After watching the debacle that was the Cubs/Missouri Inbreds Friday night, it was apparent to me that the Cubs need a spark. Ok, you might say “it took you long enough.†But I wanted to give the Cubbie offense one chance in a high pressure situation. That was Friday night, and most expectedly, they blew it.
Some Cub fans are waving the white flag already. Wimps. I believe that there are two trades that Jim Hendry absolutely has to make for the Cubs to get the aforementioned spark and make a run and the Inbreds (see above) for the Central Division crown. In fact, if these trades went down, I’d be happier than a pig in slop. Or, comparably, David Wells in a birthday cake shop. Or Tim Montgomery at Jose Canseco’s house. So Jim, here’s my plea to you, from a desperate Cub fan:
1. Matt Clement for Nomar Garciaparra. Never in my life did I believe that Nomar would become expendable in Boston. Apparently Terry Francona (the dope) believes that Pokey Reese is the answer at shortstop in Boston. If this trade were presented to the Cubs, I would consider it a “must do.†Here’s the skinny. If Ramon Martinez or Rey Ordonez (stick Danny Almonte out there, he might hit better) are the answers at shortstop for the interim, we’re screwed. I believe that Alex Gonzalez is serviceable at short, actually, more than serviceable. You just can not pass up the opportunity to bring Nomar to Chicago. I don’t understand the people who say that Nomar is “getting old.†He turns 31 on July 23rd! He’s got four good years left in the big leagues. I believe a change of scenery will be a huge jumpstart for Anthony Nomar Garciaparra’s career.
Matt Clement is having a good season. Don’t let that 7-7 record fool you. He’s got 1/18th the run support that Mark Buhrele is getting this season, and still has a comparable record. To gauge Clement’s season, though, look at his ERA. That 2.83 is pretty salty. He’s only given up 88 hits in 111 1/3 innings while striking out 118. This may be the sticking point, though: Nomar makes 11.5 million this year, while Clement is raking in a cool six mil. If Hendry can get some of Nomar’s salary paid through Beantown, it’ll make the Tribune Company (tighter than A.C. Green) a little happier on this one.
Something tells me we’d be ok in the fifth starter’s spot for the rest of the year. The fleshy-faced Glendon Rusch has thrown delightfully well throughout the season, and Sergio Mitre is only going to get better. Once the playoffs come around, though, it’s going to be hard to go beat Prior, Wood, Zambrano, and Maddux four times. Give me all the “Maddux is washed up†lines you want, the guy has been pitching in the playoffs for the last decade, I’ll take him in a pinch.
2. Alex Gonzalez for Eddie Guardado. This could be a stretch, but a boy can dream. I think this trade would work well for Seattle in one way, but could hurt them in another. Rich Aurilia is at the end of his career, either this year or next. Gonzalez still has four consistent years left in him. Also, Geroge Sherill seems to be the heir-apparent to the closer’s job in Seattle, especially with his numbers in Tacoma. That makes me question the Guardado signing in the first place, but the rain may have clouded the brains as well as the skies at Safeco Field.
Here’s where we have issue. For a team that doesn’t want to add much salary, they’d unload the four million for Guardado and pick up the 5.75 mil for A-Gon. Again, I hope for some deferral of salaries. You could possibly see Guardado get packaged up with Aurilia and his 3.15 million and add somebody like Jason Dubois to the deal. I would welcome Aurilia as a backup shortstop. The guy is a clutch hitter with more experience than Paris Hilton in bed. That might balance up the salaries a little more.
Guardado would be stellar in Chicago. He, along with LaTroy Hawkins were lights out up in the great white north. I would love nothing more than making each win a six inning game. Farnsworth in the seventh, Hawkins in the eight, and Guardado in the ninth would make me immeasurably happy.
Bottom line is, though, that no matter what happens this weekend, its not over. Even if the above trades don’t happen, I have faith. I have faith in Jim Hendry. I have faith that we will not be stuck in an avalanche of apathy with this team for much longer. Between now and August first, though, time will be full of either happy days or unnerving days.
Getting Nomar would be a must do. If it costs Clement, fine. A-Gon fine. I’d trade just about any one of our pitching prospects too. If Bonds can be productive at 40, Nomar can have another productive 6 years at least (Larkin was still productive at SS until he was 37). If we could package Clement and A-gon for Nomar and Youkilis, that’d be a steal. We could move the Greek God of Walks to 2nd and that’d plug up our 2nd base hole for many, many years.
The question then becomes signing Nomar long term. We’d probably have to forgo the option on Alou. Who wouldn’t like to see a lineup in 2005 (and beyond) of:
2B-Youkilis
SS-Nomar
RF-Sosa
3B-Ramierez
1B-Lee
CF-Patterson
C-Barrett
LF-Dubois
By the way, if your not familiar w/ Youkilis, he’s averaged .300/.422/.451 in 3 minor league years and he’s 24 years old. Youkilis made some big news last year by tying Kevin Millar’s minor league record of reaching base safely in 71 straight games. Not a huge HR threat (15-20) but has good doubles power.
I thought the reason the Red Sox could trade Nomar was because they want to use Pokey at short (morans) with Youkilis at third and Bill Mueller at second? I don’t think the Greek God of walks is on the trading block.
You’re not really thinking about starting me in left field are you next year, are you? That scares me.
Certainly. He’s done nothing but show he can hit (his current ML stint excluded). It certainly wouldn’t be any different than when CP got his first shot.
Andy-
I was under the impression that Mueller was the 3rd baseman and Bellhorn was who they wanted at 2nd. Thus making the GGOW expendable.
I think they’ve already figured out that Bellhorn blows.
Oh come on, I’ve barely got the range for 3B. You wanna put me at 2B?
Well, his fielding isn’t completely terrible, he’s got an .831 OPS and is on his way to a 119 run, 21 HR, 96 RBI season. I’m sure they haven’t learned anything from the Cubs…. I think it would be easier to get Youk than you think, especially if the Sox get Clement and A-Gon.
The above was re: Bellhorn
And Youk’s zone rating at 3rd would put him at 3rd in the AL. Certainly good enough to make the conversion to 2d.
Good ideas and thoughts Patrick.
Why would the Mariners trade for me (a free agent after the season) if they are going to trade Everyday Eddie?
Stay off the pipe, kids.