Rogers: Cubs, Red Sox showing most interest in Drew

[Laura]

Jon Heyman / SI.com[/url]"]

Angels owner Arte Moreno promised a "major'' move this winter, and sources indicate the Halos are ready to dive into the Soriano sweepstakes with a bold five-year offer. The Angels are a great organization but occasionally have had trouble selling stars on coming there, and it could happen again since there are some folks who believe Soriano would not only prefer the National League but also the East Coast.

 

The Cubs, Phillies, Orioles and Nationals are among others going after Soriano, and only the Phillies match the two criteria: NL and East Coast. However, Phillies GM Pat Gillick has been fabulously successful adhering to his own beliefs, and one of them is not to give no-trade clauses. That was an early sticking point for Soriano with the Nats, and history could repeat with Philly.

 

The Cubs, who could play Soriano in center field, made a nice move to add infielder Mark DeRosa for $13 million over three years and may be the closest to fitting the criteria among the serious Soriano players. The Mets have a need for a left fielder but will only check in and have targeted their biggest expenditures for pitchers.

 

ETA: Hendry gives no-trade clauses to relief pitchers; that wouldn't be a sticking point.

[Brian]

So Mr. Heyman since when have the Nationals moved to the AL or DC moved off the East Coast?

[Laura]

Why are the Angels a hard sell?

[Balsa]

Why are the Angels a hard sell?

No one likes the rally monkey? :-s

[ConstableRabbit]

If he stays healthy, he'd be a very, very, very good addition.

[A New Era]

1.-Soriano

2.-Drew <-I'm noticing this part

3.-Lee........\

4.-Ramirez / leading into these parts.

5.-Barrett

6.-Murton

7.-DeRosa

8.-Izturis

 

Think about that lineup for a second.

[ChiCubsFan]

1.-Soriano

2.-Drew <-I'm noticing this part

3.-Lee........\

4.-Ramirez / leading into these parts.

5.-Barrett

6.-Murton

7.-DeRosa

8.-Izturis

 

Think about that lineup for a second.

 

Good lineup, but there's really no reason to keep Izturis. I'm fairly certain you could move him for a minor leaguer and then sign Lugo to a contract not much larger than Izturis's. In that case, I'd hope Soriano would accept hitting 6th so that Lugo can lead off.

 

Lugo

Murton

Lee

Drew

Ramirez

Soriano

Barrett

Lugo

DeRosa

 

wow...

 

If Soriano NEEDS to leadoff then let him, put Lugo 2nd and move Murton down to 6th or 7th.

[PrimeTime]

LoL, you guys and your freakin love for not only Matt Murton...But then J.D Drew...You guys just salviate from your mouths just thinknig of these guys...

and I find it weird that almost all of NSBB does it for these two.. but better players like A-Rod,Soriano,V. Wells ,M, Rameriz, you guys are so critical of them and always put them down one way or another...It seems like half the site is into good but injured gimps like Drew and Red-haired outfielders who hit 13 HR's...cmon guys seriousuly...

[Balsa]

LoL, you guys and your freakin love for not only Matt Murton...But then J.D Drew...You guys just salviate from your mouths just thinknig of these guys...

and I find it weird that almost all of NSBB does it for these two.. but better players like A-Rod,Soriano,V. Wells ,M, Rameriz, you guys are so critical of them and always put them down one way or another...It seems like half the site is into good but injured gimps like Drew and Red-haired outfielders who hit 13 HR's...cmon guys seriousuly...

Yeah that's just plain wrong.

[VanceJergins]

LoL, you guys and your freakin love for not only Matt Murton...But then J.D Drew...You guys just salviate from your mouths just thinknig of these guys...

and I find it weird that almost all of NSBB does it for these two.. but better players like A-Rod,Soriano,V. Wells ,M, Rameriz, you guys are so critical of them and always put them down one way or another...It seems like half the site is into good but injured gimps like Drew and Red-haired outfielders who hit 13 HR's...cmon guys seriousuly...

 

Ok, first of all, major league baseball teams pay different players different amounts of money. I know, I know, you're thinking, "but they're all baseball players, shouldnt they get paid the same?" But it doesnt work that way. Matt Murton makes at or close to the league minimum and gives great production for that money and is likely to only get better. Drew has always had an amazing OBP, the thing this team needs the most.

