Torrii Hunter anyone?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Instead of Hunter, why not see what it would take to pry Andruw Jones away from the Braves?

[CubfaninCA]

Well, it's not like there's a ton of options for the outfield. Realistically, the Cubs aren't getting Giles or Dunn or Sheffield or Berkman or Manny or Griffey or Huff. There's just not a lot out there. Just have to hope that Murton & Pie are the real deal and get some other stop gaps in the interim, such as Nomar.

 

If that's the strategy, then why play, and why pay for Hunter? I don't buy that they can't get better OF offense. Why can't they get Giles? Why can't they trade for an impact bat? They can, they should, and they should not settle on $10million stop gaps.

 

They should indeed. However, this is the Cubs we're talking about. You've been a fan for quite some time right. You know how it goes. Doubtful Giles falls into the Cubs lap like Andre Dawson or signs a three year deal like Alou. I have more hope for Manny than Giles actually. Another person I could see them going after is Cliff Floyd, however, they may be content w/ Murton in lf.

[JC]

Instead of Hunter, why not see what it would take to pry Andruw Jones away from the Braves?

 

Based on salary concerns before the season started, I wonder if we could have landed him for Farnsworth and Patterson?

 

Of course, that is a strictly hindsight driven scenerio. But, its kind of interesting nonetheless.

[CubfaninCA]

Instead of Hunter, why not see what it would take to pry Andruw Jones away from the Braves?

 

I was advocating a A. Jones trade last offseason *pats myself on the back* However, w/ him blowing up this year, I can't see Atl dealing him.

[CubfaninCA]

Will throw this name out there... Pat Burrell. Please no mention of Abreu. Ain't happening!!

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Will throw this name out there... Pat Burrell. Please no mention of Abreu. Ain't happening!!

 

Lots of things in play with Burrell. He's a monster contract, but the Phillies may not need to move it, which means that you aren't likely to get him for cheap because of money. This year has been a big resurgence for him, can he keep it up? Can you be positive enough in that decision to make the investment in his behemoth contract? Also in consideration, he's not a great fielder this year, but has been average to slightly above average in the past. He's another RH power bat, which would guarantee the heart of the order being RH(not really important but throwing it out there).

 

IMO, the circumstances add up against going after Burrell, but I certainly wouldn't mind him on the team.

[UK1679666180]

What about Ryan Langerhans from ATL? He's out of options, can play CF, and can hit pretty well from the LH side.

[goonys evil twin]

I like Burrell. Another failed season by Philly could bring about change at the GM level, as well as many trades.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

What about Ryan Langerhans from ATL? He's out of options, can play CF, and can hit pretty well from the LH side.

 

I wouldn't mind Langerhans. BP 2005 says he's been slightly below average defensively as a CF, though on the other hand he's been a very good defender at the corner spots this year. If the price is right I'd nab him.

[CubfaninCA]

Will throw this name out there... Pat Burrell. Please no mention of Abreu. Ain't happening!!

 

Lots of things in play with Burrell. He's a monster contract, but the Phillies may not need to move it, which means that you aren't likely to get him for cheap because of money. This year has been a big resurgence for him, can he keep it up? Can you be positive enough in that decision to make the investment in his behemoth contract? Also in consideration, he's not a great fielder this year, but has been average to slightly above average in the past. He's another RH power bat, which would guarantee the heart of the order being RH(not really important but throwing it out there).

 

IMO, the circumstances add up against going after Burrell, but I certainly wouldn't mind him on the team.

 

Just took a quick look @ Phillies payroll. They owe Burrell, Abreu and Thome a combined $42 million in 2007. That's A LOT of money, especially considering Thome's decline. They may be looking to deal Burrell, since Abreu's too valuable and no one probably wants Thome.

[Tim]

Trade for Chipper Jones, put him out in LF. Braves get to play Marte in 2006, save a whole bunch of money, keep Andruw and afford the bump in Hampton's contract.

[series65cubsfan]

Trade for Chipper Jones, put him out in LF. Braves get to play Marte in 2006, save a whole bunch of money, keep Andruw and afford the bump in Hampton's contract.

 

Now that's some good 'out of the box' thinking. I like it. Just the type of free agent signing that I will be looking forward to seeing.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Trade for Chipper Jones, put him out in LF. Braves get to play Marte in 2006, save a whole bunch of money, keep Andruw and afford the bump in Hampton's contract.

 

What do you do with Chipper after '06? He's got a 15 million dollar option with a 5 million buyout. If the option gets picked up, he's got the same thing the following year.

 

Someone else said a while ago that Atlanta has money set aside so they can pay Hampton without needing to cut payroll or other such measures. I think ltb.

[Tim]

Trade for Chipper Jones, put him out in LF. Braves get to play Marte in 2006, save a whole bunch of money, keep Andruw and afford the bump in Hampton's contract.

 

What do you do with Chipper after '06? He's got a 15 million dollar option with a 5 million buyout. If the option gets picked up, he's got the same thing the following year.

 

Someone else said a while ago that Atlanta has money set aside so they can pay Hampton without needing to cut payroll or other such measures. I think ltb.

I guess you pay the buyout.

