CubsWin22

11:30 update on ESPN 1000.... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bruce Levine says the Cubs and Right hand pitcher Carlos Zambrano will avoid arbitration later this week. This is GREAT news, the record shall go on w/ no arbitration cases!

Bump this to the end here for those who didn't see this about an hour ago...

BRUCE LEVINE UPDATE 12/27 AM The Cubs have presented several different packages to the Orioles, and they are waiting for the team owner to look them over and decide if any fits their needs. He gives the trade a 50/50 shot of being completed. He mentioned that some of the "packages" included Cedeno, others included Hill, some were more propect intense and others were more veteran slanted. He mentioned that it could be a bunch of propects or a couple veterans. The one consistent was Prior. He also mentioned that the Cubs want Bedard in return, and that the organization believes that one of their pitching propects will be ready to move up to the big league next year. The top candidate is Guzman, he reportedly had a fantastic run in the AZ Fall League. Bruce said that he has sources in the Cubs front office, in MLB home office, and other scouts throughout baseball. Apparently there is some reason that Hendry is offering Prior other than just getting Tejada. Big Z is not being considered for a trade in any way. Bruce said that "scouts" are high on Bedard, and see something in Prior that has Hendry concerned. I have no idea what that is????????

Bruce Levine reporting this.... I know that Bruce is reporting it but on the update on ESPN 1000 said the Cubs have offered Mark Prior and Rich Hill for Miguel Tejada and Erik Bedard. The Cubs are are awaiting their answer. Stay Tuned.... Personally....I think this is a mistake....trading Prior already. I made this a new thread because it could be easiliy read instead of going through 18 pages of the last thread.

No kidding, I'm sure by the time Prior's career is over, IF HE STAYS HEALTHY, he will have a few Cy Youngs. I know last year most injuries were freak related....here's hoping 2006 is injury free.

From this morning, levine is cohosting today. the big topic is the "would you trade prior for tejada?" - said that no player on this team is "untouchable", if it makes sense it makes sense. Two offers on the table, one is a young package and the other the prior/tejada deal mentioned in another thread. OFFER A: Guzman, Hill, Patterson, and Dopirak for Tejada. Orioles dont want Cedeno, they will sign like an Alex Gonzalez to fill the SS role. OFFER B: Prior and Hill for Tejada, Bedard and one of their top OF prospects (didn't hear who as my damn radio cut out right as they mentioned the name.) While he did say anybody could be traded, he is not sure if he would do it or not.

Thank GOD he didn't sign with STL! Why didn't Hendry get in on this and do another "Dempster" project!?!

Sorry if this was posted already....making this a new thread because not everyone wants to dig through pages and pages of these other threads to see if there is new NEWS. Hope this is ok....... Bruce is on with Mac, Jurko, and Harry and just said that the Tejada trade IS a realistic possibility. He said it is NOT a "pie in the sky" idea but rather something that actually could get done. Tejada does not have a no trade and the Orioles can move him if they want. He said the Cubs would probably send 5 players...Hill, KPat, Williams, Cedono, and Guzman to get it done. He also said that if the Cubs were to add Tejada that Jacque Jones becomes a realistic possibility in RF. Also, if Manny goes to the Mets then Floyd is a real possibility as well. Just passing on what I heard.

Now guys i want to say that i did not hear this, i saw this on cubstalk.com and found it very interesting.A guy posted what he heard on MLB Home Plate on XM. The show was with Holden Kushner and the guest was Jeff Zrisbec from the Baltimore Sun. Here are the interesting points according to Zrisbec: 1) The Ramirez for Tejada deal is very unlikely, less than 10 percent of happening. 2) According to Zrisbec the possible suitors are: Angels- Cabrera and Shields Mariners- No names mentioned Cubs- Pie, Hill and Marshall Both the host and the Baltimore Sun reporter think that if Tejada is traded at all, it will be to the cubs because of the following reasons: a) The Orioles are ready to rebuild, they are trying to dump Javy Lopez and now will take as many pitching prospects they can get to work with Ramon Hernandez and Leo Mazzone. B) Melvin Mora is sign below is market value and he and Hernandez would be the only significant payroll on the team if Tejada and Javy are traded. C) They have been defeated in trying to win now, since losing out on Konerko, BJ Ryan and AJ Burnett. D) The O's love Rich Hill and Marshall, and would love to get a bunch of prospects to compete in a few years. They are being fed tons of infofrom John Stockstill on the value of Hill and Pie. E) The O's would like to have Kerry Wood, but are realistic that even if Wood agrees to go there, a contract extension would be needed to keep him for a while. Wood is not a deal breaker according to Zrisbec. F) They also really like Angel Guzman insteed of Marshall, but Pie and Hill are the deal making prospects.

I think the Cubs WILL HAVE TO include Pie in order to get Tejada. I just don't see them doing the deal otherwise. If I'm Hendry, I do that as long as they don't take Hill, too. One or the other, with a few other real good prospects. You have to give up something to get something back. Tejada is a SURE THING...Pie is not....even though he probably will be good...but we thought Bobby Hill, Hee Seop Choi and Patterson were going to be real good too..................

Yeah, I think Tejada would GREATLY IMPROVE the offense, give us another slugger. Then we could go with someone cheaper in RF like Mench or someone to that nature that doesn't make much money but is decent. Imagine....Lee, Tejada, Ramirez....WOW!! But then again...THIS IS THE CUBS we are talking about....you know they will say they "tried" to get him, but things just didn't work out. Watch and see....

He said that the reason Tejada doesn't want to play there is personal beef with Ramon Hernandez and the Orioles knew that and still signed him. He also said that Hendry has already contacted the Orioles and that the Cubs have a perfect fit for their needs. He said no names have been discussed but expect them to talk about names today and tomorrow.

Not sure if this was posted yet... Blue Jays GM. J.P. Ricciardi said he's not interested in the rumored Milton Bradley-for-Miguel Batista trade. Bradley talks with the Cubs have also reportedly cooled, though they remain the favorites for the troubled outfielder. Dec. 9 - 3:46 pm et Source: Toronto Sun

ESPN is reporting on the Hotlist that Dusty Baker admitted the Cubs do not expect Kerry Wood to be ready for the 2006 season opener. Bummer, looks like Larry Rothschild knew what he was talking about.

Don't know about anyone else, but I DON'T want Floyd anywhere near the Cubs....don't know why Hendry is so fascinated (SP?) with him.