The Chicago Cubs are done with their off-season goals but that does not mean there done wheeling and dealing. Here are two detailed rumors I have come across my rumor inbox both involving the Angels and the Cubs-
The first rumor says the Cubs and Angels have been discussing a trade that would send Kosuke Fukudome, Tom Gorzelanny, and a minor leaguer to the Angels for Scott Kazmir and Reggie Willits. The trade seems logical for both the Angels and Cubs but lets look at it from a Cubs perspective. The Cubs would receive a former top of the rotation pitcher in the AL that has seen his numbers go through peeks and valleys through his career with both the Angels and Rays. He would provide the Cubs with a solid #5 pitcher and is a lefty which makes Tom Gorzelanny going to the Angels kind of a wash. Kazmir saw his best year in 2007 when he pitched 206 innings with 239 SO and a 3.49 ERA in the AL East. Recently his inning has decreased while his ERA has climbed but a change to the weaker NL could boost his numbers some.
The Cubs also get an switch hitting speedy outfielder who would likely battle for the outfield spot on the 25 man roster. Willits had his best season in 2007 as well hitting .293 with a .391 OBP and 27 SB.
The Cubs would be creating an everyday opportunity for Tyler Colvin in RF by trading away Fukudome and Gorzelanny leaving creates the 5th spot in the rotation open for Kazmir.
The Angels have been rumored to be shopping Kazmir because of the amount he is owed. The Angels remove the money he is owed but take on a similar amount for one year with Fukudome. But the Angels also get Gorzelanny who has put up close or better numbers than Kazmir has in the past couple years and Gorzelanny will only cost 2 million in arbitration this year. Not to mention he is still under team control. They also get a minor leaguer but not a prospect in the deal.
The money here is basically a wash and I can see this trade being a win-win for both clubs!
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The 2nd rumor also involves the Cubs and Angels but a lot more players. Here is what it looks like-
Cubs receive- Scott Kazmir, Kevin Jepsen, Alberto Callaspo, and a PTBNL
Angels acquire- Alfonso Soriano, Tom Gorzelanny, Jeff Samardzija, Jeff Baker, and Marquez Smith.
Cubs- We already broke down what Kazmir can give the Cubs and what he brings. Kevin Jepsen provides a veteran arm to the pen with good numbers. Last season in 68 games he went 2-4 with a 3.97 ERA and 60 SO. Alberto Callaspo would provide the Cubs with a bat from both sides of the plate that can play multiple infield positions at an affordable price (under team control for 3 years). The Cubs also get the great PTBNL.
Angels- The Angels get the impact bat they have been searching for this entire off-season. They have lost out on Adrian Beltre, Jayson Werth, and Carl Crawford. The Angels were offering 5+ years for those players paying them 15+ million a year. Soriano is owed 4 years 72 million but the Cubs would pay about half that contract to get this deal done according to this source so the Angels would only be on the hook for about 4 years 36 million which is a far cry from what they would pay Werth, Crawford, or Beltre. Lets not forget they tried to sign Soriano before he eventually signed with the Cubs. Soriano would provide the Angels with a right-handed bat for the outfield and DH. The Angels also get Gorzelanny which we discussed above. They also get Jeff Samardzija (if he approved the trade) he would provide a young fireball to their pen. Jeff Baker brings a right-handed bench bat who can play all over the infielder and is a better fielder than Callaspo. The Angels also finally get a legitimate young third baseman that put up great numbers in AAA last season. He would likely start at 3rd for the Halos this coming season because he provides more power and a better glove than any third baseman on their 25 man roster.
In this deal the Angels would be taking on 21 million for this upcoming season while taking on at least 9 million for the following 3 years (Soriano’s contract) for 5 players. The Cubs would be removing 7 million (minus the contracts they take on) this season and also removing 9 million each year for three years (Soriano’s contract). The Angels get their power hitter they are looking forward along with affordable replacements for Callaspo, Jepsen, and Kazmir. The Cubs get salary relief, a really good lefty as their 5th starter, a solid switch hitting infielder with speed for their bench, and veteran arm for their pen.
One big reason why I think this is legit rumor is look at the Angels lineup-
1. Bourjos
2. Kendrick
3. Morales
4. Hunter
5. Soriano
6. Abreu
7. M. Smith
8. Aybar
9. Mathis/Napoli
Balanced, Power, and Speed!
I don’t know if anything will come of these rumors but if you are an Angels or Cubs fan you should hope one of them comes true!
What do you; the readers think?
Until Next Time….
10 comments:
throw in KOSKE
throw in KOSKE
I wish either trade could happen, but sadly don't see either one. The Angels want Aramis...not Fuku or Soriano. Soriano is immovable with his contract, even with us eating a good portion. Kazmir has lost velocity the last couple yrs. to the point he's very hittable and his whip is atrocious. No way I trade Aramis for him, but think they want a better stick than Fuku even for Kazmir.
i think both deals are great for both teams! If you had to give odds of this happening? what kind of odds would you give? thanks and keep up the great work!
I would personally shake Hendry's hand and take back all I have said about him if he could make the second rumor come true.
I don't think I'd like either of these deals, and here's why...
If Kazmir and Gorzelanny are a wash, (which is only true if Kazmir is actually healthy), then they cancel each other out. So what we are left with is:
1) Fukudome + minor leaguer for Willits. Why would we trade a starter with .370 OBP for a (barely) replacement level bench player with zero power? What good is a switch-hitter if they do it poorly? Is it because we want 'speed'? I thought that's what Fernando Perez was for. The only way this deal makes sense is if it frees up dollars to land either Rauch or Qualls.
2) The 2nd deal is even worse. Baker for Callaspo is already a downgrade, defensively as you mentioned, but also offensively. That leaves Soriano+Samardija+M.Smith for Jepsen+PTBNL. By trading away a quality 3B in order to upgrade a reliever, we are putting all our eggs in the Vitters basket. Hopefully Vitters pans out, but he hasn't proven that to us yet. If you wanna make that bet, then fine, but we're giving up Soriano for a PTBNL? Really? I understand Cubs fans don't like "The Contract" or that he isn't the leadoff solution we were promised, however even taking into account his defense the fact is he's still one of the league's top LF's. It just doesn't make sense to subtract out his offensive contributions in order to make room for Fukudome's.
I'm so tired of Sorey.
Make it happen Spendry!
I wouldn't give up Fukudome or Gorzelanny for any of the players mentioned.
I also don't think cubs are looking
for any starting pitchers. Just relivers. They may trade some starters away. I think the starting rotation is already set no matter what anyone is saying. Zambrano, Dempster, Garza, Cashner, and Gorzelanny. Samardzija will be in the pen.
I really hope this rumor is true! I think Kazmir isn't finished, as many people think, I expect him to bounce back and be a great pitcher. If this doesn't happen, it wouldn't hurt the Cubs.
I would love the second scenario you posted, getting rid of Soriano, finally! It would be awesome.
Just to let you know, I think you did wrong the math about the amount of money saved by the Cubs in this deal.
The problem with this rumor is Samardzija will veto it. For some reason this kid denies all trades and thinks he has a chance to make this club. I dont mind the guy but there is no room for him and he needs to move on. It's time to cut the loss and he wont have it. It's irritating to say the least. But to get rid of Soriano would be a god sent.
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