Levine reports on Tejada for Prior rumor 12/22 - 26

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I don't think I like the Prior proposal any more than most of the people here, but I will state the following: to all those talking about defecting to the A's or buying an O's hat etc, don't let the door hit you in the behind on the way out. The Cubs wil be around a lot longer than Prior or any player or Hendry or any GM or Baker or any manager. I thought we were fans of the TEAM. People come and go.

 

You think they're serious? The vast majority of people who say that sort of thing are blowing off steam.

 

You'r probably right but it gets tiresome, day after day.

 

I agree it's overused, to the point when that sort of thing should be effective(like when we're about to give away Prior) it comes off like it does.

[CuseCubFan69]

I'm hoping that Hendry was really just over hyping Hill and this is the reason why! :sunny:

 

Hill and Bedard are similar in that both sides don't know if both, either, or neither will reach their potential.

 

If we can get Byrnes or Craig Wilson to platoon with JJ, then we'll be set.

 

And Weaver and I'd be ok with it. What worries me is the hit the Cubs payroll is going to take...will Hendry go reall cheap for the 5th OF and get a Macias type player?

[brinoch]

Until today I've been relatively content to sit and read the rumors, think about the options, and observe. No more.

 

This is a bad deal, and it's not that I have some emotional "fan-boy" investment in Prior. You don't trade a budding ace who's 25 for a past-his-prime SS with a career OPS of .815 -- who's never once put up a .900 OPS. And, to top it off, you receive in return a player who's shown very little during his career in the majors and you give up your "untouchable" minor-league leading strikeout pitching lefty, plus Corey "I have no value right now" Patterson? That's a fleecing, no two ways about it.

 

Sorry. Bad deal. If Hendry tries to pull the trigger, Andy better fire his ass on the spot.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

Not to be a troll but another hidden "gottcha" to this deal is Tejada's salary.

[goonys evil twin]

I don't think I like the Prior proposal any more than most of the people here, but I will state the following: to all those talking about defecting to the A's or buying an O's hat etc, don't let the door hit you in the behind on the way out. The Cubs wil be around a lot longer than Prior or any player or Hendry or any GM or Baker or any manager. I thought we were fans of the TEAM. People come and go.

 

You think they're serious? The vast majority of people who say that sort of thing are blowing off steam.

 

You'r probably right but it gets tiresome, day after day.

 

I agree it's overused, to the point when that sort of thing should be effective(like when we're about to give away Prior) it comes off like it does.

 

Why would somebody get upset at a Cubs fan for talking like that? It's not like the Cubs have done a single thing to earn our loyalts, or that this person is bailing on you. This isn't a Yankees fan threatening to walk away from the team for not doing things the "Yankee way". We're not talking about Marlins fans who aren't happy with 2 WS in 8 years and are all pissed about the fire sale. We're talking about the Cubs and their inept front office. It's not a matter of sticking by them through thick and thin, there's been no thick.

[TXCubsFan]

Per Bruce Levine the offer seems to have been narrowed to Prior, Hill and Patterson for Bedard and Tejada, pending Angelos's approval.

 

And let me say:

 

:wall:

 

Actually not a bad trade IF Guzman is truly over his injury problems. We get to keep Cedeno and Pie as well. If Guzman is not healthy, the deal ain't so great.

 

Whether Guzman is healthy or not doesn't change the fact that we get absolutely fleeced. Hill and Bedard really aren't that different, Prior has a word I can't think of more value than Tejada, and we're throwing in Patterson. It's highway robbery.

 

I understand your frustration by looking at the specifics of this trade in isolation, but put the trade in the overall context of the organization. The Cubs now have Tejada at SS, Cedeno at 2B, and Bedard and Guzman in the starting rotation for the next four years, Pie developing in AAA, and EPatt as trade bait (perhaps paired with Walker?). I can see why Hendry pulled the trigger - we're now a playoff caliber team for the next three years. He has enough bargaining chips to trade for another starter or upgrade in a trade involving Williams.

[USSoccer]

Not to be a troll but another hidden "gottcha" to this deal is Tejada's salary.

 

I think you're right. Which is another reason this deal needs to be all prospects or non-core ML players, or we walk away.

 

Can you minagine Prior with Mazzone?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Not to be a troll but another hidden "gottcha" to this deal is Tejada's salary.

 

It's almost comical. Prior's better at his position, he's 5 years younger, he's much cheaper. But hey, throw in Patterson and swap LHP and we'll call it a deal.

[brfahey]

I don't think I like the Prior proposal any more than most of the people here, but I will state the following: to all those talking about defecting to the A's or buying an O's hat etc, don't let the door hit you in the behind on the way out. The Cubs wil be around a lot longer than Prior or any player or Hendry or any GM or Baker or any manager. I thought we were fans of the TEAM. People come and go.

 

You think they're serious? The vast majority of people who say that sort of thing are blowing off steam.

 

You'r probably right but it gets tiresome, day after day.

 

I agree it's overused, to the point when that sort of thing should be effective(like when we're about to give away Prior) it comes off like it does.

