Cubs acquire Kevin Gregg for Jose Ceda

[David]

I still don't think Woody is going anywhere, he'll resign with the Cubs at below market value, just to stay in Chicago. Kevin Gregg is going to take over Howry's role as a set up man, nothing more. I've seen Ceda pitch on a few occasions at Spring Training last year, he was nothing special in my opinion, and I think the Cubs felt he was still a couple of years away from contributing, if ever. I'm always willing to get an established veteran over a the "potential" of some kid. Maybe not the best deal for Ceda's potential, but I see what Hendry is thinking.

 

 

Did you miss this story?

 

Pitcher Kerry Wood and the Cubs will part ways after 14 years with the organization, general manager Jim Hendry said today.

Wood, who came up in the Cubs organization as one of the team's most heralded prospects ever, had the longest tenure of any Cubs player on the 2008 roster.

 

Earlier today, the Cubs acquired right-handed reliever Kevin Gregg from Florida on Thursday to plug a hole in the bullpen, sending Double-A prospect Jose Ceda to the Marlins.

Whether Gregg will be a closer, as he was in Florida, or a set-up man depends on if Carlos Marmol is ready to step into a more significant role.

Either way, the Cubs are trying to maintain their options as they head into the free agent season, which officially kicks off on Friday, when teams can makes offers to free agents outside their organization.

 

More on the Gregg deal in Hardball

-- Paul Sullivan, Chicago Breaking News Center

[Guest]

So Michael Barrett = Keving Gregg

 

Todd Walker?

[BigbadB]

So Michael Barrett = Keving Gregg

 

Todd Walker?

 

Michael Barrett= Kyler Burke and Geovany Soto starting everyday (ie: Rob Bowen to Oakland for Jason Kendall).

[mikeyt34]

I still don't think Woody is going anywhere, he'll resign with the Cubs at below market value, just to stay in Chicago. Kevin Gregg is going to take over Howry's role as a set up man, nothing more. I've seen Ceda pitch on a few occasions at Spring Training last year, he was nothing special in my opinion, and I think the Cubs felt he was still a couple of years away from contributing, if ever. I'm always willing to get an established veteran over a the "potential" of some kid. Maybe not the best deal for Ceda's potential, but I see what Hendry is thinking.

 

 

Did you miss this story?

 

Pitcher Kerry Wood and the Cubs will part ways after 14 years with the organization, general manager Jim Hendry said today.

Wood, who came up in the Cubs organization as one of the team's most heralded prospects ever, had the longest tenure of any Cubs player on the 2008 roster.

 

Earlier today, the Cubs acquired right-handed reliever Kevin Gregg from Florida on Thursday to plug a hole in the bullpen, sending Double-A prospect Jose Ceda to the Marlins.

Whether Gregg will be a closer, as he was in Florida, or a set-up man depends on if Carlos Marmol is ready to step into a more significant role.

Either way, the Cubs are trying to maintain their options as they head into the free agent season, which officially kicks off on Friday, when teams can makes offers to free agents outside their organization.

 

More on the Gregg deal in Hardball

-- Paul Sullivan, Chicago Breaking News Center

 

No, I saw it, just in denial I guess.

[Guest]

So Michael Barrett = Keving Gregg

 

Todd Walker?

 

Michael Barrett= Kyler Burke and Geovany Soto starting everyday (ie: Rob Bowen to Oakland for Jason Kendall).

 

MINUS JERRY BLEVINS.

[imb]

this whole deal today was set in motion 15 years ago by the decision not to re-sign andre dawson imo

[cubsfan26]

So Michael Barrett = Keving Gregg

 

Todd Walker?

 

Michael Barrett= Kyler Burke and Geovany Soto starting everyday (ie: Rob Bowen to Oakland for Jason Kendall).

 

MINUS JERRY BLEVINS.

 

 

 

Plus Ryan Flaherty, after getting the draft pick for losing Kendall.

[Guest]

Just so we're clear, the deal really is (from our perspective):

 

Gregg for Ceda and Wood.

 

That's an undeniably, unmistakably, irrefutably, bad thing for the Cubs.

