RF Platoon option

[Jehrico]

Two questions with regards to RF:

 

1) If we can get a .350 OBP out of the position or more, how much power and defense can we sacrifice?

 

2) How about a platoon starting with Jerry Hairston? From '03 to "05, his OBP against RHers has been .367, .379, and .351. Over three years, that's better than a .360 split against RHers. Is there anyone out there who otherwise sucks but has had good success against LHers that could be had cheaply that can play RF?

 

Something else that is a little intriguing to me about JHJR this year...his OBPs from 2002 in Baltimore have gone .305, .329, .353, .378. That's steady improvement, and some very solid numbers at the end of his time in Baltimore. His numbers took a hit in his first year at Wrigley, as they dropped to .336.

 

DLee went from .346 to .378 to .379 before coming to us, and his numbers dropped abit his first year at Wrigley to .356. Of course, everyone knows he made a huge rebound in his second year at Wrigley.

 

I'm not saying Hairston will do the same thing, but at this point, if the alternatives are PWilson or Jacque Jones, then I'd prefer to put Hairston in a platoon, let him play against RH starters, and see if he can rebound to his '04 levels of production. If we can get a RFer for cheap to just play against LHers, I think Hairston might surprise us.

 

Thoughts? And who might the platoon partner be?

[USSoccer]

I just posted this elsewhere, but a platoon with Trot Nixon (who may be available) might not be a bad combination, although in that scenario I'd rather trade for Mench than put Hairston in RF.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

A platoon would be better than some of the options, but not Hairston. Rondell White, Craig Wilson, and David Dellucci among others are some options if you are unable to get a big stick in RF.

[WrigleyField 22]

Jerry Hairston in RIGHT FIELD?

 

Is this really how bad our offseason has gotten?

[Jehrico]

Jerry Hairston in RIGHT FIELD?

 

Is this really how bad our offseason has gotten?

 

If we're looking at Jacque Jones, yeah, I'd say so. I'd prefer to go the route of another thread I put up there...see if we can help NYM get Manny in exchange for Floyd.

[USSoccer]

What about Reggie Sanders? He has the 2nd or 3rd highest VOPR amongst the remaining FA options, could play RF and bat 6th, and put up a decent line in a full season. Plus, he's unlikely to command big money or multiple years.

[CuseCubFan69]

What about Reggie Sanders? He has the 2nd or 3rd highest VOPR amongst the remaining FA options, could play RF and bat 6th, and put up a decent line in a full season. Plus, he's unlikely to command big money or multiple years.

 

Who bats 5th USS?

[TXCubsFan]

A platoon of Jacque Jones and Kevin Mench in RF would work, assuming the Rangers are reasonable trading partners.

 

The danger of having Reggie Sanders is that Murton would be put on the bench in favor of a "proven veteran."

 

You need a young bench and batters/relievers with extreme L/R splits to "Dusty-proof" a team.

[CuseCubFan69]

A platoon of Jacque Jones and Kevin Mench in RF would work, assuming the Rangers are reasonable trading partners.

 

The danger of having Reggie Sanders is that Murton would be put on the bench in favor of a "proven veteran."

 

You need a young bench and batters/relievers with extreme L/R splits to "Dusty-proof" a team.

 

If the Cubs have Mench and Jones, Murton will be the 4th OF.

[anemic offense]

Platoons should always be the last line of defense. They make it EXTREMELY difficult for the players to find rhythm and I don't think the team benefits much from them anyways.

 

What I've always failed to understand about platoons is the whole stigma (moreso with young players) a particular player can't hit right/left-handed pitching. Well how is that player supposed to get any better if you don't allow him to work on his weaknesses??? Many a young player have been improperly used in this manner and I was extremely disappointed when Baker did this with Murton. At some point these players have to learn and they're going to have to do so at the major league level. If teams were so apt to shy away from young players and their struggles we' NEVER see infusions of young talent into this league. Glad everyone doesn't think like Baker.

[BigbadB]

Platoons should always be the last line of defense. They make it EXTREMELY difficult for the players to find rhythm and I don't think the team benefits much from them anyways.

 

What I've always failed to understand about platoons is the whole stigma (moreso with young players) a particular player can't hit right/left-handed pitching. Well how is that player supposed to get any better if you don't allow him to work on his weaknesses??? Many a young player have been improperly used in this manner and I was extremely disappointed when Baker did this with Murton. At some point these players have to learn and they're going to have to do so at the major league level. If teams were so apt to shy away from young players and their struggles we' NEVER see infusions of young talent into this league. Glad everyone doesn't think like Baker.

 

I think Jacque Jones has had ample time to work on his weakness of hitting against lefties. If Baker let him hit (assuming Jones is our RFer next year) against lefties even once, he will have allowed it once too often.

[CubbieSouthpaw]

A platoon would be better than some of the options, but not Hairston. Rondell White, Craig Wilson, and David Dellucci among others are some options if you are unable to get a big stick in RF.

 

I could possibly deal with Wilson or Dellucci of the three you mention. But White is still a big risk injury wise and his arm just isn't good enough for RF. It was bad enough in LF when he was here last.

 

Down deep, I still have a soft spot for CPatt. Weather he's with the Cubs or someone else I hope he can turn it around.

[USSoccer]

What about Reggie Sanders? He has the 2nd or 3rd highest VOPR amongst the remaining FA options, could play RF and bat 6th, and put up a decent line in a full season. Plus, he's unlikely to command big money or multiple years.

 

Who bats 5th USS?

 

Walker? Murton? Barrett?

[CuseCubFan69]

What about Reggie Sanders? He has the 2nd or 3rd highest VOPR amongst the remaining FA options, could play RF and bat 6th, and put up a decent line in a full season. Plus, he's unlikely to command big money or multiple years.

 

Who bats 5th USS?

 

Walker? Murton? Barrett?

 

Who bats second? I see Baker putting Sanders 5th if he was on the team. I really don't see Mr. Hendry going after anotehr right handed bat. I think he would rather have a terrible lefty bat (Jones) then a solid righty bat.

 

Do you think Walker is going to stay?

[USSoccer]

What about Reggie Sanders? He has the 2nd or 3rd highest VOPR amongst the remaining FA options, could play RF and bat 6th, and put up a decent line in a full season. Plus, he's unlikely to command big money or multiple years.

 

Who bats 5th USS?

 

Walker? Murton? Barrett?

 

Who bats second? I see Baker putting Sanders 5th if he was on the team. I really don't see Mr. Hendry going after anotehr right handed bat. I think he would rather have a terrible lefty bat (Jones) then a solid righty bat.

 

Do you think Walker is going to stay?

 

Pierre

Walker

Lee

Ramirez

Murton

Sanders

Barrett

Cedeno

 

But I think Walker gets traded for someone. I agree on Baker and Sanders, and it's not a bad option, except that the heart of your order is all right handed, but that's not a big deal if they are all good players. It's not like Lee and Aramis have huge splits like Trot Nixon or someone.