So...if we miss on Fukudome, what about Hideki Matsui?

[wastra]

There are a couple of reports that the Giants are inquiring about him, and that the Yanks may consider moving him for pitching.

 

The way I see it, he's more of a sure bet than Fukudome, but would cost at least Hill and another good pitching prospect (at least). But I think he could handle right, and he does fit Hendry's left-hand fetish.

 

Would the Yanks, if they seriously entertain moving him at all, consider a deal of Hill, maybe Prior (?), and another prospect? (There's also the sticky little issue about his no-trade clause, so I realize this is really speculative on my part). He's under contract for 2 years, and is 32. Would it make sense for the Cubs to at least open some discussions as a plan B before the Fukudome sweepstakes are over?

 

At this point in the offseason, the Yankees view acquiring pitching as their main objective, having made a publicized run at Twins ace Johan Santana only to pull out of discussions during last week's Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tenn.

 

While the Giants have thus far resisted dealing young pitchers Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum, it is believed that dangling Matsui could net New York left-hander Noah Lowry. The 27-year-old Lowry was 14-8 with a 3.92 ERA in 26 starts for the Giants last season, allowing 156 hits while walking 87 and striking out 87 over 156 innings.

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071209&content_id=2321865&vkey=hotstove2007&fext=.jsp

 

And:

 

Hideki Matsui: The Yankees outfielder doesn't want to dwell too much on the hypothetical -- talks with the Giants about a prospective trade are still in the preliminary stage -- but he did indicate to Japanese media that he wouldn't be hard-headed about invoking his no-trade clause.

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071211&content_id=2322817&vkey=hotstove2007&fext=.jsp

[Post Count Padder]

His skills are starting to decline, and I think the Yanks will ask for too much.

[Geech]

I don't think it makes sense to trade Rich Hill for Matsui.

[Derwood]

he's pretty rough as a fielder, no?

 

How about we fill Meph's "japan quota" and get both?

[wrigley23]

he doesn't lead off, steal bases & get on base like a madman...so...no thanks

[wastra]

Are his skills seriously declining, or was it just the knee issue? I know he had it scoped in the offseason and it bothered him most of last year.

 

His .371 career OBP isn't too shabby

Edited December 11, 2007 by wastra

[JeffH]

Would the Yanks, if they seriously entertain moving him at all, consider a deal of Hill, maybe Prior (?), and another prospect?

 

Uh, yeah - I think the Yankees would consider that - for about two seconds before they accepted it.

 

Then, Brian Cashman would, in the words of Jimmy Buffett, "commence to do the bear dance".

[nilodnayr]

he doesn't lead off, steal bases & get on base like a madman...so...no thanks

 

or catch the ball

[RammyFanny]

Getting him would be great.

Getting him for OPR would not.

[abuck1220]

i wouldn't trade hill alone for him, let alone hill +.

[CuseCubFan69]

i wouldn't trade hill alone for him, let alone hill +.

 

 

You wouldn't trade just Hill for Tejada, Bedard and Roberts!

[Abe Frohman]

I think that rightfully, the Cubs wouldn't even consider trading Hill unless it were for a cheaper, better LHSP. Good luck finding that deal.

 

If the Yankees would eat some salary, trade Prior + for Matsui. Sign Fook and put Soriano back at 2B.

 

R 2B Soriano

L RF Fukudome

R 1B Lee

R 3B Ramirez

L LF Matsui

R SS DeRosa

R CA Soto

L CF Pie

 

Play guys out of defensive position and put the defense/offense thing to the test.

[Twiggy]

Keep him far away from Wrigley!

[Post Count Padder]

I think that rightfully, the Cubs wouldn't even consider trading Hill unless it were for a cheaper, better LHSP. Good luck finding that deal.

 

If the Yankees would eat some salary, trade Prior + for Matsui. Sign Fook and put Soriano back at 2B.

 

R 2B Soriano

L RF Fukudome

R 1B Lee

R 3B Ramirez

L LF Matsui

R SS DeRosa

R CA Soto

L CF Pie

 

Play guys out of defensive position and put the defense/offense thing to the test.

That depends on the "+". I doubt they want Prior as the centerpiece of a trade for Matsui, especially with their issues with their own Prior (Pavano).

[wrigley23]

there's only one thing soriano is worst at then leading off & that's playing 2B. Look for him to do neither once the acquisition dust settles.

[minnesotacubsfan]

i wouldn't trade hill alone for him, let alone hill +.

 

 

You wouldn't trade just Hill for Tejada, Bedard and Roberts!

 

I would

[killthegoat06]

I think that rightfully, the Cubs wouldn't even consider trading Hill unless it were for a cheaper, better LHSP. Good luck finding that deal.

 

If the Yankees would eat some salary, trade Prior + for Matsui. Sign Fook and put Soriano back at 2B.

 

R 2B Soriano

L RF Fukudome

R 1B Lee

R 3B Ramirez

L LF Matsui

R SS DeRosa

R CA Soto

L CF Pie

 

Play guys out of defensive position and put the defense/offense thing to the test.

That lineup makes me salivate.

[apete6]

I think that rightfully, the Cubs wouldn't even consider trading Hill unless it were for a cheaper, better LHSP. Good luck finding that deal.

 

If the Yankees would eat some salary, trade Prior + for Matsui. Sign Fook and put Soriano back at 2B.

 

R 2B Soriano

L RF Fukudome

R 1B Lee

R 3B Ramirez

L LF Matsui

R SS DeRosa

R CA Soto

L CF Pie

 

Play guys out of defensive position and put the defense/offense thing to the test.

That lineup makes me salivate.

 

That would be the worst defensive middle infield in history.

[killthegoat06]

I think that rightfully, the Cubs wouldn't even consider trading Hill unless it were for a cheaper, better LHSP. Good luck finding that deal.

 

If the Yankees would eat some salary, trade Prior + for Matsui. Sign Fook and put Soriano back at 2B.

 

R 2B Soriano

L RF Fukudome

R 1B Lee

R 3B Ramirez

L LF Matsui

R SS DeRosa

R CA Soto

L CF Pie

 

Play guys out of defensive position and put the defense/offense thing to the test.

That lineup makes me salivate.

 

That would be the worst defensive middle infield in history.

I know. I was talking purely from the standpoint of offense.

[cbbryan]

The way I see it, he's more of a sure bet than Fukudome, but would cost at least Hill and another good pitching prospect (at least).

 

 

Thanks, but no thanks!

[Outshined_One]

Sanchez and Lowry are a pretty substantial step behind Hill in terms of their potential and production.

 

I think someone more along the lines of Sean Marshall would get the job done.

[killthegoat06]

We got Kosuke!

[BigbadB]

Meh. This thread is officially a waste of bandwidth. Buh bye.

 

Oh, IBL

 

:D