The Weekender: Happy Halladays!

I am no stranger to being teased on a Friday night, but to hear the Toronto Blue Jays have contacted the Chicago Cubs about ace Roy Halladay, I could not resist.

That would be like like the hottest girl at the bar (you know, the one that is totally out of your league) coming up to you and asking if she could take you home ... and she's sober!

All sexual frustration references aside, hauling in Halladay would be the kind of move that would make me come around and drop the Jim Hendry fat jokes.  OK, maybe not.  But there would be significantly less ... at least at this site.

I am not going to be one of those Cubs fans who is going to break down every trade scenario on what it would take to get Halladay in Cubbie blue pinstripes.  I will say that he is the kind of player I would be (and Hendry should be) willing to trade multiple top prospects to acquire.  If getting Halladay means giving up Josh Vitters and Starlin Castro, then so be it. 

Prospects are just that.  Prospects.  Young players with a high ceiling, but also with a low floor.  Guys like Corey Patterson, Hee Seop Choi, Mark Prior and Felix Pie have had moments of success before eventually flaming out.  The Cubs, a team currently constructed to win now, cannot afford to wait on prospects to develop.  And when that is the case, you might as well deal 'em while their worth is at its highest.

And before Cubs fans cry about not wanting to deal the future, consider these Halladay numbers:

• 96 starts
  
• 53 wins
• 700 1/3 innings pitched
• 686 strikeouts
• 25 complete games (7 shutouts)
  
• 1.141 WHIP
• 3.09 earned run average
• A 32-20 record, 3.56 ERA, 1.195 WHIP, 390 strikeouts in 516.2 innings vs. the Red Sox & Yankees
  

If you are not willing to trade a pair of high-risk, high-reward players for the best pitchers in baseball, you might be clinically insane.

(As a side note, Halladay has one career start against the St. Louis Cardinals.  In that start, he allowed 5 hits and 1 earned run in a complete-game win.  Food for thought Cubs fans.  Now for the rest of your weekend links pictures of ridiculously hot chicks!)

Miguel Cabrera Anyone?

The Detroit Tigers have a little more than $102 million tied into bad contracts.  It's probably why the Tigers are slashing contracts like it was an everything-must-go sales event.

But while the Chicago Cubs have apparently shown interest in Curtis Granderson, the guy they should be going after is Miguel Cabrera.

Last I checked, as the offseason got underway, the Cubs said they were looking for a power-hitting corner outfielder.  And unlike last season, they didn't care whether or not he batted left-handed or right-handed.  So, while adding Granderson would be a nice addition, Cabrera is the player GM Jim Hendry and manager Lou Piniella have stated that they want on the 2010 roster.

Cabrera hasn't played outfield since 2005, and has not played right field since 2004.  Since moving to the American League, Cabrera has shifted to become primarily a corner infielder.  However, it should not stop the Cubs from inquiring about what it would take to get his services.

He posted a .324/.396/.547/.942 slash line with 34 home runs and 103 runs batted in.  In his career, Cabrera has averaged .311/.383/.542/.925 with 33 HRs and 117 RBIs.  There are only two players on the free agent market who can put up those kinds of numbers and neither of them have significant experience playing right field..

Miggie has $126 million coming his way over the next six years in a contract that will take him through age 32.  Whichever team willing to pick him up would be getting Cabrera in his prime.  And while there are some issues with his defense, you have to think Cabrera is no worse than Milton Bradley out in right field.

The Cubs should take note that Cabrera is a career .295/.372/.500/.873 hitter in day games and owns a .351/.417/568/.984 slash line in 84 plate appearances at Wrigley Field.

On top of that, signing Cabrera would serve as a great contingency plan if the team wanted to part ways with Derrek Lee after this season when he becomes a free agent after the 2010 season.  D-Lee would be 35 on April 28 of the 2011 season, while Ramirez would be  Cabrera would be only 28.  Come to think of it, if Aramis Ramirez opted out of his contract after the end of the 2009 campaign, Cabrera could fill in at third base.

There's a lot of talk externally (and I imagine internally as well) about whether or not the Cubs should consider dealing their top prospects (3B Josh Vitters, SS Starlin Castro, SP Andrew Cashner) in an offseason deal.  I figure, if you're going to deal your best prospects to the Detroit Tigers, do it for the guy who has averaged 35 homers, 116 ribbies, a .312 batting average and a .931 OPS over the last three seasons.

And for those of you keeping score at home, that guy is Miguel Cabrera.  Not Curtis Granderson.

Time To Bring Curtis Granderson Home

The Cubs have had opportunities to fill holes through free agency over the last few seasons.  Now it's time to hit the trade waters and bring Curtis Granderson back to Sweet Home Chicago.

Jim Hendry brought in Alfonso Soriano to jumpstart the line-up.  And for two years, he did just that.  He brought in Ted Lilly to help anchor the rotation.  Since joining the Cubs, Lilly has a 44-26 record.  Hendry was blasted for signing Mark DeRosa, then blasted harder after he traded him away.

However, the last two offseasons have seen Hendry swing and miss, much like the players he brought in.  Kosuke Fukudome was brought in and he was hyped as a Hideki Matsui/Ichiro Suzuki hybrid.  While Kosuke's patience helped change the Cubs' approach at the plate, his whirlybird routine during strikeouts have been an eye sore.

As for Milton Bradley, I don't have to even go there, do I?

So, here we are in November 2009 and for the fourth consecutive offseason, the Cubs are looking for an outfield bat to help the offense.  TBDS was among the first to discuss a Granderson-to-Chicago deal before the Johnnie-come-latelys came, fucked up our village and stole our women thunder.  Now, there will be many major league teams looking to bring Granderson to their team and it is Hendry's job to prevent that from happening.

At 29, Granderson would be the youngest among the Cubs' outfield trio.  And arguably, the most talented.  He would be the unit's best defender at a position where defense is at a premium.  One of baseball's best gap defenders, the Cubs need Granderson to make up for the lack of range by the corner outfielders.

