What's Hendry doing with Walker?

[RockTheIvy]

I only ask this because as more and more free agents are signed, I'd have to imagine the demand for Todd continues to go down. I thought Minnesota was an option but they traded for Castillo. From what I've read, Texas wants to go with that Kinsler kid. I doubt Boston would want him back. The Mets could be a possibility I guess. Is Hendry gonna simply give him away like he did with Farns and Sosa?

 

With the way our off season has gone I would like the Cubs to just keep Walker and deal with the sub-par defense, because our sub-par offense is rather embarrassing at this point. [/i]

[sporrer17]

If we can't acquire a big bat in RF, Walker may have to be our lone LH power source...and that's a guy who has never hit 20 HRs in his career. He may end up hitting 5th simply because he's the only guy who can drive in runs other than Lee/Ramirez.

 

Hopefully we can get a big bat in RF and keep Walker at 2b, so we can get some offense this year, because our starters don't look terribly amazing, but at least they're solid.

[bannor10]

I question Walkers value period.....The Cubs signed him to a small deal to begin with, then they couldn't trade him at the deadline last year..It seems like no one wants him for 2006(not even the Cubs)...It seems to me that the only people that value him belong to this message board.

 

I would like to see the Cubs go with Ronny and Jerry at SS and 2nd...

Speed and D.....

[CardsFanInChiTown]

I question Walkers value period.....The Cubs signed him to a small deal to begin with, then they couldn't trade him at the deadline last year..It seems like no one wants him for 2006(not even the Cubs)...It seems to me that the only people that value him belong to this message board.

 

I would like to see the Cubs go with Ronny and Jerry at SS and 2nd...

Speed and D.....

 

I certainly think he has good trade value, I'm surprise there hasn't been more rumblings about him. I suspect GM's see him as a bad gloved-injury proned-platoon type guy. Who knows...

Edited December 18, 2005 by CardsFanInChiTown

[brfahey]

I question Walkers value period.....The Cubs signed him to a small deal to begin with, then they couldn't trade him at the deadline last year..It seems like no one wants him for 2006(not even the Cubs)...It seems to me that the only people that value him belong to this message board.

 

I would like to see the Cubs go with Ronny and Jerry at SS and 2nd...

Speed and D.....

 

Agreed as to the first part. Either most people in baseball completely miss the boat on Walker or many on this board overrate him. That doesn't seem to be very much interest in him, going back to after 2003 when he was a free agent.

[CP_414]

I question Walkers value period.....The Cubs signed him to a small deal to begin with, then they couldn't trade him at the deadline last year..It seems like no one wants him for 2006(not even the Cubs)...It seems to me that the only people that value him belong to this message board.

 

I would like to see the Cubs go with Ronny and Jerry at SS and 2nd...

Speed and D.....

 

Walker:

2003 - .283/.333/.428 .975 Fieding % at 2B/4.75 range factor

2004 - .274/.352/.468 .981 Fielding % at 2B/4.36 range factor

2005 - .305/.355/.474 .985 Fielding% at 2B/4.59 range factor

 

Career - .290/.348/.441

 

Hairston:

2003 - .271/.353/.372 (58 games) .980 Fieding % at 2B/5.14 RF

2004 - .303/.378/.397 (86 games) Only played 12 games at 2B

2005 - .261/.336/.368 .973 Fieding % at 2B/4.88 RF

 

Career - .261/.334/.371

 

So Walker hits for a higher average than Hairson, has a higher OBP, and a better slugging percentage. Hairston may be marginally better defensively, but he has barely played 2B the last 2 years, and when he did play there last season he was worse than Walker with the glove. Factor in that Walker is the only lefty on the team right nowwith a shot to slug over .430. Why exactly do you think we would be better off with Cedeno and Hairston over Cedeno and Walker?

[CubfaninCA]

I question Walkers value period.....The Cubs signed him to a small deal to begin with, then they couldn't trade him at the deadline last year..It seems like no one wants him for 2006(not even the Cubs)...It seems to me that the only people that value him belong to this message board.

