Bring back Gary Matthews Jr. for CF in 2007?

[Butterscup1679666578]

Matthews is having a great year, and looks to be finally breaking out as he was finally given lots of PT starting last year. He'll be 32 in August. Would anyone be interested in him playing CF and leading off next year?

 

2003: 306 AB .271/.346/.379 4 HR/22 RBI 66K/34BB 12 SBs

2004: 280 AB .275/.350/.461 11 HR/36 RBI 64K/33BB 5 SBs

2005: 475 AB .255/.320/.436 17 HR/55 RBI 90K/47BB 9 SBs

2006: 392 AB .319/.370/.500 10 HR/50 RBI 66K/32BB 7 SBs

 

Career: .259/.333/.413/.746

 

 

It could be the case of "contract year," but he put up decent numbers in 03 and 04 in limited time. He has some decent pop, and could swipe 10-15 bags in a season. I wouldn't mind signing him to a 2-3 year deal. Thoughts?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I'd like Matthews, but I'm not sure what he will cost. Preferably, I'd move Jones to CF and look to find a big bat in RF.

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

Well, if his father is fired and considering the Cubs got rid of him once he might choose elsewhere.

[ChiCubsFan]

I'm fairly certain Juan Pierre will still be around in 07 and beyond. For what it's worth I'd rather have Pierre than GM Jr. Player's rarely figure it out when they're 31/32. I think we have a better chance seeing the Pierre of the past 2 months than seeing the Sarge Jr of this year. However, if GM Jr would come at a cheaper price, I'd probably rather have him for a 3 year deal or somthing. Let me make it clear that I don't think either is a good option though.

[bhogg]

I'd like Matthews, but I'm not sure what he will cost. Preferably, I'd move Jones to CF and look to find a big bat in RF.

 

 

I like that idea, too. .. .. I just haven't figured out who wuld be our lead off hitter. Our fearless leaders would be tempted to put Izturis there.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I'd like Matthews, but I'm not sure what he will cost. Preferably, I'd move Jones to CF and look to find a big bat in RF.

 

 

I like that idea, too. .. .. I just haven't figured out who wuld be our lead off hitter. Our fearless leaders would be tempted to put Izturis there.

 

Or sign Soriano and use him there....

[texascub]

I'd like Matthews, but I'm not sure what he will cost. Preferably, I'd move Jones to CF and look to find a big bat in RF.

 

 

I like that idea, too. .. .. I just haven't figured out who wuld be our lead off hitter. Our fearless leaders would be tempted to put Izturis there.

 

Or sign Soriano and use him there....

 

Soriano will be looking to move back to 2B though which does nothing to help our OF. I'd rather keep Izturis/Cedeno up the middle and try for a big bat in the OF. If we decide that Murton isn't the answer in LF, I wouldn't mind seeing Hendry go after Mench if he's rather cheap and then go all-out for a RF.

[ChiCubsFan]

I'd like Matthews, but I'm not sure what he will cost. Preferably, I'd move Jones to CF and look to find a big bat in RF.

 

 

I like that idea, too. .. .. I just haven't figured out who wuld be our lead off hitter. Our fearless leaders would be tempted to put Izturis there.

 

Or sign Soriano and use him there....

 

Soriano will be looking to move back to 2B though which does nothing to help our OF. I'd rather keep Izturis/Cedeno up the middle and try for a big bat in the OF. If we decide that Murton isn't the answer in LF, I wouldn't mind seeing Hendry go after Mench if he's rather cheap and then go all-out for a RF.

 

First of all, I'm pretty sure JH will resign Pierre for CF. Even if he doesn't, I doubt Jones would move to CF. Therefore, Jones is going to occupy one of the corner outfield spots (likely with Murton as a platoon partner). I could see Carlos Lee being brought in as the LF with the previously mentioned platoon in RF and Pierre in CF. Izturis and Cedeno up the middle with Aramis and DLee at the corners and Barrett behind the plate. Starting rotation of Z, Prior, Schmidt, and 2 of the young guys. A bullpen comprised of Dempster, Eyre, Howry, and guys like Wuertz, Ohman, Novoa, etc to fill it out. That, I'm afraid, is our 2007 Chicago Cubs team.

