Soriano Would Only Accept a Trade to a Contender

January 14, 2012 By 115 Comments

According to a report from Bruce Levine, Alfonso Soriano would accept a trade from the Cubs … but only to a contender.

Alfonso Soriano addressed the trade rumors Friday at the convention and said he would only accept a trade that works out well for him and his family. Soriano likes playing for the Cubs and is comfortable with the team. The Cubs owe Alfonso Soriano $54 million over the final three years of his contract. The Cubs have spoken to eight American League teams about Soriano this off-season. The Cubs, as well as a majority of baseball, see Soriano as only a designated hitter at this point in his career.

Soriano has a full no-trade clause in his contract.

From the ESPN Chicago report:

“They can do whatever they want. It has to be good for me and my family for me to agree [to a trade]. I’m comfortable with the Cubs. I won’t go to just any team. I want to be with a contender. I also want to be in the playoffs again. So I’d have to be comfortable with both the team and the city I get traded to.”

Stay Tuned …

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  • Ripken Boy

    Since Sori is taking this stance, I hope Sveum has the stones to make him the 4th or 5th outfielder or Theo/Hoyer just give him his release before spring training. Sori is taking away valuable playing time from a young player and having him in LF is just a waste.

    I would like to see LaHair in LF and Rizzo at 1b and Sori somewhere else.

    • Tony_Hall

      When the time comes that he is truly blocking a player (he’s not…yet) I have no doubt he will receive less and less playing time.  Pulled earlier in games, not starting as many games, etc.  He will be more receptive to agreeing to a trade. But, no one wants him right now, and it’s because he has 3 years left on his contract, and even with the Cubs picking up the majority of his contract, no one wants to pay the other $10 or $12M.  In another year, the numbers work, but will he have anything left at that point.

      I still believe that they will have to release Soriano, at some point, and that could even be during this season, when he will be blocking someone.

      And I have no doubt, that Sveum has the stones…

      • Schwimmer

        You make the right points about SORIANO.

        Until he is “actually” blocking someone — it would be pointless…and, wasteful to release him.

        And, there is always the possibility — if he shows his offensive abilities that some “contender” will want him  in July.

        I’d love to know WHO in the CUBS organization was the one “really” responsible for giving SORIANO his ridiculous contract???

        I know that no other Team, at the time, was talking about signing him for 8 years.   Do you know which CUB executive deserves the credit?  (I heard that it was not Jim Hendry.)

        • cubs1967

          It was McDonough

          • http://www.facebook.com/jerry.loftis2 Jerry Loftis

            McDonough new a bad contract for 8yrs so he left to go to the Blackhawks. When Hendry had 6yr contract almost done.

        • Tony_Hall

          McDonough and to an extent Zell for his directive on how to proceed in the offseason.

      • cubtex

        I heard that from someone on here :) Yes…he is not blocking a player so there is no urgency to cut or release him now.

        As far as your point that the Yankees would rather have Pena than Soriano…….Of Course! But the fact is that they would like to get rid of Burnett’s contract as much as the Cubs want to get rid of Soriano’s. If they work out a deal that the Yankees would only have to pay a couple of million for several years of Soriano(essentially swapping bad contracts) it is a no brainer. Soriano would help the Yankees much more than Burnett.

        • Anthony

          there are 54 millions ways of blocking

        • Tony_Hall

          The Yankees, I believe, would just rather eat Burnett’s contract, than take back anyone like Soriano.  I just don’t see, even if he was near league minimum.

          • cubtex

            why would the Yankees rather eat Burnett’s salary when they could get a bat like Soriano basically free? It’s not like Soriano is this stiff. Even if he is a platoon player he could help them win some games. That makes zero sense.

          • Tony_Hall

            The Yankees don’t need players who get the majority of their stats against the back end of the rotation, and middle relievers…they already dominant them.  They need batters who hit against the best pitchers…something Soriano doesn’t do.

            Does that make sense now.

          • cubtex

            Ok….so a team would rather lose 38 mil than get back a player who hit 28 bombs with 88 RBI. To say a player did all that against sh## pitching is a ridiculous statement. How many top hitters get the majority of stats against top starters? Does that make sense now????

