[CubsWin22]

BRUCE LEVINE UPDATE 12/27 AM

The Cubs have presented several different packages to the Orioles, and they are waiting for the team owner to look them over and decide if any fits their needs.

 

He gives the trade a 50/50 shot of being completed.

 

He mentioned that some of the "packages" included Cedeno, others included Hill, some were more propect intense and others were more veteran slanted. He mentioned that it could be a bunch of propects or a couple veterans. The one consistent was Prior.

 

He also mentioned that the Cubs want Bedard in return, and that the organization believes that one of their pitching propects will be ready to move up to the big league next year. The top candidate is Guzman, he reportedly had a fantastic run in the AZ Fall League.

 

Bruce said that he has sources in the Cubs front office, in MLB home office, and other scouts throughout baseball.

 

Apparently there is some reason that Hendry is offering Prior other than just getting Tejada. Big Z is not being considered for a trade in any way. Bruce said that "scouts" are high on Bedard, and see something in Prior that has Hendry concerned. I have no idea what that is????????

Edited December 27, 2005 by CubsWin22

[RynoRules]

BUMP

 

Listening to ESPN Radio Chicago Sportscenter: they again stated that Levine is reporting that a "deal is on the table" wherein the Cubs trade Prior, Hill and CPatt for Tejada and Bedard. Dunno if they are just stating it again to get us all riled (sp?) up or if its more serious than last week.

[E.J.]

Latest Sportscenter update on ESPN 1000 has Levine saying the Cubs have a trade on the table and waiting for a repsonse from the Orioles. Same trade that's been discussed for a couple of days now:

 

O's get: Prior, Hill, Cpatt

Cubs get: Bedard and Tejada

[Bull]

Oh boy here we go again...

 

I wish this would just end.

[craig]

Higher pitch counts, I agree 100%. He seemed to be trying to nibble on corners more post-injury, getting his pitch count up early in some games and walking a few more guys.

 

I think Prior always tries to nibble for the corners. He's a guy who relies so heavily on his curveball, and that leads to most of his K's. But his curveball isn't sharp in terms of both movement and location every game. It seemed less effective more frequently after the elbow thing.

 

I think Prior has struggled with the high pitch-count thing and what to do about it. On occassion he's decided to be more aggressive with the fastball. Both throw more of them, and perhaps be willing to let them get in a little further off the corners. Vintage Prior has great location with his fastball. Aim for the corners with the fastball, and hit the corners with the fastball. It doesn't look like nibbling when you painting the corners but getting strikes. But the same approach looks more "nibbly" when you aren't hitting the corners. A higher percent misses off the plate for balls and long counts; and a higher percentage miss into the plate for more mashable fatter strikes. But it's seemed to me that on the occassion when Prior decides to be more aggressive and throw more fastballs in the first inning, he's tended to get hit very hard. He hasn't been able to throw the fastball with enough life and enough control to make it work.

 

Perhaps that will always be true? Or perhaps that's only true when his arm is a little tired or his elbow hurts. Perhaps with a new year, his arm in better shape, his pain reduced, he'll be able to throw both the fastball and the curve with less pain, better control, and more life.

 

Another thought: it's easy to break up the season between pre- and post-line drive. It's entirely possible, perhaps likely, that there were aftereffects of the line drive that impacted him.

 

But it's also almost normal for pitchers to be stronger and healthier early in the season. As the innings pile up and the weather is hot and the elbow hurts more and the shoulder takes longer to settle down and the lower back is hurting more and it's harder to get a good night's sleep and there's less of an adrenalin rush, I think it's relatively common for pitchers to be less effective in August than in April/May. It may be that Prior wouldn't have been as dominant late even without the line drive.

[E.J.]

They're (they being Levine and ESPN 1000) saying it's a definitive offer from the Cubs. If the O's accept the deal the trade is a done deal.

 

:puke:

[RynoRules]

They're (they being Levine and ESPN 1000) saying it's a definitive offer from the Cubs. If the O's accept the deal the trade is a done deal.

 

:puke:

 

Some one should put the members of this bd. on suicide watch.

 

:biglaff:

[CardsFanInChiTown]

Apparently there is some reason that Hendry is offering Prior other than just getting Tejada. Big Z is not being considered for a trade in any way. Bruce said that "scouts" are high on Bedard, and see something in Prior that has Hendry concerned. I have no idea what that is????????

 

If there's something wrong with Prior than why didn't hendry try and move him earlier in the offseason? Couldn't he have gotten Abreu for him? It doesn't add up.

[HoopsCubs]

Apparently there is some reason that Hendry is offering Prior other than just getting Tejada. Big Z is not being considered for a trade in any way. Bruce said that "scouts" are high on Bedard, and see something in Prior that has Hendry concerned. I have no idea what that is????????

 

If there's something wrong with Prior than why didn't hendry try and move him earlier in the hot stove? Couldn't he have gotten Abreu for him? It doesn't add up.

 

Didn't want to trade him to a NL team.

[Sarcastic]

Get out your pitchforks and torches.

[RynoRules]

Apparently there is some reason that Hendry is offering Prior other than just getting Tejada. Big Z is not being considered for a trade in any way. Bruce said that "scouts" are high on Bedard, and see something in Prior that has Hendry concerned. I have no idea what that is????????

 

If there's something wrong with Prior than why didn't hendry try and move him earlier in the hot stove? Couldn't he have gotten Abreu for him? It doesn't add up.

 

Yeah, that dosn't make much sense. Why would JH value Tejada more than Abreu when Abreu's stats are better? B/c Philly wouldn't give them back a pitcher in addition to Abreu?

