Thursday, June 21, 2007

Jones drawing intrest? Cubs looking for lefty in middle of lineup?

Thanks to Mlbtraderumors-

Rangers Interested In Jacque Jones
This is unexpected. Apparently the Texas Rangers have discussed a for right fielder Jacque Jones with the Cubs.
Jones makes $4MM this year and $5MM in '08, so at first glance it's perplexing that a team like Texas would want him. There are two scenarios I can see. Maybe the Rangers are working on a larger deal and Jones helps fill some other club's need. Or, maybe the Rangers like Jones at $5MM for 2008 and think he could be a useful part of next year's club. Regardless, I don't expect Jim Hendry to get much in return for Jones. Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times mentions that the Cubs are in talks with several other teams about Jones as well.
Wittenmyer also mentions that the Cubs would like to acquire a middle-of-the-order left-handed hitter. He specifically names Ken Griffey Jr., who surfaced in a rumor
a few days ago. Wittenmyer mentions that Griffey is owed $6.5MM in 2007 and 2008 with a team option for 2009. That's not exactly true, as Griffey actually makes $12.5MM but with a lot deferred. According to Cot's Baseball Contracts, that makes the present day value of the contract something like $9-10MM. And don't forget the $4MM buyout for '09 and possible compensation for waiving the no-trade clause. According to Wittenmeyer, Griffey has told friends he'd welcome a move to Chicago.
On my first draft of this post, I had a hard time identifying other lefty sluggers the Cubs could acquire. Somehow I missed the obvious one, which is Adam Dunn. Such an acquisition would require creativity, such as moving Alfonso Soriano to right field. But Dunn is definitely someone the Cubs should consider if in need of a lefty slugger.


Getting Griffey would be great but he will cost to much in my opinion( pry Gallagher, Pie, Murton, Veal, or Epat) and I don't see them trading within the division and I would love to see Floyd play everyday RF. If the cubbies want a decent OF with power and could be valuable off the bench would be Milton Bradley( who was DFA today) he was hitting .292 with 2 homers and 7 rbi in just 19 games. He is injury pron but is a better option than Jones and Pagan in the outfield and could spell Floyd and Pie when needed.

I'm glad that the Cubs are actually going to get rid of Jones. He needs to go! PERIOD!


1 comment:

Austin said...

I'd rather have Dunn in left and move Fonso to right. Get rid of Jones and Pagan. Floyd can be a DH in interleague play and a power hitter off the bench.