Levine: Hendry secure but firesale could begin

[Soul]

I don't think Fielder fits in with what appears to be Ricketts' new direction. It's another large, long term contract that he's given every indication he would like to move away from.

 

Plus, you can expect the Brewers to beg, borrow, and steal any method they can find to keep Fielder from going to another team in the division. That would be disastrous for their organization. I don't think it happens. Pujols is out, too.

[TruffleShuffle]

Plus, you can expect the Brewers to beg, borrow, and steal any method they can find to keep Fielder from going to another team in the division.

 

he's a free agent, what are they going to do, murder him to keep him away from the cubs?

[SouthSideRyan]

I don't think Fielder fits in with what appears to be Ricketts' new direction. It's another large, long term contract that he's given every indication he would like to move away from.

 

What indications were these?

[XZero771679666304]

Plus, you can expect the Brewers to beg, borrow, and steal any method they can find to keep Fielder from going to another team in the division.

 

he's a free agent, what are they going to do, murder him to keep him away from the cubs?

 

Yeah, short of murder or blackmail, I don't see how either the Brewers or Cardinals could have any bearing on where Fielder or Pujols sign once they hit the open market.

 

They're not going to compromise the financial stability of their club to sign their player for an exorbitant amount on the basis that a division rival will likely pursue them. If they can afford them, they'll re-sign them. In the Cardinals' case, it's possible. Fielder is gone, and the Brewers aren't going to have anything to say about where, unless they trade him, which they won't.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I don't think Fielder fits in with what appears to be Ricketts' new direction. It's another large, long term contract that he's given every indication he would like to move away from.

 

Plus, you can expect the Brewers to beg, borrow, and steal any method they can find to keep Fielder from going to another team in the division. That would be disastrous for their organization. I don't think it happens. Pujols is out, too.

 

We sat back and watched Ryan Theriot become a Cardinal, and there wasn't a damn thing we could do about it. Seriously though, it happens. Once a player hits free agency, the former team no longer has any say in which team they sign with. Look at Carl Crawford. I could actually see Pujols staying away from the Cubs out of love for St. Louis and the greatest fans on earth, but Fielder doesn't strike me as a guy who would let loyalties stand in the way of the highest bidder, and Scott Boras certainly wouldn't.

[Sammy Sofa]

I don't think Fielder fits in with what appears to be Ricketts' new direction. It's another large, long term contract that he's given every indication he would like to move away from.

 

What indications were these?

 

None.

[Sammy Sofa]

What do people expect Hendry to say? The cubs will be very active up until the deadline and will place a few players on waives who are not trade (Soriano, maybe Z). The cubs will have ridiculous amounts of money available next year and have some great pieces to build around (Marshall, Castro, Garza, Marmol(i still would trade high), Soto.

 

My approach would be:

 

Push hard to trade Soriano, Grabow

Trade Byrd

Trade Pena

Trade Ramirez IF it brings back 2 good/great prospects or a solid starter, if not do not trade him and work out a 2yr deal.

Trade Wood if he approves and is willing to return after the season.

Trade Marmol, he is worth a ton right now and could be the biggest trade chip the Cubs have.

Trade Baker, Johnson and high upside prospect

Trade Dempster

 

In the offseason

 

Fire Quade

Set up to Make a run at Fielder

Keep an eye on the Dodgers if players become available use prospects to go after Kemp or Ethier

Keep an eye on the Garza type pitchers available, also keep an eye on CC's opt out deal.

find a more powerful productive 2B, example: Kelly Johnson type player.

Resign RJ as 4th/5th OF

 

tough to project what or who will be available.

 

I like a lot of this, but trading Dempster and Byrd just isn't a good idea unless a team is offering amazing deals for them. I'm not saying they're untouchable, but the Cubs don't have to and shouldn't frag their team for 2012, and moving those guys just creates big holes that likely can't be filled adequately that quickly.

