A Slow Day At The Minneapolis Star-Tribune ?

[SkullKey]

Apparently. What are you doing boys ?: fabricating nonsense rumors to keep the dwindeling readership interested ? Johan traded ? Get serious.

" ..... The Twins have no plans to deal their ace. But he's a year away from free agency, and he's willing to waive his no-trade clause if the team changes its mind. ..... "

That's quite straight-forward: no plans to trade Santana, NO plans. That's sensible; you don't casually toss-off arguably the best pitcher in the game. However (interestingly enough) Santana is willing to:

" ..... waive his no-trade clause if the team changes its mind. ..... "

Apparently the potential for a trade does exist.

Here's the article:

http://www.startribune.com/twins/story/1458559.html

" ..... "Sometimes I think about ," [Santana] said. "At the same time, I know that, on paper, I've got one more year. Whatever happens, [B]I'll miss this clubhouse and all these guys and all the things we have done through he years I've been here. ..... "

Boy - that almost sounds like he's expecting to be traded.

I will say this about what probably amounts to off-season pundit shenanigans designed to sell newspapers: IF Santana is, or becomes, available he must become Jim hendry's #1 target. Bar none. He is simply too good to not acquire.

Sanatna will become a free agent after 2006 - he will probably be the most important and desired one. He's 28 - entering what is generally regarded the the best years for players. His accomplishments are already substantial; he may very well be creating a Hall Of Fame career.

[ryno4ever]

A trade like that would make a lot of tears dry up really quickly for many Cub fans!

[HOLYCOW!25]

I would love a trade like that, and get rid of Marquis, the guy just can't pitch the second half of the season.

[cubbie_kern]

I would love a trade like that, and get rid of Marquis, the guy just can't pitch the second half of the season.

I second that statement.

[ryno4ever]

I just heard an interview with Steve Stone on the whole Santana issue. He said that IF Santana becomes available, he believes that the Cubs should jump on that opportunity IF they ask for pictures of the elbow and it shows to be healthy. He said that Santana could not throw his slider as effectively as in the past, and didn't throw it as often, which makes him wonder if there isn't any elbow damage in there. (Which could explain why he may be made available). He also said that the Cubs need to see pictures of Woody's shoulder, and if the torn miniscus has healed, they need to re-sign Wood.

[AB1077]

Anyone have any ideas on who you might have to give up to get him?

[cubbie_kern]

Probably 2 0r 3 young prospects since the twins are in rebuilding mode.

[HEYHEY]

DLee straight up.

[Doba]

DLee straight up.

Who do you suggest play first then? Still the best fielding 1st basemen and he hit for average. The only guy that hit the ball during the playoffs too.

[bringbacktuffy]

Anyone have any ideas on who you might have to give up to get him?

Thats tough. Pie would likely have to go as a part of the deal. Hunter is an FA this year or next, possibly Vitters and another minor league pitcher, or marquis who knows. I have no basis for this it just seems like logical choices for the twinkies.

[cubbie_kern]

DLee straight up.

I hope you're kidding.

[VanMan]

DLee straight up.

I hope you're kidding.
He's not kidding. If you've read his posts on other threads, he's calling for the Cubs to dump almost every high-paid Cub for prospects, like what the "small-market" teams have been doing. He said that because "they're winning."

HeyHey, you can't get rid of Derek Lee. He's the best first baseman in the league! He hit about .320 for the entire season. Yes, he had an off year power-wise, but he's the cornerstone for the line-up and he's a Gold Glover. You also can't get rid of Aramis Ramirez. He's the guy that Cub fans have waited for since the team traded Ron Santo to the White Sox in 1973. Carlos Zambrano is the ace of the staff! He can't be traded even if you wanted to, because he has a no-trade clause in his new contract. Alfonso Soriano, though he had a drop-off this season, is a valuable player. He can throw out guys from left field!

[weeghman]

He's not kidding. If you've read his posts on other threads, he's calling for the Cubs to dump almost every high-paid Cub for prospects, like what the "small-market" teams have been doing. He said that because "they're winning."

HeyHey, you can't get rid of Derek Lee. He's the best first baseman in the league! He hit about .320 for the entire season. Yes, he had an off year power-wise, but he's the cornerstone for the line-up and he's a Gold Glover. You also can't get rid of Aramis Ramirez. He's the guy that Cub fans have waited for since the team traded Ron Santo to the White Sox in 1973. Carlos Zambrano is the ace of the staff! He can't be traded even if you wanted to, because he has a no-trade clause in his new contract. Alfonso Soriano, though he had a drop-off this season, is a valuable player. He can throw out guys from left field!
If you put DLee's number's in perspective to his injury they are fantastic. That Wrist fracture is supposedly one of the most difficult injuries for hitters to recover from.

