Drum beat a little louder for Cubs deal

[Mike B]

I think you are pouting a little bit here Dave. MacPail has no reason to give Roberts away from anything less than what he thinks he can get for him. Considering the Cubs reportedly are not offering impact players (Cedeno can't even make the team as a utility guy and may have to move to 3B where his bat does not play as well and we have a lot of Gallaghers already), I don't see any reason why MacPhail has to move Roberts.

Roberts is very well liked here and on top of it, I can see him being productive player for another six plus years with his type of game.

I never really felt the Cubs were a great fit for us and I'm not sure we are a good fit for you guys either.

I don't see how we look dysfunctional in this at all though. We want a certain asking price, the Cubs don't want to part with it, both sides move on.

However, if I'm the Cubs and I think Roberts puts us over the edge, then I certainly include a guy like Pie. If I don't, then I keep him, pure and simple.

Thanks Tony!! I can not understand how people can fault AM for holding out for the right package. If his head is telling him no, he should hold out. I think we look stubborn and determined but not dysfuntional. Is it possible that the other teams are used to the Orioles front office not having thier homework done, and that since AM has done his they are a little shocked?

[Mike B]

No. Is Loewen available because of his outing yesterday?

Sure, at the pace that is being set, we should have an agreement around the 12th of never.

[Ballgame64]

Thanks Tony!! I can not understand how people can fault AM for holding out for the right package. If his head is telling him no, he should hold out. I think we look stubborn and determined but not dysfuntional. Is it possible that the other teams are used to the Orioles front office not having thier homework done, and that since AM has done his they are a little shocked?

MacPhail is quoted as saying he is doing his "due dilligence" but yet you wonder if it is the other teams that haven't done their homework. It doesn't seem that way to me.

Nobody is faulting AM for trying to get the right package, just like no one should fault Jim Hendry for trying to get the right deal for the Cubs.

As for the dysfunctional comments - if you were not a fan of the Orioles and only saw the reports of national writers, it would not be difficult to come to the conclusion the O's are dysfunctional. Even the beat writers for the Sun were making comments about the time it took to finalize the Bedard deal. You see reports at the winter meetings about a possible Roberts trade yet it isn't complete yet. Although Roberts is a very good player, most fans of teams not named Baltimore Orioles would know little about him so they are wondering why it so hard to complete a trade. You are not talking about one of the 5 or 10 top players in baseball. This is not a blockbuster type of trade.

Are the O's dysfunctional - probably not, but perception becomes reality to a lot of people who are on the outside looking in.

[Ballgame64]

Paul Sullivan is the worst writer in Chicago. He's a Sox fan covering the Cubs. Little wonder the Trib is now losing money. He is the last guy to get any info from the Cubs.

He wrote about the facts surrounding Hill's outing. What does that have to do with the White Sox? Sullivan is around the team on a daily basis, so I think he gets a little more information than you. And I seriously doubt little Paul Sullivan really plays a big part in the financial status of Tribune Corp.

[The Rick]

Well, I just got my OD tickets in the mail and am hoping I get to see Roberts lead off for us. I understand and have supported the need to trade him, but that "need" isn't immediate. Let's wait till we find the right fit.

There's no point in trying to put a square peg in a round hole. The Cubs are just not the right fit if they're not willing to include a more concrete package.

[hoosiers]

I am enjoying the negotiations a lot. AM seems to have a knack for rejecting offers from other teams while keeping them interested in his players. It is a quality skill to have as a negotiator.

I want to call out the risk AM has taken letting this play out deeper into ST. AM took risks that the Cubs existing team would look so good that they would walk away from negotiations. He took the risk that Gallagher, Cedeno and others might step up their performance in ST. The Gallagher who performed so well in the AFL has not been present most of this ST. Cedeno has not separated himself as the top middle infield backup.

I am sure there is a deal to be had here and it sounded like we could be close last week when we thought Ceda was in the deal. However, I am beginning to think the Cubs will not put forth their best offer until they get a little more concerned that the deal won't happen. Rumored Cubs offers have been attempts to cherry-pick a quality 2B from a franchise shedding talent, IMO, as the package was only headed by the Cubs number five prospect.

