Soriano may already be a problem...

[CuseCubFan69]

Because, as JeffH just said, Vidro is owed $23 million dollars. Lot of money to pay a guy to never play again.

 

Sorry, pass, we can do better than Vidro. How about NOT trading Todd Walker?

 

But if Hendry is heckbent on trading Walker Vidro would be a decent choice if:

 

-Vidro is healthy

-The Nats picked up some cash

 

Will MLB ownership do that? I doubt it.

 

Then it wouldn't take much to get him...maybe CPatt?

[goonys evil twin]

Because, as JeffH just said, Vidro is owed $23 million dollars. Lot of money to pay a guy to never play again.

 

Sorry, pass, we can do better than Vidro. How about NOT trading Todd Walker?

 

But if Hendry is heckbent on trading Walker Vidro would be a decent choice if:

 

-Vidro is healthy

-The Nats picked up some cash

 

Will MLB ownership do that? I doubt it.

 

They "agreed" to take on Soriano's ridiculous contract. It's either pay all of Vidro's deal or pay some. With Andy's influence within the MLB leadership (he was brought in on almost every major decision, reportedly, with the CBA), I wouldn't dismiss the possibility. Although it shouldn't be a priority for the Cubs right now.

[YearofDaCubs]

Trading for Vidro is a terrible idea. Throughout his career he has had nagging injuries and he usually has a bad second half.

[goonys evil twin]

Trading for Vidro is a terrible idea. Throughout his career he has had nagging injuries and he usually has a bad second half.

 

Again, melodramatic. Terrible? It would be terrible if they gave up a lot and picked up the entire contract. But if done right, it could be a decent risk. From 99-03 he played a lot and was very good, among the best at his position. Like Floyd or Bradley he's probably not going to give you 500+ PA in 2006, and he probably won't hit at his peak either. But at 31, I have to believe he's perfectly capable of putting up numbers between his 2005 (.275/.339/.424) and his career average (.302/.364/.467), especially if you get him out of DC, where he was their freaking 3 hitter for some time. Give Vidro 400 PA and Hairston the rest, and you stand a chance of justifying the inevitable trade of Walker for a RF.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If you want Vidro, now is not the time to trade for him. Wait until spring training to see if he returns healthy and wait until Sori is sulking and they have no place to play them both. He'll be less of risk, and he'll likely come cheaper.

[goonys evil twin]

If you want Vidro, now is not the time to trade for him. Wait until spring training to see if he returns healthy and wait until Sori is sulking and they have no place to play them both. He'll be less of risk, and he'll likely come cheaper.

 

I'm not sure he'll come cheaper after he proves he's healthy. But I have no problem waiting. Vidro would be fallback option, not something to go hard after today.

[YearofDaCubs]

Trading for Vidro is a terrible idea. Throughout his career he has had nagging injuries and he usually has a bad second half.

 

Again, melodramatic. Terrible? It would be terrible if they gave up a lot and picked up the entire contract. But if done right, it could be a decent risk. From 99-03 he played a lot and was very good, among the best at his position. Like Floyd or Bradley he's probably not going to give you 500+ PA in 2006, and he probably won't hit at his peak either. But at 31, I have to believe he's perfectly capable of putting up numbers between his 2005 (.275/.339/.424) and his career average (.302/.364/.467), especially if you get him out of DC, where he was their freaking 3 hitter for some time. Give Vidro 400 PA and Hairston the rest, and you stand a chance of justifying the inevitable trade of Walker for a RF.

I suppose if most of the contract will be taken care of by the Nats it's not a bad idea but realistically I just don't see that happening even with Soriano wanting to stay at 2B.

[BigbadB]

If Vidro would have to pass a physical for the trade to happen, what's the problem?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

If Vidro would have to pass a physical for the trade to happen, what's the problem?

 

I doubt a physical would include an MRI.

[LoneStarCubFan]

I suggested trading for Vidro based on a couple of assumptions:

 

1. It'd only take Patterson to get him, which it might since Jim Bowden is dumber than dirt.

 

2. Walker is going to get dealt for Bradley.

 

If Walker doesn't get traded then the Cubs don't need Vidro.

 

Of course if Walker doesn't get traded John Mabry is probably going to be our starting right fielder.

[bannor10]

Did Vidro play in the second half of last year...Did he play at all after the injury?

[Jehrico]

Best move of the offseason that DIDN'T happen: Soriano to the Cubs. Thank you Mr. Hendry for not taking TX up on any deal involving him.

[CubsFaninPA]

Surprised no one mentioned Hairston. If, by chance, Walker is traded for Bradley, Hairston would still be in the mix for 2B. With no other moves in the inf, it would probably come down to him or Neifi.

[RynoRules]

Soriano is very selfish. He's not even good at 2B. Way to be a team player.

