Making the Pitch...

With the Yankees in town trade speculation picks up. So let’s get to it.

- Top advisors to Brian Cashman were scouting Carlos Zambrano the last road trip. Of course Z has gone back and forth on whether he would waive his no-trade but one of his friends has said he would waive his no-trade to go to a contending tem, introducing the Yankees.

- According to Bruce Levine the Yankees might actually be more interested in Ryan Dempster than Big Z. Dempster has been a better pitcher, teammate, and less erratic than Zambrano in the past few years. But like Z, Dempster has a no-trade clause and has a great relationship with Chicago.

- Even though the Cubs won 3 of 4 against the division leading Brewers I still expect them to become sellers at the deadline because the hill they have to climb is really steep.

- Soriano had a good take on being traded’ “"This is my fifth year, but if they say they want to trade me, then why wouldn't I want to go somewhere else. I wouldn't stay here." Soriano wants to stay in Chicago and does have a no-trade clause but said if he is asked to waive it he would not get in the way.

- Ricketts gave this team, Mike Quade, and Jim Hendry a vote of confidence but for Hendry it sounded more run down than Q. Saying you have confidence in Hendry to get the season back on track. Therefore if Hendry does not do that it decreases the confidence he has in Hendry causing his job to become in jeopardy. I was also informed that regardless Hendry will be will the team the rest of the season and a President and GM change would not take place until after the World Series. I guess we shall see.

- Would you trade Soriano and his 4 year roughly 61 million for Adam Dunn and his 4 years roughly 50 million on his contract? Is that even a fair trade? Honestly if I was GM I would make that happen even I have to pick up some the difference in cash. Adam Dunn is only 32 while Soriano is 35 and in baseball years that is a huge difference. Both are defensive liabilities but with Dunn you can play him at 1st or LF. Dunn also provides you with more power and a back-up for 1st if you don’t land a guy like Fielder or Pujols this coming offseason. The only downfall to this trade is Soriano’s numbers this season are actually better than Dunn’s. Other than that I do not see a downfall to having another big power left-handed bat in the lineup. What is your take?

- If the Yankees are serious about adding Dempster or Zambrano to their staff I think the Cubs should insist on one of these prospects being in any deal for either pitcher-



Austin Romine- The Yankees have 3 of the best catching prospects in baseball. He is the 5th best catching prospect in baseball and the Yankees 5th best prospect in their system with good defensive and offensive skills. At only 22 years old he is playing AA ball hitting .298 with 4 homers and a .362 OBP.

Dellin Betances- This RHP cracks MLBs top 50 prospects at #45 and you can see why by his stats in AA. He is only 23 years old and in 8 games started he is 3-1 with a 1.82 ERA.

Manny Banuelos- This LHP is the 28th best prospect in baseball at the ripe age of 20. In AA he has started 10 games and sports a 2.12 ERA.

Gary Sanchez- The 25th best prospect in baseball and ranks 2nd in best catching prospect. His offensive numbers have yet to translate to his potential but the upside is definitely there.

Jesus Montero- The Yankees top gem! Their number 1 prospect and the 7th best prospect in baseball. He is close to ML ready and it shows with his numbers in AAA. He is hitting .303 with .343 OBP, and 4 homers.

I think the Cubs should demand at least one of these prospects as a park of a package for either Dempster or Z. I also would entertain trading Z or Dempster along with Geovany Soto to the Yankees for Jesus Montero, Manny Banuelos, and another mid-level prospect. I think that would entice both the Yankees and Cubs.


What is your take?

Until Next Time…