Offseason Trade Ideas

[davell]

Raw, they don't. I just threw him out there since they do have a solid amount of pitching and he's hitting arb.

 

OTOH-lets figure out something with the Mariners......Zunino, Ackley, Austin Jackson, Paxton or Walker......They've got to be the ideal team for us to make a deal with. And Jack Z got an extension too, so time to take advantage of the feeble minded, Theo.

[Cubswin11]

What about Miguel Montero as a target? He's 31, signed through 2017 and owed $40 million over the next 3 years. It's Towers, so who knows what his mindset will be. Maybe he'd be happy to clear his contract and take back a few mid level prospects. He's good for mid-teens HR, good patience ~10% bb% and a mid .700 OPS. Also I still would have interest in Randall Delgado as well.

[rawaction]

Raw, they don't. I just threw him out there since they do have a solid amount of pitching and he's hitting arb.

 

OTOH-lets figure out something with the Mariners......Zunino, Ackley, Austin Jackson, Paxton or Walker......They've got to be the ideal team for us to make a deal with. And Jack Z got an extension too, so time to take advantage of the feeble minded, Theo.

 

Ok. Didn't realize that was you who posted the Cobb trade. I typically know where u are coming from.

 

Agree on the Mariners. Matchup really well with the Cubs as trade partners, but I think they would value ML players over prospects. I wonder if the Tigers would do something bold again ala the Fielder trade to try and clear money for Price, Scherer or VMart. Though not sure how they'd match up with the Cubs.

[Cubswin11]

I don't know if I'm a huge fan of Zunino, doesn't really walk a lot or hit for average. Looks like he will have to hit for a lot of power to carry much value offensively. Or am I missing something? I know he's still young and has the high pick/pedigree

[davell]

I still think Zunino is an All Star in waiting. Just rushed and evidently more attainable than a young C with his upside should be.

 

Zunino and Ackley for Castillo, Wada, and McKinney?

 

No clue how to value Wada. If he finishes out the year as strong as what he's done to date.....Regardless of his age, he's a lefty with another pre-arb year left that's a fairly solid 4/5 option. That'd have to hold a fair amount of value, right?

[sneakypower]

Mike Zunino seems pretty...Mike Olt-y, offensively

[Guest]

I still think Zunino is an All Star in waiting. Just rushed and evidently more attainable than a young C with his upside should be.

 

Zunino and Ackley for Castillo, Wada, and McKinney?

 

No clue how to value Wada. If he finishes out the year as strong as what he's done to date.....Regardless of his age, he's a lefty with another pre-arb year left that's a fairly solid 4/5 option. That'd have to hold a fair amount of value, right?

 

 

no way i include McKinney. McKinney might have more perceived value than Zunino himself right now. Castillo and Wada.

[Bull]

The holes we have- C, OF, SP

 

Excess or tradeable parts anyway- Coghlan, Valbuena, Ruggiano, Alcantara, Olt, Wada, Wood, E-Jax, Rondon, Strop, Wright, all minor leaguers outside of KB and Russell.

 

Can't agree on Valbuena or Alcantara being expendable. Valbuena especially is an ideal utility guy. Nor are any of the relievers expendable.

 

I have to believe that one of Contra or GoodValley (fertileValley?) will be traded. Adding Bryant to the team makes one of these guys expendable. I get that you don't HAVE to trade either, but with a front office that understands value, I have to think they will sell high. Valbueno is likely at his highest value right now, and in a low power environment, infield power could really be an asset other teams want and the Cubs can trade from abundance.

[davell]

If we did decide to move Valbuena, the return should be extremely interesting. Wada too. It'd be nice to keep all our major prospects and somehow get a very nice pitcher thru trade using those two and a Vogelbach type prospect.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I have to believe that one of Contra or GoodValley (fertileValley?) will be traded. Adding Bryant to the team makes one of these guys expendable. I get that you don't HAVE to trade either, but with a front office that understands value, I have to think they will sell high. Valbueno is likely at his highest value right now, and in a low power environment, infield power could really be an asset other teams want and the Cubs can trade from abundance.

