Cubs Trade Rob Bowen and Jerry Blevins for Jason Kendall

[NCCubFan]

The only thing I see getting in the way of this is Kendall getting injured or Hendry getting fired before he gets the chance to make the move.

Not necessarily. If Kendall struggles the rest of the season and somebody else steps up then Kendall may not be re-signed even with Hendry in charge. Hill has suddenly caught fire since the trade was announced. I don't expect that to continue, but IF it does that may influence the decision.

[jersey cubs fan]

The only thing I see getting in the way of this is Kendall getting injured or Hendry getting fired before he gets the chance to make the move.

Not necessarily. If Kendall struggles the rest of the season and somebody else steps up then Kendall may not be re-signed even with Hendry in charge. Hill has suddenly caught fire since the trade was announced. I don't expect that to continue, but IF it does that may influence the decision.

 

 

He's had a couple good games. That's not likely to last.

 

My point is I don't see anybody in the system who could possibly emerge to change their mind. What more could Soto have done to date to earn a shot?

[Sarcastic]

The only thing I see getting in the way of this is Kendall getting injured or Hendry getting fired before he gets the chance to make the move.

Not necessarily. If Kendall struggles the rest of the season and somebody else steps up then Kendall may not be re-signed even with Hendry in charge. Hill has suddenly caught fire since the trade was announced. I don't expect that to continue, but IF it does that may influence the decision.

 

 

He's had a couple good games. That's not likely to last.

 

My point is I don't see anybody in the system who could possibly emerge to change their mind. What more could Soto have done to date to earn a shot?

 

I doubt they see Kendall as a long term acquisition. Have we seen any actual indications that they plan to re-sign him? I don't know who they want to replace him with, but unless he has a very good second half, I doubt that the new management will want to keep on a declining mid 30s catcher.

[Mizzou]

The only thing I see getting in the way of this is Kendall getting injured or Hendry getting fired before he gets the chance to make the move.

Not necessarily. If Kendall struggles the rest of the season and somebody else steps up then Kendall may not be re-signed even with Hendry in charge. Hill has suddenly caught fire since the trade was announced. I don't expect that to continue, but IF it does that may influence the decision.

 

 

He's had a couple good games. That's not likely to last.

 

My point is I don't see anybody in the system who could possibly emerge to change their mind. What more could Soto have done to date to earn a shot?

So you don't see anyone in the system who could emerge, and you don't want Kendall being resigned. Tell us, what exactly DO you want Hendry to do regarding the catching situation?

[Mephistopheles]

he doesn't need to explain anything. he's right.

[Mizzou]

he doesn't need to explain anything. he's right.

okay

[jersey cubs fan]

Have we seen any actual indications that they plan to re-sign him?

 

Here's my reasoning:

 

1) Hendry has a history of extending older veterans for no good reason.

2) Hendry went out of his way to make this announcement on the television broadcast, similar to how the Yankees announced Clemens resigning, almost as if they think of him as a savior.

3) Hendry has really talked up Kendall both in terms of his real abilities, and leadership/intangible/nonsense.

4) The Cubs have no other real candidates. They've shown very little interest in giving Soto a chance. Blanco is a backup. And Hill is filler. Once Barrett was traded, Bowen was 1st in line for potential 2008 starter. Now that he's gone, there's really nobody else. Do you see them going with Soto/Blanco? Blanco/Hill?

5) Hendry simply does not believe in the concept of peak years occuring between 25-29. As long as Kendall shows the least bit of improvement from his 1st half, and the Cubs stay in the race, this will be seen as a smart move by many, and Hendry won't hesitate to pat his baseball people on the back for a job well done.

 

I don't know who they want to replace him with, but unless he has a very good second half, I doubt that the new management will want to keep on a declining mid 30s catcher.

 

I said that if Hendry is gone before November, then perhaps this won't happen. But I'm basing this on the fact that Hendry is signed through 2008, and it looks like the front office is likely to stay status quo until new ownership is in place. When new ownership is in place is anybody's guess. It's a long process, especially with the approval by MLB being necessary. It's possible they could close by the end of the World Series. Or, it might not happen until January or February. In the meantime, they are likely to stick with business as usual.

 

And as long as Hendry/Hughes are making decisions come November, I'm betting Kendall gets resigned.

[jersey cubs fan]

The only thing I see getting in the way of this is Kendall getting injured or Hendry getting fired before he gets the chance to make the move.

Not necessarily. If Kendall struggles the rest of the season and somebody else steps up then Kendall may not be re-signed even with Hendry in charge. Hill has suddenly caught fire since the trade was announced. I don't expect that to continue, but IF it does that may influence the decision.

 

 

He's had a couple good games. That's not likely to last.

 

My point is I don't see anybody in the system who could possibly emerge to change their mind. What more could Soto have done to date to earn a shot?

So you don't see anyone in the system who could emerge, and you don't want Kendall being resigned. Tell us, what exactly DO you want Hendry to do regarding the catching situation?

 

I see Soto as a guy who has emerged. But he hasn't done enough to earn a chance yet, in their eyes, and I don't see him doing anything more than he already has. After the Barrett trade I'd have been fine living with a Soto/Bowen platoon and putting more money into solving other problems.

