Kent, Durham, Giles, or Loretta

[stitchface]

I have to say Kent is the big winner here in a money independent evaluation. Even if his power continues to decline, he remains a stronger hitter than the other three. My guess is that he will maintain his homerun rate at worst moving to Wrigley and likely lose a few doubles (that become homeruns). Not sure about his defense or cost.

 

Durham and Giles are pretty close with Giles having an age advantage that might indicate a career year is forthcoming. I wonder what happened to his homerun power though - it really has vanished the last three years. I don't think Durham comes close to his 2006 homerun rate again but that puts him in the same power catergory as Giles.

 

Loretta just doesn't make the grade.

 

How about

Soriano CF

Murton LF

Lee 1b

Kent 2b

Ramirez 3b

Jones RF

Barrett C

Izturis/Cedeno SS

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

According to Cot's, Kent signed an extension through 2008.

 

I guess we can remove him from the list of players we might sign.

[Guest]

According to Cot's, Kent signed an extension through 2008.

 

I guess we can remove him from the list of players we might sign.

 

 

that's right, I did read that earlier.

[WrigleyField 22]

If this is assuming you sign Soriano to be a CF he should't be leading off. He should hit 4 or 5. Now I guess some managers might still stick him there sice he's fast, but ideally we would have a top of the order spot open. If thats the case, Loretta, Durham, or Giles are good fits.

[Guest]

If this is assuming you sign Soriano to be a CF he should't be leading off. He should hit 4 or 5. Now I guess some managers might still stick him there sice he's fast, but ideally we would have a top of the order spot open. If thats the case, Loretta, Durham, or Giles are good fits.

 

someone was saying he wants to leadoff. Though not the ideal spot for him, I would put him there if it gets him to sign. you are correct that with the other 2b options, you would lose more runs by batting him leadoff.

[Soriano12]

Giles

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If I have Soriano or A. Jones in CF, I would want Durham first. Giles wouldn't be a bad option. My third choice would be Castillo.

[RichHillIsABeast]

Giles, please. Solid offense and defense.

 

The injuries do worry me though.

[photoguy9883]

Durham then Loretta. Giles' injuries and four year downward trend make me nervous. And Castillo reminds me of Juan Pierre.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Durham won't be a long-term commitment because of his age, so he wouldn't block Eric Patterson if E-Patt continues to develop. Plus, even if Durham misses some games because of creaky old age injuries, you have Izturis and Theriot around, both of whom can cover some 2B. I go for Durham.

 

If I get Soriano, I'm putting him in the OF.

[VanceJergins]

If Kent was a possibility he'd be my first choice. But since he's not, my top 5 choices in order would be Soriano, Loretta, Giles, Castillo, Durham. Giles would probably be my first choice if it werent for injuries. If we got any of those five plus a power bat in CF, RF, or SS (or a good OBP guy if we got Soriano) then I think we'd be in good shape.

[Soriano12]

Jimmy's back is against the wall. He needs a monster offseason

to save his job.

 

Chase Utley will be a Cub next year.

 

I can feel it. 8)

[Guest]

If I have Soriano or A. Jones in CF, I would want Durham first. Giles wouldn't be a bad option. My third choice would be Castillo.

 

I didn't look at Castillo. I would prefer not to have to trade for a 2b and Giles numbers are kind of scary. Of course, if he gets healthy he could have a huge year. I would like to see the Cubs build a cheap, quality bullpen out of all those young pitchers although I wouldn't complain if any of marmol, mateo, marshall, or guzman was traded.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If I have Soriano or A. Jones in CF, I would want Durham first. Giles wouldn't be a bad option. My third choice would be Castillo.

 

I didn't look at Castillo. I would prefer not to have to trade for a 2b and Giles numbers are kind of scary. Of course, if he gets healthy he could have a huge year. I would like to see the Cubs build a cheap, quality bullpen out of all those young pitchers although I wouldn't complain if any of marmol, mateo, marshall, or guzman was traded.

 

Castillo could be a FA if his option is declined. I have no idea if Minnesota will decline it or not.

[biittner77]

Does Soriano still want to play 2nd base? It seems like he does and the main reason he'd sign with the Cubs would be so he could play 2nd base. Anyone worried about his defense at 2nd should consider what his defense in CF might look like. I'd argue that CF defense is more important than 2nd base defense.

[Abe Frohman]

Don't forget guys - the Cubs need some left-handed bats. Too many guys swinging from the right side. Sometimes that doesn't matter, though.

[VanceJergins]

Don't forget guys - the Cubs need some left-handed bats. Too many guys swinging from the right side. Sometimes that doesn't matter, though.

 

I'd prefer a balanced lineup with righties and lefties but I would take the 8 best hitters regardless. But if there were two equal choices and one was a leftie and one was a rightie, I'd choose the lefty.

[Guest]

Durham is a switch hitter but hits better right handed. there was an article about him today in the Sacramento Bee in which he claims to have re-invented himself as a power hitter since his leg injuries took away his speed. The funny thing is, his power really isn't that much greater than other seasons early in his career.

 

I think a reasonable expectation would be a .350-.370 obp and .450-.470 slugging for next year. translated thats about 15-20 homers and lots of doubles. I think Ray would make a fine #2 hitter and 2b and is my preferred choice if soriano isn't going to be playing there.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Durham would be my second choice after Soriano as well.

 

I think he's a very realistic option, probably more realistic than Soriano.

[cjbucks]

Durham would be my second choice after Soriano as well.

 

I think he's a very realistic option, probably more realistic than Soriano.

 

I say no to Durham - I'm still mad about him letting the ball go between his legs in the playoffs that one time.

[CubColtPacer]

Durham would be my second choice after Soriano as well.

 

I think he's a very realistic option, probably more realistic than Soriano.

 

I say no to Durham - I'm still mad about him letting the ball go between his legs in the playoffs that one time.

 

OK..without the smiley here I can't tell..are you joking or not? Because it's a good joke if you are, but it's not a very good serious thing if you are holding Ray Durham responsible for Leon Durham's mistake.