Total Hypothetical Here...

[jersey cubs fan]

Let me ask the question the way it was proposed to me: "Would (should) the Cubs trade Castro + Cashner for Felix?"

 

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to do both. I'm sure I'd TRY not to trade Castro. I'd strongly consider making the move straight up, but in the end, I'd probably keep Castro if that was the choice. I'm curious what others think, though.

 

probably not.

 

Felix is guaranteed big money for a few years while Castro remains very cost efficient.

[Sammy Sofa]

Man, Castro for Felix straight up? That's a tough one. I really don't know. I guess I'd lean towards Castro because of him being younger and cheaper longer. Edited October 31, 2011 by Sammy Sofa

[davell]

I would do Brett, McNutt, Vitters, Cashner, and Barney for him. And not think twice. Not sure that would get it done though.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

A 6 WAR pitcher at 3 years for $58 million

 

or

 

A 4-WAR (conservatively) SS at 4 years for a combined total of *maybe* $20 million.

 

Plus another strong pitching prospect?

 

Pass.

[davell]

Oh and I'm not trading Castro straight up honestly. Monetary reasons.

[Guest]

Because I haven't seen it mentioned, Felix is signed through 2014 at 3/60. Unfortunately, I don't think the Cubs are a great fit. I'd do something like Barney, Jackson, and one of Cashner/McNutt and feel okay about it.

[jersey cubs fan]

Because I haven't seen it mentioned, Felix is signed through 2014 at 3/60. Unfortunately, I don't think the Cubs are a great fit. I'd do something like Barney, Jackson, and one of Cashner/McNutt and feel okay about it.

 

Why only one of? You are talking about acquiring an ace.

[Guest]

Because I haven't seen it mentioned, Felix is signed through 2014 at 3/60. Unfortunately, I don't think the Cubs are a great fit. I'd do something like Barney, Jackson, and one of Cashner/McNutt and feel okay about it.

 

Why only one of? You are talking about acquiring an ace.

 

Because you have to pay the ace handsomely once you have him too. You can blow away CJ Wilson to get him for 3 years(say, 3/70), and you're only paying him 3 mil more per year to be almost as good while not gutting your organization.

[SouthSideRyan]

I've said it before, there are probably about 5 guys I'd trade Castro for straight up.

 

ETA: I had no idea how expensive he's about to get.

[Cubs Fan Dan]

Vitters, McNutt, Lake, Castillo, Rhee, Szczur

[ConstableRabbit]

Let me ask the question the way it was proposed to me: "Would (should) the Cubs trade Castro + Cashner for Felix?"

 

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to do both. I'm sure I'd TRY not to trade Castro. I'd strongly consider making the move straight up, but in the end, I'd probably keep Castro if that was the choice. I'm curious what others think, though.

 

probably not.

 

Felix is guaranteed big money for a few years while Castro remains very cost efficient.

Didn't you recently say that the Cubs need to worry less about being the most efficient team and more about being the best team?

[jersey cubs fan]

Let me ask the question the way it was proposed to me: "Would (should) the Cubs trade Castro + Cashner for Felix?"

 

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to do both. I'm sure I'd TRY not to trade Castro. I'd strongly consider making the move straight up, but in the end, I'd probably keep Castro if that was the choice. I'm curious what others think, though.

 

probably not.

 

Felix is guaranteed big money for a few years while Castro remains very cost efficient.

Didn't you recently say that the Cubs need to worry less about being the most efficient team and more about being the best team?

 

Yes. The goal is not to be the most cost efficient, but to be the best. That does not mean you ignore costs.

 

What are you trying to say?

[jersey cubs fan]

Because I haven't seen it mentioned, Felix is signed through 2014 at 3/60. Unfortunately, I don't think the Cubs are a great fit. I'd do something like Barney, Jackson, and one of Cashner/McNutt and feel okay about it.

 

Why only one of? You are talking about acquiring an ace.

 

Because you have to pay the ace handsomely once you have him too. You can blow away CJ Wilson to get him for 3 years(say, 3/70), and you're only paying him 3 mil more per year to be almost as good while not gutting your organization.

 

If you can get Wilson that's nice, but there's no guarantee the Cubs can, and if/once he signs elsewhere, you don't have that fallback option. So at that point you wouldn't include both in a trade for Felix?

[ConstableRabbit]

Let me ask the question the way it was proposed to me: "Would (should) the Cubs trade Castro + Cashner for Felix?"

 

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to do both. I'm sure I'd TRY not to trade Castro. I'd strongly consider making the move straight up, but in the end, I'd probably keep Castro if that was the choice. I'm curious what others think, though.

 

probably not.

 

Felix is guaranteed big money for a few years while Castro remains very cost efficient.

Didn't you recently say that the Cubs need to worry less about being the most efficient team and more about being the best team?

 

Yes. The goal is not to be the most cost efficient, but to be the best. That does not mean you ignore costs.

 

What are you trying to say?

It just seemed like a cop-out answer to me. The marginal value of adding Felix is less than the marginal cost -- but big time ace pitchers get paid big time ace money.

 

Is your concern that Felix would break down? Fall off a cliff? Or do you just think that over the years between Castro getting a big deal and Felix playing out his current deal that Castro will be more valuable?

[jersey cubs fan]

It just seemed like a cop-out answer to me.

