Intriguing Thought: Jones Might Want Out?

[goonys evil twin]

Jones for Brian Giles

 

.263/.374/.397/.771

 

Is this the beginning of a decline? The OBP is good, but thats about it. Considering he's making twice as much as Jones, I think I'd rather keep Jock.

 

It's not the beginning. The beginning was a couple years ago. But even still, he provides the one thing the Cubs need above all else and will probably continue to provide that for a couple years. But I think it's pointless to discuss at this time.

[frostwyrm]

The thing about Jones is that he was one of the few non-embarrassing moves that Hendry made last offseason, so Hendry will be reluctant to part with him, and also reluctant to antagonize him by announcing a platoon, because that would cause Jones to ask for a trade. I suspect we'll most likely see Jones back in RF again every day and flailing ineptly at left-handed pitching.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

The thing about Jones is that he was one of the few non-embarrassing moves that Hendry made last offseason, so Hendry will be reluctant to part with him, and also reluctant to antagonize him by announcing a platoon, because that would cause Jones to ask for a trade. I suspect we'll most likely see Jones back in RF again every day and flailing ineptly at left-handed pitching.

 

Unless we have a manager that institutes a platoon on his own. It wouldn't be surprising for a RH bat on the bench who can play OF to be signed. If we have one of those combined with an intelligent manager, a platoon becomes possible whether Hendry intended it or not.

[erik316wttn]

The thing about Jones is that he was one of the few non-embarrassing moves that Hendry made last offseason, so Hendry will be reluctant to part with him, and also reluctant to antagonize him by announcing a platoon, because that would cause Jones to ask for a trade. I suspect we'll most likely see Jones back in RF again every day and flailing ineptly at left-handed pitching.

 

But it took a while for that to become a non-embarrassing move.

[Bruno7481]

Jones for Brian Giles

 

.263/.374/.397/.771

 

Is this the beginning of a decline? The OBP is good, but thats about it. Considering he's making twice as much as Jones, I think I'd rather keep Jock.

 

It's not the beginning. The beginning was a couple years ago. But even still, he provides the one thing the Cubs need above all else and will probably continue to provide that for a couple years. But I think it's pointless to discuss at this time.

 

True, they do need OBP.

 

But does the difference in the OBP outweigh the larger SLG disparity?

[goonys evil twin]

Jones for Brian Giles

 

.263/.374/.397/.771

 

Is this the beginning of a decline? The OBP is good, but thats about it. Considering he's making twice as much as Jones, I think I'd rather keep Jock.

 

It's not the beginning. The beginning was a couple years ago. But even still, he provides the one thing the Cubs need above all else and will probably continue to provide that for a couple years. But I think it's pointless to discuss at this time.

 

True, they do need OBP.

 

But does the difference in the OBP outweigh the larger SLG disparity?

 

With Jones? I think Jones is far from a guarantee to repeat a .100 point SLG advantage. That being said, I'd still take a .50 point OBP advantage over a .100 point SLG. The Cubs can, and will, find SLG elsewhere. They've failed repeatedly to find OBP. So I'd take it where I can get it.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If I felt Murton could handle RF, how about Jones to the Phillies for Burell and cash?

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

I like the JD Drew idea. He's a very, very good all around player who could be an absolute monster in Wrigley.

 

He's not quite Beltran, but he was my second choice when both were on the market.

[soccer10k]

If I felt Murton could handle RF, how about Jones to the Phillies for Burell and cash?

 

I'm in. Burrell will likely put up a higher SLG than Jones and a MUCH higher OBP.

[RichHillIsABeast]

I like the JD Drew idea. He's a very, very good all around player who could be an absolute monster in Wrigley.

 

He's not quite Beltran, but he was my second choice when both were on the market.

 

Drew spends a lot of time on the DL. We should be trying to avoid that kind of player, if the last two years has taught us anything.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I like the JD Drew idea. He's a very, very good all around player who could be an absolute monster in Wrigley.

 

He's not quite Beltran, but he was my second choice when both were on the market.

 

Drew spends a lot of time on the DL. We should be trying to avoid that kind of player, if the last two years has taught us anything.

 

So have a good backup for the 30 games he'll miss. The 125 games he's in the lineup, he'd be a force.

 

He's been pretty healthy this year.

[CuseCubFan69]

If I felt Murton could handle RF, how about Jones to the Phillies for Burell and cash?

 

I don't think Hendry would go for an all righty lineup like that though.

[RichHillIsABeast]

I like the JD Drew idea. He's a very, very good all around player who could be an absolute monster in Wrigley.

 

He's not quite Beltran, but he was my second choice when both were on the market.

 

Drew spends a lot of time on the DL. We should be trying to avoid that kind of player, if the last two years has taught us anything.

 

So have a good backup for the 30 games he'll miss. The 125 games he's in the lineup, he'd be a force.

 

He's been pretty healthy this year.

 

If I new we could count on at least 125+ games, I'd be all for it.

 

But, looking at his games played, I don't think that's a great bet.

 

1999: 104

2000: 135

2001: 109

2002: 135

2003: 100

2004: 145

2005: 72

2006: 146

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If I felt Murton could handle RF, how about Jones to the Phillies for Burell and cash?

 

I don't think Hendry would go for an all righty lineup like that though.

 

Then get Drew for CF.

[BigbadB]

I'm all about doing what it takes to lure JD Drew to Chicago.

 

I'd also be on the phone with Tampa to see what it would take to get Crawford. Tampa needs cheap pitching, and we have it. They might even have some interest in Cedeno.

[beowulf28]

I'm all about doing what it takes to lure JD Drew to Chicago.

