Cubs trade Bradley for Silva (2 UPDATES)
The deal is done. The Cubs have traded right fielder Milton Bradley to the Seattle Mariners for right-handed pitcher Carlos Silva. The Cubs also will get $9 million out of the deal, three million to even out the difference in salaries and $6 million of what's being called "payroll relief" for the Cubs. We'll hear from Jim Hendry this afternoon.
Silva's numbers are on today's earlier blog.
More to come. Here is Jim Hendry's opening statement to the media today:
“Obviously, it was a trade we’ve been working on for quite some time. There wasn’t any easy solution to it, by any means. Many of the names that were bantered were obviously deals that would have never been considered ideal. But we also knew that we had to move the player.
"In hindsight, obviously, it was an acquisition that I’m responsible for that obviously didn’t work out. The intent, obviously, was to get a quality offensive player from the left side or a switch hitter that had been outstanding for a few years before we got him in our quest to improve on a 97-win team. Obviously, it didn’t work out. I bear the responsibility for that not working out.
"That being said, we have a tremendous amount of really good players that may not have played as well as they would have liked last year. But they certainly are guys that play hard, obviously good teammates, respectful of the great opportunity that they have here to play in front of our great fans. Obviously, in this case, it did not work out like we planned. In this case, this was also responsible for the reason that I sent Milton home, as I mentioned in September, not going to be tolerated, to treat our fans, teammates and members of the media the way he did. It’s just time to put it behind us and go forward. I think this deal helps us in a lot of ways. Hopefully, Mr. Silva will get back to where he was a few years ago. Obviously, he has struggled since (signing) his contract, but he was a quality free agent when he left the Twins. We have been monitoring him a little bit on the side and in games in Venezuela. We’ve done a lot of work on him. Hopefully, he’ll be able to get back and at least have a successful spot on our club in some way, and then we’ll go about our business of trying to add a few more pieces to make the club better before spring training.”
Later in the day, I had a chance to listen to the Milton Bradley news conference. He was totally unrepentant.
"You know, I've already moved forward," he said. "I made a statement about Chicago (in September). I'm a Seattle Mariner. Chicago's a thing of the past. I'm not interested in rehashing old news."
Bradley would not go Hendry's route and assume responsibility for things gone wrong.
"That's Jim's opinion, Bradley said. "Like I said earlier, I have no interest in speaking about Chicago or speaking to (a Chicago reporter) or anything further. I'm a Seattle Mariner. I've moved on. I wish you would move on. I wish the Chicago Cubs organization the best."
Check out the full story:
if in fact those rumors of Z are true, than forget all those old guys mentioned here. sounds like a rebuilding job. i know he's had some up's and downs but he is a proven pitcher and you can't win without pitching.
Not really, say the Cubs could get Robinson Cano and Phil Hughes from the Yankees(I don't know if this is realistic, but thats not the point). That clears almost (19 million vs 6 million) 13 million in payroll and the Cubs get a 2nd baseman who is an offensive force and left handed. Cubs can take that money and sign Pineiro and another useful piece. Pineiro is not proven, but he was excellent last year and many thing he has finally figured it out. Last year, he was better than Zambrano, and his body is probably in better shape.
I doubt that Cano would be included but you would definitely get your pick of Melky and Gardener. I would agree that Hughes would need to be included. Either way you have filled CF and a SP position. Plus, you still have a ton of money. You could even look at Sheets or Pedro on one year fliers.
Bruce,
Have you heard anything about this? And if so, do you know what the Cubs asked for? I would like to think they asked for Cano and Hughes.
from ESPN..
The New York Yankees, intent on adding another pitcher for 2010, have inquired about the availability of Chicago Cubs' right-hander Carlos Zambrano, according to a report by Mike Puma in today's New York Post.
Puma adds that the Cubs' asking price for Zambrano is too high, even though he had a few stints on the disabled list in 2009. As a result, the Yankees are more likely to go the free agent route and pursue the likes of Jason Marquis, Joel Pineiro and/or Ben Sheets.
