RUMOR: Todd Walker and prospect to KC for Mike MacDougal

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Mentioned on KC sports talk radio this afternoon, drive time, rumor seems to have legs. Royals fans seem to like the idea, they desperately need the offense and Walker is the kind of guy they can afford on limited funds. We get the middle relief depth we need, though I presume if Hendry doesn't add another arm, the Cubs will probably go into spring training letting Williamson, MacDougal and Wuertz battle it out for the primary 8th inning setup job.

 

Note that MacDougal is still very cheap, though he will get a big raise in arbitration. Still, less expensive than Walker, so the Cubs look to save a bit of payroll here. No mention of who the prospect would be the Cubs are throwing in, but I find it hard to believe it would be one of our Top 10 or even Top 20 guys. Probably a player Hendry feels he can't protect on the 40 man prior to the Rule 5 draft, so he's going to use him now as trade currency. Someone like Brandon Sing, or Sergio Mitre, or Jon Koronka would be my guess.

 

Some will feel if this trade rumor is true, we should get more for Walker, but I think it's about right. MacDougal is just 28 years old (he'll turn 29 in spring training), he's a former first round draft pick of the Royals(1999). Last year, returning from injury in 2004, he put up a 1.32 WHIP, 3.33 ERA, and 21 saves, but here's the number I'm sure gets Hendry excited: in 70 IP, his K/BB ratio was 72/24. A reliever that can throw strikes! That's a new concept for the Cubs. He's 6'4"" and has that 9K/9IP ratio, so he has the two assets the Cubs seem to value most in pitchers. :roll:

 

Anyways, since the impression I got was that this was more than a rumor, I thought I'd post it and get a thread started to discuss the pros and cons. Myself, I like it. We need the middle relief help. I like the idea of the starters handing off to the bullpen in the 6th and 7th innings with confidence, for once. Moving Walker now certainly means that Hendry is putting all his eggs in the Rafael Furcal basket. I'm fine with that, but he better close the deal.

[E.J.]

If that trade happend, could you imagine what Walker would have to say to the Chicago media on his way out? I have a feeling he wouldn't shy away from speaking his mind about the Cubs and about being traded to KC. :D

[cjbucks]

If that trade happend, could you imagine what Walker would have to say to the Chicago media on his way out? I have a feeling he wouldn't shy away from speaking his mind about the Cubs and about being traded to KC. :D

 

I have a feeling you are right!

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

If that trade happend, could you imagine what Walker would have to say to the Chicago media on his way out? I have a feeling he wouldn't shy away from speaking his mind about the Cubs and about being traded to KC. :D

 

I have a feeling you are right!

 

I hope he calls Hendry a moran. :lol:

 

About the trade...I kind of like it depending on the prospect. Our bullpen could use some help.

 

I think we'd have to get Furcal for Walker to be traded though, which kind of places this trade on the back burner (a possibility, but not even close to being done).

[Backtobanks]

Is there anyone that Todd Walker isn't being traded for?

[TrueBlueCubFan]

If that trade happend, could you imagine what Walker would have to say to the Chicago media on his way out? I have a feeling he wouldn't shy away from speaking his mind about the Cubs and about being traded to KC. :D

 

Who cares? He can take his, does only one thing good, to lowly KC. If it helps the Cubs I'm all for it. Depending on the prospect I like this deal. McDougal,Weurtz & Williamson setting up Dempster, that's a solid, & deep pen. Get er done, Jim!

[stitchface]

except for the dempster closing part.

[Flames24Rulz]

except for the dempster closing part.

 

whats wrong with Dempster closing?

[TrueBlueCubFan]

except for the dempster closing part.

Yeah, Demspter's been an awful closer. (note sarcasm)

[Andy]

I'm truly sorry for Todd Walker if this deal is made. Hendry already agreed not to trade him without consent, and to send him to the baseball hell of KC would be an indefensibly jackass move on Hendry's part. If we're going to trade Todd, send him somewhere he wants to go and throw him in a package to get a big name like Abreu or Dunn.

[JeffH]

Hendry already agreed not to trade him without consent

 

He did? I wasn't copied on that memo.

[goonys evil twin]

Last year, returning from injury in 2004, he put up a 1.32 WHIP, 3.33 ERA, and 21 saves, but here's the number I'm sure gets Hendry excited: in 70 IP, his K/BB ratio was 72/24. A reliever that can throw strikes! That's a new concept for the Cubs.

 

Actually, control has always been an issue for him. K/bb was good in 2005, but it's never been good in his career. He walked over 5/9 in the minors, and is over 4 in the majors. Perhaps he's solved his control issues, but more likely than not, walks will continue to be a problem for him. Unfortunately, Hendry doesn't have a problem with pitchers who walk a lot of guys.

[Jehrico]

I'd ask for Sisco back. Otherwise, I get their hopes up, make them think it's a done deal, just to yank it out from under them, then go out of my way to deal him to one of KCs division contenders.

 

Of course, I'm a spiteful SOB...

