Saturday, February 09, 2008

More on Brian Roberts.

Thanks to MLBTR-

Some of you are sick of it, some of you are clamoring for any kind of tidbit. Here's the latest on the Brian Roberts to the Cubs possibility.

Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times says Roberts is "back atop the Cubs' wish list." He says the Cubs are hopeful about their chances, but believes it would take most of Spring Training to hammer out the details. The Orioles' reported insistence on Felix Pie might lessen now that they have Adam Jones. Seems that if these talks fall apart, it could be because the Orioles decided to extend Roberts' contract and keep him as the face of the franchise (a long shot).

Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald says the Cubs remain interested and GM Jim Hendry hopes to chat with Andy MacPhail before Wednesday. Miles' source indicates that the Cubs and Orioles haven't really gotten into specifics on the Roberts trade talks. Miles doesn't expect Pie or Tyler Colvin to be involved.

If Jim can pull off a deal that does not include Clovin or Pie it would be a great deal in my opinion. The ideal deal would be in the Cubs got Roberts for Marshall or Marquis or Dempster, Matt Murton, and Ronny Cedeno. If he got Roberts for that he deserves a medal!

Friday, February 08, 2008

My 2008 Cubs Projection

Well here is my Cubs Projection for 2008-

1. Alfonso Soriano LF- .280 AVG, 33 HR, 80 RBI, and 30 SB

2. Ryan Theriot SS- .300 AVG, 3 HR, 39 RBI, and 20 SB

3. Derrek Lee 1st- .320 AVG, 31 HR, 88 RBI, and 10 SB

4. Aramis Ramirez- .295 AVG, 32 HR, 108 RBI, and 2 SB

5. Kosuke Fukudome- .301 AVG, 20 HR, 81 RBI, and 15 SB

6. Mark Derosa- .279 AVG, 7 HR, 49 RBI, and 7 SB

7. Geovanny Soto- .275, 21 HR, 65 RBI, 1 SB

8. Felix Pie- .265, 8 HR, 55 RBI, 30 SB



1. Carlos Zambrano- 20-5 W-L, 3.35 ERA, 210 K

2. Ted Lilly- 12-7 W-L, 4.07 ERA, 150 K

3. Jon Lieber- 14-9 W-L, 4.20 ERA, 100 K

4. Rich Hill- 16-10 W-L, 3.75 ERA, 185 K

5. Jason Marquis- 7-5 W-L, 4.50 ERA, 77 K

6. Ryan Dempster- 5-8 W-L, 4.89 ERA, 50 K

My wild card this year is Jon Lieber. I feel he will return close to the form he was in Philly when he won 17 games. He will not quite get there but I feel he will get at least 14 wins next season. I also think that Lee will rebound from an off power year and regain some of what he had in 2005. I think this team is built for power and will put up a lot of runs next year along with having a starting pitching staff that racks up 74 wins.

If not traded Marquis and Dempster will fill the role of 5th starter and have neither do the job that well. They will combined for a 12-13 record with about a 4.66 ERA and only 127 SO.

I see a good year for the Cubs both in the rotation and lineup! GO CUBS!

Projections may change due to trade

Bedard deal complete. Roberts next?

Thanks to Ken Rosenthal-



The Erik Bedard trade finally is official.
The Mariners have obtained Bedard from the Orioles for a package of five players — outfielder Adam Jones, left-handed reliever George Sherrill and pitching prospects Chris Tillman, Tony Butler and Kam Mickolio.


The Seattle players in the deal have been notified that the trade is complete, according to a major-league source. Bedard took his physical Thursday, the final step toward completing the long-awaited trade.


Bedard emerged last year as a top-of-the-line starter, going 13-5 with a 3.16 ERA and 221 strikeouts. He missed the last month of the season with a muscle strain near his right rib cage.
Jones, the most enticing piece of the trade for Baltimore, was called up by the Mariners last August. He hit .246 with two home runs in 65 at-bats. He was expected to compete for a starting job in Seattle's outfield this spring.


The Orioles' trade of Bedard signals a major reconstruction. Another significant deal involving second baseman Brian Roberts could follow soon. The Cubs remain heavily interested in Roberts, and the Orioles could receive prospects such as pitcher Sean Gallagher and outfielder Felix Pie or veterans such as RHP Jason Marquis and outfielder Matt Murton.


Earlier this offseason, the Orioles traded shortstop Miguel Tejada to the Astros for five younger players.



I would be very happy if the O's take a trade that included Marquis and Murton. I do not want to give up Pie in a deal for Roberts and I don't see why they would want Pie when they have Jones in CF, Markakis in RF, and Scott in LF. You can use a platoon in LF with Murton and Scott which seems like a good fit. I honestly would like to see a deal that has Marshall, Marquis, Murton and Cedeno going to the O's for Roberts. Seems fair to me. If they threw in Sherrill I think a deal that included Colvin, Murton, Gallagher, Cedeno, and Marshall could get it done. Seems like a lot of players to give up but your not giving up Pie, Hill, or Marmol in the deal. I look at it this way, your trading 5 players with upside for 2 proven ML players that can make this team better now. I say do it! Thats just my opinion.

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Schilling out for most of season. Cubs and Red Sox might be good trading partners??

According to MLBTR-
6:51pm: Schilling has opted for rehab rather than surgery, as decided by a third party doctor. Boston's doctor advised rehab, while one of Schilling's advised surgery. It's a partial rotator cuff tear, and it'll keep Schilling out until at least the All-Star break.

1:05pm: According to the Boston Herald, Curt Schilling has a possibly season-ending shoulder injury (perhaps a torn rotator cuff or labrum). Schilling's career in general seems in jeopardy, in
my opinion.

