Walker Says Cubs Have Not Approached Him About a Trade

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Link.

 

Walker figures no news is good news and that he still may end up starting at second April 3 in Cincinnati.

 

"(General manager) Jim Hendry has always been good about saying, 'Look, if there is a deal about to happen, I will at least talk to you about it.' I haven't heard a thing.

 

 

This article also says Walker has a limited no-trade clause.

 

"Also, I'm 32 and there are a lot of teams I don't want to play for. In my contract, there are 10 teams they can't trade me to. That list has already been given to them."

 

Walker was asked if that limited-trade clause covers spring training, however. He replied that it may not go into effect until the regular season starts. If so, that would technically make him tradeable to anybody.

 

 

Finally, Walker loves it in Chicago.

 

"My deal right now is I'm trying to play as good as I can and have the idea of trading me go away from their mind. It would be very difficult for me to go anywhere else but here. I love Chicago. It's a team I chose to come to. To get moved would be hard."

 

[DiamondMind]

Like I said before, he just doesn't fit their plans. I still look for him to be moved, and Hairston or Graffanino starting the opener at 2nd for us.

[Rusch33]

Count me in as wanting him to stay.

 

Our defense will be better than last season if he's at 2nd or not.

[Balsa]

He's a cool guy. Walker <3

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Combine the facts that the Sun Times says Hendry isn't currently fielding offers, Walker saying that he has a limited "no-trade" clause, and Dusty indicating Walker is the front-runner, I think Walker will be the Cubs Opening Day Secondbaseman.

[Bull]

Every spring training game he plays, I see that possibility going up a percentage point or two. Right now we're about a 65-35 in favor of him being the opening day 2nd baseman.

[BigbadB]

Even if the Cubs were shopping Walker, it's rather apparent that he would not net the return he would be worth, so to me it's rather silly that he is still discussed in trade discussion.

 

A productive, veteran, starting 2b that only makes 2.5m is worth quite a bit in trade, IMO. If you can't get quite a bit, you might as well keep him and play him.

 

.249 .319 .438

.305 .355 .474

 

Which of the two above is worse? The first one, correct? The first one is Jacque Jones, the guy the Cubs just gave a 3 year deal to at twice the amount Todd Walker makes. The 2nd one is Todd Walker.

 

End of discussion.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Even if the Cubs were shopping Walker, it's rather apparent that he would not net the return he would be worth, so to me it's rather silly that he is still discussed in trade discussion.

 

A productive, veteran, starting 2b that only makes 2.5m is worth quite a bit in trade, IMO. If you can't get quite a bit, you might as well keep him and play him.

 

.249 .319 .438

.305 .355 .474

 

Which of the two above is worse? The first one, correct? The first one is Jacque Jones, the guy the Cubs just gave a 3 year deal to at twice the amount Todd Walker makes. The 2nd one is Todd Walker.

 

End of discussion.

 

Dude, Jones can play defense.

[badger1679666666]

Even if the Cubs were shopping Walker, it's rather apparent that he would not net the return he would be worth, so to me it's rather silly that he is still discussed in trade discussion.

 

A productive, veteran, starting 2b that only makes 2.5m is worth quite a bit in trade, IMO. If you can't get quite a bit, you might as well keep him and play him.

 

.249 .319 .438

.305 .355 .474

 

Which of the two above is worse? The first one, correct? The first one is Jacque Jones, the guy the Cubs just gave a 3 year deal to at twice the amount Todd Walker makes. The 2nd one is Todd Walker.

 

End of discussion.

 

Dude, Jones can play defense.

 

He's had a pretty nice spring so far. Maybe he will rebound to 2002-2003? Maybe he really did feel the pressure to be Mr. Everyone for the Twins?

 

I know it's only been 2 weeks of ST, but he's done Ok.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If the players really are competing this spring, here's the numbers through yesterday's game:

 

Walker 250/300/375

Hairston: 250/571/250

Perez: 200/250/200

[A New Era]

Even if the Cubs were shopping Walker, it's rather apparent that he would not net the return he would be worth, so to me it's rather silly that he is still discussed in trade discussion.

