Backtobanks

There's always Fontenot, who is the worst of our 4 middle infielders at this point Yeah, but don't forget he's a lefty bat.

The latest Ken Rosenthal report on Foxsports.com talks about the possible availability of Brad Penny and Zack Greinke. The reason emtioned for Greinke is that the Royals are seriously in need of position players and prospects at AA and AAA. How about a blockbuster deal: Greinke and DeJesus for Pie, Cedeno, Marshall/Gallagher, Patterson, and Murton. If more (or different) names are needed use Hoffpaur and Veal. Both Greinke (24) and DeJesus (28) are young, cheap, and could be counted on to help in the future in addition to 2008. Soriano Zambrano Theriot Dempster Lee Lilly Ramirez Greinke Fukudome Marquis/Gallagher/Hill/Marshall/Lieber Soto DeRosa DeJesus =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>

Pass, pass, pass, pass. Pie is either our immediate answer in CF or he's our best trading chit for a legit impact player. DeJesus is decent, but that's just not enough straight up. Then we lose a little more value in the Cedeno/German swap. I can't imagine the pitching prospect being anyone good enough to make the difference. It's an idea I'd float if I were the Royals GM, but if I'm Hendry I'd say "for a package of decent players, you can get decent prospects. If you want a great prospect, offer a great player." I stated that I'm not sure I would consider the deal, but we (Cub fans)have a tendency to overrate our prospects in trade proposals. I'm a big Pie fan, but unless he starts showing some offensive skills at the major league level, he will lose trade value quickly. Also, Pie is our top prospect, but isn't rated in the "can't miss" category outside of Chicago. Giving up Pie for a left-handed bat or a mediocre starter that's a 3 month rental might be a good idea to win it all in 2008, but it still leaves the same holes for the future. For all of the hopes and wishes of NSBB posters, Cedeno looks to be a utility IF now and in the future for the Cubs. On the other side, DeJesus is still reasonably young (28) and is a solid, cheap CF. I guess I probably wouldn't make the deal, but it's not as bad as it sounds initially.

http://www.ranyontheroyals.com/2008/05/i-had-idea_30.html Proposes trading Pie + Cedeno for DeJesus, German, + pitching prospect. I'm not saying I would do the deal, but he analyzes each player and how the trade would possibly work for both teams. Dejesus isn't the big, impact, lefty bat we were looking for, but he's a solid CF with an attractive contract.

It's not a bad start, but it still won't work. At least not for now. First, Blalock is out with carpal tunnel syndrome in his wrist. He's going to have to come back and show his power before any team gives something of value for him. I also think the Cubs would have to send significant money to the Rangers to get them to take Marquis or they would have to add another player. I was going to add "when healthy" to Blalock's name, but I forgot. I'm not sure why the Cubs would have to send "significant money" to the Rangers to take Marquis since Blalock is making almost as much. Maybe send then $1-2 million.

So the Rangers get 3 pitchers for Blalock? Seems like they should be sending something else to Cleveland. I'm assuming you're counting Marquis as a pitcher. :lol: Usually when I come up with these deals people complain that the Cubs don't give up enough. Maybe the deal could be tweaked a little (Texas sends prospect to Cleveland?), but I think it works out pretty well in solving each team's needs and the money issue isn't too far out of whack for any team. The Cubs' rotation would look pretty good with Zambrano, Lilly, Dempster, Westbrook, Hill/Gallagher/Lieber without giving up anything that would seriously impact the 2008 roster.

It's been awhile since I proposed a 3-way trade, how about: Cleveland gets: Blalock (Rangers) and Murton (Cubs) Texas gets: Marquis, Marshall, and Wuertz (Cubs) Cubs get: Westbrook (Indians) Cubs get a solid starter, Indians get offensive help at corner IF and OF, Rangers get much needed pitching help.

Well, it would be nice for a little dissent to keep the Brewers down. Hope they get frustrated enough to trade Hall. I'm sure there would be a lot of interested teams.

I can't see Hatteberg being free for very long. Somebody will sign him tomorrow.

San Diego is giving up too much. Cleveland too little. I agree with the exact opposite of this. So, you feel San Diego is giving up too little? They are giving up what is probably the best player in the deal and getting back guys with the upside of a #4 starter, a 4th OF, and a middle of the road SS. Then they throw in Giles, who sucks, but still has some value with his OBP. I'll rephrase. I think Cleveland is giving up quite a bit for Khalil Greene and roster filler. If I were San Diego and the trade was for Westbrook instead of our spare parts, I wouldn't hesitate to do it, bad outfield situation be damned. Westbrook may be Cleveland's fourth starter, but he isn't most teams'. No question the Cubs are giving up the least amount. We aren't giving up enough here to justify talking about Westbrook or Greene, regardless of the inclusion of a third team. I used to try to work out trade scenarios where the Cubs ended up with Greene as an upgrade at SS, but I'm not impressed with what he has been showing. He seems to be digressing from a few years ago. I suppose somebody will come up with some stats to show what a great hitter he is away from Petco on Tuesdays in the 4th inning, but his numbers have been going in the wrong direction for quite awhile now.

