Hendry ticks me off...

[beowulf28]

In cbssportsline, it says that Detroit is trying to get Bobby Abreu from Philadelphia, and Houston is trying to get Miggy Tejada from the Orioles. Mr. GM doesn't seem to be in the hunt for either of them, but it also says that Houston is shopping Willy Tavarez, and the Cubs and Marlins are interested in him! Either Abreu or Tejada will make an impact for the next couple years or so, and we certainly don't want Houston to get Miggy!! Hendry's running out of time, and who knows if he'll do anything?

[PrimeTime]

Hendry needs a good kick in the head

[rawaction]

Not that Hendry can do no wrong. But it doesn't make very much sense for journalists to try to scout out the rumor mill in the Cubs organization. You are gonna hear more rumors about the teams in the playoff hunt, because they are more interesting. Plus, it's pretty easy to speculate what a team in the hunt needs and form a rumor that way. Detroit could use Abreu to get them to the Series. Houston could use Tejada to get them to the playoffs. If the Cubs get either, or both for that matter, they aren't going anywhere this year. Frankly, it's not as fun or interesting to talk about next year for the national media.

[beowulf28]

Not that Hendry can do no wrong. But it doesn't make very much sense for journalists to try to scout out the rumor mill in the Cubs organization. You are gonna hear more rumors about the teams in the playoff hunt, because they are more interesting. Plus, it's pretty easy to speculate what a team in the hunt needs and form a rumor that way. Detroit could use Abreu to get them to the Series. Houston could use Tejada to get them to the playoffs. If the Cubs get either, or both for that matter, they aren't going anywhere this year. Frankly, it's not as fun or interesting to talk about next year for the national media.

 

That's true. I'm looking at it from the standpoint of a fan of a particular team. Sorry, just had to let out a little steam. :oops:

[Backtobanks]

Hendry needs a good kick in the head

 

Let's wait until after the trade deadline before we give him a kick in the head.

[TheDude]

Why in the world would Hendry be in the running for Abreu now? This team is a seller, not a buyer.

 

The buyers will will outbid Hendry at this stage of the game, so any interest the Cubs have in Abreu should wait until the offseason when the price is stabilized and not driven by playoff envy. Having Abreu for the last 60 games of 2006 is 100% irrelevent.

 

I realize it's bash Hendry month, but have a little perspective at least.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Why in the world would Hendry be in the running for Abreu now? This team is a seller, not a buyer.

 

The buyers will will outbid Hendry at this stage of the game, so any interest the Cubs have in Abreu should wait until the offseason when the price is stabilized and not driven by playoff envy. Having Abreu for the last 60 games of 2006 is 100% irrelevent.

 

I realize it's bash Hendry month, but have a little perspective at least.

 

You're mistaking the Cubs for small to mid market teams. They don't have to be sellers -- they can afford not to be. If Abreu for the remainder of this season means a solid run at it in 2007, a deal should be made. The Cubs have cash, and a lot of teams looking for someone like Abreu will not be able to afford the money still due to him. They need to start building for next year now.

[UMFan83]

The standard for this was the Cardinals trading for Scott Rolen when their team was out of it. If they can do it, why can't we?

[TheDude]

The standard for this was the Cardinals trading for Scott Rolen when their team was out of it. If they can do it, why can't we?

 

Way out of it? That trade was in 2002, and as of the trade deadline in 2002 they were leading the division by 5 games.

 

That was a classic buy from a buying team and has no relevence to the Cubs current situation.

[TheDude]

You're mistaking the Cubs for small to mid market teams. They don't have to be sellers -- they can afford not to be. If Abreu for the remainder of this season means a solid run at it in 2007, a deal should be made. The Cubs have cash, and a lot of teams looking for someone like Abreu will not be able to afford the money still due to him. They need to start building for next year now.

 

I'm not mistaking anything. This idea that the Cubs start rebuilding now by becoming buyers of high priced players is silly - no team is going to pay Abreu his current salary at 1/3 season for no reason whatsoever. You don't throw away 5 million dollars because you aren't patient enough to wait and rebuild during the offseason. Sorry, it just doesn't work that way.

[goonys evil twin]

You're mistaking the Cubs for small to mid market teams. They don't have to be sellers -- they can afford not to be. If Abreu for the remainder of this season means a solid run at it in 2007, a deal should be made. The Cubs have cash, and a lot of teams looking for someone like Abreu will not be able to afford the money still due to him. They need to start building for next year now.

