What's Next

[Backtobanks]

Assuming we sign Bradley and Bako and trade Marquis, I think there has to be another deal. I can't see the Cubs giving away Pie for nothing, but he certainly looks like he won't make the roster. In addition to Pie, it looks like there's a lot of excess in the bullpen with Vizcaino, Ascanio, Stevens, Wells, Guzman, Cotts, Marshall, Gaudin, Shark, Gregg, Hart, Marmol, and Wuertz. I agree that most of those names aren't HOF material, but most of them have some value. I don't know how many of them still have options. I'm hoping the Peavy deal gets done, especially if there is some way of keeping Vitters. I guess what I'm asking is: Can we make a deal for Peavy (or another valuable piece) without including Vitters?

 

Pie for Olsen and then Olsen, Stevens, Hart, Castillo, Atkins for Peavy (they wanted young pitching)?

 

What other decent pitcher might be available for young talent?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Marshall will be in the rotation, and most of those bullpen guys have options and aren't people to "make room" for in the pen anyway.

[CUBZ99]

Marshall will be in the rotation, and most of those bullpen guys have options and aren't people to "make room" for in the pen anyway.

 

 

During one of Hendry's most recent interviews he stated Marshall as one of the bullpen arms.

[rawaction]

Assuming we sign Bradley and Bako and trade Marquis, I think there has to be another deal. I can't see the Cubs giving away Pie for nothing, but he certainly looks like he won't make the roster. In addition to Pie, it looks like there's a lot of excess in the bullpen with Vizcaino, Ascanio, Stevens, Wells, Guzman, Cotts, Marshall, Gaudin, Shark, Gregg, Hart, Marmol, and Wuertz. I agree that most of those names aren't HOF material, but most of them have some value. I don't know how many of them still have options. I'm hoping the Peavy deal gets done, especially if there is some way of keeping Vitters. I guess what I'm asking is: Can we make a deal for Peavy (or another valuable piece) without including Vitters?

 

Pie for Olsen and then Olsen, Stevens, Hart, Castillo, Atkins for Peavy (they wanted young pitching)?

 

What other decent pitcher might be available for young talent?

 

Peavy? No. Another valuable piece? Possibly.

 

If the Cubs can still do the Pie for Olsen and then the Peavy deal, I'd imagine it would be similar to what we have heard. Olsen, Vitters, Cedeno, and a couple other prospects.

 

If Peavy is not an option, the Cubs have to add to the bullpen. That group looks pretty crappy. In addition, I'd like to see a RH power bat off the bench. I haven't gone thru any names yet, but if Reed Johnson is in the lineup any given day, the Cubs as currently constructed are looking at a bench of Fukudome, Miles/Fontenot, Bako, Gathright, and Hoffpauir. I'd really like to see a RH bat that can keep Gathright a call away in AAA.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Marshall will be in the rotation, and most of those bullpen guys have options and aren't people to "make room" for in the pen anyway.

 

 

During one of Hendry's most recent interviews he stated Marshall as one of the bullpen arms.

 

Someone's got to be the 5th starter. If it's not Marshall, then one of Samardzija, Gaudin, Hart, Wells, etc. will be the guy unless another starter is that next move.

[Monco]

Marshall will be in the rotation, and most of those bullpen guys have options and aren't people to "make room" for in the pen anyway.

 

 

During one of Hendry's most recent interviews he stated Marshall as one of the bullpen arms.

 

Someone's got to be the 5th starter. If it's not Marshall, then one of Samardzija, Gaudin, Hart, Wells, etc. will be the guy unless another starter is that next move.

Last year they talked about Samardzija being a starter down the line. Gaudin has experience starting too. With the lack of leftys and a Marshalls ability to be a swing man, hes needed in the pen.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Marshall will be in the rotation, and most of those bullpen guys have options and aren't people to "make room" for in the pen anyway.

 

 

During one of Hendry's most recent interviews he stated Marshall as one of the bullpen arms.

 

Someone's got to be the 5th starter. If it's not Marshall, then one of Samardzija, Gaudin, Hart, Wells, etc. will be the guy unless another starter is that next move.

Last year they talked about Samardzija being a starter down the line. Gaudin has experience starting too. With the lack of leftys and a Marshalls ability to be a swing man, hes needed in the pen.

 

He's also a lot better a starter than the alternatives I mentioned. I'll take my chances with the 6th inning guys to get a benefit in the rotation over 150+ innings.

