Backtobanks

No way, but I am amazed he's only 33. I thought he was about 45.

I tried working on deals for Greinke quite awhile ago, but it sounds like they're serious about him not being available.

Now that KC has acquired Crisp, I would think DeJesus would be available. How about: Cubs trade: Marquis (plus cash), Cedeno, Hart, Veal Cubs receive: DeJesus, Mahay Dejesus isn't the big LH power bat, but is a solid player which offers versatility. DeJesus/Johnson in CF allows better defense with Fukudome in RF. Lots of lefty-righty options for Lou in OF with DeJesus/Johnson/Fukudome/DeRosa/Soriano/Hoffpauir along with 2B with DeRosa/Fontenot. Mahay gives us another lefty option in the pen.

Or he just knows they will be cheaper And not as good. But they will be younger and more athletic. Bradley, Abreu, and Ibanez may be better hitters, but they would be a disaster in the field.

I'm not taking sides on whether he should sign or not, but I always get a kick out of posters who say a player ought to leave millions of dollars on the table to play for a certain team. After you retire from baseball at 37 or 38 years old, that extra few million dollars might help your "golden years".

Some of these trades that I suggested are based on the assumption we aren't getting Peavy. When I see all of the names being thrown about for Peavy (and BRob last year), I can't help thinking some of these players like McLouth might be available for the right package of prospects. When you're dealing with lower budget teams, you might be able to offer enough quantity to justify them trading one of their better players. Also, if a bad contract (Jack Wilson) is involved it makes it more feasible. Obviously, you might have to overpay in prospects to get younger players (McLouth, Cain, Greinke, DeJesus, Hermida, Slowey, etc.), but it might be worth it in the long run. As I stated before, I would rather go young (Hermida, McLouth, etc.) than overpay in cash with Abreu or Ibanez.

Instead of the expensive LH RFs (Abreu, Ibanez, Dunn, etc.), how about trading for a RF that would strictly be a platoon with DeRosa or Johnson. I would think most of these guys would be readily available for the right price: Scott (O's), Smith (Rockies), Kubel (Twins), etc. Personally, I would still like to go after McLouth (Pirates). Possibly a deal involving Wilson (bad contract) and McLouth for Theriot plus others. Scott shouldn't cost us more than Cedeno plus a young pitcher. Maybe we could work out an expanded deal to get BRob and Scott. If we could sign Furcal, an expanded deal with the Twins could involve Slowey and Kubel for Theriot (they need a SS badly), Marshall, and other prospects. While none of these RFs have the stats of the expensive guys, they might put up very good numbers in a platoon system. Also, it would be nice to get some players that are on the right side of 30 years old.

Vitters, Cedeno, Veal, and Marquis (plus cash) for BRob and Scott.

That is what I posted in a couple of earlier posts. The agent talked to Hendry about a multi-year deal (like 3/30) which he could expect on the open market. Hendry decided against that kind of deal and wished Wood luck in getting what he deserved on the open market. Wood probably wasn't even involved until after the media had the story of the Cubs saying goodbye.

I agree with you. As I posted before, Wood's agent probably talked to Hendry about a 3/30 contract and then Hendry decided to part ways with Wood. If Wood would have told his agent that he would accept a 1-year deal to stay with the Cubs, Wood would be a Cub right now. The agent went into negotiations with Hendry based on the expected contract Wood could get on the open market and it was more than Hendry wanted to spend.

Something about this whole story just doesn't make sense. Either someone is lying, the quotes are wrong, or there is miscommunication between Wood and his agent. I'm sure Hendry didn't just cut ties with Wood without discussing some kind of offer with his agent. Maybe the agent was talking 3/30 (figuring that he could get that elsewhere) and Hendry backed off without Wood being involved in the discussion. The bottom line is that if Wood will accept a 1 year deal, the Cubs should jump on it and use Gregg as the 7th inning guy with Marmol/Wood for the 8th and 9th.

The Indians need a closer, so how about Gregg going to the Indians for Choo. If the deal needs to be expanded or tweaked, so be it. He's young, LH, cheap, and has good numbers. With Johnson, DeRosa, and Fukudome around, it gives Lou lots of options.

After having read that the Marlins are looking for a big package for Hermida I've resigned myself to the fact that the Cubs are going to be unable to trade for him. It's too bad for, he perfectly fits the mold of what Lou wants next season - young, athletic and a LHB - I don't doubt he'd have a big season playing half his game in Wrigley. That leaves FA options of Bradley, Abreu and Ibanez, Bradley, I believe, is the best choice followed by Abreu and Ibanez - I hope we don't see him in RF next season, why do I keeping thinking this is who Hendry' going to ink? Also need to figure that whoever Hendry does sign should be someone that will not cost him any picks. I'd bet the Yankees would offer arbitration for Abreu. Bradley and Ibanez, probably will not be offered arby. Tx is stupid if they don't offer Bradley arbitration. This was his first healthy year in a long time, no way he goes for a one-year deal. If the choices are Bradley, Abreu, and Ibanez (and Dunn?), get ready for horrible defense in RF. Rating those 4 defensively is a joke.

