Whew, the rumors, if not the deals, are flying quickly …
- Cliff Lee’s sudden availability on the trade market has thrown all of the prognosticators into a tizzy. He’s set to make $25 million in each season from 2013 to 2015, and has a $27.5 million vesting option for 2016, so the market for him is probably somewhat small (unless the Phillies want to eat a huuuuge amount of money, and maybe they will for a prospect haul). He’s also got a partial no-trade clause, which could impact things. The team you hear the most is the Rangers, but there is also some talk about the Dodgers, who’ve got money to burn. A deal to the Rangers probably wouldn’t impact the Cubs too much, as they still don’t seem a legitimate suitor for any of Ryan Dempster, Matt Garza, or Paul Maholm. The Dodgers, on the other hand, could be problematic. If they get Lee, you can be certain that their already tepid interest in Ryan Dempster would wilt completely. The same would be true of Matt Garza. We should be watching this very closely. Jon Heyman says, for what it’s worth, that the Dodgers aren’t currently in on Lee, and the Rangers are a longshot due to the money.
- Speaking of Dempster, Jayson Stark suggests that the Nationals – a team we heard connected to Dempster a few weeks ago – could be lying in the weeds, waiting to see if Dempster falls into their lap. They would really like to acquire a veteran to bolster their rotation when Stephen Strasburg is shut down, and Dempster certainly fits the bill. Thing is, no one knows if Dempster would be willing to go to DC.
- More Dempster. I offer this not because Bowden has always been particularly reliable (the issue with Bowden is that most of his sources are GMs, who notoriously use the media for their own ends), but because it’s the first time a media member has said this. From Jim Bowden: “If the Cubs call the Braves with the same Dempster deal and have a signed document from Dempster approving it….it could still get done.”
- And still more Dempster. Scott Miller reports that Cubs/Dodgers talks are “gaining momentum.” It seems an odd phrasing, given that both sides seem to know where the other stands – unless the Dodgers are starting to talk about the Zach Lee’s, Allen Webster’s, or Chris Reed’s of the system, I’m not sure I see how there could be momentum. Maybe they are. And/or maybe the Alfonso Soriano angle is really heating up and helping things.
- Then again, Ken Rosenthal says the Cubs are “bending over backwards” to try and get Dempster to the Dodgers, which suggests they’re the ones breaking, not the Dodgers. Somehow I doubt the Cubs would do that as a courtesy to the Dodgers or to Dempster. So, if the Cubs bend, it’s because they know Dempster won’t really go anywhere but LA.
- Buster Olney was on SportsCenter this morning saying that both Josh Johnson and James Shields are likely not to be traded by tomorrow. Obviously that would be very good news for the Cubs. Josh Beckett’s name comes up from time to time, but he’s got a big contract, has attitude issues, has 10/5 rights, has had inconsistent performance, and has a GM who’s said repeatedly that he’s not going to be traded.
- Carrie Muskat, not usually a rumor monger, says the Pirates have been keeping tabs on Reed Johnson and David DeJesus. Hmm.
- Jeff Samardzija says he hopes Ryan Dempster isn’t traded, and he doesn’t know much about Dempster’s thinking. No surprises.
- The Orioles, who won’t deal top prospects Dillon Bundy or Manny Machado, and who don’t have much beyond that, are looking at second tier starting pitchers like Joe Blanton. To which I say: why not consider Paul Maholm?
- The Giants are looking for an outfield bat, but can’t take on a lot of salary. If, as we’ve heard, the Cubs are willing to eat almost all of Alfonso Soriano’s salary in exchange for a nice prospect, it kind of seems like there’s a fit there.
i will lose a lot of respect for theo and jed if they fold. if you don’t get anything worthwhile i say keep him and roll the dice on the qualifying offer
I, for one, will play may part to make sure Dempster NEVER even considers staying in Chicago.
You’re going to torment Dempster? How classy.
Agreed.
Proudly. I have no respect for prima donna’s who objectively hurt the team.
I didn’t say you gotta like him, but tormenting? That’s classy. And attractive in a fanbase, too.
