10. Glendon Rusch, SP/RP
Rusch can opt to be a free agent after the season, as his two year deal signed last winter has a mutual option for 2006. That could make the valuable Rusch an even more attractive free agent for a team unwilling to take more than a two month flyer on him. Rusch can start or relieve, though in the bullpen he’s more effective starting an inning than coming in to get one or two lefties out with runners on base.
9. Felix Pie, CF — currently in West Tenn — not on 40 man roster
Every potential trade for a “name” player begins with the other team asking for Pie, the Cubs’ phenom center field prospect. Pie is already a Major League caliber defensive player and has shown improving plate discipline and power as he steadily progresses through the system. The demise of Corey Patterson makes it unlikely that the Cubs feel that they can afford to trade Pie, though if they did he would be a much sought after prospect.
8. Todd Walker, 2b
Walker is a proven postseason performer and excellent hitter, though his already limited defensive range has been hampered even further by his April knee injury. He is a free-agent…again…in the offseason and another player who would be a very attractive “rental” for a contending team at the deadline. With no MLB ready prospect on the horizon, Walker will likely be back for a third season as a Cub in 2006.
7. Michael Barrett, C
The lunacy of batting him eighth in the order has contributed to Barrett’s failure to develop any consistency as a hitter, though he shows signs of being an excellent offensive catcher. Defensively he’s a work in progress, and at 28, it’s time for the work in progress to show consistent results. He has improved his throwing, and while Mark Prior and Carlos Zambrano prefer to pitch to his backup, Hank White, Barrett’s game-calling shortcomings are often exaggerated (especially by me). His trade value is enhanced because at 28, he is in the first year of a very affordable three year deal.
6. Kerry Wood, SP
Wood’s value is hard to place, mainly because you have to deal with how the “marquee” value of adding a player of his reputation is balanced with the financial obligations owed to a pitcher who has proven he can be dominant at times, though oft injured. He has clearly fallen down the Cubs’ pitching totem pole, though most teams who would inquire about him would not have a Mark Prior or Carlos Zambrano ahead of him in their rotation. He is still only 28, though his injury history will give teams’ pause, his value is still likely very high. If you’re ever going to trade him, now is the time. You’ll never get more for him, again.
5. Ryan Dempster, RP
Twelve straight save chances converted and a 1.40 ERA since June 1, coupled with his inexpensive contract for this season and no obligation beyond this season make Dempster one of the most valuable trading chits in all of baseball. The Cubs will likely want to hold onto him and sign him long term to be their closer, but should they choose to sell at the deadline, Dempster would likely be the most affordable and attractive closer on the market.
4. Derrek Lee, 1B
Derrek Lee is the best player in baseball at the current time, so how is he not the Cubs’ most valuable trading piece? He only has two years left on his contract and will cash in big-time after the 2007 season, and he’s 29, which makes him an old man compared to the three players left on the list. While he’s a Gold Glove first baseman, first base is an easier spot to fill than either of the spots filled by the players left on this list.
3. Carlos Zambrano, SP
At 24 years old, Carlos is already one of the best starting pitchers in all of baseball, though his recent propensity for odd injuries (forearm cramps, tennis elbow and turf toe) is of some concern. No pitcher, not even the great Dontrelle Willis has more hits in the last three years than Carlos, and no pitcher has his rare (and downright strange) package of power from both sides of the plate. Despite his freakish ailments, Zambrano is durable, an innings eater and downright hard to hit. His intense demeanor and hair-trigger temper make him both volatile and a fan favorite.
2. E-ramis Ramirez, 3B
Why is E-ramis higher on the list than Derrek Lee? He’s younger, plays a position that is harder to fill and is one of the best hitters in all of baseball. While he’s not hitting .380 this year, he is back over .300 after a terrible April, and hit .326 last season. He also has become an above average defensive player, which nobody thought he’d ever become. At 26, and with a nice three year deal in place, E-ramis is the long-term solution to a long-time black hole in Chicago.
1. Mark Prior, SP
They don’t call him The Franchise for nothing. Prior is, at his age, the best pitcher in all of baseball. Here’s the test every team should perform to find their most tradeable player. If you called any of the other 29 teams in baseball, you could start serious negotiations for any of their players if you included Mark Prior in the deal, that includes Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez, Johan Santana…anybody. All 29 other teams wish they had Mark Prior, not only because of his age and ability, but because nobody has any idea what his ceiling might be.
So there you go, the Cubs’ trade possibilities from 46 to 1. I did my part, Mr. Hendry. Now it’s your turn.
