RedFlash

At this point, even giving Gordon an extension would be a huge mistake.

Absolutely. And what's scary, even with CC and AJ on board, the Yankees rotation is arguably the 3rd best rotation in the AL East.

That's what I'm thinking. I could see Angels offer a deal around Brandon Wood and Nick Adenhart among others to the Padres, and Towers is foaming at the mouth for at the deal and he goes to see if Peavy will waive his NTC, only to watch Peavy reject the trade. It wouldn't surprise me if Peavy/Axelrod tell Towers that it is either the Cubs or he'll stay with the Padres.

Would Peavy even accept a trade to the Angels, if LAA offered an acceptable package to the Padres? Or would Peavy used his NTC to block a trade to LAA?

He might approve a trade to the Angels. All indications are that Peavy wants to remain in he NL. Now if it comes down to staying with the Padres or accepting a trade to the Angels, then yeah it's a no brainer. But there is no guarantee he will accept a trade to the Angels, if he feels the Cubs are still in it.

And then Towers respond with Tommy Hanson, and then a click from the Braves side.

A couple of thoughts: 1: Why pull out so early in the day? 2: Hendry and the Cubs have made it clear that getting a RF was more of a priority then getting Peavy. Perhaps the deal isn't dead, and that the two sides agree to take a break so that they could focus on other needs. I would buy the deal being dead is it was later in the day, but it is not even noon in Las Vegas. 3: I know Hendry has a reputation for being a "straight shooter", but not as a pansy. He remembers that the Orioles organization kept him hanging---part of that was his fault---maybe he wants to control the situation instead of waiting to hear from the Padres. 4: People seem to think that just because you are a "straight shooter" that means you don't use leverage to get what you want. Negotiations is all about leverage, regardless of reputation. That means just because Hendry is a straight shooter, doesn't mean he won't use leverage if it helps him get the player he wants. I'm not ruling anything out, and I hate the word dead in the world of negotiations, because nothing is ever dead until said target is no longer available. Let's face facts, as long as Peavy is still with the Padres he is still available, which means no deal is ever dead. I'm holding out hope, but I am not naive, I know this deal is less likely to happen now, then it do on Monday.

No way. If Bradley misses a month or whatever, then you just slide Fukudome over to RF and play the Johnson/Pie tandem in CF. Heck Hoffpauir could pick up some slack too, if Pie goes in a Peavy deal. The Cubs' depth makes Bradley the first priority even given his injury history. If he's the cheapest of the three, then all the better. Agree. Even if Bradley misses some time due to injury, there's always a low-ceiling, semi-decent producing OF that can be had. Guys liike Matt Diaz, Jay Payton (a 1 yr deal/$1 mill), Gabe Gross, Scott Hairston (perhaps the Cubs can get him included in the deal to replace DeRosa, one way or another), Jody Gerut etc, can be had for a couple of minor leaguer fillers, if you don't like Pie/Johnson. So yes, if the Cubs viiewed Bradley as the best option for RF, regardless of reputation, the Cubs would be wise to sign him over Ibanez and Abreu.

I know.

Agreed.

Plain and simple, I don't see Peavy accept a trade to the AL, and I doubt the Yanks are prepared to rewoork Peavy's deal to make it happen. Nothing here, between the Yanks and Peavy.

We are talking about a 3 way here people. "Heavy" and "sweaty" could have a meaning not dependent of being baseball related. :wink:

:evil: [-X

Jerry Hairston JR fits that bill rather nicely he can play the outfield and SS/2B. He really hit well last season for the Reds it might have been a fluke but for a utility guy we could do a lot worse. The way the bench shapes out will have a lot to do who platoons with Fontento. I prefer going with Jeff Baker as a utility player.

If he's around then that means he's not busy. So maybe it's a good sign that he isn't around.

What if Bruce is busy trying to confirm these sources? This is the 24-hour news cycle and new journalism. "Confirming" sources is an anachronism. :) True, but it seems to me that Bruce will not relay any information about the Cubs and their plans, unless he gets the info straight from the horse's mouth. None of these second hand info. That is not Bruce's style. However, Ken Rosenthal and Bruce Levine are pretty good at that game. These sources are often not second hand. They are people like Kenney, Hendry, etc that just want it to not be attributed to them. I understand that. I merely said that Bruce wouldn't come on NSBB unless he has current info that is legit/confirm by people in the know. It just seems to me that Rosenthal and Levine get a grain of truth and expand it, where as Bruce would rather get the picture from the higher ups, and then best explain what is going on without burning any bridges.

