ESPN's Jayson Stark leads his latest Rumblings and Grumblings with scouts' opinions on pitchers Jorge de la Rosa, Vicente Padilla, Carl Pavano, Brian Fuentes, Randy Choate, Joaquin Benoit, and Koji Uehara. His rumors:
- Adrian Gonzalez's labrum cleanup surgery downgrades the chances of an offseason trade considerably.
- The Cubs "seem a lot less inclined" to trade Kosuke Fukudome and Carlos Zambrano, though some clubs believe they'd discuss the latter. Stark says there's a vibe the Cubs will not go after Adam Dunn for their first base opening, instead looking for an above-average defender.
- One team official who kicked the tires says of the Dodgers, "They ain't trading Matt Kemp."
- The Phillies are far apart with Jayson Werth and are exploring right field replacements. They've done extensive groundwork on Chicago's Carlos Quentin, and are considering Jeff Francoeur or Jermaine Dye for lesser roles. The Red Sox, by the way, are not willing to spend $100MM on Werth.
Ya saw that coming. I don’t think ANYONE would be willing to give 100 million to werth.
I’d be willing to part with Q. The question is what would the package be? I don’t know the Phillies farm, Span, chime in now.
There are a couple of possibilities I’d consider…
Justin De Fratus and Jiwan James for Quentin
Domingo Santana for Quentin
Trevor May for Quentin
Josh Zeid and Suilyman Lebron for Quentin…
One of those 4.
The first and last deals seam the most likely of the four. The Phils’ are really high on the “tools” Domingo Santana has, and Trevor May pitched himself into the conversation of the Phils’ top pitching prospect this year. Can’t see them parting with either for Quentin, who I do think would have a nice rebound year here in Philly. Can’t seem them taking a chance on him with Santana or May though. They may be willing to sell high on De Fratus though.
I don’t think the Phillies would give up Defratus. He’s our best relief prospect in a bullpen that desperately needs help.
Wow, is Carlos really that bad?
I’d say Scott Mathieson + Gillies or Valle(both lefties). This is Kenny, he’s not giving away Quentin for free. He’s under team control for two more years through arbitration and they’re pretty high on him.
Kemp is too talented to be that bad again. I really wanna see him moved to RF however, but with Bowa gone, maybe things will get a bit easier for Matty.
Agreed. And “that bad” was a 25 year old center fielder who finished the season with 28 home runs, 89 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. yes is OBS and BA were down, and his defense took a dive. But still look at the contracts people are talking about with Werth and compare their numbers…
His defensive skills didn’t deteriorate as much as his concentration. Hopefully the maturation process resolves itself sooner than later.
So true, but I’d say that 2011 is make-or-break time for Kemp. He’s shown what he can do athletically, but he has to also show that he’s got the head for the game. A lot of physically talented athletes never get over that hump.
Bringing Davey Lopes in as a 1B coach could do wonders as well.
Yeah maybe then Kemp can get that 40-40 season he was talking about. He needs all the help he can get with his baserunning.
The Cubs are less inclined to trade Fukudome? That makes no sense at all unless Kosuke has already stated that he will refuse any trade with his no trade clause. The only other option I could see is that the Cubs will try to move Byrd in a trade, or Colvin to 1B. No matter what, Fukudome is not worth what the Cubs are paying him!
I’m so glad the White Sox didn’t sign him.
if the rumor above is true, it says the cubs are looking for a 1st baseman with a good glove. that means colvin prolly won’t be the answer… and there’s nothing wrong with byrd’s deal or his ability. as long as ramirez performs and soriano stays healthy, the production they get from byrd is perfectly fine.
Nah… I don’t see the Cubs trying to trade Byrd, because he was on of the bright spots on the team this year. Also his attitude would missed because he acts as a leader in the clubhouse. As for 1B I would like to see JH pull off the following moves.
CHC Sends: INF Josh Vitters, OF Kouske Fukudome, 2 low level prospects, and cash.
