Would You Make This Trade?

[dew1679666265]

I'm all for trading Bradley and getting rid of that contract, but Luis Castillo cannot do anymore at 2B than Fontenot can. However, if this frees up enough money for us to swing a trade for someone like Adam Dunn then I don't even think twice about it.

 

It wouldn't begin to free up enough money for any kind of impact bat. We'd free up $3 million in 2010 and $6 million in 2011.

 

Well in that case its probably not a good idea if we can't somehow acquire a replacement for RF. I could live with a Hoff/Fox platoon in RF if we got a good bat back somewhere else (2B). Luis Castillo is not an upgrade though. If only we had signed Ibanez :(

 

Dunn would've been ideal.

[jersey cubs fan]

The platoon helped Fontenot out a ton, true, but is he very likely to stick at .232? I would doubt it. I'd say he'll be similar to Castillo by the end of the year. Especially if, when Aramis returns, Lou moves Fontenot back to second and platoons him with someone (Scales or Blanco perhaps?).

 

And I wouldn't take 2008 Aaron Miles as my leadoff hitter.

 

I'm just not a big fan of a plan for the rest of the year where we wait for people just suddenly start playing better. I might be entertaining this idea more just because it involves getting rid of Bradley, who I've really grown to dislike.

 

Yeah, the plan isn't all that exciting, but making deals just to make deals seems to me to be awfully similar to managers who insist on making things happen on the basepaths. This looks like a situation where they'd run themselves into an out. I don't want to see the 2011 Cubs stuck with a $6m 35 year old second baseman who does nothing particularly well. It's not like we're talking about some guaranteed .400 OBP player here. He's a bit sketchy on defense and has his own history of significant missed time.

[Backtobanks]

Obviously Bradley has the potential to be better than Castillo, which is why I included Feliciano in the original post. I'm not crazy about getting a 33-year old 2B with no power, but you're crazy if you think you're going to dump Bradley (and his contract) and get back something significant. I do think Bradley will start hitting, but figuring in his injury potential, his mental health/attitude issues, and his salary for the next 2 1/2 years makes this kind of deal tempting. Also, tied to this deal was picking up Seth Smith from the Rockies to play in RF. I was tempted to try to figure out a deal involving Harden (plus prospects) for Hawpe, but I'm not sure that's workable.

 

 

I'm all for trading Bradley and getting rid of that contract, but Luis Castillo cannot do anymore at 2B than Fontenot can. However, if this frees up enough money for us to swing a trade for someone like Adam Dunn then I don't even think twice about it.

 

It wouldn't begin to free up enough money for any kind of impact bat. We'd free up $3 million in 2010 and $6 million in 2011.

 

 

I think you underestimate the effect of saving $3 million in 2010 and $6 million in 2011, Harden and Gregg (app. $12 million) coming off the books in 2010, and new ownership ready to spend some new money (hopefully).

[dew1679666265]

Obviously Bradley has the potential to be better than Castillo, which is why I included Feliciano in the original post. I'm not crazy about getting a 33-year old 2B with no power, but you're crazy if you think you're going to dump Bradley (and his contract) and get back something significant. I do think Bradley will start hitting, but figuring in his injury potential, his mental health/attitude issues, and his salary for the next 2 1/2 years makes this kind of deal tempting. Also, tied to this deal was picking up Seth Smith from the Rockies to play in RF. I was tempted to try to figure out a deal involving Harden (plus prospects) for Hawpe, but I'm not sure that's workable.

 

The problem is, Castillo will be 35 before his contract runs out. He likely won't have much of the value he currently has now by then. And he's not as valuable as Bradley right now.

 

Feliciano makes the trade a bit more interesting, but I still don't think I'd do it.

 

I'm all for trading Bradley and getting rid of that contract, but Luis Castillo cannot do anymore at 2B than Fontenot can. However, if this frees up enough money for us to swing a trade for someone like Adam Dunn then I don't even think twice about it.

 

It wouldn't begin to free up enough money for any kind of impact bat. We'd free up $3 million in 2010 and $6 million in 2011.

 

 

I think you underestimate the effect of saving $3 million in 2010 and $6 million in 2011, Harden and Gregg (app. $12 million) coming off the books in 2010, and new ownership ready to spend some new money (hopefully).