          • Tony_Hall

            I never said they woud lose $38M…by the way AJ is owed $33M….

            If they trade Burnett…IF…..they will want younger players and not want Soriano.  They  also will not have to pay all of his salary.  But I don’t expect them to trade him until mid-season if at all this year.

            I swear you think Soriano is a good OF. I ‘ve shown you where he ranks in fantasy baseball where offense is all that matters.  (I know you hate fantasy baseball).  But for next year he is ranked #72.  Not for all offensive players, just the Outfielders.

            That’s means in almost every single fantasy league , he will be available as free agent.

            Even though he hit all those bombs and drove in all those runs.

            No batter gets the majority of their stats against the best pitchers, but Soriano almost never is productive against the best pitchers. They make him look silly.

          • cubtex

            I will take Soriano over DeJesus everyday of the week and twice on Sunday. What value do you think AJ Burnett has? What team will give them a better hitter than Soriano for him? I don’t like Burnett…but if they want to move Soriano now it makes sense for both teams.

        • Tony_Hall

          He’s not currently blocking anyone, but by the end of ST, he maybe.

        • Tony_Hall

          Moved to where it is wider.

          Have you not noticed that teams, knowing the Cubs want to move Soriano, are not lining up to trade for this guy.  They could get this stud for 3 years and only $12M.  Even if he only played 2 years, by your estimations, he would still be a huge deal.

          YET

          No one is calling to get Soriano.

          Doesn’t that tell you something.

          No one wants him.

          Even at that discounted rate.

          • cubtex

            Then keep him as you repeated whatcI said several days ago. He is not blocking anyone….and he is STILL the best offensive outfielder they have

          • cubtex

            I don’t understand how u think Burnett has any value? He has been awful whereas Soriano is productive.

          • Tony_Hall

            Where did I say he had value?  I said they wouldn’t have to pay all of his salary.

            If Burnett has no value, why would you want him at all.

            I don’t want him or Soriano.  

            Last year Burnett’s WAR was 1.1.

            Soriano’s was 1.3.

            Now remember this is over a replacement level player.

            I know how much you have come around on WAR :)

          • Tony_Hall

            I agree on keeping him, but only until someone is dumb enough to trade for him or he inevitably regresses, and then just cut him.  I expect one or the other to happen this year by the trade deadline.

    • Anthony

      Sappelt

      • cubtex

        Sappelt is a #4 or #5 outfielder….Do you honestly see a 5’8 corner outfielder with limited power with average or slightly above average speed as a starting outfielder in his future?

        • Anthony

          actually in CF

      • Tom U

        Anthony, I also agree that he is not blocking Sappelt. The soonest anyone can possibly say that Soriano is “blocking” someone is when Jae-Hoon Ha is ready.

    • gocubs

      Why would you want him to be the 4th or 5th OF?  He led the team last year with 28 hr and 88 rbi.  His OBP sucks, but he was very productive.  There is no one we have young or old that can match that production.

      • cubtex

        Exactly. He is still the Cubs BEST offensive outfielder right now. No question whatsoever!

        • Ripsnorter1

          And this forum is full of folks who want to outright release him!  

          I just can’t figure it out…..

          • cubtex

            U and me both

          • Tony_Hall

            Rip – It’s not full of people wanting to outright release him.  But it’s not unrealistic to think he will decline again this year, and if he does, he could be released this year.  If he doesn’t hit home runs and doubles at least 3 a week, he is a negative to even this team.  

            Think about that, other than 3 times a week, is every really a positive to this team.

            That would add up to 75 HR/Doubles, which he won’t do.

    • gay ripken boy

      wow you are retard and only follow the cubs and know nothing about baseball at all

  • cubs1967

    yankees now need a DH with the montero-pineda trade. take aj burnett back; who is not needed with kuroda-huhghes-garcia-nova.  1st year wash……..throw in 28M for the last 2.
    OR just release him……god knows none of the 48M off the books this year (FA plus marshall) got spent……..and none will next year either when 40M comes off……
    put lahair in lf and rizzo at 1b……….it’s not about winning……it’s about the draft pick……so let’s lose the right way with the kids.

