Hendry's midseason moves

[marc_foust]

In his tenure as the Cubs GM, Hendry has made a number of midseason fleecings. his MO includes, not going to arb, fliers on injured pitchers, trouble signing FA's, and of course his midseason steals. The midseason moves have brought us ARam, Lofton, Nomar, Murton, Williams, Lawton, etc. In my opinion his best trade would have to be a toss up between the ARam trade and the Latroy for Williams and Ardsma trade.

We all know what ARam can do. But with Latroy's worth, Hendry was able to get a number 3 pitcher and a young closer option. What does cub nation think Hendry's best midseason move was?

[MarkPrior]

hands down, ARam

[Drew Doughty]

ARam, easily.

[rawaction]

Be interested to see if teams are more interested to deal star players come midseason. I could definitely see Hendry being able to pull off deals for players he's rumored to be interested in if things go well this season. The deals for Tejada, Abreu, Dunn, and Zito could be revisited. Hopefully, some of the Cubs players and prospects stay healthy and perform well, increasing their trade value.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

I think Williams/Aardsma for Hawkins was the best midseason fleecing. Hawkins's value had tanked and Hendry still got a quality player (Williams) and a project in return. Getting ARam and company is less of a "great move" as all Hendry did is take advantage of a firesale in Pittsburgh. There's no doubt the inequality of player calibers exchanged in those deals favors the ARam deal, but that is no surprise. It's usually not a "fleecing" if it's a firesale.

[Mizzou]

I think Williams/Aardsma for Hawkins was the best midseason fleecing. Hawkins's value had tanked and Hendry still got a quality player (Williams) and a project in return. Getting ARam and company is less of a "great move" as all Hendry did is take advantage of a firesale in Pittsburgh. There's no doubt the inequality of player calibers exchanged in those deals favors the ARam deal, but that is no surprise. It's usually not a "fleecing" if it's a firesale.

 

When I think firesale, I think of teams dumping salaries to save money. Pittsburgh sent some cash along in that deal, so I don't think it's fair to say that Hendry took advantage of a firesale in that instance.

[MarkPrior]

good point MPM. But Hendry deserves credit for being in the right place at the right time, so to speak, and jumping at the opportunity to get those players.

[B]

Dude, your avatar is huge.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

I think Williams/Aardsma for Hawkins was the best midseason fleecing. Hawkins's value had tanked and Hendry still got a quality player (Williams) and a project in return. Getting ARam and company is less of a "great move" as all Hendry did is take advantage of a firesale in Pittsburgh. There's no doubt the inequality of player calibers exchanged in those deals favors the ARam deal, but that is no surprise. It's usually not a "fleecing" if it's a firesale.

 

When I think firesale, I think of teams dumping salaries to save money. Pittsburgh sent some cash along in that deal, so I don't think it's fair to say that Hendry took advantage of a firesale in that instance.

 

The trade was a pure salary dump. The cash going the Cubs way was a small amount (<< $1M). The Pirates didn't have to pay the remainder of the 3M due Ramirez that year or the 6M for the next season. Lofton at 1M (up to 1.5M in incentives) was also a sizable amount. Considering that the cash going the cubs way was way less than 1M, let's not go praising Hendry for getting some cash and thereby making a fleecing out of a salary dump. The cash sent the cubs way was about the same amount as the difference in Lofton's and Hernandez's salaries. The Cubs were not the only team to make lopsided deals with the Pirates that season. Scott Sauerbeck and Mike Williams were dealt for used jockstraps. That is what makes what the Pirates did a firesale.

 

Hendry does deserve all the credit in the world for putting together the package to get Ramirez/Lofton, rather than letting them slip by. Great job, Jim.

 

I'm just saying that the ARam/Lofton deal wasn't the fleecing everyone thinks it is only b/c it is was a firesale. In the Hawkins deal I thought Hendry was dealing from the position of least advantage and pulled off a lopsided deal in our favor. I expected a used jockstrap for Hawkins after the way he pitched.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

I think Williams/Aardsma for Hawkins was the best midseason fleecing. Hawkins's value had tanked and Hendry still got a quality player (Williams) and a project in return. Getting ARam and company is less of a "great move" as all Hendry did is take advantage of a firesale in Pittsburgh. There's no doubt the inequality of player calibers exchanged in those deals favors the ARam deal, but that is no surprise. It's usually not a "fleecing" if it's a firesale.

 

When I think firesale, I think of teams dumping salaries to save money. Pittsburgh sent some cash along in that deal, so I don't think it's fair to say that Hendry took advantage of a firesale in that instance.

 

The trade was a pure salary dump. The cash going the Cubs way was a small amount (<< $1M). The Pirates didn't have to pay the remainder of the 3M due Ramirez that year or the 6M for the next season. Lofton at 1M (up to 1.5M in incentives) was also a sizable amount. Considering that the cash going the cubs way was way less than 1M, let's not go praising Hendry for getting some cash and thereby making a fleecing out of a salary dump. The cash sent the cubs way was about the same amount as the difference in Lofton's and Hernandez's salaries. The Cubs were not the only team to make lopsided deals with the Pirates that season. Scott Sauerbeck and Mike Williams were dealt for used jockstraps. That is what makes what the Pirates did a firesale.

