Z, Barrett, and Jone's Trade Value

[E.J.]

Here's some interesting info on what scouts think Z, Barrett, and Jones are worth in the trade market.

 

The Trib

 

Zambrano:

"I love Zambrano's size and youth," one scout said. "His emotion? I think he wants to win and hates to lose. As a scout, those are the things I like to see. He's a guy who does a lot of things well besides pitch. He swings the bat for a big guy, he's fairly agile off the hill, one of the best athletes for his size. He can run and he can hit."

 

Another scout said: "He's very hyper and he needs to channel that. The pressure of the free-agent year affects him more than it does Buehrle.

 

"Would the fight lower his value? In some circles, yes, some circles no. Some teams don't pay much credence to personality. I don't think overall it would hurt him. But obviously his [future] money would eliminate everyone except a handful of teams."

 

Barrett:

"He has been really disappointing defensively," one scout said. "To some degree he is an offensive catcher. He does have power. He's a gamer, plays hard and does things you like to see. I think he's probably good in the clubhouse. But his lack of catching ability and pitch-calling is a concern at a position that's so important."

 

Fights with Zambrano and A.J. Pierzynski?

 

"Wouldn't matter, I don't think Barrett's a bad kid," he said.

 

One scout laughed: "It wouldn't matter to me, because I know the personalities of the people he had conflicts with. He didn't exactly get in a fight with Greg Maddux or Tom Glavine."

 

Jones:

"Pass," one scout said bluntly. "I would have very little interest [in recommending him], although scouts aren't in the money business. He has put up some decent numbers, although his defense is nothing great."

 

"[The Cubs] would love to trade him," another said, "but they would have almost no left-handed hitting. To me, he would have more value in the American League because he still has some offensive value. But we're talking about [the Cubs] eating a sizable portion of his contract."

[Soriano12]

would love to trade him," another said, "but they would have almost no left-handed hitting[/b]. To me, he would have more value in the American League because he still has some offensive value. But we're talking about [the Cubs] eating a sizable portion of his contract."

 

That doesn't make sense right there...Floyd has been decent so far this season, and if Pie can keep it up, those are 2 good left handed bats, plus Jock Jones really doesn't make any difference.

Edited June 8, 2007 by Soriano12

[Exile on Waveland]

Still quite a bit, not much, nothing.

[YearofDaCubs]

Nobody wants Jones, if we know he sucks so do other competent GM's. I would take Floyd over Jones right now. We have Pagan who could play backup CF for us. But I think that the only way I've moving him is to release him outright and I don't see that happening unfortunately.

[jersey cubs fan]

Nobody wants Jones, if we know he sucks so do other competent GM's. I would take Floyd over Jones right now. We have Pagan who could play backup CF for us. But I think that the only way I've moving him is to release him outright and I don't see that happening unfortunately.

 

You have to wonder if the release of Jones is being delayed because it would be an outright admission of a mistake by Hendry, and thus a reason why they might hold back funds for a further move. If he's going to waste millions on a guy like Jones, why give him another few million to play with?

[Amazing_Grace]

Nobody wants Jones, if we know he sucks so do other competent GM's. I would take Floyd over Jones right now. We have Pagan who could play backup CF for us. But I think that the only way I've moving him is to release him outright and I don't see that happening unfortunately.

 

He could be traded if the Cubs ate most of the contract for this year and next. If the Cubs pay 4 of the 6M then he's a 2M dollar outfielder with the ability to play all three outfield positions (though none particularly well) who hits left handed. He would make a fine fourth outfielder or the left half of a platoon. Unfortunately, I'm not sure Hendry is willing (because he's an idiot) or able (what with the impending sale of the team) to eat that much contract.

[jersey cubs fan]

Nobody wants Jones, if we know he sucks so do other competent GM's. I would take Floyd over Jones right now. We have Pagan who could play backup CF for us. But I think that the only way I've moving him is to release him outright and I don't see that happening unfortunately.

 

He could be traded if the Cubs ate most of the contract for this year and next. If the Cubs pay 4 of the 6M then he's a 2M dollar outfielder with the ability to play all three outfield positions (though none particularly well) who hits left handed. He would make a fine fourth outfielder or the left half of a platoon. Unfortunately, I'm not sure Hendry is willing (because he's an idiot) or able (what with the impending sale of the team) to eat that much contract.

 

When you see the interest that a guy like Jose Cruz got this offseason, a better version of the versatile 4th OF, I'm not sure there is much of a market for such a player.

 

Teams paid dearly for starters who could log innings and leadoff/CF types. The market for mediocre corner OF is not so hot.

