Calm Before the Storm....

[JC]

I'd love to see Griffey to the Cubs, but someone has to give me a legitimate reason as to why the Reds would trade him. He's about the only reason the Reds draw any fans, they want to see him reach 600 HR.

 

I don't disagree. I suppose the only reason is the ol' heartstring angle. Griffey's trade to Cincy, as we all know, was an accomodation by Seattle. Griffey subsequently agreed with Cincy to a sweetheart deal, with millions deferred.

 

While it may be only my perception, I think Griffey remains baseball royalty. I can't think of another player who forced a trade like he did that was not held in at least a little contempt. Such dissatisfaction never adhered to Griffey despite the trade he orchestrated.

 

There may be a feeling that Griffey deserves his shot. Of course, there is the obvious connection with Lou that makes the Cubs that much more attractive to him.

 

Clearly, it is counterintuitive to believe a baseball team/business would allow sentiment to dictate a move with its most high profile player. At the same time, one cannot dismiss that such sentiment has played a part in Griffey's previous move. Perhaps Griffey is just that special. Perhaps those running a once proud club steeped in tradition will harken back to its glory days and do one last favor for one of its favorite sons, Ken Griffey, Sr. Perhaps, just perhaps, its better for the game of baseball to see an aging hero once known as The Kid play once more in October.

 

Then again, maybe Bud Selig and Barry Bonds will start a dog fighting conglomerate together...

 

Don't forget Greg Maddux. Sure hendry blew that trade, but in his defense, he only made it because of respect for Greg. Maddux, though, certainly wasn't on the cusp of a major milestone . . . that's the part that has me most concerned about the deal.

 

Could Griffey pass through waivers to be dealt after he hits his 600th. Granted, it could take awhile, and the price to acquire him would/should go way down, but is that realistic?

 

I think Hendry made that deal because he coveted Izturis. If he wanted to just get Greg to a contender, he could have taken some crap farmhand and not get saddled with Cesar's ridiculous contract.

 

I doubt Griffey would ever get through waivers.

[Rob]

I think whether Griffey passes through waivers or not probably depends on the rules regarding deferred money. If picking up Griffey off waivers made somebody liable for all that giant sum of deferred cash left on his contract, he'd almost certainly make it through.

 

Edit:

 

Just looked it up. Griffey has 57.5 mil in deferred money on his contract, getting 4% interest, and being paid from 2009 to 2024. I can't find the rule on whether or not a team would be on the hook for that if they made a waiver claim, though.

[davearm]

I think whether Griffey passes through waivers or not probably depends on the rules regarding deferred money. If picking up Griffey off waivers made somebody liable for all that giant sum of deferred cash left on his contract, he'd almost certainly make it through.

 

Edit:

 

Just looked it up. Griffey has 57.5 mil in deferred money on his contract, getting 4% interest, and being paid from 2009 to 2024. I can't find the rule on whether or not a team would be on the hook for that if they made a waiver claim, though.

It seems to me that the treatment of the deferred money would have to be expressly stipulated in the trade.

 

However absent any specific language, my assumption would be that the deferred dollars from before today would be the Reds' responsibility, and the deferred dollars for the rest of '07 and all of '08 would be the Cubs' responsibility. The latter would amount to only a small percentage of the 57.5 total. I seem to recall $6M of the '08 amount is deferred.

 

So absent any other agreement, my take would be that the Cubs would be on the hook for 1/3 of this year's $12.5M ($6.5M/3 deferred and $6M/3 due this year), all of next year's $12.5M (with $6.5M deferred), and either the $4M buyout or $16.5M in 2009.

 

$2M + $6M due this year and next.

$2.17M + $6.5M deferred.

$16.5M or $4M buyout in 2009.

[erik316wttn]

Usually by now names are flying all over the place. This has been one of the most quiet deadline weeks I can remember.

 

I think those who live for the trade deadline like myself will be sorely dissapointed.

[Derwood]

Usually by now names are flying all over the place. This has been one of the most quiet deadline weeks I can remember.

 

I think those who live for the trade deadline like myself will be sorely dissapointed.

 

agreed. Teixeira is the only name really out there right now. Heck, even rotoworld has like two updates in the past 24 hours (that aren't injury related). LAME

[Abe Frohman]

I just don't understand why the Reds would ever trade Ken Griffey Jr. People come to see that guy play. He is a merchandising gold mine. Baseball aside, he is making them money because of his name and what he has done.

 

Why would they ever trade him?

[jersey cubs fan]

I just don't understand why the Reds would ever trade Ken Griffey Jr. People come to see that guy play. He is a merchandising gold mine. Baseball aside, he is making them money because of his name and what he has done.

 

Why would they ever trade him?

 

Because the acquisition has been a baseball disaster. The team is god awful and he's been injured throughout his entire time there. His value is at the highest it has been since he signed the contract, and they have absolutely no chance of ever winning with him on the roster.

 

 

I really don't see how he's a merchandising gold mine either. He's not on the field enough to sell many tickets, and after 8 years of being there I don't see how he could be selling much product. He'd sell much more at whatever contender he ends up on.

