Some Winter Rumors from the Rocky Mountain News

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Link

 

I found some interesting rumors while reading that article this morning. Some of them have been mentioned, some I found quite intriguing.

 

1. Detroit offers catcher Ivan Rodriguez to the New York Mets for right-handed pitcher Kris Benson.

 

I thought this one might have legs. The Mets want a catcher and have been rumored to have shopped Bensen. Pudge has ties to Minyana from their Texas days. Pudge fits into the Latin flavor the Mets have pursued.

 

2. Minnesota and Oakland pursue free-agent designated hitter Mike Piazza. Oakland also has interest in Frank Thomas as a DH.

 

Oakland could be a good destination for Thomas.

 

3. Toronto would trade right-hander Miguel Batista to Texas for outfielder Kevin Mench.

 

This could be a good deal for both teams. I'd place a high liklihood that this one happens.

 

4. If the Chicago Cubs fail to sign Rafael Furcal, they would consider sending a package of right-hander Jerome Williams, outfielder Corey Patterson, second baseman Todd Walker and a pitching prospect to Texas for second baseman Alfonso Soriano and Mench.

 

As mentioned elsewhere, this rumor scares the beejebus out of me.

 

5.St. Louis would offer right- hander Jason Marquis to Florida for outfielder Juan Pierre.

 

Now, that's interesting... :-k

[Lefty]

I just can't believe that Hendry would really want Soriano. Could he really have no grasp on reality?

[erik316wttn]

I just can't believe that Hendry would really want Soriano. Could he really have no grasp on reality?

 

Especially for Walker and Williams.

[wade]

I don't care much for him, but doesn't St. Louis have a pretty good centerfielder already?

 

I guess in their proposed trade for Pierre Jimmy would move to right. Not a good move, IMO.

[Balsa]

YIKES. Makes me hope we get Furcal even more. That trade is just absurd.

[jjgman21]

If this happens, I beg someone to ask something like this at the Cubs Convention:

 

"You said you signed Neifi because you decided you like guys who can catch the ball. How do you reconcile those sentiments with the acquisition of Soriano, who can't catch a cold?"

 

 

I also don't understand why the Rangers would give up Mench for a 35 year old pitcher that is decidedly average in any role.

[HoopsCubs]

4. If the Chicago Cubs fail to sign Rafael Furcal, they would consider sending a package of right-hander Jerome Williams, outfielder Corey Patterson, second baseman Todd Walker and a pitching prospect to Texas for second baseman Alfonso Soriano and Mench.

 

What if that move was combined with acquiring Milton Bradley?

 

Then,

 

Bradley-CF

Murton-LF

Lee-1B

Ramirez-3B

Soriano-2B

Barrett-C

Mench-RF

Cedeno-SS

[goonys evil twin]

4. If the Chicago Cubs fail to sign Rafael Furcal, they would consider sending a package of right-hander Jerome Williams, outfielder Corey Patterson, second baseman Todd Walker and a pitching prospect to Texas for second baseman Alfonso Soriano and Mench.

 

What if that move was combined with acquiring Milton Bradley?

 

Then,

 

Bradley-CF

Murton-LF

Lee-1B

Ramirez-3B

Soriano-2B

Barrett-C

Mench-RF

Cedeno-SS

 

Mench is not good. Murton will not hit 2nd. Cedeno will be replaced by Neifi often, and is a risk to underperform himself. OBP is still a problem with that team. And that's a pretty disappointing offseason to me, given the resources at hand. At the very least you have to find a platoon partner with Mench who can hit agianst RHP, and you'd probably have to find a good starting pitcher to justify such unimpressive improvement on offense.

[CuseCubFan69]

4. If the Chicago Cubs fail to sign Rafael Furcal, they would consider sending a package of right-hander Jerome Williams, outfielder Corey Patterson, second baseman Todd Walker and a pitching prospect to Texas for second baseman Alfonso Soriano and Mench.

 

What if that move was combined with acquiring Milton Bradley?

 

Then,

 

Bradley-CF

Murton-LF

Lee-1B

Ramirez-3B

Soriano-2B

Barrett-C

Mench-RF

Cedeno-SS

 

That's a very right handed lineup hoops and with Baker around I see Mabry taking Murtons spot. Also, I would like to have a lefty hitter off the bench that could play all 3 OF spots.....like a Burnitz.