In the batter's box, Granderson's skills are further highlighted.  He is one of baseball's premier lead-off men, with a .276/.336/.516/.853 line leading off a game, .276/.340/.518/.858 line leading off an inning and a .273/.345/.485/.830 line when he's the team's No. 1 hitter.

As well as Granderson covers the gaps is as well as he peppers the ball into the gap.  Since 2006, Granderson has smacked 118 doubles, 53 triples and 94 home runs.  His 2007 season is among one of the best statistical seasons for any player in the history of baseball.  A rare player with speed and power, Granderson hit 38 doubles, 23 triples, 23 home runs and stole 26 bases.

Speed and power are two areas in which the Cubs were sorely lacking in 2009, ranking last in steals and 10th of 16 NL teams in on-base plus slugging percentage.

I cannot say this enough.  The Cubs need Curtis Granderson.  Heck, Phil Rogers agrees with me -- and Phil Rogers' good ideas come around as often as playoff victories for the North Side Nine.

So, where do we start?

Suddenly, Josh Vitters becomes very touchable.  In fact, there is no prospect who should be deemed untouchable when a talent such as Granderson is on the market.  The Tigers will likely lose their closer, Fernando Rodney, to free agency.  Should Carlos Marmol be dangled?  The Cubs have internal options (Angel Guzman, Esmailin Caridad) as well as free agent options (Jose Valverde, Billy Wagner, Mike Gonzalez & Rafael Soriano) on the market.

Detroit also needs a proven MLB shortstop.  Ryan Theriot, your plane is departing shortly.

In fact, the Cubs have exactly what the Tigers are looking for in a trade partner.  Young arms and a need for a player of Granderson's stature.

Does a package highlighted by Vitters and Marmol, with Sean Marshall and Ryan Theriot do the trick?  Well, that's for Jim Hendry to decide.

If he somehow pulls it off, he might be in line to get a box of donuts sent his way.

Hot Stove Tease: Roy Halladay

Two years ago, it was second baseman Brian Roberts.  Last year, it was Jake Peavy.  This year it will be Roy Halladay.

But unlike the last two offseasons, count me out of the Hot Stove's hottest topic.  Over the summer, Roy Halladay received more interest on the open market than a well-developed teenager at a R. Kelly concert.  The rumor mill will rotate more quickly this winter as there will be more teams interested that will not be battling stringent demands and a deadline at the same time.

Let's thank the Daily Herald prematurely for crushing our souls with the latest tease:

One interesting scenario has new Toronto Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos indicating he'd be open to trading ace pitcher Roy Halladay, who becomes a free agent next fall after he's scheduled to make $15.75 million in 2010. 

Halladay has a no-trade clause in his contract, but he's said he'd like to play for a contender, and the Cubs seem closer to getting back to the playoffs than do the Blue Jays. To get Halladay, the Cubs must move money.

Could Hendry package Bradley and prospects for Halladay? Bradley could thrive in the relatively quiet environs of Toronto, and Halladay would provide an instant jolt to the Cubs' rotation.

Cubs fans, you'll be let down this offseason when Roy Halladay is pitching in Toronto and Milton Bradley is starting in right field.  I won't be, for I have begun to prepared for the worse.

Some suggest Ted Lilly to be back in April after his offseason surgeryl, but recent history suggests if Prior Wood Lilly returns at all, it will be sometime in August.  So, I have prepared for 20 Tom Gorzelanny starts.  And thanks to the folks at HJE, I'll do so without getting alcohol poisoning.

As for Bradley, don't come crying to me if he enters spring training with the team.  Thanks to Jim Hendry's thoughtless season-ending suspension, teams should have no inspiration to acquire a malcontent coming off his healthiest, yet, least productive season.

Do I expect the Cubs to make changes in 2010?  Yes.  They have a new owner who is bringing a fresh philosophy to the table.  And even though Hendry is the GM that brought Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez through the trade market, he's also the same guy who bid against himself for Bradley and Aaron Miles while trading a once untouchable commodity that will be under team control for years to come for one shitty year of Kevin Gregg.

In Hendry I trust?  No.  In a real GM, I lust.

Hot Stove Hopefuls: Joe Nathan

Editor's Note: Nothing says playoff baseball like the MLB hot stove.  The only thing more amusing than fans playing GM is when beat writers do it.  Usually they do it with more pizazz and insight than Joe Blogger -- myself included.  Hot Stove Hopefuls highlights some of the hot names on the market and tries to find a spot for them on the Cubs.

Today's feature: Joe Nathan

Player: Joe Nathan (baseball-reference.com bio page)
Age: 34
Current Team: Minnesota Twins
Contract Details: 2 years, $22.5 million signed in March 2008 (plus $12.5 million club option and $2 million buyout for 2012)
Publication: "2. Get out from under the last half of Nathan's large contract (two years, $22.5 million) by trading him. The Cubs might take him."
Source: Patrick Reuse, Minnesota Star Tribune 

Despite Milton Bradley's antics and lack of production, there is no Chicago Cubs player I despised more than Kevin Gregg.  Whether it was his goggles or the flat low-90s fastball that opposing hitters teed off on, nothing was more aggravating than watching the Cubs closer deliver walk-off wins for the opponents.

Enter stage left, Joe Nathan.

Nathan has been one of baseball's best closers since being acquired by the Minnesota Twins (along with Francisco Liriano and Boof Bonser) from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for A.J. Pierzynski.  (Yet, Brian Sabean still finds a way to get a contract extension.  I digress.)  He has averaged 41 saves since becoming the Twins' closer in 2004 and has made four All Star Game appearances in his six years in Minnesota.

Over the last three years, Nathan has accumulated 123 saves for a competitive Twins team.  He's racked up 240 strikeouts in 206 2/3 innings.  Nathan's WHIP has only crept above 1.00 once, and that was in 2007 where he converted 37 saves and posted a WHIP of 1.019.  In his tenure with the Twinkies, Nathan's WHIP is 0.934 and earned run average is 1.87.

