What's Next

[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. 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.

 

 

Soriano is a problem that has a huge contract. He plays poor D, but that would be less of a problem in Boston where most hard hit balls are going off the wall anyway. He also has a mental block about hitting someplace in the lineup other than leadoff, and the Cubs can NOT win deep into the playoffs with him hitting leadoff because he is an all or nothing type hitter. All of this gives Lou a GIANT headache! When you put his contract, mental block and D along side the Cubs need for LH power, a true leadoff hitter (L or S), and perhaps another OF to play L or R, Hendry will jump at the opportunity to move him, especially if he could get Ellsbury and a couple of pitching prospects for Towers in return.

 

Ellsbury is not only a great leadoff hitter, he plays CF, AND his salary is so low and will remain relatively so, long enough that the Cubs could actually afford to sign Bradley to play RF and Dunn to play LF with backloaded contracts. That would make Fukudome & Johnson the 4th and 5th OFrs, with NO NEED to negotiate at all with MacPhail, and the Cubs would have a perfectly balanced lineup of:

Ellsbury L, Theriot R, Bradley S, Ramirez R, Dunn L, Lee R, Fontenot L and Soto R.

 

Does anyone think that Jim and Lou aren't "drooling" over even the slightest possibility of this happening?

[CP_414]

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!

 

 

No. Boston isn't stupid.

[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!

 

 

No. Boston isn't stupid.

 

Maybe they ARE....If they were willing to do the deal for Beltran, who is far LESS of an offensive threat than Soriano!~

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

:pig:

[CubinNY]

What's next: An 85 win season and staying competitive within the division.

 

I think the economy and the ownership situation is affecting Hendry's ability to deal. I'm all for selling high on DeRosa, but it seems to me that trading him so they could get Bradley is real, real, bad idea (if that is what really happened).

[nolanwood]

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.

 

 

Soriano is a problem that has a huge contract. He plays poor D, but that would be less of a problem in Boston where most hard hit balls are going off the wall anyway. He also has a mental block about hitting someplace in the lineup other than leadoff, and the Cubs can NOT win deep into the playoffs with him hitting leadoff because he is an all or nothing type hitter. All of this gives Lou a GIANT headache! When you put his contract, mental block and D along side the Cubs need for LH power, a true leadoff hitter (L or S), and perhaps another OF to play L or R, Hendry will jump at the opportunity to move him, especially if he could get Ellsbury and a couple of pitching prospects for Towers in return.

 

Ellsbury is not only a great leadoff hitter, he plays CF, AND his salary is so low and will remain relatively so, long enough that the Cubs could actually afford to sign Bradley to play RF and Dunn to play LF with backloaded contracts. That would make Fukudome & Johnson the 4th and 5th OFrs, with NO NEED to negotiate at all with MacPhail, and the Cubs would have a perfectly balanced lineup of:

Ellsbury L, Theriot R, Bradley S, Ramirez R, Dunn L, Lee R, Fontenot L and Soto R.

 

Does anyone think that Jim and Lou aren't "drooling" over even the slightest possibility of this happening?

 

 

Fukudome would be a 4th OF'er making 50 mill...

[CP_414]

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!

 

 

No. Boston isn't stupid.

 

Maybe they ARE....If they were willing to do the deal for Beltran, who is far LESS of an offensive threat than Soriano!~

 

Whatever you want to tell yourself...

[USSoccer]

Boston is one of the best run front offices in the game. There's no way they'd trade for Soriano. None.

[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. 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.

 

 

Soriano is a problem that has a huge contract. He plays poor D, but that would be less of a problem in Boston where most hard hit balls are going off the wall anyway. He also has a mental block about hitting someplace in the lineup other than leadoff, and the Cubs can NOT win deep into the playoffs with him hitting leadoff because he is an all or nothing type hitter. All of this gives Lou a GIANT headache! When you put his contract, mental block and D along side the Cubs need for LH power, a true leadoff hitter (L or S), and perhaps another OF to play L or R, Hendry will jump at the opportunity to move him, especially if he could get Ellsbury and a couple of pitching prospects for Towers in return.

 

Ellsbury is not only a great leadoff hitter, he plays CF, AND his salary is so low and will remain relatively so, long enough that the Cubs could actually afford to sign Bradley to play RF and Dunn to play LF with backloaded contracts. That would make Fukudome & Johnson the 4th and 5th OFrs, with NO NEED to negotiate at all with MacPhail, and the Cubs would have a perfectly balanced lineup of:

Ellsbury L, Theriot R, Bradley S, Ramirez R, Dunn L, Lee R, Fontenot L and Soto R.

 

Does anyone think that Jim and Lou aren't "drooling" over even the slightest possibility of this happening?

