vance_the_cubs_fan

This did not stop Torre and Francona taking several Yankees and Red Sox when they were the managers of the AL. But Torre and Francona didn't flaunt the fact that they did and could do so. Sometimes it isn't so much what you do, but the perception you give in doing so.

Ozzie doesn't realize that he's screwing his guys in the future. Teams always take their guys, but Ozzie has made a point to flaunt it. When a manager of one of the snubs is in his position, they are likely to take retribution by choosing other players over Ozzie's.

We're gonna lose. There's always at least two losses between every win for this team.

Why does it matter? He helps them this year and then is a free agent. We aren't competing for the division this year, so who wins it shouldn't matter one iota. If we were trading someone who could help them long term, then that might be a valid argument. As it is, the trade would likely come back to haunt them more than us as Maddux helps them in a year that we aren't going anywhere while whoever we get could be a useful cog in the future. I doubt we get Broadway and Anderson. Probably one, not both. There's a reason I didn't include Howry, Eyre, and Dempster. They all could be a part of the team next year since they are under contract. However, if the White Sox offered a nice package for one of them, I have no problem trading with an AL team. Trading with the White Sox is no different than trading with the Rangers.

But if you take away his bunt hits....ah forget it. Not liking it doesn't make it go away corey's numbers aren't the only thing that's true of Sorry for pointing out the truths some people can't/don't want to accept. I think Dobson's statistics pretty much debunked your whole premise. But if you want to keep thinking that Patterson's renaissance is only due to bunt hits, go right ahead. It makes about as much sense as your claim that it has helped his SLG%.

While I appreciate Bruce's input, I had already come to the same conclusion. So, Bruce what do you forsee happening in regards to this team unloading players?

I like LSU in the SEC, but that shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

But if you take away his bunt hits....ah forget it.

didn't bill simmons write an article once basically saying he thought wade boggs wasn't that great because he walked all the time? I think he wrote something along the lines of "not a franchise player" because he was an OBP guy, not a run producer, but I can't remember fully. I guess that just begs the question of whether or not HRs/SLG are needed for a guy to be considered a franchise player. Ichiro doesn't really have them, but I would argue that Ichiro brings more to the table than did Boggs or Gwynn. ichiro might bring more different things to the table, but when it comes to the main course, boggs was showing up with filet mignon and ichiro's got a sirloin. I always thought Boggs was a chicken kinda guy... Margo Adams agrees that Boggs is all beef.

I don't think that's likely. Ellis recently came off the DL and he's probably a better hitter as well as a better fielder. Ellis is a better fielder, but he's not a better hitter. 2006 Ellis: 231/307/329/636 Walker: 293/366/382/748 Career Ellis: 271/343/402/745 Walker: 291/349/437/786

I'd just like to note that in the same pic, the guy in the Brewers cap and glasses was a pretty cool guy. I'd much rather have a drink with him than the prick in the Lee jersey.

3. Todd Walker. This one is tough for me. Walker is a personal favorite and I would love to keep him beyond this season. Howver, when a season is in the crapper like this one, any player not a part of the long term plans has to be viewed as tradeable. Detroit has been known to be looking for a left-handed bat. They would prefer Cliff Floyd (whom the Mets said would not be traded) or Bobby Abreu (who may or may not be on the market.) If the Tigers move on to lesser targets, they might be willing to focus on Walker. Walker would give the Tigers a left-handed bat they could use at DH and they could also use him to spell Polanco at second or Shelton at first. With the promotion of Zumaya and Veerlander this season, Detroit doesn't have the top prospect we would desire, but Walker likely doesn't command such a price as well. Walker might be more valuable if the Cubs paired him with a bullpen arm. Todd Jones is about to pitch himself out of the closer's role, and while Zumaya or Rodney are capable replacements, the Tigers might have some interest in Williamson. Kyle Sleeth was once a talented prospect for the Tigers and has suffered some injuries. He might be a high risk/high reward type of target in dealing with Detroit. The Mets could be another destination for Walker. A Walker for Victor Diaz swap could be in order. The Mets might also have some interest in Maddux, so packaging the two vets may be able to get the Mets to offer both Diaz and Anderson Hernadez or another package of prospects. A third possible place for Walker could be Oakland. His skills would be more valued by Beane than most GM's. Oakland could use a more offensive secondbaseman and Walker fits the bill.

