Lou's opinion on platooning Jones?

[frostwyrm]

This a pretty important issue IMO. If Lou states he's even considering a platoon Jones might ask for a trade. If Jones does stay a platoon would really help the offense. Anyone heard anything from Lou on this? Anyone care to speculate based on Lou's history? I don't know enough about him to guess what he'll do.

[CubColtPacer]

I don't know if he'll start out with a platoon or not. However, Lou is the type of the guy that can't stand failure so much, I bet there will be a platoon by the start of May if not sooner, as long as there is a decent option to replace him in right available.

[baseball7897]

I don't know if he'll start out with a platoon or not. However, Lou is the type of the guy that can't stand failure so much, I bet there will be a platoon by the start of May if not sooner, as long as there is a decent option to replace him in right available.

 

Jay Payton

[C.C.]

I don't know if he'll start out with a platoon or not. However, Lou is the type of the guy that can't stand failure so much, I bet there will be a platoon by the start of May if not sooner, as long as there is a decent option to replace him in right available.

 

I doubt his a Cub on Opening day. He's good option for a lot of clubs espically with his low pay.

[CubColtPacer]

I don't know if he'll start out with a platoon or not. However, Lou is the type of the guy that can't stand failure so much, I bet there will be a platoon by the start of May if not sooner, as long as there is a decent option to replace him in right available.

 

I doubt his a Cub on Opening day. He's good option for a lot of clubs espically with his low pay.

 

That's certainly a distinct possibility as well-thankfully, when we didn't sell him high near the end of July(when most everyone was convinced his numbers were going to continue to plummet in the second half with his tough July)-now with his August and September, we have a chance to sell him at an even higher value-if we choose to do that.

[TheDude]

Why would Piniella make a judgement at this stage either way? He hasn't officially started the job, and is under contract for FOX until the WS is over. The team doesn't have a final roster and is expected to have some turnover.

 

I don't see how this decision will be made before March of next year. I could see how the team acquires an appropriate bench player with everyday stop-gap potential just in case, but you don't announce a true platoon at this stage. Or even the next few stages.

[goonys evil twin]

Why would Piniella make a judgement at this stage either way? He hasn't officially started the job, and is under contract for FOX until the WS is over. The team doesn't have a final roster and is expected to have some turnover.

 

I don't see how this decision will be made before March of next year. I could see how the team acquires an appropriate bench player with everyday stop-gap potential just in case, but you don't announce a true platoon at this stage. Or even the next few stages.

 

Why not? Lou's done at Fox, he was when the ALCS ended. He's known about the position since at least July. He had to take a look at the team. He's managed in the AL, where Jones played, for years, and has to be aware of his limits. There might not be a need to announce a platoon today. But it would be asinine to wait until March to make that decision. You must know now what you plan on doing in March, so you can acquire the right players.

[TheDude]

Why would Piniella make a judgement at this stage either way? He hasn't officially started the job, and is under contract for FOX until the WS is over. The team doesn't have a final roster and is expected to have some turnover.

 

I don't see how this decision will be made before March of next year. I could see how the team acquires an appropriate bench player with everyday stop-gap potential just in case, but you don't announce a true platoon at this stage. Or even the next few stages.

 

Why not? Lou's done at Fox, he was when the ALCS ended. He's known about the position since at least July. He had to take a look at the team. He's managed in the AL, where Jones played, for years, and has to be aware of his limits. There might not be a need to announce a platoon today. But it would be asinine to wait until March to make that decision. You must know now what you plan on doing in March, so you can acquire the right players.

 

You think it's asinine to wait. I think it's asinine to commit to roster positions now. I have no issue with filling your bench properly to handle a platoon, should that emerge, but you don't make that decision now.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Craig Wilson, plz.

[frostwyrm]

Why would Piniella make a judgement at this stage either way? He hasn't officially started the job, and is under contract for FOX until the WS is over. The team doesn't have a final roster and is expected to have some turnover.

 

I don't see how this decision will be made before March of next year. I could see how the team acquires an appropriate bench player with everyday stop-gap potential just in case, but you don't announce a true platoon at this stage. Or even the next few stages.

