soonercub

Well if all this activity is true then I bet the Cubs have a new owner in place and the splash might come next week. If DeRo is being dealt than I will start to get excited about Peavy again!

With the Yanks signing Tex, would you rather sign Bradley or trade for Swisher or Matsui? Forget the Dunn stuff, that doesn't appear to be an option the Cubs are considering.

I think you have to keep in mind that we have dealt some prospects that would be on that list. Donaldson and E. Patt come to mind. In Wilken's first draft he didn't get a 2nd, 3rd or 4th round pick. I think we got some nice talent at the lower levels, but Stockton kinda killed us for a couple years and our upper levels don't have much. Hendry did a nice job when he ran the draft and produced several big leaguers. It seem like they have been drafting safer college kids and they have been trying to sign more toolsy international players.

I would compare him to a less athletic versions of David Wright and Evan Longoria. Wright and Longoria both played shortstop until they grew out of the positions. Vitters doesn't look to have that sort of athleticism, but his bat is as impressive and might have been rated a little higher coming out of high school. Here is a little segment I posted on another thread. He is probably the best hitting talent the Cubs have had in their minors in the last 10 years. You got to remind yourself that he was extremely young for his grade level. In today's environment when kids are routinely held back for sports purpose or they start kindergarten late because they are a Summer time birthday, this is not the case for Josh. Josh's birthday is Aug. 27. Also, he has a clean effortless swing (click on his scouting video and enjoy http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y20 ... racker.jsp ) He also has something most people don't have; 20-10 vision. Here is a snippet from a previous article: During this past season at Cypress, Vitters was asked by one scout to undergo an eye test. He agreed and visited with Dr. Bill Harrison, a world-renowned optometrist in the field of sports vision in California. Vitters passed the test with flying colors, Weber said. “Dr. Harrison discovered that he has 20-10 vision,” Weber recalled. “This doctor, who has tested every baseball player known to man, said he had never seen anyone’s eyes like this since Barry Bonds when Barry was in his prime.” I hope the Cubs hold on to him and I can't wait to see how he develops. While most Cubs prospects like Pie and Patterson are physically gifted toolsy players you hope can hit. Vitters is a hitter you find a place for.

I think Dunn will end up being the Angels DH.

I doubt the Cubs package Vitters unless it nets them an All-star. Hermida hasn't done that yet. One of the reasons is financial, the Cubs paid him $3.4 million to sign. So if you trade him it is basically Vitters + $3.4 million. Also, he is probably the best hitting talent the Cubs have had in their minors in the last 10 years. You got to remind yourself that he was extremely young for his grade level. In today's environment when kids are routinely held back for sports purpose or they start kindergarten late because they are a Summer time birthday, this is not the case for Josh. Josh's birthday is Aug. 27. Also, he has a clean effortless swing (click on his scouting video and enjoy http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2007/drafttracker.jsp ) He also has something most people don't have; 20-10 vision. Here is a snippet from a previous article: During this past season at Cypress, Vitters was asked by one scout to undergo an eye test. He agreed and visited with Dr. Bill Harrison, a world-renowned optometrist in the field of sports vision in California. Vitters passed the test with flying colors, Weber said. “Dr. Harrison discovered that he has 20-10 vision,” Weber recalled. “This doctor, who has tested every baseball player known to man, said he had never seen anyone’s eyes like this since Barry Bonds when Barry was in his prime.” I hope the Cubs hold on to him and I can't wait to see how he develops. While most Cubs prospects like Pie and Patterson are physically gifted toolsy players you hope can hit. Vitters is a hitter you find a place for.

Didn't McLouth win the gold glove? I know that is very subjective, but I think it precludes him from being a butcher in the field. He is not the middle of the order type lefty they are looking for, but it really intrigues me. I wish we knew what to expect from Fukudome this year. Subject top change, but my order of preference: Bradley McLouth Hermida Abreu Dunn

He stands on the wrong side of the plate.

Agent: 'Padres asked for too much' for Peavy By Phil Rogers LAS VEGAS -– Barry Aexelrod, the agent for Jake Peavy, doesn't sound like a guy who wants his client to stay put. His take on the Cubs' decision to break off talks is that San Diego Padres' general manager Kevin Towers was unrealistic in his trade demands. He reportedly wanted top prospect Josh Vitters and pitchers Sean Marshall and Angel Guzman, among others, from the Cubs. "Objectively understanding where you stand with your negotiation position helps you to be successful," Axelrod told Tim Sullivan of the San Diego Union-Tribune. "The Padres asked for too much." More Axelrod: "There might have been four or five total teams in baseball [that could assume Peavy's contract]. ... The powers that be are going to have to be a little more objective about their strength in negotiating." While Towers is saying that Peavy will open 2009 with the Padres, Axelrod expects more trade talks this winter. He has mentioned the San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees as other possibilities, in addition to a possible renewal of talks with the Cubs. Cubs GM Jim Hendry had been asked earlier about the possibility of the talks being revisited after the end of the winter meetings. "No idea," Hendry said. The ball's clearly in the Padres' hands. Towers is a greedy SOB! lol

There are 2 months left before pitchers report. Towers is aiming for the sky. The Braves put together a nice package and he wanted more from them too. As it gets closer to reporting time, his demands will lower. Basically Towers has been told by 2 GM's to go screw himself and check back when you want to be more reasonable. I getting concerned that we aren't hearing a whole lot about a left handed bat.

