The groundwork has been laid and according to multiple reports, it is just a matter of time before Jake Peavy has a new team to pitch for next season and beyond. A report from the Associated Press on Thursday night quoted Padres' GM Kevin Towers as saying, "The train's kind of left the station" in reference to Jake Peavy remaining with the San Diego Padres. The AP's lead in indicated Peavy would probably be traded before the winter meetings next month, but Bruce Levine reported that a deal could be done as early as Monday that would send Peavy to either Atlanta or Chicago.
Here is more on Jake Peavy and Ryan Dempster as well as the latest on Jeremy Hermida, Kevin Hart, Raul Ibanez, Jeff Samardzija and Kerry Wood....
Jake Peavy and Ryan Dempster
Bruce Levine reported Jim Hendry is working on two deals and labeled them as '1A' (Jake Peavy) and '1B' (Ryan Dempster). The Cubs brass met for 5 hours to discuss a possible trade with the Padres for Peavy and Towers is looking for four to five good young players. Levine said the Cubs have the players to offer despite the fact the Braves' talent is better. The Braves are in a rebuilding mode where the Cubs should be in the middle of the race next season and are 'going for it'.
Jim Hendry is trying to get both the trade for Jake Peavy and Ryan Dempster resigned before next week's deadline (November 13th) and Levine feels both could be done within a few days if Ryan Dempster takes the 4 year deal the Cubs are offering. Levine said Dempster's new contract could be worth between $46 - $50 million dollars.
Levine did not mention the players the Cubs would be sending to San Diego for Peavy.
The Associated Press reported that Towers anticipates a trade being completed by the Winter Meetings next month in Las Vegas. Towers told the AP:
"We're not to the point where we've agreed on who the players are coming back. We just have an idea of who's available to us and who's not. Now it's just a matter of looking at three priority teams that are involved and trying to figure out what our optimum deal is. Some of them involve third teams and potentially fourth teams, so it becomes a little more complicated."
Dave van Dyck indicated the Cubs are making a 'major push' for Peavy....Levine used a similar language and stated "the Cubs are in deep discussions." The report in the Tribune stated the Cubs "upped their initial offer to Dempster" and mentioned a figure similar to Bruce Levine's....4 years and around $50 million.
The Tribune added Kevin Hart to the list of players that have been rumored to be in the deal for Peavy.
Jon Heyman reported on SI.com that the Padres are discussing Jake Peavy with three teams (Braves, Cubs and Dodgers) and "it appears Peavy will have a new home sometime in the next few weeks." Heyman stated one of his sources thinks the Braves are "the most likely landing spot."
The Braves are confident they can acquire Jake Peavy. But a deal is not imminent according to a report from MLB.com.
A late report from the San Diego Union-Tribune indicated Jake Peavy might not waive his no-trade clause to a team that is weakening their current roster to acquire him. Peavy would prefer Yunel Escobar to remain with the Braves if Peavy is traded to Atlanta. Peavy wants to win and does not want to be a part of a rebuilding process....he could stay in San Diego, with his family, and go through the growing pains of putting together a winner.
According to a report from Jeff Passan on Yahoo Sports, the Padres "have asked for Jeff Samardzija as the headliner of a package that could include Felix Pie, Sean Marshall and Ronny Cedeno." Other pieces could include such names as Kevin Hart and Donald Veal.
Kerry Wood
There is a possibility that the Cubs will resign Kerry Wood if he is willing to take a one or a two year deal from the Cubs. If Wood wants a longer contract, they will likely let him go. Bruce Levine indicated the Angels and the Mets could be an option for Wood if he does not resign with the Cubs.
Levine contradicted all of the reports from the Chicago media that stated if the Cubs trade for Peavy and resign Dempster there would not be enough in the budget for Wood. Levine made it sound like if Wood will accept what the Cubs are offering, then he will be in blue pinstripes again.
Jeremy Hermida
The Cubs have talked to the Marlins about Jeremy Hermida according to a report in the Tribune, "but he is not near the top of their left-handed bat wish list as of now."
Raul Ibanez
The Tribune reported the Mets "seem to be favorites to sign" the former Seattle Mariner.
