Julio Lugo trade talk

[Balsa]

Although I wonder if a Hairston 2B wouldn't be better if he was 100%....

[Blueheart05]

Although I wonder if a Hairston 2B wouldn't be better if he was 100%....

 

I wouldn't mind giving Hairston the job either if he's completely healthy. His SLG will be lower than Walker's but I think he can match Todd's OBP.

[Magnetic Curses]

Although I wonder if a Hairston 2B wouldn't be better if he was 100%....

 

I wouldn't mind giving Hairston the job either if he's completely healthy. His SLG will be lower than Walker's but I think he can match Todd's OBP.

 

i liked your old avatar better.

[anemic offense]

Wow that's a steal for Cleveland. And it brings us much closer to Lugo.

 

Good news all around.

 

Makes you wonder when one of the "best hitting prospects in all of baseball" gets traded twice in one off season, especially when the initating team was the Braves. How many times have they been wrong on their own prospects??? It'd be enough to make me leary.

[The Voice of Reason]

From a Red Sox beat writer:

 

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/9179796

 

Lugo is described by one executive as an "underrated superstar" whose offense (.295 average, .368 OBP, 39 steals) and defensive range vastly exceeded that of Renteria last season. Yet the Devil Rays seem unlikely to deal the shortstop, who will be a free agent after 2006, for anything short of a spectacular prospect.

 

 

Could that spectacular prospect be Pie or Cedeno now that the Red Sox are apparently going in another direction as SS?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

From a Red Sox beat writer:

 

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/9179796

 

Lugo is described by one executive as an "underrated superstar" whose offense (.295 average, .368 OBP, 39 steals) and defensive range vastly exceeded that of Renteria last season. Yet the Devil Rays seem unlikely to deal the shortstop, who will be a free agent after 2006, for anything short of a spectacular prospect.

 

 

Could that spectacular prospect be Pie or Cedeno now that the Red Sox are apparently going in another direction as SS?

 

My guess is that they are asking for pitching....but maybe Cedeno. I can't see the Rays having much interest in Pie. With Gomes, Crawford, Baldelli, and Young on the way...a CF isn't much use to them. If they think they'll have to shift Upton to third or the outfield, they may want a SS, so I could see them asking for Cedeno.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

After the way Pie has been playing of late, can he really be considered a "spectacular prospect?"

 

Lugo is an underrated superstar? lol

[CoolHandLuke]

After the way Pie has been playing of late, can he really be considered a "spectacular prospect?"

 

Lugo is an underrated superstar? lol

 

Pie was hurt for a while and because of that you shouldn't put much stock in his winter league play.

 

It was always his tools moreso than his results that had everyone excited anyways. He is still a top 30 prospect, imo.

[Blueheart05]

From a Red Sox beat writer:

 

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/9179796

 

Lugo is described by one executive as an "underrated superstar" whose offense (.295 average, .368 OBP, 39 steals) and defensive range vastly exceeded that of Renteria last season. Yet the Devil Rays seem unlikely to deal the shortstop, who will be a free agent after 2006, for anything short of a spectacular prospect.

 

 

Could that spectacular prospect be Pie or Cedeno now that the Red Sox are apparently going in another direction as SS?

 

My guess is that they are asking for pitching....but maybe Cedeno. I can't see the Rays having much interest in Pie. With Gomes, Crawford, Baldelli, and Young on the way...a CF isn't much use to them. If they think they'll have to shift Upton to third or the outfield, they may want a SS, so I could see them asking for Cedeno.

 

You're right about them wanting pitching from the Cubs at least according to the St Petersburg Times

 

From the Red Sox, the Rays, as they have for months, would like to acquire third-base prospect Andy Marte. From the Cubs, Mets or Rangers, they are likely to seek pitching prospects. With spring training a month away, the teams seeking Lugo, as well as rightfielder/DH Aubrey Huff, might get more serious in their interest.

 

Maybe a more reasonable trade for Lugo can take place now that Marte is out of the way.

Edited January 23, 2006 by Blueheart05

[Blueheart05]

After the way Pie has been playing of late, can he really be considered a "spectacular prospect?"

