Looking Ahead to July...

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Yeah, yeah...I'm getting antsy.

 

I'm assuming a few things here. First, I'm assuming that the team we have now is pretty much the team we break camp with. Secondly, I'm assuming that the team as constructed will be in contention in July. So, who are some players on teams that may be out of the race that might interest the Cubs in July. These are players who are on one-year deals or have expiring contracts.

 

So, here's a short list.

 

1. David Eckstein. That's right, Mr. Grit himself. The Blue Jays play in the same division as the Yankees and Red Sox. It's not inconceivable that they will be out of the running in July. If so, the Cubs might look to upgrade Theriot by taking on Eckstein.

 

2. Orlando Cabrera. The White Sox will be lucky to win 80 games in the AL Central. If they've fallen fast enough by late July, a trade for Cabrera from the cross-town team might be a nice upgrade.

 

3. Milton Bradley. The Rangers took a one-year flier on Bradley. While he may help them win a few games, the Rangers are still a few years away from being serious contenders. If Pie struggles to take a firm grip on CF, Bradley could be acquired to give the Cubs some stability there down the stretch.

 

4. Ray Durham. Durham is in his last season with the Giants. I don't expect the Giants to be playing very well by the hot days of June, and Durham could find himself on the block. Based on his 2007 numbers, I wouldn't have much interest, but if Durham bounces back to closer to his 2006 numbers, he could be a cheaper to acquire option than the much sought after Brian Roberts.

 

5. Hutson Street. It's a long shot, but Beane loves to get value from closers by preying on teams in need of them. While the Cubs have some excellent candidates for the closer's role with Howry, Wood, and Marmol; if the closer's spot isn't settled in July, Street might be a good move.

 

6. Gary Matthews Jr. Matthews has been edged out of CF one year after signing a lucrative deal. He could be edged out of the starting picture altogether depending on how the Angels distribute playing time. If Pie proves to be a bust, the Cubs might try to upgrade CF by getting Matthews and hopefully some cash from the Halos.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I've been thinking about Street, but my thinking is that if the rapidly liquidating A's were to get rid of him, hed be gone be now.

[Post Count Padder]

Beane likes to trade pitchers at their peak value. If he does this with Street, he's going to demand more than I'd be willing to give up.

 

Bradley and Cabrera may be good options, but I want no part of GMJR or Durham.

[rawaction]

Ray Durham would be interesting. He dropped from a 127 OPS+ to a 65. He had pretty much the same BB rate. He'd been above league average in the previous 10 seasons, so I don't know if he was battling an injury or not. But even at 36, I could see him being able to put up his career line of .277/.351/.436. He won't put up the power numbers of 06 again, but his game hasn't been based on speed for a long time, so it's not like losing a step has hurt him.

[Mizzou]

Junior, Dunn, and Chipper Jones are all FA's after this year, if I recall correctly. If Pie struggles, or one of the corner outfielders goes down with an extended injury, those are all options to seriously consider.

[nilodnayr]

I've been thinking about Street, but my thinking is that if the rapidly liquidating A's were to get rid of him, hed be gone be now.

 

Closers have more trade value midseason than offseason

[RedFlash]

Beane likes to trade pitchers at their peak value. If he does this with Street, he's going to demand more than I'd be willing to give up.

 

Bradley and Cabrera may be good options, but I want no part of GMJR or Durham.

 

Which is why you have to be careful when dealing with Beane. Would I trade Street? Prolly not, simple because Beane would ask for Marmol plus....At this stage, if I wouldn't trade Marmol for a more proven closer in Nathan, I wouldn't for Street.

 

I know some people like having a NAME closer, but I prefer a deep bullpen, with a solid closer (like the Cubs) over a crappy bullpen with a great closer (Yankees).

[17 Seconds]

Please explain to me what Ray Durham has to offer over Derosa.

[frostwyrm]

Blech on Gary Matthews Jr. Looking to 2009 and beyond Matthews can't be projected as anything more than a 4th outfielder for a contender. To make him a logical trade the Angels would have to send enough cash to get his salary down to a bench player's level. I think the Angels are stuck with him. He's their new Darin Erstad.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Please explain to me what Ray Durham has to offer over Derosa.

 

Nothing unless he can prove his 2007 isn't the start of a sharp decline.

 

On the other hand, Mark Derosa had a 102 OPS+ last season and a 108 OPS+ in 2006. Ray Durham had a 127 OPS+ in 2006, 104 in 2005, and 117 in 2004. I'm not ignoring his 65 OPS+ last season, but that is the one season that seems out of whack with his career production. I'm willing to believe it could be part of a decline into sub-league average OPS, but it's possible he could bounce back. If he does, he could be an upgrade over Derosa.

 

He's on the list because I see him as a potential target.

 

I doubt Chipper is traded. He has 10-5 rights and I think he'd want to stay with the Braves. Junior and Dunn could be options, but unless Soriano gets hurt or Fukudome is a bust, I don't see us going that way. To get Dunn, the Cubs would have move Fukudome to CF and Soriano to RF. I just don't see the Cubs considering it, even though I would.

[SweetZombieJesus]

Yeah, yeah...I'm getting antsy.

 

I'm assuming a few things here. First, I'm assuming that the team we have now is pretty much the team we break camp with. Secondly, I'm assuming that the team as constructed will be in contention in July. So, who are some players on teams that may be out of the race that might interest the Cubs in July. These are players who are on one-year deals or have expiring contracts.

 

So, here's a short list.

 

1. David Eckstein. That's right, Mr. Grit himself. The Blue Jays play in the same division as the Yankees and Red Sox. It's not inconceivable that they will be out of the running in July. If so, the Cubs might look to upgrade Theriot by taking on Eckstein.

 

2. Orlando Cabrera. The White Sox will be lucky to win 80 games in the AL Central. If they've fallen fast enough by late July, a trade for Cabrera from the cross-town team might be a nice upgrade.

 

I'd rather get someone like Felipe Lopez over Eckstad