According to a report from the Tribune, Aramis Ramirez is expected to back in the Cubs lineup on Monday against the Atlanta Braves. Ramirez has been out since May 8 (placed on 15-day DL on May 9)and the Cubs are 20-24 with him on the DL.
Aramis Ramirez is scheduled to take batting practice with the team one more time in Pittsburgh on Wednesday then join the Peoria Chiefs for three games over the weekend against the Kane County Cougars.
The Cubs are looking to get Ramirez between 15-20 at bats before putting him back in the lineup.
Ramirez cautioned that he is "not a savior" that all 25 guys have to do their job.
From the Tribune: "It doesn't work that way. Everybody has got to do their job. They can think whatever they want, but we have 25 guys here and everybody has got to do their job. It's not like I'm going to jump in and all of a sudden we're going to win every game."
Angel Guzman put together a solid outing for the Peoria Chiefs on Tuesday night.
With Aramis Ramirez due back as well as Reed Johnson (placed on DL June 25 retroactive to June 21) and Angel Guzman (placed on DL June 21), changes to the Cubs roster are on the horizon.
Stay Tuned ....
Great news! For everybody saying hes coming off the DL to early, hes coming off exactly 8 weeks later, which was the first and last diagnostics.
AND for the people saying that "what if he gets hurt" well you cant plan for an injury, and if you do that player shouldnt be in the line-up. THE ONLY way he gets hurt is if Lou over uses him. WHICH is a possibility.
For the people saying that the Cubs should be sellers, and are out of it (*cough*cough*aaron*cough*) you gotta calm down. I know your angry and mad, i dont blame you, i understand your pain. But were you really expecting a better team in 2009? It will be ok. I do think the Cubs need some bullpen help, but really who doesnt?
Jason Marquis 10-4
Need I say more; he challenged the mgr.
and the mgr. said to the GM get rid of him.
The GM said no problem we'll tell the fans its a money issue
Players rec'd Dumped/money thrown away
The Cub giveaway continues as it has for decades
Did you know . . . ?
...that the Pirates have won as many games as the Cubs?
...that Mark DeRosa got hurt on 30 June 2009?
Did you know . . . .
...that the Indians released Jose Vizcaino? Yes, even the lowly Indians recognized that he was just awful.
...that Jason Marquis is 10-5 for the Rockies with 10 quality starts? Or that he has won as many games as 3 of the Cubs' starters (Z=4, Dempster=4, Wells=2)?
... that Ted Lilly will be a free agent when this season is over? That Ted has more quality starts than anyone on the Cubs (12)? If they don't plan to resign him, and if the Cubs are going nowhere, then he should be traded to at least get something for him?
...that Marmol has walked 38 in 36 innings? He's worse than Cotts who walked 9 in 11 innings, and Heilman (23 in 34 innings)? Or that Marmol leads all of MLB with BB for non-starters? The top five in MLB are:
1. Marmol: 40
2. Durbin (Phils) 26 in 42 IP.
3. McClung (Brewers) 25 in 45
4. Heilman 23
5. Taveras 22 in 31 IP (Wash)
Dempster's walk totals are up, too. He ranks 9th in MLB with 42 in 99IP.
...that Aaron Heilman ranks #3 in MLB for most blown saves: 5. Wow! #1 is Lidge of Philly, ERA of 7.57 with 14 saves, has blown only 6. And he's their closer. In addition, Marmol is next with 4 blown, followed by Gregg with 3. Our pen has been gasoline alley.
...the Michael Wertz is among the tops in MLB in K's per BB. He strikes out 4.10 for every walk he gives up.
I am 99% sure that Lilly will free agent after 2010 season, not 2009. He has 4 year deal. This year is the 3rd year.
