A Brand New Cubs Rumor from My West Coast Source

[UK1679666180]

I should add that he values the ability of drawing walks. Just that I would classify it as "hitters that are selective". You can be selective and instead of letting a 3-1 pitch go by, that hitters swings at a pitch that he should be swinging at (get me over FB). It might not show up in the stat sheet as a BB or even a P/AB, but rather as a selective AB thru subjective scouting.

 

Of course, Bonds is the most selective hitter in the game as well as the most aggressive at the same time.

[imb]

Players w/ crappy attitudes affect team morale. Those who have been in the workforce for some time can surely agree. Not every GM in baseball is a moron.

 

The improved morale really helped results form 2004 to 2005. If Walker hurt the team's morale, and thus hurt their chances, a less stupid GM would have chosen to stay with that gutty team guy Grudz when he had the chance instead of resigning Walker.

 

Yep, should have kept Grudz. Too bad Hendry went the Moneyball route. :(

 

Hendry, Moneyball? I'm sure he never read it, and I know he's never filled his roster that way.

He missed the bible of baseball? Hard to believe.

 

People are so ridiculous. Have you even read the book?

 

Moneyball is about how a team with a low payroll tried to stay competitive in a division with high payroll teams by saving money and cutting out inefficiencies. It just so happened that a lot of teams undervalued the ability to get on base, so they capitalized on that.

 

The book got popular, a lot of people learned a little bit about sabrmetrics because of it, and now some people are so afraid of their old beliefs being challenged that now you can't even mention obp without people getting their panties in a twist.

[AC000000]

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?"

 

Didn't Todd take less money to come to the Cubs in 2004? Didn't he sit behind a far inferior Mark Grudzielanek and not say a word the entire year? I always had it in my head that he was one of the best team guys. Oh well.

[CubfaninCA]

Can agree w/ goony & UK on Hendry's general view towards obp. He'll take the .300 and .340 guy over the .275 & .355 guy. However, I think the acquisition of Lawton shows that Hendry does value the walk @ the top of the order. Lawton was .273 & .380 @ the time of the trade.

[T2E]

I wouldn't have a problem with a Walker for Wilson swap. Wilson happens to be a stathead favorite, someone who draws a boatload of walks and hits for a power. In about three full seasons worth of play (1593 at-bats) Wilson has hit 81 home runs and 162 walks (plus 81 HBP), while maintaining a respectable average. Wilson would add much needed depth at a number of positions, in fact, I'd rather have him starting than Jones, although I doubt we'll see that.

[CuseCubFan69]

I wouldn't have a problem with a Walker for Wilson swap. Wilson happens to be a stathead favorite, someone who draws a boatload of walks and hits for a power. In about three full seasons worth of play (1593 at-bats) Wilson has hit 81 home runs and 162 walks (plus 81 HBP), while maintaining a respectable average. Wilson would add much needed depth at a number of positions, in fact, I'd rather have him starting than Jones, although I doubt we'll see that.

 

I think Wilson would start in left and Jones in right if he were aquired by the Cubs.

[Diffusion]

Wow Craig Wilson strikes out a whole lot more than I realised. 496 strikeouts in 1847 plate appearances on his career.

 

His .268 average features a worryingly high .337 on balls in play. If Wilson is mortal, this could get incredibly ugly extremely fast. It's possible this guy could struggle to hit .225 in a downyear. That'd make respectable OBPs and SLGs hard to come by.

 

I like the fact that he's got a big platoon split and that he's four years younger than Todd Walker. I don't like the fact that like Walker he's just one year away from free agency, that he'd probably just be Jones' platoon partner on the Cubs (or, worse, he'd take playing time away from Murton) whereas Walker is a starting position player, I don't like the fact that we'd be shifting violently towards the wrong end of the defensive spectrum and yet not really getting a bigger bat back, I don't like the fact that Wilson's going to be more expensive than Walker.

