Still Trying (trade for Rauch?)

[Backtobanks]

In my neverending attempt to find a way to improve the Cubs, how about trying to get Rauch from the Nationals. I know Bowden will start out asking for Zambrano, Pie, and Marmol, but eventually he might take some prospects. Rauch would be a nice fit instead of the daily shuffle of Cherry/Petrick/Gallagher.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Between Dempster, Howry, Marmol, Wuertz, Petrick, and maybe Wood/Guzman/Mateo, the Cubs have plenty of right handed options coming out of the pen. They don't need to acquire another bullpen arm, and they don't really need to go to 12 pitchers if they could get over their own paranoia. Edited July 7, 2007 by Transmogrified Tiger

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I wouldn't waste time trying to get a reliever.

 

We have three holes that could use filling: RF or CF; C; SS.

 

I would focus on assisting those. The benefit from acquiring Rauch I don't think would be equal to the cost to get him.

[bc2k]

I wouldn't waste time trying to get a reliever.

 

We have three holes that could use filling: RF or CF; C; SS.

 

I would focus on assisting those. The benefit from acquiring Rauch I don't think would be equal to the cost to get him.

 

Trading for a reliever seems interests me because I think it's easier to obtain a solid reliever than a significant upgrade in any of the positions you listed.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I wouldn't waste time trying to get a reliever.

 

We have three holes that could use filling: RF or CF; C; SS.

 

I would focus on assisting those. The benefit from acquiring Rauch I don't think would be equal to the cost to get him.

 

Trading for a reliever seems interests me because I think it's easier to obtain a solid reliever than a significant upgrade in any of the positions you listed.

 

It's still going to cost prospects to get that reliever. We have too few bullets to use in pulling off a trade. I'd rather save them for players we really need. I don't see Rauch as that much of an upgrade over the players we've been using in the same role.

 

Our bullpen has been much better since June and I don't see it as the major weakness of this team.

 

Having major holes at CF/RF, C, and SS is a much bigger problem.

 

If we can get bullpen help in a deal that includes one of the above, great. But I wouldn't focus much energy at all trying to retool the bullpen. It's wasted resources.

[nilodnayr]

When the mets inquired, didnt Bowden ask for Milledge for either Cordero or Rauch? He wont be had on the cheap and wont noticably improve the team.

[brinoch]

I wouldn't waste time trying to get a reliever.

 

We have three holes that could use filling: RF or CF; C; SS.

 

I would focus on assisting those. The benefit from acquiring Rauch I don't think would be equal to the cost to get him.

 

Trading for a reliever seems interests me because I think it's easier to obtain a solid reliever than a significant upgrade in any of the positions you listed.

 

While it might be easier to obtain a reliever, that doesn't mean acquiring a reliever is a good move. Trading just for the sake of trading is silly. You should be seeking to get the best upgrade you can at your position of greatest need -- CF/RF, C, SS. To my mind, and I've posted this several times, we have in-house options at all three positions, but the greatest need is probably in the OF.

 

Furthermore, I think our bullpen is fine, all in all. Yes, it blew chunks earlier in the season, but it's been doing very well for quite a long stretch.