Evaluating the trading chips

[TruffleShuffle]

This isn't a trade suggestion, per se, just my view of the trading pieces that the Cubs have in play, and what I think the Cubs can/should ask for them. I'm not counting players like Jock and Eyre, because I'm viewing this from the perspective of what sellers are looking for - so mostly I'll be looking at the younger players.

 

Players on the 25-man roster

 

Rich Hill, Sean Marshall - Their names have come up, but I really don't think they're tradeable unless you get a solid starter in return. Other teams will certainly be interested, but the Cubs don't have a lot of starting pitching depth beyond the top five. Gallagher looks a little too raw at this point, the other AAA options don't have very good stuff (Mathes, Hart), Veal certainly isn't ready, and I don't think anyone wants to see Wade Miller's corpse out there every five days. So unless the Cubs are going to weaken their team's starting pitching, I don't think they can trade these two.

 

Ryan Theriot, Mike Fontenot - these guys have actually been quite useful in the roles they've played this year. However, they're low-ceiling college products who are pretty much at their ceilings, and I don't see other teams really putting much value in the LSU boys. They're probably worth more to the Cubs right now than they'd be to a team building for the future.

 

Carlos Marmol - probably the guy, outside of Felix Pie, that teams will ask for the most. On the one hand, he's not quite as good as he's pitched the past two months, so his value is probably a little inflated. But the problem is that he's become the best power arm out of the pen, and trading him would weaken what's become a strength on this team. I'd certainly need an impact bat to deal him away.

 

Michael Wuertz, Will Ohman - Wuertz has a little more value, but neither one is going to fetch a big return. I doubt they'll be big parts of any trade discussed by Hendry, unless another reliever (Gagne or something) comes the other way.

 

Billy Petrick - now here's a guy who I could part with. He's had a good year and flashed strong stuff since coming up, but he's not a big part of the bullpen, and won't be for at least this year. I can see teams asking for him, and given his health history, I would be okay with trading him for a solid bat.

[inari]

At this point, I'm too high on Marshall, Hill, and Marmol to really consider trading them. We'd have to be blown away.

[TheDude]

I would be surprised if the Cubs look to deal anyone from the 25-man roster at this point, even the excess salary guys. I think the team is probably satisfied with Jones in CF right now and looking for Eyre to rebound.

 

Not that this is necessarily my wishes, just what I expect. If the Cubs deal, it will be from the farm.

[bannor10]

What is the status on Guzman....? If he were healthly the trading of Hill/Marsh/or Marmol Could be easier.. I have not seen Gooz in the minor league box scores so he still must be hurt...Does anybody have an update on him?

[WrigleyinEngland]

I would absolutely part with Pie, Murton and possibly Gallagher if the player in return helps the cubs this year and at least next. I would want a bonifide impact player who had the potential to turn this team in to a WS contender. In other words i'm looking for at least a #2 SP or a bat such as Texeria. I think we're all guilty of over hyping the cubs system but you definetely undersell the-riot and Fontenot, a team like KC would kill for the production and defence that those guys have provided for us.

[Banedon]

The more we keep winning, and the more I look at this team, the more I think I almost would rather the Cubs stand pat. I think some of the best moves the Cubs could make would be in free agency this coming winter rather than trading value away. The Cubs have some weak areas, but nothing that I would consider a "hole" outside of catcher, and I think the Kendall trade is the only move we're going to see there.

 

The only way I'd make a move is if we could get an impact player for more than just a rental.

[WrigleyinEngland]

We can't stand Pat with Floyd and Ward looking like a couple of glass dolls. Also the chance of Jones going back to 'bad jaque' is quite high. I'm not one for another ridiculous pierre trade but i would like to see us pick up an insurance bat. I'd settle for Lofton,Dye if the price isn't high.

[TruffleShuffle]

Players currently in the minors -

 

Felix Pie - I don't think his struggles with the big club have hurt his trade value. He's raked at Iowa this year, and though it'd help if he improved his plate approach, he's still quite young. That being said, he's the CF of the future, unless you're sold on Colvin - which, if you know me, I'm not. So unless a real impact bat is coming back, something like a Teixeira, then I'm not dealing Felix.

 

Eric Patterson - don't want him traded. He's had a solid but not great year at Iowa, but I do think his plate discipline and coverage would allow him to have an easier transition to the majors than guys like Cedeno or Pie. The Cubs have DeRosa at second for another two years, but I'd prefer that the Cubs install Patterson at 2B next year and use DeRosa as a super sub, a role that he's played to some extent this year. But if I were unbiased, I could probably be persuaded to part with him in a deal.

