cubs get Lofton/ Ramirez

[TimmeH]

Re: cubs get Lofton/ Ramirez

"The Pirates, making their second deal of the day and third in three days, also get minor league pitcher Matt Bruback and a player to be named. Pittsburgh also gave up a small amount of cash. Bruback is 6-8 with a 3.96 ERA at Triple-A Iowa."

Straight from the AP, Pitt gave up cash, not Chicago.

[rvd2kewl]

Re: cubs get Lofton/ Ramirez

Cruz will not be the player to be named. It will be a good player, but it will not be one of the Cubs' top prospects. I'm thinking more along the lines of Jason Wylie or someone on the same level.

[rvd2kewl]

Re: cubs get Lofton/ Ramirez

Cruz will not be the player to be named. It will be a good player, but it will not be one of the Cubs' top prospects. I'm thinking more along the lines of Jason Wylie or someone on the same level.

[rvd2kewl]

Re: cubs get Lofton/ Ramirez

Cruz will not be the player to be named. It will be a good player, but it will not be one of the Cubs' top prospects. I'm thinking more along the lines of Jason Wylie or someone on the same level.

[rvd2kewl]

Re: cubs get Lofton/ Ramirez

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
DJJBulls said:
cubs probably threw Cruz in. I'd rather let go of Estes and Farnsworth.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

I agree about Estes but no way should they trade Farnsworth. The guy is great out of the bullpen and he's only making $600,000 this year. I think he has the potential to be a very good closer in the future.

[rvd2kewl]

Re: cubs get Lofton/ Ramirez

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
DJJBulls said:
cubs probably threw Cruz in. I'd rather let go of Estes and Farnsworth.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

I agree about Estes but no way should they trade Farnsworth. The guy is great out of the bullpen and he's only making $600,000 this year. I think he has the potential to be a very good closer in the future.

[rvd2kewl]

Re: cubs get Lofton/ Ramirez

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
DJJBulls said:
cubs probably threw Cruz in. I'd rather let go of Estes and Farnsworth.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

I agree about Estes but no way should they trade Farnsworth. The guy is great out of the bullpen and he's only making $600,000 this year. I think he has the potential to be a very good closer in the future.

[Neolithic]

Re: cubs get Lofton/ Ramirez

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
rvd2kewl said:
</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
DJJBulls said:
cubs probably threw Cruz in. I'd rather let go of Estes and Farnsworth.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

I agree about Estes but no way should they trade Farnsworth. The guy is great out of the bullpen and he's only making $600,000 this year. I think he has the potential to be a very good closer in the future.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Outside of the obvious....Farnsworth now has a psycological edge over just about everyone he plays. Outside of the fact that he could become a great closer, he just needs to refine his pitches a little more.

Oh yeah, the man can Tackle too.......

[Neolithic]

Re: cubs get Lofton/ Ramirez

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
rvd2kewl said:
</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
DJJBulls said:
cubs probably threw Cruz in. I'd rather let go of Estes and Farnsworth.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

I agree about Estes but no way should they trade Farnsworth. The guy is great out of the bullpen and he's only making $600,000 this year. I think he has the potential to be a very good closer in the future.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Outside of the obvious....Farnsworth now has a psycological edge over just about everyone he plays. Outside of the fact that he could become a great closer, he just needs to refine his pitches a little more.

Oh yeah, the man can Tackle too.......

[Neolithic]

Re: cubs get Lofton/ Ramirez

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
rvd2kewl said:
</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
DJJBulls said:
cubs probably threw Cruz in. I'd rather let go of Estes and Farnsworth.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

I agree about Estes but no way should they trade Farnsworth. The guy is great out of the bullpen and he's only making $600,000 this year. I think he has the potential to be a very good closer in the future.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Outside of the obvious....Farnsworth now has a psycological edge over just about everyone he plays. Outside of the fact that he could become a great closer, he just needs to refine his pitches a little more.

Oh yeah, the man can Tackle too.......

[griffy97]

Re: cubs get Lofton/ Ramirez

Conversation between Dave Littlefield and owner Kevin McClatchy:

McClatchy: "Dave, we've got to do something here. Hell, we're losing $10 mil a season since this place opened. You need to free up some cash."

Littlefield: "Well, it didn't help you raised ticket prices after we lost 100 games."

McClatchy: "Yeah, that was dumb."

Littlefield: "Look Kevin, I told you when I took this job that your core players were the problem. But we did it your way. We needed a leadoff hitter / centerfielder, so I got Lofton. We needed more bats, so I got Sanders and Stairs. You said we needed to fill out the starting rotation; I brought in Suppan and D'Amico. Now, based on your thinking, that we had the core guys and needed to "fill out" the roster, we should be in good shape. Well, the guys I brought in did their job. It's been the so-called core that's rotten. So, why don't we do things my way, now."

Kevin: "Okay fine. What do you have in mind?"

