Sometimes Jim Just Befuddles Me...

From Bruce's article in the Daily Herald...

 

"At the same time, we're trying to get better. So if you're left-handed and can run, then we were going to have some interest in you."

Link.

 

That's our very own Jim Hendry there folk....looking for someone left-handed who can run.

 

Oh Jesus!

 

Carl Crawford, your table is ready. Bring him home from Nashville, Mr. Hendry.

 

But why does Hendry come out and essentially say exactly what we're looking for? Does he not realize that he loses hand in potential trades when other teams infer that we need (and are willing to overpay for) their players?

Makes no difference what Hendry or any other GM says in the press. Every GM knows what every other GM is looking for. It's a very small world, and if you remember, the GMs all had a big show and tell meeting at the GM meetings last month, upsetting the players association to no end.

From Bruce's article in the Daily Herald...

 

"At the same time, we're trying to get better. So if you're left-handed and can run, then we were going to have some interest in you."

Link.

 

That's our very own Jim Hendry there folk....looking for someone left-handed who can run.

 

Oh Jesus!

 

Carl Crawford, your table is ready. Bring him home from Nashville, Mr. Hendry.

 

But why does Hendry come out and essentially say exactly what we're looking for? Does he not realize that he loses hand in potential trades when other teams infer that we need (and are willing to overpay for) their players?

 

Makes no difference what Hendry or any other GM says in the press. Every GM knows what every other GM is looking for. It's a very small world, and if you remember, the GMs all had a big show and tell meeting at the GM meetings last month, upsetting the players association to no end.

 

Thanks for your reply, Bruce. Do you believe that the Cubs will soon obtain what they're looking for since Hendry and other GMs have been so straightforward about their needs?

Also, is the MLBPA alleging collusion again, and if so, will there be action taken against owners?

 

Have a great time in Nashville. Thanks in advance for helping to keep us in the loop!

Don't know if a collusion case will be filed. After all, Torii Hunter and Scott Linebrink did pretty well for themselves. As far as getting what the Cubs want, we'll see. It takes two to deal, whether it's a trade or a free-agent signing. I don't see Tampa Bay trading Crawford, especially after they dealt Young. His contract is pretty favorable to the Rays, anyway. The Cubs No. 1 target is Fukudome. We'll see what happens there, too. The Cubs will be dangling several of their pitchers.

From Bruce's article in the Daily Herald...

 

"At the same time, we're trying to get better. So if you're left-handed and can run, then we were going to have some interest in you."

Link.

 

That's our very own Jim Hendry there folk....looking for someone left-handed who can run.

 

Oh Jesus!

 

Carl Crawford, your table is ready. Bring him home from Nashville, Mr. Hendry.

 

But why does Hendry come out and essentially say exactly what we're looking for? Does he not realize that he loses hand in potential trades when other teams infer that we need (and are willing to overpay for) their players?

 

Makes no difference what Hendry or any other GM says in the press. Every GM knows what every other GM is looking for. It's a very small world, and if you remember, the GMs all had a big show and tell meeting at the GM meetings last month, upsetting the players association to no end.

 

Thanks for your reply, Bruce. Do you believe that the Cubs will soon obtain what they're looking for since Hendry and other GMs have been so straightforward about their needs?

Also, is the MLBPA alleging collusion again, and if so, will there be action taken against owners?

 

Have a great time in Nashville. Thanks in advance for helping to keep us in the loop!

 

Don't know if a collusion case will be filed. After all, Torii Hunter and Scott Linebrink did pretty well for themselves. As far as getting what the Cubs want, we'll see. It takes two to deal, whether it's a trade or a free-agent signing. I don't see Tampa Bay trading Crawford, especially after they dealt Young. His contract is pretty favorable to the Rays, anyway. The Cubs No. 1 target is Fukudome. We'll see what happens there, too. The Cubs will be dangling several of their pitchers.

When you say dangling several of their pitchers, do you mean just putting their names out and saying that they can be had for the right price, or actively trying to trade them? And which pitchers are you referring to? Anyone that might surprise us?

It's a little of both. Marshall, Gallagher, Veal are all names I've heard. The Cubs do not want to trade Rich Hill, and it would take an awful lot for them to change their minds on this. Hill pitche nearly 200 innings in each of the last two seasons (majors and minors in '06) and the Cubs feel he'll get only better.

Hate to have to make your visits here into Q&As but is there the slightest bit of rumblings on Tejada. It's driving me nuts that we have this obsession going on with getting a lefty bat in the lineup, and coupled with our glaring hole at SS, yet Tejada's name is never brought up. And Baltimore seems like they're just dying to give him away as well.

From what I've been told, and I've asked, Tejada costs too much for the Cubs in terms of money. Unless something changes, I don't see him ending up here.