Barret Makes Pitch for C Lee

[Andy]

If we got Carlos for a 3/40 type deal with a fourth year option then I wouldn't mind that much even though we'd be overpaying. But that just isn't going to happen.

 

And people who say we need CLee because he tears up Wrigley neglect the slight point that were he to play here full time he would not get to hit against CUBS pitching at Wrigley, thereby lowering his SLG.

 

I will say this much for him, he seems like a fun guy as he always kids around with the LF bleacher folk when he comes out in the bottom of each inning.

[Balsa]

And people who say we need CLee because he tears up Wrigley neglect the slight point that were he to play here full time he would not get to hit against CUBS pitching at Wrigley, thereby lowering his SLG.

A point I was just about to make. I wonder how much of a difference that makes, considering we haven't had a decent staff since 2003-2004.

[Sammy Sofa]

Lee isn't the end-all, be-all of players, but damn, he'd be nice to have. The problem is this Cubs organization would look at signing a player like him as THE thing they'd need to do, and that's so far from the truth it's not even funny. Carlos would be a great step in the right direction, but they'd still need to seek out another impact bat, another proven quality starter, etc., etc..

[Backtobanks]

If we got Carlos for a 3/40 type deal with a fourth year option then I wouldn't mind that much even though we'd be overpaying. But that just isn't going to happen.

 

And people who say we need CLee because he tears up Wrigley neglect the slight point that were he to play here full time he would not get to hit against CUBS pitching at Wrigley, thereby lowering his SLG.I will say this much for him, he seems like a fun guy as he always kids around with the LF bleacher folk when he comes out in the bottom of each inning.

 

Many of the best power hitters "tear up Wrigley Field". It's a combination of bad Cub pitching and a favorable stadium to hit HRs. CLee has good (not great) career numbers, so he couldn't get all of those numbers at Wrigley.

[RockTheIvy]

Carlos' career numbers: .294/.337.488

Jock's: .279/.327/.455

Abreu: .303/.411/.512

 

First off, Carlos is better than Jock, but not that much better, and actually, a pretty similar player. Jock strikes out more, but neither of them are huge fans of the walk. In my opinion, we don't need another player like this, like Jock. The team needs patient hitters who will work counts and get on base. If you were going to pay CLee 10 mil per, why not just suck it up and go after Abreu, and pay him the 13 million?

[erik316wttn]

"I don't know if he's going to be a free agent at the end of this year or not, but the Cubs need to seriously think about picking him up because the guy does a lot of damage here,'' Barrett said. "I have never seen a player do as much damage in one park as he's done, other than Vladi in Philadelphia.''

 

Barrett forgets what Carlos Beltran did at Wrigley in 2004. (2.057 OPS ) :shock:. After all the pundits saying "The Cubs need to sign Beltran, he absolutely loves to hit in Wrigley", he had a .607 OPS in 2005 at the park.

 

Lee only has a mere 1.250 OPS so far this year at Wrigley. His numbers previous to this year at Wrigley are in line with his career OPS.

 

We need to get a big bat for next year... Lee would fit the bill.

 

There's a lot of guys who put those numbers up at Wrigley Field.... against Cubs pitching.

 

Signing a guy simply because he hits well at Wrigley is a bad idea.

 

Don't get me wrong. I think C Lee would look great between DLee and Ramirez, but I've never put much stock into the "He hits well at our park, so lets sign him!" argument.

[TB_11]

I don't see how anyone can justify giving Carlos Lee 5-years and $75M when Derrek Lee gets 5-years and $65M.

[fibro]

Carlos' career numbers: .294/.337.488

Jock's: .279/.327/.455

Abreu: .303/.411/.512

 

First off, Carlos is better than Jock, but not that much better, and actually, a pretty similar player. Jock strikes out more, but neither of them are huge fans of the walk. In my opinion, we don't need another player like this, like Jock. The team needs patient hitters who will work counts and get on base. If you were going to pay CLee 10 mil per, why not just suck it up and go after Abreu, and pay him the 13 million?

 

Abreu is under contract next year he will get 15 mill the club has option for 2008 of 16 mill. So the only way you can get him is trade for him.