Dave: "We need to free up cash - fast. I'm talking a major overhaul here. Kendall's gotta go. He's killing us at $10 mil a year and he's a punch-and-judy hitter. Problem is, nobody wants just him. So, we're gonna have to package him with Giles."

Kevin: "He's our most marketable player!"

Dave: "Yeah, he's also 32 and we owe him $7.5 million for the next two years. I know he's a bargain, but he's a bargaining chip for us to dump Kendall. They have to go together. By the time we're ready to contend, he'll be 35 years old and a free-agent. Think, Kevin, think."

Kevin: "Okay, do it. We'll build around Ramirez and pitching."

Dave: "Uh, we need to dump Ramirez too, Kevin."

Kevin: "What? He's only 25 and fairly cheap."

Dave: "Let me draw you a picture. He makes $3 mil this year. Next year, it doubles to $6 mil going into a free-agent year. Now, he hits a ton 'cause he's playing for a contract that's gonna be close to $10-11 mil a year. So, he walks and signs with the Yankees, unless we open the vault. The next year, after watching him gain 40 pounds, hitting .230 and committing another 40 errors, we move him to first base. Now, we need another 3B. Problem is, they don't come cheap. Ramirez is only 25 now, but he's been here four years. Where's the improvement? You really want to invest the team's future on this guy?"

Kevin: "Well, we should be able to get a nice package for him."

Dave: "Right now, the only takers are the Cubs and Hendry's holding me up. He won't part with his top guys, but he needs a corner bat. Problem is, he knows we need to move fast 'cuz Houston will never let him pass through waivers. He also wants us to take Jose Hernandez, which will be very unpopular. But, he plays third and we'll let him walk after the season. Next in line is Benson and Suppan, and probably Sanders."

Kevin: "Benson, I agree. But why Suppan?"

Dave: "Look, I like Jeff. Good guy. Great year. But, his track record speaks for itself. How do you think WE got him so cheap. He's got a $4 mil option next year or we buy him out and get nothing. I've got a couple of good offers on the table right now for him. Don't know about you, but I'm leery giving him $4 mil next year with his past. Cash flow, baby."

Kevin: "So, basically, we start from scratch."

Dave: "When the core is rotten, Kevin, you have to dump the whole bushel. At least we'll have the money to buy some fresh apples."

Kevin: "The fans have suffered a long time. How long will this take?"

Dave: "Well, since my tail's on the line, not that long if you let me do this right. Talent wins championships. We'll buy the talent, and soon. We'll start this winter. None of this building for .500 BS this time."

Kevin: "Let's do it."

[griffy97]

Re: cubs get Lofton/ Ramirez

Conversation between Dave Littlefield and owner Kevin McClatchy:

McClatchy: "Dave, we've got to do something here. Hell, we're losing $10 mil a season since this place opened. You need to free up some cash."

Littlefield: "Well, it didn't help you raised ticket prices after we lost 100 games."

McClatchy: "Yeah, that was dumb."

Littlefield: "Look Kevin, I told you when I took this job that your core players were the problem. But we did it your way. We needed a leadoff hitter / centerfielder, so I got Lofton. We needed more bats, so I got Sanders and Stairs. You said we needed to fill out the starting rotation; I brought in Suppan and D'Amico. Now, based on your thinking, that we had the core guys and needed to "fill out" the roster, we should be in good shape. Well, the guys I brought in did their job. It's been the so-called core that's rotten. So, why don't we do things my way, now."

Kevin: "Okay fine. What do you have in mind?"

Dave: "We need to free up cash - fast. I'm talking a major overhaul here. Kendall's gotta go. He's killing us at $10 mil a year and he's a punch-and-judy hitter. Problem is, nobody wants just him. So, we're gonna have to package him with Giles."

Kevin: "He's our most marketable player!"

Dave: "Yeah, he's also 32 and we owe him $7.5 million for the next two years. I know he's a bargain, but he's a bargaining chip for us to dump Kendall. They have to go together. By the time we're ready to contend, he'll be 35 years old and a free-agent. Think, Kevin, think."

Kevin: "Okay, do it. We'll build around Ramirez and pitching."

Dave: "Uh, we need to dump Ramirez too, Kevin."

Kevin: "What? He's only 25 and fairly cheap."

Dave: "Let me draw you a picture. He makes $3 mil this year. Next year, it doubles to $6 mil going into a free-agent year. Now, he hits a ton 'cause he's playing for a contract that's gonna be close to $10-11 mil a year. So, he walks and signs with the Yankees, unless we open the vault. The next year, after watching him gain 40 pounds, hitting .230 and committing another 40 errors, we move him to first base. Now, we need another 3B. Problem is, they don't come cheap. Ramirez is only 25 now, but he's been here four years. Where's the improvement? You really want to invest the team's future on this guy?"

Kevin: "Well, we should be able to get a nice package for him."