 

I would like to see the Cubs go with Ronny and Jerry at SS and 2nd...

Speed and D.....

 

Yep, he doesn't seem to have a whole lot of value around the league. He's alright @ getting on base and has some power, but provides little speed and fielding. His age, durability and attitude may be a problem too.

[bannor10]

I question Walkers value period.....The Cubs signed him to a small deal to begin with, then they couldn't trade him at the deadline last year..It seems like no one wants him for 2006(not even the Cubs)...It seems to me that the only people that value him belong to this message board.

 

I would like to see the Cubs go with Ronny and Jerry at SS and 2nd...

Speed and D.....

 

Yep, he doesn't seem to have a whole lot of value around the league. He's alright @ getting on base and has some power, but provides little speed and fielding. His age, durability and attitude may be a problem too.

 

enough said.....granted I would rather have somelse besides Todd or Jerry

[CP_414]

Why do people think Walker has little value because he hasn't been traded by December 18th? Maybe Hendry doesn't want to trade him until he has another lefty bat. Maybe Hendry doesn't want to trade him until he knows who will be in LF. Maybe Hendry is resigned to the fact that there aren't many options in LF, and we might have to go after a speedy, defensive player out there (Jones, Patterson), and we will still need Walker's bat in the lineup. Maybe he shouldn't have made it so clear in his comments that he wanted to trade Walker, and teams knowing this are not making fair offers for him, thus causing Hendry to hold on to Walker until he gets offered equal value.

 

If Hendry were giving Walker away, he would be gone by now, but maybe Hendry isn't willing to give Walker away because he knows Walker has value.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

There's maybe five, six 2B in the game that are clearly better than Walker. If you want someone better than Todd, you're going to need to get Giles, Utley, Roberts, or the like. Walker is good.

[CubsWin]

I only ask this because as more and more free agents are signed, I'd have to imagine the demand for Todd continues to go down. I thought Minnesota was an option but they traded for Castillo. From what I've read, Texas wants to go with that Kinsler kid. I doubt Boston would want him back. The Mets could be a possibility I guess. Is Hendry gonna simply give him away like he did with Farns and Sosa?

 

With the way our off season has gone I would like the Cubs to just keep Walker and deal with the sub-par defense, because our sub-par offense is rather embarrassing at this point. [/i]

Well, Hendry picked up his option so we can safely assume two things. He thinks other teams value Walker at 2.5 million and he was okay with having him on the roster if he couldn't find a trading partner or couldn't sign Furcal.

 

I hope Walker stays at 2B. The only scenario in which I would be happy with him being traded would be if the Cubs improved themselves at 2B or SS somehow.

 

How many good 2B options are left in free agency? None. To me, that makes Walker's trade value go up. There are more teams who need a good 2B than there are good free agent 2B. Hendry's waiting to trade Walker has not only raised his trade value but has given the Cubs more options in the middle IF and improved the bench by keeping both Perez and Hairston on it. It is logically probable that Hendry sees Walker as his best 2B on the roster at the moment. Whether that means he won't be traded this off season, who knows?

[Guest]

It's quite possible that Hendry realizes how much the Cubs need Walker at this point. There's a very real possibility that he'll be the third-best hitter on the team next year, though it's a close race between him and Barrett. (With Murton having an outside shot if he can improve on his '05 perihperals.) You don't give away one of your team's best hitters for peanuts, particularly when your lineup as a whole is pretty weak.

[CubsWin]

It's quite possible that Hendry realizes how much the Cubs need Walker at this point. There's a very real possibility that he'll be the third-best hitter on the team next year, though it's a close race between him and Barrett. (With Murton having an outside shot if he can improve on his '05 perihperals.) You don't give away one of your team's best hitters for peanuts, particularly when your lineup as a whole is pretty weak.

I think when the Cubs missed out on Furcal, it changed the chances of Walker being traded.

[Soul]

I certainly hope so.