There is a rumor going around, that the Cubs are close to acquiring Closer Heath Bell from the Padres
Link:
http://www.bleachernation.com/2009/06/30/very-rumorish-rumor-heath-bell-to-the-cubs/
For those of you who support JHendry:
REMEMBER Ed Lynch? You know, Cubs GM, whose first acts as GM was to hire the losingest manager in the history of MLB (Jim Riggleman), and trade for the pitcher with the longest losing streak in MLB history: 27 games in a row, by Anthony Young.
AND ED LYNCH IS STILL ON THE CUBS PAYROLL.
The weather forecast over Wrigleyville
tonight:
DARK, FOLLOWED BY DAWN.
I like that.
Points to ponder:
1)Good for Marquis...I still would have made that decision...although JH should have gotten more.
2) That Ed Lynch is still on the payroll is probably the cost of getting him out of a decision making roll.
3) Wouldn't it be nice if Soriano would
agree to dfa providing we pay full salary this year...and renegotiate his contract over his lifetime...the Cubs would be paying him...3 - 4 million per year forever....I'd do it.
Think about it...we are currently on the hook for 18 million for 5 years.
5 x 18 = 90 million.
If you paid him 3 mil per year for 30
years...= 90. Ages 63 and on equal interest.
We guarantee the 90 plus interest...
but if Soriano wants to really stick the Cubs....he lives well past 100.
It's a better curse than the Billy Goat...put a possible solution to an immediate problem.
Good morning all.. found a website I believe all cubs hitters should read.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/253473/teaching_a_baseball_team_how_to_bat.html?cat=14
Go Cubbies..by the way our trip to Wrigley was AMAZING!!! 13 inning of great baseball..
JimK, are you prescient?
According to today's Tribune:
In responding to the unofficial poll of Cubs fans...where 57% of the fans voted to trade Z.
Zambrano replied..."Fine, trade me to Boston, he said."
National league teams he would go to?
Dodgers. Responding to the question
"why the Dodgers?"
..."Can you imagine me in Hollywood?"
Now that we are getting Ramirez back, who would be the most valuable addition to the cubs in '09.
Sanchez, Uggla, Castillo, Furcal?? he is slumping
or
Valverde, Street, Bell, Aardsma, Woody??
I vote Valverde!
and then teach Fox to play second. haha
Well, I wouldn't do that. You have to be more nimble athletically, moving laterally and what not to play 2B...and I know you were joking...but Fox should be playing everyday if Hendry ever wises up and puts Soriano on the DL as he should've LOOOOOOOOONG ago. If anything, he'll back up 3B, LF, and RF (which is a shame, because we need him in the lineup everyday, as evidenced by the fact that outside of Soto, he was the ONLY Cub to hit the ball hard yesterday...and he did it consistently)
The Rockies are still in it...Street stays. The Mariners are rebuilding, so Aardsma stays. There's no way the Cubs take Wood unless the Indians pay half his salary. Valverde also stays, since we're now officially tied in the division with the Astros. So, that only leaves Heath Bell.
As for 2B, my order of preference would be Sanchez, Uggla, Castillo. The Pirates have to be considering dealing him, along with Adam LaRoche, and really any other veterans they have. They've already dealt most of their veteran players, so you have to think he's on the block, and he makes ABSOLUTE sense for us, as he'd allow Soriano to move all the way down to 6th or 7th in the lineup, and have Sanchez lead off. As for Uggla, with the recent struggles of the Mets, they all of a sudden find themselves in 2nd place, so Uggla's probably staying. And, furthermore, his ugly average would look even worse in our lineup that's filled with ugly averages....and the Marlins would surely demand a lot in return, as he's just 29 years old, vs 31 for Sanchez. We need someone right now to get on base at the top, and Sanchez could do just that, and not cost us as much.
What about Yunel Escobar? I believe Buster Olney says the Braves may be interested in moving him for a good hitter (insert joke here). I like Yunel and he is young.
Also read recently that Ian Snell is on the block in Pitt. Another player I have always enjoyed watching. With the right pitching coach we might be able to straighten him out. Also young.
