Brian Roberts?

[ChronicKerr]

mcphail is playing hardball. He got both teams to overpay for tejada and bedard and now that's what he's trying to do to us. The Orioles don't have a shot at diddly this year as they haven't had a winning season in a decade so he can afford to drag this out while I don't want to have happen to the Cubs what happened to the Bulls right before the season started with all that Kobe talk and everyone worried they're going to be traded.

[Ruben Douglas]

mcphail is playing hardball. He got both teams to overpay for tejada and bedard and now that's what he's trying to do to us. The Orioles don't have a shot at diddly this year as they haven't had a winning season in a decade so he can afford to drag this out while I don't want to have happen to the Cubs what happened to the Bulls right before the season started with all that Kobe talk and everyone worried they're going to be traded.

This is dramatically different than the Kobe situation. The only people involved in trade talks are the Cubs prospects. The only position player that was worried was DeRosa. With the Bulls it was pretty much everyone on their roster that was worried about getting traded especially Deng and Gordon. Not only that but the Bulls would've been getting one of if not the best player in the game. The Cubs would be getting a solid 2B.

If the Cubs suck, it's not going to be because of trade rumors.

[ChronicKerr]

[quote="Ruben Douglas"]-= original quote snipped =-



This is dramatically different than the Kobe situation. The only people involved in trade talks are the Cubs prospects. The only position player that was worried was DeRosa. With the Bulls it was pretty much everyone on their roster that was worried about getting traded especially Deng and Gordon. Not only that but the Bulls would've been getting one of if not the best player in the game. The Cubs would be getting a solid 2B.

If the Cubs suck, it's not going to be because of trade rumors.[/quote]

I understand your point but batting order is definately in question. Soriano wants to lead off and apparently they're slotting him in the 2 hole for now. Is this to ease the transition of Roberts coming in or is he going right back to lead off when the deal falls through? I don't think it is as big of a deal as the Kobe situation as they Cubs best players are still going to be here but the ballclub as one dynamic will be altered and there's numerous questions surrounding the ballclub that won't be answered until this is figured out. For our sake I hope there is no similarities as I don't think I can watch another massive dissapointment as I've went through this winter.

[IbreakNeckZ101]

lock it up! roberts to cubs dead!

[Ruben Douglas]

I don't think it is as dead as everyone thinks. All he said is that it is more likely than not that anything will happen. I agree with AM, but you never know. This might just be a last ditch effort to get Hendry to cave.

In regards to Soriano moving to the #2 spot...maybe it had to do with Roberts but I think it is mainly a chance to get him to become a more productive hitter. But I also think that they are hoping that Theriot can be that Roberts type of player at leadoff. It will also take pressure off of Soriano to steal bases which might be a concern with his leg troubles. Add in that Lee and Ramirez and Fukudome will be following him in the lineup he will see more pitches to hit than if they dropped him all the way to the 5th spot.
In other words, I don't think moving Soriano to the #2 spot was because they were paving the way for Roberts.

[hermes]

now the secret negotiations will begin and this "the deal goes down next week" crap is over

[SportsWorld]

lock it up! roberts to cubs dead!

You are four months to late

[Howling Mad]

Cedeno has been scratched from the roster today because of a trade.

[FRKMSTR]

April fool's!!

[SportsWorld]

It's the offseason so here comes the Brian Roberts rumors again. Also some CC news.

Roberts Still On Cubs' Radar This Off-Season
http://baseball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ ... ff_season/

Chicago Sun-Times - The Cubs will reportedly still go after Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts this winter as they look for a speedy leadoff hitter.

They could also become players in the CC Sabathia sweepstakes.

Whatever moves are made, they hope to look nothing like the team that moped through a sweep at the hands of the Dodgers in the NLDS.

"When you get over the shock of what's happened, that's what will bother me the most, when you see guys go to other teams," Mark DeRosa said. "I would love to have the same team back, but it's never that way. When you're on a special team like this, it's tough.

"There is nothing this team lacked. Nothing. So for us to go out and perform the way we performed for three days is shocking. It will stick with me for a while."

[GYBE]

We have the best 2nd base combo in the world in DeRosa and Fontenot. It's our strongest position. What the hell is the fascination with Roberts, he's not THAT good. He simply isn't a good fit because of his position, unless we trade Fontenot (which would be stupid).

Why not get an outfielder who can lead off? Sign Bobby Abreu and bat him leadoff. Trade for David DeJesus. Sign Brian Giles. I'm tired of hearing about Roberts.

[Ruben Douglas]

I think we all are. But remember this, the Cubs just saw Furcal...who bats leadoff and switch hits. Hendry probably saw this and was reminded how much he would love having a speedy switch hitting leadoff hitter...especially after watching Soriano.

If you want my honest opinion, I wouldn't be surprised if the Cubs finally got the trade done for Roberts.

Where the Cubs go from there is anyone's guess. Do they try to move Fukudome or Soriano? If they try, who would trade for them and their contracts? Do you move Fuku to CF and DeRosa to RF? If you get rid of Soriano do you give Hoffpaur a shot in LF?

If the Cubs really do want to be players for CC, which I would love, they would have to dump a lot of salary. That would mean trading guys like Marquis, Soriano (no trade clause), Fukudome (who I would think would have a no trade clause but I don't know), and possibly Lee. It would also mean that they would have to hope to get Wood fairly cheap and let Dempster go.

This could end up being one hell of an off-season.

[SportsWorld]

The Cubs are not getting CC. CC is heading to New York. The Cubs are better off trading a few prospects for Matt Cain.