 

Why would somebody get upset at a Cubs fan for talking like that? It's not like the Cubs have done a single thing to earn our loyalts, or that this person is bailing on you. This isn't a Yankees fan threatening to walk away from the team for not doing things the "Yankee way". We're not talking about Marlins fans who aren't happy with 2 WS in 8 years and are all pissed about the fire sale. We're talking about the Cubs and their inept front office. It's not a matter of sticking by them through thick and thin, there's been no thick.

 

Do you gey any pleasure out of being a Cub fan? If no, are you truly a masochist?

[TXCubsFan]

Not to be a troll but another hidden "gottcha" to this deal is Tejada's salary.

 

I think you're right. Which is another reason this deal needs to be all prospects or non-core ML players, or we walk away.

 

Can you minagine Prior with Mazzone?

 

Prior will likely be traded to the Angels for prospects, don't you think?

[goonys evil twin]

I understand your frustration by looking at the specifics of this trade in isolation, but put the trade in the overall context of the organization. The Cubs now have Tejada at SS, Cedeno at 2B, and Bedard and Guzman in the starting rotation for the next four years, Pie developing in AAA, and EPatt as trade bait (perhaps paired with Walker?). I can see why Hendry pulled the trigger - we're now a playoff caliber team for the next three years. He has enough bargaining chips to trade for another starter or upgrade in a trade involving Williams.

 

What makes you think they'd have Bedard and Guzman in the rotation for the next 3 years. Both guys are bigger injury risks than Prior. The Cubs would not be a playoff caliber team for 3 years, they'd have an above average offense (still no outfield) and a very questionable pitching staff.

 

This deal is absurd.

 

 

They also would have no bargaining chips to trade for another starter, they'd be maxed out on cash for several years. Bedard is no better than Williams or Hill. He's older and no more accomplished. I'm disgusted how some people are giving Bedard more respect in these talks than Prior.

Edited December 23, 2005 by goony's evil twin

[USSoccer]

Per Bruce Levine the offer seems to have been narrowed to Prior, Hill and Patterson for Bedard and Tejada, pending Angelos's approval.

 

And let me say:

 

:wall:

 

Actually not a bad trade IF Guzman is truly over his injury problems. We get to keep Cedeno and Pie as well. If Guzman is not healthy, the deal ain't so great.

 

Whether Guzman is healthy or not doesn't change the fact that we get absolutely fleeced. Hill and Bedard really aren't that different, Prior has a word I can't think of more value than Tejada, and we're throwing in Patterson. It's highway robbery.

 

I understand your frustration by looking at the specifics of this trade in isolation, but put the trade in the overall context of the organization. The Cubs now have Tejada at SS, Cedeno at 2B, and Bedard and Guzman in the starting rotation for the next four years, Pie developing in AAA, and EPatt as trade bait (perhaps paired with Walker?). I can see why Hendry pulled the trigger - we're now a playoff caliber team for the next three years. He has enough bargaining chips to trade for another starter or upgrade in a trade involving Williams.

 

There's not a single pitcher available with the talent and ceiling of Prior

[goonys evil twin]

Do you gey any pleasure out of being a Cub fan? If no, are you truly a masochist?

 

Don't see the point of that question. You don't choose to be a fan.

[E.J.]

Do you gey any pleasure out of being a Cub fan? If no, are you truly a masochist?

 

Don't see the point of that question. You don't choose to be a fan.

 

I know I didn't choose to be a Cub fan. My parents brought me home in a Cubs blanket from the hospital. I'm sure most grew up the same way.

[brinoch]

Why would somebody get upset at a Cubs fan for talking like that? It's not like the Cubs have done a single thing to earn our loyalts, or that this person is bailing on you. This isn't a Yankees fan threatening to walk away from the team for not doing things the "Yankee way". We're not talking about Marlins fans who aren't happy with 2 WS in 8 years and are all pissed about the fire sale. We're talking about the Cubs and their inept front office. It's not a matter of sticking by them through thick and thin, there's been no thick.

 

I'm a 4th generation Cub fan. I grew up watching the Cubs, through good years and mostly bad years. And I have to say, goony's right. The Cubs front office *is* inept, and has been inept since Dallas Green. Trading Prior in a deal like this is going to force me to evaluate my time commitment to following the Cubs. I'm a diehard Cubs fan, but this is going to really, really, really deflate my enthusiasm and interest.

 

Call it what you will, but I call it triage. I have only so many hours in the day, and following the Cubs in-season takes precious time, energy and money -- all of which could be better spent with my family, my job, and my other interests. If the investment isn't worth it -- and given the kind of offseason the Cubs have given me, I've no choice but to question whether it is -- I probably won't spend a lot of time following the Cubs until Hendry leaves.

[CubmanPi]

Do you gey any pleasure out of being a Cub fan? If no, are you truly a masochist?

 

Isn't masochism a requisite of being a Cubs fan??

