Cubs Trade Rob Bowen and Jerry Blevins for Jason Kendall

[CoolHandLuke]

Kendall's career numbers against the other NL Central teams... (AVG/OBP)

 

MIL: .291/.381

HOU: .307/.395

STL: .309/.374

CIN: .317/.404

 

And his career 2nd half numbers are .308/.384

 

GET THOSE OPTIMISTIC NUMBERS OUT OF HERE!

 

GET THOSE NUMBERS THAT DONT MEAN ANYTHING OUT OF HERE

 

:?: He's not the second coming of Johnny Bench, but those aren't bad numbers, especially for a catcher. We need him to produce for a few months, hopefully he will hit like last year. If not, Lou has shown he will play guys that produce so Soto could get the nod down the road if Kendall continues to struggle.

 

I meant they didnt mean anything because they are from many moons ago and are not indicative of the current Jason Kendall.

 

not to mention roster turnover (how many of the same pitchers are on NL central teams from 2004?) and the fact that those numbers are very similar to his overall stats; what are they even supposed to prove? That he put up consistent numbers against all opponents?

 

I don't hate this trade because the money doesn't sound like too big deal and I feel that minor league relievers aren't super valuable.

[CubColtPacer]

I've seen the Marshall report at one or two other sites, but the Bowen/Blevins deal is on many more sites. Plus, some people had to hear Jim Hendry's interview-if Marshall was dealt, there would have been a lot of outrage about it by now. Add to that the Cubs site says Bowen/Blevins, and that seems to be what it is.

 

Hopefully Kendall can be more of the OBP guy that he was in earlier years. The Cubs catchers have a .265 OBP as a catcher this year (including Barrett's numbers with the Cubs). If Kendall can improve that with a .340 in the second half, then it will turn out to be a pretty good deal. If he doesn't, then there isn't that much risk to the deal.

[Wilson A2000]

The ESPN ticker doesn't mention Marshall. They must have used the mlb.con article as a source. Do the Cubs even have another fifth starter?

 

When I heard them say that, I was afraid they were thinking about moving Dempster to the rotation again.

 

That wouldn't happen. You don't take a guy who has been a closer for three years coming off the DL and stick him into the rotation.

[TMan92]

The ESPN ticker doesn't mention Marshall. They must have used the mlb.con article as a source. Do the Cubs even have another fifth starter?

 

We are bringing up Blevins. So all the people who think he is the next Cy Young should be very happy.

[weis21]

I must have forgotten that career numbers mean absolutely nothing, my bad. He's having a down year so far, but for what we gave up, I'm OK with taking the chance on him.

[cheapseats]

I can't believe all the negativity on this board. We got a guy who's had a real good career, probably won't put up those career stats at this stage but it's still a hell of a lot better than what we had. Who cares about this year, the man couldn't of forgot how to play the game completely could he? I'll ride this out and not murder any positive people until proven otherwise. I seriously doubt he'll play that horrible for us. I guess time will tell.

 

I guess it will. And for the record, no, he hasn't been "a hell of a lot better than what we had." In fact, he's been worse. He's #80 out of 81 MLB catchers this year in VORP. 81 catchers. Most teams have at least two guys better than Kendall. And he'll be starting for us.

[CoolHandLuke]

The ESPN ticker doesn't mention Marshall. They must have used the mlb.con article as a source. Do the Cubs even have another fifth starter?

 

When I heard them say that, I was afraid they were thinking about moving Dempster to the rotation again.

 

That wouldn't happen. You don't take a guy who has been a closer for three years coming off the DL and stick him into the rotation.

 

This is the cubs we are talking about. You know, the team that used a "college of coaches".

[Outshined_One]

As much as flak Hendry gets, he's not dumb enough to trade Sean Marshall for Jason Kendall. Cripes, there's no one who can take Marshall's spot in the rotation right away who is available save for the usual castoffs (Walrond, O'Malley, etc).

 

Trading Marshall for Kendall would be monumentally dumb.

[nilodnayr]

I like this move.

