Trade Ideas

[Bims]

I figured I would start a thread with trade ideas some of us fans have that could help the Cubs. It's always fun for us fans to play GM. So lets try and come up with our own original trade ideas. Stuff we haven't heard in the media or read online. Lets try and make sure the trades make sense both financially and on the field for each team. Then give an explanation for why you think your trade would work.

[Bims]

Kosuke Fukudome to the Diamondbacks for Eric Byrnes ..... The Fukudome signing has not worked out for the Cubs. Cubs fans really got on him as the season went on. He went from a fan favorite to a goat real fast. The Cubs would love to get rid of his contract and move on. That isn't going to be easy. But with Arizona the Cubs may have a match. Arizona is in need of an OBP guy. Plus Byrnes has fallen out of favor ever since getting off to a slow start last season, and missing a ton of games due to injury. Byrnes will be making 11 million next season, while Fukudome will be making 11.5. So the money matches up. Byrnes contract is 1 less year. So thats 1 less year of an 11 million dollar burden that Fukudome would be. Byrnes has pop, can play defense, and is a gamer that the Cubs could really use on this team. He gets fired up and shows it with an all out effort on the field. The Diamondbacks may think that Fukudome could turn his hitting problems around. They know he will play defense and post nearly a + .100 OBP. With a change of scenery and a year of facing major league pitching under his belt maybe the Diamondbacks see him improving drastically. Kind of like Kaz Matsui did when he went from the Mets to the Rockies. It would also be less pressure in a smaller market.

[Jimmy Nordon]

Not a bad idea. I like EB a lot. He hustles on EVERY play. 2 years ago he said he had 8 or 9 extra doubles because he ran out a pop up. A++ for EB.

[Bims]

Not a bad idea. I like EB a lot. He hustles on EVERY play. 2 years ago he said he had 8 or 9 extra doubles because he ran out a pop up. A++ for EB. Yea he would be an instant fan favorite in Chicago. ... I'm sure you have a trade idea Nordon. It be awesome to hear from everyone. Lets go Brock. I'm interested to hear what you have up your sleeve. Same goes for Skip who's been MIA. Lets hear from everyone.

[TheBenjamin]

ok, here goes.

Fukudome we wont be able to trade, no matter who we get back, unless we eat some money. Minimum, we would have to eat that extra year, but I figure we would have to eat a bit more of that as I do not think anyone wants him at this point.

Pie will either be traded, or be on the 25 man roster next year. Unless they cut him. But he is out of options, and if he is put on waivers to try and get him back in the minors, he will be claimed. I dont think he has any trade value, so we might be stuck with him.

We have several No Trade Clause guys, and according to some reports in the paper the Cubs are wanting to trade Lee who seems to be the only player who would be willing to waive his no trade clause.

I would love to get us in a trade or a FA signing a left handed bat that can be a run producer. Our lineup is far to right handed.

I also think that we need to find a legit leadoff hitter

[Bims]

ok, here goes.

Fukudome we wont be able to trade, no matter who we get back, unless we eat some money. Minimum, we would have to eat that extra year, but I figure we would have to eat a bit more of that as I do not think anyone wants him at this point.

Pie will either be traded, or be on the 25 man roster next year. Unless they cut him. But he is out of options, and if he is put on waivers to try and get him back in the minors, he will be claimed. I dont think he has any trade value, so we might be stuck with him.

We have several No Trade Clause guys, and according to some reports in the paper the Cubs are wanting to trade Lee who seems to be the only player who would be willing to waive his no trade clause.

I would love to get us in a trade or a FA signing a left handed bat that can be a run producer. Our lineup is far to right handed.

I also think that we need to find a legit leadoff hitter
I hear ya Ben. You're right Fukudome will be hard to move. ... Give us a trade that will land us a left handed bat Ben. Lets make this a thread to vent well thought out trades. Sure they may not happen. But it's still fun to do.

[cubbie_kern]

neat thread. I enjoy hearing other ideas.

[TheBenjamin]

give me time to think about it.