This past season, Nathan posted a 2.10 ERA -- his highest since posting a 2.70 ERA in 2005.  He is among baseball's elite closers, and even though Carlos Marmol was perfect after replacing Kevin Gregg, there is no such thing has having too much depth in the bullpen.  It would move Marmol back into the eighth inning and Angel Guzman back to the seventh.  And all of a sudden, the Cubs are playing in six-inning ball games.

WHAT CAN THE CUBS OFFER?

Among Reusse's list of demands is a shortstop that won't be as pricey or old as free-agent-to-be Orlando Cabrera.  This is where GM Jim Hendry gives Ryan Theriot a one-way ticket to Minnesota and wishes him good luck on his future endeavors.  As much as I bash Theriot, he'd be a perfect fit with the scrappy Piranhas.  The Riot is a career .295 hitter March through August.  If he can finally figure out September, who knows how much better he could be.  (Hint: Only marginally better.)

Also on Reusse's list for Santa Twins management to get is a starting pitcher, preferably one not named Livan Hernandez.  Lucky for the Twins, the Cubs have several of those guys ... and they all happen to be younger, cheaper and not as fat.  The Cubs could offer any of the following: Sean Marshall, Tom Gorzelanny, Jeff Samardzija, or even Randy Wells.  The Cubs have a bevy of young arms they seem pleased enough to throw in as a middle of the rotation starter that would be a better, less expensive version of Livan.

The Twins also seem to be lacking bullpen arms, so the Cubs could theoretically dangle middle relief help in the form of Jeff Stevens, Justin Berg, Mitch Atkins or Esmailin Caridad.  Heck, I'd become a Twins fan if they took Aaron Heilman off the Cubs' hands just for shits and giggles.

Finally, Reusse also asks for outfield help, seeing that he wants Carlos Gomez to get a full year of seasoning in Rochester, N.Y.  The Cubs' youthful outfielders are limited, but Sam Fuld and Tyler Colvin come to mind.  And at what point do you think the Cubs could trade Jake Fox while his value is high?  Minnesota seems like a good fit for a right-handed hitting, lefty-mashing designated hitter to complement the hitting prowess of Jason Kubel.

The Cubs and Twins nearly made a deal for Rich Harden, but that fell through when Hendry didn't have the foresight to know the Cubs were no longer contenders despite the fact that everyone else in Chicago knew how things would transpire once September began.  The last time these two hooked up on a deal, it helped land the Cubs Nomar Garciaparra, but it might always go down as the deal that sent Orlando Cabrera (there's that name again!) to Boston.

Can Jim Hendry do it again?  Maybe if you entice him with a glazed donut, it might speed up the process.

Should the Cubs try to acquire Twins closer Joe Nathan?

• Yes. Anyone but Kevin Gregg!
• No. Carlos Marmol is the man!

Created on Oct 16, 2009

View Results

poll by twiigs.com

 

Is Terrell Owens The Missing Piece In Chicago?

 Photo via

The good news is that there is a player on the open market that can help the Chicago Bears.  He has averaged more than 1,100 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns per season over the last three years.  And in the biggest game of his career, he caught nine balls and racked up 122 receiving yards.

The bad news is that his name is Terrell Owens.


At this point it is speculation as pure as the stuff The Clipse talks about dealing in their albums.  But thanks to some whispers, the speculation is heating up.  Kind of like the stuff Pusha T and Malice talk about in their albums.

(OK.  That's enough hip-hop/cocaine references for one blog post.)

If this was a Madden NFL 10 trade being proposed to me, I'd accept it in a heartbeat.  On XBOX 360, I wouldn't have to deal with Owens' shenanigans.  But to his credit, he has kept himself out of the limelight despite struggling with Trent Edwards under center and Dick Jauron as his boss.  Owens is one of the most talented pass catchers in the league, and would be on his way to a Hall of Fame career had he not been a Hall of Fame home-wrecker in San Francisco, Philadelphia and Dallas.  Oh, then there was that stint in Baltimore.

When Owens was a free agent, I suggested the Bears take a look at Owens.  That was before they had Jay Cutler.

Now, the Bears have Jay Cutler -- a real NFL QB -- and a 3-1 record.  So, I propose to you this scenario.

At 5-0, the Minnesota Vikings are not only the class of the NFC North, but could also make a case of being the class of the entire NFC.  They have the most explosive running back in the NFL.  Their defense is among the league's best.  And their quarterback whose name does not bear mentioning is one of the all-time greats at his position and is motivated as all hell to stick it to his former team.

Come to think of it, Minnesota could use an upgrade at wide receiver.  Despite you-know-who's presence in the pocket, Bernard Berrian doesn't have DBs shaking in their cleats.

Owens is a game changer.  A playmaker.  Someone opposing defenses game plan around.  In the off-season, Owens signed a one-year deal with Buffalo.  The Bills could be looking to send him off and get something for him while they can.

Do you see where I'm going with this?

The Bears could be looking to add a piece the team has never had before.  The last time the Bears had a receiver reach the 1,000-yard plateau, it was Marty Booker.  He did it in 2002.  Conversely, Owens has caught 439 passes accumulated 6,602 receiving yards and 67 touchdowns from 2003 to 2008.  As for Booker, he's currently out of the league.

And Owens would be motivated as ever.  He'd be looking to prove his critics wrong.  If successful, he would make Buffalo look like the inept franchise it is as it features an offense that is offensive to the eyes and a lame-duck head coach that makes lame ducks bow their necks in shame.

Did I mention Owens is on a one-year deal?  It's the kind of deal that has spurred Cedric Benson's hot start.  Could joining a contender down the stretch help spark Owens' career revival?

I think so.  Especially if all it is going to cost is a draft pick.

