Interesting Notes on the Cubs from the GM Meetings...

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I found this while surfing around. You have to scroll down to get to the tidbits on the Cubs.

 

1. It appears the Cubs have inquired about Bradley.

 

2. Cubs do have interest in Pierre and Mench.

 

3. The Cubs are not eager to listen to proposals that involve Pie, Hill, or Murton.

 

The Cubs are lining up several possibilities for possible outfield trades, with Los Angeles' Milton Bradley the most interesting name that we heard at the GM meetings. Others were Juan Pierre (from Florida for Corey Patterson) and Texas' Kevin Mench. ... Cubs GM Jim Hendry will listen to trade talks for just about anyone but turns the other way when other clubs ask about outfielders Matt Murton and Felix Pie and lefty Rich Hill.

[Schwarber Fan]

Hendry isn't gonna hear a lot of trade offers not involving those 3 guys (hill, murton, pie) imo.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

We're going to have a tough time acquiring a stud OF bat if Pie, Murton, and Hill are off limits (although hearing that about Murton makes me happy).

 

Hendry has too many holes to fill. Time to play little Dutch boy.

[Outshined_One]

3. The Cubs are not eager to listen to proposals that involve Pie, Hill, or Murton.

 

Cubs GM Jim Hendry will listen to trade talks for just about anyone but turns the other way when other clubs ask about outfielders Matt Murton and Felix Pie and lefty Rich Hill.

 

Typical negotiating tactics, imo. If Hendry seemed willing to throw these guys into any given trade, I'd be more worried than if he decided not to trade them at all.

 

Also, we don't know what kind of trade proposals Hendry has gotten involving those guys, save for the Marlins wanting to trade Pierre for Pie. For all we know, the Reds could have offered Hendry Milton for Hill and Murton, among other horrible deals.

[Mark Priors Calves]

3. The Cubs are not eager to listen to proposals that involve Pie, Hill, or Murton.

 

This is what is so baffling to me. If Hendry is not even going to consider trade offers involving Hill, why is he reluctant to give Hill a chance to scratch the starting rotation in '06.

 

1. Zambrano

2. Prior

3. Wood

4. Maddux

5. Williams/Rusch?

 

If Hendry is so in love with Hill, why sign a redudant player like Glendon Rusch? Hill's value is close to its highest point now, start him or trade him. Don't have him rot away in the bullpen as the 12th pitcher, don't have him pitching him in Iowa, or worst all of all, dont' yank him around by bouncing him back and forth with all three.[/b]

[nilodnayr]

How do people forget that Bruce told us that Hendry wouldnt do a Hill for Dunn straight up deal? And that he wanted to bring Pie up midseason? Hendry has as much of a man crush on them as we do on Dunn and Giles. Sure, other GMs are going to ask about them but we have plenty of other valuable trading chips. We can fill our holes through trades without having to give up any of those guys.

[snoodmonger]

I saw VERY little of Hill, and I know we can't judge him based on that cup of coffee he had last season, but I see no reason to cling on to him like grim death. He might be good, but he might be really mediocre, too. He's not a can't-miss guy we should be making off-limits.

 

Hopefully, O_O is correct, and it's simply negotiating tactics.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Whar's more telling is the names not on that list. We already know Walker and Patterson are being shopped. I wouldn't be surprised if Hairston, Williams, and Cedeno are as well. Why wasn't Cedeno listed among the players Hendry wasn't listening to trades for? The Cubs signed Neifi even though Cedeno was already here. I'm starting to think Cedeno is being shopped as well.

[JeffH]

In the fairly unlikely event that Cedeno will be shopped, there's no way it happens until Furcal signs.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

In the fairly unlikely event that Cedeno will be shopped, there's no way it happens until Furcal signs.

 

I agree. I also don't think Walker will be traded unless its for a 2b or SS or after Furcal is signed.

[BigbadB]

I'm not so certain that Hill, Pie or Murton would have to be included in a trade to get some of the guys they are shopping for.

 

If Mench costed anymore than Sergio Mitre, I wouldn't do it. I probably wouldn't do it anyway, since he doesn't really fit what we need. A lefty power bat to tuck in between Lee and Ramirez.