Teams had wanted to make him an OF for a long time because of how terrible he was at second. The Nationals finally forced the issue because they already had a second baseman. The problem with Soriano right now is that before, he had good range and rather poor instincts. Combined with that great arm, it made him a well above average fielding left fielder. Since he doesn't trust running on his leg, his range is poor and combined with those poor instincts, makes him really bad out there. He can't even use his arm as much out there because he cannot get to balls fast enough for his arm to become a factor. And don't forget that he's afraid of fences and walls. He either stops or starts flinching when he comes within 25 feet of the fence or wall.

Soriano's a good fielder compared to Dunn and Burrell. Fixed!

That will help the Indians' offensive problems.

-Play to his manager's weaknesses, such as Dusty Baker's love of veterans over young players (Neifi Perez over Ronny Cedeno) and Lou Piniella's lack of willingness to platoon guys, despite clear splits (Reed Johnson and Pie). -Are, quite frankly, terrible players who should never have been bench options for this team in the first place (Neifi Perez, Damian Jackson, Jose Macias, etc.). Actually, I find that one of his biggest weaknesses is the fact that he listens to the manager too much about roster issues. I think he acquired some of the over-the-hill and incompetent veterans because his managers didn't feel confident in playing youngsters. Nearly every spring, Hendry has been quoted as saying that 1 or 2 youngsters would be playing important roles on the Cubs only to be shot down by his managers who insist on not giving some of those youngsters the chance to play regularly.

How How about Marquis, Murton, Hoffpaur and one of Gallagher/Marshall/Patterson?

From MLBtraderumors: Cleveland GM Shapiro Ready To Talk Trades The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Joe Maxse writes that Indians GM Mark Shapiro will soon be talking to every team in an effort to upgrade his roster. The Tribe have gotten off to a surprisingly slow start in April and May and currently have a 22-26 record, 4 1/2 games behind the first-place Chicago White Sox. While Shapiro concedes that major trades don't usually occur so early in the season, he's already apparently ready to consider all options: "We will get on the phone with every team in the league, although sometimes a trade of magnitude comes down the road. We will explore everything at this point." The question then becomes "What could Shapiro do". The Indians' pitching staff has been fantastic in 2008, only allowing roughly 3.8 runs per game. But the offense has been lacking, scoring 4.1 per game. Thus far, Grady Sizemore has been the only starter pulling his weight offensively. But does the Cleveland lineup even have any movable parts right now? Do you think Marquis plus Murton would be enough for Westbrook? Maybe adding Hoffpaur would get it done.

Excellent column. I think Bruce was very fair in his analysis. I do think some of the moves that he has made were moves that Baker asked for and he complied. I still think that many of the Hendry-bashers don't realize what a tough (and usually thankless) job it is. As I've stated before, he gets criticized for every move he makes and every move he doesn't make.

If the Mets continue to suck, how about going all out for Maine. I know they wouldn't want to trade him, but it doesn't hurt to ask. They might decide to raise the white flag and start over. Marquis, Gallagher/Marshall, Murton, Hoffpaur for Maine. If they want more, possibly add a player from Veal, Hart, and Patterson. The Mets need to get younger offensively and this deal would give them Murton to replace Alou and Hoffpaur to replace Delgado. Possibly they could trade Alou and/or Delgado by eating most of their contracts and picking up low level prospects in return. Rotation: Zambrano, Maine, Lilly, Dempster, and Hill with Lieber, Gallagher/Marshall, and possibly Hart as backups.

No thanks on Dontrelle. Maybe on Verlander.

The only reasons that I can think of as to why any of these players doesn't make the HOF on the first ballot are: Bonds - Steroids Clemens -Steroids Sosa - speculation of steroids Johnson - short of 300 wins Piazza - poor defense Biggio, Maddux, Martinez, Glavine, Smoltz are all cinch 1st ballot HOF. The numbers would make all 10 of them 1st ballot HOF. Johnson - 4653 K's (soon to be #2 all-time) Piazza - arguably the greatest offensive catcher in the history of the game I'm not saying I would use any of the reasons that I listed, I think those could be excuses for some sportswriters to exclude certain players. I think all 10 should make the HOF on the first ballot.

The only reasons that I can think of as to why any of these players doesn't make the HOF on the first ballot are: Bonds - Steroids Clemens -Steroids Sosa - speculation of steroids Johnson - short of 300 wins Piazza - poor defense Biggio, Maddux, Martinez, Glavine, Smoltz are all cinch 1st ballot HOF. The numbers would make all 10 of them 1st ballot HOF.

Pretty sure Bonds and Piazza will be in the ridiculous class with Sosa, Clemens, and Biggio since they didn't/probably won't play this season. Well, I guess that makes two great classes in a row. The first group certainly will generate some discussion with Bonds, Clemens, and Sosa. Biggio and Piazza should get in on the first ballot while Sosa (because of speculation), Bonds, and Clemens might have to wait. The next year Maddux, Martinez, Smoltz, Glavine, and possibly Randy Johnson could all be eligible. Can you imagine those five in their prime as your starting rotation?

Another name to add to one of the greatest HOF classes ever. Probably Maddux, Smoltz, Martinez, Bonds, Glavine, Piazza, and anyone else that I missed.

If there's an injury to Soriano or Fukudome, the Padres are expected to make Brian Giles available.

Well, he doesn't fit the Giants' profile of 40-year-old has beens. As for Cain, I think he is a pretty good young pitcher, but he's not going to step into the #2 spot in the rotation. For what it would cost for Cain, no thanks.