Cubs Acquire John Grabow, Tom Gorzelanny

They should attempt to get Tehen. He's more versatile,and has better numbers than hermida.

I think they should go after Cody Ross... With Johnson down they need a right handed hitting outfielder capable of leading off... If they want a big left handed bat in RF so bad... put Micah Hoffpauir out there ... they aren't really losing anything special defensively... I say forget these two, mostly because I think they are very Craig Morgan-esque... so Hendry if you are out there in cyber land right now... try to get Ross... then go get Beimel or Grabow...

Good luck prying either Hermida or Cody Ross out of Florida right now....they are one win shy of sweeping the Braves out of south Florida and have their eyes fixed on the NL East or the Wild Card.

Apparently this is the admission that the acquisition of Milton Bradley was an epic failure on Hendry's part.

They wanted a left handed bat with some power last off-season so they bring in (and overpaid for) Milton Bradley even though historically he is exponetially better as a right handed hitter.

Apparently they are just figuring this out now.

And why didn't they want Bobby Abreu?

I have yet to see a problem with Hoffpauir playing in RF. He is the left handed bat that they are have and could use more ABs! I like the Luke Scott idea, but not sure about his defense or McPhail's ability to negotiate fairly.

Cubs should try and get Mahay included in a trade for Teahen.

Hendry seems to get tunnel vision on certain guys. He tried to trade for Heilman for about 4 years. He always liked Milton Bradley. Teahen and Hermidia have also been on his radar for years now. I hope things turn out better this time. Of the two, Teahen makes more sense because he has a better shot of being helpful on future Cubs teams. It seems unlikely that the Cubs would put a big contract on the bench to accomodate Hermida. Teahen on the other hand, can play 2nd and fill in at the 4 corners, the latter of which gives him future use as a fill-in for the inevitable injuries to Ramirez, Soriano, and Bradley.

Hermida for Sean Marshall??

"Hermida for Sean Marshall??"

Not happening. No way Cubs get Hermida without giving up one of the big guns in the farm, as in Vitters, Cashner, or Jackson.

I would much rather spend the majority of the money on a LH reliever. Why not go after Downs? I can see where Meche55 was going with Mahay and Teahen, but Downs is a lot younger than Mahay.

If the Cubs trade Vitter, Cashner or Jackson for Hermida it would be a huge mistake on their part. For all his talent, Hermida's just another average player who goes on an occasional hot streak. If the Cubs are going to trade any of their top 3 guys they have to get a better player than Hermida. Any one of those 3 guys would constitute a major steal by the Marlins.

Whoever is comparing teahan to dersosa is clueless! Biggest mistake cubs made was getting rid of dero, dont try and make yourself feel better by comparing avg players to one of the biggest reasons you even made playoffs last two years! Dero is twice the player either of those turds you are looking at! Dont forget the real picture either if carp is healthy scrubs dont stand a chance no matter what moves they make!

melonis rex, are you joking? I hope so. If you actually think any top prospect in the Cubs farm system would be included in a trade for Hermida than you are absolutely clueless. Did you look at his numbers...this year...career...are you confusing him with somebody else? Players like Vitters are what held up a trade for Peavy in the off-season. Do you actually think they'd be included in a trade for an average...and average is pushing it...part-time outfielder? Please think before posting.

#1Cubsfan,

LOL! Not Brian Roberts and Peavy again. I'm sure we can all make a list of Hendry's pet players.

The Cubs are pretty handcuffed as far as making a deal. They either have to overpay for medicocre underachievers, make a very minor deal...or do nothing. If I'm an opposing GM, I wouldn't want anybody but the top 3 guys from our system. Starlin Castro, maybe, but the Cubs recent history with prospects is that they fizzle out in AA (if not sooner!). The Cubs are in a bad spot. Hendry's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. But it's hard to feel sorry for him. He's the one who put himself in this position with questionable drafts and, more importantly, putting together one of the worst development staffs in baseball. If I'm Hendry and I just got my contract extended, I keep my top 3 guys and try to build on it and re-invest in development. If the Cubs don't start getting more talent coming through the pipeline, they're going to find themselves in this position for the foreseeable future.

As a Royals fan, I know nothing about the Cubs minor league system. But what do you guys think of Fuld? He seems like a center fielder the Royals might be interested in. Is he one of your "untouchables", or is there some downside I am not seeing?

"The Cubs are looking for a left-handed hitter who can play right field"

This is not a repeat from 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 or 2009."

Sad, but true. This is the sobering reality that they have yet to find a stable RFer.

Of the two, I would go for Teahen. I don't have the faith in Hermida that others do.

"Don't mind a platoon at all, but let's give Milton more than four months out of three years before we call a guy who led the AL in OPS in 2008 and plays surprisingly good defense (minus throwing balls into the stands) a failure."