 

What are we getting in return that we need more?

 

Value has it's place, but for teams that are trying to win, roster construction matters more.

[JennieGarthAlgar]

I have to believe that one of Contra or GoodValley (fertileValley?) will be traded. Adding Bryant to the team makes one of these guys expendable. I get that you don't HAVE to trade either, but with a front office that understands value, I have to think they will sell high. Valbueno is likely at his highest value right now, and in a low power environment, infield power could really be an asset other teams want and the Cubs can trade from abundance.

 

What are we getting in return that we need more?

 

Value has it's place, but for teams that are trying to win, roster construction matters more.

 

Could we use them (and others of our top 100-150 prospects) to get some Top 50 guys or higher, to use in the mythical Stanton deal?

 

For instance, Valbuena+Wada+Vogelbach might interest some AL team into giving up a good prospect, no?

[Felix Leiter]

How much is Vogelbach going to play here with Rizzo at 1st? My understanding is he's a 1st baseman only. If power hitting is the new currency and lefthanded power hitters especially, Vogelbach could be worth something back.

[JeffH]

How much is Vogelbach going to play here with Rizzo at 1st? My understanding is he's a 1st baseman only. If power hitting is the new currency and lefthanded power hitters especially, Vogelbach could be worth something back.

 

Except for the fact that Vogelbach isn't much of a power hitter.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I have to believe that one of Contra or GoodValley (fertileValley?) will be traded. Adding Bryant to the team makes one of these guys expendable. I get that you don't HAVE to trade either, but with a front office that understands value, I have to think they will sell high. Valbueno is likely at his highest value right now, and in a low power environment, infield power could really be an asset other teams want and the Cubs can trade from abundance.

 

What are we getting in return that we need more?

 

Value has it's place, but for teams that are trying to win, roster construction matters more.

 

Could we use them (and others of our top 100-150 prospects) to get some Top 50 guys or higher, to use in the mythical Stanton deal?

 

For instance, Valbuena+Wada+Vogelbach might interest some AL team into giving up a good prospect, no?

 

We aren't short of prospects to make a Stanton deal. If you're trading for Stanton, you're trying to win. And if you're trying to win, there's no point in voluntarily downgrading Valbuena's roster spot.

[Vinestal]

How much is Vogelbach going to play here with Rizzo at 1st? My understanding is he's a 1st baseman only. If power hitting is the new currency and lefthanded power hitters especially, Vogelbach could be worth something back.

 

Except for the fact that Vogelbach isn't much of a power hitter.

We'll florida league suffocates power somewhat, let's see what he does in the AFL and Tennessee before writing off his power completely.

[Guest]

How much is Vogelbach going to play here with Rizzo at 1st? My understanding is he's a 1st baseman only. If power hitting is the new currency and lefthanded power hitters especially, Vogelbach could be worth something back.

 

Except for the fact that Vogelbach isn't much of a power hitter.

It isn't as impressive as it sounds for a variety of reasons, but Vogelbach did lead the FSL in HR this year. He's currently not the power prospect we were hoping he would be, but he still has a chance to get there.

[JennieGarthAlgar]

I have to believe that one of Contra or GoodValley (fertileValley?) will be traded. Adding Bryant to the team makes one of these guys expendable. I get that you don't HAVE to trade either, but with a front office that understands value, I have to think they will sell high. Valbueno is likely at his highest value right now, and in a low power environment, infield power could really be an asset other teams want and the Cubs can trade from abundance.

 

What are we getting in return that we need more?

 

Value has it's place, but for teams that are trying to win, roster construction matters more.

 

Could we use them (and others of our top 100-150 prospects) to get some Top 50 guys or higher, to use in the mythical Stanton deal?

 

 

For instance, Valbuena+Wada+Vogelbach might interest some AL team into giving up a good prospect, no?

