Cubs still pursuing Lugo.

[Rob]

 

Here is trade: Ramirez for Murton, Jones, Marshall and Ohman

 

Boston isn't trading Manny unless they sign JD Drew to complement Pena and Crisp. I very much doubt they'd take back Murton and Jones... just cause they don't need outfielders. Marshall has the ceiling of a #4 starter, and Ohman is your standard LOOGY. The Red Sox would never accept that trade.

 

From what I understand, Boston is mostly looking for prospects in return, plus a few arms capable of contributing from the pen. Ohman could probably stay in that deal, but Veal, Gallagher, Pie, Pawelek, and EPatt are all going to be asked for before Murton, Jones, or Marshall.

[CubsWin]

After the most recent Lugo rumor, I was thinking about what position Lugo would play at if he signed with the team. Hendry's made it clear that he's infatuated with Izturis, and so, pray as we mght, Lugo probably won't be playing shortstop.

Unless Hendry is just trying to retain leverage in talks with other teams about acquiring Izturis.

 

I can't bring myself to believe that other teams are actually asking the Cubs about the possibility of acquiring Cesar Izturis, but that remains the only, albeit far-fetched, possible situation in which signing Lugo would make sense as an upgrade.

 

He is a right-handed bat and the Cubs need every lefty they can get right now so, as has already been stated, replacing Jones with Lugo in CF doesn't make much sense. Replacing DeRosa at 2B after luring Mark here with the promise of being able to play 2B wouldn't make much sense either.

 

If Lugo is acquired to play CF for this season only or for until Pie is ready and then move to SS after Izturis's contract runs out, then that is feasible, but not ideal.

 

Bottom line, just because a GM says something publicly doesn't mean that he says it privately as well.

 

It is also quite possible that agents are seizing upon the notion that the Cubs are spending like crazy to drive up the price on their players by leaking that the Cubs have made multi-year offers on their clients. It seems Bruce Miles would agree with this take.

[cheapseats]

I can't bring myself to believe that other teams are actually asking the Cubs about the possibility of acquiring Cesar Izturis,

 

Why not?

 

Royce Clayton and Alex Gonzalez just signed deals. :shock:

[CubsWin]

I can't bring myself to believe that other teams are actually asking the Cubs about the possibility of acquiring Cesar Izturis,

 

Why not?

 

Royce Clayton and Alex Gonzalez just signed deals. :shock:

Well, you got me there. This market is a whole new deal. Signings that seem wacko, off the wall, out of this world may soon seem commonplace.

[cbbryan]

 

Here is trade: Ramirez for Murton, Jones, Marshall and Ohman

 

Boston isn't trading Manny unless they sign JD Drew to complement Pena and Crisp. I very much doubt they'd take back Murton and Jones... just cause they don't need outfielders. Marshall has the ceiling of a #4 starter, and Ohman is your standard LOOGY. The Red Sox would never accept that trade.

 

From what I understand, Boston is mostly looking for prospects in return, plus a few arms capable of contributing from the pen. Ohman could probably stay in that deal, but Veal, Gallagher, Pie, Pawelek, and EPatt are all going to be asked for before Murton, Jones, or Marshall.

 

Well, apparently the BoSox and Drew have agreed in principle to a deal and it's just a matter of paperwork/physical. I know we've all heard the rumors for weeks, but it seems to be a done deal.

 

While I think it's obsurd to even think about trading a guy like ManRam, no matter how "nuts" he is............. I'd love to see Hendry pull that one off.

 

From what I have heard and read, the BoSox want pitching and SS. They seem to have a pretty set rotation and have some prospects in the wings that could fill rotation spots if need be.

 

I would start with a package of Izturis, Dempster, Eyre, and Marshall/Mateo. I'd even be willing to put EPatt in the mix if they have interest in him.

 

I'd prefer to keep Pie if the Cubs could manage that, simply because with corner OF of ManRam and Soriano the Cubs would need someone that cover a huge amount of ground.

 

The fans of the club that lands him if he is indeed traded should be thrilled. The only other fans that should be thrilled as well are Yanks fans.

[goonys evil twin]

 

Here is trade: Ramirez for Murton, Jones, Marshall and Ohman

 

Boston isn't trading Manny unless they sign JD Drew to complement Pena and Crisp. I very much doubt they'd take back Murton and Jones... just cause they don't need outfielders.