 

So Hendry should be left wondering until March whether he should acquire a platoon partner for Jones? You sound like a guy who does his Christmas shopping on December 24th.

[goonys evil twin]

Why would Piniella make a judgement at this stage either way? He hasn't officially started the job, and is under contract for FOX until the WS is over. The team doesn't have a final roster and is expected to have some turnover.

 

I don't see how this decision will be made before March of next year. I could see how the team acquires an appropriate bench player with everyday stop-gap potential just in case, but you don't announce a true platoon at this stage. Or even the next few stages.

 

Why not? Lou's done at Fox, he was when the ALCS ended. He's known about the position since at least July. He had to take a look at the team. He's managed in the AL, where Jones played, for years, and has to be aware of his limits. There might not be a need to announce a platoon today. But it would be asinine to wait until March to make that decision. You must know now what you plan on doing in March, so you can acquire the right players.

 

You think it's asinine to wait. I think it's asinine to commit to roster positions now. I have no issue with filling your bench properly to handle a platoon, should that emerge, but you don't make that decision now.

 

I said you don't have to decide today, although you should already have a pretty good idea, unless you're Dusty Baker who gives everybody a blank slate until they play for him. You can't wait until March, that's incompetent management.

[frostwyrm]

Why not make a decision now? Jones has had 8 years as an everyday player in the big leagues and has shown precisely zero improvement in his ability to hit LHP. Do we need another 8 years to evaluate his learning curve? Getting him a platoon partner is a no-brainer if ever there was one.

[radarluv1]

i dont understand why jones even cares enough to make a stink in the offseason. he gets a little more rest, stats like BA and OPS will go up, HRs and RBIs will only go down slightly, he's probably only going to lose 80 AB's with PH situations considered. and most importantly hes getting paid the same.

its great he wants to play everyday but how about improving his team's chance to be a winner?

[TheDude]

Why would Piniella make a judgement at this stage either way? He hasn't officially started the job, and is under contract for FOX until the WS is over. The team doesn't have a final roster and is expected to have some turnover.

 

I don't see how this decision will be made before March of next year. I could see how the team acquires an appropriate bench player with everyday stop-gap potential just in case, but you don't announce a true platoon at this stage. Or even the next few stages.

 

So Hendry should be left wondering until March whether he should acquire a platoon partner for Jones? You sound like a guy who does his Christmas shopping on December 24th.

 

To help you better read what I wrote.

[cubfan]

Why not make a decision now? Jones has had 8 years as an everyday player in the big leagues and has shown precisely zero improvement in his ability to hit LHP. Do we need another 8 years to evaluate his learning curve? Getting him a platoon partner is a no-brainer if ever there was one.

 

 

Lou coming out and publicly saying that he was going to platoon Jones would do nothing more than piss off Jones and probably some of the other players on the team. It makes no since and doesn’t accomplish anything other than hurting Jones trade value. I think several players would view it as publicly calling Jones out.

Now, it would make since for Lou to tell Hendry that he may want to platoon Jones and he should look into signing someone that would be a good partner. Then Lou would have the option when the time comes. The change wouldn't be so obvious and publicly critical of Jones abilities.

[JeffH]

Craig Wilson, plz.

 

Craig Wilson would be a nice addition to the bench, but I'd rather just replace Jacque with Austin Kearns.

 

It would be nice to have a RF who might throw someone out at the plate once in a while.

[cubfan]

i dont understand why jones even cares enough to make a stink in the offseason. he gets a little more rest, stats like BA and OPS will go up, HRs and RBIs will only go down slightly, he's probably only going to lose 80 AB's with PH situations considered. and most importantly hes getting paid the same.

its great he wants to play everyday but how about improving his team's chance to be a winner?

 

How would you feel if you were a lawyer and you were told at a meeting with everyone present that you suck at everything other than doing divorce cases and that is all that you are going to be able to do from now on. You will still make the same amount of money and might even work less hours. Sounds great right.

