Cubs Trade Rob Bowen and Jerry Blevins for Jason Kendall

[Derwood]

this deal certainly helps the disturbing lack of ex-Pirates on the club

[Transmogrified Tiger]

We should have given Soto more than 1 week to prove himself at this level. This organization destroys prospects.

 

Soto isn't a real prospect. He's had a hot hand, but it's not like he's been penciled in at C for the big league ever. Needless venom here.

 

No. Soto was always a guy who was slated to be a MLB catcher in some capacity because of his defense and ability to take a walk. Now that he's repeating a level he's more age appropriate and he's raking the ball, meaning he's a possibility to be a future starter.

[E.J.]

Just got home. Heard about this trade while listening to Pat and Ron. Hendry is a total idiot. I don't understand how this man runs a baseball team. Just awful. And to throw in Blevins too? I don't even know what to say. :evil:

[Iceblink]

this deal certainly helps the disturbing lack of ex-Pirates on the club

 

Ward was plenty.

[TheDude]

We should have given Soto more than 1 week to prove himself at this level. This organization destroys prospects.

 

Soto isn't a real prospect :roll: . He's had a hot hand, but it's not like he's been penciled in at C for the big league ever. Needless venom here.

 

hahhahaha...that is funny...give me a break.

 

Way to back-up your claim with logic. Bravo.

[SAMMYWHO]

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.

[Derwood]

this deal certainly helps the disturbing lack of ex-Pirates on the club

 

Ward was plenty.

 

ramirez, ward, kendall....how about we add snell and bay and call it a day?

[Iceblink]

The Cubs.com page already has a "customize a Kendall jersey" link up.

 

I predict the only sales tonight will be to A's fans.

[nilodnayr]

another thing to consider is that this last offseason he was a type a guy. he probably wont this year, but hell certainly be a b.

 

But can you see the Cubs offering Kendal arbitration? He'd surely accept.

 

hopefully someone signs him before. he probably wont be. its just something that could materialize.

 

Nope, only one guy would do that and he already locked up Bengie Molina.

[Iceblink]

this deal certainly helps the disturbing lack of ex-Pirates on the club

 

Ward was plenty.

 

ramirez, ward, kendall....how about we add snell and bay and call it a day?

 

Careful what you wish for. Jack Wilson is available.

[Mizzou]

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

[KingCubsFan]

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

Well, he accumulated those numbers when he was good and on the Pirates

[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.

[weis21]

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!

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Kendall's IsoP hasn't been higher than .071 in 5 years. It's just unacceptable, Jose Macias hit for more extra bases.

[CubRock2]

This isn't a horrible trade. The worst part of it will be the decline at defense behind the plate. At least Hill and Bowen called a solid game and were capable defenders. Espcecially considering the hell that was Barrett. Kendall will help the offense, but hurts the defense.

 

Throw in the money not being too bad (>$4 mil), the little we gave up, and the prospect that we could have a decent #2 or 8 hitter. It's an okay deal, but won't win the division.

[Mizzou]

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

Well, he accumulated those numbers when he was good and on the Pirates

Yeah. But are you really ready to just conclude that he's done based off of one bad year out of twelve? Seriously, Kendall has been a good player for 11 out of 12 years. I'm not going to deny his suckiness this year, but I'm also not going to assume that it will continue (especially when you look at his last month and a half).

[oldcubsfan]

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!

 

I guess you would rather have Bowen, Hill and Soto.

I'll take a major league catcher any day.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I'm praying to the Adam Dunn Shoes that Kendall at least gets his OBP up to career levels for the next three months.

[imb]

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!

 

I'm not saying Kendall won't improve from his barely .500 OPS (it would be hard not to), but think about what years he accumulated those numbers.

 

I'm sure Andre Dawson had some pretty good numbers against NL central teams, too, should we sign him?

Edited July 17, 2007 by Bunts Lick Butts

[weis21]

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

Well, he accumulated those numbers when he was good and on the Pirates

 

The .384 OBP is his career 2nd half. I'll take my chances he can duplicate that this second half over the terrible play from the C spot all year. He's not signed long term and he's not that expensive(at least to the cubs).

[Wilson A2000]

I can't believe that Hendry said that the first catcher who hits a homer stays and the other will be traded

[Transmogrified Tiger]

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

Well, he accumulated those numbers when he was good and on the Pirates

Yeah. But are you really ready to just conclude that he's done based off of one bad year out of twelve? Seriously, Kendall has been a good player for 11 out of 12 years. I'm not going to deny his suckiness this year, but I'm also not going to assume that it will continue (especially when you look at his last month and a half).

 

No, he's been bad for several years. He hasn't had an OPS+ of 100 or better since 2004.

[Guest]

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

Well, he accumulated those numbers when he was good and on the Pirates

Yeah. But are you really ready to just conclude that he's done based off of one bad year out of twelve? Seriously, Kendall has been a good player for 11 out of 12 years. I'm not going to deny his suckiness this year, but I'm also not going to assume that it will continue (especially when you look at his last month and a half).

 

He's an aging catcher, those guys fall off big time. And he's been bad for more than just this season.

[weis21]

this deal certainly helps the disturbing lack of ex-Pirates on the club

 

I know, it sure was disturbing just watching that ex-pirate ramirez double to take the lead.