Hendry's plans that we can't find a spot for him to play SOMEWHERE?! His bat really came alive when he got back from his injury, and didn't seem to be the negative guy that the Red Sox media machine made him out to be.

Hendry has said numerous times that if Nomar was willing to play OF he would be signed already. It looks like he wants to be a SS or at least an infielder, and there's no room for him here.

 

which runs contrary to all other reports that nomar's agent has stated that nomar would play anywhere on the field

[treebird]

Hendry has said numerous times that if Nomar was willing to play OF he would be signed already. It looks like he wants to be a SS or at least an infielder, and there's no room for him here.

 

quote plz

[Andy]

The Cubs likely would've had Garciaparra signed by now if he was willing to move to the outfield. He still wants to play shortstop, has filed for free agency, and will likely try to find a match with a team that wants him as an infielder.

 

He's doing what he should be doing, which is looking at possibilities. He understands, infield-wise, why we haven't pursued him. I think it's in his best interest for me to not keep him hanging on. I think he's probably going to get opportunities to play infield positions elsewhere and a lot of opportunities if he wants to change and go to the outfield.

 

Reading between the lines of Hendry's comments, it seems pretty clear that if Nomar would really play the outfield, he'd be signed as a Cub right now.