 

I have never seen anyone on here that would not want ARod if he did not cost half our farm system or Zambrano. Same with Manny.

 

Vernon Wells and Soriano, I dont know anyone who wouldnt want them on the team, but it goes back to the fact that different players get paid different amounts of money. And in Wells' case, we would have to give up a lot of talent. Some people wonder if they are worth the money/talent.

 

But Murton does have red hair, you're correct there, keep up the good work.

[ChiCubsFan]

LoL, you guys and your freakin love for not only Matt Murton...But then J.D Drew...You guys just salviate from your mouths just thinknig of these guys...

and I find it weird that almost all of NSBB does it for these two.. but better players like A-Rod,Soriano,V. Wells ,M, Rameriz, you guys are so critical of them and always put them down one way or another...It seems like half the site is into good but injured gimps like Drew and Red-haired outfielders who hit 13 HR's...cmon guys seriousuly...

Yeah that's just plain wrong.

 

Haha, I don't know where to begin. Well I'll try. The reason JD Drew is more appealing than ARod and ManRam is because he won't cost nearly as much in money or in players. You cant just make the Yankees trade you ARod for Jacque Jones. You'd have to give up Zambrano or some package that blows them away. Besides, ARod says he doesn't want to be traded. Same goes for Manny. Soriano and Wells aren't nearly as good as Drew. Look up the stats. Soriano will also cost more than Drew and to get Wells we would need to once again trade players. Plus, he'll be a FA next year and he'll command big money. Drew has been relatively healthy the past 3 years and he still outproduces most outifielders when playing in fewer games. As for Matt Murton...look up his second half stats. You might be surprised by how good they were. He's going to provide solid production at minimal cost. He's also very young (25) and is going to continue to develop into a VERY good player.

[ChiCubsFan]

LoL, you guys and your freakin love for not only Matt Murton...But then J.D Drew...You guys just salviate from your mouths just thinknig of these guys...

and I find it weird that almost all of NSBB does it for these two.. but better players like A-Rod,Soriano,V. Wells ,M, Rameriz, you guys are so critical of them and always put them down one way or another...It seems like half the site is into good but injured gimps like Drew and Red-haired outfielders who hit 13 HR's...cmon guys seriousuly...

 

Ok, first of all, major league baseball teams pay different players different amounts of money. I know, I know, you're thinking, "but they're all baseball players, shouldnt they get paid the same?" But it doesnt work that way. Matt Murton makes at or close to the league minimum and gives great production for that money and is likely to only get better. Drew has always had an amazing OBP, the thing this team needs the most.

 

I have never seen anyone on here that would not want ARod if he did not cost half our farm system or Zambrano. Same with Manny.

 

Vernon Wells and Soriano, I dont know anyone who wouldnt want them on the team, but it goes back to the fact that different players get paid different amounts of money. And in Wells' case, we would have to give up a lot of talent. Some people wonder if they are worth the money/talent.

 

But Murton does have red hair, you're correct there, keep up the good work.

 

That made me :lol:

[PrimeTime]

The thing is, during the season, Murton could be in a 0-48 slump and no one will ever throw him under the bus or criticize him...Sometimes the guy would ground into 2 or 3 DP's a game,ruin great potential innings,but everyone would be like " Its OK Murt, go get em' next time" or complete silence, where no one would ever would bad mouth the second coming of Christ...I like Murton,don't get me wrong.. But then there would be guys Jones or Pierre who had solid years,and even when the had a solid day going 2-4.3-5, if they made a inning ending out, bad play etc. all of Cubs nation is all over them..Murton could get 4 K's a game and about 95 percent of this place wouldnt say a word...Its the same man love the sox fans had for Rowand...Murton is great at the price,and has great potential for the future...But cmon, the love for this guy is getting ridiculous..especially people who say " Id rather have Murton in LF than Soriano anyday" OK keep your 13's HR's 60 RBI's 5 SB's....you rather take that than 40's HR's 100+ RBI's 40 doubles and 40 SB's?????? Your CRAZY...

