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Roberts & Payton News
Well, I’m covering baseball for another outlet this week, but I just wanted to throw out the latest chatter about Roberts.
From MLB Trade Rumors:This morning it was reported that the Cubs had two scouts at the Orioles’ spring game yesterday to watch Brian Roberts.
Now, several people have written in to let us now that Bruce Levine of ESPN 1000 is reporting that Peter Angelos has given Andy MacPhail the green light to trade Roberts. It has long been rumored that Angelos might have been holding up the trade to the Cubs because of his personal affection for Roberts. With Angelos’ blessing, this deal may finally happen in the next few days.
With the unfortunate Mark DeRosa situation going on in Cub-land, could Chicago perhaps be in the midst of a move? I thought a little about this and obviously it would make more sense than ever now for the Cubs to trade for Roberts and the Orioles to really get what they want.
Take it for what it’s worth, but if the Cubs want to trade for Roberts, this would be a prime time for Baltimore to take advantage. Also, with Angelos’ supposed blessing, the Orioles can finally move forward in the team’s rebuilding.
And yet another article, this time from CNN/Sports Illustrated’s Paul Heyman:
From MLB Trade Rumors: According to Jon Heyman of SI.com, the Cubs and Orioles are talking Brian Roberts trade again. A source of Heyman’s “indicated discussions were starting to get serious.”
Heyman says one scenario has the O’s sending Jay Payton along with Roberts to Chicago. Although he’d fill the Cubs’ desire for a right-handed hitting fourth outfielder who can handle center, Payton has to have negative trade value with a $5MM salary for ‘08 and a .668 OPS last year. The Cubs could send Jason Marquis back, but his two years and $19.25MM might be overcompensating for Payton’s bad contract.
Heyman names the usual suspects as possible Orioles targets: Sean Marshall, Sean Gallagher, Matt Murton, and Ronny Cedeno. Murton could again be stuck as a fourth outfielder in Baltimore; blocked prospect Eric Patterson might make more sense.
Well, personally I think a trade will happen within a week, just because of the situation with Mark DeRosa. I’m thinking Andy MacPhail has the Cubs where he wants them.
Payton would thrive in Chicago even in a reserve role, as he’s a guy who’s driven by winning and the situation in Baltimore is not conducive to him.
Thoughts everyone?
Of course, take the rumors for what it’s worth and a grain of salt.
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12 Responses to “Roberts & Payton News”
March 3rd, 2008 at 7:46 pm
as a cub fan and a proponent of Mark DeRosa, who I think is a classy guy, and who had a wonderful season last year and deserves to be starting at second, I would hate to see this trade happen. Yes, Roberts is an amazing ball player, but DeRosa is only going to improve on his season last year. If anything, his heart operation is going to make him better, since it will mean he won’t have to worry about his condition. It will be fixed. Also, Murton is just waiting to break out. Obviously for the Orioles, this is a great opportunity.
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:04 pm
felix pie or bust
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:15 pm
why do you need Pie? you’ve got Jones, Markakis, and Luke Scott. If you wanna throw one of them in, then sure….
March 4th, 2008 at 12:28 am
I like DeRosa, but Brian Roberts would be an obvious upgrade with regards to on-base %, a big need for the Cubs at the top of the order. A good bat, and great speed could really benefit the Cubs in the runs scored department (in which they ranked 18/30 last year)
Roberts, Theriot, and a healthy Soriano on the bases would be fun to watch as well…adding Pie, if productive, would be even more fun. Though I agree DeRosa is worthy of a starting position on most teams, I could see him being a great super-utility player in a lesser role and as a stop-gag if there are injuries. C’mon Cubs…might as well go for it now.
March 4th, 2008 at 2:06 am
scott is a huge question mark, pie is the next soriano. he’s the best they got, and roberts is a beast. he’s in the top 5 2B in the league if you ask me
March 4th, 2008 at 3:34 am
i would give up Pie for Roberts…if Pie learns how to hit, he’ll be damn good. But from what i saw last year from him, he isn’t close.
Roberts is a beast…and the Cubs should take this deal even if it means parting ways with Pie. That is, or course, unless the O’s will part with Roberts for other prospects. We’ll see.
March 4th, 2008 at 8:54 am
I think the Orioles should keep Roberts for now. It seems like all the players mentioned are just solid players and nothing exciting. Felix Pie is NOT the next Soriano. He is more like the next Corey Patterson. He strikesout ALOT and can play the field. Ther is a ton of hype on him and it all comes from the Cubs. Sounds a little familiar
March 4th, 2008 at 9:15 am
not many of us cub fans want this trade because mark derosa is a fan favorite, but if we get brian roberts, people need to realize that whenever derrek lee, aramis ramirez, brian roberts, ryan theriot, kosuke fukodome needs a day off, hes in there that day for em. He can play almost any position, even if hes not a regular starter he’ll still be playing about every game
March 4th, 2008 at 11:28 am
After the O’s, the Cubs are my favorite team. I see the trade being a benefit for both clubs especially if we get rid of Payton too.
And since Baltimore is unlikely to get to the playoffs this year, maybe B-Rob can lead the Cubs to the series instead.
March 4th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
I’m pretty sure that, from everything the Cubs have been saying, Pie is not going anywhere. We’ve waited on him for a long time now and it’d be foolish to trade him now that’s he finally arrived in the majors for anything short of a superstar. Roberts is nice and I’d love to have him on the team, but he’s no superstar. If Roberts does come, it will be for something like Cedeno, Gallagher/Marshall, and Veal/Ceda.
March 4th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Andrew, your wrong. He is a superstar.
March 5th, 2008 at 2:18 am
It wouldn’t be foolish to trade Pie…iiiiiff Pie still cannot get on base.
If he continues to hit like Corey Patterson the next year or two, his stock WILL plummet. It’s a risk / reward situation.
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