2014 Rumor Thread

[seahawksfan234]

Ackley: 256 AB .227/.284/.344 4 HR 28 RBI
Soriano: 226 AB .221/.244/.367 6 HR 23 RBI

Not sure if Soriano would be much of an upgrade over Ackley, which is really saying something. Soriano's defense is worse and since he's 38, there isn't much hope of him getting much better. The only reason I could see picking him up would be if you predicated his improvement on last year when he hit 34 HR. I just have to imagine if he can't hit in Yankee stadium, I don't see that he will do much better in Seattle.

I really want to like the idea of picking Soriano up, but it appears to me that he is done.

 

[Podunkparte]

I want no part of 38 year old Soriano. So many strikeouts

 

[NWinAZ]

I have thought the same thing about Prado. He has been down this year, but would be a huge additional with his versatility and I think he will come on in the second half. I know there are 3 teams after him right now so he won't come cheap, but it shouldn't take a Walker or Paxton either.

 

[NWinAZ]

Soriano, not sure on but he sounds like a Mariner pick up....cheap. $200K when he passes through waivers which he will ($8M to claim).

He came back last year to finish strong so I have that in the back of my mind.

 

[NWinAZ]

Just read this on ESPN Insider:

However, the phone is reportedly already ringing off the hook, as there seem to be too many middle infielders in Chicago going forward. "Some teams already have asked about Castro, with the contending Seattle Mariners -- who might feel compelled to answer the division-rival A's big trade -- expressing strong *interest," Wittenmyer notes.

 

[seahawksfan234]

Castro would be an interesting addition. He's young, doesn't hit free agency until 2020 and his contract is rather reasonable considering the caliber of player he is.

I wonder what it would take to land him.

It's worth noting that Brad Miller has picked it up and is hitting .276/.333/.469 with 5 HR 13 RBI over his past 29 games.

Castro would be a nice addition given his youth and career production thus far, but perhaps SS is not a glaring need at this point.

 

[NWinAZ]

Probably take Walker to start with to get him. But if you did get him, you then deal Miller to Mets or Detroit for something. Also no need for Franklin either at that point.

 

[seahawksfan234]

I think it's strange that the Cubs are looking to trade Castro. He's 24, a good player and under team control at a reasonable rate until 2020. Sure the Cubs are looking to rebuild, but a 24 year old All-Star is the type of player you hold on to and build around. Castro looks to be improving and entering the prime of his career, just doesn't make sense to me why they'd look to trade him.

 

[NWinAZ]

They have 3 other super SS prospects including the kid they just got from A's. They are loaded at SS and know they can flip their most expensive one for a stud pitcher. Smart on their part.

 

[blstoker]

Anyone else hear that Johnny Damon wants to come back, and does he have anything left in the tank?

 

[unlvmariners]

Just read this on ESPN Insider:

However, the phone is reportedly already ringing off the hook, as there seem to be too many middle infielders in Chicago going forward. "Some teams already have asked about Castro, with the contending Seattle Mariners -- who might feel compelled to answer the division-rival A's big trade -- expressing strong *interest," Wittenmyer notes.

I have been a big fan of Starlin Castro since his rookie season. I find it hard to believe the Cubs would want to trade him. I would think his value is really high and it would take a fairly impressive package to get him.

With all that said the only reason I would want to see this move is if there is a corresponding move to bring in an OF of significant ability.

 

[SeattleCoug]

Yikes no way on Soriano. He is 38 and his numbers are similair to Ackley's and actually if you factor in defense he is probably a downgrade from Ackley. Not to mention vs. lefties he's .247/.269/.416.

 

[NWinAZ]

but, but, but, he is cheap.

 

[seahawksfan234]

They have 3 other super SS prospects including the kid they just got from A's. They are loaded at SS and know they can flip their most expensive one for a stud pitcher. Smart on their part.

Perhaps it's just my paranoia due to all of the Mariners busted prospects, but I'd rather stick with the real thing in Castro. Prospects are a gamble, if I were the Cubs I'd just try to use the prospects as trade chips to add some real players.

Anyone else hear that Johnny Damon wants to come back, and does he have anything left in the tank?

Every year, every sport has a Johnny Damon or two. A guy who used to be an impact player, has not played for an extended period of time, was mediocre during his last season and for some reason believes he can still play at a high level. Damon, Shaun Alexander, Terrell Owens, Chad Johnson, etc. come to mind.

My point is that Damon is 40 now and he was mediocre during his 2012 stint with Cleveland. What makes him think that two years later he will somehow be better?

Damon's comment about still being able to outhit half of the league is laughable. Only league that Damon could outhit these days is his local little league.

 

[wazzu31]

They have 3 other super SS prospects including the kid they just got from A's. They are loaded at SS and know they can flip their most expensive one for a stud pitcher. Smart on their part.

Jack needs a trade like this for prospects for a proven player though. I don't care if it is desperation, but Walker should not be off limits in any deal with a proven player. His faith in the pick of Hultzen should make Walker expendable if the right player is involved. A guy like Upton, no, but a guy like Castro then sure. This wouldn't be a Cliff Lee deal where there are red flags involved.

 

[NWinAZ]

Agreed. Would love Walker for Castro and again then deal Miller and Franklin for bat and/or pitcher say to Mets. Writer mentioned Wheeler for Castro. I would get Castro then turn Miller for Wheeler. I really like Murphy for Mets, but no where to play him unless you moved him to 1B. Maybe do a Miller/Franklin/Smoak for Wheeler/Murphy. Maybe that is dreaming, but what else do I have as a M's fan at trade deadline time?

 

[Podunkparte]

Agreed. Would love Walker for Castro and again then deal Miller and Franklin for bat and/or pitcher say to Mets. Writer mentioned Wheeler for Castro. I would get Castro then turn Miller for Wheeler. I really like Murphy for Mets, but no where to play him unless you moved him to 1B. Maybe do a Miller/Franklin/Smoak for Wheeler/Murphy. Maybe that is dreaming, but what else do I have as a M's fan at trade deadline time?

So Castro = Wheeler
and Walker = Castro

then Miller = Wheeler?
Which means Miller = Castro, Walker, or Wheeler?

Not gonna happen. Brad Miller doesn't stack up to any of these guys.

 

[SeattleCoug]

Cubs-A's trade gives Rays GM power with ace Price on market | FOX Sports on MSN

I realize extreme long shot and would have to include walker. None the less the article lists the Ms as one of the 4 teams that makes sense as a landing spot for David Price

 

[cezero]

 

[unlvmariners]

Agreed. Would love Walker for Castro and again then deal Miller and Franklin for bat and/or pitcher say to Mets. Writer mentioned Wheeler for Castro. I would get Castro then turn Miller for Wheeler. I really like Murphy for Mets, but no where to play him unless you moved him to 1B. Maybe do a Miller/Franklin/Smoak for Wheeler/Murphy. Maybe that is dreaming, but what else do I have as a M's fan at trade deadline time?

Since we are dreaming, there are about 3-4 Cubs prospects I would love to have. Kris Bryant, Albert Almora and Jorge Soler.