Orlando Hudson

[The Voice of Reason]

Since (according to Bruce and others in the know) Todd Walker "doesn't fit into the Cubs plans," should the Cubs pursue Hudson and leave Cedeno at shortstop? Hudson appears to be a mediocre hitter and good fielder. Thoughts?

 

 

Orlando Hudson Tor .271 .315 .412 .728

 

 

Per JERRY CRASNICK ESPN

 

I still think Orlando Hudson would be a good fit for either the Cardinals or the Cubs at second base. He's very athletic, fast and great defensively, and readily available.

[YearofDaCubs]

If Walker indeeds go I would rather have Hudson over Neifi but that isn't saying much.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Already a thread

[mg420]

i hope whoever they go with bats lefty. even if they get a left handed hitting rf like wilkerson, that will only give them 2 lefties in the lineup along with pierre. the only reason i can think that they dont want walker would be because of how vocal he is with the media. i would like to see him at 2b next year myself.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Well, until he's traded I'm still holding out hope Walker is with the team. Unless he's the chip to bring in a rightfielder, I can't see a reason to trade him.

[CuseCubFan69]

When Hudson was in Syracuse I saw him play SS once and he did a capable job. He would be a decent middle guy that the Cubs could trust in case of an injury to Cedeno or Perez as Walker is one dimentional defensively.

 

If the Cubs do keep Walker, has he ever played 3rd to give ARam some rest?

[The Voice of Reason]

i hope whoever they go with bats lefty. even if they get a left handed hitting rf like wilkerson, that will only give them 2 lefties in the lineup along with pierre. the only reason i can think that they dont want walker would be because of how vocal he is with the media. i would like to see him at 2b next year myself.

 

That may be an issue but I also think the Cubs view him as a defensive liability.

[HoopsCubs]

Since (according to Bruce and others in the know) Todd Walker "doesn't fit into the Cubs plans," should the Cubs pursue Hudson and leave Cedeno at shortstop? Hudson appears to be a mediocre hitter and good fielder. Thoughts?

 

 

Orlando Hudson Tor .271 .315 .412 .728

 

 

Per JERRY CRASNICK ESPN

 

I still think Orlando Hudson would be a good fit for either the Cardinals or the Cubs at second base. He's very athletic, fast and great defensively, and readily available.

 

If the Cubs insist in wanting to trade Walker, why not just sign Tony Graffanino? He's steady with the glove, has decent OBP and plate discipline for a #2 hitter and he only costs money. Or heck, bring Grudzielanek back.

[anemic offense]

i hope whoever they go with bats lefty. even if they get a left handed hitting rf like wilkerson, that will only give them 2 lefties in the lineup along with pierre. the only reason i can think that they dont want walker would be because of how vocal he is with the media. i would like to see him at 2b next year myself.

 

I don't really think it's because the Cubs don't want Todd, because they do (and should). But part of the problem is the Cubs aren't viewed to have a lot of positional ready prospects who could serve as trade bait. Add this to the fact they have an oft injured pitching staff (so they need all the MLB ready pitchers they can get), and the Cubs just don't have a lot of appealing tradeable commodities. Then there's Todd. A left handed bat who hits for good numbers, is versatile densively (even it below-average at every position), is a great clubhouse personality, and has enough integrity to where his salary isn't ridiculous.

 

Bottom line is the Cubs would pry LOVE to keep Todd, AND be able to trade for what they want, but its just not a very plausible scenario. What maybe the only saving grace for Todd is the Cubs 05 lineup. Although its definately not scaring anyone as of yet (though I think it will surprise, people underestimate the power fundamentally sound hitters have on a lineup...ie Murton, Cedeno, Pierre), this lineup figures to be DEMONSTRABLY better in the speed department. Pierre's an upgrade over Patterson (he actually knows how and when to steal a base), Cedeno's an upgrade over Nomah and Neifi, and Murton's an upgrade over Holly and Dubois. Especially if the Cubs are smart enough to bat Cedeno in the 2 hole (he makes exceptional contact, can situational hit, and makes for an impossible DP target), they may be able to slide Todd down to 7th in the order. IMO, he'd be a pretty good fit there, and the Cubs could maybe use some hit and run with he and Neifi (or whoever 2b will be). But if this doesn't happen I think he's gone. It's too bad becasue he's one of my favorite Cubs (he has enough character not to demand ridiculous salaries, and just plays where he wants to play).

[E.J.]

Well, until he's traded I'm still holding out hope Walker is with the team. Unless he's the chip to bring in a rightfielder, I can't see a reason to trade him.

 

From everything we've read and heard this offseason Walker won't be back. I don't understand it personally, but it looks like Hendry has made a decision. That said, I wouldn't my seeing Hudson at 2nd base. We'd need more offense at SS and RF though if Hendry did trade for Hudson.

