Chasing Cubtober Breaking News: Jacque Jones Traded To Tigers
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by LMedina86
ESPN speculates that the “cash consideration” is Jones’s $1 million signing bonus that is due to him in January.
If that is the case, it’s a good thing for the Cubs who were going to pay almost $7 million worth of Jones’s salary when they almost traded him to the Florida Marlins.
Despite a .280 career average, Jones was widely criticized by Cubs fans in his two years in Chicago. Jones also found himself in manager Lou Piniella’s doghouse during the first half of the 2007 season, and only was let out when there were no other viable options to play center field.
Infante is best described as a utility infielder with starting potential. Infante was one of the Tigers top prospects, and even opened the 2003 season as their starting second baseman.
I wonder how much former Tigers manager, and current Cubs bench coach Alan Trammell had to do with this trade. Trammell managed Infante while with the Tigers.
Infante could prove to be valuable, especially knowing how Piniella likes to players who can play multiple positions. In 2007 Infante appeared at second base (20 games), shortstop (14), center field (12), third base (9), right field (6) and left field (1).
The trade for Infante could put an end the rumors of the Cubs acquiring free agent infielder Kaz Matsui. Infante is due to make $1.3 million in 2008. With this trade, the Cubs will be saving around $4.2 million, the difference between Jones and Infante’s 2008 salary.
With the trade of Jones and by declining the option of outfielder Cliff Floyd, the Cubs will likely be in the market for a left-handed hitting outfielder. They have been linked to Japanese free agent Kosuke Fukudome, who recently declared for free agency and Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Carl Crawford.
The Cubs could acquire both, putting Crawford in center field and Fukudome in right field. In any other scenario, the Cubs will likely open 2008 with top prospect Felix Pie patrolling center.
This trade seems to be another sell low trade by Cubs general manager Jim Hendry. He did trade future Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux for Cesar Izturis, who in-turn was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for a player to be named later.
When it comes to dumping veterans, Hendry hasn’t been successful. Players who came to the Cubs with big expectations only to be traded when their value hit near rock bottom levels include Jones, Michael Barrett, LaTroy Hawkins and Corey Patterson.