 

A productive, veteran, starting 2b that only makes 2.5m is worth quite a bit in trade, IMO. If you can't get quite a bit, you might as well keep him and play him.

 

.249 .319 .438

.305 .355 .474

 

Which of the two above is worse? The first one, correct? The first one is Jacque Jones, the guy the Cubs just gave a 3 year deal to at twice the amount Todd Walker makes. The 2nd one is Todd Walker.

 

End of discussion.

 

Anybody can take stats to prove their point. You are taking Jones last years stats expecting him to NOT improve over last year. I like Walker too, but let's not "spin" stats please. .

[Mark Priors Calves]

Even if the Cubs were shopping Walker, it's rather apparent that he would not net the return he would be worth, so to me it's rather silly that he is still discussed in trade discussion.

 

A productive, veteran, starting 2b that only makes 2.5m is worth quite a bit in trade, IMO. If you can't get quite a bit, you might as well keep him and play him.

 

.249 .319 .438

.305 .355 .474

 

Which of the two above is worse? The first one, correct? The first one is Jacque Jones, the guy the Cubs just gave a 3 year deal to at twice the amount Todd Walker makes. The 2nd one is Todd Walker.

 

End of discussion.

 

Anybody can take stats to prove their point. You are taking Jones last years stats expecting him to NOT improve over last year. I like Walker too, but let's not "spin" stats please. .

 

I don't see how those stats are "spun" at all.

[Sarcastic]

Even if the Cubs were shopping Walker, it's rather apparent that he would not net the return he would be worth, so to me it's rather silly that he is still discussed in trade discussion.

 

A productive, veteran, starting 2b that only makes 2.5m is worth quite a bit in trade, IMO. If you can't get quite a bit, you might as well keep him and play him.

 

.249 .319 .438

.305 .355 .474

 

Which of the two above is worse? The first one, correct? The first one is Jacque Jones, the guy the Cubs just gave a 3 year deal to at twice the amount Todd Walker makes. The 2nd one is Todd Walker.

 

End of discussion.

 

Anybody can take stats to prove their point. You are taking Jones last years stats expecting him to NOT improve over last year. I like Walker too, but let's not "spin" stats please. .

 

I don't see how those stats are "spun" at all.

 

Well, 2005 was an above average year for Walker and a below average year for Jones.

 

I would still agree that Walker should be the 2B next year, but I don't see what Jacque has to with this.

[DiamondMind]

Even if the Cubs were shopping Walker, it's rather apparent that he would not net the return he would be worth, so to me it's rather silly that he is still discussed in trade discussion.

 

A productive, veteran, starting 2b that only makes 2.5m is worth quite a bit in trade, IMO. If you can't get quite a bit, you might as well keep him and play him.

 

.249 .319 .438

.305 .355 .474

 

Which of the two above is worse? The first one, correct? The first one is Jacque Jones, the guy the Cubs just gave a 3 year deal to at twice the amount Todd Walker makes. The 2nd one is Todd Walker.

 

End of discussion.

 

Anybody can take stats to prove their point. You are taking Jones last years stats expecting him to NOT improve over last year. I like Walker too, but let's not "spin" stats please. .

 

I don't see how those stats are "spun" at all.

 

Well, 2005 was an above average year for Walker and a below average year for Jones.

 

I would still agree that Walker should be the 2B next year, but I don't see what Jacque has to with this.

 

I agree with you on both points. Assuming Todd is a starting Cub (400+ AB's at least) - I would guess a line of around 280/320/420 with maybe 12 dongs and 60 RBI. I don't think his defense is that great, either.

 

Graffanino, although limited in starting full-time experience, could put up a 280/350/400 line and put down some bunts or use better situational hitting.

 

As far as Jones goes, he is coming from a team where he was counted on offensively, in a terrible ballpark - and coming to Wrigley, energized, and ready to go. I expect around 270/310/450 with 20-25 HR and 80-90 RBI with stellar defense.

