ESPN reporting about Hidalgo??

[ThePenguin11]

Does anyone even have a link to this supposed story? I went to ITI and didn't even see anything about Hidalgo. I'm not sure why this made it to a second page without any substantiation.

[CubfaninCA]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but i read on ITI that ESPN1000 is reporting we have an interest in Hidalgo, 1 year deal? Puke.......

 

Hidalgo would be a very good bench option and plays very good defense. He would make a great 4th outfielder.

 

He would make a decent platoon option for Jones (he doesn't have tradition LR splits, but hits lefties better than Jones), but also a very easy excuse for Dusty to bench Murton. He'd automatically become the best bench player, which doesn't say much considering how bad the bench is right now.

 

Now I can buy Hidalgo over Murton. Grissom over Murton's still quite far-fetched, imo....

[shawndgoldman]

If you check out Glenallen Hill's baseball-reference page, his most similar player in MLB history is Hidalgo (Hill is 3rd on Hidalgo's list). I loved the power Hill provided for the Cubs back in the day...

 

I think a one year deal here makes a ton of sense for both parties. Worst case scenario is he takes ABs away from Murton instead of Marquis Grissom - and i think even in a worst case scenario that is a good thing. If Murton loses ABs it won't be because of Hidalgo - it will be because of Dusty and it won't matter whether we have Grissom, Hidalgo, or Glenallen himself as the alternative. Best case scenario is Hidalgo finds his patience again and puts up All-Star caliber numbers.

[stitchface]

we can still discuss it even if its not going to happen.

[ThePenguin11]

In case anyone was wondering Hidalgo's career numbers at Wrigley:

 

125 AB's (38 Games)

 

12HR

25RBI

26Runs

7 BB / 36 K

 

.320/.366/.704/1.070 - BA/OBP/SLG/OPS

[ThePenguin11]

Hidalgo's overall career splits:

 

vs LHP

 

.276 .357 .480 .837

 

vs RHP

 

.266 .341 .493 .834

 

It seems over the course of his career he's only barely better vs lefties. However, His recent disparity between splits may be a trend.

[stitchface]

this guy was amazing in 2000 and 2003 - you really wonder what happened. seems like he needs to learn patience again - probably not going to happen with the cubs but who knows. lest you think it was all ballpark, his road splits exceeded his home splits in 2003.

[Sterling30]

The only way I'd want Hidalgo is if he and his feisty painted mustang performed tricks for the fans, replacing the horrid parade of singers during the 7th inning stretch.

 

Oh.... sorry.... wrong Hidalgo. In that case, no thank you.

[Neuby]

listened to espn radio the last in the car hadn't heard it reported.

[ThePenguin11]

I know it's off topic, but I just came across Juan Pierre's career day/night splits:

 

Day:

 

BA/OBP/SLG/OPS

.344/.394/.429/.824

 

Night:

 

BA/OBP/SLG/OPS

.287/.337/.351/.687

 

I guess that could be a cause for optimism...

[E.J.]

Has anyone heard this, or should we file this in the crazy trade rumor guy category?

[USSoccer]

Has anyone heard this, or should we file this in the crazy trade rumor guy category?

 

I haven't heard it anywhere.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I've brought up Hidalgo more than once this offseason.

 

Here are some numbers on him:

 

Richard Hidalgo

05: 221/289/416

c: 269/345/490

05-05: 262/331/486

03-05 v LH: 245/330/473

 

He doesn't have great splits against lefties, but in 2003 he had a great year.

 

In that year, he hit 309/385/572 with 28 HR.

 

However something happened in 2004.

 

When he was traded to the Mets, he was hitting 256/309/412. For the Mets he hit 228/296/463. It was a bad year for him.

 

Last year he played hurt and didn't play much. He was in a hitter's paradise and still only managed 221/289/416.

 

He can play great defense, but I have to wonder why the decline is so steep from 2003 to 2005.

 

If he could hit anywhere near his 2003 numbers, then we would have a bonafide stud in rightfield or wherever you played him. If he hits his 2005 numbers, he's not even worth a bench spot. I'm not against giving him a one-year deal, but management would have to be willing to cut bait if he is not better than he was last year.

[stitchface]

I've brought up Hidalgo more than once this offseason.

 

Here are some numbers on him:

 

Richard Hidalgo

05: 221/289/416

c: 269/345/490

05-05: 262/331/486

03-05 v LH: 245/330/473

 

He doesn't have great splits against lefties, but in 2003 he had a great year.

 

In that year, he hit 309/385/572 with 28 HR.

 

However something happened in 2004.

 

When he was traded to the Mets, he was hitting 256/309/412. For the Mets he hit 228/296/463. It was a bad year for him.

 

Last year he played hurt and didn't play much. He was in a hitter's paradise and still only managed 221/289/416.

 

He can play great defense, but I have to wonder why the decline is so steep from 2003 to 2005.

 

If he could hit anywhere near his 2003 numbers, then we would have a bonafide stud in rightfield or wherever you played him. If he hits his 2005 numbers, he's not even worth a bench spot. I'm not against giving him a one-year deal, but management would have to be willing to cut bait if he is not better than he was last year.

