thought on Walker

[jjgman21]

count me in the camp that really likes him, but wouldn't mind using him to improve the team.

 

the question becomes what is the best way to improve the team vis a vis Todd Walker. what type of FA would he be? if he'd bring back a high draft pick or two, would that be a better option than what he is likely to bring in a trade (probably a mid-tier prospect).

 

if packaged, he could probably bring something a little better, but taken alone, it seems to me the better option is to offer arbitration with either the possibility of bringing him back or getting the picks.

[rawaction]

I don't think he would be a Type A, thus, wouldn't get the Cubs high draft picks. And like it or not, the Cubs aren't getting very good propsects for him. My guess he gets traded after the deadline for 2 minor leaguers with high upside, but very little successful results......the Cubs m.o.

[jjgman21]

I don't think he would be a Type A, thus, wouldn't get the Cubs high draft picks. And like it or not, the Cubs aren't getting very good propsects for him. My guess he gets traded after the deadline for 2 minor leaguers with high upside, but very little successful results......the Cubs m.o.

 

how do we figure out what type he would be and what each type fetches? even if a type B they get a sandwich pick, no?

[Tedward]

I don't think he would be a Type A, thus, wouldn't get the Cubs high draft picks. And like it or not, the Cubs aren't getting very good propsects for him. My guess he gets traded after the deadline for 2 minor leaguers with high upside, but very little successful results......the Cubs m.o.

 

how do we figure out what type he would be and what each type fetches? even if a type B they get a sandwich pick, no?

 

Probably all a moot point because in order for the Cubs to get picks, they would have to offer Walker arbitration after this season, possibly putting the Cubs in a position to bring him back next season (assuming of course so one else signs him). I'm not so sure the Cubs would be willing to do that. For what ever reason, it seems like Hendry had been looking to trade him ever since he picked up his option before this season started, but just couldn't get a deal he wanted.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I don't think he would be a Type A, thus, wouldn't get the Cubs high draft picks. And like it or not, the Cubs aren't getting very good propsects for him. My guess he gets traded after the deadline for 2 minor leaguers with high upside, but very little successful results......the Cubs m.o.

 

how do we figure out what type he would be and what each type fetches? even if a type B they get a sandwich pick, no?

 

Probably all a moot point because in order for the Cubs to get picks, they would have to offer Walker arbitration after this season, possibly putting the Cubs in a position to bring him back next season (assuming of course so one else signs him). I'm not so sure the Cubs would be willing to do that. For what ever reason, it seems like Hendry had been looking to trade him ever since he picked up his option before this season started, but just couldn't get a deal he wanted.

 

Actually, I think that's a gamble the Cubs might take because Walker doesn't seem too keen on staying with the Cubs either.

 

At this point, it's probably going to be worth more to keep him, offer him arbitration (if you have to, do what Tim always says - tell him you'll make him a bench player if he accepts) and get extra picks.

 

As a Type B, the Cubs could get a 2nd or 3rd round pick. That's probably going to be worth more than any prospect(s) the Cubs can get for Walker now.

[Tedward]

 

Actually, I think that's a gamble the Cubs might take because Walker doesn't seem too keen on staying with the Cubs either.

 

At this point, it's probably going to be worth more to keep him, offer him arbitration (if you have to, do what Tim always says - tell him you'll make him a bench player if he accepts) and get extra picks.

 

As a Type B, the Cubs could get a 2nd or 3rd round pick. That's probably going to be worth more than any prospect(s) the Cubs can get for Walker now.

 

Wow, that would be quite a salary for a bench player wouldn't you think? Then again, we are paying Neifi $2.5MM a season, nevermind.

 

Believe it or not, if Walker leaves as a "B", the Cubs have an outside shot at landing a 1st rounder if the team that signs him is drafting anywhere from 16-30 in the 1st round and doesn't sign any other higher rated FA's than Walker.

[jjgman21]

I don't think he would be a Type A, thus, wouldn't get the Cubs high draft picks. And like it or not, the Cubs aren't getting very good propsects for him. My guess he gets traded after the deadline for 2 minor leaguers with high upside, but very little successful results......the Cubs m.o.

 

how do we figure out what type he would be and what each type fetches? even if a type B they get a sandwich pick, no?

 

Probably all a moot point because in order for the Cubs to get picks, they would have to offer Walker arbitration after this season, possibly putting the Cubs in a position to bring him back next season (assuming of course so one else signs him). I'm not so sure the Cubs would be willing to do that. For what ever reason, it seems like Hendry had been looking to trade him ever since he picked up his option before this season started, but just couldn't get a deal he wanted.