Give me a break, Zambrano has a NO TRADE CONTRACT, and wants to hit, which he would
be unable to do in the American League. Two duds Pineiro at top of the order pitcher and Marlon Byrd the starting slugging center fielder ? How about Gary Matthews
Jr. or the Hariston Jr. or return of Pie. Better yet trade for Taveras. Boy Cub fans would be pulling their hair out and cussing Jim Henry if he traded Zambrano and watched him star for
just Cano and lousy Yankee cast off pitcher. I have an idea, let's White Flag the season,
and start all over, better then just signing lousy pitchers and lousy outfielders and hope they will be the pieces that take us to the Playoffs. Cubs want to at least get to the playoffs,
they need Starin Castro to make the team and contribute or get a good hitting second basemen or shortstop, a good defensive base stealing center-fielder, a DECENT STARTING PITCHER, and hitting like they hit in the pass from Ramirez, Lee, Theriot, Soto, and Soriano,
plus improved hitting from Fukodome.
Lets not dream about obtaining Holliday, Bay, (Cubs won't spend the money, and there is no
position for them). Signing Byrd and Pineiro who had sort of career years, and will probably
disappoint. And trading for BJ Upton, never happen. Could the Yankees accept Marshall for
Gardner, would that be acceptable to Yankee and Cub fans.
Seems to mean that someone from the A's could be dealt, as the A's already have Ryan Sweeney, Rajah Davis, and Scott Hairston, all who had good years last year(okay Hairston wasn't that good, but a .763 OPS isn't horrible) and they just added Michael Taylor in a trade? Could be they have an OF available? Given the Cubs and A's trade history, might be something could happen between the Cubs and A's.
A's - I still hope the Cubs trade for a young centerfielder with upside, rather than overpaying (too many years) for a veteran free agent. I like Ryan Sweeney. Last year, he hit over .280 in his first full season, and he has good minor league stats. He bats left handed, has speed and could develop power.
Zambrano and Yanks - Lot's of talk today that the Yankees asked about Zambrano.
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yankees/auld_lang_sign_lnyUGytHfw1E9U0jIM...
The story says the Cubs asking price was too high. If Bruce is working this week, I hope he can find out what the Cubs asked for. I am not big supporter of trading Zambrano, but I am interested what the Cubs think is his value, and what the Yankees think is too much.
Crisp an established center fielder and lead off man, was cheap, the A's signed him,Cubs now are probably going to get over rated over priced Byrd, or not a centerfielder Posednik, or take a chance on Ankiel ? Who's running the show. At least try for Gardner or M.Cabrera. Henry is running with blinders. Players that didn't produce last year are not enough for a least a Division Champion in 2010. why do they need Capps ?,don't the Cubs have an array of pitchers that could fill that stop already. Are we wasting money, and not giving the ton
of pitchers and outfielders invited to spring training a good look see and chance. Pinella should give them a chance see if some of these guys may be the answer. Didn't Wells surprise us in 2009, and Marmol, Soto and Guzman in the past.
You left out a couple of key things here. First off, he is an established very good defensive centerfielder who is coming on surgery on BOTH shoulders. And yes, he is a lead off man, but he is NOT a good one, in fact, he is a below average lead off man. Unless you greatly value defense (in which case, we should just play Fuld), Crisp is not one of the better options.
At least Crisp was a centerfielder, and a lead off man, which the Cubs don't have.
Byrd is not a leadoff man, and not really a good centerfielder either, good enough for Wrigley Field maybe, Posednik is a good lead off man, but not a centerfielder, and last time I looked the National League does not have the D/H,s.and Soriano is playing left field. Byrd asking for 3 mil a year for 3 years, should the Cubs be tied down for that kind of players. Well how about some suggestions. If Crisp wasn't an option cubmadness who is.