But Id love to get Roberts and Crisp. 1-2 in the order, both switch hitters. Or maybe just Roberts, move Lee to teh 2 hole.

let me think up some stuff and psot it tomorrow

[Bockstock]

I'm trying to think of good OF LH bats that will be attainable and cheap for a year or two

Dejesus
Hermida

I think Pie will probably be traded, and the Cubs will go with a Fukudome/Johnson CF platoon. If the cubs re-sign Jimmy Ballgame, they'd still be left with two squares for round roles in Pie and Fukudome, so including Pie in some kind of trade (whether he has alot of value or not) makes sense.

[Bims]

Jason Marquis and Felix Pie to the Rockies for Brad Hawpe ..... The Rockies are starved for starting pitching as usual. If Marquis was on the open market he would get a good contract from someone. At the age of 30 Marquis is coming of an 11-9 season with a 4.53 ERA. He never gets hurt and will eat up innings. The Cubs would have to eat a little more then half of Marquis 9.9 million dollar contract ofcourse. So the Rockies would be getting a guy who will give them 180-210 solid innings for less then 5 million. They would also get Felix Pie and his declining potential. But that potential hasn't declined enough as to where teams won't still desire him somewhat. He's still only 23. Hawpe may be expendable based on his public spat with Rockies GM Dan O'dowd this past season. Hawpe may be that left handed bat the Cubs have been looking for. He will be making 5.5 million next season, and is signed for a little more then that in 2010 with an option for 2011. Hawpe has a good amount of power from the left side(29 HR 07', 25 HR 08'). He's also a nearly + .100 OBP guy. He is a solid defender in RF. He won't hit lefties well, and will strike out alot. But Hawpe is an underrated player around baseball.

[ICcubfan]

I would send Marquis, Marshall, Pie and Cedeno to Seattle for Ichiro. Keep Koske in RF and see if we can unload Soriano and then sign Adam Dunn (would have like to have Dunn three years ago).

[Bims]

I would send Marquis, Marshall, Pie and Cedeno to Seattle for Ichiro. Keep Koske in RF and see if we can unload Soriano and then sign Adam Dunn (would have like to have Dunn three years ago). Ichiro is a name I haven't heard for the Cubs this offseason. So you get points for originality. I also think it's very possible that the Cubs could indeed go after Ichiro. I think Ichiro will be made more available then ever especially with a new GM being named in Seattle. It will take alot more then the players you named to get him. But definitely a good start IC!

[Bims]

I'm trying to think of good OF LH bats that will be attainable and cheap for a year or two

Dejesus
Hermida

I think Pie will probably be traded, and the Cubs will go with a Fukudome/Johnson CF platoon. If the cubs re-sign Jimmy Ballgame, they'd still be left with two squares for round roles in Pie and Fukudome, so including Pie in some kind of trade (whether he has alot of value or not) makes sense. I like DeJesus alot. Hermida is very interesting also. Lets hear some specifics Brock. How can we land these guys?

[LeeEila's/rant]

Bims is right about the Rockies needing pitching but , Jason would be last on their list. He is a fly ball pitcher and would be a disaster there. The only thing we have worth trading is our pitching. It goes to my idea I was putting out when we made this trade , Harden for Holiday and Scott Helton . We mayhave to toss in some good prospects but it would clean up our line up a lot. We all know what Holiday is and what he would bring but , Helton would fill in in a greatly , left handed first baseman , hits for contact a good #2 or 3 hitter . Helton is coming off back surgery so he will be a gamble but , that also will make him affordable.
I really don't think we will see any great big moves this year . The resigning of Lou and Jim is telling us that Kenny is happy with the status quo .

[Bims]

Bims is right about the Rockies needing pitching but , Jason would be last on their list. He is a fly ball pitcher and would be a disaster there. The only thing we have worth trading is our pitching. It goes to my idea I was putting out when we made this trade , Harden for Holiday and Scott Helton . We mayhave to toss in some good prospects but it would clean up our line up a lot. We all know what Holiday is and what he would bring but , Helton would fill in in a greatly , left handed first baseman , hits for contact a good #2 or 3 hitter . Helton is coming off back surgery so he will be a gamble but , that also will make him affordable.
I really don't think we will see any great big moves this year . The resigning of Lou and Jim is telling us that Kenny is happy with the status quo . Marquis is very much a groundball pitcher. Hence the sinker. ..... Helton is way too injury prone and doesn't hit well outside of Coors. Holiday would cost the Cubs more then Harden.