 

Ronny Cedeno - Not sure how much value you can get for him after his terrible 2006. I'd deal him, but I suspect he might be worth more to the Cubs in the chance that he'd come back from such a crappy year and be a contributor in the future.

 

Sean Gallagher - probably the guy that other teams will be most interested in after Pie. On the one hand, the Cubs have a pretty deep rotation right now, but there's not in a lot in the pipeline behind these guys. I'd trade him, but not for cheap.

 

Rapada, Pignatiello, Kroeger - most likely bit parts in any deal.

 

Geovany Soto - I like him for next year as a possible starter, or at the very least an affordable and fairly productive backup. I'm not sure that teams will be calling for him, but I'd prefer that he stay in this organization.

 

Murton - Now here's the guy I think the Cubs should trade. Well, actually I think they should be playing him almost every day in RF for the big club, but they don't seem to want to do that. So, since he's hitting well for Iowa and has shown the ability to hit big league pitching in the past, I think you can get a decent return for him from a team that is looking for a cheap, and at least moderately-productive, corner outfielder. I'm just hoping the Cubs haven't put his trade value completely in the toilet.

[TruffleShuffle]

Other minor leaguers -

 

Tyler Colvin - I'd definitely trade him. I think he's very overrated, and could be overvalued due to some solid stats at Daytona this year, combined with good tools and having been a first round draft pick. I'm not high on him because of his inability to draw walks.

 

Pawelek, Harvey, Dopirak - in hindsight, trading them about 2 years ago would've been a good idea.

 

Donald Veal - I could trade him too. As a recent Hardball Times (I believe) article discussed, pitchers with control as spotty as Veal are unlikely to become good pitchers in the bigs. Still, he's got a nice arm, and I think teams will be interested. I'm all for trading prospects who I think are overrated, and Veal and Colvin fit that bill.

 

Jake Fox - Forgot about him before, but he's another trade candidate... especially to an American League team who could potentially use him as a DH.

[weis21]

For the most part, agree with everything, especially trading veal if his trade value is pretty high. I would be very surprised if Murton is still with the Cubs on August 1st. I have mixed feelings about trading him, but if it helps this team out considerably, then I'll be fine with it. Since he would be under the cubs control for several more years, I'm hoping that we get a little more than a rental for him.

[NewUserName]

I also think that the Cubs are going to trade Murton. Then struggle to find a RFer for 3 million or less a year that could outproduce Murton for the next couple of years.

[rawaction]

If you look at recent trades, you don't see a lot of big-time young prospects getting traded. Teams seem to be most interested in (or in some case only able to acquire) talent that is close to the majors, but won't really get a shot in the immediate future.

 

Teams will approach the Cubs for most of the AAA team at this point. Pie, Gallagher, Patterson, Petrick, Murton, etc. All of those guys can be put right into a non-contending team's lineup without much of a dropoff.

[davearm]

The Cubbies have a large inventory of nice trade chips, IMO.

 

As rawaction noted, non-contending teams will value guys can be put right into the lineup without much of a dropoff and provide years of cheap production. We've got that in spades.

 

I'd love to play this year and next with an everyday lineup consisting of 4 bonafide veteran stars, plus DeRosa, plus 3-4 league min guys from amongst Cedeno, Pie, Soto, Patterson, Murton, Theriot, Fontenot, Pagan. That'd be a real nice roster.

 

All that's missing from that equation at the moment is that fourth veteran star to put with Lee ARam and Soriano. Griffey and Tex are the two top candidates for the role, IMO.

[rawaction]

The Cubbies have a large inventory of nice trade chips, IMO.

 

As rawaction noted, non-contending teams will value guys can be put right into the lineup without much of a dropoff and provide years of cheap production. We've got that in spades.

 

I'd love to play this year and next with an everyday lineup consisting of 4 bonafide veteran stars, plus DeRosa, plus 3-4 league min guys from amongst Cedeno, Pie, Soto, Patterson, Murton, Theriot, Fontenot, Pagan. That'd be a real nice roster.

 

All that's missing from that equation at the moment is that fourth veteran star to put with Lee ARam and Soriano. Griffey and Tex are the two top candidates for the role, IMO.

 

I doubt Griffey is happening. Tex is definitely not gonna happen. Dunn and Dye are the best hopes right now.

[David]

The Cubbies have a large inventory of nice trade chips, IMO.

 

As rawaction noted, non-contending teams will value guys can be put right into the lineup without much of a dropoff and provide years of cheap production. We've got that in spades.

