Peter Gammons on ESPN Radio 11/4/05

[HoopsCubs]

He was on in his usual timeslot with Mike and Mike at 6:25 AM CST, and said these things with respect to Hot Stove:

 

Rafael Furcal: "His first choice is to stay a Brave, and he has tremendous loyalty to Bobby Cox, but if the Braves can't meet his price point, I am pretty sure he'll become a Cub."

 

Cubs: "What I have been told is that the Cubs are going to play 2 $300K players in their starting lineup: Matt Murton in LF and Ronny Cedeno at 2B; if that's the case, the Cubs will have plenty of money to get Furcal, an impact corner outfielder and maybe even a short term CF to keep the seat warm for Felix Pie by as early as in mid-06 and certainly by '07."

 

Manny: "While we don't know who the Red Sox GM will be, I know owner John Henry is clearly struggling over the Manny issue. I think the Red Sox will try hard to convince Manny to stay. And even though I suggested in the Boston Globe that a deal with Anaheim and Arizona might work, I think the Red Sox feel they won't get enough value back in players and prospects."

 

Mets: "Pedro might convince Manny to come there, we'll see. I think BJ Ryan will sign with the Mets - the Mets realize that the bullpen was their achilles heel last year, and they'll make every effort, and have the money to make it happen. Omar Minaya is talking about Billy Wagner, but I think Wagner ends up back in Philly."

 

Paul Konerko: "Craig Landis, his agent, wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't at least establish market value for his client by getting wined and dined by the Angels and Oriloes, but in the end I would be really surprised if Konerko is not back."

 

Nomar Garciaparra: "Who knows where he'll end up. I see reports about teams wanting him to play 2B or 3B, but their underestimating the whole arm slot issue. I still think outfield is a real possibility here, but the 21st century has not been kind to him, and there are teams very concerned about his durability."

 

 

No mention today of Clemens, Burnett, Millwood or Giles.

 

 

Hoops

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Does that mean we're going to trade Walker?

 

Getting an impact bat sounds good.

 

A. Jones talked to Furcal and said that he doesn't think Furcal will be back, as Atlanta won't pony up the doe.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

On the "The Show" with Kennedy and Dibble yesterday there was a lot of talk of Furcal going to the Cubs. It was very reminiceint of all the Pudge to the Cubs talk of a few offseasons ago. I wonder if it will have the same result... :-k

[HoopsCubs]

Does that mean we're going to trade Walker?

 

Getting an impact bat sounds good.

 

A. Jones talked to Furcal and said that he doesn't think Furcal will be back, as Atlanta won't pony up the doe.

 

Meat,

 

As I have said all along, the Cubs have been acting like they really don't Walker back for at least 2 months now. I don't know if it's his defense or his durability or some lingering clubhouse issue. I think Hendry picked up his option, so that he would have the option of trading him. And considering Walker will only make $2.5M in 2006, he is easily marketable.

They really seem to like Cedeno. If you read between the lines, he will be starting at 2B and batting 8th in 2006.

[TrueBlueCubFan]

Does that mean we're going to trade Walker?

 

Getting an impact bat sounds good.

 

A. Jones talked to Furcal and said that he doesn't think Furcal will be back, as Atlanta won't pony up the doe.

 

Meat,

 

As I have said all along, the Cubs have been acting like they really don't Walker back for at least 2 months now. I don't know if it's his defense or his durability or some lingering clubhouse issue. I think Hendry picked up his option, so that he would have the option of trading him. And considering Walker will only make $2.5M in 2006, he is easily marketable.

They really seem to like Cedeno. If you read between the lines, he will be starting at 2B and batting 8th in 2006.

 

Hendry has made it known his priorities for the off-season is to improve the pitching & the defense, therefore trading Walker & not resigning Nomar makes sense.

[E.J.]

Does that mean we're going to trade Walker?

 

Getting an impact bat sounds good.

 

A. Jones talked to Furcal and said that he doesn't think Furcal will be back, as Atlanta won't pony up the doe.

 

Meat,

 

As I have said all along, the Cubs have been acting like they really don't Walker back for at least 2 months now. I don't know if it's his defense or his durability or some lingering clubhouse issue. I think Hendry picked up his option, so that he would have the option of trading him. And considering Walker will only make $2.5M in 2006, he is easily marketable.

They really seem to like Cedeno. If you read between the lines, he will be starting at 2B and batting 8th in 2006.

 

Hoops,

 

What teams do you see the Cubs maybe trading Walker to, and what would the Cubs want in return?

[JeffH]

Walker to the Indians for David Riske?

 

Walker to the Padres for Dave Roberts?

 

Walker to the A's for Bobby Kielty?

 

Add as necessary to even these deals out.

[TrueBlueCubFan]

Walker to the Indians for David Riske?

 

Walker to the Padres for Dave Roberts?

 

Walker to the A's for Bobby Kielty?

 

Add as necessary to even these deals out.

 

The Padres do not make sense since they have Loretta.

Edited November 4, 2005 by TrueBlueCubFan

[Tedward]

Does that mean we're going to trade Walker?

 

Getting an impact bat sounds good.

