Cubs Trade Rob Bowen and Jerry Blevins for Jason Kendall

[Exile on Waveland]

Why are people still complaining about Blevins being tossed into the deal? Yes, he's having a very good year. But he was a terrible, terrible pitcher the last TWO years. It's not like he's a can't miss prospect or anything. He's a freaking middle reliever that's having a nice year in AA... after having two pathetic years. Big deal!

 

His two pathetic years came from trying to sidearm and losing 10 mph velocity from it. And his secondary pitches have improved since then.

 

Not valuing young arms (especially lefty arms with good stuff) is a fatal error. Again, I know nothing of Blevins, but young arms are invaluable. Bowen for Kendall is a low risk gamble, but one worth taking, in my opinion. I wouldn't have thrown in any pitcher with promise, though.

 

Hmm...was it weird to quote you with that? I was trying to agree, I guess.

 

The same people that are arguing Blevins is invaluable are the same people that moan and complain that Hendry only sells low. If the Cubs had held onto Blevins and he flamed out, people would be complaining that Hendry should have gotten rid of him when he had a 1.02 and some value in the minors. Lets wait to see how things shake out before we proclaim trading Blevins a fatal error.

 

I'm not proclaiming trading Blevins as a fatal error. I'm claiming that dismissing young pitchers is a fatal error. They're valuable, even if all don't pan out.

[Schwarber Fan]

Why did Karl Ravech keep saying we traded Sean Marshall?

[cheapseats]

 

At 2B we have numerous options.

 

But none of those options are proven. If we could get a guy like Biggio - maybe a first-year Hall of Famer - there would be no stopping us from making the playoffs.

 

Biggio is a veteran. He's played in the World Series. He won't crack under pressure during the stretch run.

 

Theriot and Fontenot will probably lose control of their bowels if the Cubs are playing meaningful games in September.

 

I like the Kendall move, but we need more proven veterans to catch the Brewers.

[baseball7897]

Does this signal the end of the season for Henry Blanco?

 

Is this the end of Koyie Hill's Cub career? (unless he's DFAd and no one picks him up, in which case we can resign him to AAA)

 

Who will start? Kendall or Soto?

 

Blanco's almost ready to bring his big bat back to the Cubs lineup. I'm sure Lou will make good choices and ride the hot hand. If Blanco comes back and hits like he's able to hit, Kendall will sit more often. If Kendall regains his form from 7 years ago, Hank will ride the pine.

 

Blanco is probably better off getting the surgery and coming back next year.

[dew1679666265]

Based on what, the almighty OPS+? If you look at his average and his OBP, he hasn't been anywhere near below average. He's not a power hitter... most baseball players aren't.

 

fine, his OBP has been above average the last however many years. Unfortunately you do have to do more than that to be an average hitter. And also unfortunately, his walk rate is way down this year. Coupled with his woeful average, he's not a very good player at this point in his career. He's not as bad as he was to start the year, but he's not very good either. Even in his "good" month, he posted a 326 OBP.

 

And last year when he was bad in the first half and very good in the second half gives us the hope that he can turn it around and be at least decently productive.

 

Sure, it's not a guarantee, but I like him as an option over Hill or Bowen at the worst. At the best, this is a solid trade.

[Mephistopheles]

 

At 2B we have numerous options.

 

But none of those options are proven. If we could get a guy like Biggio - maybe a first-year Hall of Famer - there would be no stopping us from making the playoffs.

 

Biggio is a veteran. He's played in the World Series. He won't crack under pressure during the stretch run.

 

Theriot and Fontenot will probably lose control of their bowels if the Cubs are playing meaningful games in September.

 

I like the Kendall move, but we need more proven veterans to catch the Brewers.

 

Biggio? Are you kidding me? Come on God (allegedly God) gave you a brain for a reason. Use it.

Edited July 17, 2007 by Mephistopheles

[Banedon]

 

At 2B we have numerous options.

 

But none of those options are proven. If we could get a guy like Biggio - maybe a first-year Hall of Famer - there would be no stopping us from making the playoffs.

 

Biggio is a veteran. He's played in the World Series. He won't crack under pressure during the stretch run.

 

Theriot and Fontenot will probably lose control of their bowels if the Cubs are playing meaningful games in September.

 

I like the Kendall move, but we need more proven veterans to catch the Brewers.

 

Derosa is a vet.

Edited July 17, 2007 by Banedon

[UK1679666180]

He's a low level pitcher with an unspectacular history until the first half of this season. I reserve judgment. Can't can't be worse than what they've had the last month and he could actually be better.

 

 

I'm pretty indifferent about the trade, I just think it's moronic to say they gave up nothing based on the fact he's a minor league reliever.

 

This narrow minded BS about the value of a minor league reliever is ironic given that he was the main piece of that trade they are defending.

 

Hell, if you want to make Kendall seem more appealing it would be wise to state the positives about Blevins rather than the negatives.