 

I'm not mistaking anything. This idea that the Cubs start rebuilding now by becoming buyers of high priced players is silly - no team is going to pay Abreu his current salary at 1/3 season for no reason whatsoever. You don't throw away 5 million dollars because you aren't patient enough to wait and rebuild during the offseason. Sorry, it just doesn't work that way.

 

Why doesn't it? You have 2 options for improving the team, trades and free agency. Trades can be made prior to July 31st or after the playoffs. A team with money would be foolish to rule out the idea of trading for expensive/good players in the middle of the season just because they are out of it. There is a reason, the reason is you get the guy for next year, without having to offer up a 5 year 50 million contract or something similar. If you can take on the back end of a big contract for a good contract, it's a better deal than handing out a brand new contract that's much bigger in the offseason to a guy that is no better. And since there is no guarantee you can even get that free agent in the offseason (Hendry's track record is awful) you better be willing to deal before July 31.

[UMFan83]

The standard for this was the Cardinals trading for Scott Rolen when their team was out of it. If they can do it, why can't we?

 

Way out of it? That trade was in 2002, and as of the trade deadline in 2002 they were leading the division by 5 games.

 

That was a classic buy from a buying team and has no relevence to the Cubs current situation.

 

Whoops, i feel like an idiot

[USSoccer]

The standard for this was the Cardinals trading for Scott Rolen when their team was out of it. If they can do it, why can't we?

 

Way out of it? That trade was in 2002, and as of the trade deadline in 2002 they were leading the division by 5 games.

 

That was a classic buy from a buying team and has no relevence to the Cubs current situation.

 

The main point that he and others are trying to make, though, is that the Cubs should never really be unloading. Given their payroll and market, they should always be looking to reload. If Abreu is available, Hendry should be inquiring because Abreu is better than any FA available this coming winter.

[minnesotacubsfan]

The standard for this was the Cardinals trading for Scott Rolen when their team was out of it. If they can do it, why can't we?

 

Way out of it? That trade was in 2002, and as of the trade deadline in 2002 they were leading the division by 5 games.

 

That was a classic buy from a buying team and has no relevence to the Cubs current situation.

 

The main point that he and others are trying to make, though, is that the Cubs should never really be unloading. Given their payroll and market, they should always be looking to reload. If Abreu is available, Hendry should be inquiring because Abreu is better than any FA available this coming winter.

 

 

I completely disagree, this year they NEED to unload...big time...

[goonys evil twin]

I completely disagree, this year they NEED to unload...big time...

 

They need to unload spare parts and garbage. But unlike smaller market teams, they don't need to unload highly paid producers.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I completely disagree, this year they NEED to unload...big time...

 

They need to unload spare parts and garbage. But unlike smaller market teams, they don't need to unload highly paid producers.

 

 

right...thanks for clarifying me...

[gflore34]

One has to wonder if any moves Hendry makes will be helpful at all, its rather clear he doesn't value such stats as OBP. His MO seems to be acquiring the all around athlete in the hopes of turning him into a Baseball Player as oppose to dealing for a Baseball Player who happens to be a good athlete. These are the type of prospects I believe he'll deal for, who, in Baseball terms, are pretty much useless. Edited July 27, 2006 by gflore34

[Guest]

The standard for this was the Cardinals trading for Scott Rolen when their team was out of it. If they can do it, why can't we?

 

Way out of it? That trade was in 2002, and as of the trade deadline in 2002 they were leading the division by 5 games.

 

That was a classic buy from a buying team and has no relevence to the Cubs current situation.

 

Whoops, i feel like an idiot

go with San Diego trading for Brian Giles the year before they opened their park. They were out of it the year of the trade, but they wanted to give the fan base reason to believe they were serious about fielding a winner the following year. For them, it really helped build the season-ticket sales during the offseason. The Cubs may not need that as badly, but the positive publicity would certainly be beneficial for them.

[RynoRules]

The standard for this was the Cardinals trading for Scott Rolen when their team was out of it. If they can do it, why can't we?

 

Way out of it? That trade was in 2002, and as of the trade deadline in 2002 they were leading the division by 5 games.

 

That was a classic buy from a buying team and has no relevence to the Cubs current situation.

 

Whoops, i feel like an idiot

go with San Diego trading for Brian Giles the year before they opened their park. They were out of it the year of the trade, but they wanted to give the fan base reason to believe they were serious about fielding a winner the following year. For them, it really helped build the season-ticket sales during the offseason. The Cubs may not need that as badly, but the positive publicity would certainly be beneficial for them.

