I just nosed around the Web awhile, looking at the Cubs' farm system, and they've got nothing at catcher below Soto. The best they've got is their 20th best prospect:

"20) Welington Castillo, C, Grade C: Very effective against runners, has some power, but on-base skills are sketchy."

That's grade "C" - about what Max Ram graded out.

So I don't see them trading Soto - he's gotta be on the untouchable list, at least until the year he hits FA.

@WWJDD

"What I am bitching at you for is your tendency to throw out outrageous trade ideas that make utterly zero sense in real life. Nothing personal, man."

The only thing i can say is i think there is WAY too thin a line for you btw "outrageous trade idea that makes no sense in real life" and you just not liking a trade or a possible risk involved with a trade that i find. Again i have to reiterate this appears to be a bad year trade wise. i would say that there are technically 3 things we need: One more reliable pitcher (not necessarily a TORP), BP help, and a catcher. You could argue DH or CF maybe. In my opinion i think youre looking for perfection. and baseball transactions there is not pefection. Look at the Dan Haren trade last year. Most ppl thought the diamond backs got robbed blindly. Ted Lilly could be that reliable starter. But he doesnt help the BP. and he certainly doesnt help our situation at catcher. All i can say is that youre probably a little more conservative when it comes to dealings. its not a big deal. its old school. i on the other hand am willing to take a risk and spend some money than you would be willing to be. what you have to realize is that it doesnt make it outrageous and it doesnt make it unrealistic. baseball mgmt is a shark tank. and if the rangers arent willing to make a deal some else will. look at the greinke and garza deals. Sooner or later, somebody is gonna grab up Big Z. And it could be this year. If it turns out to be a disaster then youre right and i applaud you. but if he goes somewhere else, gets a change of scenery and pumps out another 17-20 win season... maybe it wont seem so outrageous.

Anyways.... thanks for the scouting report and killing my dreams on soto. lol. now we're basically just gonna have to do it. we gotta get liriano and mauer ;)

lol i just said that to make you cringe further. lol

do some research and find us a catcher dammit!

I think maybe the problem that I have with your method is you are going for these major blockbuster trades where a team can address all of its needs in one fell swoop. For one thing, that kind of trade just doesn't happen in the current market. But it seems more likely that a team will have to find its targets from different places. In other words, they are probably going to have to swing 3 separate deals to get a SP, a RP, and a C. Well, I don't think they will look for a C as long as Torrealba / Napoli are both ok. If both of them were to be hurt, then yeah - they'd pretty much have to get one.

So I think TX is willing to make a deal, but just not that deal. I will give you this - if money weren't an issue, and Texas could convince them to give up Soto, that deal probably would make us better for the short term (the end of 2011). Not sure how much Zambrano and Wood for that matter have left in the tank, though.

Cheers.

If you want a catcher, everybody and his brother knows that the Reds are the ones with catchers falling out of every open drawer in their organization. Hanigan in the majors, Mesoraco pretty much ready in AAA and Grandal not far behind down lower. Reds, just like anybody else, will want pitching and - speculating here - perhaps an outfielder. Make an offer.

geo,

youre making me very happy right now..... i've coveting Cueto as well...... They would need to fall further out of contention to give up him. but hmm... if we could get a decent catcher for like Murphy, Borbon and some Cash... might be worth it. i'm gonna look into them tonight. maybe they have some bp help as well. Thanks!

@WWJDD

whether we agree or disagree, its always fun debating with you. and i have to say its the best part of my work day ;). you and R100 and whoever the hell else tends to perpetually be on the exact opposite side of the fense as myself. however i think we can all agree.... if only our bosses knew that they were paying us to argue baseball with a complete stranger for atleast a good 25% of the work day.... lol they may not be too happy. ha!

Me have a boss -- that's a good one - that means I would have to have a job! :)