Jason Kendall to Cubs for Bowen and Minor League Pitcher

[BrewCrewRising]

Unless they gave up Marshall, I don't think this is the worst thing for the Cubs. Kendall is bad this year, but he was bad last year before the All-Star break and batted .323 afterwards, and finished with a .295 BA and .367 OBP. The caveat there is the his SLG% was horrible, but still, he got on base quite a bit.

 

If he continues to suck, awesome. But if he pulls a last year, there's no reason for us to dance yet. If he can get on base a lot again this year, there's plenty of Cubs who can bat him in.

[burrolover]

At 33 with a lot of games behind the plate, it's just as likely he'll continue to stink. As for other pitchers, ESPN insider did report the scouted Jose Contreras' last start.

[PeaveyFury]

BBTN FINALLY with the correction. Talk about clueless- find ONE place that Marshall's name came up at all, despite Raevitch's claim that the "initial reports said Marshall was in the deal".

[AdvantageSchneider]

Kendall might not be good anymore, but can he really be worse than Koyie Hill? Hill has a sub .500 OPS in 61 ABs this year. This is an upgrade as hard as it is to believe that statement.

[brewmann04]

well cubs took the first shot today we have to see what melvin up to

[deeswan]

Kendall might not be good anymore, but can he really be worse than Koyie Hill? Hill has a sub .500 OPS in 61 ABs this year. This is an upgrade as hard as it is to believe that statement.

 

Maybe an upgrade over Hill, I don't think it's an upgrade over Bowen. Really, Kendall can't hit and can't throw anyone out anymore. They're paying more for less production. An upgrade? I doubt it.

[brettac1]

If that was a "shot", they're shooting blanks.

 

Melvin can stand pat and see a net gain from this move.

 

The only upgrade for the Cubs is that the media will love this move. They always love any white dude with sweet stubble that is "scrappy". Add in that he's a catcher, and you've got the next best thing to heaven.

[Never Outhustled]

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Maybe an upgrade over Hill, I don't think it's an upgrade over Bowen.

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I agree. Pretty confusing why the Cubs gave Hill all the ABs instead of Bowen. I wonder if Bowen will get regular playing time in Oakland, or if the job will go right to Kurt Suzuki?

[AdvantageSchneider]

Bowen's offensive numbers aren't all that great this year either, although they are slightly better than Kendalls. Bowen's defensive stats are actually worse though. I still think it is an upgrade on the field.

[brettac1]

Suzuki will get the majority of the AB's. I'd expect Bowen to just get moved again shortly. Once Landon Powell gets healthy again, he will resume banging on the door, as well.

[GAME05]

maybe Kendall will prove to be more of an NL hitter than an AL. i think the trade at least has the potential to make the Cubs at least a little bit better.

[CportBadger]

I think Bowen sees a start or two a week. Oakland is 10 games out and those aren't easy teams to catch. I think Suzuki gets a lot of playing time and they get ready for next year.

[crackley]

I saw the trade half way through the Brewers game on FSN. I couldnt stop and think about it because I was working, but 2 things came to mind RIGHT away.

 

1. I like it. JK is terrible at the plate. cubs gave away a pitcher too? nice. (this has been said already, i know)

 

2. I HATE IT! JK's batting stance has been unbearable for me to watch for years now. For some reason i think of these silly lists in my head. He has topped the list for years and I was happy when he went to the AL because that means I wouldnt have to see him anymore. Now that hes back in the division, we get to see that all the time now. ARGH!

[EdgarDiazRocks]

Way to go Billy!

 

For what? Overvaluing Kendall in the first place?

 

they're sending a nice hunk of cash the Cubs way too, and it's not like Kendall won't be an upgrade over Bowen.

 

I fail to see how this is "an unmistakable" A's coup, and not just another way to save yourself $1.5 million and make the team pay for his "player lust" yet again.

 

Still, unlike most GM's, Beane isn't afraid to cut his losses, maybe because even when h does, people call his mistakes "brilliant!"

[crewcrazy]

Craig Counsell's line: .232/.341/.320

Carlos Zambrano's line: .267/.267/.422

Jason Kendall's line: .226/.241/.281

 

Zambrano hasn't taken a walk all year and has an OBP higher than Kendall. I'm thinking on days Zambrano pitches, the Cubs should bat him 8th and Kendall 9th.

[TooLiveBrew]

I....love....this.....trade.....!

 

Seriously, not much has been better this year than seeing them give up on Barrett. Let's see, trade Barrett for Bowen, then give Bowen & more to get Kendall....OOPS!

 

It's a very good time to be a Brewers fan.

[Brian the Automator]

[ Seriously, not much has been better this year than seeing them give up on Barrett. Let's see, trade Barrett for Bowen, then give Bowen & more to get Kendall....OOPS! ]

 

In fairness, it's arguable that the prospect they got in the Barrett/Bowen trade is better than the prospect they gave up to get Kendall.

[Lil Dummy]

On that note, what kind of a prospect is Blevins? I only saw the impressive ERA this year pitching for the Cubs A and AA teams, but that doesn't really tell the story...

[crewcrazy]

Blevins is a 24 year old lefty dominating levels he probably should be dominating. From what I gathered on NSB, he throws in the low 90's with a nice change, but his calling in the majors will probably be as an average middle reliever and an eventual LOOGY.

[Fike85]

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Who wins the TGJ v. Kendall home run derby?

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Forget that. I would like to see TGJ vs. Ned Yost (The same Ned Yost that beat Enrique Cruz) in a home run derby.

[TooLiveBrew]

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In fairness, it's arguable that the prospect they got in the Barrett/Bowen trade is better than the prospect they gave up to get Kendall.

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A lot of work to get a mid-level prospect, but you've got a point. I'd guess that the Cubs weren't plotting these moves around that, but instead on finding a C, when they already had one. I understand that maybe guys don't get along, but they made a mistake in dealing Barrett, imho.

[brettac1]

Still, unlike most GM's, Beane isn't afraid to cut his losses, maybe because even when h does, people call his mistakes "brilliant!"

 

I was attempting some mild sarcasm. I wasn't really a fan of the deal when they got him, and I was hoping they would just flat-out release him. He is seriously cooked.

[tigerbrew]

This trade is looking good. Kendall's first start snapped the Cubs 4 game winning streak. Hopefully Kendall's second start could begin a Cubs losing streak. Be careful Jason, crazy Zambrano is on the mound tomorrow.

[Boy Jeenius]

Kendall dropped a foul pop up last night and the next pitch was a base hit that turned out to be the winning run. I love this trade.