[CubFanPhilly]

I just don't understand why the Reds would ever trade Ken Griffey Jr. People come to see that guy play. He is a merchandising gold mine. Baseball aside, he is making them money because of his name and what he has done.

 

Why would they ever trade him?

 

Merchandising revenue is shared among the teams.

 

As far as being a draw, Griffey only nets them two advantages: 1) the difference between ticket sales and tickets already sold (e.g., season ticketholders and advance sales) for the next 10-15 homes games while Griffey chases 600; and 2) the difference between 2008 season ticket sales with vs. without Griffey.

 

The former factor isn't that significant (fewer than 100,000 tickets sold IMO), which is less than the payroll they'd save. The second factor is harder to quantify, but think of the excitement they could generate with a couple of top prospects and $12.5 mil. extra to spend next season. IMO that's virtually a wash.

 

CFP

[E.J.]

They just had Bruce Levine on ESPN 1000. Here's what he said:

 

-Cubs still interested in Ryan Church, but it's a matter of whether Bowden will ever bring down his trade demands. Mentioned Jay Payton, but doesn't sound like the Cubs are that interested anymore in Payton.

 

-Cubs are happy with what they have right now. Doesn't look like they're interested in bringing in anything big like a Dye because it would render Floyd useless.

 

-Organization thinks highly of Murton, but he's not really a Lou Piniella type of player. Doesn't sound like Murt is going to get much playing time.

 

-J. Jones has no market. He's done a decent job the past couple of weeks. Don't look for him to be traded.

 

 

It doesn't sound like the Cubs are going to make any big moves at the trade deadline. :cry:

[inari]

Because it would render Floyd useless? Gah! Floyd's uselessness is what renders him useless.

[Derwood]

They just had Bruce Levine on ESPN 1000. Here's what he said:

 

-Cubs still interested in Ryan Church, but it's a matter of whether Bowden will ever bring down his trade demands. Mentioned Jay Payton, but doesn't sound like the Cubs are that interested anymore in Payton.

 

-Cubs are happy with what they have right now. Doesn't look like they're interested in bringing in anything big like a Dye because it would render Floyd useless.

 

-Organization thinks highly of Murton, but he's not really a Lou Piniella type of player. Doesn't sound like Murt is going to get much playing time.

 

-J. Jones has no market. He's done a decent job the past couple of weeks. Don't look for him to be traded.

 

 

It doesn't sound like the Cubs are going to make any big moves at the trade deadline. :cry:

 

FTH does that mean?

[C.C.]

They just had Bruce Levine on ESPN 1000. Here's what he said:

 

-Cubs still interested in Ryan Church, but it's a matter of whether Bowden will ever bring down his trade demands. Mentioned Jay Payton, but doesn't sound like the Cubs are that interested anymore in Payton.

 

-Cubs are happy with what they have right now. Doesn't look like they're interested in bringing in anything big like a Dye because it would render Floyd useless.

 

-Organization thinks highly of Murton, but he's not really a Lou Piniella type of player. Doesn't sound like Murt is going to get much playing time.

 

-J. Jones has no market. He's done a decent job the past couple of weeks. Don't look for him to be traded.

 

 

It doesn't sound like the Cubs are going to make any big moves at the trade deadline. :cry:

 

FTH does that mean?

 

Means he's not mentally tough. Can't handle the pressure Lou puts on players to perform. I've heard this before from Levine.

[jersey cubs fan]

They just had Bruce Levine on ESPN 1000. Here's what he said:

 

-Cubs still interested in Ryan Church, but it's a matter of whether Bowden will ever bring down his trade demands. Mentioned Jay Payton, but doesn't sound like the Cubs are that interested anymore in Payton.

 

-Cubs are happy with what they have right now. Doesn't look like they're interested in bringing in anything big like a Dye because it would render Floyd useless.

 

-Organization thinks highly of Murton, but he's not really a Lou Piniella type of player. Doesn't sound like Murt is going to get much playing time.

 

-J. Jones has no market. He's done a decent job the past couple of weeks. Don't look for him to be traded.

 

 

It doesn't sound like the Cubs are going to make any big moves at the trade deadline. :cry:

 

FTH does that mean?

 

Means he's not mentally tough. Can't handle the pressure Lou puts on players to perform. I've heard this before from Levine.

 

In other words, let's make up an excuse for not playing the guy.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Church would be a really nice addition.

[RegulusBlue]

They just had Bruce Levine on ESPN 1000. Here's what he said:

 

-Cubs still interested in Ryan Church, but it's a matter of whether Bowden will ever bring down his trade demands. Mentioned Jay Payton, but doesn't sound like the Cubs are that interested anymore in Payton.

 

-Cubs are happy with what they have right now. Doesn't look like they're interested in bringing in anything big like a Dye because it would render Floyd useless.

 

-Organization thinks highly of Murton, but he's not really a Lou Piniella type of player. Doesn't sound like Murt is going to get much playing time.

 

-J. Jones has no market. He's done a decent job the past couple of weeks. Don't look for him to be traded.

 

 

It doesn't sound like the Cubs are going to make any big moves at the trade deadline. :cry:

 

FTH does that mean?

