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

[Flames24Rulz]

this thread makes me sad.

 

this team makes me sad.

[jtownie]

Not sure if this has been discussed but just want to offer up what has been going through my brain recently.

First, I think it's just odd that Hendry said steadfastly that he would NOT be trading Prior or Zambrano after they were rumored going in a deal for Tejada or Abreu. then suddenly Prior is being offered.

To that it makes me wonder if the freak injuries Prior has been going through have actually taken a real toll on his arm and therefore there are some recent questions to what his long-term effectiveness will be.

 

This is all just so curious. I'm sure we'll never get the full story but it would be interesting to know what has changed to make Hendry want to trade Prior now.

[Jon]

Well, along with alienating a large portion of Cubs fans, trading Prior would help push Wood towards waving his NTC. And then Zambrano would see the direction this team is headed and not stick around. That would really guarantee that Rusch would have a spot in the rotation for years to come.

[TXCubsFan]

Not sure if this has been discussed but just want to offer up what has been going through my brain recently.

First, I think it's just odd that Hendry said steadfastly that he would NOT be trading Prior or Zambrano after they were rumored going in a deal for Tejada or Abreu. then suddenly Prior is being offered.

To that it makes me wonder if the freak injuries Prior has been going through have actually taken a real toll on his arm and therefore there are some recent questions to what his long-term effectiveness will be.

 

This is all just so curious. I'm sure we'll never get the full story but it would be interesting to know what has changed to make Hendry want to trade Prior now.

 

I think Hendry wants Tejada, and the owner of the Orioles is stupid enough to want "a front-line" starter rather than rebuild the team for 2008. A smart owner would want a Guzman/Hill/Bedard combo rather than Prior.

[CubfaninCA]

Not sure if this has been discussed but just want to offer up what has been going through my brain recently.

First, I think it's just odd that Hendry said steadfastly that he would NOT be trading Prior or Zambrano after they were rumored going in a deal for Tejada or Abreu. then suddenly Prior is being offered.

To that it makes me wonder if the freak injuries Prior has been going through have actually taken a real toll on his arm and therefore there are some recent questions to what his long-term effectiveness will be.

 

This is all just so curious. I'm sure we'll never get the full story but it would be interesting to know what has changed to make Hendry want to trade Prior now.

 

I think Hendry wants Tejada, and the owner of the Orioles is stupid enough to want "a front-line" starter rather than rebuild the team for 2008. A smart owner would want a Guzman/Hill/Bedard combo rather than Prior.

 

Prior's the same age as Hill and has Hall of Fame potential unlike the others.

[GaborBako]

That's right, because Guzman, Bedard and Hill are so much younger than Prior.

[sethuel1]

That's right, because Guzman, Bedard and Hill are so much younger than Prior.

Service time.

[shnsajax]

The question is, if this is such a good deal for the O's (and I think it's obvious that it is) why haven't they pulled the trigger?

 

sorry, been out of it for a while, but maybe they have not pulled the trigger because it is a rumor. Just a rumor. I have failed to see anything of significant value than some reporters stating that the Cubs should do it. When does something cross that line from being a report from a rumor? Just wondering...

 

All I want for Christmas is Prior in the rotation...I am getting sick thinking about trading him...

 

Usually when this kind of thing happens, and its false, Hendry comes out of his lair to do some PR damage control. The fact that he isn't refuting the Prior trade discussions is alarming.

 

Hendry rarely says anything when the media is talking, i don't see how this is any different. Is the rumor true, maybe and I am sure to some extent. ESPN an other news outlets are hitting this pretty hard. But lets look back at his history rather than judging him on a future that none of us have any clue about.

 

I think the trade is possible, and I am sure the O's asked about Prior if the Cubs asked about Tejada. None of us have any other clue to what is going on outside of that, and its not Hendry's job to give us day to day updates.

[TXCubsFan]

The question is, if this is such a good deal for the O's (and I think it's obvious that it is) why haven't they pulled the trigger?