Aaron Heilman
According to a report in the Denver Post, the Mets are looking to move Aaron Heilman and the Cubs are one of four teams interested in the reliever (Rockies, Cardinals and Diamondbacks). Most feel Heilman is in need of a change of scenery.
Lastly, "Mr. Players-do-not-win-championships-organizations-do", Jerry Krause, was dismissed from his job as a scout for the Mets.
Well, that's the latest....and I'm sticking to it!
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I think that if the Cubs package up Samardzija, Marshall, Cedeno and Pie they are giving up way too much. Because not only are they trading those players they are also really trading Kerry Wood too. The Cubs will resign Ryan Dempster and if this deal goes down that would leave little room for Wood. So would you really want to give up all this for another arm that we really dont need. The Cubs numbers in the pitching categories are atop the charts, yet we find ourselves in this race. Our bullpen would be razor thin if this deal goes down. A bullpen minus Woody and Marshall would leave a closing job to Marmol and a bunch of guys who are just average, that depth is what set the Cubs pen apart last year. Not only if we get rid of those guys the Cubs will then even probably look to trade Marquis to loosen up some cap space. No matter how you look at it, even though he may be hated among the Cub fandrome, he was one of the best #5 starters in league. So then to help sign Peavy, we'd pass on resigning Woody and then let go a good number 5 guy to help space up some room. With all this said and some of the things that would go into this deal outside the immediate players leaving, this deal could take apart key ingredients and pieces of a stellar 97 win ball club.
I agree that adding Samardzija wouldn't be in the Cubs best interest, however, I don't believe that Wood will leave. If the Cubs make him a fair annual offer, he'll agree with a two year deal. He loves Chicago too much and feels he still owes them for standing by him during all of his injury problems. I'd be okay with a deal involving Pie, Marshall, Cedeno, and Hill also would be fine with Marquis being included who I think would be well suited to Petco Park. Even if all five of those players were dealt it wouldn't substantially hurt the Cubs, whereas they would have arguably the greatest starting five ever assembled.
I agree with Josh that if we get Peavy and keep Demp we really could have the best 5 man rotation ever and I really want this to get done. HOWEVER, JH DO NOT TRADE THE SHARK. This would be a huge mistake b/c we would be hurting our future but also our bullpen as if we dont sign Wood you will throw Marmol in the 9th which is fine but then have NO LEGIT ARM for the 8th. So our great starters go 7 then we lose it in the eigth over and over imo. I feel Cedeno, Marshal, Pie, Veal and maybe others are very tradeable b/c Peavy would in a sense replace what Marshal could be and Cedeno and Pie might have a bright future but have no place on our team now and maybe even in the future. Veal is added b/c to get a Superstar you will no doubt have to give up good young talent. Just my opinion but this is how i stand on the trade.
No way do you throw in Samardzija. The guy has proven that he is a fighter on a big stage at Notre Dame, and then succeeded on a huge stage with the Cubs.
I can see why they'd want him, but unless it's just him and Cedeno, I'd NEVER do it.
Who else do we have in the minors to step up if any of our big starters go down? Hart? Ceda? Veal? Hill? You gotta be kidding me? None of those guys can be counted on. And what we do know is that Z, Harden, and Peavy have all missed time within the last year due to injury.
I think the asking price given the fact that they want to dump salary, and have already made it known that he's as good as gone---is WAY too high. I hear Towers asking for 4, maybe 5 top prospects. WOW!!
My take it or leave it offer would be: Hart, Veal, Cedeno, and Marshall. Cedeno could step in right away for them, and so could Hart and Marshall. I might even include Pie to appease them, but I wouldn't go higher than that offer.
Here's what I would say if I were Hendry,"Look, Hart, Cedeno, AND Marshall all would be considered top prospects if they were still in the minors. All 3 have experienced success at the MLB level. Wouldn't you rather have that than an untested AA or AAA guy? The Braves won't even include Tommy Hanson. We're giving you one fireballer (Hart), a slick fielding shortstop with offensive potential, and a tall lefty with a big curveball that'd be perfect for your spacious park. If you throw in Khalil, we'll give you Pie as well. That's a tremendous deal. Hey, you can't argue with proven production at the MLB level, can you? Alright, let's get this done."
None of this crap about Samardzija. As I've said before, fireballers post-steroids just don't grow on trees. If we lose Wood, we're really going to need the Shark.
I think one thing all of us at CCO agree on is the The Shark stays in our waters....I think there is little chance of him going however, due to the fact he himself has a no-trade clause. I'm not sure he would waive it to go to a team like San Diego....add in the fact he has a pretty hefty contract and not sure the Padres want to pick up that kind of money.
Either way....drop the trade if it includes The Shark.
The lastest I saw said the Braves were willing to deal Escobar, Morton and Schaeffer. That's a better package than Cedeno, Marshall and Pie. Seems we'd have to add a couple playes to that package to top Atlanta ... maybe Ceda and Veal. I'd make that deal, but I'm guessing I'm in the minority here at CCO. I'd walk away before including Shark though.
I doubt Shark goes - the reason he wanted a no trade was because he's thrilled to be a Cubbie. And if I were him, I'd rather be in Chicago with a solid team than in San Diego with a rebuilding effort. Granted though, the weather in SD is really nice LOL
http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/901
Joe,
It looks as if the Shark is NOT included in the deal according to the Bruce Miles in his blog.
An interesting topic was brought up by Ken Rosenthal today...LOL, I know you'll love this one Joe...He says basically what I've been saying on here. With Fukudome going to CF (or trade), we'll need a high OBP lefty power threat for RF. He mentions Dunn as a perfect fit. He goes on to say that even though Manny is a right, he'd still fit really well because of our loss. He mentioned Ibanez as well, but I don't know why we'd even consider it, given the fact he'll probably want a 3 year deal, keeping him with us as a 40 year old, and though Manny would be the same way, he keeps himself in incredible shape, and is WAY better. Anyway, if it's between Ibanez and nothing else...I pick "nothing else" and just put Hoffpauir out there, as he'll give you similar defense to Ibanez, but probably better OBP and power.
For me, what's really getting tiring is hearing about Pinella giving up on certain players including Pie, Fukodome, Cedeno, etc. And this is the problem with an aging, ready-to-retire manager. It's Lou's way, or it's the way out the door for the player. I wish he would spend less time giving up on players, and more time actually coaching, teaching and inspiring this team. Other teams are apparently interested in Fukodome, so we might as well trade him because the guy is now in a no-win with a manager who's lost confidence in him. How about Lou getting off his ass and spending the off-season with his coaches in visiting players and working with them. While he's been extended a year, I predict Lou will not survive thru the next 2-year contract period.
Bryan--I agree with that thought about Lou. I was thinking that myself. The fact it seems that "he" has given up on Pie without giving him a fair chance...the fact "he" gave up on Hill who obviously had talent based on his previous season....
I like Lou as a manager....but he annoys me with his "giving up"....he sure isnt a confidence builder...lol
LOL You're right Aaron.....that was great made me actually laugh out loud...GOD I DO NOT WANT DUNN!!! lol
Id LOVE to have Manny but that is not happening. I'm not hot for Ibanez either and would agree that I prefer to give Hoffy the shot.
As I said I highly doubt Shark would be part of the trade for the reasons I stated above. Although, as Gary points out...yes the weather is beautiful down here in San Diego!
As for Escobar, Neil posted an article stating that Peavy expressed concern about Escobar being traded....he doesnt want to weaken the club by him signing there. It was talked about more in todays San Diego Union Tribune. (signonsandiego.com)
Inuendos and Outuendos: I thought it would take a couple of top talents plus good prospects to get Peavy, and names like Yunel Escobar and Samardzjia show that to be true. It's hard to make sense about getting Peavy at high cost when you don't know what will happen with D (especially) and Wood. It's amazing that Peavy and his agent are giving Towers input on what he can take from the trading team so as not to noticably weaken the team Peavy goes to. Peavy wants the Braves to keep Escobar to play SS.
Samardzija's contract dollars won't be a prohibitive factor. I'm recalling that he got a $10 mil deal, with $2 mil up front and $2 mil a year for 4 years.
In looking for Rich Hill, I noted some of our Latin leagues' performers. Bobby Scales AAA IF is doing well at Hermosillo, .320 with 15 H in 59 AB's. Dubois is not at Mexicali, .232-0 HR-6 W-19 SO. In the Dominican Rep, Jake Fox is tearing it up (like he did the 2nd half last season) hitting .573 (18 for 32 with 9 doubles) at Licey. Pie was 2 for 4 and Castillo 1 for 4 at Licey. Ceda had only faced 2 batters at Escogido and walked them both. My man and Angels prospect, Sean Rodriguez was hitting .327 with the Gigantes with 6 HR and 13 RBI and an OBP of .386. He does have 17 SO's.
In Venezuela, Hill is not impressing at Araqua with a 6.28 ERA. He is 1-1 and has allowed 15 H in 14 IP and walked 13 while striking out 9. Ronny Cedeno is 10 for 30 with 1 HR and 4 RBI's.
J.R. Mathes (LSP) is 2-0-1.20 at Caracas, allowing 15 H in 18 IP with 3 W and 10 SO's. Josh Kroeger is tearing it up at Car. hitting .387 with 6 HR and 20 RBI's. He has 15 W's and 12 SO's in 62 AB's. By contrast the hearlded Matt LaPorta is hitting .180 in 61 AB's. At Zulia, switch hitting SS, Andres Blanco has a line of .306-1-11 in 85 AB's. Henry Blanco has a line of .167-3-3 in 36 AB's at Margarita.
Mathes, Fox, Kroeger, Bobby Scales and Andres Blanco have paid some dues and should help someone at the major league level. I think Fox and Kroeger have good trade potential for either sound bench players that we might need or good prospects. Fox is best suited for the AL as a DH, part time C and first baseman. Kroeger is a versatile OF and is just behind Hoffpauir in needing a reasonable chance in the bigs.
Hey guys!
My thought as [allways] for a guy like Peavy is to give it all up. He is proooven! Yet, why Samardja? If we are to loose his help in the bulpen for a starter, why not insert him to the rotation and use our trading chips[Hill/Marshal/Veal/Ronny ect. to get the lefty power and obp we need?
The only way it makes sense is if we get Peavy and Green for Theriot-Cedeno-Marshall-Pie-Hoffpauir and Hill. We then keep OUR lefty Fontenot and the Shark goes to the rotation in place of Harden that goes to the penn as the closer. That allows the Padres to trade Gonzalez who is becoming expensive to the Yankees. We do not sign Dempster and can go for the godforsaken Dunn or some one of his caliber with and stick with Wood who should be a set up guy for Marmol and Harden. Crazy, maybe but thats my take and like Neil says...I'm sticking to it!
This might be harsh, but lets face it, Dempster just had his career year and we don't want a DLEE dejavu.
Hey hold on there Agustin.....you want to trade Hoffpauir...a lefty bat who hits for power?? Isn't that what the Cubs are lacking??
And what are you talking about that it would allow the Padres to trade Gonzalez who is becoming expensive?? The Padres are certainly not trading their young (26) superstar anytime soon...and he is an extreme bargain for the next three years! In '07 he signed a 4 year 9.5 million dollar contract with a club option in 2011 for 5.5 million. 5.5 Million for a 29 year old power hitting first baseman in 2011....yeah big financial troubles there!!
Jim K you are exactly right.....no chance in the world that Adrian Gonzalez gets shipped from the Padres....the next 2 years he will make about 2.5 million. Augustin, teams do not trade a superstar golg glove slugger who is signed so cheap. They will certainly even pick up his option in 2011 because 5.5 million is a steal for him as well. As, Jim K pointed out...the Padres just picked up the 9 million dollar option on Brian Giles...so they aren't in a complete cost cutting mode.
On Peavy..the Padres will try and work a trade to anyone else BUT the Dodgers. They certainly do not want Jake in the same division causing the Padres nighmares.
Matt..Corey Patterson would be an interesting thought but he has struggled too often. Plus, he really only plays CF which is not where we need help. I do like the idea of Kyle Farnsworth. I mentioned his name awhile back. I would certainly add him to the pen.
