Saturday, October 31, 2009

Bradley Update and More....

- We have heard that Vernon Wells for Milton Bradley was gaining steam but then Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune squashed that rumor by saying it has "no legs at all" and added the Cubs have not even talked about Wells.

It was hard to imagine a Wells for Bradley trade would have worked with all the money involved. I would still like to see them try to match up and maybe add more players to the deal to offset the money. How about Wells for Fukudome, Mile, and Bradley? It would only be a 46 million dollar difference then. The Jays then could throw in 20 million to get the deal done. So basically the Cubs would add 26 million over the next 5 seasons for Wells which would be a steal.

- Bruce Levine said "Milton Bradley for Pat Burrell has been on the table for three weeks." Burrell makes 9 million next season and Bradley makes 23 over the next two seasons. The only way I do this trade is if the Cubs pay only Burrell's salary and 7 million or less for Bradley's salary or they include Iwamura in the deal with no money exchanged.

- Ryan Dempster told the Chicago Tribune that the players would give Bradley another chance. Honestly if they did that is fine but I think this is just posturing to make him more valuable as trade bait. I just see no way he is in Cubbie blue next season.

- Here are some other trades to consider: Bradley for Juan Pierre, Bradley for Carlos Guillen, Bradley for Francisco Cordero or Aaron Harang or Bronson Arroyo. I still like Luis Castillo for Milton Bradley!

- Here is a great Q and A with new Owner Tom Ricketts.

That is it for now Cub Fans!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Levine Drops A Bomb!

WOW Bruce, it is only October and you drop this bomb!

- Bruce Levine said in his chat that that Cubs will not have the payroll to add big salaried players so Jim may have to go the trade route to improve the team and shed salary.

- He likes O-dawg in a one year deal if they cannot get Figgins.

- He said there is no way Bradley stays here but does not see the Cubs just giving him away but may swap bad contracts.

- Tom Ricketts has taken over the Cubs and the welcome home party for him will be in the form of a press conference at Wrigley on Friday.

- He does not see Lackey, Chapman, or any other big named pitcher to be signed for next season. They will only have the payroll right around 140 million next season, very similar to last season.

- Here come the Bomb! Levine first says in response to if Milton Bradley returns " Jim Hendry has been working on playing Bradley since the last quarter of the season. Tampa is still a very viable team, but keep your eye on Toronto, which has money problems and is dying to move outfielder Vernon Wells."

Then he says " The Cubs have talked to Toronto about different scenarios that may include players like Vernon Wells and Bradley"

Now Wells is due 98.5 million over the next 5 seasons, a lot like Soriano. Bradley is owed 23 million over the next two seasons bring the difference to 75 million. The Jays would have to pay at least half the amount to get a deal done. The Cubs just cannot afford to take on that much money so they would have to eat some or take on a player like Soriano (90 million left), Zambrano (74 million left), or Fukudome and Miles together (combined 28 million). The gold ideal situation for both teams would have the Cubs get Wells for Bradley with the Jays paying 50 million of Wells' contract and all of Bradley's. That would have the Jays saving 25 million total and the Cubs only spending the amount on a really good guy for CF.

Another great move would have the Cubs trading Zambrano and Bradley for Wells and Halladay straight up. The Cubs will be taking on only 15.75 million in contract money for a true Ace and really good defensive outfielder. I would love that deal but it would not happen because the Jays would want more talent and Z has a no trade clause that he may not waive to go to Toronto.

I like Bradley for Wells but only if the Jays pay a large portion of Vernon's contract.

I will keep you posted!

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Cubs Update.....

- The sale of the Chicago Cubs will be completed by the 30th of October where a press conference is expected at Wrigley Field.

- David Kaplan expressed that Milton Bradley will not be in a Cubs uniform next season. Hendry right now is just trying to to find "the right deal" and he is posturing by saying Milton is still a Cubs etc...etc....

- Jarmillo feels Soriano's problems are mechanical and has nothing to do with his eye sight or heavy bat.

- The possible destinations for Milton Bradley are Tampa, the Giants, Boston, or Seattle. There has also been talk about Toronto and San Diego as well.

- Jim Hendry is happy to have Tom Ricketts as their new owner. I think we all are Jim.

Til Next Time....