Question About Todd Walker

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

We've all assumed based on what has been said, and in some cases not said, that Walker's days with the team are numbered.

 

So far, nothing with Walker has developed. So, if Hendry is unable to get a decent return on Walker, what will he do with him?

 

Will he sell him off to the highest bidder even if no one offers decent players in return?

 

If Walker is on the team, will he start? Will he be a platoon player?

 

I guess we could still see a Walker for Mench deal if the Rangers trade Soriano, but I'm starting to wonder what possibilities for moving Walker for value exist.

 

Thoughts?

 

(Also, Bruce, if you're reading this...are you still certain the Cubs want to move Walker if we don't get another SS?)

[Jehrico]

We've all assumed based on what has been said, and in some cases not said, that Walker's days with the team are numbered.

 

So far, nothing with Walker has developed. So, if Hendry is unable to get a decent return on Walker, what will he do with him?

 

Will he sell him off to the highest bidder even if no one offers decent players in return?

 

If Walker is on the team, will he start? Will he be a platoon player?

 

I guess we could still see a Walker for Mench deal if the Rangers trade Soriano, but I'm starting to wonder what possibilities for moving Walker for value exist.

 

Thoughts?

 

(Also, Bruce, if you're reading this...are you still certain the Cubs want to move Walker if we don't get another SS?)

I'm beginning to think that maybe JH isn't as bent on trading Walker as we thought. He will for the right deal, but he's not going to dump him. He won't dump him for the likes of Soriano, Bret Boone, or someone like that. It'll have to be a definite upgrade, no doubt about it.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

i haven't heard hendry mention walker when he talks about the 2006 infield. not once.

[soapy]

I thought maybe Walker would be moved to NYM in a deal for Floyd, but it appears they will sign Grudz. The Dodgers are rumored to be looking at Soriano, so perhaps he wouldn't be part of a Bradley deal. Washington has Vidro. I would have put Minnesota up there, but they picked up Castillo.

 

I basically have no answer to your question. I am still holding on to a very thin string of hope that the Cubs will decide to keep him and go with a Cedeno/Walker MI. Especially if they end up with someone like Bradley or Wilkerson in RF.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I thought maybe Walker would be moved to NYM in a deal for Floyd, but it appears they will sign Grudz. The Dodgers are rumored to be looking at Soriano, so perhaps he wouldn't be part of a Bradley deal. Washington has Vidro. I would have put Minnesota up there, but they picked up Castillo.

 

I basically have no answer to your question. I am still holding on to a very thin string of hope that the Cubs will decide to keep him and go with a Cedeno/Walker MI. Especially if they end up with someone like Bradley or Wilkerson in RF.

 

Washington has serious doubts as to whether or not Vidro will ever come back, and if he does, they don't know if he'll be at all productive.

[goonys evil twin]

I'm beginning to think that maybe JH isn't as bent on trading Walker as we thought. He will for the right deal, but he's not going to dump him. He won't dump him for the likes of Soriano, Bret Boone, or someone like that. It'll have to be a definite upgrade, no doubt about it.

 

But Jim wants guys who can catch the ball. His idea of an upgrade is different from mine. I see him trading Walker for a mediocre corner OF, and then settling for subpar production from 2B.

[CubfaninCA]

Can see Walker for Bradley or Walker for Wilkerson. Hopefully, it's Walker for Wilkerson. Wrigley should help Wilkerson huh.

[badgercub]

Interesting Dilema if they don't sign/acquire another SS. While I think Hendry does like Walker's offensive capabilities he is not happy with his defense, in particular his inability to turn the double play. (Again, this is my perception of what Hendry is thinking) If by some chance he is on the roster opening day you will have Cedeno at SS and Walker at 2b. I really hope they can get some value for Walker, while I like him a lot if they can improve the team by using him to acquire a RF then I have no problem whatsoever that.

[erik316wttn]

Trading Walker so Perez can start would be the absolute dumbest thing JH could possibly do.

[YearofDaCubs]

Levine is on ESPN1000 and said Walker is almost as good as gone. The Dodgers have interest in him especially now that Grady Little is their manager. Cubs again are looking at Soriano and Mench.

