Gammons mentioned Wolf, Burnett, Meche as possible targets

[don_kessinger_was_good]

You can get the Royals to take Marquis off our hands to help out on the Meche contract, and as I've said before: Meche > Marquis.

 

Obviously, I'd really really like to see the Cubs get CC or Harden, but seriously, you know that won't happen.

 

Just hang up the phone if the conversation includes the names Randy and Wolf.

[Little Slide Rooter]

With Bannister and Hoocehever, I wonder if the Royals would consider moving Greinke for the right price.

[TruffleShuffle]

the cubs are good enough to make the playoffs with gallagher and marquis/whoever as the 4th/5th starters. if you're going to trade for another starting pitcher, it should be someone who is good enough to pitch in the playoffs. i don't feel good about randy wolf or gil meche on the mound in the playoffs, so i guess that leaves burnett.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Harden and Sabathia are my preferences. I'm not sure if the A's and Indians will be far enough back in July to make those a possibility.

 

I think Padilla and Millwood are also possible pitchers who could be moved, but I want no part of those.

[weis21]

From ESPN Chat:

 

Jeff Lewisville, Tx: As a cubs fan my fear is the starting rotation. How long until Big Z breaks a hand on one of his fits. Can Dempster keep up this amazing run? Lilly and Marquis are questionable at best. And who is there 5th starter? They are an injury or two away from being the Texas Rangers!!! Tell me there is help on the way in the rotation!!!

 

SportsNation Jerry Crasnick: (1:02 PM ET ) Jeff,

 

I think you're a little too pessimistic there. Zambrano is a legit ace, and Lilly has been much better of late. And while Dempster can make you sweat at times, he's been pretty darned good. That said, I wouldn't be shocked to see the Cubs make a serious run at C.C. Sabathia if and when he goes on the market.

 

Not exactly insider information, but it looks like the buzz with most of these guys is that Hendry will try to get a top tier pitcher by the deadline. And while I have my doubts we have enough to land C.C., the next step down are guys like Harden/Burnett or perhaps Lowe/Bedard who are still legit #2's or somewhat close (injuries aside).

[nolanwood]

If a deal is made, it needs to be for a top tier pitcher - Wolf and Meche aren't the kinda help we need.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

For those interested...

 

Link.

 

Of early note, Crasnick thinks the Cubs will go after C.C.

 

Jeff Lewisville, Tx: As a cubs fan my fear is the starting rotation. How long until Big Z breaks a hand on one of his fits. Can Dempster keep up this amazing run? Lilly and Marquis are questionable at best. And who is there 5th starter? They are an injury or two away from being the Texas Rangers!!! Tell me there is help on the way in the rotation!!!

 

Jerry Crasnick: (1:02 PM ET ) Jeff,

 

I think you're a little too pessimistic there. Zambrano is a legit ace, and Lilly has been much better of late. And while Dempster can make you sweat at times, he's been pretty darned good. That said, I wouldn't be shocked to see the Cubs make a serious run at C.C. Sabathia if and when he goes on the market.

[weis21]

I beat ya by two minutes Vance in the Gammons thread in transactions.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Another tidbit on Hill.

 

Kyle (Chicago): Rich Hill makes me sick when I look at how good his stuff is but yet he isn't able to command it. The Tribune had a short blurb yesterday about how his walks have been just as big a problem since getting sent to AAA Iowa. Can the Cubs pretty much write-off any chances of getting a contribution from him this year?

 

Jerry Crasnick: (1:16 PM ET ) Kyle, I think Lou Piniella has started to question Rich Hill's mental toughness, and that's never a good thing. It's a little early to write off Hill for this season, but he's got some work to do to convince Sweet Lou he can be a factor in a pennant race.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

The bidding for Sabathia will reach astronomical levels.

 

I could see the Brewers, Yankees, Braves, and Phillies joining in on the bidding. I'm concerned that if the Brewers offer a package around Gamel or LaPorta, they would get him.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Another point of interest...

 

Dan (Chicago): My only concern about the Cubs is the bullpen -- Wood, Marmol, Howry and Wuertz have made a ton of appearances already this year. What do you think the likelihood is of a late bullpen swoon?

 

Jerry Crasnick: (1:22 PM ET ) Dan, I checked on the ESPN.com site, and the Cubs bullpen ranks sixth in the majors with 216 innings pitched. The White Sox, conversely, are tight with the Angels for the lightest workload in baseball (at 166 innings). That's definitely worth keeping an eye on, and an incentive for Jim Hendry to add another bullpen arm in July.

[USSoccer]

The bidding for Sabathia will reach astronomical levels.

 

I could see the Brewers, Yankees, Braves, and Phillies joining in on the bidding. I'm concerned that if the Brewers offer a package around Gamel or LaPorta, they would get him.

 

I kind of think the Yankees will be sellers this deadline. I could see them moving Mussina and a few other pieces. Plus, I don't see how they have the chips to deal.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

More on a trade for Sabathia...

 

Chad KCMO: You mentioned a possible deal for C.C....what would be a fair and balanced trade for either team??

 

Jerry Crasnick: (1:33 PM ET ) Chad, It's interesting. If you had suggested Felix Pie and Rich Hill as part of a package for C.C. Sabathia in the offseason, it wouldn't have seemed far off base. Now Pie is hitting .190 for Triple A Iowa and Piniella has soured on Hill. So Jim Hendry might have to get inventive

 

and then...

 

Rob (Iowa): Earlier you mentioned that the cubs might make a run at C.C. Sabathia. Who would they potentially use as trade bait?

