Fire Sale

[apete6]

While it may be pretty much completely unrealistic to expect a fire sale, there is a chance that the Cubs could be more than 10 games back at the All Start Break. Any ideas on possible returns that Hendry could get for anyone from Soriano to Miles to Lilly?

 

I'll start:

 

Kevin Gregg for a minor league reliever with a ceiling comparable to that of Aaron Heilman or Jose Ascanio. Although possibly more if he goes to a team that will offer him arbitration on the hope that they get 2 Type A picks in return.

 

Carlos Zambrano: Would Zambrano and Kosuke be able to bring back Carlos Beltran from the Mets? I believe Z said that he would waive his NTC to go to New York or Boston or the White Sox, but don't remember if it was a Yankees specific question.

[UK1679666180]

How would getting Carlos Beltran be part of a fire sale and why would any team take on Fukudome's contract?

 

Also, this team will be in win it now mode for as long as possible.

[Tyrant]

Kevin Gregg for a minor league reliever with a ceiling comparable to that of Aaron Heilman or Jose Ascanio.

 

Why trade Kevin Gregg for a minor-leaguer whose ceiling is lower than Gregg's current ability?

[apete6]

How would getting Carlos Beltran be part of a fire sale and why would any team take on Fukudome's contract?

 

Also, this team will be in win it now mode for as long as possible.

 

The Mets starting pitching is terrible and the money would balance out with Z and Fuku going the other way. I still can't believe that as many GMs who coveted Kosuke can be that wrong.

[apete6]

Kevin Gregg for a minor league reliever with a ceiling comparable to that of Aaron Heilman or Jose Ascanio.

 

Why trade Kevin Gregg for a minor-leaguer whose ceiling is lower than Gregg's current ability?

 

Because you will have that piece for 6-8 years instead of 3 more months of Gregg.

[Little Slide Rooter]

While this has been discussed multiple times in multiple threads, The only guys it would make any sense to move in a fire sale would be Harden, Gregg, and possibly Lee if they feel that Fox, Hoff, or a platoon is a legit option for 1st base next year. If we could find a taker for Miles, super. Reed Johnson, Ryan Freel, and Aaron Heilman are others that could go, but they wouldnt bring much in, maybe a low level quasi prospect or used as a throw in for a deal for one of the others.

[sporrer17]

It's so hard to see a legit "fire sale" happening from our end, because even if we don't compete this year, they have to be thinking about next year and not 3-5 years from now. Guys like Gregg, Harden, Lee, etc...are guys that still have value to the team next year, for the most part. Now, unless they really want to go with a mix of really young guys (callups in the bullpen, the Fox/Hoff platoon, etc) and the aging vets we have, I think they'll try the band-aid approach to piecing this team together.

 

Looking at realistic options we have in the minors to contribute late this year/next season:

Bullpen - Gaub, Stevens, Parker...these three guys have good #s in the minors, are they talented enough to displace Heilman, Gregg, and Patton?

Rotation - Smardzija, Jay Jackson?...really we may only need to replace Harden, which can be done by Marshall/Shark.

Catcher - Chris Robinson, Steve Clevenger, Welington Castillo...does replacing the backup catcher make a world of difference?

Infield - Bobby Scales, Darwin Barney, Matt Camp (OF)...these guys have little, if any, upside, but could serve as cheap alternatives to Miles.

Outfield - Brad Snyder, Fox/Hoff, Colvin...again, none of them should be replacing a starter, but maybe one takes Johnson's spot as backup and another is the 5th OF/1b. Can't see Colvin making the team, but had to include him on the list.

 

So looking at our options, strictly in house (I'm assuming since budget is already tight, we'd have to do a lot of our adding through the minors) we are really looking at a few bullpen arms, a starter or two, and a bunch of backups. We're really in a bad spot here, guys. If we end up with more then 4-5 of these guys on the roster, it may be another long season next year.

[SouthSideRyan]

While it may be pretty much completely unrealistic to expect a fire sale, there is a chance that the Cubs could be more than 10 games back at the All Start Break.

 

There is??