I don't think there is a perfect solution, but I think Crisp is potentially the riskiest of all, due to his injuries, and the fact that he is marginal even when completely healthy. Of the free agents, I would probably try to sign Ankiel. I think he offers the biggest upside by far, and I would get Johnson to platoon with him, but would only offer 1 year with an option. If he won't sign, I would go with Byrd.
I actually think the Cubs will try to trade for Melky Cabrera though.
OK, now that the Cubs have moved Bradley, they reportedly are focused on CF. Here is a different idea. Instead of signing a 3 year deal with a CF who is by all accounts a marginal defender in CF and a question mark offensively, Why not make a run at both Jason Bay and Matt Holiday and leave Kosuke in CF(if you are going to get a marginal defender, might as well have a good bat)? You can get Johnson to platoon with him who could come in defensively late in games
Yes, I know it is a matter of payroll, but there are options for Hendry to still move some payroll, specifically in the rotation, and possibly Mike Fontenot or Theriot.
I guess what I am saying is this, the market for both Holiday and Bay seems small or depressed. Why not at least check? Is it better to sign a mediocre at best player for medium money, or to sign a better player for bigger money? If it was me, and I was going to pay Marlon Byrd 6 million a year, I would rather ante up and pay Bay or Holliday 12 - 15 million.
I know they budget doesn't really allow for this, but if Rickets could up that number just slightly, it might get done. I just hate to spend significant money on marginal players.
Sounds good to me, get Holliday, and let Fukodome stay in center. Then with all the lumberjack the Cubs have we can move to the American League and swing for the fences.
Yeah, but seriously, I'd love to have Holliday, but the Cubs won't spend the money.we all know this. The end of 2010, Lilly and Lee's contracts will expire, who will be their replacements. Cubs can replace Fukodome in a couple of years, but who will replace Ramirez
if he decides to leave, Vittner, I don't think so. If your going to spend that much money for Holliday, I would wait and see if we could sign Mauer next year instead, and if we keep Soto, Mauer can move to 1st base. I read Gardner may end up being as good as Elisbury some day,
but the Cubs being the Cubs will probably either sign Byrd, Posednik or trade for Cabrera, who is not that bad.
30 teams in baseball says you should win the big enchilada once every 30 years right?Hendry blames the entire season on Bradley cancer because he can and the new owners don't have a clue,Pinella tries not to sit on his hemroids and remember when his next haircut appointment is,Pinella is past it folks and Sandberg needs to replace him a.s.a.p.
Paying 40 or 50 bucks a seat to watch the grass grow is more exciting than watching the cubs performance over the last 100 years.Who would not want to own a team whos customers are so easy to please!!!!!!
about Pinella. Sandberg will be our next Manager when Lou's contract is up. And, knowing that the new owners are fans, I think that bringing in Steve Stone to replace Hendry in a year isn't out of the question.
I would like to see them at least make the World Series. 19 different teams have won the Series in the last 30 years, but 7 of the other 11 at least made the Series. Only the Mariners, Rangers, Nationals, and Cubs have not played in the World Series in the last 30 years. Those other 3 teams have never played in it, but have been in the league a much shorter time. Sad.
So far, we have moved Jake Fox, Aaron Miles, Aaron Heilman, and Milton Bradley, and lost Rich Harden and Kevin Gregg to free agency. 1.7 million with Miles, 9 million savings on Bradley, 8 million on Harden, 1.6 million on Heilman, and 4.2 million in Gregg.
1. I think it is a given we will add a CF, so probably Byrd, Ankiel, or Pods. Wish it would be a trade, but probably not.
2. I think the Cubs are probably going to add a starting pitcher with the money they saved from Harden. Hoping it is either Pineiro or Sheets. Cubs have been mentioned with both.
3. Have not seen anything about this yet, but would be surprised if Cubs don't check in on Luis Castillo again, and also on Orlando Hudson and Felipe Lopez. Lopez would be my choice here.
