Backtobanks

No to the first one, unless the Rangers add something else to it. Yes to the second. Getting rid of Silva and Grabow would be nice. And I feel like the Rangers would be way more inclined to do the second one. Silva and Grabow in Arlington? Yikes. Young is a player that would definitely be huge in the Cubs lineup, assuming he would be able to make the transiton to 2nd. However, hes 34 years old and making 16 mil each of the next 3 years. Maybe if we sent them Kosuke, DeWitt, and one of Randy Wells/Jay Jackson/Chris Carpenter/Casey Coleman it would work as long as they thre in a bit of cash. I know theres a lot of Kosuke love, but whether NSBB likes it or not, Colvins going to be given every opportunity to win the full time RF job from him, so we may as well get something for Kosuke. Giving up Fukudome and a young pitcher for Young is way too much. The bottom line is that the Cubs aren't really a fit unless the Rangers are going to eat a lot of salary.

He's a lot like Theriot's situation IMO... He's good through his first 3 years as it's cheap. Next year, if it's goes to 3-4 mil in his 1st arb, while it's not bad and I would be willing to pay Wells that much. It's going to be his 2nd and 3rd arbs that's going to be a problem. If he gets 3-4 mil next year, then he's probably gonna get like at least 5 mil-ish (lets use Garza for example: 3.35 mil in his 1st arb and 5.95 mil this year) in his 2nd arb and that's probably too much for a guy like him and probably lose most of his trade value by then. I would rather have Coleman/Cashner/JJax/Carpenter instead of paying Wells 5 mil. I kinda wouldn't be surprised if Wells is going to be the guy teams looking at or Cubs shopping him around the trade deadline, just like Theriot was last year (I believe Cubs were shopping him around or teams had interest in him unless I'm just dreaming about that part). I would think if he continues to pitch pretty well for the next two seasons that $5 million wouldn't be a problem as trade bait. A very solid #4 and possible #3 starter for $5 million is a good deal for most teams.

Seriously. We grumble about Soriano's contract, but Young's is godawful as well (albeit with one fewer years remaining). Outside of Arlington he's probably about league average as a SS or 2B, and below average as a 3B. What would the trade offer has to be in order to be worth it? Would something like this do it??? Carlos Silva (Rangers pay all 11.5 mil this year plus the 2 mil buyout next year) + Baker (or DeWitt since either one would be expendable with Young coming, but rather trade Baker) + junk prospect(s) for Michael Young + intriguing prospect(s) (not sure what type exactly, but someone like Hicks from the Gorz trade for example maybe?... basically what Cubs always get it seems like in their trades) + $20 mil??? (my thinking is Young has 48 mil owed still minus Silva's 11.5 mil (since Cubs are paying that anyway even with Seattle's 5.5 mil) equals 36.5 mil left... then minus 20 mil from Rangers is 16.5 mil Cubs still would have to pay Young for the next 3 seasons...) That 20 mil can be split something like 4.5/7.5/8 where Cubs aren't paying any extra this year (4.5 mil from Rangers + 5.5 mil from Mariners + 6 mil that Cubs were paying anyway if it was Silva or Young) then paying Young 8.5 and 8 mil the next 2 years or it can be like 10 mil each the next 2 years where Cubs has to pay an extra 4.5 mil this year, but would only pay 6 mil each the next 2 years... I'm not sure if you will be able to get more than 20 mil or even get that much, but I think you can't ask for anything less than that really (8 mil a year is the max I would pay Young, but rather it be like 4-6 mil a year). Cubs paying 16.5 mil for 3 years for a guy like Young isn't that bad IMO (well actually it would be 22.5 mil cuz they're paying 6 mil this year to Silva that would go to Young). That's basically 7.5 mil a year for Young. I think I got all of this right. Is that enough or would you want more money or a better prospect or player like O'Day or Chris Davis instead of a prospect??? Of course the trade wouldn't be as simple as that, but just an idea... I agree with you guys that Rangers gonna have to do a lot in order for me to take him... I was thinking about this kind of deal, but it certainly wouldn't match the rumors about Blanton + Polanco for Young.

Most people are way down on Wells, it seems. Shouldn't be, but they are. He's had a great spring, so maybe that will change.

Everything I've read claims the Rangers aren't interested in eating much (if any) of his salary.

You're the only one on NSBB that would hold out for an "intriguing" prospect for Silva. Most of us would be happy if we don't have to send the other team an "intriguing" prospect to take Silva. :yahoo:

Also, it bothers me that writers keep mentioning all of these candidates for the #4 and #5 rotation spots. It seems to me that Wells has always been a lock for the rotation.

Rogers was explaining why he thinks the Phillies aren't a lock to win the East. He may very well not pick them, but you're stretching things using that article to complain that people aren't picking the Phillies when they should. Besides, it's ridiculous to act like someone is "wrong" if they don't pick the Phillies. Do you expect everyone to pick who makes the playoffs solely based on the teams on paper without weighing other factors like age and regression and injury? I didn't "stretch things" to complain that people aren't picking the Phillies when they should. This was strictly about Rogers having doubts about the Phillies and not picking them in the NL East. To answer your question, yes I would expect everyone to pick the best teams on paper at this point (preseason) since age, regression, and injuries (except Wainwright) haven't appeared yet.