[RockTheIvy]

Carlos' career numbers: .294/.337.488

Jock's: .279/.327/.455

Abreu: .303/.411/.512

 

First off, Carlos is better than Jock, but not that much better, and actually, a pretty similar player. Jock strikes out more, but neither of them are huge fans of the walk. In my opinion, we don't need another player like this, like Jock. The team needs patient hitters who will work counts and get on base. If you were going to pay CLee 10 mil per, why not just suck it up and go after Abreu, and pay him the 13 million?

 

Abreu is under contract next year he will get 15 mill the club has option for 2008 of 16 mill. So the only way you can get him is trade for him.

 

Yeah I know, I was just trying to compare his salary with CLee's potential one. In my opinion, the Cubs should give it all away for Abreu. If we have any pitching prospects (if they even exist), we'll destroy their arms anyways. Trade Pie, trade Harvey, whomever, just get Abreu.

[RationalSoxFan]

The Cubs, like any other 100 million dollar club, do not need a deep, quality farm system as badly as anyone else. Unless there is an absolute stud, they can fill their holes by trading quality prospects for proven talent.

[KaiserCesar]

Abreu/Lee/Gomes with a Jones/Murton platoon would give this club quite the offense. Then just get some cheap options for 2B and CF that have good OBP and hit them 1-2 and you got yourself a good offense.

[Blueheart05]

I haven't read this thread so I apologize if it was already mentioned but, am I the only person who thinks this is odd for Barrett to say? He's essentially dissing Murton. I'm sure Matt felt great when he read the article...

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I haven't read this thread so I apologize if it was already mentioned but, am I the only person who thinks this is odd for Barrett to say? He's essentially dissing Murton. I'm sure Matt felt great when he read the article...

 

That's quite a stretch.

[Blueheart05]

I haven't read this thread so I apologize if it was already mentioned but, am I the only person who thinks this is odd for Barrett to say? He's essentially dissing Murton. I'm sure Matt felt great when he read the article...

 

That's quite a stretch.

 

How is it a stretch? Barrett is saying the team needs a new LF. He certainly isn't saying he has confidence in Murton's ability to develop as a player especially when you consider that the Cubs have been trying to sell the sizzle on Murton developing a power stroke.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I haven't read this thread so I apologize if it was already mentioned but, am I the only person who thinks this is odd for Barrett to say? He's essentially dissing Murton. I'm sure Matt felt great when he read the article...

 

That's quite a stretch.

 

How is it a stretch? Barrett is saying the team needs a new LF.

 

No he didn't, he said it would be great to have him considering what he does in Wrigley. There's quite a leap of logic that has to be made to get that from what he actually said.

[CuseCubFan69]

Poor Murton.

 

Who's Murton?

[Blueheart05]

I haven't read this thread so I apologize if it was already mentioned but, am I the only person who thinks this is odd for Barrett to say? He's essentially dissing Murton. I'm sure Matt felt great when he read the article...

 

That's quite a stretch.

 

How is it a stretch? Barrett is saying the team needs a new LF.

 

No he didn't, he said it would be great to have him considering what he does in Wrigley. There's quite a leap of logic that has to be made to get that from what he actually said.

 

At the expense of Murton...

 

These quotes don't sound like someone who's just marveling in a guy's success. He's seriously lobbying for the Cubs to get CLee.

 

"I don't know if he's going to be a free agent at the end of this year or not, but the Cubs need to seriously think about picking him up because the guy does a lot of damage here,'' Barrett said. "I have never seen a player do as much damage in one park as he's done, other than Vladi in Philadelphia.''

 

Link

 

"The Cubs need to seriously think about picking him up,"

 

Cubs.com

[Sammy Sofa]

And...?

 

I'll take Carlos Lee over Matt freakin' Murton 8 days a week and twice on Sundays. Barrett didn't say anything even remotely close to being insulting to Murton...he's saying the Cubs need some big bats to start winning, and Carlos Lee would definitely help provide that. That's just common sense. I like Murton and all, but really, he's not the team's savior and he's never going to be. If you can upgrade LF with a player like C-Lee over Matt Murton, that's not insulting...that's just common sense.

[Geech]

And...?

 

I'll take Carlos Lee over Matt freakin' Murton 8 days a week and twice on Sundays. Barrett didn't say anything even remotely close to being insulting to Murton...he's saying the Cubs need some big bats to start winning, and Carlos Lee would definitely help provide that. That's just common sense. I like Murton and all, but really, he's not the team's savior and he's never going to be. If you can upgrade LF with a player like C-Lee over Matt Murton, that's not insulting...that's just common sense.

