Orioles-Phillies Rumor

[fromthestretch]

My apologies if this has been posted already, but I saw this on SI.com:

 

The Orioles have discussed sending starter Rodrigo Lopez to the Phillies for one of their two expensive outfielders, Bobby Abreu or Pat Burrell. According to several industry sources, the Phillies would be willing to accept Lopez and perhaps another player, likely a mid-level prospect, if the Orioles were to pay a significant portion of one of the outstanding contracts. -- Baltimore Sun

 

Rodrigo Lopez and a mid-level prospect for Burrell or Abreu? I'd like to think the Cubs can top that offer.

[ManCrushOnNomar]

The Cubs could easily top that offer. That's just silly.

[fromthestretch]

The Cubs could easily top that offer. That's just silly.

 

If they honestly want a starting pitcher who can't get guys out, the Cubs should offer Jerome Williams. He's much younger than Lopez and could probably post an ERA below 6.00 over the course of a full season (Lopez is at 6.44 in 20 starts so far this season). And the Cubs should have no problem finding a "mid-level" prospect that the Phillies would like.

 

They must be really desperate to unload one of those contracts.

[mul21]

If this is true and Abreu wouldn't block a trade to the Cubs, even if it meant picking up the option year(s) on his contract, I say do what it takes, cause what Baltimore's offering isn't a whole lot.

[UMFan83]

I have no idea why Baltimore is trying to get Abreu

[rawaction]

Lopez is worse than Rusch. I'd do Rusch or Williams and I'd even give up a guy like Hill or Guzman for either Abreu or Burrell.

[ConstableRabbit]

The reason it sounds ridiculous is probably due to the fact that it's a rumor.

[EricG]

then the Orioles will trade them to us along with Cpatt for Rusch, Neifi and Pierre.

[Andy]

This is absurd. Jerome and any one of the young guys other than Ryu or perhaps Hill that have started this year should trump that.

[rawaction]

I don't understand what makes this deal ridiculous. It's a salary dump. You get crappy players in return if your main agenda is to get rid of a contract. This is not unprecedented. Remember the Aramis Ramirez trade?

[goonys evil twin]

I don't understand what makes this deal ridiculous. It's a salary dump. You get crappy players in return if your main agenda is to get rid of a contract. This is not unprecedented. Remember the Aramis Ramirez trade?

 

I don't get the motivation for the dump, although I have been sort of predicting something like this for about 2 years. The ridiculous thing would be if the Cubs don't get involved. Abreu is exactly what they need, and while they will have money to improve, they won't have the players to spend it on.

[rawaction]

I don't understand what makes this deal ridiculous. It's a salary dump. You get crappy players in return if your main agenda is to get rid of a contract. This is not unprecedented. Remember the Aramis Ramirez trade?

 

I don't get the motivation for the dump, although I have been sort of predicting something like this for about 2 years. The ridiculous thing would be if the Cubs don't get involved. Abreu is exactly what they need, and while they will have money to improve, they won't have the players to spend it on.

 

I understand dumping Abreu. They do have Victorino who needs PT and is ready. Abreu isn't part of their future. They are a sub .500 team w/Abreu, they can be sub .500 w/o him and spend the money elsewhere. I understand the motivation to move him....don't understand on Burrell other than the fact they just don't like him there. Don't know why, though.

[CuseCubFan69]

Why would the Cubs get on this? There are a lot of bad players to overpay out there and Abreu or Burrell would go against that tradition.

 

I hope Hendry is doing something other than saying no comment or whatever about Baker because this team is not very good.

[KaiserCesar]

I don't understand what makes this deal ridiculous. It's a salary dump. You get crappy players in return if your main agenda is to get rid of a contract. This is not unprecedented. Remember the Aramis Ramirez trade?

 

I don't get the motivation for the dump, although I have been sort of predicting something like this for about 2 years. The ridiculous thing would be if the Cubs don't get involved. Abreu is exactly what they need, and while they will have money to improve, they won't have the players to spend it on.

 

I understand dumping Abreu. They do have Victorino who needs PT and is ready. Abreu isn't part of their future. They are a sub .500 team w/Abreu, they can be sub .500 w/o him and spend the money elsewhere. I understand the motivation to move him....don't understand on Burrell other than the fact they just don't like him there. Don't know why, though.

 

Inconsistent #1 draft pick

[goonys evil twin]

I understand dumping Abreu. They do have Victorino who needs PT and is ready. Abreu isn't part of their future. They are a sub .500 team w/Abreu, they can be sub .500 w/o him and spend the money elsewhere. I understand the motivation to move him....don't understand on Burrell other than the fact they just don't like him there. Don't know why, though.

 

Burrell is too pretty and his worst year was the one right after he signed his big deal.