 

I'd love to play this year and next with an everyday lineup consisting of 4 bonafide veteran stars, plus DeRosa, plus 3-4 league min guys from amongst Cedeno, Pie, Soto, Patterson, Murton, Theriot, Fontenot, Pagan. That'd be a real nice roster.

 

All that's missing from that equation at the moment is that fourth veteran star to put with Lee ARam and Soriano. Griffey and Tex are the two top candidates for the role, IMO.

 

I doubt Griffey is happening. Tex is definitely not gonna happen. Dunn and Dye are the best hopes right now.

 

Personally, I think Griffey is significantly more likely than Dunn. He just seems like he's far more of a Hendry type of acquisition than Dunn is.

 

Not saying I wouldn't prefer Dunn long term, I just don't see Hendry valuing his skills properly.

[jersey cubs fan]

Personally, I think Griffey is significantly more likely than Dunn. He just seems like he's far more of a Hendry type of acquisition than Dunn is.

 

Not saying I wouldn't prefer Dunn long term, I just don't see Hendry valuing his skills properly.

 

True, but I could see Hendry valuing his HR skills possibly more than they are worth. Which may offset his lack of valuing the walks.

[bannor10]

What about Scott Moore...? Jake Fox caliber chip in my opinion.

 

Players currently in the minors -

 

Felix Pie - I don't think his struggles with the big club have hurt his trade value. He's raked at Iowa this year, and though it'd help if he improved his plate approach, he's still quite young. That being said, he's the CF of the future, unless you're sold on Colvin - which, if you know me, I'm not. So unless a real impact bat is coming back, something like a Teixeira, then I'm not dealing Felix.

 

Eric Patterson - don't want him traded. He's had a solid but not great year at Iowa, but I do think his plate discipline and coverage would allow him to have an easier transition to the majors than guys like Cedeno or Pie. The Cubs have DeRosa at second for another two years, but I'd prefer that the Cubs install Patterson at 2B next year and use DeRosa as a super sub, a role that he's played to some extent this year. But if I were unbiased, I could probably be persuaded to part with him in a deal.

 

Ronny Cedeno - Not sure how much value you can get for him after his terrible 2006. I'd deal him, but I suspect he might be worth more to the Cubs in the chance that he'd come back from such a crappy year and be a contributor in the future.

 

Sean Gallagher - probably the guy that other teams will be most interested in after Pie. On the one hand, the Cubs have a pretty deep rotation right now, but there's not in a lot in the pipeline behind these guys. I'd trade him, but not for cheap.

 

Rapada, Pignatiello, Kroeger - most likely bit parts in any deal.

 

Geovany Soto - I like him for next year as a possible starter, or at the very least an affordable and fairly productive backup. I'm not sure that teams will be calling for him, but I'd prefer that he stay in this organization.

 

Murton - Now here's the guy I think the Cubs should trade. Well, actually I think they should be playing him almost every day in RF for the big club, but they don't seem to want to do that. So, since he's hitting well for Iowa and has shown the ability to hit big league pitching in the past, I think you can get a decent return for him from a team that is looking for a cheap, and at least moderately-productive, corner outfielder. I'm just hoping the Cubs haven't put his trade value completely in the toilet.

[TruffleShuffle]

What about Scott Moore...? Jake Fox caliber chip in my opinion.

 

Good point... he's a guy who could be a target for a team needing a third baseman. He's actually a prime trading chip due to ARam's long-term deal.

[jersey cubs fan]

What about Scott Moore...? Jake Fox caliber chip in my opinion.

 

Good point... he's a guy who could be a target for a team needing a third baseman. He's actually a prime trading chip due to ARam's long-term deal.

 

I could see Moore, Scott and Craig being somewhat valuable chips to include, particularly to an AL team that may like to take a flyer on a potential hitter. If you look at some of the guys at the back of some benches, getting a few at bats and doing nothing, any of those guys could provide an improvement for no money over the next 3 years.

[CubFanPhilly]

Rich Hill, Sean Marshall - Their names have come up, but I really don't think they're tradeable unless you get a solid starter in return. Other teams will certainly be interested, but the Cubs don't have a lot of starting pitching depth beyond the top five. Gallagher looks a little too raw at this point, the other AAA options don't have very good stuff (Mathes, Hart), Veal certainly isn't ready, and I don't think anyone wants to see Wade Miller's corpse out there every five days. So unless the Cubs are going to weaken their team's starting pitching, I don't think they can trade these two.

 

I'd have no problem dealing Hill or Marshall if it netted a significant upgrade at C, SS, CF or RF.

 

A 5th starter is only valuable for the balance of the regular season. I agree that Gallagher is a bit raw, but in my opinion the difference between an impact bat vs. one of the holes over the next eight weeks is greater than the difference between Hill/Marshall and Gallagher. A weak 5th starter might tax the pen a bit, but you've got Sept. callups to offset that some.

