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« Lohse/Cardinals Deal Official | Main | Cubs Did Not Offer Ceda »
Cubs Still Talking To Rangers About Byrd
MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan writes today that the Cubs' talks for Marlon Byrd still have some life. Not much has changed - the Cubs would give up Matt Murton, but the Rangers want young pitching.
Since the potential Brian Roberts acquisition seems to be on the frontburner, perhaps talks for Byrd would move to the next level if that's completed. The Rangers may have to wait and see whether the Cubs bring Jay Payton in and which pitching prospects they give up.
Ken Rosenthal quoted a scout today who suggested the Cubs will never fully commit to center fielder Felix Pie and let him work through his growing pains. Rosenthal believes the Cubs would do well to give Pie a legitimate shot, as the Yankees and Red Sox are doing with their young center fielders.
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With all the money tied up at the other positions, don't we have to try to balance that out by developing young talent?
Posted by: jrfukudome | March 14, 2008 at 04:54 PM
What does everybody think would be approximate value for Byrd? Texas already said no to Murton, any other ideas or sweeteners?
Posted by: laxtonto | March 14, 2008 at 04:59 PM
You're right Jr, but I will say that the Cubs will be getting nice contributions from some home-grown talent this year. Soto and Pie will both be in the starting lineup and they are young prospects from our system. Ditto for Theriot, who didn't get any significant time in the bigs until the end of 2006. On the pitching front you of course have Marmol, and lets not forget Rich Hill, who only has one full season under his belt. Kevin Hart also looks like he'll be on the big league roster. So while the Cubs are certainly a veteran team, they are utilizing a nice portion of their own young talent.
Posted by: CubFanForLife | March 14, 2008 at 05:02 PM
Daniels can call MacPhail after next week. He will have the Cubs young pitching.
Byrd is too costly because the Rangers don't have a desire to trade him as much as the Cubs would want him to b-up Pie.
Posted by: studio179 | March 14, 2008 at 05:04 PM
Honestly I don't think anything more than a low-level prospect would make sense along with Murton for Byrd. I think Murton and Byrd have similar value, with Murton being a somewhat better hitter and Byrd obviously being better with the glove. The hang-up seems to be more that the Rangers aren't interested in getting another outfielder back. They'd rather get some young pitching, and the Cubs aren't going to be in a position to give much more of that up once the Brian Roberts trade goes through.
Posted by: CubFanForLife | March 14, 2008 at 05:05 PM
I didn't realize tht many teams have young CF's like gettiong a shot at the bigs.
Red Sox- Jacoby Ellsbury
Yankees- Melky Cabrera
Cubs- Felix pie
Pirates- Nyjer Morgan
Astros- Michael Bourn
Marlins- Cameron Maybin
Nationals- Lastings Millege
White Sox- Jerry Owens
Twins- Carlos Gomez
Orioles- Adam Jones
A's- Chris Denorfia
Posted by: CUBBIES2008 | March 14, 2008 at 05:06 PM
The scout is correct. Let Pie play.
The Cubs are a good team and will probably win the division even if he disappoints. If he does there are lots of bailout options to be had in July at the deadline.
If he blossoms, think Curtis Granderson. Would Cub fans like to have him? When he came up he wasn't considered the prospect Pie is.
Posted by: pmc765 | March 14, 2008 at 05:06 PM
I completely understand the Rangers desire to import pitching, but in all fairness, Byrd's value is going to go down when the season starts.
Posted by: Devlsh | March 14, 2008 at 05:07 PM
I'd rather see Murton go for 'specs... You gotta put something back in at some point, no?
Posted by: jrfukudome | March 14, 2008 at 05:10 PM
The problem with moving Murton is that the 2 easiest fits, the Mets and the Pads, are both competing with the Cubs for the WS. Why help them, and have to face Murton? The leaves a deal to the AL. So, Oak, Sea, TB, and Cle are all possibilities. Theonly problem is that where does Lou get his all purpose CF/OF? None of those teams have OF to spare. Texas has more leverage than most people want to admit to.
Posted by: laxtonto | March 14, 2008 at 06:13 PM
Marlon had a career year last year. He has had 2 good years in his career. 2003 and 2007. I just dont see this as a good move if we give up pitching. Unless its someone like Cory Bailey.
Here is the Byrd career.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/stats?playerId=5033
Posted by: Bleacher_Buddha | March 14, 2008 at 06:19 PM
Laxtonto, dont forget the Twins. They could use a corner outfielder/DH. I only wish we didn't get rid of Craig Monroe. He would be perfect. RH bat of the bench who can play all 3 outfield positions and wouldnt mind being a backup to Pie.
