MacPhail: Deal is dead (p. 297), stop posting, go outside

[Post Count Padder]

Thanks for the updates Bruce. I guess I'll ask the always gratuitous question these days:

 

What are your odds on the Roberts trade happening before the start of the season from what you've heard? Or are there no recent activities that would indicate a change from what we already know?

[98navigator]

Heard on the radio that DeRo was taken to the hospital by ambulance because of heart palpatations (and because he complained of shortness of breath during 2B drills). Even thoug. Lou was quoted, in the story, stating he did not think it was serious, it might affect the Roberts trade. It was said that DeRosa has experienced this problem before.

Perhaps it's just me but being ushered away in an ambulance seems serious.

[17 Seconds]

Does anybody actually think this team as is can do anything serious in the playoffs? Because I certainly don't. I think this is about an 87 win team and not close to a realistic World Series contender.

 

The playoffs are a crapshoot, for the most part. Having a "leadoff" hitter wont change that. Having another very good SP might, but that's about the only thing. As presently constructed though, the Cubs are a slight favorite to make the playoffs, and then we have about a 12.5% chance once we get in, just like everybody else.

 

I never said anything about getting a leadoff hitter. I wasn't really talking about Roberts, as I don't really want him. I'm talking more about shortstop and the rotation.

 

I agree that the playoffs are a crapshoot, but relying on that when building a team seems like a bad philosophy to me. "Yeha, we definitely have holes, but we aren't worried about them. The playoffs are a crapshoot!" To me it makes sense to do the best you can to buold a team better than the opposition, not rely on luck.

[CubinNY]

Does anybody actually think this team as is can do anything serious in the playoffs? Because I certainly don't. I think this is about an 87 win team and not close to a realistic World Series contender.

 

The playoffs are a crapshoot, for the most part. Having a "leadoff" hitter wont change that. Having another very good SP might, but that's about the only thing. As presently constructed though, the Cubs are a slight favorite to make the playoffs, and then we have about a 12.5% chance once we get in, just like everybody else.

 

I never said anything about getting a leadoff hitter. I wasn't really talking about Roberts, as I don't really want him. I'm talking more about shortstop and the rotation.

 

I agree that the playoffs are a crapshoot, but relying on that when building a team seems like a bad philosophy to me. "Yeha, we definitely have holes, but we aren't worried about them. The playoffs are a crapshoot!" To me it makes sense to do the best you can to buold a team better than the opposition, not rely on luck.

I think that Hendry really does want to get Roberts though. It's like Bruce Miles said, "it takes two". From the sounds of things, when we filter out all the speculation, MacPhail wants more than the Hendry wants to give. From my read, Hendry thinks they are good enough to compete within division so he's not willing to gamble. MacPhail thinks Roberts is worth some top prospects. It doesn't sound like much has changed since this rumor first got legs. We'll see who budges first, if ever.

[17 Seconds]

I think going after Roberts was a waste of time to begin with.

[Grammy]

First I'd like to say that I hope DeRosa gets up and running soon and that his heart no longer gives him any trouble. But with what has happened to him do you think that Hendry might start to cave a little bit in the Roberts talks in order to bring him in?

[Sammy Sofa]

I hear the trade is all but done, but they're holding off anouncing it so as not steal the spotlight from Lee's beard.

[NCCubFan]

Does anybody actually think this team as is can do anything serious in the playoffs? Because I certainly don't. I think this is about an 87 win team and not close to a realistic World Series contender.

 

That's what we have the trade deadline for.

 

I can almost guarantee that if the Cubs make the playoffs, you'll see new faces on the playoff roster.

 

Why is it acceptable to wait until the trade deadline to make improvements that you know are neccessary? So we can pay more?

There are bound to be players not currently available that will become available by the deadline. There are always teams that consider themselves contenders going into the season that realize they aren't as the deadline approaches.

[Andy]

I hear the trade is all but done, but they're holding off anouncing it so as not steal the spotlight from Lee's beard.

My source says they didn't want to distract people from tonight's No. 1 vs No. 2 in college b-ball.

[Sammy Sofa]

Does anybody actually think this team as is can do anything serious in the playoffs? Because I certainly don't. I think this is about an 87 win team and not close to a realistic World Series contender.

 

That's what we have the trade deadline for.

 

I can almost guarantee that if the Cubs make the playoffs, you'll see new faces on the playoff roster.

 

Why is it acceptable to wait until the trade deadline to make improvements that you know are neccessary? So we can pay more?

There are bound to be players not currently available that will become available by the deadline. There are always teams that consider themselves contenders going into the season that realize they aren't as the deadline approaches.

 

Right. Even the crappiest teams tend to be a little delusional going into a new season.

[Bull]

Thanks for the updates Bruce. I guess I'll ask the always gratuitous question these days:

 

What are your odds on the Roberts trade happening before the start of the season from what you've heard? Or are there no recent activities that would indicate a change from what we already know?

 

I think Bruce's silence on this indicates we'll soon hear a BIG announcement.

 

or not :ninja:

 

[waffle]

I am now officially part of the problem:

 

in today's Philly paper there was a blurb in the baseball notes that said "the Roberts deal is done, the Orioles are just deciding what pitchers they want in return"

 

There. I feel ashamed and very very dirty.

[Schwarber Fan]

I am now officially part of the problem:

 

in today's Philly paper there was a blurb in the baseball notes that said "the Roberts deal is done, the Orioles are just deciding what pitchers they want in return"

 

There. I feel ashamed and very very dirty.