 

So what if he is unhappy. Who cares if he is angry and uncooperative. Go out and produce. :salute:

[Blueheart05]

No, I was thinking Vidro at 2B in Chicago.

 

NO, NO, NO.

 

If Walker gets dealt for Bradley who would you rather see at 2B? Neifi or Vidro?

 

I'm thinking Bowden would be dumb enough to take Patterson for Vidro btw.

 

Neifi. At least he will play without having injury concerns. Vidro isn't someone that Hendry would take a risk on (which is why the cubs did not offer Nomar arbitration).

[Blueheart05]

1) I would rather have Neifi and 2) We would be dumb to give up Patterson for Vidro.

 

Vidro has a serious knee injury that may cause him to never produce again, if he is even able to play again.

 

I think you are going way overboard here.

 

Vidro is an enormous risk, but at least he brings along with him the chance for very good production. With Neifi you are guaranteed crap. And Neifi would always be the fallback if Vidro did indeed fail. Trading Corey for him would be a risk, but nothing close to a guaranteed failure or dumb. I would rather take the chance of getting something out there than guarantee absolute failure, which is what Neifi does.

 

Oh come on, you're exaggerating. Neifi's shortcomings are on offense which can be solved by hitting him low in the order. He's a steady defensive player. If need be, he could play the position (even though I am not advocating it). I don't understand why we should take a risk with a guy who's essentially damaged goods. Considering the guys we've had (and still have) that fit this mold, I want no part in taking a risk on players with preexisting injuries. Getting Vidro mught result in Neifi playing anyway...

Edited December 9, 2005 by Blueheart05

[nick23]

Check out what one GM had to say about the Soriano trade. It's such a depressing feeling that we have to put our hope and trust in the hands of guys that actually think this. I just hope this wasn't a quote from our GM. By the way, I got this from Jason Stark's article on ESPN.com.

 

Rangers (Host-City Division): There might have been more grumbling about new Texas GM Jon Daniels from his fellow GMs than about any other GM on the premises. Because he was looking to make a big deal in his debut, Daniels overpriced his most attractive commodity, Kevin Mench. And then, when he dealt his other big chip, Alfonso Soriano, he got a package back that, surprisingly, included no big-league-ready starting pitchers. There was immediate talk that Texas would deal away Brad Wilkerson, obtained in that deal, for pitching. But the price tag on him might scare more clubs away. "Unless they can flip those guys for pitching, that deal makes no sense," said one assistant GM. "And I wouldn't trade Soriano in the first place. Wilkerson and [the second player] Terrmel Sledge could play for a lonnngggg time and never put up the numbers Soriano does. He's an underrated guy for me."

[goonys evil twin]

Oh come on, you're exaggerating. Neifi's shortcomings are on offense which can be solved by hitting him low in the order. He's a steady defensive player. If need be, he could play the position (even though I am not advocating it). I don't understand why we should take a risk with a guy who's essentially damaged goods.

 

Nothing is solved by hitting Neifi anywhere in this lineup. You don't solve bad production by putting it lower. It's still bad production. You can hide him in a good lineup, but the Cubs lineup isn't good, without Neifi taking up a spot. Put Neifi in there with what is already there and what is likely to be in RF, and this offense is crap once again. That's not exaggerating, that's reality. Neifi doesn't belong in a regular lineup. If your 1-7 is great you can fit him in without hurting too much, but he does hurt. And when your 1-7 isn't special, he hurts that much more. The Cubs have to take risks because the alternative is guaranteed failure.

[NorthsideAvenger]

First: Soriano must be the most selfish, least understanding ballplayer in the majors. If he stays at 2b, while a unique talent for the position, his value is limited to a few teams. Now if Soriano would play the OF (and add that to his resume) he would add more value and thus have more teams after him. At least in the OF Soriano defensive shortcomings could be hidden. Ron Gant's value went up after he went from the IF to the OF. Sheffield's value went through the roof, when he move from 3B to RF. And heck even Robin Yount value skyrocketing after he move from SS to CF. Soriano simply don't understand marketability.

 

Second: On Vidro....just keep Walker. I like Vidro, but I prefer Walker to Vidro any day of the week. Not to mention we have a nice looking, better suited for the majors Patterson coming up that plays 2b. No thank you on Vidro.

[goonys evil twin]

If he stays at 2b, while a unique talent for the position, his value is limited to a few teams. Now if Soriano would play the OF (and add that to his resume) he would add more value and thus have more teams after him.

 

Soriano simply don't understand marketability.

 

Second: On Vidro....just keep Walker. I like Vidro, but I prefer Walker to Vidro any day of the week. Not to mention we have a nice looking, better suited for the majors Patterson coming up that plays 2b. No thank you on Vidro.

 

Soriano at 2B is a pretty good hitter. Soriano in the OF is a dime a dozen.

 

I'd rather keep Walker as well. The Vidro talk should be considered backup plan talk if/when Walker is traded and the alternative is Neifi.