 

I'd also be on the phone with Tampa to see what it would take to get Crawford. Tampa needs cheap pitching, and we have it. They might even have some interest in Cedeno.

 

Exactly! Drew and Crawford in the lineup would be good. Any way to get Abreu and bat him first, since his HR power has diminished?

[Soriano12]

I'm all about doing what it takes to lure JD Drew to Chicago.

I don't know if he has a no-trade clause, but I'm sure LA would love to dump that ugly contract.

[CuseCubFan69]

If I felt Murton could handle RF, how about Jones to the Phillies for Burell and cash?

 

I don't think Hendry would go for an all righty lineup like that though.

 

Then get Drew for CF.

 

OK! I'd be fine with a Burrell, Drew, Murton OF even though the flyballs to left would be interesting.

[CubFanPhilly]

If I felt Murton could handle RF, how about Jones to the Phillies for Burell and cash?

 

I think the Phillies would be interested. It's just a matter of how much cash would be coming back. I think it'd have to be at least $5 mil. per season over the two years for it to work from the Cubs' perspective.

[BigbadB]

I'm all about doing what it takes to lure JD Drew to Chicago.

I don't know if he has a no-trade clause, but I'm sure LA would love to dump that ugly contract.

 

LA should dump that contract. They need pitching. Jacque Jones and a prospect for Drew frees up the money necessary for them to sign someone like Zito.

[VanceJergins]

I like the JD Drew idea. He's a very, very good all around player who could be an absolute monster in Wrigley.

 

He's not quite Beltran, but he was my second choice when both were on the market.

 

Drew spends a lot of time on the DL. We should be trying to avoid that kind of player, if the last two years has taught us anything.

 

So have a good backup for the 30 games he'll miss. The 125 games he's in the lineup, he'd be a force.

 

He's been pretty healthy this year.

 

I like the idea. If he gets injured (which is likely for about 30 games or so) you could just platoon Pie and Restovich during that time. Drew has himself a lucious OBP and now I'm really liking this scenario. Someone get Hendry on the phone.

[VanceJergins]

Jones and Dempster for Dunn?

 

How about Jones and some cash to the Angels for a prospect? The Angels could play Jones in LF (assuming they don't get Manny) and move Garret Anderson to DH permanently.

 

How about Jones and some cash to the Tigers for a prospect? I've read Detroit may trade Craig Monroe this offseason or even non-tender him.

 

No love for Manny? Jones, Demp and 1 of Marmol, Marshall, Mateo for Manny?

 

That would be amazing, although I think it would take a lot more than that to get Manny. But I do remember hearing rumors of Mike Cameron and a prospect for Manny last year. If that was really discussed then who knows.

[RichHillIsABeast]

I like the JD Drew idea. He's a very, very good all around player who could be an absolute monster in Wrigley.

 

He's not quite Beltran, but he was my second choice when both were on the market.

 

Drew spends a lot of time on the DL. We should be trying to avoid that kind of player, if the last two years has taught us anything.

 

So have a good backup for the 30 games he'll miss. The 125 games he's in the lineup, he'd be a force.

 

He's been pretty healthy this year.

 

I like the idea. If he gets injured (which is likely for about 30 games or so) you could just platoon Pie and Restovich during that time. Drew has himself a lucious OBP and now I'm really liking this scenario. Someone get Hendry on the phone.

 

He's making 11M a year through '09. You don't pay that much money for a guy who's a good bet to spend significant time on the DL.

 

Every acquisition we make needs to take into account durability. There's better ways to spend 11M a season, or roughly 10% of our payroll.

[VanceJergins]

I'm all about doing what it takes to lure JD Drew to Chicago.

 

I'd also be on the phone with Tampa to see what it would take to get Crawford. Tampa needs cheap pitching, and we have it. They might even have some interest in Cedeno.

 

Exactly! Drew and Crawford in the lineup would be good. Any way to get Abreu and bat him first, since his HR power has diminished?

 

I doubt there's any way to get our hands on Abreu, New York seems to have taken a liking to him.

 

And Crawford is a very good player, I dont think he's worth what itd cost to get him. His OBP isnt good enough for him to be a great top of the order guy, and his power isnt good enough for him to be a great middle of the order guy. He could only be a great 6 or 7 hitter. If we could get him for like, Cedeno and Guzman I'd probably do it, but I'm guessing it'd take significantly more than that.

 

But when Drew's healthy, he has the OBP and SLG to be great anywhere in the lineup.

[VanceJergins]

I like the JD Drew idea. He's a very, very good all around player who could be an absolute monster in Wrigley.

 

He's not quite Beltran, but he was my second choice when both were on the market.

 

Drew spends a lot of time on the DL. We should be trying to avoid that kind of player, if the last two years has taught us anything.

 

So have a good backup for the 30 games he'll miss. The 125 games he's in the lineup, he'd be a force.

 

He's been pretty healthy this year.

 

I like the idea. If he gets injured (which is likely for about 30 games or so) you could just platoon Pie and Restovich during that time. Drew has himself a lucious OBP and now I'm really liking this scenario. Someone get Hendry on the phone.

 

He's making 11M a year through '09. You don't pay that much money for a guy who's a good bet to spend significant time on the DL.

 

Every acquisition we make needs to take into account durability. There's better ways to spend 11M a season, or roughly 10% of our payroll.

 

You have a very good point, but the fact that Drew usually plays at least 100 games every season makes it less of a gamble. If he played 130 games I think he'd be worth it, mostly because I think a Pie/Restovich platoon would give us some pretty good production if he did get hurt. I know the Cubs have really been burnt by injuries, but eventually we have to get lucky.....right?