There’s a middle ground between accepting miserable performance and making threats over humans’ imperfect actions. I’d like to think that in-between is the space we’re talking about, but then I’m not so sure when you say “proudly” in response to “so you’ll torment the guy?”
First off, I never said the word “torment” you and Lou started fondly using that term. I said I would do my part to make sure he doesn’t want to sign for a qualifying offer. Does that probably mean booing when he starts? Absolutely. But, I think I’m more than justified in booing a player who put the team in a worse off position for really no justifiable reason other than personal preference. He wants to act like a Diva, he can be treated like one.
watch out you will upset dumpsters fan club.
Oh, if all you’re gonna do is boo, then sure, boo away. Still doesn’t categorize as classy, but I can’t really blame you, way things have gone. And yes, we used “torment”, but you didn’t disagree. Had you said “no I’m not going to stalk him you numbnuts” then I at least would have shrugged and walked away.
That said, I think you’re silly if you think a bunch of boos will drive a guy like Dempster to leave $12+ mill on the table. What *will* make him leave is a much better offer at another team.
I just wonder with your attitude how long you’ll be behind the long rebuilding plans of the Cubs.
what does not wanting theo to pull a jim hendry have to do with rebuilding?
What does this comment have to do with tormenting a player?
oh, whoops. sorry
Hmmm…troll much?
Overreact much?
Look, I’m not the one who’s into tormenting a player. So to speak bluntly…ummm….no!
Deep breaths. Deep breaths.
Lou, your point is a complete non-sequitur. I cheer for a team. You appear to cheer for an individual. When an individual hurts my team, I will no longer be a fan of him no matter what he’s done in the past. Based on your comments on here, I’m not so sure you won’t become a Dodgers fan when Dempster gets traded there for a 2008 NLDS T-shirt.
Just because I support a guy for exercising his 10-5 rights in light of what appears to be a rough family situation doesn’t mean a support one individual. So, now I’m a Dodgers fan. Make you can join me…it’ll give you another vehicle through which to torment the man. As others have posted here earlier, how classy, right?
You know what’s classy? Telling the fans you want to help the team and then completely destroying any and all leverage the team may have in trading you. Telling your bosses that you’ll accept A or B, and then changing your mind when the time comes to live up to your word. You may get all warm and fuzzy when a multi-millionaire starts complaining about how tough his life is to have to professionally play a child’s game, but I don’t have much sympathy. And, let’s never forget this horrible, awful trade that he would have had to accept? Two months on a playoff contending team. The team wasn’t asking the world from Demp. He was just too selfish to acquiesce.
So, it’s the end of the world isn’t it? Wow.
Lou, we’re done. Address the substance of what I said or move on.
Then why do you continue to make comments to others’ post if were done? Again, it’s one player’s actions with the Cubs caught in a bad situation regardless (the Garza injury, for example). Yep, exactly, move on.
Why are you the angry one? All I see are a bunch of straw man arguments from you.
Yeah, the 10/5 rule isn’t Dempsters fault, it is on Curt Flood. That said, I am not upset he did/didn’t envoke it, he didn’t stay true to his word. He had made both parties aware of his intention to accept a deal to the Braves. If he was up front, and said the only team I will accept a trade from is the Dodgers, we would have had no leverage, and he would have 0 chance of being traded. But, atleast he would have been honest. You can tell by our FO response to everything they were caught of guard. I don’t care to boo him, but he went down quite a few notches because of it.
Not only that, but if you fold now, future trading partners will remember it. I’d rather not get anything for Dempster if it means future returns could be higher. Plus, I don’t really like Dempster holding the Cubs over a barrel here. If we don’t get a decent return, then I’d rather keep him than letting him get his way.
I still see Garza going to the Rangers..
As long as Olt is coming back, I’d be all for that!
yeah, we really “Olt to” make that trade
“So, if the Cubs bend, it’s because they know Dempster won’t really go anywhere but LA.”
We think… or che could change his mind again. We’re really not sure.
I hope we don’t bend over for the Dodgers and Dempster as well. Hold on tight Theo and Jed!
