vance_the_cubs_fan

According Jim Street, Schmidt will likely sign with either the Mariners or Dodgers. Link.

Atlanta would have as much reason to move Jones as Toronto would Wells. It's unlikely that either sign an extension, so both are likley to leave after the 2007 season. Both teams at least want to give the impression of contending, so they will need bonafide talent back in return. I think Atlanta would prefer to move Hudson instead of Jones. They may not be shopping him at all, but how much is Toronto really shopping Wells? Jones has 10-5 rights, so he could veto any trade. Wells doesn't have that. I'm not opposed to Wells. I just believe that if both are available at a near equal price, Jones is the best target.

Yes, but Jones was cut from a different mold than Wells, he was great from the very beginning, when he was 21, and he didn't truly unleash his power potential until 2005, the year he turned 28, the start of his prime years. Wells had an outstanding year last year, and stole more bases than he's ever stole in a single season, and he will be 28 next year. It's not out of line to think that Wells has 40HR and 20SB potential in him (Jones lost his SB ability years ago). Plus, Wells is a career .280 hitter with RISP, Jones .256, not to mention a career .288 hitter period, while Jones is a career .267 hitter I'm not saying Jones is or isn't better, what I'm trying to get at is they're both very similar in regards to talent. Both are young and entering/in their prime, both are big power threats, perenial gold glovers. Wells, in my opinion, is the better hitter. He has more potential to hit .300 each year than Andruw Jones does hitting .280. As far as trading for Wells, I don't think it can be done, especially after they resigned Greg Zaun. Had they let Zaun go, they would've needed a catcher, and they never had a set SS last year, and their bullpen was atrocious. Only way to get Wells from them probably would've been Barrett, Izturis, Eyre/Howry, and Pie. That'd be too much for me First of all, BA with RISP is not a predictive stat. It's far too random to use when trying to predict which player is better. Secondly, let's look at each player's OPS+ from 2002-2006. Wells: 100, 131, 103, 104, 126. Jones: 129, 121, 113, 133, 129 Wells has two good years and three just average or slightly above average years. There's a lot of question whether 2006 was a break-out year for Wells or simply a spike and his true production is more along the 103-106 OPS+ level. Jones has above average years in every year. Even assuming the low range for Jones, he's likely to produce an OPS+ of 113-120. His liklihood of being a better offensive run producer is much greater than Wells. You mention Wells stealing 20 bases, but he's never stolen that many once in his career. His career high of 17 was last season, but that nearly doubled anything he had done previously. It points more to a career year than a trend. Furthermore, stolen bases aren't really that valuable unless you can do so at a high percentage. He has some value as a base stealer, but not enough to make up for the lesser production elsewhere. Jones also brings much more power than Wells. Wells has topped the 500 SLG mark four of the last five years while Wells has only topped it twice. Jones also gets on base better than Wells. Jones has topped the 340 OBP in four of the last six years, while Wells has only done it twice. When looking at the numbers, Jones is consistently a good to very good hitter. Wells has had two good seasons while being league average in the other three. They may both be great hitters going forward, and Wells may out produce Jones, but the safer bet is Jones.

I don't know, man. Three straight Gold Gloves in CF and a solid bat in which you could pretty much count on 100 runs, 30 HR and 80+ RBI in this Cub lineup - not to mention his whole career ahead of him. He'd probably come cheaper than Andruw Jones too. With the instability in positions the Cubs have (Soriano, SS, 2B) in key defensive positions, Vernon Wells would greatly improve this team for years to come. Wells is only slightly younger than Jones. Both are FA after 2007, so whichever is acquired, it would still be a rental. Jones has a much better bat than Wells. Wells career year is similar to Jones' standard year.

According to Ben Maller, the Red Sox are in deep discussions with the Padres regarding Ramirez. One of either Linebrink or Peavy is expected to be included in the deal.

My guess is the Braves would ask for Pie in any deal, but would likely back off that. Pie would have value for the Braves since they will likely lose Jones to free agency next year. While I wouldn't give up Pie in a deal for Hudson, if Jones were included in the deal, I'd be happy to trade Felix.

I'd like to believe that's a possibility but, everything or one the Cardinals touch turns to gold. No doubt, under the tutelage of the great Dave Duncan and in Cardinal Red, Wells will go on to have the season of his life. Including going 4-0, with an ERA and WHIP both under 1, against the Cubs. Duncan's tuteledge didn't do much for Ponson, did it?

I agree that Wells would not be my first choice. I was just posting the information. If I'm renting another CF, I'd much rather take a run at Andruw Jones.

I think the Braves would bite on Hudson for Marshall and Jones.

I think the White Sox trading for him might be what it takes to get Tejada to Chicago.

You have a point: Hudson's ERA + from 2001-2006. 129, 156, 158, 133, 125, 91. Schmidt's ERA + from 2001-2006. 103, 110, 183, 139, 94, 125 Both have one season below average. Schmidt has one phenomenally great season, but Hudson has two excellent seasons as well. Hudson appears to be more consistent. The scary part about Hudson is his dip is his most recent season while Schmidt has shown he could bounce back from his poor season. Hudson has been in decline over the last four years, but if he can bounce back to the 120-130 ERA+ level, he'll likely be as valuable as Schmidt. I'd be very willing to take a chance on Hudson.

Vernon Wells could be moved at any time according to the Toronto Star. He's also been removed from promotions involving tickets for next season. Link.

I like the idea of Hudson combined with Andruw Jones.

If he costs $10m, I'd do it in a heartbeat. If they could deal Jones and get a pitcher, then play Pie in CF and have Murton spell Barry and you have yourself a killer offense. Yes we would. RF Soriano 2b DeRosa 1b Lee LF Bonds 3b Ramirez C Barrett CF Pie SS Izturis That would be a potent line-up. On the days, Bonds sits, Murton plays. While it isn't ideal, the 100 games of that line-up would be devastating.

Any hope that Pie could develop into an Andre-Dawson type player?

Wouldn't it be cheaper in both dollars and prospects to let Barry be Barry in LF instead of letting Manny be Manny?

Larkin would get my vote as would Tim Raines. I think both may struggle to get in which is a shame.

The Denver Post is reporting that Hawpe is off the market. Link.

I was asked this question in Cancun once. Cancun is a wonderful place.

He's not fat, he's just big boned.

I think the NewOrleans Bowl has invited Rice.

The Cubs haven't had a winning season since we let Bako go. You be the judge.

Who dares suggest the great Paul Bako doesn't deserve his own thread? Blasphemy!

It all depends on what the Braves want. I think we could offer quantity if not quality. I think the bigger issue would be Andruw waiving his no-trade rights.

Two lesser free agents in the rotation unless something happens with Schmidt that changes everybody's minds and allows him to come here. For now, they'll pencil Jones in center. If they can find a left-handed bat who can play CF, they'll try to trade Jones. The wild card is Pie. If he tells the Cubs he's ready (by his play, of course), he could be in CF sometime in 2007. The center-field situation is very fluid right now. I expect a lot of activity in Orlando next week. Any chance Andruw Jones gets moved and any chance the Cubs could get him?