Cubs interested in Fuentes?

[Backtobanks]

From Ken Rosenthal:

 

The Cubs not only will pursue the best available starting pitcher — C.C. Sabathia? — but they also have shown interest in Rockies closer Brian Fuentes, a left-hander who would help reduce the late-inning load on righties Carlos Marmol and Kerry Wood. Fuentes, a free agent at the end of the season, could fill a variety of roles — matchup specialist, setup man, closer — making him appealing to virtually every contender . . .

[CubinNY]

I think The Cubs are going to be linked in one way or another with every available decent player on a losing team.

[Banedon]

I think The Cubs are going to be linked in one way or another with every available decent player on a losing team.

 

Don't ruin this for me. :beee:

[Old Style]

Very intriguing.

[BigbadB]

Wow. Pie must have some incredible trade value to get us a frontline starter and a backnine closer from different teams.

[inari]

Fuentes is the rare reliever that has shown the ability to be consistently good from year to year. I wouldn't have much issue trading for him so long as it didn't cost much.

[mdwilla]

Fuentas would be a huge asset to have at the back end of the pen , wonder if Lou will get his and get a package deal with Spilbourghs included.

[Bruno7481]

During the Yankees/A's game last night the YES network announcers mentioned that Gary Hughes was in attendance.

 

I'm sure he was just making his regular rounds.

[RammyFanny]

Not a neccessity, but he's a damn good player.

[apete6]

Fuentes is the rare reliever that has shown the ability to be consistently good from year to year. I wouldn't have much issue trading for him so long as it didn't cost much.

 

I agree and I'm not sure of his contract situation, but if he is signed beyond this year, it would allow us to let Eyre go and have Fuentes and Cotts be the left handed options out of the pen.

[Post Count Padder]

Fuentes>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Eyre

 

I'm all for it depending on the price tag.

[RammyFanny]

I like the CC mention more than anything. Let's hope that becomes a regular occurence.

[Banedon]

Fuentes>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Eyre

 

I'm all for it depending on the price tag.

 

Eyre's on a really nice roll right now though.

[CubbieBum]

We won't get fuentes and CC unless one team sells for cheap which there are bound to be multiple teams pursuing both players so its not likely. I would say we will get one and then sign a lesser of which ever position we don't get. So if we get CC we go after a RP who is doing well but hasnt had a lot of success before or is struggling but has a history of being very good. If we get Fuentes then we go after Wolf, Meche, Burnett or someone like that.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Fuentes is a good reliever, but I wouldn't give up too much in resources to get him. The odds of one or two guys among Eyre, Howry, Ascanio, Wuertz, and even Wells or Marshall pitching well out of the pen is quite high. It's up to Lou to use them, and understand that you can't have a pen full of completely dominant relievers like Wood and Marmol, so patience is necessary with the other middle relievers.

[SouthSideRyan]

Fuentes>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Eyre

 

I'm all for it depending on the price tag.

 

Scott Eyre hasn't given up a run in 8 years.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

With Fuentes about to be a FA, he may be a little cheaper than expected. I'd be ok with getting him, but I'd be cautious not to overpay.

[YearofDaCubs]

Fuentes would be a really good pick up.

[Jehrico]

With Fuentes about to be a FA, he may be a little cheaper than expected. I'd be ok with getting him, but I'd be cautious not to overpay.

Normally, I don't mind getting rentals because we have an excellent history keeping players that we want to keep. Fuentes wouldn't be a keeper though. He's a closer, someone will pay him to be a closer. With Wood and Marmol, he's not going to do that here so he won't be back next year. Someone will pay more for him based on the belief that they can retain him to close for them next year. We'll have to pay more than we should for a two month rental to get him. For that reason, I don't see this happening.

[shnsajax]

With Fuentes about to be a FA, he may be a little cheaper than expected. I'd be ok with getting him, but I'd be cautious not to overpay.

Normally, I don't mind getting rentals because we have an excellent history keeping players that we want to keep. Fuentes wouldn't be a keeper though. He's a closer, someone will pay him to be a closer. With Wood and Marmol, he's not going to do that here so he won't be back next year. Someone will pay more for him based on the belief that they can retain him to close for them next year. We'll have to pay more than we should for a two month rental to get him. For that reason, I don't see this happening.

 

Offer him arbi and take the draft picks, though I am not sure what his current contract looks like.

[davearm2]

With Fuentes about to be a FA, he may be a little cheaper than expected. I'd be ok with getting him, but I'd be cautious not to overpay.

I'm thinking a good comp here is Linebrink '07.

 

He was the hot BP arm last July, and was dealt for Will Inman and two other minor leaguers.

Jul 25,2007 - Traded by Padres to Brewers for Joe Thatcher, Will Inman and Steve Garrison

The Brewers let him walk and took the picks (#s 35 and 54).

[rawaction]

Fuentes would be a huge asset to the Cubs pen. I'm not sure how much Bob Howry has left in the tank. Lou's trust in him is probably starting to wane. Fuentes would allow Eyre to take the LOOGY role (both are good vs. RHs as well as LHs) and Fuentes would make a great 7th inning guy.

[rawaction]

Aaron Cook along with Fuentes would be sweet.

[mdwilla]

Spilbourgh and Cook would make a nice haul to go along with Fuentes.

[inari]

Aaron Cook along with Fuentes would be sweet.

 

Agreed. Even if Cook doesn't continue his current production, he's always been a very reliable starter even before the humidor era began. In both 2006 and 2007 his ERA+ was 116. Before that, he didn't have any full seasons, and I'm not sure if that's because of injuries or something else. Anyone know his history?

 

His BABIP is .283 too. So it looks like he's not getting abnormally lucky either. I'd love to deal for Fuentes and Cook together. What would it cost? Neither figures to play prominently in the Rockies future, so I can't imagine it would be too much. Jose Ceda and Ronny Cedeno?