 

I don't like the "they lost with him, they can lose without him" argument. I guess I should say I understand it, I just don't agree it's a good plan. They do have young cornerstone position players to fall back on when Abreu leaves though.

[beowulf28]

I don't understand what makes this deal ridiculous. It's a salary dump. You get crappy players in return if your main agenda is to get rid of a contract. This is not unprecedented. Remember the Aramis Ramirez trade?

 

I don't get the motivation for the dump, although I have been sort of predicting something like this for about 2 years. The ridiculous thing would be if the Cubs don't get involved. Abreu is exactly what they need, and while they will have money to improve, they won't have the players to spend it on.

 

The reason the Cubs should go after him is the reason the wouldn't: Abreu leads the majors with 87 walks, and his OBP is among the top 20! We need high OBP from hits, not from walks, for crying out loud! :roll:

 

Note the sarcasm! :D

[CuseCubFan69]

The Cubs have no OF's waiting in the wings in the minors so going after Abreu would make a lot of sense but I'm sure Hendry would rather just wait around and see who wants to sign on the cheap at the last minute.

[rawaction]

I understand dumping Abreu. They do have Victorino who needs PT and is ready. Abreu isn't part of their future. They are a sub .500 team w/Abreu, they can be sub .500 w/o him and spend the money elsewhere. I understand the motivation to move him....don't understand on Burrell other than the fact they just don't like him there. Don't know why, though.

 

Burrell is too pretty and his worst year was the one right after he signed his big deal.

 

I don't like the "they lost with him, they can lose without him" argument. I guess I should say I understand it, I just don't agree it's a good plan. They do have young cornerstone position players to fall back on when Abreu leaves though.

 

I know what you're saying. Not really using that argument, per se. Just meant to use the "they aren't winning with him and by the time they will likely win he won't be around" argument. Or is it the "Ol Switcheroo"? Or is it the "what's good for the goose is what's good for the gander"?

[beowulf28]

The Cubs have no OF's waiting in the wings in the minors so going after Abreu would make a lot of sense but I'm sure Hendry would rather just wait around and see who wants to sign on the cheap at the last minute.

 

Yes! Instead of going for the impact player, Hendry will pay less for the cheap OF, when he could've had Abreu, with power, OBP who takes a walk now and then!

[CuseCubFan69]

The Cubs have no OF's waiting in the wings in the minors so going after Abreu would make a lot of sense but I'm sure Hendry would rather just wait around and see who wants to sign on the cheap at the last minute.

 

Yes! Instead of going for the impact player, Hendry will pay less for the cheap OF, when he could've had Abreu, with power, OBP who takes a walk now and then!

 

Yeah, it's so much easier saying "Well we had Burnitz and other guys like that to pick from and that's why we struggled." That gets the excuse out there and that's the problem with Hendry, he has no vision but plenty of excuses. Plus, if he takes a chance he might get fired. Safe moves like Jones and Burnitz have gotten him an extension.

[stitchface]

get abreu and wilson, move jones to cf and get on with getting some starters.

[TruffleShuffle]

I don't understand what makes this deal ridiculous. It's a salary dump. You get crappy players in return if your main agenda is to get rid of a contract. This is not unprecedented. Remember the Aramis Ramirez trade?

 

I don't get the motivation for the dump, although I have been sort of predicting something like this for about 2 years. The ridiculous thing would be if the Cubs don't get involved. Abreu is exactly what they need, and while they will have money to improve, they won't have the players to spend it on.

 

I understand dumping Abreu. They do have Victorino who needs PT and is ready.

 

This shouldn't change whether or not the Phils trade Abreu, but Victorino should not be an everyday RF, at least not for a team that hopes to contend. He just doesn't produce enough offense.

[NorthsideAvenger]

Yes, Abreu is still a very good talent. But since LAST ASB till now, he has becoome more of a DOUBLES hitter with great OBP, then the all-around offensive threat he used to be. Not to mention Abreu is going to make $15 mill next guarantee, and as Stark says, whoever wants to acquire has to "compensate" him for waiving his NTC. Meaning adding more yr, and more bang for the bucks sorta speak.

 

And while his OBP would look great in any lineup, he doesn't justfiy GETTING $15 MILLION dollars next yr. I mean he IS a doubles hitters at a HOMERUN PARK, to me...the lack of over-the-fence power is quite disturbing for somebody making SUPERSTAR money. Right now, if the Cubs want to find more players in tune with the OBP, they can find cheaper alternatives to Abreu.

[Geech]

Right now, if the Cubs want to find more players in tune with the OBP, they can find cheaper alternatives to Abreu.

 

Who?

[texascub]

On ESPN's Rumor Line just now, they were saying that if the Brewers can move CLEE then they may be looking to trade Abreu. A 3-way trade between the Cubs, Brewers, and Phillies might work out nicely.