As the baseball world turns the page from the 2008 season teams have already begun taking steps to prepare for 2009....and in some cases, beyond. Baseball's general managers are making the trek to the West Coast this weekend for the annual GM meetings, this year's destination, Dana Point, California. This gathering is the first of baseball's two big meetings that put all of the decision makers throughout the league in the same location.....Baseball's Winter Meetings are not until December 8th - 11th in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The GM Meetings have been used in the past to start the talks that lead to off-season trades, basically to gauge in what areas other teams are looking to improve and which players might be available. There are some deals that are finalized during these meetings....last year, the Brad Lidge to the Phillies trade was finalized, so this upcoming week could feature a deal or two that helps a team raise a flag a year from now.
The Jake Peavy to the Cubs rumors gained a little momentum on Friday with a report from Ken Rosenthal that stated, "After failing to strike a deal with the Braves, at least for the moment, the Padres intend to explore deals with two other clubs on Peavy's list, the Cubs and the Dodgers." Rosenthal does not think the Cubs have enough young pitching to land Peavy....but Bruce Levine does.
Here is the latest from Levine and the mill on Jake Peavy, Raul Ibanez, Milton Bradley, Rafael Furcal, Ryan Dempster, Jim Edmonds and Ryan Theriot....
Jake Peavy
Ken Rosenthal mentioned in his report on Friday that the Cubs "have long had interest in Peavy, but do not have the quality young pitching to send the Padres. However, their interest could grow if they fear losing Ryan Dempster, who filed for free agency on Thursday but is still expected to re-sign with the club."
Rosenthal is correct that the Dodgers could offer more 'names' than the Cubs but Jim Hendry's package will include talent that has Major League experience according to Bruce Levine.
Levine said on Saturday morning that he confirmed earlier in the week that the Cubs and Padres have had conversations concerning a possible deal for Jake Peavy, but the teams have not exchanged names. Levine said Sean Marshall would be number one on the Padres list. Levine feels Marshall could win 12 to 13 games a year for the Padres playing half his schedule at PETCO Park. Ronny Cedeno would be number two, because the Padres want to move Khalil Greene and Felix Pie would be number three.
Levine said Marshall, Cedeno and Pie would be a good start but still not enough and would have to add at least one other good, young player....possibly two.
The feeling on Pie is that he could patrol the spacious centerfield in San Diego and the Cubs have failed to develop him in their system. Marshall, on the other hand, is an important player to the Cubs, especially with Rich Harden's injury history.
Levine added that Jim Hendry's top priority this off-season is to solidify the pitching staff and trading for Jake Peavy and re-signing Ryan Dempster would more than accomplish that goal.
The Padres would like to get the Peavy deal done sooner rather than later according to Levine. Kevin Towers is looking for 4 to 5 players for Peavy that will help them build toward 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Ryan Theriot, Rafael Furcal and the Middle Infield
Bruce Levine talked about the Cubs' biggest needs this off-season. Levine stated the Cubs are looking to add left-handed bats to the lineup (no surprise there, the Cubs' desire to added left handed bats have been all over most outlets since the end of the season) but he added the Cubs could look to make changes up the middle at second base and shortstop. Levine said he heard that Ryan Theriot was not guaranteed a starting spot at short next season....Carmen DeFalco added that Theriot was the worst defensive shortstop in the league last year.
Rafael Furcal was brought up as a possible solution for the Cubs at short as well as in the leadoff spot. DeFalco brought up the fact they had Paul Kinzer, Furcal's agent, on Talkin' Baseball last Saturday. Kinzer apparently told the guys they have no idea how close Furcal was to signing with the Cubs before the 2006 season....Levine brought up the 3-year, $39 million dollar contract Furcal inked with the Dodgers compared to the 5-year, $50 million dollar offer from the Cubs. Furcal's injury history is questionable to say the least (because of his injuries the past two seasons, Furcal is not a Type A or a Type B free agent and will not cost the Cubs anything in compensation if the Dodgers offer him arbitration and Furcal ends up as a Cub) and many have questioned how much his skills have diminished because of age and so many injuries.
DeFalco finished with how big of an impact player that Furcal is when he is on the field.
Ryan Dempster
The Cubs want Ryan Dempster back and from all indications, Dempster would like to return to the North Side. Bruce Levine reported that Dempster had conversations with the Cubs last week but that Dempster's agent is looking for a 5-year deal....and according to Levine, the Cubs are interested in only a 3-year deal, four tops. Levine does not feel a deal beyond four years for Dempster would be a smart move for the Cubs. He also feels if the Cubs are going to re-sign Dempster it would need to happen before November 13th.
On the Radar
The Cubs are looking to add a left-handed bat into the mix that can play right field....and hopefully one with a little pop. Bruce Levine brought up the names of Raul Ibanez and Milton Bradley. The Cubs are interested in Bradley but are not sure of his defensive skills in the outfield.
Jim Edmonds
According to a report by Buster Olney, Jim Edmonds "fully intends to play next year." Olney talked with Edmonds' agent, Paul Cohen, and was told by Cohen, "he's definitely coming back. The way he finished up, why wouldn't he?"
With a Reed Johnson/Kosuke Fukudome platoon in centerfield planned for next season. it is unclear where Edmonds could fit in on the club....and if the Cubs could catch the proverbial lightning in the bottle, twice.
Well, that's the latest from the mill and I'm sticking to it!
Funny...it seems to me that when the name Peavy first was let out...I named all the players people Bruce Levine stated as part of the trade...Pie, Cedeno, Marshall and a prospect or two. The only difference is I was hoping to have the package include Khalil Greene in return.....don't be suprised if the trade for Peavy works out that it doesnt turn out to include Mr. Greene. Perhaps we may need to include Rich Hill. I'd hate to see that because I think Hill will bounce back.
If indeed the Cubs do plan to platoon Johnson and Fukudome in CF (I still find it hard to believe there can be any plans when the 2008 season just ended and there are so many variables) then that must be a sure sign the Cubs plan on involving Pie in a trade. Because Pie is out of options and I cant see him being a role player on the bench.
As I stated in a previous post....I see Edmonds filling the role of Ward as the LH PH.
Furcal is not the answer....too many injuries and age has now become a factor.
Ibanez is not the answer....too old...not enough power to justify....
Bradley.....slim chances....sure worry about his antics becoming a distraction...I would also be worried about defense....
In order to land Peavy, it is a given that the Cubs would have to give up at least Marshall, Cedeno and Pie. I bet that they would also have to give up Wellington Castillo and another prospect.
The team also has other trading chips as well; Fontenot, Theriot,Gaudin practically anyoneone from the state of LA. I also wouldn't be surprised if the deal was expanded and the Cubs landed Khali Greene. I also concur that Theriot is not a good fielding SS. His range is limited and his arm is below average. His hitting is basically one of those flares out to RF.
I'm not sure why San Diego lets their best pitcher go that's under a reasonable contract unless they get two or three top prospects. Peavy was hardly dominant in 08, spent time on the DL with a tender elbow and only pitched three times in September. With ? surrounding Zambrano and Harden and so much on the line is this a chance you'd want to take? Marshall, as said is a valuable insurance policy. Furcal great when healthy has not shown he can stay healthy and could barely throw to first in the playoffs so it would seem foolish to sign him to long term deal. Roberts seems a safer place to invest but that does not solve the shortstop situation. Theriot should be at 2nd.
There are no injury concerns about Peavy's arm out here in San Diego. This is merely a cost cutting move. If Greene is included in the trade, I could see Theriot being included in it.
Santa has heard the wishes expressed by the Faithful, and he is planning for everyone to get something on his wish list.
With a caveat that, if the Dodgers sign Sabathia my deals may be interupted, Santa says as follows (and I as a part time Grinch won't be wholly happy):
Trade 1: The Dodgers get Peavy and a prospect. The Padres get Matt Kemp, James McDonald (RSP), and 2B/SS prospect Abreu. The low cost Kemp's line in the bigs last season was .290-18-76. He replaces Giles in RF, and the Pads don't miss a beat. McDonald is ready now and could be a #2 starter soon.
In a talent comparison, I would trade Marshall, Cedeno and Pie for Kemp even up--so there's not much chance of getting Peavy for our 3 + a prospect. The Dodgers could get Sabathia and Peavy since Andrew Jone's mega mistake goes off the books next year and Peavy only makes $9 mil next year. Peavy's $15 mil + years follow. (I think Manny goes elsewhere, too.)
