Cubs probably won't have (much) money for reinforcements

[UMFan83]

Take a look at the current Cubs team because it's likely similar to the one we'll be battling with all year, save maybe a few smaller moves.

 

''I would say we probably wouldn't be looking at doing a big-time trade if it required a big outlay of cash,'' Cubs chairman Crane Kenney said Thursday on WMVP radio.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1619388,CST-SPT-csep12.article

 

Straight from the man in the know. I bet Ted Lilly's name gets floated around quite a bit in July as a piece the Cubs would be willing to trade to bring back a hitter of his salary.

[A-Cal]

at least that means hendry can't saddle this team with any more gamush

[17 Seconds]

why trade lilly? what second baseman is going to be out there that's worth ted lilly?

[UMFan83]

why trade lilly? what second baseman is going to be out there that's worth ted lilly?

 

I'm just saying Ted Lilly seems to be a very likely player to be traded if you think about it:

 

A) The only way the Cubs improve by trading for a guy that makes any sort of decent money is to include money back in the trade

B) Ted Lilly is a free agent after 2010 and is making $12 million this year

C) Ted Lilly is having a really fine year and will be very attractive to any team looking to upgrade their starting pitching

D) Starting pitching is a position of strength for the Cubs this year.

E) The Cubs have been scouting Pedro Martinez, likely meaning they are looking for a backup in case one of their starters is either traded or injured

 

Most of the other decent sized contracts on the Cubs have no trade clauses involved. Lilly has no trade protection, which probably means he can specify teams he doesn't want to be traded to, but the Cubs can trade him elsewhere. I doubt Ted Lilly would list any contenders on teams he didn't want to be traded to.

[17 Seconds]

like i said, where are you going to put a hitter that makes that much? you can only puth im at 2b, and i can't think of any potentially avilable second baseman that are worth trading lilly for

 

it would be just like hendry to dump salary with one of the players who actually has a good contract though

[UMFan83]

like i said, where are you going to put a hitter that makes that much? you can only puth im at 2b, and i can't think of any potentially avilable second baseman that are worth trading lilly for

 

it would be just like hendry to dump salary with one of the players who actually has a good contract though

 

The player they get doesn't have to match Hendry's salary. Given the state of the Trib and also of the Cubs team, I wouldn't be surprised if Hendry was encouraged to drop some payroll if at all possible. I can't really think of many more players that have both value and a tradable contract on the Cubs.

[17 Seconds]

like i said, where are you going to put a hitter that makes that much? you can only puth im at 2b, and i can't think of any potentially avilable second baseman that are worth trading lilly for

 

it would be just like hendry to dump salary with one of the players who actually has a good contract though

 

The player they get doesn't have to match Hendry's salary. Given the state of the Trib and also of the Cubs team, I wouldn't be surprised if Hendry was encouraged to drop some payroll if at all possible. I can't really think of many more players that have both value and a tradable contract on the Cubs.

 

you still haven't answered the question. where are we going to put a bat? 2B is the only place we can really upgrade, and like i said, i don't see any potentially avilable 2B that would be worth giving up our best starting pitcher (this season) for.

 

people keep talking aobut wanting to get a bat, but they never say where he's going to play. we're locked in at every position but second base, shortstop, and catcher..... and we're not going to find upgrades at shortstop or catcher.

[Little Slide Rooter]

They're not going to trade Lilly. Maybe in the off season or this time next year of were out of it, but not now. It wouldnt be worth it to aquire a rent a player, especially with Ramirez supposedly close to returning. They'll probably make a trade, they always do, but if they're cash strapped, it will be more of the Craig Monroe/Steve Traschle variety than Nomar/Harden.

[CubLover8769]

I would be all in favor of trading "Lily" if it got us a player who might do something post game 162.

 

"i'm sorry mr lily but throwing you glove down on the ground does not score runs for your teeam do you think it does?"

[nick23]

I would be all in favor of trading "Lily" if it got us a player who might do something post game 162.

 

"i'm sorry mr lily but throwing you glove down on the ground does not score runs for your teeam do you think it does?"

Call me crazy, but I actually enjoy making the postseason. And Lilly is a major reason we've made the post season the last two seasons. He's also having a very good year so far. I would rather have Lilly locked up over the next 4 seasons that Dempster to be honest. He just seems to be the type pitcher that will hold up well into his 30's. His velocity seems to be dropping but he's just as effective.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I would be all in favor of trading "Lily" if it got us a player who might do something post game 162.

 

"i'm sorry mr lily but throwing you glove down on the ground does not score runs for your teeam do you think it does?"