 

If the Pirates want to make a deal here, they ought to have to throw in more value. Jody Gerut would sit fine with me, we never should have dealt him away, and he could step into the backup CF role that Hairston's moving to 2B would vacate. They can have one of Todd Wellemeyer, John Koronka or David Aardsma as a throw-in if they like them.

[ThePenguin11]

One stat that's very worthwhile is that Craig Wilson strikes out at a much lower rate vs. lefties. He'd be the perfect platoon partner for Jones with a .900+ OPS vs. LHP. His other strength is that he can play other positions. If I'm not mistaken he can even play catcher. (Edit: 1B, C, LF, RF)

 

EDIT:

 

2003-2005 Splits:

 

Versus RHP Wilson has 0.25 BB/K.

 

Versus LHP Wilson has 0.73 BB/K.

 

That is a dramatic difference.

[frostwyrm]

Can agree w/ goony & UK on Hendry's general view towards obp. He'll take the .300 and .340 guy over the .275 & .355 guy. However, I think the acquisition of Lawton shows that Hendry does value the walk @ the top of the order. Lawton was .273 & .380 @ the time of the trade.

 

I don't know if the Lawton acquistion proves anything about Hendry's attitudes toward OBP and walks, since it just was an act of desperation forced by Corey's total failure, and there weren't many other options at the time. I would guess if a Randall Simon equivalent(.300 career BA, very few walks) had been available for the OF Hendry would taken him before Lawton. I would also guess if Corey had batted .300 he would have stayed at the top of the order even if he never walked once all year. Neifi batted 2nd, never walked, and Hendry just gave him a big raise.

[CuseCubFan69]

Can agree w/ goony & UK on Hendry's general view towards obp. He'll take the .300 and .340 guy over the .275 & .355 guy. However, I think the acquisition of Lawton shows that Hendry does value the walk @ the top of the order. Lawton was .273 & .380 @ the time of the trade.

 

I don't know if the Lawton acquistion proves anything about Hendry's attitudes toward OBP and walks, since it just was an act of desperation forced by Corey's total failure, and there weren't many other options at the time. I would guess if a Randall Simon equivalent(.300 career BA, very few walks) had been available for the OF Hendry would taken him before Lawton. I would also guess if Corey had batted .300 he would have stayed at the top of the order even if he never walked once all year. Neifi batted 2nd, never walked, and Hendry just gave him a big raise.

 

I agree. I think it was more of a trying to get a prototypical leadoff hitter, somebody that's done it before that was available at the time.

[frostwyrm]

Would Grudz have got hurt in a similar situation??

 

Sure, unless he spends his spare time as Stretch Armstrong. Knees don't that bend that way and Walker was not out of position when he rec'd the feed at 2B.

 

Plus, I vividly remember Grudzielanek having two injury plagued seasons with the Cubs in similar flukish type manners.

 

Doesn't equate to the fact he's injury prone or what not, just bad luck that can reverse as Mark was healthy last year.

 

Well, I think we can agree that Grudz is better built than Walker, but perhaps you're right. However, I still stand by the Cubs being better off w/ Grudz.

 

Grudz is one inch taller and five pounds heavier, according to their ESPN profiles, and it's not like either is completely out of shape. Lee would have hurt either of them.

 

Never trust listed weights from ESPN or the team website. I've seen players grow and shrink visibly and their listed weights stay the same for years. Sammy's listed weight never reflected his post-roid shrinkage, and Randall Simon's didn't reflect the roughly 30 lbs. he gained before 2004. Anyone believe Ray King only weighs 242? Unnatural shrinkage and obesity are embarrassing and teams aren't going to be in any hurry to share that info.

[CuseCubFan69]

I think Grudz has a quicker release than Walker and possibly could have been in postion to move before Walker did. I think either 2nd baseman is fine and it depends on how the other parts of the team is built before I'd pick one. If I have a lot of good hitters I'd take Grudz but since the Cubs need hitting I'd take Walker at this point.

[UK1679666180]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06005/632897.stm

 

He also said he did not intend to trade Craig Wilson, even though Burnitz and Casey would start in right field and first base, Wilson's two positions, and even though Wilson could make $4 million or more next season.