    • Anthony

      Rizzo may be asked to “de-uppercut”

  • http://www.facebook.com/dave.halverson2 Dave Halverson

    then out right release him.
    be done with him

    • Anthony

      You want to know how fast you can get his no trade clause weakened.

      Iowa AAA Cubs, bus trips, carry your bags.

      After nobody makes a waiver claim, he can be the highest paid player ever to set foot in AAA.

      Soon enough, he would play for anyone else

      • John_CC

        There are more professional, mature ways than sending a respected, veteran ballplayer to AAA. Talk about “classless”. 

        • Anthony

          name the ways johncc?

          • John_CC

            Sit down like professionals and discuss the situation. Explain to him that he will be splitting playing time with his future replacement and his PT will continue to decrease until he is the  4th OF.  If he is OK with that and wants to be the Cubs 4th OF for the last two years of his career, OK then.  Otherwise the team will make every effort to find a suitable team, one that wants him to play everyday.  

            You know mature honest discussion, the way adults solve problems.

          • Anthony

            your kidding, right?

            Soriano has 54 million reasons to not give a craaaap, and would sit and watch

          • John_CC

            Anthony, if you knew me you would see what a cynic I am, so I can appreciate your nature. But man, you are way beyond me.

        • notcubbiewubbie

          you are a cubbiewubbie  if this guy is a respected(insert laugh track now)  ballplayer no wonder you dont win wow nough said!

          • John_CC

            I don’t even understand what you are saying.

      • Tony_Hall

        You can’t send a player to AAA like Soriano, you would be outright releasing him, which is fine with me.  

        • cubtex

          again….why would you release a guy coming off 28HR’s with 88 RBI and is owed 54 mil. I don’t care how much money Ricketts makes but that is a lot of money to throw away on a player who is still productive.

          • Tony_Hall

            It was in reference to sending him to Iowa.

            If he takes a step backwards, I could see him released, since no team seems willing to pay even $12M of his salary.

            Does that mean I win our little bet, since there is zero chance someone pays $15M??

  • Coolpdxcubsfan

    No wonder he got booed last night.
    Thanks Hendry, smells like Kenney though.
    All righty then, let’s move on, bench him and try the kids and release him when the time is right.
    You da man Dale.
    No more hopping and dropping cans of corn.
    No more dogging it on routine plays.
    Old Sorry just smiles all the way to the bank.

  • Anthony

    “I want to be with a contender. I also want to be in the playoffs again”

    I want

    I want

    I want

    ME ME ME

    I want

    —sounds like a great team guy

    Sounds like a little spoiled kid sitting on Santa’s lap with his list

    Sounds like Spaulding Schmails food request, and Theo replies

    “you’ll get nothing and like it!…lol

    • Coolpdxcubsfan

      What difference could it possibly make to him to get traded?. He is going to get his robbery money anyway? It will probably be his last contract since no-one wants him.

      Oh, I get it, the playoff money.

      Geez, 54 mil isn’t enough??
      So much for “The good of the team” etc.
      In spite of his dogging it, I always thought he was a good guy.
      Now I’m not so sure.
      A pox on you Sorry!

      • cubtex

        Cmon. This is not the first established player to say he only wants to go to a contender. It is not about playoff share money….I can assure you. Derek Lee blocked a trade with his no trade a couple of years ago. ARam…last year. The point is that the players have a RIGHT to determine where they play being an established player. This is written in a contract(just like hundreds of players in the mlb)

        • Anthony

          tex, a winner is player that continues to play hard and respects the game 100% AFTER they get paid.

          a Loser is a player who accepts his payday and feels they have “made it” and reached their summit, or career goal, then take it all for granted and coasts.

          much of the problem stems back to the dawning of free agency, granted something had to be done back then, but it was done with no forthought, and the system went from one extreme, to the other, its current state.

          • GaryLeeT

            The NFL has it right. Some guaranteed money, but mostly performance based salary, with a right for the team to cut it’s losses.

