More Murton to SD whispers

[illiniguy]

One name that I find intriguing is Tim Stauffer. Now, I'll admit that he hasn't done much in recent years. His two starts for the Padres last season were disaterous and his ERA for Portland in the PCL is meh to downright atrocious. I do know that at one time, he was highly regarded.

 

Getting Stauffer would add another arm to our mix. Now I'm sure the case can be made that keeping Murton is more desireable than getting a player like Stauffer. On the other hand, it appears that Murton is going one way or the other, and a player like Stauffer would be better than some of the other roster filler we could end up with.

 

Stauffer's incredibly damaged goods at this point. I don't want any part of him.

 

The two names in their system who seem attainable and are of interest to me are Wade LeBlanc and Will Inman. Both ended their seasons at AA and appear to have decent ceilings as middle of the rotation types down the road. I also really like Matt Antonelli, but his position (2B) and his stats suggest a few problems to me in terms of the Cubs' ability to attain him and where he'd fit in down the road, considering the glut of MIFs on this team.

Antonelli might be there starter this year at 2B. I also think he would be a better player than anyone we have at 2B.

[CubColtPacer]

I'm confused about tampering. Is talking to the Orioles about Roberts tampering? Is speculating about the availability of Bedard tampering? :?

 

Tampering is limited to either 1) talking in public about another teams players, or 2) talking to another teams player directly and possibly promising them something.

 

Hendry can call MacPhail all he wants and discuss any player he wants to. Hendry can even call the press and say that he's interested in such and such a player, if it's off the record. What he cannot do is have it on the record that it came from Hendry. Hendry cannot come out and say that he's interested in trading for Roberts. That's why whenever anybody asks him about Roberts in public situations, Hendry says that he cannot talk about players from other teams.

[CubinNY]

Interesting that the GM is quoted there actually expressing interest in another team's player. That's not too common.

 

I was just about to post this thought. It's tampering. This is now, at least, the second time this offseason that Towers has openly mentioned by name specific players from another team. He's not suppose to do that...

Explain how it is tampering?

 

Here's an old quote from the commissioner. Tampering rules are private, so it's hard to figure out what exactly is over the line.

 

Selig said he doesn't want team officials talking about another team's players, but what Steinbrenner did wasn't considered tampering.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1838447

 

Many people feel that Hank Steinbrenner has been tampering in the Santana trade talks for doing many of the same types of quotes that Towers is doing, and the Twins are not happy about it. Here's a blog from a writer from the Minnesota StarTribune on that:

 

http://nc.startribune.com/blogs/neal/?p=282

There is a world of difference between Hank Steinbrenner's comments and Kevin Tower's comments.

 

If a GM expresses public interest in a player involved in a possible trade how is that tampering.

 

Stienbrenner's comments had to do with a third team (Boston).

[CubinNY]

I'm confused about tampering. Is talking to the Orioles about Roberts tampering? Is speculating about the availability of Bedard tampering? :?

 

Tampering is limited to either 1) talking in public about another teams players, or 2) talking to another teams player directly and possibly promising them something.

 

Hendry can call MacPhail all he wants and discuss any player he wants to. Hendry can even call the press and say that he's interested in such and such a player, if it's off the record. What he cannot do is have it on the record that it came from Hendry. Hendry cannot come out and say that he's interested in trading for Roberts. That's why whenever anybody asks him about Roberts in public situations, Hendry says that he cannot talk about players from other teams.

I don't think so.

 

They (GMs) do it all the time.

[98navigator]

Interesting that the GM is quoted there actually expressing interest in another team's player. That's not too common.

 

I was just about to post this thought. It's tampering. This is now, at least, the second time this offseason that Towers has openly mentioned by name specific players from another team. He's not suppose to do that...

Explain how it is tampering?

 

Here's an old quote from the commissioner. Tampering rules are private, so it's hard to figure out what exactly is over the line.

 

Selig said he doesn't want team officials talking about another team's players, but what Steinbrenner did wasn't considered tampering.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1838447

 

Many people feel that Hank Steinbrenner has been tampering in the Santana trade talks for doing many of the same types of quotes that Towers is doing, and the Twins are not happy about it. Here's a blog from a writer from the Minnesota StarTribune on that:

 

http://nc.startribune.com/blogs/neal/?p=282

 

I don't know what to make of those blog entries but if you read what other GMs and MLB writers say, it seem clear. Also, Selig may not be strong enough of a leader to enforce the rules.

 

Major League baseball has strict tampering rules that prohibit team officials from commenting on any other team's players including potential free agents.

http://www.mlb.com/content/printer_friendly/min/y2007/m10/d01/c2243692.jsp

 

Littlefield won't reveal the free agents he's targeted and cannot discuss possible trades due to tampering rules.

http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061116&content_id=1742052&vkey=news_pit&fext=.jsp&c_id=pit

 

We had a deal that would have yielded us a starting pitcher that would have benefitted the organization, but due to contractual rights, the player we had we were unable to finalize the trade. Due to tampering rules, I'm not at liberty to disclose who that was.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050801&content_id=1153990&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou

 

Because of baseball's tampering rules against openly courting players on other teams, Bavasi won't name Baltimore's Erik Bedard. He doesn't have to.

 

Baseball officials with knowledge of Seattle's winter efforts, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the tampering rules, have been confirming for weeks that the Mariners have been pursuing a deal for the Orioles' left-hander.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=3213383

[98navigator]

I'm confused about tampering. Is talking to the Orioles about Roberts tampering? Is speculating about the availability of Bedard tampering? :?