 

Jerry Crasnick: (1:38 PM ET ) Rob, If the Cubs make a run at C.C., I can only assume that Mark Shapiro will work from the Baseball America Prospect Handbook and run down the list. That means kids like Josh Vitters, Tyler Colvin, Jose Ceda and Jeff Samardzija. And Hendry will offer him Matt Murton and Ronnie Cedeno. And maybe they can meet in the middle.

[USSoccer]

If Cleveland wants to deal C.C., we can't really match what other teams would be able to offer.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I posted this in an another thread...but here is what Crasnick says about the Cubs and the price for Sabathia.

 

Chad KCMO: You mentioned a possible deal for C.C....what would be a fair and balanced trade for either team??

 

Jerry Crasnick: (1:33 PM ET ) Chad, It's interesting. If you had suggested Felix Pie and Rich Hill as part of a package for C.C. Sabathia in the offseason, it wouldn't have seemed far off base. Now Pie is hitting .190 for Triple A Iowa and Piniella has soured on Hill. So Jim Hendry might have to get inventive.

 

Rob (Iowa): Earlier you mentioned that the cubs might make a run at C.C. Sabathia. Who would they potentially use as trade bait?

 

Jerry Crasnick: (1:38 PM ET ) Rob, If the Cubs make a run at C.C., I can only assume that Mark Shapiro will work from the Baseball America Prospect Handbook and run down the list. That means kids like Josh Vitters, Tyler Colvin, Jose Ceda and Jeff Samardzija. And Hendry will offer him Matt Murton and Ronnie Cedeno. And maybe they can meet in the middle.

 

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If Cleveland wants to deal C.C., we can't really match what other teams would be able to offer.

 

I agree. Our only hope is that other teams bow out due to price or that other teams want to use their chips on other pieces.

[CubinNY]

The bidding for Sabathia will reach astronomical levels.

 

I could see the Brewers, Yankees, Braves, and Phillies joining in on the bidding. I'm concerned that if the Brewers offer a package around Gamel or LaPorta, they would get him.

 

I kind of think the Yankees will be sellers this deadline. I could see them moving Mussina and a few other pieces. Plus, I don't see how they have the chips to deal.

They might be sellers at the deadline, but they are going to have a boatload of money coming off the books at the end of the year.

 

They are going to be buyers in the off-season. If Darvish posts I cannot see any way that the Yankees will be out bid.

[VanceJergins]

The bidding for Sabathia will reach astronomical levels.

 

I could see the Brewers, Yankees, Braves, and Phillies joining in on the bidding. I'm concerned that if the Brewers offer a package around Gamel or LaPorta, they would get him.

 

I don't think LaPorta can be traded until mid August.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Chad KCMO: You mentioned a possible deal for C.C....what would be a fair and balanced trade for either team??

 

Jerry Crasnick: (1:33 PM ET ) Chad, It's interesting. If you had suggested Felix Pie and Rich Hill as part of a package for C.C. Sabathia in the offseason, it wouldn't have seemed far off base. Now Pie is hitting .190 for Triple A Iowa and Piniella has soured on Hill. So Jim Hendry might have to get inventive

 

Look at the other side Jerry. Sabathia's ERA is pushing 5.00 and his WHIP is pushing 1.50.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I posted this in an another thread...but here is what Crasnick says about the Cubs and the price for Sabathia.

 

Chad KCMO: You mentioned a possible deal for C.C....what would be a fair and balanced trade for either team??

 

Jerry Crasnick: (1:33 PM ET ) Chad, It's interesting. If you had suggested Felix Pie and Rich Hill as part of a package for C.C. Sabathia in the offseason, it wouldn't have seemed far off base. Now Pie is hitting .190 for Triple A Iowa and Piniella has soured on Hill. So Jim Hendry might have to get inventive.

 

Rob (Iowa): Earlier you mentioned that the cubs might make a run at C.C. Sabathia. Who would they potentially use as trade bait?

 

Jerry Crasnick: (1:38 PM ET ) Rob, If the Cubs make a run at C.C., I can only assume that Mark Shapiro will work from the Baseball America Prospect Handbook and run down the list. That means kids like Josh Vitters, Tyler Colvin, Jose Ceda and Jeff Samardzija. And Hendry will offer him Matt Murton and Ronnie Cedeno. And maybe they can meet in the middle.

 

I wouldn't be opposed to giving up Vitters, Colvin, Ceda, and Samardzija for Sabathia, but I'd be a lot happier if they could meet in the middle

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Samardzija has that pesky no-trade clause, but I'd love it if he ended up being one of the main pieces in a deal. I'd prefer to hold on to Hill, but I have a sneaky feeling that he'd be part of the deal.

[USSoccer]

If Cleveland wants to deal C.C., we can't really match what other teams would be able to offer.

 

I agree. Our only hope is that other teams bow out due to price or that other teams want to use their chips on other pieces.

 

Or that they don't want to pay for a 3 month rental, yeah.

 

And this all assumes they are far enough out of contention to warrant a deal.

[VanceJergins]

How about Pie, Marshall, Ceda, Cedeno for Sabathia. Then Colvin for Milton Bradley.

 

Zambrano

Sabathia

Dempster

Lilly

Gallagher/Hill

 

Soriano

Theriot

Lee

Ramirez

Fukudome

Soto

Bradley

DeRosa

Edited June 9, 2008 by VanceJergins

[TruffleShuffle]

If Cleveland wants to deal C.C., we can't really match what other teams would be able to offer.

 

this is probably true, but after seeing what the twins got for santana, i wonder if you're really going to have to back the truck up for 2 months of sabathia.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I merged these two since they ended up being on the same topic.