I agree...I saw that about Escobar, and was going to comment on it. I would trade Theriot and either Soriano/Fukudome/Bradley (doubtful on Bradley) for him, picking up half of their contracts if necessary. The deal here is Escobar is cheap, so salary wise, we'd match up well. If they got Soriano for essentially $9 million/year, and/or Fukudome for $6 million, it might make sense. If I were Hendry, I'd try to sell them on the fact that Soriano absolutely hammers the ball for some reason at Turner Field. In that case, it'd make sense for them to take on his contract, but only if we pay half. If we do that, Jimbo just found himself $9 million worth of flexibility in the budget, and doesn't have to worry about Theriot's arbitration either after this year. It's a win-win deal for both teams, as Theriot would probably command a few prospects by himself. Supposedly the Cubs were interested in Escobar a few years back anyhow...perhaps we can finally land him?
And if the Braves are worried about Soriano's productivity and health, then throw in Hoffpauir if necessary, and make them include Jordan Shafer or Jeff Franceour in the deal.
So, it'd be Soriano at $9 million/yr for a total of $45 million over the next 5 years (not that bad), Theriot to fill in at SS for them, and Hoffpauir as insurance for Soriano
for...Escobar and Shafer/Franceour
If I'm the Braves, looking for a power hitting OF, and I know Soriano hits best at Turner Field to the tune of:
18 games, 80 AB's, 8 hr, 16 RBI, 7 walks, 13 K's, .338 avg, .398 OBP....I'm doing that trade in a heartbeat
at the Phillies park: 16 games, 71 AB's, 5 hr, 8 RBI, .296 avg, .333 OBP
those are some pretty good numbers both at his would-be home stadium, and the Braves' chief competition in the East.
I would stay away from Escobar. I've been living in ATL for almost two years now and if there is one guy on the Braves I can't stand it's Escobar. He's very immature and isn't very tough....he misses alot of games with nagging injuries that I think 99% of players wouldn't even consider missing games for. He is very inconsistent on defense as well. But once again, he is very immature and it affects his play sometimes (Think Zambrano).
who wuld it take to get sanchez?
I think you have to look at recent trades, setting a tone for them:
For McLouth, a 20+hr, 80+ RBI middle of the order CF, and only 28 yrs old, it took a top OF prospect, one pitcher with big league experience, and a low-level pitching prospect with upside
For Nyjer Morgan and Burnett, it took a former top OF prospect (think a Felix Pie type) and an equal pitcher.
For Hinske, they got two mid level prospects
...so, for Sanchez, it'd probably take 2 players...one good prospect, and one mid-level prospect. I'm thinking it would take Tony Thomas and a Casey Coleman to get it done. I would do that trade in a heartbeat....HEARTBEAT. Sanchez, at 31, isn't going to command much in return, and his salary is high as well. I think they'll just be happy to get 2 young players in return.
If you were to deal for a Dan Uggla, on the other hand, it'd probably cost you similar to a McLouth with someone like Sean Marshall, Ryan Flaherty, and possibly Mitch Atkins.
u=i wuld do that trade in a second either one but im really high on flaherty so thats one thing i would try and put a differnt player in his place
Ah prescience, Suzy....That's why I get the big bucks. LOL
If you have convinced yourself that your present feeling is absolutely the worst possible, there is good news. You will feel better going ahead. There's no Blue gladness right now, but consider the words of the poet.
MAD OR GLAD
There's a pain in my butt,
There's a snarl on my face--
Because of the misdeeds
Of the whole human race.
If it's not one, it's another
Who befouls my path--
Who does me injustice
And incites me to wrath.
You know who you are,
You know you cause strife--
And you know you keep me
From having a good life.
So you'd better be wary,
I'm sick of the fits--
Hear this loud and clear,
"You can all kiss my grits!"
Or am I just down today,
And off on the wrong tack--
Permitting life's annoyances
To pile up on my back?
Hey world, take your baggage,
And get out of my way--
Because I'm looking for good things
To brighten my day.