4. And I would like to see the Cubs add 1 RH bullpen arm.
Lets say we get Byrd for CF, Pineiro as a #2 or 3 starter, and Lopez for 2nd base. The team could lineup like this....
SS - Theriot
2b - Lopez
1b - Lee
3b - Ramirez
RF - Fukudome
LF - Soriano
CF - Byrd
C - Soto
Bench - Fuld, Hoffpauir, Hill, Baker, Fontenot, Blanco
Zambrano, Pineiro, Lilly, Dempster, and Wells.
Marmol, Guzman, Caridad, Marshall, Grabow, Stevens, Silva or free agent____________
Zambrano as your #1 is not a recipe for success.
The Cubs have had a weird vibe for a few years. The chemistry of your big 3....Lee,Ramirez, Zambrano.....just won't work. It hasnt and it wont.
Gorzellany? I look for him to be in the 4th slot and to have a pretty good year.
Pineiro & Byrd had good seasons in 2009, I don't believe they will , since Duncan in St.Louis
had something to do with Pineiro's success and Arlington Park, had a lot to do with
Byrd's hitting. Outside of Arlington Byrd hit .264/.315/.402. and has been moved from Philadelphia, Nationals- Ah-NATIONALS!,and Rangers. The Rangers need a right hand power
hitter and didn't resign him, think about it. Besides Byrd wants 6 mil a year for 3 years, it would be a waste of Cub money.
I have seen multiple posts raving about the year Baker had for us in 2009. It seems many people here believe Baker will be a great starting 2nd baseman for the Cubs in 2010. WAKE UP PEOPLE. Check out Bakers career stats. He averages a strikeout every 3.5 at bats over his career. His most at bats in a season are 299. He is slow and a below average fielder, but because he hit .300 on a limited basis last year he is now a great 2nd baseman?
With holes in CF, 2nd base, SP (with Lilly a ?), and RP (I believe Marmol is too wild to be a consistent closer) and an owner who wants to reign in the over zealous spending, it would make sense to use 2010 as a rebuilding year. Go to war with what we have and be sellers in July. With Lee,and Lilly in final year of their contracts and Aram probably retesting free agency next year, the Cubs stand to free up $45,000,000 in payroll for 2011. Fukodome and Zambrano might be tradeable at this year's deadline which would save another $30 mil for 2011. Even Soriano might be somewhat marketable if he is healthy and gets off to a good start in 2010. I could see an AL team needing a big bat taking a chance on him with 4 years left on his deal if the Cubs didn't ask for much in return. Look what the Blue Jays did with Rios this year.
You could possibly end up with $90,000,000 in payroll relief for 2011 and then go about building a team the right way, through wise drafting and player development.
Baker crushes LHP. He should be starting against LHP and that's it. He's not an everyday player.
I agree with Siwash, but I' also getting a little old for the long term, I'd like the Cubs to at least get to the playoffs every year. I'm a Ramirez, Zambrano, Lilly Fan, I'd hate to see these
3 go.
I agree in 2003 the Cubs were the best team as in 2008. if you remember Hendry made changes after the 2003 season as after the 2008 season. we weren't as good going into 2004/2009 as people thought. getting to the playoffs once, twice is ok, after that it means nothing. 3,4,5 winning seasons mean nothing unless you make the WS.
the Soriano, Fukudome, Bradley, Miles, the guy from Atlanta were brutal trades/FA signings as well as Baker and Lou.
Kap is full of it. speaks out of 2 sides of his face. Hendry made this mess, yes mess. he admits the Bradley boo-boo, big deal. as for the rest of his mess he lives in denial.
we all make mistakes, we don't all know it all. admitting to one mistake of many does not make you a big man, or man.
like Lou saying last year "they (Cub players) blew the last 2 playoffs". what happened with the "we", team, etc?