SD Sends: 1B Adrian Gonzalez 1 low level prospect.
Then…
Sign: RHP Kerry Wood and INF Orlando Hudson
But San Diego purposely sends Gonzalez to the wrong address thus having him return. San Diego laughs and thanks you for your trash.
HAHAHA! Thanks for the laugh!!
If you send Starlin Castro over to SD as well you’ve got yourself a deal. Don’t reasonably expect to deal garbage for a star 1st baseman.
It will take a combo of Chris Archer, Brett Jackson, Brandon Guyer and Hak Ju Lee to get Adrian Gonzalez. If the Cubs offered Archer, Guyer, Christopher Carpenter and Wellington Castillo, I would think that would be a fair trade. The Cubs could even switch Cashner for Archer and it would still work. The Padres would have to throw in a low level guy for all of that though.
I like the idea of Guyer and Archer, with Jackson being a possibility. As far as I am concerned Castillo, is expendable because despite struggling the past 2 seasons, Soto is still young and very talented for his age and position. This may seem odd, but I hate the idea of trading any of the cubs younger talent, such as: Castro, Cashner, Colvin, or Lee. I am not thrilled with the idea of trading Jackson, but there are always available CF’s on the market. I mentioned Vitters, because he has potential, but he hasn’t blossomed the way the Cubs wanted him to. A team like SD, who are better at grooming young talent, will probably benefit more from Vitters than we can. Fukudome is the perfect part in this trade because he will be playing on the west coast, going to a team where he can play every day, and going to a team that is not “under the spotlight” in the same way the cubs are. Another player I failed to mention was Randy Wells. He seems like some one the Cubs could part with due to the surplus of pitchers they have, and someone the Padres would consider an asset.
Soto isn’t as young as you might think, and he didn’t struggle this past season. He was pretty productive out of the catchers position. Vitters value has dropped significantly, and Fukudome will not be involved in a trade for Gonzalez. Any deal will have to involve two of Jackson, Guyer, Archer, Lee or Cashner.
The Fukudome thing was pure speculation on my part. However, I think Soto is too valuable to the cubs success for them to trade him. He is only 2 years removed from his ROTY season, and starting catchers in this league are hard to come by. Just look at the FA market right now. The only appealing option, in my opinion, is Victor Martinez, and even he is an aging player on the downside of his career. If the Cubs want to be younger they need to keep Soto. If I were JH (The not so baseball inept version. :P) I would not even listen on any offers for Castro/Colvin/Cashner/Marmol, and I would be very reluctant to part with Jackson or Lee. So based on what you suggested, I would part with Archer and Guyer, and if necessary throw in Jackson. One thing I haven’t mentioned is possibly signing Carlos Pena and waiting for next year’s FA class. I am a fan of Pena’s because he is similar to A-Gon in the sense that he has power, hits lefty, and plays above average defense. Pena does have the downside of injury risks and high strikeout totals, but I would take him on a 1yr deal as an cheaper alternative to Dunn.
I think you’re over valuing Colvin a bit. He’s about as expendable as they come. Considering they can’t even get him regular playing time and Jackson and Guyer are on his heels, he is expendable. The Cubs have the pieces to acquire Gonzalez, it’s just a matter of whether or not San Diego will accept an offer. His surgery might decrease his value or teams could shy away.
