Lou's opinion on platooning Jones?

[frostwyrm]

There a good chance Jones would prefer to be traded rather than platooned. If we wait til March before announcing a platoon he probably won't have any chance of finding a starting job on another team. How happy would he be about that? And really that would be a shabby and weasely way of treating a player. I'm sure he would prefer an honest statement of his future role with the Cubs so he can determine whether he wants to stay on the team.

[cubfan]

There a good chance Jones would prefer to be traded rather than platooned. If we wait til March before announcing a platoon he probably won't have any chance of finding a starting job on another team. How happy would he be about that? And really that would be a shabby and weasely way of treating a player. I'm sure he would prefer an honest statement of his future role with the Cubs so he can determine whether he wants to stay on the team.

 

 

I do not see the reason that the Cubs would ever announce that they are going to platoon Jones. At least not until the platoon partner is signed. Lou should just have a meeting with Jones and tell him that is what he is planning on doing. He can do that in November if he wants to but I wouldn't expect to find out about it since I'm just a fan. At that point Jones can demand a trade and go to the press if he wants to. Just because a player wants to be traded dosen't mean it will happen either. I just don't see Lou coming out to the press and saying "I'm going to platoon Jones, I'm not sure with who yet but I'm sure we can find someone"

[wastra]

There a good chance Jones would prefer to be traded rather than platooned. If we wait til March before announcing a platoon he probably won't have any chance of finding a starting job on another team. How happy would he be about that? And really that would be a shabby and weasely way of treating a player. I'm sure he would prefer an honest statement of his future role with the Cubs so he can determine whether he wants to stay on the team.

 

 

I do not see the reason that the Cubs would ever announce that they are going to platoon Jones. At least not until the platoon partner is signed. Lou should just have a meeting with Jones and tell him that is what he is planning on doing. He can do that in November if he wants to but I wouldn't expect to find out about it since I'm just a fan. At that point Jones can demand a trade and go to the press if he wants to. Just because a player wants to be traded dosen't mean it will happen either. I just don't see Lou coming out to the press and saying "I'm going to platoon Jones, I'm not sure with who yet but I'm sure we can find someone"

 

That's exactly what I was trying to say earlier. The last thing you do is play these things out in the media. Players don't like that, and free agents don't want to come where such issues are handled through the press.

 

On top of that, announcing he's going to be platooned only lessens what trade value his season may have accrued. hence, you handle this in private with the manager AND the player. Jacques can go public if he likes, but leave that to him. You don't want to try trading a guy labelled as "disgruntled". Free agents sure aren't goign to line up to play for a manager/gm who announces such things, decreasing Jones' value for contracts/trade status, to the public.

 

 

It's F-I-N-E to platoon him, and go after someone to handle that. But don't air out the laundry in public- that serves no positive or useable purpose from the organization's standpoint.

 

To be quite frank, the less other teams know about the Cubs offseason intentions until the latest possible moment, likely the better.

[CuseCubFan69]

There a good chance Jones would prefer to be traded rather than platooned. If we wait til March before announcing a platoon he probably won't have any chance of finding a starting job on another team. How happy would he be about that? And really that would be a shabby and weasely way of treating a player. I'm sure he would prefer an honest statement of his future role with the Cubs so he can determine whether he wants to stay on the team.

 

 

I do not see the reason that the Cubs would ever announce that they are going to platoon Jones. At least not until the platoon partner is signed. Lou should just have a meeting with Jones and tell him that is what he is planning on doing. He can do that in November if he wants to but I wouldn't expect to find out about it since I'm just a fan. At that point Jones can demand a trade and go to the press if he wants to. Just because a player wants to be traded dosen't mean it will happen either. I just don't see Lou coming out to the press and saying "I'm going to platoon Jones, I'm not sure with who yet but I'm sure we can find someone"

 

Unless they want him gone and he makes the trade demand but I agree, it's foolish to say something like that....especially in October.

[Elrhino]

The Cubs currently have .. oh .. I would say 4, possibly 5 if ARam leaves, everyday starting lineup upgrades that have higher priority than finding Jones a platoon partner. But of course if you hate Jacque Jones and only begrudgenly give him even the most backhanded of compliments I could see why this issue needs to be addressed within hours of Piniella's the hiring.

[frostwyrm]

Once Hendry starts working the phones and shopping Jones or looking for a platoon partner for him I don't think it will even be necessary to make a public announcement of a platoon. This idea that if you keep a platoon quiet no one will be the wiser is IMO quite naive. Anybody with half a brain will be able to figure out what's up.