You had better call Hendry because he's busy looking for a LH RF.

I'm actually on the opposite side, I hope the Yankees swing and miss and EVERY major free agent. I could see a pic of Hank Steinbrenner with a sad face and two sack full of money with the headline, "Why won't anybody take my money." That would be hilarious. The odds of that happening are about the same as the odds of a Padres - Orioles World Series in 2009, especially with Boras as the agent for many of them.

With all the deep-pocket teams interested, 2/27 won't get you in the door. My guess would be somewhere around 3/43.

Harden + Sheets = 30 starts

For all of you that enjoy my 3-way trade proposals, look at one I posted a week ago: Backtobanks Post subject: Re: Hermida and Olsen?Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 2:13 pm You called? Cubs sign Furcal and then trade Marshall, Veal/Hart, and Ceda to Marlins for Hermida and Olsen. Cubs trade Olsen, Pie, Theriot, and Hill to SD for Peavy. Furcal @ SS, Hermida in RF, and Peavy in the rotation. Could be pretty close to being true with Pie, Theriot, and Marshall (wrong team) being traded with Peavy coming back and Furcal signing.

So Olney and Rosenthal just reported 2 very different stories. Which is more reliable (or least unreliable) of those 2? I thought the Cubs were loaded with pitching prospects (Marshall, Ceda, Hart, Veal, Hill, etc.) and weak on positional prospects. :-k

With the trade of Willingham, I wonder if Hermida will still be on the trading block. If he is an interesting throw in on the deal might be Alfredo Amezaga. I'm assuming Cedeno will be in a trade going someplace. Amezaga is a switch hitter and has played every position except pitcher and catcher. Gives Lou lots of options with DeRosa and Amezaga on the team.

Perrotto's Latest: Free Agent Predictions By Steve Adams [November 9 at 2:35pm CST] John Perrotto has his Every Given Sunday column up over at Baseball Prospectus. Perrotto offers a list of some educated guesses as to where some of the top free agents in baseball will land, with some surprises here and there. Let's take a look: Perrotto lists the Yankees loading up on starting pitching, landing C.C. Sabathia and Derek Lowe, while the Dodgers land Manny Ramirez after doubling their initial offer to four years, $100MM. Perrotto says the Nationals will land Mark Teixeira, as they could be prepared to offer Teixeira - a Maryland native - ten years, $200MM. Turning down that kind of money would certainly be difficult. Perrotto has Adam Dunn landing on the North Side of Chicago and having an adventurous time in right field for the Cubs. According to these predictions, he'll be joined by Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood - neither of whom are going anywhere. Perrotto feel Andy Pettitte won't be back with the Yankees, and feels that he will either take a below-market contract from his hometown Astros or retire. He also pegs Mike Mussina to likely retire, but agrees he'll be back with the Yankees if he does indeed make a run at 300 wins. Other predictions from Perrotto: Raul Ibanez and Francisco Rodriguez to the Mets, Milton Bradley to Toronto, Orlando Cabrera to Minnesota, Casey Blake back to Cleveland, A.J. Burnett to the Orioles, Brian Fuentes to the Angels, Nick Punto to St. Louis, Randy Johnson to the Angels, Jason Giambi to Oakland, and Orlando Hudson to the Mets. The list of players who will end up back with their current teams: Ben Sheets, Bobby Abreu, Pat Burrell, Jamie Moyer, and Jason Varitek, on a two-year $20MM contract, courtesy of Scott Boras. MLBTraderumors: Phil Rogers says that the Cubs could sign Ryan Dempster by Thursday

If we don't get Peavy, a deal for Hermida and Olson could end up being a good deal depending on the cost. Take Olsen and flip him to the O's in a deal for BRob. Assuming Pie and Cedeno would be part of a trade: 1B - Lee 2B - BRob SS - Theriot 3B - ARam LF - Soriano CF - Fukudome/Johnson RF - Hermida/Derosa C - Soto Bench: Johnson/Fukudome, Fontenot, Hoffpair, Derosa/Hermida, MI sub, Blanco/Hill

hendry's got to let him know how much better his numbers might be at petco and NL west ballparks. his salary for the next few years is set anyway. And Jeff would probably be a lock to become a starter for the Pads, assuming that's what he wants to do. All in all though, I doubt Shark will be in the mix. I think he likes Chicago, which is a good thing. I think he should be a lock for our rotation... get Marquis the hell out of here. I don't see us keeping Dempster if we get Peavy, no way Demp puts up those numbers again next year. What in the world does Jason Marquis have to do to get people to stop hating him? He was probably the most effective 5th starter in baseball last year. While I agree with your comments on Marquis, you'll never get much sympathy by complimenting Marquis on a Cubs website. To me the only real negative to Marquis has been that he's a #5 starter paid like a #3 starter, but you can't blame him for taking the money that was offered.

The next question is how cheap is a young productive RF if he is going to cost us 3-4 prospects.

Why would the Padres want Lee? They wouldn't Agree, but if Lee were to be traded Hoffpaiur could play there. Or we could sign Tex. Hoffpauir is not an everyday 1B.