[CoolHandLuke]

Even if the Cubs were shopping Walker, it's rather apparent that he would not net the return he would be worth, so to me it's rather silly that he is still discussed in trade discussion.

 

A productive, veteran, starting 2b that only makes 2.5m is worth quite a bit in trade, IMO. If you can't get quite a bit, you might as well keep him and play him.

 

.249 .319 .438

.305 .355 .474

 

Which of the two above is worse? The first one, correct? The first one is Jacque Jones, the guy the Cubs just gave a 3 year deal to at twice the amount Todd Walker makes. The 2nd one is Todd Walker.

 

End of discussion.

 

Anybody can take stats to prove their point. You are taking Jones last years stats expecting him to NOT improve over last year. I like Walker too, but let's not "spin" stats please. .

 

I don't see how those stats are "spun" at all.

 

Well, 2005 was an above average year for Walker and a below average year for Jones.

 

I would still agree that Walker should be the 2B next year, but I don't see what Jacque has to with this.

 

I agree with you on both points. Assuming Todd is a starting Cub (400+ AB's at least) - I would guess a line of around 280/320/420 with maybe 12 dongs and 60 RBI. I don't think his defense is that great, either.

 

Graffanino, although limited in starting full-time experience, could put up a 280/350/400 line and put down some bunts or use better situational hitting.

 

As far as Jones goes, he is coming from a team where he was counted on offensively, in a terrible ballpark - and coming to Wrigley, energized, and ready to go. I expect around 270/310/450 with 20-25 HR and 80-90 RBI with stellar defense.

 

I think that you are severely underestimating Todd Walker and overestimating Tony Graffanino.

 

Walkers career line - 290/348/441

Graffanino's - 268/336/394

 

also Graffanino is a bench player. The most at-bats he has ever recieved in a season is 289 and that was all the way back in '98. There is no question in my mind that Walker is the better everyday hitter.

[Diffusion]

Even if the Cubs were shopping Walker, it's rather apparent that he would not net the return he would be worth, so to me it's rather silly that he is still discussed in trade discussion.

 

A productive, veteran, starting 2b that only makes 2.5m is worth quite a bit in trade, IMO. If you can't get quite a bit, you might as well keep him and play him.

 

.249 .319 .438

.305 .355 .474

 

Which of the two above is worse? The first one, correct? The first one is Jacque Jones, the guy the Cubs just gave a 3 year deal to at twice the amount Todd Walker makes. The 2nd one is Todd Walker.

 

End of discussion.

 

Anybody can take stats to prove their point. You are taking Jones last years stats expecting him to NOT improve over last year. I like Walker too, but let's not "spin" stats please. .

 

Fine, let's take numbers for 2002-05, a big sample that includes Jones' two best ever years.

 

AVG/OBP/SLG

Walker .291/.347/.446

Jones .277/.327/.461

 

VORP per 162 games

Walker 37.49

Jones 26.35

 

Walker has been better offensively on an absolute scale, and the difference when you adjust for position is enormous.

 

End of discussion.

 

PS.

Walker, $2.5m/1yr

Jones, $16m/3yrs

[CubinNY]

 

Anybody can take stats to prove their point. You are taking Jones last years stats expecting him to NOT improve over last year. I like Walker too, but let's not "spin" stats please. .

 

I love this. This is the crux of the stats vs. convential wisdom arguement.

 

CW: Hey you showed me some data that proves your point but I don't like it. So it proves nothing.

 

ST: But the numbers don't lie.

 

CW: So what? I don't like them so you can stop using them. I'll keep my uninformed opinion thank you.

[CubsInNC]

 

Anybody can take stats to prove their point. You are taking Jones last years stats expecting him to NOT improve over last year. I like Walker too, but let's not "spin" stats please. .

 

I love this. This is the crux of the stats vs. convential wisdom arguement.

 

CW: Hey you showed me some data that proves your point but I don't like it. So it proves nothing.

 

ST: But the numbers don't lie.

 

CW: So what? I don't like them so you can stop using them. I'll keep my uninformed opinion thank you.

