Lunch with Lou
LAS VEGAS -- Today was the annual winter meetings lunch with the managers. Each team has a table, and reporters join their respective team's manager for lunch and talk about this and that.
Lou reiterated that he didn't believe the Cubs will get anything done here at the winter meetings. He did say the Cubs probably would target a free agent _ and not a trade candidate _ for the "left-hand bat" he covets. Milton Bradley, a switch hitter, is touring other teams, but he may come to the Cubs when all is said and done.
Here are other tidbits from around the lobbies:
--Randy Johnson still is in play for the Cubs if they don't trade for Jake Peavy. (Wow, it took all this time for a Peavy mention.) The way Cubs GM Jim Hendry sees it, there's nothing at all wrong with giving the Big Unit a one-year deal if all else fails.
--Remember Paul Bako? The Cubs have had some interest in bringing him to camp as a non-roster catcher. Right now, Koyie Hill is Geovany Soto's backup. Former Sox catcher Mark Johnson will be at camp. Bako, as you know, played for the Cubs earlier this decade, and his defensive skills still are highly regarded in the game.
--The Twins appear to be serious players in the Mark DeRosa sweeptstakes. DeRosa suddenly has become a hot commodity. The Padres then could use the Twins to facilitate a three-way for Peavy.
--Here's one out of left field: A Reds guy asked me if the Cubs would trade DeRosa to them. I don't know if that would have anything to do with a Peavy deal, but it's interesting nevertheless.
We meet with Hendry later. More tonight.
Anyone even remotely interested in Randy Johnson?
Heres an idea how about Marshall , a lefty, Hart and Pie to Tampa for Carl Crawford ? They are looking for young talent.
Trades with Pittsburgh wont be as easy as in the day, Dave Littlefield is no longer there.
Dont expect easy pickens from the Pirates without Littlefield .
Has an OBP of about .310, great in center but sucks at the plate.
So you ran into Dusty Baker huh ? How about Volquez for DeRosa ? Question, , why would you give up DeRosa, for anyone except a premier guy?
And if what I am hearing on the SCORE, the Peavy deal is being set aside, as it should be, the Cubs dont have to have pitching. Marquis is more valuable than what you know . Please tell me who is going to give you 200 innings, Peavy, he was hurt last year guys. Is he better ? Yes, when healthy, is he healthy ?
And if you give up DeRosa, who replaces his versatility in the line up?
Hendry has done a good job of fleecing Pittsburgh in the past. Why not go back to them again? Why not shoot for the stars and try and work a deal for Nate McClouth? He could be that left handed bat we are looking for and could play center. I know Pittsburgh will want a lot for him but he makes more sense for the Cubs then Peavy does. He fills a definite need.
Forget Peavy. Trade DeRosa (I believe in selling high!) to the Twins for some pitching prospects. Flip those prospects plus Felix Pie to Baltimore for Brian Roberts. Trade Ronny Cedeno and Kevin Hart to San Diego for Brian Giles and and $3M in cash. Sign the Big Unit. Trade Jason Marquis and $3M in cash to Toronto for Scott Downs.
Call it an offseason!
If Giles would waive that NTC he'd be the perfect fit.
I'm more curious as to what's going to happen with Pie as he doesn't appear to be in the trade rumors much anymore.