 

I haven't a clue what Florida wants for Pierre, but if Patterson and Novoa gets it done, I'd be fine with it.

 

It sounds as if we could get Bradley for Cliff Bartosh, or a bag of balls if they prefer.

 

Dunn or Abreu would take something special. Signing Giles would not.

[mg420]

I saw VERY little of Hill, and I know we can't judge him based on that cup of coffee he had last season, but I see no reason to cling on to him like grim death. He might be good, but he might be really mediocre, too. He's not a can't-miss guy we should be making off-limits.

Hopefully, O_O is correct, and it's simply negotiating tactics.

neither was dontrell and look how he ended up. if hill can come up with a decent 3rd pitch (like a cutter or straight change) to go along with the low 90's fb & awesome curve, he will end up being a very good ml starter.

[Proven Veteran]

I saw VERY little of Hill, and I know we can't judge him based on that cup of coffee he had last season, but I see no reason to cling on to him like grim death. He might be good, but he might be really mediocre, too. He's not a can't-miss guy we should be making off-limits.

Hopefully, O_O is correct, and it's simply negotiating tactics.

neither was dontrell and look how he ended up. if hill can come up with a decent 3rd pitch (like a cutter or straight change) to go along with the low 90's fb & awesome curve, he will end up being a very good ml starter.

You do know that Dontrelle is two years younger than Hill, right?

[ConstableRabbit]

3. The Cubs are not eager to listen to proposals that involve Pie, Hill, or Murton.

 

The Cubs are lining up several possibilities for possible outfield trades, with Los Angeles' Milton Bradley the most interesting name that we heard at the GM meetings. Others were Juan Pierre (from Florida for Corey Patterson) and Texas' Kevin Mench. ... Cubs GM Jim Hendry will listen to trade talks for just about anyone but turns the other way when other clubs ask about outfielders Matt Murton and Felix Pie and lefty Rich Hill.

 

Those statements aren't necessarily the same thing, or rather, can be interpreted differently, imo. As was said, we don't know what trades were proposed to Hendry. For all we know, teams could've been offering us next to nothing for one, if not all of those guys. If Hendry makes it seem like they're untouchable, it gives him some more bargaining power if a deal does come up where it makes sense to trade them. (E.g. another GM could inquire about one of the three, already knowing that Hendry had shyd away from trading them, and Hendry could say something along the lines of "Fine, I'll give you (Pie/Hill/Murton), but only if...). If the price is right, no player is off-limits.

[mg420]

I saw VERY little of Hill, and I know we can't judge him based on that cup of coffee he had last season, but I see no reason to cling on to him like grim death. He might be good, but he might be really mediocre, too. He's not a can't-miss guy we should be making off-limits.

Hopefully, O_O is correct, and it's simply negotiating tactics.

neither was dontrell and look how he ended up. if hill can come up with a decent 3rd pitch (like a cutter or straight change) to go along with the low 90's fb & awesome curve, he will end up being a very good ml starter.

You do know that Dontrelle is two years younger than Hill, right?

 

what does that matter? hills still young. it just took him longer to harness his stuff & find his control. hill has better stuff than dontrell imo. alot of willis's success has to do with his command & deceptive delivery.

[nt3d]

I'm not so certain that Hill, Pie or Murton would have to be included in a trade to get some of the guys they are shopping for.

 

If Mench costed anymore than Sergio Mitre, I wouldn't do it. I probably wouldn't do it anyway, since he doesn't really fit what we need. A lefty power bat to tuck in between Lee and Ramirez.

 

I haven't a clue what Florida wants for Pierre, but if Patterson and Novoa gets it done, I'd be fine with it.

 

It sounds as if we could get Bradley for Cliff Bartosh, or a bag of balls if they prefer.

 

Dunn or Abreu would take something special. Signing Giles would not.

 

Kevin Mech would probably take a lot more than Sergio Mitre. I would won't at least a good prospect, maybe not a Murton or Pie. Mench is young, has power, makes contact, and it's a poor offseason for outfielders. Kevin Mench is one notch under Aubrey Huff at top form, and I'd pefer him to Bradley.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

I saw VERY little of Hill, and I know we can't judge him based on that cup of coffee he had last season, but I see no reason to cling on to him like grim death. He might be good, but he might be really mediocre, too. He's not a can't-miss guy we should be making off-limits.