[17 Seconds]

Keep: Dempster, Castro, Marmol, Garza, Soto

 

Only trade if we somehow get surprisingly good value: Zambrano, Byrd, Ramirez

 

Take what you can get for the rest of the team. If you miraculously get someone to take on like 70% or more of Soriano's contract... do it, even if you're the one giving prospects with him.

[SouthSideRyan]

Keep: Dempster, Castro, Marmol, Garza, Soto

 

Only trade if we somehow get surprisingly good value: Zambrano, Byrd, Ramirez

 

Take what you can get for the rest of the team. If you miraculously get someone to take on like 70% or more of Soriano's contract... do it, even if you're the one giving prospects with him.

 

I'd throw Marshall, Wells, Cashner and Mateo in that second group, and probably drop Marmol down to the 2nd group

 

Of course Mateo might be dead.

[Illini Iceman]

I don't think Fielder fits in with what appears to be Ricketts' new direction. It's another large, long term contract that he's given every indication he would like to move away from.

 

What indications were these?

 

None.

 

Gordon Wittemeyer says it so it must be true!!!!!!

[Brett]

What do people expect Hendry to say? The cubs will be very active up until the deadline and will place a few players on waives who are not trade (Soriano, maybe Z). The cubs will have ridiculous amounts of money available next year and have some great pieces to build around (Marshall, Castro, Garza, Marmol(i still would trade high), Soto.

 

My approach would be:

 

Push hard to trade Soriano, Grabow

Trade Byrd

Trade Pena

Trade Ramirez IF it brings back 2 good/great prospects or a solid starter, if not do not trade him and work out a 2yr deal.

Trade Wood if he approves and is willing to return after the season.

Trade Marmol, he is worth a ton right now and could be the biggest trade chip the Cubs have.

Trade Baker, Johnson and high upside prospect

Trade Dempster

 

In the offseason

 

Fire Quade

Set up to Make a run at Fielder

Keep an eye on the Dodgers if players become available use prospects to go after Kemp or Ethier

Keep an eye on the Garza type pitchers available, also keep an eye on CC's opt out deal.

find a more powerful productive 2B, example: Kelly Johnson type player.

Resign RJ as 4th/5th OF

 

tough to project what or who will be available.

 

I like a lot of this, but trading Dempster and Byrd just isn't a good idea unless a team is offering amazing deals for them. I'm not saying they're untouchable, but the Cubs don't have to and shouldn't frag their team for 2012, and moving those guys just creates big holes that likely can't be filled adequately that quickly.

 

So, the 2012 outfield would be Soriano, Byrd, and Jackson? Yikes.

[CubColtPacer]

What do people expect Hendry to say? The cubs will be very active up until the deadline and will place a few players on waives who are not trade (Soriano, maybe Z). The cubs will have ridiculous amounts of money available next year and have some great pieces to build around (Marshall, Castro, Garza, Marmol(i still would trade high), Soto.

 

My approach would be:

 

Push hard to trade Soriano, Grabow

Trade Byrd

Trade Pena

Trade Ramirez IF it brings back 2 good/great prospects or a solid starter, if not do not trade him and work out a 2yr deal.

Trade Wood if he approves and is willing to return after the season.

Trade Marmol, he is worth a ton right now and could be the biggest trade chip the Cubs have.

Trade Baker, Johnson and high upside prospect

Trade Dempster

 

In the offseason

 

Fire Quade

Set up to Make a run at Fielder

Keep an eye on the Dodgers if players become available use prospects to go after Kemp or Ethier

Keep an eye on the Garza type pitchers available, also keep an eye on CC's opt out deal.

find a more powerful productive 2B, example: Kelly Johnson type player.

Resign RJ as 4th/5th OF

 

tough to project what or who will be available.

 

I like a lot of this, but trading Dempster and Byrd just isn't a good idea unless a team is offering amazing deals for them. I'm not saying they're untouchable, but the Cubs don't have to and shouldn't frag their team for 2012, and moving those guys just creates big holes that likely can't be filled adequately that quickly.