Yes Joe, trade Hoffpauir who is probably a good bat but has not prooven anything yet. He might be the next coming of Adrian Gonzalez but we do not know that...kind of the same thing with Pie. This organization [cubs]clearly has little patience with young kids that are not named Marmol-Soto.
And the Padres are trying to cut payroll to 40-45 million and that makes the reasonable Adrian expensive. [same reason for trading Peavy who is under control for a very reasonable price compared to the market, but they are re-building and hopping to catch lighting in a bottle finding a new breed of players like Gonzalezand Peavy. I bet Adrian will be out of there before next year too.
I would'nt mind Hoffpauir playing every day and checking him out in right, but do you think Lou-JH will? my bet is no, so that means trade him.
leadoff man, left handed doesnt any one remember corey patterson hes a free agent why cant we just sign him then trade off soriaNO, i know hes getting older but if you need a fire baller out of the pen mr. kyle farnsworth does the job once again a free agent
Gonzalez will stay with the Pads because his $3mil, $5 mil, $5.5 mil (aprox.) over the next 3 years is a bargain and affordable. The Pads aren't desparate as is indicated by their just exercising Giles $9 mil option for next year.
I'm still thinking that, if Peavy goes soon, he'll go to the Braves. His SS concerns would likely be satisfied if the Braves promised to sign one of Lugo, Jack Wilson, Renteria, Cabrera or Furcal. I think JH balks at sending both Samardzija and Marshall to the Pads.
If Peavy doesn't go in the next week or so, my guess is that he waits to see what happens with the top 7 ranked free agents: (1) CC, (2) Manny, (3) Teixeira, (4) KRod, (5) Lowe, (6) Dempster, (7) Burnett. If (for example) the Dodgers don't sign CC and keep Manny, my take is Peavy would want the Dodgers. Even if Manny leaves but Furcal stays, Peavy might want the Dodgers. And the Dodgers have more to offer that's of interest to the Pads then anyone, IMO. If Teixeira stays with the Angels, they too have a good shot at Peavy.
I think Matt needs to check the stats on CPat. He hit .205 with a terrible OBP of .238 last year in 336 AB's. CPat will be lucky to have a big league job next year.
I too would like to see Hoffpauir play for the Cubs. His future may depend on what happens to the big 7 free agents. Trading one of our big contracts (incl. Dome) is a long shot, but if that happens, Hoffpauir might play first or a corner OF spot. I just keep coming back to the importance of what happens with guys like CC, Manny and Tex. And, wouldn't it be amazing if Dome decided he was going back to the friendly confines of ....Japan. That would get the players' union's attention.
JimK,
Thanks for the winter league updates. And about Gonzalez, it's absolutely right about him not leaving. Consider the fact they exercised their option on Giles. That pretty much says it right there. His salary is $9 million, Gonzalez would be $5 million (from what I hear on here), and Hoffman, if he's signed would amount to about $4-5 million. My guess is that they want to at least retain some big names to keep butts in the seats.
I also like Hoffpauir a lot. I mean, the guy was super solid in the minors. Maybe not the flashiest guy, but solid. He had above average extra base power, a decent OBP, and at 27 yrs old last year, looked like he was coming into his own. But the fact is, come spring training, he will be 29 years old. While he's shown a little success at the MLB level, didn't Murton and Cedeno also tear it up in limited time? I think Agustin is right here...I'd make him available, as much as it'd hurt to see him succeed elsewhere (well, I'd be happy for him, but you know what I mean).
I also agree that a lot of this stuff will play out probably well into December, especially with Captain Dumb-ass (Boras), having a ton of free agents this year---and big names, mind you.
I'd do this trade in a heartbeat: Marshall, Cedeno, Pie, and Hart for Peavy.
Aaron that is exactly what I meant with Hoffpauir, I only see a real shot at him playing if DLee is traded and quite honestly I'm not sure that would be an upgrade but who knows right?But if he won't get a real shot then he is a good trading chip.
I would add Hill or Hoffpauir to those names you mentioned for Peavy if necessary.