Will L.A. Trade Jeff Kent?

[HoopsCubs]

The Cubs' need for another bat, and the fact that there were rumors last week that the Dodgers and Mets were talking about Kent led me to look at LA's payroll. Last year their payroll was ~$81M. This year, I estimate that they already have 16 players under contract at $88M, and have been looking at re-signing Weaver and potentially signing Preston Wilson for LF, which could potentially push their payroll to $100M.

 

Has anyone heard if the Dodgers are able to sustain a $95-100M payroll this year?

 

If you are Hendry, would you pitch Todd Walker and good pitching prospect for Kent, by selling the ability for the Dodgers to free up cash to re-sign Weaver knowing Kent is a free agent after 2006.

 

Kent certainly doesn't help defensively, but his near .900 OPS would be terrific.

 

Drew $11.0

Gagne $10.0

Lowe $9.0

Kent 9.0

Penny $5.5

Perez $7.25

Izturis $3.10

Ledee $1.5

Furcal $9.0

Garciaparra $6.0

Mueller $4.25

Lofton $3.85

Tomko $3.60

Cruz $2.91

Saenz $1.0

Choi $0.725

 

 

 

Hoops

[sethuel1]

The Cubs' need for another bat, and the fact that there were rumors last week that the Dodgers and Mets were talking about Kent led me to look at LA's payroll. Last year their payroll was ~$81M. This year, I estimate that they already have 16 players under contract at $88M, and have been looking at re-signing Weaver and potentially signing Preston Wilson for LF, which could potentially push their payroll to $100M.

 

Has anyone heard if the Dodgers are able to sustain a $95-100M payroll this year?

 

If you are Hendry, would you pitch Todd Walker and good pitching prospect for Kent, by selling the ability for the Dodgers to free up cash to re-sign Weaver knowing Kent is a free agent after 2006.

 

Kent certainly doesn't help defensively, but his near .900 OPS would be terrific.

 

 

Hoops

 

I'd go for it, but Hendry won't. The whole "catch the ball" thing.

 

Also, doesn't Ned Colletti not want to deal with us for some reason, or is that just a poor excuse for us not making more noise on the Milton Bradley front?

[CardsFanInChiTown]

If Hendry wanted a bad defensive 2B who can hit he'd just keep Walker.

[CubfaninCA]

Well, LA was 2nd or 3rd in attendance last year & they play in the 2nd biggest market, so am pretty sure they can sustain 95-100 million. It's just a matter of whether the owner will put money into the team or into nearby real estate.

[BigbadB]

What I understood was that the team originally dumped payroll because the owner spent nearly everything he had purchasing the team, and didn't have the money to make improvements.

 

It seems like he must have fixed his financial situation with the way he's spending money this offseason.

[Chris]

If Hendry wanted a bad defensive 2B who can hit he'd just keep Walker.

 

Maybe not gold glove, but not the worst. Among 2B in MLB with over 400 TC in 2005, Walker ranked 10th in fielding % among 23 (.985).

[CubfaninCA]

What I understood was that the team originally dumped payroll because the owner spent nearly everything he had purchasing the team, and didn't have the money to make improvements.

 

It seems like he must have fixed his financial situation with the way he's spending money this offseason.

 

Well, he had enough money to put 2000 new front row seats into the stadium last year. Iirc he's spent about $20 million or so already on upgrading the ballpark.

[CubfaninCA]

If Hendry wanted a bad defensive 2B who can hit he'd just keep Walker.

 

Kent >> Walker

[don_kessinger_was_good]

I would very much support a deal for Kent.

 

1. His contract is just for 2006, so you're not locked into a long-term commitment.

2. He is a "Dusty guy". Unlike Walker, Kent will play every day. Giving you a Cedeno/Neifi SS platoon, which I can definitely live with.

3. Walker is a good hitter, but Kent is pretty much the best slugging 2B in the game. He will comfortably top anything Walker could do in OPS and run production. Kent would be a terrific #5 hitter in our lineup.

4. You don't need to waste valuable, young talent to acquire Kent! The talk has been losing a Prior, or Hill and Guzman and others, or whatever, to get Miggy Tejada. Kent's bat production is just as good, and he'll cost you what--one young pitcher (say, Hill) and Walker?

5. Finally, Cubs wouldn't be doomed this time if Aramis goes down yet again. Kent can play 3B, that's a nice option to have.

6. DO IT.

[HoopsCubs]

6. DO IT.

 

You and I would. Unfortunately, it comes down to Colletti and Hendry.

[CubfaninCA]

I would very much support a deal for Kent.

 

1. His contract is just for 2006, so you're not locked into a long-term commitment.

2. He is a "Dusty guy". Unlike Walker, Kent will play every day. Giving you a Cedeno/Neifi SS platoon, which I can definitely live with.

3. Walker is a good hitter, but Kent is pretty much the best slugging 2B in the game. He will comfortably top anything Walker could do in OPS and run production. Kent would be a terrific #5 hitter in our lineup.

