What would it take to get Crawford?

[BigbadB]

So you think they would take Veal and Marshall?

 

I thought my position was pretty clear :? . No, not a chance. As I mentioned a few times, a top-end MLB ready starter. There are only a handful in baseball and the Cubs have only one - Hill. I wouldn't make the deal, because the Cubs need pitching as much as hitting, even though I absolutely love Crawford.

 

What team is going to trade a top-end MLB ready starter for a slightly above average, about to make a mint in arbitration and not all that far from FA outfielder?

 

I can't think of a team that would do it. Therefore, the nicest package of major league ready prospects would likely get the job done if they truly want to fix their crowded outfield situation. They need pitching desperately.

[fromthestretch]

What team is going to trade a top-end MLB ready starter for a slightly above average, about to make a mint in arbitration and not all that far from FA outfielder?

 

I thought he was signed through 2008 with club options through 2010. That doesn't put him near free agency for quite awhile.

[b_wiggy_66]

Of the names being rumored, Carl Crawford is the player that intrigues me. He is very young with a tremendous upside of speed and power, bats left-handed, and is still cheap. He could be a mainstay for a decade in the OF. I realize an OF of Crawford, Murton, and Pie might not be perfect for 2007 contention, but it might be great for 2008-2015. I wonder which youngsters the Cubs would have to trade to get him.

 

Do you believe in Miracles??? Not in this case

[jmajew]

What team is going to trade a top-end MLB ready starter for a slightly above average, about to make a mint in arbitration and not all that far from FA outfielder?

 

I thought he was signed through 2008 with club options through 2010. That doesn't put him near free agency for quite awhile.

 

Yeah I believe he would make atleast 7 million a year starting in 2008 and as high as 11 million.

 

The Dude: Sorry I didn't read everything clearly.

[TheDude]

So you think they would take Veal and Marshall?

 

I thought my position was pretty clear :? . No, not a chance. As I mentioned a few times, a top-end MLB ready starter. There are only a handful in baseball and the Cubs have only one - Hill. I wouldn't make the deal, because the Cubs need pitching as much as hitting, even though I absolutely love Crawford.

 

What team is going to trade a top-end MLB ready starter for a slightly above average, about to make a mint in arbitration and not all that far from FA outfielder?

 

I can't think of a team that would do it. Therefore, the nicest package of major league ready prospects would likely get the job done if they truly want to fix their crowded outfield situation. They need pitching desperately.

 

I don't think you're reading the situation accurately. Crawford is under contract until the end of 2008 guarenteed (2 years), at 4 million in 2007 and 5.25 million in 2008.

 

2009 and 2010 are club options for 8.25 million and 10 million.

 

Any team that trades fro Crawford this offseason has him for 2-4, at the club's discretion. At 4 million for 2007, his production for dollar value is astounding. To be quite honest, the fact that Tamp is even shopping him blows my mind.

 

I stand by my assessment that Crawford will command a top (or the top within an organization) pitching prospect.

[frostwyrm]

If it's true that Juan Pierre just turned down 3/21 that only make me even more sure that it will take Hill to get Crawford. Compared to Crawford Pierre is a worthless pile of puke.

[goonys evil twin]

If it's true that Juan Pierre just turned down 3/21

 

What's that now?

 

 

 

What does Pierre's negotiating skills have to do with the cost in trade for Crawford?

[frostwyrm]

If it's true that Juan Pierre just turned down 3/21

 

What's that now?

 

 

 

What does Pierre's negotiating skills have to do with the cost in trade for Crawford?

 

It gives us a picture of the market for speedy basestealer/leadoff OF. Crawford and Pierre both fit that description, but Crawford is vastly superior to Pierre and has a really good contract situation.

[BigbadB]

I didn't know he was signed until 2010. But, the '09 and '10 club options are in line with what I would expect him to make after his arbitration years were up.

 

I'll still say no team is going to give up a young front line starter for him.

 

A package along the lines of a Sergio Mitre, Renyel Pinto and Ricky Nolasco might be enough. Depends on whether Tampa wants to go into the season with no pitching staff to speak of once again.

[jmajew]

I didn't know he was signed until 2010. But, the '09 and '10 club options are in line with what I would expect him to make after his arbitration years were up.

 

I'll still say no team is going to give up a young front line starter for him.