[Backtobanks]

Nobody wants Jones, if we know he sucks so do other competent GM's. I would take Floyd over Jones right now. We have Pagan who could play backup CF for us. But I think that the only way I've moving him is to release him outright and I don't see that happening unfortunately.

 

He could be traded if the Cubs ate most of the contract for this year and next. If the Cubs pay 4 of the 6M then he's a 2M dollar outfielder with the ability to play all three outfield positions (though none particularly well) who hits left handed. He would make a fine fourth outfielder or the left half of a platoon. Unfortunately, I'm not sure Hendry is willing (because he's an idiot) or able (what with the impending sale of the team) to eat that much contract.

 

 

Hendry not being able to eat that much salary because of the sale of the team doesn't make sense. If he doesn't eat part of the salary then the owners are going to have to pay his whole salary. Eating part of his salary will save the owners money.

[Amazing_Grace]

Nobody wants Jones, if we know he sucks so do other competent GM's. I would take Floyd over Jones right now. We have Pagan who could play backup CF for us. But I think that the only way I've moving him is to release him outright and I don't see that happening unfortunately.

 

He could be traded if the Cubs ate most of the contract for this year and next. If the Cubs pay 4 of the 6M then he's a 2M dollar outfielder with the ability to play all three outfield positions (though none particularly well) who hits left handed. He would make a fine fourth outfielder or the left half of a platoon. Unfortunately, I'm not sure Hendry is willing (because he's an idiot) or able (what with the impending sale of the team) to eat that much contract.

 

When you see the interest that a guy like Jose Cruz got this offseason, a better version of the versatile 4th OF, I'm not sure there is much of a market for such a player.

 

Teams paid dearly for starters who could log innings and leadoff/CF types. The market for mediocre corner OF is not so hot.

 

I didn't say it was hot.. but 2M is not a lot of money for a guy that might put up a .750 plus OPS and a better than .800 OPS if used only against righties. Floyd got 3M plus incentives and he's a similar hitter to Jones only he can't play CF, is worse defensively at all positions, and is injury prone. I think the Cubs could move Jones if they were willing to eat contract. Heck, we got Detroit to pick up Perez's whole deal and he was owed 3M this season. A decent hitting LH outfielder has to be worth somewhat more than a utility IF.

[jersey cubs fan]

I didn't say it was hot.. but 2M is not a lot of money for a guy that might put up a .750 plus OPS and a better than .800 OPS if used only against righties. Floyd got 3M plus incentives and he's a similar hitter to Jones only he can't play CF, is worse defensively at all positions, and is injury prone. I think the Cubs could move Jones if they were willing to eat contract. Heck, we got Detroit to pick up Perez's whole deal and he was owed 3M this season. A decent hitting LH outfielder has to be worth somewhat more than a utility IF.

 

Remember, Floyd got that money from the Cubs. He wasn't talking to anybody else. I'm not sure a utility OF is really more in demand than a utility IF. It's probably possible to deal him, but Jim has been looking to move him for several months, and there's been very little action. I think they will have to almost eat the entire contract, or take back a similar contract, to move him.

[Amazing_Grace]

I didn't say it was hot.. but 2M is not a lot of money for a guy that might put up a .750 plus OPS and a better than .800 OPS if used only against righties. Floyd got 3M plus incentives and he's a similar hitter to Jones only he can't play CF, is worse defensively at all positions, and is injury prone. I think the Cubs could move Jones if they were willing to eat contract. Heck, we got Detroit to pick up Perez's whole deal and he was owed 3M this season. A decent hitting LH outfielder has to be worth somewhat more than a utility IF.

 

Remember, Floyd got that money from the Cubs. He wasn't talking to anybody else. I'm not sure a utility OF is really more in demand than a utility IF. It's probably possible to deal him, but Jim has been looking to move him for several months, and there's been very little action. I think they will have to almost eat the entire contract, or take back a similar contract, to move him.

 

Well, 4M out of 6M is eating most of the contract. I really can't believe Jones CAN'T be moved at all, because I can't believe he wouldn't be immediately signed if he was a FA this offseason to a 1 or 2 year deal worth about 3-4M per, what he's worth. The Cubs aren't the only team with a stupid GM; they just happen to be the richest. I think the problem is and has been that Hendry WON'T eat that much contract and/or accept basically nothing in return, because he still overvalues Jones and thinks he should get something of value back.

 

I'm not saying Jones is likely to be moved. The more time passes, the more I suspect he won't, but it's not because he's untradeable. It's because the Cubs won't do what's necessary to get the job done (what else is new).