Kazuo Matsui to the Astros (per ESPN 1000)

[JeffH]

My prediction for the offseason:

 

Hendry signs free agent Kaz Matsui ($14/3) with the intention of helping to lure free agent Kosuke Fukudome.

 

Kosuke decides to remain in Japan, citing loyalty to his nation.

 

Hendry signs free agent Geoff Jenkins ($20/3).

 

Hendry trades Jason Marquis to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Juan Pierre with the intention of subsequently trading Felix Pie to the San Diego Padres in a deal for Khalil Greene.

 

Padres GM Kevin Towers gets cold feet and backs out of the Pie-Greene deal.

 

Your 2008 Chicago Cubs:

 

LF - Soriano

CF - Pierre

RF - Jenkins/Murton

3B - Ramirez

SS - Theriot

2B - Matsui

1B - Lee

C - Soto

[javy knows my name]

The gist of what he said was they are happy with their current SS, though an upgrade might be possible, but that they really need to upgrade RF and they desperately need some LH hitting, particularly a power bat.

 

What is the fetish with LH hitting? The Cubs desperately need players who can get on base. They desperately need a difference maker. It does not particularly matter what side of the plate he hits from.

 

Someone please explain to me the need for a lefthanded power bat. Is it baseball conventional wisdom? Is it a ture need? I'm I going crazy?

Nope. We all feel like we are taking crazy pills.

 

Florida shouldn't necessarily be requiring a CF in a trade for Cabrera. They should be making the deal that nets them the best talent, period.

And should therefore probably steer clear of the Cubs :lol:

[CuseCubFan69]

What about Reggie Abercrombie?

 

I deleted a lengthy post I was going to submit that basically brought him up. Florida isn't in dire straits regarding CF. They could give Cody Ross a longer look and Reggie Abercrombie appeared to turn things around in AAA last year.

 

Florida shouldn't necessarily be requiring a CF in a trade for Cabrera. They should be making the deal that nets them the best talent, period.

 

I agree but who knows what direction they are going to go. They may like Pie and see something that the Cubs don't to help him improve.

[Post Count Padder]

My prediction for the offseason:

 

Hendry signs free agent Kaz Matsui ($14/3) with the intention of helping to lure free agent Kosuke Fukudome.

 

Kosuke decides to remain in Japan, citing loyalty to his nation.

 

Hendry signs free agent Geoff Jenkins ($20/3).

 

Hendry trades Jason Marquis to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Juan Pierre with the intention of subsequently trading Felix Pie to the San Diego Padres in a deal for Khalil Greene.

 

Padres GM Kevin Towers gets cold feet and backs out of the Pie-Greene deal.

 

Your 2008 Chicago Cubs:

 

LF - Soriano

CF - Pierre

RF - Jenkins/Murton

3B - Ramirez

SS - Theriot

2B - Matsui

1B - Lee

C - Soto

I just threw up a little

[javy knows my name]

My prediction for the offseason:

 

Hendry signs free agent Kaz Matsui ($14/3) with the intention of helping to lure free agent Kosuke Fukudome.

 

Kosuke decides to remain in Japan, citing loyalty to his nation.

 

Hendry signs free agent Geoff Jenkins ($20/3).

 

Hendry trades Jason Marquis to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Juan Pierre with the intention of subsequently trading Felix Pie to the San Diego Padres in a deal for Khalil Greene.

 

Padres GM Kevin Towers gets cold feet and backs out of the Pie-Greene deal.

 

Your 2008 Chicago Cubs:

 

LF - Soriano

CF - Pierre

RF - Jenkins/Murton

3B - Ramirez

SS - Theriot

2B - Matsui

1B - Lee

C - Soto

](*,) Why don't they have a crying smiley? #-o

[Post Count Padder]

My prediction for the offseason:

 

Hendry signs free agent Kaz Matsui ($14/3) with the intention of helping to lure free agent Kosuke Fukudome.

 

Kosuke decides to remain in Japan, citing loyalty to his nation.

 

Hendry signs free agent Geoff Jenkins ($20/3).

 

Hendry trades Jason Marquis to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Juan Pierre with the intention of subsequently trading Felix Pie to the San Diego Padres in a deal for Khalil Greene.

 

Padres GM Kevin Towers gets cold feet and backs out of the Pie-Greene deal.

 

Your 2008 Chicago Cubs:

 

LF - Soriano

CF - Pierre

RF - Jenkins/Murton

3B - Ramirez

SS - Theriot

2B - Matsui

1B - Lee

C - Soto

](*,) Why don't they have a crying smiley? #-o

:cry:

[javy knows my name]

Sweet, thanks

[SouthSideRyan]

My prediction for the offseason:

 

Hendry signs free agent Kaz Matsui ($14/3) with the intention of helping to lure free agent Kosuke Fukudome.

 

Kosuke decides to remain in Japan, citing loyalty to his nation.

 

Hendry signs free agent Geoff Jenkins ($20/3).

 

Hendry trades Jason Marquis to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Juan Pierre with the intention of subsequently trading Felix Pie to the San Diego Padres in a deal for Khalil Greene.