[TheBenjamin]

I would send Marquis, Marshall, Pie and Cedeno to Seattle for Ichiro. Keep Koske in RF and see if we can unload Soriano and then sign Adam Dunn (would have like to have Dunn three years ago).

you have to be realistic when making trade proposals. They would never happen. No one wants Pie, Cedeno's value is very low, and Marshal is average. Marquis is slightly above average. we wont get Ichiro for them

[TheBenjamin]

one problem with trading some of uor guys, is that they have no trade clauses or that their contract is too large (ie Fukudome)

Sorianio, Lee, Ram Zambrabno all have no trade clauses. they will only go if they want to go

[TheBenjamin]

the more I think about it, we are only going to make one or two trades/FA signings at most (if any).

Ichiro could happen since alot of their players hate him and thinnk he is selfish. But I dont know if we have enough in our system to trade for him.

Pie has no value anymore. He has been exposed.
Fuld has fallen off the face of the earth.
Hoffpauer maybe. He would fit in perfectly in the AL as he looks like a solid DH. He cant field.
Veal, like Fuld we haven't heard much of lately
Vitters, Colvin would almost have to be in any trade where we are trying to get a top notch player to fill the CF/RF gap.
Soriano, Ram wont go anywhere, They likely wont give up their no trade clause. Lee also has the clause but he may waive it if he can be closer to his home. But we have no one to fill in at 1B, so I say he keep him.

Here is my offer for Ichiro...
Hoffpauer, Vitters, Colvin, Marshall. (Beltre sucks and is getting old fast, so Vitters could slide in, they could use a good DH (no idea who they have) Hoff could fit in. They need an OF to replace Ichiro and COlvin is close to major league ready. And they get a majopr league ready pitcher.

Keep Fukudome play him in CF platoon with Johnson. Bat them 8.

OF is Soriano, Fukudome, Ichiro
3B-1B is Ram Theriot DeRosa Lee
C-Soto

Batting order
Ichiro
Lee (still has a good OBP and hits doubles)
Ram
Soriano
Soto
DeRosa
Fukudome/Johnson
Theroit
Pitcher

Bench
Johnson, Blanco, Cedeno, Pie (out of options and has no value. might be cut) Ward (option picked up if Hoffpauir is traded)

That leaves us with a void in our Starting rotation, though Dempster is said to be a lock to be resigned. And Wood in the bullpen might be replaced, though I would love to see him kept.

Zamrano
Harden
Lilly
Marquis
???

and our bullpen is a mess. Lots of needs here.

Marmol is all we definetly have if we trade Marshall.

[Bims]

Here is my offer for Ichiro...
Hoffpauer, Vitters, Colvin, Marshall. (Beltre sucks and is getting old fast, so Vitters could slide in, they could use a good DH (no idea who they have) Hoff could fit in. They need an OF to replace Ichiro and COlvin is close to major league ready. And they get a majopr league ready pitcher.

I think the Cubs need to hang on to Vitters. He's the only position player in the minors who will be in the Cubs future. Plus he will be ready to play by the time Aramis is out of his prime. It's the perfect bridge to long term 3B stability. I'd much rather trade Marmol in any deal.

[Bockstock]

I like DeJesus alot. Hermida is very interesting also. Lets hear some specifics Brock. How can we land these guys?

I like Hermida alot. He has had some injury problems, but he seems like a good buy-low candidate

I'm sure Jose Ceda would have to be involved, he's the Cubs best pitching prospect who hasn't accrued any MLB service time. I really don't know at this point if the Cubs can make a trade without involving Marshall. Wells and Atkins might be good filler for a trade, but that's about it.

[Bockstock]

. No one wants Pie, Cedeno's value is very low, and Marshal is average. Marquis is slightly above average. we wont get Ichiro for them

All of those players are still worth more than Hoffpauir

[Bims]

Derrek Lee to the Yankees for Robinson Cano ..... One team we all know money isn't an issue with is the New York Yankees. The Yankees need a good 1B after letting Jason Giambi go to free agency. They would prefer a 1B that can actually play defense. Lee could be that perfect fit. The Cubs would not have to eat any salary in this deal. In Cano the Cubs would get a 26 year old lefthanded hitting talented 2B. Cano has pop and will hit around .300. He batted .340 3 seasons ago. He is also signed to a very reasonable contract. He's got 3 years left on a 4 year 28 million dollar deal. With options for 2012 and 2013. That will span over his prime production. The Cubs will then have the option of moving im to 1B. Or maybe trade DeRosa and move Cano to 2B. Which would then allow then to sign Adam Dunn to play 1B with the money they saved in trading Lee. It gives the Cubs that lefthanded bat they seek, and gives them plenty of flexibility for future moves.

