What if the Cubs become sellers?

[Tim]

I really don't think it will come to this since nobody else is pulling away, but let's just assume for the moment that the Cubs became sellers at the deadline. What pieces could we sell off and get a good return for? What pieces would we view as "core" and hang onto for next season, when it is assumed we'd be going for it again?

 

I think they would shop Soriano, but not find anyone willing to take on the contract.

I'd bet they talk to Lee about waiving the NTC and try to find a willing buyer.

They would shop Harden for certain, and probably find a good market if he shows he's healthy over the next month.

They'd shop Gregg and find a market that says, "meh"

They might talk to some teams about Bradley, as well.

 

All in all, I don't think that the Cubs would be well positioned to be sellers right now. I'd guess they'd really only find a market for Lee (assuming he waives his ntc) and Harden. But I'm not sure they'd get more for Harden now than they would in draft picks at the end of the year.

[Sammy Sofa]

As was mentioned elsewhere, Lilly would probably have a number of takers out there.

[E.J.]

I'd look to trade Harden and Lilly for sure. They both could bring back quality prospects. I'd look to trade Lee as well now that he's been hitting better. Don't know if he'd be willing to wave his no-trade clause though. I'm guessing teams might have interest in Theriot and Fontenot as well, but I don't know if it'd be worth trading them.

[A-Cal]

i am sure they could shop Z, marmol, guzman, marshall, wells, and dempster

 

it would probably just depend on how far they fall to become sellers and what the returns would be, but if i was hendry and in a 'selling' position, nobody would be off of the table at this point

[jersey cubs fan]

Lilly, Wells, Marshall and Fukudome would seem to me to have the "easiest to trade and actually have some value" label. Lilly and Fukudome have the added value of clearing up payroll.

 

Harden is obviously a possibility, but his health will upset some people. And to be quite honest, I'd kind of like to see if they can bring him back next year at a team friendly salary with incentives.

 

I can't imagine anybody would want Soriano, Lee or Bradley.

[Guest]

Lilly, Wells, Marshall and Fukudome would seem to me to have the "easiest to trade and actually have some value" label. Lilly and Fukudome have the added value of clearing up payroll.

 

Harden is obviously a possibility, but his health will upset some people. And to be quite honest, I'd kind of like to see if they can bring him back next year at a team friendly salary with incentives.

 

I can't imagine anybody would want Soriano, Lee or Bradley.

I'm not sure why we'd trade Marshall if we're in a selling mode.

 

Ditto for Lilly, I guess. Even though he'd bring really good returns at this point, he has to be looked upon as a building block for next year's team. I assume they will want to be in a position to go for it again in 2010, no matter what happens this season.

 

Bradley is less than 1/2 season removed from being AL OPS champ. Even though he's struggled to start the year, he still has value.

 

Lee has been hitting well lately and is one of those players whose perceived value has usually been higher than his numbers would indicate.

[jersey cubs fan]

Lilly, Wells, Marshall and Fukudome would seem to me to have the "easiest to trade and actually have some value" label. Lilly and Fukudome have the added value of clearing up payroll.

 

Harden is obviously a possibility, but his health will upset some people. And to be quite honest, I'd kind of like to see if they can bring him back next year at a team friendly salary with incentives.

 

I can't imagine anybody would want Soriano, Lee or Bradley.

I'm not sure why we'd trade Marshall if we're in a selling mode.

 

Ditto for Lilly, I guess. Even though he'd bring really good returns at this point, he has to be looked upon as a building block for next year's team. I assume they will want to be in a position to go for it again in 2010, no matter what happens this season.

 

Bradley is less than 1/2 season removed from being AL OPS champ. Even though he's struggled to start the year, he still has value.

 

Lee has been hitting well lately and is one of those players whose perceived value has usually been higher than his numbers would indicate.

 

Bradley's contract destroys any value he had. Lee cannot justify his contract at his position. I can't think of a contender with money that he would actually improve.

 

I'm not begging for a Marshall trade, but the Cubs have pitching and no hitters. Lilly could be an actual sell high guy taht they actually get real value for. I wouldn't just give him away for some help, but I'd bet some team would be willing to give up a lot for him. He's been a real nice pitcher for the Cubs, but he's not an ace. He's not irreplacable. And I'd have very little interest in seeing them extend him after next season when he's 35. This team is really screwed if they don't win this year. If they aren't good enough to win now, they probably aren't good enough to win in 2010, and at that point you have to think about 2011 and beyond.

[kjfoster 1553]

I think Milton Bradley could be a very attractive piece, especially to an American League team that could use a DH for the playoffs. I agree that his contract sucks, though.

[Little Slide Rooter]

The problem is, with all of the large, unattractive contracts that Hendry has dolled out like religious pamphlets, it will be hard to make The Cubs are rebuilding seller. Even if we could move Bradley and/or Soriano, wed still have to gut a significant amount of their salaries. therefore, I wouldnt move Lilly. If it comes down to it, Harden could net us something decent, as could Gregg. Reed could maybe net us something, but could be more valuable packaged with Harden or Gregg.

[Backtobanks]

The Cubs won't be sellers because the expectations are too high and no team is running away with the NL Central. On the pre-game show, they pointed out that the Cubs were 2 1/2 games out when Ramirez went down and they were still 2 1/2 games out before today's game. As bad as they've looked, I do think Lou is right in saying they will hit. I have trouble believing that Bradley, Fukudome, Soto, Fontenot, Soriano, and Ramirez won't produce some runs when ARam returns. Of course, then the pitching will go south.