4. You don't need to waste valuable, young talent to acquire Kent! The talk has been losing a Prior, or Hill and Guzman and others, or whatever, to get Miggy Tejada. Kent's bat production is just as good, and he'll cost you what--one young pitcher (say, Hill) and Walker?

5. Finally, Cubs wouldn't be doomed this time if Aramis goes down yet again. Kent can play 3B, that's a nice option to have.

6. DO IT.

 

Agree w/ everything except 4. Kent's the guy they should have signed for 2005 cause he'll give you about 100 points more in ops and he's quite durable. Unfortunately, he's probably just another guy who preferred coming home to SoCal. Also, I don't see LA trading their best offensive player from last year away. McCourt spent a bunch of money on PR to help absorb the beating he's taken from the media. Apparently, the PR team told him to spend money. Too bad the Chicago media never crucifies the Cubs like the LA Times did to McCourt this past year.

[CubfaninCA]

6. DO IT.

 

You and I would. Unfortunately, it comes down to Colletti and Hendry.

 

Jmo but it comes down to McCourt not wanting to take another beating from the LA media. They'll have to get a nice return if they deal off Kent. Jmo again, but Drew's more likely.

[Roast]

I would very much support a deal for Kent.

 

1. His contract is just for 2006, so you're not locked into a long-term commitment.

2. He is a "Dusty guy". Unlike Walker, Kent will play every day. Giving you a Cedeno/Neifi SS platoon, which I can definitely live with.

3. Walker is a good hitter, but Kent is pretty much the best slugging 2B in the game. He will comfortably top anything Walker could do in OPS and run production. Kent would be a terrific #5 hitter in our lineup.

4. You don't need to waste valuable, young talent to acquire Kent! The talk has been losing a Prior, or Hill and Guzman and others, or whatever, to get Miggy Tejada. Kent's bat production is just as good, and he'll cost you what--one young pitcher (say, Hill) and Walker?

5. Finally, Cubs wouldn't be doomed this time if Aramis goes down yet again. Kent can play 3B, that's a nice option to have.

6. DO IT.

 

Agree.

 

I would love to see Kent out at second. I dont care about his defense. The superb defense ( :roll: ) of the french quarter* of the outfield will catch anything he misses.

 

* Just for you, wolf.

[UK1679666180]

I'd be for it too, this team needs a #5 hitter badly. Of course, getting rid of Walker would open up a spot for the 2nd hitter.

 

But, right now the Cubs have a much better option for the 2nd hitter in Murton than they do currently for the 5th hitter (Jones).

[RockTheIvy]

Kent would be great.

 

Pierre

Murton

Lee

Ramirez

Kent

Jones

Barret

Ron Ce

 

I would be happy with that lineup.

[CuseCubFan69]

I thought the LA GM didn't want to deal with Hendry? IMO he would ask for more from the Cubs then he would another team if this is the case.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

If Hendry wanted a bad defensive 2B who can hit he'd just keep Walker.

 

Kent >> Walker

 

I agree, but my point given the way Hendry veiws Walker I doubt he would be very interested in Kent since they are pretty similar players.

[CuseCubFan69]

If Hendry wanted a bad defensive 2B who can hit he'd just keep Walker.

 

Kent >> Walker

 

I agree, but my point given the way Hendry veiws Walker I doubt he would be very interested in Kent since they are pretty similar players.

 

I think Kent's offensive numbers make him more attractive than Walker even though both as you say are poor defensive players.

[Backtobanks]

6. DO IT.

 

You and I would. Unfortunately, it comes down to Colletti and Hendry.

 

Jmo but it comes down to McCourt not wanting to take another beating from the LA media. They'll have to get a nice return if they deal off Kent. Jmo again, but Drew's more likely.

 

So let's get Drew.

[goonys evil twin]

6. DO IT.

 

You and I would. Unfortunately, it comes down to Colletti and Hendry.

 

Jmo but it comes down to McCourt not wanting to take another beating from the LA media. They'll have to get a nice return if they deal off Kent. Jmo again, but Drew's more likely.

 

So let's get Drew.

 

I'd be all over that.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I'd inquire about any of Drew, Kent and Lowe. Either of those players could fit our needs depending on the right package.

[wilk]

Kent and Colletti are good friends and that relationship had a lot to do with the reason Bradley was traded. I doubt they trade Kent.

[BigbadB]

Kent and Colletti are good friends and that relationship had a lot to do with the reason Bradley was traded. I doubt they trade Kent.

 

They were together in San Fran, weren't they? Interesting. Drew is the one I'd be most interested in now that Bradley is gone. Jose Cruz is another one I like.

[CubfaninCA]

Drew may become available, but the Cubs probably don't have the right mix of players. They'll probably want a proven hitter back, and Walker doesn't fit when they already have Kent. Also, they may want back a #3 pitcher. JWill isn't quite there yet.. Andd jmo agaaain, LA probably shops Odalis Perez and Lowe before Drew Of course, they probably need to lock up Weaver before shopping either.