[rawaction]

We have discussed the idea that Hendry should have gone after a cheap LH hitting RF over Bradley and made the Peavy trade as the response to the cost cutting trades. But what about the exact opposite? If Hendry uses the payroll saved on Bradley, what are the chances that he has identified a good cheap SP to fill the final spot in the rotation and can get him for a package similar to the Peavy deal? The names that come to mind may or may not be available.

 

Zach Greinke

Jonathan Sanchez/ Noah Lowry

Gavin Floyd

Jered Weaver/ Ervin Santana

[Clem Fandango]

Curious question... what are the odds that Andrew Cashner makes the bullpen this year? I remember some folks saying after he was drafted that he might've been able to help out in the bullpen at the end of the season. Are his skills honed enough yet to realistically consider him to be a part of the bullpen next season?

[Guest]

Curious question... what are the odds that Andrew Cashner makes the bullpen this year? I remember some folks saying after he was drafted that he might've been able to help out in the bullpen at the end of the season. Are his skills honed enough yet to realistically consider him to be a part of the bullpen next season?

He didn't show enough control in the minors last year to have a realistic shot yet. Plus the Cubs were still talking about seeing if his stuff would hold up as a starter, last I heard.

[Mephistopheles]

There's a decent chance he gets a September call-up if the Cubs decide not to go through the sp experiment after last season's disaster. More likely though, he starts in the minors the full season to work on his secondary pitches and command. Then he's converted to the pen early next year in Iowa and is in Chicago by July, assuming everything goes well and he stays healthy.

[badnews]

We have discussed the idea that Hendry should have gone after a cheap LH hitting RF over Bradley and made the Peavy trade as the response to the cost cutting trades. But what about the exact opposite? If Hendry uses the payroll saved on Bradley, what are the chances that he has identified a good cheap SP to fill the final spot in the rotation and can get him for a package similar to the Peavy deal? The names that come to mind may or may not be available.

 

Zach Greinke

Jonathan Sanchez/ Noah Lowry

Gavin Floyd

Jered Weaver/ Ervin Santana

 

That just seems like wishcasting. Plus too many of those guys are the new Jeremy Bondermans, guys whose name value is way better than their actual pitching. Sean Marshall is better than Noah Lowry.

[pitchcs]

Marshall will be in the rotation, and most of those bullpen guys have options and aren't people to "make room" for in the pen anyway.

 

 

During one of Hendry's most recent interviews he stated Marshall as one of the bullpen arms.

 

Someone's got to be the 5th starter. If it's not Marshall, then one of Samardzija, Gaudin, Hart, Wells, etc. will be the guy unless another starter is that next move.

Last year they talked about Samardzija being a starter down the line. Gaudin has experience starting too. With the lack of leftys and a Marshalls ability to be a swing man, hes needed in the pen.

 

He's also a lot better a starter than the alternatives I mentioned. I'll take my chances with the 6th inning guys to get a benefit in the rotation over 150+ innings.

 

 

From today's Trib (Sullivan):

 

The impending trade of Marquis to Colorado for reliever Luis Vizcaino opens up a rotation spot for either Sean Marshall or Jeff Samardzija, with Marshall the front-runner. The Cubs can still deal for Jake Peavy, though San Diego GM Kevin Towers said nothing has been discussed of late

 

IMO, Marshall has to be the guy right now.

[Backtobanks]

Marshall will be in the rotation, and most of those bullpen guys have options and aren't people to "make room" for in the pen anyway.

 

 

During one of Hendry's most recent interviews he stated Marshall as one of the bullpen arms.

 

Someone's got to be the 5th starter. If it's not Marshall, then one of Samardzija, Gaudin, Hart, Wells, etc. will be the guy unless another starter is that next move.

Last year they talked about Samardzija being a starter down the line. Gaudin has experience starting too. With the lack of leftys and a Marshalls ability to be a swing man, hes needed in the pen.

 

He's also a lot better a starter than the alternatives I mentioned. I'll take my chances with the 6th inning guys to get a benefit in the rotation over 150+ innings.

 

 

From today's Trib (Sullivan):

 

The impending trade of Marquis to Colorado for reliever Luis Vizcaino opens up a rotation spot for either Sean Marshall or Jeff Samardzija, with Marshall the front-runner. The Cubs can still deal for Jake Peavy, though San Diego GM Kevin Towers said nothing has been discussed of late

 

IMO, Marshall has to be the guy right now.

 

I don't have a problem with Marshall. My initial point was that we seem to have a lot of excess baggage that isn't great, but is too valuable to release outright (Pie, Wuertz, Gaudin, etc.). Some of these guys are out of options and it would be nice to get something for them.