[WrigleyField 22]

The thing is, during the season, Murton could be in a 0-48 slump and no one will ever throw him under the bus or criticize him...Sometimes the guy would ground into 2 or 3 DP's a game,ruin great potential innings,but everyone would be like " Its OK Murt, go get em' next time" or complete silence, where no one would ever would bad mouth the second coming of Christ...I like Murton,don't get me wrong.. But then there would be guys Jones or Pierre who had solid years,and even when the had a solid day going 2-4.3-5, if they made a inning ending out, bad play etc. all of Cubs nation is all over them..Murton could get 4 K's a game and about 95 percent of this place wouldnt say a word...Its the same man love the sox fans had for Rowand...Murton is great at the price,and has great potential for the future...But cmon, the love for this guy is getting ridiculous..especially people who say " Id rather have Murton in LF than Soriano anyday" OK keep your 13's HR's 60 RBI's 5 SB's....you rather take that than 40's HR's 100+ RBI's 40 doubles and 40 SB's?????? Your CRAZY...

 

Actually before he got hot late in the year there were plenty of people calling for his head and talking about Carlos Lee in the offseason.

 

Look it up. There were his supporters but they were not the majority.

[VanceJergins]

The thing is, during the season, Murton could be in a 0-48 slump and no one will ever throw him under the bus or criticize him...Sometimes the guy would ground into 2 or 3 DP's a game,ruin great potential innings,but everyone would be like " Its OK Murt, go get em' next time" or complete silence, where no one would ever would bad mouth the second coming of Christ...I like Murton,don't get me wrong.. But then there would be guys Jones or Pierre who had solid years,and even when the had a solid day going 2-4.3-5, if they made a inning ending out, bad play etc. all of Cubs nation is all over them..Murton could get 4 K's a game and about 95 percent of this place wouldnt say a word...Its the same man love the sox fans had for Rowand...Murton is great at the price,and has great potential for the future...But cmon, the love for this guy is getting ridiculous..especially people who say " Id rather have Murton in LF than Soriano anyday" OK keep your 13's HR's 60 RBI's 5 SB's....you rather take that than 40's HR's 100+ RBI's 40 doubles and 40 SB's?????? Your CRAZY...

 

Why would we want Soriano in LF when we could have him in CF or RF and keep Murton and his great value in LF?

[ChiCubsFan]

The thing is, during the season, Murton could be in a 0-48 slump and no one will ever throw him under the bus or criticize him...Sometimes the guy would ground into 2 or 3 DP's a game,ruin great potential innings,but everyone would be like " Its OK Murt, go get em' next time" or complete silence, where no one would ever would bad mouth the second coming of Christ...I like Murton,don't get me wrong.. But then there would be guys Jones or Pierre who had solid years,and even when the had a solid day going 2-4.3-5, if they made a inning ending out, bad play etc. all of Cubs nation is all over them..Murton could get 4 K's a game and about 95 percent of this place wouldnt say a word...Its the same man love the sox fans had for Rowand...Murton is great at the price,and has great potential for the future...But cmon, the love for this guy is getting ridiculous..especially people who say " Id rather have Murton in LF than Soriano anyday" OK keep your 13's HR's 60 RBI's 5 SB's....you rather take that than 40's HR's 100+ RBI's 40 doubles and 40 SB's?????? Your CRAZY...

 

All things considered, I'd rather have Murton. He'll cost MUCH MUCH less and he's much younger. I don't see why you couldn't have both though. Murton's OBP in his first 2 years is .370. Very solid. In case you didn't look it up, he hit .319/.390/.522 (.911 OPS) after the all star break.

 

Please explain how Pierre had a solid year? Since when is a .330 OBP (especially for a leadoff hitter) and a .717 OPS "solid"? JJ had a good year last year, but Murton's was better. I believe people give Murton a little more slack because he's young. Young players are often very inconsistent.

 

And just so you know, Soriano's career OPS is only .004 points higher than Murton's. Murton is only going to get better and Soriano is only going to get worse.