 

Hendry does deserve all the credit in the world for putting together the package to get Ramirez/Lofton, rather than letting them slip by. Great job, Jim.

 

I'm just saying that the ARam/Lofton deal wasn't the fleecing everyone thinks it is only b/c it is was a firesale. In the Hawkins deal I thought Hendry was dealing from the position of least advantage and pulled off a lopsided deal in our favor. I expected a used jockstrap for Hawkins after the way he pitched.

 

I agree, with all your points. The Williams/Aardsma for Hawkins trade was amazing. On the other hand the Ramirez/Lofton trade was a salary dump at a time when very few teams could add payroll.

[Balsa]

I hope Carlos Lee is on the menu this year....mmmm....Carlos Lee....

[Drew Doughty]

Where would we put him? We have Jones for 3 years, he can't play center, and Murton is going to be in left (if he succeeds, of course). Then there's Pierre possibly signing long term with Pie waiting.

 

Only way we go after Lee is if Murton fails in left, which hopefully doesn't happen.

[Backtobanks]

Where would we put him? We have Jones for 3 years, he can't play center, and Murton is going to be in left (if he succeeds, of course). Then there's Pierre possibly signing long term with Pie waiting.

 

Only way we go after Lee is if Murton fails in left, which hopefully doesn't happen.

 

Why does everyone keep saying we have Jones for 3 years. Jones has a three year contract and can (and probably will) be traded after this year. Hendry had to give him a three year contract to match the contracts being offered, but there's no guarantee he will be a Cub for 3 years. If Pie is ready next year, Jones will be traded or platooned.

[Jehrico]

Where would we put him? We have Jones for 3 years, he can't play center, and Murton is going to be in left (if he succeeds, of course). Then there's Pierre possibly signing long term with Pie waiting.

 

Only way we go after Lee is if Murton fails in left, which hopefully doesn't happen.

 

The Hundley trade was an offseason trade, wasn't it? I don't recall. If not, then it certainly merits making the "fleecing" list.

[marc_foust]

Where would we put him? We have Jones for 3 years, he can't play center, and Murton is going to be in left (if he succeeds, of course). Then there's Pierre possibly signing long term with Pie waiting.

 

Only way we go after Lee is if Murton fails in left, which hopefully doesn't happen.

 

Wherever he wants to play... Lee is better than 6 players on the cubs team(ARam and DLee not included) If we can get CLee we do it, I dont care who sits, he is better than everyone in our outfield.

[Drew Doughty]

Where would we put him? We have Jones for 3 years, he can't play center, and Murton is going to be in left (if he succeeds, of course). Then there's Pierre possibly signing long term with Pie waiting.

 

Only way we go after Lee is if Murton fails in left, which hopefully doesn't happen.

 

Wherever he wants to play... Lee is better than 6 players on the cubs team(ARam and DLee not included) If we can get CLee we do it, I dont care who sits, he is better than everyone in our outfield.

 

That can't be what the Cubs are thinking, though. While I'd prefer Lee over Jones and Pierre, the Cubs are looking to lock up Pierre (although they're saying it's up to him) and have Murton and Pie in the corner positions (again, if they succeed) for years to come. I don't think they're going to go after Lee unless Jones/Murton is absolutely atrocious (by their standards) or if one of the two gets injured.

[Drew Doughty]

Where would we put him? We have Jones for 3 years, he can't play center, and Murton is going to be in left (if he succeeds, of course). Then there's Pierre possibly signing long term with Pie waiting.

 

Only way we go after Lee is if Murton fails in left, which hopefully doesn't happen.

 

Why does everyone keep saying we have Jones for 3 years.

 

Because he has a three-year contract. While it is likely that he'll be traded, we still have him signed for three years, and we aren't going to go out and get someone else as long as he's under contract to the Cubs, barring injury or piss-poor play.

[CubsWin]

Where would we put him? We have Jones for 3 years, he can't play center, and Murton is going to be in left (if he succeeds, of course). Then there's Pierre possibly signing long term with Pie waiting.

 

Only way we go after Lee is if Murton fails in left, which hopefully doesn't happen.

 

Why does everyone keep saying we have Jones for 3 years.

 

Because he has a three-year contract. While it is likely that he'll be traded, we still have him signed for three years, and we aren't going to go out and get someone else as long as he's under contract to the Cubs, barring injury or piss-poor play.

So the Cubs won't improve themselves given the opportunity?

 

It is clear that the Cubs were going after player's like Abreu, Tejada, Wilkerson, Huff, Kearns, Floyd (if he became available) etc. It's not like they targeted Jones as their number one option.