 

After all that you can flip Cedeno and Cotts to StL for Pujols, because, y'now, I heard they don't like winning!

[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. 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.

 

 

Soriano is a problem that has a huge contract. He plays poor D, but that would be less of a problem in Boston where most hard hit balls are going off the wall anyway. He also has a mental block about hitting someplace in the lineup other than leadoff, and the Cubs can NOT win deep into the playoffs with him hitting leadoff because he is an all or nothing type hitter. All of this gives Lou a GIANT headache! When you put his contract, mental block and D along side the Cubs need for LH power, a true leadoff hitter (L or S), and perhaps another OF to play L or R, Hendry will jump at the opportunity to move him, especially if he could get Ellsbury and a couple of pitching prospects for Towers in return.

 

Ellsbury is not only a great leadoff hitter, he plays CF, AND his salary is so low and will remain relatively so, long enough that the Cubs could actually afford to sign Bradley to play RF and Dunn to play LF with backloaded contracts. That would make Fukudome & Johnson the 4th and 5th OFrs, with NO NEED to negotiate at all with MacPhail, and the Cubs would have a perfectly balanced lineup of:

Ellsbury L, Theriot R, Bradley S, Ramirez R, Dunn L, Lee R, Fontenot L and Soto R.

 

Does anyone think that Jim and Lou aren't "drooling" over even the slightest possibility of this happening?

 

 

Fukudome would be a 4th OF'er making 50 mill...

 

As long as he remains a suspect offensive player, that's the only spot for him. No one wants him as he was last year. The other choice would be to make him a $50M AAA player, but that requires his permission.

 

If the Cubs were successful taking the Roberts route, he would be a platoon CF with Johnson, but I'm not holding my breath for it to happen. There seems to be some vindictiveness in MacPhail.

 

The bottom line on Fukudome is that Hendry is not going to wait on him, and he also isn't going to let Fuku's presence on the roster stop him for "going for broke" in pursuit of a World Series win!

[Moises a loo]

MAYBE if they "threw in" GEOVANY SOTO and picked up like 60% of Soriano's contract, Boston would consider it.

[BroLight]

MAYBE if they "threw in" GEOVANY SOTO and picked up like 60% of Soriano's contract, Boston would consider it.

 

I see why you are having such a tough time grasping this. YOU are the one that's NUTS!

 

It is BOSTON that is desperate, not the Cubs! The Cubs would be dealing from a position of strength, and regardless wouldn't be putting Soto or any regular, other than Soriano, in such a package.

 

Most teams wouldn't be willing to give up such an offensive threat, and that makes a deal for Soriano even more attractive.

 

Remember, I didn't say this was GOING to happen, only that it might. But if the Red Sox were indeed willing to see Beltran as a real offensive threat, how much more valuable would Soriano be to them?

[Moises a loo]

MAYBE if they "threw in" GEOVANY SOTO and picked up like 60% of Soriano's contract, Boston would consider it.

 

I see why you are having such a tough time grasping this. YOU are the one that's NUTS!

 

It is BOSTON that is desperate, not the Cubs! The Cubs would be dealing from a position of strength, and regardless wouldn't be putting Soto or any regular, other than Soriano, in such a package.

 

Most teams wouldn't be willing to give up such an offensive threat, and that makes a deal for Soriano even more attractive.

 

Remember, I didn't say this was GOING to happen, only that it might. But if the Red Sox were indeed willing to see Beltran as a real offensive threat, how much more valuable would Soriano be to them?

Are you Alfonso Soriano's mom or something?

[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.

 

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.

 

I know. Dumping offense to get offense doesn't seem to be the most logical thing, though.

 

Especially when the return for the first offensive player is mediocre.

Edited January 4, 2009 by dew

[Monco]

MAYBE if they "threw in" GEOVANY SOTO and picked up like 60% of Soriano's contract, Boston would consider it.

 

I see why you are having such a tough time grasping this. YOU are the one that's NUTS!

 

It is BOSTON that is desperate, not the Cubs! The Cubs would be dealing from a position of strength, and regardless wouldn't be putting Soto or any regular, other than Soriano, in such a package.

 

Most teams wouldn't be willing to give up such an offensive threat, and that makes a deal for Soriano even more attractive.

 

Remember, I didn't say this was GOING to happen, only that it might. But if the Red Sox were indeed willing to see Beltran as a real offensive threat, how much more valuable would Soriano be to them?

Why would Boston (or anyone) consider Soriano more valuable than Beltran?

[17 Seconds]

MAYBE if they "threw in" GEOVANY SOTO and picked up like 60% of Soriano's contract, Boston would consider it.