[CardsFanInChiTown]

Apparently there is some reason that Hendry is offering Prior other than just getting Tejada. Big Z is not being considered for a trade in any way. Bruce said that "scouts" are high on Bedard, and see something in Prior that has Hendry concerned. I have no idea what that is????????

 

If there's something wrong with Prior than why didn't hendry try and move him earlier in the hot stove? Couldn't he have gotten Abreu for him? It doesn't add up.

 

Didn't want to trade him to a NL team.

 

I could see a Central team but an NL West team? Seems a little silly.

[RynoRules]

Apparently there is some reason that Hendry is offering Prior other than just getting Tejada. Big Z is not being considered for a trade in any way. Bruce said that "scouts" are high on Bedard, and see something in Prior that has Hendry concerned. I have no idea what that is????????

 

If there's something wrong with Prior than why didn't hendry try and move him earlier in the hot stove? Couldn't he have gotten Abreu for him? It doesn't add up.

 

Didn't want to trade him to a NL team.

 

Ah. That makes sense.

[HoopsCubs]

BUMP

 

Listening to ESPN Radio Chicago Sportscenter: they again stated that Levine is reporting that a "deal is on the table" wherein the Cubs trade Prior, Hill and CPatt for Tejada and Bedard. Dunno if they are just stating it again to get us all riled (sp?) up or if its more serious than last week.

 

I get the sense it's going to happen.

[RynoRules]

Someone is still going to have to explain to me why the O's think this gives them a better shot in 06'. Or are they doing this with an eye towards 07', thinking the Yanks will another year older, the Sox another year without a real GM, and it will be down to them and the Jays? Edited December 27, 2005 by RynoRules

[E.J.]

Apparently there is some reason that Hendry is offering Prior other than just getting Tejada. Big Z is not being considered for a trade in any way. Bruce said that "scouts" are high on Bedard, and see something in Prior that has Hendry concerned. I have no idea what that is????????

 

If there's something wrong with Prior than why didn't hendry try and move him earlier in the hot stove? Couldn't he have gotten Abreu for him? It doesn't add up.

 

Didn't want to trade him to a NL team.

 

I could see a Central team but an NL West team? Seems a little silly.

 

It would be a little silly trading him to the NL West if Philly would be the trade partner and I'm pretty sure they're in the East. :wink:

[CardsFanInChiTown]

Apparently there is some reason that Hendry is offering Prior other than just getting Tejada. Big Z is not being considered for a trade in any way. Bruce said that "scouts" are high on Bedard, and see something in Prior that has Hendry concerned. I have no idea what that is????????

 

If there's something wrong with Prior than why didn't hendry try and move him earlier in the hot stove? Couldn't he have gotten Abreu for him? It doesn't add up.

 

Didn't want to trade him to a NL team.

 

I could see a Central team but an NL West team? Seems a little silly.

 

It would be a little silly trading him to the NL West if Philly would be the trade partner and I'm pretty sure they're in the East. :wink:

 

#-o :oops:

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Trading for Tejada seems like a prime opportunity to cash in on Lee's enhanced value. There has to be some 3 way deal that nets us Tejada and Morneau, or Tejada and Sweeney.

[RynoRules]

BUMP

 

Listening to ESPN Radio Chicago Sportscenter: they again stated that Levine is reporting that a "deal is on the table" wherein the Cubs trade Prior, Hill and CPatt for Tejada and Bedard. Dunno if they are just stating it again to get us all riled (sp?) up or if its more serious than last week.

 

I get the sense it's going to happen.

 

I agree. Too much smoke for there not to be some fire. If it does not happen, we may later find out that it was nixed at the 11th hour.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

BUMP

 

Listening to ESPN Radio Chicago Sportscenter: they again stated that Levine is reporting that a "deal is on the table" wherein the Cubs trade Prior, Hill and CPatt for Tejada and Bedard. Dunno if they are just stating it again to get us all riled (sp?) up or if its more serious than last week.

 

I get the sense it's going to happen.

 

I agree, Tejada wants out. It's just a matter of picking the right package.

[erik316wttn]

Why are they so hell bent on trading Prior? If you do, Z is the only constant in the rotation. Wood won't be ready. Maddux is done. Williams isn't more than a #3, as is Rusch.

 

This trade would make the rotation very mediocre. We don't need offense that badly.

 

I would love to see Tejada here, but I'd much rather trade a package of prospects for him. If he would cost Prior, then I'd say no deal.

 

I'd be ok with it if we got Tejada, Bedard, and 2 top prospects. Anything less than that and Hendry should be kicked in the jewels.

Edited December 27, 2005 by erik316wttn

[YearofDaCubs]

This is just crazy. If the trade goes through we will regret the trade ever happened.

[Bull]

I get the sense it's going to happen.

 

Is that an official "hoops radar reading"?

Edited December 27, 2005 by Bull

[HoopsCubs]

B/c Philly wouldn't give them back a pitcher in addition to Abreu?

 

That's a good explanation too. From what I read Billy Beane is very high on Bedard too. Hendry wants a lefty in the rotation, whose name isn't Rusch.

[RynoRules]

Why are they so hell bent on trading Prior? If you do, Z is the only constant in the rotation. Wood won't be ready. Maddux is done. Williams isn't more than a #3, as is Rusch.

 

This trade would make the rotation very mediocre. We don't need offense that badly.

 

I think JH is counting on the rotation looking like this:

 

Z

Wood

Maddux

Williams

Guzman

 

I'd certainly rather it be that way than having Rusch in the rotation, so may be its wishful thinking on my part.