 

Then state it as the deal is:

 

Gregg for Ceda + Wood and a 4 year guaranteed high dollar contract.

How about:

 

1 year of Gregg as closer

four first round draft picks

$35M to spend elsewhere over 4 years

 

vs

 

Ceda + Wood

 

Does that make anyone feel any better?

[inari]

The only thing that makes me feel better is that I have no faith in Kerry's ability to stay healthy for a full season.

[Mephistopheles]

25 million*

 

and countless blown saves.

[nilodnayr]

Just so we're clear, the deal really is (from our perspective):

 

Gregg for Ceda and Wood.

 

That's an undeniably, unmistakably, irrefutably, bad thing for the Cubs.

 

Then state it as the deal is:

 

Gregg for Ceda + Wood and a 4 year guaranteed high dollar contract.

How about:

 

1 year of Gregg as closer

four first round draft picks

$35M to spend elsewhere over 4 years

 

vs

 

Ceda + Wood

 

Does that make anyone feel any better?

 

No.

 

Trading Ceda for Gregg wasn't the only alternative to not signing Wood.

[Mephistopheles]

i dont have a problem trading ceda for gregg, i dont think its the best move jims done, nor do i think its the worst. i do think that there was a way to sign wood in a way that works well for both parties.

[Guest]

Just so we're clear, the deal really is (from our perspective):

 

Gregg for Ceda and Wood.

 

That's an undeniably, unmistakably, irrefutably, bad thing for the Cubs.

 

Then state it as the deal is:

 

Gregg for Ceda + Wood and a 4 year guaranteed high dollar contract.

How about:

 

1 year of Gregg as closer

four first round draft picks

$35M to spend elsewhere over 4 years

 

vs

 

Ceda + Wood

 

Does that make anyone feel any better?

 

Surely they could have gotten more than Ceda, though. There are superior alternatives to replacing Wood's 9th inning and Marmol's 7th/8th innings.

[nilodnayr]

i dont have a problem trading ceda for gregg, i dont think its the best move jims done, nor do i think its the worst. i do think that there was a way to sign wood in a way that works well for both parties.

 

 

Meaning probably more in $ and less in years?

 

Thats kinda the opposite of what the Cubs are doing with all their other players with the blackloaded contracts (because of the impeding sale).

[mul21]

 

No.

 

Trading Ceda for Gregg wasn't the only alternative to not signing Wood.

 

Obviously not, but this may turn out to be a cost effective decision that ends with the Cubs getting 4 extra draft picks and having the ability to sign someone to help at another position. Granted, my whole scenario hinges on Gregg being reasonably effective and not blowing a whole bunch of games and Cubs management making the proper decision by leaving Marmol in the fireman role.

 

Is it ideal? Probably not, but what other closer options are out there that won't cost $10-15M per year or a boatload of prospects?

[TheRaven]

Just so we're clear, the deal really is (from our perspective):

 

Gregg for Ceda and Wood.

 

That's an undeniably, unmistakably, irrefutably, bad thing for the Cubs.

 

Then state it as the deal is:

 

Gregg for Ceda + Wood and a 4 year guaranteed high dollar contract.

How about:

 

1 year of Gregg as closer

four first round draft picks

$35M to spend elsewhere over 4 years

 

vs

 

Ceda + Wood

 

Does that make anyone feel any better?

 

Surely they could have gotten more than Ceda, though. There are superior alternatives to replacing Wood's 9th inning and Marmol's 7th/8th innings.

 

Why do you feel that Ceda could have commanded more?

[17 Seconds]

lawl

[cubsbz]

Any chance of Hendry planning on flipping Gregg to SD in a Peavy deal? They need a closer. Maybe Hendry is saying Wood is gone for some sort of leverage? (I don't know leverage on what, my friend just mentioned the idea)

 

People really need to stop suggesting this as a possiblility. The Padres don't want a 5M mediocrity as their closer.

 

Yeah they do...on Playstation.

Come back :(

[TheRaven]

Just so we're clear, the deal really is (from our perspective):

 

Gregg for Ceda and Wood.