Hot Stove Hopefuls: Curtis Granderson

Editor's Note: Nothing says playoff baseball like the MLB hot stove.  The only thing more amusing than fans playing GM is when beat writers do it.  Usually they do it with more pizazz and insight than Joe Blogger -- myself included.  Hot Stove Hopefuls highlights some of the hot names on the market and tries to find a spot for them on the Cubs.

Today's feature: Curtis Granderson.

Player: Curtis Granderson (baseball-reference.com bio page)

Age:28

Current Team: Detroit Tigers
Contract Details: 3 years, $23.75 million remaining on a five-year deal worth $30.25 million when signed in February 2008 (plus $13 million club option for 2013)

Publication: "The Tigers need help, possibly lots of it. There are better ways to acquire necessary players than to trade your leadoff batter and center fielder, but the Tigers may have no choice if the right package is offered.
Granderson has the kind of clout (30 HRs, eight 3Bs, 23 2Bs, 20 SBs) and manageable contract that could make him, at age 28, a player capable of bringing a significant return on a trade. A blue-chip relief pitcher and middle infielder, perhaps, with maybe a replacement-level center fielder as part of a possible two-player acquisition for Detroit."
Source: Lynn Henning, Detroit News


The Blue Island, Ill., native might be exactly what manager Lou Piniella is looking for in an offseason acquisition.  Granderson has averaged 25 home runs, 29 doubles and 14 triples over the last three years out Detroit's lead-off spot.  With a career OPS of .828, Granderson is only two years removed from a remarkable 20-20-20-20 season in which he collected at least 20 homers, doubles, triples and stolen bases.

Granderson would clearly improve the Cubs' outfield defense with his presence in center field.  The move could also move Kosuke Fukudome to his natural position in right field.  Offensively, Granderson's 2009 production would help improve an outfield whose offensive output was inept.  In 2009, Fukudome, Milton Bradley and Alfonso Soriano combined to hit .252/.352/.413.765 with 43 HRs and 149 RBIs.

And, hey, who doesn't love a homecoming story?

WHAT CAN THE CUBS OFFER?

"A blue-chip relief pitcher and middle infielder, perhaps, with maybe a replacement-level center fielder as part of a possible two-player acquisition for Detroit" is what the article references, so let's start there.

If the Cubs are looking to deal a "replacement-level center fielder" they can start with Tyler Colvin.  One of the Cubs' top prospects, he was the No. 13 overall pick in the 2006 draft.  GM Jim Hendry could also possibly dangle Sam Fuld and see if he is beloved in Detroit as he is with some of the bleacher bums at Wrigley.  As for relievers, the Cubs could offer Jeff Samardzija if they can get him to waive his no-trade clause, or Jeff Stevens, who the Cubs acquired from the Cleveland Indians in the Mark DeRosa deal.  Other names could include Angel Guzman, Esmailin Caridad, Justin Berg or Mitch Adkins.

As for a middle-infielder, shorstop Ryan Theriot could fit the bill, but prospect Starlin Castro might intrigue the Tigers moreso than The Riot.

The Tigers also might be looking for someone to fill the role of designated hitter.  Enter another fan favorite, Jake Fox.  Fox slugged 11 homers and posted a .779 OPS in 241 plate appearances in 2009.  Projected over a full season, the small-sample size balloons to a 21 homer, 86 ribbie season over 650 plate appearances.

It's a shot in the dark, but that's what this segment is all about.  You're not going to get Granderson in exchange for Milton Bradley and Mike Fontenot, but I'm not suggesting that.  You've got to give some to get some.

And think about it, once upon a time, you were a shot in the dark, too.

/zing

Should the Cubs try to acquire Tigers CF Curtis Granderson

• Yes
• No

Created on Oct 10, 2009

View Results

poll by twiigs.com

 

Cubs Interested In Shipping Zambrano? Here's Your Irresponsible Blogger-Turned-GM Post Of The Day!

The story of the day in Chicago baseball was the Cubs' 2-0 win against the Milwaukee Brewers.  The win would have meant something a year ago at this time as the Cubs and Brew Crew were duking it out for NL Central supremacy.  Right now, the Cubs' biggest battles are against themselves and mediocrity.

And now we bring you to the buried lead in the story brought to you by Chicago Tribune Cubs beat writer Paul Sullivan:

Now that Hendry is assured of returning in 2010, he'll have to decide which players to bring back. Dempster, who signed a four-year, $52 million deal last winter, is assured of returning. [Carlos] Zambrano, who signed a five-year, $91.5 million deal in August 2007, is not.

Despite the fact that Zambrano has a full no-trade clause, the Cubs plan on shopping him this off-season, sources said, believing he'll waive the clause to go to the right team, as Jake Peavy eventually did when the Padres consummated a deal this summer with the White Sox.

According to Cot's Baseball Contracts, Carlos Zambrano has $53.75 million coming his way from 2010-12, with a vesting option worth $19.25 million in 2014.

Let the record show that despite a mediocre season by Zambrano (8-6, 3.77 ERA), pitching has not been the Cubs' downfall.  The North Side staff ranks in the top-5 in strikeouts, ERA+, WHIP, H/9 and K/9.  But with a weak free agent market awaiting, now might be the best time to move Big Z.

But where?


NEW YORK METS

The Metropolitans might be the ideal landing spot for the beleaguered Cubs ace.  Big city, bright lights and the opportunity to be a hitter are probably things Zambrano would look for in a new team.  New York's "other" team provides all that.  Adding Zambrano would also fall in line with Omar Minaya's blueprint of creating a Latino baseball All-Star team in the NYC.

The Cubs could go one of two routes here.  They could opt to go for the home run and try to acquire the equally beleaguered Jose Reyes.  The shortstop has been bothered by injuries this year and rumors have already been floated that he could be moved.  Adding Reyes would improve the Cubs in a variety of ways.  It would move him immediately into the lead-off role, while pushing Ryan Theriot to second base.  For this to happen, the Cubs would likely have to eat a huge chunk of his salary.

