Mock Headline #2

Here's another one for your amusement.

Chicago – Cubs GM Jim Hendry did not leave Cub fans crying for too long. Less than 24 hours after 3B Aramis Ramirez bolted from the Cubs to sign a 5 year $75M contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Hendry completed two deals to re-build the left side of his infield and improve the overall offense.

In the first deal, the Cubs traded LF Matt Murton, SS Ronny Cedeno and pitchers Juan Mateo and Ryan O’Malley to the Baltimore Orioles for SS Miguel Tejada. Though financial details were not disclosed, one Oriole source speaking on the condition of anonymity indicated that Baltimore would be contributing $7M towards Tejada’s remaining 3 years and $42M. It is believed the Cubs will pay Tejada $11M in 2007 and $12M each in 2008 and 2009. Hendry spoke glowingly of Tejada: “He is the best shortstop in baseball, complete package and we’re thrilled to get him. We hated to give up young, promising talent in Matt and Juan, but Miggy is a high impact player, who doesn’t come along on the market very often.” Tejada will be introduced to the Cubs media later in the week, but his agent said: ”While Miguel is very happy with the contributions he made to the Orioles, he and the team probably needed to go in different directions, and he is very much looking forward to playing in front of the great Cub fans.” It was thought that the Angels and Red Sox were offering a better package, but owner Peter Angelos preferred to deal Tejada to an NL team. One league source said the Astros were also in the running to acquire Tejada, but Astro GM Tim Purpura insisted that Baltimore pick up half the contract.

Hendry has been very quiet about Ramirez leaving. Maybe he let his actions do the talking. In the second big deal of the day, the Cubs traded IF Cesar Izturis and relief pitchers David Aardsma and Roberto Novoa to the Boston Red Sox for 3B Mike Lowell. No financial details were disclosed by either team, but a league official indicated that the commissioner’s office was not looking at the deal, which implies that less than $1M in cash traded hands. Lowell is due to make $9M in 2007 – he will become a free agent after the 2007 season. Red Sox GM, Theo Epstein, did not comment on the trade, but many insiders have been telling people for weeks that Epstein was seriously considering moving Kevin Youkilis back to 3B and focusing on finding an impact 1B through free agency. With SS Alex Gonzalez and 2B Mark Loretta both free agents, acquiring Izturis was probably a contingency move – he will make $4.15M in 2007 and the Red Sox have a team option in 2008. With the exception of Jonathan Papelbon, the Red Sox bullpen was highly ineffective at numerous times during the 2006 season, so Aardsma and Novoa will be counted on to add instant value. Hendry was absolutely thrilled when the Red Sox agreed to trade Lowell: “Mike has great tangible value in the field, and outstanding intangible value in the clubhouse. Some people will say his run production was lower than expected, but he did spend the bulk of his at bats in the 6 and 7 spots – I anticipate he’ll be batting in the 5 spot for us.”

Hendry did not address the seemingly open 2B spot in his comments, but with both Cedeno and Izturis traded, it is believed he is leaning towards Ryan Theriot.

Hendry still has much work to do in the coming weeks. He has decisions to make at 2B, LF, CF, starting pitching and whether to bring Kerry Wood back as a reliever.

I liked Mock Headline #1 much, much better.

Somehow I knew you would, and I'm cool with that.

But we have to face the facts: if Aramis bolts (which I now think he is apt to do), there has got be a 3B solution better than Scott Moore. Maybe Lowell isn't perfect, but with 1 year on hid deal, it' snot onerous. Maybe Hank Blalock needs a change of scenery. But we should discuss 3b in the context of Aramis not being here. As for Tejada, I'd trade just about anybody not named Lee, Zambrano, Hill, Pie, Veal, Pawelek to get him.

If Aramis leaves, the worst thing the team could do would be to go out and trade for a bunch of 30-somethings.

Agreed, but we're talking Hendry here.

Barring that, I think Blalock should be the target. He has some issues, but I think Texas would let him go for a package of Marshall and Marmol or Mateo.

Blalock has $11M owed to him over the next 2 years (and a team option in 2009), so he is younger and cheaper than Lowell, and bats left-handed. But statistically in 2006, Lowell had slightly better OBP and significantly better SLG. There is nothing about Blalock that interests me: he has regressed every year since 2003.

What about Joe Crede as a target if Aramis leaves? The Sox have Josh Fields waiting in the wings and the Cubs could give them pitching to flip for the CF they want. Plus, Izturis seems like an Ozzie type player...

Crede's OBP is .328 - only walked 28 times, but his slugging is over .500, so he is a Hendry-type player, but I think he would be more of the same Jacque Jonesesque players we don't want to see.

Is there something about Lowell that does interest you?

The fact that he's seemingly available via trade, only has 1 year left on his contract, plays good D and has an OPS over 800 interested me. Of course, I'd much rather have ARod, Miguel Cabrera or Troy Glaus, but I don't think they're available. And Morgan Ensberg intrigues me, but I'm not sure if Houston would trade him and what his injury situation is.

If Aramis walks, what would be your plan for 3B?