 

Padres GM Kevin Towers gets cold feet and backs out of the Pie-Greene deal.

 

Your 2008 Chicago Cubs:

 

LF - Soriano

CF - Pierre

RF - Jenkins/Murton

3B - Ramirez

SS - Theriot

2B - Matsui

1B - Lee

C - Soto

 

Now THAT's pessimism. I can at least say with good confidence that Pierre won't be a Cub next year. And Jenkins would probably be no more than a 2 year deal. But yeah, we're gonna be fun bad, unless Lou has some great polish for this turd.

[jersey cubs fan]

My prediction for the offseason:

 

Hendry signs free agent Kaz Matsui ($14/3) with the intention of helping to lure free agent Kosuke Fukudome.

 

Kosuke decides to remain in Japan, citing loyalty to his nation.

 

Hendry signs free agent Geoff Jenkins ($20/3).

 

Hendry trades Jason Marquis to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Juan Pierre with the intention of subsequently trading Felix Pie to the San Diego Padres in a deal for Khalil Greene.

 

Padres GM Kevin Towers gets cold feet and backs out of the Pie-Greene deal.

 

Your 2008 Chicago Cubs:

 

LF - Soriano

CF - Pierre

RF - Jenkins/Murton

3B - Ramirez

SS - Theriot

2B - Matsui

1B - Lee

C - Soto

 

How does he lose DeRosa?

[JeffH]

My prediction for the offseason:

 

Hendry signs free agent Kaz Matsui ($14/3) with the intention of helping to lure free agent Kosuke Fukudome.

 

Kosuke decides to remain in Japan, citing loyalty to his nation.

 

Hendry signs free agent Geoff Jenkins ($20/3).

 

Hendry trades Jason Marquis to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Juan Pierre with the intention of subsequently trading Felix Pie to the San Diego Padres in a deal for Khalil Greene.

 

Padres GM Kevin Towers gets cold feet and backs out of the Pie-Greene deal.

 

Your 2008 Chicago Cubs:

 

LF - Soriano

CF - Pierre

RF - Jenkins/Murton

3B - Ramirez

SS - Theriot

2B - Matsui

1B - Lee

C - Soto

 

How does he lose DeRosa?

 

DeRosa is a "super sub", taking valuable plate appearances away from Lee and Ramirez.

[SouthSideRyan]

DeRosa is a "super sub", taking valuable plate appearances away from Lee and Ramirez.

 

Now this is what I actually think is the reasoning behind this. Hendry in his infinite wisdom thinks DeRosa is more valuable as a supersub/bat off the bench than as a starting 2B. Sure the numbers will fall from 2nd base with Matsui out there(or maybe he doesn't even realize that, and in typical Hendry fashion is taking his best numbers, 304 batting average in the playoffs, and assumes that's his full year line), but having DeRosa's ability to play any position is too valuable to waste him playing everyday.

 

And like last year where he was the ironclad backup plan for 3B if Ramirez didn't sign, (cause honestly what's the difference?) DeRosa is also the backup plan if we miss on our RF targets.

 

(I use these things a lot, probably to the point of unreadibility)(sp?)

[Tracer Bullet]

My prediction for the offseason:

 

Hendry signs free agent Kaz Matsui ($14/3) with the intention of helping to lure free agent Kosuke Fukudome.

 

Kosuke decides to remain in Japan, citing loyalty to his nation.

 

Hendry signs free agent Geoff Jenkins ($20/3).

 

Hendry trades Jason Marquis to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Juan Pierre with the intention of subsequently trading Felix Pie to the San Diego Padres in a deal for Khalil Greene.

 

Padres GM Kevin Towers gets cold feet and backs out of the Pie-Greene deal.

 

Your 2008 Chicago Cubs:

 

LF - Soriano

CF - Pierre

RF - Jenkins/Murton

3B - Ramirez

SS - Theriot

2B - Matsui

1B - Lee

C - Soto

 

That's just mean.

[UMFan83]

My prediction for the offseason:

 

Hendry signs free agent Kaz Matsui ($14/3) with the intention of helping to lure free agent Kosuke Fukudome.

 

Kosuke decides to remain in Japan, citing loyalty to his nation.

 

Hendry signs free agent Geoff Jenkins ($20/3).

 

Hendry trades Jason Marquis to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Juan Pierre with the intention of subsequently trading Felix Pie to the San Diego Padres in a deal for Khalil Greene.

 

Padres GM Kevin Towers gets cold feet and backs out of the Pie-Greene deal.

 

Your 2008 Chicago Cubs:

 

LF - Soriano

CF - Pierre

RF - Jenkins/Murton

3B - Ramirez

SS - Theriot

2B - Matsui

1B - Lee

C - Soto

 

Dusty calls Jim Hendry and convinces him that Soto simply isnt ready to be a starting catcher because 'you need veterans to catch dude'. Jimbo resigns Kendall for 3/20 to play catcher 158 games a year.

[BigbadB]

My prediction for the offseason:

 

Hendry signs free agent Kaz Matsui ($14/3) with the intention of helping to lure free agent Kosuke Fukudome.