        • John_CC

          Hey cubtex – I AGREE!!

  • matthew8510

    Cubs Theo: I guarantee you will have a team that runs hard to 1B every time. Going to have disciplined team that plays hard. 23 minutes ago

  • matthew8510

    #Cubs Theo: “As for chanting my name, I don’t think I’ve done anything to deserve it yet.

    • cubtex

      Really? That’s the most logical thing I have heard Theo say.

  • matthew8510

    #Cubs Theo on changes to Wrigley: I think that ‘W’ flag should be raised about 60 times a year.

    • paulcatanese

      Did anyone ask Theo if he meant for the whole year?

      • Brp921

        I thought the same thing. He must be talking about home games. But don’t they raise the the flag on away games as well? If he does mean the whole season then they may as well be owned by the Wrigleys again

  • Ripken Boy

    Who would you rather see in LF, Soriano or………….
     
    Brett Jackson
    Bryan LaHair
    Tony Campana
     
    I know you might say that Rizzo and Jackson are not ready for the Majors, but I would rather see Campana then play and see if he can play at the Major league level.

    We all know what Soriano can do, but we don’t know what Campana can do for an extended period of time. I love his speed, defense and I would rather see him play LF than Sori.

    Go Cubs and go young everywhere you can and build the team with young players.

    • RynoTiger

      So if you want to see more of what Campana can do, why not have him platoon with Byrd?  You know, the OFer who actually didn’t give the Cubs much offensive production.  I’d still like to see some scoring this year.  

    • cubtex

      OK….Who would you rather see in RF, DeJesus or………..

      BJax
      Sappelt
      LaHair

      We all know what DeJesus has done in his major league career. He is 32 years old and is not going to get any better than he already was. I would rather see BJax or Sappelt than DeJesus.

      Go Cubs and Go Young everywhere.

      See…..you can insert DeJesus in place of Soriano with your points.

  • Anthony

    Did anyone ask why the organization made a last minute change to the pocket schedules?

    • http://chicagocubsonline.com/ Neil

      Not yet that I have heard

    • John_CC

      Pretty safe to guess that IF the accusation against Castro earned merit that the Cubs would feel pretty dumb having his mug out there on millions of refrigerator doors.

  • matthew8510

     @cst_cubs For those who haven’t been listening: “(Signing Fielder’s) just not going to happen,” says sveum

  • matthew8510

     Sveum on Prince to #Cubs “Its not going to happen. We have Bryan LaHair and Rizzo waiting in the wings”

  • matthew8510

    #Cubs Sveum: Reiterates “We are building, not rebuilding. We have a pretty nice team putting on the field right now.”

    • texcubnut

      Nice= pleasant.  Nice does not mean competitive.

      • http://chicagocubsonline.com/ Neil

        No, Sveum likes the team as it is currently constructed.

      • cubs1967

        sveum and theo are good at giving cubs fans what they want to hear………

        REALITY checki: this team sucks; is worse than last year in every facet; defense, bullpen, lack of power and offense. only the SP can be better.

        100 losses=NICE>

        • RynoTiger

          well then I guess you’re done with the team for the 2012 season and posting on here.  Hope you have a nice summer.  We’ll see you in October after the season is over and you join us again and engage in the discussion about the 2012 off season. 

          Everyone, please join me in wishing cubs1967 a nice summer and bon voyage.

          take care.

        • John_CC

          And those are the Facts, right?

  • Anthony

    off topic, sort of, but

    The NYY and Mariner trade is a good example of a classic baseball trade, where you have an established winner trading from a position of surplus(Montero) for a position of need(SP), and a struggling club trading from a position of strength(young SP) to bolster an anemic offense, actually awful offense.

    With the Mariners, you have a Danny Hultzen mature from college, and more ready than not, to cover the loss of Pineda, who also has a huge ceiling.

    To make a statement, the Mariners should now go “all in” for Fielder to compete against Texas and LAA, and maybe a play for Garza, and here is why.

