Cubs Pursued Palmeiro, Palmeiro Said No
Confirming what was being talked about by MLB Radio today, the Cubs really did try to acquire Rafeal Palmeiro in a trade before the deadline Thursday, reports the Tribune’s Paul Sullivan, apparently in some quest to become the oldest team ever. And they probably would have been successful, except that Palmeiro told the Rangers he wasn’t going to waive his no-trade clause for a trade to the Cubs:
“I didn’t think it was in my best interests,” Palmeiro said before Thursday’s game against Boston in Arlington, Texas. “And I don’t think it was a deal that would [positively] impact our club.”
The Cubs wanted Palmeiro to platoon with Eric Karros at first, and would have sent Hee Seop Choi to Iowa until September.
Choi’s OPS against righties this year: 838. Palmeiro: 764. (Karros is at 773.)
Choi had a bad 40 at-bats and the Cubs have, for now, abandoned him because of it. As I stated before, this is not only bad for him, but it’s bad for the team, and no one with any say in the Cubs organization seems to realize it.