[dew1679666265]

The only thing I see getting in the way of this is Kendall getting injured or Hendry getting fired before he gets the chance to make the move.

Not necessarily. If Kendall struggles the rest of the season and somebody else steps up then Kendall may not be re-signed even with Hendry in charge. Hill has suddenly caught fire since the trade was announced. I don't expect that to continue, but IF it does that may influence the decision.

 

 

He's had a couple good games. That's not likely to last.

 

My point is I don't see anybody in the system who could possibly emerge to change their mind. What more could Soto have done to date to earn a shot?

 

One point to consider is, would Lou want Kendall back if he plays terribly? Now, I kind of agree that all bets are off if Kendall returns to last year's form in the second half and puts up a solid to great OBP. But, if he ends the year struggling, will Lou put up with him?

 

Hendry may full well want him back, but Lou will definitely have a say in who Hendry - or whoever the GM is - brings back. If Lou doesn't want somebody, he won't play them and I'd say Hendry won't bring back somebody Lou won't play.

[NCCubFan]

The only thing I see getting in the way of this is Kendall getting injured or Hendry getting fired before he gets the chance to make the move.

Not necessarily. If Kendall struggles the rest of the season and somebody else steps up then Kendall may not be re-signed even with Hendry in charge. Hill has suddenly caught fire since the trade was announced. I don't expect that to continue, but IF it does that may influence the decision.

 

 

He's had a couple good games. That's not likely to last.

Agreed, which I acknowledged in the last sentence of my post.

[jersey cubs fan]

One point to consider is, would Lou want Kendall back if he plays terribly? Now, I kind of agree that all bets are off if Kendall returns to last year's form in the second half and puts up a solid to great OBP. But, if he ends the year struggling, will Lou put up with him?

 

Hendry may full well want him back, but Lou will definitely have a say in who Hendry - or whoever the GM is - brings back. If Lou doesn't want somebody, he won't play them and I'd say Hendry won't bring back somebody Lou won't play.

 

It all depends on what he defines as plays well. I would imagine that as long as the pitchers perform, and the rest of the lineup is good enough to keep them in contention, that it wouldn't take a whole hell of a lot from Kendall to please the powers that be. He could improve enough on his first half numbers (45 OPS+) to make them happy and still royally suck.

[dew1679666265]

One point to consider is, would Lou want Kendall back if he plays terribly? Now, I kind of agree that all bets are off if Kendall returns to last year's form in the second half and puts up a solid to great OBP. But, if he ends the year struggling, will Lou put up with him?

 

Hendry may full well want him back, but Lou will definitely have a say in who Hendry - or whoever the GM is - brings back. If Lou doesn't want somebody, he won't play them and I'd say Hendry won't bring back somebody Lou won't play.

 

It all depends on what he defines as plays well. I would imagine that as long as the pitchers perform, and the rest of the lineup is good enough to keep them in contention, that it wouldn't take a whole hell of a lot from Kendall to please the powers that be. He could improve enough on his first half numbers (45 OPS+) to make them happy and still royally suck.

 

I doubt Lou would be happy if Kendall sucked yet the pitchers were doing well. He was making unhappy comments about the Bowen/Hill platoon over the weekend and the team has been playing well and the pitchers performing (for the most part), yet Bowen and Hill were horrible.

 

I do think Lou is willing to sacrifice some offense at catcher for better defense, but I really doubt Kendall brings enough defense that a horrible second half offensively will endear him to Lou.

 

Also on Soto, do you think Hendry may like him but just not want to throw the pressure on him of a pennant race as he's trying to essentially break in? Granted this is pure speculation, but I wouldn't be terribly surprised if Kendall is horrible that Hendry goes with Soto to start next year - just doesn't want to heap the pressure on him (and perhaps doesn't trust him) in a pennant race.

[Exile on Waveland]

Have we seen any actual indications that they plan to re-sign him?

 

Here's my reasoning:

 

1) Hendry has a history of extending older veterans for no good reason.

2) Hendry went out of his way to make this announcement on the television broadcast, similar to how the Yankees announced Clemens resigning, almost as if they think of him as a savior.

3) Hendry has really talked up Kendall both in terms of his real abilities, and leadership/intangible/nonsense.

4) The Cubs have no other real candidates. They've shown very little interest in giving Soto a chance. Blanco is a backup. And Hill is filler. Once Barrett was traded, Bowen was 1st in line for potential 2008 starter. Now that he's gone, there's really nobody else. Do you see them going with Soto/Blanco? Blanco/Hill?

5) Hendry simply does not believe in the concept of peak years occuring between 25-29. As long as Kendall shows the least bit of improvement from his 1st half, and the Cubs stay in the race, this will be seen as a smart move by many, and Hendry won't hesitate to pat his baseball people on the back for a job well done.

 

1) Agree.

2) Agree, Hendry certainly acted like he thought it was a major acquisition.

3) Agree, though this is to be expected of a player he just traded for.