 

We aren't short of prospects to make a Stanton deal. If you're trading for Stanton, you're trying to win. And if you're trying to win, there's no point in voluntarily downgrading Valbuena's roster spot.

 

I know we aren't, but none of us want to give up our top 5 guys for him, so let's get creative and find a rising top 50 guy Miami wants to pair with Alcantara+Almora+Edwards+whatever :beg:

[davell]

Valbuena is NOT a starter for us next year. Not unless something's gone wrong anyway. I'd much rather trade him than one of our top prospects.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Valbuena is NOT a starter for us next year. Not unless something's gone wrong anyway. I'd much rather trade him than one of our top prospects.

 

Well, as long as no infielder ever gets hurt or needs a day off, then who cares if we downgrade the 5th infield spot from Luis Valbuena to Logan ".550 OPS waiting to happen" Watkins?

 

We've got to get out of this loser mentality where we hate having anything good on the roster that isn't a fun prospect.

[Guest]

I wouldn't call Bryant being considered an outfielder as "something's gone wrong".

[Aaron_Kennelly]

I think Valbuena absolutely is a starter next year and that we would be crazy to trade him this off-season. The way I see it: Either Bryant goes to the outfield and Valbuena starts at third, or Bryant sticks at third and one of Castro or Baez is traded in a package for Stanton, in which case Valbuena slides over to second.

 

Clearly, those aren't the only options and it might be myopic, but I think we obtain the most value out of our roster by doing one of those two things. Unless someone can convince me otherwise, then I see no reason Valbuena wouldn't start for us next year. Then, Russell can come up later on next year and get time wherever, and Valbuena can be a super-utility guy, playing some outfield, as well.

 

We can revisit the Valbuena trade market next off-season, if everything goes to plan, and it looks like he might be in line for 200 PA instead of 500+ in 2016. Yes, his value drops considerably with only one year of control left, but we just aren't to the point of worrying about shipping off 3-win guys right now.

 

Maybe you can use Valbuena in a trade for pitching this off-season, instead. But, I just don't see it. I think he brings the most value as a member of our roster next season.

[Cubswin11]

I see little reason to trade Valbuena, he provides good insurance if one of the prospects busts and/or there's an injury and he's an excellent bench player if they all end up turning out.

[davell]

I wouldn't call Bryant being considered an outfielder as "something's gone wrong".

 

We're evidently targeting a veteran OF. Which makes sense, as KB will be moving to the OF soon. But I fully expect him at 3B next year and then we get Russell/Castro/Javy as our 2B/SS/3B in some form beginning full time in 2016.

 

I don't expect any of that group to be dealt.

[davell]

Valbuena is NOT a starter for us next year. Not unless something's gone wrong anyway. I'd much rather trade him than one of our top prospects.

 

Well, as long as no infielder ever gets hurt or needs a day off, then who cares if we downgrade the 5th infield spot from Luis Valbuena to Logan ".550 OPS waiting to happen" Watkins?

 

We've got to get out of this loser mentality where we hate having anything good on the roster that isn't a fun prospect.

 

Yeah, because Watkins is the only option for us next year. If Valbuena can be part of a package that nets us a good starting pitcher, it needs to be done. That's more important than a 5th infielder.

[Guest]

Valbuena is NOT a starter for us next year. Not unless something's gone wrong anyway. I'd much rather trade him than one of our top prospects.

 

Well, as long as no infielder ever gets hurt or needs a day off, then who cares if we downgrade the 5th infield spot from Luis Valbuena to Logan ".550 OPS waiting to happen" Watkins?

 

We've got to get out of this loser mentality where we hate having anything good on the roster that isn't a fun prospect.

 

Yeah, because Watkins is the only option for us next year. If Valbuena can be part of a package that nets us a good starting pitcher, it needs to be done. That's more important than a 5th infielder.

 

Here's an interesting thought exercise, look at the 2013 leaderboards and find what SP you might try to target in this type of deal were it last season. You'll find that names like Doubront, Wood, Corbin, and Masterson would rank quite high.