Another option would be swapping bad contracts with the Metros, which would ideally send center fielder Carlos Beltran to Chicago.  As it stands now, the Cubs have a right fielder playing center, and adding Beltran (who makes $37 million over the next two years) makes a lot of sense as well.  Beltran is a career .392 hitter at Wrigley Field with 9 homers, 22 ribbies and a 1.292 OPS.  Bringing in the switch-hitting center fielder would leave Kosuke Fukudome in right field, especially if Peter Gammons' recent nugget of sending Milton Bradley back to Texas comes to fruition.

New York Yankees

If one New York team is involved, the other can't be too far behind, right?  The Yankees are a team that is usually more than willing to take on other teams' misfits and salary problems.  I wonder had Alex Rodriguez struggled mightily after the whole roid-gate thing if he would have been on the trading block because at times, I have wet pipe dreams of A-Rod suiting up at shortstop and reuniting with Lou Piniella.

Pure speculation here, but if the Cubs also threw in Ryan Theriot, could they land lefty-swinging second baseman Robinson Cano and his career OPS of .816?  He's owed $48 million through 2013 if all the options are picked up.

Boston Red Sox

If the Yankees are interested, so are the Red Sox.  Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman reported Toronto declined to accept Boston's 5-for-1 deal for Roy Halladay.  Could the BoSox be interested in Big Z?  If I were Jim Hendry, I'd be intrigued by a number of their prospects.

Texas Rangers

Remember when you were a kid and you had problems finding Waldo?  That's how the Rangers feel about finding pitching.  Former top prospects Edinson Volquez and John Danks have flourished since leaving the organization, so adding a pitcher of Zambrano's caliber might be the best avenue for Texas' team.

Infielder Michael Young just signed a five-year deal worth $80 million in 2009, and when he played shortstop he posted a .310/.358/.453/.811 line before moving to be the Rangers' full-time third sacker.

Colorado Rockies

If the Cubs want to go into complete blow-up mode, the Rockies might make an ideal fit.  The Rox usually have a good amount of young talent going through the system and actually making a difference at the big league level.  Chicago could land some valuable pieces in exchange for its troubled right hander.

THE ULTIMATE WILD CARD: Florida Marlins

Hear me out.

The Cubs have a problem child in Carlos Zambrano.  The Marlins supposedly have a problem child in Hanley Ramirez.  Since the 2002 season, the Cubs have made seven trades with the Marlins, six of them have spawned under The Hendry Regime.  So, the question is: does Trader Jim have another one left in him.

Bringing HanRam to the Cubs would be the blockbuster of all blockbusters.  He's owed 64.5 million over the next five years, so swapping salaries wouldn't be that big of an issue.  The Cubs would likely need to throw in prospects such as Jeff Samardzija, Andrew Cashner, Jay Jackson and (*screech*) Josh Vitters ... among others.

It'd be a deal worth making for both ends, seeing that the Fighting Fish build their teams around pitching, and always have a prospect nipping at the heels of their current players.  For the Cubs, slotting Ramirez in the No. 3 hole in front of Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano would give the Cubs the best heart of the order (on paper) in the National League.

As the title suggests, this post is highly irresponsible on several fronts.  But hey, one of the top signs that your team is out of contention is when trade rumors start popping up in September.  Besides, what else am I gonna do.  I've got to wait 'til Sunday to see a meaningful Chicago sporting event.

The Dust Settles & Rich Harden Remains A Cub

Rich Harden will be making his scheduled start against Roy Oswalt and the Houston Astros after all.

Harden, who was placed on waivers and claimed by the Minnesota Twins, will remain a Cub for the rest of the season as the two teams were unable to strike a deal.  Somehow, the Cubs are only 5 1/2 games out of the NL Wild Card spot, which would require a miracle for the North Siders to capture.

Long story, short: There's nothing to see here until November, when the Cubs will have 15 days of exclusive negotiating rights to re-up with the very talented righty.

The Cubs' options are simple:

• Re-sign Harden to a multi-year deal.
• Offer him salary arbitration, collect two picks when he signs elsewhere
• Decline arbitration, collect nothing when he signs elsewhere.

In a year muddled by Milton Bradley's lunacy injuries, Harden has stayed relatively healthy.  Despite a stint on the DL early in the season, Harden has really turned it on in the second half with a 3-1 record, 1.80 earned run average, a 0.82 WHIP and 60 strikeouts in 50 innings of work.

Kinda makes you forget about his 5-6 start to the season, in which he posted a 5.47 ERA and 1.541 WHIP.

Overall, Harden is 13-8 with a 3.18 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 232 strikeouts in 195 innings.

Based on those numbers, and the fact that it is a very shallow market when it comes to free-agent starting pitchers, the Cubs should pull out all the stops to re-sign Harden.  This is a franchise that threw $52 million at Ryan Dempster after one good year as a starter, why wouldn't they re-sign someone with a good track record despite a past that has (at times) been plagued by injury.

In a somewhat related story, Aaron Heilman wasn't traded either.  As if you really cared about Aaron Heilman.

So, Tell Me Again Why Does Josh Fields Want To Get Traded?

Rumors floated around yesterday not involving Roy Halladay involved Chicago White Sox third baseman Josh Fields, proving to me there are other players on the trading block. It wasn't too long ago when Fields' name being tossed around the rumor mill in association with a blockbuster trade.

And maybe, it still could be.

Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that Fields has asked to be traded. And while the once-prized prospect who was supposed to make South Side fans forget about Joe Crede has been usurped by Gordon Beckham, I am hardpressed to find a reason to want out of Chicago.

(Well, other than having to drive through the South Side at night, of course.)

His numbers are disappointingly underwhelming, batting .220 with a .301 on-base percentage while slugging .354. It looks like the Louisville Slugger he once carried to the plate in 2007, when he hit 23 home runs, drove in 67 runs and slugged .480, has turned into a wet newspaper overnight.

(And no, I'm not going to make a "nobody reads newspapers anymore" joke.)

