Jim Hendry is my hero. And not in that typical comicbook style. He's my real life, "hey, that guy is cool" hero, and he should be yours too. I was mildly disappointed at 3:17 p.m. on Saturday...thinking the deadline had come and gone and no acquisitions had been made. "They'll just pick up a reliever and a bench guy through the waiver-trades," I thought to myself. But then Mark called at around 3:25 pm saying that WGN just announced that something was coming through the wires about Nomar being dealt and Alex Gonzalez going to Boston. I put two and two together and realized that meant that Nomar was headed to Chi-town...and the northside this time. Here is my trade breakdown:
Cubs get:
Nomar Garciapparra (SS)
Matt Murton (OF/A ball)
Cash
The Cubs get a steal on their side of it in my eyes. Garciaparra is an obvious upgrade over Alex on the offensive side and is at least a wash on the defensive, although I think with the thick grass at Wrigley (compared to the relatively short grass in Fenway) Nomar will get to more balls and Nomar DOES have the better arm, even though Alex's was good. Matt Murton is a solid hitting prospect who is a moneyball-type player. He has developing power and is projected to have 30 HR potential. He does have a weak throwing arm, but then that is what LF is for. The Cubs gave up virtually nothing that would actually help the club. Brendan Harris is a very solid infield prospect and might actually be better than Eric Hinske was at this stage, but reality is that we have God at 3b and he doesnt have a spot. Beltran is a hard thrower who is inconsistent in finding the plate...we have what? 5 of these guys? I don't think losing one, even if he turns out to be the most talented, is a killer. Justin Jones came into the year as the 2nd best prospect in the Cubs system, but has had a velocity drop and is now fluttering just under 90 mph. Luke Hagerty and Carmen Pigniatello are both better LHP prospects and are farther along. Cubs made out like freaking bandits.
Red Sox get:
Orlando Cabrera (SS)
Doug Meienfthtixivc (1B)
I can't say I understand this trade at all from the Sox perspective. Yes, their defense is suspect, but Dougie can't hit and certainly doesn't get on base, so getting him as a defensive 1B just hurts them in my mind. Losing Trot AND Nomar for the year, they needed to replace some of that offense and I don't think they did. Cabrera is good and has potential, but he isn't Nomar and he won't add that much to the offense. Even last year, when had a very good season, his OBP was very low compared to his BA and I think that he'll be a bottom of the order hitter. And in reality, he won't get to more balls than Nomar did.
Expos get:
Alex Gonzalez (SS)
Francis Beltran (RP/AAA ball)
Brendan Harris (3B/AAA ball)
They made out like freaking bandits as well. Traded a suspect SS who is grumpy and has only had one good year for two young guys who can help immediately and fill GAPING holes in their squad. Agon is serviceable if the definition of serviceable is barely worth giving a uniform. I would say they did very well in this deal...Cabrera had no intention of re-signing.
Twins get:
Justin Jones (SP/A ball)
They were only a minor player here, but picked up a young LHP with some upside for an unhappy 1B who can be easily replaced with their ridiculous amount of OF/1B prospects. Good deal for them.
So yes, Hendry should've won Gladkin person of the year 2003 and should also win for 2004, but I think the award has been terminated due to laziness and worthlessness on the Gladkin team's part. Sad. If the Cubs can re-sign Nomar (10-13m/4) then I think this lineup has serious potential for next year. The likely losses of Alou (9.5m in 2004) and Matt Clement (6m in 2004) should be more than enough to be able to lock up Nomar for a few years, but you never know I guess. A lot depends if he wants to stay in Chicago, and you'd have to think he'd like his chances of winning better here than say...the Padres or Dodgers.
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© 2004 David Brunner