[Ruben Douglas]

The Cubs are not getting CC. CC is heading to New York. The Cubs are better off trading a few prospects for Matt Cain.

I'm not disagreeing. But only saying that if the Cubs do want to entertain the idea of even being considered they will have to do something.

Based on Major League contracts alone the Cubs already have a payroll over $110M for '09. Consider Wood and Dempster being FA's, a Blanco buyout or paying him $3M, FA's they will need to bring in to replace or resign the likes of R.Johson, Edmonds, etc, and arbitration salaries and the Cubs will be in a bind.

Unless the Cubs plan on not making any moves or approving a $150M budget, the Cubs will need to try to find trading partners for some players and Marquis (9.975M). The only question becomes which players would they try to trade?

[DanTown8587]

The Cubs are not getting CC. CC is heading to New York. The Cubs are better off trading a few prospects for Matt Cain.

Matt Cain is gonna be had for a lot more than prospects. The Giants are holding out on him and Timmy. The rumor is the Brewers might trade Fielder+a prospect to get Cain because of losing CC/Sheets and then having so much hitting in the minors to replace Fielder at least a little.

[PJ Brown]

In the post-season wrap up in the SF Chronicle, the Giants GM said he wasn't going to deal Cain as rumored last week. While that doesn't mean he won't, it makes me think that it's unlikely. They made it sound like they are more likely to try to sign free agents than make big trades. Overall, however, I agree that I'd rather the Cubs move for Cain than CC--I just don't see it happening, yet alone in a trade that doesn't demand too much.

[WAYSA]

Why not get an outfielder who can lead off? Sign Bobby Abreu and bat him leadoff. Trade for David DeJesus. Sign Brian Giles. I'm tired of hearing about Roberts.

Brian Giles is awful.

We need a leadoff hitter. Roberts can be had. I really hope we get him. .300 average / .380 obp / 40 SB .. Yes please!

I don't give two **** about Mark DeRosa.. He had a career year and has been great in Chicago, but we need a leadoff hitter & Triple Chinned Jim has quite a man-love for Roberts and he is probably going to end up here.

Triple Chinned Jim also really likes Rafeal Furcal.. I would love an offseason where we re-do our middle infield. Quite frankly, I am tired of seeing noodle arm run out there at SS everyday.

Trade for Roberts. Sign Furcal. Resign Dempster. Resign Wood. Fukudome back to Japan. Also, bring back Reed Johnson.

I would even let Dempster walk if he wants decent coin. He had one good year starting and I honestly think it has to do a little bit with his awkward delivery. These guys usually get figured out the next year.. Remember Arroyo? D-Train?

Roberts - 2B
Furcal - SS
Soriano - LF
Ramirez - 3B
Lee - 1B
Soto - C
DeRosa - RF
Pie - CF

Trade prospects for Roberts.. Spend the off-season coin on Furcal & Dempster if he is realistic. Wood is undoubtedly going to be back.

SP 1 - Zambrano
SP 2 - Dempster
SP 3 - Lilly
SP 4 - Harden (Only fourth, because of the injury issues)
SP 5 - Marquis

CL - Wood
SU - Marmol
7th - Shark
Lefty - Cotts (I thought he looked excellent the other night..)
Long Relief - Marshall
Ceda (He is going to be awesome & should be with the team out of Spring Training)

[Posey H8er]

Hopefully the the Cubs don't stick with Kouske full time just because of his contract. He needs to learn how to hit major league pitching this offseason or stay at Iowa until he can be semi-productive.

I like WAYSA's plan a lot also. I don't realistically think Theriot is going to hit .300 again next season. He is going to tail off and be a scrappy gritty .275 or .280 hitter. Furcal is a great leadoff hitter. And if we were to add Roberts via trade (he's in his final year of his current contract), then the Cubs would have a lot of speed. Furcal, Roberts, and Pie. The Cubs infield would be the best defensive infield in baseball.

But I think the Cubs are going to make Theriot the starting shortstop next season.

[GYBE]

Brian Giles is awful.

Yeah, a .854 OPS in the worst hitter's park in the majors is awful. He had the second highest EQA among right fielders this year, only behind Ludwick. Ahead of Markakis, Ethier, Guerrero, etc. Also ahead of Aramis Ramirez, Derrek Lee, Alfonso Soriano and every other Cubs hitter. He's very, very good. He would be an amazing get, but I doubt he leaves the west coast. Already vetoed a trade to Boston.

[WAYSA]

Brian Giles is awful.

Yeah, a .854 OPS in the worst hitter's park in the majors is awful. He had the second highest EQA among right fielders this year, only behind Ludwick. Ahead of Markakis, Ethier, Guerrero, etc. Also ahead of Aramis Ramirez, Derrek Lee, Alfonso Soriano and every other Cubs hitter. He's very, very good. He would be an amazing get, but I doubt he leaves the west coast. Already vetoed a trade to Boston.

I was being half-sarcastic about Giles, but he has to be near 40 years old by now and runs around the outfield like he has prosthetic legs. Solid hitter, but after the Jeromy Burnitz disaster I would prefer to stay away from guys who are just about to roll over and die.. DeRosa had a better OPS also.. Why sign Giles when you could trade for Roberts & then move DeRosa out there?

5 things I do not want to see next year:

1) Theriot and his noodle arm as the everyday SS.
2) Fukubust playing RF or even in the United States.
3) Soriano leading off.
4) Derek Lee hitting 3rd.. Way too many DPs & not enough power for my tastes.
5) Jim Edmonds with a pulse.

I'd blow a load on my monitor if Triple Chinned Jim landed Roberts & signed Furcal.