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

[JeffH]

$12M is ace money

 

Not any more!

[goonys evil twin]

Just because Nomar broke down doesn't mean every 30 year old shortstop will break down. Tejada has never shown he is going to be breaking down soon. How has Derek Jeter done the past few years?

 

Jeter is 31. He's not the player he was at his peak. He probably shouldn't be playing SS right now, as is. And as he gets closer to his mid 30's, he really should be moved. Tejada is better. But he'll be 30 this season, and is past his prime. He's still good, and going to be good for a while. But I could see him declining in the next couple years. And he might have to start thinking about another position as well, making his offensive production much less impressive.

[wXw]

D@Mn this.... If I'm trading Prior, then I want A-rod or something real in exchange for him. COme on... Tejada isn't enough and tossing in some second rate pitcher isn't going to make the deal any better.

 

Trading Prior for ANYTHING less than equal value would be foolish. If Hendry does this, then he is a jack a$$ and I hope his penis shrinks because of it.

[CuseCubFan69]

$12M is ace money

 

Not any more!

 

Wow that's true. Toronto has a #2 making 11 for 5 years.

[rawaction]

this is absurd. i really hope hendry is not that desperate. if only tejada had been available via free agency recently and the cubs could have gotten him W/O giving up their franchise pitcher.

 

THEY HAD ALEX GONZALEZ!

[YearofDaCubs]

this is absurd. i really hope hendry is not that desperate. if only tejada had been available via free agency recently and the cubs could have gotten him W/O giving up their franchise pitcher.

Exactly why this is disturbing. I know there were several people that wanted us to grab Tejada during the FA period and Hendry made improvements elsewhere. Well, here we are about to give up one of our best pitchers for the same guy we could have had.

[rawaction]

$12M is ace money

 

Not any more!

 

Wow that's true. Toronto has a #2 making 11 for 5 years.

 

Yeah, but just because they did it doesn't mean the Cubs should. Zito isn't worth that much. Like I said, Zito could easily have an ERA in the high 3's low-to-mid 4's for the next 4 years. I don't want to be locked into that for that long for that much.

 

I'd rather keep Bedard, who has the upside to be at least that good.

[goonys evil twin]

Goony, earlier you expressed concern about Tejada possibly having to change positions. Assuming that Tejada could move to 2B and wouldn't have to become a 3B, OF, or 1B, I wouldn't be especially concerned about that, since we wouldn't be moving Cedeno in this deal.

 

Tejada/Cedeno until Tejada has to move (if that happens).

 

Cedeno/Tejada after that.

 

2B isn't the most obvious place for him to move. SS move because of decreased range, 2B still need range. I'm thinking 3B or LF. Regardless, once you move him out of SS, the premium you pay for production at SS is more than you should pay for production at 2B.

 

You don't trade young top 10 pitchers for a guy you might have to move in a couple years.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

this is absurd. i really hope hendry is not that desperate. if only tejada had been available via free agency recently and the cubs could have gotten him W/O giving up their franchise pitcher.

Exactly why this is disturbing. I know there were several people that wanted us to grab Tejada during the FA period and Hendry made improvements elsewhere. Well, here we are about to give up one of our best pitchers for the same guy we could have had.

 

But those were improvements that landed us in the World ... um, never mind. But they did get us ... well, not a whole lot. But now we may have to trade ... oh crap!

[JeffH]

Like I said, Zito could easily have an ERA in the high 3's low-to-mid 4's for the next 4 years.

 

Possible, but doubtful if he moves to the NL. That's usually good for knocking a half a run off the ol' ERA.

[YearofDaCubs]

$12M is ace money

 

Not any more!

 

Wow that's true. Toronto has a #2 making 11 for 5 years.

 

Yeah, but just because they did it doesn't mean the Cubs should. Zito isn't worth that much. Like I said, Zito could easily have an ERA in the high 3's low-to-mid 4's for the next 4 years. I don't want to be locked into that for that long for that much.

 

I'd rather keep Bedard, who has the upside to be at least that good.

