CUBZ99

6th in '07 and 6th in '06 in below avg. farm systems. Similar FB velos, but Maine had 4 ML pitches while Olson has 2 ML pitches. Thanks, just checked out his minor league numbers and they were incredible. It looks like a swap of two players that excelled at every level of the minors, but have yet to figure it out in the majors. I like the potential in this trade.

While Olson was in the minors where did he rank on the O's prospect lists? Some at OH seem to think he may be pretty good in the future. Maine comparisons and such.

On his blog, Bruce is stating that things are the same and that Hendry is still waiting for a new owner to be chosen.

I'd think they'd each probably go for minor leaguers of varying quality. Cubs have interest in lefty relievers, so anybody who could throw left-handed and has even sniffs upper minors, they might go for that. Rotation is also shallow, so if they could get somebody who might be some kind of a minor-league insurance guy, perhaps better than Atkins, that could make sense. Or if they can't get somebody who's good enough for even those kinds of roles, just take whatever low-minors guy they can who has a chance to become a major-leaguer later. I'd think the guys have different values. Somebody will take Cedeno to be in the majors: I'd think he might bring back a prospect who could crack our top-20 list. Pie, maybe about the same, although perhaps lesser. Cedeno's limited offense is more acceptable at SS than Pie's no-offense is in outfield. Hill is a total wildman at this point, and a head case besides, so I don't think you're going to get anybody who would crack our top 30 for him. Probably get some 24-year-old A-ball wildman or something. Hill's case is really sad. It would be nice if the Cubs would try him out as a loogy in spring training, they have nothing to lose at this point his value could not be lower.

I don't see Pie as a deal breaker. Given how Pie's value is right now, I expect that they would get a minor league filler at the lower levels. Even with a bad Cubs' system, I would be thrilled if whomever they get would come close to cracking the top 30. Cedeno prob. has the most value of the 3. Trading Pie at this point is ignorant. Trading him for major league filler is even more ridiculous. I don't understand the rush to get rid of a guy that 1)is cheap 2) plays excellent defense 3) has proven himself at every level so far. Give the guy a chance already. If one of the OF's get hurt I would much rather give the time to Pie and see what he can do, than play some career backup.

Did Hendry get booed?

Chris De Luca doesn't have a clue.

But does he bat left handed?

Still what is the point? So freaking Taguchi? A minor league deal should have been enough.

$900,000!!! Hendry is losing it.

Interesting question, Bruce's article says "completes the sale" also. My guess is that once the winning bid is announced that Hendry will get approval from the soon to be owner. Earlier articles have stated that Peavy's contract this year is not the problem, but Hendry wants the approval for the years after that before proceeding.

From Chicagosports.com. More verification of what we suspected.

Unless Hendry has Peavy in his back pocket and is just waiting for the announcement of a new owner, his comments on Marquis make absolutely no sense at all. If Hendry has a trade ready for Peavy, all of these perceived dumb moves (picking up Gaithright, trading Derosa, looking to sign Aurillia, trading Marquis, looking to get rid of Pie and Cedeno..) start to at least explainable. But to trade Marquis for a subpar reliever and then to say that it is going to be hard to replace Marquis and that your still looking for a 5th starter? Something isn't adding up. An alternative explanation would be that he is strapped for cash and really wanted Miles. Which would be just as perplexing. Yeah, I don't buy that. Hendry has made some questionable moves, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt on that one.

Unless Hendry has Peavy in his back pocket and is just waiting for the announcement of a new owner, his comments on Marquis make absolutely no sense at all. If Hendry has a trade ready for Peavy, all of these perceived dumb moves (picking up Gaithright, trading Derosa, looking to sign Aurillia, trading Marquis, looking to get rid of Pie and Cedeno..) start to at least explainable. But to trade Marquis for a subpar reliever and then to say that it is going to be hard to replace Marquis and that your still looking for a 5th starter? Something isn't adding up.