[Little Slide Rooter]

The Cubs won't be sellers because the expectations are too high and no team is running away with the NL Central. On the pre-game show, they pointed out that the Cubs were 2 1/2 games out when Ramirez went down and they were still 2 1/2 games out before today's game. As bad as they've looked, I do think Lou is right in saying they will hit. I have trouble believing that Bradley, Fukudome, Soto, Fontenot, Soriano, and Ramirez won't produce some runs when ARam returns. Of course, then the pitching will go south.

 

They wont be sellers in the fire sale sense of the word, but they could dump some of the players in the last year of a contract if they think they're out of it when the time comes.

[CUBZ99]

The Cardinals would probably take Miles back.

[Little Slide Rooter]

The Cardinals would probably take Miles back.

 

Put a stamp and a bow on him.

[sneakypower]

i don't think hendry understands the concept of selling. as bad as we were in 05, he passed on Ethier in favor of Izturis because he thought he'd be pay more immediate dividends. and there really wasn't much more movement beyond that.

[Clem Fandango]

How many of these players with NTC will actually allow the team to shop them around though? I would think if Hendry told them that they made a choice to become sellers that perhaps they'd change their tune and waive their clauses, but would they?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Even if the Cubs become sellers, I don't see them entering a "rebuilding" mode. I really don't see them trading players that they think could help next season. For that reason, I think we hold on to Lilly, Dempster, and Zambrano as well as Ramirez, Bradley, Fukudome, and Soriano. We might shop Soriano for the right deal, but I doubt we'd do it to unload the contract. Bradley could be moved if the Cubs feel he's not going to become the hitter they thought they were buying, but I don't see anyone taking on his contract.

 

The players I think we'd move are those not under contract for 2010 and beyond.

 

Harden is likely the most valuable chip assuming he's healthy at the deadline. A team looking to add a front-line starter might be willing to offer up a fairly decent package for him.

 

Gregg also could be moved. I don't think we'd get much for him, but if a team offered a projectible but raw minor league arm for him, that would be a good deal.

 

Heliman also might interest a team, but like Gregg, I don't think he'd bring much more than a high ceiling but high risk player at best.

[Bryants Disco Ball]

As much as I would love to see the Cubs be able to trade some of these players, NONE of them can or will be traded. Not even Lilly.

 

Due to the market and economy this season, no team is going to be interested in taking a contract that still calls for a good deal of money to be paid this season along with next season (i.e. Lilly and Lee).

 

In addition, the Cubs can't and won't eat a lot of the money on these contracts to ship these guys out, even if Lee waived his no trade.

 

It's a terrible season to be a seller.

[TruffleShuffle]

as bad as we were in 05, he passed on Ethier in favor of Izturis because he thought he'd be pay more immediate dividends.

 

i'm going to assume this is just speculation and is untrue, because if i knew it to be true, i might have to drive to chicago and personally strangle hendry.

[Little Slide Rooter]

as bad as we were in 05, he passed on Ethier in favor of Izturis because he thought he'd be pay more immediate dividends.

 

i'm going to assume this is just speculation and is untrue, because if i knew it to be true, i might have to drive to chicago and personally strangle hendry.

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

[Little Slide Rooter]

If we do decide to sell in a month or so, I wonder what we could get for Harden, assuming he stays healthyish. The Mets and Phillies would surely jump all over him. The Tigers, Red Sox, and Rangers would definitely show interest. Maybe the 2 LA teams as well. If this were to be chalked up as a lost season by that time, we could getsomething very nice for him. I dont anticipate it happening, but its still an interesting thought.

[Bryants Disco Ball]

This story from the day Maddux was traded says that the Dodgers wouldn't give Hendry rookie outfielder Andre Ethier or future closer Jon Broxton, and that Hendry eventually gave in and took Cesar.

 

Hendry for GM of the year! He correctly wanted two future stars, but just couldn't get them!

 

http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/sports/abox/article_1229309.php

[Bryants Disco Ball]

If we do decide to sell in a month or so, I wonder what we could get for Harden, assuming he stays healthyish. The Mets and Phillies would surely jump all over him. The Tigers, Red Sox, and Rangers would definitely show interest. Maybe the 2 LA teams as well. If this were to be chalked up as a lost season by that time, we could getsomething very nice for him. I dont anticipate it happening, but its still an interesting thought.

 

Agreed. Harden would be the one Cub, if even close to healthy, that the Cubs would be able to trade. Just not sure what type of prospects the Cubs would get for him. After all, it ain't like we gave up the farm to acquire him last season.

[E.J.]

This story from the day Maddux was traded says that the Dodgers wouldn't give Hendry rookie outfielder Andre Ethier or future closer Jon Broxton, and that Hendry eventually gave in and took Cesar.

 

Hendry for GM of the year! He correctly wanted two future stars, but just couldn't get them!

 

http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/sports/abox/article_1229309.php

 

That article just says that Hendry wanted Ethier or Broxton. Just because Hendry was trying to get those two guys doesn't mean Colletti was willing to trade them for Maddux.

[CUBZ99]

How long does Soriano have left on his contract? If it is more than 3 years, there is no team that will want him unless the Cubs eat half his salary. Unless the wheels come completely off, I really don't see a scenario in which Hendry has a firesale. The division is just not very good and any team is one hot stretch away from taking the lead.

[manbearcub]

soriano has five years after this one