[PrimeTime]

The thing is, during the season, Murton could be in a 0-48 slump and no one will ever throw him under the bus or criticize him...Sometimes the guy would ground into 2 or 3 DP's a game,ruin great potential innings,but everyone would be like " Its OK Murt, go get em' next time" or complete silence, where no one would ever would bad mouth the second coming of Christ...I like Murton,don't get me wrong.. But then there would be guys Jones or Pierre who had solid years,and even when the had a solid day going 2-4.3-5, if they made a inning ending out, bad play etc. all of Cubs nation is all over them..Murton could get 4 K's a game and about 95 percent of this place wouldnt say a word...Its the same man love the sox fans had for Rowand...Murton is great at the price,and has great potential for the future...But cmon, the love for this guy is getting ridiculous..especially people who say " Id rather have Murton in LF than Soriano anyday" OK keep your 13's HR's 60 RBI's 5 SB's....you rather take that than 40's HR's 100+ RBI's 40 doubles and 40 SB's?????? Your CRAZY...

 

Why would we want Soriano in LF when we could have him in CF or RF and keep Murton and his great value in LF?

 

 

Im just saying in general,during the 06' season, when there was talk of replacing Murton for this upcoming year

[PrimeTime]

The thing is, during the season, Murton could be in a 0-48 slump and no one will ever throw him under the bus or criticize him...Sometimes the guy would ground into 2 or 3 DP's a game,ruin great potential innings,but everyone would be like " Its OK Murt, go get em' next time" or complete silence, where no one would ever would bad mouth the second coming of Christ...I like Murton,don't get me wrong.. But then there would be guys Jones or Pierre who had solid years,and even when the had a solid day going 2-4.3-5, if they made a inning ending out, bad play etc. all of Cubs nation is all over them..Murton could get 4 K's a game and about 95 percent of this place wouldnt say a word...Its the same man love the sox fans had for Rowand...Murton is great at the price,and has great potential for the future...But cmon, the love for this guy is getting ridiculous..especially people who say " Id rather have Murton in LF than Soriano anyday" OK keep your 13's HR's 60 RBI's 5 SB's....you rather take that than 40's HR's 100+ RBI's 40 doubles and 40 SB's?????? Your CRAZY...

 

All things considered, I'd rather have Murton. He'll cost MUCH MUCH less and he's much younger. I don't see why you couldn't have both though. Murton's OBP in his first 2 years is .370. Very solid. In case you didn't look it up, he hit .319/.390/.522 (.911 OPS) after the all star break.

 

Please explain how Pierre had a solid year? Since when is a .330 OBP (especially for a leadoff hitter) and a .717 OPS "solid"? JJ had a good year last year, but Murton's was better. I believe people give Murton a little more slack because he's young. Young players are often very inconsistent.

 

And just so you know, Soriano's career OPS is only .004 points higher than Murton's. Murton is only going to get better and Soriano is only going to get worse.

 

I understand what you mean..But who cares about money right now..We have tons of it..Its not mine or yours..Its the Trib's...Spend whatever the hell it takes for us to win the world series...If your a pitcher, who would you rather face, Soriano or Murton? wihtout a doubt, its Murton..You wanna have those batters that scare the crap out of pitchers...Fpr example DLee and Ramirez..I know Murton had the Great OBP and is patient..But wouldnt you rather have someone like Soriano with 40+ HR potential up in the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs and runners on to save the game?? If we can kepe Murton and get Soriano..thats fine.. Im just talking about the man love for Murton that he gets, even when he blows...

[Pinktermite]

Again I'll say it, I think we should stay away from Alfonso if he's going to cost 7 years. At least 3 of those years will be mediocre and we'll end up paying for nothing aka Kevin Brown or Mike Hampton.

 

Primetime: If you were on here consistently, you'd see a hint of sarcasm at the Cubs ability to do the right thing and perhaps that makes us a bit jaded. But the man love for Murton is NOT misguided, this guy has a potential to be a star, and only needs the chance to extend what he's already PROVEN with the bat.

 

Praise is given on these boards when its deserved, not when it's the "polite" thing to do.

[Butterscup1679666578]

The thing is, during the season, Murton could be in a 0-48 slump and no one will ever throw him under the bus or criticize him...Sometimes the guy would ground into 2 or 3 DP's a game,ruin great potential innings,but everyone would be like " Its OK Murt, go get em' next time" or complete silence, where no one would ever would bad mouth the second coming of Christ...I like Murton,don't get me wrong.. But then there would be guys Jones or Pierre who had solid years,and even when the had a solid day going 2-4.3-5, if they made a inning ending out, bad play etc. all of Cubs nation is all over them..Murton could get 4 K's a game and about 95 percent of this place wouldnt say a word...Its the same man love the sox fans had for Rowand...Murton is great at the price,and has great potential for the future...But cmon, the love for this guy is getting ridiculous..especially people who say " Id rather have Murton in LF than Soriano anyday" OK keep your 13's HR's 60 RBI's 5 SB's....you rather take that than 40's HR's 100+ RBI's 40 doubles and 40 SB's?????? Your CRAZY...