The problem is the Cubs do not have time on their side. This is 'win now'. I support the guy every time he takes the field because he has that 'C' on his cap. He was brought in to provide the one thing he is not capable of doing right now...hitting left handed with authority. You can agree he has not lived up to his past performance so far.

Just like others have indicated above, this is yet another RF situation that has to be addressed. Hendry has spent too much time tinkering and trying to address RF and 2B.

I also don't get why Hermida is so well liked. He can draw some walks and hit for a bit of pop, but he hits for a terrible average, which sinks his OBA, and his defense is god awful. Seems like people have been hoping he'll turn it on for years, but he continues to disappoint. No way he's worth any of the Cubs top prospects.

While I don't agree with Melonis Rex's post that it would take Vitters, Jackson, or Cashner to get Hermida, I think I know what he's trying to say: that the rest of the Cubs prospects don't have a whole lot of worth to other teams. In that sense, he's right on the money. After those three guys, it's slim pickins.

pinky29

"If Carpenter is healthy, then you have 2 good starters in Carpenter & Wainwright, while we have Zambrano, Lilly, Harden, Dempster & rookie of the year Wells."

They also have joel pineiro who has been better than any of the cub starters you have named. You may have bigger names in your rotation but the cardinals have much better production. There the only team in the mlb that have 3 starters with an era under 3.00

John Grabow is the perfect example of why the Elias rankings are broken. Logic would say that the Pirates should trade Grabow, but they'll never get back "equal value", because according to Elias that is the equivalent of a 1st rd and a sandwich pick. John Grabow for say two players like Hughes and Chamberlain, who each fit those pick slots.

Apparently, according to Elias Grabow > Halladay as far as this market goes.

If they offer him arbitration, he'd be crazy not to take it, look at Juan Cruz's situation and others. And they can't afford a $2.3+ mil lefty reliever. If he for whatever reason rejects arbitration, he'll never be signed as a Type A.

Elias, fix the ranking system. It's laughable.

"The FOX report suggests the Cubs will stay internal for their Reed Johnson replacement."

They recalled Stevens, after just sending him down. Since he is replacing Johnson due to injury, they did not have to wait the manditory time for recalled players. The BP has been overused and that is why Stevens is back. After the pen gets a break, I suspect Fuld will be back up to replace Johnson.

Cubssuck, I didnt say he is Derosa, I said WOOPS as in we are trying to replace Derosa like player!! Didnt take you long to hop on Derosa rod!!

Sam Fuld and Mike Fontenot for Mark Teahen. I would make that deal. Can Teahen handle 2B????

Throw in Soira and deal. Ha Ha

I took Rex's post as those are the guys Hill and the fish would ask for Hermida. No way do I think Hermida is worth a top 3 prospect. Personally, I would pass altogether on Hermida.

Yeah, it's interesting that Teahen is not in the lineup today, and it's a right handed pitcher on the mound. As far as the Royals desire for a center fielder, it seems like it would have to be a 3 team deal to work it out with the Cubs. There are no center fielders anywhere in sight in the Cubs system. Fuld seems like an ok player, but I have to believe Teahen commands more. Mark Teahen would be a great player to have on your team if you were ready to contend right now. He can help you in so many ways.

I'm certainly not opposed to trading Teahen, but if the Royals insist on a center fielder, someone other than the Cubs will have to be involved, or at least in addition to the Cubs.

Fuld sucks. No way the Royals give up Teahen for him. He is way to valuable with his versatility. The Royals would be more than happy to include Mahay in a deal with Teahen. They missed the boat trading him last year when he was dominant.

pinky29

"If Carpenter is healthy, then you have 2 good starters in Carpenter & Wainwright, while we have Zambrano, Lilly, Harden, Dempster & rookie of the year Wells."

They also have joel pineiro who has been better than any of the cub starters you have named. You may have bigger names in your rotation but the cardinals have much better production. There the only team in the mlb that have 3 starters with an era under 3.00

Posted by: chris | July 30, 2009 at 10:58 AM

joel is i beieve 9-9 that is not that all great... and he is a one year wonder i believe the cubs have the best rotation than the cards... you can throw all the number you want... we are still not even healthy and a half game back of you guys so your pitvhing must not be that good ... another note... teahen would be awsome and i think he would look good in cubbie blue... i would love to resign him in 2011 milton will come around 2 i think he gets better with every game chicago is a hard place to play

Records dont mean everything his numbers are better than any scrub starter right now may not have the strike outs but fewest walks in the nl and 73% groundball out ratio speaks for its self! And if were talking one hit wonders look at dumpster he is a joke and come sept cards will beat him for the 3rd time this year with alot better line up this time round

Pinero would be cubs ace this year so keep talking baby bears!

Posted by: Cubssuck | July 30, 2009 at 11:40 AM

if that is a ace then i want alll the cards but the ace all tell you what you can keep him and then next year when he sucks i want to see what you do with your ace

"Pinero would be cubs ace this year so keep talking baby bears!"

