Potential Trade Targets for the Cubs at the Deadline
TAMPA BAY:
1. Carl Crawford (LF)
2. Ty Wigginton (UT)
Analysis:
Carl Crawford is a young superstar-to-be. He is a left-handed, speedy outfielder who would fit perfectly into the two-hole in the Cubs lineup. He his currently batting .281 with 6 HR, 51 RBI, and 27 SB. Soriano and Crawford would give the Cubs the best 1-2 punch in the league.
Ty Wigginton, a former Pirate, would provide depth to the Cubs’ bench. He’s started games at 1B, 2B, and 3B this year for Tampa Bay. He’s currently batting .281 with 13 HR and 46 RBI.
Proposed Trade:
Jacques Jones, Ryan Dempster, Felix Pie, Jake Fox, and Donald Veal to Tampa
Carl Crawford and Ty Wigginton to Chicago
BALTIMORE:
1. Miguel Tejada (SS)
2. Daniel Cabrera (SP)
Analysis:
Miguel Tejada’s career numbers speak for themselves. He is one of baseball’s bonafide superstars. On June 23rd he was hit by a pitch on the wrist which landed him on the 15-day DL. Yesterday he took the field for the first time and Baltimore expects him to see live pitching on July 24th, the day after his second MRI. If healthy he would make the middle of the Cubs’ lineup scarier than it already is. One thing to keep in mind is how Derek Lee’s power numbers went down after his wrist injury. Although, Tejada’s is much less severe (Lee had to sit out almost the whole year while Tejada will miss just over a month) will he have the same pop in his bat as before?
Ask anyone who knows baseball and they’ll tell you that Daniel Cabrera has nasty stuff. For some reason though, the light bulb just hasn’t turned on. In 2005 and 2006 he recorded 157 strikeouts. His highest win total, however, is only 12. If the Cubs were able to land Tejada in a deadline-deal, then Hendry might be willing to let Rothschild work with the young Cabrera. He has a low salary so it’s a low risk-high reward proposition.
Proposed Trade:
Jacques Jones, Ryan Dempster, Felix Pie, Jason Marquis, and Jake Fox to Baltimore
Miguel Tejada and Daniel Cabrera to Chicago
1. Carl Crawford (LF)
2. Ty Wigginton (UT)
Analysis:
Carl Crawford is a young superstar-to-be. He is a left-handed, speedy outfielder who would fit perfectly into the two-hole in the Cubs lineup. He his currently batting .281 with 6 HR, 51 RBI, and 27 SB. Soriano and Crawford would give the Cubs the best 1-2 punch in the league.
Ty Wigginton, a former Pirate, would provide depth to the Cubs’ bench. He’s started games at 1B, 2B, and 3B this year for Tampa Bay. He’s currently batting .281 with 13 HR and 46 RBI.
Proposed Trade:
Jacques Jones, Ryan Dempster, Felix Pie, Jake Fox, and Donald Veal to Tampa
Carl Crawford and Ty Wigginton to Chicago
BALTIMORE:
1. Miguel Tejada (SS)
2. Daniel Cabrera (SP)
Analysis:
Miguel Tejada’s career numbers speak for themselves. He is one of baseball’s bonafide superstars. On June 23rd he was hit by a pitch on the wrist which landed him on the 15-day DL. Yesterday he took the field for the first time and Baltimore expects him to see live pitching on July 24th, the day after his second MRI. If healthy he would make the middle of the Cubs’ lineup scarier than it already is. One thing to keep in mind is how Derek Lee’s power numbers went down after his wrist injury. Although, Tejada’s is much less severe (Lee had to sit out almost the whole year while Tejada will miss just over a month) will he have the same pop in his bat as before?
Ask anyone who knows baseball and they’ll tell you that Daniel Cabrera has nasty stuff. For some reason though, the light bulb just hasn’t turned on. In 2005 and 2006 he recorded 157 strikeouts. His highest win total, however, is only 12. If the Cubs were able to land Tejada in a deadline-deal, then Hendry might be willing to let Rothschild work with the young Cabrera. He has a low salary so it’s a low risk-high reward proposition.
