Cubs "not motivated" to move Pena

[Little Slide Rooter]

I never said they turn out to see a AAAA team. I dont think they'll turn out to see either. They just need to spend the necessary money so t doesnt come down to that. Were a major market team. They need to go back to acting like it but be smarter this time.

 

Big market teams don't go with LaHair over Pena. Assuming we don't sign Fielder or Pujols in the offseason, you're right that a lot of fans won't turn out either way. However, more will come out to see a team that has Pena over one with LaHair.

 

I dont think that Penas signing another 1 year deal, and he's really not worth signing for anymore. What it comes down to is if nobodies offering anything of any value for him, hes not hurting us by being around, and maybe someone will bite come August. If he's still around in September, Ill be somewhat disappointed. If he's still around come April. Ill be very unhappy. I don't want Pena, I don't want LaHair. I want to see this team win.

[dew1679666265]

I don't want Pena, I don't want LaHair. I want to see this team win.

 

As do I. And the team will win more with Pena than with LaHair, if it comes down to that choice. I think we both agree that it shouldn't come down to that choice, though.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I don't want Pena, I don't want LaHair. I want to see this team win.

 

As do I. And the team will win more with Pena than with LaHair, if it comes down to that choice. I think we both agree that it shouldn't come down to that choice, though.

 

That we can very much agree on. However Im not denying that we'll win more with Pena than with LaHair, Im just saying that it wouldnt make enough of a difference to sign Pena for 2-3 years. If it came down to it, Id rather go woth someone from the system, LaHair was just an example, and wait for something better to come along.

[dew1679666265]

That we can very much agree on. However Im not denying that we'll win more with Pena than with LaHair, Im just saying that it wouldnt make enough of a difference to sign Pena for 2-3 years. If it came down to it, Id rather go woth someone from the system, LaHair was just an example, and wait for something better to come along.

 

I'm thinking it's after the 2013 season that Votto becomes a FA (if he hits the market). Giving Pena a 2 year deal would bridge that gap nicely as he'd give us moderate production for 2012 and 2013 and then maybe we'd have the approval to go after Votto. I just don't see the point in playing somebody who, at best, will be a replacement level guy.

 

Going for Pujols or Fielder is still the best option, however.

[questionmarkgrace]

I don't think Hendry not trading Pena is an indictment of Ricketts.

 

well its certainly a concern, now. I'm hoping the Ricketts are extremely upset with Hendry and have tied his hands until they can find a capable gm to fix this teams problems. My guess is that this is not the case however.

[dew1679666265]

I don't think Hendry not trading Pena is an indictment of Ricketts.

 

well its certainly a concern, now. I'm hoping the Ricketts are extremely upset with Hendry and have tied his hands until they can find a capable gm to fix this teams problems. My guess is that this is not the case however.

 

Not allowing Hendry to trade guys you don't plan to bring back would be a terrible decision by Ricketts. My biggest concern is that Ricketts won't approve pursuing Fielder/Pujols - and that would be an indictment of him.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I don't think Hendry not trading Pena is an indictment of Ricketts.

 

well its certainly a concern, now. I'm hoping the Ricketts are extremely upset with Hendry and have tied his hands until they can find a capable gm to fix this teams problems. My guess is that this is not the case however.

 

Not allowing Hendry to trade guys you don't plan to bring back would be a terrible decision by Ricketts. My biggest concern is that Ricketts won't approve pursuing Fielder/Pujols - and that would be an indictment of him.

 

And this, we definitely agree upon.

[dfnowak]

I don't think Hendry not trading Pena is an indictment of Ricketts.

 

well its certainly a concern, now. I'm hoping the Ricketts are extremely upset with Hendry and have tied his hands until they can find a capable gm to fix this teams problems. My guess is that this is not the case however.

 

Not allowing Hendry to trade guys you don't plan to bring back would be a terrible decision by Ricketts. My biggest concern is that Ricketts won't approve pursuing Fielder/Pujols - and that would be an indictment of him.

 

I've also thought of the conspiracy theory that maybe Ricketts doesn't want Hendry making trades that affects the future of the team, meaning that Hendry wont be a part of that future. But, if that's the case, why hasn't Hendry been fired already and replaced? Maybe ricketts doesn't have a replacement yet and is just waiting until the end of the season? I can see not wanting Hendry to trade guys that have a contract beyond this year and waiting for the next GM to make that call, but it doesn't make sense w/ guys who don't have contracts after this year. Sorry, just playing conspiracy theory here and trying to come up w/ an explanation.

[17 Seconds]

remember when baseball was fun?

[Sammy Sofa]

Man, this is disheartening.

 

I was really happy with the drafting and draft spending this year, but now it seems like an ominous omen, as if the new owners have potentially bought TOO much into the idea of developing your talent. I'm suddenly a lot less confident about them spending on guys like Prince or Wilson or Pujols this offseason.

 

Depressssssssssssssing.