You are right and I agree with you but I wouldn't even trade Prior for Tejada and Bedard to begin with.

[CuseCubFan69]

this is absurd. i really hope hendry is not that desperate. if only tejada had been available via free agency recently and the cubs could have gotten him W/O giving up their franchise pitcher.

Exactly why this is disturbing. I know there were several people that wanted us to grab Tejada during the FA period and Hendry made improvements elsewhere. Well, here we are about to give up one of our best pitchers for the same guy we could have had.

 

IMO that's where Hendry lacks the true vison to be a successful GM. He should have seen what many of us saw coming and there is no reason to have painted himself inot a corner like this.

 

But......he did and I'm hoping he has learned from that but I doubt it and he will continue to rob Peter to pay Paul.

[CuseCubFan69]

$12M is ace money

 

Not any more!

 

Wow that's true. Toronto has a #2 making 11 for 5 years.

 

Yeah, but just because they did it doesn't mean the Cubs should. Zito isn't worth that much. Like I said, Zito could easily have an ERA in the high 3's low-to-mid 4's for the next 4 years. I don't want to be locked into that for that long for that much.

 

I'd rather keep Bedard, who has the upside to be at least that good.

 

I agree raw but who knows what's going on in Hendry's mind right now.

[YearofDaCubs]

this is absurd. i really hope hendry is not that desperate. if only tejada had been available via free agency recently and the cubs could have gotten him W/O giving up their franchise pitcher.

Exactly why this is disturbing. I know there were several people that wanted us to grab Tejada during the FA period and Hendry made improvements elsewhere. Well, here we are about to give up one of our best pitchers for the same guy we could have had.

 

IMO that's where Hendry lacks the true vison to be a successful GM. He should have seen what many of us saw coming and there is no reason to have painted himself inot a corner like this.

 

But......he did and I'm hoping he has learned from that but I doubt it and he will continue to rob Peter to pay Paul.

You are right. Hendry lacks forsight.

[rawaction]

$12M is ace money

 

Not any more!

 

Wow that's true. Toronto has a #2 making 11 for 5 years.

 

Yeah, but just because they did it doesn't mean the Cubs should. Zito isn't worth that much. Like I said, Zito could easily have an ERA in the high 3's low-to-mid 4's for the next 4 years. I don't want to be locked into that for that long for that much.

 

I'd rather keep Bedard, who has the upside to be at least that good.

You are right and I agree with you but I wouldn't even trade Prior for Tejada and Bedard to begin with.

 

Well, me either.

[JeffH]

Goony, earlier you expressed concern about Tejada possibly having to change positions. Assuming that Tejada could move to 2B and wouldn't have to become a 3B, OF, or 1B, I wouldn't be especially concerned about that, since we wouldn't be moving Cedeno in this deal.

 

Tejada/Cedeno until Tejada has to move (if that happens).

 

Cedeno/Tejada after that.

 

2B isn't the most obvious place for him to move. SS move because of decreased range, 2B still need range. I'm thinking 3B or LF. Regardless, once you move him out of SS, the premium you pay for production at SS is more than you should pay for production at 2B.

 

You don't trade young top 10 pitchers for a guy you might have to move in a couple years.

 

I hate when other people post "I have a source" stuff, but I'll do it anyway. Take it with a grain of salt. I would do the same if I were in your position.

 

I have a source I respect who tells me that Mark Prior absolutely hates everything about the Chicago Cubs organization. It's almost a 100% sure thing that he's leaving as a free agent the very instant he can. You could be looking at Tejada for four years versus Prior for three years.

 

Obviously, I don't know this for sure. Just something to consider.

[goonys evil twin]

You are right. Hendry lacks forsight.

 

 

He's jewish? Oh wait, sight, nevermind.

[treebird]

Goony, earlier you expressed concern about Tejada possibly having to change positions. Assuming that Tejada could move to 2B and wouldn't have to become a 3B, OF, or 1B, I wouldn't be especially concerned about that, since we wouldn't be moving Cedeno in this deal.