 

A. first, we have to make it to game 163.

B. Any team who is going to trade that player who will supposdely get past game 163 is probably a seller, and a seller isnt likely to trade for a guy whose owed 11 million next year, rather they'll want prospects and salary relief.

[UMFan83]

like i said, where are you going to put a hitter that makes that much? you can only puth im at 2b, and i can't think of any potentially avilable second baseman that are worth trading lilly for

 

it would be just like hendry to dump salary with one of the players who actually has a good contract though

 

The player they get doesn't have to match Hendry's salary. Given the state of the Trib and also of the Cubs team, I wouldn't be surprised if Hendry was encouraged to drop some payroll if at all possible. I can't really think of many more players that have both value and a tradable contract on the Cubs.

 

you still haven't answered the question. where are we going to put a bat? 2B is the only place we can really upgrade, and like i said, i don't see any potentially avilable 2B that would be worth giving up our best starting pitcher (this season) for.

 

people keep talking aobut wanting to get a bat, but they never say where he's going to play. we're locked in at every position but second base, shortstop, and catcher..... and we're not going to find upgrades at shortstop or catcher.

 

Second base, third base, right field. It doesn't have to be a guaranteed starter. If you can find a player who can play 3B until Rammy is back and RF when Bradley is hurt, needs days off, or is ineffective, that's a player to look for. Also any player to avoid Miles or Freel to be in the lineup, or Font vs. Lefties is fine by me.

 

I more than realize your point is that the Cubs are paying superstar money to fill every position but 2b, 3b and C. We need to give the offense a boost wherever we can get it. Taking Miles, Freel or Font vs. LHP and replacing with someone even mediocre to the team. Anything to avoid Fontenot, Hill, Miles and Blanco being the mainstays at 6-8 in the lineup everyday. Will it solve all of our offensive problems? No. Bottom line our big money hitters need to improve in order for this season to have any meaning. But that doesn't mean there aren't still other areas where we can approve.

[Little Slide Rooter]

like i said, where are you going to put a hitter that makes that much? you can only puth im at 2b, and i can't think of any potentially avilable second baseman that are worth trading lilly for

 

it would be just like hendry to dump salary with one of the players who actually has a good contract though

 

The player they get doesn't have to match Hendry's salary. Given the state of the Trib and also of the Cubs team, I wouldn't be surprised if Hendry was encouraged to drop some payroll if at all possible. I can't really think of many more players that have both value and a tradable contract on the Cubs.

 

you still haven't answered the question. where are we going to put a bat? 2B is the only place we can really upgrade, and like i said, i don't see any potentially avilable 2B that would be worth giving up our best starting pitcher (this season) for.

 

people keep talking aobut wanting to get a bat, but they never say where he's going to play. we're locked in at every position but second base, shortstop, and catcher..... and we're not going to find upgrades at shortstop or catcher.

 

Second base, third base, right field. It doesn't have to be a guaranteed starter. If you can find a player who can play 3B until Rammy is back and RF when Bradley is hurt, needs days off, or is ineffective, that's a player to look for. Also any player to avoid Miles or Freel to be in the lineup, or Font vs. Lefties is fine by me.

 

I more than realize your point is that the Cubs are paying superstar money to fill every position but 2b, 3b and C. We need to give the offense a boost wherever we can get it. Taking Miles, Freel or Font vs. LHP and replacing with someone even mediocre to the team. Anything to avoid Fontenot, Hill, Miles and Blanco being the mainstays at 6-8 in the lineup everyday. Will it solve all of our offensive problems? No. Bottom line our big money hitters need to improve in order for this season to have any meaning. But that doesn't mean there aren't still other areas where we can approve.

 

So many people seem to assume that if we cant get a Matt Holliday or whatever, theres no point. Id just assume get a guy who can fill in at 3rd for a few weeks and when Ramirez returns, we have someone who can give him a rest here and there and hit off the bench. If he can play multiple positions like he who will remain nameless, thats good too.

[shnsajax]

I still want to find a way to get Aaron Hill, they just have no reason to trade him. I mean he went to LSU, he would fit right in.

[jersey cubs fan]

Trade Lilly and Fukudome to the Mets, get Beltran back.

[apete6]

Trade Lilly and Fukudome to the Mets, get Beltran back.

 

Sign me the F up. Betran is what they're paying Soriano to be.

[inari]

I would be all in favor of trading "Lily" if it got us a player who might do something post game 162.

 

"i'm sorry mr lily but throwing you glove down on the ground does not score runs for your teeam do you think it does?"

 

Joke post? I hope.

[Post Count Padder]

I would be all in favor of trading "Lily" if it got us a player who might do something post game 162.

