Time to Move on Ryan Church

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Bowden could be looking to move Church.

 

Link.

 

Church, 28, also is arbitration eligible. For now, he has a chance to compete with Kory Casto for the left-field job vacated by Alfonso Soriano, who signed a free-agent contract with the Cubs.

 

However, Church has been in Washington's doghouse for most of this offseason, according to sources, because under the advice of his agent, Jeff Borris, he declined to go to the Mexican Winter League, where the Nationals wanted him to work on hitting breaking balls over the outside part of the plate.

 

Borris told MLB.com a few weeks ago that Church has nothing more to prove and pointed out that in the last two seasons in the Major Leagues, Church hit a combined .282 (131-for-464) with 19 home runs 76 RBIs.

[Rob]

Church would be perfect for CF.

 

He's one of the few guys out there on the market I'd actually prefer to Jacque.

 

(Though Soriano should be in CF and we should be looking for a RF... or just a good platoonmate for Jones )

[cheapseats]

I'm for it.

[rawaction]

Church would be a great addition. He'd be a great 4th OF as the team currently stands, but be solid insurance in case Jones is traded. If the Cubs brought in Church, I'd probably play Soriano at 2B and platoon DeRosa in the OF with Jones and Church.

[VanceJergins]

This is one of those times where I really wish Hendry would check out this board. I really doubt Church is on his radar, and I think he is just what we need. I think he would be a much better option than Jones, and fits the team's needs much better. He is a very patient hitter, costs next to nothing, and would be a great 4th outfielder when Pie is ready. I would really like....

 

Soriano

Murton

Lee

Ramirez

Church

Barrett

Lugo

DeRosa

[cheapseats]

If the Cubs brought in Church, I'd probably play Soriano at 2B and platoon DeRosa in the OF with Jones and Church.

 

Yes!

[baseball7897]

Bowden would ask for alot in return.

[rawaction]

Bowden would ask for alot in return.

 

He can ask for whatever he wants. But everyone knows Church isn't one of the organization's favorite players. And nobody will trade much for a guy that has never played a full season in the MLB.

[cheapseats]

Bowden would ask for alot in return.

 

He can ask for whatever he wants. But everyone knows Church isn't one of the organization's favorite players. And nobody will trade much for a guy that has never played a full season in the MLB.

 

It's frustrating to think that Chicago probably could have gotten Church and a prospect or two if they had offered Pierre last year.

[CubinNY]

Bowden would ask for alot in return.

 

He won't get a lot in return becuase he has basically ruined whatever market he could have gotten by demoting Church and then never playing Church (well that one was on Robinson). And now making it known to the media that Church is not a "team player".

 

It's right out of the Jim Hendry playbook. Not coincidentely, a reason why I don't think the Cubs will be interested.

[CubinNY]

Bowden would ask for alot in return.

 

He can ask for whatever he wants. But everyone knows Church isn't one of the organization's favorite players. And nobody will trade much for a guy that has never played a full season in the MLB.

 

It's frustrating to think that Chicago probably could have gotten Church and a prospect or two if they had offered Pierre last year.

Very

[Danny82]

I find it interesting that between

 

a) how highly valued Church appears to be on this board, and

 

b) how little used he is by the Nationals

 

some team hasn't made a move to acquire him.

 

If he was truly as valuable as some on here seem to think, don't you think that at least ONE other GM would have made a move for him? It doesn't look like it would take much to pry him from the Nationals.

[Rob]

I find it interesting that between

 

a) how highly valued Church appears to be on this board, and

 

b) how little used he is by the Nationals

 

some team hasn't made a move to acquire him.

 

If he was truly as valuable as some on here seem to think, don't you think that at least ONE other GM would have made a move for him? It doesn't look like it would take much to pry him from the Nationals.

 

To assume GM's are that intelligent is a risky proposition. Have you met Ned Coletti?

[Danny82]

My point doesn't turn on whether or not there are some idiot GMs out there.

 

For every Coletti out there, there is a Beane or Epstein that is hailed as a genius by many on this board.

[CubinNY]

I find it interesting that between

 

a) how highly valued Church appears to be on this board, and

 

b) how little used he is by the Nationals

 

some team hasn't made a move to acquire him.

 

If he was truly as valuable as some on here seem to think, don't you think that at least ONE other GM would have made a move for him? It doesn't look like it would take much to pry him from the Nationals.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/c/churcry01.shtml

 

You can look at the numbers if you would like.