James Kneisley (and Flo)
August 2004
I would dump Zambrano and his $18M / yr for a bag of balls, if I could.
I don't give a crap about his past record.
I am soooooooo tired of his act.
And oh by the way, if he's 28 years old, I'm the easter bunny. I guarantee you he's older.
Between him, Bradley and Soriano, its embarrassing to be a cub fan.
I like some of the trades. I would say our needs are:
1. Bullpen arm
2. Middle infield help
I definitely don't want to agree with people who are saying Ramirez is a "savior" (not too many on this smart fan site), but lets not down play it too much either. Yes, Jake Fox has been swinging at hot bat, but consider the following:
-Ramirez back in the lineup lets Lou set a lineup with more consistency
-People before Ramirez will see better pitches
-The defense will improve
-Ramirez is a very clutch hitter, who takes pitches and works counts
-This move really strengthens our bench now
All these things, aside from his actual production, need to be accounted for, and should help tremendously over time. With Johnson coming back as well, things should get settled down a bit, and hopefully this team will get more comfortable and starting hitting again.
Go Cubbies.
Oh, and as for Marquis...who cares? Most of us wanted him out of here! Its easy to change your mind. I don't hear anyone crying about Felix Pie or Corey Patterson?? These guys will hit...we're 4.5 out of first with a four game series against the Brewers coming up at home...lets just wait and see.
JimK...love the poem...is that you...the author?
While there's no joy in Mudville(Wrigleyville)just now...it isn't my life.
But it's threads weave deep into my psyche.
Every July...once a year...I share
a game on the radio and a beer with my folks...they are both avid Cubs fans.
Dad's been gone since '87 and Mom in '06.
Grandma in the plot next to them...was a Fenway Park regular for many years.
So, by myself, I grab a six pack and a radio and head to the graveyard...to
share a bit of current life and past tales of peanuts and crackerjacks
with those I know care.
So while the Cubs are not all...they are metaphors and weave meaning into life.
There is something new every year to celebrate....
It's just how do you tell them...our
prize free agent...threw the ball to a fan in the bleachers...with only 2 out.
I'm pretty sure...even my dead will be rolling their eyes...
Anyhow...I have to do this soon...with the thought of last nights game in mind...and I;m not looking forward to it.
But loved your poem.
Help me understand something.
I keep seeing people say the cubs will start hitting. Why ? I don't get it.
Fukudome - doing the same thing he did last year, which is the 2H dive. So expect nothing from him again.
Sori - He is clearly hurt, and until the stupid manager puts him on the DL to heal, expect the same garbage.
Fontenot - He is a utility player thrust into starting role. why should we expect him to start hitting in 2H ? He is what he is. Not very good.
Bradley - is better than his numbers show, but why should we expect him to do better in 2H in this pressure cooker environment ? IMO, he can't handle it.
Soto - starting to hit better.
Lee / Riot - having normal years.
Aram - don't be surprised if he either re-injures himself or he takes a good month to find his groove. In other words , dDon't expect miracles starting on monday.
sorry, but this is a .500 team going nowhere.
I just don't see anything that really gives me that much hope.
Guys,
Here's the deal...with one or 2 tweaks...we might be able to sneak another division title in...but only because there are serious flaws in the other teams in the division.
Looking at what's happening right now...
85 -89 wins might take it.
Problem is...even if we sneak in...we won't look good against Boston/LA/NY etc.
We're not going to the World Series but we could still go to the playoffs.
I'm willing to trade this year's possibility...for next year's building
and a world championship in '11 or '12...
and maintaining contender status beyond.
Soriano has to go. But Aaron and others
he has to go to the AL as a DH. If I'm Atlanta...or other NL clubs even 9 mil
per annum for 5 years is too much for Soriano.
Boston/New York/Angels/...maybe Texas...
the big money franchises are the only place that can handle him. They can use
him PT in the outfield...but soon he is just a DH ...just like the Nationals have
decided that Dunn is only suited for DH.
Bradley...same deal.
DL Bradley for the rest of the season.
This means his contract is only 2 years, not 3. He will scream bloody blue murder...and he absolutely will be of no further use to the Cubs...but that is OK.
He does have value at DH at 5 million for one year...and the Cubs should be able to offload him in a package deal in the offseason.
DLEE stays at first for his final season
with Hoffy or another prospect backing him up.
We need second base addressed in our deals...and we can get better at SS...
but Theriot can stay for the moment.
Aram is gone in 2 years no matter what...
so Vitters must make it to AA this season
to prepare him to back up Aram next season and take over 3rd after that.
If any one of our starting outfielders is
on the team next season...well it's problematic. If need be...carry six outfielders...(3 youngsters) until Sori/Bradley/Fuko are gone.
For payroll relief and new blood...trade Lilly and Z...they'll bring the most return and we should not have to carry their salaries.
Dempster has too many years at too high a salary to trade just now...and we would have to eat some.
Harden is gone after this season. Either trade him now for prospects...or he's worthless.
For starters next season you have Dempster. Wells, Shark, Ascaino, Marshall.
Marshall can be traded...but only if we have another lefty in house.
Heilman, Gregg, Miles, Freel, Hill,...
all gone next year.
BUT it starts with Soriano...than Bradley, and all the other pieces will fall into place.
My guess is that even in rebuilding...we'll have a similar record at next year this time...but wuth hope for the future...unlike this year.
You're right...our free agents after this year are as follows:
Rotation-Harden
Pen-Heilman, Gregg, Cotts (technically)
Position Players- K Hill (technically), Freel, and Johnson
I look at that list, and I'm appalled that we have so many contracts that can't be moved like: Soriano, Fukudome, Bradley, Lee, Dempster, and Miles, and we only have essentially 6 free agents currently on our roster for next season, with only Heilman, Gregg, and Harden playing vital roles, and Harden has been useful. So really, the only positive difference would be offloading Gregg and Heilman. Now that's sad!
Next year, we have Lilly, Lee, and Miles coming off the books, and Lilly's loss is the only one that would really hurt. So, counting this year AND next, we only have 1 full-time offensive position opening up at first base, and that's not even our weak point on the team right now.
Our OF has to be the worst in the entire major leagues. Additionally, our 2B situation is horrendous.
So, what can we do? The Sanchez deal makes a LOT of sense, and so does the Escobar trade.
Here's a crazy proposal to ponder:
Soriano, Fukudome and Bradley to the Blue Jays for Vernon Wells, Alex Rios and BJ Ryan. Six bad contracts exchange teams. We then trade Rios (or keep him) to the Braves for Escobar, thus freeing up about $10 million/year, and BJ Ryan comes off the books next year. Wells is younger than Soriano, and healthier, and could use a change of scenery, and Soriano can go back to the AL where he and Bradley can split time at DH where they're better suited, and Bradley can unite with an African American manager in Gaston, and probably take off as he did in Texas. I'd most certainly rather have those players than the current group we have, and if we could offload Rios to another team, we could afford to give Jake Fox or Hoffpauir a shot in the OF full-time, and land ourselves a guy like Escobar to be our shortstop for years to come.
And all the while, not even give up many of our own prospects to get it done. If we land Sanchez too with our prospects, then we'd have this:
Sanchez-2B
Escobar-SS
Hoffpauir-RF
ARAM-3B
Lee-1B
Fox-LF
Wells-CF
Soto-C
Yeah, we won't be as "left-handed", but who cares. After all, we had just Edmonds and Fukudome as our left-handers last year...really only Edmonds after Fukudome did his disappearing act in the second half...and we get rid of 3 BAD players right now in our lineup in favor of a true lead-off hitter, and a guy like Wells who actually might benefit from playing in a more hitter friendly Wrigley Field.