[BroLight]

It's true that there is more to come from Hendry....probably a couple of deals AFTER the Bako signing, the Marquis trade & the power LH hitter (probably Bradley)!

 

A week ago, if Jim was able to say, he would tell you that he was working toward an opening day lineup of: Roberts, Theriot, Bradley, Ramirez, Soriano, Lee, Fontenot & Soto or something very close to that. With a rotation of Peavy, Zambrano, Lilly, Dempster & Marshall with Samardzija starting at AAA, Marmol closing, Gregg & a yet to be acquired LH to be the setup men.

 

But that was a week ago! Since then a couple of things have changed. First, a Chicago pundit, made it public that MacPhail had stiffed Hendry last year regarding Roberts. Now that it's out, it could very well become such a problem with MacPhail, that Roberts may not be "available" to the CUBS. Make no mistake, MacPhail still wants to do the Olson for Pie deal, but Hendry was hoping to make the bigger deal. We'll see on that one.

 

In the meantime, it has become known that the Red Sox are not going to sit quietly after their disappointment over Texiera. Actually, they have put out the word that they are looking for a stud offensive player, because of their uncertainty about Lowell & Papi. They would prefer that this "stud" be young.....note their attempt on Ramirez from the Rays that was denied. One NYC pundit suggested that they would be willing to give up Ellsbury & Dice K to get Beltran. Let me ask you, isn't this door open for a Soriano deal??

He is the same age as Beltran with more pop! I think Hendry's "wheels" are churning over these possibilities. After all, with Ellsbury, the Cubs wouldn't need Roberts.

 

Another thing that has happened which many people think changes the availability of Peavy, is the sale of the Padres. I am NOT among those that think this way. This buyer is a friend of the Moores. He has been working on this deal since the first part of November....(that's prior to the Winter Meetings)... If he had any objection to moving Peavy, he would have said so before now. Even if he did object, there is a "cash need" being driven by the divorce, and he has at least "gone along" with the idea of trading him, in favor of the bigger picture...his ownership!

 

A week ago, Hendry's plan was to finish the Marquis deal, sign Bako & Bradley, and then turn his attention back to Peavy. Refusing to give up Marshall or Samadzjia and not wanting to give up Vitters, His offer for Peavy would have been something close to Cedeno, Hart, Stevens, Vizcaino (wishful thinking), either Wuertz or Guzman and a PTBNL.

 

That PTBNL would have been Olson, if Hendry's idea of a deal with the O's was consummated. That would have been Roberts and Olson coming to the Cubs for Pie, Rich Hill, Fontenot & Harden. Olson would have been the PTBNL to the Padres. But the other option on that PTBNL (assuming no O's deal), would have been Hill and Pie. An extra player, if needed to complete the O's deal would have been Hoffpauir, who really needs to play 1b or get dealt to an AL team, where he could DH.

 

Which way will it go? I don't really know. But if we start hearing about a Soriano deal with the Red Sox, we'll know, but Jim still wants Peavy. Peavy still wants the Cubs & Towers has NO OTHER CHOICE but to trade him to the Cubs...sooner or later!

[Tarver]

It's true that there is more to come from Hendry....probably a couple of deals AFTER the Bako signing, the Marquis trade & the power LH hitter (probably Bradley)!

 

A week ago, if Jim was able to say, he would tell you that he was working toward an opening day lineup of: Roberts, Theriot, Bradley, Ramirez, Soriano, Lee, Fontenot & Soto or something very close to that. With a rotation of Peavy, Zambrano, Lilly, Dempster & Marshall with Samardzija starting at AAA, Marmol closing, Gregg & a yet to be acquired LH to be the setup men.

 

But that was a week ago! Since then a couple of things have changed. First, a Chicago pundit, made it public that MacPhail had stiffed Hendry last year regarding Roberts. Now that it's out, it could very well become such a problem with MacPhail, that Roberts may not be "available" to the CUBS. Make no mistake, MacPhail still wants to do the Olson for Pie deal, but Hendry was hoping to make the bigger deal. We'll see on that one.

 

In the meantime, it has become known that the Red Sox are not going to sit quietly after their disappointment over Texiera. Actually, they have put out the word that they are looking for a stud offensive player, because of their uncertainty about Lowell & Papi. They would prefer that this "stud" be young.....note their attempt on Ramirez from the Rays that was denied. One NYC pundit suggested that they would be willing to give up Ellsbury & Dice K to get Beltran. Let me ask you, isn't this door open for a Soriano deal??

