What would you trade for Brian Roberts now? It's usually not fair to judge a trade only in 20-20 hindsight. But what about a trade that didn't get made?<!--dropend-->
Barely six weeks after the Baltimore Orioles publicly declared talks of a trade of their leadoff hitter to the Cubs dead, the Cubs still aren't getting anything from their leadoff spot. But that doesn't mean a deal for Roberts would've put them in any better position through 34 games than they're in now.
And not that it would've made any difference to the Orioles back then, but how would the deal have looked to either side if it could've known how many of the players the Cubs appeared willing to deal -- and how the so-called untouchables -- would look nearly a quarter of the way into the season?
Roberts, who entered the season with a .377 on-base percentage, was hitting only .263 with a .353 OBP entering play Thursday night -- and was 18-for-80 (.225) since he stood at .327 with a .411 on-base percentage 13 games into the season.
No doubt he'll be fine and his numbers will even out over the long season, but he's slumping so badly right now -- 4 for his last 27 -- that he'd fit right in with his could-have-been Cubs mates. Especially in that yet-to-produce Cubs leadoff spot that ranks last in the majors in batting (.194) and on-base percentage (.262).
Meanwhile, some of the guys most prominently mentioned in the talks on the Cubs' side are making significant contributions or are on strong tracks in the minors.
That includes, perhaps most impressive, Ronny Cedeno, who had a huge April for the Cubs, helping cover for the two-week absence of Alfonso Soriano, in part of a domino effect that took Mark DeRosa off second base. Cedeno is hitting .345 with a .429 on-base percentage, has 18 RBI and might get a chance to earn more regular playing time as manager Lou Piniella tries to shake more production -- and fielding results -- from his lineup.
The guy whose name came up as part of every potential package for Roberts, pitcher Sean Gallagher, pitched so well at Class AAA Iowa in five starts (2-2, 3.10 ERA, .196 opponents' average) that he was called up to take demoted Rich Hill's place on the roster last weekend.
Now Gallagher and lefty Sean Marshall -- whose name was in and out of the Roberts rumor mill all winter and spring -- are considered part of the Cubs' much-needed starting depth and options for replacing more veteran guys who are scuffling.
On top of that, Marshall has been invaluable in a converted lefty short-relief role after rookie Carmen Pignatiello stumbled out of the gate and as the team awaits the return of Scott Eyre this weekend.
And even Class AA pitcher Donnie Veal is 2-1 with a 2.67 ERA at Tennessee as he continues his rise through the system.
As for the untouchables, Hill is at Iowa trying to earn a return trip to the rotation after falling hard from high expectations entering the season. Outfielder Felix Pie is on the verge of a similar fate if he can't turn a corner quickly. And even touted outfield prospect Tyler Colvin is struggling (.225) at Tennessee.
In retrospect, would you have included Hill in the deal to get Roberts -- not that the Cubs would, even in hindsight? And would the Cubs even be better off right now with Roberts if they'd given up some of the players they talked about?
Give it another six weeks, and the answers might change again.
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