 

I see why you are having such a tough time grasping this. YOU are the one that's NUTS!

 

It is BOSTON that is desperate, not the Cubs! The Cubs would be dealing from a position of strength, and regardless wouldn't be putting Soto or any regular, other than Soriano, in such a package.

 

Most teams wouldn't be willing to give up such an offensive threat, and that makes a deal for Soriano even more attractive.

 

Remember, I didn't say this was GOING to happen, only that it might. But if the Red Sox were indeed willing to see Beltran as a real offensive threat, how much more valuable would Soriano be to them?

 

Dude, you really need to stop. There is NO way the Red Sox would be dumb enough to take on Soriano. NONE. You keep talking about Beltran, but you're leaving out that he doesn't have the awful contract Soriano does. You're also leaving out that he's more valuable due to playing center.

 

Seriously, stop comparing Soriano and Beltran. They are completely different situations.

[USSoccer]

MAYBE if they "threw in" GEOVANY SOTO and picked up like 60% of Soriano's contract, Boston would consider it.

 

I see why you are having such a tough time grasping this. YOU are the one that's NUTS!

 

It is BOSTON that is desperate, not the Cubs! The Cubs would be dealing from a position of strength, and regardless wouldn't be putting Soto or any regular, other than Soriano, in such a package.

 

Most teams wouldn't be willing to give up such an offensive threat, and that makes a deal for Soriano even more attractive.

 

Remember, I didn't say this was GOING to happen, only that it might. But if the Red Sox were indeed willing to see Beltran as a real offensive threat, how much more valuable would Soriano be to them?

 

How exactly is Boston desperate?

[Clem Fandango]

MAYBE if they "threw in" GEOVANY SOTO and picked up like 60% of Soriano's contract, Boston would consider it.

 

I see why you are having such a tough time grasping this. YOU are the one that's NUTS!

 

It is BOSTON that is desperate, not the Cubs! The Cubs would be dealing from a position of strength, and regardless wouldn't be putting Soto or any regular, other than Soriano, in such a package.

 

Most teams wouldn't be willing to give up such an offensive threat, and that makes a deal for Soriano even more attractive.

 

Remember, I didn't say this was GOING to happen, only that it might. But if the Red Sox were indeed willing to see Beltran as a real offensive threat, how much more valuable would Soriano be to them?

 

I hate to break it to you, but Beltran is better than Soriano in every facet of the game. Even though you can argue that their offensive production is a wash, Beltran is still better at the plate simply because he has the ability to draw a walk. He's drawn 90+ walks 2 of the last 3 years. Outside of that you can argue their offensive ability is similar. They put up similar power numbers and batting averages but that's about where the equality stops.

 

- Beltran is a far superior baserunner

- A far superior defender

- He is younger (albeit only a year younger)

- He is signed to a more favorable contract

- He only has 3 more years left on said contract when he'll be 34 at the end of it, whereas Soriano will be 38 at the end of his

 

Not to mention Beltran's offensive production in CF > than Soriano's production out of LF.

[BigbadB]

While I think you might be right about Peavy, I think you are way off base if you think Boston has any desire to take on Soriano's contract, and that's ignoring the fact Soriano has a no trade clause in his contract.

 

If I'm Boston, and I want to make a big splash this offseason to counter what the Yankees are doing, I'd talk to Milwaukee about Prince Fielder. I'd talk to Oakland about Matt Holliday. I'd talk to San Diego about Peavy. I'd talk to Arizona about Webb or Haren. I'd talk to LA about Matt Kemp. I'd talk to Colorado about Garrett Atkins or Todd Helton. I'd certainly talk to the Mets about Beltran or Reyes.

 

Realistically, Boston doesn't need to do anything. They are deep in talent and could very easily win the division next year with the line up they already have.

 

They certainly have the young talent to trade for someone like Ramirez, who they actually groomed in their own minor league system. It certainly didn't hurt to ask if Florida was ready to part with him. And it's not a surprise that Florida said no. But, that doesn't mean Boston HAS to look to Soriano, who doesn't really make a lot of sense to Boston, since they'd need a CFer or a 1b more than they would need anything else.

 

Boston only plays half their games in Fenway. An outfield of Bay, Soriano and Drew wouldn't be very good. Couple in the fact that Soriano has been a walking injury the last few years, and that contract may look awful ugly in a few more years. It's just not realistic.

[BroLight]

MAYBE if they "threw in" GEOVANY SOTO and picked up like 60% of Soriano's contract, Boston would consider it.

 

I see why you are having such a tough time grasping this. YOU are the one that's NUTS!

 

It is BOSTON that is desperate, not the Cubs! The Cubs would be dealing from a position of strength, and regardless wouldn't be putting Soto or any regular, other than Soriano, in such a package.