Not bad, but right now I don't see the Cubs even talking to Dunn, unless it's an offer they can't refused. The feeling I get is that Bradley is Hendry's guy for RF, and Ibanez is Lou's guy for RF. So I think you will see the Cubs continue to make a strong pitch for Bradley.

What if Bruce is busy trying to confirm these sources? This is the 24-hour news cycle and new journalism. "Confirming" sources is an anachronism. :) True, but it seems to me that Bruce will not relay any information about the Cubs and their plans, unless he gets the info straight from the horse's mouth. None of these second hand info.

What if Bruce is busy trying to confirm these sources?

Oh, Lord. What is the obsession with opponents trying to out-dbag Florida fan? Please stop. I'd really like to be able to cheer for someone in the MNC game. Why the rush to claim the throne that RedFlash abdicated? In some ways, I am glad the college football season is coming to an end. I mean I know I'm not the only "d-bag" on this site, but atleast I will admit to being a "d-bag." Maybe, sanity will return to this board after January 8. And Hosak, I wasn't holding the crown for "d-bag" there are a couple of posters who are clearly in the running. I won't mention them, but they know who they are, and they know they are as big of "d-bags" as I am.

wait so you are saying that not getting tebow did not hurt alabama? Not in the sense you are thinking. Shula put all of his eggs into one basket with Tebow. Shula spent a night on Tebow's lawn trying to convince him to come to Bama. I never believe Tebow was coming to Bama, but Shula thought he could get him to Bama, and thus he forgo go after after QB prospects. That's how Tebow hurt Bama, he kept Shula hanging on, like some desparate guy trying to hold onto a hot girlfriend.

Trans; The truth: There is no room in this yr's recruiting class for Eric Gordon. It's a great keep for Tennessee, and if he was good enough to get an offer from Saban, then he's good enough for Bama. But like Tebow, I never believe he was coming to Bama. I wanted him to come to Bama, but never felt we had a chance at him, like Marlon Brown. That's fine, I'm not upset. There is one thing you learn about Saban, (and vance can tell you) is that Nick is a tireless coach and recruiter. The best in the business, IMO. If he losses Player A, then he has Player B, C, D, etc, lined up. Losing Gordon doesn't hurt Alabama, losing Tebow did, cause Shula put all of his eggs into one basket and missed on on some good QB prospects..

cue redflash to tell us that alabama didn't really want him anyway I won't say that. Nick Saban wanted him, and so do I. So this is a great win for Kiffin. As much as I would love to have Gordon, there this certain TOP DB prospect in the country I prefer much, much more then Eric Gordon and that Dre Kirkpatrick (#1 DB prospect on rivals, #3 on scout, and #1 on ESPN). This young man is a freak, and could start and/or be the crown jewel of any recruiting class in America. Back on Gordon the kid is an incredible talent, and I mention to dew, (Truffle, you can even ask dew himself) that Kiffin's number 1 and 2 jobs as HC of Tennessee is keeping Gordon and Marlon Brown in state. With that said, Alabama's numbers are closing fast, and Alabama COULD NOT afford a spot in their class to Gordon (especially after the very SURPRISED commitment of Jonathon Atchison), not with talent like Patrick/Kelly/Randle/Cox/Robinson/Bumphis/Norwood/ still available and having schollies saved for them. Make not mistake, Saban and Alabama would have taken Gordon without a doubt, but losing Gordon doesn't hurt Alabama, like not getting Tim Tebow. Sorry Truffle to disappoint you about not given you an "epic" tantrum about not getting Gordon. Alabama is simply at a time where they can afford to turn away good prospects, or not go after them as hard as they once did. I'm not taking anything away from Tennessee, this is a great keep for them, but Alabama have bigger fishes to catch then Gordon.

I won't believe a deal is done until I hear from Howie Mandel.

Correct if me I am wrong to assume the following: If this deal turns into a 3rd, and possibly 4 team trade, could it be reasoned that more then Jake Peavy would be coming to the Cubs?