A Thought on the Tejada Talks...

[TXCubsFan]

I've been away for a few days and haven't read all the threads on this. When I was in Chicago, I heard there was speculation that the Cubs didn't believe they could sign Prior long term (specifically, Prior wants to go back to CA.) so they're trying to trade him now for another superstar to make his departure look like a positive.

 

There was speculation, yes. The facts appear to be that the O's asked for Prior or Z, and the Cubs have balked at that demand. Most are speculating now that the Cubs have offered a package of prospects, but the O's did not want it (at least initially). Rogers initimated as much in this morning's Trib. He also opined that whatever the least sensible deal is, the O's will likely do it.

 

For once I agree with Phil. :lol:

[FergieJ31]

OK, here's what I think\know:

 

- Prior is very much on the table. What would the Cubs gain by reporting\leaking Prior was offered? Nothing.

 

- Bruce Miles indicated on NSBB Hendry was targeting Tejada big time.

 

- Hendry isn't convinced Prior can stay healthy. Why would he offer Prior but not Z?

 

- Hendry believes there's one true hole on this team SS\2B. He feels Walkers D is unacceptable and Bruce Miles indicated on NSBB the Cubs realize Nefei isn't good enough to be a starter.

 

- Hendry is in a contract year so he's most likely in a "win now" mode therefore I bet he's willing to sell out the long term (Prior) for the short term (Tejada). If Hendry believes Prior is a big injury risk it makes sense.

 

 

Those are my 2 cents... flame away. :wink:

 

No flames (btw happy new year CFiCT), but I'll say is that a lot of assumptions and speculation go along with your points. Everyone started speculating on the parameters of the deal using only what Levine was reporting as a source. It's easy to forget that Levine was the ONLY source (not the Cubs, not the O's) of the Prior/Tejada trade rumor.

 

And I don't buy the "Hendry in a contract year so he's selling the future" stuff one bit.

 

That said, I wouldn't be too surprised if at some point in the future the Cubs admit they were entertaining trade talks that involved Prior & Tejada. The Cubs' silence last week in the midst of rampant rumors was deafening. And Hendry only explicitly denied a straight-up Tejada/Prior swap.

[back2backjax]

how many prospects would be acceptable to deal to get tejada? if the orioles decided to keep bedard and leave prior/Z out of the equation in exchange for more prospects, who would you be OK with dealing?

[Roast]

 

 

- Hendry isn't convinced Prior can stay healthy. Why would he offer Prior but not Z?

 

 

If hendry is truely stupid enough to think Prior is an injury risk, then he should be loaded into a cannon and have his fat rear end shot into the sun.

 

 

GETTING HIT BY LINE DRIVES DOES NOT MAKE YOU AN INJURY RISK.

[Roast]

how many prospects would be acceptable to deal to get tejada? if the orioles decided to keep bedard and leave prior/Z out of the equation in exchange for more prospects, who would you be OK with dealing?

 

I've said it in a couple threads, but I would think the O's (if they have a smart GM) would want to get the base for a good young team in return for Tejada. I think a package like this should be reasonable.

 

Pie, Cedeno, Hill, and Dopirak/Guzman for Tejada.

 

 

But they seem pretty convinced that they have to get a stud starting pitcher out of the deal.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

OK, here's what I think\know:

 

- Prior is very much on the table. What would the Cubs gain by reporting\leaking Prior was offered? Nothing.

 

- Bruce Miles indicated on NSBB Hendry was targeting Tejada big time.

 

- Hendry isn't convinced Prior can stay healthy. Why would he offer Prior but not Z?

 

- Hendry believes there's one true hole on this team SS\2B. He feels Walkers D is unacceptable and Bruce Miles indicated on NSBB the Cubs realize Nefei isn't good enough to be a starter.

 

- Hendry is in a contract year so he's most likely in a "win now" mode therefore I bet he's willing to sell out the long term (Prior) for the short term (Tejada). If Hendry believes Prior is a big injury risk it makes sense.

 

 

Those are my 2 cents... flame away. :wink:

The only problem is, according to the latest reports, Hendry didn't offer Prior, the O's requested him. Big difference.

 

Hendry's response was basically the same as saying "no" to trading Prior. He said he would need Bedard in return. The O's balked. And thats where it sits.

 

The facts don't support your theory.

 

Hendry doesn't necessarily feel there is "one true hole" in the Cubs middle infield either. He is simply trying to improve the Cubs line-up. He rightly feels the line-up is lacking and is trying to address it. Whether it comes in the form of a middle infielder or an OFer doesn't matter. The signing of Jones, while inexplicable to me, doesn't preclude the Cubs from acquiring a stud RFer. If Murton is included in the deal, Jones moves to LF and the hole in the line-up is addressed without touching the middle infield.

 

Hah man, when I wrote the previous post I was stinking drunk. :P

 

When I wrote that post I didn't have the latest reports. Besides Hendry might be in damage control with Prior so he might say the O's requested him. Who knows?

 

I stand by my belief the Henry wants a SS or 2B who can "catch the ball". Bruce Miles has reported here Walker is all but gone and the Cubs org doesn't believe Nefei is am everyday player.

 

Points taken, good post.

Edited January 1, 2006 by CardsFanInChiTown

[CardsFanInChiTown]

OK, here's what I think\know:

 

- Prior is very much on the table. What would the Cubs gain by reporting\leaking Prior was offered? Nothing.

