Keep an Eye on Jason Johnson and Kevin Millwood

[goonys evil twin]

I think Millwood would keep us competitive and give us a chance to win later....

 

Is Rich Hill that good? Is he one of the 5 or 6 prospects you would protect ...?

 

I wouldn't hesitate to trade Rich Hill for a really good player. But Kevin Millwood isn't really good. The Cubs don't need him nearly as much as some other teams with starting pitcher problems might.

[bannor10]

I think Millwood would keep us competitive and give us a chance to win later....

 

Is Rich Hill that good? Is he one of the 5 or 6 prospects you would protect ...?

 

I wouldn't hesitate to trade Rich Hill for a really good player. But Kevin Millwood isn't really good. The Cubs don't need him nearly as much as some other teams with starting pitcher problems might.

 

I'm not pushing Hill out the door either, I just see Prior out until Aug. and Wood, maybe back soon but who knows....I think this team has a chance to make a bid at the WC even though they played like crap the last 2 nights...

 

Millwood, "I think" would give us a better chance at reaching the playoffs than either Mitre(Frank Castillo jr.) or Kronka(future loogy at best)....

 

I guess if no trade is close bring up J.Williams and Hill now. Either has to be an upgrade to Mitre I hope.

[CubbieSouthpaw]

If he comes back to the national league he better go back to Atlanta with the rocking guru of pitching.

 

I will still like to see the Cubs throw an obscene amount of money at Mazzone. I don't know that there has been a better value in baseball than Leo over the last 15 years.

 

I'd be willing to start a collection plate at Wrigley if it would help bring him to the Cubs.

[HoopsCubs]

Interesting note on Johnson: he has pitched into the seventh inning or later in all but one of his starts.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Johnson in 2005:

 

Home: 1.62 ERA, batters hitting .224/.280/.273/.553

Away: 5.40 ERA, batters hitting .301/.338/.510/.848

[HoopsCubs]

Bump. I wonder if Kerry Wood being out indefinitely will force Jim Hendry to go after a starter now - Millwood, Johnson, Chacon, etc...

[LoneStarCubFan]

With Mitre, Hill and Rusch already here, I doubt it.

[somechick]

Since all this injury mess with Kerry cropped up again, I was pondering something. Now, everyone knows Florida is shopping Burnett and want to dump Lowell at the same time. Likewise, Minnesota is desperate for any offense--3rd base being a primary target (there have been rampant rumors of Minnesota getting Mueller from the RS for JC Romero, but arent sure they want to part with him, weakening their pen...blah, blah). So, do you think it would be possible to get Burnett from Florida and take Lowell off their hands at the same time (with Florida picking up at least some of his contract, although chances are, it wouldnt be a huge amount). Then the Cubs could flip Lowell to Minnesota (again, perhaps the cubs pick up a little more of contract--not a lot, just some--to offset the sticker shock for Minny) for Romero. This would make Rusch fairly expendable as well and could go to Minnesota to to help take over Romero's spot and not make his lost such a burden to Minnesota. I could see Minnesota being a little more willing to deal with a team they arent in direct competition with for the postseason. (and it would help keep burnett from the white sox too!!!). Now, I wouldnt normally have any interest in Burnett, especially since the odds of him walking at the end of the year are fairly high, but it would give the cubs another solid starter and allow them to just shut Wood down and get healed. If he is able to pitch at some point, great, send him or Williams to the pen and make this team that much stronger.

 

As far as what it might take to get Burnett and Lowell from Florida, I have no clue. But I just thought it was something to ponder because, delusional as I may seem, I think this team can go on a major tear if the pitching can just get more consistent. Another bat would be a huge plus as well, but I am not sure that alone is enough if the pitching is the way it is.

[CubfaninCA]

Give me Schmidty!

[Jazz]

IMO, hill plays a big factor in this, iff he pitches well today, we will not make a move for a starter. heres an idea

 

Cubs get: Burnett, and Encarnacion

Twins get: Lowell, and cash

Marlins get: Hollandsworth, and Mitre

 

Then we can either keep Burnett or ship him to an AL contender in need of pitching, like say Boston, for Mike timlin, and hanley ramirez (prbly would only get done if boston was guaranteed hed sign an extension)

[Transmogrified Tiger]

IMO, hill plays a big factor in this, iff he pitches well today, we will not make a move for a starter. heres an idea

 

Cubs get: Burnett, and Encarnacion

Twins get: Lowell, and cash

Marlins get: Hollandsworth, and Mitre

 

Then we can either keep Burnett or ship him to an AL contender in need of pitching, like say Boston, for Mike timlin, and hanley ramirez (prbly would only get done if boston was guaranteed hed sign an extension)

 

So the Marlins ship out Burnett, Encarnacion, and Lowell and get Holla and Mitre in return? The Twins get Lowell for free?

[Jazz]

what were the marlins asking for in their proposed deals with boston and baltimore?

[reggiemiller rules]

The marlins were asking for Julio, Bigbie, and Penn from the orioles. I think it would take at least Hill and Mitry and another prospect from the cubs to get burnett.