Trade Winns

Potential positive byproduct of sucking? Sabean harbors no delusions of contending and sells at the deadline, potentially infusing our system with more talent.

From today's Chronicle:

Cub talk: It could be a coincidence, but Gary Hughes, one of the Cubs' top talent evaluators, attended the A's-Giants games just after his club lost Alfonso Soriano to a broken hand. The Cubs are believed to be looking for a left-handed bat, but a source said they have not phoned the Giants about switch-hitting Randy Winn, the outfielder most likely to be shopped.

Hughes is based in the Bay Area.

The talent in the Cubs farm system has been drained as the North Siders played the part of buyer in past years, but they do have a couple of intriguing trade chips, including (in no particular order):

Josh Vitters, 3B: The 3rd pick overall in the 2007 draft, the 19 year old Cypress HS (CA) came marketed as the second coming. He has been anything but in the minors, however, struggling mightily and still searching for his first pro homer.

Still, the chances the Giants would land him in a trade for Winn range from slim to the existential nature of a ball of snow in the Inferno.

Josh Donaldson, C: Casting aside the Giants' sudden organizational depth at the position, Donaldson, a 2007 2nd rounder out of Auburn, may be what Jackson Williams was supposed to be: a polished backup catcher or utility infielder with some offensive potential.

He had some success in low-A last year before having trouble with high-A Peoria this season.

Perhaps a piece of a larger deal.

Sean Gallagher, RHP: The Cubs would have a difficult time parting with the hard-throwing 22 year old, who is having a decent debut with the big league club.

With the state of the Cubs minor league system, however, one would have to presume GM Jim Hendry would have to listen if a seller inquired about Gallagher's services.

Jeff Samardzija, RHP: Swap a two-sport star for another, perhaps? Potentially, although his 2008 season (repeating AA) hasn't been anything to write home about.

Furthermore, the Cubs would have to operate from a sunk cost philosophy to trade their $10M investment, a (sensible) management trait that front-office types tend to eschew.

If they were willing to deal him, however, he's still an intriguing guy because of his size (6'6", 215) and stuff.


There are some other middling prospects in the Cubs system, but you get the gist of it. Can't say I'm too excited about any of those guys save for Vitters and Gallagher, (and Geovany Soto, but that one simply ain't happening given his All-Star debut).

Should be an interesting trading season.