 

"i'm sorry mr lily but throwing you glove down on the ground does not score runs for your teeam do you think it does?"

 

Joke post? I hope.

I was just gonna say. However, I've seen other posts by this person and I hope it's a joke account.

[LuvChicagoSports]

Trade Lilly and Fukudome to the Mets, get Beltran back.

 

I would be happy with this trade. Mets have to get pitching so that's why they do it, and we get rid of the bad Fukudome contract. I like Lilly a lot, but think the Cubs would be OK without him. Beltran playing in Wrigley would be VERY good.

 

Would leave us with 2 really bad contracts left to get rid of. Lee and Soriano. I can't see the Cubs being able to get rid of either of those players barring a major injury with a contending team.

[C.C.]

Trade Lilly and Fukudome to the Mets, get Beltran back.

 

Man, that would be sweet. I'd think it'd take more to get Beltran, no?

[17 Seconds]

like i said, where are you going to put a hitter that makes that much? you can only puth im at 2b, and i can't think of any potentially avilable second baseman that are worth trading lilly for

 

it would be just like hendry to dump salary with one of the players who actually has a good contract though

 

The player they get doesn't have to match Hendry's salary. Given the state of the Trib and also of the Cubs team, I wouldn't be surprised if Hendry was encouraged to drop some payroll if at all possible. I can't really think of many more players that have both value and a tradable contract on the Cubs.

 

you still haven't answered the question. where are we going to put a bat? 2B is the only place we can really upgrade, and like i said, i don't see any potentially avilable 2B that would be worth giving up our best starting pitcher (this season) for.

 

people keep talking aobut wanting to get a bat, but they never say where he's going to play. we're locked in at every position but second base, shortstop, and catcher..... and we're not going to find upgrades at shortstop or catcher.

 

Second base, third base, right field. It doesn't have to be a guaranteed starter. If you can find a player who can play 3B until Rammy is back and RF when Bradley is hurt, needs days off, or is ineffective, that's a player to look for. Also any player to avoid Miles or Freel to be in the lineup, or Font vs. Lefties is fine by me.

 

I more than realize your point is that the Cubs are paying superstar money to fill every position but 2b, 3b and C. We need to give the offense a boost wherever we can get it. Taking Miles, Freel or Font vs. LHP and replacing with someone even mediocre to the team. Anything to avoid Fontenot, Hill, Miles and Blanco being the mainstays at 6-8 in the lineup everyday. Will it solve all of our offensive problems? No. Bottom line our big money hitters need to improve in order for this season to have any meaning. But that doesn't mean there aren't still other areas where we can approve.

 

trading our best pitcher for a hitter who isn't even a a guaranteed starter would be dumb and would make the team worse

[Little Slide Rooter]

The only players we could probably aquire at this point are guys who may or may not be upgrades over what we have. The Ronnie Belliards, Wilson Betemits, and Rich Aurilias of the world are all OPSing in like the .500s. Thats not to say that if we could get any of them for 1 of our late 20's AAAAers or or a PTBNL I wouldnt be interested in at least an experiment. Worst that could happen is they give us what Miles, Freel, and Blanco are giving us now and we give up a guy who we dont have any future plans for.

[Backtobanks]

The only players we could probably aquire at this point are guys who may or may not be upgrades over what we have. The Ronnie Belliards, Wilson Betemits, and Rich Aurilias of the world are all OPSing in like the .500s. Thats not to say that if we could get any of them for 1 of our late 20's AAAAers or or a PTBNL I wouldnt be interested in at least an experiment. Worst that could happen is they give us what Miles, Freel, and Blanco are giving us now and we give up a guy who we dont have any future plans for.

 

I have suggested going after Sanchez or Cantu with some of the prospects that we were saving for Peavy. Either player could cover 3B and then slide over to 2B when Ramirez returns. After acquiring one of these players, trade Miles for a low-A ball player to any team willing to take on his contract. Sanchez would cost an extra $2 million for the 2nd half while Cantu would cost an extra $1 million.

[illiniguy]

I wish we would try and do what the White Sox do so well. Identify a former top prospect, like a Brandon Wood, and try and take a chance on him. I would much rather he get at bats than Aaron Miles.

[sporrer17]

I wish we would try and do what the White Sox do so well. Identify a former top prospect, like a Brandon Wood, and try and take a chance on him. I would much rather he get at bats than Aaron Miles.

 

Best trade option for us, IMO.

 

The guy can play 3b while Ramirez is down/needs rest, he can spell Theriot a little more often than Blanco because his bat it better, and he could probably play some 2b too. If the light suddenly goes on, then he's a better alternative than almost anyone available for trade....but the chances of that are unknown (hasn't been given much of a shot).