 

I think we really need Walker at this point. He's a veteran, and while his fielding can be spotty at times I like him better than other potential options unless something really wild happens.

[Blueheart05]

It's quite possible that Hendry realizes how much the Cubs need Walker at this point. There's a very real possibility that he'll be the third-best hitter on the team next year, though it's a close race between him and Barrett. (With Murton having an outside shot if he can improve on his '05 perihperals.) You don't give away one of your team's best hitters for peanuts, particularly when your lineup as a whole is pretty weak.

I think when the Cubs missed out on Furcal, it changed the chances of Walker being traded.

 

 

I disagree based on quotes from Hendry after the Furcal signing. He mentioned having three middle infielders (Cedeno, Perez and Hairston). He suspiciously didn't mention Walker at all which would lead most people to believe that Todd is on the block.

 

...we have three guys in the infield right now we're happy with.''

 

Hendry included second baseman Jerry Hairston in that trio. He didn't mention Todd Walker, an indication the Cubs are weighing trade offers for him.

 

"Hairston played well in the second half last season,'' Hendry said. "If we start tomorrow with [Cedeno, Perez, and Hairston] and do a good job of shoring up the outfield, I'd be OK with that.''

 

Suntimes.com

[RockTheIvy]

do a good job of shoring up the outfield, I'd be OK with that.''

 

Shore up the outfield? We had 40 million bucks to wheel and deal with, and now we can barely make ends meet in the outfield? Thanks a bunch, Jim.

[erik316wttn]

2B is not the problem on this team. Todd Walker is doing a fine job. Decent production and a low contract. You'll never go wrong with that. Ever.

[RockTheIvy]

2B is not the problem on this team. Todd Walker is doing a fine job. Decent production and a low contract. You'll never go wrong with that. Ever.

 

I agree. The only two arguments I can come up with against Walker are a) his defense and b) his attitude. I don't have the numbers on hand, but I have to imagine that his offense more than makes up for any defensive shortcomings. I can't really comment on his attitude, but I would hope that JH would realize that a 2B capable of .290/.360/.480 is worth a few complaints now and again.

[BigbadB]

I'd certainly like to learn more about his "attitude". Does he get one when the team tanks and no one else appears to care that they are tanking?

 

If his attitude comes from being mad they aren't winning, I could think of worse things to have an attitude over.

[jjgman21]

I'm not happy with alot of Hendry's moves this offseason, but remain confident the Cubs are a playoff caliber team if they can get .350 obp / .800 ops. out of right field. however, I think getting rid of Todd Walker would kill this season. essentially, my hope, confidence, and optimism that the Cubs will be a playoff caliber team rests with keeping Todd Walker at second base. if he gets rid of Walker and doesn't get significant return, I will join most of the rest of you in a seemingly endless rant on Jim Hendry.

[CubsWin]

It's quite possible that Hendry realizes how much the Cubs need Walker at this point. There's a very real possibility that he'll be the third-best hitter on the team next year, though it's a close race between him and Barrett. (With Murton having an outside shot if he can improve on his '05 perihperals.) You don't give away one of your team's best hitters for peanuts, particularly when your lineup as a whole is pretty weak.

I think when the Cubs missed out on Furcal, it changed the chances of Walker being traded.

 

 

I disagree based on quotes from Hendry after the Furcal signing. He mentioned having three middle infielders (Cedeno, Perez and Hairston). He suspiciously didn't mention Walker at all which would lead most people to believe that Todd is on the block.

 

...we have three guys in the infield right now we're happy with.''

 

Hendry included second baseman Jerry Hairston in that trio. He didn't mention Todd Walker, an indication the Cubs are weighing trade offers for him.

 

"Hairston played well in the second half last season,'' Hendry said. "If we start tomorrow with [Cedeno, Perez, and Hairston] and do a good job of shoring up the outfield, I'd be OK with that.''

