How about RonDL White for the bench?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Lately, I've been mulling over the idea that Ron-DL While might be a good option for a spot on the bench and as a reserve outfielder.

 

I know the biggest gripe will be that if Ron-DL is on the roster, it will take away time from Murton and that Dusty may start him over Murton altogether. I've thought about that, but I don't think "Dusty-proofing" is a legitimate reason not to acquire good players.

 

Because of his injuries, Ron-DL doesn't seem to be acquiring a lot of attention which is understandable. To pick him up and expect him to start 140-150 games is crazy. On the other hand, he's been relatively productive when healthy.

 

In 97 games in 2005, he hit 313/348/489. For his career he's a 289/343/472 hitter, so it does appear he still has the goods to play when he's healthy. (He even had a 905 OPS against lefties in 2005).

 

If we acquired Cliff Floyd to play rightfield in a deal with the Mets, I think Ron-DL would be ideal to have on the bench as a righthanded compliment to Floyd.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Lately, I've been mulling over the idea that Ron-DL While might be a good option for a spot on the bench and as a reserve outfielder.

 

I know the biggest gripe will be that if Ron-DL is on the roster, it will take away time from Murton and that Dusty may start him over Murton altogether. I've thought about that, but I don't think "Dusty-proofing" is a legitimate reason not to acquire good players.

 

Because of his injuries, Ron-DL doesn't seem to be acquiring a lot of attention which is understandable. To pick him up and expect him to start 140-150 games is crazy. On the other hand, he's been relatively productive when healthy.

 

In 97 games in 2005, he hit 313/348/489. For his career he's a 289/343/472 hitter, so it does appear he still has the goods to play when he's healthy. (He even had a 905 OPS against lefties in 2005).

 

If we acquired Cliff Floyd to play rightfield in a deal with the Mets, I think Ron-DL would be ideal to have on the bench as a righthanded compliment to Floyd.

 

I always liked Rondell. Except for the fact that he throws like my 3 year old daughter.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

White would be a very good pickup.

[erik316wttn]

I liked Rondell when he was here.

[badgercub]

Lately, I've been mulling over the idea that Ron-DL While might be a good option for a spot on the bench and as a reserve outfielder.

 

I know the biggest gripe will be that if Ron-DL is on the roster, it will take away time from Murton and that Dusty may start him over Murton altogether. I've thought about that, but I don't think "Dusty-proofing" is a legitimate reason not to acquire good players.

 

Because of his injuries, Ron-DL doesn't seem to be acquiring a lot of attention which is understandable. To pick him up and expect him to start 140-150 games is crazy. On the other hand, he's been relatively productive when healthy.

 

In 97 games in 2005, he hit 313/348/489. For his career he's a 289/343/472 hitter, so it does appear he still has the goods to play when he's healthy. (He even had a 905 OPS against lefties in 2005).

 

If we acquired Cliff Floyd to play rightfield in a deal with the Mets, I think Ron-DL would be ideal to have on the bench as a righthanded compliment to Floyd.

 

The only problem is, can either of them play RF? Rondell has no arm at all. As of right now the bench consists of:

 

Blanco, Hairston, Perez, Mabry. I liked Goony's idea of using a combination of Floyd and Murton in LF and then you are not pigeonholed into finding a lefthanded hitting RF and you strengthen the bench by having either Floyd or Murton (whichever doesn't start that day on the bench).

[CardsFanInChiTown]

Rondell needs to stay in the AL where he can DH.

[Roast]

I <3 RonDL. Problem is...well...DL.

[CuseCubFan69]

Rondell = Murton bench

 

Until he gets hurt of course.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Rondell = Murton bench

 

Until he gets hurt of course.

 

I'm okay with that. Given that there's someone capable in RF, and Murton isn't being benched instead of Mabry.

 

EDIT: White-Pierre-Bradley with Murton coming off the bench wouldn't be terrible, and safeguards against either of the corners getting hurt.

[rawaction]

What about a White/Floyd platoon? They could get 162 combined couldn't they?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

What about a White/Floyd platoon? They could get 162 combined couldn't they?

 

Wouldn't mind that at all, but White doesn't have a huge platoon split. I'd almost rather have White play everyday when he can, and platoon Floyd/Murton.

[rawaction]

What about a White/Floyd platoon? They could get 162 combined couldn't they?

 

Wouldn't mind that at all, but White doesn't have a huge platoon split. I'd almost rather have White play everyday when he can, and platoon Floyd/Murton.

