Jump to content
North Side Baseball

Backtobanks

Old-Timey Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    7,315

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    1

 Content Type 

Profiles

Joomla Posts 1

Chicago Cubs Videos

Chicago Cubs Free Agent & Trade Rumors, Notes, & Tidbits

2026 Chicago Cubs Top Prospects Ranking

News

2023 Chicago Cubs Draft Picks

Guides & Resources

2024 Chicago Cubs Draft Picks

The Chicago Cubs Players Project

2025 Chicago Cubs Draft Pick Tracker

2026 Chicago Cubs Draft Pick Tracker

Blogs

Events

Forums

Store

Gallery

Everything posted by Backtobanks

  1. Backtobanks
    Jocketty Names Five Untouchable Reds Bob Hunter of the Columbus Dispatch relays a Walt Jocketty radio show appearance. Jocketty reportedly named five untouchable Reds players: Jay Bruce, Joey Votto, Edinson Volquez, Johnny Cueto, and Edwin Encarnacion. Hunter is surprised to see Encarnacion labeled off-limits. The 25 year-old third baseman has a career line of .268/.344/.450 in 396 games. With several .900+ OPS months on his resume, EE has shown flashes of star potential offensively. Veterans Francisco Cordero, Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, and Brandon Phillips apparently did not make the list. Only Arroyo has been mentioned in trade rumors this year; the rest seem unlikely to go anywhere. But it should be noted that Jocketty wasn't with the organization when the Cordero, Harang, and Arroyo contracts were signed and might be more willing to move them. Aaron Harang would look pretty good as a #2 or #3 starter. It ought to be interesting as the Reds try to go younger with Dusty as their manager. They ought to be able to pull in some pretty good prospects if they trade Griffey, Dunn, and Harang. I assume they would want some pitching, so probably Hill or Marshall would be part of the deal.
  2. Backtobanks
    2 scouts weigh in on what the Indians could get for Sabathia: "I would say maybe they could get two young players that were at or close to the big-league level that they could control for a while." Another scout said the Indians could get between two and three prospects, depending on whether that team could sign Sabathia to an extension before he becomes a free agent this winter.
  3. Backtobanks
    I'm tired of reading how the Cubs have no prospects to trade. Depending on what the other team needs and who they're trading to us, I would think names like Cedeno, Murton, Veal, Marshall, Gallagher, Patterson, Colvin, Hill, Pie, Fontenot, and Hart would have some value, especially since many of those players have had some success in the majors.
  4. Backtobanks
    And Steinbrenner doesn't have any brains, considering he said that is was the "NL fault" that Wang got injured while RUNNING the bases. So we know, Hank isn't playing with a full deck. In fact, I could see Hank preventing the Yanks from winning another WS for a LOOOOOONG time. Maybe Lou is trying to solve the rotation problem by using Marquis as a pinch runner.
  5. Backtobanks
    Way too logical for the Cubs.
  6. Backtobanks
    I don't think we will ever get out of the Soriano contract, but the Dodgers could use him and trade us Kemp plus another prospect or two(Broxton/Billinsly/Kershaw :lol: ).
  7. Backtobanks
    Vance, I'm hoping you didn't mean Beltran for Pie even up. I'm sure they would want Pie plus a few more prospects. If they get more prospects I would want them to eat probably 4 million a year or so. You can't expect the Mets to trade an All Star CF for a prospect that has struggled in the majors. How many more prospects and the quality of the prospects might cause them to eat some salary. If the Mets are willing to trade Beltran for Pie (or Pie plus one prospect) then do it and don't worry about the contract.
  8. Backtobanks
    Clemens Abreu Damon Pettitte And if they haven't been buying up the stars quite as much recently, it'd be in large part because the ones they bought up awhile ago are still with them (Giambi, Matsui, ARod). Looking only at the 8-figure guys whose contracts are up this year you've got: Giambi (21M) Abreu (16M) Pettitte (16M) Pavano (11M) Mussina (11M) If you don't think Hank and the Yanks are going to be throwing wads of cash around this winter with all of those salaries they're shedding, well... Especially if they don't make the playoffs.
  9. Backtobanks
    Vance, I'm hoping you didn't mean Beltran for Pie even up. I'm sure they would want Pie plus a few more prospects.
  10. Backtobanks
    Not only does he make $18.5 million, but he's owed $18.5 million per year through 2011 with $22 million plus interest deferred through 2011. Whew, that's a lot of money. (Let's not forget that he has a NTC, so we'll probably have to extend him to waive his NTC)