[soapy]

In addition; if he does stay, I don't think he'll be platooned. Dusty had plenty of oppurtunities to platoon him with Hairston/Macias last year and didn't do it. However, if Cedeno somehow emerges as the starting SS, I guess I can see Dusty putting Neifi at 2B and benching Walker :pukel:

[YearofDaCubs]

Trading Walker so Perez can start would be the absolute dumbest thing JH could possibly do.

I totally agree. I don't think I can handle seeing Perez in the lineup every day. I might just lose it.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

This offseason becomes really ugly if Walker is traded and his OBP is not replaced in that #2 spot.

[adamb0719]

I really hope Walker stays with the Cubs. From all accounts I have heard, Hendry wants to trade him, but the more I think about it, the more I just hear his name in trade rumors. Has Hendry definately said he wants to move him, or is it all speculation? Best case scenario, IMO, is Walker is the starting 2B next season. I have yet to hear of one trade involving him that I like more than that.

[Jehrico]

I'm beginning to think that maybe JH isn't as bent on trading Walker as we thought. He will for the right deal, but he's not going to dump him. He won't dump him for the likes of Soriano, Bret Boone, or someone like that. It'll have to be a definite upgrade, no doubt about it.

 

But Jim wants guys who can catch the ball. His idea of an upgrade is different from mine. I see him trading Walker for a mediocre corner OF, and then settling for subpar production from 2B.

 

I don't disagree, but what 2Bs out there fit that mold?

 

The first answer that pops into my mind is a scary one....Neifi...or Neifi at SS which will push RonnyC to 2B. Any scenario involving Neifi is a bad one.

 

On the note of Grudz possibly going to the NYM...who are the Cards targeting to fill their hole at 2B? I haven't heard much on that front. At the beginning of the offseason, I thought it was a foregone conclusion that they'd resign Grudz to an extension. I guess I was wrong.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Levine is on ESPN1000 and said Walker is almost as good as gone. The Dodgers have interest in him especially now that Grady Little is their manager. Cubs again are looking at Soriano and Mench.

 

If Walker is going to be traded, I take Soriano in a heartbeat if it means Neifi gets more time on the pine.

[soapy]

Levine is on ESPN1000 and said Walker is almost as good as gone. The Dodgers have interest in him especially now that Grady Little is their manager. Cubs again are looking at Soriano and Mench.

 

If he went to the Dodgers, I'd assume it would be for Bradley. So does Hendry then turn around and make another trade for Soriano and Mench? Interesting. I assume that Mench or Murton would then be a fourth OF?

[YearofDaCubs]

Levine is on ESPN1000 and said Walker is almost as good as gone. The Dodgers have interest in him especially now that Grady Little is their manager. Cubs again are looking at Soriano and Mench.

 

If Walker is going to be traded, I take Soriano in a heartbeat if it means Neifi gets more time on the pine.

Agreed. Anything to ensure Neifi is on the bench.

[soapy]

Levine is on ESPN1000 and said Walker is almost as good as gone. The Dodgers have interest in him especially now that Grady Little is their manager. Cubs again are looking at Soriano and Mench.

 

If Walker is going to be traded, I take Soriano in a heartbeat if it means Neifi gets more time on the pine.

 

If Bradley was in RF, I would be more open to Soriano at 2B. I just don't see Hendry being into that with his new found love for defense.

[Jehrico]

Levine is on ESPN1000 and said Walker is almost as good as gone. The Dodgers have interest in him especially now that Grady Little is their manager. Cubs again are looking at Soriano and Mench.

 

If Walker is going to be traded, I take Soriano in a heartbeat if it means Neifi gets more time on the pine.

 

I've heard reports that Hendry is absolutely NOT interested in Soriano. If they get him, I wonder if he's already got another team interested to flip him too. Soriano would be attractive to several other teams if it weren't for his contract. We could pick up a chunk, and flip him and possibly get a pretty good return. That's one way to put the extra cash we have this offseason to a pretty good use, possibly.