 

Lugo is an underrated superstar? lol

 

Pie was hurt for a while and because of that you shouldn't put much stock in his winter league play.

 

It was always his tools moreso than his results that had everyone excited anyways. He is still a top 30 prospect, imo.

 

That sounds like Corey...

[Balsa]

I'd trade Guzman for him.

[Backtobanks]

From a Red Sox beat writer:

 

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/9179796

 

Lugo is described by one executive as an "underrated superstar" whose offense (.295 average, .368 OBP, 39 steals) and defensive range vastly exceeded that of Renteria last season. Yet the Devil Rays seem unlikely to deal the shortstop, who will be a free agent after 2006, for anything short of a spectacular prospect.

 

 

Could that spectacular prospect be Pie or Cedeno now that the Red Sox are apparently going in another direction as SS?

 

I predict Cedeno will be as good as Lugo within a year or two.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I'd trade Guzman for him.

 

If Guzman's healthy, not a chance.

[Blueheart05]

From a Red Sox beat writer:

 

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/9179796

 

Lugo is described by one executive as an "underrated superstar" whose offense (.295 average, .368 OBP, 39 steals) and defensive range vastly exceeded that of Renteria last season. Yet the Devil Rays seem unlikely to deal the shortstop, who will be a free agent after 2006, for anything short of a spectacular prospect.

 

 

Could that spectacular prospect be Pie or Cedeno now that the Red Sox are apparently going in another direction as SS?

 

I predict Cedeno will be as good as Lugo within a year or two.

 

By all reports, the Cubs aren't looking for Lugo to replace Cedeno. He will probably play 2B and bat 2nd if acquired.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

According to Bruce Miles, a deal for Lugo isn't likely.

 

Pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Arizona in just more than three weeks. Hendry wouldn’t rule out tinkering with his roster before then, but it appears a possible deal with Tampa Bay for shortstop Julio Lugo isn’t in the picture.

 

 

Mike Kiley, Link, seems to echo the same sentiments.

 

Major-league sources also said that while the Cubs had investigated possible deals with Tampa Bay for shortstop Julio Lugo and with Oakland for pitcher Barry Zito, it looks highly unlikely anything will happen. The Cubs don't want to meet an asking price that's too high for Lugo and Zito never was made available.

 

[Blueheart05]

According to Bruce Miles, a deal for Lugo isn't likely.

 

Pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Arizona in just more than three weeks. Hendry wouldn’t rule out tinkering with his roster before then, but it appears a possible deal with Tampa Bay for shortstop Julio Lugo isn’t in the picture.

 

 

Mike Kiley, Link, seems to echo the same sentiments.

 

Major-league sources also said that while the Cubs had investigated possible deals with Tampa Bay for shortstop Julio Lugo and with Oakland for pitcher Barry Zito, it looks highly unlikely anything will happen. The Cubs don't want to meet an asking price that's too high for Lugo and Zito never was made available.

 

 

Yeah, i read that too. I wonder if it's true or a smoke screen attempt to get the Rays to lower their asking price? In either case, we have people in-house that can do the job. Spring Training should settle this issue for the starter's job.

[Balsa]

I'd trade Guzman for him.

 

If Guzman's healthy, not a chance.

 

And when has that happened recently? The guys so broken down I'm surprised he can eat his morning cereal.

 

Yeah, i read that too. I wonder if it's true or a smoke screen attempt to get the Rays to lower their asking price? In either case, we have people in-house that can do the job. Spring Training should settle this issue for the starter's job.

 

"On second thought, we've had other offers on Corey Patterson..."

 

*ten minutes later*

 

"Corey Patterson is now an Oriole!"

 

Although it is Bruce, I'm still not 100% convinced Walker won't be gone by Spring Training.

[Balsa]

And now the BoSox have picked up AGonII.

 

Which leaves the Cubs with a glut at 2B and Tampa with no one to make a deal. I think that means that if a deal is made, it'll be pretty even, since neither team 'needs' to make a trade.