 

I wanted Hendry to go after Giles really bad, but either Hendry had his reasons not to go after him or Giles had no interest in leaving his family in San Diego. But regardless, Jones was a fallback and was only chosen because JH felt the price for the other better OFers was too high. Since Jones was their 4th or 5th option, I don't see why they wouldn't trade for someone better if the opportunity to came along and the price was right. Murton is very attractive to a lot of teams. If the right player came along and the other GM wanted Murton in return, then JH has LF covered in Jones. Signing Jacque was a CYA move. He didn't want to be caught having to overpay for someone like Huff or wind up with someone even worse than Jones. It wasn't the result I wanted either, but it could have been worse.

[CubsWin]

Where would we put him? We have Jones for 3 years, he can't play center, and Murton is going to be in left (if he succeeds, of course). Then there's Pierre possibly signing long term with Pie waiting.

 

Only way we go after Lee is if Murton fails in left, which hopefully doesn't happen.

 

The Hundley trade was an offseason trade, wasn't it? I don't recall. If not, then it certainly merits making the "fleecing" list.

Yeah, I was thinking about the Hundley trade, too. It was an offseason deal. His first off season after taking the reigns. That was an incredible fleecing.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

I think the Nomar trade was Hendry's best midseason deal. He pulled it off when no one thought it would really happen, he brought in a 3rd team (Minnesota) to get the trade done, and he shrewdly assessed young talent not only by making wise choices in who he gave up (Harris, Beltran and Jones), but by being persistent enough to get Boston to include Matt Murton, who has ended up being the key player in the trade.

 

Just because Nomar didn't pan out, due to numerous injuries, does not lessen the success of the trade. Very well done, and Matt Murton is now our starting LF. Meanwhile, Justin Jones' career is on life support due to injuries, ditto for Francis Beltran, Brendan Harris can't even crack the Washington Nats' 25-man roster, and Alex Gonzalez well....who cares about Alex Gonzalez.

 

Best midseason trade.

[Drew Doughty]

Where would we put him? We have Jones for 3 years, he can't play center, and Murton is going to be in left (if he succeeds, of course). Then there's Pierre possibly signing long term with Pie waiting.

 

Only way we go after Lee is if Murton fails in left, which hopefully doesn't happen.

 

Why does everyone keep saying we have Jones for 3 years.

 

Because he has a three-year contract. While it is likely that he'll be traded, we still have him signed for three years, and we aren't going to go out and get someone else as long as he's under contract to the Cubs, barring injury or piss-poor play.

So the Cubs won't improve themselves given the opportunity?

 

It is clear that the Cubs were going after player's like Abreu, Tejada, Wilkerson, Huff, Kearns, Floyd (if he became available) etc. It's not like they targeted Jones as their number one option.

 

The Cubs would improve themselves given the oppurtunity, but I can't see Hendry going out and getting a real improvement over Jones unless he is really struggling or is injured.

 

If the right deal came along and included Murton or Jones, he'd probably do it. I think it's going to be a deal that falls in his lap more than him pursuing anyone in particular, though.

[goonys evil twin]

Where would we put him? We have Jones for 3 years, he can't play center, and Murton is going to be in left (if he succeeds, of course). Then there's Pierre possibly signing long term with Pie waiting.

 

Only way we go after Lee is if Murton fails in left, which hopefully doesn't happen.

 

Why does everyone keep saying we have Jones for 3 years.

 

Because he has a three-year contract. While it is likely that he'll be traded, we still have him signed for three years, and we aren't going to go out and get someone else as long as he's under contract to the Cubs, barring injury or piss-poor play.

 

Why would anyone say the Cubs don't have Jones for 3 years? He signed a 3 year contract. He is not likely to be traded. He is exactly the type of player Jim Hendry likes, and Jim is not quick to admit mistakes and get rid of failures. Jones could repeat his career numbers (ie, suck as a RF) and Jim would be ecstatic, and have no desire to trade him.

 

Jones is a Cub, it sucks, but we have to get used to it. Quit pretending he's a likely trade chip in one year.

[Magnetic Curses]

okay, i understand that people just absolutely cannot get enough of 24, but MarkPrior, the size of your avatar is ridiculous. please shrink it.

[CubDad4Ever]

I dont pretend to have the absolute knowledge of whether jones will get traded or not. But i do know this for as crappy as our development has been in positional players, Jim Hendry has been great in the trade market for positional players. As Don Kess put it, the Normar trade was excellent. Pierre , Lee, Ramierz, Murton , Barrett. That is a load of offensive talent to procure without butchering your farm system. Hendry does not have it wired, but boobs dont make that many good trades either. The truth lies somewhere in between Coach L

[A New Era]

Well let's hope Jones either does very good, or very bad.

 

if he does very bad, then JH won't hessitate to trade him IF someone like Carlos Lee becomes available. GOD I HATE him! But I'd love 'im as a Cub! =P~