Jump to content
North Side Baseball

HoopsCubs

Verified Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    1,462

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Profiles

Joomla Posts 1

Chicago Cubs Videos

Chicago Cubs Free Agent & Trade Rumors, Notes, & Tidbits

2026 Chicago Cubs Top Prospects Ranking

News

2023 Chicago Cubs Draft Picks

Guides & Resources

2024 Chicago Cubs Draft Picks

The Chicago Cubs Players Project

2025 Chicago Cubs Draft Pick Tracker

Blogs

Events

Forums

Store

Gallery

Everything posted by HoopsCubs

  1. HoopsCubs
    Hot off the presses, but same disclaimer: take it with a grain of salt. Very simple, yet somewhat predictable: Todd Walker for Craig Wilson. My source says Jim Hendry has been working overtime to get rid of Walker (much more than Patterson), and has found zero takers thus far including the Mets and Padres. But now that Jeromy Burnitz has signed to play RF, the Pirates feel better about dealing Wilson, and their biggest hole is at 2B, which Walker could fill or platoon with the righty Jose Castillo. The Cubs have some concerns about making an inter-division trade, but the Pirates don't seeing as they already traded pitching to the Reds for Sean Casey. When I asked my source about Wilson's potential role, he said "$5M a year or not, platooning Jones is a no-brainer given Jacques's pathetic performance against lefties", and perhaps even starting if Murton flops or gets dealt. When I asked him if he had any insight as to why Hendry seemed so desperate to get rid of Walker, he said: "crappy defender, crappy team player, crappy attitude - ask yourself why he has played for 5 different teams in 6 years?"
  2. HoopsCubs
    Ugh. Cabrera and Erstad combined aren't half of what Manny is offensively, not even including Clement. I've read and heard a few rumors that Kenny Williams is ready to pounce on the O's if the Boston deals fall by the wayside - his latest offer is Contreras, Uribe and 2 prospects. Baltimore would have to be really stupid to take on an old pitcher and another mediocre veteran like Uribe. They'd have to get 2 very solid prospects in that deal to justify the move. It's moves like these that keep bad teams from getting any better than mediocre. True. But on the flipside, if the Sox managed to get Tejada, and both he and Thome stay healthy, the Sox will be pretty scary. And KW, being an anti-Cubs guy, would be savoring this big time.
  3. HoopsCubs
    Ugh. Cabrera and Erstad combined aren't half of what Manny is offensively, not even including Clement. I've read and heard a few rumors that Kenny Williams is ready to pounce on the O's if the Boston deals fall by the wayside - his latest offer is Contreras, Uribe and 2 prospects.
  4. HoopsCubs
    Do you have a link where it says that the entirety of the signing bonus is up front? No, but I read it in more than one place at the time. I don't know how to search older Rotoworld posts, but I'm sure it's on there. Maybe cubs.com too?? http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10551273/ The $4M signing bonus gets paid over 3 years each January. So, from a payroll standpoint: 2006 - $4.34m 2007 - $5.33m 2008 - $6.33m
  5. HoopsCubs
    One additional point (non-Cubs related) regarding the 3-way deal rumored between the Angels, Jays and Cubs: When the Jays traded for Overbay and Glaus, it basically gave them 5 players (Hillenbrand, Hinske, Koskie, Overbay and Glaus) for 3 positions: 3B, 1B and DH. It is believed that none of these players can play OF. That being the assumed case, my source suggested that if Koskie can be moved AND if either Hillenbrand or preferably Hinske can be moved for prospects, it would free up enough money for the Jays to go after Jeff Weaver. One additonal 3-way deal that has been discussed by Toronto is to move Ted Lilly and Hinske to Texas, Hank Blalock to the White Sox, and Brandon McCarthy and an OF prospect to the Jays.
  6. HoopsCubs
    (1) Corey Koskie to the Angels, Adam Kennedy to the Cubs and Todd Walker plus a prospect to the Blue Jays. No cash would be exchanged in the 3-way deal. Angels would play Koskie at 3B/DH, and move recently acquired Edgardo Alfonzo to 2B; Cubs would play Kennedy at 2B and bat him 2nd behind Pierre; Walker would play some 2B and DH. The prospect would be low level. (2) Todd Walker, Corey Patterson and Rich Hill to Seattle for Raul Ibanez and Jeremy Reed; Reed and Jerome Williams would then be dealt to Boston for Matt Clement. Ibanez would play LF, and Murton would platoon with Jones. Take it with a grain of salt. Hoops
  7. HoopsCubs
    I am still assuming that Hendry is working the phone daily to dump Corey and Todd. Any new trade ideas for the new year on how Hendry could move those guys? Could Corey fit in Boston, Seattle, or Baltimore? How about Todd in Toronto, Texas, Seattle or the Mets? Hoops
  8. HoopsCubs
    You have to figure that Duquette would ask Kenny Williams and MLB permission to work out an extension for Contreras.
  9. HoopsCubs
    Actually, that's exactly the offer the Sox have made for Tejada: Contreras, Uribe and a prospect. Unless the Cubs include Zambrano or Prior, my opinion is that the Sox have a better shot of getting Tejada than the Cubs do. As for Contreras, he's entering the last year of his 4 years $32M deal, and despite the fact that most think he's nearing 40, he is probably going to get at least a 2 year deal around $16M from somebody. One writer told me that he'd get Matt Morris' deal 3 years $25M from several teams. While I too feel Zambrano is a better pitcher, it's difficult for me to accept your characterization of him as "somewhat serviceable" when in the 2nd half he was basically the best pitcher in the AL, and carried the Sox to victory.
  10. HoopsCubs