 

I think that is a pretty stupid interpretation on your part.

[ConstableRabbit]

It just seemed like a cop-out answer to me.

 

I think that is a pretty stupid interpretation on your part.

Please, educate me.

[toonsterwu]

I'm corresponding with a Seattle writer who thinks it may be possible to get "King Felix" for a "King's ransom". It makes sense because they are a long way off from being even a decent team.

 

The question here is what everyone would be willing to part with to get him.

 

I really don't buy Seattle moving him this off-season. If they are willing to listen, though, I imagine it starts with Starlin Castro at the top of the package. Without him, I don't see anyway that the Cubs could be competitive in a deal. Scary how young Felix is. He's only entering his age 26 season, and it feels like he's been around forever. Do you move Castro in a package for Felix? It really depends on how good you think Castro will be and when you think he will have to move off short. I tend to lean no - as good as Felix is, Castro's a positional player who looks like he could be headed to some stellar seasons sooner than later and is cheap and cost-controlled.

 

I just don't see anyway the Cubs could make a competitive bid without Castro in it, though. There simply isn't enough to legitimately buy that the Cubs could make this deal. Even Cashner headlining a package probably wouldn't be enough (granted, if the Cubs said pick any 6 or 7 guys, maybe they'd ponder it).

[SouthSideRyan]

Re: Castro

 

You're looking at Castro for 3 years + a 3/45M starting pitcher vs King Felix. It's not really a close call.

[Guest]

Because I haven't seen it mentioned, Felix is signed through 2014 at 3/60. Unfortunately, I don't think the Cubs are a great fit. I'd do something like Barney, Jackson, and one of Cashner/McNutt and feel okay about it.

 

Why only one of? You are talking about acquiring an ace.

 

Because you have to pay the ace handsomely once you have him too. You can blow away CJ Wilson to get him for 3 years(say, 3/70), and you're only paying him 3 mil more per year to be almost as good while not gutting your organization.

 

If you can get Wilson that's nice, but there's no guarantee the Cubs can, and if/once he signs elsewhere, you don't have that fallback option. So at that point you wouldn't include both in a trade for Felix?

 

 

Well if Wilson and Sabathia go elsewhere and Felix is truly available(which is a bit of a strange hypothetical), you'd have to consider it. I still have to think there's better value to be had on the trade market than him though. I don't think Seattle is so cash strapped to trade him for a more appropriate package simply because of his contract, and I really have a hard time justifying 3/60 + the farm for Hernandez. It's one of those deals that could actually make it harder to compete in the near term because it would rob you of any sort of cost effective production in the near term while eating up a substantial portion of the limited payroll resources available.

[jersey cubs fan]

Well if Wilson and Sabathia go elsewhere and Felix is truly available(which is a bit of a strange hypothetical),

 

How is that a strange hypothetical?

[toonsterwu]

I don't think you'd have to do Castro if you were willing to give up your best remaining prospects. MY recollection is that Seattle is somewhat defense-obsessed at the moment, which should make them less demanding of Castro.

 

They do focus on defense, but their sheer offensive needs and Castro's upside should lead to Castro starting the package from their perspective, simply because there isn't enough quality in the upper levels to make a deal.

 

I mean, most of the teams, if not all, would offer some of their top prospects for Hernandez. Much as I like aspects of our system, we simply wouldn't match up. If the Yankees came in and offered Betances or Banuelos, to go with Jesus Montero? Or the Rangers came in and offered Jurickson Profar since Elvis Andrus is in the bigs (or what if they offered Elvis Andrus to keep a spot for Profar, but Profar is a few years away)? We simply don't have that elite talent, or that close to elite upper level guy. Brett Jackson is as close as it gets, and Cashner is a big question mark right now as to his chances to be a starter.

[Guest]

Well if Wilson and Sabathia go elsewhere and Felix is truly available(which is a bit of a strange hypothetical),

 

How is that a strange hypothetical?

 

For one, I don't think there's much likelihood of Felix being dealt. Second, if the Cubs are willing to trade a substantial package for the right to pay Felix 3/60, don't you think they'd be pretty likely to sign one of those guys to a deal like I mentioned? Or do you think Wilson would turn down 3/70 so he could get the 5/90 that's rumored for him(at the high end)?

[CubsInNC]

If Castro were to be a demand from the M's, the package coming back from them would have to include Smoak for me to be ok with him going in that deal. But there's no way that happens, so imo, we're just not a match with them. If they'd accept a package around a 3=4 prospects (Vitters/Jackson/Casher/Szczur/etc), I'd be more likely to jump on that. But they'd be stupid to take that, imo.

[jersey cubs fan]

Well if Wilson and Sabathia go elsewhere and Felix is truly available(which is a bit of a strange hypothetical),

 

How is that a strange hypothetical?

 

For one, I don't think there's much likelihood of Felix being dealt.

 

It's been discussed for a few years now. And aside from the fact that he's very good and a hard guy to come by, it hasn't happened because they've wanted to try and win with him. But Seattle absolutely blows. Their roster is pathetic and their attendance keeps falling sharply while payroll remains high. I think it could happen.

[KingCubsFan]

I've said it before, there are probably about 5 guys I'd trade Castro for straight up.

 

ETA: I had no idea how expensive he's about to get.

Who?