Hopefully, O_O is correct, and it's simply negotiating tactics.

neither was dontrell and look how he ended up. if hill can come up with a decent 3rd pitch (like a cutter or straight change) to go along with the low 90's fb & awesome curve, he will end up being a very good ml starter.

You do know that Dontrelle is two years younger than Hill, right?

 

what does that matter? hills still young. it just took him longer to harness his stuff & find his control. hill has better stuff than dontrell imo. alot of willis's success has to do with his command & deceptive delivery.

 

he made it from college ball to the bigs in 3 years. that's not bad.

 

check these numbers out:

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/H/rich-hill.shtml

 

that K/9 is sexy.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

From another source I have, I can vouch on his reliability, the Pirates inquired about Mench and the Rangers asked for Oliver Perez. The Pirates countered with Kip Wells, and the discussion ended.

 

Take that for what it's worth.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

From another source I have, I can vouch on his reliability, the Pirates inquired about Mench and the Rangers asked for Oliver Perez. The Pirates countered with Kip Wells, and the discussion ended.

 

Take that for what it's worth.

 

well, we shouldn't have to give up hill for mench at least (hill>>perez IMO).

 

Kip Wells? hahaha, no wonder the discussion ended.

[Outshined_One]

Remember the Todd Ritchie deal and how everyone laughed at the White Sox for how awful of a trade that was?

 

Kinda odd to ponder about considering current circumstances.

[CubsWin]

Mench has some power, but the Cubs have that. What they need is people on base, and his OBP leaves a lot to be desired. I don't think Mench is the answer. He might be serviceable but not a difference maker.

[stitchface]

I saw VERY little of Hill, and I know we can't judge him based on that cup of coffee he had last season, but I see no reason to cling on to him like grim death. He might be good, but he might be really mediocre, too. He's not a can't-miss guy we should be making off-limits.

Hopefully, O_O is correct, and it's simply negotiating tactics.

neither was dontrell and look how he ended up. if hill can come up with a decent 3rd pitch (like a cutter or straight change) to go along with the low 90's fb & awesome curve, he will end up being a very good ml starter.

You do know that Dontrelle is two years younger than Hill, right?

 

what does that matter? hills still young. it just took him longer to harness his stuff & find his control. hill has better stuff than dontrell imo. alot of willis's success has to do with his command & deceptive delivery.

 

Why does dontrelle matter? You can't evaluate every players value based on one guy you misjudged. Willis should have absolutely nothing to do with how you evaluate Hill.

 

I'm pleased to hear Hendry is considering Bradley though - its encouraging that he isn't completely close-minded. Given what is being sought, Bradley, Pierre, Mench, Hendry should be turning away from offering Pie, Murton or Hill. Those names should be reserved for discussions about players like Dunn or Abreu.

[JeffH]

If Hendry trades Murton, Hill, or Pie for Bobby "I'm owed $30 million over the next two seasons but I couldn't even get my OPS over .900 last season" Abreu, he should be fired at once.

[Soul]

Can't trade Murton or Pie. Cheap/upside in the outfield, which is what we desperately need--not only to make the team work on the field, but also to make our financial layout make more sense.

 

We are a baseball club that has been thoroughly dominated by two other clubs for over half a decade (other than 2003). And both of those other clubs have brought up significant position talent and spend much less than we do.

 

Our ballclub needs a homegrown position player to hang its hat on.

[RockTheIvy]

If Hendry trades Murton, Hill, or Pie for Bobby "I'm owed $30 million over the next two seasons but I couldn't even get my OPS over .900 last season" Abreu, he should be fired at once.

 

I dunno if I would trade Murton because it would just create another hole in the OF, but I would easily trade Rich "Here come's my Curveball are you ready" Hill for a guy who is a career .303/.411/.512 hitter, who has walked 100 times each of the last 8 years and steals bases at an excellent clip. 15 million a year is a lot of money, but I think that Abreu is worth it and is a better option than Giles, given that he is a few years younger.