rsmoler

Some interesting names missing from AZ Phil's rosters: Reed Johnson/Fernando Perez (whichever doesn't make the Cubs roster) Max Ramirez/Koyie Hill (whichever doesn't make the Cubs roster) Braden Looper JR Mathis (didn't he re-up) Trinidad Pollin Scott Rice Chris Robinson Austin Bibens-Dirkx Hung-Wen Chen Craig Muschko Alex Maestri Blake Parker Marco Carillo Jake Muyco Chris Siefgried Mike Perconte Alvaro Ramirez Wes Darvil Yaniel Cabeza Ronny Morla I didn't notice that any of these players left the organization, although I could be mistaken.

There is no ideal left handed rightfield free agent candidate out there for the Cubs right now. To that end, I really hope Hendry just stays pat and keeps all his money and trade chips for the trade deadline. Chances are we are going to be right in the middle of the division race on July 31 with the talent we have right now. If Fukudome, Pie or Gathright pan out, we'll be a lot better than that. If Hendry stays patient until the trade deadline, we can add any pieces that are missing at that point for us to make a big run in the playoffs. Unless the Cubs can make a big upgrade, I don't see any reason to make a move right now.

My guess is that MacPhail has told Hendry what he wants but Hendry doesn't want to give that up. MacPhail has been trying to maximize the return from the few assets he has and Roberts represents the last of his chips. He probably has asked for Hill and Pie or something outrageous like that and Hendry has said no way. I could see MacPhail saying if you want me to consider someone else, I've got to see them play in minor league and spring games. It could be that no package of players that the Baltimore scouts has seen have impressed MacPhail and his crew enough for them to give up their last trade chip. Personnally, I don't think this trade gets done before spring training ends. Hendry has no incentive to gut his farm system for Roberts since the Cubs might be good enough to win the division without making a move. MacPhail has no incentive to trade Roberts unless he gets the package he wants. Chances are that MacPhail will get that package when some team gets desparate and no team is going to be desparate before the season starts.

I doubt the deal will be done without Veal or Ceda in it. I also don't think the O's are that interested in Murton since their outfield is already getting a little crowded. My guess is the final deal will look something like Gallagher, Veal, Cedeno and Patterson for Roberts. The deal could be expanded with Payton coming back to the Cubs and Marquis or more prospects going to Baltimore. My guess is that Hendry will want to explore better centerfield options before expanding the deal to include Payton. I wouldn't look for this deal to get done until the start of the season. I think MacPhail will want to see if the Cubs start to get a little anxious if DeRosa looks to have continuing problems.

I doubt the deal will be done without Veal or Ceda in it. I also don't think the O's are that interested in Murton since their outfield is already getting a little crowded. My guess is the final deal will look something like Gallagher, Veal, Cedeno and Patterson for Roberts. The deal could be expanded with Payton coming back to the Cubs and Marquis or more prospects going to Baltimore. My guess is that Hendry will want to explore better centerfield options before expanding the deal to include Payton. I wouldn't look for this deal to get done until the start of the season. I think MacPhail will want to see if the Cubs start to get a little anxious if DeRosa looks to have continuing problems.

There is a rumor on the following site http://yoursportsfix.com/mlbrumormill/archives/category/chicago-cubs-rumors quoting OH regarding the players involved in the Roberts trade. They say its Marshall, Gallagher and Cedeno. I don't believe it, but it makes sense. I don't know how to set up the links so you'll have to copy and paste the url into your browser to read the article.

There's also that Lincecum kid in San Fransisco that the Cubs drafted but didn't sign. He turned out to be a pretty good pitcher. I think he was a 48th round pick or something like that.

Boy did Guzman blow a great opportunity today. After watching him pitch today, I'd say Miller has wrapped up the 5th spot in the rotation and Guzman has wrapped up a slot in Iowa's rotation. It's a shame, because I was rooting for him.

What I find very interesting is how many pitchers on the 40 man roster have major league experience. Of the 22 pitchers currently on the roster only 2, Clay Rapada and Rocky Cherry, have not logged innings for the Cubs. So if the Cubs keep 12 pitchers on their 25 man roster, there should be 8 other quality, somewhat experienced, arms ready to help out if the Cubs need them. Some of these guys have got to pan out.

While everybody is making apologies, I want to apologize to Kinzer for saying that he was dishonest in his dealings with Hendry. He said that Aramis wanted to stay with the Cubs and was willing to give them a hometown discount and that's exactly what happened. He's totally forgiven for the Rafael Furcal mess of last year and hopefully the Cubs will do business with him on his other FA client, Vincent Padilla.

