A Brand New Cubs Rumor from My West Coast Source

[HoopsCubs]

Hot off the presses, but same disclaimer: take it with a grain of salt.

 

Very simple, yet somewhat predictable: Todd Walker for Craig Wilson.

 

My source says Jim Hendry has been working overtime to get rid of Walker (much more than Patterson), and has found zero takers thus far including the Mets and Padres. But now that Jeromy Burnitz has signed to play RF, the Pirates feel better about dealing Wilson, and their biggest hole is at 2B, which Walker could fill or platoon with the righty Jose Castillo. The Cubs have some concerns about making an inter-division trade, but the Pirates don't seeing as they already traded pitching to the Reds for Sean Casey.

 

When I asked my source about Wilson's potential role, he said "$5M a year or not, platooning Jones is a no-brainer given Jacques's pathetic performance against lefties", and perhaps even starting if Murton flops or gets dealt.

 

When I asked him if he had any insight as to why Hendry seemed so desperate to get rid of Walker, he said: "crappy defender, crappy team player, crappy attitude - ask yourself why he has played for 5 different teams in 6 years?"

[abuck1220]

that would be a good deal for the pirates. not so much for the cubs. but since they seem so hell bent on getting rid of walker, anybody that they get to keep jones off the field is fine by me.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Is your "West Coast Source" Jim Belushi?

[rocket]

I guess I'd be ok with it. Wilson is solid. Why did Hendry re-sign Walker though last season if he's so awful? Surely these issues didn't just pop up last season.

[Magnetic Curses]

When I asked him if I had any insight as to why Hendry seemed so desperate to get rid of Walker, he said: "crappy defender, crappy team player, crappy attitude - ask yourself why he has played for 5 different teams in 6 years?"

 

i would argue that it's attitudes like this that have destroyed the cubs organization.

 

that said, i wouldn't have minded seeing wilson in right to begin with, without the jones platoon. he destroys lefties and is no slouch against righties, either.

 

as long as hairston is the choice to replace walker, i say do it.

[goonys evil twin]

I like Kerry Wood's mulletted twin, and wouldn't have a problem with this trade, assuming Walker was gone one way or another. They still would have to find a way to limit Neifi's time in the lineup.

[HoopsCubs]

Is your "West Coast Source" Jim Belushi?

 

I wish. A former Chicagoan that has ties to the Angels front-office and MLB. He hears a lot of stuff. He told me that Stoneman and Hendry were talking about a Finley for Patterson deal in November, but that Stoneman wouldn't give in to Hendry's request for cash and a prospect. About 4 weeks later Finley was dealt to SF. He very rarely gets the exact deal right, but he has a decent hit rate at players being considered to be moved.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I like Kerry Wood's mulletted twin, and wouldn't have a problem with this trade, assuming Walker was gone one way or another. They still would have to find a way to limit Neifi's time in the lineup.

 

That's what scares me the most about a deal like this. Acquiring Wilson to platoon with Jones is one thing. Opening up a spot for Neifi to get more AB's is another. Our offense sucks as it is, this move only makes it worse. Hendry needs to add a big bat if he is going to deal Walker.

 

Edit: Hendry needs to add a REALLY, REALLY big bat if he deals Walker. Dammit, Jim, you're making Bob angry again.

[Jehrico]

Interesting, but I don't like the implications. Getting rid of Walker for an OFer most likely reduces Jones playing time (good), but most likely puts Neifi into the primary starting 2bman role. Either that, or we end up dealing for Tejada and move RonnyC to 2nd, which means we're probably going to lose Prior. So Walker for Wilson = too much neifi, or good bye prior.

 

Edit: Forgot about Hairston...if he starts at 2nd, then we don't have a backup CF on the bench.

Edited January 4, 2006 by Jehrico

[Magnetic Curses]

I like Kerry Wood's mulletted twin, and wouldn't have a problem with this trade, assuming Walker was gone one way or another. They still would have to find a way to limit Neifi's time in the lineup.

 

That's what scares me the most about a deal like this. Acquiring Wilson to platoon with Jones is one thing. Opening up a spot for Neifi to get more AB's is another. Our offense sucks as it is, this move only makes it worse. Hendry needs to add a big bat if he is going to deal Walker.

 

Edit: Hendry needs to add a REALLY, REALLY big bat if he deals Walker. Dammit, Jim, you're making Bob angry again.

 

we still have hairston.

 

i'll say this for dusty, going into last season, neifi was a bench player and defensive replacement that got forced into action when nomar went down. hopefully, dusty has the same role planned for neifi this year.

[Derwood]

Not a terrible move if Walker's fate is sealed, though it sounds like that means the Kennedy deal is off. Wilson is another hacker, high K but potential big power guy.

 

Unfortunately, it would mean Neifi starting at 2B, which I could live with if his sorry butt was permanently penciled in at #8 in the order. You can live with a solid defense/no offense middle infielder as long as they aren't costing your RBI guys chances. But If Walker is gone, Perez will bat 2nd. No way Baker has the wisdom (or balls) to bat either Murton or Barrett #2, though both would be much better options.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

we still have hairston.

 

Do we really though? He was obviously the best choice in CF and LF for most of the year and still found himself riding the pine way too much. I'm not so confident that Dusty (especially with his apparent dislike for Hairston) will concede that Hairston deserves the nod on a regular basis over Neifi.