 

Tejada/Cedeno until Tejada has to move (if that happens).

 

Cedeno/Tejada after that.

 

2B isn't the most obvious place for him to move. SS move because of decreased range, 2B still need range. I'm thinking 3B or LF. Regardless, once you move him out of SS, the premium you pay for production at SS is more than you should pay for production at 2B.

 

You don't trade young top 10 pitchers for a guy you might have to move in a couple years.

 

I hate when other people post "I have a source" stuff, but I'll do it anyway. Take it with a grain of salt. I would do the same if I were in your position.

 

I have a source I respect who tells me that Mark Prior absolutely hates everything about the Chicago Cubs organization. It's almost a 100% sure thing that he's leaving as a free agent the very instant he can. You could be looking at Tejada for four years versus Prior for three years.

 

Obviously, I don't know this for sure. Just something to consider.

 

me and mark prior should be friends, we have so much in common.

[rawaction]

Like I said, Zito could easily have an ERA in the high 3's low-to-mid 4's for the next 4 years.

 

Possible, but doubtful if he moves to the NL. That's usually good for knocking a half a run off the ol' ERA.

 

That's a good point. But still, I'd rather have more of a guarantee. I think plenty of guys on Zito's level (#2 starter or above) have shown if they are on the mound, they are gonna be great. Prior is one of them. Granted, you'd be almost guaranteed a healthy season from Zito vs. Prior, but when Prior is out there you are guaranteed 9.5 times out of 10 he won't have a disasterous start. I don't see that guarantee with Zito.

[KingCubsFan]

Really? Zito's good. I believe he's a legit #2 type guy, but $12M is ace money. He had a rough start and a rough end to the season, but was great in the middle. It would be one thing if this was his first evidence of mediocrity, but he was bad in 2004. He'll be 28 in 06, and will not get better. I think he'll put up close to his career numbers for 3-4 years, but I don't know that those numbers are worth that much, especially with the increasing potential that he could be worse. For $12M, he better be a lock to put up numbers like his 02-03 numbers.

Look at Jarrod Washburn and AJ Burnett. 12million seems fair, and it doesn't even seem like ace money anymore.

I expect more from my #2 then a 3.86 and 4.48 so it's not just ONE mediocre year. I would have a huge problem giving Zito 12 million when we can have Prior for half of that. I believe Prior is the better pitcher. You can replace Tejadas numbers at a different position you cannot replace Prior's numbers as a starter. You do not trade pitchers like Prior for guys over 30. You are right Jeter has done very well at his age but that doesn't mean the same will follow with Tejada. If you are going to trade a 25 year old pitcher like Prior it would be best to get one that is younger than 30. Tejadas contract also isn't as favorable either.

Who are we trading for that's over 30? Tejada is 28, and will 29 during the season. Zito is 27, and will turn 28 during the season. And I don't see how Tejada's contract isn't favorable. It's not cheap, but it's in line with his production. I think we can afford it considering the lack of money being devoted to the outfield. As for Zito, you have to remember he's pitching in the AL. His 3.86 ERA would have looked a lot better in the NL, and his peripherals, at first glance, seem like they were in line with the rest of his career except for 2004. If I recall, 2004 was the first year he was without Rick Peterson and it really had an effect on him.

[goonys evil twin]

Goony, earlier you expressed concern about Tejada possibly having to change positions. Assuming that Tejada could move to 2B and wouldn't have to become a 3B, OF, or 1B, I wouldn't be especially concerned about that, since we wouldn't be moving Cedeno in this deal.

 

Tejada/Cedeno until Tejada has to move (if that happens).

 

Cedeno/Tejada after that.

 

2B isn't the most obvious place for him to move. SS move because of decreased range, 2B still need range. I'm thinking 3B or LF. Regardless, once you move him out of SS, the premium you pay for production at SS is more than you should pay for production at 2B.

 

You don't trade young top 10 pitchers for a guy you might have to move in a couple years.

 

I hate when other people post "I have a source" stuff, but I'll do it anyway. Take it with a grain of salt. I would do the same if I were in your position.