I am hopeful that a BRob to Chicago deal will happen and that articles will talk about a fine addition made by the Cubs .... at a steep price. We'll see. Let's enjoy the negotiations.

[JTrea81]

Jay Payton is further raising his trade value with his third OF assist in 8 games this spring nailing Reyes at 2B. He's also played all three OF spots and hasn't made an error at any of them thus far.

His bat is also doing the talking with a .316 AVG and .350 OBP. He's showing he can be a good 4th OFer for a competitive team, such as the Cubs.

[fire83]

Jay Payton is further raising his trade value with his third OF assist in 8 games this spring nailing Reyes at 2B. He's also played all three OF spots and hasn't made an error at any of them thus far.

His bat is also doing the talking with a .316 AVG and .350 OBP. He's showing he can be a good 4th OFer for a competitive team, such as the Cubs.

Jay Payton has no trade value. IMO teams know the player he is and the contract he is signed for. They also know what type of teammate he is. If he hits .500 this spring it would not matter. The O's dealing Payton for anyone is strictly a payroll move much like the WS putting Uribe on waivers. As a Cubs fan I would take Payton in a deal with Roberts, but not if I had to give someone up. In fact taking him would lessen any prospects the Cubs gave back to the O's, unless the O's took Marquis back. BTW, Marquis is also having a very good spring. Do you think his trade value is up too??

[Joe'sO's]

Will Marquis be the real opening day starter despite what Trembley announces today? From what I understand Gallager will have a heavily scouted start this weekend also so my guess is this deal will get done sometime next week.If it does I'd much rather have DeRosa than Cedeno then find a vet shortstop somewhere.

[raiders3604]

Will Marquis be the real opening day starter despite what Trembley announces today? From what I understand Gallager will have a heavily scouted start this weekend also so my guess is this deal will get done sometime next week.If it does I'd much rather have DeRosa than Cedeno then find a vet shortstop somewhere.

Gallagher has no start sheduled this weekend.......

[ChrisP]

Gallagher has no start sheduled this weekend.......

AND MARQUIS ISN'T EVEN ON THE O'S ROSTER!?!?!?!?!?

[raiders3604]

Gallagher has no start sheduled this

weekend.......

Also from everything else I have read between all the sites is that if Angelos hasn't "pulled the trigger" by now this deal doesn't get done. I could see the Cubs going in a different direction instead of playing games with the "O's". Lieber has already stated he would be willing to go to the bullpen so this helps Pinellas decision. Would the Cubs love to get Roberts? I think much has been said about their desire to have him in the leadoff position. My guess would be that if the deal doesn't happen shortly, as Pinella has already stated he wants to set his lineup by next week. That this deal will be DOA...

[rooter]

Will Marquis be the real opening day starter despite what Trembley announces today? From what I understand Gallager will have a heavily scouted start this weekend also so my guess is this deal will get done sometime next week.If it does I'd much rather have DeRosa than Cedeno then find a vet shortstop somewhere.

No, the opening day starter will be Ian Snell.

[DrLev]

Will Marquis be the real opening day starter despite what Trembley announces today? From what I understand Gallager will have a heavily scouted start this weekend also so my guess is this deal will get done sometime next week.If it does I'd much rather have DeRosa than Cedeno then find a vet shortstop somewhere.

<img src=http://catsnstuff.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/dude-wait-what.jpg></img>

[clapdiddy]

Also from everything else I have read between all the sites is that if Angelos hasn't "pulled the trigger" by now this deal doesn't get done. I could see the Cubs going in a different direction instead of playing games with the "O's". Lieber has already stated he would be willing to go to the bullpen so this helps Pinellas decision. Would the Cubs love to get Roberts? I think much has been said about their desire to have him in the leadoff position. My guess would be that if the deal doesn't happen shortly, as Pinella has already stated he wants to set his lineup by next week. That this deal will be DOA...

I honestly don't know what Angelos has to do with this. Angelos isn't making the decision on dealing Roberts...MacPhail is.