Welcome to Super Tuesday and Happy Fat Tuesday.... For the last nine days, updates from the mainstream media on the Erik Bedard deal have indicated a trade between the Mariners and Orioles was close to being completed. Depending on which outlet you read or which radio report you listen to, a deal will happen either tomorrow or in the next few days.
While the Cubs appear out of the running for the talented southpaw, Jim Hendry and the Cubs should be paying attention to the actions of the Orioles front office. Several reliable sources have indicated the Cubs are still interested in trading for Brian Roberts, but with the way Andy MacPhail has handled this rumored deal, it could be July, or even next winter, before the Cubs are able to trade for Roberts....if at all.
Here is the latest from Baltimore, notes from around the league, more from the North Side, plus a little contest from the CCO....
From Baltimore
A report from MLB.com on Monday night indicated "the Orioles and Mariners may have moved closer to completing a blockbuster trade for Erik Bedard." The report indicated the "key players" have undergone physicals and "the trade could be consummated by the middle of the week." Several reports on XM Radio indicated the trade was impending and could be made official as soon as Tuesday.
Adam Jones and George Sherrill were both in Baltimore on Monday to take their physicals but Erik Bedard has not made the trip to Seattle to take a physical for the Mariners....the deal would need Bedard to pass a physical for the deal to become official according to the report on MLB.com.
A report on ESPN stated only the players passing physicals is needed in order for the deal to become official. Bedard has not been told the trade is official according to a report in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. However, a report in the Seattle Times indicated Chris Tillman has been informed of the deal and "if all the principals have been notified, it would seem a trade could happen tomorrow (Tuesday) if all needed physicals are approved."
The Seattle Times basically said they are not sure when the trade could be made official.
The Cubs appear to be waiting for Bedard to be dealt, at least that is what the rumors indicate....but this off-season could end up being a lot of waiting for nothing.
A Couple of Tidbits from Bob Brenly
Bob Brenly was on XM Radio on Monday afternoon with Rob Dibble and Kevin Kennedy. He briefly talked about Kosuke Fukudome and what he could bring to the club. Brenly said Lou Piniella refers to Fukudome as "the new guy from Japan." Brenly thinks Brian Roberts would give the Cubs a proven leadoff hitter and allow Lou to move Alfonso Soriano down in the lineup in more of a RBI spot in the order.
Sam Zell
Sam Zell's desire to sell the Cubs separate from Wrigley Field is not going over with potential buyers of the team. Several reports out of Chicago indicated Zell is "alienating would-be buyers." One member of a bidding group said, "The Cubs and Wrigley Field are so intertwined. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Splitting them absolutely diminishes the value of the team and my interest level."
"That is money not going for the benefit of the team or fans. It is just rent out of the team's pocket (that could pay) for salaries that is being capitalized into a lump sum for Tribune's benefit," according to a member of another bidding group.
The Tribune Company
Ed Wilson was named president of Tribune Broadcasting on Monday and will start his new job on February 11th. Wilson will oversee Superstation WGN and WGN Radio along with 23 other television stations.
From Around the League
Juan Gonzalez signed a minor league contract on Monday with the St. Louis Cardinals. The two-time AL MVP was one of 26 players that received non-roster invitations to Spring Training. Other notables.... Ron Flores, Cliff Politte, Dewon Brazelton, D'Angelo Jimenez and top prospect Colby Rasmus.
The Detroit Tigers are the latest team to lock up one of the games young stars. Chicago native, Curtis Granderson signed a 5-year deal worth $30.25 million dollars with an option for 2013 thus voiding his arbitration years and first year of free agency.
According to a report on ESPN, "United States consular officials in the Dominican Republic are reviewing visa applications from professional baseball players who have served suspensions for using performance-enhancing drugs." Donald Fehr said the players union "will attempt to ensure foreign players are treated the same as U.S. citizens."
Dayn Perry listed 14 teams that have "little real chance of making the playoffs" in the upcoming season. Perry mentioned upsides for each of the teams and it is well worth the read. However, a few of the teams listed by Perry make a habit of playing their best ball against the Cubs.... the Chicago White Sox, the Florida Marlins, the Houston Astros, the Pittsburgh Pirates, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Washington Nationals.