 

If they trade Manny and sign Drew, they still only have 1 everyday OF. Crisp and Pena are more 4th OF than anything. And Boston is a team that has never had a problem with 4-5 OF sharing time. Pena and Jones would make a solid platoon. Crisp could start out trying to be an everyday guy, but there's not much of a guarantee he'll be good for a solid 700 PA. They definitely need another OF if Manny goes, two might be excessive, but not out of the question for an AL East team.

[Mephistopheles]

since someone brought up Rate2 and FRAA which absolutely sucks as far as defensive stats go (yes most suck but those are barely a step above errors).

 

From 2000-2003 Alex S Gonzalez had a UZR of +5 per 162 games, which is the equivalent of a 103 Rate2 if you want that scale. In the same data stretch Cesar Izturis had an identical +5 mark.

 

I should also note that from 2000-2003 Julio Lugo was a +15 per 162 games shortstop, roughly equivalent to a 109 on the Rate2 scale. Relative to UZR, FRAA and Rate2 have relatively small standard deviations if I am not mistaken.

[Ivy Walls]

The timetable is coming together as the prediction that by this weekend Ramirez will be traded. Ramirez will not demand a lot of players since the Cubs would be interested in taking on his salary and willing to extend him probably a year with another option.

 

(Remember for all the money the Cubs have spent this year, they have about $70M still left before they reach their new limit, THE TAX CAP.) It appears that MacPhail had imposed an internal cap and one of the things that he lost in the political struggle in the Tribune exec suite was the fact that the Tribune had changed their idea as to the importance of the Cubs being an attraction and top dog in the city as opposed to a profit maker. MacPhail with an eye towards being a commissioner (Selig and maintaining the votes of the small market teams) would be no part of the Cubs finally acting like a big market team and overwhelming the competition with $$.

 

But I think this is going to be a multiple team trade, Murton is coveted by the RedSox to return, they also want a couple of arms (Howry or Dempster), plus one of last year's starters, and a prospect or two that might include someone's else's player. It could include a trade with CO, Cleveland or Toronto or even TB but what I have been told privately and what I saw on TV last night with Hendry being interviewed was

 

the Cubs are not done and they are not done getting an impact player and then getting pitching.

 

With that in mind, signing Lugo (as rumored) would allow the Cubs to trade Izturis & Jones ((both of whom Hendry has marketed, and could be part of the multiple team package). This means Soriano moves to RF, leaving CF open (where the Cubs could sign Lofton or Finley for rent-aCF-er for 60 days until they bring up Pie in May, moving them to the bench.

Lugo & DeRose in the middle, with the offense mainly coming from the corners.

 

Pitching, I think hinges on Schmidt being an innings eater where then the other spot is picked up in that multiple team deal.

 

My best bet right now is Colorado, they both a SS and CF'er bad possibly more relief, engineering a trade that includes something that Boston might like on top of what the Cubs have for Jennings and Ramirez is how things are done.

 

All we can do is watch, but a word to the wise. We are not playing fantasy baseball where $$ doesn't count. Big contracts diminish the trade value of players, Ramirez at $20M plus probably another year and an option (meaning $80M) is no bargain. Schmidt at probably $14M for two year plus an option is no bargain.

 

But the Cubs have $70M to spend.

 

This will include Zambrano who should get in Schmidt numbers, those three would command, $48M plus an acquired pitcher minus the departed, where there is still need for the bench and arbitration.

[LeftCoastCubFan]

(Remember for all the money the Cubs have spent this year, they have about $70M still left before they reach their new limit, THE TAX CAP.) It appears that MacPhail had imposed an internal cap and one of the things that he lost in the political struggle in the Tribune exec suite was the fact that the Tribune had changed their idea as to the importance of the Cubs being an attraction and top dog in the city as opposed to a profit maker. MacPhail with an eye towards being a commissioner (Selig and maintaining the votes of the small market teams) would be no part of the Cubs finally acting like a big market team and overwhelming the competition with $$.

:shock: Do you know something that the rest of us do not?

[E.J.]

Rotoworld:

 

The Mets have made free agent Julio Lugo an offer to take over as their second baseman.

Second base for the Mets, shortstop for the Red Sox or center field for the Cubs? Unless there's a mystery suitor out there, those would seem to be Lugo's choices. It's believed he'd prefer to play shortstop, but since he grew up in New York, the Mets have to be a very attractive option. Plus, it's believed Boston's offer might not quite match up financially with the others.