 

A package along the lines of a Sergio Mitre, Renyel Pinto and Ricky Nolasco might be enough. Depends on whether Tampa wants to go into the season with no pitching staff to speak of once again.

 

I completely agree. No team will trade a 25-27 year old top of the rotation pitcher for Crawford. They will be willing to trade a 20-22 year old pitcher who is still in the minors that has the potential to be a top of the rotation guy.

 

With that said I think Veal, Mateo and Marshall would get the job done in a heartbeat and if I were Hendry I'd offer that as soon as he can.

 

Side note: The more I think about the more I like it. I'd love to trade for both Crawford and Burrell and then sign Lugo. Lugo, Crawford, DLee, Ramirez, Burrell, Murton, Barrett, Theriot/Izturis has me salivating.

[goonys evil twin]

I didn't know he was signed until 2010. But, the '09 and '10 club options are in line with what I would expect him to make after his arbitration years were up.

 

I'll still say no team is going to give up a young front line starter for him.

 

A package along the lines of a Sergio Mitre, Renyel Pinto and Ricky Nolasco might be enough. Depends on whether Tampa wants to go into the season with no pitching staff to speak of once again.

 

I completely agree. No team will trade a 25-27 year old top of the rotation pitcher for Crawford. They will be willing to trade a 20-22 year old pitcher who is still in the minors that has the potential to be a top of the rotation guy.

 

With that said I think Veal, Mateo and Marshall would get the job done in a heartbeat and if I were Hendry I'd offer that as soon as he can.

 

Side note: The more I think about the more I like it. I'd love to trade for both Crawford and Burrell and then sign Lugo. Lugo, Crawford, DLee, Ramirez, Burrell, Murton, Barrett, Theriot/Izturis has me salivating.

 

I maintain some doubts on Lugo. His OBP is barely acceptable as is, around the .340 level, but going into his 30's, he runs the risk of some downside there, without any upside like a Carlos Guillen had when he went to Detroit. 3 names that pop up on his "most similar by age 30" category scare the crap out of me. Blauser, Neifi and Dunston.

[NorthsideAvenger]

I didn't know he was signed until 2010. But, the '09 and '10 club options are in line with what I would expect him to make after his arbitration years were up.

 

I'll still say no team is going to give up a young front line starter for him.

 

A package along the lines of a Sergio Mitre, Renyel Pinto and Ricky Nolasco might be enough. Depends on whether Tampa wants to go into the season with no pitching staff to speak of once again.

 

I completely agree. No team will trade a 25-27 year old top of the rotation pitcher for Crawford. They will be willing to trade a 20-22 year old pitcher who is still in the minors that has the potential to be a top of the rotation guy.

 

With that said I think Veal, Mateo and Marshall would get the job done in a heartbeat and if I were Hendry I'd offer that as soon as he can.

 

Side note: The more I think about the more I like it. I'd love to trade for both Crawford and Burrell and then sign Lugo. Lugo, Crawford, DLee, Ramirez, Burrell, Murton, Barrett, Theriot/Izturis has me salivating.

 

I rather keep the young pitchers, insread of trading the for Crawford. I especially want to keep Veal.

[frostwyrm]

A package along the lines of a Sergio Mitre, Renyel Pinto and Ricky Nolasco might be enough.

Maybe I'm wrong, but to me that sounds like a very weak offer for an established MLB star with a good contract. If the Cubs were shopping Crawford we'd all want something more.

[rawaction]

For the record, I meant the way Nolasco pitched this year would give him a lot of value for a player like Crawford this offseason.

 

I don't see how one could argue Nolasco wouldn't have been as good with the Cubs or not gotten a chance, when the Cubs started Juan Mateo and Les Walrond more than a handful of times, players who weren't even on the map in spring training.

[BigbadB]

A package along the lines of a Sergio Mitre, Renyel Pinto and Ricky Nolasco might be enough.

Maybe I'm wrong, but to me that sounds like a very weak offer for an established MLB star with a good contract. If the Cubs were shopping Crawford we'd all want something more.

 

I'm not saying that will get it done. But, Tampa needs pitching. They are well stocked with cheap young talent offensively. How many teams have a good, cheap and young front line starter to just give away for an outfielder that is a dime a dozen. At least a dime a dozen in comparison to studly front line starters that make league minimum.