 

It's not like Carlos Lee is a great player. He may be having a good year this year, but he's typically just a bit above average for a corner outfielder. Expecting the difference between Murton and Lee to make a real impact on this club is unrealistic.

[KaiserCesar]

Murton hasn't produced at all this year. It's not like Barrett is insulting a player who has put up good numbers and might not actually need to be replaced. A platoon with Jones would be best for him until he gets out of this Dusty driven aggressiveness and develops a little power.

 

Disclaimer - I've had a little to drink tonight

[Sammy Sofa]

And...?

 

I'll take Carlos Lee over Matt freakin' Murton 8 days a week and twice on Sundays. Barrett didn't say anything even remotely close to being insulting to Murton...he's saying the Cubs need some big bats to start winning, and Carlos Lee would definitely help provide that. That's just common sense. I like Murton and all, but really, he's not the team's savior and he's never going to be. If you can upgrade LF with a player like C-Lee over Matt Murton, that's not insulting...that's just common sense.

 

It's not like Carlos Lee is a great player. He may be having a good year this year, but he's typically just a bit above average for a corner outfielder. Expecting the difference between Murton and Lee to make a real impact on this club is unrealistic.

 

I never said he was great. But I am saying he's a LOT better than Murton. And I don't think C-Lee would come anywhere close to solving all of the team's problems...but I do think he's a big step in the right direction. Murton, for better or for worse, has shown himself to be a very capable 4th OFer at this point. C-Lee is more than just a bit better than that.

[CubinNY]

Murton, for better or for worse, has shown himself to be a very capable 4th OFer at this point.

 

You've got to be kidding me? He's a rookie. I cannot believe how quickly some people want to give up on young players.

 

In Maddux first season he showed he might be a 5th starter.

-----------------

 

In Adruw Jones' first full season in the bigs he put up this line

 

.231/.316/416

 

Grady Sizemore put up this line

 

.289/.348/.484

 

Vernon Wells put up this line.

 

.275/.305/.457

 

Alex Rios put up this line.

 

.262/.306/.397

 

All four of those guys are all-stars this year.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Murton, for better or for worse, has shown himself to be a very capable 4th OFer at this point.

 

You've got to be kidding me? He's a rookie. I cannot believe how quickly some people want to give up on young players.

 

In Maddux first season he showed he might be a 5th starter.

-----------------

 

In Adruw Jones' first full season in the bigs he put up this line

 

.231/.316/416

 

Grady Sizemore put up this line

 

.289/.348/.484

 

Vernon Wells put up this line.

 

.275/.305/.457

 

Alex Rios put up this line.

 

.262/.306/.397

 

All four of those guys are all-stars this year.

 

It's not like Murton wasn't without questions before this year. All those guys you listed either put up much better minor league numbers than Murton, put up similar numbers at the same levels while being 2-3 years younger, or both(Rios excluded).

[Sammy Sofa]

Murton, for better or for worse, has shown himself to be a very capable 4th OFer at this point.

 

You've got to be kidding me? He's a rookie. I cannot believe how quickly some people want to give up on young players.

 

Who said anything about giving up? Teams need good 4th OFers, including the Cubs. I think Murton would be an excellent platoon player and OF backup. He simply doesn't have anything even close to the power needed to be a serious fulltime corner OFer. Sure, that could change, but he has a long way to go. I'd like to see Murton stick around, but I'd start Carlos Lee over him in a heartbeat.

[CubinNY]

Murton, for better or for worse, has shown himself to be a very capable 4th OFer at this point.

 

You've got to be kidding me? He's a rookie. I cannot believe how quickly some people want to give up on young players.

 

Who said anything about giving up? Teams need good 4th OFers, including the Cubs. I think Murton would be an excellent platoon player and OF backup. He simply doesn't have anything even close to the power needed to be a serious fulltime corner OFer. Sure, that could change, but he has a long way to go. I'd like to see Murton stick around, but I'd start Carlos Lee over him in a heartbeat.

 

I'd say saying Muton will be a good 4th outfielder is writing him off. Carlos Lee at $10 mill year/5years. No thanks. Carlos Lee is not that good. He's not. Especially at the price he will command.