 

As far as Blevins, I see a pitcher that has made drastic changes in his delievery, regained 2 potential avg. to plus pitches and has the potential of the lefty out of then pen who has the ceiling of middle relief.

 

As far as Kendall, I think he'll have a good chance hit .270/.340 be a good teammate and a potential leader while being a defensive liability.

 

Whether that makes me sound like I'm for it or against it, hell use your judgement. It's a likely minimal trade in the long and short-term both in a positive and negative way, some like to make dramatics part of the discussion rather than facts.

Edited July 17, 2007 by UK

[mdwilla]

I like this move , it gives us an upgrade over what we had behind the plate while still allowing to make moves to shore up the outfield and shortstop.

[Sarcastic]

Based on what, the almighty OPS+? If you look at his average and his OBP, he hasn't been anywhere near below average. He's not a power hitter... most baseball players aren't.

 

fine, his OBP has been above average the last however many years. Unfortunately you do have to do more than that to be an average hitter. And also unfortunately, his walk rate is way down this year. Coupled with his woeful average, he's not a very good player at this point in his career. He's not as bad as he was to start the year, but he's not very good either. Even in his "good" month, he posted a 326 OBP.

 

That mostly has to do with a big drop in walks that he has suffered this year. It isn't impossible that kendall has lost his plate patience, but walks are one of the few skills that generally don't decline until very late in a player's career. I think that his walks are more likely to come back than his AVG, which has already come back up a bit.

 

This is not a very good trade, but Kendall has a chance to put up decent production at a position where the Cubs had gotten nothing but gabage since the Barrett trade.

[nilodnayr]

Saying this may get me in trouble, but if you like this trade, get your head examined.

Yeah, because trading a crappy catcher and a minor league relief pitcher for a guy who has been solid in 11 out of his 12 MLB years is always a bad idea.

 

When the catcher is 33 and has played 9 season (save 1 for a horribly disgusting broken ankle) at cather of 143 + games and that 12th season is the current one and by solid you mean league average yeah, it might be a bad idea.

[wade]

Why did Karl Ravech keep saying we traded Sean Marshall?

 

I would like to know why, as well. I was in a bar and the closed caption had Marshall going out west for Kendall twice, in contrast to the bottom line. I'm confused.

[Drew Doughty]

Based on what, the almighty OPS+? If you look at his average and his OBP, he hasn't been anywhere near below average. He's not a power hitter... most baseball players aren't.

 

fine, his OBP has been above average the last however many years. Unfortunately you do have to do more than that to be an average hitter. And also unfortunately, his walk rate is way down this year. Coupled with his woeful average, he's not a very good player at this point in his career. He's not as bad as he was to start the year, but he's not very good either. Even in his "good" month, he posted a 326 OBP.

 

And last year when he was bad in the first half and very good in the second half gives us the hope that he can turn it around and be at least decently productive.

 

Sure, it's not a guarantee, but I like him as an option over Hill or Bowen at the worst. At the best, this is a solid trade.

 

even during his bad first half last year he was still walking. His OPS was 100 points higher in the first half last year than it was in the first half this year.

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

 

At 2B we have numerous options.

 

But none of those options are proven. If we could get a guy like Biggio - maybe a first-year Hall of Famer - there would be no stopping us from making the playoffs.

 

Biggio is a veteran. He's played in the World Series. He won't crack under pressure during the stretch run.

 

Theriot and Fontenot will probably lose control of their bowels if the Cubs are playing meaningful games in September.

 

I like the Kendall move, but we need more proven veterans to catch the Brewers.

 

Biggio? Are you kidding me? Come on God (allegedly God) gave you a brain for a reason. Use it.

 

He's being sarcastic because he hates bringing in Kendall.

[Sarcastic]

Saying this may get me in trouble, but if you like this trade, get your head examined.

Yeah, because trading a crappy catcher and a minor league relief pitcher for a guy who has been solid in 11 out of his 12 MLB years is always a bad idea.

 

When the catcher is 33 and has played 9 season (save 1 for a horribly disgusting broken ankle) at cather of 143 + games and that 12th season is the current one and by solid you mean league average yeah, it might be a bad idea.

 

Calling Kendall's career league average isn't really fair. For a catcher, league average is pretty good.

[AI]

Are there any more details on the money. I know the Pirates already pay 5.5 of Kendall's deal, but does anyone know what our prorated chunk of this is?

[Banedon]

I think Ravech got the Marshall for Kendall info from a personal call from Bush...they're personal friends now.

[E.J.]

I could care less about Bowen. He was nothing more than a backup anyway. But we basically trade Barrett and Blevins for Jason Kendall. Why not just keep Barrett? They're basically even defensively, with Barrett being much, much better offensively. When was the last time Kendall even hit a homerun? 1998? I've been trying to figure this trade out, but I just don't get it.

[cheapseats]

Does this signal the end of the season for Henry Blanco?