 

Actually, I think that's a gamble the Cubs might take because Walker doesn't seem too keen on staying with the Cubs either.

 

At this point, it's probably going to be worth more to keep him, offer him arbitration (if you have to, do what Tim always says - tell him you'll make him a bench player if he accepts) and get extra picks.

 

As a Type B, the Cubs could get a 2nd or 3rd round pick. That's probably going to be worth more than any prospect(s) the Cubs can get for Walker now.

 

what got me thinking about this question is that the Cubs will need to add a FA or two in the offseason, so if they want any draft at all, they need to keep a couple arby eligible players around. that second or third round pick might be their highest draft pick next June.

[Tedward]

what got me thinking about this question is that the Cubs will need to add a FA or two in the offseason, so if they want any draft at all, they need to keep a couple arby eligible players around. that second or third round pick might be their highest draft pick next June.

 

Don't worry, unless the Cubs were to miraculously finish the season on a tear, their 1st round pick should be protected. As long as they finish with one of the worst 15 records, they'll get to keep their 1st rounder regardless of how many FA's they sign this offseason.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

what got me thinking about this question is that the Cubs will need to add a FA or two in the offseason, so if they want any draft at all, they need to keep a couple arby eligible players around. that second or third round pick might be their highest draft pick next June.

 

Don't worry, unless the Cubs were to miraculously finish the season on a tear, their 1st round pick should be protected. As long as they finish with one of the worst 15 records, they'll get to keep their 1st rounder regardless of how many FA's they sign this offseason.

 

But it would be nice to have a few picks in between the first and fifth rounds this year (though I liked Wilken's strategy for making up those missing picks).

 

 

Actually, I think that's a gamble the Cubs might take because Walker doesn't seem too keen on staying with the Cubs either.

 

At this point, it's probably going to be worth more to keep him, offer him arbitration (if you have to, do what Tim always says - tell him you'll make him a bench player if he accepts) and get extra picks.

 

As a Type B, the Cubs could get a 2nd or 3rd round pick. That's probably going to be worth more than any prospect(s) the Cubs can get for Walker now.

 

Wow, that would be quite a salary for a bench player wouldn't you think? Then again, we are paying Neifi $2.5MM a season, nevermind.

 

Believe it or not, if Walker leaves as a "B", the Cubs have an outside shot at landing a 1st rounder if the team that signs him is drafting anywhere from 16-30 in the 1st round and doesn't sign any other higher rated FA's than Walker.

 

Definitely quite the risk. The Cubs obviously have a better read on Walker than I do, but it sure seems to me like he doesn't want to come back. If that's the case, I don't think it's that big a gamble.

[jjgman21]

what got me thinking about this question is that the Cubs will need to add a FA or two in the offseason, so if they want any draft at all, they need to keep a couple arby eligible players around. that second or third round pick might be their highest draft pick next June.

 

Don't worry, unless the Cubs were to miraculously finish the season on a tear, their 1st round pick should be protected. As long as they finish with one of the worst 15 records, they'll get to keep their 1st rounder regardless of how many FA's they sign this offseason.

 

thanks for that info. didn't know that.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

FA rankings have some weight to position, don't they? Given Todd's great '05 and "not bad" '06, I wouldn't be surprised to see him be a Type A.

[JGalt73]

FA rankings have some weight to position, don't they? Given Todd's great '05 and "not bad" '06, I wouldn't be surprised to see him be a Type A.

 

The first thing to learn is that the Elias Sports Bureau does a statistical ranking of all the players in baseball after every season. Every player is compared to every other player in his league in his positional group (DHs are in a group with first basemen and outfielders, second basemen with shortstops and third basemen; catchers, starters and relievers are each in their own groupings). Different positional groups are measured with different statistics, and the exact methodology is private...

 

A simple regression study of player rankings shows that the "Statistical System" is simple and relatively conventional. A handful of straightforward statistical categories are picked for each positional group (different groups will use slightly different categories) and players are ranked against each other using two-year averages. The NL catcher with the highest two-year batting average gets ranked first in that category. The AL reliever with the fifth-lowest ERA in the last two years gets a fifth-place ranking in that category. The rankings across the categories for each player are averaged (a five, a 10, and a one average out to a 5.33 rank) and are then converted into a 100-point scale. That's the Elias Player ranking.

