A Huge "What if?" Scenario: Zambrano for Abreu?

[muntjack]

Two players I trade Zambrano for:

 

1. Albert Pujols

2. Miguel Cabrera

[ZMovieman]

Two players I trade Zambrano for:

 

1. Albert Pujols

2. Miguel Cabrera

 

I'd add A-Rod, if there is some salary relief thrown in there. But I'd agree. No to Abreu if Big Z is the cost.

[moorecg]

Two players I trade Zambrano for:

 

1. Albert Pujols

2. Miguel Cabrera

 

I'd add A-Rod, if there is some salary relief thrown in there. But I'd agree. No to Abreu if Big Z is the cost.

 

I agree. Abreu would just feel out of place taking almost a full pitch per at bat than the rest of our team anyway.

[HoopsCubs]

Ok, let me begin by stating my premise here. If we miss out on Furcal, that means the Cubs will have missed on two of the big three of FA's this offseason (Giles, Furcal, Burnett).

 

The Cubs will still have a lot of money left to spend (25 million by some accounts), and except through trades, have few commodities worth spending it on.

 

Could the Cubs, if losing out to Furcal, sign Burnett to the 5/50 they were offering to Furcal.

 

That would make a rotation of Prior, Wood, Zambrano, Maddux, Burnett, and Rusch with Williams and Hill on the outside looking in.

 

The Cubs could make smaller deals to bring in Bradley or Pierre and maybe Castillo. But to make a big splash, the Cubs could finally offer a frontline starter for Abreu.

 

The Cubs could trade Zambrano to the Phillies for Abreu and Padilla. Padilla would give the Cubs another potential starter and we know what Abreu provides. Zambrano would be the Cubs frontline starter.

 

I love Zambrano as much as the next guy, but this is something that I think should at least be considered.

 

Here's a thought. As a starting point I go back to a 3-way trade rumor I brought to the board weeks ago where the Dodgers, Cubs, and Marlins would play musical chairs with Lowe, Bradley, Lowell, Castillo, Walker, Patterson and Cubs pitching prospects. Obviously, the Marlins did get rid of their players.

 

I still keep hearing that if the LA signs Furcal, they'll want to dump Bradley and Lowe in the name of salary (but also because of clubhouse reasons). What if they traded Bradley and Lowe for some package involving Corey or Walker and some pitching prospects, and Hendry turned around and shipped Lowe and a prospect to the Phillies for Abreu?

[Blueheart05]

Ok, let me begin by stating my premise here. If we miss out on Furcal, that means the Cubs will have missed on two of the big three of FA's this offseason (Giles, Furcal, Burnett).

 

The Cubs will still have a lot of money left to spend (25 million by some accounts), and except through trades, have few commodities worth spending it on.

 

Could the Cubs, if losing out to Furcal, sign Burnett to the 5/50 they were offering to Furcal.

 

That would make a rotation of Prior, Wood, Zambrano, Maddux, Burnett, and Rusch with Williams and Hill on the outside looking in.

 

The Cubs could make smaller deals to bring in Bradley or Pierre and maybe Castillo. But to make a big splash, the Cubs could finally offer a frontline starter for Abreu.

 

The Cubs could trade Zambrano to the Phillies for Abreu and Padilla. Padilla would give the Cubs another potential starter and we know what Abreu provides. Zambrano would be the Cubs frontline starter.

 

I love Zambrano as much as the next guy, but this is something that I think should at least be considered.

 

Here's a thought. As a starting point I go back to a 3-way trade rumor I brought to the board weeks ago where the Dodgers, Cubs, and Marlins would play musical chairs with Lowe, Bradley, Lowell, Castillo, Walker, Patterson and Cubs pitching prospects. Obviously, the Marlins did get rid of their players.

 

I still keep hearing that if the LA signs Furcal, they'll want to dump Bradley and Lowe in the name of salary (but also because of clubhouse reasons). What if they traded Bradley and Lowe for some package involving Corey or Walker and some pitching prospects, and Hendry turned around and shipped Lowe and a prospect to the Phillies for Abreu?

 

For what it's worth, there are reports that the Dodgers may consider keeping Bradley or at the very least, try hard to get something of value for him.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

No to the trade if you mean Carlos Zambrano. I would do it if it were Victor Zambrano.