Had Fields played his cards right, he could have re-emerged as an option at third base if manager Ozzie Guillen shifted Alexei Ramirez to second base and moved Beckham to shortstop.

Could the former prospect need a change of scenery, perhaps? It's possible. But to me, it looks like he needs a change in plate discipline (71 strikeouts in 71 games/251 plate appearances) more than anything.

Roy Halladay Ain't Comin, But The Cubs Could Fleece The Pirates Yet Again

Upon hearing trade rumors, Ryan Doumit is begging Zach Duke to take him with if he gets traded to Chicago.

Roy Halladay has been ticketed to go anywhere and everywhere that isn't the North Side of Chicago. It's almost sad, too, seeing that each of the Chicago Cubs' top four starters has spent time on the disabled list.

But off in the distance, help might be on its way. And if the Washington Nationals are baseball's starter girlfriend, that means the Pittsburgh Pirates are baseball's neighborhood pusher. Because whenever you need it the Pirates got it and are willing to give it to you.

Not long ago, the Cubs turned Bobby Hill, Matt Brokeback Bruback and Jose Hernandez into Aramis Ramirez and Kenny Lofton. Lofton turned into the lead-off man the Cubs still haven't had since 2003 and Ramirez has become a franchise cornerstone.

And no one has ever heard from those "prospects" ever again.

Fast forward to 2009 and the Cubs have their eyes on another coup of the Pirates' ship.

With Ted Lilly hitting the DL, there is an apparent interest in lefty starters Zach Duke and Tom Gorzelanny. Duke has come across some rough times since going 8-2 with a 1.81 earned run average as a rookie, but that's to be expected from a franchise that hasn't won anything since Roberto Clemente roamed right field.

After going 18-37 after his freshman campaign, Duke has posted a 9-9 record, 3.42 ERA and 1.227 WHIP for the bottom-feeding Bucco's. As for Gorzelanny, the Evergreen Park, Ill., is wasting away in the minors somewhere -- like most Pirates prized prospects.

The Cubs also might have an interest in Freddy Sanchez, as the team is in search of offensive production out of the second base slot. Same can be said about lefty specialist John Grabow and probably closer Matt Capps.

The purging of the Pirates is already underway (as Phil Rogers points out) as Pittsburgh has already traded Nate McLouth and Adam LaRoche for a 1970s Pinto and a steaming pile of garbage to be named later.

So, here I am, wondering whether or not Jim Hendry can take Neal Huntington to the woodshed for one more Pirate heist.

My prediction: Duke, Grabow, Capps and Sanchez for Aaron Miles and David Patton.

Let's get it done, Jimbo!

Memo To Carlos Boozer: Don't Tease, Please

Carlos Boozer's teases aren't pleasing this Bulls fan.

It was just last week when disgruntled Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer charmed Bulls fans on the Waddle & Silvy Show on ESPN Radio 1000. He loved the idea of playing in a big market, with a budding superstar and a franchise regaining the buzz it lost when Michael Jordan retired the second time.

The truth is Boozer just wants to get out of Utah, as his latest interview, a piece in the Miami Herald, which confirmed something I didn't need Sherlock Holmes to tell me to validate its truth.

"We first came here for tax reasons and fell in love with it,'' Boozer said, taking a break from his campers. ``We love the palm trees, the laid-back attitude, the sun, quality of life. It's like paradise here, and I would love to be part of the Heat. They're a very good team, and I'm real close to some of the guys. Dwyane and I started to get close at the Athens Olympics in 2004, and I'd love to play on his team. Plus, I already live here. I'm just waiting to see what happens.''

The 6-foot-9-inch forward is exactly what the Bulls need in a sidekick for defending NBA Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose. Not only would Boozer be an inside presence to balance the Bulls' outside marksmanship, he would be the the sign from Chicago management signifying The House That Jordan Built is open for serious business.

But when it comes to Boozer, it seems to be a classic case of buyer beware. Part of it is because of his injury-riddled past that caused him to play in only 37 regular season games last season. Or his bait-and-switch tactics that were the reason he ended up with the Jazz in the first place.

Boozer's desperate pleas for a team to save him from Utah are eerily similar to nearly every Disney movie damsel in distress who is searching for her Prince Charming and her happily ever after storybook ending. But in Boozer's case, "happily ever after" entails an alternate ending in which he holds Utah's management for ransom before parting ways.

He's like the runaway bride on 'roids. He'll tease you with the possibility of a 20-10 low-post presence. He'll please you with such a performance ... if he ever gets on the court. And eventually, he'll bolt at a moments notice if he sees a whiter horse with a shinier chariot.

I'm not saying I don't want Carlos Boozer in Chicago. I just would prefer he not bring his baggage to the Bulls

The Carlos Boozer Rumors: Will The Bulls Bring Booze To The Party?

The Bulls need Booze. And fast.

The Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz have apparently hit several snags in a trade that would send Carlos Boozer to the Bulls, Kirk Hinrich to the Trail Blazers and Tyrus Thomas to the Jazz.

Even though the deal seems to be dead for now, at one point, a deal seemed nearly certain. But in a situation which reeked of June's Amare Stoudemire-to-Golden State deal, it happened to be a lot of smoke without much fire.

There is no dispute that the Bulls need to make something happen, especially after a pair of lackluster draft choices and losing their leading scorer to the Detroit Pistons, their arch division rivals. And that "something" would be acquiring a big man, whether it be Carlos Boozer or Chris Bosh.

In his three years in Utah, Boozer has averaged 19.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game at a position Chicago has been desperately looking to fill since it inexplicably traded the ultimate 20-10 guy (Elton Brand) for an unproven, untested commodity (Tyson Chandler).

Adding a premier post presence such as Boozer or Bosh would be significant on so many levels, beyond being that guy the Bulls have searched high, low, far and wide for. It would ease the pressure on star point guard Derrick Rose, who is coming off a dazzling freshman campaign in which he earned Rookie of the Year honors and an eye-opening seven-game playoff series against the Boston Celtics, in which the Bulls dropped fell short in Game 7 in one of the most well-played playoff series in NBA history.

