Step away from the ledge
7 Comments Published by Colin Wyers on Friday, February 1, 2008 at 10:35 AM.
The Orioles will need an innings-eater if they trade Erik Bedard, and the addition of Cubs righty Jason Marquis in a package for second baseman Brian Roberts could enable them to demand better prospects from Chicago. Marquis' three-year, $21 million contract is back-loaded — he's earning $6.375 this season and $9.875 million in 2009. It is doubtful the Cubs would include Felix Pie in a deal for Roberts; Pie could be their center fielder for the next six years.
There is that "could enable them to demand better prospects" line, but realistically I think they've demanded about all the prospects we have anyway.
Remember:
- Trading Marquis: Good.
- Trading Pie: Bad.
Addendum: More from Jayson Stark:
There has been so much talk for so long about the Cubs trading for Brian Roberts, you might think that deal would go down 30 seconds after the Erik Bedard trade is official. Uh, not so fast. According to teams that have spoken to the Cubs and Orioles, they still haven't settled on any of the specifics. The Orioles would get back a starting pitcher -- either Sean Gallagher or Sean Marshall. But beyond that, nothing is particularly concrete. Felix Pie has been much-rumored as the second piece. But when one baseball man was asked whether Pie was likely to be in the trade, he replied: "I doubt it."
So corroboration on the no Felix Pie thing. And subbing Marshall for Gallagher again makes the trade much more palatable.
I think that the price on Roberts is coming down - we saw the same thing happen with Santana and Bedard. Remember, when all of the ridiculous rumors were flying around a few months ago, they weren't accompanied by an actual trade. The Orioles still have a lot of holes to fill, and the Cubs think they can probably win the division as is, although they'd like reinforcements. So it's plausible that this trade occurs without turning our farm system to ash.
Labels: Baltimore Orioles, Baseball, Brian Roberts, Chicago Cubs, Trade Rumors
Very good news. Hopefully Gallagher isn't traded for Roberts as well unless the Cubs are getting the injury prone Hayden Penn in return.
I think the whole point of trading Marquis is to get Gallagher innings - at least, that's the point for me. In my mind, at least, something like Colvin/Marquis/Marshall is what I'm thinking. That sounds like a stiff price, but it's not the utter absurdity that Pie/Gallagher was.
Lemme amend that - I can see one of E-Patt or Cedeno leaving in that deal as well.
As well as or instead of say, maybe, Colvin?
Hard to say, Jettero. It's possible that Murton is involved as well.
I don't know if you can do the deal without giving them at least ONE key prospect, and if you're keeping Pie, Gallagher and Soto... well...
I've always assumed Jay Payton would be included in the deal as well. The O's have no use for him and the Cubs still want that 4th outfielder. Payton isn't the ideal candidate, but that's life when you're talking about searching for a 4th outfielder.
The problem I have with Cedeno leaving is who backs up at SS? Is that another position DeRosa plays as well, and if so, why doesn't he get the full-time job with Theriot backing up?
I'd be fine with Marshall, Marquis and Colvin. I'd rather it be Dempster, but if they're looking for an innings eater, it's not Dempster. Trading Marquis ensures Dempster begins the season in the rotation and will probably be taken over by Gallagher at some point in May or June.
DeRosa could cover short and play Fontenot at 2nd in a pinch. Not sure where he's (Fontenot) going to end up after spring training. Doubt they would keep both him and Cedeno on the roster (assuming one or both aren't traded before then). I'd still like to see Murton head west in a deal with the Fathers for Green. A lot of people seem down on him but I think he'd be a big plus, especially if they also added Roberts. He might cost too much but he's expressed a desire to move east so...