Ruhtra, you need to rethink your post. The 2004 Cubs won more games than the 2003 cubs, and the offseason after the 2003 playoffs was probably Hendry's best moment - nothing like the debacle of Miles, Milton, and Gregg.
Before 2004, Hendry added Greg Maddux as the 5TH STARTER, Michael Barrett, and Todd Walker, all who had really good years. He also added some guy named Derek Lee. At the deadline he traded for Nomar, which at the time was a great move. Injuries to starting pitching and LaTroy Hawkins' final week failures made sure that the Cubs did not win the Wild Card, but you are overvaluing the 2003 team. That was just an 83 win team that had two starters carry them deep into the second round. 2004 should have been the year of the Cubs/Cards NLCS. Even Prior was back in form at the end of 2004 - look it up.
sometimes the best team isn't always the one with the most wins. on paper in my opinion the 2003 Cubs had more talent and were better than the 2004 team. Baker tried managing and screwed up the 2003 team. the Cubs were 2 outs from the WS, how many was the 2004 team out?
the Cards in 2006 won the WS. many so called experts said they were the worse team to ever win it. I don't agree with that, again just my opinion.
2008 Cub team won 97, didn't make the WS. the Mariners won over 100 a few years back and didn't get to the WS. by the way both teams were under Lou.
what people fail to see is the 2008 team won/lost 11-11 in September, they were a weak 500 team going into the playoffs. Lou didn't make any changes. Tore benched Kent in September and kept playing the winning hand with Kent on the bench pissed off.
the patriots a few years back were beaten by the giants to break their undefeated season, etc. I think it was the giants. hey it's just my opinion, lol. have a good day and happy holidays.
total wins don't always tell the true story.
oh for the guy who calls everyone on here an idiot. I'll make this short. apparently he is on the Cubs staff cause he says everyone on the Cubs staff over ruled Hendry on all his decisions. that alone calls for his firing. now if Hendry made all the decisions, lol, he should be fired. the fact that he calls everyone on here an idiot cause they don't agree with him tells you a lot about him. so call me an idiot, you sound like an angry, lonely, sick person. I'll pray for you, lord be with you.
I'll be the first to admit, I am a Jim Hendry fan,have been from day one. MOST of his moves have been good, but like other GM's, he has his moments. Seems like as time goes by, his deals get worse and worse. I think he is in panic mode, and trying anything to get the Cubs' over the hump, and save his own job. Hence, the nightmarish off-season of 2008, where he was so hell bent on getting left handed hitters, that he basically destroyed the team he had helped build. The Milton Bradley signing was THE WORST move of his regime, and no matter what anyone else says on here, that signing IS JIM HENDRY'S FAULT, and his fault only. I see has backers say that the Cubs 3 winning seasons with Jim Hendry as GM...BIG DEAL. Other than 2003, where the Cubs' really were the best team in baseball, until the postseason collapse, the Cubs' have not even won a playoff game. I think we are at the point where Jim Hendry has taken the Cubs' as far as he is capable of. We need somebody else to come in and finish the job, and not only get the Cubs' back to the postseason, but into the World Series. So to say, take them to the next level. I thought way back when the Bulls fired Doug Collins, it was a terrible decision, but much like Jim Hendry, Doug Collins was unable to take the Bulls to the next level. We all know the rest of the story on the Bulls. Jim hendry has done all he is capable fo doing for the Cubs. This offseason MUST be his last, before he destroys the Cubs any more.
Here's some GM's that are worst or as bad as Jim Henry. J.P.Ricciardi,Steve Phillips, Bill Bavasi,Kevin Towers, John Hart, Omar Minaya, Andy McPhail, & Dave Littlefield, did I miss
anyone ? Hey Sports is not Rocket Science.
I'm not sure I could survive it!
I have long ago, quit being a fan of ANY individual, regardless of talent or title, apart from Christ, himself. But just to be sure I understand your position, let me recap a few points for the sake of specificity. In your mind....
