You be the GM, would you do this trade?

Cubs get Igawa and Arod
Drays get Veal, Hughes, and Gallager
Yanks get Zambrano, Iwamura, and Marshall

They cubs get a decent pitcher who does have a high walk total and high era. But was giving hardly a chance to get adjusted to the ML. He does have good stuff and the Yanks would be willing to give him up since he is now in the minors. The cubs also get a HOF player in Arod. It is hard to think the Yanks would give him up after the MVP April Arod had but the Yanks have always been a " what have you done for me lately team" so that could change quickly if he cools off and doesn't come up with big hits. It would be a dream to see Arod in a cubs uniform and reunited with sweet lou. By getting Arod you add 40 Hrs, 20 sb, and he was a gold glove at SS( which where he would be playing). The cubs would of course release Izzy or trade him. Igawa would take the place of Z in the rotation( he cant pitch any worst than Z did so far). Yes the cubs wouldn't have a solid #1 starter but they haven't had one all year so what is the difference. You would have a solid starting 5 for the first time this year. I honestly think this trade for the cubs would put them in the playoffs.

The Drays get more young pitching talent in which they need desperately. Veal is a year away and is very good prospect with tons of upside. Hughes (who is recovering from a hamstring injury) showed why he is the Yanks top pitching prospect by taking a NO-No into the 7th before being taken out. He would fit in right away with the Rays young starting rotation. Another player that could fit in the rotation this year or the next is Sean Gallager. He is another top prospect in the Cubs organization and could really help the rays. The rays do give up there steal of the off season by getting Iwamura for really cheap. Paid a 4.5 Mil posting fee and are paying him 3 years 7.7 million with an option for the 4th. This wouldn't hurt the rays that bad considering how Upton, Cantu and Wigginton are playing.

The Yanks would have a really dominate rotation that would send them to the WS. Have Mussina, Clemens, Wang, Zambrano, and Pettite for there rotation would be a dream for Yankee fans. Zambrano doesn't come cheap tho but nothing does for the Yankees. They give up there disappointing LHP Igawa which isnt that bad. They also give up there top prospect Hughes and the HOFer Arod. But the thing that eases that pain is having the 5 big horses in the rotation and acquiring a decent left-hander in Marshall who showed promise last year fo the cubs and a really good 3b in Iwamura that takes Arods place and is a sixtenth of the Salary so maybe they can throw more money at Zambano next season to make him stay while still have a really good defensive and hitting 3rd baseman.

To me this is a win for all the teams above. Drays get young pitching, Cubs get a HOFer and a decent pticher, and the Yankees get the best rotation in baseball and a young talented 3b to replace AROD and dump his salary and risk losing him for nothing in the off season when he opts out.

What do you guys think?

Z to be free agent next year or traded this year?

Thanks to mlb trade rumors-

Ken Rosenthal says of Carlos Zambrano:
"Imagine him wearing another uniform next season. Barring a sudden, unexpected twist, that's where this is going."
He goes on to run through various Zambrano suitors for the upcoming offseason: the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Astros, Angels, Dodgers, and Tigers. Rosenthal throws the Rangers, Orioles, Mariners, and Phillies into the mix as well. Might as well include the Blue Jays on that list as well.
As a lifelong Cubs fan, obviously it would be hard for me to see Zambrano depart. The biggest blunder in Cubs history was letting a 27 year-old Greg Maddux become a Brave.
Still, I do wonder whether unlike Mad Dog at the time, Z's best years are behind him. His climbing walk rate is scary, and you can't help but question the long-term health prospects for a power pitcher with his mileage. What can we expect from Zambrano's age 27-31 seasons? I really like the Mark Gubicza comparison. Both are big righties who logged roughly 1,000 Major League innings before their 26th birthdays. Gubicza was a horse up until his age 28 season, when the wear and tear started to catch up with him.
If Zambrano straightens himself out and wins 15 games and the Cubs make the playoffs, fans will be clamoring for his retention. However, the big picture outlook says to let him walk and take the draft picks, or even trade him in July. The contract will be for a minimum five years, and perhaps as many as seven if he hits the open market. $17MM annually might be below market value, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea.