Nice work, Andy. But to call Aramis “an above average defensive player” is a stretch. He has improved, but much of his “improvement” can be linked to the fact that he has a 6’5″ stud who makes nearly every scoop on the receiving end of his throws.
Great line:
“Hairston has one ability and that is to get on first base, however, his ability to advance to any subsequent base is in doubt…”
Either I am coming back to earth at a very fast pace, or there is something wrong with me. i am guessing I am hurt. No way do I take swings at fastballs I usually catch up to, miss them and then grimace in pain. I am too big of a stud to complain, but I should sit if I am hurting, I am too damn valuable.
Actually, I made my debut last year in a beat down we received from The Satanic Fowl. I remember it well. That jackass Dusty had me make my major league debut against the heart of their order (Pujols was out with a sore vagina or something).
I looked like a stud striking out Scott Rolen for the first out. But then Lassie welcomed me to the big leagues with a monster home run.
Lee left the game with some kind of left shoulder injury. And I thought it would be a shoulder injury to Prior or Zambrano that would end the season.
Why the hell didn’t I bring Hollandsworth from left to first and stick Dubois in left to make up for some of the potential pop I lost in D. Lee? I replaced D. Lee with Jerry freaking Harriston? My opressive stupidity knows no bounds, and it’s only going to get worse.
So, who had the July 5th square?
Wasn’t I July in the Cubs calendar?
Dig the piece Mr. Dolan
Just as long as we can see that there’s still half a season left to play, right?
Listen, you guys don’t get it. I didn’t replace Alou’s 39 homeruns, 100 plus rbi’s
over the winter AND I’M NOT DOING IT NOW. I love our farm system.
I will not give anybody up. We’re standing pat. Did you hear me? C Patterson
is good.
In the Trib, Hendry is quoted as saying that Patterson is going nowhere, he still believes in him. And worse–no teams are inquiring about our little gay caballero, either. Lovely, huh?
I agree about Dempster, he is pitching over his head right now and is a valuable trade commodity, would love to move him now for a young position player that can help us next year. Hanley Ramirez from Boston? Atlanta could really use a closer, what could we throw in with Dempster to get Andy Marte? Keep in mind Dempster is not under contract for 2006, Hendry will have over $40MM in free money to spend this coming winter, and Billy Wagner, BJ Ryan and Trevor Hoffman will all be free agents. Go ahead, trade Dempster (who I do like).
I would gladly trade Krissy Wood to Texas for Michael Young and Kevin Mench, but they’ll never go for it, and we’d need to throw in some cash.
Tampa is weird, there has to be something we can work out to bring in Johnny Gomes or Joey Gathrait as potential leadoff men/CF-ers, right? Hell, send them Patterson.
We’ll never get Dunn, but surely we can pry Austin Kearns away from the Reds. Love that guy, if healthy, he can rake. Apparently he needs to hit every day to stay focussed though, and the Reds made the decision to play Wily Mo and even Ryan Freel over Kearns. OK, their loss, let’s go get him. Reds desperate for pitching, so Mitre and Van Buren? That’s fair without over-paying.
Why we didn’t sign Todd Pratt for backup catcher when he was available this past off-season, instead of Hammerin’ Hank, is beyond me. Typical Cubs.
Frankly, I’d just go ahead and release both Macias AND Perez, but that’s me.
Man, SD won’t rest till that “z” is by the Cubs name in the standings indicating they have been eliminated. Stay positive, man.
50-30 to have a chance.
that’s .625 baseball.
LET’S BUY.
16 of this 46 guys for 4 quality players.
wood for young and mench is craziness, young is the best bang for your buck SS in MLB, not to mention the unquestioned leader of our squad. mench for kerry is more like it.
According to Ken Rosenthal, Mark Teixiera’s already sick of me. How about Wood and Dubois for me?
http://www.sportingnews.com/exclusives/20050706/630099.html
Normally the manager is a buffer between players and executives. Showalter blurs that line, fostering distrust. By dumping Drese and by smearing Rogers, the Rangers risk alienating other players — specifically Teixeira, who might balk at signing a long-term deal.
And where will Mark T. play, Buck? See, we don’t have the DH in the NL, and we already have A-Ram at 3B and D-Lee at 1B.
Ahem, Kerry Wood has me
And your point is what? That guys with no trades never get traded? Besides, he doesn’t have a full no-trade, just a list of about ten teams he “can’t” be dealt to.
rotschild, dusty, KKKKKKKKorey, Macias, Neifi, kerry wood & gray beard
for a super size bag of potato chips and a 24 pack of Dr. Pepper.
And if the trade can’t be made, I’m willing to go for only a 12 pack to make it.