 

That's an undeniably, unmistakably, irrefutably, bad thing for the Cubs.

 

Then state it as the deal is:

 

Gregg for Ceda + Wood and a 4 year guaranteed high dollar contract.

How about:

 

1 year of Gregg as closer

four first round draft picks

$35M to spend elsewhere over 4 years

 

vs

 

Ceda + Wood

 

Does that make anyone feel any better?

 

No.

 

Trading Ceda for Gregg wasn't the only alternative to not signing Wood.

 

What are some realistic alternatives that can be had? Perhaps comparing them will be helpful.

[David]

I really don't think Ceda has/had as much value as some of you guys are trying to suggest.

[Brian]

i just hope he buys some contacts. because he looks like a dbag with the goggles.

[17 Seconds]

Just so we're clear, the deal really is (from our perspective):

 

Gregg for Ceda and Wood.

 

That's an undeniably, unmistakably, irrefutably, bad thing for the Cubs.

 

Then state it as the deal is:

 

Gregg for Ceda + Wood and a 4 year guaranteed high dollar contract.

How about:

 

1 year of Gregg as closer

four first round draft picks

$35M to spend elsewhere over 4 years

 

vs

 

Ceda + Wood

 

Does that make anyone feel any better?

 

No.

 

Trading Ceda for Gregg wasn't the only alternative to not signing Wood.

 

What are some realistic alternatives that can be had? Perhaps comparing them will be helpful.

 

We're not in contact with other GMs so there is no way we could possibly know who is available. That's kind of a silly thing to ask.

[17 Seconds]

I really don't think Ceda has/had as much value as some of you guys are trying to suggest.

 

Do you think he has more value than Gregg?

[TheRaven]

Just so we're clear, the deal really is (from our perspective):

 

Gregg for Ceda and Wood.

 

That's an undeniably, unmistakably, irrefutably, bad thing for the Cubs.

 

Then state it as the deal is:

 

Gregg for Ceda + Wood and a 4 year guaranteed high dollar contract.

How about:

 

1 year of Gregg as closer

four first round draft picks

$35M to spend elsewhere over 4 years

 

vs

 

Ceda + Wood

 

Does that make anyone feel any better?

 

No.

 

Trading Ceda for Gregg wasn't the only alternative to not signing Wood.

 

What are some realistic alternatives that can be had? Perhaps comparing them will be helpful.

 

We're not in contact with other GMs so there is no way we could possibly know who is available. That's kind of a silly thing to ask.

 

Then it is kind of silly to say that there are better alternatives.

[Guest]

Just so we're clear, the deal really is (from our perspective):

 

Gregg for Ceda and Wood.

 

That's an undeniably, unmistakably, irrefutably, bad thing for the Cubs.

 

Then state it as the deal is:

 

Gregg for Ceda + Wood and a 4 year guaranteed high dollar contract.

How about:

 

1 year of Gregg as closer

four first round draft picks

$35M to spend elsewhere over 4 years

 

vs

 

Ceda + Wood

 

Does that make anyone feel any better?

 

Surely they could have gotten more than Ceda, though. There are superior alternatives to replacing Wood's 9th inning and Marmol's 7th/8th innings.

Possibly. I think holding onto Ceda for one more season and let him either establish in the majors or get a full season of relief and ripping up hitters would have allowed the team to get more for him. I think that while having him start helped develop him quite a bit, it depressed his value because of the numbers below what he was capable of doing. Don't get me wrong, having him start was the right thing...it's just that it didn't help his value this offseason.

 

I'm not sure what his real value was in the marketplace. He hasn't really had a chance to establish himself as a lockdown reliever yet, so he couldn't really be priced as such in the market. We know he has that potential, but potential doesn't have the value of demonstrated performance (with that same potential). I wish we could have gotten the deal done with Ascanio or someone else, but I can see this deal working out pretty well in the long run. Things have to break right for it to come out real positively, but I'd wager we come out at least even in the long run.

 

All that said, I would have been much happier if we had added to it and gotten Hermida, as well.