    Just seeing how two Clubs can “afford” to make that transaction, and are ABLE to make a Pineda/Montero shows you how far away the Cubs really are.

    They won’t trade Hultzen, but a package starting with Taijuan Walker is interesting. At age 19, he fits into the current crop of young talent in the Cubs system as much as what DET can offer.

    Then, as NYY does, they pay the money for a rent-a-pitcher(Kuroda) and send BOS and TOR back to the drawing board.

    Maybe Fielder is a coffee lover gazing out his penthouse window at a rainy day……..lol

    Cubs have a way to go, especially now that AS has proclaimed a desire to be a base stealing threat again?

    Mariners Francisco Martinez is a nice 3B prospect and James Paxton(LHP) is near ready(2013).

    • Anthony

      didn’t mean to double post, received a system error

  • Anthony

    off topic, sort of, but

    The NYY and Mariner trade is a good example of a classic baseball trade, where you have an established winner trading from a position of surplus(Montero) for a position of need(SP), and a struggling club trading from a position of strength(young SP) to bolster an anemic offense, actually awful offense.

    With the Mariners, you have a Danny Hultzen mature from college, and more ready than not, to cover the loss of Pineda, who also has a huge ceiling.

    To make a statement, the Mariners should now go “all in” for Fielder to compete against Texas and LAA, and maybe a play for Garza, and here is why.

    Just seeing how two Clubs can “afford” to make that transaction, and are ABLE to make a Pineda/Montero shows you how far away the Cubs really are.

    They won’t trade Hultzen, but a package starting with Taijuan Walker is interesting. At age 19, he fits into the current crop of young talent in the Cubs system as much as what DET can offer.

    Then, as NYY does, they pay the money for a rent-a-pitcher(Kuroda) and send BOS and TOR back to the drawing board.

    Maybe Fielder is a coffee lover gazing out his penthouse window at a rainy day……..lol

    Cubs have a way to go, especially now that AS has proclaimed a desire to be a base stealing threat again?

    Mariners Francisco Martinez is a nice 3B prospect and James Paxton(LHP) is near ready(2013).

  • Skeldor

    I’m not sure why everybody is hounding soriano about his comments, it’s not like he came out and said it he was asked. Also what’s wrong about saying if you were to be traded you wanted to go to a contender? It’s better then what aram and dlee did. It at least shows he is interested in winning. If your two choices were to be traded to the Yankees or to baltimore which would you choose? Just using those teams as an example.

    • Anthony

      unfortunately, Father Time has caught up with Soriano, and the running tool is gone, and, he can’t take the risk of the “cream” and the ”clear” which under suspension, is a loss of pay, lots of it.

      The real question is, What is an aging DH in the AL go for these days? Answer, 2-3M

      The real problem, was the contract he received from the Cubs, and when it originated, the brass didn’t do their due diligence, or were ignorant to the fact that most players in their mid-30′s start going downhill fast, unless they get a 2nd chance at puberty(healing effect) using synthetics and other PED’s.

      Epstein said the same thing I just said, but in a different way, as he simple said, “sunk cost”

      A Sunk Cost is basically an investment made and after examination and the passage of time, concludes with the expectation of little, or NO return in value.

      For the Fan unfortunately, they pay for it with $7.50 hot dogs, $7.00 beers, etc., and the Club pays for it in lost opportunities.

      To say this contract is an albatross, an Anchor, is a huge understatement.

  • http://www.facebook.com/dave.halverson2 Dave Halverson

    if they dont release him,sit him and tell him dont even bother coming to wrigley.Make him demand a trade to get playing time,there isnt much difference his .244 batting average can be bettered by a rookie.SO what about the HR’s.I tend to look more at the RBI’s which means he getting big hits.He isnt so bench him,or get rid of him I dont care