moot And if you think honoring your word is uptight, then, well, whatever. And it's moot because it would be absurd if it happens. Sorry, but you're wrong. It is not a generally accepted practice to back out on a contract to coach a football team a day later. If he did it, it would be a douchey move, just like when Belichik bolted on the Jets minutes before his introduction to the press and New England had to give up draft picks. I once committed to working at a firm, and passed up several other better job offers during my last year in school. I moved my family out of state and "kept my word" only to find out that after I had moved the firm was dissolving. Although things worked out great for me and I see your point, each person has to make their own decision and I don't see how MinnesotaCubs move was douchy. I'm sure if the firm that just hired him was contacted by someone "better" who would make them more money they would not hesitate to withdraw their job offer. Random firms dissolving are not the same as an NFL franchise. If you work in an industry where offers are withrawn after you accept, that's a product of a poorly run industry, and not at all related to an NFL coach accepting a coaching position and then looking for a new job the next day, which apparantly didn't happen here, in part because that is not an accepted practice for a "guy just doing what's best for him and his family." I work in the same industry you do, unless I misread and your not an attorney.

Bruce has a post in Cubs discussions that discusses this issue.

I hope that Hendry has a Peavy deal in his back pocket and is ready to move on it as soon as the Cubs get a new owner. It was a good read, even as depressing as it was. I love the idea of having Marmol as the closer, but to have to compete with Kevin Gregg for the role? And unless Gregg puts together a career year, the Cubs are really going to miss Woody. Is Hendry worried about the depleted bullpen? Gregg, Cotts, & Gaudin doesn't exactly sound like a shut down bullpen in the late innings. And would a person be wrong to think that Rothschild's comments tend to be wishy washy because the Cubs actually prefer Shark in the late innings and don't want to necessarily frustrate Shark for wanting to start? Finally, Hendry's comments on Pie are discouraging. Pie has done nothing but produce at every level in the minors. I'm not an entitlement type of person, but where was the harm in giving him an actual shot at improving at the big league level? The Cubs could have eased him into the CF role instead of making hasty decisions based on 10 or so starts. I will not be surprised if Pie is traded and then excels after getting an opportunity to adjust to the mlb.

moot And if you think honoring your word is uptight, then, well, whatever. And it's moot because it would be absurd if it happens. Sorry, but you're wrong. It is not a generally accepted practice to back out on a contract to coach a football team a day later. If he did it, it would be a douchey move, just like when Belichik bolted on the Jets minutes before his introduction to the press and New England had to give up draft picks. I once committed to working at a firm, and passed up several other better job offers during my last year in school. I moved my family out of state and "kept my word" only to find out that after I had moved the firm was dissolving. Although things worked out great for me and I see your point, each person has to make their own decision and I don't see how MinnesotaCubs move was douchy. I'm sure if the firm that just hired him was contacted by someone "better" who would make them more money they would not hesitate to withdraw their job offer.

Fair enough.

My friend got the same email. I get all the media alerts from the Cubs front office and they haven't issued anything to the press at this time. I guess nobody picked up on the whole friend/cousin bit from Cubs.com message board. Some guy on the Cubs.com board is claiming to have inside knowledge through a friend or cousin and is taking severe abuse for his claims. I should have made the post in green.

You're always there to kick us back down, aren't you Bruce. :-)) Bruce is obligated to report the good and the bad. It just so happens that lately it is more bad than good.

My cousin got the same email. Have they introduced Luis Vizcaino? Edited to change friend to cousin.

My friend got the same email.

Exactly, anybody who thinks otherwise is just overreacting or complaining to complain. The Cubs aren't stupid they know Mark DeRosa is alot better then Aaron Miles. Mark DeRosa hit 275/367/842 against RH pitching(also hit well in the playoffs), so it's not like his bat was killing us against RH pitching. Miles was brought in to help Fontenot and back up other infield postions. He wasn't brought in to play everyday, or replace DeRosa. The Cubs decided to go with Fontenot/Miles over DeRosa, and save money to use towards Bradley and another SP. Exactly, Hendry said as much in every interview he has given since the trade. He constantly says that he wants to give the younger talent (Fontenot) a chance.

The Good Bruce did say yesterday that the Peavy trade was still alive according to his sources with the Cubs.