vance_the_cubs_fan

Ahhngeeeeeez!

What's happening for those of us stuck at work?

I understand that completely. And it's why I want to know more of what we have in Cedeno before I give up Marshall and likely Pie to get Tejada. If Cedeno can play SS at a high level, then I'd rather focus my energies in improving the offense in other places.

Cubs Game Notes

He was clearly just clarifying who he was. I thought he was stating his intentions for a date.

The situation with the O's is actually somewhat less favorable than you're letting on Vance. Not only would the O's have no interest in our main veteran trade chips (Maddux, Williamson, etc.), but their farm system's depth is pretty much parallel to ours... several nice pitching prospects, but a scant few high-end position guys, and almost nothing that's approaching ML-ready. Consequently, if they were to move Tejada, a package consisting of at least 1 or 2 promising bats that could step in virtually right away would likely be the requirement. That's not something the Cubs could provide nearly as readily as several other teams... if they were so inclined, of course. I agree. I'm pretty sure Pie would have to be a part of any deal that nets Tejada. That's partially why I'm not in favor of the move. I'm not sure Tejada is a big enough upgrade over Cedeno to make a difference this year. If that's the case, it's a very high price to pay for a player that isn't going to get us into the playoffs.

He's hitting .273/.308/.482 overall, really bad. He's hitting .319/.351/.571 vs RHP, which is really good. He's a bad everyday corner OF, but a good platoon guy. Yes. He would be an excellent OF if he never had to face a LHed pitcher. A Craig Wilson/Jacque Jones platoon might rate as some of the best RF production in the league.

If the Marlins decided they wanted to trade Cabrera, yes. I also think his value could be high enough to get Milledge from the Mets. I wonder if the Devil Rays would trade the toubled Young for him... :-k

Seconded

I agree that he should be given some slack for not being here....but maybe he should refrain from claiming hindsight when he wasn't around to know whether it is or it isn't.

Welcome to the forum. We all wish Micah the best, or at least I do. You're post just now is an excellent glimpse into what it's like to be a minor league baseball player. Micah is living a dream that many of us wish we could. And in regards to that last line, if he wants to live the dream, hope and pray that he does get the chance. I wish that god had blessed me with more talent to play the game that I can only watch and appreciate. When you speak with Micah or if you get the chance to pass on the message through his wife, wish him all the luck in the world. I encountered him when the DJaxx played in Mississippi and he was extremely personable and friendly. He's an easy player to cheer for and I wish him the best. (Also...I'm happy that my guess was right. I meant nothing facetious in the guess as one poster implied.)

He's making 9 million right now. So to get him this year in a year that does them no good isn't really any cheaper than them adding that 4.5 + million to their offer in the fall. Maddux has value, just not to a team like the Orioles. Williamson has value in a trade, but also, not to a team like the Orioles. If the Orioles trade Tejada, it's because they've given up on this season. It also means they've likely given up on next season. Maddux and Williamson would not be players they would want. Contending teams would be very interested in those two. Baltimore would not. Restovich, they could've had when we exposed him to waivers. They don't want him. So, the deal is Wuertz, Hill + Cedeno...and that is no dice. The Orioles would have NO interest in Maddux and Williamson. I can pretty much guarantee that.

The Orioles would have no interest in Maddux. Like the Cubs, they aren't contending this year and so why would they want a pitcher who can and will bolt at the end of the season? Also, Williamson is juts like Maddux. He's an impending FA as well. That makes the deal Cedeno + Hill/Guzman for Tejada which the Orioles would shoot down in a second.

If the Cubs hadn't be woefully bad, I could see them seizing on the opportunity to trade Marshall for a big time bat. As it is, I think that Miller will either work out of the pen upon his return or Marshall will be sent down to start. If the Cubs climb back into the chase for a playoff spot (highly unlikely), Marshall will be the name other teams ask for when dealing with the Cubs.

Olin Wick cardholders everywhere rejoice. I think Olin Wick holds all his cards now.

I've got the TiVo set so I can watch this one when I get home!

I passed the 9000 mark in votes today. I still need you help though. Vote early, vote often.

The two most recent wins not withstanding, I still don't think this is a contending team. For that reason, I'm not in favor of trading young players for older players at this time. If we're going to make trades, we need to trade away veterans who are not part of our long term plans, particularly those not signed beyond 2006. We have a season to evaluate players like Marshall, Cedeno, Murton and others to see whether they should be part of the long term goals or whether they should be moved in the offseason to retool the team to contend in 2007 and beyond. While I agree that Tejada is signed beyond 2006 and could be helpful even if we do not contend this year, and I'll also concede that Tejada is likely to be more productive than Cedeno in 2007-2009, I'm not sure exactly what we have in Cedeno. As far as cost per marginal wins, it may be better for the Cubs to keep Cedeno and upgrade elsewhere. Cedeno will be cheap for at least the next 2-3 years, and if he can provide adequate production from his position at that price, it might be best to improve the team in other places and use the young players we have to trade for players that will do that. If the Cubs were contenders this year and were likely only one bat away from a serious run, I'd be all for the upgrade from Cedeno to Tejada and be quite willing to spend the capital of Marshal and others to get him. Since, I think the Cubs are likely a middle of the pack team with or without Tejada, I'd prefer not to spend the capital on a player when the capital might be better spent in the offseason when we will have a better picture of the player Cedeno could be.

Blind Squirrell Met Nut.

Good start to this game. I'd love for us to keep this up through the weekend.

I'd like to see Ribee and the Care Bears in a Royal Rumble.

I really like Scott. When I watched the Jaxx play in Mississippi, he had some really nice games. I hope that he's for real, but I would think we should be cautiously optimisitc.

Micah, Congrats on the call-up. How does it feel to be one more step closer to realizing the dream of being a major league baseball player? Also, you've played already at both AA and AAA. What's the difference in the two levels? What have you learned since your last time in Iowa that you think will help you this time around?

Let me guess...either brother-in-law or sister-in-law..?

I saw his last error in Mississippi. He made a play on a ball that took him into foul territory. He should have held on to it and allowed the infield hit, yet he tried to make a throw and hit the top of the first base dugout with his throw. That one was more a poor decision than anything else.