Gammons on the Cubs

[Backtobanks]

ESPN's Peter Gammons has a new blog post up.

 

The Indians are "thoroughly scouting" eight teams that may be interested in C.C. Sabathia, including the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, and Dodgers (the Mets may be another). Gammons agrees with Ken Rosenthal that Mark Shapiro may trade Sabathia soon to maximize his value. Gammons does not see the Yanks jumping in with Phil Hughes or a multi-prospect offer, unless Chien-Ming Wang's injury forces their hand. He does not think the Cubs or Phillies have the goods, but suggests the Rangers as a dark horse.

If the Cubs don't have enough for Sabathia, Plan B could be Randy Wolf, Greg Maddux, or even Erik Bedard. The Padres and Mariners have been informed of the Cubs' interest.

[YearofDaCubs]

I would be severely disappointed if we trade for Wolf.

[anabiono]

uh, dude, burnett

 

gammons is old and can't find his keys

[daske17]

Maddux The Return: Part II? Oy, I love the guy, but please stay in San Diego.

[CubbieBum]

Maddux wont be comming. He has said he wants to stay in So Cal nad last go round with us he started to get beat up in Wrigley. It's one that the media like to throw in just because it is exciting. Wolf isn't great but he has been dominating the last month or so.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I have no interest in Maddux unless for some strange reason the Cubs move to Petco.

[weis21]

Big NO to Maddux and Wolf. Especially Maddux.

 

I'm not sure about Bedard though. He's a health risk just like Harden and Burnett. But he's been pretty good this year other than two really bad starts against the Yankees and Rangers and his talent is obvious.

 

With the Mariners giving up so much to get him, it's hard to imagine they would sell cheaply. I still think Burnett is the cheapest and best fit for the cubs.

[SouthSideRyan]

The Indians have no reason to trade Sabathia while 5.5 games back with over half the season to go.

[RammyFanny]

If they feel they can get better prospects than what they will be getting as his draft picks, then yes, they do.

[sporrer17]

Sabathia or Burnett would be the best, but Wolf would be a decent option if he's back to his '01-'03 form. Since then, he's been a Jason Marquis type.

 

With an almost 3-1 K/BB ratio, Wolf has done well this year, he'd be worth taking a gamble on if we can't land either Burnett (my #1 choice) or Sabathia (would be #1, but he'll cost a lot).

[SouthSideRyan]

If they feel they can get better prospects than what they will be getting as his draft picks, then yes, they do.

 

All while giving up on a division that is very winnable.

[C.C.]

The Indians have no reason to trade Sabathia while 5.5 games back with over half the season to go.

 

Agreed. Sox came back down to earth a bit, no reason why Indians can't catch fire and make a run at it.

[RammyFanny]

All while giving up on a division that is very winnable.

They wouldn't be giving up, and it'd be stupid of them if they pass on prospects who they feel can help them for the next 10 years for a half season push just to make the postseason, let alone get anywhere in it.

 

And even though Lee has come back down to earth a little, he's one extra top of the rotation guy who they didn't even know they had coming into the season.

[TheDude]

The Indians have no reason to trade Sabathia while 5.5 games back with over half the season to go.

You're not accounting for the injuries they have. They're missing Carmona and Westbrook from the rotation. They are missing Hafner and Martinez from the lineup. That's the 2 and 3 starters, and the 4 and 5 hitters.

 

Fully healthy, I agree, you don't give up while 5.5 games back. But they are not likely to make up ground while missing that many key guys.

[jersey cubs fan]

The Indians have no reason to trade Sabathia while 5.5 games back with over half the season to go.

You're not accounting for the injuries they have. They're missing Carmona and Westbrook from the rotation. They are missing Hafner and Martinez from the lineup. That's the 2 and 3 starters, and the 4 and 5 hitters.

 

Fully healthy, I agree, you don't give up while 5.5 games back. But they are not likely to make up ground while missing that many key guys.

 

There's also the fact that right now there is over half a season to go, but by the trading deadline there will only be a third.

[davearm2]

All while giving up on a division that is very winnable.

They wouldn't be giving up, and it'd be stupid of them if they pass on prospects who they feel can help them for the next 10 years for a half season push just to make the postseason, let alone get anywhere in it.

 

And even though Lee has come back down to earth a little, he's one extra top of the rotation guy who they didn't even know they had coming into the season.

C'mon now. If they trade Sabathia, then they're giving up. You don't trade your ace unless/until you're packing it in.

 

They're also basically giving up any hope of re-signing him, too.

 

Bottom line is looking at the situation as draft picks vs. guys gotten by trade is oversimplifying, as it ignores several other key elements in the decision.

[davearm2]

FWIW, I saw a suggestion on another board that the Cubs could send Howry back in the deal, so that the Indians can essentially recoup those two comp picks they're giving up.

 

I thought that was an interesting idea.

[CoolHandLuke]

FWIW, I saw a suggestion on another board that the Cubs could send Howry back in the deal, so that the Indians can essentially recoup those two comp picks they're giving up.

 

I thought that was an interesting idea.

 

The only problem with this is that Howry is the kind of meh player that could potentially accept arbitration.

[davearm2]

FWIW, I saw a suggestion on another board that the Cubs could send Howry back in the deal, so that the Indians can essentially recoup those two comp picks they're giving up.

 

I thought that was an interesting idea.

 

The only problem with this is that Howry is the kind of meh player that could potentially accept arbitration.

Good point, especially at his age. Another 3 year deal might not be out there for him this time around.

[RedFlash]

I would be severely disappointed if we trade for Wolf.

 

I would too, considering the Cubs have two lefties at AAA, who would be better. If we are going to trade for a starter, it has to upgrade the rotation, and Wolf does not do that.

[RammyFanny]

C'mon now. If they trade Sabathia, then they're giving up. You don't trade your ace unless/until you're packing it in.

 

They're also basically giving up any hope of re-signing him, too.

 

Bottom line is looking at the situation as draft picks vs. guys gotten by trade is oversimplifying, as it ignores several other key elements in the decision.

Well, it's pretty assumed around the league that they won't resign him. Maybe i'm jumping the gun, but I feel pretty confident in saying they won't agree with anything in the neighborhood of what CC's agent wants.

[NCCubFan]

Maddux The Return: Part II? Oy, I love the guy, but please stay in San Diego.

Agreed. The sequel is rarely as good as the original, and the sequel to the sequel is even worse.

[badnews]

If they feel they can get better prospects than what they will be getting as his draft picks, then yes, they do.

 

And they're getting those guys from us? Huh. That seems dubious to me.

[Brett]

C'mon now. If they trade Sabathia, then they're giving up. You don't trade your ace unless/until you're packing it in.

 

They're also basically giving up any hope of re-signing him, too.

 

Bottom line is looking at the situation as draft picks vs. guys gotten by trade is oversimplifying, as it ignores several other key elements in the decision.

Well, it's pretty assumed around the league that they won't resign him. Maybe i'm jumping the gun, but I feel pretty confident in saying they won't agree with anything in the neighborhood of what CC's agent wants.

 

I think that's a given at this point.

[badnews]

The division is winnable to the Indians though. The Indians won't trade if they can win their division. Keeping Sabathia to try and win a World Series now is more valuable to them than trading for prospects. Especially our crappy prospects.