The Herald report says the Red Sox have already explored whether they can void Schilling's $8MM contract. That's created a conflict with the team and Schilling, and they're also at odds over him needing surgery. It's unknown whether the Red Sox missed the injury in his physical (seems unlikely) or if it happened since then.

With Beckett, Matsuzaka, Lester, Wakefield, and Buchholz, the Red Sox do have the depth to sustain this injury. But a solid sixth man other than Julian Tavarez would be nice. I don't see the free agent market offering much in terms of a mid-rotation addition.


It seems to me that the Cubs and Red Sox maybe a fit for a trade. The Cubs have been shopping Marquis and have a really strong rotation as it stands with Marshall, Gallagher, Dempster, Marquis, Lieber, and Hart battling for the 4th and 5th spots in the rotation. Why not send a pitcher the Red Sox way?? I would prefer that the Cubs send either Dempster or Marquis to Boston. Marquis has 2 years left on the deal and the Sox may require the Cubs to pay a portion of that. Dempster is a perfect fit in my opinion. He could be the veteran addition they need at minimal price and when Schilling comes back they can either deal Dempster or send him to the pen.

Now, what would the Cubs want in return?? How bout a CoCo Crisp for Dempster and a midlevel prospect?? It would give the Cubs the speed they need in the lineup, along with good defense, and a guy to share time with Pie in CF. Seems like a good fit to me! I also would not be opposed to a Dempster for a couple of decent prospects.

Here is a link to Crisp's stats-

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/6983

On a side note, Bedard to Seattle will be announced by Friday. He is in Seattle now getting his physical done. Roberts to the Cubs by the weekend??? Who knows???

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Little tidbit from Ken.

Brian Roberts to the Cubs is no guarantee. Rosenthal says the O's "are likely to insist on Felix Pie," which isn't happening.

Nice to know the Cubs are not going to be giving up Pie that easily!

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Buster gives an update on Roberts.

Thanks to MLBTRADERUMORS-

Buster Olney has the latest on the Cubs' talks to acquire second baseman Brian Roberts. According to Olney:

Sources involved in Baltimore's trade talks with Chicago expressed confidence that at some point, the Orioles and Cubs will finish the proposed Brian Roberts deal.

Olney says Sean Gallagher would be the centerpiece of the deal. On February 3rd, ESPN's

Jayson Stark said Gallagher or Sean Marshall would be included, but beyond that nothing has been decided.

I think this will get done soon after the Bedard trade is complete. Its dragged on long enough!



Monday, February 04, 2008

2008 Spring Training TV lineup!

For all of you die hard Cubs fans that are intrested-

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/schedule/index.jsp?c_id=chc&m=3&y=2008

Bedard deal almost done, Roberts deal done by the weekend??

According to ESPN the Bedard deal is finally near completion. Adam Jones and the rest of the players in the deal are now getting physicals. Once completed the deal will likely be announced this afternoon or tomorrow morning. League Officials now expect the deal that would send Roberts to the Cubs to be finalized and completed by the weekend. They now expect that George Sherrill to be part of the deal. The O's have no use for a 31 year old reliever in there pen and want to get younger. Sherrill will ensure that the O's will get at least two pitchers in the deal from the Cubs. They have stated that the Cubs are in desperate need for another lefty in the pen and the deal would include two of Gallagher, Marquis, and Marshall. Officials say that the deal will include at least 4 to 6 players going to the O's for Roberts and Sherrill.

Here is a link to Sherrill stats-

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7379

Here are a list of players that I think could be included in the deal-

Sean Gallagher*
Sean Marshall*
Jason Marquis
Eric Patterson*
Matt Murton
Ronny Cedeno*
Tyler Colvin*
Kevin Hart

* indicates most likely to go in a deal

Sunday, February 03, 2008

Roberts deal coming soon and then Byrd deal??

Bruce Levine had an interesting update on the Brian Roberts deal Saturday. Levine mentioned that a deal for Roberts could be done in the coming weeks. Levine also noted that Andy MacPhail has extended his deadline for a trade for Roberts to February 15th, when the Orioles report to camp. There are also repots that the Cubs are actively shopping Marquis( which is kind of old news) in which to acquire a reliever or prospect or two. I would not be surprised if he is dealt in the Roberts deal even though the much rather have Gallagher or Marshall. The O's are looking for a veteran presence and if the Cubs paid some of his contract they may bite on the deal.

I also have heard from numerous sites that Pie "will not be apart of a package for Roberts." Which is good news because I much rather hold on to him and give up Gallagher or Marshall in a deal. The O's are waiting on the deal to go through with the Mariners for Bedard then expect the deal for Roberts to the Cubs to happen shortly after that. I expect a deal to get done this week. I would'nt mind seeing a Marquis, Marshall, and Cedeno for Roberts deal but I may be wishing a bit. We will more than likely see a Gallagher, Marshall, Colvin, Cedeno deal for him( since they want at least 4 players in return for him). Then seeing Marquis and Murton for Byrd( which I think might be too much if we give up Gallagher and Marshall in the Roberts deal). I think we need to hold onto either Marquis, Marshall, or Gallagher to give stability to our rotation incase Lieber gets hurt and Dempster doesn't perform well.

In other notes it seems people are calling on Hill and Marmol. Jim has now said they are "not available," which is reassuring.

The Cubs seem to be playing a similar game that the O's are right now. I have good knowledge that says the Cubs are waiting on a the deal for Roberts to be complete that sends him to the Cubs before the complete there next transaction. That other transaction would send the Rangers Murton and a pitcher for Marlon Byrd. It seems to me the O's have really slowed a lot of teams down this offseason. Hopefully its worth it for the Cubs!