Unconfirmed Rumor: Cubs Looking At Griffey, Dunn

UPDATE: Will Carroll chimed in on the idea of Dunn to the Cubs in a recent update.  He cited the intra-division and salary factors as reasons it won't happen.

Didn't hear the report myself, but a loyal reader dropped me an email.

Apparently a recent Bruce Levine report for ESPN Radio 1000 had some interesting Cubs rumors.  Levine says the Cubs might try to trade for Adam Dunn or Ken Griffey Jr.  Any deal would likely include Sean Gallagher, and the Cubs called up Matt Murton today to showcase him.

This rumor leaves more questions than answers:

• Would the Cubs again move their superstar signing Alfonso Soriano to center or right field to create a spot for Dunn?
• If not, how ugly would Dunn be in right field at Wrigley?  He hasn't played the position regularly since 2001.
• With the management situation in flux, could the Cubs really take on Griffey's contract, which runs through 2008?  Or even the $3.8MM still owed to Dunn this year?
• Are Arby's new popcorn chicken shakers as tasty as they look on TV?
• Would Gallagher and Murton be enough for either of those players?

Comments

[Chipper]

Arby's chicken shakers are excellent. Go with Buffalo sauce! And I sorta believe that rumor, somewhat, just that I don't think the Reds would trade within their own division.

[cubs2234]

Yeah those shakers seem pretty legit. I don't know how I feel about this supposed trade, though.

[dogscoach]

I would love to see the Cubs wrap themselves up into Griffey's contract and wind up not having the jack to give to Zambrano. That would be excellent!

[integr96]

From what I understand... all potential bidders for the cubs have been asked what payrolls they would be comfortable with. that is why the zambrano talks are still open even if they arent necessarily talking. so if the FO knows this... they may feel more comfortable with taking on salary. i could see a murton + 1 of veal or gallagher for griffey. and then cinci moving dunn for something else.

[darkstar1661]

Mmm, Arby's...

Anyway, Griffey's contract has him making about 6Mil a year for 07 & 08 with a 4Mil buyout for 09. All the rest is to be paid between 2020-2023 or something nuts like that...

That being the case, why would the Reds trade him - esp to a team in the division who will be helped by the cheap contract next year?

[CubsAddictMG]

Feels like an Arby's night. . . .

[Teetz]

Enough with the "within their own division" garbage. You could say the exact same thing vice versa. Why would the Cubs trade nice young players that could hurt them in the future within their own division????????????

It's overblown. Way overblown.

[Kramerica Industries]

Rosenthal update:http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7065740

"The Braves, according to major-league sources, have made the Rangers a whopper of an offer for first baseman Mark Teixeira. The Angels, sources say, also have submitted a substantial bid"

He also says the red sox and white sox are still talking Dye

[Teetz]

Soriano
Theriot
Lee
Griffey
Ramirez
Jones
Derosa
Kendall/Hill
Pitcher

Nice

[ArodSucksAtLife]

"It's overblown. Way overblown."

Its also constantly brought up by GM's as a concern. The Sox/Orioles potential deals for a Manny/Tejada swap kept hitting snags because of the young players that would be going either way. Theo didnt want to have the Sox face Lester or Buchholz 3-4 times a year.

[ArodSucksAtLife]

Olney claims Kei Igawa is being shopped and there is actually interest in him.

This has to be bunk, any team that lets the Yanks off the hook for this atrocius signing should be contracted immediately.

[darkstar1661]

Yeah Teetz, I think you couldn't be farther from the reality with that. If its a help for 2months, maybe it gets done ~ but you don't help a team with a cheap contract for next year when you plan to compete with them...

Its rare to see teams trade within their div, esp when it helps long term with cheap future HOFer talent. The Cubs are a rival of the Reds, you think Cincy wants to watch him hit 600 for them? Or to maybe be fighting for a playoff spot and watching him lead their team which is better because of his cheap salary? Nah, wouldn't happen...

[deadbeat17]

i dont even really like arby's but my girl made me try the shaker chicken and they are so bomb its crazy.

def. a must try.

and yeah go with buffalo.

and wow the 2nd base market got ugly for the pads today.

iguchi for a low minor league pitcher. we coulda handled that.

[ArodSucksAtLife]

Olney says "Pure speculation on my part but I can see the Padres, Dodgers, or Mariners as potential suitors."

[integr96]

did anyone hear who the cubs received in the izturis deal yet?

[WestCoastBias]

It makes division races more fun when competitors aren't afraid to make deals with each. Hairston should provide the bench bat with power that KT wants and Leo Rosales should serve as an effective middle reliever for the Diamondbacks. These are both little upgrades that could make a big difference so it's fun to see division rivals playing a little game of dare. Not to mention that Hairston could end up as the Padres LF next year...

[WestCoastBias]

Wow, I'm surprised RotoWorld hasn't noted this. Hairston played some solid defense at 2B back in 2004 and could pick up some playing time there as well for the Padres. It's nice to have such a versatile player. The Padres have 13 pitchers right now and 12 position players so the question is which pitcher is getting sent down? The release of Brocail maybe?

[darkstar1661]

WCB,

Yeah, role players are kind of an exception to the "within division" thing ~ and I agree it can make things real fun ~ but superstars under cheap contracts are a bit different...

[Tim Dierkes]

I believe Hairston sucked at defense at 2B, based on what I've read.

[Tim Dierkes]

Anyway, new thread on that trade if you want to comment on it.

[supercapo]

If there is any truth at all to this Dunn or Griffey rumor, I would take Griffey any day over Dunn. Griffey can play defense and hit for average, two things that Dunn has never been able to do. Dunn may have a high OBP, but the guy strikes out way too much. Bringing Dunn in would hurt the team defense and give them one more player that doesn't make any consistent contact.

[IowaCubs]

Have you ever seen a live chicken operation? Nasty, nasty, nasty. Makes you want to go vegan.

Speaking of chicken operations, I want to see Hendry make one of these moves! I don't think Mark Cuban would have a problem paying Griffey or Dunn. (have you seen that dude's private jet???)