Walker for Matos (Rumor)

[Andy]

As it stands is Hairston the backup CFer?

 

He can play there, and there also seems to be a spot that Grissom appears to be destined for, who can also back up the position. Pierre doesn't miss a lot of games either, and if he were to go down for an extended period, the backup's strength probably wouldn't matter because it would be Pie taking Pierre's spot.

TT's probably right, but I expect Pierre to play at least 150 games in CF this year, and quite possibly all 162.

[Mizzou]

Wow Walker's knee may be worse than anyone's letting on. Funny how there's been so much clamor over improving obp, but yet a .254 guy (Patterson) is much preferred over a .340 guy (Matos).

A .355 guy (Walker) is also much preferred over a .340 guy.

 

I don't think Matos is a bad player, but he's not necessary. Well, I guess he could be a good guy to have in case Murton tanks, but outside of that, what's the point?

[NCCubFan]

So essentially, it would be a better trade if we traded Walker for Patterson.

I hear that Patterson guy is the brother of the Cubs' minor league prospect. :D

[Gunned]

So essentially, it would be a better trade if we traded Walker for Patterson.

I hear that Patterson guy is the brother of the Cubs' minor league prospect. :D

 

I hear that Patterson guy has a .293 career OBP.

[NorthsideAvenger]

If this deal goes down, how can the Cubs justify keeping Grissom, then? Correct me if I am wrong, but Pierre/Murton/Jones are the starters....then you have Hairston and Mabry who would "feesibly" play the OF adequately. The you add Matos, alledgely, and that would bring the total of 6 players (not counting Grissom) who could play the OF (even tho a couple of those players can play the IF).

 

I mean...Matos would be the Cubs best defensive OF bar none. So how can the Cubs "justify" keeping Grissom, even if they acquire Matos?

[CubinNY]

Hello Neifi.

 

It is only a matter of time before Hairston is injured.

 

Cuse's prediction of Neifi getting in 140 games is not that far off it Walker is gone.

 

Damn Walker's overactive tounge.

Edited March 16, 2006 by CubinNY

[JC]

I wish Neifi would work with Larry Rothschild a little more.

[soapy]

If this deal goes down, how can the Cubs justify keeping Grissom, then? Correct me if I am wrong, but Pierre/Murton/Jones are the starters....then you have Hairston and Mabry who would "feesibly" play the OF adequately. The you add Matos, alledgely, and that would bring the total of 6 players (not counting Grissom) who could play the OF (even tho a couple of those players can play the IF).

 

I mean...Matos would be the Cubs best defensive OF bar none. So how can the Cubs "justify" keeping Grissom, even if they acquire Matos?

 

I assume if that deal goes down, Hairston would be the starting 2B (or platoon with Neifi) which would limit his time in the OF.

 

Let me just add that this is the one of the dumbest trade ideas I've ever seen. :puke:

[biittner77]

Matos isn't that bad. If he did supplant Murton, at least Matos batting 2nd would be better than Perez in that slot.

 

The real question is why doesn't anyone in MLB believe that Walker can play 2nd base? I cannot accept his big mouth as a legit reason why no one wants him.

[JC]

I cannot accept his big mouth as a legit reason why no one wants him.

 

I can. Baseball in general is loathe to players who are outspoken. I like Walker, but I'm not a fan of his mouth a lot of the time, particularly his recent comments about being given the 2b job. However, while I wouldn't get rid of him or hold it against him because of it, I don't think MLB works the same way.

[RynoRules]

I wish Neifi would work with Larry Rothschild a little more.

 

:)

[don_kessinger_was_good]

I'm with most of the crowd on this thread. If Walker is such a great addition to a team, then why is there ZERO demand for his services out there? No one wants him. The market is a scrub like Matos, so it comes down to how bad Hendry wants to be rid of Walker for his perceived attitude and lousy fundamentals.

 

BTW, if you recall, Walker not fitting in with teams is hardly news. When we signed him, there were many discussions regarding his issues with the Reds in particular, but he was unliked in Colorado and Boston, too.

 

Hendry's mistake was in picking up Walker's option, not realizing that despite the low cost, there was no demand for him in the market. He did this--and most people here supported that move--to try and get an easy draft pick. In retrospect, that was not a wise move. As Diffusion has pointed out elsewhere, it's not like we've had a lot of success with those 2nd round and lower picks, anyways.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

I wish Neifi would work with Larry Rothschild a little more.

 

:)

 

Seconded.

[goonys evil twin]

Hendry's mistake was in picking up Walker's option, not realizing that despite the low cost, there was no demand for him in the market. He did this--and most people here supported that move--to try and get an easy draft pick. In retrospect, that was not a wise move. As Diffusion has pointed out elsewhere, it's not like we've had a lot of success with those 2nd round and lower picks, anyways.

 

How was picking up an option going to get an easy draft pick?