Hmmm Soriano to the Giants… I sense Dick Tidrow is involved.
Some sites have posted Allen Webster was pulled from his start tonight. Anyone hearing anything similar? With my limited number of ‘sources’, I can’t find anything to substantiate that rumor, and could be precautionary as anything.
Webster just pitched four days ago, so that rumor is bogus – he’s not scheduled to start tonight anyway.
Thanks for the clarification, Brett!
Oh sure, use your superior math skills to crush our dreams.
Brett, I brought this up earlier, any chance we see Soriano shipped to San Fran for Belt? They don’t have time or patience apparently for him to develop and we can give them a free, very big bat.
It’s conceivable, if the Cubs eat a ton of salary. But I wonder whether Cubs want an outfield project for next year. I kind of like the idea, though.
I’d do it in a heartbeat, getting a player with potential is more than I expected for Soriano.
I’d be very happy if all it took was the Cubs sending a ton of cash for Belt. I really think he would turn out to be a very good player in the right organization.
Soriano (contract paid ) to the Giants for Brandon Belt.
Dempster and Belt to the Dodgers for Lee and Reed (or another prospect)
No one the Dodgers give us 2 of their top 3 pitching prospects for a project and a rental. Belt makes sense for the Cubs because we can give him time to develop at a new position. He makes very little sense on a contender.
Don’t forget sori can veto the trade
unfortunately, that is a real possibility (damn it).
I think Sori would like it here in LA. Dude, bring that big (slightly smaller than you used to swing) bat on down to Chavez Ravine! Lotta Cubbie transplants here to cheer you on!
I just hope Soriano was watching the Cubs fans bash Dempster when he didnt accept the trade. (not saying he vetoed it but he never accepted it yet). Soriano should be watching and learning.
Pretty sure Soriano vetoed a trade to the Orioles in the offseason. But since he never claimed he’d do what was best for the team, it blew over. Funny how that works.
Yeah, I think Sori’s out on the lead in terms of setting fans’ expectations re: trades.
CALL THE BRAVES!!! make it happen lets bring in the guy we were already squealing over!
Has anyone else made the point that even though Dempster wants to go to LA to “pitch” with Ted Lilly, that Ted Lilly hasn’t pitched in over two months, and is not a sure thing to return. If I’m in the front office I’d be pretty pissed I have to trade the guy to LA so he can bro out with Lilly for 2 months.
Lilly is doing his rehab assignment in the Minors this week.
The CUBS are a bunch of “screwups” Oh yes, they
are going to make all these deals, yeah right. RYAN
DEMPSTER, like many others i am sure, has lost
my respect (even though he is a fierce competitor & a nice guy)
He’s telling everyone, YES, I will agree to a trade to a
team that is in a good position to get into the playoffs.
Then, he turns ATLANTA down! HELLO, RYAN! ATLANTA
is one of the best teams in the NL. IF I had the money,
I would bet tons of $$$ that the CUBS do NOTHING
by trade deadline! MORE REASON TO ROOT AGAINST
THEM, I I GUARANTEE YOU THERE WILL BE MANY
OTHERS THAT FEEL THE SAME WAY. WATCH!!!!!!!!!!
Hendry is that you?
lol
WHY are you posts ALWAYS full of CAPS, your TONE tells US how angry you really ARE. And yes this could be Hendry.
actually thats big z… can tell by the almost in tears anger toward the team. your in a cubs blog site with all that. thanks for the thoughts. go root for the sox
Kevin Goldstein @Kevin_Goldstein
Heard that Zach Lee, Allen Webster and Chris Reed are all off the table in any Dempster talks.
Sounds promising…
ah well great
At least we can get Ryan Dempster’s eternal gratitude in return.
ugh. just keep him
We really need to just keep him. It’s not worth giving LA a superb deal just so Demp can have his way.
Comeon Guys!!!! I wasn’t THAT bad of a GM!!!!!!!!!! LOL!!!!
I really liked your work with the Aramis, Derrik Lee and Rich Harden trades.
who knew that there would be such a problem with 10-5 rights???!!!! Am I right???
