The Cubs are on the list of teams for which Jake Peavy will waive his no-trade clause. This doesn't look like a fit, but don't be surprised if Jim Hendry tries to put together a package that would include a swap of first basemen, Derrek Lee and Adrian Gonzalez, who is supposedly untouchable.
Uh, what? Let's break down this nonsense.
Okay, the first sentence is true; the Cubs are on that list. Doesn't really mean much.
The second sentence starts with "This doesn't look like a fit." True enough. It seems doubtful that the Cubs have the prospects to beat out teams like Atlanta.
Then: "Don't be surprised if Jim Hendry tries to put together a package." Yup, that's fine. I mean, I want him to try.
Then we head to Crazy Town: "...that includes a swap of first baseman, Derrek Lee and Adrian Gonzalez, who is supposedly untouchable."
Whaaaaaat? Phil, did you forget to take your non-crazy pills this morning? Think about this for a second. The Cubs don't have the prospects to put together a deal... so they're going to juice it up by asking the Padres to trade their untouchable first baseman for the Cubs' first baseman? I can just imagine how this conversation would go:
Kevin Towers: Hello?
Jim Hendry: Hey, Kevin, Jim Hendry here.
Towers: Hi, Jim, how are you?
Hendry: Oh, fine, thanks. Listen, since you guys have Jake Peavy on the market and he's willing to come to us, I wanted to pitch a trade to you.
Towers: Shoot.
Hendry: All right, Felix Pie, Kevin Hart and Jeff Samardzija. And we'll eat some of Samardzija's contract.
Towers: I don't know, Jim. I really need some guys who are major-league ready right now. Pie hasn't exactly done much for your team, and Hart and Samardzija haven't proven they can start in the bigs. I've got the Braves ready to offer me either Jair Jurrjens or Charlie Morton as a centerpiece of a deal.
Hendry: Well, I could send you Jason Marquis...
Towers: Ha ha! You old jokester.
Hendry: Um, yes. I'm a jokester. Anyway, I thought you might find that a little light, so I'm willing to sweeten the pot.
Towers: Go for it.
Hendry: What would you say to the triumphant return of Derrek Lee to San Diego?
Towers: Well, we've already got a first baseman, Jim, and he's younger and more powerful than Lee.
Hendry: Here's how you resolve that problem - you trade him to us in return! So, what do you say?
[faint clicking sound]
Hendry: Kevin?
[dial tone]
Does Phil Rogers honestly believe that the Padres would trade the Cubs arguably their pitcher and best hitter for a grab bag of prospects and Derrek Lee? Just for fun, here's how Adrian Gonzalez stacks up with Derrek Lee:
Lee, 2008: .291/.361/.462, 41 2B, 20 HR, 90 RBI; age for bulk of 2009 season: 33
Gonzalez, 2008: .279/.361/.510, 32 2B, 36 HR, 119 RBI; age for bulk of 2009 season: 27
So Gonzalez is six years younger than Lee, has more power despite playing in Petco (on the road he hit .308/.368/.578), and makes $3 million in 2009 to Lee's $13 million. Who wouldn't do that???
I don't believe for a second that Phil Rogers even had a source on this. I think he just made it up. Either that or it was some tossed-off thing that the source wasn't being serious about.
Randy Bush: So that about wraps up the interview, I guess, Phil. Anything else you wanted to ask me?
Phil Rogers: Yeah, any chance that Jake Peavy deal happens?
Bush: Heh, well, we'd all like it to, Phil. In fact, we'd love to be able to get Adrian Gonzalez from them too!
Rogers: Really? Wow. What about Derrek Lee?
Bush: I suppose we'd have to ship him out there, then.
Rogers: Wow, I can't wait to break this story!
Bush: Phil, I was clearly kidding.
Rogers: Can't hear you! On a deadline!
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