Michael Wuertz Traded to Oakland

[Lipsander]

The Cubs get two minor league prospects in return ( Richie Robnett and Justin Sellers ).

For a team that didn't need much tweaking, we sure as hell made alot of moves this offseason.

[Jeff Pico]

Man, they don't call him "Trader Jim" for nothing!

Angel Guzman, are you packing yet? He's out of options as well, and the pen is seemingly out of room. He threw 94-95 last Sept, there would be a market for him for sure, even with the extreme injury history.

[Bob Sacamento]

Well there is one way to boost up a depleted high level minor leagues as both Sellers and Robnett figure to start the year off in AA and could see time in AAA. Not a bad haul on Jim's part, I don't know whether I'm tainted though with the bad taste his recent dealings have left in my mouth. Wuertz will be a nice fit with the A's pen and Jim had already crowded our pen so something had to give. Sellers and Robnett are both at low value right now but have good potential and tools. The 23 year old Sellers (who's birthday was yesterday) is a strong fielding SS with good plate discipline but absolutely no power, he's a line drive gap hitter with decent contact. The 25 year old Robnett is an enigma, he has every tool possible to be a monster lefthanded hitting power outfielder yet it never clicks. He absolutely crushes balls when he makes contact but he has horrible plate discipline.

[Ubiquitous]

Guzman is probably next.

[nathanKent]

Ugh.




If we win the World Series I'll feel differently. But right now.... ugh.

[Mild Sauce]

Yeah, I always did like Wuertz, and I hate to see him go, but we'll see how these prospects turn out.

[Lipsander]

I'm with you nathankent. The ugh is the exact feeling I've had for a few weeks now. I really hope Guzman doesn't go, I think if healthy he could be a very good pitcher and he's still young.

On a side note.....I didn't realize once a player was "out of options", it meant for any team he goes to also. I thought it was only with the team he was currently with and once traded somehow his options started over. I guess that's me not reading up on the subject. The funny part is that I've watched baseball for years and years and thought I knew almost everything about the sport.....whoops.

[rockin500]

I'm with you nathankent. The ugh is the exact feeling I've had for a few weeks now. I really hope Guzman doesn't go, I think if healthy he could be a very good pitcher and he's still young.

On a side note.....I didn't realize once a player was "out of options", it meant for any team he goes to also. I thought it was only with the team he was currently with and once traded somehow his options started over. I guess that's me not reading up on the subject. The funny part is that I've watched baseball for years and years and thought I knew almost everything about the sport.....whoops.
if healthy? thats a HUGE if.

[Bob Sacamento]

Guzman is probably next.Yep that's the word with the Pirates and Nationals leading the charge.

[nathanKent]

I'll have trouble being quite as heartbroken about Angel Guzman, but it's indicative of this entire offseason. We have yet to sign a game-changing FA, but we're shedding quality players left and right.

[Mild Sauce]

I agree. While it's entirely possible that none of these prospects ever pan out, it's not like we're actually getting anything of value for them.

[Ubiquitous]

Wuertz has a 2.72 ERA in 46 innings for the A's. Meanwhile Sellers isn't even with the Cubs nor is Richie Robnett. I know Robnett got released by the Cubs I am not sure how Sellers is no longer with the organization but it looks like the Cubs gave away Wuertz for nothing and they certainly look like they could have used him this year.

[rockin500]

Wuertz has a 2.72 ERA in 46 innings for the A's. Meanwhile Sellers isn't even with the Cubs nor is Richie Robnett. I know Robnett got released by the Cubs I am not sure how Sellers is no longer with the organization but it looks like the Cubs gave away Wuertz for nothing and they certainly look like they could have used him this year.

yeah it hasnt worked out in terms of players given up. but how much would wuertz have been used by the cubs? i mean, guzman is taking up the innings wuertz would have been pitching, and guzman has pitched well, so that is pretty much a wash. I guess he could have taken over some of marmol's role when he was struggling.

did lou like wuertz? because at times, it seemed like he easily got into lou's doghouse and wouldnt be used in pivotal roles (or maybe his leash was shorter than some others is a better way to put it).

[nathanKent]

Yet another inexplicable personnel move that backfired dramatically.

[E.Banks#14]

I think there were a couple scenarios early in the year last year when Lou threw Wuertz into a tough spot and he couldn't throw strikes. When he could locate that slider low and away on a righty, he was tough to hit.

[Bob Sacamento]

I think there were a couple scenarios early in the year last year when Lou threw Wuertz into a tough spot and he couldn't throw strikes. When he could locate that slider low and away on a righty, he was tough to hit.Without question, Wuertz was in Lou's doghouse. Unlike past seasons (or B.L. Before Lou) where Mike was trusted with game situations continuously, Lou refused to throw him in game situations unless he was forced to. Now Wuertz would be much needed and Lou had Jim send him away for peanuts.

[nathanKent]

Right now his WHIP is 0.993 and his ERA is 2.72. Yeah, that wouldn't be helpful at all right now.