According to Star Tribune (old thread update)

[RammyFanny]

BTW, Levine was on and said that it was untrue and that Cubs haven't even talked to th Twins.

 

Here's a couple nice posts at PSD from Twins fns about their 33 year old Nathan:

I'd fo for Hill and Pie but they will probobly counter with Pagan and Marshall. Pie's numbers in the minors are very good and he can go get it. Hill would be a good lefty and has some experience.

I'd do it for Hill and theriot- if we didn't get lowrie from the sox or Marmol and samarzija

Hill and Pie, you are dreaming. Hill or Pie (along with a legit AA prospect) would be far more likely.

 

Words of wisdom:

That is why I think Pie would be a good prospect but that is why Hill would need to come with. Nathan is one of the top closers in the game. Pie is not proven and Hill one good year - don't think that is over the top. Don't start giving your stars for nothing!!

[NCCubFan]

Would Pie for Nathan get it done?

Pass. If Pie is to be traded it MUST be for a player that actually fills a need, which closer isn't.

[Cubsmac]

Update on the Nathan rumors:

 

According to TwinsCities.com, the Twins are looking into trading closer Joe Nathan, who is set to be a free agent next season. This was brought up at the beginning of the off season but nothing has been done about it since the Johan Santana talks started. Nathan, 33, was 4-2 with a 1.88 ERA and 37 SV last season for the Twins. Since 1999, Nathan is 43-18 with a 3.00 ERA and 161 SV in 395 games. One reason they might be wiling to trade him is because they have several young prospects who could take over at closer, one of them is reliever Pat Neshek. I talked to a scout who thinks the Cubs are a good fit for Nathan. The win now mentality and prospects they have make them a possibly choice. Not only that, but he says GM Jim Hendry usually pulls the triggers on trades where there is little damage done to the team. So if he is able to exchange two to three prospects for someone with one year left on his contract, he probably would do it. Any trade involving the Cubs would probably involve pitching prospect Donnie Veal, along with players Kevin Hart, and Josh Donaldson. However, the Twins are known to ask for a lot in trades which might push out most teams. Still, I expect the Orioles, Giants, and maybe Braves to be interested.

[shnsajax]

Update on the Nathan rumors:

 

According to TwinsCities.com, the Twins are looking into trading closer Joe Nathan, who is set to be a free agent next season. This was brought up at the beginning of the off season but nothing has been done about it since the Johan Santana talks started. Nathan, 33, was 4-2 with a 1.88 ERA and 37 SV last season for the Twins. Since 1999, Nathan is 43-18 with a 3.00 ERA and 161 SV in 395 games. One reason they might be wiling to trade him is because they have several young prospects who could take over at closer, one of them is reliever Pat Neshek. I talked to a scout who thinks the Cubs are a good fit for Nathan. The win now mentality and prospects they have make them a possibly choice. Not only that, but he says GM Jim Hendry usually pulls the triggers on trades where there is little damage done to the team. So if he is able to exchange two to three prospects for someone with one year left on his contract, he probably would do it. Any trade involving the Cubs would probably involve pitching prospect Donnie Veal, along with players Kevin Hart, and Josh Donaldson. However, the Twins are known to ask for a lot in trades which might push out most teams. Still, I expect the Orioles, Giants, and maybe Braves to be interested.

 

As long as we are not trading Hill or Marmol for him.

[abuck1220]

eh, i'd probably do veal for nathan. whatever.

[Keener98]

Update on the Nathan rumors:

 

According to TwinsCities.com, the Twins are looking into trading closer Joe Nathan, who is set to be a free agent next season. This was brought up at the beginning of the off season but nothing has been done about it since the Johan Santana talks started. Nathan, 33, was 4-2 with a 1.88 ERA and 37 SV last season for the Twins. Since 1999, Nathan is 43-18 with a 3.00 ERA and 161 SV in 395 games. One reason they might be wiling to trade him is because they have several young prospects who could take over at closer, one of them is reliever Pat Neshek. I talked to a scout who thinks the Cubs are a good fit for Nathan. The win now mentality and prospects they have make them a possibly choice. Not only that, but he says GM Jim Hendry usually pulls the triggers on trades where there is little damage done to the team. So if he is able to exchange two to three prospects for someone with one year left on his contract, he probably would do it. Any trade involving the Cubs would probably involve pitching prospect Donnie Veal, along with players Kevin Hart, and Josh Donaldson. However, the Twins are known to ask for a lot in trades which might push out most teams. Still, I expect the Orioles, Giants, and maybe Braves to be interested.

 

Noway in hell does it make sense to trade Josh Donaldson for Nathan. You can find closers everywhere, but you cant find a kid that put up numbers like Donaldson did in his short stint so far in the Minors.

[JeffH]

You'd have to balance what you gave up against a year of Nathan and two high draft choices.

 

Of course, Hendry wouldn't be smart enough to let Nathan walk. He'd give him some record-breaking extension.

[Outshined_One]

Donaldson can't be traded until the summer.

[Wrigley Rat]

Not sure those players mentioned indicates true names being talked about but...