  • paulcatanese

    I am not defending Soriono, but the boo’s that were directed at him last night were out of line.Not at the Convention at least. Fans can display their dis pleasure at the ballpark, not at the pep rally to show support for the team.
    Where were the boo’s last year and the year before for JH and Q?
    As far as Soriono not running balls out to first base, have any of these fans watched Pujols or Fielder? When they hit a ball to the right side and is fielded cleanly, they both slow down. So does 60% of other major leaguers.
    I don’t agree with it as someone can always make a bad throw or drop a throw.
    The only player that runs everything out for the Cubs is Campana, and sometimes Castro (who by the way does not give it his all) and Byrd, well he gives it everyhing as well, but that may be out of frustration more than anything else.
    As far as Soriono’s affair with left field, fans, he just doesent know where to go on balls hit out there and is fooled constantly, and that is a big difference between not hustleing and not being there.
    How many other Major Leaguers loaf into second base an a tweener or off the the wall, start watching and you will be amazed, they all do it.
    Exception: Campana ,Barney and Byrd, they are always looking for the extra base.
    Defensive replacement, well Soriono was pulled many times last year for Johnson or Campana with no complaint (one of the very few things Q did right) He throws well and has shown signs of improving.
    Lastly, I as well as others would like to see him go to the American League,the Cubs would be better if he does.
    But to Boo this guy at the Convention was classless, as one cannot blame one man for the failure of a team that consists of nine players on the field and a manager that didnt know what he was doing.

    • Brp921

      I never agree with lack of hustle, but what you say about other guys doing it is true. I also agree that the booing was wrong in that venue. To the fans here that think we should just release Soriano I say let’s be careful what we wish for. I’m no fan of his defense either, but we could do alot worse in LF than 25 to 30 homeruns and 70 to 80 rbi’s.

      • paulcatanese

        Agree, where does that offense come from if he is gone?
        I am not savvy on the schematics of how many runs he gave up vs what he drove in, but cannot think it was as bad as thought.
        The players that are pulled in late innings for defense are many, every day, and at least the Cubs are doing that.

    • Anthony

      paul, maybe the boobirds spent the afternoon at the Hilton lounge and bar getting ”primed” for the event?

       
       

      • paulcatanese

        Could be Anthony, as there were a few at the games.
        My point was there were plenty of other players on the Cubs who deserved it more and didn’t get it.
        I just dont get being boo’ed for a physical reason vs
        lack of hustle. It’s a fact that Soriono’s legs are gone. Another thing , Soriono was never ever a defensive player no matter what position he played, and should never be boo’ed for that as he has no defensive skills.

  • notcubbiewubbie

    if theo really wants to show his juice, sit this bumb on the end of the bench. when ramirez wouldnt accept a trade last year same thing should have been done to him. why oh why due the inmates always run the asylum????????????

  • paulcatanese

    At least thats a step in the right direction, Sveum declaring agression of the bases with the people he named as possible leadoff hitters.
    Campana will take pitches, Barney, maybe, and I just dont know about DeJesus, haven’t seen him enough.
    I like his (Sveum’s thought process here.) idea.

    • Anthony

      1985 Cards

      Vince Coleman had an OBP of .320 only, yet stole 110 bases?

      Five players stole 30 or more bases

      They hit a whopping 87 HR’s as a Team

      They lost to a perfectly balanced KC team in the WS 4-3, classic, one for the ages, get it on video, great baseball.

      Now, there are more ways to win other than the longball, especially once all the Roiders are shown the door. 
       

      • GaryLeeT

         The Cards won on a couple of the most egregious umpire calls of all time.

        • Anthony

          whatever dude, you don’t get it, sorry for u

    • RynoTiger

      “Campana will take pitches”…well actually he doesn’t.  It’s something he needs to work on..a lot…he didn’t exactly do well in drawing walks.  His speed is a difference maker, just not his at-bats. 