1) It's Jim Hendry's fault that Lou PUBLICLY blamed two consecutive "3 and out" playoffs on the lack of a LH power bat for the middle of the lineup...
2) It's Jim Hendry's fault that greedy Sam Zell was still pushing Jim (through Kenny) for results that would hike the selling price of the franchise, or at least stop the slide of the economic impact on it (the negotiations were still on going and the value had already dropped by about $100M)....
3) It's Jim Hendry's fault that every single former Bradley manager & coach that Hendry talked to about Bradley either lied, whitewashed or hid the truth....
4) It's Jim Hendry's fault that the overwhelming majority, if not all, of Jim's staff of assistants and scouts recommended the deal....
5) It's Jim Hendry's fault that Bradley was the only reasonable F/A choice, other than failure (which was NOT acceptable to Zell or Lou), to get a LH bat for the middle of the order, that could play RF at Wrigley....
6) It's Jim Hendry's fault that Bradley got off to a slow start with the Cubs....
7) It's Jim Hendry's fault that ignorant, impatient Cubs fans got on Bradley THE VERY FIRST DAY he played for the Cubs, making it even harder for him to succeed or even to have a positive opinion of Cubs fans.
8) It's Jim Hendry's fault ....do I really need to go on, when it's so obvious that the day the ivy stops growing on the outfield walls or the sun finally stops shining on this world, that fans like you will find a way to blame Jim Hendry?
Jim holds the title of GM and he, being the stand up kind of guy that he is, took the blame but these decisions are not made in a vacuum, and they are not made by one individual.
If you have to have someone to blame, then put it where it belongs...on BRADLEY!
But for the love of the game.....and for the sake of your own life...GROW UP! If you don't, you are going to have one miserable life!
Brolight - I think you're drinking too much Jim Hendry kool aid.
Was Milton Bradley as you claimed the only reasonable free agent choice available last off-season? How convenient to forget Bobby Abreu who was a Godsend for the Angels and a great guy and a far better baseball player than Bradley ever was.
How about Raul Ibanez who played great for the Phillies?
Even Adam Dunn who is like a statue would have been a far better choice because at least you know he's going to hit a certain amount of homers and drive in over a hundred runs every year. And he's a good guy, not a mental case.
Did I mention that all of them were lefties while Bradley was a switch hitter who hits much better right-handed than left?
You also mentioned that every coach or manager that Hendry talked to lied to him about Bradley. Guess what? I wouldn't have had to talk to anyone about Bradley to know I wouldn't want that guy on my team and I'm not even in baseball, though I know the game much better than Hendry.
So Bro, rather than be a defense attorney for Hendry, how about getting a clue so you don't look so dumb the next time you post something?
Can't YOU read either. It's obvious you can't think! And How many times do I and others have to point out that....
1) I'd have a better chance of being successful playing RF at Wrigley than Dunn or "No-fences or walls, please" Abreu! And I am drawing SS and live in a power chair!
2) And while Ibanez was Hendry's first choice. Hendry MISTAKENLY decided to listen to some of his critics, like you, over his signing of Soriano and not rush into the market before it was established. Especially considering the economy was in free fall and no one knew what the impact would be on baseball. But while Hendry waited, the Phillies did a Hendry and jumped in and set the market and stole Ibanez! That's what Hendry and the Cubs got for listening to critics like you!
So I wouldn't brag, if I were you about how much you know about the game, because you don't know diddly! And to compare your knowledge to Hendry's is so outrageously laughable, that you don't ever merit a reply again...so don't bother, because as I said you have already proven that you don't know anything!
Brolight,
Not sure if you have the Hendry name sake, or if he is paying you to write the crap you do, but:
1) IT IS AND WAS JIM HENDRY'S decision to sign Milton Bradley. IF he was listening to ANYONE else, whether it be a scout, ex-manager, GM, ex-player, whatever, he is worst off than I even thought. I am just an ordinary Joe on the street, and I KNEW signiing Milton Bradley was a colossal mistake, from the day he signed him.