[jersey cubs fan]

It's so hard to see a legit "fire sale" happening from our end, because even if we don't compete this year, they have to be thinking about next year and not 3-5 years from now. Guys like Gregg, Harden, Lee, etc...are guys that still have value to the team next year, for the most part.

 

I really hope Gregg isn't a part of the team next year (he'll be way overpaid just because he's got saves on his resume) and I have real doubts that Harden will still be around. I don't think those guys necessarily have value to next years team. As for Lee, I'm not sure Fox and Hoffpauir won't be able to platoon similar numbers than Lee at that spot next year for far less money. And since it will be nearly impossible to trade Soriano or Bradley, and because Ramirez will in all likelihood be at third, they may need that money and be very limited in where they can use Hoff/Fox.

[abuck1220]

While it may be pretty much completely unrealistic to expect a fire sale, there is a chance that the Cubs could be more than 10 games back at the All Start Break.

 

i want to see this happen. i wouldn't even be mad, it'd be so amazing.

[jersey cubs fan]

While it may be pretty much completely unrealistic to expect a fire sale, there is a chance that the Cubs could be more than 10 games back at the All Start Break.

 

There is??

 

Sure there's a chance. Not a good one, but a chance nonetheless. After Pit they play MIL, ATL and STL. If they get swept by the Brewers that's 7.5 games back, and if they lose 2 of 3 in each of the next 2 series, while MIL wins 2 of 3, that's 9.5, and that would mean you'd need to see MIL outplay the Cubs by one more game in this week's series against NYM and PIT, respectively.

 

I don't see that happening. If the Cubs win at least one game against MIL and managed 4 of 9 against the other three teams, they will probably be within 6.5 or better.

[Little Slide Rooter]

It's so hard to see a legit "fire sale" happening from our end, because even if we don't compete this year, they have to be thinking about next year and not 3-5 years from now. Guys like Gregg, Harden, Lee, etc...are guys that still have value to the team next year, for the most part.

 

I really hope Gregg isn't a part of the team next year (he'll be way overpaid just because he's got saves on his resume) and I have real doubts that Harden will still be around. I don't think those guys necessarily have value to next years team. As for Lee, I'm not sure Fox and Hoffpauir won't be able to platoon similar numbers than Lee at that spot next year for far less money. And since it will be nearly impossible to trade Soriano or Bradley, and because Ramirez will in all likelihood be at third, they may need that money and be very limited in where they can use Hoff/Fox.

 

I really dont see Harden on the team next year either. Id be very content with a rotation of Z, Lilly, Demp, Wells, Marshall, unless we do end up making an offseason trade for Peavy which could be realistic once the ownership is in place. Id prefer to go after a middle infielder. Orlando Hudson or Freddy Sanchez would be a good one. Not a player that will make or break a team, but a solid number 2 hitter.

 

As for Gregg, I dont see him on the team, but we'll need a closer, and unless Marmol rebounds with a strong 2nd half, were going to need something. I think that the pen will be another focus of the off season.

 

in 2010, I dont expect to see Harden, Gregg, Heilman, Freel, Patton, Johnson, or Hill. I know that doesnt free up a whole lot of money, but if Lee is traded to a team willing to pick up a lot of salary, it could be worth it. If and when the Ricketts take over, they seem like they really want the team to succeed, and hopefully they'll put out the money to back it up.

[Butterscup1679666578]

oh my god! we're having a fire...sale!

 

http://12.media.tumblr.com/BydclihZXojkblk6FZQZziP5o1_500.jpg

[Benchwarmer]

I'm in for dumping players, but because Hendry has foolishly spent $$$ and years on Soriano, Koskuke, Bradley and Lee, we have to move at least two of them. Very tough with this economy and the 4 are underachieving. I think that Harden, Marshall may have value and certainly Marmol, Ascanio, Heilman could be moved. I'd also trade Zambrano, but want the top 2-3 minor league position players in their system.

 

Hendry has a big problem which he brought upon himself.

[sonicdethmonkey0]

OH MY GOD WE'RE HAVING A FIRE... sale. OH THE BURNING! IT BURNS ME! EVACUATE ALL THE SCHOOLCHILDREN!