Rose averaged 19.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.4 assists in the series, and the Bulls need to capitalize on that kind of talent by adding building blocks around him. As of now, Chicago is banking on Luol Deng to return to his 2007 form in which he averaged 18.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per game while shooting 51.7 percent from the field. John Salmons is in the fold too, and will likely be starting alongside Rose in the backcourt. He averaged 18.3 points per game last season, but is not the explosive scorer Gordon was as a Bull, but he could counter that burden by being a better defensive presence as he stands 6-foot-7.

Personally, I would rather have Chris Bosh don the red, white and black of the Chicago Bulls. The three-time All-Star is younger, taller, less prone to injury and statistically better. But he might be harder to pry away from Toronto now that Hedo Turkoglu is on his way north of the border.

Opening tip is months away, and the summer of 2010 is even more off in the distance. The Bulls need to better themselves quickly, not only to secure better playoff positioning, but to also make itself look like a contender to make themselves look like one of basketball's premier landing spots as a free agent.

If not, the Bulls will be bouncing around mediocrity.

Allen Iverson To The Bulls?

Is Allen Iverson the superstar the Bulls have been searching for since MJ's second retirement?

Since 1998, the Chicago Bulls have looked near and far for a superstar, a legit superstar, to step into the limelight.

The Bulls have had a revolving door of max-contract players that have failed to step into the slot Michael Jordan vacated after the Bulls' 1998 championship. Let's take a moment to revisit the failed careers Ron Mercer, Brent Barry and Eddie Robinson had in Chicago.

(Moment of silence)

Thank you.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know the Bulls lost the closest thing to a go-to-guy as Ben Gordon verbally agreed to a 5-year, $55 million deal with division rival Detroit Pistons. So, Allen Iverson would be fit for a sign-and-trade to Chicago, right?

Well, not really.

Iverson will be 34 next season and is coming off career lows in scoring (17.5 ppg) and steals (1.5 spg) in a tumultuous season that started with high expectations in the Mile High City and ended in bitter disappointment in Motown.

On the other hand, how good could a motivated Iverson be for Chicago?

The 6-foot guard has a lot to prove this upcoming season. Prior to his stint in Detroit, Iverson had a pretty good reputation as a league star with a no-quit, never-ending motor. Yet, it seemed as if his motor died when he got to The D, which happens to be a common occurrence in that city. (See General Motors, Ford & Chrysler.) Iverson's star, and reputation, could ascend again alongside Derrick Rose and a resurgent Bulls franchise.

And while A.I.'s glory years of scoring 30 points per game are behind him, he could fit a need for the Bulls if the price is right.

Gordon Revisited: Sign And Trade For Iverson [CBS Sportsline]

Your Problem Child For Mine: A Ben Gordon Sign-And-Trade Proposal

Chicago Tribune scribe K.C. Johnson thinks Portland could be a sleeper in the Ben Gordon sweepstakes. I think we might have a match if the Jail Blazers are willing to make a deal.

The biggest "duh" statement of the offseason is that the Bulls should re-sign Ben Gordon. Despite being undersized as a two guard and underwhelming as a defender, it is hard to fathom why anyone in Chicago would not want to bring back the team's leading scorer.

Gordon averaged 20.5 points per game. And could take that big-bucket making ability to rival Detroit to the tune of a 5-year $50 million deal. Which is similar to what the Bulls offered him right before his rookie contract expired.

$50 million in Detroit is different from $50 million in Chicago, I suppose.

Gordon returning to Chicago could be a key in what could be the next Bulls postseason run. Some think his presence in the backcourt will stunt the growth of Derrick Rose. I guess being able to spot up beyond the arc and drain threes after getting the kick-out from D-Rose is really detrimental to the team's well-being and to Rose's growth as a player.

And if Gordon does leave Michigan Ave. for 8 Mile Rd., how will the Bulls replace his numbers. They're not getting Hedo Turkoglu, and Shawn Marion would have fit the system three years ago. Drafting Wayne Ellington would have been nice, because if you expect guys like John Salmons , who is coming off a career year, and the unreliable Luol Deng to carry the offensive load, then you're going to be very disappointed.

That's why the Bulls need to desperately find a sign-and-trade partner. Rumors of a Gordon-for-Rip Hamilton swap came up not too long ago, and that seems like a realistic, if not ideal move. But here's an idea from outside the box.

How about Gordon to Portland for Greg Oden and leftovers? There are a few salaries that could work, here.

The Trail Blazers are hot on Turkoglu's tail, but might be left in the dust ... which is why they are apparently also targeting Gordon. And if there is any truth to the rumors that Portland tried to swing a deal for Shaq, that shows how much faith they have in the former Ohio State Buckeye center.

So, Portland, on behalf of Bulls GM Gar Foreman, I propose your problem child for mine.

Gordon would be another quality scorer you could team in the backcourt with Brandon Roy, while ridding the team and that town of Sam Bowie, Jr.

Meanwhile, the Bulls could add a true center who projects to be a 14-point, 11-rebound guy per 36 minutes, and if he stays healthy, could be a 20-10 guy that any team would want to build around.

Adding Oden would also allow Chicago to move Joakim Noah to his more natural position, power forward, and possibly help facilitate moving Tyrus Thomas out of town, as Chicago seemingly drafted his clone in Wake Forest forward James Johnson.

Oden isn't going to be a Hall of Famer right now, but adding an inside presence to a team that lived on the perimeter last season wouldn't hurt.

My Pitch To Jim Hendry For Matt Holliday

Jim Hendry should rent A's OF Matt Holliday by any means necessary.

Cubs GM Jim Hendry is due for a good move, right? Through 73 games, Hendry is 0-for-the-offseason as Milton Bradley, Aaron Miles, Kevin Gregg and Ryan Dempster have flopped or fell short of the lofty expectations that come with multi-million dollar deals or, in Gregg's case, being traded for a prospect once deemed untouchable.