[mg420]

i hope whoever they go with bats lefty. even if they get a left handed hitting rf like wilkerson, that will only give them 2 lefties in the lineup along with pierre. the only reason i can think that they dont want walker would be because of how vocal he is with the media. i would like to see him at 2b next year myself.

 

That may be an issue but I also think the Cubs view him as a defensive liability.

 

i dont see why they would. he is probably about average on d imo but his offense makes up it and then some. but thats the cubs for you.

[mg420]

Since (according to Bruce and others in the know) Todd Walker "doesn't fit into the Cubs plans," should the Cubs pursue Hudson and leave Cedeno at shortstop? Hudson appears to be a mediocre hitter and good fielder. Thoughts?

 

 

Orlando Hudson Tor .271 .315 .412 .728

 

 

Per JERRY CRASNICK ESPN

 

I still think Orlando Hudson would be a good fit for either the Cardinals or the Cubs at second base. He's very athletic, fast and great defensively, and readily available.

 

If the Cubs insist in wanting to trade Walker, why not just sign Tony Graffanino? He's steady with the glove, has decent OBP and plate discipline for a #2 hitter and he only costs money. Or heck, bring Grudzielanek back.

 

that would be a good fit for the cubs even if they keep walker. grundz wants 3 years & big $ so i'd have to take a pass on him.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Well, until he's traded I'm still holding out hope Walker is with the team. Unless he's the chip to bring in a rightfielder, I can't see a reason to trade him.

 

From everything we've read and heard this offseason Walker won't be back. I don't understand it personally, but it looks like Hendry has made a decision. That said, I wouldn't my seeing Hudson at 2nd base. We'd need more offense at SS and RF though if Hendry did trade for Hudson.

 

I agree that from what we've read, he won't be back...but...he's still here now and they did pick up the option.

 

If the trade markets really are as dry as they seem, Hendry may have to choose to give Walker away or keep him. I think that's where the choices become interesting.

 

While I don't necessarily agree that we'll have to trade Walker to improve RF, I could at least see the reasoning behind it. But if no one wants Walker in a trade for a RF, why move him anyway? We've already improved the pen. Rightfield or an improvement at the MI are the only reasons I can see to move Walker.

[mg420]

i hope whoever they go with bats lefty. even if they get a left handed hitting rf like wilkerson, that will only give them 2 lefties in the lineup along with pierre. the only reason i can think that they dont want walker would be because of how vocal he is with the media. i would like to see him at 2b next year myself.

 

I don't really think it's because the Cubs don't want Todd, because they do (and should). But part of the problem is the Cubs aren't viewed to have a lot of positional ready prospects who could serve as trade bait. Add this to the fact they have an oft injured pitching staff (so they need all the MLB ready pitchers they can get), and the Cubs just don't have a lot of appealing tradeable commodities. Then there's Todd. A left handed bat who hits for good numbers, is versatile densively (even it below-average at every position), is a great clubhouse personality, and has enough integrity to where his salary isn't ridiculous.

 

Bottom line is the Cubs would pry LOVE to keep Todd, AND be able to trade for what they want, but its just not a very plausible scenario. What maybe the only saving grace for Todd is the Cubs 05 lineup. Although its definately not scaring anyone as of yet (though I think it will surprise, people underestimate the power fundamentally sound hitters have on a lineup...ie Murton, Cedeno, Pierre), this lineup figures to be DEMONSTRABLY better in the speed department. Pierre's an upgrade over Patterson (he actually knows how and when to steal a base), Cedeno's an upgrade over Nomah and Neifi, and Murton's an upgrade over Holly and Dubois. Especially if the Cubs are smart enough to bat Cedeno in the 2 hole (he makes exceptional contact, can situational hit, and makes for an impossible DP target), they may be able to slide Todd down to 7th in the order. IMO, he'd be a pretty good fit there, and the Cubs could maybe use some hit and run with he and Neifi (or whoever 2b will be). But if this doesn't happen I think he's gone. It's too bad becasue he's one of my favorite Cubs (he has enough character not to demand ridiculous salaries, and just plays where he wants to play).

 

they wont be able to replace his production at 2b for anywhere near 2.5 mil a year so if they do trade him to upgrade another position like rf (the only one open as of now), they might end up weakening 2b. vidro would be a very interesting option if he's healthy but if he is healthy the nats would most likely not trade him.

[YearofDaCubs]

i hope whoever they go with bats lefty. even if they get a left handed hitting rf like wilkerson, that will only give them 2 lefties in the lineup along with pierre. the only reason i can think that they dont want walker would be because of how vocal he is with the media. i would like to see him at 2b next year myself.