 

And that would be why many "conventional wisdom" supporters get so turned off by many "stats" supporters. No stats does NOT equal uninformed.

 

In my opinion there is a balance to be reached between the 2. But successful scouting and player development has been done in the past (maybe not by the Cubs) based on each, and based on both. There is no magic formula for either.

[erik316wttn]

It was stupid to want to trade him anyway.

 

Walker is the best option we have at 2nd. He maybe costs us, what, 7-8 runs per year with his glove, tops? He gives us far more than that with his bat. It's stupid to trade him.

 

Not everyone is going to be Ryne Sandberg incarnate with the glove. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being best, Walker is, at absolute worst, a 4.5 with his glove. Not enough to justify getting rid of the offensive production.

 

I'd rather have a good bat and an average glove than an average bat and a good glove. A few of those guys are nice if you can afford the spot in the lineup, but we can't.

[DiamondMind]

 

Anybody can take stats to prove their point. You are taking Jones last years stats expecting him to NOT improve over last year. I like Walker too, but let's not "spin" stats please. .

 

I love this. This is the crux of the stats vs. convential wisdom arguement.

 

CW: Hey you showed me some data that proves your point but I don't like it. So it proves nothing.

 

ST: But the numbers don't lie.

 

CW: So what? I don't like them so you can stop using them. I'll keep my uninformed opinion thank you.

 

That is a ridiculous statement and somewhat offensive. Not only are you wrong, but you're personally attacking him by saying he's uninformed because he doesn't agree with you.

[CuseCubFan69]

If Walker can play 1st that will make him even more valuable unless the Cubs see Mabry as a dayoff replacement for Lee.

[Sarcastic]

I'll just repeat what I said earlier. What does Jones have to do with Walker being traded or not? If we are going to compare players on this issue, shouldn't it be Walker vs. other players who would be the ones to actually replace him?

[CuseCubFan69]

I'll just repeat what I said earlier. What does Jones have to do with Walker being traded or not? If we are going to compare players on this issue, shouldn't it be Walker vs. other players who would be the ones to actually replace him?

 

From how I read it was that Walker is a 2nd baseman and hits as well as the new expensive free agent the Cubs just signed so why the need to get rid of him?

[Sarcastic]

I'll just repeat what I said earlier. What does Jones have to do with Walker being traded or not? If we are going to compare players on this issue, shouldn't it be Walker vs. other players who would be the ones to actually replace him?

 

From how I read it was that Walker is a 2nd baseman and hits as well as the new expensive free agent the Cubs just signed so why the need to get rid of him?

 

But that is still irrelevant. We should be comparing him to the cost and production of other players who might replace him. Jones has nothing to do with the 2B issue. He won't be the one to replace Walker, so his contract and production are not important in this.

 

It wouldn't matter if Jones was expensive and sucked if there was a cheaper better 2B available, and it wouldn't matter if he was great if there wasn't.

 

If people want to vent about Jones, feel free to do it, it wasn't a very good signing, but this is the wrong thread to do it in.

[CuseCubFan69]

I'll just repeat what I said earlier. What does Jones have to do with Walker being traded or not? If we are going to compare players on this issue, shouldn't it be Walker vs. other players who would be the ones to actually replace him?

 

From how I read it was that Walker is a 2nd baseman and hits as well as the new expensive free agent the Cubs just signed so why the need to get rid of him?

 

But that is still irrelevant. We should be comparing him to the cost and production of other players who might replace him. Jones has nothing to do with the 2B issue. He won't be the one to replace Walker, so his contract and production are not important in this.

 

It wouldn't matter if Jones was expensive and sucked if there was a cheaper better 2B available, and it wouldn't matter if he was great if there wasn't.

 

If people want to vent about Jones, feel free to do it, it wasn't a very good signing, but this is the wrong thread to do it in.

 

Actually they may have something in common...the 5 slot. If the Cubs put Murton or Cedeno/Perez in the 2 slot Walker may be more qualified to hit 5th than Jones and by far more qualified than Hairston or Perez to hit there.