And just like last season, Cubdom is up in arms over a move by one of its arch division rivals in an attempt to unseat the Cubs from their perch atop the NL Central. I've seen this movie before. And as a Cubs fan, I like where this movie ends. But for some reason, I always fall asleep whenever the part about October rolls around. Funny how that works.

Hendry can make his detractors (mainly yours truly) by making one brash move that could push this team over the top.

Trade for Matt Holliday.

I know this seems like more of a stretch than Prince Fielder's waistline, but here me out. This would be the ultimate rent-a-player scenario, which could appease Sam Zell and the fools at TribCo that are basically holding the Cubs and the Ricketts family hostage. Adding Holliday would make the Cubbie faithful forget all about Mark DeRosa playing for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Stick Holliday in left and move Alfonso Soriano to second. Take note that any move the Cubs make to acquire an outfielder will likely bump Soriano to second base. And I don't want to hear about how bad his defense is there, because if it's bad one place it is bad other places too. At least at second, his numbers will generally out-perform the average second sacker.

Back to Holliday, whose big bat is the boost the boys in blue need. Now, how's that for alliteration?

There are a handful of things Hendry should take into consideration when acquiring his next big bat.

1. How he hits at Wrigley/day games.
2. How he hits on the road against NL Central teams.
3. Production in the second half.
4. Playoff production.
5. The bounty.

And how does Holliday stack up?

1. Well, the numbers at Wrigley aren't pretty where he is a a career .229 hitter with only one homer and four ribbies. However, things look a lot better when the sun is out. Holliday owns a career .319 average, .391 OBP, .531 slugging percentage and .922 OPS.

2. While Holliday has struggled against the Cubs at Wrigley, he hits pretty well against the rest of the NL Central. He's got a career .292 average against the Reds, but has an underwhelming .269 average at The Great American Ball Park. Against the Brewers, Holliday has a ridiculous .342 average and 1.082 OPS. At Miller Park, he owns a .928 OPS. At Busch Satdium II, he has hit an absurd .385 with 5 homers in 11 games against the Cardinals.

3. The most encouraging stat backing Holliday is his .314/.388/.568/.967 slash stats in 1,380 second-half plate appearances.

4. The second most encouraging stat could be his career .289 average and .919 OPS in 11 games. Holliday makes Mark DeRosa look like a bum with numbers like that.

5. It's easy to use baseball-reference.com to back my argument, but it means nothing unless there is a match between the GMs. And there is no harder GM to deal with than Billy Beane, and if you've read Moneyball (or its bad-ass movie script) then you know what's up. Luckily for the Cubs, Hendry and Beane have worked together before, as recently as the deal that brought in Rich Harden.

When it comes to Beane, all trade talks begin with starting pitcher. Which means all trade talks must start with left-handed starter Sean Marshall and right-handed hurler Jeff Samardzijia. Maybe one of the pitchers the Cubs got from the Indians would intrigue Beane. I'm sure if Phil Rogers read this blog, he would have a suggestion of his own. As for hitters, Josh Vitters is as close as to untouchable as they get, if only because he will be with the team in two years when he takes over third and Aramis Ramirez takes over first. Everyone else is fair game.

It's up to you GM Jim. The Cardinals have thrown down the gauntlet and could be poised to run away with the division if the Cubs continue to slip down the slippery slope. But the GM of the two-time defending champs wouldn't let that happen, right?

North Siders Rejoice: Jake Peavy Isn't Coming To Chicago

Photo Credit: Deadspin

Yeah, we bitched about Jake Peavy not coming to the Cubs all winter long. Now White Sox fans can share in our misery of not having an ace pitcher while watching our respective teams lose to our most bitter rivals.

Speaking of which, off to see the Cubs limp sticks try to get up against "Jesus" Wainwright.

In the meantime, I'll have what Jake's having.

Sources: Jake Peavy Rejects Trade To White Sox [Chicago Sun-Times]

Jake Peavy To The White Sox? Pardon Me While I Scream In Rage

San Diego Padres pitcher Jake Peavy was the Brian Roberts of the 2008-09 offseason for the Chicago Cubs and their fans.

He was the carrot dangled in front of a fandom that had just seen its team bow out of the NLDS without a fight for the second straight season. Peavy was rumored to be singing "Go Cubs Go" and packing his bags for a trip to Chicago and North Side vendors were tailoring No. 44 jerseys with Cubbie blue pinstripes ... not shirts that mentioned a St. Louis lawn care expert.

And Peavy still might be headed to Chicago ... but instead he might be heading to the South Side.

Grumblings last night turned into confirmed reports that the Padres and White Sox had agreed to a deal for the 2007 NL Cy Young award winner.

If Peavy waves his no-trade clause, it will say one thing about both of Chicago's general managers.

It would bring major props to White Sox GM Kenny Williams, who was much maligned this offseason for failing to get a lead-off man, centerfielder while also failing to get rid of the team's old, slow softball sloth-like players.

As for Jim Hendry, it would confirm what I've written here many times: A major disappointment. After getting an extension this offseason, he allowed popular players that actually were part of the team's 97-win core walk. Bye-bye Henry Blanco and Kerry Wood in exchange for absolutely nothing but frustration. Hendry would go on to trade the oh-so-versatile Mark DeRosa for minor elague pitchers that were once rumored to head to San Diego for Peavy but now are toiling in the minor leagues without much fan fare.

In exchange for three of its most popular and most productive players, Hendry brought in Paul Bako, Kevin Gregg and Aaron Miles. Bako is no longer with the team, while Gregg and Miles make their case on a daily basis to join Bako in the unemployment line.

If this trade does go through, expect a good chunk of Cubs fans to leap off various tall buildings while there will be celebrations in the projects. I'll also expect a letter of resignation on the desk of Tom Ricketts, Sam Zell or whoever is running that joint.

So, Jake ... for the love of Cubdom ... Just Say No!