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Marlins Still After Gathright

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Today, a source close to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays updated me on their efforts to trade Joey Gathright.  The word is that the Marlins and Dodgers are the frontrunners, while the Rangers and Cubs are still "in the mix."

Three days ago, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com mentioned that the Marlins could send Scott Olsen to the Rays for Gathright.  Gathright essentially is Juan Pierre, and the Marlins would have a formidable 1-5 in their order, believe it or not.  Call me crazy, but the Fish are a few well-timed breakouts, reliever success stories, and a couple of miracles away from sniffing .500 in ’06.  I know you’re probably bookmarking this story right now to disparage me at the end of the season for hinting that the Marlins could be a .500 team.

Anyway, it’s unclear to my source whether the Marlins actually offered Olsen for Gathright.  He did mention that the Devil Rays like Olsen a lot, despite his late-season elbow inflammation.  Olsen flashed huge strikeout potential in the minors, and jumped past Triple A this year to start four games for the Marlins.

The Dodgers’ interest probably hinges on Kenny Lofton’s decision, as L.A. has an offer out to him.  The Cubs seem an unlikely destination.  Plugging in Gathright could result in a severely power-deficient outfield.  Gathright would be a nice fit for Texas, and could score a boatload of runs fronting that lineup.   

Shawn Green: Not Headed To Cubs

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I caught wind of a December 14th James Renwick article by way of loyal reader Brian today.  According to Renwick, "Shawn Green is going to be dealt, probably to the Chicago Cubs, in the next couple of days."  Keep in mind that Green has a no-trade clause that stipulates he can veto a trade to any team besides the Angels, Dodgers, and Padres.  It’s been said that Green’s wife prefers to live in Arizona or California, although it should be noted that Green is from Des Plaines, IL.

The D’Backs would love to trade Green, but it won’t be easy.  I’m still pretty confident that the Cubs’ new RF will be one of the eligible players from this list.  As mentioned then, it appears that the frontrunners for the job are Aubrey Huff, Kevin Mench, and Craig Monroe. Preston Wilson, Juan Encarnacion, and Jacque Jones are also legitimate possibilities.

Over at 1060west…

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There’s a great post over at the 1060west blog.  It’s titled, "Why It Can’t Be Ronny Cedeno," and pretty much extinguishes the undeserved status Cubs fans have heaped on Cedeno’s shoulders.  I’ll leave you with a quote:

"I am compelled to suggest that starting Ronny Cedeno at shortstop is effectively starting Neifi Perez at shortstop for the 2006 season." 

Cubs Show Interest In Jacque Jones

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As I flipped through the Chicago Sun-Times today, I noticed a funny caption under Jacque Jones’s picture: Strikes out a lot.  It’s funny that the editors decided on that as Jones’s defining characteristic.

Calm down, Cubs fans – Jones isn’t the answer in right field.  Jim Hendry might toss out the Jeromy Burnitz offer -one year, $4.5MM.  But unless Jones has little regard for money or security, he won’t become a Cub.  Jacque reportedly has a three-year offer on the table, and requires at least a two-year pact. 

Jones and Jeromy Burnitz were essentially the same player in 2005.  Solid glove, decent pop, little plate discipline.  Jones may be younger than Burnitz, but he’s not on the upswing.  Hendry is clearly looking to upgrade, and two or three years of Jones just wouldn’t serve the purpose.

With so many names tossed around for the vacant Cubs RF spot, I’ve provided this handy list.  One of these 17 men will be in right field on Opening Day for the Cubs.

Bobby Abreu – Phils want Prior or Zambrano; out of the question.

Juan Encarnacion – Another low-OBP guy with OK power. If all else fails, it could happen.

Cliff Floyd – Hasn’t played RF since 2002; a better overall LF than Manny Ramirez in ’05.  Has interested the Cubs for years, but Mets can’t spare outfielders right now. 

Jay Gibbons – Still won’t take a walk; set a career high SLG. Probably not worth trading anyone for.

Shawn Green – Can and would veto a trade to Chicago.

Aubrey Huff – Recent decline worrisome; asking price (Angel Guzman?) high.

Geoff Jenkins – GM Melvin denied Jenkins trade rumors, but said the same about Overbay. Same division deal unlikely.

Jacque Jones – Lackluster option could be a Cub if Hendry gets silly and gives him two years.

Austin Kearns – Likely to stay put now that the outfielder logjam has been alleviated.

Kevin Mench – Plenty of teams are after Mench, who can play right or left field.  His power would be useful, and he comes cheap. 

Craig Monroe – See Juan Encarnacion.