 

$3 million isn't going to make much of an impact on anything. It's certainly not enough to downgrade the talent on our roster like a Castillo for Bradley swap would.

 

We're not going to get much significant for Bradley, I agree, but I don't see the benefit in saving enough money for one decent player and downgrading the talent on our roster at the same time.

[jersey cubs fan]

$3m is meaningless when Hendry is going to turn around and hand it to the next Aaron Miles.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Cot's has Castillo signed through 2011 at $6 million each of the next two years. Bradley is at $9 million next year and $12 million in 2011.

 

So, we save $3 million next year and $6 million in 2011 in order to send off a potentially very good bat for a guy who will give us a .350-.370 OBP and that's it.

 

I don't like it much for the Cubs.

 

You give up the possibly good bat (but so far, pretty bad bat) for the almost sure thing OBP. Castillo has been very consistent. Plus you open up a spot in RF for Jake Fox, where you hopefully get that power back that you lose from Bradley's potential.

 

If you wait till Aramis is back, I think this could be a nice money saving deal.

 

Bradley's career OBP is .369 while Castillo's is .367. Over the past 3 years, Bradley's is .409 while Castillo's is .362. If Castillo is an almost sure thing OBP guy, so is Bradley.

[Backtobanks]

Obviously Bradley has the potential to be better than Castillo, which is why I included Feliciano in the original post. I'm not crazy about getting a 33-year old 2B with no power, but you're crazy if you think you're going to dump Bradley (and his contract) and get back something significant. I do think Bradley will start hitting, but figuring in his injury potential, his mental health/attitude issues, and his salary for the next 2 1/2 years makes this kind of deal tempting. Also, tied to this deal was picking up Seth Smith from the Rockies to play in RF. I was tempted to try to figure out a deal involving Harden (plus prospects) for Hawpe, but I'm not sure that's workable.

 

The problem is, Castillo will be 35 before his contract runs out. He likely won't have much of the value he currently has now by then. And he's not as valuable as Bradley right now.

 

Feliciano makes the trade a bit more interesting, but I still don't think I'd do it.

 

I'm all for trading Bradley and getting rid of that contract, but Luis Castillo cannot do anymore at 2B than Fontenot can. However, if this frees up enough money for us to swing a trade for someone like Adam Dunn then I don't even think twice about it.

 

It wouldn't begin to free up enough money for any kind of impact bat. We'd free up $3 million in 2010 and $6 million in 2011.

 

 

I think you underestimate the effect of saving $3 million in 2010 and $6 million in 2011, Harden and Gregg (app. $12 million) coming off the books in 2010, and new ownership ready to spend some new money (hopefully).

 

$3 million isn't going to make much of an impact on anything. It's certainly not enough to downgrade the talent on our roster like a Castillo for Bradley swap would.

 

We're not going to get much significant for Bradley, I agree, but I don't see the benefit in saving enough money for one decent player and downgrading the talent on our roster at the same time.

 

If you're looking at the deal as a straight Castillo for Bradley deal, it certainly is a downgrade in talent. The savings in money, the production of Seth Smith/Hoff/Fox in RF, and the addition by subtraction of all the drama that Bradley brings to the team could make it worthwhile.

[dew1679666265]

If you're looking at the deal as a straight Castillo for Bradley deal, it certainly is a downgrade in talent. The savings in money, the production of Seth Smith/Hoff/Fox in RF, and the addition by subtraction of all the drama that Bradley brings to the team could make it worthwhile.

 

Bradley has been as good as Hoff this year and the safe money is on Bradley being the better hitter the rest of the way. Fox has been very good to this point, but what if he regresses? I'd say it's more likely than Bradley improving.

 

Smith would be very interesting, but what are we giving up for him? What's the Rockies' incentive to trade a young, cheap for a long time, productive outfielder?

[Cubbie Swagger]

I'd give them Soriano and Miles for Luis Castillo. I think it would make us better offensively this year... allowing us to platoon Fox and Hoff in left, and giving us an actual leadoff hitter that plays second and gets on base.

 

1. Castillo

2. Theriot

3. Ramirez

4. Bradley

5. Lee

6. Hoffpair/Fox

7. Soto

8. Fukudome

 

But of course this is all just fun talk and none of this is going to happen.