 

sorry, been out of it for a while, but maybe they have not pulled the trigger because it is a rumor. Just a rumor. I have failed to see anything of significant value than some reporters stating that the Cubs should do it. When does something cross that line from being a report from a rumor? Just wondering...

 

All I want for Christmas is Prior in the rotation...I am getting sick thinking about trading him...

 

Usually when this kind of thing happens, and its false, Hendry comes out of his lair to do some PR damage control. The fact that he isn't refuting the Prior trade discussions is alarming.

 

Hendry rarely says anything when the media is talking, i don't see how this is any different. Is the rumor true, maybe and I am sure to some extent. ESPN an other news outlets are hitting this pretty hard. But lets look back at his history rather than judging him on a future that none of us have any clue about.

 

I think the trade is possible, and I am sure the O's asked about Prior if the Cubs asked about Tejada. None of us have any other clue to what is going on outside of that, and its not Hendry's job to give us day to day updates.

 

While there are valid criticisms of Hendry - not enough emphasis on OPS/OBP (as Mr. Miles as mentioned) - he is rational, patient, and not prone to panic. He has the misfortune of dealing with some owners or other GMs who are stupid, irrational, or both, which makes trading a real challenge. Offering Prior as trade bait makes sense if what he gets in return is worth the sacrifice (Tejada would qualify). It's also possible that Prior has told Hendry that he'd prefer to be in southern California in the long run, which could influence Hendry's decision to put him on the trading block for the right player, such as Tejada.

 

I can only imagine that Stockstill is willing to get Prior to flip him to the Dodgers or Angels for prospects at a later date, as the Orioles really need to rebuild the way the Indians have done recently. Think of it as Stockstill and Hendry trying to deal with the crazy owner of the Orioles.

[cbbryan]

I'm kind of mixed on this topic. I'd love to have Tejada as a Cub. I'd also love to see Prior stay as a Cub.

 

 

It would seem to me that the Cubs are interested in making this trade because they want to contend this year. If they do, why would they trade Prior? Prior's probably a fair trade for Tejada, but it doesn't make sense for the Cubs, IMHO.

 

I'd trade Hill, Guzman, and a lower level positional player before I'd trade Prior.................. only because of where the team is right now.

[maandig]

I'm kind of mixed on this topic. I'd love to have Tejada as a Cub. I'd also love to see Prior stay as a Cub.

 

 

It would seem to me that the Cubs are interested in making this trade because they want to contend this year. If they do, why would they trade Prior? Prior's probably a fair trade for Tejada, but it doesn't make sense for the Cubs, IMHO.

 

I'd trade Hill, Guzman, and a lower level positional player before I'd trade Prior.................. only because of where the team is right now.

 

I completely agree. While I am not enthusiastic about losing Prior, my emotions on this are mixed because I would love to see Tejada as a Cub.

 

Over the last three years, Tejada has been, with the exception of Alex Rodriguez, the most potent offensive force at shortstop in all of baseball. By the statistical matrix that I use as a reference for analyzing players, only Barry Bonds, Albert Pujols, Todd Helton, Alex Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield, Vladimir Guerrero, Lance Berkman, and Carlos Beltran have been more dominant offensively in the MLB over the last three seasons.

 

One of the most amazing things about Tejada's stats is that he had his career year after free agency and signing a long-term deal. It is simply shocking that anyone would question this guy's character, let alone suggest steroid use. Angelos' Orioles are dysfunctional in the extreme and Tejada and Mora have, in this area at least, reputations as two of the best guys on the team in terms of locker room presence.

 

For those that might be interested, Miguel's increase in size (and coming of age) is tracked in the mixed book "Away Games: The Life and Times of a Latin Baseball Player," by Marcos Breton and Jose Luis Villegas.

[BigbadB]

One of the most amazing things about Tejada's stats is that he had his career year after free agency and signing a long-term deal.

 

That would have looked real good in a Cub uniform in 2004.

[Coach.]

I'd trade Hill, Guzman, and a lower level positional player before I'd trade Prior...

