Cubs Trade Targets

Ok so it appears that the Cubs are in the hunt for every availible arm out there right know. So who do you think they should chase and what type of package should they offer to get their target?

Some of the pitchers that are rumored to be out there include:

C. C. Sabathia - It will take a huge offer (even if he leaves as a free agent the Indians figure to get a first rounder and a sandwich pick for him next year.

Rich Harden - The A's version of Mark Prior but hot and costly right now

Randy Wolf - cheaper but maybe working with a dead arm

Greg Maddux- Could he find one last good run at the Wrigley?

Joe Blanton - Having a down year

Bronson Arroyo - up and down all year

A J Burnett- Can opt out of contract after this year

Aaron Harang- was not on the list of 5 untouchable Reds according to MLB trade rumors

Eric Bedard- The Mariners seem to have buyers remorse.

I think the Cubs have some pretty tradable commodities including Sean Gallagher, Ronny Cedeno, Welington Castillo, Tyler Colvin, Donald Veal, Jose Ceda, Eric Patterson, Felix Pie, and Rich Hill.

So...........who do YOU want and what would you part with?

I can safely say I do not want any of the following:

Bedard-bad attitude, Arroyo and Harang-too inconsistent, Blanton or Maddux.

I want the Cubs to go out and get a top line guy, a Sabathia, Burnett, or Harden.  Forget the 4th or 5th starters.  We need a top line guy to give us 3 studs with Z and Demp.  This way come playoff time we have three top line guys to pitch for us, assuming we make the playoffs   We also need bullpen help.  I do not by any stretch trust our bullpen.  I would like to see us get someone, maybe Fuentes.

And I would love to see us dump Murton, Pie, Hill, Cedeno and Patterson.  All of them except Patterson has had their chance and its time to trade them.  I heard Oakland would take Hill even with all his troubles.  If you had to give up Hill and one of the other ones mentioned to get Harden, I'd do it in a heartbeat.  I do not trade the farm system though for Sabathia.  Only a reasonable deal unless we can sign him long term.

A) I would like to see the Cubs get CC Sabathia but I think that is doubtful because:

1) The price will be very high - I think the Cubs would have to part with four prospects in order to get him and I just do not think they will. (This is not a coment on if they should)

2) The price will be very high - It will cost a ton to sign him and I am not sure that a deal can get done while the team is about to change hands..............

B) I hope that they do not get Rich Harden - His health is just too spotty and the A's are rumored to be asking a high price.

C) AJ Burnett- This might be a pretty good signing. I think the Cubs could send Donald Veal or Rich Hill, Ronny Cedeno or Eric Patterson, and  a 3rd player. The Blue Jays would be more inclined to work with the Cubs and allow them the time to work out the contractual issues.

D) Wolf or Maddux - Too little help unless you can take a plyer on them for nothing more than a salary dump by the Padres (But I would love to see Mad Dog get us over the hump to October)

E) Blanton, Harang, Arroyo - I would not touch Arroyo even though he can be lights out. He just as frequently is lit up.

   Joe Blanton is an innings eater that is not having a good year, if the Cubs can get him for Rich Hill and a lower level prospect it might be worth giving him a change of scenery.

   Harang- I was suprised to hear he might be out there. I think he may be the best all around fit. However I am not sure that the Reds will move him to a team in the division or that the parts that we can offer would make the Reds move.

I'd go after C. C. Sabathia as my number one target even if he's expensive - a trip to the World Series is within our grasp, and all Cub fans know that doesn't happen too often.

Also, Aaron Harang could help the Cubs.  It appears to me that he doesn't care too much for the way things are going in Cincinnati - he's a better pitcher than he's showing now.

I would avoid Rich Harden (injury risk), Randy Wolf (no better than anyone we have), Greg Maddux (too old), Joe Blanton (overrated), Bronson Arroyo (never in a million years), A. J. Burnett (injury risk also).

Eric Bedard - maybe; he could be in a similar position as Harang.

Cedeno, Colvin, Veal, Patterson, Pie, and Hill are all tradable IMO.  Hoffpauir might be a good trade prospect as well as any catchers in the system (Geovany Soto looks like the man behind the plate for the next decade).

I like Gallagher and Ceda though.