Dayn Perry also took a position-by-position look at the "worst player in all of baseball at each offensive position." Two former Cubs made the list....Jason Kendall and Juan Pierre.
MLB.com mentioned the Reds as one of the teams that could surprise in 2008....and the reason, Dusty Baker.
A "Little" CCO Contest
For weeks upon weeks, basically the entire winter, most of the talk surrounding the Cubs have started with, "Anything new on the Brian Roberts trade?" Well, 'the Roberts Watch' has seemingly reached day number 250, and still nothing from either Andy MacPhail or Peter Angelos.
Pitchers and catchers, as most know by now, report to Fitch Park next Wednesday and it appears Brian Roberts is no closer to becoming a Cub than he was before good 'ole Saint Nick made his way down thousands upon thousands of chimneys six weeks ago.
A couple of weeks before the season starts, the CCO will have another contest, a much bigger one than this....so let's call this a test run. Here's the deal....
Let your fellow readers know if you think Roberts will be a Cub before the season starts. If you think he will, state the date and which players you think Jim Hendry will have to surrender to Andy MacPhail to land Roberts.... and end this unbelievably-drawn-out-way-to-long-would-be-trade with Baltimore and Peter Angelos. Also, for tie breaking purposes, state the time of day the deal is officially announced....the time stamp on the press release on Cubs.com will serve as the official time.
The winner will receive something from the CCO prize closet, probably a t-shirt, and most importantly, bragging rights.
Finally.... The Asbury Park Press released a list of the greatest moments in New York Sports History. Number One was the "Fight of the Century" between Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali on March 8, 1971....a very important day in this writer's life.
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Hell, why not. I say yes he will.
I say he makes the trade on February 12th. It will be discussed the weekend prior and made that Monday with the official announcement made Tuesday the 12th.
The players we give up will be Cedeno, Gallager and Marshall.
Time of announcement: 1:34 a.m.
Okay, I'll take the bait.
Trade date: Feb. 10
Time that actual words come out of Hendry's mouth: 2:04 pm
Players: Gallagher, Marshall, Cedeno
Matt beat me to it....
I think Roberts will ultimately not be a Cub, but if he is indeed traded it will be agreed in principle by Feb. the 14th and then finalized the 16th at 6:24pm.
Players to Orioles; Vitters,Cedeno,Gallagher plus one MLB ready player [Marquis]
Players to Cubs; Roberts plus the infamous PTBNL!
If the Cubs do land Roberts it will be:
Feb 11, 2008 (2:00 P.M. CT)
Roberts will be a cub.
Trade date: Feb 17th 5:00 A.M.
We will lose Gallagher, Murton, Guzman.
My cubbie blue crystal ball says yes Roberts will become a cub on Febuary 17th at 12pm Chicago time, and Guzman, Murton, Marshall and Cedeno will not be participating in the world series at Wrigley this fall!
The most important piece of news is regarding the separate sale of the team and Wrigley. I have been worried about this since it was announced as a possibility.
The best scenario is for the new owners to either own Wrigley or have the right to build a new stadium. That way they could benefit from, and expand, all the revenue streams. This is what has happened in Boston.
If the new owners have to rent Wrigley, then they not only have to pay high rental fees, but the enormous potential revenues go to someone else.
The Trib has been able to significantly increase payroll of late and pay the higher bonuses for draft picks, but that could come to a crashing halt if this sale is split...
Hmmm...
I think the trade will go down February 12th
At around 2:00PM
Hendry Will Give Up: Marquis, Gallagher, Cedeno, and Marshall ( I think we will get George Sherrill in the deal also.)
Chad, we share the same concerns.
6 for 2 Roberts Sherrill Payton for Cedeno Gallagher Marshall Fontenot Veal Marquis and cash neutral 2/15 3:30 Central time.
Who in the world is Sherrill Payton??? Absolutely NO WAY they're trading Vitters. I'd say Marshall, Cedeno, Marquis, and Colvin for Roberts, and Jay Payton. February 11th, 7:30pm Chicago time.