[wastra]

Once Hendry starts working the phones and shopping Jones or looking for a platoon partner for him I don't think it will even be necessary to make a public announcement of a platoon. This idea that if you keep a platoon quiet no one will be the wiser is IMO quite naive. Anybody with half a brain will be able to figure out what's up.

 

No one has said it will be kept secret. There's a meaningful difference in perception of actively advertising it versus letting people infer it, or more importantly, letting the player handle it himself.

 

TRYING to sabotage his trade value (whatever it may be now) is just stupid, and would only be done to placate unreasonable fans who think they own the organization or to publicly humiliate and devalue Jacques Jones, which is suicide for the organization.

 

If they let it happen naturally, or on Jacques' terms, they can spin it any way they want- he can say he didn't like them letting Dusty go, for example, or wanted to be re-united with _______, etc.

[frostwyrm]

Once Hendry starts working the phones and shopping Jones or looking for a platoon partner for him I don't think it will even be necessary to make a public announcement of a platoon. This idea that if you keep a platoon quiet no one will be the wiser is IMO quite naive. Anybody with half a brain will be able to figure out what's up.

 

No one has said it will be kept secret. There's a meaningful difference in perception of actively advertising it versus letting people infer it, or more importantly, letting the player handle it himself.

 

TRYING to sabotage his trade value (whatever it may be now) is just stupid, and would only be done to placate unreasonable fans who think they own the organization or to publicly humiliate and devalue Jacques Jones, which is suicide for the organization.

 

If they let it happen naturally, or on Jacques' terms, they can spin it any way they want- he can say he didn't like them letting Dusty go, for example, or wanted to be re-united with _______, etc.

Meaningful difference? I don't see it. If there's a story on the sports page titled "Jim Hendry inquires about Craig Wilson" it won't take a rocket scientist to do the math. At that point Jacque's value wouldn't be signficantly affected by an annoucement of a platoon that everybody already knew about anyway.

[cubfan]

Once Hendry starts working the phones and shopping Jones or looking for a platoon partner for him I don't think it will even be necessary to make a public announcement of a platoon. This idea that if you keep a platoon quiet no one will be the wiser is IMO quite naive. Anybody with half a brain will be able to figure out what's up.

 

No one has said it will be kept secret. There's a meaningful difference in perception of actively advertising it versus letting people infer it, or more importantly, letting the player handle it himself.

 

TRYING to sabotage his trade value (whatever it may be now) is just stupid, and would only be done to placate unreasonable fans who think they own the organization or to publicly humiliate and devalue Jacques Jones, which is suicide for the organization.

 

If they let it happen naturally, or on Jacques' terms, they can spin it any way they want- he can say he didn't like them letting Dusty go, for example, or wanted to be re-united with _______, etc.

Meaningful difference? I don't see it. If there's a story on the sports page titled "Jim Hendry inquires about Craig Wilson" it won't take a rocket scientist to do the math. At that point Jacque's value wouldn't be signficantly affected by an annoucement of a platoon that everybody already knew about anyway.

 

I could just as easily assume that Hendry must not believe in Murton and is looking into getting Wilson as insurance. Or that he is planning on trading Murton some where and is going to have Wilson start in left. Could even mean that Wilson will move to right and Jones will play center. Or it could mean nothing. A Jones platoon may be the most likely, but I would call it a meaningful difference.

[radarluv1]

or could just be a replacement for mabry, minus the 3b ability.

we will lose mabry, right?

[dalgreen]

The Cubs currently have .. oh .. I would say 4, possibly 5 if ARam leaves, everyday starting lineup upgrades that have higher priority than finding Jones a platoon partner. But of course if you hate Jacque Jones and only begrudgenly give him even the most backhanded of compliments I could see why this issue needs to be addressed within hours of Piniella's the hiring.

 

I'm no fan of Jones, but I've always been curious why some posters seem to have a "personal" hatred for Jones instead of just hating his contract -- which isn't his fault.

[biittner77]

The Cubs currently have .. oh .. I would say 4, possibly 5 if ARam leaves, everyday starting lineup upgrades that have higher priority than finding Jones a platoon partner. But of course if you hate Jacque Jones and only begrudgenly give him even the most backhanded of compliments I could see why this issue needs to be addressed within hours of Piniella's the hiring.