Source: New York Daily News

[LuckyPup]

If Hendry honestly loses Lugo because of Izturis i may kill him-

[Vinestal]

People keep coming up with trade senerios to get rid of Izturis but its not going to happen Hendry loves Isturis, he's your SS for 2006 I think, despite the overwhelming hate for him (here on these boards, not that I disagree at all). Hendry just sees the "gold glove" *sigh*.

[Backtobanks]

People keep coming up with trade senerios to get rid of Izturis but its not going to happen Hendry loves Isturis, he's your SS for 2006 I think, despite the overwhelming hate for him (here on these boards, not that I disagree at all). Hendry just sees the "gold glove" *sigh*.

 

You may be right, but if the a good opportunity came up to acquire Tejada or ARod, I think you would see Hendry fall out of love with him very quickly.

[Soul]

People keep coming up with trade senerios to get rid of Izturis but its not going to happen Hendry loves Isturis, he's your SS for 2006 I think, despite the overwhelming hate for him (here on these boards, not that I disagree at all). Hendry just sees the "gold glove" *sigh*.

 

You may be right, but if the a good opportunity came up to acquire Tejada or ARod, I think you would see Hendry fall out of love with him very quickly.

 

Probably.

 

Maybe Hendry is thinking Lugo in CF until Pie is ready, then deal Izzy? Maybe get lucky and Izzy does semi-decent which turns in to some trade value?

 

I'm trying to think this through on Jim's behalf, but I'm having difficulty with the apparent infatuation with putting Lugo in CF...

[killthegoat06]

People keep coming up with trade senerios to get rid of Izturis but its not going to happen Hendry loves Isturis, he's your SS for 2006 I think, despite the overwhelming hate for him (here on these boards, not that I disagree at all). Hendry just sees the "gold glove" *sigh*.

 

You may be right, but if the a good opportunity came up to acquire Tejada or ARod, I think you would see Hendry fall out of love with him very quickly.

 

Probably.

 

Maybe Hendry is thinking Lugo in CF until Pie is ready, then deal Izzy? Maybe get lucky and Izzy does semi-decent which turns in to some trade value?

 

I'm trying to think this through on Jim's behalf, but I'm having difficulty with the apparent infatuation with putting Lugo in CF...

Izzy is a free agent after this season.

[Soul]

People keep coming up with trade senerios to get rid of Izturis but its not going to happen Hendry loves Isturis, he's your SS for 2006 I think, despite the overwhelming hate for him (here on these boards, not that I disagree at all). Hendry just sees the "gold glove" *sigh*.

 

You may be right, but if the a good opportunity came up to acquire Tejada or ARod, I think you would see Hendry fall out of love with him very quickly.

 

Probably.

 

Maybe Hendry is thinking Lugo in CF until Pie is ready, then deal Izzy? Maybe get lucky and Izzy does semi-decent which turns in to some trade value?

 

I'm trying to think this through on Jim's behalf, but I'm having difficulty with the apparent infatuation with putting Lugo in CF...

Izzy is a free agent after this season.

 

Do it mid-season? I dunno man.

[Rob]

People keep coming up with trade senerios to get rid of Izturis but its not going to happen Hendry loves Isturis, he's your SS for 2006 I think, despite the overwhelming hate for him (here on these boards, not that I disagree at all). Hendry just sees the "gold glove" *sigh*.

 

You may be right, but if the a good opportunity came up to acquire Tejada or ARod, I think you would see Hendry fall out of love with him very quickly.

 

Probably.

 

Maybe Hendry is thinking Lugo in CF until Pie is ready, then deal Izzy? Maybe get lucky and Izzy does semi-decent which turns in to some trade value?

 

I'm trying to think this through on Jim's behalf, but I'm having difficulty with the apparent infatuation with putting Lugo in CF...

Izzy is a free agent after this season.

 

There's a team option for 08 on the deal. We could pick up the option and move him somewhere.

[Uber]

The Chicago Tribune says free agent Julio Lugo seems almost certain to sign with Boston.

For the record, no one from Boston is saying it. In fact, all has been quiet on the Lugo front today. Lugo has offers on the table from the Red Sox to play shortstop, the Mets to play second base and the Cubs to play center field.