Aw, Jimmy, you know we all love you!
“bending over backwards” I don’t like to hear bending over in any sort of manner. I really hope Thed stick to their guns, and still pull it off.
Are you sure there isn’t one manner that you would like to hear it in?
I guess bending over backwards would be better than just bending over . . .
Haha.
….as long as in either case, you don’t end up kissing your own ass…..
This must be what it would have been like if Charlie Donovan tried to trade Roger Dorn.
I don’t care what you do but Keep Maholm!!!
Leroy–I too, woudn’t mind keeping Maholm. He’s still relatively young and inexpensive, and is a pretty good left-handed starter.
It also says something about Theo&Jed’s evaluating of talent. I think Maholm & DeJesus have really paid off in their acquiring them.
either these guys are morons or gluttons for punishment I can’t figure it out. but why in Gods name do we keep seeing updates from these reporters who aren’t getting any info out of our FO but say they Cubs are bending over backwards. I don’t think they are bending over in either direction with regards to Dempster. If I was Theo I would be so over this by now. Tell Coletti that if his pitchers aren’t in the deal then don’t call until they are.
This is nuts. It is 2.5 months and half the time he would be traveling regardless of where he plays. He is either an idiot or getting bad advice. I agree – would not give him a trade unless good for the Cubs. Would rather they take less to make the pt that won’t be held up by a player or other team.
Buster Olney is saying the Cubs will be the biggest loser at this deadline. Don’t expect any major moves if any it will be players like Reed Johnson…… Brett just get some sleep nothing is going to happen.
eh… someone should tell Buster Olney to go milk a cow.
Nah, go tell him to milk a bull instead.
First really sensible post I have seen.
That’s the risk when you demand full/high value for whatever you’re selling. Anybody not on board with this can get off at the Dempster-for-crap station. All aboard!
Not sure that accepting less in trade value would be classified as a ‘loser’.
you know what’s going on right? Theo is “putting” out feelers all over. They have been tightlipped the entire year and 92% of the deals they have made have worked out. I will put my blind allegiance in Thed Hoystein.
[...] A little bit ago in the latest Lukewarm Stove, I noted that, unless the Los Angeles Dodgers were suddenly willing to include top pitching prospects Zach Lee, Allen Webster or Chris Reed in a deal for Ryan Dempster, it would be hard to argue that the talks between the Cubs and Dodgers were “gaining momentum” unless the Cubs were capitulating. And then Ken Rosenthal reported that the Cubs were “bending over backwards” to make a Dempster/L.A. deal happen. [...]
maybe the cubs can get a Ryan O Sullivan and Garrett Gould…. This just in Dodgers make O Sullivan and Garrett Gould untouchable as well.
So could all of this Demp drama be from him getting caught railing the maid? I know that comment is going to piss a lot of people off. Something changed…
I wanted to say something has changed with him, to change his mind. Could it be this type of drama?
Dempster getting confronted on his indiscretions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RvNS7JfcMM
That’s hillarious max. I hope theo would allow that type of behavior to waive future no trade clauses!
Nanny, not maid. If you’re going to post stuff like this, please get your facts straight.
My bad.. Nanny.
Don’t be surprised if another team such as the Red Sox, Yankees or Reds step up to the plate at the wire and give the Cubs a couple top prospects for Dempster. There are other contenders looking for pitching.
Hey, Assman22 promised us a deal this afternoon. The day is wearing on and your reputation is at stake, Assman!
Assman we’ll come thru. He always does. He is just finishing his latest adult film.
Assman will come thru. Sorry I have been drinking..
Or maybe he’s a proctologist.
I think I heard about that film. It’s based on a long-lost manuscript by Eugene O’Neill called: “The Assman Cometh.”
This is a perfect example of leverage. A. The Cubs don’t have many valuable pieces. B. Other teams know the Cubs have to sell pieces.
Cubs only leverage is time, and the potential to say F you. The longer they hold out on these teams, make them sweat, etc, they can gain back some leverage, or ultimately just say F you.