 

Why is it that NSBB is filled with folks who believe the rest of the GMs are in a permanent "Do Me" pose, waiting to do the Cubs a favor? Hell, while we're at it, lets trade Pie, Murton and TWO lower level prospects for the better Miggy (Cabrera). Or a warm beer for Pujols.

 

And if Hendry fails to do these moves, HE SUCKS!

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Holy hyperbole Batman!

[muntjack]

Just for a little perspective ( This was Miggy's MVP year)

 

2002 stats

 

Jacque Jones

 

.300/.341/.852

 

Miguel Tejada

 

.308/.354/.862

 

 

2003 stats

 

Jacque Jones

 

.304/.333/.797

 

Miguel Tejada

 

.278/.336/.808

 

 

One guy we don't want near the team, the other we're willing to give up Prior for?

 

Prior>>>>>>>>>Tejada

[MPrior]

COMPLETELY unrelated - but CPatterson, I love that clip of that INCREDIBLE dunk in your sig. Mostly because I HATE Duke in general, and JJ Redick in particular. Man, what a prick.

 

Alright, I'm done.

[ltb]

I HATE Duke

 

no way!

i would have never guessed!

[ChiCubsFan]

Just for a little perspective ( This was Miggy's MVP year)

 

2002 stats

 

Jacque Jones

 

.300/.341/.852

 

Miguel Tejada

 

.308/.354/.862

 

 

2003 stats

 

Jacque Jones

 

.304/.333/.797

 

Miguel Tejada

 

.278/.336/.808

 

 

One guy we don't want near the team, the other we're willing to give up Prior for?

 

Prior>>>>>>>>>Tejada

 

Good post and point. The only thing that people can use against that is that Miggy plays SS (a generally weak-hitting position) and Jones plays corner outfield (a generally strong-hitting position). Thats why when you compare Miggy to other SS he destroys them but Jones is probably below league average when compared to corner outfielders. Still, no way I'd trade Prior for Miguel Tejada. No way.

[Deeg]

And the fact that Tejada completely blew Jones out of the water the last two seasons is completely irrelevant?

[ChiCubsFan]

And the fact that Tejada completely blew Jones out of the water the last two seasons is completely irrelevant?

 

I don't think he's really saying its irrelevant, but I think the point he was trying to make is that for 2 years Miggy and Jones had nearly identical stats. One player we all are crying about that we got and the other we are considering giving up a number one starter who is in his mid 20s.

[PieOnMyHands]

Consider this:

 

Tejada, with his .815 career OPS, isn't in the top 30 active players in OPS.

 

Prior doesn't qualify, but if he were to, he would have the 6th-lowest career ERA of all starters in baseball.

 

 

This trade would be so horrific for the Cubs that it wouldn't even be funny. I'm really hoping it goes through.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I'll say this again...Tejada has NEVER had an OPS over 900. I don't care that he's a SS, if you can't post an OPS of 900, you aren't a difference maker in a line-up.

 

He's a great, great player...but he's not a player I would trade Prior for...especially considering the disparity of their salaries.

[Rob]

I might be willing to trade Prior for Tejada, Bedard, and Markakis (sp?)

 

...but only if Markakis turned into Jeremy Hermida.

[muntjack]

And the fact that Tejada completely blew Jones out of the water the last two seasons is completely irrelevant?

 

I don't think he's really saying its irrelevant, but I think the point he was trying to make is that for 2 years Miggy and Jones had nearly identical stats. One player we all are crying about that we got and the other we are considering giving up a number one starter who is in his mid 20s.

 

Thank you.

 

The fact that these two players were virtually a wash for two recent seasons (including the MVP year) is remarkable considering the different reactions they have received on this board.

 

I understand that Tejada is a better player than Jacque Jones.

 

Does the difference between Jacque Jones and Miguel Tejada=Mark Prior?

 

No. No. No.

 

A good #5 hitter or a 25-year-old ace with HOF potential?

 

How is there even a question?

[CubmanPi]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/cubbybear314/DontDoIt.jpg