 

The biggest problem with the plan is that Chipper hates the OF and partially blamed it for his poor performance last year.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Trade for Chipper Jones, put him out in LF. Braves get to play Marte in 2006, save a whole bunch of money, keep Andruw and afford the bump in Hampton's contract.

 

Ouch for Atlanta: right as Hampton's contract bumps up, he might be slated for Tommy John surgery.

[ltb]

Trade for Chipper Jones, put him out in LF. Braves get to play Marte in 2006, save a whole bunch of money, keep Andruw and afford the bump in Hampton's contract.

 

Ouch for Atlanta: right as Hampton's contract bumps up, he might be slated for Tommy John surgery.

 

insurance covers most of it

[USSoccer]

Trade for Chipper Jones, put him out in LF. Braves get to play Marte in 2006, save a whole bunch of money, keep Andruw and afford the bump in Hampton's contract.

 

What do you do with Chipper after '06? He's got a 15 million dollar option with a 5 million buyout. If the option gets picked up, he's got the same thing the following year.

 

Someone else said a while ago that Atlanta has money set aside so they can pay Hampton without needing to cut payroll or other such measures. I think ltb.

I guess you pay the buyout.

 

The biggest problem with the plan is that Chipper hates the OF and partially blamed it for his poor performance last year.

 

I don't think Atlanta would trade Chipper before Andruw. I'd bet dollars to donuts that Chipper retires as a Brave.

 

How about dealing for Trot Nixon?

[biittner77]

Needless to say, if the Cubs did Acquire Torii Hunter he'd instantly become my favorite Cub because of the superflous i in his name. :lol:

[abuck1220]

Needless to say, if the Cubs did Acquire Torii Hunter he'd instantly become my favorite Cub because of the superflous i in his name. :lol:

 

well, between that and the fact that he robs an average of two homers a year, i'd say he's well worth the $10 mil...i'm in!

[cubweiser03]

Trade for Chipper Jones, put him out in LF. Braves get to play Marte in 2006, save a whole bunch of money, keep Andruw and afford the bump in Hampton's contract.

 

Ouch for Atlanta: right as Hampton's contract bumps up, he might be slated for Tommy John surgery.

 

insurance covers most of it

 

This is very interesting. Will they use that money and now spend it on Furcal.

Im iffy on Hunter especially at 10-12M. We can talk about his production not living up to his salary but isnt corey making $2.8 this year and slanted for more next year. He aint a bargain either.

[nilodnayr]

Trade for Chipper Jones, put him out in LF. Braves get to play Marte in 2006, save a whole bunch of money, keep Andruw and afford the bump in Hampton's contract.

 

The braves would have to pick up an extremely significant portion of his salary. Hes owed 17M with a 5M buyout. Thats a ton of money. Hes having a great season and all but for an injury risk thats way too much. If Chippers going to be playing left why dont the braves just put him in left, Andruw in center, francouer in right with langerhans as the all purpose OF backup and use and infield of marte, betemit, giles and laroache/franco.

[nilodnayr]

Trade for Chipper Jones, put him out in LF. Braves get to play Marte in 2006, save a whole bunch of money, keep Andruw and afford the bump in Hampton's contract.

 

Ouch for Atlanta: right as Hampton's contract bumps up, he might be slated for Tommy John surgery.

 

insurance covers most of it

 

This is very interesting. Will they use that money and now spend it on Furcal.

Im iffy on Hunter especially at 10-12M. We can talk about his production not living up to his salary but isnt corey making $2.8 this year and slanted for more next year. He aint a bargain either.

 

The one black hole is that we dont know the insurance policies but it is my understanding that in general, insurance companies will not insure pitchers contracts for over 3 (sometimes 4) years. Thats why most of the contracts for pitchers (especially last offseason) were 3 year contracts. Anything past that is uninsurable as it becomes impossible to assess the injury risk as well as usually backloaded contracts, so more liability. More likely than not, 2006 being the 6th year of his contract, the braves are eating it all should be have to have TJS.

[Schwarber Fan]

And for those who would like to see what Torii would look like in Cubbie Blue:

 

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a115/mikeak21/toriicubs.jpg

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I still think A. Jones might be available in an offseason trade. One thing Shurholtz has shown in his tenure is that he doesn't develop sentimental ties to players. Even with Jones's great season this year, if Shurholtz believes that he can improve the team and help its long term future best by unloading him, he will.

 

I'm not certain what burden the Hampton contract will put on the Braves financing. He's due to make 13 million, and in my opinion, would be a perfect stop gap in CF to give Pie one more year to develop in AAA.

 

I'd at least open dialogue with the Braves about Jones and see where it goes.

[BigbadB]

I still think A. Jones might be available in an offseason trade. One thing Shurholtz has shown in his tenure is that he doesn't develop sentimental ties to players. Even with Jones's great season this year, if Shurholtz believes that he can improve the team and help its long term future best by unloading him, he will.

 

I'm not certain what burden the Hampton contract will put on the Braves financing. He's due to make 13 million, and in my opinion, would be a perfect stop gap in CF to give Pie one more year to develop in AAA.

 

I'd at least open dialogue with the Braves about Jones and see where it goes.

 

His value has skyrocketed this year to the point it would cost to much to get him.