Roberts trade talks are dead.

According to Bruce Levine the trade talks for Brian Roberts are dead. The O's waned Hill, Pie, and Marmol in a deal for Roberts( which is unreal). So Jim has broken off talks with the O's. This could just be a ploy to slow down the rumors so they can get a deal done or it could be true. You never know! I don't see why they wouldn't take Marshall, Gallgaher, and Cedeno for Roberts. That seems fair on both sides. If the O's were in a rebuilding mode than they should take that deal and run with it instead of high balling us. Good luck O's on the rebuilding, your not going to get more than what we offered from any other club!

Bruce Levine also said that Jim is looking at Marlon Byrd from Texas as a platoon partner for Pie in CF next season. He also can play all three outfield positions and would spell Fukudome and Soriano time to time. Byrd is pretty decent, last year he hit .310 with 10 homers, 70 RBI, and 5 SB in 414 AB. He posted an OBP of .355. He had an career year last year compared to the two years before in Washington. But of course in 06 and 07 he had a combined 413 AB so that might have something to do with it. He also had a .987 fielding percentage which is comparable to Kenny Lofton and J. Jones. So he is pretty decent defensively. It wouldn't be the worst pick up in the world but the Cubs could do better. Id like to see them push for Figgins or sign Lofton. How about Randy Winn? The Giants need to get younger, I think we could match up well in a trade.

Here is a link to his stats-

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/5998

Cameron signs with Brewers, Cubs to move on to Lofton, Figgins, or Melky Cabrera.

With the Brewers inking Cameron to a one year deal it seems the Cubs might just go with Pie in CF next season. It is also a possibility that they try to land free agent Kenny Lofton or trade for Chone Figgins or Melky Cabrera. The Cubs flirted with the idea of having a Cameron and Pie platoon in Center but that wont happen next year. If they signed Lofton he could be used as platoon even though he is left handed or take the full time reigns if Pie doesn't prove he is ready in Spring Training. They could revisit trade talks with the Angels about Chone Figgins. They had interest at the Winter Meetings but they want to find a replacement for him at 3b and they asked for Aram( will not happen!). Maybe a three way trade with the White Sox could get him? Just an idea. Melky is the other player recently linked to the Cubs. He had an OK year last year and wont cost much. Maybe a pitcher like Marshall and 2 low level minor leaguers or Veal. It is more likely that the Cubs will trade for Roberts and stick it out with Pie or Fuld or a combination of both in CF next season, but it is nice to know the Cubs have other options.

Melky Cabrera to Cubs??

According to Foxsports.com the Cubs may be a suitor for Cabrera along with Reds, Royals, Pirates, and Braves. If the Cubs get Melky he would improve the defense in the outfield and add speed. He is a good switch hitter with plenty of pop in his bat. In 286 games in the Major Leagues he hit .275 with a .340 OBP ,15 homers and 123 RBI. The deal would likely cost the Cubs some prospects that includes Pie or Colvin and some pitching prospects like Veal, Gallagher, Marshall, or maybe Hart. I think Colvin, Veal, and Marshall could get Melky. He would fit nicely as a #2 hitter. It will be interesting if anything comes of this rumor.

Who has the best players/team in the NL Central??

Lets take a bit to check out the NL Central players and see who has the best player by position.

Best Catcher-

Yadier Molina- Cardinals. Hands down the best catcher going into next year. He has a cannon of an arm, and that makes up for his bat. If you were talking offense, I would have to say either Paulino or Soto but Yadier wins the Catcher spot.

Best 1st baseman-

Albert Pujols- Cardinals. It hurts me to say it but everyone knows he is the best power hitting first baseman in the game. He is a future HOFer and a great player. But defensively Lee has him beat.

Best 2nd baseman-

Brandon Phillips- Reds. Hands down the best 2nd baseman. .288 avg, 30 homers, and 94 rbi is damn good. Not to mention his 32 SB and .990 fielding percentage.

Best SS-

Miguel Tejada- Astros. I know he was on the Mitchell report but stats wise he is the best shortstop. It is a close race between Gonzo, Hardy, and Wilson but I give the edge to Tejada.

Best 3b-

Aramis Ramirez-Cubs. No one even touches him. He should have won the gold glove last year. He has a killer bat. No one in the Central comes close to him.

Best LF-

Alfonso Soriano -Cubs. You can argue Carlos Lee is the best but I give the edge to Sori. He has a great arm and plays good defense for a guy only in this 2nd year in LF. His speed and power make the pitchers in the Central shake in there boots.

Best CF-

Tie. Every team in the Central has new guys playing in center next year except the Brewers and Reds. Both Hall and Freel had off years and the other guys patrolling CF don't have enough experience for me to gage who is the best. Should be great to see all the young guys next year!