 

So, the 2012 outfield would be Soriano, Byrd, and Jackson? Yikes.

 

What's yikes about that? That's average offensively and defensively with some upside.

[Brett]

What do people expect Hendry to say? The cubs will be very active up until the deadline and will place a few players on waives who are not trade (Soriano, maybe Z). The cubs will have ridiculous amounts of money available next year and have some great pieces to build around (Marshall, Castro, Garza, Marmol(i still would trade high), Soto.

 

My approach would be:

 

Push hard to trade Soriano, Grabow

Trade Byrd

Trade Pena

Trade Ramirez IF it brings back 2 good/great prospects or a solid starter, if not do not trade him and work out a 2yr deal.

Trade Wood if he approves and is willing to return after the season.

Trade Marmol, he is worth a ton right now and could be the biggest trade chip the Cubs have.

Trade Baker, Johnson and high upside prospect

Trade Dempster

 

In the offseason

 

Fire Quade

Set up to Make a run at Fielder

Keep an eye on the Dodgers if players become available use prospects to go after Kemp or Ethier

Keep an eye on the Garza type pitchers available, also keep an eye on CC's opt out deal.

find a more powerful productive 2B, example: Kelly Johnson type player.

Resign RJ as 4th/5th OF

 

tough to project what or who will be available.

 

I like a lot of this, but trading Dempster and Byrd just isn't a good idea unless a team is offering amazing deals for them. I'm not saying they're untouchable, but the Cubs don't have to and shouldn't frag their team for 2012, and moving those guys just creates big holes that likely can't be filled adequately that quickly.

 

So, the 2012 outfield would be Soriano, Byrd, and Jackson? Yikes.

 

What's yikes about that? That's average offensively and defensively with some upside.

 

Soriano and Byrd a year older - after being slightly above average and barely average offensively in 2011, and who offer zero upside in 2012 - and then a rookie whose transition to the bigs could be of debatable success given his extreme strikeout rate? Seriously? That's not "yikes" to you?

[jersey cubs fan]

Soriano and Byrd a year older - after being slightly above average and barely average offensively in 2011, and who offer zero upside in 2012 - and then a rookie whose transition to the bigs could be of debatable success given his extreme strikeout rate? Seriously? That's not "yikes" to you?

 

I see it being similar to 2011, which is more meh than yikes. It shouldn't destroy their chances, but they sure aren't going to carry the team to great success either.

[Guest]

Soriano and Byrd a year older - after being slightly above average and barely average offensively in 2011, and who offer zero upside in 2012 - and then a rookie whose transition to the bigs could be of debatable success given his extreme strikeout rate? Seriously? That's not "yikes" to you?

 

They'd be a pretty good bet to be average as a group(although your point about Jackson's likelihood of collapse is an important one) . That's not going to take the team to new heights, but this is a team with plus production from C and SS that plans to pursue a superstar 1B, so they can still be a good offense with a merely okay OF.

[DiamondMind]

Eh, I just want to trade Marmol since it'd be the first time in Cubs history we traded a player near his peak value. I think our future closer is already on the team anyway (Carpenter).

[dew1679666265]

Eh, I just want to trade Marmol since it'd be the first time in Cubs history we traded a player near his peak value. I think our future closer is already on the team anyway (Carpenter).

 

DeRosa, Gorz and Archer weren't selling at peak value? Archer I can see, but I can't imagine DeRosa and Gorz having more value than they did when the Cubs dealt them.

[Soul]

I don't think Fielder fits in with what appears to be Ricketts' new direction. It's another large, long term contract that he's given every indication he would like to move away from.

 

What indications were these?

 

None.

 

OK, it seemed clear to me we wouldn't be loading up on huge, long contracts like we used to, but I acknowledge I could be wrong.

