Cubs Still Looking To Trade Jacque Jones?

The Cubs have certainly been looking to trade right fielder Jacque Jones all offseason.  It's not a matter of performance or salary - Jones played a respectable right field last year for a mere $3MM.  He's due $9MM for 2007-08.

But as Chris De Luca reports, Jones hasn't been comfortable in Chicago since the beginning of last season.  His source indicated that both parties feel a trade would be best.  However, De Luca makes a good point in that the Cubs need Jones right now.  Why trade him and then sign Steve Finley or someone to bridge the gap until Felix Pie is ready?  The Cubs should just keep Jones and use him in center.  He hasn't played more than 10 games in CF since 2000, but it's worth a shot.

De Luca also says the Cubs are reluctant to sign Cliff Floyd until Jones is dealt.  The Cubs have been aggressively trying to swing a Jones to anywhere trade all offseason.

Meanwhile at the Tribune, which owns the Cubs, Paul Sullivan mentions that "Floyd has told friends he intends to be a Cub, while Jones isn't expected at the weekend fan convention, indicating he's likely on his way out of town."

Comments

[Guitar Hero]

Mark Prior and Jones for Alex Rios

[Bleacher_Buddha]

Why would we do that? Rios's numbers arent that much better than Jones. Why would we give up Prior for another Jones?

Rios
Last 3 years Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS
2004 TOR 111 426 55 122 24 7 1 28 31 84 15 3 .286 .338 .383 .720
2005 TOR 146 481 71 126 23 6 10 59 28 101 14 9 262 .306 .397 .703
2006 TOR 128 450 68 136 33 6 17 82 35 89 15 6 .302 .349 .516 .865

Jones
Last 3 years Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS
2004 MIN 151 555 69 141 22 1 24 80 40 117 13 10 .254 .315 .427 .742
2005 MIN 142 523 74 130 22 4 23 73 51 120 13 4 .249 .319 .438 .757
2006 CHC 149 533 73 152 31 1 27 81 35 116 9 1 .285 .334 .499 .833

I say fork over the money and prospects (including Pie) to land Andrew Jones.

[MarkH]

Earlier in the offseason, I really hoped that Jones wouldn't be a Cub in 2007. I had hoped that the Cubs could get equal value for Jones in the trade market after his solid showing in 2006, but that obviously hasn't happened yet. But right now, honestly, he's looking like our best option for center unless Pie puts up a very strong performance in Mesa. I liked the idea of Lofton as a 1 year "stop-gap," but J.H. wasn't on the same page. At 4MM for 2007, it might not be a bad idea to keep Jones, unless, of course, he reverts back to 2004/2005 form and hits .245-.250.

[Megastahr]

The cubs would probablly go bankrupt if they signed Andruw jones at the money he is likely to command...

Ohh, and why havent the cubs and the astros talked about a scott+prospect/jones swap. I think it makes sense if the cubs HAVE to move jones. Scott will probablly be just as good but jones would provide the stros with more stability.

[Bleacher_Buddha]

Jaques is a solid fielder. It may take him a bit to get back in the swing of playing CF, but I have to agree with Mark H. I think that he is a good option. Then see if you cant trade him in the off season back to Minnesota because I imagine that they wont be able to keep Hunter when he becomes a FA after this season. My only fear is an outfield of Soriano, Jones, Floyd is not the greatest defensive outfields.

[kevybo1]

Hey Guitar hero the Cubs would probably be able to trade Jaque Jones for Alex Arios straight up. Alex Rios probably has a better arm anyway seeing as how Jaque Jones has the worst throwing arm in the outfield in the major leagues. I would not mind a Jaque Jones for Alex Rios trade.

[JerseyMetFan]

Rios for Jones straight up? Are you people on drugs? There is no way in hell Toronto even wastes a second thinking about that trade.

Thanks. I needed a laugh.

[bravesbeast]

Ok again no the cubs could not get alex rios for jacque jones alone. Rios is a better hitter for average, while jones may have slightly better power rios is developin his still,, rios is a threat on the base paths, is a gold glove fielder, a better option in center, and can hit anywhere in the lineup. Suggesting jacque jones for alex rios straight up is idiotic.

