RynoRules

I haven't heard anything about Cedeno having trouble with partying. IIRC, Bruce confirmed that he was having a bit too much fun on Rush street.

Agreed, he might. But in the meantime he is acting like a moran in terms of how he is treating the media. I wonder if he belittled the Chicago media in the same manner - Bruce? It just didn't make sense. If Bedard were Santana, ARod, or someone of that ilk, then by all means, load up and go for it. But not for Bedard. Again, could be. But given MacPail's track record in the FA mkt, I would not count on it.

Take aways: - MacPhail looks more and more dumb as this thing progresses. - The Cubs would have had to bankrupt the system to get both Roberts and Bedard. Considering Bedard isn't that much better than Hill, it wouldn't have been worth it, IMO. - Baltimore fans had better be ready for a long season.

I actually like Wuertz, he just didn't have much control in the scond half last year. IIRC, he couldn't get his slider over, which more or less spells doom for him.

Wasn't it Wuertz and Eyre who could not hit the broad side of a barn towards the end of the season?

I'd love to believe this is true. I mean, if I heard Jim say of all it I would have no trouble believing that is how he feels. When you remain silent for so long this sort of thing builds up. I don't blame him for being frustrated (even if some of the frustration is of his own creation). The Prior thing is very believable, IMO. I think Prior hates this organization.

I should think so, unless one or both start the season in the Orioles' rotation. Marshall, Gallagher, Cedeno, and Pie for Bedard and Roberts. Not advocating this, just saying.

Meh. No biggy - just filling out AAA. AA is the prospect level and has been for years now.

I don't think this sounds horrible (at best, a wash, which probably means we should not do it), just very unrealistic. Far too many moving parts.

If we get Roberts AND Bedard I will pee myself. That said, I don't think I'll need new underwear soon, cause it ain't happening.

Levine is Gaelic for "unbridled speculation".

Tony never cared about having steroid users on his team as long as they are productive. This deal has a sense of humor:"Oh, you are demanding a trade, Scotty? Fine - you are banished to Toronto. Enjoy the ugly stadium an a 0% chance of ever playing in the postseason."

Marquis and a bit of cash for Byrd.

I think it has more to do with the fact that we don't have a lot of depth in our minor leagues. We have several B level pitching prospects, but far fewer position players. Accordingly, it feels like people are playing hardball with us when they actually are just looking at the few viable position player prospects we have in our system.

What would it take to never have anyone raise his name again?

Dude, I don't want him either, but he got a minor league deal with an invite. Pardon my french, but BFD.

Calm down. Rosenthal just said the Cubs might be looking for a center fielder, so he threw their name in. It bothers me that anytime there is what appears to be a purely speculative rumor, we read a barrage of posts saying that "The Cubs are so stupid" and "Hendry is a moron." If overreactions bother you, you may want to reconsider posting on any message board...anywhere. :P QFT. if we were trading Marquis and a prospect for Cabrera and then sending Pie somewhere for a no. 2-type starter, I'd be happy.

I googled "Roberts traded to Cubs". Everyone who picked it up is citing to orioleshangout as the source.

This whole thing is annoying. I'd bet on Angelos meddling in it.

Bert should be in. He's getting hosed, IMO, b/c he played in crappy markets on crappy teams. Good to see a Cub get in, BTW. :D

Nope, and they won't get a trophy for finishing with 79 wins either. Do we really have to re-explain every argument to you? You are comparing the Swisher trade to the Garcia trade, which occurred a year ago under completely different circumstances. This is the first offseason in recent memory when the trade mkt holds far more value that the FA mkt. Your hyperbole aside, I have not seen too many people overly excited about Roberts or what we mau have to give up to get him. You may be on to something here - I didn't realize Swisher could play 2B!

I'd rather have Colon than Lieber, as much as I like Jon. Don't have a great reason why, just feels like it would be better bet. No to Cintron. Not much out there FA wise: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7493286 How about Damion Easley as utility IFer/OFer?: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/player/85118

Then I ask those people: what is to stop Williams from turning around and flipping Swisher for a better package in two years if that's the case? He's under contract for so long these arguments don't hold water. Williams can flip Swisher in 2 years for a better package, but in the meantime the Sox will finish 3rd or 4th with Swisher. In 2 years, the package they will have to get for Swisher will have to replace Thome, Dye, Vasquez, Cabrera, and an aging Konerko. As Phil Rogers (Yuch!) pointed out, the Swisher deal is great if you are contending in 2008 or you have a deep minor league system. Neither of those applies to the White Sox. In the meantime the Sox would not have made the playoffs with De Los Santos, Sweeney, and Gio, so whats the point of that arguement? In 2 years will they be better off with those guys than Swisher? Will they be able to trade those guys to replace their current players (although, Dye, Vazquez, Konerko are all under contract, in 2 years, they'll be well on their decline by then)? Swisher is a great deal because hes fills both of their needs. Hes a win now type guy (which they need to show to their owner/players/fans) and hes a win later type guy because hes young(ish) and under contract through 11 with a club option for 12. Plus its a good value deal, IMO. Criticize KW for not trading Dye, criticize KW for not trading Buehrle, criticize KW for not trading Garland for prospects, and the many other guys that he could have used to rebuild. Those are all valid, but this trade has NOTHING to do with any of that. I do not agree. He has now completely cleared his system of all value, and his team is still below par. He would need to continue to add established pitchers in order to get up into the Red Sox, Yankees, Tigers and Indians' class. He can't, so now they will wollow in the middle division with no help on the horizon. Had he kept his prospects he could have at least torn the house down and gone young rather than making a futile attempt to be competitive.

Yeah, looks like Myers could be a decent middle guy some day, and Coles is worthless AAA roster filler. Still, good to clear a spot on the 40 man for someone like, oh I dunno, Brian Roberts. Its also nice to know that Jim is awake.

Then I ask those people: what is to stop Williams from turning around and flipping Swisher for a better package in two years if that's the case? He's under contract for so long these arguments don't hold water. Nothing I guess, but please explain how that helps the White Sox become a better team than Cleveland (will be good for years to come) and Detroit (will be on a good run for probably 3 years).