While I still believe its too early to trade Z, its not out of the realm if we trade him this year. If he indeed is going to test the market, you have to trade him to get a ML ready starter and a decent MI. While his trade value is down because of his slow start, I think things will start heating up at the deadline. Expect those Arod for Zambrano rumors to start flaying around. Also a Three way deals that could involve a lower market team with young talent. It is said that Crawford could be available and that could be an interesting situation, but another team would have to be involved because the Drays wouldn't want or need Z or his contract for the last months of the season.

Wouldn't be interesting to get a deal working with the Rays, Yanks, and Cubs?? Throwing around big name players like Igawa, Iwamura, Arod, Zambrano, Jones, Crawford, and hot prospects in a 3 way deal. Its just a thought, nothing set in stone.

There looks to be many teams who would want Zambrano's services so if the Cubs do want to trade him they shouldn't have a problem doing so. Lets just hope these teams get in a trading war and the cubs get some good young players for Big Z.

Cubs Notes

-Right-hander Wade Miller, who has been on the disabled list since April 23 because of back spasms, has been throwing from a mound and is expected to make a rehab start for Class AA Tennessee on Tuesday in Knoxville. He'll have 30 days to earn back his roster spot or the Cubs will have to make another move with him.

- Pagan got the call and Pie got sent down yesterday. Pagan hit a homer in that game.

- Zambrano trade talk starting on message boards. Mets, Yankees, Rangers, and Red Sox are just a few of the teams that are interested if the Cubs deal him.

Kei Igawa sent to AAA, could the cubs make a trade?

Thanks to MLB-rumors-

The Yankees called up Matt DeSalvo and in order to make room for him, sent down struggling rookie Kei Igawa. The Yankees originally planned to send down Darrell Rasner but after his impressive start, have decided to keep him. Rasner is 1-1 with a 2.75 ERA in four starts. After spending 46 million to bring over the Japanese sensation, Igawa, has been a bust, going 2-1 with a 7.63 ERA in six games, including five starts. Igawa was optioned to Class-A Tampa.

This is pure speculation on my part but interesting points I believe. If you haven't heard Clemens is now a Yankee, again. With this addition it makes the rotation Mussina, Hughes, Clemens, Petitie, and Wang. Pushing and leaving Igawa in AAA. Of course since Roger might not be ready by June he could come up again. The Yanks are very frustrated with there 46 million dollar man. I guy worth that much shouldn't have a 7.63 era but how would he do somewhere else? and would the Yanks trade him?

I honestly believe the Yanks would love to dump his salary on someone else and not worried about having the highest paid player in there minors that is in there system. Don't get me wrong Guzman has shown he could handle the 5th spot but for how long? So I say why not ship some prospects to the Yanks for Kei? How about Marshall? Mateo? Marmol? the list goes on. I think he would do well as the 5th starter in the Cubs organization and Larry has proven he can take a 6+ pitcher to a 4-1 2.50 pitcher. Its just speculation but interesting.

Cubs news and rumors

- The cubs have sent Cedeno to Iowa and called up Guzman for today's start. Ronny who was hitting .097 and 2hr will get more playing time in Iowa and should benefit the Cubs and him. Guzman pitched very well today and got a no decision. He had alot of movement on his fastball and hit 97mph today. He looks good as a 5th starter.

- More trade rumors about Jones are swirling. His stock should be allot higher since the beginning of the year. He showed he can play great CF and decent RF. He also has shown he can still hit the ball with the trade rumors going around. He is hitting .297 with 1 hr and 10 rbi and a stellar OBP of .366. Now the cubs have to think, do we really want to trade him now? and if you do what is he worth and want does the team need? The Angels remain interested.

- Here is an interesting tidbit from MLBtraderumors.com-

According to John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus:
"Speculation is mounting that Seattle is ready to swallow hard and release right-hander Jeff Weaver after his going 0-5 with a 15.35 ERA after five starts."
The handiwork of Scott Boras, an inflated pitching market, and playoff heroics earned Weaver the same one-year, $8.325MM deal he got from the Angels the previous offseason. At when the Angels signed him, he was coming off a solid 14 win season. The Ms signed him after he posted a 5.76 ERA in 31 starts.
I'd be surprised to see the Ms release Weaver. Couldn't they pay $6MM of his salary and virtually give him away to some NL team? Even that would be better than releasing him. Maybe the Padres would take a chance on him if the salary risk was minimal.

Don't be surprised to see if the cubs want to make him there 5th starter. Especially if he is released. Could he do for the Cubs what he did for the Cards last year? For around 6 mil it wouldn't be bad to take a chance on him.