[bravesbeast]

Its fans like kevybo who give cubs fans a bad name, cause he is a fan who thinks that all the other 29 gm's job is to get ripped off by hendry and the cubs.

[stormstarter28]

Mega-
there's no way the Stros would trade Scott for Jones. That's ridiculous. Scott is young and is already going to put up better numbers than Jones in 07, and you want the Stros to throw in a prospect??? The Cubs would be throwing in prospects to make that trade happen! What's wrong with you people when it comes to Jacque Jones?

[Guitar Hero]

You guys don't konw what your talking about wrt Rios' power. You probably never watched him last year and see 17 homeruns and assume thats all he hit. He was on pace for over 30, which he is definitely capable of, and had a serious injury. He has huge potential, and him for Jones is laughable stright up, bnecause he is going to be SO much better (plus he has 4 years of service time). That's why I included Mark Injury Prone Prior.

[JerseyMetFan]

The Jays would still be completely idiotic to trade Rios for Jones AND Prior. He'll go for a top spec or two. Not a mediocre OF and a pitcher that can't stay on the mound.

[ejruiz777]

People need perspective and stats need context: Jones had the obiquitous late career year in 2006, while Rios had his long awaited breakout season (albeit shortened by injury) so there's a huge difference there. Is Jacque Jones a good player? Sure. Has his production been equal to Rios' in the last three years? Pretty much. Are they of equivalent value in a trade? Absolutely not. Rios is the better athlete in terms of tools and he's on the rise, while Jones is approaching the twilight of his career.

People that think that Jones is somehow valuable because of last season would be compelled to agree with the contract that Gary Mathews Jr. got from Anahiem, but I bet they didn't. What we have here is a classic case of homer-ism, which would be forgivable if it weren't so depressingly common among Cubs fans.

[darkstar1661]

Uh, Cubs fans... Didn't you guys read the part where it said
"The Cubs have been aggressively trying to swing a Jones to anywhere trade all offseason"
To me that says they have been trying to trade him and that no one wants him, but that's just me...

The best bet for the Cubs would be to sign Floyd as they will then entertain offers during ST when teams dreams start to crash when they realize the player they thought would start sucks. They will never be able to get anything too special for him but maybe a trade with the crosstown Sox could work (Pods & Prospect for Jones & Prospect/relief pitcher). Pods could then play center and fill the hole till Pie is ready, Jones could be solid 4th guy for Sox and possibly allow Dye to walk or be traded at the break if the WS are running behind.

I wouldn't expect great things from J.Jones for the Sox but having him in 2008 replacing Dye would mean they could go after Andrew Jones... Pods becomes the CFer in Chi till Pie is ready and a speedy 4th OF off the bench afterward.

PS I hate the StinkySox but I think it would make since for both teams and would probably help them a lot in landing another highpriced OFer since JJ doesn't cost much. Keeping Pods and Dye would be expensive where having J.Jones & A.Jones might cost about the same and give much better results...

[darkstar1661]

Oh, and as far as Rios goes I'm hoping the Jays are in the race at the trade deadline and can swing a deal with Cle. I'm thinking maybe Westbrook/Blake/prospect for Rios where Westy solidifies the rotation for the rest of the year, Blake gives the hurting Glaus a respectable replacement and the Prospect will mean something for past 2007 for the Jays.

The deal might have to be expanded a little more with maybe one of the Tribe OF prospects being included with a B.Jay prospect headed to the Tribe, so it might end up looking like:
Westbrook/Blake/Choo or FrankieG/prospect for Rios/prospect

[Gov Arnold]

Cliff Floyd is pointless for the Cubs. Murton is young, inexpensive and already here. He'll likely outproduce Floyd--who's already in rapid decline--even against RH pitchers. It's silly to get a lefty bat for a few million for no gain--or best case scenario marginal gain at the expense of blocking a young, promising player who's power will keep increasing.

JJones? There's just simply not a market for him right now. Even in last year's "career season" he underproduced for a corner outfielder on any team hoping to contend (contending with Hendry making decisions is another story, fellow Cub fans). Contending teams already have better players than Jones in the corners. The few small-market teams where Jones may actually be a slight upgrade either can't or won't pay the 9 million he's owed over 2 years. The market is skewed too heavily toward mediocre starting pitchers right now.

