Beane shopping Zito

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

according to Newsday.

[frostwyrm]

Until recently I would have been against pursuing Zito because the cost in prospects would be too high, but since Hendry is now content to sign Glendons and Neifis for roles that could be filled by rookies, I wouldn't mind sending Cedeno and Hill to Oakland for Zito.

[Wheelimus]

Sheesh, imagine the rotation

 

Zambrano

Prior

Zito

Wood

Maddux

 

with Rusch and Williams ready to step in for the inevitable pitcher going down.

 

Although, crazy crazy thought, since the Cubs have money to blow, what about a deal like this?

 

Todd Walker, Greg Maddux, Rich Hill, and $4 million

 

for

 

Barry Zito, Mark Ellis, and Bobby Kielty

 

Now, Zito is set to make over 8 million next year, a wash with Maddux's money. Ellis is coming off of his best year and is arbitration eligible, he's going to get a nice payday. Kielty is very interesting, 29 years old, decent OBP, would make a good bench outfielder. Probably goign to make 1 million, maybe 1.5

 

Money wise, if I had to guess, we'd be taking on 11 million or so, and giving up about the same, plus the 4 million to Oakland. We'd get a starting second basemen, a really good pitcher, and a legit bench outfielder. It gives Oakland a very cheap second basemen, a starter to replace Zito in 2006, and the esential replacement prospect for Zito. Heck, i'd toss Mitre in if I had too

 

Would still leave money to pursue Giles or Furcal...

[CubinNY]

Zito is probably the worst of the big three, but if I'm Hendry I would intertain any reasonable offer for Zito.

 

What holes do the A's have?

[CardsFanInChiTown]

Sheesh, imagine the rotation

 

Zambrano

Prior

Zito

Wood

Maddux

 

with Rusch and Williams ready to step in for the inevitable pitcher going down.

 

Although, crazy crazy thought, since the Cubs have money to blow, what about a deal like this?

 

Todd Walker, Greg Maddux, Rich Hill, and $4 million

 

for

 

Barry Zito, Mark Ellis, and Bobby Kielty

 

Now, Zito is set to make over 8 million next year, a wash with Maddux's money. Ellis is coming off of his best year and is arbitration eligible, he's going to get a nice payday. Kielty is very interesting, 29 years old, decent OBP, would make a good bench outfielder. Probably goign to make 1 million, maybe 1.5

 

Money wise, if I had to guess, we'd be taking on 11 million or so, and giving up about the same, plus the 4 million to Oakland. We'd get a starting second basemen, a really good pitcher, and a legit bench outfielder. It gives Oakland a very cheap second basemen, a starter to replace Zito in 2006, and the esential replacement prospect for Zito. Heck, i'd toss Mitre in if I had too

 

Would still leave money to pursue Giles or Furcal...

 

Considering what Beane got for Mulder and Hudson I really doubt that would get it done.

[Wheelimus]

Zito is also considered (as least from what I've heard) the worst of the "big 3", so I doubt he'll get quite the haul that those two got.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

If we got Zito, could we still call Zambrano "Z?" :D

[CuseCubFan69]

If we got Zito, could we still call Zambrano "Z?" :D

 

:D Since Zambrano is much bigger how about Z Squared?

[CardsFanInChiTown]

Zito is also considered (as least from what I've heard) the worst of the "big 3", so I doubt he'll get quite the haul that those two got.

 

Yeah, but you offered isn't even close to what he got for the other 2. He's getting two aging players and one nice but not great prospect. I don't think what you offered would even get Zito. Beane likes young and cheap players.

[MPrior]

Yeah, ditto. There's no way Beane wants Maddux. The only reason he'd be shopping Zito is so he can free up some money using cheaper (but still effective) alternatives.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I doubt we have the players to join the Zito sweepstakes, but think along these lines: Hill + Harvey + Gallagher

[biittner77]

What about Williams, Wellemeyer and Sing for Zito?

 

Wellemeyer is out of options. Sing is likely blocked by whomever the Cubs get to play RF and by the presence of Dusty Baker.

[ManCrushOnNomar]

Hill, Williams, and Dopriak/Sing?

