A Window Of Opportunity for Getting Luis Castillo???

HoopsCubs · September 30, 2005

Please check this out when you get a chance.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-marlins30sep30,0,5522343.story?coll=sfla-sports-front

"Castillo, who made his last start on Sept. 18 due to a hamstring injury, will likely win his third consecutive Gold Glove. He is signed through next season, but the Marlins might not hesitate to trade him if they can attach Mike Lowell's contract (two years, $18 million). Castillo's salary jumps a modest $500,000 to $5 million in 2006, but he is all but certain to trigger a fourth-year guarantee. Castillo needs 400 plate appearances next season to vest a $5.75 million option for 2007."

Is there a team Hendry can flip Lowell over to? LA Dodgers? Boston Red Sox? Philadelphia Phillies (if they trade David Bell to KC)? It might require picking up some of Lowell's contract, but this might be the offseason to do it given the nice cash situation Hendry will have. Castillo could be the lead-off hitter we've been looking for.

Hoops

vance_the_cubs_fan · September 30, 2005

I'd be very interested in getting Castillo. As much as I like Walker, Castillo would solve the lead-off problem while improving the infield defense.

The tricky question revolves around where to flip Lowell. Would the Pirates have any interest?

The Cubs could flip Lowell and cash to the Pirates for Mark Redmond. Redmond would then give the Cubs their fifth starter.

Transmogrified Tiger · September 30, 2005

Florida sends Castillo and Lowell

Florida gets Edwin Jackson, Rich Hill

LA sends Bradley and Jackson

LA gets Lowell and Walker, Cubs prospect

Cubs send Walker, Hill, prospect

Cubs get Bradley and Castillo

It's not ideal, but the basic idea is what I'm getting at.

Backtobanks · September 30, 2005

If the Cubs could get Bradley & Castillo for Walker, Hill, and a prospect, I would jump at those deals. The Cubs would improve the OF, 2B, leadoff, and defense with those moves.

vance_the_cubs_fan · September 30, 2005

Why would LA want Walker when they have Jeff Kent?

rawaction · September 30, 2005

LA will put Kent wherever they have an opening. 2B, 1B, or 3B. Wherever they don't get a player, that's where Kent will be.

Outshined_One · September 30, 2005

Stop and imagine for a moment what a zoo this team would turn into with Milton Bradley on a Dusty Baker team.

Nice idea and all, but I would not be in favor of it.

HoopsCubs · September 30, 2005

I would just make 3 separate trades:

(1) If we're taking on $28M worth of contracts over a 2 year duration off Florida's hands, then we should be able to get away with giving up just medium prospects - Leicester/Wellemeyer/Mitre type + Walker.

(2) Trade Lowell to LA for Odalis Perez.

(3) (optional) Trade Perez to Baltimore (or anybody in the AL).

Hoops

Edited September 30, 2005 by HoopsCubs

vance_the_cubs_fan · September 30, 2005

How would this deal work out?

(Salary numbers in parenthesis)

Cubs get:

1. 2b Luis Castillo ( 06: 5 million; 07: 5.75 million)

2. LHP Mark Redmond (06: 4.95 million; 07: 4.5 million)

3. Util Rob Mackowiak (arb eligible. Earned 1.8 in 05)

Pirates get:

1. 3b Mike Lowell (06: 9 million; 07: 9 million)

2. RHP Jerome Williams (renewable contract)

3. 3 million from Cubs (1.5 mi in 06; 1.5 mi in 07)

Marlins get:

1. 2b Todd Walker (06: 2.5 million)

2. RHP Todd Wellemeyer (renewable contract)

3. RHP Jon Leicester (renewable contract)

Cubs get the lead-off hitter and secondbasemen along with a fifth starter and a versatile utility player. They take on Castillo's 5 million along with Redmond's 5 million and whatever Mackowiak will earn. They also pass along a million and a half per year in savings to the Pirates.

The Pirates end up with Lowell at 2.5 million more than they were paying Redmond. They end up with a young right hander to replace Redmond in the rotation and shed a player they might would have to non-tender. If I remember correctly, Pittsburgh was interested in getting Lowell when Burnett was rumored to go to Baltimore.