I'm sure Jones has pride in doing his Job and I don't see what publicly coming out and saying anything would do. Hendry can look for a good platoon partner and when the time comes in spring training, Lou can have a private meeting with Jones and tell him. It will come out publicly at some point but it makes more since to down play it. I'm not saying that Lou is going to want to platoon Jones, but if he does, I doubt we will know until at least a suitable partner is signed

[frostwyrm]

Why would Piniella make a judgement at this stage either way? He hasn't officially started the job, and is under contract for FOX until the WS is over. The team doesn't have a final roster and is expected to have some turnover.

 

I don't see how this decision will be made before March of next year. I could see how the team acquires an appropriate bench player with everyday stop-gap potential just in case, but you don't announce a true platoon at this stage. Or even the next few stages.

 

So Hendry should be left wondering until March whether he should acquire a platoon partner for Jones? You sound like a guy who does his Christmas shopping on December 24th.

 

To help you better read what I wrote.

 

You want to spend money to acquire a corner OF good enough to start against all LHP before you even decide if he'll be needed? We're not talking about some crummy 25th/utility man, we're talking about a player who'll likely cost significant money.

[Mark Priors Calves]

Regardless of what Piniella thinks of platooning Jones, Hendry should realize Jones needs somebody to split time and/or should have a power bat coming off the bench. It'll be up to Piniella to decide how to use those players. But Hendry should realize it based on Jones' pathetic L/R splits.

[wastra]

I don't think Lou should be public about whether or not Jones needs to platoon.

 

He can be sly about it, and say "we're looking for a 4th outfielder who is strong against lefties." Or if he thinks Jones is the man, might squelch rumours quickly and say "Jacques is our man in right."

 

But overall, It's not good policy to publicly come in and right away say Joens isn't good enough to face lefties. You do that in private with the GM. the public will hear about it through the grapevine, maybe, or infer it from the guys Hendry has discussions with.

 

 

Either way, I HOPE the new on-field manager and our general manager start having internal- even informal if necessary- discussions RIGHT NOW about what needs to be done with this roster to contend in 07. Otherwise, neither needs to be in their jobs. It seems like the MLB teams are basically saying "to heck with the traditional quiet period during the playoffs...we're getting to work right now." Hendry has been as much a part of that trend as anyone- maybe moreso.

[frostwyrm]

A) I don't see how waiting til March and springing a nasty surprise on Jones regarding a platoon would be less unpleasant than just being frank with him now.

 

B) How dumb do you people think Jones is? If we acquire a 4th OF good enough to start against all LHP don't you think Jones will figure out the implications for himself?

[VanceJergins]

Craig Wilson, plz.

 

Craig Wilson would be a nice addition to the bench, but I'd rather just replace Jacque with Austin Kearns.

 

It would be nice to have a RF who might throw someone out at the plate once in a while.

 

Craig Wilson is a FA, correct? Why would he sign with a team to be in a platoon or be on the bench when there are many teams he could start for?

 

How about trading Jones for Burrell?

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Lou would not hesitate for a second in platooning a guy like Jock, because Lou himself was platooned quite a bit during his career. He also used the platoon in Seattle some if I recall.

[goonys evil twin]

Craig Wilson, plz.

 

Craig Wilson would be a nice addition to the bench, but I'd rather just replace Jacque with Austin Kearns.

 

It would be nice to have a RF who might throw someone out at the plate once in a while.

 

Craig Wilson is a FA, correct? Why would he sign with a team to be in a platoon or be on the bench when there are many teams he could start for?

 

He was labeled a platoon guy with one of the worst teams in baseball, I'm not sure the rest of the league is dying to give him a starting job. Plus, money is the reason he might accept a platoon role.

[VanceJergins]

Craig Wilson, plz.

 

Craig Wilson would be a nice addition to the bench, but I'd rather just replace Jacque with Austin Kearns.

 

It would be nice to have a RF who might throw someone out at the plate once in a while.

 

Craig Wilson is a FA, correct? Why would he sign with a team to be in a platoon or be on the bench when there are many teams he could start for?

 

He was labeled a platoon guy with one of the worst teams in baseball, I'm not sure the rest of the league is dying to give him a starting job. Plus, money is the reason he might accept a platoon role.

 

I just checked his numbers the past couple years and they werent nearly as good as for some reason I thought they were. I now understand him being platooned......carry on.