[rawaction]

Zito's gone after a year. I wouldn't give up much for him.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

What about Williams, Wellemeyer and Sing for Zito?

 

Wellemeyer is out of options. Sing is likely blocked by whomever the Cubs get to play RF and by the presence of Dusty Baker.

 

And why would Oakland take that? I'm pretty sure they get a much better offer from another team.

[biittner77]

What about Williams, Wellemeyer and Sing for Zito?

 

Wellemeyer is out of options. Sing is likely blocked by whomever the Cubs get to play RF and by the presence of Dusty Baker.

 

And why would Oakland take that? I'm pretty sure they get a much better offer from another team.

 

Zito is a FA after this season, that lowers his value. Wellemeyer has a good fastball with some upside. Sing is coming off two very good years and shows the type of skills that the A's like. Williams is a nice addition to their rotation is young and durable. The A's also clear a lot of payroll.

 

Admittedly, the A's might need Novoa instead of Wellemeyer or perhaps another name player for PR purposes. If they want that much more then he's not worth it. Not when the Cubs still likely need to trade for a RF.

[ManEatingTarp]

Hill, Williams, and Dopriak/Sing?

 

That would do it IMO.

Pretty close to what the Cards gave up for Mulder. Of course Mulder still had 2 years on his deal at the time.

[mg420]

Hill, Williams, and Dopriak/Sing?

 

i would much rather have hill & williams for several years than zito for 1.

[ManCrushOnNomar]

Hill, Williams, and Dopriak/Sing?

 

That would do it IMO.

Pretty close to what the Cards gave up for Mulder. Of course Mulder still had 2 years on his deal at the time.

I'm sure the trade would hinge on signing an extension.

[stitchface]

If we got Zito, could we still call Zambrano "Z?" :D

 

We could have the "killer Zs" and pipe in snoring.

[David]

If we got Zito, could we still call Zambrano "Z?" :D

 

We could have the "killer Zs" and pipe in snoring.

 

 

:lol: Actually laughed out loud at that one... Well played.

[E.J.]

If we got Zito, could we still call Zambrano "Z?" :D

 

We could have the "killer Zs" and pipe in snoring.

 

And the Cubs could sell space to sleeping pill companies on the ad board behind home plate. It's marketing genius Poudre. :D

[Outshined_One]

If I'm the Athletics, I'm dangling Zito to teams in the NL Central.

 

They have a history with St. Louis via the Mulder deal last offseason. St. Louis' farm system is not very strong, but there are players to be had who could help. Houston might have interest if there's concern for Clemens' health and career. Cincy has new owners who are looking to make a splash. Milwaukee could use a guy like Zito to give them a legit rotation. The Cubs have enough of a history of injury problems that getting some one like Zito would not hurt much.

 

Granted, he won't attract a package like Mulder or Hudson got (Meyer was the #2 LHP prospect in baseball last season, mind you). However, he could still attract a good package that the A's could use.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Since I'm holding back Pie and Williams to bring in Abreu, I don't think I can put together an attractive enough package to bring in Zito. I can start with Hill, but unless Beane is willing to take on younger prospects still two to three years away like Harvey, Gallagher and Dopirak--and so far, Beane has shown a preference for mature prospects at most a year away--then I don't think we can compete for both someone like Abreu, and Zito. Since I strongly feel the RF is a more critical need for the Cubs than another starting pitcher one year away from free agency, I regretfully take a pass on pursuing Barry Zito.

[Outshined_One]

Since I'm holding back Pie and Williams to bring in Abreu, I don't think I can put together an attractive enough package to bring in Zito. I can start with Hill, but unless Beane is willing to take on younger prospects still two to three years away like Harvey, Gallagher and Dopirak--and so far, Beane has shown a preference for mature prospects at most a year away--then I don't think we can compete for both someone like Abreu, and Zito. Since I strongly feel the RF is a more critical need for the Cubs than another starting pitcher one year away from free agency, I regretfully take a pass on pursuing Barry Zito.

 

I dunno, he was pretty happy to take Barton in the Mulder deal. Barton is arguably going to need another year before coming up to the majors (that remains to be seen).

 

Also, Matt Murton would probably seem like an attractive player to Beane. Whether or not some one would want to trade him is another issue altogether, but there ya go.