Trot Nixon – Viable option; should be platooned with a lefty masher like Monroe or even Sosa.

Gary Sheffield – Wouldn’t happen unless Hendry gave the 37 year-old a two-year extension and dealt Pie, Guzman, or Hill.

Reggie Sanders – Probably wouldn’t accept the one-year deal Hendry might offer.  Has played plenty of RF in his career though.

Sammy Sosa – As scary as it sounds, tossing Sosa $1MM to platoon with Nixon or Reggie Sanders could work out OK.

Ichiro Suzuki – Won’t come cheap and doesn’t provide power. Mariners aren’t dumping salaries this year, anyway.

Craig Wilson – Wouldn’t be pretty in the field, but the Cubs could use Wilson. Doesn’t fit in the Bucs’ plans, either.

I think the likely options are Huff, Mench, Monroe, Wilson, Encarnacion, and Jones, in that order.

Cubs Interest In Tejada Confirmed

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A couple of different sources are confirming the Cubs’ interest in Miguel Tejada.

According to an emailer, David Kaplan of WGN Radio spoke with two sources close to Miguel Tejada.  The sources told Kaplan early Friday that Tejada would love to play for the Cubs and would welcome a trade.  The Tribune Company owns both WGN and the Cubs.

Several other emailers mentioned a Bruce Levine report on ESPN Radio 1000.  According to Levine, there is major interest in Tejada by the Cubs and Jim Hendry has had talks with the Orioles front office already.  John Stockstill is currently the Orioles’ director of pro scouting, and formerly had the same role with the Cubs.  Interestingly, that same Baltimore Sun article from December 7th has a headline called "Tejada Energized" and mentions that Tejada is "excited" about the 2006 season.

The two teams worked amicably on a blockbuster trade last winter, when the Cubs sent Sammy Sosa to the Orioles for Jerry Hairston and some prospects.  If you’re looking for possible scenarios for a Cubs-Orioles Tejada trade, you can browse some of the 144 comments on the first post on this topic.  In my opinion, Felix Pie and Rich Hill would both have to be a component of any deal.   

Diamondbacks After Corey Patterson

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Several different sources have recently mentioned the Dimaondbacks’ interest in Corey Patterson.  The rumor first surfaced in my inbox Thursday morning, and I put in a word to Jack Magruder of the East Valley Tribune.  Magruder confirmed the rumor, saying that it might happen depending on who the Cubs would take.

After further inquiries, Magruder revealed that the D’backs were reluctant to part with relievers after the Johnny Estrada trade thinned their ’pen.  He also mentioned that Arizona will not part with Carlos Quentin, Conor Jackson, Stephen Drew, or other top prospects, which makes sense.

Some have floated the idea of the Cubs attempting to acquire Des Plaines native Shawn Green for their right field vacancy.  Green, the game’s 7th best right fielder in 2005, won’t be coming to the Cubs.  Green’s contract calls for a limited no-trade clause for 2006 and 2007 that allows trades only to the Angels, Dodgers, and Padres.  Apparently his wife prefers to stay in California.

Today, Bleed Cubbie Blue pointed us in the direction of an article on this same topic.  John Gambadoro, in an article special to AZCentral.com, adds some new information about the D’Backs interest in Patterson.  According to Gambadoro:

"Last season after the trade deadline had passed, Arizona put a claim in on Patterson after the Cubs had tried to slip him through waivers. The Cubs pulled the offer back."

I’ve dropped a line to "Gambo" in attempt to get a few names that Arizona would be willing to offer.  This is pure speculation, but maybe the D’Backs would part with a struggling outfielder of their own, Josh Kroeger.  A former wide receiver, Kroeger took a step backward by posting a .261/.316/.422 line in Triple A this year.  He’s only 22, and had been successful up to this point.  I figure it wouldn’t be bad to add a slugging outfield prospect to the stable if he’s available.   

Willy Taveras, Jarrod Washburn Mentioned For Cubs

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Chicago Sun-Times writer Chris De Luca has a few names he thinks would work for the Cubs.  Said De Luca today:

"It’s too bad Wood’s future is so murky. The Houston Astros, in need of pitching and always in the market for homegrown stars such as Wood, are listening to offers for center fielder Willy Taveras, the runner-up in National League Rookie of the Year voting. With the Astros showing more trust in Chris Burke during the postseason, Taveras has become a hot name on the trade market."

While one Juan Pierre in the lineup has a chance of working, two of them certainly would not.  You can’t get four home runs between two outfield spots.

