Marquis Grissom signs with the Cubs

[BigbadB]

Trading Prior or Z. I've said all along that pitching wins, and I don't have a pessimistic attitude cause I think Prior will bounce back, which will be huge. If one of those guys is dealt, I'll lose a lot of interest in the team.

 

Fair enough. That is something we can agree on. If anything, I'd like to see another arm added. But, Pie or Hill for Zito doesn't make sense unless Zito's contract is extended beyond 2006.

[Derwood]

This fits perfectly into another poster's theory on the off season (sorry, I can't remember who, but it was brilliant). His theory was that each consecutive move made by Hendry is worse than the last, such to make the last move not look so bad:

 

Trade for Juan Pierre? Was it worth the prospects?

 

Sign Jacque Jones? That Pierre deal doesn't look so bad now

 

Sign Marquis? Jones is an All-Star by comparison!

[CubfaninCA]

I highly doubt he's getting a guaranteed contract. He sure had a down year last year (was he hurt?), but if he reverts to his 2004 numbers, he'd be useful on the bench, probably our best power off the bench. Note I said bench.

 

No way he plays over Murton.

 

You haven't forgotten who manages this team, have you? And his affection for aging veterans?

 

If Grissom is signed I guarantee he'll at least be in a LF platoon.

 

Yes, and Prior will be dealt on New Years Eve. People will believe anything nowadays.

[CuseCubFan69]

You'll still post here and write bad jokes though right?

 

Does Jim Hendry like ugly shirts?

 

Aye captain.

[CuseCubFan69]

This fits perfectly into another poster's theory on the off season (sorry, I can't remember who, but it was brilliant). His theory was that each consecutive move made by Hendry is worse than the last, such to make the last move not look so bad:

 

Trade for Juan Pierre? Was it worth the prospects?

 

Sign Jacque Jones? That Pierre deal doesn't look so bad now

 

Sign Marquis? Jones is an All-Star by comparison!

 

It was Bobs Keeper. Or was it Bob the Builder?

[Wheelimus]

I highly doubt he's getting a guaranteed contract. He sure had a down year last year (was he hurt?), but if he reverts to his 2004 numbers, he'd be useful on the bench, probably our best power off the bench. Note I said bench.

 

No way he plays over Murton.

 

You haven't forgotten who manages this team, have you? And his affection for aging veterans?

 

If Grissom is signed I guarantee he'll at least be in a LF platoon.

 

Except that they both are right handed hitters, so what would be the point of a platoon?

 

I know why people are assuming any veteran who comes to the team is going to start over Murton, because of Dubois last year. But it's honestly two different situations. Hollandsworth was coming off of an injury shortened season where he put up a .939 OPS. Now, the sample size (148 at bats) was probably too small, but still, he'd had a monster year until he got hurt.

 

Then we get into spring training, and these are the numbers they put up

 

Holla - .349 .379 .524 903

Dubois - .269 .333 .558 891

 

So that really was a draw, but out of spring training it looked like Hollandsworth was going to get on base better...not that getting on base ever matters to the Cubs :lol:

 

Note I am not defending Bakers usage of those two, Holla should have been benched a LONG time before he was, but I can't fault him for giving Hollandsworth the job to start, he put up killer numbers in 2004, and in spring training duplicated them almost exactly.

 

So to me this is a completely different situation, you have one old guy coming off of the worst year of his career, and you have a kid who put up a .900+ OPS last season. Unless Murton REALLY swandives in spring training, I see no possible scenario where Murton isn't the everyday player (unless we, ugh, sign someone like Preston Wilson or something, THEN I'll get worried).

 

Now, what I think Grissom WOULD be brought in for is to rest Jones against left handers. He was terrible all around last year, but his 2004 splits against lefties is as follows

 

.315 .356 .577 .933

 

2003 was

 

.364 .399 .657 1.056

 

2002 was

 

.293 .354 .617 .971

 

So, every year but last year (still would like to know if he was hurt) he has crushed left handers. I think we may have just seen Jacque Jones platoon partner. Which might not be so bad, IF he regains his 2004 form against lefties. Who do you think will put up the better OPS against lefties, Grissom or Jones?

Edited December 30, 2005 by Wheelimus

[NorthsideAvenger]

I wonder if Jim Hendry is an ALIAS for Brian Sabean? Or is that Brian Sabean an alias of Jim Hendry? Either way....they are sharing that ONE brain cell that apparently seems to be working.