      • Anthony

        most walks are the result of a struggling pitcher and command

        If a pitcher is struggling, and the player gets himself out swinging at poor pitches, that is a concern

        in addition, a part-time player can get a tad anxious with staggered at bats and feel the pressure to show what he can do in each photograph versus over the course of an entire movie, if you get my drift.

        a good hitter is,

        to me, one who first must have his swing down. mechanically solid,

        is able to hit to all fields

        knows his competition

        knows the situation before each pitch

        looks for one zone strike each at bat as driveable
        (zone strike could be an offspeed)

        example:

        pitcher isn’t locating his hammer very well, issues a walk to previous hitter, time to be aggressive

        strikes are coming

        identify location at release, commit if in your zone, layoff if not driveable

        try again

        –what I see at lots of minor league games are some hitters hacking away at anything and everything, and then I see a few guys who have great triggers, don’t sell out on the front foot guessing, trust their plane and fast hands/twitch muscles.

        in the long run, they will succeed more often than not

      • paulcatanese

        Hopefully under the new management he will. I think he fits perfectly with the mind set of Theo, and it will be Campana’s job to lose, if he hits he will play, I hope he does.
        Another thing, most of his bats were putting him behind in the count trying to sacrifice.
        I will say this, if he does become sem-regular he will steal at least 50-60 bases.
        You are correct though, his speed is the difference maker, and hope he does make better contact.

  • brent carmona

    I bet Theo and crew wanted to go around 2 million w wood. I dont think wood is worth more than that and since we are rebuilding Im sure alot of us here would not make that move. But he does have some intagibles that increase his value, veteran player in the bullpen good clubhouse guy etc..maybe even teaching a youngin how to throw a cutter (something he learned in recent times) this season.

    I dont know if the front office was pressured for a PR move however..perhaps? I doubt they believe in signing somebody just because of that, but who knows.

  • Aaron

    For those that keep talking about a Garza trade…..all you need to know is that the Jays were out of it early on…even said so, the Yankees just made a big trade, so they’re out. The Marlins don’t have the pitching prospects the Cubs want, and the Tigers are now out of it according to sources.

    Face it….Garza is staying here, maybe long-term extension, or maybe traded at the deadline, but he ain’t going anywhere this offseason it seems. 

    • Josh
    • KevininSandiego

      It will happen at the Trade Deadline. When they dont have FA to compete with.

    • John_CC

      The Tigers’ desire to upgrade their pitching might have just got a little more serious. 

  • paulcatanese

    Well Ricketts could use the McDonald property to put up a batting cage, and what was posted earlier a railway back and forth to the park:)

    • The Maven

      Maybe the players can travel back and forth by those little handcars they used to have at Kiddieland!

  • Gary J

    Two telling comments about something to pay attention to in the upcoming weeks…

    Sveum on Fielder:  ”Its not going to happen. We have Bryan LaHair and Rizzo waiting in the wings.”

    Which we all kind of figured.  But that was a direct comment about a free agent.  And why is that significant?

    Hoyer on the Cubans: “I will not comment directly on free agents. I will say we have scouted Yoenis Cespedes and Jorge Soler heavily.”

    Now that could be taken as differing personalities taking different approaches to a question about available players.

    To me though – says if the management is willing to make direct and pointed comments about Fielder but not the Cubans, means that they are primed to make a push for one or the other (or both).

    • RynoTiger

      this is a very calculated answer by Sveum. You will notice that his statement about “not going to happen” is inference to Fielder at 1B.  

      It totally keeps the door open for Fielder at a different position!

      It just lends more proof to the rumors of Fielder to the Cubs for a position other than 1B. 

      • John_CC

        Ahh…the NL doesn’t have the DH, remember.  You think the new defensive conscious Cubs are going to put Prince at…3B?  LF – for 37M$ (Prince’s 22M$ + Soriano’s 15M$)?  Maybe he Catch?

    • Ripsnorter1

      I think this new administration is all about this:

      Losing Big on the Cheap.

      They signed Kerry Wood for one reason, and one reason only:Cubs’ fans demanded it.

       P.K. Ricketts wants to continue to put 3 million people in the seats, but he’s dumping all the big contracts for junk players.  HE IS NOT TRADING FOR PROSPECTS. Only Rizzo and Torreyes rates as prospects. All the others are non-prospects or very marginal prospects.

      This is not rebuilding. You rebuild with prospects. And he isn’t acquiring them.