Roberts to the Cubs:
Feb. 12th
11:34pm
To O's: Marquis, Marshall, and Pie
To Cubs: Roberts and cash
Roberts for Murton, Marshall and Gallagher. Made official February 15 at 2:52 p.m. cst
Roberts becomes a Cub on Feb. 11, 2008 at 4:15 p.m. Chciago time. It is a multi-player trade as follows:
Cubs get Roberts, Sherrill and Payton.
Cubs surrender Marquis, Cedeno, Pie, Hart, Petrick and Reynolds (AA 3b).
Andy is praised and JH is dissed by a majority of analysts. JH says, "It now falls to Fuld, Payton and Patterson to compete for the CF job. Colvin will play center field at AAA, and give us another option if we need one. We did keep a number of our top prospects, including Vitters, Colvin, Gallagher and Ceda who were mentioned in various trade reports. We have taken the steps that we believed were necessary to compete this year and in years to come."
Roberts and Payton for Pie, Gallagher, Cedeno, and Marquis
Fogot to add the date and time ... Feb 12 at 2:45 pm cst.
Roberts is a Cub: for Gallagher, Colvin, and Cedeno.
Time: February 11th, 3:00 PM CST.
Roberts to the Cubs for Gallagher, Marquis, Cedeno, and Murton.
Time: February 8th, 4:30 p.m. EST.
Roberts to Cubs for Gallagher, Cedeno, Patterson.
Feb. 9th, 1 pm CST
I think the Marlon Byrd trade effects this trade. Assuming that they trade for Byrd(probably for murton and ptbnl or cash), I will go with:
Roberts and some Minor league throw-in for Gallagher, Marshall, Pie.
If the Byrd trade doesn't go through:
Brian Roberts and Jay Payton for Pie, Marquis, Gallagher, and cash
for them to take Marquis the Cubs will have to pay part of his salary(reason for the cash)
My perdiction will be the one including Jay Payton.
Debated between Marshall and Marquis, but I read somewhere that they wanted a inning eater and marshall is definitly not that.
Marshall or Marquis has to be in the trade because we have too many starters.
As far as the time, Feb 14 at 3:00pm
More Roberts' predictors to come I'm sure. But there's still work to be done. With Cedeno gone in a Roberts deal, DeRo likely going after the season starts for the Burnett/Lowe shut down type veteran to get us to the Series and Murton not happy and deserving better, we need a follow on trade.
JH and our old friend Jim Bowdin of the Nats trade Murton and Marshall for Felipe Lopez, i.f., age 27 who is career .258, .328 obs, .660 ops, switch hitter that had strong years with the Reds. Cubs also get a top prospect, lhp Jack McGeary, age 19 who Baseball America projects as a 2 or 3 guy in a few years.
Lopez could start if Theriot falters, and Murton either shares left with Church or starts. Marshall is a starter for the Nats, and they have another able ss. We add important depth where needed and maybe a replacement for Lilly down the road.
JimK, Love your thinking. Would realy like to get that Jack MeGeary kid.
If it happens it will be Feb 11th at 3:00 pm. we will give up Murton, Gallagher, Marshall, Marquis and Colvin.
OOPS! It could be a case of the HUBS. In my Nats deal for Lopez and McGeary, the computer between my ears crashed. Church was traded to the Mets, and it was MacKowiak who was picked up by the Nats--as was Lastings Milledge. So Murton may represent one too many outfielders. The deal could end up being Marshall, Atkins and Thomas on our side.
JimK,
Church is with the Mets now...got traded for Lastings Milledge.
And while I like the idea of Felipe Lopez (huge talent, but an underachiever), I can't see the Nats being interested in Murton. They've already got a crowded outfield with Wily Mo Pena, Austin Kearns, Milledge, Ryan Langerhans, Elijah Dukes and Willie Harris. But I'd pity Murton if that trade did go down. He'd be moving from a crowded outfield, to one that's even more crowded. Poor guy would still never get a chance to play.
Is Lopez really on the block, or are you just throwing out names? I'm curious.
JimK,
I like the Lopez idea. I wonder if JH has looked into that. I've read Washington is open to dealing him and putting Belliard at 2B. They could use some young pitching from us.