 

Well, you know that's how it would work with a certain manager.

[CuseCubFan69]

Rondell = Murton bench

 

Until he gets hurt of course.

 

I'm okay with that. Given that there's someone capable in RF, and Murton isn't being benched instead of Mabry.

 

EDIT: White-Pierre-Bradley with Murton coming off the bench wouldn't be terrible, and safeguards against either of the corners getting hurt.

 

With the big defense thing going on with Hendry do you really think they would go after White?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Rondell = Murton bench

 

Until he gets hurt of course.

 

I'm okay with that. Given that there's someone capable in RF, and Murton isn't being benched instead of Mabry.

 

EDIT: White-Pierre-Bradley with Murton coming off the bench wouldn't be terrible, and safeguards against either of the corners getting hurt.

 

With the big defense thing going on with Hendry do you really think they would go after White?

 

I think Hendry might not be as concerned as much with defense at the corner OF spots. Either way though, if that's the case, then Floyd and Mench are no-gos, and Pierre shouldn't have been acquired.

[CuseCubFan69]

Rondell = Murton bench

 

Until he gets hurt of course.

 

I'm okay with that. Given that there's someone capable in RF, and Murton isn't being benched instead of Mabry.

 

EDIT: White-Pierre-Bradley with Murton coming off the bench wouldn't be terrible, and safeguards against either of the corners getting hurt.

 

With the big defense thing going on with Hendry do you really think they would go after White?

 

I think Hendry might not be as concerned as much with defense at the corner OF spots. Either way though, if that's the case, then Floyd and Mench are no-gos, and Pierre shouldn't have been acquired.

 

:lol: I guess you're right!

 

Does anyone have Whites numbers?

[RonCey]

A bit Off Topic, but worth sharing.

 

Last November, I ended up on the same cruise as Rondell and his wife. I got to know him pretty well over the week. He was a bit surprised he was recognized at first, but warmed up very quickly. Let me tell you something: this guy is the nicest, most down-to-earth professional athlete you're going to meet. He taught me some pretty good blackjack strategies, and we shared a lot of drinks.

 

I told him I was a Cubs fan, and he said he loved playing at Wrigley and the fans were great to him. He definitely said they were some tough years because he was injured a lot but said he was seeing the ball as then as good as he ever has during his career. I asked him who is best teammate and worst teammate was. Honestly, I forget who is best teammate was (it wasn't a Cub) because he said by far the worst was Sosa. He said Sosa was always cool with him, but basically that everyone in the clubhouse put up with him because they had to. The boom box got very old, very fast, and he would throw his teammates under the bus if it would make him look better. RW also said that he thought the team didn't have enough spanish speaking players on the team and they brought in more after he left because mgmt thought they would "fit in" better (I can't remember off-hand the years that RW was on the Cubs and the latin players on the team then vs now).

 

Anyway, don't let the RonDL nickname stick, because he's a hard worker and a great teammate. This season, he hooked me up with tickets when he's been in town and I was able to sit next to his wife a few times.

 

Hopefully, he'll come back to the Cubs, but I doubt he's ready for a bench/platoon role, but you never know.

[Warren Brusstar]

If the Cubs signed Rondell White, would an outfield of Murton/White/Pierre be the greatest collection of terrible outfield arms in the history of baseball?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

If the Cubs signed Rondell White, would an outfield of Murton/White/Pierre be the greatest collection of terrible outfield arms in the history of baseball?

 

I have yet to see enough of Murton to make a decision, but I think if Alou was still here and you asked about Alou/White/Pierre, that's a no-brainer.

[Andy]

Why all the blasting on Murton's OF arm? If anything it is an improvement over the 02-04 seasons. Not great by any means but we needn't jump on him, it's not like he's Lance Berkman.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Rondell = Murton bench

 

Until he gets hurt of course.

 

that might be an issue if Rondell had Perez's bat, but he doesnt. White is a good hitter when healthy...we NEED bats

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Rondell = Murton bench

 

Until he gets hurt of course.

 

that might be an issue if Rondell had Perez's bat, but he doesnt. White is a good hitter when healthy...we NEED bats

 

Rondell can flat-out mash the ball. He has one of the quickest bats I have ever seen, and he actually turns that bat speed into impressive numbers. He had an OPS near 900 with us, and it's 815 for his career. I don't know how he likes the bench role, but it may be the only way for him to stay healthy for an entire season.