I think these might be the type of trades that we see in this rough economy, much like NBA trades. It's more of a change of scenery thing than anything. The thing I love about this trade, is it's kind of a win-win for both teams. Soriano is 3 years older than Wells, and they both have similar contracts. Soriano will be relegated to DH duties soon, but can still play the field fairly well (not pretty, but at least he has a strong arm). DH would allow him to rest his legs more. Similarly, Bradley had his best year in the AL, as he was mostly a DH. Toronto would be getting rid of 3 very bad contracts (only one of which is short term--Ryan), and they allow for more financial flexibility in only taking on Soriano's long-term deal as Bradley's ends in 2 years along with Fukudome, so their savings would essentially be close to $30 million while Rios lasts another 4 and Wells another 5.
I wish this deal could be presented to the Cubs brass, because it makes so much sense given the financial times. Sure Soriano and Fukudome would have to waive no-trades, but so would Wells.
Aaron...I like the proposed trade...it may not happen...but that is the type of trade that has to happen.
Is there anyway to get Alex Rios in CF, and move Fuk back to a RF platoon with Hoff?
Suzy,
I love your passion, but I am always amused at what some of you keep writing about trading Sori, Bradley, Z....etc.
Let me repeat: NO ONE, NO ONE, NO ONE is going to take our garbage, unless you pay 80-90% of their salary or take garbage back in return.
There are almost no teams out there with payroll flexibility, so please explain
to me why ANYONE would want to trade for OVERPRICED, aging, injury-prone, underacheiving players, who can't play defense ? (sori & bradley)
If you were another team, would you want those guys ? Of course not.
Think about it.
IT AIN'T GONNA Happen....unless you take garbage back....so then, what's the point ?
You guys are only looking at it from the cubs point of view. It's well intentioned, but not realistic.
CC002600 - I appreciate the fact that you are concentrating on the other teams perspective but the Cubs do have some leverage and the new GM better take it into consideration. I agree that many of our players have no value now and coincidentally are the same ones cubs fans would like to part ways with. BUT... there are a few players that every MLB team will be lining up to work out a deal with (marmol, soto, fox (dh), etc.). If I was the GM the negotiations are not even going to get serious until the other team is willing to include a bad player (soriano, bradley, fukudome, etc.) with the player they truly want (marmol especially). I'll be the first one to admit that I don't want to part with the marmol's, soto's, etc but if it means getting talent in return and getting rid of a bum I am all for it.
Does that make sense or am I way off?
cc002600...I understand the reality of te situation...and the bad position we are in.
Here's the thing...we currently have 2 DH
candidates in everyday roles.
1) Soriano...what keeps breaking down on him?...his legs/knee...I believe he has been playing hurt since May. The guy started out ok and then straight down.
-Not one exciting throwout to the plate...which used to be his mo.
You are right...no one will want our
garbage...We will have to pay a substantial part of his salary....and take crap back...or give away a premium
player that is desired with him....say Zambrano or Lilly.
I believe Soriano could be an exciting DH
if he got his legs healthy...not 18 million worth...but maybe 8-10 mill....He has to show a little first...but he makes no sense on the field for the Cubs as leadoff...now or in the future.
Bradley's actually easier...if you DL him so he can't make 3 years...then you're talking 1 year at 10 mill...we eat half that and he goes to an AL team
where the last time he DH'd he tore up the league....again...we eat a mistake...
but better to have AA players out there
screwing up than high paid players on their downside.
The alternative is to sit them on the bench or dfa them...JH and Lou obviously don't have those kind of balls.
Re getting Garbage back...if we have garbage for 3 years instead of 5...isn't that better garbage?
I completely understand this situation...
To have one or 2 sucky contracts is one thing...but we have absolutely no outfield production whatsoever...maybe we can only resolve one of the 3 this year...but we have to something.
Suz,
Everything you said makes sense.
and maybe JH can pull it off, but I think it will be a very hard sell.