I would be all for trading one of the high priced guys for prospects if you were 100% guaranteed to have Hanley Ramirez, Matt Holiday, and Hunter Pence like results from the prospects. Even if you trade for prospects it is as much, if not more, of a gamble that they will produce as dropping a huge contract on a free agent. At least free agents have proven themselves in the Bigs.

Take Corey Patterson for example He was one of the top 25 prospects for years but has never lived up to expectations. I wouldn't count Pie out, but thus far he has been similar.

[SKIPPER 11]

Pie really has not shown much and I wonder just how much his stock has dropped. Pence, Braun, Young all look well on there way. As much as I would love to have Santana , Arod, whoever- I dont want our team to be like the Yankees and have a huge payroll of superstars either.

Some will definately disagree with this, but ever since the Yankees really started going after it- Giambi, AROD, Sheffield, Abreu, Pavano, etc. - they havent won the world series.

When they one they did it with home grown players- Jeter, Posada(Girardi split time with him), Bernie Williams, Soriano, Rivera , Pettite mixed in with grizzled veterans(good players, not superstars)- Brosius, Oneal

Now they still had the highest payroll but they had chemistry.



We have real good pieces here- Lee, Rammy, Z, Soriano , Dero but we also have some guys with big salaries that could be dumped.

[weeghman]

Pie really has not shown much and I wonder just how much his stock has dropped. Pence, Braun, Young all look well on there way. As much as I would love to have Santana , Arod, whoever- I dont want our team to be like the Yankees and have a huge payroll of superstars either.

Some will definately disagree with this, but ever since the Yankees really started going after it- Giambi, AROD, Sheffield, Abreu, Pavano, etc. - they havent won the world series.

When they one they did it with home grown players- Jeter, Posada(Girardi split time with him), Bernie Williams, Soriano, Rivera , Pettite mixed in with grizzled veterans(good players, not superstars)- Brosius, Oneal

Now they still had the highest payroll but they had chemistry.



We have real good pieces here- Lee, Rammy, Z, Soriano , Dero but we also have some guys with big salaries that could be dumped.

I completely agree with you. Although I think they won one with sheffield. I am probably wrong but whatever. We have some good young players too. Just not great, yet. We don't have a Tulowitzki or Braun, at least that I am aware of. Part of that is cause we have traded away some talent for guys like Pierre and, Ugh, Matt Clement.

We have a good base of players. I think it will just take signing the right players to compliment the base. Not necessarily the high priced super stars. Although, it would be hard to pass on an A-rod.

I know he choked in the playoffs, but Lilly is a great example. Hendry passed on the high priced Zito and Schmidt's of the world to sign a solid starting pitcher. Hole filled and he actually had better years than the two high priced guys combined.

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

He's not kidding. If you've read his posts on other threads, he's calling for the Cubs to dump almost every high-paid Cub for prospects, like what the "small-market" teams have been doing. He said that because "they're winning."

HeyHey, you can't get rid of Derek Lee. He's the best first baseman in the league! He hit about .320 for the entire season. Yes, he had an off year power-wise, but he's the cornerstone for the line-up and he's a Gold Glover. You also can't get rid of Aramis Ramirez. He's the guy that Cub fans have waited for since the team traded Ron Santo to the White Sox in 1973. Carlos Zambrano is the ace of the staff! He can't be traded even if you wanted to, because he has a no-trade clause in his new contract. Alfonso Soriano, though he had a drop-off this season, is a valuable player. He can throw out guys from left field!

Yeah. All those ideas are bad, you don't trade middle of the order guys for prospects when you only have a few positions what will be open in the next 4 years. Pie might be ok, but Tori Hunter is the best center fielder in baseball IMO, and guys like that are very rare. He also gets hurt quite a bit.

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

I know he choked in the playoffs, but Lilly is a great example. Hendry passed on the high priced Zito and Schmidt's of the world to sign a solid starting pitcher. Hole filled and he actually had better years than the two high priced guys combined.