 

All things considered, I'd rather have Murton. He'll cost MUCH MUCH less and he's much younger. I don't see why you couldn't have both though. Murton's OBP in his first 2 years is .370. Very solid. In case you didn't look it up, he hit .319/.390/.522 (.911 OPS) after the all star break.

 

Please explain how Pierre had a solid year? Since when is a .330 OBP (especially for a leadoff hitter) and a .717 OPS "solid"? JJ had a good year last year, but Murton's was better. I believe people give Murton a little more slack because he's young. Young players are often very inconsistent.

 

And just so you know, Soriano's career OPS is only .004 points higher than Murton's. Murton is only going to get better and Soriano is only going to get worse.

 

I understand what you mean..But who cares about money right now..We have tons of it..Its not mine or yours..Its the Trib's...Spend whatever the hell it takes for us to win the world series...If your a pitcher, who would you rather face, Soriano or Murton? wihtout a doubt, its Murton..You wanna have those batters that scare the crap out of pitchers...Fpr example DLee and Ramirez..I know Murton had the Great OBP and is patient..But wouldnt you rather have someone like Soriano with 40+ HR potential up in the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs and runners on to save the game?? If we can kepe Murton and get Soriano..thats fine.. Im just talking about the man love for Murton that he gets, even when he blows...

 

Holy run-on sentences.

[Northsider]

The thing is, during the season, Murton could be in a 0-48 slump and no one will ever throw him under the bus or criticize him...Sometimes the guy would ground into 2 or 3 DP's a game,ruin great potential innings,but everyone would be like " Its OK Murt, go get em' next time" or complete silence, where no one would ever would bad mouth the second coming of Christ...I like Murton,don't get me wrong.. But then there would be guys Jones or Pierre who had solid years,and even when the had a solid day going 2-4.3-5, if they made a inning ending out, bad play etc. all of Cubs nation is all over them..Murton could get 4 K's a game and about 95 percent of this place wouldnt say a word...Its the same man love the sox fans had for Rowand...Murton is great at the price,and has great potential for the future...But cmon, the love for this guy is getting ridiculous..especially people who say " Id rather have Murton in LF than Soriano anyday" OK keep your 13's HR's 60 RBI's 5 SB's....you rather take that than 40's HR's 100+ RBI's 40 doubles and 40 SB's?????? Your CRAZY...

 

All things considered, I'd rather have Murton. He'll cost MUCH MUCH less and he's much younger. I don't see why you couldn't have both though. Murton's OBP in his first 2 years is .370. Very solid. In case you didn't look it up, he hit .319/.390/.522 (.911 OPS) after the all star break.

 

Please explain how Pierre had a solid year? Since when is a .330 OBP (especially for a leadoff hitter) and a .717 OPS "solid"? JJ had a good year last year, but Murton's was better. I believe people give Murton a little more slack because he's young. Young players are often very inconsistent.

 

And just so you know, Soriano's career OPS is only .004 points higher than Murton's. Murton is only going to get better and Soriano is only going to get worse.

 

I understand what you mean..But who cares about money right now..We have tons of it..Its not mine or yours..Its the Trib's...Spend whatever the hell it takes for us to win the world series...If your a pitcher, who would you rather face, Soriano or Murton? wihtout a doubt, its Murton..You wanna have those batters that scare the crap out of pitchers...Fpr example DLee and Ramirez..I know Murton had the Great OBP and is patient..But wouldnt you rather have someone like Soriano with 40+ HR potential up in the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs and runners on to save the game?? If we can kepe Murton and get Soriano..thats fine.. Im just talking about the man love for Murton that he gets, even when he blows...