 

supposedly Scott Kazmir = Victor Zambrano :lol:

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Ok, let me begin by stating my premise here. If we miss out on Furcal, that means the Cubs will have missed on two of the big three of FA's this offseason (Giles, Furcal, Burnett).

 

The Cubs will still have a lot of money left to spend (25 million by some accounts), and except through trades, have few commodities worth spending it on.

 

Could the Cubs, if losing out to Furcal, sign Burnett to the 5/50 they were offering to Furcal.

 

That would make a rotation of Prior, Wood, Zambrano, Maddux, Burnett, and Rusch with Williams and Hill on the outside looking in.

 

The Cubs could make smaller deals to bring in Bradley or Pierre and maybe Castillo. But to make a big splash, the Cubs could finally offer a frontline starter for Abreu.

 

The Cubs could trade Zambrano to the Phillies for Abreu and Padilla. Padilla would give the Cubs another potential starter and we know what Abreu provides. Zambrano would be the Cubs frontline starter.

 

I love Zambrano as much as the next guy, but this is something that I think should at least be considered.

 

Here's a thought. As a starting point I go back to a 3-way trade rumor I brought to the board weeks ago where the Dodgers, Cubs, and Marlins would play musical chairs with Lowe, Bradley, Lowell, Castillo, Walker, Patterson and Cubs pitching prospects. Obviously, the Marlins did get rid of their players.

 

I still keep hearing that if the LA signs Furcal, they'll want to dump Bradley and Lowe in the name of salary (but also because of clubhouse reasons). What if they traded Bradley and Lowe for some package involving Corey or Walker and some pitching prospects, and Hendry turned around and shipped Lowe and a prospect to the Phillies for Abreu?

 

If we ended up with Bradley and Abreu and only lost Walker, Patterson, and a couple of prospects...I think I might need a new pair of pants.

[Blueheart05]

Ok, let me begin by stating my premise here. If we miss out on Furcal, that means the Cubs will have missed on two of the big three of FA's this offseason (Giles, Furcal, Burnett).

 

The Cubs will still have a lot of money left to spend (25 million by some accounts), and except through trades, have few commodities worth spending it on.

 

Could the Cubs, if losing out to Furcal, sign Burnett to the 5/50 they were offering to Furcal.

 

That would make a rotation of Prior, Wood, Zambrano, Maddux, Burnett, and Rusch with Williams and Hill on the outside looking in.

 

The Cubs could make smaller deals to bring in Bradley or Pierre and maybe Castillo. But to make a big splash, the Cubs could finally offer a frontline starter for Abreu.

 

The Cubs could trade Zambrano to the Phillies for Abreu and Padilla. Padilla would give the Cubs another potential starter and we know what Abreu provides. Zambrano would be the Cubs frontline starter.

 

I love Zambrano as much as the next guy, but this is something that I think should at least be considered.

 

Here's a thought. As a starting point I go back to a 3-way trade rumor I brought to the board weeks ago where the Dodgers, Cubs, and Marlins would play musical chairs with Lowe, Bradley, Lowell, Castillo, Walker, Patterson and Cubs pitching prospects. Obviously, the Marlins did get rid of their players.

 

I still keep hearing that if the LA signs Furcal, they'll want to dump Bradley and Lowe in the name of salary (but also because of clubhouse reasons). What if they traded Bradley and Lowe for some package involving Corey or Walker and some pitching prospects, and Hendry turned around and shipped Lowe and a prospect to the Phillies for Abreu?

 

If we ended up with Bradley and Abreu and only lost Walker, Patterson, and a couple of prospects...I think I might need a new pair of pants.

 

:lol: :lol:

[don_kessinger_was_good]

I would trade Zambrano for Miguel Cabrera. But not Abreu.

[jtownie]

Ok, let me begin by stating my premise here. If we miss out on Furcal, that means the Cubs will have missed on two of the big three of FA's this offseason (Giles, Furcal, Burnett).

 

The Cubs will still have a lot of money left to spend (25 million by some accounts), and except through trades, have few commodities worth spending it on.

 

Could the Cubs, if losing out to Furcal, sign Burnett to the 5/50 they were offering to Furcal.