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Walker was the 6th best 2B in baseball last year OPS wise, and only makes 2.5 mil this year. I think he's worth more than a reliever with a career WHIP near 1.5

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Last year, returning from injury in 2004, he put up a 1.32 WHIP, 3.33 ERA, and 21 saves, but here's the number I'm sure gets Hendry excited: in 70 IP, his K/BB ratio was 72/24. A reliever that can throw strikes! That's a new concept for the Cubs.

 

Actually, control has always been an issue for him. K/bb was good in 2005, but it's never been good in his career. He walked over 5/9 in the minors, and is over 4 in the majors. Perhaps he's solved his control issues, but more likely than not, walks will continue to be a problem for him. Unfortunately, Hendry doesn't have a problem with pitchers who walk a lot of guys.

 

Goony, there were stories in the papers here last year saying that MacDougal had changed his delivery and release point post-surgery, and he credited that with his improved control. Whether that is true or not I don't know, but most of the time in 2005, he looked pretty good. I'd be uncomfortable relying on him as a closer as KC does/did, but as a middle reliever, I'm fine with him. He's a talented guy, there's no doubt about that.

[TrueBlueCubFan]

I'm truly sorry for Todd Walker if this deal is made. Hendry already agreed not to trade him without consent, and to send him to the baseball hell of KC would be an indefensibly jackass move on Hendry's part. If we're going to trade Todd, send him somewhere he wants to go and throw him in a package to get a big name like Abreu or Dunn.

 

Neither Philly nor Cincy need a 2nd baseman.

[goonys evil twin]

I'd be uncomfortable relying on him as a closer as KC does/did, but as a middle reliever, I'm fine with him. He's a talented guy, there's no doubt about that.

 

Hendry has a thing for talented but erratic and wild pitchers, which makes this trade unfortunately realistic. A good starting position player for a mediocre reliever would be just one of the many ridiculous moves Hendry has made.

[YearofDaCubs]

I like MacDougal personally. He can be a good pitcher for the 7th or 8th inning for us. I woudl hate to see Walker go but at this point it looks like he is gone regardless so I woudl do this trade.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Walker was the 6th best 2B in baseball last year OPS wise, and only makes 2.5 mil this year. I think he's worth more than a reliever with a career WHIP near 1.5

 

Maybe he's just a late bloomer. Or just needed his mechanics worked out after his injury. To say he has a career WHIP of 1.5 is misleading--he only has two full years in the big leagues, 2003 (WHIP 1.50) and 2005 (WHIP 1.32). Since the latter came post-surgery, I put more stock in that than the 2003 numbers.

 

Also keep in mind that we're trying to decipher the numbers that Jim Hendry likes, not what you or I like. He likes saves, and MacDougal saved 27 and 21 games in those two years. He likes strikeouts, and MacDougal has a 9K/9IP ratio both years. He likes tall, strong pitchers, and MacDougal fits there. He is the kind of pitcher Hendry likes to pursue, regardless of whether there are better options out there (and there are).

 

Also CPatt, if you're going to get upset about a 1.50 WHIP, I call your attention to one Glendon Rusch. Who we know Jim Hendry loves.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

For one of the most productive 2B in the game at only 2.5 million, I'd hope for more than a gamble on a late bloomer. At least try and get Gotay.

[treebird]

If that trade happend, could you imagine what Walker would have to say to the Chicago media on his way out? I have a feeling he wouldn't shy away from speaking his mind about the Cubs and about being traded to KC. :D

 

Who cares? He can take his, does only one thing good, to lowly KC. If it helps the Cubs I'm all for it. Depending on the prospect I like this deal. McDougal,Weurtz & Williamson setting up Dempster, that's a solid, & deep pen. Get er done, Jim!

 

if we can just do whatever we want to players and it doesn't matter, we really should've told maddux to go away for the last month and a half to keep his option from vesting.

 

also, you said get er done. dont do that.

[TrueBlueCubFan]

If that trade happend, could you imagine what Walker would have to say to the Chicago media on his way out? I have a feeling he wouldn't shy away from speaking his mind about the Cubs and about being traded to KC. :D

 

Who cares? He can take his, does only one thing good, to lowly KC. If it helps the Cubs I'm all for it. Depending on the prospect I like this deal. McDougal,Weurtz & Williamson setting up Dempster, that's a solid, & deep pen. Get er done, Jim!

 

if we can just do whatever we want to players and it doesn't matter, we really should've told maddux to go away for the last month and a half to keep his option from vesting.

 

also, you said get er done. dont do that.

 

GET ER DONE JIM!!!

[nt3d]

Isn't MacDougal pretty comparable to Bobby Jenks of Chicago WhiteSox fame?

[beowulf28]

I'm truly sorry for Todd Walker if this deal is made. Hendry already agreed not to trade him without consent, and to send him to the baseball hell of KC would be an indefensibly jackass move on Hendry's part. If we're going to trade Todd, send him somewhere he wants to go and throw him in a package to get a big name like Abreu or Dunn.[/quote]

 

 

Cincinnati is better than KC?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Isn't MacDougal pretty comparable to Bobby Jenks of Chicago WhiteSox fame?

 

Jenks is around 4 years younger and has much better stuff. Working in MacDougal's favor is the fact that he hasn't lit his arm on fire.