fixed

2. Greg Maddux- Trading Maddux is trickier than trading Pierre. The Cubs may feel it's a bad PR move to let the popular veteran go a second time. On the other hand, Maddux's agent is Scott Boras. It isn't likely Maddux is going to sign quickly and the arbitration deadline is going to be tricky to navigate, so it might be best for the Cubs to get something for him than wait too late and get nothing. Waiting too late may be what the Cubs have already done, however. Maddux's value is dropping faster than your Beanie Baby collection did in the late nineties. There may be a few teams (namely those in the NL West) that will want the veteran down the stretch, but while the Cubs might have commanded a top prospect in late May or early June for Maddux, that isn't likely to happen now. So where could Maddux go? As much as it makes me cringe, how about St. Louis? The injury to Mulder has forced Ponson back into the rotation. Would LaRussa and Duncan feel more comfortable with Maddux on the hill. The Cardinals would have a good defense behind him and Maddux may fit in well with that team. If Maddux were packaged with Scott Williamson would the Cardinals sweeten the pot to include one of their better prospects in either Colby Rasmus or Tyler Greene? Another possible destination for Maddux could be San Diego. George Kottaras might be a decent target if we send Maddux that direction. Arizona also could be a prime destination for Maddux. The Diamondbacks need pitching and have a very deep farm system. Carlos Gonzalez would be my target and the Cubs likely have to sweeten the deal beyond Maddux to get him. A bullpen arm like Williamson, Wuertz, or Ohman might do the trick. The Dodgers might also have interest as would the Mets. After dealing Pierre, Maddux would be the second to go on my list.

It's time to look at the market again and try to assess what the Cubs should do in regards to it. I've come up with three simple categories: buyers, sellers, and bubble. To be considered a seller, the team must meet both of the criteria (and I admit it's rather arbitrary). 1. Be within 8 games of a playoff spot (Either division or wild card). 2. Be no more than two games under .500 If a team met both, I consider them a buyer. If a team met none, they became a seller. If a team met one or the other, I put them on the bubble. Buyers (In no particular order): 1. Boston Red Sox 2. NY Yankees 3. Toronto Blue Jays 4. Detroit Tigers 5. Chicago White Sox 6. Minnesota Twins 7. Oakland A's 8. Seattle Mariners 9. Texas Rangers 10. NY Mets 11. St. Louis Cardinals 12. Houston Astros 13. SD Padres 14. Colorado Rockies 15. SF Giants 16. LA Dodgers 17. Arizona Diamondbacks 18. Cincinnatti Reds Sellers 1. Baltimore Orioles 2. Tampa Devil Rays 3. Cleveland Indians 4. KC Royals 5. Atlanta Braves 6. Washington Nationals 7. Pitates 8. Cubs Bubble 1. Milwaukee Brewers- My guess here is that they become sellers and realize that with the right moves they will be a tough team next season. 2. LA Angels- I figure they will buy in an attempt to get back into a weak AL West race. 3. Phillies- I figure they become sellers as it seems that Gillick never liked the team he took over and will use the lacksidascial play as a way to blow it up and begin with the players of his choosing. 4. Marlins- I don't expect them to sell (They don't have much left to sell, but they likely won't buy either.) So, after looking at that list, a little over half the teams are going to be in buying mode this year. What do the Cubs have to sell? 1. Juan Pierre. Pierre should be the Cubs first priority in the market. First, we paid dearly for him, so getting something back is a necessity. Secondly, there will be teams that might think he's just the spark they are looking for. He's hitting a little better lately and that could improve his value for teams in need of a CF/lead-off threat. Would the White Sox be willing to supplant Anderson with Pierre and could the Cubs get Lance Broadway for him? If the Cubs could net Broadway from their cross-town rivals, that would at least replace some of the pitching they paid to get Pierre. Another team that might have an interest in Pierre could be the Rockies. Right now, they aren't getting much production from CF with Freeman and Sullivan splitting time. Add to that their catching production is dismal, packaging Pierre with Blanco might get the Cubs a better return. Colorado might be more than willing to let the Cubs have Ryan Shealy in a deal for Pierre. While Shealy doesn't really have a spot in Chicago's line-up, he might be a nice trade chip to have in the offseason. I'd also have some interest in Franklin Morales, Chris Nelson, or Chris Iannetta. The Mariners had interest in Pierre this offseason and Reed is hardly setting the world on fire as of late. They might would like to get Pierre to pair with Ichiro at the top of the order. In fact, the Mariners might be willing to send Reed back in a package for Pierre and the Cubs could hope the young CF rebounds in Chicago.

This article takes the viewpoint that Barrett is the biggest snub of all the All-Star snubs. (I think it's Liriano followed by Schilling, but at least it is debateable.)

Nice quote here from Keith Law of Scouts Inc. Link

I love the comments. I wish he hadn't backed off of them.

Somehow I don't think we're making it to 500 by August 2.

Didn't look hard enough, I posted that on the first page :D :oops:

I'm going to say this for the first of many times this year...Geaux Tigers!

Haven't seen this posted anywhere, but from the Trib

That list should include Pierre, Williamson, Maddux, Blanco, Nevin, and Mabry.

Link Congrats, Todd!

I'm all for trading Ced Landrum...oops...I mean Pierre, whether we have Pagan around or not.