 

That would make a rotation of Prior, Wood, Zambrano, Maddux, Burnett, and Rusch with Williams and Hill on the outside looking in.

 

The Cubs could make smaller deals to bring in Bradley or Pierre and maybe Castillo. But to make a big splash, the Cubs could finally offer a frontline starter for Abreu.

 

The Cubs could trade Zambrano to the Phillies for Abreu and Padilla. Padilla would give the Cubs another potential starter and we know what Abreu provides. Zambrano would be the Cubs frontline starter.

 

I love Zambrano as much as the next guy, but this is something that I think should at least be considered.

 

Here's a thought. As a starting point I go back to a 3-way trade rumor I brought to the board weeks ago where the Dodgers, Cubs, and Marlins would play musical chairs with Lowe, Bradley, Lowell, Castillo, Walker, Patterson and Cubs pitching prospects. Obviously, the Marlins did get rid of their players.

 

I still keep hearing that if the LA signs Furcal, they'll want to dump Bradley and Lowe in the name of salary (but also because of clubhouse reasons). What if they traded Bradley and Lowe for some package involving Corey or Walker and some pitching prospects, and Hendry turned around and shipped Lowe and a prospect to the Phillies for Abreu?

 

Is trading Lowe/Bradley solely dependent on if they sign Furcal?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Ok, let me begin by stating my premise here. If we miss out on Furcal, that means the Cubs will have missed on two of the big three of FA's this offseason (Giles, Furcal, Burnett).

 

The Cubs will still have a lot of money left to spend (25 million by some accounts), and except through trades, have few commodities worth spending it on.

 

Could the Cubs, if losing out to Furcal, sign Burnett to the 5/50 they were offering to Furcal.

 

That would make a rotation of Prior, Wood, Zambrano, Maddux, Burnett, and Rusch with Williams and Hill on the outside looking in.

 

The Cubs could make smaller deals to bring in Bradley or Pierre and maybe Castillo. But to make a big splash, the Cubs could finally offer a frontline starter for Abreu.

 

The Cubs could trade Zambrano to the Phillies for Abreu and Padilla. Padilla would give the Cubs another potential starter and we know what Abreu provides. Zambrano would be the Cubs frontline starter.

 

I love Zambrano as much as the next guy, but this is something that I think should at least be considered.

 

Here's a thought. As a starting point I go back to a 3-way trade rumor I brought to the board weeks ago where the Dodgers, Cubs, and Marlins would play musical chairs with Lowe, Bradley, Lowell, Castillo, Walker, Patterson and Cubs pitching prospects. Obviously, the Marlins did get rid of their players.

 

I still keep hearing that if the LA signs Furcal, they'll want to dump Bradley and Lowe in the name of salary (but also because of clubhouse reasons). What if they traded Bradley and Lowe for some package involving Corey or Walker and some pitching prospects, and Hendry turned around and shipped Lowe and a prospect to the Phillies for Abreu?

 

Is trading Lowe/Bradley solely dependent on if they sign Furcal?

 

I'm not sure. But if the Dodgers lose out to Furcal, they may not want to trade Bradley. Also, they may not need to clear as much payroll.

 

Also, if the Cubs sign Furcal, they'll still need a CF and RF and may not have the payroll flexibility to take on Lowe's contract.

[CuseCubFan69]

If this trade is true I wonder if it means that the Dodgers signed or are going to sign Furcal.

[Andy]

Jayson Stark article

 

Here's the Abreu blurb:

 

3. Bobby Abreu

It's no sure thing that the Phillies are going to move the only Gold Glove-winning Home Run Derby champ on their roster. But an official of one interested team said: "Until we inquired, I had no idea he was as available as he really is."

 

Nevertheless, clubs that have spoken with the Phillies say they want to move him only for a top-of-the-rotation starter or a package that would dramatically change the nature of their pitching staff. Plus, the team taking him would have to find his $30-million price tag acceptable over the next two years.

 

So the matches are minimal. But get ready for rumors about the Cardinals (for Jason Marquis), Orioles (for Erik Bedard), Yankees (for Chien-Ming Wang), Giants (for Jason Schmidt), Astros (for Chad Qualls and Brandon Backe), Diamondbacks (if Javier Vazquez would agree to go to Philadelphia) and A's (for Zito, if there was a way to even out the money). One of them just might come true.

