Backtobanks

Let's correct the situation and deal Infante for Hunter plus cash.

I think it would be easier for the Cubs to do the deal than it would be for the Dodgers or Angels. The Dodgers and Angels prospects rank higher than the ones the Cubs would be giving up. Hill is the best player in the deal and the Cubs would have to move to replace him somehow, but a line-up that includes Soriano, Lee, Ramirez, Cabrera (and I'm not uncertain that I wouldn't want that to be the 1-4 in the line-up) would be very, very potent. It would hurt, but I'd probably make the deal. Why would it be easier for the Cubs to make the deal than the Angels? The Angels would be giving up a sub OF and three prospects, in other words not affecting their current team. The Cubs would be giving up their #3 starter (with the potential to be #2), their current RF, their "lights out" late relief man, and one of their top OF prospects. That would leave 2 big holes in the pitching staff for the current team.

Let's wait until the winter is over before naming the worst GM in Chicago. Personally, I think KW will prove his claim to the title by spring.

There has been a lot of discussion about players like Fukudome, Bradley, Church, and Hamilton. All of these players could play RF and fill in at CF if needed. Also, a player like Fukudome could play CF against a tough lefty with Murton in RF and then go back to RF when facing a right-handed pitcher and let Pie play CF.

This discussion goes back to a point I've been trying to make for years. Since some writers go by the definition of MVP meaning most valuable to the team, while others go by the definition of best player in the league, there ought to be two seperate awards. MVP would be the player most valuable to their team picked from players on teams finishing 1st or 2nd in their division. Player of the Year would be the best player picked from any team. As you can see by my screen name, I was a big fan of Ernie Banks who was MVP in 1958 and 1959 for last place teams. How valuable could he have been since the team finished last? He should have been named Player of the Year.

Who's side are you on? We have enough 2B, but no SS.

I don't remember where I read it a few weeks ago, but I read something about Griffey will finish his career in Cincinnati. Actually, I always thought getting Griffey would be a great fit, but something would have to be worked out on all of that deferred money.

Thank God! I was afraid we wouldn't have a 2B to start the season. :lol:

There's no way that happens. Cabrera plays the most important position very effectively. They will try to trade Crede because of the uncertainty of his back and they have Fields to play 3B. Uribe will either move to 2B or be traded.

While the sportswriters in the Tribune are gushing about this deal, I think the best part of it for the White Sox is getting money back in addition to Cabrera. The articles talk about "rebuilding", but I can't see how the WS can contend in 2008 when they have holes in LF, starting rotation (#3,#4,#5), and bullpen (3-4 spots) (assuming they will sign a CF). I think a better deal with the Angels would have been Garland for Aybar and Santana (assuming it would have been offered). The deal I suggested would really have them rebuilding for 2009 instead of pretending in 2008 with Thome and Dye getting older and pitchers like Danks, Floyd, and Gonzalez more experienced.

Bruce Levine was on CLTV's Sports Page last night and said that he thought the Sox would sign Hunter soon and would free up some money by trading Garland or Konerko. Well, they did trade Garland and made a few million and we'll have to wait and see on the Hunter issue.

Any deal that Hendry makes from now on has to include 1-2 crappy middle IF going to the other team to clear up our surplus.

Baseball made a lot of money in 2007....get ready for some outrageous money to be thrown around on some pretty average players. Baseball makes a ton of money every year and all the talk about GMs holding the line is always bs. The low-budget teams are just pocketing all the profits for the owners instead of spending it on players.

All of our discussion about the Cubs trading DLee to the Dodgers made me wonder if the White Sox ought to seek the same kind of deal. Sox trade Konerko and Crede to the Dodgers for Loney and Kemp. If Crede is healthy, the Dodgers get two sluggers and fill their hole at 3B. Of course, if that doesn't work there's always the other LA team: Konerko and Crede for Kotchman, Santana, and Aybar/Wood. All of this is predicated on the Sox signing Hunter for CF and needing some money.

Hendry missed out on another crappy middle IF =D> : A's Trade Scutaro To Jays Billy Beane made a deal with one of his former employees today, shipping utility infielder Marco Scutaro to the Blue Jays for a pair of minor league arms. We know that Billy often values certain players more than others, so let's see what he got in return. Kristian Bell, an 11th round pick in 2004, struggled in Advanced A ball this year, posting a 5.33 ERA in 77.2 innings. He struck out just 5.33 per nine, and didn't even own a 2:1 K/BB ratio. This was the first year that his HR/9 rate climbed above 0.50 -- all the way to 1.04. It would appear that he's a sinkerballer, having a 1.85 groundout to flyout ratio. The other player, Graham Godfrey, is another groundball guy, with a 1.97 groundout to flyout ratio. He strikes out guys at a slightly better clip than Bell, and kept his BB/9 under 3.00 (2.93) in 2007, his first year of professional ball. I don't have much further information on these two guys. Anyone who does, feel free to email me or leave it in the comments. A final thought occurred to me: Could Scutaro and John McDonald be used in some kind of platoon setting? Scutaro was actually a lot better than Johnny at the plate last year, and isn't lacking with the glove. Plus, they should make comparable salaries this year. McDonald will make $1.9 million in 2008 (and 2009), while Scutaro is due a raise over his $1.55 million 2007 salary.

A couple more years and the Yankees will be like the Giants.

