Kendall trade my be pre-cursor to Sosa trade
Friday, November 26, 2004
It looks like the Oakland Athletics have acquired Jason Kendall from the Pittsburgh Pirates in return for Mark Redmond and Arthur Rhodes.
Although I don't think it will happen, the Pirates may wish to trade Rhodes to the Cubs for Michael Barrett. This would then free up a possible Mike Piazza for Sammy Sosa trade with the Mets.
I think this would be a pretty good outcome for the Cubs, since they would get a closer, Arthur Rhodes, and a power-hitting catcher, for Barrett and Sosa.
Aside from the fact that ESPN is reporting the Pirates are interested in re-dealing Rhodes, this is pure speculation... not even rumor.
OK, thats my Turkey-weekend update, I should be back at it Sunday or Monday.
Posted by Byron at November 26, 2004 3:55 PM
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Umm, let me get this straight you want Arthur Rhodes as a closer for the Cubs with Mike Piazza catching. Just so we can give up Sammy and then sign a Sammy wanna be in Beltran? Rhodes stinks he was so bad tha A's traded for Dotel this year that shuld speak volumes as for Piazza he is a terrible defensive catcher just thinking about a Maddux and Piazza as a battery combo scares me as every runner takes second or third at will. Piazza's weak hitting numbers alone make Barrett seem like an All Star in comparison. Sorry, but you are either halucinating about this trade after eating some bad turkey or I gave you more credit in your knowledge of baseball.
I am not saying that I want this to happen or that it will. I am simply pointing out that if the Cubs are hell-bent on ridding themselves of Sammy, this is a possible avenue.
As for me personally, I am not too adamant about trading Sammy, because I think he'll come back next year with some good production, and I don't see why we would want to take on additional roster spots of non-production. The only reason to trade Sammy is if you can improve the roster for next year.
Taking two bad, overpaid, players for Sammy is not a positive step for the Cubs.
Okay - thanks for the clarification, I just have not seen any reason to trade Sammy from the standpoint that the Cubs would be improving. The Cubs do need a closer though and a better hitting team. I suggest that we trade for a Danny Kolb or spend teh bucks if feasible for Benitez. Keep Sammy one more year and sign a SS & 2nd base combo asap.
This trade would be a disaster for the Cubs. Sure, we'd rid ourselves of one aging slugger, but we'd be getting another one in return, one who plays a more rigorous defensive position. I can picture the merry-go-round on the basepaths with Piazza behind the plate. Any chance the Cubs will suck it up and offer Beltran a creative contract where he has a lowish salary in Y1, and escalates in Y2 after Sosa's deal is off the books? I don't think we can get any sort of fairish value for Sosa right now anyway.
As mentioned, Rhodes is no answer at closer either, and I question his effectiveness as a middle relief/setup man as well. His last two seasons have been dismal, and he is getting up in years as well.