cubs to target heilman

[abuck1220]

from the trib...

 

Hendry will try to bring in one or two front-line starters through free agency or via the Japanese market, but sources indicate the Cubs also may get involved in trade talks with the New York Mets in hopes of acquiring right-hander Aaron Heilman.

If the Cubs nab Heilman, he would be given a chance to earn the fifth starter's spot in spring training, along with veteran Wade Miller, whom the Cubs hope to re-sign. Mark Prior's uncertain status will force the Cubs to go to spring training with a surplus of starting pitching candidates.

[Soriano12]

Hendry will toss him 7.5 mil/season.

[rawaction]

eh. Don't really want to trade prospects for Heilman. But if he comes cheaply, wouldn't be a bad deal. If he fails as a starter, you could throw him in the pen and get rid of all the salary in Howry, Dempster, and Eyre and still have a pretty good looking pen for cheap.

[abuck1220]

Heilman underwent surgery for tennis elbow on his throwing arm and is expected to be ready for spring training. The question is not the elbow, but his projected role for 2007. Will he start or relieve? We would think he would start, but he spent all of last winter working as a starter in the winter league, only to switch back to relief late in spring training.

 

actually, my question is the elbow.

[OBPMatters]

I'm quite suprised they'd trade him, considering Pedro will be on the shelf for 6-7 months.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

The Mets will ask for Howry or Wuertz.

[Balsa]

Don't give up too much, he's not really that talented.

[Andy]

I'm surprised we are going to go after a gutless choking dog like Heilman.

 

/sarcasm

[RynoRules]

Don't give up too much, he's not really that talented.

 

Actually he's very talented, he just hasn't picthed well. I think there is a difference.

[Balsa]

Don't give up too much, he's not really that talented.

 

Actually he's very talented, he just hasn't picthed well. I think there is a difference.

What leads you to believe he's talented? Not being sarcastic, just asking.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Don't give up too much, he's not really that talented.

 

Actually he's very talented, he just hasn't picthed well. I think there is a difference.

What leads you to believe he's talented? Not being sarcastic, just asking.

 

He has good stuff.

[Flames24Rulz]

Don't give up too much, he's not really that talented.

 

Actually he's very talented, he just hasn't picthed well. I think there is a difference.

What leads you to believe he's talented? Not being sarcastic, just asking.

 

He has good stuff.

 

Yes he does. I'd be interested in adding a quality arm like Heilman.

[nilodnayr]

Hes going to be at the very least equal to the likes of Suppan and Padilla who could be receiving 4 year contracts for 8-9 per year. I would very much like to have him in the back end of the rotation.

[abuck1220]

Don't give up too much, he's not really that talented.

 

Actually he's very talented, he just hasn't picthed well. I think there is a difference.

 

how hasn't he pitched well? two straight 80+ inning seasons with whips of 1.14 and 1.16. bunch of k's too.

 

i don't think he's a bad pitcher, i just don't want to give up a ton for him. i'd be all for getting him if he didn't cost too much. he could serve as a bullpen arm or a much, much better insurance starter than the cubs have had over the past few years.

[KingCubsFan]

Hes going to be at the very least equal to the likes of Suppan and Padilla who could be receiving 4 year contracts for 8-9 per year. I would very much like to have him in the back end of the rotation.

Also, it's good to have someone like him as the 5th starter because, if Prior comes back, Heilman could shift to the bullpen. You couldn't really do that with Padilla or Suppan and, hopefully, Hill's performance will dictate that he stays in the rotation.

[nilodnayr]

MLB Trade Rumors suggests Patterson, although I dont think he really fills the Mets need of a second baseman NOW.

[NorthsideAvenger]

MLB Trade Rumors suggests Patterson, although I dont think he really fills the Mets need of a second baseman NOW.

 

Considering the Mets options at 2b as of right now is Jose Valentin and Anderson Hernandez (I believe), I could see the Mets be interested in Patterson. (Yes, I know, Minaya could also sign his pet Soriano to play 2b, now that he is available).