 

For what it's worth, the Cubs aren't even mentioned as a possible destination. The article also states the Cubs won't be going after Soriano since arbitration is liable to pay him 10M next season.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Jayson Stark article

 

Here's the Abreu blurb:

 

3. Bobby Abreu

It's no sure thing that the Phillies are going to move the only Gold Glove-winning Home Run Derby champ on their roster. But an official of one interested team said: "Until we inquired, I had no idea he was as available as he really is."

 

Nevertheless, clubs that have spoken with the Phillies say they want to move him only for a top-of-the-rotation starter or a package that would dramatically change the nature of their pitching staff. Plus, the team taking him would have to find his $30-million price tag acceptable over the next two years.

 

So the matches are minimal. But get ready for rumors about the Cardinals (for Jason Marquis), Orioles (for Erik Bedard), Yankees (for Chien-Ming Wang), Giants (for Jason Schmidt), Astros (for Chad Qualls and Brandon Backe), Diamondbacks (if Javier Vazquez would agree to go to Philadelphia) and A's (for Zito, if there was a way to even out the money). One of them just might come true.

 

For what it's worth, the Cubs aren't even mentioned as a possible destination. The article also states the Cubs won't be going after Soriano since arbitration is liable to pay him 10M next season.

 

I put no stock in that. Jayson Stark is the most anti-Cubs guy around. He always belittles the team, and downplays their efforts in the Hot Stove, year in and year out. Screw him.

 

We can match any team in baseball to trade for Abreu if Jim Hendry gets proactive about it. Jason Marquis? Chad Qualls and Brandon Backe? Erik Bedard? Are you kidding me??

 

Jerome Williams, Rich Hill and Roberto Novoa gets the job done if Hendry will simply pick up the phone and put in the call. I salivate over the idea of having a 3-4-5 of Lee, Abreu and Ramirez, my goodness. Move Walker for Bradley and sign Furcal, and Hendry is done--he has himself a World Series contender.

[NCCubFan]

Although I'd rather have Z if I were a Cubs fan Boras factor would concern me quite a bit. I think its pretty much a foregone conclusion Z will hit the FA market.

Hendry seems to have a good relationship with Boras. So even if Z does decide to test the free agent market, I think there's still a very good chance he'd eventually decide to remain with the Cubs.

[NoDak]

Ok, let me begin by stating my premise here. If we miss out on Furcal, that means the Cubs will have missed on two of the big three of FA's this offseason (Giles, Furcal, Burnett).

 

The Cubs will still have a lot of money left to spend (25 million by some accounts), and except through trades, have few commodities worth spending it on.

 

Could the Cubs, if losing out to Furcal, sign Burnett to the 5/50 they were offering to Furcal.

 

That would make a rotation of Prior, Wood, Zambrano, Maddux, Burnett, and Rusch with Williams and Hill on the outside looking in.

 

The Cubs could make smaller deals to bring in Bradley or Pierre and maybe Castillo. But to make a big splash, the Cubs could finally offer a frontline starter for Abreu.

 

The Cubs could trade Zambrano to the Phillies for Abreu and Padilla. Padilla would give the Cubs another potential starter and we know what Abreu provides. Zambrano would be the Cubs frontline starter.

 

I love Zambrano as much as the next guy, but this is something that I think should at least be considered.

 

I would not make a deal Z for Abreu/Padilla. While it would fill an OF spot our pitching depth in the minor leagues is not what it was a few years ago and Z is a VERY good pitcher who stays healthy. If we acquire Burnett, keep KW and acquire Padilla, we suddenly have three high ceiling, high injury risk players. Hasn't Padilla missed significant time over the past couple of seasons?

 

If I am Philly I would jump all over this deal. While Abreu is outstanding Z pitches a ton of innings and gets ground balls (which RARELY become home runs) and is enormously cheaper than what they are giving up. All this for the cost of an injury prone pitcher and an all-star outfielder who are both older than Z? I think that Philly would be all over that deal!

 

Sorry, I say no to this deal on a couple of different levels.