 

I keep hearing about Lugo's defense....but then I look at his number of errors, and it's horrifying. 2004 he had the most errors of any shortstop. How is Lugo a better defensive option than say Hairston Jr. or Walker?

[Blueheart05]

And now the BoSox have picked up AGonII.

 

Which leaves the Cubs with a glut at 2B and Tampa with no one to make a deal. I think that means that if a deal is made, it'll be pretty even, since neither team 'needs' to make a trade.

 

I keep hearing about Lugo's defense....but then I look at his number of errors, and it's horrifying. 2004 he had the most errors of any shortstop. How is Lugo a better defensive option than say Hairston Jr. or Walker?

 

I haven't closely examined Lugo's numbers but from what I've read, he is an above average defender. I wonder how many errors he made relative to the number of chances he had to make a play? Errors can be misleading. Middle infielders with limited range will often have fewer errors than their more athletic (for lack of a better term) peers, that doesnt make them better defenders.

Edited January 31, 2006 by Blueheart05

[RynoRules]

After the way Pie has been playing of late, can he really be considered a "spectacular prospect?"

 

Lugo is an underrated superstar? lol

 

I am not sure about Pie either, but I would not deal him for Lugo. I would deal him for Dunn or Abreu.

[Dr. Cub]

I'm still having abit of trouble understanding this potential move. How does replacing Walker with Lugo IMPROVE this team? Now if Lugo replaced Cedeno at SS I can see how that helps the team, but Lugo for Walker seems a lateral move at best.

[CuseCubFan69]

After the way Pie has been playing of late, can he really be considered a "spectacular prospect?"

 

Lugo is an underrated superstar? lol

 

I am not sure about Pie either, but I would not deal him for Lugo. I would deal him for Dunn or Abreu.

 

Me too. I want a guaranteed 30/100/280/400 guy on this team in the OF if Pie is moved. You get more defense and average with Abreu but more power with Dunn but I'd take either in a second.

 

Lugo isn't a luxury the Cubs can afford at this point.

[goonys evil twin]

I'm still having abit of trouble understanding this potential move. How does replacing Walker with Lugo IMPROVE this team? Now if Lugo replaced Cedeno at SS I can see how that helps the team, but Lugo for Walker seems a lateral move at best.

 

Replacing Neifi with Lugo is what improves the team, because the Cubs seem set on either getting rid of Walker, or letting Neifi take a lot of his playing time. They value the defense far more than the offense this offseason, so Walker is being scapegoated as the reason the pitchers weren't that good last year.

[CuseCubFan69]

I'm still having abit of trouble understanding this potential move. How does replacing Walker with Lugo IMPROVE this team? Now if Lugo replaced Cedeno at SS I can see how that helps the team, but Lugo for Walker seems a lateral move at best.

 

Replacing Neifi with Lugo is what improves the team, because the Cubs seem set on either getting rid of Walker, or letting Neifi take a lot of his playing time. They value the defense far more than the offense this offseason, so Walker is being scapegoated as the reason the pitchers weren't that good last year.

 

I think the cost of players for Lugo and if the Cubs extend his contract may make that a wash though. If Tampa robs the Cubs of what little they have left I don't see that as being better than Perez for another year. Let's hope Walker and Hairston put on a good show for Johnny B and Perez hit 100 in the Spring.

[Balsa]

I haven't closely examined Lugo's numbers but from what I've read, he is an above average defender. I wonder how many errors he made relative to the number of chances he had to make a play? Errors can be misleading. Middle infielders with limited range will often have fewer errors than their more athletic (for lack of a better term) peers, that doesnt make them better defenders.

 

Last year only three SS in the MLB made more errors than Lugo's 24. Angel Berroa - 25, Russ Adams - 26, and Edgar Rentaria - 30.

 

He was 13th out of 24 in Double Plays and also 13/24 in ZR. He was 20/24 in FPCT.

 

It seems his sole redeeming quality is his really, really good range, finishing only 4th behind Jack Wilson, David Eckstein, and Rafael Furcal.

 

I realize that this is SS, and not 2B, but I do question the pervading but mysteriously unfounded opinion that Lugo's defense would be that much of an upgrade.