- The Yanks and Mets are a list of several teams who would want Z for the big push this year. They are watching the situation closely. Unless they want to give us a young solid mlb ready starter and a good MI that can hit. If the come with any less than that I say no way. We would certainly take a Arod and Hughes fro Zambrano and Izzy lol

Send your Thoughts and Prayers to the Friends and Family of Josh Hancock.

From Espn-

ST. LOUIS -- Josh Hancock, a key member of the bullpen that helped the St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series last season, was killed in a car crash early Sunday.
The Cardinals postponed their home game Sunday night against the Chicago Cubs.
Police said the 29-year-old Hancock was alone in his 2007 Ford Explorer when he struck the rear of a tow truck at 12:35 a.m. The truck was in the left lane assisting another vehicle that was involved in a prior accident, officer Pete Mutter said.
Hancock was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the tow truck, whose name was not released by police, was in the truck at the time of the crash but was not injured.
The medical examiner's office said Sunday morning that an autopsy had been scheduled. The Cardinals and police were expected to make a statement later in the day at Busch Stadium.
Hancock's death is the second of a Cardinals player in less than five years. Pitcher Darryl Kile was found dead in a Chicago hotel room in June 2002. The 33-year-old Kile died of a coronary artery blockage.
Hancock, who pitched three innings of relief in Saturday's 8-1 loss to the Cubs, played for four major league clubs. He went 3-3 with a 4.09 ERA in 62 regular-season appearances for the Cardinals last season and pitched in three postseason games. He was 0-1 with a 3.55 ERA in eight games this season.
Three days before his death, the Cardinals got a scare that some teammates said reminded them of Kile's death -- Hancock overslept and showed up late for a day game in St. Louis. Hancock told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch he thought the starting time was later and didn't get up until the "20th call" from anxious teammates.
"We were all a little nervous," closer Jason Isringhausen said earlier this week. "We don't care if you're late. That happens. We want to know that you're OK."
Hancock made his offseason home in St. Louis. He was the only player to attend the premiere of a DVD documenting the Cardinals' unlikely run to their 10th World Series championship after winning only 83 regular-season games.
Hancock joined the Cardinals in spring training last season after the Cincinnati Reds released him for violating a weight clause in his contract. He had been a starter the previous year with Cincinnati, but missed 133 games because of groin and elbow injuries. He also pitched for Boston and Philadelphia.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

No make up day has been announced.

Please send your thoughts and prayers to friends and family of Josh. The baseball family lost another good player and an even better person.

Josh Hancock 1978-2007

Post Dispatch Creates Fire for Cubs and Could Z be Delt?

According to MLB-Rumors-

The St. Louis Post Dispatch had an article on the cover of their newspaper earlier this week discussing, more like poking fun at the Cubs and how they haven't been to a World Series in nearly a century. It even went to say that after spending 300 million dollars, the Cubs are still chasing the Cardinals. Later that day, the Cardinals were beat by former Cardinal Jason Marquis and the Cubs 5-3, and after the game, manager Tony LaRussa expressed his apologies to the Cubs, and said he had nothing to do with it. He also refused to answer any questions from Dispatch reporters. And today, Carlos Zambrano, Jacque Jones, and company went on to beat the Cardinals 8-1. Zambrano pitched seven innings, giving up one earned run, and struck out two. Jacque Jones was a homerun away from the cycle, going 3-4 with 4 RBI. On the Cardinals side, Adam Wainwright struggled, going 4.1 innings giving up six earned runs. The Cubs improve to 10-13 and push the Cardinals to 10-13. The Cubs go for the sweep tomorrow on ESPN at 6:55 p.m. CT, Rich Hill for the Cubs and Kip Wells for the Cardinals.

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This according to the Star Ledger-

That teams have been calling the Cubs about star right-hander Carlos Zambrano since word got out that the pending free agent's contract-extension negotiations broke down. But with the Tribune Co. ownership situation in flux, the Cubs are telling interested teams they don't yet know what they're doing to do with Zambrano -- sign him, trade him or ride out the season and see what happens.

Where they get this info from I don't know. The cubs were nearly done with a deal until the Tribune was sold to Sam Zell. Now is trading him out of the question, absolutely not. But he should have a heavy price tag. He would cost an Arod or Vlad or like a Jose Reyes and John Maine package. Now are teams willing to do that, I honestly don't think so but he is honestly worth that much and the cubs shouldn't sell for anything less.