 

I think the Cubs need a closer bad - Nathan is proven. If he'll sign an extension to stay with us for a few more years I'd be up for trading Veal, Donaldson, and Hart for him. I'm not sure that I'd give up much more, but those three all have question marks in their futures. Veal has bad control (though I still like his upside). Donaldson could stick at catcher, but for his age, he is pretty far away defensively. Hart may have figured it out, but he also might have just had a lucky stretch. He has one plus pitch and a decent fastball. Advance scouts may be able to clue teams in on his repertoire and then he's back to being average again.

[Keener98]

Not sure those players mentioned indicates true names being talked about but...

 

I think the Cubs need a closer bad - Nathan is proven. If he'll sign an extension to stay with us for a few more years I'd be up for trading Veal, Donaldson, and Hart for him. I'm not sure that I'd give up much more, but those three all have question marks in their futures. Veal has bad control (though I still like his upside). Donaldson could stick at catcher, but for his age, he is pretty far away defensively. Hart may have figured it out, but he also might have just had a lucky stretch. He has one plus pitch and a decent fastball. Advance scouts may be able to clue teams in on his repertoire and then he's back to being average again.

 

 

You can find closers everywhere. The Cubs dont need a closer bad, it really isnt even a problem. Between Dempster, Howry, Marmol, and Wood, thats plenty of guys to be the closer. No reason to give up possibly one of the best position prospects in the organization to fill a spot that can be filled internally.

[BigbadB]

I might do a Dempster/Veal type of trade for Nathan considering their taking Dempster would provide salary relief and I might consider adding a low prospect, but I'm sort of in agreement that the Cubs don't "need" a closer. I doubt if the Twins would be all that enamored with that sort of return, but Nathan is a 1 year rental. Let someone else overpay for Nathan.

[Pushfrog98]

Donaldson can't be traded until the summer.

I've always wondered about that... could we offer a PTBNL and then once the recent draftee is eligible for trade, send him along? Is there a loophole there?

[CyHawk_Cub]

I'm sure there are alot of players the Cubs would like to trade for if available..seems like kind of a vague observation/suggestion. It would be alot easier to get Nathan if he was still in San Francisco.

 

I dunno....not sure we have enough 38 year olds to satisfy Sabean...

[abuck1220]

you can find closers anywhere, but that's not the point. you can't find relivers as good as nathan anywhere.

[Post Count Padder]

Nathan's good, but with Wood, Marmol, Howry, and possibly Dempster, I don't see a big need for him.

[nilodnayr]

you can find closers anywhere, but that's not the point. you can't find relivers as good as nathan anywhere.

 

I agree, and if the price is as low as Hart and Veal, sign me up. I'm not enthralled in getting another reliever, but that is a darn good value trade considering the draft picks we'd get for Nathan after he walks.

[nilodnayr]

Donaldson can't be traded until the summer.

I've always wondered about that... could we offer a PTBNL and then once the recent draftee is eligible for trade, send him along? Is there a loophole there?

 

PTBNL would have to be settled before Donaldson would be eligible to be traded.

[badger1679666666]

If we get him and let him walk, he's a type A right? what does that get us in return after next year?

[nilodnayr]

If we get him and let him walk, he's a type A right? what does that get us in return after next year?

 

Assuming we offer him arbi, if the team who signs him is not picking 1-15, then we get their first rounder and a sandwich (unless the team signs a higher Type A, then we get their second rounder, which is highly unlikely since Elias ranked him in the top 20 of all players (FA and non-FA) this offseason). If the team is picking 1-15, then we get their second rounder and a sandwich.

 

I'm pretty sure on that, someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[Proven Veteran]

Mmm, veal sandwiches.

[RammyFanny]

you can find closers anywhere, but that's not the point. you can't find relivers as good as nathan anywhere.

 

I agree, and if the price is as low as Hart and Veal, sign me up. I'm not enthralled in getting another reliever, but that is a darn good value trade considering the draft picks we'd get for Nathan after he walks.

Yes, this.

 

Upgrading the major league team for one year and then upgrading the minor league talent the next (better than Veal and Hart potentially) is the smart move.

[RammyFanny]

If we get him and let him walk, he's a type A right? what does that get us in return after next year?

 

Assuming we offer him arbi, if the team who signs him is not picking 1-15, then we get their first rounder and a sandwich (unless the team signs a higher Type A, then we get their second rounder, which is highly unlikely since Elias ranked him in the top 20 of all players (FA and non-FA) this offseason). If the team is picking 1-15, then we get their second rounder and a sandwich.

 

I'm pretty sure on that, someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Correct.

[HoopsCubs]

Nathan's good, but with Wood, Marmol, Howry, and possibly Dempster, I don't see a big need for him.

 

Unless you could flip him for a SS.

[Backtobanks]

Nathan's good, but with Wood, Marmol, Howry, and possibly Dempster, I don't see a big need for him.

 

Unless you could flip him for a SS.

 

Or use a package of Howry plus ???? (Murton) to get a SS.

[nilodnayr]

Nathan's good, but with Wood, Marmol, Howry, and possibly Dempster, I don't see a big need for him.

 

Unless you could flip him for a SS.

 

Or use a package of Howry plus ???? (Murton) to get a SS.

 

I smell a 3 team trade idea! :lol: