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Roberts-Cubs Deal Off The Table
MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com — ... I think we can finally put this one to rest, at least for a few months.  Andy MacPhail told reporters that "a Brian Roberts deal with the Cubs is off the table," according to Paul Sullivan.  You can argue the semantics - dead, impasse, off the table - but it doesn't look like anything's happening anytime soon.  Sullivan doesn't see it reviving before July. ...

Roberts to Cubs Appears Dead
MLB FLEECE FACTOR: Providing MLB rumors and deciding who gets FLEECED. — ... According to Paul Sullivan at the Chicago Tribune, Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail told reporters that the expected trade of second baseman Brian Roberts to the Chicago Cubs is now off the table. Said MacPhail on the subject, “We worked at it this long and we don’t have deal. There’s other sides characterizing it as an impasse. You make the judgment.” ...

Chicago Tribune blog: MacPhail: No Roberts deal with Cubs
BBTF's Baseball Primer Newsblog — Chicago Tribune blog: MacPhail: No Roberts deal with Cubs Baltimore president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail told reporters in Ft. Lauderdale Wednesday that a Brian Roberts deal with the Cubs is off the table. “We worked at it this long and we don’t have deal,” MacPhail said. “There’s other sides characterizing it as an impasse. You make the judgment.” The Cubs have privately been saying Wednesday what MacPhail just laid out for the media. They feel they’ve done everything possible to acquire Roberts, but after nearly four months of stalemated talks, there’s no reason to ...

Brian Roberts Is Probably Staying in Baltimore
FanHouse — ... Central, MLB Rumors, BaltimoreI'm not sure I've ever seen a rumored trade take on a life of its own the way this "Brian Roberts to the Cubs" rumor has. Cubs' fans seem to be banking on Roberts as if he's the final piece that will magically transform the Cubs into the '27 Yankees. Even Lou Piniella's incessant lineup talk has had the "unless we make a trade" caveat. Well, if you believe Andy MacPhail, the Cubs won't be making a trade. From the Chicago Tribune's baseball blog: "We worked at it this long ...

Andy McPhail, You Sir, Are a Tease
wrigleyville23 — For this. Thanks for nothing, once again.

Cubs To Open Season Robertsless And Murtonless
A Hundred Next Years — From Paul Sullivan on the Chicago Tribune baseball blog Wednesday afternoon: Baltimore president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail told reporters in Ft. Lauderdale Wednesday that a Brian Roberts deal with the Cubs is off the table. From Jeff Zrebiec, writing on the Baltimore Sun Web site Wednesday evening: Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail acknowledged today that it's unlikely that Roberts will be traded before Monday's season opener ...

Don’t Worry, Matt. Iowa’s Ummm, LOVELY This Time Of Year.
Hire Jim Essian — ... as a surprise that Dandy Andy would prefer to take the path of least resistance and go with Luke Scott–who is three years older than Murton and much worse at playing baseball–in left field? While this whole affair makes me appreciate the fact that McSweatervest is no longer cursing the Cubs to a life Ward Cleaver-like prudential management, it does frustrate me that Jim Hendry didn’t work harder to get something for Murton before having to relegate him to the minors. Forget about not getting Brian Roberts for a minute–the time to have dealt Matt Murton to anybody would ...

Winding Down?
ChicagoCubsOnline.com — ... , " the Orioles will revisit trade talks for Roberts closer to the July trade deadline. " He reiterated the last package the Cubs offered was Ronny Cedeno , Sean Gallagher , Donald Veal and Jose Ceda . Paul Sullivan said good-bye to the Roberts rumors.... or did he? Alex Cintron The Cubs apparently told Alex Cintron he was not going to make the team before Tuesday's game. ...

The Best Trades We NEVER Made
The Cub Reporter (TCR) | A Chicago Cubs Blog — ... Time will tell if the Cubs just lucked out by not acquiring Brian Roberts. His strength wouldn't have been in the field as we already have a solid second baseman in Mark DeRosa. Roberts would have given the Cubs a leadoff switch-hitter with a track record of well above average OBP and basestealing ability. Not making the trade keeps the Cubs farm system talent pool of near MLB ready talent available for the future, whether it be a different transaction or if those prospects develop further, maybe a spot on the roster if an injury occurs. Could Sean Gallagher replace one of our ...

MacPhail: Deal Off
The Transaction Guy — This quote in the Chicago Tribune by Orioles GM Andy MacPhail is one that Cub’s fans may not enjoy: “We worked at it this long and we don’t have deal,. There’s other sides characterizing it as an impasse. You make the judgment.” Basically, MacPhail thinks that the deal, at least for now, is over for the Cubs acquiring second basemen Brian Roberts. As you know, negotiations and speculation have been going on for some time this offseason, but it now appears that it will end and the ...

The Hardball Times: Five Questions: Baltimore Orioles
The Hardball Times — ... ? With all the rumors there have been about various possible deals, the Orioles better trade him to justify the cost of all the paper that’s been spent discussing all the different scenarios. Though a trade to the Cubs has seemed like the most logical ending to this saga, Baltimore President of Baseball Operations Andy McPhail said this week that option is off the table. You have to believe that Roberts will be traded at some point, and probably sooner rather than later. While the Orioles do want to get as much as they can for him, there is little point to hanging onto a ...

You Did Ask For It, Ken
crashburnalley.com — ... pitching (”enough options”) or bullpen arms (”boost from Mike Gonzalez”), and the Braves are set at catcher, first base, second base, third base, center field, and right field. So, barring catastrophic injuries, the Braves would be trading for a shortstop or left fielder. Otherwise, they’re not really trading for anyone of consequence. Yet, the Braves aren’t the only legitimate NL threat. Really? Who’da thunk it? The Cubs could be a World Series team if they add Brian Roberts. They won’t : Baltimore president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail told reporters in Ft. Lauderdale ...

Dead or Not Dead
The Cub Reporter (TCR) | A Chicago Cubs Blog — ... ? In fact, even the Brian Roberts deal isn't exactly dead. These kind of non-transactions take a "life" of their own. So I thought we might play a little game. One of the more common cliche's is "the best trade is often the one not made". So I'm asking for you to reach back and see what you can remember as to rumored trades that never occurred but if they had been made, would have been one gigantic mistake for someone or maybe even a timeline changer in the course of baseball history. Sosa for Soriano ...