[TheBenjamin]

All of those players are still worth more than Hoffpauir

how so? Hoff may not be a great fielder, but he can hit. thats why he would be the perfect DH

the other guys can field, but cant hit worth a lick

[Bims]

how so? Hoff may not be a great fielder, but he can hit. thats why he would be the perfect DH

the other guys can field, but cant hit worth a lick Hoff is 28 and is limited as to what positions he can play. A 28 year old DH with not much MLB playing time under his belt has to be a secondary player in a deal. Cedeno and Pie have higher value.

[LeeEila's/rant]

Derrek Lee to the Yankees for Robinson Cano ..... One team we all know money isn't an issue with is the New York Yankees. The Yankees need a good 1B after letting Jason Giambi go to free agency. They would prefer a 1B that can actually play defense. Lee could be that perfect fit. The Cubs would not have to eat any salary in this deal. In Cano the Cubs would get a 26 year old lefthanded hitting talented 2B. Cano has pop and will hit around .300. He batted .340 3 seasons ago. He is also signed to a very reasonable contract. He's got 3 years left on a 4 year 28 million dollar deal. With options for 2012 and 2013. That will span over his prime production. The Cubs will then have the option of moving im to 1B. Or maybe trade DeRosa and move Cano to 2B. Which would then allow then to sign Adam Dunn to play 1B with the money they saved in trading Lee. It gives the Cubs that lefthanded bat they seek, and gives them plenty of flexibility for future moves.

I don't think it will be a go. Lee wants the left coast.

[TheBenjamin]

thats why i am not talking about the players who have no trade clauses.

Anyway, Pie has no value. He cant hit. at all. As bad or worse then Fukudome. Second half Fukudome to be more exact.

Cedeno can play anywhere, but is limited in hitting.

DH's are usually players who cant play defense. Ortiz, Thome (anymore) Thomas, Giambi ect.

He would fit as a DH IMO

[Bims]

thats why i am not talking about the players who have no trade clauses.

Anyway, Pie has no value. He cant hit. at all. As bad or worse then Fukudome. Second half Fukudome to be more exact.

Cedeno can play anywhere, but is limited in hitting.

DH's are usually players who cant play defense. Ortiz, Thome (anymore) Thomas, Giambi ect.

He would fit as a DH IMO Yea but players wave no trade clauses all the time. When a player knows he's not wanted over 50% of the time he's willing to wave his no trade clause. Players have egos. They don't wanna play where they aren't wanted. ..... Pie is only 23 years old and plays CF which is a valued position in major league baseball. He already has both above average speed and defense. Other teams may see him developing at the plate in their system. He doesn't have 2006 Felix Pie value. But he still has solid value. ... Cedeno is 25 years old and plays SS which is a valued position in baseball. He also had a solid showing at the plate this season. He has 329 major league games over the course of 4 seasons under his belt at the major league level. He plays good defense and has speed. Other teams may see him improving at the plate. ... Hoffpauir is 28 years old and only has 73 at bats over the course of only 33 games in 1 season under his belt at the major league level. So who knows how good he can be over the course of an entire season? He can't play any positions in the field. So he's left with being a DH. A not so highly valued position in major league baseball. He has zero speed. So it all comes down to hitting with Hoffpauir. When a DH gets in a slump what does he bring to a team? Not very much. Position players value always trumps that of a DH. And once again how does the team acquiring Hoffpauir no he will hit over the course of an entire season? At 28 years old he has given no evidence either way.

[TheBenjamin]

Edgar Martinez is another gu whose career started around the same age of 28. He is one of the best.

