Rosenthal Mentions BRob

[Backtobanks]

Here's a deal that makes sense: Brian Roberts for Rickie Weeks. The Brewers, who recently had two scouts watching the Orioles, are interested in Roberts, but it remains to be seen whether they are ready to give up on Weeks.

 

Roberts, a more accomplished leadoff hitter and better defender than Weeks, is a more natural fit for a contender. The Orioles, meanwhile, could be patient with Weeks defensively, much as the Twins are being patient with the erratic Carlos Gomez. Weeks would be another young, athletic building block to go with Adam Jones and Nick Markakis.

 

A straight-up deal might be out of the question, considering that Roberts is a free agent after next season while Weeks is under club control through 2011. But the Orioles could add a young pitcher or even one of their veteran relievers while perhaps getting another piece back in return.

 

One thing is certain: The Orioles no longer can get the same deal for Roberts that the Cubs offered during the off-season. One reported package included right-hander Sean Gallagher, shortstop Ronny Cedeno, Class AA left-hander Donald Veal and Class A righty Jose Ceda; another proposal substituted outfielder Matt Murton for Veal, according to a source.

 

BRob plus a young pitcher for a career .240 hitter is quite a comedown from the Cubs' offer.

[erik316wttn]

Here's a deal that makes sense: Brian Roberts for Rickie Weeks. The Brewers, who recently had two scouts watching the Orioles, are interested in Roberts, but it remains to be seen whether they are ready to give up on Weeks.

 

Roberts, a more accomplished leadoff hitter and better defender than Weeks, is a more natural fit for a contender. The Orioles, meanwhile, could be patient with Weeks defensively, much as the Twins are being patient with the erratic Carlos Gomez. Weeks would be another young, athletic building block to go with Adam Jones and Nick Markakis.

 

A straight-up deal might be out of the question, considering that Roberts is a free agent after next season while Weeks is under club control through 2011. But the Orioles could add a young pitcher or even one of their veteran relievers while perhaps getting another piece back in return.

 

One thing is certain: The Orioles no longer can get the same deal for Roberts that the Cubs offered during the off-season. One reported package included right-hander Sean Gallagher, shortstop Ronny Cedeno, Class AA left-hander Donald Veal and Class A righty Jose Ceda; another proposal substituted outfielder Matt Murton for Veal, according to a source.

 

BRob plus a young pitcher for a career .240 hitter is quite a comedown from the Cubs' offer.

 

I bet they're wishing they took the Cubs offer.

 

I think we're doing ok without Roberts, personally. I was ticked when it fell through, but DeRo has been doing great thus far. We don't need Roberts nearly as much as we thought we did in the offseason.

[CuseCubFan69]

Thanks for interfering PA!

[Jehrico]

Thanks for interfering PA!

I suddenly like Angelos a little now myself...

[CubbieBum]

No way this trade happens or even gets discussed. The Brewers use a A's type philsophy. They are going to trade a young prospect who they have for a few more years for a guy they get for the remainder of the season and then gets bought a way by a different team. That's the exact opposite philosophy they use. Again any good journalist would sit back and realize this before putting the rumor out there.

[CoolHandLuke]

No way this trade happens or even gets discussed. The Brewers use a A's type philsophy. They are going to trade a young prospect who they have for a few more years for a guy they get for the remainder of the season and then gets bought a way by a different team. That's the exact opposite philosophy they use. Again any good journalist would sit back and realize this before putting the rumor out there.

 

Not necessarily. The Brewers have had a new owner over the past couple years, and since they have had so much young cheap talent, it's hard to get much of a read on what philosophy they have in regards to payroll expenditures. I seem to recall they have been players for some of the bigger free agents over the past couple of years though.

 

Just looked it up, they are 17th in the majors in payroll this year. I don't know whether or not this trade rumor is valid or not, but I suspect that rosenthal has a better idea of what the brewers would do than you do.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

2B offense is not Milwaukee's problem. They need starters.

[CubbieBum]

No way this trade happens or even gets discussed. The Brewers use a A's type philsophy. They are going to trade a young prospect who they have for a few more years for a guy they get for the remainder of the season and then gets bought a way by a different team. That's the exact opposite philosophy they use. Again any good journalist would sit back and realize this before putting the rumor out there.

 

Not necessarily. The Brewers have had a new owner over the past couple years, and since they have had so much young cheap talent, it's hard to get much of a read on what philosophy they have in regards to payroll expenditures. I seem to recall they have been players for some of the bigger free agents over the past couple of years though.