Prior out for season, Theriot to stay at SS, and other notes

Thanks to MLB RUMORS-

It does not surprise many, but Mark Prior had successful arthroscopic surgery and is done for the season. The team expects him to be ready to pitch next spring. For those of us who know Prior however, it is unlikely we will see him until May or June of 2008. "It's not career-ending," Hendry said Wednesday. "[Andrews] felt optimistic that he would be able to pitch next year. A couple hours after surgery, [Andrews] wasn't going to give you a time frame. He didn't think there was anything significant to stop Mark from pursuing his career, and at his age, should not have a problem responding and coming back after probably a strenuous rehab." Prior, 26, has been on the disabled list every year since 2002, and it goes on this year and most likely next year as well

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Today after the Cubs game Lou said " Yeah, Theriot is our SS. He is hitting well, played a good shortstop, we need to have him in there everyday."

Lou also seems displeased with Cedeno and Izzy's D and offense. Who can blame him. Theriot for now is the starting SS and I am for one glad. Look for a deal to send Izzy somewhere else or in a package to get a "better SS" than Ryan. I don't see it happening for a while since where only a month into the season.

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Other Notes-
1. Miller to DL for back spasms. If you believe that your crazy, they need to make room on the roster for Soriano and Cherry. He will be traded or released and Guzman will get the next shot at the 5th spot.

2.Alfonso Soriano was not in Wednesday's starting lineup as a precautionary measure because of the wet grass from the overnight rain. He looked a little tentative when he was running the bases Tuesday after hitting a double.

3.Left-hander Sean Marshall was scheduled to start Wednesday night for Class A Daytona. Marshall has been in extended Spring Training to strengthen his shoulder. ... Baserunning instructor Bobby Dernier's work is done. He left the Cubs' big-league team on Wednesday and was headed to Class A Peoria for a few days.

Soriano to LF, Tigers intrested in Ohman, Z deal about to get tabled, and other tidbits

Lots of news and rumors have been pouring in so here they are-

"We're going to put him in left field," Piniella said. "He's got that strain, and it'll be less running and much better for him."

I honestly think this is best. Now that he is in LF you will definitely see his bat to heat up. Now does that mean Pie will be sent to AAA and Jones take CF? will Jones or Murton be dealt to make room for Pie in CF? OR could it be that Pie will be sent down and Theriot play center? All these are possibilities for the cubs and only time will tell what will happen. I will make one prediction if Jones is not in the starting lineup today against Wainwright then you gotta think there in the process of trading him somewhere. So keep you eyes open.

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Ohman has been linked to the Tigers, here is the story from MLBtraderumors.com-

Look, it's a real live trade rumor in April. Phil Rogers reports that the Tigers might make a move for a left-handed reliever, and the Cubs' Will Ohman is on their radar.
Oddly, the Cubs are carrying three lefties right now in the pen - Ohman, Scott Eyre, and Neal Cotts. Last year, the 29 year-old Ohman put up 65 innings of 4.13 ERA ball, which included a K/9 over 10. He was excellent against lefties, but for some reason faced righties over half the time.
Ohman has done poorly in six appearances for the Cubs this year. Manager Lou Piniella recently commented on his 30 and 40-foot curveballs. If the Cubs don't trade him, they'll probably demote him soon enough. Ohman's contract calls for $2.5MM over 2007-08, plus incentives.

If the Tigers want him, the cubs should see what they want from him. But wouldn't it make sense to package Jones, Ohman, and Isturiz and shop them that way for a better offensive shortstop who plays average defense? Because as of right now Cedeno is getting more playing time because Izzy is not doing well at SS and not doing anything with the bat. We need a full time shortstop with a a good bat a decent glove and I think that package right there could get us one like Felipe Lopez from Washington, or like an Omar Visquel from San Fran. I just don't think this combo of Cedeno, Izzy, Theriot at SS will work. But that is just me.

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Here is another interesting thing from MLBtraderumors-

Just saw Ken Rosenthal on TV, and he had his usual collection of inside information.
Rosenthal says that contract talks with the Cubs' Carlos Zambrano are "about a week away from being tabled." All along we've been hearing how he'd likely remain a Cub, even with the impending sale of the team. Zambrano's only had one good start in four tries this year; perhaps the Cubs want to see that ace again before committing. It seems silly that such a huge contract could be affected by four starts, but you never know. If Zambrano reaches the open market, the Cubs will likely be outbid.
Rosenthal also mentioned that instead of extending setup man Scott Linebrink's contract, he might become their best trading chip. They could look to upgrade at third base or left field, or even try to acquire their center fielder of the future. Most folks feel that Kevin Towers would find a way to replace him on the cheap.