Proposed Trade:
Jacques Jones, Ryan Dempster, Felix Pie, Jason Marquis, and Jake Fox to Baltimore
Miguel Tejada and Daniel Cabrera to Chicago
KANSAS CITY:
1. Gil Meche (SP)
Analysis:
The Cubs made it very clear at the Winter Meetings, that they wanted Meche on their team. As far as pure stuff goes, Meche ranks right at the top. When the Royals unexpectedly swooped in and made him an offer he couldn’t refuse, the Cubs were left disappointed and turned to Jason Marquis. Considering the team he plays for, Meche’s numbers (6-6, 3.69 ERA) are good. Lou Piniella managed him in Seattle so it would be a good fit for the Cubs and would give the team a second chance to acquire the guy they wanted all along.
Proposed Trade:
Jason Marquis, Jake Fox to Kansas City
Gil Meche to Chicago
TEXAS:
1. Kenny Lofton (CF)
Analysis:
Kenny Lofton (.309, 6 HR, 20 RBI, 20 SB) still has a lot left in the tank. In 2003, the Cubs made a playoff run with him in center field so why not again in 2007? The Cubs are in need of a true centerfielder after Felix Pie proved he was not ready to take over the job full-time. Lofton is versatile enough to bat either leadoff or in the second spot and, along with Soriano, would give the Cubs a potent top of the lineup.
Proposed Trade:
Jacques Jones, Sean Gallagher to Texas
1. Gil Meche (SP)
Analysis:
The Cubs made it very clear at the Winter Meetings, that they wanted Meche on their team. As far as pure stuff goes, Meche ranks right at the top. When the Royals unexpectedly swooped in and made him an offer he couldn’t refuse, the Cubs were left disappointed and turned to Jason Marquis. Considering the team he plays for, Meche’s numbers (6-6, 3.69 ERA) are good. Lou Piniella managed him in Seattle so it would be a good fit for the Cubs and would give the team a second chance to acquire the guy they wanted all along.
Proposed Trade:
Jason Marquis, Jake Fox to Kansas City
Gil Meche to Chicago
TEXAS:
1. Kenny Lofton (CF)
Analysis:
Kenny Lofton (.309, 6 HR, 20 RBI, 20 SB) still has a lot left in the tank. In 2003, the Cubs made a playoff run with him in center field so why not again in 2007? The Cubs are in need of a true centerfielder after Felix Pie proved he was not ready to take over the job full-time. Lofton is versatile enough to bat either leadoff or in the second spot and, along with Soriano, would give the Cubs a potent top of the lineup.
Proposed Trade:
Jacques Jones, Sean Gallagher to Texas
Kenny Lofton to Chicago
HOUSTON:
1. Roy Oswalt (SP)
2. Mark Loretta (UT)
Analysis:
This is a long-shot considering that Oswalt is one of the best pitchers in the game and the Astros, if they would be wiling to trade him, would be hesitant to send him to a division rival. He would make the Cubs rotation one of the best, if not the best, in baseball. If Houston does put him on the market, how much would Hendry be willing to give up?
In 2003 the Cubs tried to acquire Mark Loretta (.307, 2 HR, 30 RBI), who was then a member of the San Diego Padres. He would provide the bench with the depth and is a versatile utility man. Loretta has played 1B, 2B, and 3B this year for Houston.
Proposed Trade:
Jacques Jones Felix Pie, Ryan Dempster, Jake Fox and Donald Veal to Houston
Roy Oswalt and Mark Loretta to Chicago
CINCINNATI:
1. Adam Dunn (LF)
Analysis:
I think the Cubs would actually prefer to acquire Ken Griffey Jr. instead of Adam Dunn, but with Griffey set to break the 600 HR record, the Reds will want to keep him around this season to fill the seats. Regardless, Dunn (.257, 26 HR, 63 RBI) would be a huge addition to the middle of the Cubs’ lineup. The Cubs haven’t had as powerful a cleanup hitter as Dunn since Fred McGriff left town. Sure he strikes out a bunch, as all power hitters do, but he also draws a lot of walks and hits a ton of homeruns. Lee-Dunn-Ramirez would give the Cubs the most formidable 3-4-5 in the league. The one negative about Dunn is that his defense is a liability. Would Piniella and Hendry be willing to look past that?