 

"Whether it's media or fans, everybody has to realize that, if we are going to get better, part of it is having better backups," Littlefield said. "Through ownership, we've been able to increase payroll, so you're going to have the opportunity to have quality backups. Craig brings things that we need. He has power, gets on base and has versatility in the field. To me, that piece makes a lot of sense for us."

 

Of course, Littlefield is giving GM speak for trying to build up his value by stating they're not looking to trade him, despite a team with a minimal payroll having a potential 4 million dollar player on the bench except against LH'ers.

 

If he stays in Pitt. he'll be an expensive insurance policy, if Duffy fails in CF.

[fromthestretch]

Would Grudz have got hurt in a similar situation??

 

Sure, unless he spends his spare time as Stretch Armstrong. Knees don't that bend that way and Walker was not out of position when he rec'd the feed at 2B.

 

Plus, I vividly remember Grudzielanek having two injury plagued seasons with the Cubs in similar flukish type manners.

 

Doesn't equate to the fact he's injury prone or what not, just bad luck that can reverse as Mark was healthy last year.

 

Well, I think we can agree that Grudz is better built than Walker, but perhaps you're right. However, I still stand by the Cubs being better off w/ Grudz.

 

Grudz is one inch taller and five pounds heavier, according to their ESPN profiles, and it's not like either is completely out of shape. Lee would have hurt either of them.

 

Never trust listed weights from ESPN or the team website. I've seen players grow and shrink visibly and their listed weights stay the same for years. Sammy's listed weight never reflected his post-roid shrinkage, and Randall Simon's didn't reflect the roughly 30 lbs. he gained before 2004. Anyone believe Ray King only weighs 242? Unnatural shrinkage and obesity are embarrassing and teams aren't going to be in any hurry to share that info.

 

Yep, but they are also only five pounds apart on baseball-reference.com. Bottom line is that there isn't a huge difference in their builds. It's not like one is built like David Eckstein, while the other is build like Cecil Fielder.

[Magnetic Curses]

Would Grudz have got hurt in a similar situation??

 

Sure, unless he spends his spare time as Stretch Armstrong. Knees don't that bend that way and Walker was not out of position when he rec'd the feed at 2B.

 

Plus, I vividly remember Grudzielanek having two injury plagued seasons with the Cubs in similar flukish type manners.

 

Doesn't equate to the fact he's injury prone or what not, just bad luck that can reverse as Mark was healthy last year.

 

Well, I think we can agree that Grudz is better built than Walker, but perhaps you're right. However, I still stand by the Cubs being better off w/ Grudz.

 

Grudz is one inch taller and five pounds heavier, according to their ESPN profiles, and it's not like either is completely out of shape. Lee would have hurt either of them.

 

Never trust listed weights from ESPN or the team website. I've seen players grow and shrink visibly and their listed weights stay the same for years. Sammy's listed weight never reflected his post-roid shrinkage, and Randall Simon's didn't reflect the roughly 30 lbs. he gained before 2004. Anyone believe Ray King only weighs 242? Unnatural shrinkage and obesity are embarrassing and teams aren't going to be in any hurry to share that info.

 

Yep, but they are also only five pounds apart on baseball-reference.com. Bottom line is that there isn't a huge difference in their builds. It's not like one is built like David Eckstein, while the other is build like Cecil Fielder.

 

but would walker have suffered the same injury as grudz in 2004?

 

injuries vary as well from year to year, grudz is just as "injury prone" as walker. it's ludicrous to look at the season after the fact and say that grudz is better than walker because he's more durable--especially considering 2004.

 

walker is a better hitter, period. no amount of conventional sac. bunts, slap hits, or gutty, sparkplug-like builds will ever change that. the only thing that could change this is if grudz decided to work on becoming a better hitter, which he won't--at this stage of his career anyway.

[Magnetic Curses]

"i like a player because his build is consistent with what i view as a valuable ballplayer" is just the kind of ignorance that books like "moneyball" are trying to eliminate.

