Cubs/Angels Rumor - Patterson for Finley

[Mark_R]

If the prospect is Brandon Wood, then I'd consider.

[Guest]

My contact speculated that Hendry might be thinking of acquiring Mench for Walker, and could then envision a Finley/Mench platoon in RF.

 

Again, take it for what it is. Rumor mill stuff.

Which would give Neifi a guaranteed starting middle infield spot, correct? Not even remotely interested. With Pierre in center we need a lot more production from RF than a cobbled-together platoon would give us, particularly if Nefi gets 600 AB.

[HoopsCubs]

Which would give Neifi a guaranteed starting middle infield spot, correct?

 

Not necessarily. I wouldn't rule out Jerry Hairston yet as the everyday 2B if Walker is dealt.

[WrigleyField 22]

Yuck I'll pass.

[AramisRamirez]

yeah i just want to trade prospects for milton bradley, offer a huge contract to millwood, and call it a day. keep todd walker because him, bradley, and D-Lee would be 3 high OBP guys in the lineup. finally!! and if pierre gets a .350 OBP we're looking pretty good.

[CubfaninCA]

This rumor was sent to me by a contact of mine in SoCal. Not one of my best sources, but I have known him for sometime.

 

If the Cubs sign Rafael Furcal to be their SS and lead-off man, Jim Hendry will turn away from Juan Pierre, and instead focus his efforts on dumping CF Corey Patterson onto an AL team in return for a bad, albeit short term contract, and a prospect.

 

Prime candidate: Los Angels Angels of Anaheim.

 

The target: Steve Finley, who is coming off an equally disastrous season, but has 1 year left at $7M, and some feel could easily get re-vitalized in Wrigley, a park he has recently hit extremely well in.

 

And while he may be 40 years old, he figures to be in great shape, with a great arm and hits left-handed, and is just one year removed from hitting 36 home runs as a member of the LA Dodgers and Arizona D-Backs in 2004.

 

He could play CF or RF for one season depending on Hendry's other OF moves. He would be on the bench in favor of Jerry Hairston when facing a left-hander.

 

Hendry may be considering this as a high risk/high return move.

 

Take it with a grain of salt. Haven't heard much about Corey lately, so my ears perked up a bit when I heard this.

 

My SoCal contact just sent me an email telling me that Hendry and Stoneman spoke after the Pierre trade was official. Stoneman is willing to trade Finley ($7M in 2006) and $4m in cash to the Cubs for Patterson - one prospect from each team would also be involved in the deal. Stoneman was trying to sell Hendry on Finley's good health and good arm for RF. My contact said Hendry didn't say yes or no, but would think about it as he was working on other OF opportunities. My contact speculated that Hendry might be thinking of acquiring Mench for Walker, and could then envision a Finley/Mench platoon in RF.

 

Again, take it for what it is. Rumor mill stuff.

 

I've missed the Hacksaw Best Damn 15 Minutes sports report the past few days, but will try to catch it tomorrow to see if this deal has legs. I'd much rather have Floyd.

 

At least Finley can catch the ball though.

 

EDIT: I'd rather go w/ Patterson in rf than Finley. I have no faith in someone Finley's age bouncing back from injury.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I didn't want Finley for CF. I sure as hell don't want him for rightfield.

[soapy]

Which would give Neifi a guaranteed starting middle infield spot, correct?

 

Not necessarily. I wouldn't rule out Jerry Hairston yet as the everyday 2B if Walker is dealt.

 

I would rule that out. Dusty playing Hairston over Neifi. There is no freakin' way. Maybe Hairston can start at second if Neifi is at SS. Yay.

[TrueBlueCubFan]

Which would give Neifi a guaranteed starting middle infield spot, correct?

 

Not necessarily. I wouldn't rule out Jerry Hairston yet as the everyday 2B if Walker is dealt.

 

I would rule that out. Dusty playing Hairston over Neifi. There is no freakin' way. Maybe Hairston can start at second if Neifi is at SS. Yay.

Hairston will be the Cubs 4th or 5th OF.

[soapy]

Which would give Neifi a guaranteed starting middle infield spot, correct?

 

Not necessarily. I wouldn't rule out Jerry Hairston yet as the everyday 2B if Walker is dealt.

 

I would rule that out. Dusty playing Hairston over Neifi. There is no freakin' way. Maybe Hairston can start at second if Neifi is at SS. Yay.

Hairston will be the Cubs 4th or 5th OF.

 

If he's still on the team. I wouldn't be surprised if he got traded. Maybe along with Patterson for Bradley.

 

Or maybe that's just my hope so that Walker is kept.

[Cubzfan64]

My contact speculated that Hendry might be thinking of acquiring Mench for Walker, and could then envision a Finley/Mench platoon in RF.

 

Again, take it for what it is. Rumor mill stuff.

Which would give Neifi a guaranteed starting middle infield spot, correct? Not even remotely interested. With Pierre in center we need a lot more production from RF than a cobbled-together platoon would give us, particularly if Nefi gets 600 AB.

 

For the amount of money we resigned Neifi for, I've accepted the fact that we will see Neifi starting somewhere for the 2006 Cubs. My guess is either he'll play 2B when/if we trade Walker (and I don't know what Hendry and Baker have against Walker) or Cedeno will be pulled as soon as he hits either an offensive or defensive slump and that will be the end of Ronnie's chances.