Mench available?

[Backtobanks]

According to sources, Kevin Mench has lost his starting job. There was a lot of speculation on this site that Hendry was interested in him during the off season. I'm sure Texas needs pitching, so how about Rusch plus a pitching prospect (Hill/Williams/Wuertz?) for Mench. Mench could platoon in RF, share time with Murton in LF, and pinch hit.

[E.J.]

We should be selling this summer, not buying. Mench isn't the answer. We should be trying to get whatever we can in terms of prospects for Maddux, Walker, Williamson, Rusch, Neifi, Wood, etc.

[CubsInNC]

Wood, agree to an extension w/ TX, and waive the NTC, for Mench?

 

Or we add cash and ask for a prospect back as well?

[Mizzou]

Why has Mench lost the starting job?

[soccer10k]

Maybe he needs some new shoes again?

[CubsInNC]

DeRosa has upped his BA 21 points in the last 10 games. Mench has not.

 

That combined with a +60point differential in OBP and Mench coming off an injury = Buck Showalter riding the hot hand.

 

If this was Baker though it would be because DeRosa's a 2B, and has 8 years in the league dude.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Mench hasn't been good over the last week, but his season line of 291/344/515 is really nice.

 

His home/away spilt isn't that dramatic either.

 

Home: 309/361/609

Away: 271/324/406.

 

He still hits on the road, but his slugging drops dramatically. He would still be under Cubs' control for the next two seasons, so he's not a player I'd be opposed to acquiring.

 

Koronka has fallen off the table, so pitching may interest the Rangers since they've lost out on Clemens.

 

DeRosa has been hot, but I can't believe the Rangers really believe they are better off starting DeRosa over Mench.

 

While he's not going to be an all-star, for the right price I'm all for acquiring Shrek.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Here's a note on it.

 

Mench on bench: It appears Kevin Mench has lost his job as the regular right fielder. Mench sat out Monday's game against Chicago, and Mark DeRosa started in right for the 11th time in the last 18 games.

 

The Rangers have gone to a rotation among the corner outfielders since second baseman Ian Kinsler returned from the disabled list and forced DeRosa into the outfield mix. Since Kinsler's return, Mench has started three games in right. He's started six in left and four at DH. Brad Wilkerson, just as Mench, has started 13 games in that span but 11 have been in left.

 

Although manager Buck Showalter said the playing time situation in the outfield was "day-to-day," Mench acknowledged being confused about his role. Showalter also said Mench turned his ankle while diving back into first in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader with Boston.

 

"I don't know anything," said Mench, who snapped an 87 at-bat homerless drought Sunday. "I just show up. I figured I'd be playing today, but that's not the case.

 

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/baseball/rangers/stories/061306rangersbriefs.12a07bb0.html

[CubsInNC]

Mench on bench:

 

... Mench acknowledged being confused about his role. Showalter also said Mench turned his ankle while diving back into first in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader with Boston.

 

"I don't know anything," said Mench, who snapped an 87 at-bat homerless drought Sunday. "I just show up. I figured I'd be playing today, but that's not the case.

 

Doesn't that just ring of Todd Walker?

[Derwood]

while I don't think he's the answer, I also don't think we should be selling. Vets for prospects doesn't work on a big market club. You want the Cubs to rebuild? I think you simply set your sights on next year and try to trade vets for vets who might help next year.

[BigbadB]

while I don't think he's the answer, I also don't think we should be selling. Vets for prospects doesn't work on a big market club. You want the Cubs to rebuild? I think you simply set your sights on next year and try to trade vets for vets who might help next year.

 

Yep, although I'd certainly listen to offers for impact prospects.

 

The problem I see is that Hendry can no longer be trusted to make the right moves to make this team better. That's why before any moves take place, they need to get someone in the front office that will make the right deals to make the team better.

 

I'd be on the phone with the Marlins daily asking what it will take to get Cabrera.

 

In the meantime, the Cubs should continue to showcase their youngsters and boost their trade value. A couple more really good outings from Marmol could really improve his trade value.

[Backtobanks]

while I don't think he's the answer, I also don't think we should be selling. Vets for prospects doesn't work on a big market club. You want the Cubs to rebuild? I think you simply set your sights on next year and try to trade vets for vets who might help next year.

 

Mench would be under the Cubs control for 2 more years and would be the power hitting OF they needed this year. It would open up the possibility of trading Pierre, Jones, or Murton (bad idea) in another deal. Also, I suggested a package of Rusch plus a pitching prospect (Hill/Williams/Wuertz?). I don't think any of these guys figures prominently into the Cubs plans for 2007. There's a lot of discussion on this site about getting Cabrera, which would change everything, but I can't see the Cubs really getting Cabrera unless they include Pie, Hill, Guzman, plus someone like Dopriak.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Mench hasn't been good over the last week, but his season line of 291/344/515 is really nice.

 

His home/away spilt isn't that dramatic either.

 

Home: 309/361/609

Away: 271/324/406.

 

He still hits on the road, but his slugging drops dramatically. He would still be under Cubs' control for the next two seasons, so he's not a player I'd be opposed to acquiring.

 

Koronka has fallen off the table, so pitching may interest the Rangers since they've lost out on Clemens.

 

DeRosa has been hot, but I can't believe the Rangers really believe they are better off starting DeRosa over Mench.

 

While he's not going to be an all-star, for the right price I'm all for acquiring Shrek.

 

You don't think a 235+ difference in OPS is significant? He's downright terrible for a corner outfielder away from Arlington.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Mench hasn't been good over the last week, but his season line of 291/344/515 is really nice.

 

His home/away spilt isn't that dramatic either.

 

Home: 309/361/609

Away: 271/324/406.

 

He still hits on the road, but his slugging drops dramatically. He would still be under Cubs' control for the next two seasons, so he's not a player I'd be opposed to acquiring.

 

Koronka has fallen off the table, so pitching may interest the Rangers since they've lost out on Clemens.

 

DeRosa has been hot, but I can't believe the Rangers really believe they are better off starting DeRosa over Mench.

 

While he's not going to be an all-star, for the right price I'm all for acquiring Shrek.

 

You don't think a 235+ difference in OPS is significant? He's downright terrible for a corner outfielder away from Arlington.

 

kinda what i thought....

[Iceblink]

I like the low-ish OBP, but I need him to be skinnier and faster - but not good at stealing bases...and he needs to be best suited to play second base.