[Blueheart05]

FWIW, Rotoworld seems to think that Grissom will share time with Jones (not Murton). That makes more sense...

 

Latest News

 

Dec. 30, 2005 - 1:17 pm et

 

According to his agent, outfielder Marquis Grissom will sign with the Cubs.

It's not so bad if it means that Jacque Jones will have a platoon partner in right field. Grissom didn't do anything last season, but he could probably still be effective enough against lefties to justify the roster spot.

Source: Denver Post

[CuseCubFan69]

FWIW, Rotoworld seems to think that Grissom will share time with Jones (not Murton). That makes more sense...

 

Latest News

 

Dec. 30, 2005 - 1:17 pm et

 

According to his agent, outfielder Marquis Grissom will sign with the Cubs.

It's not so bad if it means that Jacque Jones will have a platoon partner in right field. Grissom didn't do anything last season, but he could probably still be effective enough against lefties to justify the roster spot.

Source: Denver Post

 

I wonder if this means that the RF's are going to be hitting 2nd?

[Burtonbell]

FWIW, Rotoworld seems to think that Grissom will share time with Jones (not Murton). That makes more sense...

 

 

It makes sense, but will it make the team better? And the question then becomes will Dusty actually play Murton even if Grissom is brought in to platoon with Jones? We all saw how the "platoon" of Neifi/Cendeno went last season.

 

What a shame this is all becomming.

[Blueheart05]

FWIW, Rotoworld seems to think that Grissom will share time with Jones (not Murton). That makes more sense...

 

 

It makes sense, but will it make the team better? And the question then becomes will Dusty actually play Murton even if Grissom is brought in to platoon with Jones? We all saw how the "platoon" of Neifi/Cendeno went last season.

 

What a shame this is all becomming.

 

I don't see a sensible "platoon" for Matt and Marquis because Murton hits well against lefties (far superior to Grissom). He will probably be sharing time with Jacque and like you, I think they will bat 2nd (at least Jones is most likely going to bat second).

[goonys evil twin]

No way Hendry is THAT dumb. Murton will outproduce Grissom, and Mabry is already a good enough 4th OF, and Hairston is decent enough at that role as well.

 

Neither Hairston or Mabry is close to being a "good enough" 4th OF.

 

Who's your ideal 4th OF? Murton?

 

This team is so far beyond what could be considered ideal, that I don't know who my ideal 4th OF is. The best thing would be to find a big corner OF bat, and have Jones as the 4th guy. But since that isn't going to happen, I'd rather find a good OF bat and have Murton platoon with both corner OFers and get 300-450 AB. They went into the offseason in desperate need of an impact bat, and they still need one.

[BigbadB]

For the record, what Rotoworld would do isn't the same as what Dusty would do.

[Burtonbell]

The "improved" lineup next year then?

 

Pierre

Jones/Grissom

Lee

Aram

Walker

Barrett

Murton

Neifi/Cedeno

 

Is Walker stil on the team? :roll:

[Blueheart05]

For the record, what Rotoworld would do isn't the same as what Dusty would do.

 

Come on, please be reasonable here. It makes no sense to over expose Grissom by having him start over Murton or platoon with him. Even Dusty knows Murton hits well against LHP (I would be concerned if Marquis was lefthanded). Logic dictates that he will split time with Jones

[Wheelimus]

No, but I don't see any situation where Grissom wins Murton's playing time.

 

If they bring Grissom in to platoon with Jones and they hit 2nd, you might get a .350 OBP out of the 2 hole. Jones actually had really decent numbers last year against righties, .268/.348/.466/.814, I almost think that might improve a bit if you have him focus solely on hitting right handed batters. Together they might put up something close to an .850 OPS, not terrific but not terrible

[goonys evil twin]

For the record, what Rotoworld would do isn't the same as what Dusty would do.

 

Come on, please be reasonable here. It makes no sense to over expose Grissom by having him start over Murton or platoon with him. Even Dusty knows Murton hits well against LHP (I would be concerned if Marquis was lefthanded). Logic dictates that he will split time with Jones

 

Dusty doesn't know crap about splits. He did play Karros against a ton of RHP, and he was terrible. It makes no sense to even consider putting a 39 year old has been who never was like Grissom anywhere near this roster. There is no logic when it comes to Dusty thinking. Any Cubs fans who has paid the least bit of attention would realize this type of move would most likely cut into Murton's playing time.

[AramisRamirez]

ladies and gentlemen, the beginning of the end for the hendry reign. i think once we finish with 80 wins again and out of the playoffs, both him and dustafarian baker will be out the door.

