Rumoured Cubs- Marlins/Cubs-Dodgers Trades

[HoopsCubs]

Please take this with a grain of salt, as it is not from any of my reliable sources. Curiously, though, I have heard this from 2 different people in the last 2 weekends:

 

Florida trades Mike Lowell and Luis Castillo to the Cubs for Todd Walker (after Hendry picks up his option), Ricky Nolasco and an OF prospect (not named Pie).

 

The Cubs trade Lowell, $2M in cash and a pitching prospect (not named Hill or Pinto) to the Dodgers for Milton Bradley and Derek Lowe.

 

Financially, the Marlins free up a lot of payroll to pay Carlos Delgado's salary bump; the Dodgers trade 2 clubhouse problems and get some payroll flexibility in exchange for an everyday 3B; the Cubs spend $22M of their available $40M on a CF, 2B (who can bat 1-2) and a 200 inning sinker baller.

 

Hoops

[USSoccer]

So we'd end up with Bradley, Lowe and Castillo after all of that?

 

That's a pretty decent haul. I'd be shocked if we were that active, though.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Lowe is a clubhouse problem?

 

We'd better not be giving Murton to the Marlins in that deal.

Edited October 17, 2005 by Meat&PotatoesMan

[CubinNY]

The Cubs make out like a bandit there.

 

The Cubs give Walker and second teir prospects for:

 

Bradley

Lowe

Castillo

 

What happens to Patterson?

[Inthecards]

Milton Bradley is all i need to hear in that trade...i dont care if they could bring back the BABE and include him with that offer I would say no...

 

Bradley....talk about trouble...and this is coming from a cards fan

[HoopsCubs]

So we'd end up with Bradley, Lowe and Castillo after all of that?

 

That is correct. While it does seem far fetched in some ways, the money part of it makes sense for the Marlins, and the Dodgers do figure to shop Bradley and either Lowe or Odalis Perez. Curiously, neither of these rumours involved Corey Patterson. I am pretty convinced Hendry will trade Patterson, so it will be interesting to see where he ends up.

 

Hoops

[TB_11]

So to summarize:

 

Cubs lose: Walker, Nolasco, 1 outfield prospect, 1 pitching prospect, $2M

Cubs get: Castillo, Bradley, Lowe

 

Marlins lose: Lowell, Castillo

Marlins get: Walker, Nolasco, 1 outfield prospect

 

Dodgers lose: Bradley, Lowe

Dodgers get: Lowell, 1 pitching prospect, $2M

 

The Cubs make out like bandits and the Dodgers get shellacked on that deal. I can't see the Dodgers pulling the gun on that trade.

[USSoccer]

So we'd end up with Bradley, Lowe and Castillo after all of that?

 

That is correct. While it does seem far fetched in some ways, the money part of it makes sense for the Marlins, and the Dodgers do figure to shop Bradley and either Lowe or Odalis Perez. Curiously, neither of these rumours involved Corey Patterson. I am pretty convinced Hendry will trade Patterson, so it will be interesting to see where he ends up.

 

Hoops

 

As far as Patterson is concerned, I see him being moved for cents on the dollar.

 

I'd be suprised if they move Lowe, whom they just signed, before they moved Perez.

[Tim]

I'd be very impressed if Hendry pulled that off, Hoops. It would give the Cubs a major upgrade in CF, an innings eater in the rotation (which would be a good thing at this point) and the switch from Walker to Castillo is almost required if you're going to be pitching Lowe every five days.

[HoopsCubs]

Lowe is a clubhouse problem?

 

We'd better not be giving Murton to the Marlins in that deal.

 

The "problem" stems from an allegation that Lowe (who is married) has been having an affair with a Dodgers beat reporter, which has caused some awkward moments in that clubhouse. That's what I have been told.

[USSoccer]

So to summarize:

 

Cubs lose: Walker, Nolasco, 1 outfield prospect, 1 pitching prospect, $2M

Cubs get: Castillo, Bradley, Lowe

 

Marlins lose: Lowell, Castillo

Marlins get: Walker, Nolasco, 1 outfield prospect

 

Dodgers lose: Bradley, Lowe

Dodgers get: Lowell, 1 pitching prospect, $2M

 

The Cubs make out like bandits and the Dodgers get shellacked on that deal. I can't see the Dodgers pulling the gun on that trade.