If you sign Bradley do you put him in center and have Fukudome/Johnson in right or do you put Bradley in right and move Fukudome?

I doubt it came down to money. It sounds like the Pads wanted 6-7 players for Peavy. You can't fault them for asking, but I am glad Jim didn't give in. The Mets didn't have to give up that much for Santana! I think Jim is still holding the cards. If they keep him, no big deal, we know we won't have to face him in the playoffs!

Ok, Angels looking at Inge to play 3rd. So it appears they want more power production out of 3rd than Figgins offers full time. Dero, best position is 3rd and hits for more power than Figgins. How bout Dero for Figgins? Slide Figgins in at second base and bat leadoff. Still have Fontenot as a spot starter at 2nd and ss and Figgins can play some in OF. We lose right handed pop, but get left handed speed. Which is something we want. They get more pop out of their third baseman, who can also play elsewhere. This GM stuff is easy! lol

This deal will get done! there is no way Towers wants to pay an unhappy Peavy for most of the year and try to deal him at the deadline. Peavy can decline any trade at that point in time as well. One of the things that makes Peavy attractive is his relative cheap salary for this year. Towers is trying to get as much as he can, but no way will Jim trade him 6-7 guys even in 2 are from another club. I doubt Jim trades him both Pie and Vitters. I think it would be an either or. Hart, Marquis and prospect in Dero deal and maybe some lesser prospect of pitcher. I think Jim tells him tomorrow this is what I can do, take it or leave it. Jim will give him some time to decide. If it goes a few weaks then Jim can always up the offer. It is 2 months until pitchers report. Players don't start drawing salary until the season starts. Be patient Jim! Get a good but fair deal.

Can we call back and sub Pie for Vitters?

It will be interesting if the Pads take Veal.

Anyone know what pick the Pads have in the Rule 5? Maybe Veal was made available for the Pads to draft. In return the Cubs could include him in the trade when he doesn't stick with the Pads 25 man roster. It allows the Cubs to open a roster spot if they new the Pads liked Veal and were likely to include him in the deal. Does anyone know if the rumored players from Philly would go on the major league roster? If the report of Kendrick is true than I know he would. Plus Marquis, Cedeno, Hart, Guzman, Weurtz. Olsen from the Orioles. Vitters would not. Right now the Pads have 3 spots open on the 40 man.

This is really going to be interesting to see what all names come out of this. I just can't see Hendry doing anything more than a 4 for 1, unless we get a player in return. As of right now you have heard: 1. Pie for Olsen-flipped to Pads 2. DeRo for 1 or 2 Philly players-Flipped to Pads 3. Vitters-the rumored center piece 4. Marquis and money to someone 5. other misc. players like Cedeno, Hart, Guzman, Hill, Weurtz etc. I am keeping Marshall out because it sounds like that is what the Cubs want. Personally I hope we only lose Pie, Marquis, Cedeno, Hart and Dero.

I cringe of the site of Soriano battling the sun in right field!! Might need to wear a batting helmet out there!

I would love to see the trade for Peavy. Which will probably involve in some way Vitters, Pie, Cedeno and another 1 or 2 lessers. Trade Maquis to the Rockies for Clint Barmes. He can battle Theriot for SS or super sub role. Sign either Abreu or Bradley and call it good. If a decent loogy falls in your lap, take em or maybe a fast defense outfielder for the bench. Rotation (no particular order) Peavy Z Lilly Demp Harden Bullpen from below (6) Marmol Greg shark Guzman Gaudin Marshall Cotts Wuertz Hart Wells OF: Soriano, Fuku/Johnson, Abreu or Bradley Inf: Soto, Rami, Riot, DeRo, Lee Bench: K. Hill, Barmes, Fonty, Fuku/Johnson, Hoff and a speedy OF Go young and cheap on the bench, you can always add vets at the deadline. PLAY BALL!!!

Very interesting stuff. Is Churchhill in the media? Thanks for sharing the rumors! Always fun to speculate.

Donnie, thanks for sharing the information. What an exciting time for you. Did you win any money? I hope the L.A. teams don't make a serious play!!

:good: Could this be like the Cardinals saying they are no longer interested in Holiday and then boom! He is an A? Jim, get Peavy, sign Demp (to a decent contract) and all is forgiven where Wood is concerned in my book. Still not sure where this athletic left handed 3, 4 or 5 hitter is going to come from.

Thanks Donnie

If trading for Greg is proactive to Wood going elsewhere than I applaud Jim for be proactive. Remember other teams can talk length of contract already just not $$'s. So maybe someone is going to offer Wood several years and the Cubs don't want to go that long.