 

This brings up an interesting point: Would you rather see them tear this thing down, hire a guy with patience for young players and play kids around a few vets (for example, Lee, Z, and Barrett), or do you really believe they are only three or four good moves away? I am torn.

[goonys evil twin]

This brings up an interesting point: Would you rather see them tear this thing down, hire a guy with patience for young players and play kids around a few vets (for example, Lee, Z, and Barrett), or do you really believe they are only three or four good moves away? I am torn.

 

I'd rather they do the first, as I believe that's the best way to win. But I know it's not the only way, and I believe they can still put up a championship caliber team with a few smart moves. Plus, I don't think the first option has more than a 5% chance of happening, so I'll live with the 2nd option.

[coreyMVP]

The problem with the call to "play kids" is we have no kids to play. Pie is not ready, and who else is there?

Personally I would love to see the Cubs be able to play kids--we might then see a team with some hustle. Unfortunately, it is not an option with this organization.

[Guest]

The standard for this was the Cardinals trading for Scott Rolen when their team was out of it. If they can do it, why can't we?

 

Way out of it? That trade was in 2002, and as of the trade deadline in 2002 they were leading the division by 5 games.

 

That was a classic buy from a buying team and has no relevence to the Cubs current situation.

 

Whoops, i feel like an idiot

go with San Diego trading for Brian Giles the year before they opened their park. They were out of it the year of the trade, but they wanted to give the fan base reason to believe they were serious about fielding a winner the following year. For them, it really helped build the season-ticket sales during the offseason. The Cubs may not need that as badly, but the positive publicity would certainly be beneficial for them.

 

This brings up an interesting point: Would you rather see them tear this thing down, hire a guy with patience for young players and play kids around a few vets (for example, Lee, Z, and Barrett), or do you really believe they are only three or four good moves away? I am torn.

I'm not sure how realistic this would be, but given the reports that Philly wants to dump Abreu to anyone that will take the full contract, let's say these trades + offseason signings were made:

 

1. Abreu for Hill + Harvey

2. Ethier + Broxton for Maddux + Howry

3. sign Jason Schmidt

4. sign Zito

 

2B Walker (re-sign him)

LF Ethier

1B Lee

RF Abreu

3B Ramirez

CF Jones

C Barrett

SS Cedeno

 

SP Zambrano

SP Schmidt

SP Zito

SP Prior (when or if healthy) / Marshall

SP Marshall / Marmol / Guzman / etc.

 

RP Dempster

RP Broxton

RP Eyre

RP Ohman

RP Wuertz

RP additional arm from plethora available

 

I think that team wins the central and is WS - worthy. Schmidt and Zito are paid from the Wood and Maddux money, so the payroll just needs to go up for Abreu's salary.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

This brings up an interesting point: Would you rather see them tear this thing down, hire a guy with patience for young players and play kids around a few vets (for example, Lee, Z, and Barrett), or do you really believe they are only three or four good moves away? I am torn.

 

They can afford to not tear it down. Assuming they're smart moves, 4 moves could turn these bums into a playoff team.

[TheDude]

Why doesn't it? You have 2 options for improving the team, trades and free agency. Trades can be made prior to July 31st or after the playoffs. A team with money would be foolish to rule out the idea of trading for expensive/good players in the middle of the season just because they are out of it. There is a reason, the reason is you get the guy for next year, without having to offer up a 5 year 50 million contract or something similar. If you can take on the back end of a big contract for a good contract, it's a better deal than handing out a brand new contract that's much bigger in the offseason to a guy that is no better. And since there is no guarantee you can even get that free agent in the offseason (Hendry's track record is awful) you better be willing to deal before July 31.

 

Ok, so why does Hendry pay Abreu 5+ million for the remainder of this season instead of going hard after him in the offseason? What does he have to gain now, and how does he explain the financial loss to his superiors who aren't interested in a cheerleading session?

 

The Cubs are sellers right now with the luxery of not needing to sell any significant players or high dollar contracts. Everyone that is healthy and walking away at year's end should be dealt - none of those players are the core of this team and nothing coming back will be significant.

 

So while they are sellers, it is only insofar as to prepare for next season's reload. I have yet to hear one convincing argument for why spending the oney on Abreu now makes fiscal sense. Tim had an excellent point with Giles, but that was a unique situation. The Cubs aren't opening a new ballpark and aren't fawning for fan support.

[goonys evil twin]

Ok, so why does Hendry pay Abreu 5+ million for the remainder of this season instead of going hard after him in the offseason? What does he have to gain now, and how does he explain the financial loss to his superiors who aren't interested in a cheerleading session?

 

Because he won't be available in the offseason.