I am hearing from a really reliable source that the Cubs were talking to the Orioles on Friday morning about a potential deal where switch-hitting leadoff man Brian Roberts would be sent to the Cubs along with a minor leaguer.
According to my source the O's were going to pay 20 million of Roberts salary if they could get Jeff Samardzija, highly touted prospect Hak-Ju Lee, power hitter Jake Fox, prospect Alex Maestri and Mike Fontenot.
There was a couple of sticking points for the deal but did not kill that did not kill it. The Cubs did not know if the Shark would be willing to waive his no trade clause and whether the Cubs could afford to take on Roberts contract at 4 years 20 million dollars. As it neared the afternoon the Cubs brass got the O.K. to add the money and Jeff said he would waive his no-trade clause for a chance to start in Baltimore.
All this work was for nothing because when Andy MacPhail presented the deal to Peter Angelos, he vetoed the trade. There was no reason giving by my source why Peter would veto such a trade when he is getting 5 good young ball players, 3 with ML experience and two that could be ready in a year or two. Not to mention that the O's would get our #2 prospect and #10 prospect according to baseballamerica.com.
I honestly think the O's would have gotten a little better of a deal than the Cubs would because the Cubs are giving up quite a bit of talent for Roberts and a minor leaguer but they are in win now mode so I would have approved the trade.
The Cubs would have gotten a good 2nd baseman for the next 4 year at a cheap price. Not only would he provide the Cubs with stolen bases but he is a true leadoff hitter. It's a shame this deal did not go through because I feel this would have put this team over the top.
The Orioles would have gotten a guy that could immediately step into the rotation in Shark and at 2nd base in Fontenot. Not only that they would get a really good power bat in Jake Fox. He could play some outfield, 3rd, and 1st but would primarily be their DH. The O's then would receive a really good defensive shortstop with an good bat but is a couple of years away in Lee and Alex Maestri could step in as a top notch reliever next season. What a young good team the O's would have for years to come!
It is really crazy how now we hear trades that were purposed but did not happen. In the past we heard Nate McLouth for Felix Pie straight up, the Cubs turned that one down a couple of years ago. Mark Prior, Felix Pie, and prospect for Miguel Tejeda and Erik Bedard, the Cubs also turn down that one years ago as well. But this one is hardly the Cubs fault. I guess we can hope for this to be revisited maybe through waivers? Not likely.
17 comments:
Try to find out who the minor leaguer was coming to the Cubs. If you heard all of the other names, I'm guessing you can get the name of the last piece of the puzzle!
I really dont want to give up Fox. I feel we are going to need him and he will be important in the playoff push. Maybe this can still happen. Who know but that would be a sweet lineup.
Thanks for the update, just proves Angelos is a jackass, and horrible owner. Seems like a trade that would have helped both teams, the Cubs now, and Baltimore down the road.
What source told you about this?
If he wanted to name his source he would have. I have been reading this site for two years and the reason he cannot name his sources is because they are close to the Cubs organization or are in fear if he in facts names the source then some bad action can happen to him.
Give this guy credit. He is right a lot of the time and his sources are as accurate as I have come across.
Keep doing what your doing buddy!
I am unsure what the minor leaguer is coming to the Cubs. My source did not say. I am sure it is an arm though to replenish the system some.
He Anonymous,
Why the hell would he tell you his source. There is a reason why he does not name him and that is his business.
If you are just hear to say the line "no link must not be true" then go back to the Cubs message board they get plenty of that there.
Keep up the good work cubsfan82!
It's OK with me that this didn't go through. I love Roberts but we would have got fleeced.
I wouldn't take that deal for Roberts either. Lets look at the cubs top prospects of the last decade. 1999,2000 and 2001 it was Corey Patterson. 2002 prior. 2003 Hee Seop Choi. 2004 ANGLE GUZMAN. 2005 Brian Dopriak. 2006 and 2007 Felix Pie. 2008 Josh Vitters. So far only Guzman has made it. That's not very good odds. Roberts is a great player. None of those prospects are a sure thing. Baseballamerica also rates the top 50 players, only one cub made it Vitters rated 37th.
ok so after what I saw tonight, we need to change something. Fontenot looks ok now but what about when he goes into another slump. We need to do something. We need Roberts and we need to keep Fox out of this deal. What would it take to get Heath Bell or anther closer? What other closers are out there?
Could Marshall be our closer?
Sounds like a bunch of BS.
Could Wood be on the trading block and what would it take to get him back here? What a reunion...
The Orioles were going to pay the Cubs $20 million of Roberts' salary? Ya right.
Either somebody's playing you, or you're playing us.
Anyway we can hope to swing a waiver deal for T Hoffman as the Brewers continue to sink towards the bottom? He signed a one year deal with MIL right?
Frickin Gregg...
This sounds like total bullspit. There has not been 1 rumor in Baltimore about trading Roberts since he signed, and Baltimore leads the league in leaks.
What a response this got. I just want to assure everyone I recieved this rumor from a good source and believe it is true.
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