Pirates Acquire Cesar Izturis
The Cubs have traded shortstop Cesar Izturis and cash to the Pirates for a player to be named later. I suppose the move is meant to push Jack Wilson, but I don't really see the point as they're similar players.
Addition by subtraction for the Cubs, who might want to call up Ronny Cedeno soon. Instead they brought up Jake Fox, who was moved off the catcher position earlier this year. He's hitting .284/.327/.504 in 91 games at Double A. Fox has been playing first base and outfield for the Smokies lately, so he can help fill in for Derrek Lee. Fox could become a Ryan Doumit type one day, catching on occasion. He was college guy, and has been old for his levels. This could possibly be a trade showcase, though Fox doesn't have a ton of value.
A fellow had emailed me about the Bucs' interest in Izturis a few days ago, but I couldn't confirm it and didn't print it. The reason I mention it is that he also said the Cubs have interest in Xavier Nady.
UMMMM...Pirates, what was the point of that?
Posted by: Mr_Punch | July 19, 2007 at 11:46 AM
If Cedeno gets the call, do you think he'll play every day and be worth a spot on a fantasy team over Craig 'only playing at home' Biggio?
Posted by: BaLLooNNoT | July 19, 2007 at 11:47 AM
"Fox has appeared at catcher, first base, third base, left field and right field this season."
Thats from Cubs.com
I think they did it for a Lee replacement while he is out for the suspension. Unless he tears the cover off the ball like he did in ST, he will go back down...I hope that this isn't Hendry's answer to another bat that Lou asked for...
Posted by: Aduncaroo | July 19, 2007 at 11:49 AM
What are the Cubs doing? I understand trading guys you don’t need ~ but why for nothing? And why bring in other guys you don’t need (Kendell) if that’s what you’re doing?
I thing the Cubs could have gotten a lot more for Izturis than a PTNL... Cle could really use an upgrade in the Back-up Middle Infielder dept as Mike Rouse is our current backup despite not being able to hit his weight and having an iffy fielding ability... They would have given up a RP prospect I imagine…
Posted by: darkstar1661 | July 19, 2007 at 12:10 PM
Mr. Punch, it probably spells the end of Jack Wilson in a Pirate uniform. As a Pirate fan, I wouldn't mind seeing Jack go, he is a fan favorite, but too expensive to be hitting .256 with very little power and a very low OBP.
Posted by: kett08 | July 19, 2007 at 12:11 PM
I like this trade for the pirates. Tracy must have a good relationship with Ceasar from their days with the dodgers together.
Posted by: ca!i sty!e | July 19, 2007 at 12:13 PM
darkstar: lets see what the cubs get in return prior to analyzing the deal. its not like the cubs were going to pick up his option next year anyway.
Posted by: integr96 | July 19, 2007 at 12:15 PM
Caesar was clogging up a spot on the roster. Lou didn't want to use him...and they needed the roster spot. Now that is taken care of, and they save money at the same time. This allows them to make more deals soon if they need by freeing up money, even if the payroll was frozen. Caesar wasn't doing a thing for the cubs, hitting like .248 with 7 errors. He was supposed to be good defensively, and he wasn't. The Cubs are better off without him, so no matter who they got, its a good trade.
Posted by: Aduncaroo | July 19, 2007 at 12:32 PM
integr96,
Understand that, I guess the PTNL could be an ok guy…
… was more just trying to figure out how a PTNL could help them now though ~ where a trade with someone like CLE (or another team in need of middle infield depth) may have brought a return which could have done just that.
Posted by: darkstar1661 | July 19, 2007 at 12:37 PM
I really believe Jack Wilson and Marte will be traded as a package to Boston. I know Boston has lugo locked up for four years, but mark these words down if Jack Wilson becomes a Red Sox he will Boston's new favorite son. Jack plays webjem defense and is a smart overall baseball player. I really believe being on a losing team for all these years has caught up to him and has hampered his play. I don't believe the Pirates will receive the highest bounty for Wilson only because I believe they want out from under his contract. So if Boston is willing to pay the $ and give up a couple mid level prospects, I believe they have Jack Wilson and Marte
Posted by: jdt58 | July 19, 2007 at 12:51 PM
I would have rather seen Josh Kroeger get called up but he's a lefty. The Cubs haven't relied on their farm system this much since the Boys of Zimmer in '89.
