Why is there a battle at 2nd?

[Blueheart05]

Why should Walker have to be quiet when management has been very public in their criticisms of him. Maybe if every time Hendry opened his mouth he didn't criticize Walker's defense, Walker wouldn't feel the need to spout off so much.

 

Because Walker is trying to win a starting job?

 

So, you're saying the Cubs would allow Walker's talking to affect their decision of who starts even if he out performs the competition. If they do, they are a more poorly run organization than I feared.

 

No, that's not what I'm saying. In general, I don't think the Cubs mind that he likes to talk to the media (he's done so for the last two seasons).However,there's a difference between being eager to talk to the media and saying "it would be tough" to play off the bench or "they don't always tell the truth." I understand that Walker has feelings but let's not forget that Hendry and Baker are human too. Taking jabs at them in the media then asking for an impartial decision is asking a lot. In fact, it isn't very smart at all considering he (as well as Perez and Hairston) knows they had other plans for 2B.

Edited March 17, 2006 by Blueheart05

[Laura]

No, that's not what I'm saying. In general, I don't think the Cubs mind that he likes to talk to the media (he's done so for the last two seasons).However,there's a difference between being eager to talk to the media and saying "it would be tough" to play off the bench or "they don't always tell the truth." I understand that Walker has feelings but let's not forget that Hendry and Baker are human too. Taking jabs at them in the media then asking for an impartial decision is asking a lot. In fact, it isn't very smart at all considering he (Perez and Hairston) knows they had other plans for 2B.

 

Since there's apparently no market for him, trading him for peanuts would seem to be equally not very smart, especially if you picked up his option.

 

Even if you are human.

[Blueheart05]

No, that's not what I'm saying. In general, I don't think the Cubs mind that he likes to talk to the media (he's done so for the last two seasons).However,there's a difference between being eager to talk to the media and saying "it would be tough" to play off the bench or "they don't always tell the truth." I understand that Walker has feelings but let's not forget that Hendry and Baker are human too. Taking jabs at them in the media then asking for an impartial decision is asking a lot. In fact, it isn't very smart at all considering he (Perez and Hairston) knows they had other plans for 2B.

 

Since there's apparently no market for him, trading him for peanuts would seem to be equally not very smart, especially if you picked up his option.

 

Even if you are human.

 

It wouldn't be the first time a team has made that kind of move. I just think he's making the decision easier for them.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

In some ways, I'm not sure Walker cares. In fact, if he really wants to stay in Chicago, he may feel this is the best way to get that wish.

 

If the Cubs don't trade him by April 1, his 10 team no-trade list goes into effect. Walker seems like a crafty guy. I wouldn't be surprised if his list includes the teams that would most likely want him.

 

If the Cubs don't trade him, they are going to be on the hook for his 2.5 million. Walker is guaranteed that no matter what.

 

Furthermore, Walker may really feel he was lied to. Yes, it's true the Cubs had other plans for second. So, why pick up the option?

 

The Cubs created this problem, not Todd Walker. They had a number of options on how to handle it and took the worst possible road. They could have not picked up the option which would have been the smartest if they didn't want him. Walker apparently had reason to believe they would do this instead of trading him. My guess that is where the "lied" comments originated.

 

Secondly, they could have been less open in their pursuit to replace Walker. Furthermore, they should keep their criticism of his defense in house. I can understand Walker's frustration. In fact, if I read in the paper that my boss had criticized a facet of my job performance in the paper or on the radio, I'd probably spout off a little too. And if I had something I could use to attack my supervisor's credibility, I might hint that they are less than trustworthy too.

[Laura]

It wouldn't be the first time a team has made that kind of move. I just think he's making the decision easier for them.

 

What's your opinion? Should he be traded because of his comments?

 

It's easy to say he's greasing his way out of town. I agree. I disagree that he should be traded for the likes of Matos, though.

[Blueheart05]

In some ways, I'm not sure Walker cares. In fact, if he really wants to stay in Chicago, he may feel this is the best way to get that wish.

 

If the Cubs don't trade him by April 1, his 10 team no-trade list goes into effect. Walker seems like a crafty guy. I wouldn't be surprised if his list includes the teams that would most likely want him.

 

If the Cubs don't trade him, they are going to be on the hook for his 2.5 million. Walker is guaranteed that no matter what.