[nilodnayr]

He also threw a few balls in the majors.

 

not according to mlb.com. His only action in the majors came with the marlins this year. maybe your thinking of someone else.

 

Your this year=my last year...since we were talking about a deal for Crawford this offseason, I thought we were talking about Nolascos 2006 performance...sorry for the confusion

[nilodnayr]

A package along the lines of a Sergio Mitre, Renyel Pinto and Ricky Nolasco might be enough.

Maybe I'm wrong, but to me that sounds like a very weak offer for an established MLB star with a good contract. If the Cubs were shopping Crawford we'd all want something more.

 

I'm not saying that will get it done. But, Tampa needs pitching. They are well stocked with cheap young talent offensively. How many teams have a good, cheap and young front line starter to just give away for an outfielder that is a dime a dozen. At least a dime a dozen in comparison to studly front line starters that make league minimum.

 

How is Pierre's value last offseason the same as Crawford's value this offseason?!?!?

[BigbadB]

They aren't. Hendry clearly overpaid for Pierre like he did with many others on the 2006 Cubs. Neifi, Blanco, Rusch, etc...

[nilodnayr]

They aren't. Hendry clearly overpaid for Pierre like he did with many others on the 2006 Cubs. Neifi, Blanco, Rusch, etc...

 

While this is true, even taking this into consideration their values are still light years apart. Talent, age, salary, years under control...Crawford not only has him beat, but has him demolished in all areas. Plus, its not like the DRays are known to give guys away on the cheap.

[BigbadB]

And with that being the case, the Cubs may have to look elsewhere to improve the offense. I'd at least offer up a package that gets them talking. When they balk, talk to LAD about Jacque Jones and pitching prospects for Drew for salary relief.

 

There's enough on the market to improve the team without overspending in trade.

[nilodnayr]

And with that being the case, the Cubs may have to look elsewhere to improve the offense. I'd at least offer up a package that gets them talking. When they balk, talk to LAD about Jacque Jones and pitching prospects for Drew for salary relief.

 

There's enough on the market to improve the team without overspending in trade.

 

I definitely understand the Drew love around here, but what I don't get is why everyone thinks hes available, especially for so little as Jones and pitching prospects (if infact thats what you can call our minor league pitchers in comparison to the Dodgers'). The Dodgers have abou 30M to spend this offseason and have more of a wishlist than any huge need outside of probably another starter.

[BigbadB]

That 30m will be eaten up by pitching pretty quickly, and that's where I expect the Dodgers to focus their energy this offseason. That's where I'm expecting Zito to go this offseason.

[nilodnayr]

That 30m will be eaten up by pitching pretty quickly, and that's where I expect the Dodgers to focus their energy this offseason. That's where I'm expecting Zito to go this offseason.

 

How many Zitos are they going to sign? I'm sure the 5M they will save on paying Jones instead of Drew is going to solve all of their problems. It makes no sense whatsoever on the Dodgers part.

[BigbadB]

The Cubs had over 30m to spend in 2006. Remind me again what that was spent on? Because I didn't see any Zito's added to our roster.

 

30m might sound like a lot, but it can disappear in a hurry.

[nilodnayr]

The Cubs had over 30m to spend in 2006. Remind me again what that was spent on? Because I didn't see any Zito's added to our roster.

 

30m might sound like a lot, but it can disappear in a hurry.

 

Yeah if you piss it away...half went to raises, half to marginal players... I believe the Dodgers have 30M AFTER raises and don't need to sign a RF, CF, two top end relievers and overpay for crap bench players. They can be much more focused and spend it on a top starter and a couple corner OF/IF vets. (Not that we couldn't have been focused, we just chose not to because our GM sucks at signing players.)

 

How to be a GM for Dummies (Cubs 2006 offseason expenditures)

 

6M raise to DLee

2.5M raise to Wood

2.5M raise to ARam

3M raise to Z

2M raise to CF (Pierre-Patterson)

2M raise to Dempster

3M to Jones bonus not included

1M raise to Barrett

1.5M raise to Prior

2.5 to Howry bonus not included

2.7 to Eyre bonus not included

1M raise to Blanco and Rusch

1M to Mabry

1M to Miller

 

Yeah Jim, that stellar bullpen really helps when you are losing the game 5-1 after the starter gets pulled every freakin time.