    I would guess without looking that the $$$ balance would be easier to work out as well. Would McCarthy be included? Serena, I have heard 3 proposals rumored: (a) Contreras, Uribe, prospect (b) McCarthy, Uribe, 2 prospects © Garcia, Uribe The other item I heard this morning, which is surprising, yet, if true, would really be sticking it to the Cubs is that Reinsdorf and his other partners/directors have given KW special permission to take the payroll to $105M. If Tejada is dealt, I'd say Tejada going to the Southside is now quite probable.
  11. HoopsCubs
    White Sox supposedly have offered Uribe, Contreras and a pitching prospect. While that is not as a good a deal as Manny and Clement, it does satisfy 2 of Peter Angelos's requirements: a top starter and trade outside the division. White Sox would be darn scary with Tejada in their lineup.
  12. HoopsCubs
    Or at the very least, the LA Dodgers. By the way, I have confirmed (just yesterday in fact) that the Cubs had no interest in Giles, and hence, did not even try to talk to him or his agent.
  13. HoopsCubs
    You would think so according to this site. I think Hendry's had an awful two years though, but I won't go as far as to call him "crappy". I've been very dissappointed with him the last two years. nobody has done less with as much payroll, i'm not judging hendry based on nothing here. he didn't significantly upgrade OBP and refuses to even acknowledge that it was a problem. I guess Pierre's no upgrade over Patterson or Neifi leading off?? For right or wrong, my issue with the Pierre trade was what Hendry gave up vs. what Minnesota gave up to get Luis Castillo.
  14. HoopsCubs
    The only thing going against him is there is no way the Yankees bid for him, and I highly doubt Boston wants a guy who busted in the Bronx. But with all the money going out to second tier pitchers, I'm sure he can rake in a 3/27 at least. By virtue of losing Byrd and Washburn, you have to figure that Anaheim will be a player for Weaver's services.
  15. HoopsCubs
    Pierre's not crap and was Prior really on the block? I'm not buying Levine's "report" hook, line and sinker. I'm buying pieces of Levine's report (Cubs interest in Tejada, and Orioles wanting pitching and Pie), but I have never believed Prior was offered up, especially so early in the negotiation. If he was, it should tell us a lot about Hendry's confidence in Wood and Guzman.
  16. HoopsCubs
    Yankees. 1 year and $2M.
  17. HoopsCubs
    You and I would. Unfortunately, it comes down to Colletti and Hendry.
  18. HoopsCubs
    Bruce Levine indicated on ESPN radio this morning that he didn't believe Hendry would go after Weaver because of perceived value, i.e., performance delivered vs. price point. Bruce thinks Hendry is very encouraged by Angel Guzman's AFL outings enough that Guzman may have a shot at cracking the rotation in ST. Also, Bruce indicated that Hendry will probably wait until early Feb. to see if there is a diamond in the rough from the non-tendered group of pitchers. Hoops
  19. HoopsCubs
    The Cubs' need for another bat, and the fact that there were rumors last week that the Dodgers and Mets were talking about Kent led me to look at LA's payroll. Last year their payroll was ~$81M. This year, I estimate that they already have 16 players under contract at $88M, and have been looking at re-signing Weaver and potentially signing Preston Wilson for LF, which could potentially push their payroll to $100M. Has anyone heard if the Dodgers are able to sustain a $95-100M payroll this year? If you are Hendry, would you pitch Todd Walker and good pitching prospect for Kent, by selling the ability for the Dodgers to free up cash to re-sign Weaver knowing Kent is a free agent after 2006. Kent certainly doesn't help defensively, but his near .900 OPS would be terrific. Drew $11.0 Gagne $10.0 Lowe $9.0 Kent 9.0 Penny $5.5 Perez $7.25 Izturis $3.10 Ledee $1.5 Furcal $9.0 Garciaparra $6.0 Mueller $4.25 Lofton $3.85 Tomko $3.60 Cruz $2.91 Saenz $1.0 Choi $0.725 Hoops
  20. HoopsCubs
    My source was non-commital on that point. I got the distinct impression that Miller would not be in any pitching shape until the 2nd half of '06 at the earliest. As I said in the opening thread, if Hendry signs him, this really looks like a 2007 move to me.
  21. HoopsCubs
    This is from an east coast source, who is not one of my mainstream sources - sorry, no link available. He says that Hendry (my source likes to call him the "Great Reclamator" - Dempster, Williamson, Benes, etc...) is competing with another NL Central GM to give Miller a low base/high incentive contract in 2006 with a team option for 2007. Even with a logjam in the rotation today, my source thinks this is a 2007 Hendry move given the assumption that Maddux and Wood will walk away as free agents after '06, and that Rusch will be dealt at the trading deadline or next offseason. I'll, of course, let you all know if I hear more. It's a minor move, albeit, which could have major potential for 2007 if Miller can overcome his shoulder problems.
  22. HoopsCubs
    Well, you read my mind, that was my next question. Could we spin Zito and Dopirak into Tejada? I kind of saw him as the righty platoon partner for Jacque Jones.
  23. HoopsCubs
    - Cubs trade Todd Walker and Todd Wellemeyer to the Mets for Kaz Matsui, Aaron Heilman and some cash. - Cubs trade Corey Patterson and Matsui to the Mariners for Jeremy Reed. - Cubs trade Heilman, Reed and Rich Hill to Oakland for Barry Zito and Jay Payton.
  24. HoopsCubs
    $7M in 2006 $10M in 2007 $12M in 2008 With Contreras, Buerhle, Vazquez, Garland, Garcia and McCarthy, it gives KW the flexibility to shop one for a bat. My guess: Garcia.
  25. HoopsCubs
    More news: Gonzo has indicated he would invoke his 10/5 rights unless he was given an extension for 2007.
×
×
  • Create New...