      • Aaron

        You’re both right and wrong at the same time? What “prospects” could we even expect for the likes of Zambrano and Colvin? The answer is NONE…I’ll agree Marshall was worth more…like to the tune of Wieland and Erlin type of return. And I could bash the LeMahieu trade all day long….but outside of Garza, Castro, Soto, Marmol, and the since traded Marshall and Cashner, there’s not a single other player that could command top prospects and there’s no way they will trade Castro and with Soto and Marmol they’d be selling low….

        So, yes, they’ve acquired some duds….but what’d you expect?…they didn’t have much value to trade.

        • Ripsnorter1

          Zambrano received a $2.4 million dollar check to okay the trade. Add that to the $15 million dollars that the Cubs sent along, and they came within $600,000 of just paying him for the entire year. 

          • Tony_Hall

            The $2.4M was from 2011 budget, not 2012.  

          • Anthony

            whats the difference, ot was a near 100 pct buyout DUMP

          • Ripsnorter1

            Yes, but still cost the Cubs almost $18 million.

          • Tony_Hall

            What did you expect? He was signed for $18M for 2012.  

            They swapped pitchers, but not financial committment.

            The $2.4M was going to have to be paid no matter what, to settle the grievance the players union filed.  When the grievance was filed, last year, the checks he would have earned, went into an escrow account, until the grievance was settled.  They actually didn’t pay him the full amount, so they received some of their money back.

            This was a no win situation.  They weren’t bringing him back and he would only say yes to the Marlins.  It really is amazing they received anything back in return.

      • Coolpdxcubsfan

        “Losing big on the cheap”
        Rip, you have a way with words, you wordsmith you.

      • John G

        Rip, you are the best.

        The best at making lemons out of lemonade.

        Your negativity is becoming tiresome. I’m not even sure you are paying attention.

        Give it a rest.

    • Anthony

      or it means they determined the cost didn’t match the probable results

      NO to the ham and pickles, please 

  • Ripsnorter1

    The $138 million dollar bust has become the $138 million dollar prima donna.

  • RicG

    then you better get a trade done.  No playoffs for the beloved Cubbies this year

  • paulcatanese

    Pet peeves I would like to see taken care of.
    1. Home run hitters, just hit the ball and run around the base’s. No standing at home plate watching or hopping up and down. No waving of arms to make the ball stay fair. (Boston fans should remember that one)/
    2. Run everything out, ground balls, pop ups and fly balls, don’t assume they will be caught or a play made.
    3. No laughing or joking in the dugout if the team is behind.
    4. Hustle in and out between innings, those that don’t just let them stay on the bench when it’s time to go back out.
    5. Encourage you’re teamates, dont look the other way when a mistake is made or a strikeout,

    Those are just a few, but I’m sure others have some that makes them upset.
    And as they would say in Alaska,(You Betcha), no political pun intended.

    • Anthony

      This kid was the leader of probably the best Kent State team in their history, and my favorite sleeper in our Farm, and I have seen him play in college, summerball, and with Peoria.

      http://kentwired.com/leading-with-a-strong-work-ethic/

      Funny, the Cubs have 4 Kent State players in the system.

      Sonnanstine, who was recently signed, finished at Kent State in 2004, and played in the same high school conference as Klafczynski. Chris Carpenter followed Sonnanstine at Kent State and was also their Ace, and both Carp and Greg Rohan were together in 2008 where Rohan was MAC POY, Carpenter was MAC Pitcher of the Year, and Klafczynski was named a Freshman All American by Baseball America, Rivals, Louisville Slugger.

  • gocubs

    For all those who think Soriano is a bad Left Fielder…

    http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/alfonso-sorianos-platoon-value/

    “While Soriano plays an awkward left field with what looks like a lack of
    coordination, he rates very favorably. UZR isn’t the gospel, but when a
    guy posts 2007-11 marks of +33, +16, -3, +5, +3, it seems safe to say
    he can field. Since switching to left field in 2006, Soriano has a
    cumulative +60 UZR, one-third of watch is attributable to his ARM
    rating. Since 2006, only Chase Utley‘s +68 and Adrian Beltre‘s +65 outpace Soriano, and his arm only paled in comparison to Jeff Francouer and Jayson Werth. “