Jay Payton to the O's

[ToupeeOnFire]

2 years / 9.75 mil.

 

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-os1208,0,5860222.story?coll=bal-sports-baseball

 

I suppose this lays to rest any kind of Jacque Jones deal (and if the return was only going to be Dave Newhan, thank goodness!).

[Bruno7481]

When will people realize Jones is just fine. Payton is going to get paid almost exactly what Jones will the next two years. I'd take Jones over Payton anyday.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Who else was looking at Payton? They become the immediate first choices for a trade deal with Jock.

[Rob]

Who else was looking at Payton? They become the immediate first choices for a trade deal with Jock.

 

Rockies and Rangers, IIRC.

[baseball7897]

Jacque Jones and some prospects to KC for DeJesus. I think KC had some interest in signing Jacque last off-season.

[Flames24Rulz]

Jacque Jones and some prospects to KC for DeJesus. I think KC had some interest in signing Jacque last off-season.

 

I would definitely do that.

 

But I'm 99.9% sure that Moore would want some top prospects from us in return.

[E.J.]

I'm glad I'm not an Orioles' fan...

[Mizzou]

Jacque Jones and some prospects to KC for DeJesus. I think KC had some interest in signing Jacque last off-season.

Who is that in your sig picture?

[Post Count Padder]

Jacque Jones and some prospects to KC for DeJesus. I think KC had some interest in signing Jacque last off-season.

I'd do that deal. Would probably have to throw in Marshall and Marmol/Mateo.

[baseball7897]

Jacque Jones and some prospects to KC for DeJesus. I think KC had some interest in signing Jacque last off-season.

Who is that in your sig picture?

 

The incredible Cesar Izturis.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Incredible is an awfully strong word.

[Rob]

Incredible is an awfully strong word.

 

The power of affirmations.

 

If you say he's incredible often enough, maybe he'll stop being crappy.

[shnsajax]

Jones and Marshall for Michael Young

[E.J.]

Jones and Marshall for Michael Young

 

Keep going. Not nearly enough.

[jjgman21]

Jones and Marshall for Michael Young

 

and a couple of space shuttles.

[shnsajax]

Jones and Marshall for Michael Young

 

Keep going. Not nearly enough.

 

I know, but its much easier to stop :-). I'm willing to throw in their choice of Cedeno or Izturis :-)

[jjgman21]

Jacque Jones and some prospects to KC for DeJesus. I think KC had some interest in signing Jacque last off-season.

 

I would definitely do that.

 

But I'm 99.9% sure that Moore would want some top prospects from us in return.

 

I'm usually not into speculating on potential trades, but I've wanted DeJesus in Cubbie blue for quite some time, so I decided to give this some thought.

 

I don't think it would take a whole lot of prospects if we gave the Royals something else they need, especially after their recent "spree," and that is payroll relief. it's no secret that the Royals have been trying to unload Sweeney for a long time. it just so happens that the Cubs are one of the teams that Sweeney can't reject a trade to. there's only one year left on his deal, so it's not the risk taking on Sweeney that it was in years past. one bad part is Sweeney's contract expands to 12.5M if he is traded.

 

another thing the Cubs can offer is a player to fill a position that the Royals are royally screwed at, shortstop. Moore inherited the absolutely pathetic deal for Berroa. now I wouldn't be willing to take on Berroa, but the Royals need to find some other solution at short, because Berroa makes Neifi look like a legit major league player.

 

at the same time, the Cubs have strength at one of the Royals biggest weakness, relief pitching. so perhaps you could get away dealing to them with this surplus of major league players while not dealing away much in terms of prospects.

 

so in sum, the deal looks something like this:

 

Ohman or Cotts/Mateo or Marshal/Jones/Izturis/$2M for Sweeney and Dejesus.

 

 

now I know that taking on a poor bang for buck salary like Sweeney would give many pause, but there are two ways to mitigate his contract. first, DeJesus is extended through 2010 at very favorable terms for what he can do already, much less for what he might become. second, another team Sweeney can't block a trade to is the Angels, who were absolutely horrid at first and DH last year. eat a chunk of the salary and spin off Sweeney to the Angels for whatever (Caesar's half brother Maicer?).

 

with a long term solution in center in place, you can now trade Pie for short or other areas of need.

[jjgman21]

damn. it's addictive.

 

after that, with Pie available, him and the Brewers choice of Guzman/Gallagher/Veal and Dempster for Bill Hall.

 

move Soriano back to second, and sign Aubrey Huff.

 

Line Up

 

Soriano

DeJesus

Lee

Aram

Huff (DeRosa v. lefties, batting in the eight hole)

Barrett

Hall

Murton

 

Bench

 

Ward

Huff/DeRosa

Blanco

Theriot

Pagan

keep Sweeney?