[dew1679666265]

OK, it seemed clear to me we wouldn't be loading up on huge, long contracts like we used to, but I acknowledge I could be wrong.

 

I think he may be more careful with who he approves long term/huge money contracts for (none to players like Soriano, for instance), but I haven't seen anything to indicate he won't approve any long term/huge money deals. You're relegating yourself to small market status if you won't take at least 1-2 long term/huge money contracts.

[XZero771679666304]

Eh, I just want to trade Marmol since it'd be the first time in Cubs history we traded a player near his peak value. I think our future closer is already on the team anyway (Carpenter).

 

DeRosa, Gorz and Archer weren't selling at peak value? Archer I can see, but I can't imagine DeRosa and Gorz having more value than they did when the Cubs dealt them.

 

DeRosa was definitely sold at peak value. I didn't like it at the time, but it looks great in retrospect. He had just played his best season, and it's been straight downhill since. Gorz is less clear.

[Sammy Sofa]

I don't think Fielder fits in with what appears to be Ricketts' new direction. It's another large, long term contract that he's given every indication he would like to move away from.

 

What indications were these?

 

None.

 

OK, it seemed clear to me we wouldn't be loading up on huge, long contracts like we used to, but I acknowledge I could be wrong.

 

Why is it clear to you? I'm honestly asking, because then you're privy to information the rest of us don't have.

[Magnetic Curses]

I don't think Fielder fits in with what appears to be Ricketts' new direction. It's another large, long term contract that he's given every indication he would like to move away from.

 

What indications were these?

 

None.

 

OK, it seemed clear to me we wouldn't be loading up on huge, long contracts like we used to, but I acknowledge I could be wrong.

 

Why is it clear to you? I'm honestly asking, because then you're privy to information the rest of us don't have.

 

I'm sure he's talking about the cubs' insistence on not going after one of the best hitters in the game entering the prime of his career. i mean, it's just common sense to see why any team would be averse to that.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I'm sure he's talking about the cubs' insistence on not going after one of the best hitters in the game entering the prime of his career. i mean, it's just common sense to see why any team would be averse to that.

 

Who? I see two of the best hitters in the game available in free agency, and the youngest will turn 28 early next season. But sabermetric measures, that's toward the tail end of his prime.

[Soul]

Why is it clear to you? I'm honestly asking, because then you're privy to information the rest of us don't have.

 

I'm sure he's talking about the cubs' insistence on not going after one of the best hitters in the game entering the prime of his career. i mean, it's just common sense to see why any team would be averse to that.

 

There's been a focus on the lower levels of the franchise, with time & investment in our facilities for Spring Training and in recruiting. And the contracts Hendry has been given license to sign have been shorter term deals (like Pena, for example).

 

I don't buy that it's all because we have bad contracts on the books. Someone with a ton of money to spend and willingness to go nuts with it would eat the cost and move on. The fact that Ricketts hasn't tells me that he isn't going to stand for being locked in like that -- at least not easily or quickly. And it tells me he really doesn't have unlimited funds to work with anyway. More Soriano-type deals would just put us back in the same hole we've been in, that Ricketts now has to clean up. It doesn't make any sense to me to go through all this only to jump right back in again.

 

He's enduring quite a bit of pain to clear our books of the bad ink. There have been empty seats, a real sense of apathy that hasn't been around this franchise for awhile. My read on this is that he's doing it because he has a plan to go in a different direction. That's what makes the most sense to me.

 

Again, maybe I'm wrong.

[Sammy Sofa]

I'm sure he's talking about the cubs' insistence on not going after one of the best hitters in the game entering the prime of his career. i mean, it's just common sense to see why any team would be averse to that.

 

Who? I see two of the best hitters in the game available in free agency, and the youngest will turn 28 early next season. But sabermetric measures, that's toward the tail end of his prime.

 

There are other schools of thought that think players typically peak between ages 28 and 32.