DeRosa to Play in WBC

Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated, but I am finally feeling somewhere close to normal finally. I know you were all worried. 

A whole lot of nothing going on, but Ken Rosenthal is reporting that Mark DeRosa will play in the WBC. I know we were alll waiting for that shoe to drop. Kosukue Fukudome had already been named to play for Team Japan.

In two-day rumors news, Dave Kaplan on WGN radio reported that Adam Dunn's first choice is to play with the Chicago Cubs at a "fair offer". The Cubs first choice is to have Adam Dunn play somewhere else and sign Milton Bradley. The other rumor is that somehow Tim Redding is possibly holding up Jason Marquis getting traded. It seems whomever "loses out" on signing Tim Redding between the Rockies and Mets may pursue our dear fifth starter.

I'll slowly get back in the flow as the week goes on...otherwise enjoy the holidays.

Tags: 
Cubs rumors
Mark DeRosa
Submitted by Rob G. on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 12:22pm
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Comments

Submitted by JD
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 12:52pm

When the choice is between Tim Redding and Jason Marquis, can you call anyone a "loser"?

The answer is "yes. yes, you can". You could probably call all the teams involved "loser". It becomes tricky, however, when you try to decide the "winner".

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 1:48pm

I thought my use of quotes around loser implied all that...get with the lingo.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 1:08pm

Tim Redding: 10-11, 182 IP, 120K/65BB, 4.95 ERA, 1.429 WHIP
Jason Marquis:11-9, 167IP, 91K/70BB, 4.53 ERA, 1.449 WHIP

Pretty silmilar...Redding's ERA is a bit higher..Of course Redding's was his best seson in 4 years, Marquis has won double digit games the last 5 seasons.

For a fifth starter, Marquis is decent. It's not his fault Donut Jim backloaded his contract.

We coulda had Carlos Silva: 4-15, 153IP, 69K/32BB, 6.46 ERA, 1.598 WHIP for $8.2 mill...

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 1:17pm

Redding did his work for close to MLB minimum.

Submitted by navigator
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 1:19pm

Well, Carrie Muskat has taken off until Jan 5, so there probably won't be much Cubs news til then....

Seriously, good to hear you're feeling better.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 1:43pm

Gratz...look at Redding's last 3 seasons prior good Dr. aaron b

Submitted by jacos
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 1:47pm

Inebriated Phil Rogers suggest Brewers trading JJ Hardy to Twins for pitching and prospects.

Think Brewers would consider trading with Cubs?

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 1:53pm

By that I mean that Redding has been less than reliable over his career, and missed 2006 with injuries. Last year, his $1 mill was well worth it.
A career of 34-51, 4.92 ERA, 1.502 WHIP? Not so much.

For all of Marquis' faults, he is at least consistent, and will give you 11-14 wins, n ERA around 4-4.50, and 165-210 Innings, with last year being a low waer mark of 167.

Submitted by Wes
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 1:57pm

Just putting it back out there... would really love for the Rockies to trade us Jeff Baker for Marquis.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 2:45pm

Who wins this hypothetical trade

Rockies get : Jason Marquis and assume his full salary

Cubs get: Half empty can of Simoniz and a used infield rake

Discuss!

Submitted by Wes
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 2:54pm

How many miles are there on the rake?

Submitted by John Beasley
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 2:55pm

^ Cubs win! Cubs win! Go Cubs go! Go Cubs go......

-------

I'll give you one better and make it a three-way trade. Who wins?

Rockies get Jason Marquis and assume his full salary.

White Sox get a humidifier to store their Cubans.

Cubs get Barack Obama's campaign manager.

Submitted by Seamhead
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 3:04pm

You must be the kind of fan who always sees the Simoniz can as half empty instead of half full.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 2:00pm

Nah.....JJ Hardy isn't really scrappy enough...hits too many HR's...I'd take him off their hands though..

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 2:05pm

Where would Jeff Baker play? I am just asking...

Submitted by Wes
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 2:23pm

You tell me. The guy mashed lefties last season (926 OPS).

He could platoon with our soon-to-be-named LH RF. He can play 2B when DeRosa has to play 3rd. He can play 1st when DLee needs a day off. He can play left when Soriano goes down for a month.

I just like him because you rarely see a guy so versatile who can potentially develop power.

Submitted by Seamhead
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 2:06pm

How can a guy named "Hardy" not be scrappy?

Submitted by tbone
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 2:16pm

For an answer to that see Oliver Hardy (Stan Laurel far scrappier) and Thomas Hardy (dying of pleurisy a month after contracting it shows little scrap)

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 2:56pm

Dr. Aaron....did Jason Marquis forget your birthday or something? Lol....

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 3:16pm

No problems with Marquis.

My problem is more to the point about Hendry and management every year. They consistantly overpay guys like Marquis,Neifi,Burnitz,Fukudome,Hank White,Glendon Rusch,Etc.
Then they turn around and cry about budget limitations, when a guy like Beltran or Peavy become available. Basic economics should tell you that you pay replacement level guys minimal money. Then you spend real money on proven dependable stars.

Submitted by Jim Hickmans Bat
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 3:59pm

Hear hear!! I've been ragging on this very point about Hendry for years, you pegged it to a tee, Aaron. All those "little" contracts to nobodies add up to real money, and then the Cubs can't afford impact players because of "budget" considerations. What crap.

Look at just the last couple of weeks. I challenge anyone to justify the $2MM Hendry spent on Neal Cotts and Joey Gathright. In Gathright's case, there isn't even an open roster spot for him! Can someone tell me how there's room on the roster for Gathright when (a) the Cubs will certainly carry 12 pitchers again this year, (b) which leaves room for 4 non-catchers on the bench, (c) of which Fontenot, Johnson/Fukudome, and Cedeno/other backup SS are guaranteed spots.

You have to go with Hoffpauir for that last spot as he's your Ward replacement, and the only guy other than DeRosa (in a pinch) that can do backup 1B. And all this assumes Pie is toast.

So where is there room for Gathright again? There's not any? Then how can you justify the nearly $1MM Hendry just wasted on him?

/close rant/

Submitted by crunch
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 4:47pm

neal cotts is left handed, throws in the mid-90s, and is relatively cheap imo.

he showed up mid-season with an improved arsenal, though it's not tight yet.

he's always gonna get hit some, probably, but if he can keep his control he should be fine.

Submitted by 10man
on Tue, 12/23/2008 - 8:49pm

cheap hard and tight. are you talking about a ballplayer or something else?

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 3:01pm

He is versatile...he'll be 28 in June...kinda like DeRosa, but 4 years younger?

Submitted by Pat Kane
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 3:04pm

There is nothing wrong with Jason Marquis as a 5th starter. He is probably the best 5th starter in the league. If we do not trade him, however, we would probably be the only team in the league paying our 5th starter close to 10 Mil. per year.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 3:25pm

If we trade him and $5 million, then sign Johnson to replace him for $8 million - then we'll be paying out 5th starter $13 million!

Submitted by Chifan
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 3:46pm

At this point 10 mil is our sunk cost for the 5th starter spot, so in essance it only be 3 mil to upgrade from Marquis to the Unit, which is a good move IMHO.

Submitted by Jim Hickmans Bat
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 4:11pm

No, why not just dump Marquis after eating $4MM, and give the job to Sean Marshall? Now you have equally as effective performance at a cost of negative $5MM. I like that a lot better than old man Unit at positive $3MM. Or do you think Unit would be $8MM better than Sean Marshall?

Submitted by Chifan
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 6:06pm

With Rich Harden you still need 6 good starters. Given that Shark or Gaudin is going to be 7th inning guy it takes one of them out of the mix for spot starting duty and Guzman is too injury prone to be jumping roles, Hart doesnt have a 3rd pitch and Atkins has no MLB expirence. So I think the real question Unit 8 milion dollars better than Gaudin or Shark as a SP? I would say yes on Shark and no on Gaudin, but you dont know if you need Gaudin for the pen if Shark and other young guys cant make it in the 7th. Honestly if we trade Marquis I would like to get a LOOGY better than Cotts so the need for a 7th inning guy is decreased, but the scenerio I laid out in my last post is a good alternative.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 4:12pm

1. That's what I just said
2. Player contracts are not sunk costs. It could be argued that a contract with a NTC is, but we see those moved all the time.

Submitted by Sweet Lou
on Tue, 12/23/2008 - 1:03pm

Exactly, TRN. This is why I don't understand the mad rush to get rid of Marquis. For a fifth starter, he does a good job and can be counted on for 200 innings a year. The Cubs may pay him too much, but that contract is a done deal. If the Cubs trade him, assume 50% of his salary and sign someone else (like Randy Johnson), it's going to cost more and the likelihood of getting 200 innings out of the fifth starter will have declined. Not a good trade off in my mind.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 3:36pm

"Hey...I just figured out how to get Bonds, and Griffey for the Yankees"

Submitted by soonercub
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 3:51pm

I have noticed that Marwin Gonzalez is putting up some nice numbers in Winter ball. Anyone know what kind of prospect he is? (Caracas): 43/122, 14 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 13 BB, 11 K, 1 HBP, 15/20 SB, 8 E - .352/.423/.574/.997

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 5:22pm

I've been having trouble tracking this item down--trying to find a trace of Marwin Gonzalez on Kroeger's Caracas team (or any team) in the league where Rich Hill, Sam Fuld and Ronny Cedeno have been playing.

Apparently there's a Venezuela winter minor leagues called Liga Paralela, where Gonzalez has been registering these numbers.

Good find, if a bit puzzling.

Submitted by crunch
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 5:30pm

http://www.boisehawks.com/team/roster/index.html?p...

http://www.baseballamerica.com/statistics/players/...

http://www2.pjstar.com/index.php?/capie/archives/2...

"INF Marwin Gonzalez (C-)— The Opening Day starting shortstop started well at the plate, but then struggled before getting sent back to extended spring training. Due to turn 20 next March, Gonzalez will likely get another shot in Peoria."

SS/3rd...not showing much power in his numbers.

wonder what kind of arm he has.

i've never heard of him and judging by his early bat returns, i'm not surprised.

Submitted by soonercub
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 3:54pm

I think Hendry has had a man crush on Clint Barmes, I wouldn't mind seeing him come back in a Marquis deal. He might be able to beat out Theriot if given a legit shot. At least he has some pop.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 3:59pm

Where's Eckstein?

Submitted by JD
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 4:00pm

Are you related to Clint Barmes or something?

Submitted by Jim Hickmans Bat
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 4:08pm

Bastard. You stole my great idea, albeit it was in two parts. lol

(1) If the rumors are true that Colorado might be a home for Marquis, then Barmes makes perfect sense for the Cubs as the RH utility infielder counterpart to Mike Fontenot, assuming Cedeno is not around. Barmes can play both 2B and SS.

(2) The Cubs could then package Cedeno and one of their extra #5-type starters/long relievers (e.g., Hart, Guzman, Wuertz) to the Royals for Ron Mahay? Would solve the Cubs' need for a quality veteran LH guy in the bullpen, the replacement basically for Scott Eyre and Will Ohman. Royals need to shed a good $5MM salary according to the KC Star, and an expensive lefty in the bullpen is a luxury they probably don't need. Cedeno would make sense for them, as he MIGHT earn a starting job at SS, which would allow Aviles to move to 2B. Even if he doesn't win the job, he'd certainly be an improvement over Tony Pena Jr., so I think the Royals might be interested.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 4:08pm

Not saying anything however

Player A through age 29

1998 23 ATL NL 5 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .333 .333 .333 77 1 0 0 0 0 0
1999 24 ATL NL 7 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 .000 .000 .000 -100 0 0 0 0 0 0
2000 25 ATL NL 22 13 9 4 1 0 0 3 0 0 2 1 .308 .400 .385 99 5 0 0 0 0 0
2001 26 ATL NL 66 164 27 47 8 0 3 20 2 1 12 19 .287 .350 .390 89 64 1 2 6 5 3
2002 27 ATL NL 72 212 24 63 9 2 5 23 2 3 12 24 .297 .339 .429 100 91 2 3 3 3 5
2003 28 ATL NL 103 266 40 70 14 0 6 22 1 0 16 49 .263 .316 .383 81 102 0 1 0 5 6
2004 29 ATL NL 118 309 33 74 16 0 3 31 1 3 23 53 .239 .293 .320 59 99 4 6 3 3 6

Player B through 29

Year Ag Tm Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG *OPS+ TB SH SF IBB HBP GDP
+--------------+---+----+----+----+---+--+---+----+---+--+---+---+-----+-----+-----+----+----+---+---+---+---+---+
2003 24 COL NL 12 25 2 8 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 10 .320 .357 .400 87 10 0 1 0 2 0
2004 25 COL NL 20 71 14 20 3 1 2 10 0 1 3 10 .282 .320 .437 84 31 2 0 0 1 2
2005 26 COL NL 81 350 55 101 19 1 10 46 6 4 16 36 .289 .330 .434 90 152 4 1 1 6 4 RoY-8
2006 27 COL NL 131 478 57 105 26 4 7 56 5 4 22 72 .220 .264 .335 47 160 19 7 6 9 2
2007 28 COL NL 27 37 5 8 3 0 0 1 0 0 1 13 .216 .237 .297 33 11 1 0 1 0 1
2008 29 COL NL 107 393 47 114 25 6 11 44 13 4 17 69 .290 .322 .468 99 184 4 1 0 2 9
+--------------+---+----+----+----+---+--+---+----+---+--+---+---+-----+-----+-----+----+----+---+---+---+---+---+
6 Seasons 378 1354 180 356 78 12 30 159 24 13 59 210 .263 .301 .405 75 548 30 10 8 20 18

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 4:09pm

That didnt format very well.

Basically the jist of the whole thing is that Both guys really sucked through age 29.

Submitted by George Altman
on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 8:42pm

Well, let's see.......so far, this is the 2008 Cubs team with Marmol/Gregg replacing Wood/8th Inning setup; Gathright platooning with Reed Johnson in CF; and Koyie Hill as the backup catcher. This reeks of waiting for new ownership to approve a payroll budget and/or waiting for the Tier 1 FA's to slot out. Despite how sucky this team looks right now, I haven't seen any moves by the NL Central that would lead me to believe this team doesn't win its 3rd straight Division title.

I know he's making almost $10M next year, but how does trading Marquis and eating at least half his salary improve the rotation? Assuming Hendry can get a budget around $145M approved, here's what I would do as GM:

1. Trade for Brian Roberts (any combinaton of R. Hill, Wuertz, Guzman, Cedeno, Pie, Colvin, Atkins)
2. Sign Bobby Abreu to play RF

That's it. If the Padres want to come back to the real world (and Peavy wants to re-negotiate his $20M option in 2013), then by all means, make the Peavy deal. If not you've got the following team:

Roberts, 2b
Theriot, ss
Abreu, rf
A. Ramirez, 3b
Soriano, lf
D. Lee, 1b
Soto, c
Fukudome, cf (he learns to hit .280 or better or send him back to Japan)

Rotation -- Zambrano, Dempster, Lilly, Harden, Marquis - Marshall fills in for Harden
Closer -- Marmol or Gregg
Setup -- Samardzija, Gaudin, Cotts, Marshall

Bench -- K. Hill (can Bako be worth double Hill's salary?), Hoffpauir, Fontenot, Gathright, Johnson.

If some team wants to pay all of Marquis' salary (and I thought Marshall could start 30 games), then fine, trade him. If not, wait till the July 31st trade deadline -- who knows what might be available by then.

Submitted by Chifan
on Tue, 12/23/2008 - 4:23am

This is a slow market right now. You have to keep in mind that right now the only NL clubs that have actually improved themselves are the Mets and Braves. In the Braves case it makes them just a .500 team. Hendry will make 3 or 4 more moves this off-season:

1. Get a LH RF
2. Upgrade the 5th statrer spot
3 and 4. Trade off spare parts (Cedeno, Marquis, Pie) for needed parts (one more lefty in the pen and a backup C)

Submitted by Sweet Lou
on Tue, 12/23/2008 - 1:08pm

Keeping in mind what you want from your 5th starter, who would be an upgrade on Marquis?

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Tue, 12/23/2008 - 1:52pm

Jake Peavy

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Tue, 12/23/2008 - 1:53pm

2006-2007 Rich Hill

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Tue, 12/23/2008 - 1:53pm

Quite Possibly Donald Veal

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Tue, 12/23/2008 - 6:59am

You've traded Marquis to free up money for Roberts and then included him in the rotation. If you were Andy McPhail, which of those players would you take for Roberts, especially while you've got the contract offer out for Texieira.

Once again Tex's signing is creating a log jam in the off-season market.

Submitted by garsky
on Tue, 12/23/2008 - 9:36pm

Uh, no love for DeRosa? He going to AAA?

Submitted by carmenfanzone
on Tue, 12/23/2008 - 2:26am

George-you forgot DeRosa...If you add Roberts, do you move DeRosa?

Submitted by George Altman
on Tue, 12/23/2008 - 4:28pm

If DeRosa got McPhail off dead center to move Roberts then, yes. Something like DeRosa, Pie, and R. Hill since Roberts is in his option year anyway.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Tue, 12/23/2008 - 8:20am

Good point Dr. Aaron.
Of course...Barmes away from Colorado over his career?
.228/.267/.340.....Positively craptastic...in 2008:
Home: .330/.362/.570
Away: .249/.281/.363

So at Colorado, he's Superman, on the road, he's Jimmy Olson.

Sorry for seeming like I'm picking on your point today.
Not my intent.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Tue, 12/23/2008 - 8:31am

Not picking on my point. Clint Barmes sucks. I was just pointing out that sometimes guys just "get it". But I'd rather keep Cedeno. As dumb as he plays sometimes.

He still has more upside than Theriot.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Tue, 12/23/2008 - 8:50am

True....Theriot is what he is....but I sure wish Ronny Ce would "get it" at some point...

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