[NorthsideAvenger]

I'm fairly certain Juan Pierre will still be around in 07 and beyond. For what it's worth I'd rather have Pierre than GM Jr. Player's rarely figure it out when they're 31/32. I think we have a better chance seeing the Pierre of the past 2 months than seeing the Sarge Jr of this year. However, if GM Jr would come at a cheaper price, I'd probably rather have him for a 3 year deal or somthing. Let me make it clear that I don't think either is a good option though.

 

Agreed. There is a REASON why Sarge Jr is playing for his 7th or 8th team in his ML career. Not bad of a 4th OF option or a backup plan, but I wouldn't make GMJ a target, per se.

[Banedon]

I'd like Matthews, but I'm not sure what he will cost. Preferably, I'd move Jones to CF and look to find a big bat in RF.

 

 

I like that idea, too. .. .. I just haven't figured out who wuld be our lead off hitter. Our fearless leaders would be tempted to put Izturis there.

 

Or sign Soriano and use him there....

 

Soriano will be looking to move back to 2B though which does nothing to help our OF. I'd rather keep Izturis/Cedeno up the middle and try for a big bat in the OF. If we decide that Murton isn't the answer in LF, I wouldn't mind seeing Hendry go after Mench if he's rather cheap and then go all-out for a RF.

 

Why not go for Soriano at 2b AND a big bat in the OF?

[soapy]

I'd like Matthews, but I'm not sure what he will cost. Preferably, I'd move Jones to CF and look to find a big bat in RF.

 

 

I like that idea, too. .. .. I just haven't figured out who wuld be our lead off hitter. Our fearless leaders would be tempted to put Izturis there.

 

Or sign Soriano and use him there....

 

Soriano will be looking to move back to 2B though which does nothing to help our OF. I'd rather keep Izturis/Cedeno up the middle and try for a big bat in the OF. If we decide that Murton isn't the answer in LF, I wouldn't mind seeing Hendry go after Mench if he's rather cheap and then go all-out for a RF.

 

Why not go for Soriano at 2b AND a big bat in the OF?

I assume the Cubs are going to want to sign a SP. They probably don't have enough money for all three (unless they are all mediocre, which is very possible).

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I'd like Matthews, but I'm not sure what he will cost. Preferably, I'd move Jones to CF and look to find a big bat in RF.

 

 

I like that idea, too. .. .. I just haven't figured out who wuld be our lead off hitter. Our fearless leaders would be tempted to put Izturis there.

 

Or sign Soriano and use him there....

 

Soriano will be looking to move back to 2B though which does nothing to help our OF. I'd rather keep Izturis/Cedeno up the middle and try for a big bat in the OF. If we decide that Murton isn't the answer in LF, I wouldn't mind seeing Hendry go after Mench if he's rather cheap and then go all-out for a RF.

 

Mench isn't going to be a FA and I doubt the Brewers non tender him.

[EricG]

I'm hoping for Catalanotto and Craig Wilson to platoon at one corner.

[rawaction]

I'm really liking what GMJr. is doing this year and the last couple really. Anybody have his home/road splits on hand? I worry about park factors and age with GMJr.

 

If 2 of the 3 Cubs OFs are gonna be Jones and a sub .850 OPS player, which most CFs they can bring in are likely to be.....they better get a Soriano, Sheffield, or Lee as a FA, or trade for a guy like Drew or Dunn.

 

Wonder what it would take to trade for Andruw.

[Jon]

I'm really liking what GMJr. is doing this year and the last couple really. Anybody have his home/road splits on hand? I worry about park factors and age with GMJr.

 

If 2 of the 3 Cubs OFs are gonna be Jones and a sub .850 OPS player, which most CFs they can bring in are likely to be.....they better get a Soriano, Sheffield, or Lee as a FA, or trade for a guy like Drew or Dunn.

 

Wonder what it would take to trade for Andruw.

He was doing significantly better on the road when I looked last month, but they've just about evened out.

 

Home: .321/.375/.500

Road: .320/.369/.520

[neely crenshaw]

i certainly like the sound of a .370 obp

[soccer10k]

I didn't realize that Matthews Jr. was almost 32. I would pass on him as I believe he is likely to regress back to his career numbers after he gets his new contract.