 

why would the mets trade one of the best players in the game for a mediocre OF and zambrano when their offense is rivaled in suckiness by the cubs?

[sonicdethmonkey0]

oh my god! we're having a fire...sale!

 

http://12.media.tumblr.com/BydclihZXojkblk6FZQZziP5o1_500.jpg

 

beaten by 7 minutes and a fancy picture.

 

i should add that the trades being discussed in this thread are certainly tobias-esque.

[Tony Thomas]

I'm in for selling too, we could get some decent minor league players for a couple players. If the Giants need a first baseman near the deadline we could trade D-Lee to them. I think that this would be one of the teams he would waive his NTC to play for seeing as how he's from Sacramento.

[sporrer17]

It's so hard to see a legit "fire sale" happening from our end, because even if we don't compete this year, they have to be thinking about next year and not 3-5 years from now. Guys like Gregg, Harden, Lee, etc...are guys that still have value to the team next year, for the most part.

 

I really hope Gregg isn't a part of the team next year (he'll be way overpaid just because he's got saves on his resume) and I have real doubts that Harden will still be around. I don't think those guys necessarily have value to next years team. As for Lee, I'm not sure Fox and Hoffpauir won't be able to platoon similar numbers than Lee at that spot next year for far less money. And since it will be nearly impossible to trade Soriano or Bradley, and because Ramirez will in all likelihood be at third, they may need that money and be very limited in where they can use Hoff/Fox.

 

believe me, I'm all for moving those three (Harden, Lee, Gregg) because they are the most replaceable parts on this team, in spots we could actually save money by doing so. With the OF situation (40+ mil for that garbage?) we're going to have to get cheap production at C, 1b, 2b, SS. 3b and the pitching staff are pretty pricey, but effective.

 

Lee's 13 mm and Harden's 7 mm, coupled with Greggs 4+mm, there's almost 25 million we could save and use elsewhere. We have to do everything in our power to make that work for us.

[jersey cubs fan]

OH MY GOD WE'RE HAVING A FIRE... sale. OH THE BURNING! IT BURNS ME! EVACUATE ALL THE SCHOOLCHILDREN!

 

why would the mets trade one of the best players in the game for a mediocre OF and zambrano when their offense is rivaled in suckiness by the cubs?

 

The Mets offense is at least average, whereas the Cubs are at or near the bottom. Plus they have multiple guys injured who they would hope could come back. They are weak in starting pitching as their rotation is quite thin.

[Backtobanks]

I've posted many times stating that the Cubs won't be sellers for a variety of reasons (mostly the mediocrity of the NL Central), but if the money situation is as tight as it seems, I could see trading Harden to a pitching-desperate team for a bat that would help both teams. Assuming the bat is making $10-12 million, the trade would end up costing < $2.5 million for the rest of the year.

[JonJayCutler]

Although I was definitely one of the people over-reacting yesterday and declaring the season over, we should at least wait until we are 7-8 games out before even discussing a fire sale. As it currently stands, we are still only one hot week away from leading the division. I still say the key is Soriano. When he begins another one of his inevitable hot streaks, chances are the Cubs will get hot as well and we'll be LOLing at these threads.

[Cubbies622]

we have a better chance to be in first place than 10 games back... Since when is 3.5 games back time for a fire sale?

[Guest]

we have a better chance to be in first place than 10 games back... Since when is 3.5 games back time for a fire sale?

I'm guessing the Cubs will be closer to 10 games back than they will be to first. And WE will be rehashing arguments about value of the Cubs tradable assets.

 

It's really hard to fix what is wrong with the Cubs given the value of existing players, ownership issues, and available trading partners.

 

I don't see a complete collapse though.

[shnsajax]

Well this was a fun thread.

[Butterscup1679666578]

oh my god! we're having a fire...sale!

 

http://12.media.tumblr.com/BydclihZXojkblk6FZQZziP5o1_500.jpg

 

beaten by 7 minutes and a fancy picture.

 

i should add that the trades being discussed in this thread are certainly tobias-esque.

 

too slow my friend.