 

Just looked it up, they are 17th in the majors in payroll this year. I don't know whether or not this trade rumor is valid or not, but I suspect that rosenthal has a better idea of what the brewers would do than you do.

 

must not read rosenthal much then ... I can see the Brewers going after a pretty good player and giving up a prospect to get him but not Roberts. Roberts will get a pretty big deal. He's a lead off hitter and one of the top 2b in the league and not old yet. I would be surprised to see him get 5 yr-60 mil deal and the Brewers won't pay Fielder they aren't going to pay Roberts (especially when we would if we have a new owner likely outbid to get him). All rosenthal says is that they sent socuts to Orioles games. Never said he knew what they were sent there for. Scouts and teams tend to not tell reporters that type of info. My guess would be they think the Orioles, or know they are, interested in Hall and they are scouting to see what they would want.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Newsflash--Rickie Weeks just isn't any good. If I'm Baltimore, I demand LaPorta or Gamel to be included.

[Brian]

I've never even heard of this Brian Roberts that you speak of.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I figured if we were going to have another Brian Roberts thread, I might as well post in it.

[javy knows my name]

Newsflash--Rickie Weeks just isn't any good. If I'm Baltimore, I demand LaPorta or Gamel to be included.

LaPorta for Roberts would be catastrophically dumb

[imb]

I would love for the Brewers to get rid of Weeks. One day he's going to start making more contact and then we're all going to be in trouble.

[Vanilla Ice]

this is going 200 minimum

[Jehrico]

I would love for the Brewers to get rid of Weeks. One day he's going to start making more contact and then we're all going to be in trouble.

I think so too. He's going to have a break out season at some point. Hopefully the crew give up on him and ship him out of the division first.

[TruffleShuffle]

weeks' k-rate is already down a little this year. he's still hitting for some power, and his BABIP is woeful, but his LD% is also very poor (12.7%). This really tells the story of what's gone wrong the last year and a half:

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/graphs/1849_2B_season_full_9_20080608.png

 

basically he is hitting too many weak ground balls and isn't hitting the ball hard frequently enough. seeing the problem is easy; fixing it is apparently much more difficult. looking at his plate discipline, the biggest difference i see is that he's putting a higher percentage of outside the strike zone pitches in play, and maybe he's just putting more balls in play that have a poor chance at becoming hits. things are heading the wrong way with him, and the brewers had better hope that he gets it straightened out.

[aerosmith21]

They said on the Brewer board that Melvin denied the rumor that they were looking into trading for BRob

[CyHawk_Cub]

They said on the Brewer board that Melvin denied the rumor that they were looking into trading for BRob

 

Yup...and we all know that rumor denials are definitive...so clearly the Brewers aren't interested...

[Jehrico]

They said on the Brewer board that Melvin denied the rumor that they were looking into trading for BRob

 

Yup...and we all know that rumor denials are definitive...so clearly the Brewers aren't interested...

If we can read it on the internet, it must be true!

[CubbieBum]

They said on the Brewer board that Melvin denied the rumor that they were looking into trading for BRob

 

Yup...and we all know that rumor denials are definitive...so clearly the Brewers aren't interested...

 

and we all know everything a reporter says is true even when he talks of the trade as a hypothetical

[wrigley23]

The O's fans on orioleshangout.com are completely delusional in terms of Roberts' value. Most were/are in favor of keeping him as they think they'll get Teixeira in the offseason & then challenge for the title. They will get nowhere near what the Cubs offered them in the spring. I maintain the Cub needs a leadoff hitter like Roberts, but the far bigger need at this point is a #2 starter, an upgrade to Edmonds' lefthanded bat in center & another bullpen arm in case Marmol's falls off.

[BDWeav71]

I'm personally glad we didn't get him...

 

Derosa at 2B, use those prospects we saved by not trading Roberts to make a run at a #2 starter a month and a half from now. (if not sooner)

[JGalt73]

DeRosa 18.5 VORP in 239 PA

Roberts 19.2 VORP in 270 PA

 

Also...

 

Cedeno 5.3 VORP

Gallagher 5.1 VORP

[badnews]

Rickie Weeks was good last year. He's just erratic.

[CubbieBum]

Rickie Weeks was good last year. He's just erratic.

 

sure if you call batting .230 and getting 36 rbi good