Proposed Trade:
Jacques Jones Felix Pie, Jake Fox and Donald Veal to Cincinnati
Adam Dunn to Chicago
PITTSBURGH:
1. Xavier Nady (RF)
Analysis:
Nady (.283, 14 HR, 51 RBI) is having a breakout year and the Pirates realize they won’t be able to afford him if he keeps producing. He has a cannon for an arm, would be a perfect fit for the fifth or sixth spot in the Cubs’ order, and he comes relatively cheap ($2.5 million). Plus, he’s a Cub-killer so why not add him to your roster?
Proposed Trade:
Jacques Jones, Jake Fox and Sean Gallagher to Pittsbugh
Xavier Nady to Chicago
SAN FRANCISCO:
1. Matt Morris (SP)
2. Randy Winn (CF)
Analysis:
Matt Morris (7-5, 3.86 ERA) is a pitcher the Cubs know well, being that he used to pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals. Morris, who has found himself in his share of pennant races, would give the Cubs a veteran presence in their rotation. He will be auditioning for playoff contenders tomorrow night at Wrigley.
Randy Winn (.288, 6 HR, 31 RBI), like Lofton, would give the Cubs a true centerfielder to insert into either the second hole or at the bottom of their lineup. He is stellar defensively and would bring the element of speed to the team.
Proposed Trade:
Jacques Jones, Jason Marquis, Ryan Dempster, and Sean Gallagher to San Francisco
Matt Morris and Randy Winn to Chicago
SAN FRANCISCO:
1. Matt Morris (SP)
2. Randy Winn (CF)
Analysis:
Matt Morris (7-5, 3.86 ERA) is a pitcher the Cubs know well, being that he used to pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals. Morris, who has found himself in his share of pennant races, would give the Cubs a veteran presence in their rotation. He will be auditioning for playoff contenders tomorrow night at Wrigley.
Randy Winn (.288, 6 HR, 31 RBI), like Lofton, would give the Cubs a true centerfielder to insert into either the second hole or at the bottom of their lineup. He is stellar defensively and would bring the element of speed to the team.
Proposed Trade:
Jacques Jones, Jason Marquis, Ryan Dempster, and Sean Gallagher to San Francisco
Matt Morris and Randy Winn to Chicago
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In my opinion, Meche, Lofton, Morris/Winn, and Nady are the players the Cubs are most likely to bring in at the trade deadline. It should be a fun month for the Cubs as they try to move past the Brewers for first place.Hendry has already brought former all-star catcher Jason Kendall into the fold. Look for him to make another move before July 31st.
Update: It was just reported on ESPN radio that Izturis was sent to the Pirates for a player to be named later. The Cubs then called up AA outfielder Jake Fox, who was hitting .284 with 18 HR and 60 RBI, to take his roster spot. Since this is obviously a showcase for Fox to be eventualy included in a package at the deadline, any trade where Izturis' name popped up, I replaced with Fox. More than likley, multiple teams who are in discussions with Hendry about a deadline-deal have requested they see more of Fox before they accept him in a trade, hence the call-up.
posted by Ryan Anthony Dreyer at
4:36 PM
5 Comments:
I hope the Cubs think big and try to do whatever they can to get Griffey. But you're right, I doubt that the Reds will give away the one guy who still brings people to the ballpark.
Great trade proposals. You obviously did your homework.
Let's go out and get Adam Dunn!
What about the lowly White Sox? They have to be shopping some of their vertans? I know Dye is having a bad year but I think he would be a good pickup for the Cubs.
Good point Mike. Right after I published this article I realized I forgot to include the White Sox. Dye would be a good fit for the Cubs and he has said he would welcome a trade to the Cubs. I think a deal of Jacque Jones, Sean Gallgher, and Jake Fox would get the deal done.
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