 

It does free up money for LA to pursue AJ Burnett and Johnny Damon.

 

I'd be curious to know which OF prospect the Marlins would want. I would want to hang on to Murton, and if it's not Pie, is it a Harvey type player?

[jtownie]

Sounds like a great trade. Not sure how I feel about Lowe's contract vs his performance. but having Bradley and Castillo would be a huge upgrade at the top of the lineup.

 

Lowe's contract breaks down like this:

 

2006 - 9M

2007 - 9.5M

2008 - 10M

 

 

Just not sure if he is really worth that contract or not. 3.68ERA, 1.25WHIP, 5.92 K/9inn, and 2.66 K/BB. However, that ERA could be attributed to defense as his GB/FB is 2.92. Jeff Kent probably didn't help out a lot there.

 

So would Cedeno be the SS then?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Yes, more rumors with Milton Bradley please. After Giles, he's number one on the list.

[USSoccer]

I'd be very impressed if Hendry pulled that off, Hoops. It would give the Cubs a major upgrade in CF, an innings eater in the rotation (which would be a good thing at this point) and the switch from Walker to Castillo is almost required if you're going to be pitching Lowe every five days.

 

I forgot about Lowe's need for a really strong IF. It almost requires Hendry to go after Furcal rather than retain Nomar, since having Nomar and ARam on the left side might give Lowe a stroke at some point.

[jtownie]

Lowe is a clubhouse problem?

 

We'd better not be giving Murton to the Marlins in that deal.

 

The "problem" stems from an allegation that Lowe (who is married) has been having an affair with a Dodgers beat reporter, which has caused some awkward moments in that clubhouse. That's what I have been told.

 

what? sleeping with the woman that is trashing your teammates in the local newspaper would cause a problem? Shheeesh...over-sensitive! :D

[Tim]

If this trade went down, it would indicate to me that the Cubs are looking to improve the defense significantly. I'd guess that Furcal would still be the big FA target in that case, which would make the Cubs pretty spectacular up the middle. The pitching would be pretty well set in the rotation. All it would really take would be a strong RF and one more reliever to make it a great offseason.

[HoopsCubs]

It does free up money for LA to pursue AJ Burnett and Johnny Damon.

 

To your point, Bradley figures to make $4-5M as an arbitration eligible guy; Lowe will be making $9M; Lowell will be making $9M. Essentially, the Dodgers will be giving away guys making $13-14M for a guy making $7M (Cubs picking up $2M). That's a $6-7M upside for LA, which could be used on a lot of things. By the way, I have heard the Dodgers are trying to lure Paul Byrd up 30 miles - they like his mental make-up.

 

Hoops

[USSoccer]

If this trade went down, it would indicate to me that the Cubs are looking to improve the defense significantly. I'd guess that Furcal would still be the big FA target in that case, which would make the Cubs pretty spectacular up the middle. The pitching would be pretty well set in the rotation. All it would really take would be a strong RF and one more reliever to make it a great offseason.

 

That would be a very impressive offseason. And I'd be pleasantly suprised if it happened.

 

As far as Milton Bradley being insane, the White Sox have dealt pretty well with Carl Everett, who's no model of mental health. I think Bradley just needs to be on a winning team in a supportive enviroment.

[Tim]

If this trade went down, it would indicate to me that the Cubs are looking to improve the defense significantly. I'd guess that Furcal would still be the big FA target in that case, which would make the Cubs pretty spectacular up the middle. The pitching would be pretty well set in the rotation. All it would really take would be a strong RF and one more reliever to make it a great offseason.

 

That would be a very impressive offseason. And I'd be pleasantly suprised if it happened.

 

As far as Milton Bradley being insane, the White Sox have dealt pretty well with Carl Everett, who's no model of mental health. I think Bradley just needs to be on a winning team in a supportive enviroment.

My concern would be that Hendry wouldn't see the need for a big-time RF if he made the trade and landed Furcal. He might look at a lineup with:

 

Furcal

Castillo

Lee

Ramirez

Bradley

Murton

Barrett

Nameless RF

 

as being good enough as is.