 

Most teams wouldn't be willing to give up such an offensive threat, and that makes a deal for Soriano even more attractive.

 

Remember, I didn't say this was GOING to happen, only that it might. But if the Red Sox were indeed willing to see Beltran as a real offensive threat, how much more valuable would Soriano be to them?

Are you Alfonso Soriano's mom or something?

 

No, the old timers on this board know who I am, but for your info, I am someone that reads a lot of "lines", and because of my pedigree in the game, I know what needs to be done, and how to get it done. I am also able to read between those "lines", and keep my ears open. Although my contacts in the game are diminishing due to age and health issues, I still have a few of those, too.

[BroLight]

MAYBE if they "threw in" GEOVANY SOTO and picked up like 60% of Soriano's contract, Boston would consider it.

 

I see why you are having such a tough time grasping this. YOU are the one that's NUTS!

 

It is BOSTON that is desperate, not the Cubs! The Cubs would be dealing from a position of strength, and regardless wouldn't be putting Soto or any regular, other than Soriano, in such a package.

 

Most teams wouldn't be willing to give up such an offensive threat, and that makes a deal for Soriano even more attractive.

 

Remember, I didn't say this was GOING to happen, only that it might. But if the Red Sox were indeed willing to see Beltran as a real offensive threat, how much more valuable would Soriano be to them?

 

How exactly is Boston desperate?

 

Rather than repeat it, go back and read my input to this thread. If you still don't have a clue, try reading some of the Boston & NYC newspapers for the past week!

[BroLight]

Boston is one of the best run front offices in the game. There's no way they'd trade for Soriano. None.

 

Best run! Ha-Ha-Ha! Ha-Ha-Ho-Ho-hum! Where have you been?

 

Their front office is a mish-mash of jealous, overpaid execs running all over each other with the mixing in of ownership that thinks it can do better than their baseball people!

 

As for Soriano, if they don't get him, they will overpay for someone else with less potential to meet their needs, than Soriano.

[BroLight]

What's next: An 85 win season and staying competitive within the division.

 

I think the economy and the ownership situation is affecting Hendry's ability to deal. I'm all for selling high on DeRosa, but it seems to me that trading him so they could get Bradley is real, real, bad idea (if that is what really happened).

 

Sorry, I missed your post, first time through....

 

There is WAY TOO much whining about DeRosa! Did I like him? YES, very much. Will the Cubs miss him? At times, probably. But with the Cubs determined to balance the lineup he would have diminished playing time and would have been very unhappy. He was a great fit for either the Twins or Indians, and he was paid too much to sit on the bench, when, unlike Fukudome, he could be profitably traded, and MOST of his usefulness could be replaced by a switch hitter who is much cheaper and two years younger.

[bcl412]

What's next: An 85 win season and staying competitive within the division.

 

I think the economy and the ownership situation is affecting Hendry's ability to deal. I'm all for selling high on DeRosa, but it seems to me that trading him so they could get Bradley is real, real, bad idea (if that is what really happened).

 

Sorry, I missed your post, first time through....

 

There is WAY TOO much whining about DeRosa! Did I like him? YES, very much. Will the Cubs miss him? At times, probably. But with the Cubs determined to balance the lineup he would have diminished playing time and would have been very unhappy. He was a great fit for either the Twins or Indians, and he was paid too much to sit on the bench, when, unlike Fukudome, he could be profitably traded, and MOST of his usefulness could be replaced by a switch hitter who is much cheaper and two years younger.

 

I thought most of the DeRosa complaining was because of who we replaced him with (Miles) not because of losing DeRo himself.

[RedFlash]

What's next: An 85 win season and staying competitive within the division.

 

I think the economy and the ownership situation is affecting Hendry's ability to deal. I'm all for selling high on DeRosa, but it seems to me that trading him so they could get Bradley is real, real, bad idea (if that is what really happened).

 

Sorry, I missed your post, first time through....

 

There is WAY TOO much whining about DeRosa! Did I like him? YES, very much. Will the Cubs miss him? At times, probably. But with the Cubs determined to balance the lineup he would have diminished playing time and would have been very unhappy. He was a great fit for either the Twins or Indians, and he was paid too much to sit on the bench, when, unlike Fukudome, he could be profitably traded, and MOST of his usefulness could be replaced by a switch hitter who is much cheaper and two years younger.

 

I thought most of the DeRosa complaining was because of who we replaced him with (Miles) not because of losing DeRo himself.

 

I know that was my issue. Trading DeRosa to sign Bradley is a hmmmmmmm moment, but trading DeRosa to open a spot for Aaron Miles doesn't make a lick of sense to me.