Put it this way, we probably have more garbage than any other team, BUT still every team has its own share. So you are going to have to put togther something VERY attractive to another team in order for them to bite. And then you run the risk of getting taken (i.e. throwing in a stud like Marmol or Vitters, etc)
It's just a bad situation to be in.
Hendry has really put the cubs in a box. The ONLY way out of it is if somehow Bradley, Soriano, etc rebound with good years next year or whenever, which is not impossible. You never know.
To me, that's all you have. Otherwise, we are stuck.
I agree with your assessment and response.
I don't know if he read my proposal with Wells, Rios, and BJ Ryan, but at $18 million (on average), $10 million (on average) and $12 million respectively, I think they match up quite well with our disappointments, don't they? Soriano (18 mill), Bradley (10 mill), Fukudome (12 mill), I mean, you couldn't ask for a better fit salary wise than that deal right there....Wells and Soriano have the same life left on their deal, Rios has 5 (I listed wrong last time), but if you flip him to another team like the Braves, you need not worry about that, and Ryan's deal expires next year. With Bradley and Fukudome having 2 years left apiece, here's the breakdown (average salaries):
Wells-5 yrs, $90 million left vs Soriano- 5 yrs, $90 million left = wash
Rios-5 yrs, $50 million left vs Bradley- 2 yrs $20 million left = (-$30 million) Blue Jays save
Ryan-1 yr, $10 million left vs Fukudome- 2 yrs $24 million left (-$14 million) Cubs save
So, Blue Jays save $16 million. The Cubs can then turn around Rios, and save his entire contract with a deal for a young player like Escobar. Am I making sense?
As I said, there's absolutely no other deal in MLB like this one where contracts match up...it's almost too good to be true. Wells, Rios, and Ryan have overstayed their welcome in Toronto, just as Soriano, Fukudome, and Bradley have in Chicago. As with any deal, if we have to include a guy like Marshall to get it done, then I say absolutely do it.
But for the Blue Jays, with Halladay due for an extension next year, they're going to need every bit of that $16 million savings they'd get with that trade to get a deal done. I practically jumped out of my seat when I saw the contracts of these players...I was like, "DO IT DAMMIT...DO IT NOW!!!!!!"
So while I understand that some people are skeptical about making trades now with the players we have, I do feel that in cases where you're taking on significant, and unattractive salaries like a Zito, Gary Matthews Jr. Carlos Beltran, Adrian Beltre, Vernon Wells, or Alex Rios...you most definitely can trade away equally unattractive deals like Soriano, Fukudome, and Bradley.
Remember that Hendry's salary dump of Todd Hundley for 2 equally unattractive contracts that matched up well in Karros and Grudz, turned into gold for us. I think that if you get Wells, Rios, and Ryan in a deal, it'd most certainly put us over the top, especially if you could package Rios for Escobar....or, just plain keep him for this year. I also think Soriano, Fukudome, and Bradley would do exceptionally well in the AL, and Fukudome would especially benefit from playing on Toronto's surface, as most of his choppers would end up in the OF, instead of ground outs on grass...it'd play much more like Japanese fields. It's also why Iwamura did so well in Tampa Bay. Both Fukudome and Iwamura are more ground ball type of players that hit line drives to the OF occasionally, unlike Ichiro who is a line drive hitter, and Hideki Mastui, who is a fly ball hitter. It's also why Kaz Matsui has struggled at lot, because he's also a ground ball type of hitter, and in NY and Houston, he's playing on natural grass, which doesn't favor his game.
So, as I said, I'm looking at win-win situations, and this was the best possible one I could find, and makes the most sense for everyone involved. Rios produces about what Fukudome does, and Wells produces close to what Soriano does (and strikes out FAR less). Ryan and Bradley are both injury concerns with bad contracts, so anything either of them can give you is a bonus. This makes trading Marshall as part of a bigger deal more palatable, as Ryan would be our lefty out of the pen
The Cubs and poetry have been more on my mind recently because the team needs help and because I've been thinking that my 30 or 40 poems over a lot of years might become a short book. At least my kids think so. (Speaking of really short books, please look for the one called "Favorite Cubs Memories: First Half 2009").
I had been thinking that it might be nice to have a collaborating illustrator to do 4 or 5 illustations of different categories of poems. Earlier this week, I learned of a young college student, artist/illustrator in a chance meeting with her parents. She calls herself a "starving artist" which likely means she won't insist on a long-term, no-trade contract. So, if I become a little less attentive here, I may be moving my duff to the work desk.
Given Suzy's upcoming mission and all of our recollections of loved ones and acquaintances who have led inspiring lives--no matter their walk of life-- I'm going to provide one more poem. It's been read in several places where emotion and caring loomed large and in quiet places too. And, Faithful, that will end these diversions from the site's main purpose by me.
FOR HEROS AND HEROINES GONE
Why do I cry for you _____________?
I know what you did with your life.
I know that you gave your all---
Unselfishly, persistently, imperfectly,
Proudly, capably, lovingly and faithfully
With grace, often annonymously--
Only aware that every task and everyone
Deserved the best in you and from you.
Why do I cry for you ______________?
You touched my life, my soul.
You gave me a definition of excellence.
You showed me a thousand caring ways
Of exalting the ordinary encounters of life.
I cry because there is no holding back
Sweet tears of appreciation and remembrance.
My tears reflect your shared, uplifting humanity.
James Kneisley
2001
Jim, your poetry and pain re your daughter are felt deeply and appreciated.
As long as your artist friend does not insist on a no trade contract...Go with it...She might turn into a Wells.
Cliff,
Yes, totally agree.
That's the only way we could get rid of our garbage is to throw in something of value like Soto, Marmol......but then you are really weakening the team by giving those guys up.
But even then, you will have to find a team that is financially able to take on those huge salaries (even if cubs are paying %) and there really aren't that many teams out there that can afford it.
So I still think its a longshot.
I hate to say it, but I think we're stuck.
Suzy....Thanks. I did write the poem a couple of years earlier than our daughter's death.
Aaron....I see the dollars saved by the Jays in your trade, ala Rios. But Wells is like Mark Grace or Ernie Banks to the Jays--so he is much preferred over Soriano. I haven't checked recently but Rios has been a plus--so his $10 mil may either be acceptable or tradeable (perhaps discounted some). I like the trade from the Cubs perspective--but I don't see it working for the Jays.
why not? I don't know where you get the "he's like Grace or Banks to the Jays" from, because they've been talking about getting him off their books since last year, and their fans are unhappy with his production vs salary. Roy Halladay might invoke the whole Grace and Banks comparison, he's like a saint with them. And while I understand Wells and Rios have also been with the team their whole career as first round draft picks (actually all 3 were first rounders), I think their worth to the team has dropped significantly with Aaron Hill, Adam Lind, and Travis Snider ascending through the ranks, and producing at the MLB level at a fraction of their cost. With all the Blue Jays money problems (and they're well documented), I think the trade is a no-brainer from their perspective.
Fukudome would probably fit in well in Toronto as they have more of an international feel, and as I mentioned, with the artificial surface, it plays more to Fukudome's advantage. Soriano gives them a lethal bat either in LF with Snider moving to RF, and it allows Adam Lind to move from DH, which would allow Bradley and Soriano to alternate there. It just makes so much sense. Fukudome would play CF in place of Wells, and they wouldn't miss a beat, in fact, it might even make them a better team. Fukudome and Bradley's OBP's would certainly benefit them for sure.
As for us, I think Wells, Rios, and Ryan would benefit from a change of scenery. Bradley doesn't like the spotlight in Chicago either, and I think it's worn Fukudome down as well with the scrutiny. Soriano clearly doesn't like the direction of the team, given his comments, so I don't think you'd have a problem getting them to waive no-trades.