Best RF-

Corey Hart- Brewers. He had a great year last year hitting .295 with 24 homers 81 rbi and 23 stolen bases. He is going to be in RF for the Brewers for many years to come and they should look forward to that! A very close 2nd is Hunter Pence. He had a great year also hitting .322 with 17 homers and 69 rbi. I give the edge to Hart because of his speed and defense in RF.

Best Starting Rotation-

Brewers/Cubs. I consider this a tie. The Cubs have the best three in the Cental( Z, Lilly, and Hill) but the Brewers have the most solid rotation( Sheets, Suppan, Yovani Gallardo, Villanueva, Bush, Parra, and Vargas). They have have some young guys mixed with veterans. If Sheets stays healthy they are tough. If he doesn't than give the Cubs a huge edge.

Best Bench-

Cubs. I think this is a no brainer. They have one of the best pinch hitters in the game in Ward. They have speed and defense with Cedeno, Font, and Fuld. A great defensive catcher in Blanco and good young outfielder in Murton. I would like to see a team that is better equip from top to bottom than the Cubs are. Especially if they acquire Roberts and move Derosa to a utility role.

Best Pen-

Cubs/Brewers. Both have strengths and weakness in the pen but both have really good setup men and closers. It is tough to chose between the two. Would you rather face Howry, Wood, and Marmol or Turnbow, Riske, and Gagne?? Both are tough! You could argue the Sros have a good pen but they don't. All they have is a good closer in my opinion.

Best Manager-

Sweet Lou-Cubs. Takes a team from worst to first! Enough said!


Now who is the best overall team in the Central?? I will give it to the Cubs! From top to bottom they are the most complete defensively and offensively. They have power in the corners, great top 3 rotation, solid bench, and deadly pen. They have power and speed along with a great manger who won the Central last year. I see the Cubs the team to beat next year followed by the Brewers, Astros, and Cards.

Roberts to Cubs True? False? True? False?

UPDATE, 1-9-08 at 7:07pm: I am hearing from my emailer and other sources that a deal is getting close and could be finalized by the weekend at the latest. Jim has said Hill and Pie are off limits, so don't look for them to be in the deal. It is believed to be now Marshall, Gallagher, Colvin and Veal for Roberts. Seems like a lot for Roberts but if it means not giving up Pie or Hill I am OK with it.

WOW! What a day for Roberts rumors! Thanks to MLBTR-

UPDATE, 1-9-08 at 6:06pm: WGN Radio's Dave Kaplan checked in on this situation on his blog. He has "great sources" saying the price for Roberts is much higher than was previously reported. The Orioles want Rich Hill, Felix Pie, or Tyler Colvin. Hill is known to be off-limits.

UPDATE, 1-9-08 at 10:58am: Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune believes this deal "is almost certainly going to happen." He expects it to be for the same players Orioles Hangout mentioned. However, an Orioles official contacted Orioles Hangout to tell them their report was inaccurate.

UPDATE, 1-9-08 at 9:22am: Roch Kubatko (via a team spokesman) and Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun talked to Andy MacPhail and report that nothing has changed since last night on the Roberts talks and no deal is done.
FROM 1-9-08 at 7:53am:

Orioles Hangout is reporting that the trade of Brian Roberts to the Cubs is final. They're saying it's for Sean Gallagher, Sean Marshall, and Ronny Cedeno. I'll update the post as info comes along.

There is no way the Cubs will give up those three for Roberts. The O's may want Pie, Hill, and Colvin but they wont get all three. I can see the Cubs giving up Pie and Colvin but not Hill. I would not even think they would give up Pie and Colvin but one or the other. I can see a deal that involves Cedeno, Colvin, and Gallagher or Veal for him but not the our two top CF prospects.

Cubs still like Roberts.

Here is some tidbits from MLBTR-


Ken Rosenthal is back with a bang, penning a new article about Erik Bedard and Brian Roberts trade possibilities. We already updated you on the Bedard situation over yonder.


Rosenthal says the Cubs are still the best fit for Roberts, also noting interest from the Mets and Indians. Last we heard, the Cubs' offer included Sean Gallagher and Matt Murton but not Rich Hill or Felix Pie. Ronny Cedeno, Sean Marshall, and Donnie Veal could also be in the mix.
Interesting to hear that the Tribe is quietly taking a look at both Roberts and Bedard, just as they were quietly players for Dan Haren.

Bedard could fill the void if C.C. Sabathia were to leave via free agency. What would a Roberts acquisition mean? Asdrubal Cabrera to short, Jhonny Peralta to third or traded?

I really don't see what the hold up is on the deal for Roberts unless there insisting on Pie( which will never happen unless they include Bedard). A fair trade seems to be Marshall, Cedeno, and Veal for Roberts but I am not a GM.

If the Indians do get Roberts, I wonder if the Cubs would see if they can get Peralta from the Indians?? He would look good in a Cubs uniform.

Here is his stats-

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7156