  11. Backtobanks
    I know I didn't say the Yankees go out and get everyone they wanted. So, whoever you are talking about, I know it's not me. All I know is this.....Steinbrenner wanted Santana, and my understanding is that Cashman wasn't sure trading Kennedy and/or Hughes was beneficial for the org. Maybe Cashman is right, but let me ask you this; A 2 time Cy Young award winner, or two pitchers who may or may not ever reach their potential? The simple truth is this, just because the Yankees have no got who they wanted recently, doesn't mean they haven't tried to get those players. So, I still see Steinbrenner overstepping his boundaries, and making a play for CC. Now will Cleveland move CC? Now that's the question. But I am pretty sure the Yankees will be in on the CC hunt. The Yankees just lost their ace for the season, they will go after Sabathia.
  12. Backtobanks
    Personally, I don't want Carlos. Too much money, blah, blah, even tho he would help the offense out tremendously. His contract is the biggest problem for me. Plus I would rather trade the assets that the Cubs do have, for another pitcher or two. I didn't see this rumor anywhere, but if it is somewhere, please delete or merge. He's not playing like an 18+ mil player. If we take his whole contract, he may not cost quite as much as you would think in prospects. I wonder how close an offer of Pie + Marshall/Hill would get us? I know that wouldn't work, but I wonder how far out of the ball park it is? Actually, I thought about posting a trade proposal involving Beltran last week, but the money issue scared me off. I would think Pie + Marshall/Hill would be a starting point, but I think you would have to add more (Murton/Patterson + Veal??) He would be great to have, but the OF would have to be nicknamed "The Billionaires".
  13. Backtobanks
    ESPN's Peter Gammons has a new blog post up. The Indians are "thoroughly scouting" eight teams that may be interested in C.C. Sabathia, including the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, and Dodgers (the Mets may be another). Gammons agrees with Ken Rosenthal that Mark Shapiro may trade Sabathia soon to maximize his value. Gammons does not see the Yanks jumping in with Phil Hughes or a multi-prospect offer, unless Chien-Ming Wang's injury forces their hand. He does not think the Cubs or Phillies have the goods, but suggests the Rangers as a dark horse. If the Cubs don't have enough for Sabathia, Plan B could be Randy Wolf, Greg Maddux, or even Erik Bedard. The Padres and Mariners have been informed of the Cubs' interest.
  14. Backtobanks
    I love watching everything he does. He's very professional in every aspect of the game. It's kind of like watching Greg Maddux pitch. The other point that some people made is that this is his first year in a completely foreign country and he has been a solid contributor, wait until next year when he has a chance to feel more comfortable in the league and in this country.
  15. Backtobanks
    The Sporting News needs to pay more attention to baseball. Berkman has been a superstar in baseball for a number of years. I disagree with you on Berkman being a superstar for a number of years. My point was that he should be considered a superstar, but he's not. Part of the reason could be that he's not on either coast, but Bagwell and Biggio did get their share of publicity while playing in Houston. Who says he's not? You? He's on every all-star team, he makes the most money on his team and just about anybody who follows baseball knows he one of the best players in baseball. Calm down, I'm agreeing that he should be considered a superstar with a shot at the HOF, but he isn't given the recognition that he should get. He's been on 4 All-Star teams in 8 years and the list of comparable players includes some stars (Larry Walker, David Ortiz, etc.) and some others (Danny Tartabull, Mike Sweeny, etc.). Right now his numbers look a little short of HOF consideration at 40.3 (>50 = HOF probable) and 82.5 (>100 = HOF probable). There would be no doubt about his status if he played in NY, Boston, or LA.
  16. Backtobanks