I have some Fan Goggles on right now...but am I the only one at least a little hopeful, and curious to see if Ronny Cedeno may actually turn the corner this year? He's still young, and he did well in the off season yet again. This may be the year that translates into big league success.
Adam in Iowa...The Nats' site has a story about their glut of infielders--with Lopez going to camp as a reserve after a down year. There are also comments about who might end up as starting pitchers (slim pickings at the majors and excellent prospects 3 or so years out. They especially need a lefty and I thought about Marshall. I also thought they were a better opportunity for Murton--but I blew that. We should be able to get a decent player and/or prospects for Murton--maybe something with Cleveland.
David and Trevor...Bowden says Belliard is the second baseman going into camp. I'm guessing that Lopez let the Nats' futility drag him down last year And that Lou and the Cubs atmosphere would get him going. I too think Cedeno could turn the corner this year and I like him. But he likely goes in a Roberts deal.
Trevor, I do think Cedeno will be the guy we regret having traded the most...not Sean Gallagher, but that is the way the cookie crumbles. If he goes, he'll be a good player and if we keep him he'll probably suck...! Familiar eh?
JimK..I think Dero at SS and BR in second is solid and safe. IMO Felipe is more of the Izturis"esque" kind of player and to be honest I believe Theriot is a lot more promissing and worth the gamble at this point.
I do think this is Cedeno's year and I too think he would go if we get BR. But who knows.
Hey Neil...good job! Time for you to get in the game...
Carlos Marmol just got another save (2). The Licey Tigers, his team, just beat Venezuela Tigers 2-1 contributing to a 4-0 record in the playoffs going and are the first to qualify for the finals
Yes, Licey is that Dominican runner up team substituting Puerto Rico and has caught fire at the right time. Note: Sr. Nasty certainly has the temple to close a ballgame. He reminds me of the Angels K-Rod and has a look on his face like he knows they are not going to touch him. 2K’s and a ground out to 3rd.
agustin...I see Theriot at ss--until he is no longer an asset there. DeRo would catch everything he gets to, but he is doesn't have ss speed. Lopez has played short, second and third. Last year he stole 24 bases in 33 tries--so he can be a pinch runner too.
And the real reason we need to be thinking about a guy like Lopez is that you are going to be leading all of us in screaming at JH to get that stud pitcher when we are showing signs of greatness in May. DeRo may be our ticket for Burnett or Lowe. In that case, I don't want to be trying to find "Take two and hit it to second" Izturis.
I really like seeing all the imaginative deals in here. You guys are all great general managers! It is great to be a Cubs fan and see the inventive deals you can come up with. I also think Cedeno will turn out to be a pretty good major leaguer but I think Roberts will be a bigger plus to the Cubs. I am just hoping that Pie is not involved in any deal. I want to see him get a full shot at center. What an outfield that would be.....Soriano, Pie and Fuk. Great arms. No running or taking extra bases on any of these guys. Like always, GO CUBS!
2/14 11:28 CST
From the Wire... Brian Roberts to Cubs for Jason Marquis, Sean Gallager and Tyler Colvin.
Neil do you have any news on when Freddy Garcia will be ready or is he out all year? Curious.
Jim, I have read at least June on Garcia.
Roberts will become a Cub on 2/29, when Neil and I take in a Spring Training game.
The time will be whenever I take the first sip of my first cold beer. Neil will tell me the news and the beer will spray out of my mouth, due to my utter surprise that Hendry and MacPhail could ever do anything productive for the Cubs.
Traded will be Vitters, Colvin, and Walrond. Ok, I jest, but I also don't care who gets traded, if they are unproven at the mlb level.
Go Cubs!
Given the glacial speed at which the Bedard/Jones deal has gone down, I feel they'll try to get the deal done before players report, but Angelos and physicals will slow things down until 2/18 - 6:18pm
Roberts and cash for Gallager, Cedeno, and Marquis.
Actually wouldn't be surprised to see Pie or Fuld in a deal, but I think the O's need the infielder more after getting Jones
Deal does not get done. McFail's insistence on including Felix Pie in the package forces Jim Hendry to back off of the deal. At Lou's request, Jimmy H keeps Pie at all costs. Roberts remains an Oriole for the time being.