EDIT: The following moves have been made in the last 24 HRs:
1. FA Milton Bradley signed to an unknown deal with the Cubs
2. Marquis and $1M traded to the Rockies for Luis Vizcaino
3. FA Aaron Miles signed to a two year, $4.9 M contract
4. Mark DeRosa (and $9M of payroll) traded to the Indians for prospects Chris Archer, Jeff Stevens and John Gaub.
It doesn't seem like DeRo has been moved for any players from "the Peavy mix" (ie, Olson from the Orioles) even though trade talks are reportedly back on. I'm not sure exactly what the team is trying to set up, but Fontenot at 2B would be a decent and cheap option if he could only learn how to walk. Furthermore, is Theriot on his way out to the Pads if the talks for Peavy are back on now that the Cubs have Miles, who also walks less by comparison but at least has some sense of defensive range?
On to the DeRosa front: Stevens is the only prospect in the trade who has played above A-ball (Archer was drafted in 2005 and Gaub in 2006). Steven's numbers in AAA last year were very solid (well over a K per inning), but he only threw 29 innings. All three players had ungodly BB rates in 2008, but hopefully that will improve over time. Stevens is projected to be a middle relief pitcher, while Archer has been raised a starter. No clue what the future of Gaub holds.
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EDIT: It's official: DeRosa and $9 M in payroll are out; 3 prospects are in. Sadly, none seem to be pieces of the potential three/four-way for Peavy deal.
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The Cubs signed infielder Aaron Miles to a two year, $4.9 million contract. With DeRosa, Theriot, Fontenot, Cedeno and now Miles in the middle infield, there is a positional overcrowding that could lead to some trades. ESPN1000 reports that DeRosa is on his way out to Cleveland for some prospects and money, putting the Cubs back into the Peavy mix. Furthermore, ESPN1000 claims the Bradley signing (despite no details of years or cash) is a done deal, as is Marquis exit to Colorado.
Personally, I'm hoping the team can trade Fontenot -- who is in his prime and has high value based on his great partial season last year -- for something and keep DeRo. However, DeRosa is 34 and in the last year of his contract, so if the club is looking at its future rather than just 2009, this could be a smart move. I, however, think 2009 is the year to win it (before important contracts start expiring). But hey, if it lands Peavy...
(also, the Angels just signed Fuentes to a two year, $17.5 M contract)
In response to your line "Fontenot at 2B would be a decent and cheap option if he could only learn how to walk."
ReplyDeleteIf you've learned anything from Moneyball you should learn you can't teach OBS. If by now Fontenot csn't walk, then it's wishful thinking to think he can learn good plate discipline.
Also, if the Cubs do get Jake Peavy, then they don't need an offense. With a rotation of Peavy, Harden, Zambrano, Dempster, and Lily and a bullpen with Zamrdja, Gregg, and Marmol, all the Cubs need to so is bat 9 defensive players and they'll win 100 games. At least.
BUT if they do have Milton Bradley, D-Lee, Soriano, A-ram, and Soto. Fuck will that be a good team