[The Voice of Reason]

When I asked him if I had any insight as to why Hendry seemed so desperate to get rid of Walker, he said: "crappy defender, crappy team player, crappy attitude - ask yourself why he has played for 5 different teams in 6 years?"

 

i would argue that it's attitudes like this that have destroyed the cubs organization.

 

that said, i wouldn't have minded seeing wilson in right to begin with, without the jones platoon. he destroys lefties and is no slouch against righties, either.

 

as long as hairston is the choice to replace walker, i say do it.

 

 

Also, seems to hit a lot better in days games - for whats that worth.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If we're determined to trade Walker, and it appears we are, then Craig Wilson isn't a bad option. We could do worse.

[abuck1220]

there's a good chance wilson will outproduce murton, so i wouldn't mind starting wilson in left and making murton the big name prospect in a tejada deal.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Some of us were saying a LONG time ago that Walker was doomed in Chicago because of his attitude. Many here dismissed that notion, I'm still not sure why. Walker has pissed off every team he's played for, I think it's his general wise-ass attitude and his propensity to seek a microphone at every opportunity that sinks him. I don't think it's his Christian gung-ho attitude, there are many players with similarly strong religious beliefs in baseball that are most welcome in clubhouses around the game. Mike Sweeney immediately comes to mind.

 

Anyway, Walker's only attribute has always been that he can swing the bat. Well, so can Wilson. Even swap, other than the money. If bringing in Wilson frees up Murton to be included in a trade package with Hill or Guzman, to go get Zito or Tejada, than baby I am WAY for this trade. Even if not, it's an improvement.

 

Now if we could just get Neifi out of here somehow....

[jtownie]

Perhaps the Kennedy deal is still on the table but Hairston will go instead. Just a totally random thought.

 

Despite Wilson's high K-rate he still produces a good OBP and crushes lefties. Plus he can play 1st base which will give us a decent player to put at first to give DLee some rest. Didn't Wilson also play some catcher?

[HoopsCubs]

that said, i wouldn't have minded seeing wilson in right to begin with, without the jones platoon. he destroys lefties and is no slouch against righties, either.

 

I think the implication is that Craig Wilson wouldn't have been made available unless/until the Pirates filled the RF role in a different way, which obviously they did yesterday. I'm not defending Hendry, mind you, as I would have much rather seen Preston Wilson here for a year than Jones for 3, but it sounds like Craig Wilson wasn't even on the radar or available when Hendry was pondering Jacque Jones.

[RynoRules]

if this deal does go down, the lineup would (preferably?) be:

 

Pierre

Hairston

Lee

ARam

Jones/Wilson

Murton

Barrett

Cedeno

 

If this is indeed the projected lineup, I'd really like to figure a way to get Tejada (w/out giving up Prior). I just am not comfortable with that platoon filling the 5th spot behind our two best hitters.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

1B - 184 games

LF - 47 games

RF - 246 games

C - 40 games

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Another thought--if this Walker for Wilson deal happened, there's no reason not to follow up on Patterson and Ohman for Ibanez as well, right? We had too few OF-ers last year, I like having too many for once. Gives Hendry even more trade ammo to go get the players we REALLY need.

 

If you can spin off unwanted pieces like Patterson and Walker, and bring in better pieces like Wilson and Ibanez, then that's progress.

 

Unfortunately, both deals are nothing more than rumors at this point, hard to get your hopes up with this team and all the many rumors that come down the road.

[RynoRules]

there's a good chance wilson will outproduce murton, so i wouldn't mind starting wilson in left and making murton the big name prospect in a tejada deal.

 

I really like Matty, but I have to agree.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

1B - 184 games

LF - 47 games

RF - 246 games

C - 40 games

 

Wow, I didn't know Craig Wilson could catch. How big is that you say?

 

What happens on the days Henry Blanco starts? Barrett sits on the bench and goes unused. Or occasionally, instead of getting the full day off behind the plate, Dusty puts him in for the late innings to get his bat in the game. Which is fine, except it defeats the purpose of resting your primary catcher.

 

If you have Wilson though, who can be your 3rd catcher, now things change. On days Blanco starts, you can give Barrett the time off from the tools of ignorance. BUT, you can use him confidently as a pinch-hitter off the bench. Put that bat to use. The Cub bench instantly gets better.

 

I'm really liking the sound of this Walker for Wilson thing now. Do it.

[YearofDaCubs]

Perhaps the Kennedy deal is still on the table but Hairston will go instead. Just a totally random thought.

 

Despite Wilson's high K-rate he still produces a good OBP and crushes lefties. Plus he can play 1st base which will give us a decent player to put at first to give DLee some rest. Didn't Wilson also play some catcher?

That's what I'm thinking. Kennedy would be nice to have to replace Walker and Wilson would be a good chip to have in OF and backup 1b spot. I would hate to see a situation where Perez is starting so I'm hoping Walker gets replaced with somebody other than Neifi.

[CubfaninCA]

Players w/ crappy attitudes affect team morale/performance. Those who have been in the workforce for some time can surely agree. Not every GM in baseball is a moron. Edited January 4, 2006 by CubfaninCA