 

I think the Mets might be more interested in a "legit bullpen arm" like Howry (I wouldn't trade him), or Eyre (I would trade Scott) moreso then Patterson. Reasoning...quality bullpen arms are harder to find then MI who can play.

 

I could see Heilman ending up in Chicago.

[Soriano12]

In regards to Howry...it might not be a bad idea to sell now.

 

I have a feeling his #'s will take a sharp dive in 07.

 

The last time Howry had back to back season of 70+ IP, he only threw

18 the following season

[nilodnayr]

MLB Trade Rumors suggests Patterson, although I dont think he really fills the Mets need of a second baseman NOW.

 

Considering the Mets options at 2b as of right now is Jose Valentin and Anderson Hernandez (I believe), I could see the Mets be interested in Patterson. (Yes, I know, Minaya could also sign his pet Soriano to play 2b, now that he is available).

 

I think the Mets might be more interested in a "legit bullpen arm" like Howry (I wouldn't trade him), or Eyre (I would trade Scott) moreso then Patterson. Reasoning...quality bullpen arms are harder to find then MI who can play.

 

I could see Heilman ending up in Chicago.

 

I would do it...a starter is 2.5x more valuable than a reliever (80 innings vs 200 innings). I really like Howry though and would love to get rid of Eyre. Also, in addition to lugo and Soriano Minaya could go after Loretta, Durham, Belliard, Kennedy, Biggio, Walker, Iwamura, Counsell, Aurilia, Giles (through trade)...a WS hopeful team has a lot more options than a prospect like Patterson who struggled mightily most of the year.

[Geech]

In regards to Howry...it might not be a bad idea to sell now.

 

I have a feeling his #'s will take a sharp dive in 07.

 

The last time Howry had back to back season of 70+ IP, he only threw

18 the following season

 

While pitching is unpredictable in general, Howry genuinely pitched well this season; it doesn't look like his success is especially BABIP driven or anything. Unless Howry is just an absolutely critical piece of major offseason deal, the Cobs should keep him. They definitely shouldn't get rid of him just to get rid of him.

[NorthsideAvenger]

 

I would do it...a starter is 2.5x more valuable than a reliever (80 innings vs 200 innings). I really like Howry though and would love to get rid of Eyre. Also, in addition to lugo and Soriano Minaya could go after Loretta, Durham, Belliard, Kennedy, Biggio, Walker, Iwamura, Counsell, Aurilia, Giles (through trade)...a WS hopeful team has a lot more options than a prospect like Patterson who struggled mightily most of the year.

 

I do too. I mean...Heilman has been "begging" to start again for a few yrs now, and it has fallen on deaf ears. And my guess would be when he becomes a FA (don't know his contract status) he would leave the Mets, for a team that give him the opportunity to start. And right now, I don't see the Mets putting him in the rotation, and the backend of their bullpen is loaded (Sanchez/Feliaino/Mota/Wags).

 

So, I think a deal of Eyre for Heilman could work for both teams, or a deal like Wuertz/Fontenot for Heilman would be another deal the Mets MIGHT do.

[TruffleShuffle]

Hendry really, really needs to get over his boner for Notre Dame guys. It'd be acceptible if it was for, say, Texas or Miami or FSU. But Notre Dame is not exactly a hotbed of baseball talent.

[CuseCubFan69]

Maybe this is the destination for Mr. Prior....the Mets.

[baseball7897]

I have always liked Heilman's abilities. I dont see him being consistent enough to stay in the rotation though. He could be the Glendon Rusch of 04 for the Cubs next year. Or even the Terry Mullholland of 98.

[Wheelimus]

Eh, he's much better than Rusch. Glendon has WHIPs of 1.75, 1.23 (the year he was good), 1.57, and 1.79 the last four years. Heilmans are 1.84, 1.43, 1.15, and 1.16. No doubt who the better pitcher is.

 

I like it, I'd give up Eyre for him. It would be hard to get me to trade Wuertz just because he's going to be too cheap for too long to give up.