[gflore34]

If this trade went down, it would indicate to me that the Cubs are looking to improve the defense significantly. I'd guess that Furcal would still be the big FA target in that case, which would make the Cubs pretty spectacular up the middle. The pitching would be pretty well set in the rotation. All it would really take would be a strong RF and one more reliever to make it a great offseason.

 

Many of us have stated how the Cardinals seemed to have struck Gold with every FA signing and players having career years but, the constants throughtout the last two years for them have been pitching and defense. Having seen this I believe Hendry is going to move in that direction.

[rocket]

If this trade went down, it would indicate to me that the Cubs are looking to improve the defense significantly. I'd guess that Furcal would still be the big FA target in that case, which would make the Cubs pretty spectacular up the middle. The pitching would be pretty well set in the rotation. All it would really take would be a strong RF and one more reliever to make it a great offseason.

 

That would be a very impressive offseason. And I'd be pleasantly suprised if it happened.

 

As far as Milton Bradley being insane, the White Sox have dealt pretty well with Carl Everett, who's no model of mental health. I think Bradley just needs to be on a winning team in a supportive enviroment.

 

Furthermore, isn't this Dusty's (only?) strength? If we're paying Dusty 4 million dollars to not deal with Milton Bradley like players while being horrible at in-game decision making, then this is the biggest waste of money ever. With Dusty as captain, there aren't supposed to be problem players. Period.

[USSoccer]

If this trade went down, it would indicate to me that the Cubs are looking to improve the defense significantly. I'd guess that Furcal would still be the big FA target in that case, which would make the Cubs pretty spectacular up the middle. The pitching would be pretty well set in the rotation. All it would really take would be a strong RF and one more reliever to make it a great offseason.

 

That would be a very impressive offseason. And I'd be pleasantly suprised if it happened.

 

As far as Milton Bradley being insane, the White Sox have dealt pretty well with Carl Everett, who's no model of mental health. I think Bradley just needs to be on a winning team in a supportive enviroment.

My concern would be that Hendry wouldn't see the need for a big-time RF if he made the trade and landed Furcal. He might look at a lineup with:

 

Furcal

Castillo

Lee

Ramirez

Bradley

Murton

Barrett

Nameless RF

 

as being good enough as is.

 

Well, it would be a marked improvement over the 2005 offense, even assuming a regression from Lee. However, your point is well taken, and I fear the "Nameless RF" in your lineup there would be named Jeromy Burnitz.

 

That would somewhat damper my enthusiasm about the rest of the moves, but it's still a better offseason than last season's.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If this rumor happens, I think I like it. Of course, I'd prefer to spend the next chunk of that 40 million on Giles rather than Furcal.

 

If we sign Furcal instead of Giles,

 

We'd have a line-up of:

 

2b Furcal

SS Castillo

1b Lee

3b Ramirez

CF Bradley

LF Murton

C Barrett

RF (maybe Burnitz, maybe Jacque Jones, maybe Hidalgo)

 

On the other hand, if we spend the money on Giles

 

2B Castillo

LF Murton

1b Lee

RF Giles

3b Ramirez

CF Bradley

SS Cedeno

C Barrett

 

That offense could score some runs!

 

The rotation with this trade looks to be:

Zambrano

Prior

Wood

Maddux

Lowe

 

That's not a bad rotation and it still has Jerome Williams and Mitre as back-ups to injury or as bullets to use in a trade.

[Mark_R]

Also regarding Lowell for Lowe (sounds strange) as the likely main holdups of the deal, is all of Lowell's contract going to kick in? I thought there was an out-clause that Lowell could trigger if there wasn't significant progress in the stadium happenings down in Dane County? If he's got one year left on his deal, that's a smart move for the Dodgers because they get away from Derek Lowe's 30 million or so left on his deal.

[HoopsCubs]

Also regarding Lowell for Lowe (sounds strange) as the likely main holdups of the deal, is all of Lowell's contract going to kick in? I thought there was an out-clause that Lowell could trigger if there wasn't significant progress in the stadium happenings down in Dane County? If he's got one year left on his deal, that's a smart move for the Dodgers because they get away from Derek Lowe's 30 million or so left on his deal.

 

Lowell has got 2 years $18M vs. Lowe's 3 years $30M. They re-structured Lowell's deal to take the stadium stuff out.

 

Hoops