 

Kendall is obviously having a poor year, and was dreadful in the first two months, but he hit .295 in the month of June, so he's getting better. And it's not like he's always been bad. In fact, he's always been solid up until this year. He's a career .298 hitter with a .375 OBP. And that includes this year. Our catchers have sucked this year - even worse than Kendall has. He will surely be an upgrade. I'd be willing to wager that he hits at least .270 with a .340 OBP for us. Probably better than that.

 

And while it would've been nice to keep Blevins, the prospect who was nothing short of flat out terrible the last two years, who is having a great year this year, I'm not going to get upset about trading a relief pitcher in AA. I always read on here how relievers are so unpredictable and vary from year to year, yet people are flipping out about dealing this guy... who sucked for two years, and is good now. It's comical.

 

and I'll wager his OPS will still be below 700

 

I didn't realize you expected a lot of slugging out of your two hole, especially from a catcher. I've been reading for a while and it wasn't long ago we had Neifi and Macias in there batting in the two hole. It could be worse.

Slugging out of your two hole isnt important...if you dont want to score runs.

I disagree, OBP is more important than slugging out of your two hole. If Piniella got some balls and batted Soriano where he needs to bat, you leave it up to guys like Theriot, Fontenot and now Kendall to get on base and Lee, Ramirez and Soriano to drive them in. That's a perfect world but I know, I'm just a Cubby fan.

 

Odd, on my computer it doesnt say that i said OBP is less important than slugging out of the 2 hole (or anywhere). Crazy, must be some sort of virus. You know what would also be nice...if Kendall would take a walk. 3.9 BB% this year? Seriously? His IsoD is .035!!!

Jeez, somebody tell him about that stat, it looks like he forgot how to take a walk.

I can't believe all the negativity on this board. We got a guy who's had a real good career, probably won't put up those career stats at this stage but it's still a hell of a lot better than what we had. Who cares about this year, the man couldn't of forgot how to play the game completely could he? I'll ride this out and not murder any positive people until proven otherwise. I seriously doubt he'll play that horrible for us. I guess time will tell.

 

If you want OBP so much, Jason Kendall may not be the place to get it. I dont care how good he WAS. I care how good he IS. Hes 33, takes a HUGE workload and has a big collapse rate. He has gotten very unlucky as I said, but right now hes another catcher who will put up a sub 700 OPS.

[Sarcastic]

An official press release on MLB.com says that Kendall was traded for a LHP.

 

EDIT: Of course, Blevins is LH and I don't think it said anything about the pitcher being in the ML.

Edited July 17, 2007 by Sarcastic

[Exile on Waveland]

I'm convinced that it's Bowen/Blevin, because the alternative of Marshall would be unbelievably, inconceivably, galactically stupid. Hendry's not a good GM, but even he isn't that bad.

[hardcorecubfan]

Hey mousekateers let's stop complaining and turn those frowns upside down and give Jason a big Chicago hello. Just like we gave Todd Hundley.

 

put the guns away I was just joking. always hoping for the best and hendry and Jason proves us all wrong.

[cheapseats]

I must have forgotten that career numbers mean absolutely nothing, my bad. He's having a down year so far, but for what we gave up, I'm OK with taking the chance on him.

 

I'd rather take a chance on Johnny Bench. His career numbers are better.

[oldcubsfan]

Kendall is a terrific cather and calls a great game.

"He has hit .297 in his last 25 games, and batted .286 in Interleague Play this year. "

He has always had a better 2nd half. This is a great trade, a terrific rental player for a minor league relief pitcher. I can't see anything wrong with this deal at all.

[Iceblink]

I'm convinced that it's Bowen/Blevin, because the alternative of Marshall would be unbelievably, inconceivably, galactically stupid. Hendry's not a good GM, but even he isn't that bad.

 

Sergio Mitre is waving at you. ;)

[oldcubsfan]

I must have forgotten that career numbers mean absolutely nothing, my bad. He's having a down year so far, but for what we gave up, I'm OK with taking the chance on him.

 

I'd rather take a chance on Johnny Bench. His career numbers are better.