The Cubs just need to face the fact that they're stuck with Jones and that for all his shortcomings, he is a better option at the start of the season in CF than Pie right now. (And a better option than a once good, but now decrepit C.Floyd who will probably only play a fraction of the year with his injury history). And Jones way better than throwing money at Finley, Erstad or some other has-been.

Alex Rios? Kid's a young star in the making who would only be dealt for a frontline starter. Not a 32 yr-old never-was like JJones.

Trade Mark Prior? Why? It's pointless to trade an injured player at the bottom of his value. No one would give up anything if they don't know if he'll be pitching next year or not. Or how effectively.

[Megastahr]

Ohh well...I just thought that since Hidalgo would be trying out for right field they werent set on scott...I thought jones looked to be a offensive upgrade to scott.

[chrishickman]

I'm a Cubs fan...the Jays would be nuts to trade Rios to ANYBODY...he's a 30/30/.300 guy if he stays out on the field.

I also hope they keep JJones for another year...sigh.

[kevybo1]

I'd like to see the cubs get a back end of the rotation guy or a relief pitcher that would be nice.

[nilodnayr]

Rios' perceived value is extremely high, but the only difference between this year and every other professional year of pathetic offensive stats is the fact that he significantly increased his fly ball rate. This could be development (he is very young), but this could also be an abberation. Everyone thinks hes become this great hitter, but in reality everything was was fairly constant. Who knows if he will be able to maintain it, but usually when guys step up in terms of development its because of a lot more factors than just hitting more fly balls.

[nilodnayr]

Chris,

Actually the Jays would be geniuses to trade Rios now. His perceived value couldn't get any higher coming off of last year and his contract situation is excellent. A team would probably have to give up a ton more than Rios is worth. Especially considering the Jays have to keep him in RF with Wells locked up long term. It would take a Hell of a lot more than Jacque Jones to acquire him.

[nrmax88]

bleachedbuddha, that first comment is ridiculous. You obviously dont know much about Alex Rios, or the game of baseball in general.

[nrmax88]

kevybo, same goes to you. Why would anyone trade Rios for Jones, thats like trading Kazmir for Zambrano, not quite as bad, but still pretty awful

[kett08]

Pirate fan here, I think i heard a rumor about this recently, if the Cubs need a stopgap center fielder with some decent speed that hits for average, how about nate mclouth for Jacque Jones? Buccos need left handed power. Seems like both teams would be getting rid of spare/unwanted parts.

[Guitar Hero]

Rios has been expected to have a big power spike for awhile now...because he has those skills. I see him in batting practice every day, as I work there, and he has the best batting practice power on the team. He can hit upper deck. That doesn't neccesarily mean he can hit homers in real life, but he's got the power and frame. It's just he started to the majors slowly power wise.

[Guitar Hero]

What would you guys expect to get back Prior in a trade considering the circumstances.

[Aduncaroo]

For Prior? Probably a B level prospect...and thats about it. His value is at an all time low. I think if he has a decent year this year things would be different, but for now, his value is almost null.

[Guitar Hero]

So he may not be the starter he once was and may have to fight to be a reliever? Or will he "one day" get back on track.

[kevybo1]

How come the Cubs and Orioles never made the trade that would have sent Mark Prior, Rich Hill, and Cory Patterson to Baltimore and Miguel Tejada and Erik Bedard to Chicago. Weren't they really close on getting that deal done how come they did not finalize the deal. The Cubs would have been able to get something usefull out of Mark Prior back then.

[Bleacher_Buddha]

nrmax,

I don't see how you can say I know nothing about baseball.

I know that Rios has potential. That is it as of today... He hasnt proven anything yet. He has had 1good half of 1 season. Jones will turn 32 in April. He has had Solid career stats. Not GREAT. Solid. But they are proven stats and at a cost of 4.5 mil per year for 2 more years. I just thought that its silly to trade a proven player who bats left and plays solid D. Plus a pitcher who is from southern California who doesn't want to pitch if hit his pants don't fit right or his manicure isn't perfect for a guy who may or may not be great.

Besides Toronto only has 4 outfieldrs on thier 40 man roster currently and only a couple of lefty bats. Why would they trade him? If anything they may trade prospects for Jones.

[kevybo1]

I would also like to see if the Cubs could get Ryan Church for Jaque Jones.