Backtobanks

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

Kendall can throw out someone like Ward by using the pitcher as a relay man.

While I agree with most of what has been written by other posters, I'm convince that DLee will retire as a Cub, mostly because he is such a high-character guy.

I'm sure he would let them in on such "secrets" as: 1. Don't throw a first pitch fastball to Soriano, especially in the first inning. 2. Pitch DLee away all of the time. 3. Don't kick to Devin Hester. (oops wrong team :lol: )

If they pick up 80% of it ......maybe, otherwise no way unless Hendry can line up someone to take Pierre (with his lower contract obligations) off his hands.

How about a 3-way trade with the Dodgers and Phillies: Cubs trade: Dempster, Marshall, and Ohman to Phillies (desperate for pitching) and Cedeno and Patterson to Dodgers. Phillies trade: Burrell to Dodgers (desperate for a big bat). Dodgers trade: Eithier and Furcal to the Cubs.

They could have had Jacque Jones.

You might have the start of a decent 3-way trade: How about: 1. Cubs trade Marmol to the Dodgers for Eithier. 2. Dodgers trade Kemp, Broxton/Marmol, and Kershaw to the Orioles for Bedard. 3. Orioles trade Tejada to the Cubs for Cedeno, Marshall, Patterson, and Ohman. Cubs Lineup: Soriano..LF Eithier....RF DLee.....1B ARam....3B Tejada...SS Derosa...2B Soto......C Pie......CF Bench: Infante, Theriot, Blanco, Ward, ???? Dodgers get #1 or #2 starter and get to keep one of Broxton/Marmol. Orioles get replacement SS, slugging OF, 2 good relief pitchers, two good future players, and about $15 - $20 million in salary savings.

Since the Dodgers are looking at Bedard and are offering a ton of young talent, how about Hill for Kemp with whatever tweaking that needs to be done? Dodgers Kemp to Orioles? The Dodgers, who have a well-stocked farm system, have been one of the most aggressive suitors for Erik Bedard, according to a team source. Among the players that have been discussed, the source said, are: Matt Kemp, a 23-year-old outfielder; Jonathan Broxton, a 23-year-old reliever; and Clayton Kershaw, a 19-year-old left-handed starter who is regarded as one of the top prospects in baseball. However, those three players reportedly also are being mentioned in trade talks between the Dodgers and Florida Marlins involving the latter's starting third baseman, Miguel Cabrera. -- Baltimore Sun

The Cubs could hire a dozen Asian personal assistants for Fukudome at a lot less money than paying Matsui.

If I was confident that Hendry had the ability to land a decent RF, I might not be making nearly as much noise. I'm glad Jones is gone, but at the same time I wouldn't have minded him as a 4th outfielder if Murton could have been packaged in a deal to improve elsewhere, and as protection for Pie if Pie poops the bed. If I'm the GM, Jones is my insurance policy if I can't get Crawford or Fukudome. Once I have an upgrade in RF locked up, THEN I consider trading him, and only when I feel like I'm getting value in return. Only a day after Jones was traded, Minnesota traded us a PTBNL for Craig Monroe, the right handed version of Jacque Jones. Monroe is set to make nearly as much as Jones in 2008, and the Cubs aren't giving Minnesota any salary relief. Granted, Jones came from Minnesota, and they may not want him back. But, if you are a major league team in need of a cheap outfielder, you really aren't throwing yourself under the bus to trade for Jacque Jones. There will be many teams this offseason trying to position themselves for cheap outfield help like Corey Patterson, Geoff Jenkins, Shawn Green and Luis Gonzalez. Those teams that aren't willing to pay the price or the years to grab what's left of the lousy free agent class towards the end of this offseason might have been willing to cough up a half way decent prospect for Jones. To trade him for the likes of Omar Infante is assinine. With the addition of Infante, the Cubs have now had every crappy utility middle infielder in baseball in the last 10 years. The list is actually quite scary. If that's the best he could get for Jones, then he was better off just keeping him. I'm certainly not convinced that the 2.5-3m savings of not having Jones will be spent wisely. If Prior and Wood are both back and Fukudome is in RF, I'll give Hendry a flyer. But, it will never change the fact Hendry gave Jones away for next to nothing. I would bet that if Wood and Prior were both back and Fukudome is in RF, Hendry would get ripped by the bashers for bringing back two unhealthy pitchers (for too much money) and spending way too much for an unproven RF.

I agree. Anytime there is a hint of a rumor, people have to rant about what a bad decision it would be. After a few minutes to analyze the situation, it isn't as terrible as some are making it out to be. Obviously, Jenkins shouldn't be Hendry's first option, but he's not a bad choice as a reasonably-priced, 3rd-option, platoon player.

I hope the starting pitchers have better records than his projections. With those optimistic offensive numbers the starters ought to have better records.

Take Dontrelle's $8m off their hands. Hill and Gallagher slot into their 2008 rotation, include Pie or Colvin. If you have Soriano in left and Cabrera in right, you don't need much production out of CF for the next few years. It's no guarantee to get outbid. Not everybody is anxious to give up huge amounts of talent, and pay the longterm extension Cabrera will want and does deserve. It can't hurt to get in the discussion. If you have Miggy in RF, you better keep Pie to cover CF and RF.

We match up well with the Rays because they need middle IF and pitching. Maybe we can make a deal without including Hill. Marshall, Cedeno, Theriot/Infante, Veal, and Patterson for Crawford. Marshall steps into their rotation with Veal to follow in a year or two. Cedeno, Theriot/Infante and Patterson take care of the middle IF and utility sub. With their OF prospects, this trade could help them contend by 2009 - 2010.

He'd be great at $20 million for 3 years. Unfortunately, he thinks he's worth $60 - $80 million over 4 - 5 years.

Whatever free agent signings Hendry has up his sleeve, it is obvious he is going to have to make a trade or two because of the "trade bait" on the roster. I would think players like Marshall, Cedeno, Patterson, Fontenot, and Ohman are done as Cubs. Also, I would think Theriot/Infante, Murton, DeRosa, and Marquis are possible trade candidates. Using these players (plus prospects), build a realistic deal (or two) that helps the Cubs.

Brinoch wrote: "I think it'll be important to grade Hendry's body of work for this offseason as a whole, rather than one piece at a time. If trading Jones for Infante means that the Cubs can truly upgrade the offense, then I'm all in favor of it. I still that Hendry's put too much money into marginal deals (See: Blanco, Henry and Marquis, Jason), but it's nice to see him dump Jones, all things considered." Brinoch, I don't know what kind of Cub fan you are coming up with logic and rationality at a time like this. Cub fans must react to every transaction (or rumor) made or not made by Hendry immediately. What kind of world would this be if we waited to see the final result before reacting. Anarchy!

Now that is a scary idea. You would have a stalemate because one group of fans wouldn't like the deal. What if the vote was 2501 - 2499? As others have pointed out, you can't decide if this is a good deal unless you know what other transactions are planned. If the Cubs sign Fukudome (using some of Jones's money) and make a deal for to upgrade at SS usng Cedeno or Theriot as trade bait, suddenly you have an upgrade at SS and RF with a decent utility man (Infante).

Hendry isn't the only GM overspending on relief pitchers. Romero was resigned @ $12 million over 3 years.

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