Trading Derrek Lee

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

No offense to anyone, but is this the stupidest thread I've had the bad luck of reading. Trade Lee!?

 

it would be nice if you would tell us why you think this would be such a bad decision.

 

Because when you have the payroll flexibility that the Cubs do, something like this should be inexcuseable and totally unnecessary!

 

What's actually inexcusable and stupid is to not consider every option for improving the team, even if it means trading your best player.

 

Right now, Lee is one year away from free agency. Without an extension, every team in the league will be able to compete with the Cubs for his services. Trading him does not even preclude the Cubs from entering that bidding next season. So to trade Lee only means that you are giving him up for one season. So, should it be a priority? No. Is it possible to consider it? Absolutely. Smart organizations explore every way to improve their team, not just conventional ways.

 

Reasons to explore trading Lee:

 

1. Last season was way out of line with his career norms. His value has never been higher and you may be able to take advantage of that value before he regresses in the next season.

 

2. If Lee is approached with an extension and you are unable to sign him at a price you'd be willing to pay for on the open market. If management believes he will walk at the end of 2006 and they can get something of equal value that will be with the team long term, then trading Lee becomes an option.

 

Reasons not to trade Lee:

 

1. He's an excellent person as well as a player. He's coming off an MVP-like season and fast becoming a fan favorite.

 

2. He agrees to a team-friendly extension, thereby cementing himself as part of the future of the Cubs.

 

3. You are unable to dramatically improve your team through trade.

 

Just for S&G's...

 

what if you could make one of these trades?

 

1. Lee to Boston for Manny + cash and Jon Lester.

 

2. Lee to Dodgers for Choi, Drew, and Joel Guzman.

 

3. Lee to the Devil Rays for Huff and Delmon Young.

 

4. Lee, Walker, Pinto, and Mitre to the Rangers for Mench, Soriano, and Teixeria.

 

5. Lee, Pintom and Mitre to the Reds for Dunn and Casey.

 

 

I'm not sure I'd do any or all of those deals, but if those proposals were made, I'd hope the Cubs would at least listen. To suggest that trading Lee shouldn't be considered in any shape or form is one of the most closed-minded and dumb things I've ever had the privledge of reading on these boards.

[Andy]

Just for S&G's...

 

what if you could make one of these trades?

 

1. Lee to Boston for Manny + cash and Jon Lester.

 

2. Lee to Dodgers for Choi, Drew, and Joel Guzman.

 

3. Lee to the Devil Rays for Huff and Delmon Young.

 

4. Lee, Walker, Pinto, and Mitre to the Rangers for Mench, Soriano, and Teixeria.

 

5. Lee, Pintom and Mitre to the Reds for Dunn and Casey.

I'd probably make deal 1, might make deal 5, but I wouldn't even think of deals 2-4.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Just for S&G's...

 

what if you could make one of these trades?

 

1. Lee to Boston for Manny + cash and Jon Lester.

 

2. Lee to Dodgers for Choi, Drew, and Joel Guzman.

 

3. Lee to the Devil Rays for Huff and Delmon Young.

 

4. Lee, Walker, Pinto, and Mitre to the Rangers for Mench, Soriano, and Teixeria.

 

5. Lee, Pintom and Mitre to the Reds for Dunn and Casey.

I'd probably make deal 1, might make deal 5, but I wouldn't even think of deals 2-4.

 

Looking back over my list, I'd make deal one. Manny is a better hitter than Lee, Lester is a great prospect who could be kept or spun for another player, and we could acquire another firstbaseman to make up for losing Lee.

 

I would probably pass on #2, but I'd take deal number 3. Delmon Young is a special hitter and we could pencil him in at RF right now and not miss a beat.

 

I'd probably do number four as well. Tex has the ability to hit just as well as Lee next season and we'd get two other productive players.

 

Number five I would do in a heartbeat.

[JC]

There is no way you get Manny, Lester and cash. But, you likely could land Manny with some cash. Subtracting Lee's salary from Manny's, that is an acceptable sum to take on. Then, explore what it would take to bring Helton to the Cubs. Heck, I'd even consider Doug M. for a year with Manny's production in the lineup.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

There is no way you get Manny, Lester and cash. But, you likely could land Manny with some cash. Subtracting Lee's salary from Manny's, that is an acceptable sum to take on. Then, explore what it would take to bring Helton to the Cubs. Heck, I'd even consider Doug M. for a year with Manny's production in the lineup.

 

I wasn't proposing it for something "realistic", but more to show that there were possibilities that would cause me to trade Lee.

 

But even without the cash...imagine trading Lee for Manny and Lester, then spinning Lester, Pinto, Murton, and Wellemeyer for Helton.

 

Adding Manny and Helton to Ramirez, that line-up would mash.

[JeffH]

Lester, Pinto, Murton, and Wellemeyer for Helton

 

Awful. What are you, a masochist?

[TXCubsFan]

Trading DLee?

 

:shock: [-X [-(