 

A. Jones talked to Furcal and said that he doesn't think Furcal will be back, as Atlanta won't pony up the doe.

 

Meat,

 

As I have said all along, the Cubs have been acting like they really don't Walker back for at least 2 months now. I don't know if it's his defense or his durability or some lingering clubhouse issue. I think Hendry picked up his option, so that he would have the option of trading him. And considering Walker will only make $2.5M in 2006, he is easily marketable.

They really seem to like Cedeno. If you read between the lines, he will be starting at 2B and batting 8th in 2006.

 

Hoops,

 

What teams do you see the Cubs maybe trading Walker to, and what would the Cubs want in return?

 

Wasn't Texas interested in him last offseason? That might be a potential destination if they are able to move Soriano.

[JeffH]

The Padres doesn't make sense since they have Loretta.

 

Probably not, but he missed a lot of time with an injury last season and he was pretty awful after he returned. They may want some insurance. Of course, they may want some CF insurance, too.

 

Oh, and they have Barfield also - I forgot about him.

[soapy]

Walker to the Indians for David Riske?

 

Walker to the Padres for Dave Roberts?

 

Walker to the A's for Bobby Kielty?

 

Add as necessary to even these deals out.

 

Walker to the Mets in a deal for Floyd* (if Giles doesn't work out)? If the Cubs sign Fucal, the Mets may still be looking for a 2B. It will also be interesting to see what happens in LA with Kent. Maybe LA will have in interest in Walker in a deal involving Bradley.

 

 

*Not advocating.

[JeffH]

Walker to the Mets in a deal for Floyd* (if Giles doesn't work out)?

 

Very unlikely, but maybe for Cameron?

[Tedward]

Walker to the Mets in a deal for Floyd* (if Giles doesn't work out)?

 

Depending on how badly the Mets want to unload Matsui (probably very badly), maybe they can throw him in the deal as well (picking up $6MM of the $8MM he is owed for next season). He'd be pricy, but Kaz could then replace Neifi as our $2MM super sub for next season.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Walker to the Indians for David Riske?

 

Walker to the Padres for Dave Roberts?

 

Walker to the A's for Bobby Kielty?

 

Add as necessary to even these deals out.

 

Why would we want Bobby Kielty? :?

 

I don't see us dealing Walker before getting Furcal (or deciding we aren't in the running anymore). It doesn't do much good to go out and get two leadoff hitters (Roberts).

[JeffH]

Why would we want Bobby Kielty?

 

I don't see us dealing Walker before getting Furcal (or deciding we aren't in the running anymore). It doesn't do much good to go out and get two leadoff hitters (Roberts).

 

Kielty and Roberts would both be extra guys.

[mg420]

Walker to the Mets in a deal for Floyd* (if Giles doesn't work out)?

 

Very unlikely, but maybe for Cameron?

why is it unlikely?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Personally, I'd prefer to keep Walker at 2b and let Cedeno be my back-up infielder for a season and then move Ronny into the starting role in 2007.

 

On the other hand, if the Cubs are determined to trade Walker, there are some interesting possibilites.

 

I'd look to use him in a deal to get Bradley away from the Dodgers if possible. The Dodgers could then move Kent to firstbase.

 

I'd also look into sending Walker with some other players to the Diamondbacks for Tracy or Quentin.

[RockTheIvy]

Personally, I'd prefer to keep Walker at 2b and let Cedeno be my back-up infielder for a season and then move Ronny into the starting role in 2007.

 

Plus, it would keep Neifi! away.

[TheDude]

What's wrong with keeping RC and TW? Platoon them at 2B, and on days when RC starts, Walker is your best option off the bench.

[mg420]

What's wrong with keeping RC and TW? Platoon them at 2B, and on days when RC starts, Walker is your best option off the bench.

 

walker would be pissed because he wants to start every day (not a bad thing of course!) but thats a very good idea. he can also give lee a break at 1b once in a while.

[RockTheIvy]

What's wrong with keeping RC and TW? Platoon them at 2B, and on days when RC starts, Walker is your best option off the bench.

 

Plus, on days when Z pitches, you could use Ronny. I have to imagine having Furcal and Cedeno in the infield will help Z out tremendously.

[JeffH]

why is it unlikely?

 

I got into a discussion about this awhile back in another thread.

 

I believe they are committed to Murton in LF and I cannot imagine any circumstance under which the Chicago Cubs would ever make offseason plans in which Cliff Floyd would be their RIGHT fielder.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Hopefully we sign Furcal and Giles and will only need to trade Walker either for a pitcher or a Cfer.

[soapy]

Hopefully we sign Furcal and Giles and will only need to trade Walker either for a pitcher or a Cfer.

 

Agreed. That would really get me interested in doing a deal for Bradley (which would involve Walker).

 

Furcal

Murton

Giles

Lee

Ramirez

Bradley

Barrett

Cedeno

 

word...

[Magnetic Curses]

Hopefully we sign Furcal and Giles and will only need to trade Walker either for a pitcher or a Cfer.

 

Agreed. That would really get me interested in doing a deal for Bradley (which would involve Walker).

 

Furcal

Murton

Giles

Lee

Ramirez

Bradley

Barrett

Cedeno

 

word...

 

so do the dodgers move kent to first then? that might make sense, then.