 

Baseball is the ultimate insiders club. Sometimes the club works in mysterious ways.

[cheapseats]

My point doesn't turn on whether or not there are some idiot GMs out there.

 

For every Coletti out there, there is a Beane or Epstein that is hailed as a genius by many on this board.

 

Sure, but teams deal for what they need.

 

The Cubs need a left-handed bat and they need a CF. The A's and Red Sox don't.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Hendry should jump on this, but he won't. Nats need help everywhere, so there's no reason he couldn't acquire Church if he wanted to. Mateo and Will Ohman? Izturis and Roberto Novoa? Sean Marshall straight up? I'd do any of those, and each would help Washington.

 

Cubs could sign Lugo for SS and be looking pretty good on offense.

[rawaction]

I find it interesting that between

 

a) how highly valued Church appears to be on this board, and

 

b) how little used he is by the Nationals

 

some team hasn't made a move to acquire him.

 

If he was truly as valuable as some on here seem to think, don't you think that at least ONE other GM would have made a move for him? It doesn't look like it would take much to pry him from the Nationals.

 

Nobody is claiming he is a guy that GMs should be knocking down their doors and giving their top prospects for. Fact is, he's shown he can be a good hitter (.892 OPS last year in nearly 200 ABs) and made just the minimum last year. But it is also a fact that he is 28 and has never been a full-time major leaguer. At worst, he's the LH Jason Michaels....great 4th OF, possibly a solid 3rd OF. At best, he's a productive hitter in his prime in his pre-free agency years.

[jjgman21]

Bowden would ask for alot in return.

 

He won't get a lot in return becuase he has basically ruined whatever market he could have gotten by demoting Church and then never playing Church (well that one was on Robinson). And now making it known to the media that Church is not a "team player".

 

It's right out of the Jim Hendry playbook. Not coincidentely, a reason why I don't think the Cubs will be interested.

 

I don't think Hendry ever really drove down the value of any of the players. Baker and the Trib is a different story, but Hendry always talks up his players, no matter who they are, and glosses over the tough questions that might put the players in a bad light.

 

sure, there was the demotion of Patterson, but there wasn't much of an option at that point.

[RammyFanny]

Didn't really think this out that much but I wonder if Church could be used in a three way to get Jennings since Colorado wants a young CF.

[Mizzou]

I find it interesting that between

 

a) how highly valued Church appears to be on this board, and

 

b) how little used he is by the Nationals

 

some team hasn't made a move to acquire him.

 

If he was truly as valuable as some on here seem to think, don't you think that at least ONE other GM would have made a move for him? It doesn't look like it would take much to pry him from the Nationals.

 

To assume GM's are that intelligent is a risky proposition.

Oh good God, give me a break.

[cjbucks]

I find it interesting that between

 

a) how highly valued Church appears to be on this board, and

 

b) how little used he is by the Nationals

 

some team hasn't made a move to acquire him.

 

If he was truly as valuable as some on here seem to think, don't you think that at least ONE other GM would have made a move for him? It doesn't look like it would take much to pry him from the Nationals.

 

To assume GM's are that intelligent is a risky proposition. Have you met Ned Coletti?

 

I haven't but I would be interested in hearing about the times you have met him.

[rawaction]

Didn't really think this out that much but I wonder if Church could be used in a three way to get Jennings since Colorado wants a young CF.

 

Church isn't really young, but I guess it could work.

 

BTW, my sleeper deal for this offseason is Hawpe to Pittsburgh for Maholm and Duffy.

[baseball7897]

Didn't really think this out that much but I wonder if Church could be used in a three way to get Jennings since Colorado wants a young CF.

 

Jennings is overrated on this board. He is not that good of a pitcher in my book. You could probably get the same production out of Jason Marquis. Marquis is very similiar to Jennings in his style of pitching.

[RammyFanny]

Didn't really think this out that much but I wonder if Church could be used in a three way to get Jennings since Colorado wants a young CF.

 

Jennings is overrated on this board. He is not that good of a pitcher in my book. You could probably get the same production out of Jason Marquis. Marquis is very similiar to Jennings in his style of pitching.

 

28 year old sinkerballer pitching in Coors with a 3.7 ERA last year. I think he's a legit 3 with a good chance of becoming a #2.