2) yes it's true the Chicago fans were on him from the day he signed. Guess what, that comes with the territory and big money that professional athletes make. Should have come as no surpise to Milton Bradley
3) The reason Bradley was the only LH bat out there was 2 reasons- 1) all the other decent LH bats had already signed- Ibanez, Dunn, etc., all the "other" guys" who couldn't play RF in Chicago, unlike Bradley? 2) Hendry had his mind made up from the end of 2008 that Milton Bradley was his guy, so he limited his choices. And yes, Milton Bradley is as much too blame as anyone for this debacle.
So, if ANYONE needs to grow up and see the light, it is YOU. The Cubs' AND Jim Hendry got the Milton Bradley they should have expected, from past performance AND behavior. Milton Bradley sucked before last year and still does. ANY GM that couldn;t see this isn't a worthy GM.
I think Bruce should set up some kind of baseball knowledge test to qualify to be on this blog. If he had I wouldn't be reading your crap!
It's VERY easy to see why you are not a GM. You don't know the first thing about it, or about being management material in ANY area. Only Big Mouth blowhards like you, are all about what they know and never listening to others or soliciting advice or opinion.
And no Jim didn't have his mind made up from the fall of 2008. Otherwise Ibanez wouldn't have been contacted first. Jim should have remained "Jim" and jumped in and signed him, like the Phillies did a few days later, but usually free agents don't sign without fully exploring the market, but the Phils OVERPAID and Ibanez' agent knew it, and recommended grabbing the deal, which they did.
As for booing, no that doesn't come with the territory. It comes from the most ignorant, classless, people (and I use the term VERY loosely), that ever poured their sorry arces into a seat, and a keg down their throats. In other words people like Bradley and....owe let me see now.....YOU!
Go away Chippie, you bore me with your stupidity!
You, BroLight, would be among the first posters eliminated. If you think otherwise, check back to find the last time he responded to anything you wrote. I think you'll find it's been quite some time.
And anyone who calls other people illiterate first ought to learn the rules of English punctuation.
Brolight,
I REALLY think you are Jim Hendry in hiding. Nobody could be as stupid and naive as you, at least I don't think. Sounds to me like your power chair has shorted out....get a life AND a clue....I'm done arguing with you, it's obviuosly a lost cause.
2009 stats for Marlon Byrd Texas Rangers- outside of Arlington Park hitting .264/.315/.402 and a poor centerfielder and wants 6mil a year for 3 years, and the Cubs would be stuck with him if something better should show up in the next 3 years. Posednik also poor fielder and not a centerfielder. Your guess is as good as mine what the Cubs would get out of Ankiel. Who's left on FA that the Cubs could sign to
play centerfield, and who is available the Cubs could trade for , and what do the Cubs
have available they could trade for. Fuld is a reserve type, Colvin may never make it.
How about Toronto taking Silva, and Cubs getting Vernon Wells with Toronto eating up
the rest of his contract like they did with Rios. Another change of scenery ? Henry could give Toronto say 3 mil to make it work.
I think it was The Lone Ranger who said it first:
"Hi Ho Silva! Away with Bradley!"
You have to look at this as Bradley for Silva and whoever they sign with the extra 6 million they got from the Mariners. It is a 1 for 2 deal.
Bruce do you think the Cubs should/would show interest in Damon of Yanks?
Back in the 1950's the Cubs had a player named Jeffcoat who played centerfield and also came in to pitch relief. We can sign Ankiel and re live the pass.
Honestly, the Cubs don't have anyone Tampa would consider for BJ Upton.
i recall the past was bad. why go back unless you're joking. besides Ankiel became an OF'er cause he couldn't find the plate. Jeffcoat became a relief pitcher cause he couldn't hit.
as for Bradley i think he'll do good with Jr around.