Thats what makes Hendry a very smart GM IMO. There are always a number of players like that on the F/A market. Guys that are better than serviceable but not quite great players, just solid major league players. Thats what we need for the holes because I think this team has just the right amount of sluggers but not enough players with lots of guts, like Theriot, that can do all the little things that make a good team, a great team.

[SKIPPER 11]

Actually if you really look inside Lilys career this was a very smart move. I think he won 15 games last year with the Blue Jays with about a 4.3 ERA.

AL pitchers usually have about a .5 difference in ERA due to the DH.

But what was so smart about this move is he pitched in the AL EAST. Z faced Cincy 5 times this year. That means that Lily more than likely had to pitch 8-10 games a year vs. the Yanks and Red Sox. Of course to me these are 2 of the best lineups in baseball.

Wow- Just think if Halladay didnt have to pitch in that division

[SKIPPER 11]

I completely agree with you. Although I think they won one with sheffield. I am probably wrong but whatever. We have some good young players too. Just not great, yet. We don't have a Tulowitzki or Braun, at least that I am aware of. Part of that is cause we have traded away some talent for guys like Pierre and, Ugh, Matt Clement.

We have a good base of players. I think it will just take signing the right players to compliment the base. Not necessarily the high priced super stars. Although, it would be hard to pass on an A-rod.

I know he choked in the playoffs, but Lilly is a great example. Hendry passed on the high priced Zito and Schmidt's of the world to sign a solid starting pitcher. Hole filled and he actually had better years than the two high priced guys combined.



We have usually done well with home grown pitching- Z, WOOD, PRIOR, HILL and so on which is good. Believe me I would not pass on AROD either. Maybe we do have a young star in Soto, but Pie does not impress right now. Theriot is a nice player but he really wore down at seasons end.

[ARamfan]

Theriot is a nice player but he really wore down at seasons end.

Don't count him out though. He gave an unbelievable amount of effort and energy throughout most of the season. You have to remember, he's not used to the kind of pressure that was put on these guys to play and win. I think he just got exhausted. He was a spark plug and never gave up. He felt like he had to prove himself this year and, IMO he did. He just needs to learn to take a few days off here and there.

[weeghman]

We have usually done well with home grown pitching- Z, WOOD, PRIOR, HILL and so on which is good. Believe me I would not pass on AROD either. Maybe we do have a young star in Soto, but Pie does not impress right now. Theriot is a nice player but he really wore down at seasons end.

So true. Soto, so far, is as money as a catching prospect gets. He actually performed better in pressure situations. I liked him better after every at bat.

Pie, when on, is as exciting to watch as Jose Reyes. Unfortunately, I have only seen that twice from him. I don't know why but it seems like he is overwhelmed. I say I don't know why because he has been in the process of being groomed for, what I would think, was plenty of time.

As far as Theriot goes, you have to admire the grit. He gets things done. Sometimes I am not sure how but he does. You are right he seemed flat out run down by seasons end.

[SKIPPER 11]

I love Theriot as a player. I think he had some leg problems down the stretch but just gutted it out.

[weeghman]

I think he had some leg problems down the stretch but just gutted it out.

That could be. A whole offseason of rest and some grooming for the leadoff position... Who knows, maybe we have our Jeter.

:D


A man can dream right?=

[ARamfan]

I love Theriot as a player. I think he had some leg problems down the stretch but just gutted it out.

That's probably true, Skip. He did what he had to do to stay in the everyday lineup and not let Lou or the team down. He's 29, not old, but not young to be in the BIGS. I think he knew it might be his last chance. This is IMHO, but it's what I gathered. :)

[SkullKey]

" ..... Take Corey Patterson for example He was one of the top 25 prospects for years but has never lived up to expectations. I wouldn't count Pie out, but thus far he has been similar. ..... "

" ..... Pie really has not shown much and I wonder just how much his stock has dropped ..... "

I've been wondering this myself. His defense is exceptional but they may have become concerned if he will ever hit really well in the the Majors. Did you notice that Eric Patterson has been moved to CF ? This really made me wonder about Pie's status because CF might be exactly where Patterson would really flower - he could be exceptional and I'm guessing he will go north with th team next year aftr Spring Training. Just a feeling - he's a "comer".

Soto and Patterson help make me feel positive about 2008.

Add Schilling to the rotation for his last season (excellent #2 or 3 guy and a post-season hero - he really would have made a difference this year), 1 or 2 relief pitchers, an Alex Rodriguez (SS / 1B) or Andruw Jones (RF or CF) (or the like) and ..... ???