[dfnowak]

What's also disheartening is that it seems like there are a lot of teams' top prospects either being traded or rumored to be in trades...the Orioles got Chris Davis and Tommy Hunter for Uehara and the A's will get Lars Anderson for Rich freakin Hardin??? And the Cubs won't trade some of their veterans b/c of some dilusion they will need them to compete next year??? :banghead:

[Sammy Sofa]

What's also disheartening is that it seems like there are a lot of teams' top prospects either being traded or rumored to be in trades...the Orioles got Chris Davis and Tommy Hunter for Uehara and the A's will get Lars Anderson for Rich freakin Hardin??? And the Cubs won't trade some of their veterans b/c of some dilusion they will need them to compete next year??? :banghead:

 

How exactly should the Cubs have gotten those guys? Anderson was traded because 1B is locked down by A-Gon and they have Ortiz DHing. Uehara is obscenely good. Who did the Cubs have that would have been comparable offers?

[dfnowak]

What's also disheartening is that it seems like there are a lot of teams' top prospects either being traded or rumored to be in trades...the Orioles got Chris Davis and Tommy Hunter for Uehara and the A's will get Lars Anderson for Rich freakin Hardin??? And the Cubs won't trade some of their veterans b/c of some dilusion they will need them to compete next year??? :banghead:

 

How exactly should the Cubs have gotten those guys? Anderson was traded because 1B is locked down by A-Gon and they have Ortiz DHing. Uehara is obscenely good. Who did the Cubs have that would have been comparable offers?

 

Please tell me where I said the Cubs could have gotten those guys? Regardless, I would have to say both the Orioles and A's won those trades and it seems to me that contending teams are getting desparate. Don't you think the Cubs could have gotten similar for Marshall as the O's got for Uehara??? Imagine what they could get for Garza! But, sadly it seems that Hendry won't trade these guys or even someone like Pena who's contract runs out after this year.

[Sammy Sofa]

What's also disheartening is that it seems like there are a lot of teams' top prospects either being traded or rumored to be in trades...the Orioles got Chris Davis and Tommy Hunter for Uehara and the A's will get Lars Anderson for Rich freakin Hardin??? And the Cubs won't trade some of their veterans b/c of some dilusion they will need them to compete next year??? :banghead:

 

How exactly should the Cubs have gotten those guys? Anderson was traded because 1B is locked down by A-Gon and they have Ortiz DHing. Uehara is obscenely good. Who did the Cubs have that would have been comparable offers?

 

Please tell me where I said the Cubs could have gotten those guys? Regardless, I would have to say both the Orioles and A's won those trades and it seems to me that contending teams are getting desparate. Don't you think the Cubs could have gotten similar for Marshall as the O's got for Uehara??? Imagine what they could get for Garza! But, sadly it seems that Hendry won't trade these guys or even someone like Pena who's contract runs out after this year.

 

If you didn't think the Cubs could have or should have gotten those guys then why even bring them up? If the Cubs couldn't fill the needs then it's completely redundant.

 

And no, the Cubs couldn't have gotten the same or similar for Marshall. Look at Marshall's numbers. Pretty good, right? Look at Uehara's numbers and then try to contain your baseball boner. They're THAT good. He's disgustingly good. THAT'S the rare reliever that teams look at and think "yup, gonna have that guy close after we sign him to a new deal," not a soft tossing LH.

 

And again, why would they trade Garza? He's young, an excellent pitcher and under their control for years. Trading him creates a gaping hole in a starting rotation that already needs a major pickup. Trading him like the A's moved Harden makes no sense. The A's can spare Harden. The Cubs can't spare Garza.

[dfnowak]

What's also disheartening is that it seems like there are a lot of teams' top prospects either being traded or rumored to be in trades...the Orioles got Chris Davis and Tommy Hunter for Uehara and the A's will get Lars Anderson for Rich freakin Hardin??? And the Cubs won't trade some of their veterans b/c of some dilusion they will need them to compete next year??? :banghead:

 

How exactly should the Cubs have gotten those guys? Anderson was traded because 1B is locked down by A-Gon and they have Ortiz DHing. Uehara is obscenely good. Who did the Cubs have that would have been comparable offers?

 

Please tell me where I said the Cubs could have gotten those guys? Regardless, I would have to say both the Orioles and A's won those trades and it seems to me that contending teams are getting desparate. Don't you think the Cubs could have gotten similar for Marshall as the O's got for Uehara??? Imagine what they could get for Garza! But, sadly it seems that Hendry won't trade these guys or even someone like Pena who's contract runs out after this year.

 

If you didn't think the Cubs could have or should have gotten those guys then why even bring them up? If the Cubs couldn't fill the needs then it's completely redundant.

 

And no, the Cubs couldn't have gotten the same or similar for Marshall. Look at Marshall's numbers. Pretty good, right? Look at Uehara's numbers and then try to contain your baseball boner. They're THAT good. He's disgustingly good. THAT'S the rare reliever that teams look at and think "yup, gonna have that guy close after we sign him to a new deal," not a soft tossing LH.