4) Agree. I don't want Kendall re-signed (though I could tolerate it if he plays well and signs for a cheap, one-year deal -- which isn't likely with Hendry dishing out multi-year deals for aging vets). But there aren't many great options. I'd likely go with Soto/Hill, though Blanco would have to be dealt with. That said, I don't think it's out of the realm of possibilities that Hendry likes Soto, but doesn't want to throw him into a pennant chase. Not that I agree with that logic, but GM's definitely think that way. I also could see Soto involved in a trade at the deadline, if one is made.

5) Agree. This will be painfully obvious the last couple years of the Soriano deal, though hopefully he'll produce enough to that point it'll be easier to accept.

[Derwood]

i really hope hendry makes another trade soon, if only to let this thread die

[soccer10k]

The only issue with Hendry resigning Kendall is from a monetary point of view. The Cubs have a ton of money already tied up in payroll and Kendall is not likely to come cheap due to his reputation (not saying I agree with it but it's true). Hendry is also going to be negotiating a deal with Z at the end of the year which will limit the money even more. And I believe that Hendry realizes that Z is much more important than Kendall is.

 

That's not to say that a Kendall deal at the end of the year won't happen but I don't think it's all that likely.

[davearm]

The only issue with Hendry resigning Kendall is from a monetary point of view. The Cubs have a ton of money already tied up in payroll and Kendall is not likely to come cheap due to his reputation (not saying I agree with it but it's true). Hendry is also going to be negotiating a deal with Z at the end of the year which will limit the money even more. And I believe that Hendry realizes that Z is much more important than Kendall is.

 

That's not to say that a Kendall deal at the end of the year won't happen but I don't think it's all that likely.

I suspect Kendall's next contract will not be very large.

 

For example Mike Piazza signed for 1 year and $2M after underperforming the last few years of his 7/$91M deal.

[Andy]

i really hope hendry makes another trade soon, if only to let this thread die

Aaaand...scene. :)

[cheapseats]

Anyone who thinks Kendall is heating up because he hit a rare homer recently can sit down and swallow Kendall's pathetic .221/.243/.309 line from the last four weeks...he's a menace on offense because he's not simply a weak batter who takes you out of innings, he's a weak batter who takes you out of innings faster than most because of his remarkable ability to generate tappers to the shortstop tailor-made for twin killings...Put him in the eighth slot of the Cubs order--or worse yet, the seventh--and I worry you'll wind up with that many more innings that wind up with the pitcher leading off...anything, even just handing the job to Henry Blanco at the end of the month, would have been better than this.

 

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=6472

 

This article makes me so mad. Has Kahrl actually seen Kendall play? How can she know whether he'll be good or not for the Cubs just by looking at a bunch of numbers? Typical stat monkey article written by someone who still lives in her parent's basement.

[nilodnayr]

Anyone who thinks Kendall is heating up because he hit a rare homer recently can sit down and swallow Kendall's pathetic .221/.243/.309 line from the last four weeks...he's a menace on offense because he's not simply a weak batter who takes you out of innings, he's a weak batter who takes you out of innings faster than most because of his remarkable ability to generate tappers to the shortstop tailor-made for twin killings...Put him in the eighth slot of the Cubs order--or worse yet, the seventh--and I worry you'll wind up with that many more innings that wind up with the pitcher leading off...anything, even just handing the job to Henry Blanco at the end of the month, would have been better than this.

 

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=6472

 

This article makes me so mad. Has Kahrl actually seen Kendall play? How can she know whether he'll be good or not for the Cubs just by looking at a bunch of numbers? Typical stat monkey article written by someone who still lives in her parent's basement.

Nope, evidently cheapseats can't post a non-sarcastic message in this thread :D

[Transmogrified Tiger]

In all seriousness though, Christina Kahrl is awful.

[Bruno7481]

Kahrl I don't think has ever written about a trade, or any transaction for that matter, that she actually liked.

[brinoch]

Kahrl I don't think has ever written about a trade, or any transaction for that matter, that she actually liked.

 

I know. It's actually amazing that all trades seem to be bad for both teams.

[Derwood]

In all seriousness though, Christina Kahrl is awful.

 

liked her better as Chris

[SouthSideRyan]

In all seriousness though, Christina Kahrl is awful.

 

liked her better as Chris

 

I never quite got why she had to start going by Christina. It's not like she was Christopher Kahrl before.

[soccer10k]

The only issue with Hendry resigning Kendall is from a monetary point of view. The Cubs have a ton of money already tied up in payroll and Kendall is not likely to come cheap due to his reputation (not saying I agree with it but it's true). Hendry is also going to be negotiating a deal with Z at the end of the year which will limit the money even more. And I believe that Hendry realizes that Z is much more important than Kendall is.

 

That's not to say that a Kendall deal at the end of the year won't happen but I don't think it's all that likely.

I suspect Kendall's next contract will not be very large.

 

For example Mike Piazza signed for 1 year and $2M after underperforming the last few years of his 7/$91M deal.

 

I don't think it will be very large but he'll get an extra mil or two per year because of his reputation as a good defensive player and a guy who works well with the pitching staff. Not saying its right but I think he will.