[TruffleShuffle]

Rich Hill, Sean Marshall - Their names have come up, but I really don't think they're tradeable unless you get a solid starter in return. Other teams will certainly be interested, but the Cubs don't have a lot of starting pitching depth beyond the top five. Gallagher looks a little too raw at this point, the other AAA options don't have very good stuff (Mathes, Hart), Veal certainly isn't ready, and I don't think anyone wants to see Wade Miller's corpse out there every five days. So unless the Cubs are going to weaken their team's starting pitching, I don't think they can trade these two.

 

I'd have no problem dealing Hill or Marshall if it netted a significant upgrade at C, SS, CF or RF.

 

A 5th starter is only valuable for the balance of the regular season. I agree that Gallagher is a bit raw, but in my opinion the difference between an impact bat vs. one of the holes over the next eight weeks is greater than the difference between Hill/Marshall and Gallagher. A weak 5th starter might tax the pen a bit, but you've got Sept. callups to offset that some.

 

yeah but not only are you opening a hole on this year's team, you're also trading away a young, cheap, productive pitcher who has significant value in future years.

[jersey cubs fan]

Rich Hill, Sean Marshall - Their names have come up, but I really don't think they're tradeable unless you get a solid starter in return. Other teams will certainly be interested, but the Cubs don't have a lot of starting pitching depth beyond the top five. Gallagher looks a little too raw at this point, the other AAA options don't have very good stuff (Mathes, Hart), Veal certainly isn't ready, and I don't think anyone wants to see Wade Miller's corpse out there every five days. So unless the Cubs are going to weaken their team's starting pitching, I don't think they can trade these two.

 

I'd have no problem dealing Hill or Marshall if it netted a significant upgrade at C, SS, CF or RF.

 

A 5th starter is only valuable for the balance of the regular season. I agree that Gallagher is a bit raw, but in my opinion the difference between an impact bat vs. one of the holes over the next eight weeks is greater than the difference between Hill/Marshall and Gallagher. A weak 5th starter might tax the pen a bit, but you've got Sept. callups to offset that some.

 

yeah but not only are you opening a hole on this year's team, you're also trading away a young, cheap, productive pitcher who has significant value in future years.

 

Which is why one of those pitchers should and could be the centerpiece of any deal and they should be able to get some significant. If somebody wants them, and more, or if they are only willing to give up a marginal improvement, than no way.

[rawaction]

Rich Hill, Sean Marshall - Their names have come up, but I really don't think they're tradeable unless you get a solid starter in return. Other teams will certainly be interested, but the Cubs don't have a lot of starting pitching depth beyond the top five. Gallagher looks a little too raw at this point, the other AAA options don't have very good stuff (Mathes, Hart), Veal certainly isn't ready, and I don't think anyone wants to see Wade Miller's corpse out there every five days. So unless the Cubs are going to weaken their team's starting pitching, I don't think they can trade these two.

 

I'd have no problem dealing Hill or Marshall if it netted a significant upgrade at C, SS, CF or RF.

 

A 5th starter is only valuable for the balance of the regular season. I agree that Gallagher is a bit raw, but in my opinion the difference between an impact bat vs. one of the holes over the next eight weeks is greater than the difference between Hill/Marshall and Gallagher. A weak 5th starter might tax the pen a bit, but you've got Sept. callups to offset that some.

 

yeah but not only are you opening a hole on this year's team, you're also trading away a young, cheap, productive pitcher who has significant value in future years.

 

Which is why one of those pitchers should and could be the centerpiece of any deal and they should be able to get some significant. If somebody wants them, and more, or if they are only willing to give up a marginal improvement, than no way.

 

Exactly, and if there's one thing the Cubs have shown they can do...it's produce a Marshall type of pitcher. He's not easily replaceable this year, but for the future, it's not issue.

[frostwyrm]

I'm all for dumping Murton. There's no way the Cubs view him as a longterm RF and LF is locked up for the next 8 years. In light of how little faith management has in him he should have been traded in the offseason. Soto should be shopped too since he's doing well in AAA and the Cubs seem determined to start any warm body at C instead of him.

[CoolHandLuke]

I'm all for dumping Murton. There's no way the Cubs view him as a longterm RF and LF is locked up for the next 8 years. In light of how little faith management has in him he should have been traded in the offseason. Soto should be shopped too since he's doing well in AAA and the Cubs seem determined to start any warm body at C instead of him.

 

I'm all for getting value for Murton, but just dumping him for the sake of dumping him?