HoopsCubs

According to several East coast papers I've read this morning, Pat Gillick may begin to shake up the Phillies as early as this week at the GM meetings. While everyone and their mother knows Gillick will be desperate to deal Jim Thome to an AL club, this may take time because of Thome's no trade clause, his contract money and teams waiting to see what happens with Konerko in free agency as well as Sweeney and Delgado in possible trades. But, the most interesting asepct of "shake up" might be related to what he decides to do with Bobby Abreu and Pat Burrell, if anything. The papers I read imply he could trade Burrell while his value is sky high, or Abreu just to get him out of Philly due to lingering questions about his attitude and health. Any trade could involve a third team as Gillick wants to upgrade pitching as well as get a left-handed platoon partner for David Bell. We have all thought that either Burrell or Abreu could be a big plus for our OF. I think we have all rightfully given the edge to Abreu based on lefty bat and playing RF. Abreu would make me forget about Giles in a hurry. What are the latest 2-team or 3-team trade ideas to land Abreu? Recall, before the coronation of Billy Beane to genius GM status, many believed Gillick to be the best and shrewdest GM in baseball with his work with Toronto, Baltimore and Seattle. Hoops

I doubt Cleveland would trade Crisp or Sizemore for Walker and even a good prospect. You have to figure Hafner, Peralta, Martinez, Crisp and Sizemore are virtually untouchable. About the best we can do would probably be Casey Blake or David Riske. I certainly don't want Blake. Riske is probably the guy to focus on. Hoops

Today's ABJ reports that the Indians are very interested in acquiring Todd Walker, especially after the Cubs picked up his relatively cheap $2.5M option. If they get him, the Indians plan to play him at 1B and 2B. The Indians believe the Cubs will trade Walker, especially if they sign Rafael Furcal. Hoops

Meat, As I have said all along, the Cubs have been acting like they really don't Walker back for at least 2 months now. I don't know if it's his defense or his durability or some lingering clubhouse issue. I think Hendry picked up his option, so that he would have the option of trading him. And considering Walker will only make $2.5M in 2006, he is easily marketable. They really seem to like Cedeno. If you read between the lines, he will be starting at 2B and batting 8th in 2006.

He was on in his usual timeslot with Mike and Mike at 6:25 AM CST, and said these things with respect to Hot Stove: Rafael Furcal: "His first choice is to stay a Brave, and he has tremendous loyalty to Bobby Cox, but if the Braves can't meet his price point, I am pretty sure he'll become a Cub." Cubs: "What I have been told is that the Cubs are going to play 2 $300K players in their starting lineup: Matt Murton in LF and Ronny Cedeno at 2B; if that's the case, the Cubs will have plenty of money to get Furcal, an impact corner outfielder and maybe even a short term CF to keep the seat warm for Felix Pie by as early as in mid-06 and certainly by '07." Manny: "While we don't know who the Red Sox GM will be, I know owner John Henry is clearly struggling over the Manny issue. I think the Red Sox will try hard to convince Manny to stay. And even though I suggested in the Boston Globe that a deal with Anaheim and Arizona might work, I think the Red Sox feel they won't get enough value back in players and prospects." Mets: "Pedro might convince Manny to come there, we'll see. I think BJ Ryan will sign with the Mets - the Mets realize that the bullpen was their achilles heel last year, and they'll make every effort, and have the money to make it happen. Omar Minaya is talking about Billy Wagner, but I think Wagner ends up back in Philly." Paul Konerko: "Craig Landis, his agent, wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't at least establish market value for his client by getting wined and dined by the Angels and Oriloes, but in the end I would be really surprised if Konerko is not back." Nomar Garciaparra: "Who knows where he'll end up. I see reports about teams wanting him to play 2B or 3B, but their underestimating the whole arm slot issue. I still think outfield is a real possibility here, but the 21st century has not been kind to him, and there are teams very concerned about his durability." No mention today of Clemens, Burnett, Millwood or Giles. Hoops

But you know as well as me that Jocketty will figure out some way to make it work. He always seems to approach things with the "glass is half full" vigor; sadly, our guys tend to think the "glass is half empty."

Pujols, Rolen, Edmonds, Isringhausen, Eckstein, Carpenter, King and Mulder account for $63M. Add another $4M if they pick up Suppan's option. The Cards payroll last year was around $90M. I haven't read all the reports, but I did see a few that suggested an increase to $95-96M range was probable going into their new park. Therefore, many think they can easily give Giles $10M a season, and still have money to address their other needs.

Let's just get this guy!