 

Is this the end of Koyie Hill's Cub career? (unless he's DFAd and no one picks him up, in which case we can resign him to AAA)

 

Who will start? Kendall or Soto?

 

Blanco's almost ready to bring his big bat back to the Cubs lineup. I'm sure Lou will make good choices and ride the hot hand. If Blanco comes back and hits like he's able to hit, Kendall will sit more often. If Kendall regains his form from 7 years ago, Hank will ride the pine.

 

Blanco is probably better off getting the surgery and coming back next year.

 

He'll do what's best for the team.

 

We'll need Blanco if we face the Padres in the playoffs. His OPS vs. San Diego this year is 1.000.

[abuck1220]

Saying this may get me in trouble, but if you like this trade, get your head examined.

Yeah, because trading a crappy catcher and a minor league relief pitcher for a guy who has been solid in 11 out of his 12 MLB years is always a bad idea.

 

what is your definition of "solid"? He's been a below average hitter in 5 of his last 7 seasons, including an awful year this year. By all accounts he's not very good defensively.

Based on what, the almighty OPS+? If you look at his average and his OBP, he hasn't been anywhere near below average. He's not a power hitter... most baseball players aren't.

 

yeah, OPS+ sucks...batting average is clearly where it's at.

[Drew Doughty]

I could care less about Bowen. He was nothing more than a backup anyway. But we basically trade Barrett and Blevins for Jason Kendall. Why not just keep Barrett? They're basically even defensively, with Barrett being much, much better offensively. When was the last time Kendall even hit a homerun? 1998? I've been trying to figure this trade out, but I just don't get it.

 

he's actually got a pair of home runs this year!

 

woo!

[PackLandVA]

He's a low level pitcher with an unspectacular history until the first half of this season. I reserve judgment. Can't can't be worse than what they've had the last month and he could actually be better.

 

 

I'm pretty indifferent about the trade, I just think it's moronic to say they gave up nothing based on the fact he's a minor league reliever.

 

This narrow minded BS about the value of a minor league reliever is ironic given that he was the main piece of that trade they are defending.

 

Hell, if you want to make Kendall seem more appealing it would be wise to state the positives about Blevins rather than the negatives.

 

As far as Blevins, I see a pitcher that has made drastic changes in his delievery, regained 2 potential avg. to plus pitches and has the potential of the lefty out of then pen who has the ceiling of middle relief.

 

As far as Kendall, I think he'll have a good chance hit .270/.340 be a good teammate and a potential leader while being a defensive liability.

 

Whether that makes me sound like I'm for it or against it, hell use your judgement. It's a likely minimal trade in the long and short-term both in a positive and negative way, some like to make dramatics part of the discussion rather than facts.

 

You must be confusing me with some other posters. In none of my comments did I say we gave up "nothing". I don't know much about Blevins other then he has some potential like so many other players in the Minors. But I didn't realize he was such a prized youngster.

 

What I did say is: Much ado about nothing.

[CUBZ99]

Why are people still complaining about Blevins being tossed into the deal? Yes, he's having a very good year. But he was a terrible, terrible pitcher the last TWO years. It's not like he's a can't miss prospect or anything. He's a freaking middle reliever that's having a nice year in AA... after having two pathetic years. Big deal!

 

His two pathetic years came from trying to sidearm and losing 10 mph velocity from it. And his secondary pitches have improved since then.

 

Not valuing young arms (especially lefty arms with good stuff) is a fatal error. Again, I know nothing of Blevins, but young arms are invaluable. Bowen for Kendall is a low risk gamble, but one worth taking, in my opinion. I wouldn't have thrown in any pitcher with promise, though.

 

Hmm...was it weird to quote you with that? I was trying to agree, I guess.

 

The same people that are arguing Blevins is invaluable are the same people that moan and complain that Hendry only sells low. If the Cubs had held onto Blevins and he flamed out, people would be complaining that Hendry should have gotten rid of him when he had a 1.02 and some value in the minors. Lets wait to see how things shake out before we proclaim trading Blevins a fatal error.

 

I'm not proclaiming trading Blevins as a fatal error. I'm claiming that dismissing young pitchers is a fatal error. They're valuable, even if all don't pan out.

 

I agree. That is why it is important for an organization to determine which arms are likely not going to make any contribution to the big league club. All I'm saying is, lets wait to see how things shake out before we determine this trade to be a terrible trade. Bruce was on saying that this is a Gary Hughes driven trade and that Gary scouted Kendall heavily. Maybe Gary Hughes is right and there is something in Kendall that will propel the Cubs to be a better team.

We all know that Bowen was nothing special.

[cheapseats]

 

Derosa is a vet.

 

And a lifetime backup until this year. If he's so good, why didn't he have a starting job before?

[Schwarber Fan]

Is it possible Kendall is a NL player??

 

Just trying to be optimistic

 

and to get things straight - Marshall was NOT traded??