Cubs Looking At Hamilton, McLouth
The Chicago Tribune’s Paul Sullivan has a new column up discussing a couple of outfielders in the Cubs’ sights aside from Kosuke Fukudome. Apparently they’re after someone who can handle center field in case Felix Pie falters.
- Those Josh Hamilton rumors are real – and the Reds are asking for Sean Marshall. I think the Cubs would pull the trigger on that one. Jerry Crasnick first suggested this match about five hours ago. He thought Marshall wouldn’t be enough and I agreed. Guess we’ll see. Sullivan notes that Lou Piniella had some contact with Hamilton back when he managed the Devil Rays.
- The Cubs are also in talks regarding Nate McLouth. Sullivan thinks McLouth would come cheap – for a reliever like Carmen Pignatiello, Neal Cotts, or Will Ohman. Damn, that’s cheap. We learned today that the Giants, Padres, and Marlins like McLouth; Sullivan adds the Braves to the mix as well.
Crasnick’s Latest: Encarnacion, Hamilton, Jenkins
ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick has been working hard all day to get us some good rumors. Here’s the latest.
- The Reds want to acquire a starter, but they spent all their money on Francisco Cordero. The plan is to trade a young player for a cheap starter. Joey Votto and especially Jay Bruce would be near impossible to acquire. However the Reds will listen on Josh Hamilton and Edwin Encarnacion. They never seemed to like Encarnacion. Crasnick thinks the Cubs could work for Hamilton but they’d need to pony up more than Sean Marshall. Would Rich Hill be too much? It’s been said in the past that the Rangers inquired on Hamilton. The Giants, meanwhile, would love to pry Encarnacion loose – Noah Lowry anyone?
- The Phillies and Rays spoke to Geoff Jenkins‘ agent today, and the Padres and Rangers have their eye on him as well. A poor free agent market for corner outfielders may result in a two or even a three-year deal for Jenkins.
Cubs-Reds Griffey Rumor
There’s a Cubs-Reds rumor making the rounds, reportedly one that originated on The Score here in Chicago. Obviously I can’t catch all the radio rumors myself, so I rely on listeners to pass these along. Since these rumors often spread like a game of telephone, consider this one dubious until confirmed.
The rumor hitting my inbox repeatedly: the Cubs could send Sean Marshall and Jacque Jones to the Reds for Ken Griffey Jr. Keep in mind, this one isn’t even confirmed as a legitimate rumor.
Whether or not this rumor has any legitimacy, let’s discuss. In Marshall I see a strong left-handed starter under the team’s control through 2011. He’s improved his repertoire and should be a cog in the Cubs’ rotation for years. In other words, very valuable.
Griffey is in the midst of another resurgence, but is at significant risk of injury at any given moment. There’s a chance playing right field reduces that, but I wouldn’t bank on it. Griffey makes $12.5MM annually through 2008, plus he’ll be owed a $4MM buyout for 2009. When I began writing this I thought Junior’s contract was a lot worse. It’s really not terrible and would be somewhat offset by Jacque Jones. I can see Griffey approving a trade to Chicago, though he could ask for his contract to be guaranteed through ’09.
I can see how one could consider this trade fair. I wouldn’t trade Marshall for the risk of Griffey, but it doesn’t sound absurd. I still don’t see it happening – why would the Cubs take a hit in the rotation to add more offense? The Cubs have a strong rotation and will need Marshall over the next several seasons. It seems more logical for the Cubs to add a reliever.
Meanwhile, CubDumb reports that the Cubs are actively shopping Michael Barrett right now. While this might aid the pitching staff, it would likely weaken the offense.