 

I have a source I respect who tells me that Mark Prior absolutely hates everything about the Chicago Cubs organization. It's almost a 100% sure thing that he's leaving as a free agent the very instant he can. You could be looking at Tejada for four years versus Prior for three years.

 

Obviously, I don't know this for sure. Just something to consider.

 

Well, that would certainly change things.

 

I'd just get rid of the entire front office and upgrade to a real group of baseball executives.

 

Wait, I'd do that anyway.

[Brian]

me and mark prior should be friends, we have so much in common.

 

enormous calves????

[goonys evil twin]

Who are we trading for that's over 30? Tejada is 28, and will 29 during the season.

 

Tejada is 29 and will be 30 this year.

[YearofDaCubs]

Really? Zito's good. I believe he's a legit #2 type guy, but $12M is ace money. He had a rough start and a rough end to the season, but was great in the middle. It would be one thing if this was his first evidence of mediocrity, but he was bad in 2004. He'll be 28 in 06, and will not get better. I think he'll put up close to his career numbers for 3-4 years, but I don't know that those numbers are worth that much, especially with the increasing potential that he could be worse. For $12M, he better be a lock to put up numbers like his 02-03 numbers.

Look at Jarrod Washburn and AJ Burnett. 12million seems fair, and it doesn't even seem like ace money anymore.

I expect more from my #2 then a 3.86 and 4.48 so it's not just ONE mediocre year. I would have a huge problem giving Zito 12 million when we can have Prior for half of that. I believe Prior is the better pitcher. You can replace Tejadas numbers at a different position you cannot replace Prior's numbers as a starter. You do not trade pitchers like Prior for guys over 30. You are right Jeter has done very well at his age but that doesn't mean the same will follow with Tejada. If you are going to trade a 25 year old pitcher like Prior it would be best to get one that is younger than 30. Tejadas contract also isn't as favorable either.

Who are we trading for that's over 30? Tejada is 28, and will 29 during the season. Zito is 27, and will turn 28 during the season. And I don't see how Tejada's contract isn't favorable. It's not cheap, but it's in line with his production. I think we can afford it considering the lack of money being devoted to the outfield. As for Zito, you have to remember he's pitching in the AL. His 3.86 ERA would have looked a lot better in the NL, and his peripherals, at first glance, seem like they were in line with the rest of his career except for 2004. If I recall, 2004 was the first year he was without Rick Peterson and it really had an effect on him.

Tejada will be 30 in May. I dont care what 3.86 era equates to in the NL. 4era and 3.86 era is not #2 numbers nor is it worth 12million when Prioir won't even cost you that.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Goony, earlier you expressed concern about Tejada possibly having to change positions. Assuming that Tejada could move to 2B and wouldn't have to become a 3B, OF, or 1B, I wouldn't be especially concerned about that, since we wouldn't be moving Cedeno in this deal.

 

Tejada/Cedeno until Tejada has to move (if that happens).

 

Cedeno/Tejada after that.

 

2B isn't the most obvious place for him to move. SS move because of decreased range, 2B still need range. I'm thinking 3B or LF. Regardless, once you move him out of SS, the premium you pay for production at SS is more than you should pay for production at 2B.

 

You don't trade young top 10 pitchers for a guy you might have to move in a couple years.

 

I hate when other people post "I have a source" stuff, but I'll do it anyway. Take it with a grain of salt. I would do the same if I were in your position.

 

I have a source I respect who tells me that Mark Prior absolutely hates everything about the Chicago Cubs organization. It's almost a 100% sure thing that he's leaving as a free agent the very instant he can. You could be looking at Tejada for four years versus Prior for three years.

 

Obviously, I don't know this for sure. Just something to consider.

 

Well, that would certainly change things.

 

I'd just get rid of the entire front office and upgrade to a real group of baseball executives.

 

Wait, I'd do that anyway.

 

Exactly.

 

I'm more surprised that there aren't more sources indicating current players despise the organization than I am about Prior being fed up.