 

would corey have gotten hurt in the same instance? some people hate statistical analysis so much that they'll make themselves into a caricature to deny that it has a place in baseball.

 

the way people look at baseball is changing, just like everything changes.

[TheDude]

some people hate statistical analysis so much that they'll make themselves into a caricature to deny that it has a place in baseball.

 

Likewise others examine stats for so long they read more into them than is actually there.

[fromthestretch]

Yep, but they are also only five pounds apart on baseball-reference.com. Bottom line is that there isn't a huge difference in their builds. It's not like one is built like David Eckstein, while the other is build like Cecil Fielder.

 

but would walker have suffered the same injury as grudz in 2004?

 

injuries vary as well from year to year, grudz is just as "injury prone" as walker. it's ludicrous to look at the season after the fact and say that grudz is better than walker because he's more durable--especially considering 2004.

 

walker is a better hitter, period. no amount of conventional sac. bunts, slap hits, or gutty, sparkplug-like builds will ever change that. the only thing that could change this is if grudz decided to work on becoming a better hitter, which he won't--at this stage of his career anyway.

 

I agree 100%.

[Magnetic Curses]

some people hate statistical analysis so much that they'll make themselves into a caricature to deny that it has a place in baseball.

 

Likewise others examine stats for so long they read more into them than is actually there.

 

how? what do they say about them?

[Magnetic Curses]

Yep, but they are also only five pounds apart on baseball-reference.com. Bottom line is that there isn't a huge difference in their builds. It's not like one is built like David Eckstein, while the other is build like Cecil Fielder.

 

but would walker have suffered the same injury as grudz in 2004?

 

injuries vary as well from year to year, grudz is just as "injury prone" as walker. it's ludicrous to look at the season after the fact and say that grudz is better than walker because he's more durable--especially considering 2004.

 

walker is a better hitter, period. no amount of conventional sac. bunts, slap hits, or gutty, sparkplug-like builds will ever change that. the only thing that could change this is if grudz decided to work on becoming a better hitter, which he won't--at this stage of his career anyway.

 

I agree 100%.

 

to clarify, i wasn't directing anything at you. you make excellent points as well.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Anyone believe Ray King only weighs 242?

 

Only if he's 4'3"

[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?"

 

New update: Hendry was hoping that Pittsburgh would send cash to offset the difference between Walker's $2.5M salary and Wilson's arbitration eligible salary (could be $4.5M). Pittsburgh will not send cash, and Hendry views Wilson as too expensive for a 4th OF role. No deal.

[goonys evil twin]

New update: Hendry was hoping that Pittsburgh would send cash to offset the difference between Walker's $2.5M salary and Wilson's arbitration eligible salary (could be $4.5M). Pittsburgh will not send cash, and Hendry views Wilson as too expensive for a 4th OF role. No deal.

 

Silly son of a gun. He's better than Jones, who you guaranteed $15m for.

[BigbadB]

New update: Hendry was hoping that Pittsburgh would send cash to offset the difference between Walker's $2.5M salary and Wilson's arbitration eligible salary (could be $4.5M). Pittsburgh will not send cash, and Hendry views Wilson as too expensive for a 4th OF role. No deal.

 

Silly son of a gun. He's better than Jones, who you guaranteed $15m for.

 

Heh! So, Hendry views a "swing man" (Rusch) on the pitching staff as more valuable than a 4th outfielder. He values a defensive middle infielder (Neifi) as more valuable than a 4th outfielder. He values a 60 IP reliever (Eyre) as more valuable than a 4th outfielder.

 

Nice!

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

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?"

 

New update: Hendry was hoping that Pittsburgh would send cash to offset the difference between Walker's $2.5M salary and Wilson's arbitration eligible salary (could be $4.5M). Pittsburgh will not send cash, and Hendry views Wilson as too expensive for a 4th OF role. No deal.

 

The silver lining of all this could be we end up having Walker to start at second base next season.