 

Players who rank in the upper 30% of their position group in this ranking are tagged as Type A players. Players in the upper 50% who are not Type As (the next 20%) are tagged as Type B players. Players in the top 60% who are not A's or B's (the next 10%) are Type Cs.

 

I haven't looked into Todd's 2 year splits.

[soccer10k]

I don't think he would be a Type A, thus, wouldn't get the Cubs high draft picks. And like it or not, the Cubs aren't getting very good propsects for him. My guess he gets traded after the deadline for 2 minor leaguers with high upside, but very little successful results......the Cubs m.o.

 

how do we figure out what type he would be and what each type fetches? even if a type B they get a sandwich pick, no?

 

Probably all a moot point because in order for the Cubs to get picks, they would have to offer Walker arbitration after this season, possibly putting the Cubs in a position to bring him back next season (assuming of course so one else signs him). I'm not so sure the Cubs would be willing to do that. For what ever reason, it seems like Hendry had been looking to trade him ever since he picked up his option before this season started, but just couldn't get a deal he wanted.

 

Actually, I think that's a gamble the Cubs might take because Walker doesn't seem too keen on staying with the Cubs either.

 

At this point, it's probably going to be worth more to keep him, offer him arbitration (if you have to, do what Tim always says - tell him you'll make him a bench player if he accepts) and get extra picks.

 

As a Type B, the Cubs could get a 2nd or 3rd round pick. That's probably going to be worth more than any prospect(s) the Cubs can get for Walker now.

 

I would think that Walker returning would hinge on whether or not Dusty returns to the team next year.

[HoopsCubs]

Don't worry, unless the Cubs were to miraculously finish the season on a tear, their 1st round pick should be protected. As long as they finish with one of the worst 15 records, they'll get to keep their 1st rounder regardless of how many FA's they sign this offseason.

 

Ted,

I guess you're not in the camp that believes the Cubs can go 50-10 and win a post-season berth. :wink:

 

Hoops

[wade]

I've been thinking that the Tigers would be a good match for Walker. Detroit acts like they want another left handed bat, not necessarily a starter. Walker would be a good pinch hitter or DH for them for not too high a price.

[jjgman21]

I've been thinking that the Tigers would be a good match for Walker. Detroit acts like they want another left handed bat, not necessarily a starter. Walker would be a good pinch hitter or DH for them for not too high a price.

 

isn't the meathook raking since his return?

[wade]

I've been thinking that the Tigers would be a good match for Walker. Detroit acts like they want another left handed bat, not necessarily a starter. Walker would be a good pinch hitter or DH for them for not too high a price.

 

isn't the meathook raking since his return?

 

He is. I think they could still use another person. These talks about Soriano to the Tigers don't make sense to me as far as what they'd have to give up compared to them being something like 95% likely to make the playoffs without him.

 

I think they just need a tweak or two, and Walker would be one.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I've been thinking that the Tigers would be a good match for Walker. Detroit acts like they want another left handed bat, not necessarily a starter. Walker would be a good pinch hitter or DH for them for not too high a price.

 

isn't the meathook raking since his return?

 

He is. I think they could still use another person. These talks about Soriano to the Tigers don't make sense to me as far as what they'd have to give up compared to them being something like 95% likely to make the playoffs without him.

 

I think they just need a tweak or two, and Walker would be one.

 

Polanco hasn't been any good for them at the plate either.

[wade]

I've been thinking that the Tigers would be a good match for Walker. Detroit acts like they want another left handed bat, not necessarily a starter. Walker would be a good pinch hitter or DH for them for not too high a price.

 

isn't the meathook raking since his return?

 

He is. I think they could still use another person. These talks about Soriano to the Tigers don't make sense to me as far as what they'd have to give up compared to them being something like 95% likely to make the playoffs without him.

 

I think they just need a tweak or two, and Walker would be one.

 

Polanco hasn't been any good for them at the plate either.

 

You don't like his .680 ish OPS? :D

[Tedward]

Ted,

I guess you're not in the camp that believes the Cubs can go 50-10 and win a post-season berth. :wink:

 

Hoops

 

Hey Hoops !....Nah...unless we can play the Cards another 60 times that seems a bit remote. :lol:

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Don't worry, unless the Cubs were to miraculously finish the season on a tear, their 1st round pick should be protected. As long as they finish with one of the worst 15 records, they'll get to keep their 1st rounder regardless of how many FA's they sign this offseason.

 

Ted,

I guess you're not in the camp that believes the Cubs can go 50-10 and win a post-season berth. :wink:

 

Hoops

 

Always the pessimist, Hoops? I'd count on 55-5.