 

I don't really think it's because the Cubs don't want Todd, because they do (and should). But part of the problem is the Cubs aren't viewed to have a lot of positional ready prospects who could serve as trade bait. Add this to the fact they have an oft injured pitching staff (so they need all the MLB ready pitchers they can get), and the Cubs just don't have a lot of appealing tradeable commodities. Then there's Todd. A left handed bat who hits for good numbers, is versatile densively (even it below-average at every position), is a great clubhouse personality, and has enough integrity to where his salary isn't ridiculous.

 

Bottom line is the Cubs would pry LOVE to keep Todd, AND be able to trade for what they want, but its just not a very plausible scenario. What maybe the only saving grace for Todd is the Cubs 05 lineup. Although its definately not scaring anyone as of yet (though I think it will surprise, people underestimate the power fundamentally sound hitters have on a lineup...ie Murton, Cedeno, Pierre), this lineup figures to be DEMONSTRABLY better in the speed department. Pierre's an upgrade over Patterson (he actually knows how and when to steal a base), Cedeno's an upgrade over Nomah and Neifi, and Murton's an upgrade over Holly and Dubois. Especially if the Cubs are smart enough to bat Cedeno in the 2 hole (he makes exceptional contact, can situational hit, and makes for an impossible DP target), they may be able to slide Todd down to 7th in the order. IMO, he'd be a pretty good fit there, and the Cubs could maybe use some hit and run with he and Neifi (or whoever 2b will be). But if this doesn't happen I think he's gone. It's too bad becasue he's one of my favorite Cubs (he has enough character not to demand ridiculous salaries, and just plays where he wants to play).

 

they wont be able to replace his production at 2b for anywhere near 2.5 mil a year so if they do trade him to upgrade another position like rf (the only one open as of now), they might end up weakening 2b. vidro would be a very interesting option if he's healthy but if he is healthy the nats would most likely not trade him.

I suppose there is a reason why they gave Perez 6mil for 2 years. Although it isn't an upgrade.

[mlarner]

Well, until he's traded I'm still holding out hope Walker is with the team. Unless he's the chip to bring in a rightfielder, I can't see a reason to trade him.

 

From everything we've read and heard this offseason Walker won't be back. I don't understand it personally, but it looks like Hendry has made a decision. That said, I wouldn't my seeing Hudson at 2nd base. We'd need more offense at SS and RF though if Hendry did trade for Hudson.

 

I agree that from what we've read, he won't be back...but...he's still here now and they did pick up the option.

 

If the trade markets really are as dry as they seem, Hendry may have to choose to give Walker away or keep him. I think that's where the choices become interesting.

 

While I don't necessarily agree that we'll have to trade Walker to improve RF, I could at least see the reasoning behind it. But if no one wants Walker in a trade for a RF, why move him anyway? We've already improved the pen. Rightfield or an improvement at the MI are the only reasons I can see to move Walker.

 

I agree. I think JH came into the offseason with the speeed and D mantra, and that included trading Walker (who is, as mg420 commented also one of the few big trading chips we have). But, that also included, I think, getting Furcal at SS and having Ronny and Neifi platoon at 2nd. Not getting Furcal, and the fact that our RF options are all drying up at this point, I think leads to the real possibility that Walker will now remain for next year. In my opinion, Hendry has backed himself into a good option (even though it was NOT by design) but I hope he hasn't burned the bridges too much with all the talk in the press and his desire to trade Walker.

[BigbadB]

By my calculations, Jerry Hairston Jr., Corey Patterson and John Mabry are currently the only options for RF.

 

With that said, why on earth is Hendry even thinking about 2nd base?

 

In November and up until the winter meetings ended, I could at least sit patiently while Hendry muled over any sort of upgrades to the team. However, it's getting late and the options for RF are getting slimmer and slimmer.

 

We not only have decent production at 2nd base, but we also have tremendous depth (Walker, Hairston, Cedeno, Perez). Quit playing games and find a RFer already.

 

My offseason game plan would have resolved the HUGE BLACK HOLE problem, leaving only one hole to fill in CF, which could have been filled with the same guy we have, giving up the same prospects we gave up.

 

Sign Nomar. Sign Giles. Trade for Pierre. (I actually wanted Lofton). Done!

 

With those moves, we could have enjoyed a few months of life without baseball before pitchers and catchers report. Instead, we have to hang on every new article that comes out which brags up garbage players like Preston Wilson, Jacque Jones and whoever else teams want to dump.

 

I can't believe how frustrating this is becoming. Back to back years of outbidding for crap players like Burnitz and J. Jones. I said I'd wait until the offseason was over, but I'm not liking what I see, AT ALL.

[goonys evil twin]

I am as confident in my opinion that Walker won't be back as I am in my opinion that some third rate RF will be on the team and that is inverse to my confidence in Jim Hendry getting the job done as GM.