I don't know if mlbtraderumors.com is true or not either, but if it is, Kinzer's lack of honesty in his dealings with the Cubs is what is most troubling. Don't ask for 6 years and $90 mil. and when the Hendry agrees, ask for more. Don't tell the fans that Aramis is willing to give the Cubs a hometown discount, when it is blatantly false. Don't tell the Cubs fans that Chicago is your first choice when your first choice is really the team that gives you the most money. I agree that Aramis isn't gone yet. If Hendry wants him, he's going to have to fork over the big money. He can probably afford one guy at $17 per year and Hendry has to decide if Ramirez is the guy he wants for that kind of money. My sense is that Hendry can sign Ramirez any time he wants over the next two weeks for $119 million over 7 years. The only reason there was pressure on was to see if he could get something better than that while he had exclusive rights. It was never going to happen though. Some of you don't like Soriano. I do and so we're just going to have to agree to disagree. I also think signing top flight pitching is more important that bringing back Ramirez. Any one of a number of free agents or trade prospects can come close to replacing Ramirez' production, but the supply of ace pitchers is decidedly slim. Supply and demand would dictate if you are going to overpay for someone, it should be Schmidt or Zito. Hopefully Hendry will now make a pre-emptive strike for some top pitching and work to fill the holes in the line-up after the pitching is set.

I don't suppose you guys have checked MLBTradeRumers.com, but the site is reporting that Kinzer asked for $90 mil. over 6 years, Hendry apparently said yes and then Kinzer rejected it believing that Ramirez deserves Beltran money. If true, how crazy is this off season going to get. Personally, I'd much rather give Soriano Beltran type money than Ramirez. Soriano can at least beat a team with his speed and power (as can Beltran), but Aramis isn't going to scare anyone on the basepaths. I say if you're going to overpay, give it to Soriano and one or more pitchers and fill in the rest of the roster with solid players that don't cost an arm and a leg. I'll take my chances with a middle of the line-up of Soriano, Lee, Jones, Barrett and Murton if the starting pitching and bullpen is great.

I think Nomar was out the door regardless of what happened with any other player. He's really not a shortstop anymore and we had ARam playing third, Walker/Hairston/Neifi at second and DLee playing first. I don't think Hendry viewed Nomar as an outfielder, so where did that leave him. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Cubs sign Nomar for third if ARam leaves. I do agree with the person that intimated that the Cubs would be better off spending their money on two solid starting pitchers, a great outfielder and a stopgap at third then pouring all their resources into ARam. That having been said, I'd have no problem giving Ramirez 5 yrs/$75 and going after 2 pitchers and a stopgap in center. With Barrett, Ramirez, Jones, Murton and a full year of DLee, the Cubs should have enough offense. Got to have a great bench though to guard against injuries. Scott Spezio anyone?

I know we're all anxious for Hendry to sign Ramirez, but I don't see the need to rush. Ramirez is demanding top dollar and probably won't settle for less. Hendry can give him his money any time until November 11 and Ramirez will probably take it. If I'm Hendry, I'd certainly see what other options exist for me over the next week and if nothing materializes, he can always pay Ramirez. Everyone's been focusing on Tejada and ARod, but whose to say Hendry couldn't put a package together and get Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera from the Marlins. Both of those guys are getting very expensive for the Marlins and I'm betting some kind of package that included Rich Hill, Donald Veal, Felix Pie and one or two other players out of Jones, Ohman, Wuertz, Aardsma, etc. would be of interest. Would you trade a bunch of young players and let ARam go if we could secure Willis and Cabrera?

The bottom line is the Cubs need one more bat with some power. I'd go after the best player out there, whether it be an outfielder or middle infielder. The only positions that are set are 1B with Derrick Lee, 3B with Aramis Ramirez, if he stays, and catcher with Michael Barrett. Beyond that, the new manager can figure out how to play the other players based on who the big bat is that we get. I'm very happy to let Theriot, Cedeno and Patterson fight it out for second base next year if the new bat plays the outfield. Theriot's tremendous second half of the season has pulled him into the mix, but guarantees him nothing. I'm also willing to say that a stellar performance with 100 at bats in the major leagues is a pretty good indicator that the guy belongs in the majors, possibly as a starter, but he'll have to continue earning his keep. Let's face it, some guys just figure it out late.