 

- Bruce Miles indicated on NSBB Hendry was targeting Tejada big time.

 

- Hendry isn't convinced Prior can stay healthy. Why would he offer Prior but not Z?

 

- Hendry believes there's one true hole on this team SS\2B. He feels Walkers D is unacceptable and Bruce Miles indicated on NSBB the Cubs realize Nefei isn't good enough to be a starter.

 

- Hendry is in a contract year so he's most likely in a "win now" mode therefore I bet he's willing to sell out the long term (Prior) for the short term (Tejada). If Hendry believes Prior is a big injury risk it makes sense.

 

 

Those are my 2 cents... flame away. :wink:

 

No flames (btw happy new year CFiCT), but I'll say is that a lot of assumptions and speculation go along with your points. Everyone started speculating on the parameters of the deal using only what Levine was reporting as a source. It's easy to forget that Levine was the ONLY source (not the Cubs, not the O's) of the Prior/Tejada trade rumor.

 

And I don't buy the "Hendry in a contract year so he's selling the future" stuff one bit.

 

That said, I wouldn't be too surprised if at some point in the future the Cubs admit they were entertaining trade talks that involved Prior & Tejada. The Cubs' silence last week in the midst of rampant rumors was deafening. And Hendry only explicitly denied a straight-up Tejada/Prior swap.

 

Thanks happy new year to you to!

 

Yeah, I agee that was post was filled with my assumptions and speculations, scotch is a powerful drink. The post was intended to make sense of the facts and rumors flying around at that time. I never thought Hendry would trade Prior straight-up for Tejada but he was willing to deal him. Hence, my belief of selling out the future for 06.

Edited January 1, 2006 by CardsFanInChiTown

[CardsFanInChiTown]

OK, here's what I think\know:

 

- Prior is very much on the table. What would the Cubs gain by reporting\leaking Prior was offered? Nothing.

 

Hence the reason why I think the Orioles were the one to leak this rumor.

 

I think the O's would become very unpopular in baseball circles if they made something like that up. I really do think Prior was\is on the table, too many sources had variations on this deal to have me believe otherwise.

The press has been known to run with a rumor from time to time, haven't they? After all, they aren't selling actual news, they are selling newspapers. Its all about circulation and ratings.

 

And with the absence of any quotes coming from Hendry confirming his willingness to trade Prior, the impirical evidence for your theory is non-existent. I'm not saying the O's started this rumor. But I wouldn't put it past Ken Rosenthal to write the article that started this Prior rumor without "filling in the blanks" a little to make his story sound a little more juicy than it actually was.

 

I'm confused. Has Hendry denied he had Prior on the table? I thought he admited a deal would have been done if Bedard was included.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

OK, here's what I think\know:

 

- Prior is very much on the table. What would the Cubs gain by reporting\leaking Prior was offered? Nothing.

 

Hence the reason why I think the Orioles were the one to leak this rumor.

 

I think the O's would become very unpopular in baseball circles if they made something like that up. I really do think Prior was\is on the table, too many sources had variations on this deal to have me believe otherwise.

The press has been known to run with a rumor from time to time, haven't they? After all, they aren't selling actual news, they are selling newspapers. Its all about circulation and ratings.

 

And with the absence of any quotes coming from Hendry confirming his willingness to trade Prior, the impirical evidence for your theory is non-existent. I'm not saying the O's started this rumor. But I wouldn't put it past Ken Rosenthal to write the article that started this Prior rumor without "filling in the blanks" a little to make his story sound a little more juicy than it actually was.

 

I'm confused. Has Hendry denied he had Prior on the table? I thought he admited a deal would have been done if Bedard was included.

 

Hendry has refused to publicly comment on the specifics of any deal. He's given his standard response that he'll do whatever is necessary to improve the team, or some variation. The fire started because unlilke Prior for Abreu, Hendry did not flat out say Prior was untouchable.

[Mizzou]

OK, here's what I think\know:

 

- Prior is very much on the table. What would the Cubs gain by reporting\leaking Prior was offered? Nothing.

 

Hence the reason why I think the Orioles were the one to leak this rumor.

 

I think the O's would become very unpopular in baseball circles if they made something like that up. I really do think Prior was\is on the table, too many sources had variations on this deal to have me believe otherwise.

The press has been known to run with a rumor from time to time, haven't they? After all, they aren't selling actual news, they are selling newspapers. Its all about circulation and ratings.

 

And with the absence of any quotes coming from Hendry confirming his willingness to trade Prior, the impirical evidence for your theory is non-existent. I'm not saying the O's started this rumor. But I wouldn't put it past Ken Rosenthal to write the article that started this Prior rumor without "filling in the blanks" a little to make his story sound a little more juicy than it actually was.

 

I'm confused. Has Hendry denied he had Prior on the table? I thought he admited a deal would have been done if Bedard was included.

 

Hendry has refused to publicly comment on the specifics of any deal. He's given his standard response that he'll do whatever is necessary to improve the team, or some variation. The fire started because unlilke Prior for Abreu, Hendry did not flat out say Prior was untouchable.

With the difference of course being that Hendry was known to be speaking with Baltimore and it'd be inappropriate for him to comment on trade negotiations in the media. I've never once thought that he would trade Prior for Tejada.