[Bims]

Edgar Martinez is another gu whose career started around the same age of 28. He is one of the best.
The one dimensional DH only players like Edward Martinez who bring good value to the DH position are few and far between. Before he turned 28 Edgar Martinez had 633 at bats under his belt at the big league level. That was over the course of 4 seasons. And again that was all before the age of 28. Already 28 years old Micah Hoffpauir has a grand total of 73 at bats at the major league level under his belt. That was over the span of 1 season. By the time next season starts Hoffpauir will be 29 years old.

[Bockstock]

If you're going to use the age argument, Pie is better at age 23 than Hoffpaiur was at age 23, and Hoff played in college.

I like Hoffpaiur, but Cub fans are way overestimating his value. There are a plentitude of guys like him in the Cubs system, Doug Deeds, Matt Craig, James Adduci, Blake Lalli, guys who put up awesome numbers but are way old for their level, which gets back to one of my complaints about the Cubs minor league system - they don't promote their college hitters aggressively enough. I understand Hoff lost a year and a half because of a broken arm, and it took him another half year to recover, but it seems a recurring trend.

[LeeEila's/rant]

If you're going to use the age argument, Pie is better at age 23 than Hoffpaiur was at age 23, and Hoff played in college.

I like Hoffpaiur, but Cub fans are way overestimating his value. There are a plentitude of guys like him in the Cubs system, Doug Deeds, Matt Craig, James Adduci, Blake Lalli, guys who put up awesome numbers but are way old for their level, which gets back to one of my complaints about the Cubs minor league system - they don't promote their college hitters aggressively enough. I understand Hoff lost a year and a half because of a broken arm, and it took him another half year to recover, but it seems a recurring trend.

Completely agree !! We Cub fans keep getting fed these supposedly great players , like Pie , and we just keep gobbling it up. Heck Josh Kroeger looks more like the real deal than Hoff.
The more I think about it and the things the Cubs have done , Lou signed 4 years ditto Jim Hendry , it looks like they are content with what they have and will not make any moves at least nothing that will make a big difference.

[ICcubfan]

Whatever we do we better do it fast because we have about a two year window to win here if we keep Sori, Lee, Rammy, Dero all at 33-35 years old now.

[Doba]

The thing that I see in Hoffpauir is the same thing that we saw in Soto in 07. Huge offensive numbers in AAA. I don't know if we could catch lightning in a bottle twice, but it is possible.

[Bockstock]

Soto is the first guy who's matched his numbers at Iowa in the MLB

The PCL has some of the most inflated offensive numbers of all minor leagues. It makes guys like Bobby Scales and jason Dubois look like sure-fire major leaguers.

[Drockvb]

Ichiro would be nice in center.

[TheBenjamin]

I dont think Ichiro is a CF player. More of a corner OF

[Doba]

Ichiro played center for a few years at Seattle. Maybe bringing him in would ease Kosuke's mind and help him relax.

[Bims]

Michael Wuertz, Kevin Hart, and Michah Hoffpauir to the Red Sox for Coco Crisp ..... The Cubs would be getting an above average defensive CF in his prime. Crisp has both pop and speed as a switch hitter. The Red Sox have a log jam in the outfield. Crisp was basically used as a defensive replacement as this past season went on. With Jason Bay, Jacoby Ellsbury, and J.D. Drew in the mix that's all Crisp would be next season. And at close to 6 million that's too expensive for a defensive replacement, even for the Red Sox. The Cubs would take on the whole 6 million no questions asked. In return the Red Sox would get a guy for their bullpen in Wuertz. A bat for their bench in Hoffpauir. And another player in the mix for a bullpen spot in Hart.

[TheBenjamin]

not a bad idea.... but would hte BoSox do it?

[SkullKey]

No...do you?

[Bockstock]

That's way too much for Crisp.

He hasn't been the same since he broke his wrist. His numbers look the same as Fukudome's.

With Fukudome and Crisp that's 16 million for mediocre offensive production.

[Bims]

That's a pretty solid trade idea. The fact that you have Ben and Skull wondering/saying the Red Sox wouldn't do it. Then you have Brock saying the Cubs would be giving up too much. While I was making that trade idea I was thinking along the same lines as Brock did. I thought it may be a little too much to give up for Crisp. But here's why I don't think it is: Crips is only 28 years old and has a ton of MLB service time under his belt. Crisp is a very good defensive CF. And their is always the chance that Crisp gets back to his old form, especially with a change of scenery. Crisp did hit .283 last season with 20 SB. I can see him becoming a very good player again. I think the Red Sox can also.

