Cubs close in on trading for Prior
GM Rhee surprised and in denial
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By Ray Leonard / |
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Could
Mark Prior finally be reunited with a Cubs uniform? According to some reports
it
might
happen within the next few days. The Cubs would be sending ace Roy Oswalt
to the San Francisco Giants in a trade that would be an exchange of young
talented
right-handers.
When
asked about the rumour, Cubs GM Lennart Rhee reacted very surprised and
denied
that any talks had been going on. “(Giants General Manager) Nederlof and I
haven’t
spoken in weeks, so I don’t know where this is coming from”. “We tried to
acquire
Prior earlier in the season, but that didn’t work out. “After that we acquired
Freddy
Garcia, and I think that’s enough for now”. “Plus why would we be willing to
trade
our ace away from the ballclub”. “I know
now but we are very confident that he
will be better from now on”.
The
Cubs tried to acquire Prior back in April when a deal - that would send top
rookie
prospect
Rickie Weeks and some other talents to the Giants - fell apart on the latest
moment. After that, the Washington
Nationals showed some interest in the
After
the trade talks died, the Giants moved on and said that Prior would be a leader
of the staff for the years to come. He
and
Barry Zito would be the 1-2 punch of a blossoming franchise.
But
just forget all the obstacles; GM Rhee never hid his interest for Prior,
saying: “Within 2 or 3 years, he will be the best
pitcher
in the game”. Rumours say Prior is unhappy being on a team that isn’t a serious
contender.
Giants
GM Nederlof is also once quoted saying: “I’m a fan of Roy Oswalt, he would be a
good fit on our team”. Both pitchers
are
very young and very talented, so what are the advantages for either teams.
Both
Prior and Oswalt could use a change of scenery, because neither is performing
up to the standards. Prior would like
the
idea of returning to a Cubs uniform and being in the playoff race again. He
could give the Cubs the final push in the race.
Roy
Oswalt likes the idea of returning to the West Coast and be the leader of a
talented staff that only gets better.
With
Oswalt
the Giants would still have a 1-2 punch to build on.
It’s
interesting to see in the next few days if the rumours are serious or that
they’re just a fluke. Check the Leiden Cubs site
regularly
to see if anything works out.