[YearofDaCubs]

Levine is on ESPN1000 and said Walker is almost as good as gone. The Dodgers have interest in him especially now that Grady Little is their manager. Cubs again are looking at Soriano and Mench.

 

If he went to the Dodgers, I'd assume it would be for Bradley. So does Hendry then turn around and make another trade for Soriano and Mench? Interesting. I assume that Mench or Murton would then be a fourth OF?

If Walker goes to LA it will probably be for Bradley. Then I can see Hendry go after Soriano and Mench which probably means Murton will be on the bench or at the very most platoon with Mench. The scary thing about all that is going down and the fact that Neifi signed a 2 year deal is that in my opinion Baker and Hendry have made up their minds that at the very least Perez will be platooning with Cedeno but most likely starting at 2B over Hairston. If Perez starts this organization has no clue.

[soapy]

Levine is on ESPN1000 and said Walker is almost as good as gone. The Dodgers have interest in him especially now that Grady Little is their manager. Cubs again are looking at Soriano and Mench.

 

If he went to the Dodgers, I'd assume it would be for Bradley. So does Hendry then turn around and make another trade for Soriano and Mench? Interesting. I assume that Mench or Murton would then be a fourth OF?

If Walker goes to LA it will probably be for Bradley. Then I can see Hendry go after Soriano and Mench which probably means Murton will be on the bench or at the very most platoon with Mench. The scary thing about all that is going down and the fact that Neifi signed a 2 year deal is that in my opinion Baker and Hendry have made up their minds that at the very least Perez will be platooning with Cedeno but most likely starting at 2B over Hairston. If Perez starts this organization has no clue.

 

So you're basically looking at:

 

Pierre CF

Bradley RF

Lee 1B

Ramirez 3B

Soriano 2B

Murton/Mench LF

Barrett C

Perez/Cedeno SS

[Jehrico]

Levine is on ESPN1000 and said Walker is almost as good as gone. The Dodgers have interest in him especially now that Grady Little is their manager. Cubs again are looking at Soriano and Mench.

 

If he went to the Dodgers, I'd assume it would be for Bradley. So does Hendry then turn around and make another trade for Soriano and Mench? Interesting. I assume that Mench or Murton would then be a fourth OF?

If Walker goes to LA it will probably be for Bradley. Then I can see Hendry go after Soriano and Mench which probably means Murton will be on the bench or at the very most platoon with Mench. The scary thing about all that is going down and the fact that Neifi signed a 2 year deal is that in my opinion Baker and Hendry have made up their minds that at the very least Perez will be platooning with Cedeno but most likely starting at 2B over Hairston. If Perez starts this organization has no clue.

 

So you're basically looking at:

 

Pierre CF

Bradley RF

Lee 1B

Ramirez 3B

Soriano 2B

Murton/Mench LF

Barrett C

Perez/Cedeno SS

 

I've heard Hendry isn't interested in Soriano at 2nd. He's interested in him to play OF, which Soriano has stated he won't do, so Hendry's not interested anymore. That would move Ronny to 2B, which would increase Neifi's time at SS (bad), but would give RonnyC more time as well (good).

[CubfaninCA]

With Pierre in CF, I don't like Bradley for Walker. Would much prefer Wilkerson than Bradley, but since I'm a pragmatic this lineup would be pretty solid ~~~ Pierre, Bradley, Lee, ARam, Soriano, Barrett, Murton & Neifi/Cedeno.

 

Hendry would have plenty of ammo leftover to get Soriano, who could be a very effective 5 hitter.

[hawkeyecub]

I just heard Levine on ESPN 1000 saying that the Cubs are still talking to the Rangers about Soriano and Mench. He says Hendry would like to take care of the outfield situation before leaving the winter meetings if possible.

 

Still talking to the Dodgers about Bradley, probably for Walker. The Cub fan on there (either Carmen or Silvy) was defending Walker asking him why he couldn't fit there and what was wrong with him hitting 2nd. Levine kept saying he was terrible defensively, can't run and doesn't have power because he's never hit 20 HR in a season. Levine thinks he has no place on this team for some reason.