[TheBenjamin]

Lee & Marquis for Peavy.

Lee wants to be on the west coast with his family if he is going to move. they get a pitcher to replace Peavy. Maybe another player from SD..... maybe not.

but then we need to replace Lee.... not that easy witht he market out there. Doubt we can get Texiera

[Bims]

Lee & Marquis for Peavy.

Lee wants to be on the west coast with his family if he is going to move. they get a pitcher to replace Peavy. Maybe another player from SD..... maybe not.

but then we need to replace Lee.... not that easy witht he market out there. Doubt we can get Texiera
San Diego already has Adrian Gonzalez playing first base. Gonzalez is not only better and younger then DLee. But he's cheaper. San Diego is going to want cheap young talent in any deal for Peavy. They aren't going to take on salary.

[TheBenjamin]

ok, just throwing it out there

[Bockstock]

Now would be a good time to have someone like Travis Snider to dangle out there, instead the Cubs have Colvin, who just had TJ surgery and will be out through the first half of 2009.

One less 'chip'

[TheBenjamin]

ouch, I didn't hear about that. that hurts

[LeeEila's/rant]

The Rockies are wanting to deal Matt Holliday . I am telling you all that is where we are going , look for a Harden deal. It is the deal I wanted at the all star break , a little late.

[Bims]

The Rockies are wanting to deal Matt Holliday . I am telling you all that is where we are going , look for a Harden deal. It is the deal I wanted at the all star break , a little late. The only place Harden is going is Mesa for spring training.

[LeeEila's/rant]

The only place Harden is going is Mesa for spring training.

If we keep him I am willing to bet that by June we will be paying him to take warm baths and not pitching.

We have been this route before and Rothchild has never shown that he can extend and injured pitcher.

[Bims]

If we keep him I am willing to bet that by June we will be paying him to take warm baths and not pitching.

We have been this route before and Rothchild has never shown that he can extend and injured pitcher. It's not Rothchild's job to extend an injured pitcher. It's Rothchild's job to get pitchers ready for in game situations. It's Rothchild's job to help develop young pitchers(Marmol, Marshall). But it is not Rothchild's job to keep an often injured pitcher healthy. That job is on the shoulders of the trainers/medical staff/player himself. ..... Lee you could very well be right that Harden ends up injured. But you could also be wrong. That's the risk any team Harden's on takes. Harden is very much worth the risk. The upside that Harden brings to the mound is something the Cubs can't pass up. He's under contract for 1 more season at a great price(7 million). You guys are talking like he just came off a season where he had Tommy John surgery. He made 25 starts and pitched 150 innings. Next season he will build on that. Harden is no garuntee to stay healthy. We all know that he can slip on a banana peel and be out for the season. But if Harden is able to stay healthy and build off of his 2008 season the Cubs wil have one of the best pitchers in baseball on their hands!

[Bims]

Carlos Marmol, Micah Hoffpauir, and Welington Castillo to The Marlins for Scott Olsen and Jeremy Hermida ..... This is a deal full of cheap young talent. Just the kind of thing the cost conscious Marlins like. The Cubs would be getting that left handed bat in RF they've ben wanting. They'd also be getting a good young starting lefty to plug into the rotation for years to come. The Marlins have a full outfield with Ross, Willingham, and top prospect Cameron Maybin being ready to start next season. So Hermida is expendable. They also have a very full rotation with top pitching prospect Andrew Miller being ready to go next season. So Olsen is also expendable. The Marlins would be getting upgrades at major positions in this deal. Kevin Gregg is just not a closer. The Marlins will happily plug Marmol into that role. The Marlins are also without a good young cathcher. John Baker and Matt Treanor just aren't going to cut it. Welington Castillo is major league ready defensively behind the plate. Offensively he has come along way. He may not be ready in 09'. But will be ready by 10'. With Soto behind the plate their is no room for Castillo with the Cubs. Finally Hoffpauir can be used in a bunch of different ways by the Marlins. He can be a left handed bat off the bench. Or he can be part of a platoon at 1B if the Marlins go through with trading Mike Jacobs(very likey). In an exchange for young talented players, this is a deal where both teams win short term.