Posted by: Bleacher_Buddha | March 14, 2008 at 06:22 PM
Byrd is crap, and not worth Murton by himself...although I would do that deal just bc it fit. If Hendry does this deal and gives up anything of any value and Murton, I'll be pissed.
Posted by: Aduncaroo | March 14, 2008 at 06:50 PM
How about in the Roberts deal we throw in Payton and half his contract. I think tat works out for both. Since the O's will need some roster space.
Posted by: XD23 | March 14, 2008 at 06:59 PM
Cubsfanforlife, don't forget about Jay Bruce. He's baseball's top prospect. Center may be the only place he gets an oppertunity this year.
Posted by: goreds33 | March 14, 2008 at 07:00 PM
And Rasmus has a chance to be playing CF for the Cards...probably not right away though.
Posted by: Aduncaroo | March 14, 2008 at 07:18 PM
What about Jay Bruce from the Reds. Not right away.
Posted by: studio179 | March 14, 2008 at 07:44 PM
Hendry needs to not give Murton away for a sub-par player whose only plus is he can play a position which Murton cannot.
Just sign Lofton already. Remember '03, Jimbo?
Posted by: Goat | March 14, 2008 at 09:50 PM
This obsession with Byrd is mind boggling.
Agree with Goat - if you want insurance go with Lofton. And seriously, even if Pie bombs how much better is Byrd?
Give the kid some AB's and see what you got. If he doesn't perform move him to another team and sign a real CF. Marlon Byrd will not help the Cubs make it to the playoffs.
Posted by: bjsguess | March 14, 2008 at 11:59 PM
There must be a reason Loften is not signed by anyone. I foundly remember him coming to the Cubs in 2003 and it was great. But 2003 is a rear view mirror. I think he wants a major league contract from reports a couple months back. If he did not want to start and was ok with a back up role to Pie, thats fine. I am not sure he wants to back up anyone though.
Posted by: studio179 | March 15, 2008 at 12:36 AM
Well, at his advanced age (for a CF, especially) I'm not sure if he a choice whether or not to be a backup. And yes, I know he's not the same player as he was in '03 but he'd still be a solid CF option and even a mentor (as much as I find the idea of mentorship silly. So much good it did for Clement, Z, Prior and Wood when Maddux was around...).
Posted by: Goat | March 15, 2008 at 03:08 AM
I actually think that Maddux was a positive influence on Z and Wood. I think he has taught Z how to learn how to pitch. Know what it means to watch film. As for Wood that you cant always rely on the gas and you have to learn to outsmart your oppoents. Clement its tough to say if he helped and as for Prior, he was thrown under the bus by Baker.
Baker may have been a good clubhouse manager but as far as game managers I cant think of many who are worse. I am so glad that he is in Cincy. I think that they are starting to get the peices to be a good team and he will find a way to muck it up.
Posted by: Bleacher_Buddha | March 15, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Lofton was probably the worst fielding regular CF (more than 250 innings) in the AL last year. Oh, and he couldn’t hit LHP worth a crap (.223/.290/.255 in 07 & .214/.275/.274 in 06). When you add in his Age (41) and the fact that Pie is also LH and similarly cant hit LHP worth a crap either… well… Lofton is probably the worst fit you could ever find.
He also seems to want more guaranteed playing time, and mainly a CF job ~ so he might be getting a little senile in his old age… :)
Posted by: darkstar1661 | March 15, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Marshall and Hill have made several remarks regarding how much they learned from Maddux when he was here.
Posted by: Dave | March 15, 2008 at 03:33 PM
Cubs are going to get Byrd for Murton and Veal
Cubs are going to Roberts for Cedeno, Gallagher,and ect.
Cubs need a pitcher in the #3 spot. Or maybe the #2 spot and move Lilly to the #3 spot.
Maybe we could pull off a deal for a Harden or Blanton.
I be fine with following pitchers
Joe Blanton
Rich Harden
Oliver Perez
any others?
Posted by: CUBBIES2008 | March 15, 2008 at 03:36 PM
CUBBIES2008. A trade of just Murton for Byrd is ridiculous...and you want to add Veal too? Give me a break. If anyone should give up more than one player it's the Rangers, and that's just for Murton.
After overpaying for Roberts and Byrd (which I'm sure Hendry will do as always--see Trachsel) who do you think we have left to trade for Blanton, Harden, or Perez?
Posted by: TheGrinch | March 15, 2008 at 03:48 PM