Dave: "Right now, the only takers are the Cubs and Hendry's holding me up. He won't part with his top guys, but he needs a corner bat. Problem is, he knows we need to move fast 'cuz Houston will never let him pass through waivers. He also wants us to take Jose Hernandez, which will be very unpopular. But, he plays third and we'll let him walk after the season. Next in line is Benson and Suppan, and probably Sanders."

Kevin: "Benson, I agree. But why Suppan?"

Dave: "Look, I like Jeff. Good guy. Great year. But, his track record speaks for itself. How do you think WE got him so cheap. He's got a $4 mil option next year or we buy him out and get nothing. I've got a couple of good offers on the table right now for him. Don't know about you, but I'm leery giving him $4 mil next year with his past. Cash flow, baby."

Kevin: "So, basically, we start from scratch."

Dave: "When the core is rotten, Kevin, you have to dump the whole bushel. At least we'll have the money to buy some fresh apples."

Kevin: "The fans have suffered a long time. How long will this take?"

Dave: "Well, since my tail's on the line, not that long if you let me do this right. Talent wins championships. We'll buy the talent, and soon. We'll start this winter. None of this building for .500 BS this time."

Kevin: "Let's do it."

[griffy97]

Re: cubs get Lofton/ Ramirez

Conversation between Dave Littlefield and owner Kevin McClatchy:

McClatchy: "Dave, we've got to do something here. Hell, we're losing $10 mil a season since this place opened. You need to free up some cash."

Littlefield: "Well, it didn't help you raised ticket prices after we lost 100 games."

McClatchy: "Yeah, that was dumb."

Littlefield: "Look Kevin, I told you when I took this job that your core players were the problem. But we did it your way. We needed a leadoff hitter / centerfielder, so I got Lofton. We needed more bats, so I got Sanders and Stairs. You said we needed to fill out the starting rotation; I brought in Suppan and D'Amico. Now, based on your thinking, that we had the core guys and needed to "fill out" the roster, we should be in good shape. Well, the guys I brought in did their job. It's been the so-called core that's rotten. So, why don't we do things my way, now."

Kevin: "Okay fine. What do you have in mind?"

Dave: "We need to free up cash - fast. I'm talking a major overhaul here. Kendall's gotta go. He's killing us at $10 mil a year and he's a punch-and-judy hitter. Problem is, nobody wants just him. So, we're gonna have to package him with Giles."

Kevin: "He's our most marketable player!"

Dave: "Yeah, he's also 32 and we owe him $7.5 million for the next two years. I know he's a bargain, but he's a bargaining chip for us to dump Kendall. They have to go together. By the time we're ready to contend, he'll be 35 years old and a free-agent. Think, Kevin, think."

Kevin: "Okay, do it. We'll build around Ramirez and pitching."

Dave: "Uh, we need to dump Ramirez too, Kevin."

Kevin: "What? He's only 25 and fairly cheap."

Dave: "Let me draw you a picture. He makes $3 mil this year. Next year, it doubles to $6 mil going into a free-agent year. Now, he hits a ton 'cause he's playing for a contract that's gonna be close to $10-11 mil a year. So, he walks and signs with the Yankees, unless we open the vault. The next year, after watching him gain 40 pounds, hitting .230 and committing another 40 errors, we move him to first base. Now, we need another 3B. Problem is, they don't come cheap. Ramirez is only 25 now, but he's been here four years. Where's the improvement? You really want to invest the team's future on this guy?"

Kevin: "Well, we should be able to get a nice package for him."

Dave: "Right now, the only takers are the Cubs and Hendry's holding me up. He won't part with his top guys, but he needs a corner bat. Problem is, he knows we need to move fast 'cuz Houston will never let him pass through waivers. He also wants us to take Jose Hernandez, which will be very unpopular. But, he plays third and we'll let him walk after the season. Next in line is Benson and Suppan, and probably Sanders."

Kevin: "Benson, I agree. But why Suppan?"

Dave: "Look, I like Jeff. Good guy. Great year. But, his track record speaks for itself. How do you think WE got him so cheap. He's got a $4 mil option next year or we buy him out and get nothing. I've got a couple of good offers on the table right now for him. Don't know about you, but I'm leery giving him $4 mil next year with his past. Cash flow, baby."

Kevin: "So, basically, we start from scratch."

Dave: "When the core is rotten, Kevin, you have to dump the whole bushel. At least we'll have the money to buy some fresh apples."

Kevin: "The fans have suffered a long time. How long will this take?"

Dave: "Well, since my tail's on the line, not that long if you let me do this right. Talent wins championships. We'll buy the talent, and soon. We'll start this winter. None of this building for .500 BS this time."

Kevin: "Let's do it."

[dieselboy]

Re: cubs get Lofton/ Ramirez

Juan Cruz? Now the Pirates look like they made the better part of the deal.

[dieselboy]

Re: cubs get Lofton/ Ramirez

Juan Cruz? Now the Pirates look like they made the better part of the deal.