Matthews for CF?

[MPrior]

I don't think Matthews will be worth the money he is going to command and I think he'll have a drop off next year. Remember, he is 32 so he's not likely to improve anymore.

 

Uh, I'm 32 and I keep improving.

 

Drinking tolerances don't count.

 

Awesome.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I don't think Matthews will be worth the money he is going to command and I think he'll have a drop off next year. Remember, he is 32 so he's not likely to improve anymore.

 

Uh, I'm 32 and I keep improving.

 

Drinking tolerances don't count.

 

They do when you're a fan of the Cubs.

[A New Era]

For 1 year and We've already solidified SS or 2B with either Soriano or Arod. And kept Ramirez too? Yep I'd be for that. . That way you have Mathews as a back-up incase when you bring Pie up mid season, is unable to succeed. .

[TruffleShuffle]

One really good year does not a good player make.

[SoonerCubFan]

Oh, please. He had one good year and made one good catch and now you all want him. If any club gives him a long-term deal, they'll regret it. I'd much rather have Pierre or even Pie.

 

GMJ has had OPS+ 10 points higher than Pierre (and even better than that the last 3 years), and is a better fielder with a much better arm, plus switch hits. And, he'll likely be cheaper than Pierre by a few million. If it were between the two, I'd much rather have GMJ. Pie is a decent option if we get much better at 2B, SS, and/or one of the other 2 corner OF spots, but I'd prefer we let him start out at Iowa or be used as a trading chip in a major trade.

[TruffleShuffle]

Oh, please. He had one good year and made one good catch and now you all want him. If any club gives him a long-term deal, they'll regret it. I'd much rather have Pierre or even Pie.

 

GMJ has had OPS+ 10 points higher than Pierre (and even better than that the last 3 years)

 

OPS+ isn't the best stat in evaluating leadoff hitters. Here's a list of a few players, along with their career OPS+... which one would you most want to have had playing outfield for your team?

 

Brian Giles - 142

Bobby Abreu - 137

JD Drew - 133

Ryan Klesko - 131

Tim Salmon - 129

Moises Alou - 128

Rickey Henderson - 127

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

One really good year does not a good player make.

 

Yoda?

Is that you?

 

 

I do agree, however.

 

Plus, even if it was a possibility (would hope it is not) GMJ probably would steer clear of the Cubs considering they already traded him once and did not retain his father as coach.

 

Unless of course the Cubs want to be highest bidders in the GMJ sweepstakes. Then he may consider another go at Wrigley.

[Mephistopheles]

OPS+ isn't the best stat in evaluating leadoff hitters. Here's a list of a few players, along with their career OPS+... which one would you most want to have had playing outfield for your team?

 

Brian Giles - 142

Bobby Abreu - 137

JD Drew - 133

Ryan Klesko - 131

Tim Salmon - 129

Moises Alou - 128

Rickey Henderson - 127

A better hitter is most certainly a better option in any spot in the lineup. Only in extremely isolated cases should someone who is faster than someone else bat leadoff - those cases are Frank Thomas because he physically can not run.

 

OPS+ may not be the best rate statistic to grade a player on (MLVr, EqA, etc), but it's good enough to so that Juan Pierre simply isn't a good option. Pierre is a below average major league hitter and an average at best hitter for a centerfielder. Under no circumstances is he a good leadoff hitter.

 

The problem is using career instead of recent performance. For instance, Rickey Henderson's prime had him capable of a 150 OPS+ and an EqA that rivals Albert Pujols in the .350 range.

[soccer10k]

I don't think Matthews will be worth the money he is going to command and I think he'll have a drop off next year. Remember, he is 32 so he's not likely to improve anymore.

 

Uh, I'm 32 and I keep improving.

 

Drinking tolerances don't count.

 

They do when you're a fan of the Cubs.

 

Too true.