Trade Deadline Rumor Roundup
TRADE RUMOR UPDATE (4:23 PM CST): Jayson Stark reports that the Mariners are asking a steep price for Ibanez:
The Cubs, meanwhile, are resisting attempts by Seattle to get Felix Pie and a second prospect for Ibanez. The Cubs almost certainly would be willing to offer a couple of prospects in the Sam Fuld stratum. But teams that have spoken with the Cubs say they've shown little sense of urgency to overpay to add a final piece or two of late.
A few notes about the Cubs/Brewers series first...
- So the Cubs win the battle of the aces last night, with Carlos Zambrano putting together the type of heroic effort that should be remembered for years. 118 laser precision-like pitches over eight innings with nine strikeouts and only five hits and the Cubs are guaranteed to be still in first place after the series ends. They're also set-up nicely for a series win or dare I say series sweep with Ryan Dempster and Rich Harden going the next two games. (Doing my best Mel Allen) How about that?
- The "struggling" Cubs offense has pounded out 26 hits over the last two games. Apparently you can just turn it on when it's needed most.
- Entering the series, Jason Kendall had morphed himself into a late-90's Ivan Rodriguez, throwing out 27 of 57 baserunners for a league-leading .474 caught stealing percentage. Lou and the Cubs baserunners didn't seem impressed. They're now a perfect five for five in the first two games. Kendall needs to take another dip into whatever fountain of youth he found.
Some trade rumors after the jump...
- Ken Rosenthal reports that the Cubs are showing interest in Raul Ibanez or any left-handed hitting outfielder. Jim Edmonds knee must be worse than they originally thought and it never hurts to have some insurance. It seems the Cubs are perfectly willing to move Kosuke Fukudome to center field on a full-time basis and find someone to play right field. Reader "Chifan" put together a list of some outfielders that might be available:
AL West
Milton Bradley
AL Central:
David DeJesus
Mark Teahan
AL East:
Luke Scott
Brad Wilkerson
NL West:
Randy Winn
Dave Roberts
Jody Gerut
Brian Giles
NL Central:
Ken Griffey Jr.
NL East:
Mark Kotsay
I would probably add Coco Crisp to that list as well, although I'm not sure how Chifan neglected one name though, the player sure to lead us to the promised land ....Adam Dunn!!!!!!!!!! Hey, the Cubs will need a DH for the games in the AL Park in the World Series.
All kidding aside, I'd go after David DeJesus out of that group, followed by Luke Scott and nobody else. And there haven't been a whole lot of Dejesus or Scott rumors out there, so I don't expect much. Apparently Bruce Levine is reporting that Texas and San Francisco have called Hendry about deals. I'd stay far away from Milton Bradley though. Sure, he can hit and play pretty good defense, but kind of like a hot girl who happens to be crazy...the juice ain't worth the squeeze.
- The Star Tribune out of Minnesota reports:
La Velle and I have spoken to different Dodgers people who say they have no interest in Adam Everett. At least not in a trade. Team had a meeting this month to discuss shortstop options, and listed Cristian Guzman (before he signed his latest deal), Jack Wilson and Ronny Cedeno. Everett’s name didn’t come up.
May I suggest a Ronny Cedeno for Andre Ethier swap?
- Scott Eyre is still very much on the block as well, although I wouldn't be surprised if he's a post-July 31st trade that has to go through waivers.
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