 

Seriously, what paper?

[Bruce Miles]

Thanks for the updates Bruce. I guess I'll ask the always gratuitous question these days:

 

What are your odds on the Roberts trade happening before the start of the season from what you've heard? Or are there no recent activities that would indicate a change from what we already know?

 

I think Bruce's silence on this indicates we'll soon hear a BIG announcement.

 

or not :ninja:

 

I think it meant Bruce was at dinner and then didn't turn the computer back on once he got back to the condo. :D

 

Don't know what the odds are; it all depends on what MacPhail wants to do. A trade late in spring training is more likely than one happening now. The Cubs will continue to try.

[Schwarber Fan]

Found that blurb from the Philly Inquirer:

 

Sources say that Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts will be traded to the Cubs as soon as the Orioles decide which pitchers they want in return. . . .

 

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/15917802.html

 

so it doesn't actually say it's done...

[Bull]

I think we need to find this "Sources" guy and take him out.

[Schwarber Fan]

This deal might not be done until the end of this week because the GMs want to give the NHL trade deadline it's spotlight.

[big_shooter17]

This deal might not be done until the end of this week because the GMs want to give the NHL trade deadline it's spotlight.

 

Not that I think that it will happen anytime soon, nor am I sure whether or not that was a sarcastic comment, but at this point in spring training, I doubt that they'd wait to allow another sport to have their spotlight. Both teams would want to get the players involved in the trade into the swing of things with their new clubs sooner rather than later.

[anabiono]

I think we need to find this "Sources" guy and take him out.

 

:old_balloons:

[Andy]

This deal might not be done until the end of this week because the GMs want to give the NHL trade deadline it's spotlight.

 

Not that I think that it will happen anytime soon, nor am I sure whether or not that was a sarcastic comment, but at this point in spring training, I doubt that they'd wait to allow another sport to have their spotlight. Both teams would want to get the players involved in the trade into the swing of things with their new clubs sooner rather than later.

We've been kidding around with 'not taking the spotlight away from' stuff ever since it was actually speculated (I think at OH) that the deal was done but we weren't announcing it to give something its spotlight - may have been the Fukudome signing.

[CubinNY]

This deal might not be done until the end of this week because the GMs want to give the NHL trade deadline it's spotlight.

 

Not that I think that it will happen anytime soon, nor am I sure whether or not that was a sarcastic comment, but at this point in spring training, I doubt that they'd wait to allow another sport to have their spotlight. Both teams would want to get the players involved in the trade into the swing of things with their new clubs sooner rather than later.

We've been kidding around with 'not taking the spotlight away from' stuff ever since it was actually speculated (I think at OH) that the deal was done but we weren't announcing it to give something its spotlight - may have been the Fukudome signing.

It was the hall of fame announcements.

 

I sort of like the idea of getting Roberts. I wish it wasn't at the cost of Sean Gallagher though.

[craig]

Why is it acceptable to wait until the trade deadline to make improvements that you know are neccessary? So we can pay more?

 

I know this is contrary to your premise. But there may be improvements needed in July that you don't know are necessary now. And there may be things we think our problems now that work out OK or even pretty good. We don't need 3B help now, or CF help now. But by July, if Pie and Fuld bust, or if Aram breaks his ankle, we might. And if Cedeno wins SS and is hitting .280 with a .750 OPS, maybe that won't end up being a hole after all, and we'll be glad we didn't sell the farm for somebody who's no better.

 

There are so many questions now, it's hard to know what the needs will be. Will it be mostly 3B? CF? SS? Backup catcher? LH relief? Rotation? I know it's board policy that SS is the beyond-doubt black hole.

 

The other thing that's hard to anticipate now is how trade values might change. If Veal is still a walkaholic wildman with an ERA around 5, and if Gallagher doesn't sustain any increase in velocity and is struggling along with a 4.35 ERA, their value might be considerably lower than today. Or, if Veal is rolling with a 2.65 ERA and 110K/40walks in 95 innings, and Gallagher is consistently working in the 92-96 with a more consistent breaking ball and a 2.15 ERA, their trade value might be through the roof.

[Backtobanks]

This deal might not be done until the end of this week because the GMs want to give the NHL trade deadline it's spotlight.

 

Not that I think that it will happen anytime soon, nor am I sure whether or not that was a sarcastic comment, but at this point in spring training, I doubt that they'd wait to allow another sport to have their spotlight. Both teams would want to get the players involved in the trade into the swing of things with their new clubs sooner rather than later.

We've been kidding around with 'not taking the spotlight away from' stuff ever since it was actually speculated (I think at OH) that the deal was done but we weren't announcing it to give something its spotlight - may have been the Fukudome signing.

 

The rate this trade has been going they might not want to take the spotlight away from the World Series.

[Outshined_One]

The rate this trade has been going they might not want to take the spotlight away from the World Series.

 

I think next year's Super Bowl would be more likely.

[RammyFanny]

Sources say that Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts will be traded to the Cubs as soon as the Orioles decide which pitchers they want in return. . . .

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/15917802.html

 

Orioles President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail said he expects all to be quiet on the Brian Roberts trade front until teams are well into their spring training game schedules. MacPhail has said Roberts has drawn interest from several clubs. Multiple reports have said the Chicago Cubs have shown particular interest.

 

"At this stage, it's the natural inclination of clubs to bear down on the different names and see them in person to see how things may have changed between last year and this spring," MacPhail said. . . .

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/23/AR2008022301822.html