The Marlins are able to shed Lowell's contract, pick up a cheap option to replace Castillo, and get two young relievers. While Florida's take is a little on the weak side, the advantage for them is they clear a lot of payroll.

katway · September 30, 2005

While I like this trade from a Cubs perspective, I would think Florida and LA could get it done without the Cubs being involved and without Florida losing Castillo.

If LA really wants to get rid of Bradley so bad that they are willing to take on Lowell's contract, then something like Lowell and fillers for Bradley would be a better trade for Florida. Florida could move Cabrera to third and put Bradley in the outfield and keep Castillo at second.

CubfaninCA · September 30, 2005

Yep, sounds like LA isn't too pleased w/ Perez. I think the Cubs would have to attach more than Lowell to get Perez though. Moving Perez to the AL would be a good move.

Transmogrified Tiger · September 30, 2005

Bradley's offense isn't that great for a corner OF, which is what he would likely be in Florida.

I can't believe I didn't think of Kent, I guess that's what happens when you throw something like that together to quickly.

Hoops, what would you target in return for Odalis(assuming the Cubs don't hang on to him)?

TheDude · September 30, 2005

Most people know my stance on this, as I love speed, defense, and a pesky contact hitter. And on top of that, he has a .370 OBP. I wanted Castillo as my number one target before he re-upped with Florida a few years back.

Hendry - get it done. I'd even figure out Lowell's situation after the fact. Don't wait to have the flip in place. Castillo is so worth it, and so absolutely what this team desperately needs.

And lastly, you know Castillo would instantly be one "Dusty's Guys".

CaliforniaRaisin · September 30, 2005

Luis Castillo and Marcus Giles are the only two guys I'd like to see the Cubs get if they trade Todd Walker. I think acquiring either is still a pipe dream.

Balsa · September 30, 2005

mmm.....Luis Castillo.......I like the sound of that. It would also leave Furcal out of the question, meaning we could bring back Nomar and still have Murton play.

September 30, 2005

There's no way I'd pull the trigger unless I've already found a taker for Lowell. Otherwise the Cubs would be in a situation similar to the one they faced regarding Sammy last winter. If everyone knows you have to trade a guy, odds are they're going to severely lowball you on any offer. Lowell's terrible 2005 numbers coupled with his relatively high pricetag means he's not exactly a hot commodity to begin with. Since the Cubs already have far superior players at every position Lowell can play, other teams will be able to dictate his price.

UK1679666180 · September 30, 2005

If you want to look at team with financial troubles look at Philly. Despite the bad 2nd half, I try and get Abreu or Burrell and take Bell off of their books.

They'll have 77 mil locked in 11 players and then wanting to bring back Wagner and pay Myers will push them over 90 with 13 players.

HoopsCubs · September 30, 2005

Speaking of Abreu, check out the scathing remarks about Bobby made by SI's Tom Verducci recently. I didn't realize how low is 2nd half power numbers have been. What's going on with him?

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/102-09302005-548673.html

Hoops

CheeseHead Cubs Fan · September 30, 2005

I would try to flip Lowell to the Brewers (who are in desperate need for a 3B) take Branyan (good bench option) off their hands and throw a PTBNL in and call it done!

MeatampPotatoesMan · September 30, 2005

What's Lowell's current contract?

CubfaninCA · September 30, 2005

Cubs get Castillo & Perez

Marlins get Walker & Mitre

Dodgers get Jerome Williams and Lowell

Marlins get major salary relief and can hang onto Delgado. Walker's a nice replacement for Castill as well.

Dodgers get a cheap, young starter, move a disgruntled player and hope that Lowell turns it around.

This is all contingent on the Cubs getting Millwood though.

erik316wttn · September 30, 2005

Don't hate me, but what are Lowell's wheels like? Can he play right?

Probably not, but it's worth asking.

BigbadB · September 30, 2005

He probably ranks in the bottom 10% in the "wheels" department.

I believe he set a record for most at bats without a triple.

erik316wttn · September 30, 2005

You'd need someone speedy (other than Corey. Hairston?) in CF to cover most of that ground, then.

Really, if you were to keep him, the only place you could stick him would be left or right.

But, I'd have no problem trading him for a need.

Backtobanks · September 30, 2005

Most of the "deals" revolve around other teams taking Lowell. I don't think Lowell is on anybody "must-have" list. Somebody is going to have to pick up a ton of his salary if he is going to get moved (let alone moved twice).

A Window Of Opportunity for Getting Luis Castillo???

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