He is the same age as Beltran with more pop! I think Hendry's "wheels" are churning over these possibilities. After all, with Ellsbury, the Cubs wouldn't need Roberts.

 

Another thing that has happened which many people think changes the availability of Peavy, is the sale of the Padres. I am NOT among those that think this way. This buyer is a friend of the Moores. He has been working on this deal since the first part of November....(that's prior to the Winter Meetings)... If he had any objection to moving Peavy, he would have said so before now. Even if he did object, there is a "cash need" being driven by the divorce, and he has at least "gone along" with the idea of trading him, in favor of the bigger picture...his ownership!

 

A week ago, Hendry's plan was to finish the Marquis deal, sign Bako & Bradley, and then turn his attention back to Peavy. Refusing to give up Marshall or Samadzjia and not wanting to give up Vitters, His offer for Peavy would have been something close to Cedeno, Hart, Stevens, Vizcaino (wishful thinking), either Wuertz or Guzman and a PTBNL.

 

That PTBNL would have been Olson, if Hendry's idea of a deal with the O's was consummated. That would have been Roberts and Olson coming to the Cubs for Pie, Rich Hill, Fontenot & Harden. Olson would have been the PTBNL to the Padres. But the other option on that PTBNL (assuming no O's deal), would have been Hill and Pie. An extra player, if needed to complete the O's deal would have been Hoffpauir, who really needs to play 1b or get dealt to an AL team, where he could DH.

 

Which way will it go? I don't really know. But if we start hearing about a Soriano deal with the Red Sox, we'll know, but Jim still wants Peavy. Peavy still wants the Cubs & Towers has NO OTHER CHOICE but to trade him to the Cubs...sooner or later!

 

Was the room full of smoke when this vision came to you?

 

None of those deals make the least bit of sense for the other clubs involved. If you were a fan of the Orioles, Red Sox, or Padres, would you want your team to make those deals? Half the guys you mentioned coming from the Cubs have minimal to no trade value.

[wilk]

BroLight is infamous for his claim that he saw Towers at an Iowa Cubs game in 2006 and Towers told him that he had to trade Peavy and was looking to trade him straight-up for Jae Kuk Ryu.

[BroLight]

It's true that there is more to come from Hendry....probably a couple of deals AFTER the Bako signing, the Marquis trade & the power LH hitter (probably Bradley)!

 

A week ago, if Jim was able to say, he would tell you that he was working toward an opening day lineup of: Roberts, Theriot, Bradley, Ramirez, Soriano, Lee, Fontenot & Soto or something very close to that. With a rotation of Peavy, Zambrano, Lilly, Dempster & Marshall with Samardzija starting at AAA, Marmol closing, Gregg & a yet to be acquired LH to be the setup men.

 

But that was a week ago! Since then a couple of things have changed. First, a Chicago pundit, made it public that MacPhail had stiffed Hendry last year regarding Roberts. Now that it's out, it could very well become such a problem with MacPhail, that Roberts may not be "available" to the CUBS. Make no mistake, MacPhail still wants to do the Olson for Pie deal, but Hendry was hoping to make the bigger deal. We'll see on that one.

 

In the meantime, it has become known that the Red Sox are not going to sit quietly after their disappointment over Texiera. Actually, they have put out the word that they are looking for a stud offensive player, because of their uncertainty about Lowell & Papi. They would prefer that this "stud" be young.....note their attempt on Ramirez from the Rays that was denied. One NYC pundit suggested that they would be willing to give up Ellsbury & Dice K to get Beltran. Let me ask you, isn't this door open for a Soriano deal??

He is the same age as Beltran with more pop! I think Hendry's "wheels" are churning over these possibilities. After all, with Ellsbury, the Cubs wouldn't need Roberts.

 

Another thing that has happened which many people think changes the availability of Peavy, is the sale of the Padres. I am NOT among those that think this way. This buyer is a friend of the Moores. He has been working on this deal since the first part of November....(that's prior to the Winter Meetings)... If he had any objection to moving Peavy, he would have said so before now. Even if he did object, there is a "cash need" being driven by the divorce, and he has at least "gone along" with the idea of trading him, in favor of the bigger picture...his ownership!

 

A week ago, Hendry's plan was to finish the Marquis deal, sign Bako & Bradley, and then turn his attention back to Peavy. Refusing to give up Marshall or Samadzjia and not wanting to give up Vitters, His offer for Peavy would have been something close to Cedeno, Hart, Stevens, Vizcaino (wishful thinking), either Wuertz or Guzman and a PTBNL.