    From Foxsports on top prospects that have turned out flops: 4. Felix Pie He's still quite young at 23, but he was a flop in his debut with the Cubs last season and was sent down this year in favor of the aged Jim Edmonds. He is starting to be eerily like Corey Patterson, who was equally as hyped but never reached the predicted stardom. The Orioles didn't want Patterson anymore and it's beginning to be clear why they didn't want Pie as part of any Brian Roberts trade. The excuse given for the Orioles is that they already had center field filled with Adam Jones, but Jones or Pie could have been moved if the Orioles had been impressed enough with Pie. The fact that the Cubs aren't just giving him the centerfield job, when they've had a crying need for one, is an indication of how unsure they are of Pie. With the addition of all-out gamer Reed Johnson, the days of Pie being in the Cubs' outfield may already be over. In 23 games with Triple-A Iowa, Pie is hitting .183/.232/.355.
  17. Backtobanks
    The Sporting News needs to pay more attention to baseball. Berkman has been a superstar in baseball for a number of years. I disagree with you on Berkman being a superstar for a number of years. My point was that he should be considered a superstar, but he's not. Part of the reason could be that he's not on either coast, but Bagwell and Biggio did get their share of publicity while playing in Houston.
  18. Backtobanks
    I've been a Cub fan for 54 years and I'm ready to see the Cubs win a WS. Another reason to "mortgage the future" is that our top prospects (Pie and Hill) are starting to look like flops. Maybe it's time to trade them while they still have some trade value.
  19. Backtobanks
    I think Soto is probably one of the most "untouchable" players in the league right now. Finding a young stud catcher only happens about once every 20 years, so I can't think of a realistic deal in which I would include Soto.
  20. Backtobanks
    The Indians are going to be more interested in Murton than Pie? This really gets to the heart of the matter though. The Indians really need more hitting than pitching, and the Cubs don't have any elite talent to trade to them in the minors. The Indians are not looking to restock a farm system like the Orioles were doing in the offseason. The Indians want guys who can be impact players, not a bunch of guys who might turn out to be serviceable players. The only way this really makes sense is if this becomes a three team trade where the Cubs move their "surplus" of young solid arms to another team for some impact position prospects to the Indians for Sabathia. How about a 3-way with the Pirates, sending them a bunch of prospects with them sending Bay or Nady to the Indians and Sabathia coming to the Cubs.
  21. Backtobanks
    Nobody ever downgraded Babe Ruth for the in Yankee Stadium with it's short RF fence.
  22. Backtobanks
    The latest Sporting News has an article about Lance Berkman and some of the numbers comparing him to all-time greats were amazing: Career OPS: 1. Babe Ruth 1.164 5. Albert Pujols 1.044 9. Todd Helton 1.007 10. Manny Ramirez 1.001 11. Lance Berkman .982 Career OPS, switch hitter: 1. Berkman .982 2. Mickey Mantle .977 3. Chipper Jones .957 Career ABs/RBI: 1. Babe Ruth 3.80 7. Manny Ramirez 4.41 25 Lance Berkman 4.96 Career OBP, active players: 1. Todd Helton .430 2. Albert Pujols .423 3. Frank Thomas .420 4. Lance Berkman .415 When you talk about superstars and future HOFers, I would venture that hardly anyone thinks of Berkman, but his numbers should put him in those discussions.
  23. Backtobanks
    I'm to the point where I can't see us landing a legit #2 or better without including someone like Lee or Aramis (obviously not going to happen). There's a greater chance of someone from within stepping up and performing like a #2 by the end of the year than there is of us acquiring one. I hope Hendry serves me a big ol' dish of crow on this one. Most teams trading for a legit #2 starter have given up on 2008 and are looking to the future, so they would want young players or prospects.
  24. Backtobanks
    yes, please. Its interesting. Can Hoff play LF? Can Bonds play LF? Can Dunn play LF? The answer is that any of the three would be standing in LF waiting to bat.
  25. Backtobanks
    Agreed. Even if Cook doesn't continue his current production, he's always been a very reliable starter even before the humidor era began. In both 2006 and 2007 his ERA+ was 116. Before that, he didn't have any full seasons, and I'm not sure if that's because of injuries or something else. Anyone know his history? His BABIP is .283 too. So it looks like he's not getting abnormally lucky either. I'd love to deal for Fuentes and Cook together. What would it cost? Neither figures to play prominently in the Rockies future, so I can't imagine it would be too much. Jose Ceda and Ronny Cedeno? I don't think Ceda and Cedeno would get you a callback if you're talking about Cook and Fuentes. I would think that they would get better offers than that for either pitcher.
×
×
  • Create New...