De Luca also mentions that Jarrod Washburn and his 3.20 ERA "should have been an option, but Hendry has shown little interest in the left-hander."  De Luca first mentioned the Cubs as a possible suitor back on November 18th.

I can’t agree here either.  If you compare Washburn’s indicators (baserunners and HR allowed, strikeout rate) you’ll notice that Washburn posted a 4.64 ERA in 2004 with indicators very similar to this year.  In other words, a huge chunk of that 3.20 that’s going to earn Washburn an extra $10MM can be attributed to luck.

Don’t Expect Luis Gonzalez Return For Cubs

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Thinking a Luis Gonzalez homecoming to the Cubs might be an adequate solution?  The Cubs don’t.  I recently spoke to Daily Herald writer Bruce Miles, who told me that the Cubs have "no interest."

Apparently, the Cubs are turned off by Gonzalez’s weak arm being a part of their outfield defense.  While a notch above Jeromy Burnitz, the 38 year-old Gonzalez is slipping offensively.  His .459 SLG in 2005 was his worst since 1997.  Gonzalez is known to be on the trading block along with Javier Vazquez and Shawn Green.

Gonzalez is most notable for his face, which makes it look like he’s always smiling.  A close second would be his ridiculous, almost Ruthian 2001.  That year, Gonzo hit .325 with 57 HR and 142 RBI.  He posted an OPS of 1117 (69th all time).  If you’re curious, the all-time record for on-base plus slugging percentage was Barry Bonds’s 2004 (1421).  Bonds got on base more than 3 out of 5 times that year, easily a record.

Walker For Bradley: Update

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I’ve lost track of how many of these Todd Walker for Milton Bradley posts I’ve written.  According to an emailer, Bruce Levine of ESPN Radio 1000 is reporting that the Cubs are awaiting word from the Dodgers on this trade – the offer of Walker is on the table.  No timetable was given for a decision.

Levine’s been all over this one since November; he mentioned yesterday that it could happen before the weekend.

Thanks to Alex

Miguel Tejada Wants Out

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I had received a few tips from readers about Miguel Tejada possibly being traded.  I didn’t print anything because I couldn’t substantiate them.  Turns out those readers were on target; today Tejada said, "I think the best thing will be a change of scenery."  You can bet Tejada’s proclamation will get the hot stove buzzing once again.

It’s a strange thing for Tejada to say, given that the Orioles have several months left to improve their team.  He said that the Orioles "have not made any signings to strengthen the club."  If I were Ramon Hernandez, I’d be slightly offended by that remark.  And to think the two were teammates for so many years. 

Anyway, let’s begin with Tejada’s contract.  He’ll make $10MM in ’06, $12MM in ’07, $13MM in ’08, and $13MM in ’09.  That’s $48MM over four years.  He’d certainly snag more than that on the open market.  Tejada isn’t even 30 yet, and you know all about his offensive accolades and durability.  One mild sign of a possible decline is that Tejada slugged only .416 after the All-Star break in ’05, hitting seven home runs.  Still, that’s only 300 ABs and he may have felt uninspired. 

Here’s what we’re all wondering: where might Tejada end up?

Boston Red Sox.  Of course, they have a huge need for a shortstop and plenty of cash.  There’s even an article circulating saying that Tejada might want to play for the Red Sox.  The Sox could offer up Jon Lester and Dustin Pedroia for starters.  The one little problem is that the Orioles still consider themselves competitive, and would probably be reluctant to trade within the division.  Back when the Red Sox dealt Curt Schilling and Brady Anderson to the Orioles for Mike Boddicker, the O’s were completely out of the race.

Chicago Cubs.  I’m thinking that if Jim Hendry removes Felix Pie from the "untouchables" list, the Orioles would seriously consider shipping Tejada their way.  If the Cubs included Ronny Cedeno to take Tejada’s vacant spot, a deal could get done quickly. (This is all speculation, of course).

New York Mets.  The Mets seem willing to give Jose Reyes all the time he needs to develop into a leadoff threat at shortstop.  But Omar’s been mortgaging the future this winter like it’s going out of style, so you think he’d at least inquire.  The Orioles’ response would probably include the words "Lastings" and "Milledge." 

Toronto Blue Jays.  If the Orioles do decide to deal within the AL East, the Blue Jays could get involved.  Russ Adams is OK, but Ricciardi might have interest anyway.

Houston Astros.  If ownership doesn’t mind the commitment, the ’Stros might try to allocate some of that now-available Clemens cash for a marquee shortstop.  Not sure if they’ve got the prospects to cut it, though.

What do you think?  Any teams I’ve left out?  What players would it take to get a deal done?

Thanks to Tom and Dennis

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