 

That PTBNL would have been Olson, if Hendry's idea of a deal with the O's was consummated. That would have been Roberts and Olson coming to the Cubs for Pie, Rich Hill, Fontenot & Harden. Olson would have been the PTBNL to the Padres. But the other option on that PTBNL (assuming no O's deal), would have been Hill and Pie. An extra player, if needed to complete the O's deal would have been Hoffpauir, who really needs to play 1b or get dealt to an AL team, where he could DH.

 

Which way will it go? I don't really know. But if we start hearing about a Soriano deal with the Red Sox, we'll know, but Jim still wants Peavy. Peavy still wants the Cubs & Towers has NO OTHER CHOICE but to trade him to the Cubs...sooner or later!

 

Was the room full of smoke when this vision came to you?

 

None of those deals make the least bit of sense for the other clubs involved. If you were a fan of the Orioles, Red Sox, or Padres, would you want your team to make those deals? Half the guys you mentioned coming from the Cubs have minimal to no trade value.

 

No Smoke!

 

What rock have you been hiding under? Most of these individual pieces have already been discussed & reported to some extent; but if you would like to be more specific about what piece you object to, I'd be happy to ENLIGHTEN you!

[BroLight]

BroLight is infamous for his claim that he saw Towers at an Iowa Cubs game in 2006 and Towers told him that he had to trade Peavy and was looking to trade him straight-up for Jae Kuk Ryu.

 

And people like you believe the BS that you have been fed about that particular exchange, which was taken completely out of context, misunderstood, twisted by those seeking to tear down rather than discuss and magnified beyond any semblance of proportion.

 

If your attack is allowed on this board, then it has become no better than the one the originators, who invited me, were trying to escape!

[Tarver]

So the Peavy deal fell apart because Towers was asking for too much, but now he's "seen the light" and would accept that load of waiver-wire horse [expletive]?

 

And who plays CF for Boston? Don't say Drew.

[Backtobanks]

It's true that there is more to come from Hendry....probably a couple of deals AFTER the Bako signing, the Marquis trade & the power LH hitter (probably Bradley)!

 

A week ago, if Jim was able to say, he would tell you that he was working toward an opening day lineup of: Roberts, Theriot, Bradley, Ramirez, Soriano, Lee, Fontenot & Soto or something very close to that. With a rotation of Peavy, Zambrano, Lilly, Dempster & Marshall with Samardzija starting at AAA, Marmol closing, Gregg & a yet to be acquired LH to be the setup men.

 

But that was a week ago! Since then a couple of things have changed. First, a Chicago pundit, made it public that MacPhail had stiffed Hendry last year regarding Roberts. Now that it's out, it could very well become such a problem with MacPhail, that Roberts may not be "available" to the CUBS. Make no mistake, MacPhail still wants to do the Olson for Pie deal, but Hendry was hoping to make the bigger deal. We'll see on that one.

 

In the meantime, it has become known that the Red Sox are not going to sit quietly after their disappointment over Texiera. Actually, they have put out the word that they are looking for a stud offensive player, because of their uncertainty about Lowell & Papi. They would prefer that this "stud" be young.....note their attempt on Ramirez from the Rays that was denied. One NYC pundit suggested that they would be willing to give up Ellsbury & Dice K to get Beltran. Let me ask you, isn't this door open for a Soriano deal??

He is the same age as Beltran with more pop! I think Hendry's "wheels" are churning over these possibilities. After all, with Ellsbury, the Cubs wouldn't need Roberts.

 

Another thing that has happened which many people think changes the availability of Peavy, is the sale of the Padres. I am NOT among those that think this way. This buyer is a friend of the Moores. He has been working on this deal since the first part of November....(that's prior to the Winter Meetings)... If he had any objection to moving Peavy, he would have said so before now. Even if he did object, there is a "cash need" being driven by the divorce, and he has at least "gone along" with the idea of trading him, in favor of the bigger picture...his ownership!

 

A week ago, Hendry's plan was to finish the Marquis deal, sign Bako & Bradley, and then turn his attention back to Peavy. Refusing to give up Marshall or Samadzjia and not wanting to give up Vitters, His offer for Peavy would have been something close to Cedeno, Hart, Stevens, Vizcaino (wishful thinking), either Wuertz or Guzman and a PTBNL. I think the "Roberts-to-the-Cubs" ship has sailed and using a ton of prospects for Peavy leaves nothing to go to the O's for Roberts. Having said that, with Cedeno going in one of the deals, Miles subbing at 2B and SS with Roberts at 2B

would look good. I don't think Hendry wants to negotiate with AM over Roberts anymore.