I'm not a Cubs fan, but wouldn't it be entertaining when Piniero reverts back to his pre-2009 ways. I mean, you can't keep having a monster fluke career year, can you.

"melonis rex, are you joking? I hope so. If you actually think any top prospect in the Cubs farm system would be included in a trade for Hermida than you are absolutely clueless. Did you look at his numbers...this year...career...are you confusing him with somebody else? "

I agree that one of Vitters/Cashner/Jackson is an overpayment for Hermida. I meant that the Marlins don't HAVE to trade him unless someone massively overpays. He's only 25 and cheap and the Fish can wait for him to rebound, which he most likely will, and then trade him.

Unlike the cubs man where not worried about next year! we are going for a division title and are proving as we speak we can roll the best team in nl!

The only playing the cubs will be doing in october is tiger wood on nintendo wii!

"joel is i beieve 9-9 that is not that all great..."

So when did win loss records determine how good a pitcher is?

How about a 2.84 ERA, 3 complete games, 2 shut outs. 3 home runs given up in 20 starts.

There we go jason5112 someone who knows what there talking about! cubs fans are not known to be the smartest out there! They have been waiting 101!!

Cubssuck, you guys got holliday, lugo, and derosa and yet the cardinals have LOST games in the standings to the cubs. If that doesn't say something about the Cards idk what does. And btw it's only a HALF game. Settle down it's not like you're running away with it or anything.

You got more than 2 princesses!!! The only reason your not trailing by 5 or 6 games is because nats and reds saved your bottoms!! After your 10 game road trip which you cant win on,, and back home for phils to smack you around a bit see how much your talking then!

We all play the same teams, dont go making exscuse for your teams inadequant performance.

True not saying that man jus saying once you start playing real teams you will drop like the brew crew!!

I dont know reed johnson, fuke, baker, font, blanco, hill, how many more scrubs you want me to list if you dont think your wrigley homestand is skateing you girls by right now you are going to be real dissapointed come early october when you finish behind rockies and dont make wild card!

Cards will enjoy third place this year. Brewers will pass them to, once carpenter goes down their pitching will fail

I know everyone wants Hendry to do something. Like it has been pointed out, I think he should get another lefty BP arm. One lefty in the pen is ok, but it would free up Marshall. He can spot start (if another injury happens) or go long, if needed. Right now, Lou has to be more careful in his use of Marshall.

As far as any minor moves or tinkering...I don't know. There is not much money to spend, a thin farm, NTC all over the field...ride it out. Really, what could the Cubs get that is a significant upgrade over what they have on the bench or AAA. I mean Hoffpauir or Fox or Fuld are not going to become stars. They can fill in as the back ups that they are and can't be that much worse than what Hendry might have to overpay for by tomorrow. Again, no money to spend, thin farm and not many positions to replace do to big contracts and NTC. If it is a solid move to upgrade without massively overpaying, fine. Just hope Hendry does not get desperate and trade to make up for his offseason. I doubt he does that.

I dont know about you closetcubsfan69 but im not quite pushin 100yrs, Im glad theres one tired and wornout comeback that believe NEVER gets old you can use considering we live in era of what have you done for me lately !!

Luke Scott isn't a bad player for the money but no way he's worth a top 3 organizational prospect.

Most of his production came in the final 5 days of May when he went 8 for 18 with 6 HR's and 14 RBI's. He's been awful since the all star break to the tune of 063/167/094. and over his career he's been a platoon bat but has been much better against lefties this year.

I'd like to see Grabow come to Chicago, but only so long as the deal does NOT include Vitters, Jackson, Cashner or Starlin Castro.

A deal could probably be built around one of the other SS prospects, either Flaherty or Lee.

I don't want to see Castro dealt though. Castro projects to be a solid defensive shortstop, and he's posting a .302/.340/.398 line in High A as a 19-year-old. He's currently only 6-0, 150, so there's likely to be some physical development in his future. Whether that will add power to his arsenal or merely kill his range is unclear, but he's the most talented of Chicago's SS prospects.

Then again, Hak-Ju Lee doesn't turn 19 until December and he's got a .341/.401/.430 line in 154 PA in Low A ball.

I'm guessing that the deal would be built around Lee, Flaherty or Castro.

studio179- I still want the best for my beloved Buccos. :)

"2:21pm: Heyman (via Twitter) thinks the Cubs are getting closer on Grabow, and could acquire another pitcher as well."

Is the other pitcher Halladay? Ha!

Maholm/Grabow for Vitters,Castro, and Jackson.

"studio179- I still want the best for my beloved Buccos. :)"

I do, too. Not just Captain in us...I think we all have a little Pirate in us. :)

Just don't bring back those bee hive looking hats.

Am I the only Cubs fan that thinks that Milton will be fine in right. He is still taking a ton of walks and has started to hit better. He has already homered and walked today, just relax, he is a career .280 hitter.

And I would love for the Cubs to get Grabow, he would be a very good pickup and if would just be bonus if they pick up a starter.