 

Going from MM to Shea is part of the problem. He also started out really hot for the Mets hitting a bunch of homers in the first few weeks. He then totally lost his patience. The more I think about it, the better a one-year deal sounds. Too bad we signed Jones for three already.

[Kyle]

I've brought up Hidalgo more than once this offseason.

 

Here are some numbers on him:

 

Richard Hidalgo

05: 221/289/416

c: 269/345/490

05-05: 262/331/486

03-05 v LH: 245/330/473

 

He doesn't have great splits against lefties, but in 2003 he had a great year.

 

In that year, he hit 309/385/572 with 28 HR.

 

However something happened in 2004.

 

When he was traded to the Mets, he was hitting 256/309/412. For the Mets he hit 228/296/463. It was a bad year for him.

 

Last year he played hurt and didn't play much. He was in a hitter's paradise and still only managed 221/289/416.

 

He can play great defense, but I have to wonder why the decline is so steep from 2003 to 2005.

 

If he could hit anywhere near his 2003 numbers, then we would have a bonafide stud in rightfield or wherever you played him. If he hits his 2005 numbers, he's not even worth a bench spot. I'm not against giving him a one-year deal, but management would have to be willing to cut bait if he is not better than he was last year.

 

Going from MM to Shea is part of the problem. He also started out really hot for the Mets hitting a bunch of homers in the first few weeks. He then totally lost his patience. The more I think about it, the better a one-year deal sounds. Too bad we signed Jones for three already.

 

I think taking a chance on him to be a backup player is worth the try. It's a risk I'm willing to take. Its not like we'll be counting on him to start a lot. If he puts up anywhere near his numbers in 2003, he'd be a great addition. He may continue his decline if we took him, but I'll take that chance that he could play like he once did.

[stitchface]

unfortunately, I think you have to play him full time to have any chance of regaining his form. would have been a worthy risk in RF.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

If Dusty were agreeable to it, I would be very supportive of a true RF platoon between Jones and Hidalgo. Combined, they would make for an above league average RF in both offense and defense. Nice.

 

And yes, Hidalgo > Restovich > Grissom > Jones against LHP.

[NorthsideAvenger]

If Dusty were agreeable to it, I would be very supportive of a true RF platoon between Jones and Hidalgo. Combined, they would make for an above league average RF in both offense and defense. Nice.

 

And yes, Hidalgo > Restovich > Grissom > Jones against LHP.

 

Hildalgo > Murton in Baker's eyes...

[RockTheIvy]

If Dusty were agreeable to it, I would be very supportive of a true RF platoon between Jones and Hidalgo. Combined, they would make for an above league average RF in both offense and defense. Nice.

 

And yes, Hidalgo > Restovich > Grissom > Jones against LHP.

 

Hildalgo > Murton in Baker's eyes...

 

Well if Hidalgo played like he did in the past, 2003 or 2000, then heck, play him over Murton and platoon Jones and Murton in LF.

[NorthsideAvenger]

If Dusty were agreeable to it, I would be very supportive of a true RF platoon between Jones and Hidalgo. Combined, they would make for an above league average RF in both offense and defense. Nice.

 

And yes, Hidalgo > Restovich > Grissom > Jones against LHP.

 

Hildalgo > Murton in Baker's eyes...

 

Well if Hidalgo played like he did in the past, 2003 or 2000, then heck, play him over Murton and platoon Jones and Murton in LF.

 

And if Nomar could have played like he did early in his career with Boston, the way he was expected in Chicago, then the Cubs wouldn't need to look at a big bat for the OF. Besides, I am fairly confident that Murton will be better in 2006 then Hildalgo.

[Bull]

Don't stone me, but Hidalgo looks like a classic case of steroids to me. Either way he's seen major decline by age 30!?! Stay away.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

If Dusty were agreeable to it, I would be very supportive of a true RF platoon between Jones and Hidalgo. Combined, they would make for an above league average RF in both offense and defense. Nice.

 

And yes, Hidalgo > Restovich > Grissom > Jones against LHP.

 

Hildalgo > Murton in Baker's eyes...

 

I don't think even Dusty would do that at this point. Everyone recognizes Murton has earned the job, even Baker. The sad part is how cowered and frightened we are of our own manager's stupidity, this is simply unsustainable and why I am convinced, no matter how good or bad the Cubs are in 06, that it will be Baker's last year here.

[Chocolate Milk]

http://movies.apple.com/trailers/disney/hidalgo/images/menu_02.jpg

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Don't stone me, but Hidalgo looks like a classic case of steroids to me. Either way he's seen major decline by age 30!?! Stay away.

 

Steroids has often crossed my mind with Hidalgo. His decline has been pretty steep. If he's cheap and the Cubs are willing to cut bait if he doesn't produce, he wouldn't be a horrible option. On the other hand, I'd hate to be married to him for the season.

[biittner77]

Getting back to the 11 or 12 pitchers angle, if the Cubs do go with 11 then I think they'd be more likely to go with someone like Theriot instead of Grissom/ Hidalgo for that last bench spot. That way when Wood gets activated they can send Theriot down and go with 12 pitchers until Wood stretches himself out.