 

And again, why would they trade Garza? He's young, an excellent pitcher and under their control for years. Trading him creates a gaping hole in a starting rotation that already needs a major pickup. Trading him like the A's moved Harden makes no sense. The A's can spare Harden. The Cubs can't spare Garza.

 

The reason I brought them up was using them as examples as to how teams seem desparate for veterans. Although, ESPN is reporting that the Harden deal is falling through. You are obviously trying to put words in my mouth instead of just taking my post literally.

 

You are right about Uehara's sick stats, but I do think the Cubs could get some good prospects for Marshall if he were available.

 

Bottom line is, nobody on the Cubs right now, except for maybe Castro, should be untouchable if offered a deal you can't refuse...even Garza.

[Guest]

Man, this is disheartening.

 

I was really happy with the drafting and draft spending this year, but now it seems like an ominous omen, as if the new owners have potentially bought TOO much into the idea of developing your talent. I'm suddenly a lot less confident about them spending on guys like Prince or Wilson or Pujols this offseason.

 

Depressssssssssssssing.

 

I'd definitely trade Pena too, but I don't think not trading him is a huge omen. Lee just went to the Pirates for a 23 year old 1B in A+ ball. In this case, I don't think it's unreasonable to have the approach that a sandwich pick, even one they don't have a 100% chance of receiving, is probably a worthwhile gamble if the alternative is organizational filler.

[Sammy Sofa]

Is there a decent chance they'd get a pick? I figured it would be a no go with as bad as he was last year.

[Guest]

Is there a decent chance they'd get a pick? I figured it would be a no go with as bad as he was last year.

 

The updated projections from last week, if accurate, have Pena as one player away from B status.

[Sammy Sofa]

Damn, that would make me feel better.

[TruffleShuffle]

to me it really depends on what's going on behind the scenes. if teams are basically taking a dump in a paper bag and offering that for pena and his whole salary, then i'm glad that hendry is telling them to screw off. there's possibility that a better trade opportunity arises and even if it doesn't, they might be able to offer him arbitration and get a sandwich pick.

 

but if there are teams that are interested in guys like baker, pena, byrd, etc and hendry is just telling them that they're not on the market, then that would be really stupid and incompetent.

[Little Slide Rooter]

All I can think of is that other teams are looking only at his AVG. And not his OBP and occasional home run outbursts. Sure, he's a great 1B, but if a team already has 1, as most contenders do that's irrelevant. I know The Giants could use an upgrade over Aubrey Huff, but maybe they don't see Pena as enough of one, which is also a bit depressing in it's own.

[Sammy Sofa]

All I can think of is that other teams are looking only at his AVG. And not his OBP and occasional home run outbursts. Sure, he's a great 1B, but if a team already has 1, as most contenders do that's irrelevant. I know The Giants could use an upgrade over Aubrey Huff, but maybe they don't see Pena as enough of one, which is also a bit depressing in it's own.

 

Well, they potentially have Huff signed through 2013 (at least until 2012, and getting $10 million a year), and he was steadily improving over May and June from April...but then July was a regression. They're also paying $14 million for Beltran for the rest of this year, so they're likely not going to give up much of anything for Pena unless the Cubs are effectively picking up the tab. Lincecum is arb. eligible after this season and Cain's deal is up after 2012 so I'm sure that's in the back of their minds, too.

[Have a seat, Neifi]

to me it really depends on what's going on behind the scenes. if teams are basically taking a dump in a paper bag and offering that for pena and his whole salary, then i'm glad that hendry is telling them to screw off. there's possibility that a better trade opportunity arises and even if it doesn't, they might be able to offer him arbitration and get a sandwich pick.

 

but if there are teams that are interested in guys like baker, pena, byrd, etc and hendry is just telling them that they're not on the market, then that would be really stupid and incompetent.

 

This basically sums up my thoughts exactly. A team that is 42-65 with by far the second-worst run differential in the entire NL should not be deliberately hoarding a bunch of veterans based on some misguided delusion that "it will all better in 2012." If the offers the Cubs are receiving for guys like Byrd, Pena, and Baker really are that bad, then fine, no reason to just give them away. But completely closing the door to any and all negotiations would be incredibly detrimental to this franchise, IMO.

 

I worry Hendry is holding onto all these guys because he's going to get another shot at it in 2012 and just wants to keep his job and is willing to roll the dice with a bunch of pricy mid-30s veterans all having "bounceback" years next year.

[Have a seat, Neifi]

And it's Tweets like this that do it for me...

 

@SI_JonHeyman

Jon Heyman

 

#cubs told others they want to keep carlos pena & marlon byrd. pena's a FA, but byrd mighta brought a haul. #tradedeadline

[erik316wttn]

And it's Tweets like this that do it for me...

 

@SI_JonHeyman

Jon Heyman

 

#cubs told others they want to keep carlos pena & marlon byrd. pena's a FA, but byrd mighta brought a haul. #tradedeadline

 

*sigh*