 

Suntimes.com

I was aware of that quote and thinking about it as I wrote the above post. I agree that it can certainly mean that Hendry has every intention of trading Walker. He also could have simply misspoke and we are reading a lot into it. Regardless, Walker is still with the team. There are no half way decent free agent 2B left and yet there are still teams that are in need of a 2B. I think his trade value is higher now that it has ever been.

 

That said, I still don't want Walker to be dealt without getting someone of equal or better production at SS or 2B to replace him.

[Blueheart05]

It's quite possible that Hendry realizes how much the Cubs need Walker at this point. There's a very real possibility that he'll be the third-best hitter on the team next year, though it's a close race between him and Barrett. (With Murton having an outside shot if he can improve on his '05 perihperals.) You don't give away one of your team's best hitters for peanuts, particularly when your lineup as a whole is pretty weak.

I think when the Cubs missed out on Furcal, it changed the chances of Walker being traded.

 

 

I disagree based on quotes from Hendry after the Furcal signing. He mentioned having three middle infielders (Cedeno, Perez and Hairston). He suspiciously didn't mention Walker at all which would lead most people to believe that Todd is on the block.

 

...we have three guys in the infield right now we're happy with.''

 

Hendry included second baseman Jerry Hairston in that trio. He didn't mention Todd Walker, an indication the Cubs are weighing trade offers for him.

 

"Hairston played well in the second half last season,'' Hendry said. "If we start tomorrow with [Cedeno, Perez, and Hairston] and do a good job of shoring up the outfield, I'd be OK with that.''

 

Suntimes.com

I was aware of that quote and thinking about it as I wrote the above post. I agree that it can certainly mean that Hendry has every intention of trading Walker. He also could have simply misspoke and we are reading a lot into it. Regardless, Walker is still with the team. There are no half way decent free agent 2B left and yet there are still teams that are in need of a 2B. I think his trade value is higher now that it has ever been.

 

That said, I still don't want Walker to be dealt without getting someone of equal or better production at SS or 2B to replace him.

 

I don't think that's true. I remember reading some where that Hendry was specifically asked about Walker and he balked at mentioning him in the same light as the other three. IIRC, he said something like "he's [Walker] still a member of the team" which doesn't do anything to dispell the rumors that he's being shopped.

 

BTW, I agree. If Walker is traded we need to get something comparable for him.

[JeffH]

"OK, but not everybody needs foot care. Brainstorm. Bobby, whattaya got for me?"

 

Walker to the Rangers for Adrian Gonzalez.

 

Use Gonzalez as a chip with the Devil Rays.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I think Hendry had envisioned Walker as the trading chip to get an outfielder. I think he thought this when he picked up the option and he thought this when he signed Perez.

 

I think this line of reasoning has caused Hendry to consider Walker expendable. He was a trading chip.

 

Two things have occured since:

 

Hendry failed to land Furcal and for whatever reasons, Walker has not yielded what Hendry has desired.

 

I don't know how this will impact Hendry's reasoning. It is possible that Hendry will realize that he's better off keeping Walker. Or he may sell him for whatever he can get. I have no clue.

[CubinNY]

I think Hendry had envisioned Walker as the trading chip to get an outfielder. I think he thought this when he picked up the option and he thought this when he signed Perez.

 

I think this line of reasoning has caused Hendry to consider Walker expendable. He was a trading chip.

 

Two things have occured since:

 

Hendry failed to land Furcal and for whatever reasons, Walker has not yielded what Hendry has desired.

 

I don't know how this will impact Hendry's reasoning. It is possible that Hendry will realize that he's better off keeping Walker. Or he may sell him for whatever he can get. I have no clue.

 

At this point I think Hendry has to keep Walker. Neither Hairston nor Perez can put up the numbers he can and each is a marginal upgrade on defense. Now, if Hendry wants to go with Perez at SS, Cedeno is probably a marginal upgrade over Walker, but Cedeno hasn't played a lick of second base this winter.

 

I could be wrong, but common sense would dictate that if Hendry were considering Cedeno for 2nd he would have instructed whomever is in charge to play him a 2nd. The problem is, common sense and the Cubs managment seem to have a distant relationship.