 

I'm sure you would.

[SAMMYWHO]

I can't believe all the negativity on this board. We got a guy who's had a real good career, probably won't put up those career stats at this stage but it's still a hell of a lot better than what we had. Who cares about this year, the man couldn't of forgot how to play the game completely could he? I'll ride this out and not murder any positive people until proven otherwise. I seriously doubt he'll play that horrible for us. I guess time will tell.

 

I guess it will. And for the record, no, he hasn't been "a hell of a lot better than what we had." In fact, he's been worse. He's #80 out of 81 MLB catchers this year in VORP. 81 catchers. Most teams have at least two guys better than Kendall. And he'll be starting for us.

I'm not arguing this year. I'm arguing the other 11 yrs. Guys that have good OBP's usually are good through their career. They don't usually forget to take a walk when they're 33. Yes I know he's a catcher.

[E.J.]

I must have forgotten that career numbers mean absolutely nothing, my bad. He's having a down year so far, but for what we gave up, I'm OK with taking the chance on him.

 

Blevins was having an outstanding year at AA. I wouldn't have traded him straight up for Kendall. Add the fact that we're going to have to pay Kendall, and it turns out to be a terrible trade. Kendall is old, is just as bad defensively as Barrett, and has no power whatsoever. I have no idea what Hendry is thinking. He should be removed from his GM duties immediately.

[nilodnayr]

Finally got it to work. Kendall was dead last of all qualified hitters in IsoP each of the last 2 years, and is 3rd from last this year.

 

I'd rather have a guy who might hit .280-.300 with a .350-.380 OBP (just potential not that he will or I expect him to) and every single hit is a single than watch the crap that has been going out there evry day lately. I can't imagine the catcher position has been much better than .200/.250/.300 since Barrett got traded.

 

Guess who's been worse than a .550 OPS this year? Kendall.

 

Yes, he's been bad this year. No I'm not jumping up and down that they gave up a potentially good arm to get him. But the guy does have a history of being able to get hits and get on base. He's probably not going to OPS above .700, but if he hits in the 2 spot, I really don't care as long as he's getting on base at a .350 clip.

 

Even if his luck evened out this year he wouldnt be at a 350 clip. Call me crazy, but I want my best hitters hitting as much as possible. DLee should be in the 2 hole.

[weis21]

I must have forgotten that career numbers mean absolutely nothing, my bad. He's having a down year so far, but for what we gave up, I'm OK with taking the chance on him.

 

I'd rather take a chance on Johnny Bench. His career numbers are better.

 

What the hell does this even mean?

[Jazz]

An official press release on MLB.com says that Kendall was traded for a LHP.

 

EDIT: Of course, Blevins is LH and I don't think it said anything about the pitcher being in the ML.

 

Beane said that it was a minor league Left Hander.

 

Pretty obvious that its Blevins.

[TMan92]

Kendall is a terrific cather and calls a great game.

"He has hit .297 in his last 25 games, and batted .286 in Interleague Play this year. "

He has always had a better 2nd half. This is a great trade, a terrific rental player for a minor league relief pitcher. I can't see anything wrong with this deal at all.

 

What he said.

[Roast]

Kendall is a terrific cather and calls a great game.

"He has hit .297 in his last 25 games, and batted .286 in Interleague Play this year. "

He has always had a better 2nd half. This is a great trade, a terrific rental player for a minor league relief pitcher. I can't see anything wrong with this deal at all.

 

except that he's 33 and hitting like total ass this year. Plus he has no power or speed left.

[Exile on Waveland]

"His second half career numbers are much better than his first. His on-base percentage is always high," Hendry said.

 

From the ESPN article. He may be a year or two late as Kendall's OBP is miserable this year, but at least Hendry acknowledged OBP. It's something, at least.

Edited July 17, 2007 by Exile on Waveland

[Mizzou]

He has gotten very unlucky as I said, but right now hes another catcher who will put up a sub 700 OPS.

Newsflash... there are only 10 catchers in baseball with an OPS above 700.