|
|
 MLB Trade Rumors, through Orioles Hangout, is reporting that the Orioles have traded Brian Roberts to the Cubs for SP Sean Marshall, SP Sean Gallagher and SS Ronny Cedeno....
Scroll Down to Continue Reading
|
|
If this trade is legit, and I'm guessing it is since I heard Bruce Levine say that the trade talks were starting up again, it would not only give the Cubs one of the most potent lineups in the NL, but it would give them a lot of options...and options are good. Here are three possible lineups that Piniella could throw out there. The first is the one the Cubs will probably go with since Soriano loves to lead off.....the second is the lineup I love if Soriano is willing to move down in the order. It would give the Cubs two on base machines, with speed, at the top of the order and allow Ramirez to see a ton of fastballs, which he crushes, with the protection he'll get from Soriano. It leaves the Cubs a little 'right hand heavy' in the middle of the lineup, so that, and the Soriano move, are the only reasons why I would see this lineup not working. The third lineup is the lineup if Fukudome plays CF from time to time in order to get DeRosa in RF against lefties.....
|
1
|
Soriano -
LF
|
Roberts
|
Roberts
|
|
2
|
Roberts -
2b
|
Fukudome
|
Fukudome
- CF
|
|
3
|
Lee - 1b
|
Lee
|
Lee
|
|
4
|
Ramirez -
3b
|
Soriano
|
Soriano
|
|
5
|
Fukudome
- RF
|
Ramirez
|
Ramirez
|
|
6
|
Soto - C
|
Soto
|
DeRosa -
RF
|
|
7
|
Pie - CF
|
Pie
|
Soto
|
|
8
|
Theriot -
SS
|
Theriot
|
Theriot
|
 As you can see, it's all very interesting. The trade for Roberts would probably mean the end of the line for Matt Murton as DeRosa will take his 4th outfielder/main RH pinch hitter role, and there have been talks of the Cubs signing IF Alex Cintron for the backup IF spot, so he would take over for Cedeno....This becomes a veteran ballclub with more speed and flexibility than before. I hate to see DeRosa leave the every day starting lineup, but if Piniella can find a way to get him 500 at-bats he should be fine. As for the players who are leaving.......Sean Marshall did pretty well with the Cubs but he was essentially Rich Hill-lite and they Cubs could never have them pitch back to back in the rotation. Marshall will be a good middle of the rotation starter when he reaches his peak, but I doubt he'll be an ace. I do have to applaud his bulldog-like approach to pitching when he was with the Cubs and he really worked his way through rehab to get back with the Cubs last season.
Gallagher is a hard throwing righty who excelled in the minors for the Cubs but struggled at times last season...when he was 21. He has a lot of upside and the Orioles should be very happy they got him. He'll either be a 2nd/3rd starter or a top notch reliever for them. His 'stuff' is filthy and as long as he stays healthy he should work out just fine.
We all know about Cedeno and his struggles with the big club, but he's done nothing but kill the ball in the minors. A change of scenery might do him well. He certainly has the tools to be an everyday shortstop in the majors for a long time as he's only 24. I'll go to my grave believing that he was a better option at shortstop this season than Ryan Theriot, but Piniella really likes what Theriot brings to the table.
With Gallagher and Marshall leaving that means the Cubs are either going full speed with the Dempster/Marquis duo to fill out the bottom half of the rotation. Who knows what will happen there. Dempster hasn't been a starter since....it's been a long time and Marquis is....Marquis. The Cubs are going to have to score runs either way. Luckily, with their lineup(s), that shouldn't be a problem.
|
9 Comments
Leave a comment
|
|
Referrals |
2008 Cubs Preview
Network Partner
I was a bit surprised not to see Murton's name involved but I guess the Orioles wanted something other than an OF. Marshall was a decent pitcher but has yet to complete a full season. You know my position on Cedeno. They need to have Roberts at 1. I guess we'll truely find out exactly what kind of team player Soriano is.
Well, is this thing going through or not? last item I saw is it's not done.
Uhh, by your logic shouldn't Roberts be suspended for 50 games? Link. Are you celebrating a trade for a cheater?
I heard its all set except for the press conference......
At least 50 games...at least. I suppose I am celebrating a trade for a cheater, nice catch.
That's alright. I would be too. This is a good deal for them, provided Roberts doesn't suddenly lose all of his strength and speed.
http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2008/01/looking-like-a.html
another update. Theriot has no right to bat second....
That's the dumbest lineup possible.
Hows that a dumb line up, ur just pised off cuz the orioles will be satrtin all under 22 people and have a shitter pay roll than the marlins. Ur team sux and is going to take 20 more years to make it to a .500 season again!