[goonys evil twin]

No, but I don't see any situation where Grissom wins Murton's playing time.

 

If they bring Grissom in to platoon with Jones and they hit 2nd, you might get a .350 OBP out of the 2 hole. Jones actually had really decent numbers last year against righties, .268/.348/.466/.814, I almost think that might improve a bit if you have him focus solely on hitting right handed batters. Together they might put up something close to an .850 OPS, not terrific but not terrible

 

And Grissom hit .217 .245 .261 against LHP last year.

 

Dusty would find a way to use Grissom over Murton, and he would never be able to figure out a proper platoon between Jones and Grissom (not that one exists since they aren't good enough to be your RF).

[Blueheart05]

For the record, what Rotoworld would do isn't the same as what Dusty would do.

 

Come on, please be reasonable here. It makes no sense to over expose Grissom by having him start over Murton or platoon with him. Even Dusty knows Murton hits well against LHP (I would be concerned if Marquis was lefthanded). Logic dictates that he will split time with Jones

 

Dusty doesn't know crap about splits. He did play Karros against a ton of RHP, and he was terrible. It makes no sense to even consider putting a 39 year old has been who never was like Grissom anywhere near this roster. There is no logic when it comes to Dusty thinking. Any Cubs fans who has paid the least bit of attention would realize this type of move would most likely cut into Murton's playing time.

 

I have been paying attention and I disagree with you. It was Dusty that wanted to put Murton "in a position to be successful" by batting him soley against LHP (initially). Grissom is most likely for Jones.

[goonys evil twin]

I have been paying attention and I disagree with you. It was Dusty that wanted to put Murton "in a position to be successful" by batting him soley against LHP (initially). Grissom is most likely for Jones.

 

A position to be successful is just an excuse to hold a guy out as often as possible. Dusty will screw this up, if it happens. If Grissom doesn't take away his time, then Mabry will. If Grissom is on this team, there will be way too many days when Jones and Grissom are on the field at the same time.

[soapy]

I have been paying attention and I disagree with you. It was Dusty that wanted to put Murton "in a position to be successful" by batting him soley against LHP (initially). Grissom is most likely for Jones.

 

A position to be successful is just an excuse to hold a guy out as often as possible. Dusty will screw this up, if it happens. If Grissom doesn't take away his time, then Mabry will. If Grissom is on this team, there will be way too many days when Jones and Grissom are on the field at the same time.

 

I can't wait for the day-game after a night-game lineup that will include Neifi (SS), Mabry (3B) Jones (RF) and Grissom (LF) all at the same time. Kerry Wood will probably pitch seven shut-out innings and get a no-decision. Then people will complain that he can only get 14 wins.

[YearofDaCubs]

I hope this is the last year of Dusty Baker and possibly Jim Hendry. I don't know how much longer I can bare having them around.

[CuseCubFan69]

I have been paying attention and I disagree with you. It was Dusty that wanted to put Murton "in a position to be successful" by batting him soley against LHP (initially). Grissom is most likely for Jones.

 

A position to be successful is just an excuse to hold a guy out as often as possible. Dusty will screw this up, if it happens. If Grissom doesn't take away his time, then Mabry will. If Grissom is on this team, there will be way too many days when Jones and Grissom are on the field at the same time.

 

I can't wait for the day-game after a night-game lineup that will include Neifi (SS), Mabry (3B) Jones (RF) and Grissom (LF) all at the same time. Kerry Wood will probably pitch seven shut-out innings and get a no-decision. Then people will complain that he can only get 14 wins.

 

I'll be happy if Wood starts 14 games.

 

Hendry is giving Baker all the tools he needs to make this team as noncompetitive as he can. I can see Baker playing a trusty vet like Grissom 100 times in a year. It's time for these guys to leave.

Edited December 30, 2005 by CuseCubFan69

[ThePenguin11]

I think everyone needs to calm down a little about this possible signing. Until last year when Grissom was injured and only played in 44 games, he absolutely terrorized left-handed pitchers. He's coming in as a suitable platoon partner for Jacque Jones.

 

His OPS vs LHP:

 

2003-2005: .926

 

2002: .971

2003: 1.056

2004: .933

 

Because he missed out on Byrnes he'll grab Grissom for probably less than $1 Mil per year. That's not bad at all. Let's not just assume Hendry's an idiot and wants to start him over Matt Murton. The only obvious need for a platoon is in RF. It's not a sexy signing, but its a very smart one.