[Magnetic Curses]

I don't think I like the Prior proposal any more than most of the people here, but I will state the following: to all those talking about defecting to the A's or buying an O's hat etc, don't let the door hit you in the behind on the way out. The Cubs wil be around a lot longer than Prior or any player or Hendry or any GM or Baker or any manager. I thought we were fans of the TEAM. People come and go.

 

You think they're serious? The vast majority of people who say that sort of thing are blowing off steam.

 

You'r probably right but it gets tiresome, day after day.

 

I agree it's overused, to the point when that sort of thing should be effective(like when we're about to give away Prior) it comes off like it does.

 

people are pessimistic for a reason. last year was one of the most disappointing years i can remember, and this year's offseason, despite the money that we had to spend, wasn't much better than last year's. hendry overspent on rusch, neifi, and middle relievers, ignored giles, traded 2 top arms for pierre, put all of his eggs in one basket over furcal (who gave him a chance to up his bid, after the dodger offer), signed jacque jones to a lucrative 3-year deal.

 

wait, why are we supposed to optimistic again?

 

i can find reasons to hope, but to expect any Cub fan who knows ANYTHING about the game of baseball to actually be truly optimistic this season is asking a bit much.

 

maybe the slackjaws and 12-year old trolls over at cubs.com are happy about juan pierre because his team beat ours in the playoffs 2 years ago, or because he "makes things happen on the basepaths", but that doesn't mean most of us here have to be.

 

i'd be very optimistic if we had a reason to be. i'd be optimistic if we had signed giles to a 3/39 deal, traded too much for pierre, and then overspent on relievers. i'd be the happiest jerk in the world, but it did NOT happen.

Edited December 23, 2005 by Stannis

[brinoch]

Do you gey any pleasure out of being a Cub fan? If no, are you truly a masochist?

 

Isn't masochism a requisite of being a Cubs fan??

 

Yes.

[Magnetic Curses]

Do you gey any pleasure out of being a Cub fan? If no, are you truly a masochist?

 

Don't see the point of that question. You don't choose to be a fan.

 

at least, real fans don't.

 

sometimes real fans have to be pessimistic because their team gives them no alternative.

[Beer_Bong]

If Hendry wanted to make a blockbuster deal, it should have been for a Right Fielder...NOT A SHORTSTOP!! Hendry's philosophy seems to be the opposite of common sense logic - He wants to bring in players at a position that could be filled internally in the near future (CF = Pie, SS = Cedeno), and neglects a position that CAN'T be filled internally (RF). Oh well.....We are the CUBS!?!

[brfahey]

Do you gey any pleasure out of being a Cub fan? If no, are you truly a masochist?

 

Don't see the point of that question. You don't choose to be a fan.

 

at least, real fans don't.

 

sometimes real fans have to be pessimistic because their team gives them no alternative.

 

That question was not about choosing. It asked you, as a Cub fan who is one because he can do no other, whether or not any pleasure results from your following the team. I ask because of the unrelenting negativity here, much of which is understanable. There is much to criticize about the team. Having said that, it seems that every piece of news about the Cubs is greeted by some with derision to the point where it seems some people almost wallow in the negativity.

[goonys evil twin]

Do you gey any pleasure out of being a Cub fan? If no, are you truly a masochist?

 

Don't see the point of that question. You don't choose to be a fan.

 

at least, real fans don't.

 

sometimes real fans have to be pessimistic because their team gives them no alternative.

 

That question was not about choosing. It asked you, as a Cub fan who is one because he can do no other, whether or not any pleasure results from your following the team. I ask because of the unrelenting negativity here, much of which is understanable. There is much to criticize about the team. Having said that, it seems that every piece of news about the Cubs is greeted by some with derision to the point where it seems some people almost wallow in the negativity.

 

If you really think it's unrelenting then I don't know what to tell you.

 

The Cubs have done nothing right this offseason, I don't see why it's so wrong for fans to be upset about that.

[Magnetic Curses]

Do you gey any pleasure out of being a Cub fan? If no, are you truly a masochist?

 

Don't see the point of that question. You don't choose to be a fan.

 

at least, real fans don't.

 

sometimes real fans have to be pessimistic because their team gives them no alternative.

 

That question was not about choosing. It asked you, as a Cub fan who is one because he can do no other, whether or not any pleasure results from your following the team. I ask because of the unrelenting negativity here, much of which is understanable. There is much to criticize about the team. Having said that, it seems that every piece of news about the Cubs is greeted by some with derision to the point where it seems some people almost wallow in the negativity.

 

there have been no pieces of good news for a while. if the prior trade goes down, not only will i be physically sick, i'll have to take a break from baseball...for health concerns.

 

if that isn't true fandom, i don't know what is.

[ThePenguin11]

I was fine until our team's chosen one was thrown into trade discussions. It would be more ironic if it was easter. Pontious Hendry is about to rid us of our savior.

[E.J.]

Okay. It's obvious that most of us don't like this trade so much, but what do you think Hendry does next if the trade does go down? Does he go after a Millwood or Weaver? Does he spin Bedard+ to the A's for Zito? Is he okay with the rotation as is with Bedard replacing Prior? Thoughts?