 

I'm no fan of Jones, but I've always been curious why some posters seem to have a "personal" hatred for Jones instead of just hating his contract -- which isn't his fault.

 

It probably has something to do with his comments about how great the Twins fans were-both of whom were very nice to Jones, apparently- which implied that Cubs fans sucked.

[wastra]

Once Hendry starts working the phones and shopping Jones or looking for a platoon partner for him I don't think it will even be necessary to make a public announcement of a platoon. This idea that if you keep a platoon quiet no one will be the wiser is IMO quite naive. Anybody with half a brain will be able to figure out what's up.

 

No one has said it will be kept secret. There's a meaningful difference in perception of actively advertising it versus letting people infer it, or more importantly, letting the player handle it himself.

 

TRYING to sabotage his trade value (whatever it may be now) is just stupid, and would only be done to placate unreasonable fans who think they own the organization or to publicly humiliate and devalue Jacques Jones, which is suicide for the organization.

 

If they let it happen naturally, or on Jacques' terms, they can spin it any way they want- he can say he didn't like them letting Dusty go, for example, or wanted to be re-united with _______, etc.

Meaningful difference? I don't see it. If there's a story on the sports page titled "Jim Hendry inquires about Craig Wilson" it won't take a rocket scientist to do the math. At that point Jacque's value wouldn't be signficantly affected by an annoucement of a platoon that everybody already knew about anyway.

 

It's a huge difference.

 

For one, the Cubs could always pass it off as simply wanting a better 4th outfielder than Pagan.

 

Second, it allows Jacques to seek a trade on his OWN TERMS, rather than being seen as disgruntled with his role. It is important for signing free agents for players to feel the organization gives them that type of respect- warranted or not. No one is going to go to a team where guys are seen as being signed and immediately disparaged BY THE ORGANIZATION and dumped the next year.

 

Look at the Yankees and how the ARod thing is being handled. the organization is doing it right by ARod. They likely WILL Listen to trade offers, but they're publicly allowing him professional courtesy and dignity by NOT saying "He can't hack it in the post season, we're shopping for a replacement."

 

The simple truth is there is NO REASON to come out and say "we want to platoon Jones". All it will do is * off Jones and accomplish nothing constructive.

[SoonerCubFan]

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

 

Why does it have to framed that way? Using your meeting analogy, why couldn't it be presented as we're building the best team possible, matching our team to their best situation?? Everybody benefits from being with a winner, and salary is already established. Win-win instead of negativity.

 

And, for those worried about the perception of going outside to acquire his platoon partner, I'd suggest we already have a near perfect partner in Murton. Lou could decide this in general now without ever making public mention of it, and we can add a big bat for the other corner OF slot.

[Monco]

Why should Murton have to platoon with Jones? Here are their numbers vs. righties.

 

AVE. OBP SLG.

Jones .303 .358 .528

Murton .295 .354 .426

 

While Jones has more power, why should Murton sit against righties? Murton just finished his first full season. His power numbers will go up. He just turned 25.We finally develop a position player and people want to sit him because of a lack of power.

[SoonerCubFan]

Why should Murton have to platoon with Jones? Here are their numbers vs. righties.

 

AVE. OBP SLG.

Jones .303 .358 .528

Murton .295 .354 .426

 

While Jones has more power, why should Murton sit against righties? Murton just finished his first full season. His power numbers will go up. He just turned 25.We finally develop a position player and people want to sit him because of a lack of power.

 

For me, it's a matter of putting the best possible team on the field, assuming both Jones and Murton are still with the Cubs in 2007. It has nothing to do with wanting to sit him. If they could open up a corner OF spot with this platoon and plug in a high-OPS guy, then we upgrade two positions with a simple platoon.

 

Reverse question - why should we preclude such a move simply because we finally have a young position player, especially with a lack of power in a power position?

[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

 

Why does it have to framed that way? Using your meeting analogy, why couldn't it be presented as we're building the best team possible, matching our team to their best situation?? Everybody benefits from being with a winner, and salary is already established. Win-win instead of negativity.

 

And, for those worried about the perception of going outside to acquire his platoon partner, I'd suggest we already have a near perfect partner in Murton. Lou could decide this in general now without ever making public mention of it, and we can add a big bat for the other corner OF slot.

 

However you frame it or dress it up, it would still be a public statement that we are a better team with Jones playing less. Even if this happens to be true, nothing is gained by saying any thing to the public and should be kept in house.