From a Rob Neyer chat earlier today on ESPN.com: "Shalesh (Chicago): I agree with the White Sox upping its OBP. I'd rather replace Rowand with Griffey, Jr. Is that still a possibility? And who gets Brian Giles? Rob Neyer: (4:50 PM ET ) Yeah, Rowand's another guy who doesn't create a lot of runs. I'd steer far clear of Griffey, though. He's not only injury-prone (obviously), but he's also a real liability in center field these days. As for Giles, I can see him wearing a Cardinals uniform next season. They've got a hole in right field and oodles of money to spend. " Just because he says it, it doesn't obviously mean anything in a vacuum, but with the exception of Gammons, there is now critical mass building towards convergence on the notion that Giles will be wearing a Cardinals uniform next year. The themes of consistent winner, opening in their OF, and money to spend are being uttered over and over again. At this juncture, I am just hoping that San Diego or Cleveland gets him. Hoops

If the Cubs as a team are not doing well in July, but Wood specifically is on individual numbers, it wouldn't surprise me to see Hendry approach Wood on a trade. The Cubs are probably not going to pick up Wood's $13.5M option in '07, so instead of running the risk of letting him walk for nothing, they may try to shop him, and Wood might be willing to waive his clause if the trading team picks up his option. While I'm not "in the know" I doubt very much that Wood is being shopped this offseason.

I'd feel okay with Encarnacion in RF if we got a power hitter in LF (e.g. Dunn) or at 2B (e.g. Kent). Encarnacion batting 6th is fine; if he's batting 3-4-5, we're in trouble.

If Guardardo files, it will bring the list of FA closers to four: Farnsworth, Guardardo, Wagner, and Ryan. You can also add potential closers such as Gordon and Dotel to that list. I think I just heard on the radio that the Mariners did indeed pick up his option today. If so, we should probably modify the title of the thread.

Not as much as I remember his umpteenth straight season as one of the top 5 most productive OFs in baseball. Minnesota is the other team we could do a 3 way deal with: Torii Hunter to New York Gary Sheffield to the Cubs Corey Patterson and a high prospect to the Twins

Jeter still has golden touch Yankees plan to keep young stars These links may require registration. But here's what is interesting: Nov. 2 - "The Yankees must formulate an off-season strategy that will yield an everyday center fielder and a power arm or two as a bridge to closer Mariano Rivera. Certain plans may involve trading Gary Sheffield, Carl Pavano or Jaret Wright, though the Yankees' first focus is on re-signing Hideki Matsui - possibly to a three-year deal with an option worth a potential $44 million." Nov. 1 - "With corner outfielders such as Brian Giles, Jacque Jones and Reggie Sanders available via free agency, the Yanks could explore signing such a player and making Gary Sheffield available in a trade to fill a center field spot. Sheffield's value is unquestioned, but he has a history of being disgruntled by the contracts he signs and could cause the Yankees more grief in the final year of his $39 million pact." Patterson, Walker and a prospect or some 3-way deal involving Florida sending Pierre to NYY might be in the cards. Sheffield's contract calls for $13M in 2006, and there is a team option for $13M in 2007. The Cubs can certainly afford both. He'll be 37, but he still is incredibly productive. Thoughts?

Unless he's willing to sign a 1-year deal with a team option for the 2nd year, I would pass.

Don, It looks like Pat Gillick is going to be taking over GM duties in Philly. My hunch is that he'll find a way to move Thome (and even Bell) out, and therefore will see no need to move Abreu.

Mr. Miles is not kidding. Just look at Gillick's resume: - 5 AL east titles as GM for Toronto (including 2 World Series wins) - 2 ALCS appearances in '96 and '97 as GM for Baltimore - 2 ALCS appearances in '00 and '01 as GM for Seattle 9 playoff appearances in about 16 years for 3 different teams. Outstanding! With Gillick in charge, I can't see Hendry swiping Abreu or Burrell without coughing up a lot. Besides, I bet Gillick will make that Thome/Bell for Beltre rumour a reality.

I'd consider that, but Nomar on offense is more of a gamble at 3B. At his best he's slightly above average for a 3B, and if he doesn't perform up to expectations we're below average there. Also, if he has another injury, finding acceptable 3B replacement for an extended period is more difficult than at SS. You're right that Aramis is also an injury risk, but Nomar has proven to be more all-or-nothing with injuries, while Aramis is more of a nagging-type borderline DL injury guy(subject to change of course, injuries can escalate into worse injuries). Still, worth considering to try and get Drew and Bradley. Can Cedeno fill in @ 3b?? Him and Hairston could basically be utility men. I suppose no one is untouchable in the strictest sense, but Hendry has pretty much intimated that Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Carlos Zambrano and Mark Prior are going nowhere.

Correct. What gives?

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/2005/11/01/gallery.freeagents/content.20.html Somebody is missing from their list. They either had a brain cramp and forgot him, or we are clearly over-rating him. Who am I talking about? Hoops

Hot off the presses... http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/tom_verducci/11/01/insider/index.html "6. Will the Cubs spend big money in the free-agent market? Welcome to Year 98 in the kingdom of long-suffering Cubs fans, the first one in 88 years in which they have to stomach a title on the south side of town. The White Sox's world championship may exert even more pressure on the Cubs to step up their spending on veterans rather than get younger. That means the Cubs could get into bidding wars for outfielder Johnny Damon and infielders Rafael Furcal and Nomar Garciaparra."

How 'bout the Land of the Rising Sun?

Who would bite, and what would they give up? I'm beginning to think Gary Sheffield is a possibility again. My brother (a New Yorker) thinks Sheffield has worn out his welcome in New York. Hoops

That would cause another riot in LA. Do any of you folks on the West Coast get the Orange County Register? If so, did Jeff Kent ask for a trade today?

Make the deal before LA gets a competent GM! :wink: