Marquis May be on the Move

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 5:00pm

One of our caught Steve Phillips saying a deal of Jason Marquis to the Colorado Rockies for relief pitcher Luis Vizcaino was "close". Famous last words of any rumor...

MLB Trade Rumors (apparently part of the update ticker on ESPN2).

Marquis is owed $9.875M and the was that they couldn't "absorb hardly any of his $9.8 million salary this season." has Vizcaino as making $3.5M in 2009 and a $4M option in 2010 with a $500K buyout. That would still leave the Rockies on the hook for $6.375M and I'm going to guess that the Cubs are still throwing $1-2M more the Rockies way if this does indeed go down.

6:24 PM CST UPDATE: including an update from Bruce Levine on ESPN 1000. The highlights:

  • Marquis trade may not be competed until next week
  • Deal for Bradley is essentially done but also won't be announced for a week or two
  • Moving Marquis means the Cubs may once again hit up the Padres about Peavy
  • Hendry might try to spin Vizcaino if he does acquire him
  • DeRosa may still need to be moved if they go after Peavy
6:32 PM CST UPDATE: Troy Renck at the Colorado Post although he concurs with Levine that it likely won't be announced until next week. He mentions the Cubs sending $1M to the Rockies. If true, the Cubs take on at least $4M ($3.5M plus a $500K buyout for next year) and send $1M to the Rockies, netting themselves $4.875M in savings, a bit more if you count the $500K buyout towards next season's payroll.

6:50 PM CST UPDATE: Wittenmyer it's at least $875K going to the Rockies. I should also mention that Vizcaino was arrested on a misdeamoner DUI in Florida in October.

7:11 PM CST UPDATE: Rosenthal to the Rockies.

8;25 PM CST UPDATE: Bruce Miles saying it's possible but not done yet. Adding that the deal is essentially in the Rockies hands to approve.

Tags: 
Jason Marquis
Cubs rumors

Comments

Submitted by dB  on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 5:15pm  
I saw it awhile ago on ESPN News. Baseball America also noted that the Cubs resigned Andres Blanco (SS)AAA.

Submitted by jacos  on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 5:24pm  
First step to getting Peavy. RIGHT?!?! RIGHT!?!?!

Submitted by Wes  on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 5:25pm  
I'd love the salary dump if it were actually a salary dump. But it's not. I don't think you're saving nearly enough money to make it worth the effort. On top of that, Vizcaino just isn't any good. Career 4.34 ERA. High H/9 and BB/9 rate. Pretty unimpressive K/9 rate to go with. He just doesn't have very good stuff, either. Throws really hard, but has horrible control. If I'm going to get rid of Marquis, I'd like to either A) actually dump a vast majority of the salary or B) get some actual talent in return. If we're saving $6M, then fine. If we're talking about only 2 or 3, then what's the point? Trading his $9M for Vizcaino's 3.5M salary while coughing up another couple of million in the process gets us anywhere.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 5:33pm  

rumors be the Cubs were willing to cough up as much as half of Marquis contract, so taking on $3.5 and probably kick in $1.45M, that's almost $5M in savings and they get a bullpen arm that can be cut if he blows chunks next year.

It's not as good as trading Marquis for Hanley Ramirez per se, but it's probably the best the Cubs can do. The big question is what they do with the extra $5M (assuming that is the case).

Submitted by Wes  on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 5:47pm  
If that turns into something else, then fine. If we take that $5 million and get another piece, then great. But, I'll wait until then to pass a final judgement. On the surface, I'd rather have the mid 4's ERA out of the the 5th starter. Also, this kinda feels like one of those Hendry deals where he sends more money back the other way than we all anticapiated.

Submitted by crunch  on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 5:48pm  
given the current state of rumors hendroid might need that loot to just get the OF part without adding a top notch starter.

Submitted by spongebob  on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 5:30pm  
This is great news...i'd take some baseballs for Marquis! I'd rather have Jose Vizcaino...but we will most likely add 1-2 millino with the deal saving 4-5 million...I think this will likely help with the RF search...eventhough now it may reopen the Peavy talks. He'll likely take the place of Howry. I like Marshall as the fifth starter and Angel Guzman into relief. Exciting news...hopefully it becomes official.

Submitted by crunch  on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 5:44pm  
fwiw samninja will be given spring training starts, supposedly.

Submitted by The Joe  on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 5:48pm  
ESPN's own GM for the day: http://www.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/122... Got to be a joke, right? My favorites are: 'Rafael' Soriano and Fukudome for Barry Zito and Nate Schierholtz -and- "Lee and Ramirez to Baltimore for A bag of magic beans works for me, but I'd rather have 4 prospects/ suspects." What a smart fanbase. Here's his improved lineup: 1. CF Joey Gathwright - the next Willie Wilson/ Bobby Dernier 2. SS Theriot 3. RF Schierholz 4. C Soto 5. 1B Hinske / Hoffpair 6. 3B Wiggington 7. LF Montanez or DeRosa 8. 2B Fontenot

Submitted by crunch  on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 5:50pm  
that was an exercise in total pointlessness. no, actually, it's just plain f'n retarded. yeah.

Submitted by The Joe  on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 5:53pm  
I actually felt stupid as I was reading it...like, this can't be right, can it?

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 5:56pm  

a curse on your house for making me read that....

jhubba1 just turned a 97-win team into a 50-win team...that's something special.

Submitted by The Joe  on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 6:14pm  
But Gathright "hit at every level he's been used at"! He's so stupid, he ends his sentences with prepositions. and, you're welcome.

Submitted by dB  on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 6:28pm  
WMVP had Bruce Levine on a couple mintues ago saying that the Peavy talks will again heat up after the Marquis deal goes through but that the Marquis trade might not be completed until next week. He also thinks that the Bradley deal is essentially a "done deal" but it won't be announced for a week or even two. He also noted that DeRosa may still have to be moved in an attempt to garner a couple of prospects from another club to spin to the Padres. In other words, same as it ever was regarding the Peavy talks. Hendry is going to have to "move money around" to get Peavy and Bradley starting with this Marquis deal. He said Hendry will attempt to dump Vizcaino as well, perhaps in the DeRosa trade or with a possible Peavy/SD deal. That was about the extent of it.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 6:48pm  

another take on what Levine said...

http://www.northsidebaseball.com/Forum/viewto...

supposed direct quote from Levine "Would not be suprised if DeRosa is gone in next 3 days"

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 6:44pm  
updated the post with db's Levine update and a story from Colorado that makes it sound pretty much official. $1M headed to the Rox as well...

Submitted by Jose  on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 7:00pm  
Trade Marquis and eat $1MM, that is a good trade. However, the Bradley rumor does not make me happy. I would rather have Dunn or Abreu. Hell, I would rather have Griffey over Bradley.

Submitted by John Beasley  on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 7:10pm  
I would think Bradley's likely to be better than Griffey in both OPS and games played next year. The only reason to prefer Grif is if Bradley is going to get a large, backloaded contract ... and if so, we'll just trade him to Colorado in a few years.

Submitted by Jose  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 8:12am  
John: I can not disagree with the numbers. But, I think we will all be freaking when Bradley goes into one of his tiraids and becomes a distraction. At least with Griffey, we know we are getting a team player. Even though he is a part time player. Bradley's attitude scares the hell out of me. He reminds me of TO.

Submitted by Wes  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 11:44am  
I fail to see the comparison. TO's a horribly selfish player who constantly causes problems in his locker room with his teammates. Bradley's done that only once, due mostly to Jeff Kent being a fucking cocksucker. The only other reason Bradley's ever caused any problems is because somebody questioned his heart or the heart of his teammates. I'm trying REALLY REALLY hard to not sound like Al Yellon here, but that's a guy I'll gladly take on my team. I'd love to have a guy who'd go to battle for his teammates. That's a guy who wins a lot of friends in the clubhouse. By all accounts, if you ask anybody not named Jeff Kent, Bradley's a great teammate to have. He's a far better defender than either Abreu or Dunn. That's a great concern to me since our other two OF spots are filled by Soriano and a out-of-position Fukudome. Plus, he's outproduced both Abreu and Dunn from an OPS standpoint in both of the last two seasons. I've been high on Bradley all winter, and if the price is right, I'll be glad to have him. What does concern me is the health issue. He's played 100 games only three times in eight years. If he's healthy, he's the guy I'd pick out of the 3. However, if if and but's were candy and nuts, we'd all have a Merry Christmas.

Submitted by big_lowitzki  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 1:55pm  
due mostly to Jeff Kent being a fucking cocksucker. What is this... Deadwood? :)

Submitted by The Joe  on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 7:12pm  
"I should also mention that Vizcaino was arrested on a misdeamoner DUI in Florida in October." Anybody got a Farnsworth joke handy?

Submitted by crunch  on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 7:29pm  
viz = farns in a lot of ways, comparing their stuff and lifestyle/attitude.

Submitted by Seamhead  on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 7:40pm  
I heard the entire Levine interview. He seemed quite certain that the Marquis-Vizcaino deal would be announced by Monday; and that "2-3 days later" DeRosa would be moved for prospects, who would be flipped with the Cubs' own prospects for Peavy. Vizcaino would likely be flipped in the Peavy deal or another deal. He thought that it would all be done in the next 12-15 days. He also stated that the Bradley deal has been "done" for weeks, and would also be announced in the next several days. He was very matter-of-fact about the entire string of transactions, as if they were all set and all that remained were the announcements.

Submitted by carmelo  on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 7:47pm  
Remember the #1 goal of this off-season was to get more left-handed in the line-up---if we have LHH in CF and RF it's no change from last year----that's why it makes sense to move DeRosa and put Mike F. at 2b---now we've got an added LHH in the line-up----also, it frees up addition 5.5 million----look for Peavy talks to heat up again

Submitted by Seamhead  on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 7:56pm  
Levine also mentioned that many of these moves (DeRosa especially) were designed to free up payroll, which he estimated at already being at or near $140 million for the 40-man roster. He reminded the show hosts (and others) that the budget covers the entire 40-man roster, not just the 25-man active roster. He thought that the sale of the club would be completed in January, and that the new owners would cap the budget at $140 million.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 8:38pm  
Lowe 3/36 http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/31/sports/base...

Submitted by crunch  on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 8:42pm  
yeah...good luck with that offer, mets.

Submitted by The Real Neal  on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 8:53pm  
The Cubs could beat that and end this Peavy nonsense with giving up only their #1 pick.

Submitted by carlosrubi  on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 9:12pm  
Mister Whipple, read this.

Submitted by Cubster  on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 10:54pm  
My hope is Vizcaino is a Cub about as long as Omar Infante was. Less would be better. 11/12/07 Acquired INF Omar Infante from the Tigers for OF Jacque Jones and cash. 12/4/07 Acquired RHP Jose Ascanio from the Atlanta Braves in exchange LHP Will Ohman and INF Omar Infante. (by the way Infante had 317 AB's with the Braves and .293 .338 .416 which probably was Cedeno's comparable role who got 216 AB's and 269 .328 .352)

Submitted by Chifan  on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 11:43pm  
I think your on to something with Viscanio. Infante was packaged with Ohman to the Braves who were in need of relief help. Maybe this year he packages Viscanio with Derosa to the Twins who could use some relief help for Brendan Harris and prospects Towers like. Harris can be a platoon guy with Fontenot and can handle SS, freeing up Ronny Cedeno for trade.

Submitted by Charlie  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:54am  
No way. Can't win with Harris. He's an ex-Cub.

Submitted by The Real Neal  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 2:44am  
Plus he can't really handle short.

Submitted by The Joe  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 1:10am  
Taveras, 2yrs. $6.25 M. I'll take Gathright.

Submitted by OakLawnGuy  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 7:15am  
While I would be happy to see Sean Marshall replace Marquis in the rotation, the fact is Marquis last year was a league average 5th starter. He did a Jon Garland all too often (sail along until a bad 5th or 6th inning), but they aren't dealing the worst starter in the league. The fact that the Rocks and Mets were interested in his services (for the right price) bears that out. The whole Marquis goes/Vizcaino gets spun/DeRosa for prospects/prospects for Peavy scene is classic Hendry. As much as writers claim Kenny Williamas flies under the radar, Hendry each year seems to pull off a surprise, an often complicated surprise. I'd love for all this to pan out, it would put even more distance between the Cubs and their Central rivals. The Reds are going to be better, if none of the other teams.

Submitted by The Real Neal  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 8:53am  
Actually Marquis was closer to a league average fourth starter. Find how many teams had four guys take the ball as many times as Marquis who had lower ERA's. I think you'll be surprised.

Submitted by Little Nate Lewis  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 8:19am  
Bradley missing 30+ games scares the hell out of me. With DeRosa gone, who fills in as the regular RF'er when Bradley hits the DL??

Submitted by John Beasley  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 8:35am  
I'd think Fuk is your guy there. My question is, who fills in as the regular 3Bman when Aramis goes down?

Submitted by Wrigley Rat  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 10:04am  
I believe Hoffpauir would be next on the depth chart. If his defense proves to be a problem, then Fukudome would move to RF and Johnson would probably start in CF. I agree with the next comment. The backup 3B is not really on the ballclub yet. Cedeno can do it in a pinch, but a longer term solution will need to be kept at Iowa. I expect to hear about a Russell Branyan type signing to a minor league contract for exactly that reason. Moving DeRosa is a sad result of the economics of Cubs baseball, but he only has one year left on his very reasonable contract, he's right handed, he's getting old, and there's no way we re-sign him next year to a long-term contract at $7-9 million per year like he deserves. We probably couldn't even offer him arbitration due to the real payroll problem the Cubs have already for next year. Best to trade him now while his value is high to someone who will be able to offer him arbitration or want to sign him to a long-term contract.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 8:26am  
Lol...Taveras sucks...but at least he has been a starter in the majors....has been good enough, relatively speaking, to steal some bases, score some runs, and play good CF defense. He did lead the league in steals last year. I'd rather take door number 3....but Gathright is worse than Taveras. So let's trade out 5th starter, who has done nothing but give innings and done what a 5th starter should do, keep the team in the game...he has gone 11-9, and 12-9, and let's dump him for a 34-year old reliever...who we would then dump for what? Who is trading decent prospects for a 34-year old middle reliever? Oh...the Cubs probably. This whole scenario is just ludicrous. I can't wait for Milton Bradley's 2nd or 3rd trip to the DL this year...

Submitted by The Real Neal  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 8:55am  
So you're saying that Marquis and Gathright is better than Bradley and Marshall?

Submitted by spongebob  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 10:03am  
I can't believe people are clamoring over the loss of Marquis! He is going to get slaughtered at Coors, he is in the last year of his contract and down right mediocre. We have a couple of young pitchers (Samarzja, Marshall or Guzman) to plug into the rotation who will produce at least to the caliber of Marquis and could develop into solid starters. Not to mention if this is a way to get Peavy and or Bradley into the mix it would no doubt improve the team. Bottomline this improves the team...our window of winning is 2 years...maximize the opportunity and give us the best chance. Loosing Marquis isn't going to do that. As for the DeRosa loss it would hinder our flexibilty however i think this the peak of his value..and he too will be gone in one year and will not be in our future plans so trade him now and get something for him to help us win now (just make sure we have some 3b pinch hitter type who can play if Ramirez does go down). I'm ready for baseball season too bad it's still three months away

Submitted by Rob G.  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 10:09am  

Marquis has something like a 2.5 ERA in 5 starts in Coors and he also gets to play in the other NL West parks. He's a sinkerballer and should ave a very good infield defense behind him.

Also, Wrigley isn't much of a pitcher's paradise the last few years.

Submitted by The Real Neal  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 10:25am  
What does his success or lack thereof in Coors have anything to do with him being on the Cubs in 2009? That article says that there's a vesting option on Vizcaino's contract.

Submitted by spongebob  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 10:16am  
That's five starts..no statistical significance. He also has not offense on the new Rockies. All the winning records people have mentioned above will be gone with that team...I won't miss a career ERA 4.55, more hits than innings pitched and a 1.5:1 K/BB ratio....I'd rather have Marshall doing this and learning then having Marquis....good move Hendry! Suntimes article today: http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/...

Submitted by Dusty Baylor  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 10:26am  
I am saying neither of those things, do not put words in my mouth. Gathright, if he is starting for the Cubs at all in 2009, will be a disaster. Tavaras is better. I do not want either of those players on my team however. Milton Bradley is injury prone, has a history of causing problems on the field, and had a solid season while playing mostly DH last year. Oh..and he still only managed 126 games?? He will be 31 April 15th, and has not had a full season playing the OF since 2004. Players generally after a career of being injury prone do not suddenly become durable at age 31. It is not "clamoring over the loss of Marquis." It is dumping a starting pitcher who, while not great by any means, has shown that he is what he is, a solid 5th starter. Dumping him for a crappy 34 year old middle reliever? So, so Cub. I like Sean Marshall. Has he posted a winning record yet in MLB? Has he thrown 170-190 innings in a season? He may very well be better than Marquis as 5th starter. It's not just a matter of plugging him in though as a given. How many MLB starts does Samardzija have? After 27 innings last season can he be anointed and guaranteed to match Marquis' 2008 performance? Angel Guzman. Please.....please tell me you are joking about that. Is that the injury prone, 0-7 6.00 ERA career in MLB Angel Guzman?

Submitted by The Real Neal  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 11:06am  
In English when the symbol '?' is used at the end of a sentence, it represents a question. Disirregardless of that, you're saying not to trade Marquis to free up money for Bradley, so isn't the implying that you want to see Gathright as a regular player in the Cubs outfield? Because without bring someone else in, right now he's going to be the starter or have the lions' share of a platoon with Johnson.

Submitted by 10man  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 11:49am  
Many former teammates & coaches have spoken out on Milton Bradley's side saying that he blows his top because of passion and intensity for winning. How are his outbursts any different than Zambrano's or even Piniella's?

Submitted by Dusty Baylor  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 10:39am  
Oh..and I understand that perhaps Hendry would "spin" Vizcaino for pospects to get Peavy. Again, who in the hell is giving the type of prospect you would need to deal in a Peavy trade, for a 34 year old mediocre at best middle reliever?

Submitted by Chifan  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 11:01am  
for a team that is supposed on a rigid budget, I do not think it wise to be tossing 2.5 mil to a guy that cant hit or field. According to Levine they liked him because he is a switch hitter, it is nice to know in this bad economy that Anne Hache still has a job.

Submitted by John Beasley  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 11:06am  
My first reaction is that it's way too much money for the player. My second reaction is good riddance, Ronny Cedeno, may the next and final time I hear your name be associated with you leaving town forever.

Submitted by John Beasley  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 11:07am  
From an article published earlier today in St. Louis, the author thought Miles would definitely get more than $1.5M from someone, so maybe $2.5M isn't absolutely so far out of whack. Seems like it to me, but maybe not in the industry. http://mets.scout.com/a.z?s=228&p=2&c=826019

Submitted by The Real Neal  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 11:11am  
Is Neifi Perez's number still available?

Submitted by kkujawa1  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 11:13am  
Neal- Disirregardless??? I think just plain old "regardless" will work. Sorry, but I cant let that one pass.

Submitted by Timmer  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 11:25am  
He was making a joke.

Submitted by 10man  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 11:51am  
Joke?? Sorry but I can't let THAT one pass either. Ok ok. I'm making a joke too.

Submitted by Rory  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:14pm  
"Disregardless" - Now that was funny, if it was a joke, funnier if it wasn't meant to be a joke! Maybe it can be added to the Cub Lexicon.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 11:14am  
If the $4.5 million freed up by dumping Marquis for a bag of balls gets you Milton Bradley.....yes I am saying don't do it. Bradley is injury prone, has anger issues, and hasn't shown that he can be a full-time outfielder. He was a DH last season, and still could only stay healthy enough to play 126 games. The previous 3 seasons, he could not even get to 100 games played. Aaron Miles.....all the Ryan Theriot bashers are gonna loooove Aaron Miles then. Wow...

Submitted by Chifan  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 11:19am  
Also according to Kaplan, the deal Bradley will get is multiyear. Unless multiyear means 1 year and a team or mutual option it is a bad idea. A solid fit for the RF spot in Rick Anikel is a free agent next off-season and the best course of action given the warts all these RF options have, the best course is to offer one (Abreu, Bradley, Dunn) a 1 year 8 mil contract and the first one to take it gets it. I hope to god that Bradley gets off to good start, because I hate fathom what will happen if he gets off the start JJ did a few years ago and some RF bleacher bum starts throwing out racial insults at him.

Submitted by The Real Neal  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 11:37am  
Why not offer them $2 million?

Submitted by Tito  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 11:29am  
Yeah, but he also used "exorb" for absorb in an earlier post, so who's to say.

Submitted by 10man  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 11:53am  
What's the fact is going on her?

Submitted by Dusty Baylor  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 11:51am  
How many umpires has Zambrano gone after? how many times has he been tackled by a coach? How many times did LouPa go after someone in the press box?? Has Zambrano been suspended for going after a fan? His outbursts are not the same.

Submitted by 10man  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 11:56am  
How many bats has Bradley broken over his leg risking injury to himself? How many times has Bradley been suspended for throwing at someone? How many times has Bradley beat up his very own teammate? His outbursts are definitely not the same.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:03pm  
Ok....Zambrano has made an average of 30-34 starts a year, pitching 200+ innings a year. He has been on the Cubs his whole career. Bradley? 6 different teams, 3 times from 2001-2008 played in 101 games or more. Once, in 2004 he played 142 games, what could be considered a "full" season.

Submitted by The Real Neal  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:34pm  
So if Bradley were healthy it would be OK if he's a hothead? It seems like after being proven wrong, you're changing the topic back to the injury. If Bradley had played 150 games the last three years he'd be looking for a $20 million contract. Yes he's going to miss games. When he plays though, he's going to help us win more games than any of the other guys will, and hopefully Gathright/Fukudome or Johnson will be capable backups when he's not in there.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:10pm  
I'm sorry, he played 141 games in 2004, not 142.

Submitted by Sweet Lou  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:12pm  
10man -- You are on a roll. I just wanted to make sure you knew that your antics were recognized and appreciated.

Submitted by 10man  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 11:05pm  
Thanks Lou. I like to think of myself as very anticuated. DC taught me everything I know.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:55pm  
Hahahahhaa...so Fukudome can be a $12 million backup. Suh-wheet. Bradley has been a decent player when he's healthy. Will it be for 90 games? 110 games? 60 games? Christ he's a freaking switch-hitting Rondell White. So we're going to give 40-90 games to Gathright? Fukudome? For the money sunk into Fukudome, you may as well play him in RF, and see if he will be the player that he was in April-May-June. If he falters, then make a mid-season deal. My point on Zambrano is that, while he has been a hothead perhaps, he is a hothead that has been durable, and has performed well every year. Bradley might perform fairly well every year, but for 60 games...90 games...120 games or more twice in his career. He's the Rich Harden of outfielders. So yes...it's much better to go get a guy to play part time because for 90 games, he will play well. Really? With no DH to fall back on, how healthy has he been in his career? Please explain how Bradley and Miles in the lineup is an improvement over DeRosa and Fukudome?

Submitted by Dusty Baylor  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:57pm  
Oh..and Real Neal, please read the entire post I wrote...I mentioned the anger issues as part of the problem. "Milton Bradley is injury prone, has a history of causing problems on the field, and had a solid season while playing mostly DH last year. Oh..and he still only managed 126 games?? He will be 31 April 15th, and has not had a full season playing the OF since 2004. Players generally after a career of being injury prone do not suddenly become durable at age 31." What part of that was proven wrong?

Submitted by The Real Neal  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 1:06pm  
Read #60

Submitted by Dusty Baylor  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 1:07pm  
Read the quote I posted. I asked you what part of that was wrong. I will use smaller words if necessary.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 1:11pm  
Wait....ok..so Zambrano is a hothead. Ok. Please list times Zambrano was traded due to this. Disabled list trips related to this?

Submitted by The Real Neal  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 1:20pm  
Embedded comments are your friend. How many times has Zambrano lead the league in the most important offensive statisic?

Submitted by Dusty Baylor  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 1:20pm  
DeRosa traded to Indians. For 3 pitchers. Chris Archer RHP age 20: 4-8, 4.29 ERA, 115 IP, 106K/84BB Lo-A John Gaub LHP age 23: 1-1, 3.38 ERA, 64IP, 2 SV, 100K/32BB L0-A Jeff Stevens RHP age 25: 5-4, 3.24 ERA, 58 IP, 6 sSV, 81K/27BB AA-AAA Great. Go get Peavy now I suppose.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 1:33pm  
Milton Bradley in 2008 lead the AL in OPS, OBP, adjusted OPS, and offensive win%. Excellent. So after 8 seasons, he has lead the league one year. Yep...with 22 HR and 77 RBI, in 126 games. Please give him $15 million. How many other seasons was he top 10? Zero. Why? Because he can't stay healthy enough to play full time. Zambrano is a 3-time all star, finished 5th 3 times in the Cy Young voting, and tied for the league lead in wins in 2006. Oh...and Zambrano can't lead the league in OPS as a pitcher. Ha.....ha....ha.....very funny.

Submitted by The Real Neal  on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 1:41pm  
Where'd you get $15 million from?

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  • crunch 13 hours 56 min ago (view)

    j.odorizzi accepted his qualifying offer (17.8m) from MIN...so did j.abreu (CWS)....everyone else is gonna play the FA market.

    w.smith (SF) immediately signed with the braves for 3/39 (13m team option/1m buyout on the backend).  braves lose a 2nd round pick...which they'll probably get back when someone signs j.donaldson.

     
  • crunch 1 day 13 hours ago (view)

    nice.

    it's not like i think he's something special, but if he had 5mph more on his stuff he'd probably be a top prospect in the system combined with his command/control.  he's got highly repeatable junk and he's still young enough there might be a little more velocity to discover.

     
  • Arizona Phil 1 day 17 hours ago (view)

    CRUNCH: As long as Carrera is placed on the AAA Iowa reserve list on 11/20 he should be safe from selection, and I would say he is in fact close to a lock to be placed on the Iowa roster.

    Presuming he is on the Iowa reserve list going into the Rule 5 Draft, I doubt very much that he would get selected in the Major League Phase because he hasn't pitched above Lo-A. 

     
  • crunch 1 day 17 hours ago (view)

    nice info...

    i'm low-key keeping an eye on faustino carrera if he's not protected...which he may not be protected.

    he throws junk, but he throws it well, and with great control.

     
  • Arizona Phil 1 day 17 hours ago (view)

    I've talked to Player Development people over the past many years about the Rule 5 Draft and how an organization goes about deciding whether to protect or not protect a player from selection. 

    STEP 1: How many of your Rule 5 Draft-eligible players are actually legit candidates to get selected in the Major League Phase?. Usually there a dozen or more who could conceivably/realisticaly get selected. You need to identify them and then carefully evaluate them. 
    EXAMPLES: See my lists above. 

     
  • crunch 1 day 20 hours ago (view)

    "There are no untouchables," Epstein said.

    In truth, the Cubs boss has said the same every year, but it certainly sounds like he means it this time. "We're in the 'information collecting' stages of the process," one general manager put it on Tuesday.

    https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/28066390/there...

     
  • Dolorous Jon Lester 2 days 22 hours ago (view)

    I think, in relation to the higher profile guys like Javy or Contreras, they're trying to put some pressure on to sign extensions.

    That said I do think they're listening on everyone with the only name I haven't seen being Rizzo.

     
  • crunch 3 days 14 hours ago (view)

    i wonder where the cubs will go with things.

    there's a lot pointing to the cubs being expected to listen to offers on almost anyone.  as it is, on paper, the cubs could roll right into 2020 with no changes whatsoever and still field a very competitive team.  the whole "shakeup" thing seems to be a very hot topic from a variety of sources, though.

    bryant, contreras, schwarber have all been linked to "cubs may be listening" rumors...probably listening to anything on happ, bote, almora, russell, too...

     
  • Hagsag 3 days 15 hours ago (view)

    Even the Cubs should be able to out bid the Marlins!

     
  • crunch 3 days 15 hours ago (view)

    "According to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com, the Marlins are "believed" to have interest in free agent outfielder Nicholas Castellanos."

    by interest, i assume they mean they'd like to have some baseball rookie cards or his or maybe a hug from him.  i can't imagine they actually want to spend money on someone they could use to make their team better because that makes no sense.

     
  • Arizona Phil 4 days 8 hours ago (view)

    Prior to joining the Cubs in 2012 Scott Harris was Director of Baseball Operations in the MLB office, which means he received, reviewed, and approved all major league and minor league contracts and transactions, as well as providing MLB clubs with schedules, rules updates, and draft information. 

     
  • Cubster 4 days 16 hours ago (view)

    Giants hire Scott Harris, from Cubs front office,  as GM

     
  • Charlie 5 days 18 hours ago (view)

    For anyone else who immediately wonders but is not invested enough to look it up, this is not Chris (Ryan) Young, former Padres starter and fisticuffs partner of Derrek Lee, but rather the two-years younger Chris Matthew Young.

     
  • crunch 6 days 5 hours ago (view)

    rev up those off-season rumor fryers...

    Jeff Passan @JeffPassan
    Multiple teams in search of catching help believe Cubs catcher Willson Contreras will be available this winter. The Cubs will get creative this winter, and with a deep catching free agent market, they could trade Contreras and begin retooling under new manager David Ross.

     
  • crunch 6 days 10 hours ago (view)

    former padres manager andy green is gonna be ross's bench coach.

    green was c.rea's manager in SD, btw.

     
  • Arizona Phil 6 days 16 hours ago (view)

    Last year the Cubs signed four free-agents to minor league contracts prior to the Rule 5 Draft: LHP Alberto Baldonado, OF Wynton Bernard, RHP Corey Black, and RHP Jose Rosario. All four were members of the Cubs organization in 2018 but declined to sign a 2019 minor league successor contract prior to being declared a free-agent, but then came back to the Cubs after briefly testing the free-agent waters. 

     
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