 

 

I rather hate to spoil your party, but Murton's worst game last year was a 5 AB 0 H 3 SO performance against the Cardinals. In June. And it was the only game in which he had more than 2 SOs the whole season. Soriano had a pair of 4/0/3 performance and one 5/0/4. When Soriano's bad, he's at least as bad as Murton, and he seems to do it more often - this was a career year for him, and was also Murton's 'Sophomore Slump' year. As for the 9th inning, runners on situation? Gimme Murton, he'll walk in a run. Soriano will just KO to end the game. Sori is more likely to make some pitcher's "bases loaded, two outs, full count" dream come true.

[Pinktermite]

Soriano's bad news, boys...bad news. Give me Lugo and Carlos Lee and Drew...and the pitchers...and call it a day.

 

Can you see some of the shouting matches between Uncle Lou and Alfonso?

 

Bad news, man.

[WrigleyinEngland]

PrimeTime,

 

I don't want to get on you or anything and i'm not going to pull each post up and dissect it. I pretty much disagree with everything you've said. Especially the bit about Slappy and jock having solid years. The way the chicago media dissed ramirez for his play those 2 deserved it 10 times over. Slappy for believing nothing else matters but getting 200 hits but getting away with his jelly arm and endless groundouts just because he 'works hard'. Jock for his pathetic baserunning and inability to ever make the right throw EVER. Baseballs a game of opinions that's what makes it such fun, i mean who would of ever thought that the cubs would hand out $$ like mum with the cookie jar??My other half says we are the cutest team because we find a home for all the mis-fortunates who no one else wants.....i give up!!!

[Careless]

The thing is, during the season, Murton could be in a 0-48 slump and no one will ever throw him under the bus or criticize him...Sometimes the guy would ground into 2 or 3 DP's a game,ruin great potential innings,but everyone would be like " Its OK Murt, go get em' next time" or complete silence, where no one would ever would bad mouth the second coming of Christ...I like Murton,don't get me wrong.. But then there would be guys Jones or Pierre who had solid years,and even when the had a solid day going 2-4.3-5, if they made a inning ending out, bad play etc. all of Cubs nation is all over them..Murton could get 4 K's a game and about 95 percent of this place wouldnt say a word...Its the same man love the sox fans had for Rowand...Murton is great at the price,and has great potential for the future...But cmon, the love for this guy is getting ridiculous..especially people who say " Id rather have Murton in LF than Soriano anyday" OK keep your 13's HR's 60 RBI's 5 SB's....you rather take that than 40's HR's 100+ RBI's 40 doubles and 40 SB's?????? Your CRAZY...

 

All things considered, I'd rather have Murton. He'll cost MUCH MUCH less and he's much younger. I don't see why you couldn't have both though. Murton's OBP in his first 2 years is .370. Very solid. In case you didn't look it up, he hit .319/.390/.522 (.911 OPS) after the all star break.

 

Please explain how Pierre had a solid year? Since when is a .330 OBP (especially for a leadoff hitter) and a .717 OPS "solid"? JJ had a good year last year, but Murton's was better. I believe people give Murton a little more slack because he's young. Young players are often very inconsistent.

 

And just so you know, Soriano's career OPS is only .004 points higher than Murton's. Murton is only going to get better and Soriano is only going to get worse.

 

I understand what you mean..But who cares about money right now..We have tons of it..Its not mine or yours..Its the Trib's...Spend whatever the hell it takes for us to win the world series...If your a pitcher, who would you rather face, Soriano or Murton? wihtout a doubt, its Murton..You wanna have those batters that scare the crap out of pitchers...Fpr example DLee and Ramirez..I know Murton had the Great OBP and is patient..But wouldnt you rather have someone like Soriano with 40+ HR potential up in the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs and runners on to save the game?? If we can kepe Murton and get Soriano..thats fine.. Im just talking about the man love for Murton that he gets, even when he blows...

Let's see... Most people support getting Arod/manny, don't think it's possible/practical. Wells would take a lot to get traded and isn't worth it given the numbers he'd put up. Murton wasn't as bad as you were claiming and he took a lot of criticism during the first half of the season.. money is very important, say "spend whatever the hell it takes" but THAT WON'T HAPPEN. there is a limit to the money they will spend. that is a reality, and it cannot be ignored. We don't worry about the money being spent driving the tribune into bankruptcy, we worry about the money being spent preventing the Cubs from being able to get the players they really need in the future.

[CuseCubFan69]

This team needs an impact bat and Drew fits that bill. I hope Hendry goes the extra mile and gets him.