 

Tampering is limited to either 1) talking in public about another teams players, or 2) talking to another teams player directly and possibly promising them something.

 

Hendry can call MacPhail all he wants and discuss any player he wants to. Hendry can even call the press and say that he's interested in such and such a player, if it's off the record. What he cannot do is have it on the record that it came from Hendry. Hendry cannot come out and say that he's interested in trading for Roberts. That's why whenever anybody asks him about Roberts in public situations, Hendry says that he cannot talk about players from other teams.

I don't think so.

 

They (GMs) do it all the time.

 

No, they don't do it all the time. GMs typically decline comment, when asked about specific players on other teams, citing the tampering rules as a reason.

[Outshined_One]

Antonelli might be there starter this year at 2B. I also think he would be a better player than anyone we have at 2B.

 

He has potential to be a very good 2B down the road. However, considering everyone this team already has who can play 2B, Hendry continuing to chase Brian Roberts, and the fact that Antonelli bats right handed (groan), I don't see Antonelli as a likely target in any trade with the Padres.

[Mephistopheles]

Murton + Anything for Greene.

[Burtonbell]

Murton + Anything for Greene.

 

Anything...?

 

Hendry's Pants?

Free tickets to Chicago's version of Wicked?

Lifetime (free) subscription to Playboy?

Hubcaps to a 1972 Pinto?

 

Where will end man! :P

[JeffH]

Three way? Nady to Cubs, Murton to Padres, prospects to Pirates.

[Mephistopheles]

The hell is the point of replacing one corner outfielder who won't play with another corner outfielder who won't play? Give me a break man.

 

 

Tim Stauffer was a #3 at best when he was drafted. I liken him to a better Kyle McCulloch when he was drafted.

[Post Count Padder]

If we're going for a pitcher, I'd concur on Wade LeBlanc.

[Mephistopheles]

If we're going for a pitcher, I'd concur on Wade LeBlanc.

 

Wade LeBlanc is a lesser version of Sowers.

[JeffH]

The hell is the point of replacing one corner outfielder who won't play with another corner outfielder who won't play? Give me a break man.

 

Nady has 356 career innings in CF. I had hoped you would have known that.

[Mephistopheles]

and more innings at 1B than in CF. Jesus christ.

[BigbadB]

What I'm afraid of is that while we're all hoping for a Murton for Greene package, we'll only end up with Oscar Robles.

 

Be very afraid. Robles is a speedy, lefty hitting 2b.

[Mephistopheles]

I see us ending up with Josh Bard.

[CuseCubFan69]

and more innings at 1B than in CF. Jesus christ.

 

 

I'm sure if you played in sandals they'd move you to first too.

[Outshined_One]

What I'm afraid of is that while we're all hoping for a Murton for Greene package, we'll only end up with Oscar Robles.

 

Be very afraid. Robles is a speedy, lefty hitting 2b.

 

Shut up, shut up, shut up!!!

 

*Plugs ears*

 

I can't hear you!!!!

[CuseCubFan69]

What I'm afraid of is that while we're all hoping for a Murton for Greene package, we'll only end up with Oscar Robles.

 

Be very afraid. Robles is a speedy, lefty hitting 2b.

 

Shut up, shut up, shut up!!!

 

*Plugs ears*

 

I can't hear you!!!!

 

 

You have to hum or sing loudly while plugging your ears to stop this from happening.

[BigbadB]

I see us ending up with Josh Bard.

 

I disagree. The Padres like Bard. I see Barrett being cut by the team the same way Todd Walker was cut the previous year. The Padres gambled that some other team would sign them after they offered arbitration. No team did, and the Padres will likely cut the player rather than cough up way more than they are willing to pay through arbitration.

 

Bold prediction: Barrett will be on someone else's roster on opening day.

[Mephistopheles]

I would jump at the opportunity to bring him back as an insurance policy for if Soto craps out. We don't want Blanco/Hill now do we.

[BigbadB]

What I'm afraid of is that while we're all hoping for a Murton for Greene package, we'll only end up with Oscar Robles.

 

Be very afraid. Robles is a speedy, lefty hitting 2b.

 

Shut up, shut up, shut up!!!

 

*Plugs ears*

 

I can't hear you!!!!

 

Sorry about that. If it makes you feel better, I looked up Robles' stats and it appears he isn't so speedy afterall. Zero stolen bases at the major league level and hasn't stolen a single base in either the majors or minors since 1998.

 

We should be safe.

[BigbadB]

I would jump at the opportunity to bring him back as an insurance policy for if Soto craps out. We don't want Blanco/Hill now do we.

 

I don't know. Blanco/Hill just assures Soto gets more playing time.

 

Let's just help Hendry see that your Greene love is real and it should not and does not have to be a long distance love affair.

 

I'd give up Murton, Marshall, Cedeno and Patterson for Greene in a heartbeat. Peavy, Young, Wolf, Maddux and Marshall (while waiting for Prior to get healthy) gives them a very respectable rotation. Murton gives them someone to battle Hairston and Headley for the LF job and gives them bench depth. Patterson is someone who can play CF when Edmonds gets hurt. Cedeno is cheap and has potential. All of these guys are cheap enough to offset Peavy's monster contract and gets them quality return on a guy they will likely lose in FA sooner rather than later.

[seanimal]

Give us Antonelli and call it a deal.

 

Well, first, I think you mean "Antonetti". Second, he works for the Indians. Third... or maybe first, you're thinking of DePodesta.