I admit that I may be over valuing Colivin, but to me he seems to have the potential to be something the cubs have needed for a long time… a solid LH bat. By no means am I comparing Colvin to Gonzalez, but it seems stupid to move a young player coming off a solid rookie season, for a player (Albeit a very good one) who is in his prime AND in a contract year. I think it would put the Cubs in better contention for the future if they can hold onto Colvin and Castro. Think of this as a potential starting lineup for opening day 2011:
Starlin Castro- SS
Tyler Colvin- RF
Adrian Gonzalez- 1B
Aramis Ramirez- 3B
Marlon Bryd- CF
Alfonso Soriano- LF
Geovany Soto- C
Blake Dewitt/Orlando Hudson- 2B
Dempster/Zambrano/Cashner- SP
Sean Marshall- LR
Kerry Wood- SU
Carlos Marmol- CP
To me, that seems like a solid lineup that could possibly win 85-90 games. And one last thought that just came to me (More like a dream :P). What if the cubs could find a way to pawn Grabow off on the Red Sox or some other team needing bullpen help? The Yankees perhaps? They seem like some one who may take a chance on him.
massive massive massive under sell for adrian, considering the padres can and will get at least 2 of the trading teams top prospects…try vitters+colvin+ 2 mid level prospects and cash for gonzo and a mid level guy might get talking started
If Vitters and Colvin plus two mid levels, let’s say Ryan Flaherty and Robinson Chirinos, get it done. That would be a steal for the Cubs.
i bet kosuke will start the majority of games in right field for the cubs next year. his defense is great. colvin will be used in a similar role to last year. i wouldn’t be shocked to see the cubs go for a trade with SD to get adrian gonzalez. colvin, soto, cashner, etc. could all be involved in that trade. the cubs can afford to trade kosuke or colvin right during the season because they have a couple great outfielders coming through the minors and no solid first baseman. i really hope the cubs don’t sign dunn. seems like it’ll cost too much money and won’t be worth the difference between him and a guy like adam laroche who will sign for considerably less.
Got a feeling the Red Sox are not going to spend big. The thing that sucks is the Yankees are going to get Lee and go after Wearth and Crawford just to stop the Red Sox from getting one of them.
You must be Hal Steinbrenner.
One team official who kicked the tires says of the Dodgers, “They ain’t trading Matt Kemp.”
Surprise (not). Again, all that dissension talk was overblown grandstanding, especially on Dave Stewart’s part.
The Cubs dramatically underachieved last year. The stunning reversal of fortune they enjoyed under Quade should not be underestimated. In terms of raw talent, they have a fair amount of it – with proper leadership and guidance, it makes sense that their performance will improve a lot. It’s great they’re not just jumping head first into the Dunn situation – you get a lot but you sacrifice a lot. Installing a glaring defensive liability into your infield for 4 or 5 years is not consistent with building a stable, successful team that’s competitive year in and year out.
I was trying to think of a modern day comparison to Matt Kemp. Someone who burst on the scene, had all the tools yet never lived up to the success he had at the very infant stages of his career. The name Jeff Francuer comes to mind. If Kemp is going to not improve his approach at the plate and his lazy attitude on defense, trade him now while he still has ANY value. I hope i’m wrong. 2 years ago, I really enjoyed watching him in both the field and plate but I think we are seeing with him and Ethier, they need a true lineup protector for either to produce
Boy, you’d better hope the Cubs aren’t going after Adam Dunn for first base, or Aramis Ramirez will have 50 errors next year.
if the cubs aren’t going to spend big on a 1b, why don’t the cubs try converting soriano to a 1b? Reduces the risk of him stubbing his toe in the OF and missing 2 months, and then they’d have a pretty good OF defense of Colvin, Byrd, and Fukudome. He’s being paid as though he’s a power-hitting 1b anyway. How hard do you think it is to convert him?
I’ve heard that idea. He is an infielder at heart. It would save his legs. That brick in his glove bothers me though.
We (White Sox) will take Roy Halladay for Carlos Quentin.
I’m owed this one since somebody offered David Aardsma for Gavin Floyd earlier.
Hahahahaha
You owe Philly. Remember we gave you Floyd AND Gio (back)…Man, it could be Halladay, Hamels, Oswalt, Gio, and Floyd right now…DAMN YOU WADE!
Actually Gillick did that one. Still hurts though.
The fact that you’re thinking about it says more about you than it does him. Have you ever met the guy? Do you know anything about him? I’d be willing to bet you don’t.