Last word on rotoworld was that he probably wouldn't be back by ST...and its not a torn MCL and a torn meniscus. And he had elbow surgery to remove loose bodies. Personally, I love to have loose bodies floating around me. My original post was to get Hamilton or Scott (let me add Church) to complement Murton and/or Pie and then add Bradley. Bradley being available later might work to our advantage. The Cubs could see if Pie is able to hit at the major league level and, if not, pick up Bradley for less money (half a season). If he really struggles in the first half, a player like Hamilton or Church can help out in CF. I think you might be selling Hamilton short a bit. Assuming he's healthy and clean, he's gonna be a monster. I doubt the Reds would hand him over to the Cubs without being blown away. (Think Hill +) Scott is totally available, though, and suits that role perfectly. If we don't get the eff you Japanese dude I'd prefer Scott by a large margin over Geonkins. I have seen rumors that Hamilton might be traded because they have a glut of outfielders, but I don't know what the cost might be. Another very interesting name might be Seth Smith from the Rockies. Right now he's pretty much 3rd string in their OF, but he would certainly be what the doctor ordered as a young, cheap, left-handed, power hitting corner OF. I think they could use a 2B and pitching. Start with an offer of Theriot/Cedeno/Infante (their choice) or Ohman. Perhaps both? Either way the players mentioned are spare parts. Hendry could trade Matsui to Colorado for Smith after he gets him signed. We could trade Matsui plus a backup 2b for Smith and still have four 2B left.

In Sunday's Tribune, Phil Rogers suggested that the Matsui speculation might lead to more time for DeRosa in RF. DeRosa is a valuable piece to this team as the regular 2B or a super-sub. Unless Murton is part of some future deal, Murton will outperform DeRosa in RF. Either get Fukudome or a lefty platoon for Murton (Luke Scott, Seth Smith, Ryan Church, etc.). I'm still not sure what Hendry is going to do with his overabundance of middle infielders, especially if the Matsui/Castillo speculation is true. Hopefully he can find a trade partner that needs four 2B in return for a real SS or RF.

What could the Red Sox give up for Lee that would help us this year? Drew is the only guy on the team that could help and might be available, but it would take a lot more than Drew to get Lee. You have to remember that the Cubs consider themselves contenders, so they're not going to trade their #3 hitter for prospects. The only other possibility would be to involve a third team where we might get Drew from the Red Sox and another player from the third team while the Red Sox send prospects to the third team. In any case, not going to happen. Lee will retire a Cub.

Last word on rotoworld was that he probably wouldn't be back by ST...and its not a torn MCL and a torn meniscus. And he had elbow surgery to remove loose bodies. Personally, I love to have loose bodies floating around me. My original post was to get Hamilton or Scott (let me add Church) to complement Murton and/or Pie and then add Bradley. Bradley being available later might work to our advantage. The Cubs could see if Pie is able to hit at the major league level and, if not, pick up Bradley for less money (half a season). If he really struggles in the first half, a player like Hamilton or Church can help out in CF. I think you might be selling Hamilton short a bit. Assuming he's healthy and clean, he's gonna be a monster. I doubt the Reds would hand him over to the Cubs without being blown away. (Think Hill +) Scott is totally available, though, and suits that role perfectly. If we don't get the eff you Japanese dude I'd prefer Scott by a large margin over Geonkins. I have seen rumors that Hamilton might be traded because they have a glut of outfielders, but I don't know what the cost might be. Another very interesting name might be Seth Smith from the Rockies. Right now he's pretty much 3rd string in their OF, but he would certainly be what the doctor ordered as a young, cheap, left-handed, power hitting corner OF. I think they could use a 2B and pitching. Start with an offer of Theriot/Cedeno/Infante (their choice) or Ohman. Perhaps both? Either way the players mentioned are spare parts.

Last word on rotoworld was that he probably wouldn't be back by ST...and its not a torn MCL and a torn meniscus. And he had elbow surgery to remove loose bodies. Personally, I love to have loose bodies floating around me. My original post was to get Hamilton or Scott (let me add Church) to complement Murton and/or Pie and then add Bradley. Bradley being available later might work to our advantage. The Cubs could see if Pie is able to hit at the major league level and, if not, pick up Bradley for less money (half a season). If he really struggles in the first half, a player like Hamilton or Church can help out in CF.

I'm about ready to look at some players that could be obtained at a lower cost for RF. I would think a trade for Josh Hamilton or Luke Scott (to platoon with Murton) would be very affordable (in players and money). In addition to one of these players, signing Milton Bradley would give the Cubs lots of versatility and some bats off the bench. That would leave lots of money and tradeable parts to go after an expensive SS (Tejada, Furcal, Young).

And as an added bonus, if Hendry would hurry up and make the deal, it might stop Hendry from signing Matsui.

Everybody wants out of Marquis' contract and he's certainly replaceable (Marshall/Gallagher). As for Cedeno, he would be replaced by Greene. The money saved on Marquis' contract could help pay for Fukudome (or some other RF bat). If everybody agrees the Cubs are giving up too much for Greene by including DeRosa, then make it: Marquis to the Nationals Greene to the Cubs Church & Cedeno to the Padres

How about a 3-way deal: Cubs send: Marshall/Marquis to the Nationals; Derosa and Cedeno to the Padres Nationals send: Ryan Church to the Padres Padres send: Greene to the Cubs Cubs improve dramatically at SS Nationals improve pitching Padres improve offense at CF and 2B with decrease at SS