[biittner77]

I cannot accept his big mouth as a legit reason why no one wants him.

 

I can. Baseball in general is loathe to players who are outspoken. I like Walker, but I'm not a fan of his mouth a lot of the time, particularly his recent comments about being given the 2b job. However, while I wouldn't get rid of him or hold it against him because of it, I don't think MLB works the same way.

 

But how many times have we seen a talented player with baggage get chance after chance. There's always a team out there that thinks they will be the one's to get the most out of a player.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I mean...Matos would be the Cubs best defensive OF bar none. So how can the Cubs "justify" keeping Grissom, even if they acquire Matos?

 

one word: Johnnie-B-Justify

 

 

he is the LAW around here..........

[Monco]

The real question is why doesn't anyone in MLB believe that Walker can play 2nd base? I cannot accept his big mouth as a legit reason why no one wants him.

 

Because the Cubs are willing to trade him.

[ltb]

Roto reported that Baltimore could send Matos to Boston for Graffanino.

 

That sounds good to me, especially if it means we get to keep Walker (and don't get stuck with Graffanino).

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I'm hoping that Walker remains on the team until his 10-team no trade list kicks in. At that point, it would be very difficult for the Cubs to deal him. I still think that if he's on the team, Dusty will give him a bulk of the starts at second base.

[Blueheart05]

The Suntimes says the O's continue to scout Walker.

 

The Baltimore Orioles continue to scout Cubs second baseman Todd Walker, who would be used as a designated hitter and left-handed bat off the bench. Walker also would serve as an insurance policy for second baseman Brian Roberts, who expects to get his first Grapefruit League action this week. Roberts is coming off elbow surgery and doesn't expect to be ready by Opening Day. A roadblock to a possible trade is the Orioles' reluctance to pick up all of Walker's $2.5 million contract.

 

Matos for Graffanino is another option for Baltimore.

Trade partners?

 

Pencil the Baltimore Orioles as a potential trading partner for the Sox. Word is the Orioles would move Luis Matos, who could give the Sox some speed off the bench and someone who can hit lefties (.834 OPS last season) while giving them an experienced extra outfielder.

 

The Orioles continue to have some interest in Tony Graffanino as they await word on Brian Roberts' readiness.

 

Registration Required

 

There is still a lingering rumor on ESPN Insider that the Cubs are interested in Graffanino. If the Red Sox wanted Walker back this deal probably would have already taken place.

[soapy]

Bruce mentions the Walker for Matos rumbling could possibly have legs...

 

If you’re a Walker fan, be wary of trade talks involving Walker and Baltimore Orioles outfielder Luis Matos. The Cubs like Matos and see him as a possible fourth outfielder. He hit .280 last year with an OBP of .340 (his lifetime OBP is .316) with 4 homers and 17 stolen bases.

 

The Orioles aren’t the easiest trading partners with whom to deal, so this trade may not happen. It says here the Cubs will be better off if it doesn’t.

 

 

http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/sportsstory.asp?id=169149

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Bruce mentions the Walker for Matos rumbling could possibly have legs...

 

If you’re a Walker fan, be wary of trade talks involving Walker and Baltimore Orioles outfielder Luis Matos. The Cubs like Matos and see him as a possible fourth outfielder. He hit .280 last year with an OBP of .340 (his lifetime OBP is .316) with 4 homers and 17 stolen bases.

 

The Orioles aren’t the easiest trading partners with whom to deal, so this trade may not happen. It says here the Cubs will be better off if it doesn’t.

 

 

http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/sportsstory.asp?id=169149

 

I agree with Bruce that the Cubs are better off if this trade doesn't happen.

[Blueheart05]

I also agree with this quote

 

For his part, Walker needs to heed his own words and support Jerry Hairston when Hairston plays second base. Hairston is looking fit, and he brings speed, agility and good defense to the Cubs. He also has hit well this spring.

 

There’s room for both. On top of that, this is Walker’s free-agent season, and he doesn’t want to scare off potential suitors by gaining a reputation as a “bad guy” in the clubhouse.

[Blueheart05]

found in today's Washington Post

 

The Orioles remain in contact with the Chicago Cubs, who are pushing for a swap of outfielder Luis Matos for Chicago infielder Todd Walker, according to a baseball source. The source said the Cubs are more eager for such a trade, but the Orioles haven't dismissed it. If they agree to the deal, the Orioles likely will use Walker, who batted .305 with 12 home runs last season, as a designated hitter. . . .

[BigbadB]

What a really, really poor management team this is turning into. I could see Baltimore pushing a Matos/Walker deal, but the Cubs?

 

Come on. It really peeves me badly to know that the Cubs are "pushing" this deal. Walker on the bench is better than Matos on the bench.

 

That the Orioles are considering using Walker as their designated hitter makes it painfully obvious who is getting the short end of the stick here.

 

Couldn't they just use Matos as their DH if he's equal to or better than Walker?