 

Means he's not mentally tough. Can't handle the pressure Lou puts on players to perform. I've heard this before from Levine.

 

In other words, let's make up an excuse for not playing the guy.

 

A really, really bad excuse as well. I dislike Lou very much.

[C.C.]

They just had Bruce Levine on ESPN 1000. Here's what he said:

 

-Cubs still interested in Ryan Church, but it's a matter of whether Bowden will ever bring down his trade demands. Mentioned Jay Payton, but doesn't sound like the Cubs are that interested anymore in Payton.

 

-Cubs are happy with what they have right now. Doesn't look like they're interested in bringing in anything big like a Dye because it would render Floyd useless.

 

-Organization thinks highly of Murton, but he's not really a Lou Piniella type of player. Doesn't sound like Murt is going to get much playing time.

 

-J. Jones has no market. He's done a decent job the past couple of weeks. Don't look for him to be traded.

 

 

It doesn't sound like the Cubs are going to make any big moves at the trade deadline. :cry:

 

FTH does that mean?

 

Means he's not mentally tough. Can't handle the pressure Lou puts on players to perform. I've heard this before from Levine.

 

In other words, let's make up an excuse for not playing the guy.

 

A really, really bad excuse as well. I dislike Lou very much.

 

Yeah, he's terrible. The team has quit on him a long time ago....

[erik316wttn]

Usually by now names are flying all over the place. This has been one of the most quiet deadline weeks I can remember.

 

I think those who live for the trade deadline like myself will be sorely dissapointed.

 

agreed. Teixeira is the only name really out there right now. Heck, even rotoworld has like two updates in the past 24 hours (that aren't injury related). LAME

 

And I hate this stupid 3 pm deadline thing. Make it midnight EST like it always used to be!

[Electron Blue]

Usually by now names are flying all over the place. This has been one of the most quiet deadline weeks I can remember.

 

I think those who live for the trade deadline like myself will be sorely dissapointed.

 

agreed. Teixeira is the only name really out there right now. Heck, even rotoworld has like two updates in the past 24 hours (that aren't injury related). LAME

 

And I hate this stupid 3 pm deadline thing. Make it midnight EST like it always used to be!

 

There are names out there -- just not too serious yet. Griffey, Dunn, Teixeira, Gagne, Lofton, Sosa, Dotel, Santana (prob. a crap rumor), Salty, etc.

 

I think enough minor talk is going on that, by tomorrow, teams may get desparate/ansy, and we may see some more significant moves. Or nothing of any interest may happen. I have no idea ;)

[pitchcs]

Do you think more trades are going to be made today or tomorrow?

[Tracer Bullet]

They just had Bruce Levine on ESPN 1000. Here's what he said:

 

-Cubs still interested in Ryan Church, but it's a matter of whether Bowden will ever bring down his trade demands. Mentioned Jay Payton, but doesn't sound like the Cubs are that interested anymore in Payton.

 

-Cubs are happy with what they have right now. Doesn't look like they're interested in bringing in anything big like a Dye because it would render Floyd useless.

 

-Organization thinks highly of Murton, but he's not really a Lou Piniella type of player. Doesn't sound like Murt is going to get much playing time.

 

-J. Jones has no market. He's done a decent job the past couple of weeks. Don't look for him to be traded.

 

 

It doesn't sound like the Cubs are going to make any big moves at the trade deadline. :cry:

 

FTH does that mean?

 

Means he's not mentally tough. Can't handle the pressure Lou puts on players to perform. I've heard this before from Levine.

 

In other words, let's make up an excuse for not playing the guy.

 

A really, really bad excuse as well. I dislike Lou very much.

 

Yeah, he's terrible. The team has quit on him a long time ago....

 

Grammatical errors aside, I don't think it's totally unreasonable to suggest that Lou isn't always putting the best team on the field. Yes, I'm happy we're a half game out now rather than where we were in April, but that doesn't mean either (a) Lou gets all the credit for the turnaround, or (b) we wouldn't be just as good or better w/o Lou. Maybe both of those things are true, but not necessarily.

[David]

Yeah, he's terrible. The team has quit on him a long time ago....

 

You know, I'm not saying I agree (or disagree) with him about Lou, but I'd venture to say that people were responding the exact same way when people here were complaining about Dusty in 2003 and 2004. Shouldn't we know better by now?

 

Who was right in the long run?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

The Teixeira trade could be the first domino. The biggest bat is off the market. That should help move things along.

 

I'm still not certain that this is going to be a highly active trading period, but I do expect to see Gagne, Dotel, and a few others moved.

[wastra]

I really can't find too much to complain about with Lou.

 

First, there will enver be ANY manager who I agree with every time he makes a decision.

 

But more importantly, his tactical decisions are on a few occassions a little questionable, he's the firey type of guy we need.

 

Changing organizational mindsets is difficult, and I think the laid back "just relax, Dude, and play some ball" approach from Dusty Baker was doomed to failure. to change a whole organization's way of thinking, you have to rock the boat, and actively do it- both with the players and the entire organization from GM on down through minor league marketing folks- in order to turn around any organization of this size overnight.

 

Granted, $300 million doesn't hurt, either, naturally.