 

Furthermore, Walker may really feel he was lied to. Yes, it's true the Cubs had other plans for second. So, why pick up the option?

 

The Cubs created this problem, not Todd Walker. They had a number of options on how to handle it and took the worst possible road. They could have not picked up the option which would have been the smartest if they didn't want him. Walker apparently had reason to believe they would do this instead of trading him. My guess that is where the "lied" comments originated.

 

Secondly, they could have been less open in their pursuit to replace Walker. Furthermore, they should keep their criticism of his defense in house. I can understand Walker's frustration. In fact, if I read in the paper that my boss had criticized a facet of my job performance in the paper or on the radio, I'd probably spout off a little too. And if I had something I could use to attack my supervisor's credibility, I might hint that they are less than trustworthy too.

 

In the end, he, and not the Cubs, looks bad. Teams, and other players, aren't going to all of a sudden stop doing business with the club. On the otherhand, Walker's current contemptuous remarks coupled with his already established reputation as a one dimensional player may shrink the pool of available teams for which he will be abled to play.

[Blueheart05]

It wouldn't be the first time a team has made that kind of move. I just think he's making the decision easier for them.

 

What's your opinion? Should he be traded because of his comments?

 

It's easy to say he's greasing his way out of town. I agree. I disagree that he should be traded for the likes of Matos, though.

 

No, I don't think his comments alone should get him traded but I'd trade him in a heartbeat for a more complete second baseman. Since that's not going to happen, and I don't think the Cubs want to go into the season with three 2B, I think he's as good as gone (and if the Cubs can get Baltimore to pay the difference in salaries he'll be shipped out sooner than later).

[Laura]

No, I don't think his comments alone should get him traded but I'd trade him in a heartbeat for a more complete second baseman. Since that's not going to happen, and I don't think the Cubs want to go into the season with three 2B, I think he's as good as gone (and if the Cubs can get Baltimore to pay the difference in salaries he'll be shipped out sooner than later).

 

I can predict that as well. Sure, I'd trade him for Brian Roberts. Would you trade him for Luis Matos?

[Blueheart05]

No, I don't think his comments alone should get him traded but I'd trade him in a heartbeat for a more complete second baseman. Since that's not going to happen, and I don't think the Cubs want to go into the season with three 2B, I think he's as good as gone (and if the Cubs can get Baltimore to pay the difference in salaries he'll be shipped out sooner than later).

 

I can predict that as well. Sure, I'd trade him for Brian Roberts. Would you trade him for Luis Matos?

 

Actually, I would trade him for Matos considering he's all that's available. His OBP and power potential would be missed in the lineup but his defense would not be missed in the field. Also, I expect his BA to be in the .280s and not the career high .305 he set last year (.259 with RISP). All things being equal, I'm not sure that he will outperform Hairston enough to justify the potential runs he may give up on defense and or extra pitches he may cost the staff. Of course, the gamble is in giving Hairston (not Perez) a starting position when he hasn't played a semblance of a full season since 2002. I'd take the gamble that Jerry Hairston is the most complete 2B of the three candidates.

[NCCubFan]

He will sit when they tell him and play when and where they tell him, because if he doesn't, there will be no market for him this year or in the offseason.

Tell that to Soriano. :D

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Trading Walker for Matos would amount to stupidity. First of all, we'd be one Jerry Hairston injury away from having to rely on Neifi to "save" us with a sub 300 OBP.

 

Matos isn't going to provide us with anything that we likely already have in Angel Pagan.

 

If we're going to trade Walker, then we need to get something that will at least be useful, even if that is just someone to fill the fifth starter's job for a month, it would be more useful than Matos.

[Blueheart05]

Trading Walker for Matos would amount to stupidity. First of all, we'd be one Jerry Hairston injury away from having to rely on Neifi to "save" us with a sub 300 OBP.

 

Matos isn't going to provide us with anything that we likely already have in Angel Pagan.

 

If we're going to trade Walker, then we need to get something that will at least be useful, even if that is just someone to fill the fifth starter's job for a month, it would be more useful than Matos.

 

Todd Walker isn't going to net a 5th starter in a trade and keeping him doesn't guarantee that Neifi wont have the opportunity to "save" us later in the season. The Cubs will probably carry 12 pitchers so I don't see them also having three 2B. Plus, Walker's lack of versatility makes him expendable. 1B is really the only other position he can play (so can Mabry) and odds are DLee wont take too many days off.