Bradley,Heilman,Miles Patton, Ah let's try Marlon Byrd or Ankiel or Podsednik, so Henry
can cry next year, IT'S MY FAULT, I MADE A MISTAKE.
"After seeking gold with Bradley, Cubs now settle for Silva"
Do you come up with the titles of these articles???? I went for your 'fishing for marlon' the other day but this one was a bit of a reach, ha!
Someone should start keeping track of this stuff and formulate Bruce statistics.
I write them for the blog. I plead guilty on "Fishing for Marlon." I give full credit to our great copy desk for the "settle for Silva" line.
Didn't Seattle basically laugh off trade rumors of Silva/Bradley a week or two ago? Is there any way you can ask Jimbo what changed since then?
If SEA had this offer on the table 2 weeks ago, then I'll be upset that Hendry didn't act right away costing the Cubs Cameron.
Return on investment doesn't sound too promising. But I guess getting rid of Bradley was victory enough.
What people have to realize here is the bottom line. Milton Bradley was NOT playing another game with the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs' AND everyone in baseball knew that. So, for Hendry to dump him, get ANY kind of a player, PLUS $6 mil in salary relief, was a hell of a deal. I fully realize Jim Hendry and Jim Hendry alone is at fault for bringing Milton Bradley to Chicago in the first place. Hell, I'm just a fan on the outside, and I knew when they signed him, it would be a terrible signing. But, what is done is done. And to get salary relief and a warm body, no matter how bad, back for Bradley was an ulitmate steal. Now, we need to see what Hendry does for a CF option. Boils down to Bradley for Silva and PTBL- CF. So, this trade is incomplete as is, and we already have the upper hand in it. Hendry has had a couple bad offseasons in a row. I think he realizes that if he doesn't turn it around this offseason, it could very well be his last as Cubs' GM.
Hendry is being stand up about his role in MB's bad signing but now it's up to the current roster to step up. They can't hide behind the "distraction" that Bradley was. I think that the Cubs still can be contenders as long as we get the following:
Uninjured Soriano
Uninjured Ramirez
The same Derick Lee from last year
The non-stoned/not out of shape '08 version of Soto
Wells does not suffer Sophomore slump
A '08 type of year from Dempster and Zambrano
Marmol meets his potential as a closer
Baker/Fontenot platoon at 2b works (I don't see a good FA option for the money out there)
A CF who produces at least the type of #'s Bradley gave us
Before I get flamed, I realize there are a lot of variables there but the overall nucleus is still solid, the players just have to perform.
I would still like to see some power off the bench and solid set-up guy. Could Jack Cust be a fit? Now that there is 9 mil of new money available is Capps realistic? I really don't like Byrd or Pods so the question is who is the real Rick Ankiel...version 2008 or 2009?
I wish I could share your optimism but I think there is more than just bad luck and injuries with most of your scenarios in fielding a team that won't be anything better than 80 wins.
Uninjured Soriano - Down side of his career, hack in the field, no batting eye and no speed.
Uninjured Ramirez - Likely will happen
The same Derick Lee from last year - Likely will happen
The non-stoned/not out of shape '08 version of Soto - One "hit" wonder
Wells does not suffer Sophomore slump - Never one of our top prospects so I don't even think the organization thinks he can duplicate these numbers.
A '08 type of year from Dempster and Zambrano - Both overated and Z is due for a complete melt down or season ending injury after all of his innings.
Marmol meets his potential as a closer - Your set-up options are brutal once he moves to closer.
Baker/Fontenot platoon at 2b works (I don't see a good FA option for the money out there) - Not a good FA option and not a good option with that combo
A CF who produces at least the type of #'s Bradley gave us - Bradley had a brutal first month but his 778 OPS was still third best on the team.
JebJeb-
Exactly. Way too many holes, way too many variables. Kudos for you, for realizing that.
The rose colored glasses are off.........