Trade 2: The Cubs get SS Khali Greene (29)and maybe RSP Chris Young (29). For Greene, the Pads get Marshall, Cedeno and lefty Of, Josh Kroeger. If we pass on Dempster, we get Young for (RRP) Ceda and (C) Wellington Castillo. The Pads are happy with Gerut (31) in CF and leading off (.296-14-43 in 87 games)and don't want Pie.
Young costs $4.5, 6.2 and 8.5 mil the next 3 years. Greene costs $6.5 mil next year. The Pads cut salaries and continue rebuilding (admitted or not.)
From JH's point of view, for the cost of D, we get Greene's power (probably 25 HR playing half-time in Wrigley) and some improvement on defense and 12-14 wins from Young. Then, I hope, he would re-sign Wood.
In this Santa's bag of gifts, Jim TP and Joe S get Greene and Aaron and I get Wood. JH manages a limited payroll. But the part-time Grinch in me says we still have work to do re a lefty bat with some power to go along with Hoffpauir in his limited DeRo role.
My hope will continue to build that we can get my man, the talented lefty OF, Seth Smith from the Rockies, and find the trade off ramps for Dome and Pie. All of this seems doable--especially in this holiday season when Santa listens a little more closely.
I think you might want to sign Texiera. He is the left handed bat with pop that the Cubs need. If we get him then we can explore trading Lee while he still might have some value. If we don't get Tex, then we keep Lee. But Peavy is a must!!! Either way, I have faith that JH will make some good moves early. Wjhat dop you guys think?
Jim K:
I would take that deal that involves Chris Young and Khali Greene. I agree with you about Greene's power, plus he is a total upgrade over Theriot on defense. My only concern is about D.Lee and Chris Young's relationship due to their fight back in 2007.
If the Geeene deal never materializes I wouldn't mind a run at Michael Young.
In agreement, JH must get this deal done for Peavy..I believe a package of Marshall, Cedeno, Pie, Fontenot, and Hart or Wuertz, could land both Peavy and Khalil Greene, who is a much better defensive shortstop and gives you more power lower in the order than the punch-and-judy Theriot
With the Pads not wanting a medium to high salary guy (like DeRo, e.g.) and our not wanting to trade a young star like Marmol, I don't see us getting Peavy. Maybe some would think that the Dodgers wouldn't send Kemp and McDonald, but that's more value than we have to offer in the several players named above.
Marmol, Marshall, Theriot, Ceda and Castillo could get us Peavy and Greene but I would not do that. On Teixeira, he'll likely be getting $20 mil + for 5 or 6 years and won't be on our radar.
I would say that we have no (budget) shot at free agents like Tex and CC. Soriano, Aram, Z and Lee are our big contract guys for now. One slim chance for moving Soriano and opening up some budget room (the Mets) got a little slimmer with the announcemnt that they exercised their ($12 mil or so) option on Delgado.
First posting, great to be here! Now that that's out of the way, why in the hell would you want Greene period let alone to replace the riot?? he has a career .248 average, averages only 128 games a year, will strike out over 100 times, doesn't steel bases, had ONE decent power year and has a walk to ab ratio of 1 walk every 13.7ab's. Other then the OCCASIONAL pop, he has nothing. so he's better defensively, not worth risking everything else. he's a bench player AT BEST. As far a D wanting a 5 year deal, hell with that. no longer can they afford to give out long contracts like that unless your talking a HIGH caliber player like Ramirez or Pujols. I think Dome and Sori have taught us that. I'm all for getting Peavy. Pie and Cedeno have both had their chances. Personally, i wouldn't mind Ibanez. He will be 37 when next season starts, yes, but he plays in a lot of games, hits for average, decent power, gets extra base hits and is a left handed bat. Even at his age he is a hell of a lot better then Greene which everyone wants for some reason. One last thing, i don't understand why a lot of people here are down on Theriot? He's a young, .300 hitter who steals over 20 bases, struck out 1 every 10 at bats last season and was a proven winner in college. Does his d need some work, sure it does, but so did ARAM's if you remember, but that comes with experience, and the fact that he's a natural second basemen.
I love Greene in Wrigley ... I'd even go further than the projections of others and could see him hitting .265-.270 with 25-30 HR ... plus he has a great glove. His career average at home is .225 while it is .270 on the road ... plus he has much more power on the road. His hitting style is made more for Wrigley, than Petco.