[Backtobanks]

If you're looking at the deal as a straight Castillo for Bradley deal, it certainly is a downgrade in talent. The savings in money, the production of Seth Smith/Hoff/Fox in RF, and the addition by subtraction of all the drama that Bradley brings to the team could make it worthwhile.

 

Bradley has been as good as Hoff this year and the safe money is on Bradley being the better hitter the rest of the way. Fox has been very good to this point, but what if he regresses? I'd say it's more likely than Bradley improving.

 

Smith would be very interesting, but what are we giving up for him? What's the Rockies' incentive to trade a young, cheap for a long time, productive outfielder?

 

Smith is listed as their 5th OF, so I would think a decent package of prospects would get their interest.

[Little Slide Rooter]

The only way Id make that trade is if we were to use the money saved to trade for Matt Holliday. Otherwise no. I still have faith that down the stretch, Bradley and Soriano will pull it together. Luis Castillo, not so much.

[dew1679666265]

If you're looking at the deal as a straight Castillo for Bradley deal, it certainly is a downgrade in talent. The savings in money, the production of Seth Smith/Hoff/Fox in RF, and the addition by subtraction of all the drama that Bradley brings to the team could make it worthwhile.

 

Bradley has been as good as Hoff this year and the safe money is on Bradley being the better hitter the rest of the way. Fox has been very good to this point, but what if he regresses? I'd say it's more likely than Bradley improving.

 

Smith would be very interesting, but what are we giving up for him? What's the Rockies' incentive to trade a young, cheap for a long time, productive outfielder?

 

Smith is listed as their 5th OF, so I would think a decent package of prospects would get their interest.

 

I would think they'd look to part ways with Hawpe or Spilborghs before Smith. Hawpe is 30 and Spilborghs is 29, while Smith is 26.

 

Hawpe is also expensive ($7.5 in 2010 and $10 million club option in 2011). Spilborghs has more service time (just over 2 years) so he'll get expensive before Smith will.

 

I could see them shipping off Hawpe if they fall out of contention, but otherwise I don't think they'd move an outfielder without pretty good compensation. And would that compensation be worth it for a guy who's had one terrific year (this year)?

[dew1679666265]

The only way Id make that trade is if we were to use the money saved to trade for Matt Holliday. Otherwise no. I still have faith that down the stretch, Bradley and Soriano will pull it together. Luis Castillo, not so much.

 

We'd actually be taking on more money this season. In 09, Bradley is making $5 million while Castillo is at $6 million. If there's not room for Holliday now, there definitely wouldn't be after adding payroll.

[Backtobanks]

If you're looking at the deal as a straight Castillo for Bradley deal, it certainly is a downgrade in talent. The savings in money, the production of Seth Smith/Hoff/Fox in RF, and the addition by subtraction of all the drama that Bradley brings to the team could make it worthwhile.

 

Bradley has been as good as Hoff this year and the safe money is on Bradley being the better hitter the rest of the way. Fox has been very good to this point, but what if he regresses? I'd say it's more likely than Bradley improving.

 

Smith would be very interesting, but what are we giving up for him? What's the Rockies' incentive to trade a young, cheap for a long time, productive outfielder?

 

Smith is listed as their 5th OF, so I would think a decent package of prospects would get their interest.

 

I would think they'd look to part ways with Hawpe or Spilborghs before Smith. Hawpe is 30 and Spilborghs is 29, while Smith is 26.

 

Hawpe is also expensive ($7.5 in 2010 and $10 million club option in 2011). Spilborghs has more service time (just over 2 years) so he'll get expensive before Smith will.

 

I could see them shipping off Hawpe if they fall out of contention, but otherwise I don't think they'd move an outfielder without pretty good compensation. And would that compensation be worth it for a guy who's had one terrific year (this year)?

 

I brought up Smith because he's LH and seems to have decent power numbers while still being young. Do you think the Rockies would go for a deal involving Harden plus prospects for Hawpe?

[dew1679666265]

I brought up Smith because he's LH and seems to have decent power numbers while still being young. Do you think the Rockies would go for a deal involving Harden plus prospects for Hawpe?

 

It's possible. I don't think the Trib would add the salary though. He's signed through 2010 with a 2011 option (that would be voided after a trade). Even if they could even out the money this season, the Trib likely wouldn't commit to paying him money next year.