 

Kosuke decides to remain in Japan, citing loyalty to his nation.

 

Hendry signs free agent Geoff Jenkins ($20/3).

 

Hendry trades Jason Marquis to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Juan Pierre with the intention of subsequently trading Felix Pie to the San Diego Padres in a deal for Khalil Greene.

 

Padres GM Kevin Towers gets cold feet and backs out of the Pie-Greene deal.

 

Your 2008 Chicago Cubs:

 

LF - Soriano

CF - Pierre

RF - Jenkins/Murton

3B - Ramirez

SS - Theriot

2B - Matsui

1B - Lee

C - Soto

 

Dusty calls Jim Hendry and convinces him that Soto simply isnt ready to be a starting catcher because 'you need veterans to catch dude'. Jimbo resigns Kendall for 3/20 to play catcher 158 games a year.

 

I'd be more worried about Paul LoDuca being available right now.

[abuck1220]

 

I'd be more worried about Paul LoDuca being available right now.

 

ouch. good point...i hadn't even considered that possible nightmare. i guarantee you hendry can easily dig up some kind of all-star game or batting average related quote for that guy.

[SCCubbieFAN]

 

DeRosa is also the backup plan if we miss on our RF targets.

 

I have a bad feeling you may be right about that. certainly is one explanation for Infante & the Kaz rumors. :-k

[Guest]

i heard the first part of that interview, but turned it off when i could tell they were about to have a lengthy (and pointless) conversation about instant replay. sounds like hendry voted against it, as he claimed he was more old school (shocking, i know).

 

Yeah, he was one of 5 GMs to vote against it.

[JeffH]

...having DeRosa's ability to play any position is too valuable to waste him playing everyday.

 

Actually, it's probably a good idea that Hendry didn't pursue ARod.

 

I imagine ARod could play any position on the diamond other than in the battery and be pretty good.

 

Cubs sign ARod to 15 year, $500 million contract

 

"Obviously, we were really taken by Alex's versatility," said Cubs GM Jim Hendry. "We feel like he can get 500 at-bats bouncing all over the field - filling in for Theriot, playing some in the outfield, spelling Lee and Ramirez, and, obviously, he'll be a great option at DH for Lou during interleague games in American League parks."

[BigbadB]

i heard the first part of that interview, but turned it off when i could tell they were about to have a lengthy (and pointless) conversation about instant replay. sounds like hendry voted against it, as he claimed he was more old school (shocking, i know).

 

Yeah, he was one of 5 GMs to vote against it.

 

LOL. Probably the same 5 GM's who have yet to embrace OBP, also.

[abuck1220]

and that oppose batting helmets, night games, goatees, and the forward pass.

[CuseCubFan69]

i heard the first part of that interview, but turned it off when i could tell they were about to have a lengthy (and pointless) conversation about instant replay. sounds like hendry voted against it, as he claimed he was more old school (shocking, i know).

 

Yeah, he was one of 5 GMs to vote against it.

 

LOL. Probably the same 5 GM's who have yet to embrace OBP, also.

 

But what if he won over the hearts of the umps by voting no? Lou has to use that to his advantage this year!

[CubColtPacer]

i heard the first part of that interview, but turned it off when i could tell they were about to have a lengthy (and pointless) conversation about instant replay. sounds like hendry voted against it, as he claimed he was more old school (shocking, i know).

 

Yeah, he was one of 5 GMs to vote against it.

 

LOL. Probably the same 5 GM's who have yet to embrace OBP, also.

 

Voted for: Kenny Williams, Brian Cashman, Pat Gillick, Dan O'Dowd , J.P. Riccardi, Josh Byrnes, Jim Bowden, John Mozeliak, Billy Beane

 

Ed Wade is one of the other 4 who didn't vote for it. Doug Melvin also voted against it.

 

I didn't find anyone else who revealed their vote. BTW, on a related off topic note, instant replay is still a long way from coming into the game also. There is no plan, and it has to be approved by several more groups before even formulating a plan. It will be a couple years at least.

 

Edit: Sorry for all the edits. I'll keep editing this as I find more G.M.'s who voted for or against.

Edited November 16, 2007 by CubColtPacer

[hankp101]

If the Matsui rumors are true, at least one one of Cedeno, Infante or Theriot (probably Cedeno) pretty much has to be on the way out, right?

[CUBZ99]

Does Kaplan ever had the inside scoop on anything? He seems to float all of these rumors to get people to listen to the show, and then most of the time they turn out to be nothing.

 

I am real doubtful that Hendry would waste $14MM on the team's 5th or 6th 2B. I would think if the deal were truly close somebody besides Kap would be aware of it.

[YearofDaCubs]

Does Kaplan ever had the inside scoop on anything? He seems to float all of these rumors to get people to listen to the show, and then most of the time they turn out to be nothing.

 

I am real doubtful that Hendry would waste $14MM on the team's 5th or 6th 2B. I would think if the deal were truly close somebody besides Kap would be aware of it.

Are you being serious? You're doubtful that Hendry would make a move like this? On the contrary, this smells exactly like a Hendry move, and of course this is after he traded for Infante.