Posted by: Teetz | July 19, 2007 at 12:59 PM
Cesar Izturis sexually violated Aramis Ramirez which is a big reason he was traded.
Posted by: Teetz | July 19, 2007 at 01:00 PM
I heard the same.
Posted by: astralpanda | July 19, 2007 at 01:10 PM
Ronny will be up eventually...his OBP in AAA is near .500...he is hitting .360 something....believe me, eventually he will be up. He is also better defensively than Theriot, at least according to scouting reports.
Fox for now, Ronny for later.
Either way, better than Casar + 2 mil. Good trade for the cubs.
Posted by: Aduncaroo | July 19, 2007 at 01:15 PM
The Bucs have a pretty good chip in Nady, unless they really want to keep him. I don't think anyone would want Jack.
Posted by: buehrlebro | July 19, 2007 at 01:45 PM
Wilson + Marte to ChiSox for Contreras + Logan??? Can anyone verify this?
Posted by: H0RAT!0SANZSERIF | July 19, 2007 at 01:50 PM
theres a rumor going around that the brewers and reds have reached a trade.
adam dunn for
matt wise, tony gwyn jr and a player to be named later.
take it for what is worth.
Posted by: samael88 | July 19, 2007 at 01:51 PM
Are you saying the White Sox have traded Contreras for Wilson? Because that would be stupid.
Posted by: buehrlebro | July 19, 2007 at 01:58 PM
If Jack Wilson is traded to the Red Sox, maybe they could spin Julio Lugo back to the Astros. That's a SS shuffle that makes sense to me. Especially since the Red Sox have plenty of other leadoff options.
Posted by: WestCoastBias | July 19, 2007 at 02:03 PM
Why would the Astros do that? So that they can pay for the Red Soxs' mistake by signing Lugo to that big contract? Not likely. Besides, Lugo's hot.
Posted by: buehrlebro | July 19, 2007 at 02:09 PM
"adam dunn for
matt wise, tony gwyn jr and a player to be named later."
As a cubs fan...I might cry if that is true. Man would that make their defense even more horrible than it already is...
Posted by: Aduncaroo | July 19, 2007 at 02:22 PM
Why would the Reds do that deal? They're definitely getting the short end of the stick and already have 2 guys that can play center (hamilton, freel)
The Brewers are better served to go get a pitcher (either starter or reliever) for Gwynn. Mench + Jenkins is serviceable and Corey Hart has played very well.
Posted by: thecubsdontcatchtheball | July 19, 2007 at 02:41 PM
I think the Reds can do better than a middle reliever, a Juan Pierre/Joey Gathright clone prospect, and a PTBNL for Adam Dunn.
Posted by: Teetz | July 19, 2007 at 02:51 PM
I have yet to find any reason to believe the Dunn to Milwaukee rumor at this time. People are talking about radio reports, but haven't heard it themselves on the air.
Posted by: Tim Dierkes | July 19, 2007 at 02:54 PM
A couple of posters on Pirate sites are talking about a Jack Wilson to Red Sox for Willy Mo Pena deal soon to be announced...
Not sure I believe that...Wilson's picture is still on the banner of the offical Pirates website for what its worth...
Posted by: Mick Kraut | July 19, 2007 at 03:03 PM
If thats the case, Hendry is an idiot for not shipping Izturis to the BoSox for Wily Mo Pena.
Posted by: Teetz | July 19, 2007 at 03:08 PM
Message boards suck...we are gonna get a lot of false rumors popping up in coming weeks. Be skeptical if it doesn't sound right. Wilson for WMP doesn't sound right. That's two shortstops signed long-term.
Posted by: Tim Dierkes | July 19, 2007 at 03:09 PM