Early rumblings from Vegas
LAS VEGAS -- I put a dollar into a slot machine last night and lost it. That'll be the extent of my gambling here since I don't even know how to play most of these games out here. And it is something to see people smoking cigarettes and cigars inside in this day and age. Vegas might out of business if they ever banned indoor smoking here.
The Cubs did not talk with the Padres Sunday about Jake Peavy. That should change today. The Cubs are very much alive for Peavy, as my Daily Herald colleague Barry Rozner pointed out 10 days or so ago, even as Lou was saying a deal was not going to happen. (Lou says a lot of stuff.)
First things first, though. The Cubs still need to get a left-handed bat, and they still need to clear payroll. That means moving pitcher Jason Marquis and most of his $9.875 million salary for 2009. With Marquis being a good fifth or even fourth starter, the Cubs ought to be able to find a taker.
As I blogged last week, the Cubs best bet for a bat, financially speaking, would be the mercurial Milton Bradley, who rejected the Rangers' offer of arbitration. He'd come a lot cheaper than Raul Ibanez or Bobby Abreu. But the market is slow, and it's possible the price could come down on either Ibanez or Abreu.
From what I've been hearing, the Cubs aren't looking to traded Mike Fontenot, despite reports to the contrary from out of town. Here's a team that badly needs left-handed bats _ one Cubs guy told me they like to have three lefty bats in the lineup for a good number of games next year _ so trading Fontenot makes little sense. He's a guy who gets on base and also stings the ball. The Cubs may try to trade Ronny Cedeno before they possibly non-tender him later this week.
Whispers out west indicate the Padres might be concerned about the hand/wrist of top Cubs prospect Josh Vitters, a third baseman. The hand has bothered him off and on. In other words, the Cubs may have to offer more in the way of prospects or get that third team involved in any deal for Peavy. Cubs GM Jim Hendry is pretty good at getting his guy once he focuses on him. I wouldn't bet (bad choice of words here in Vegas) against him, but it may take awhile.
We should hear soon on whether Ron Santo makes it into the Hall of Fame at last. The Hall was pretty embarrassed the last time the Veterans Committee whiffed. As Jack Brickhouse used to say, keep your fingers crossed, you Cubs fans.
I like Jake Peavy, but I think the Cubs need to address other things first. Obviously we know they are going to get that left-handed 3-4-5 bat for RF. That seems to be Hendry's stated first priority. I'd like to see Hendry get Giles - figure out someway to get him to waive his NTC. I think the Cubs should make getting a leadoff hitter priority #2. I don't know who that is (though I still like Roberts or Furcal), but I don't want to see Soriano there anymore. Priority #3 should be getting a lefty bullpen guy - I'd like to see Marshall pitching every 5th day.
Has this trade rumor been heard in Vegas? Fukudome for Luis Castillo?
There has been no rumored trade of Fukudome for Castillo. It looks like Soriano will lead off until further notice. A left-handed reliever is not a top priority, as the Cubs seem happy with Marshall (while he's still here) and Cotts. The Cubs seem to have every confidence that DeRosa, Fontenot and Theriot can handle the middle infield.
Bruce,
Your gambling "prowess" sounds about as good as mine...try your hand at the $5 Blackjack tables..if they have any $5 tables out there..?
I really hope they don't move the tiny titan (Fontenot).
Willy T. is an intriguing possibility, but I remember when he was with the disAstros he couldn't hit his way out of a wet paper bag. I think he lead the league in infield singles.
I am still fully on the Milton Bradley bandwagon. Cubs NEED a guy like that who's not so laid back..we already got too many of those types.
That's too bad about Ronny, but it really doesn't look like it's going to happen. If he was never on the Cubs and put up those same numbers he's probably in already. Just another legacy from the 1969 Cubs as has been mentioned already in this blog. I guess that's a first generation "Cubbie Occurence".
Alas, Ron Santo falls short again, getting 39 of 64 votes from the Veterans Committe. That was 60.9 percent. He needed 75 percent, or 48 votes. Maybe it's just not in the cards. Too bad.
But if you didn't get voted in during the vote, and keep on getting shot down by the veterans committee, maybe he should just give it up. I know jerks like Schmidt, and the greatest living player ever to suit up at any position or manage a team in the history of baseball----just ask him, Joe Morgan lead their campaigns, but still.
I agree with the argument that it's hard to put 4 Cubs in the hall of fame from those days when they won NOTHING.
If there was a team that had 4 hall of famers that were put in when they won nothing in their era, then I will eat crow.
The Cubs won't get Peavy nor should they. He has had elbow issues, thows with a violent delivery, and his Ks have gone down wile his walks have increased, never a good combo. Heck, not to say he isn't a good pitcher, but I believe I could pitch decently in Petco!
They need to fix the bullpen, they need a leadoff hitter, they need one power hitting, middle of the order lefty hitter and they need to change the culture - they need leadership in the clubhouse, and more gamers - guys who can play in the post-season. What good is 97 wins if we're going to be '3 and out' in the playoffs again?
Really? No, the Cubs wouldn't want a Cy Young winner, or a guy who is signed long term. Are you joking? Hmm.....pretty sure Zambrano has shoulder, cramps, head issues. Harden has elbow, shoulder issues....Come on. Dempster has one good year. The cubs would be idiots not to add Peavy if they can.
Agree on the middle of the order left handed bat. Agree on the bullpen. Changing their culture will be tough. Especially when guys like Soriano, and Lee are left to lead. The cubs need a PROVEN vocal leader, who has won, and can make guys accountable for not hustling or stepping up.
If they can get Marquis moved to Colorado, can the Cubs inquire about Willy Taveras? He has a hand cannon of an arm, speed, and would fill that leadoff role very nicely. Granted he is right handed, but this way you can move Soriano down in the lineup. No clue what he is signed for, and how long. All I know, is that I saw him steal 5 bases against the Sox this summer, and he can bunt with the best of them.
That move seems more logical to me, then the pipe dream that is a left handed bat, Peavy, and Brian Roberts.
How do the Cubs get 3 left handed bats in that lineup, and have a lefty or two on the bench? Fukudome, Fontenot, and a free agent, but where is DeRosa or Theriot going to play? Very interesting.....
I've heard the Colorado rumblings. I'll run them down for you out here.
Tavares would make a good 4th outfielder and defensive replacement, but I hope they go with more of a slugger in the outfield. If Colorado wants Marquis then I wouldn't mind Barmes in return. Assuming Cedeno is gone in a trade for Peavy. Barmes might be able to push Theriot to the supersub role. Any rumors of Colorado wanting to move Hawpe?
They want to move Baker, but he's not what the Cubs need.
Would the Padres be interested in Jeff Baker?
Towers seemed to indicate he liked his depth in certain areas, and that was one of them. But it's worth asking about. Thanks.