My point in posting this is that Rogers hinted that he wasn't going to pick the Phillies when he makes his predictions. I totally understand how injuries and/or age can affect a team, but until either one shows up the Phillies are the best team in the NL East.

Of course a lot can happen, especially injuries. My point is that I can't see anybody not picking the Phillies in the NL East at this point. If Halladay and/or Lee gets seriously injured, then obviously I might reconsider.

In today's Tribune, Phil Rogers (yeah, I know) expresses his opinion that the Phillies may not even win the the NL East because of their aging and declining hitters. I guess he doesn't remember what the no offense/great pitching Giants did last year. Compared to the 2010 Giants, the Phillies offense looks like the 1927 Yankees. Short of some major injuries, I can't see how you can't pick the Phillies to rule the East. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/sc-spt-0306-notes-rogers-baseball--20110305,0,7811217.column

If this is true, I hope the Twins are asking for a ton because they would be trading away "the closest thing they have to an ace at the moment" and they're expected to be a serious contender in the AL Central this year.

I checked in yesterday just to see what was going on and I was randomly selected to purchase tickets immediately. Bought 3 pairs of tickets to value dates. I was surprised to discover that Labor Day (9/5) vs. the Reds was a value date. Usually the value dates are middle of the week vs. mediocre teams.

Wow, he's going to be seeing a fastball to the head at some point this season. Dusty probably gets something thrown at him from the dugout too. Whether it may help your team indirectly or not, saying it's great news is nothing short of classless. And to me, a manager should be held to higher standards than players to begin with. I'm not even sure Ozzie would have made those remarks. Ozzie would say the same thing, but it would have a couple of fbombs in it.

2-3 years. Quick Hendry get Mozeliack on the phone and trade the Cards Silva! Silva + Pena for Pujols :yahoo:

Ramirez would probably have to be injured or have a terrible year to settle for $8-$10 million. Beltre (granted coming off of a great year) just signed for $96 million over 6 years and has career numbers less than Ramirez.

Together they're making over $44 million this year, so $30 million in 2012 is a reasonable estimate. :-k

Fielder, Buerhle, and Ramirez would cost more than $30 million in 2012 unless Buerhle and Ramirez really bomb this year.

So because he signed a team-friendly contract 6 years ago while he was still in arbitration he isn't about the money and will take less to stay in St. Louis??????? Some people's defense mechanism against being disappointed by something they really really want to happen not happening is downplaying the chances of that thing happening. Did that even make sense? Not that I'm saying I think we'll sign Pujols...or that it's even really likely... but I'd have to agree that it's a stretch to paint the picture that optimistically for the Cardinals. We're all guessing here, and I think it's reasonable to think that given Albert's pro-STL quotes, his past behavior when it comes to contract negotiations, and the fact that, while not one of the highest paid guys in the league, the guy has already made some pretty nice cash over the years, that he may not be looking to completely break the bank here. It's also reasonable to think that he's gonna walk. Maybe it's more about the money than he's previously let on. I certainly understand that thought, and don't bregrudge anyone think that's going to happen. But I think he stays. I don't think that's an unreasonable opinion. Let's not forget that professional athletes do have egos and when push comes to shove they want proof ($$$$$) that they're the best player in baseball. He may give the Cards a discount, but I think he wants to have the biggest contract ever (> $275 million). Unfortunately for the Cards, $280 million plus might be a "hometown discount".

If the Tigers are successful in making Cabrera's contract non-guaranteed, they could be another possible destination for Pujols. From MLBTR: •Some executives in baseball wonder if the Tigers will try to make Miguel Cabrera's contract non-guaranteed, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (Twitter links). The first baseman, who was arrested and charged with driving under the influence last night, has five years and $106MM remaining on his long-term deal with the Tigers. The Mets unsuccessfully attempted to convert Francisco Rodriguez's contract into a non-guaranteed deal after his legal trouble in 2010. he

I think what it boils down to is that Pujols wasn't going to sign unless the Cards offered him something ridiculous. Knowing that, there wasn't much of a reason for the Cards to offer him something absurd. They can do that next winter when they actually know what the market is going to be for him. Everything that I've read makes it sound like the Cards can't afford "something ridiculous" next winter either.

Coleman deserves a shot at the rotation if he pitches like he did last year.

From MLBTR: Cubs right-hander Jeff Samardzija is out of minor league options, writes Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune, and is therefore all but assured of a roster spot (likely in the bullpen) coming out of Spring Training, lest he be exposed to waivers. Samardzija has been shuttled between the minors and Majors, as well as starting and relieving, since being drafted by the Cubs in the fifth round in 2006

If the money is basically the same, he might prefer staying in the NL and specifically the NL Central. Also, the facilities might be crappy, but the Cubs and their fans are noted for worshiping their heroes. There aren't many other teams (except possibly the Yankees) who have such a strong relationship with their former players.

If the Cubs could convince Samardzija to waive his NTC, including him in a package would save $3 million.