The cubs need to get him signed regardless. I think this contract thing is effecting his pitching and putting to much pressure on him to pitch perfect. So do one of two things. Either sign him to a deal before may or wait until the offseason( which the cubs shouldn't do because they will lose him).

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OTHER NOTES-

1. Wood has tendonitis and doesnt know when he will pitch again.

2. Prior still is not showing improvement and hasent started a game in Iowa.

Soriano to miss Cards series

Thanks to cubs.com-

ATLANTA -- Cubs fans should not get their hopes up for a miracle appearance by center fielder Alfonso Soriano in the upcoming weekend series with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Manager Lou Piniella put any possibility of that to rest.
"He ran today, and he was about 75 percent," said Piniella. "Mark O'Neal, our trainer, feels that by Monday or Tuesday, he'll be ready to play. He'll run again on Saturday in Chicago, in cooler weather, see how he feels, maybe even a little bit on Sunday and then be ready to play by Monday or Tuesday. That's the scenario we have for Soriano."
Soriano, who has sat out the last three games after straining his hamstring in Monday's game against San Diego, was upbeat prior to the series finale in Atlanta, speaking optimistically that he could conceivably play as early as Sunday.
Piniella, while admitting he was encouraged by the progress of 31-year-old center fielder, who he called "a quick healer," discouraged any speculation that he would rush him back into the lineup, even as a pinch-hitter.
"[If] you sit through cool weather, you get all stiff, and then send him up there to hit, you're risking [it]," he said. "Last night, we kept our bullpen quiet because of the risk factor. This would be a similar type situation with Soriano.
"I will probably say no, but let's leave at least a little doubt so the other team doesn't know for sure. So everybody's available," he added with a laugh. "But prudent-wise, it would be difficult. It's taking a risk that probably isn't worth taking."
Running amok: The inability to get Matt Murton home from third base with nobody out, and then not advance both Michael Barrett and Murton from second and third with one out in the eighth inning on Wednesday night was the final straw for Piniella as far as the team's baserunning.
The Cubs' skipper announced that he is bringing in the club's outfield/base running coordinator, Bob Dernier, to run a clinic.
Dernier stole 218 bases in his career, while only getting caught 63 times, a 77.6 percent success rate, and in 1984 set a then-franchise single-season record for steals by a center fielder with 45.
"We're going to work on some things with our leads and so forth, try to improve our baserunning," said Piniella. "I haven't been totally pleased with that aspect of our game. We're going to bring him in and really go over some things, including stealing bases."
One thing he'll probably go over with the Cubs players is when, and more important, when NOT to steal. Second baseman Ryan Theriot provided a perfect example of the latter in the first inning Thursday night.
After singling and stealing second, Theriot was thrown out attempting to steal third on a 2-0 pitch with Derrek Lee at the plate and Aramis Ramirez on deck.
Down on the Farm: Left-hander Les Walrond and righty John Webb combined for a shutout for Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday night. Walrond is now 2-0 with a 1.06 ERA, while the save was Webb's first since Aug. 21, 2003, when he played at Double-A West Tennessee.
Center fielder Chris Walker had two hits in his fifth straight contest -- he's hitting .476 (10-for-21) with a homer in that stretch -- to spark the first place Tennessee Smokies (Southern League, Double-A) to their fourth straight win. Walker also swiped two bases.
Jeff Samardzija pitched five strong innings (five hits, two runs, one earned), but got no decision in the Daytona Cubs' (Florida State League, Class A) 6-4 loss to Vero Beach.
The Peoria Chiefs (Midwest League, Class A) were rained out. They'll play a double-dip at Great Lakes on Thursday.
On deck: The Cubs head home to open a weekend series with the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday. Ted Lilly (1-1, 2.37) takes the hill for the Cubs, while right-hander Braden Looper (2-1, 2.37) goes for the Cardinals. First pitch is scheduled for 1:20 p.m. CT.

Its to bad that he had to miss the best rivalry in baseball but you have to take it easy with him and plus there is no rush in my opinion because I want Pie to show why he deserves to be in the Majors.