 

That PTBNL would have been Olson, if Hendry's idea of a deal with the O's was consummated. That would have been Roberts and Olson coming to the Cubs for Pie, Rich Hill, Fontenot & Harden. Olson would have been the PTBNL to the Padres. But the other option on that PTBNL (assuming no O's deal), would have been Hill and Pie. An extra player, if needed to complete the O's deal would have been Hoffpauir, who really needs to play 1b or get dealt to an AL team, where he could DH.

 

Which way will it go? I don't really know. But if we start hearing about a Soriano deal with the Red Sox, we'll know, but Jim still wants Peavy. Peavy still wants the Cubs & Towers has NO OTHER CHOICE but to trade him to the Cubs...sooner or later!

 

I have trouble believing that the Cubs would trade Soriano since they are trying to add offense. Obviously it would make sense to try to get out from under his contract, but the Cubs are in a win-now mode and getting good youngsters for a big piece of your current offense doesn't help in 2009. As for the Peavy deal, I do think it will happen and I'm hoping we can exclude Vitters.

[dew1679666265]

I have trouble believing that the Cubs would trade Soriano since they are trying to add offense. Obviously it would make sense to try to get out from under his contract, but the Cubs are in a win-now mode and getting good youngsters for a big piece of your current offense doesn't help in 2009. As for the Peavy deal, I do think it will happen and I'm hoping we can exclude Vitters.

 

They dumped DeRosa for youngsters that almost certainly won't help this year (Stevens might). I don't think Soriano will be traded (unless BroLight has some insider information), but Hendry has already proven this offseason that he'll dump some of our offense for future minor league help.

[BroLight]

So the Peavy deal fell apart because Towers was asking for too much, but now he's "seen the light" and would accept that load of waiver-wire horse Veterans Committee?

 

And who plays CF for Boston? Don't say Drew.

 

In part, YES, Towers asked for too much. This has been attested to by Peavy's agent and others. You might want to try and be "informed" before you blog!

 

But it goes beyond that. Towers discovered while trying to negotiate deals with the Braves and Cubs, originally, that although Peavy gave him a list of "acceptable" teams, that he was truly ONLY interested in staying in San Diego or going to the Cubs! Every time Towers tried some other team on the list, Peavy sent a message that they would have to renew his full no-trade clause, and/or renegotiate some part of his contract. Finally after rejecting Towers request for a new and/or expanded list, Peavy and his agent told Towers just to present every deal. Since Towers knew that meant a waste of his time, he quit trying.

 

Restricted, therefore to the Cubs, Towers had no choice but to back off and wait for the Cubs to complete other deals (including the O's deal for Olson, whom Towers has already approved). The biggest part of that was to get the Cubs other needs lined up for fulfillment before taking up the issue again.

 

Since there has been NO change in orders from Padres ownership about moving Peavy's salary, and NO statement from Moorad indicating any displeasure with that, but to the contrary, Peavy will become a Cub before Spring Training. And Hendry's good friend, Towers will be the recipient of the best deal that Hendry can put together for him, and nothing more!

 

THAT is precisely where the Peavy deal sits!

 

As for who plays CF for Boston, that is THEIR concern, but there would be nothing at all to stop the Cubs from including Pie in the deal. Right now, the Red Sox are mainly concerned with protecting themselves in case either Lowell or Papi can not come back strong, and competing with the Yankees. They have their pitching under control, it is their OFFENSE they are worried about and THAT is Soriano's strong suit, make that ONLY suit! He would be a juggernaut hitting over the wall!

[Tarver]

Sorry I asked. I'll think twice before questioning someone so enlightened again. Edited January 4, 2009 by Tarver

[Backtobanks]

I have trouble believing that the Cubs would trade Soriano since they are trying to add offense. Obviously it would make sense to try to get out from under his contract, but the Cubs are in a win-now mode and getting good youngsters for a big piece of your current offense doesn't help in 2009. As for the Peavy deal, I do think it will happen and I'm hoping we can exclude Vitters.

 

They dumped DeRosa for youngsters that almost certainly won't help this year (Stevens might). I don't think Soriano will be traded (unless BroLight has some insider information), but Hendry has already proven this offseason that he'll dump some of our offense for future minor league help.

 

The stated reason for "dumping" DeRosa was to add offense (Bradley). I still think the secondary reason was to get prospects to add to the package to get Peavy.