Cubs Sign 1B Daryl Ward

[XZero771679666304]

last 3 seasons:

 

vs. LHP .264/.327/.273

vs. RHP .325/.406/.384

 

That SLG isn't right is it?

 

Ward's three year splits:

 

 

 

VS. LHP .216 .262 .301 .563

VS. RHP .277 .340 .492 .832

[TruffleShuffle]

last 3 seasons:

 

vs. LHP .264/.327/.273

vs. RHP .325/.406/.384

 

That SLG isn't right is it?

 

No. Here's what ESPN's 3 year splits say:

 

vs LHP (176 AB): 216/262/301/563

vs RHP (654 AB): 277/340/492/832

 

 

So, he's God-awful against LHP but is very solid and has good power against RHP. From what I understand, they paid $1M per year or slightly over that figure. Good signing by Hendry.

[goonys evil twin]

From what I understand, they paid $1M per year or slightly over that figure. Good signing by Hendry.

 

I hadn't heard anything about money. About $1m is pretty good for a bench threat.

[RichHillIsABeast]

last 3 seasons:

 

vs. LHP .264/.327/.273

vs. RHP .325/.406/.384

 

That SLG isn't right is it?

 

I'm afraid so.

 

406 AB, 103 H, 17 2B, 0 3B, 12 HR (last 3 seasons vs. RHP)

 

He's always had good power potential though. I remember him hitting one in the river at PNC.

 

edit: got my numbers from foxsports. wth.

[XZero771679666304]

last 3 seasons:

 

vs. LHP .264/.327/.273

vs. RHP .325/.406/.384

 

That SLG isn't right is it?

 

I'm afraid so.

 

406 AB, 103 H, 17 2B, 0 3B, 12 HR (last 3 seasons vs. RHP)

 

He's always had good power potential though. I remember him hitting one in the river at PNC.

 

edit: got my numbers from foxsports. wth.

 

Apparently foxsports is as fair and balanced as foxnews.

[TruffleShuffle]

note to self - never use Fox Sports' website for statistics.

[TruffleShuffle]

From what I understand, they paid $1M per year or slightly over that figure. Good signing by Hendry.

 

I hadn't heard anything about money. About $1m is pretty good for a bench threat.

 

It's at the bottom of this article.

 

Hendry arrived at the winter meetings and went after Lilly, finally striking a deal with the former Toronto lefty. The Cubs were also nearing a $1.05 million, one-year agreement with backup first baseman Daryle Ward and negotiating with Seattle right-hander Gil Meche.

 

Obviously Meche went to the Royals, but $1.05M seems kinda precise to just be a number that the author pulled out of thin air. If it's right or even close to right, it's a good value signing.

[goonys evil twin]

I can't even find Ward in Fox's site.

[Butterscup1679666578]

I can't even find Ward in Fox's site.

 

Me neither...weird.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I can't even find Ward in Fox's site.

 

Me neither...weird.

 

Make that 3. Whaddya have to say 'bout that, RichHillIsABeast?

[erik316wttn]

Between filling in at 1B, both corner OF spots, DH in intraleague and the first bat off the bench I think he'll get plenty of at bats.

 

 

 

absolutely, a pinchhitter, spells guys at 3 positions and DH. Makes a lot of sense to me.

 

If this is how he's used, I'm ok with it.

 

If he takes playing time away from Murton (aside from the rare day off), I'll want to storm Tribune Tower with a pitchfork and torch.

[YearofDaCubs]

Considering Mabry got 1mil from us lats year getting Ward for about the same sounds good to me. This is a good bench signing.

[NoDak]

Between filling in at 1B, both corner OF spots, DH in intraleague and the first bat off the bench I think he'll get plenty of at bats.

 

 

 

absolutely, a pinchhitter, spells guys at 3 positions and DH. Makes a lot of sense to me.

 

If this is how he's used, I'm ok with it.

 

If he takes playing time away from Murton (aside from the rare day off), I'll want to storm Tribune Tower with a pitchfork and torch.

 

I don't think he is going to take huge playing time away from Murton.

 

1) Hendry is quoted as saying he likes Murton and isn't looking for a replacement for him. I think it even said he isn't looking for a platoon partner for him.

 

2) JH seems to like batting average to eval offense ("we were one of the top BA in baseball last year so we didn't have trouble getting people on base") and Murton had one of the top if not the top BA on the team. Murton's biggest problem is he seems to get better as the season wears on so if he struggles again at the beginning we will see how Lou handles it. My guess is Murton is going to be the LF.

 

At least I hope I am reading JH correctly.

[TruffleShuffle]

Between filling in at 1B, both corner OF spots, DH in intraleague and the first bat off the bench I think he'll get plenty of at bats.

 

 

 

absolutely, a pinchhitter, spells guys at 3 positions and DH. Makes a lot of sense to me.

 

If this is how he's used, I'm ok with it.

 

If he takes playing time away from Murton (aside from the rare day off), I'll want to storm Tribune Tower with a pitchfork and torch.

 

Seems like a good guy to give spot starts to against RHP who are usually tough on RH batters. Murton is still solid against RHP but has lacked power. I'm not proposing a platoon or anything, but Ward is probably a guy who could be inserted against a RHP in place of Murton without losing much (or anything, maybe). Keep Murton fresh for the long haul and stuff.

[NoDak]

last 3 seasons:

 

vs. LHP .264/.327/.273

vs. RHP .325/.406/.384

 

That SLG isn't right is it?

 

No. Here's what ESPN's 3 year splits say:

 

vs LHP (176 AB): 216/262/301/563

vs RHP (654 AB): 277/340/492/832

 

 

So, he's God-awful against LHP but is very solid and has good power against RHP. From what I understand, they paid $1M per year or slightly over that figure. Good signing by Hendry.

 

So, he is...Jacques Jones?

3 year splits for Jones:

LHP 446 ABs 226/280/370/650

RHP 1165 ABs 276/.339/.487/.826

 

This does not bode well for the "trade Jones as a cheap left handed bat" trade rumors if Ward can be had for $4M less. Granted there are defensive considerations, but it doesn't help. Besides, I want a right handed platoon guy for Jones because those numbers are awful! Even considering the change in leagues for Jones.

[killthegoat06]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6247184

 

Nearing 1.05 million dollar deal.

[killthegoat06]

mlb-rumors.blogspot.com

 

The Cubs and Daryle Ward have agreed to a one year deal, according to Sportsticker. He will be the Cubs top pinch hitter and he will be Derrek Lee's backup. A deal will be finalized next week.

 

How do you get to Sportsticker?

[Omar]

Nice to see Hendry grab some bench.

[Chocolate Milk]

Seems like a solid signing.

[Rob]

Am I the only one completely dumbfounded as to how people can think this is a good signing?

 

I will grant that it's not a horrible one for money or years, but Ward just isn't much of a performer with the exception of last season. He's got to hit for a very high BA to have much offensive value.

[Vinestal]

Am I the only one completely dumbfounded as to how people can think this is a good signing?

 

I will grant that it's not a horrible one for money or years, but Ward just isn't much of a performer with the exception of last season. He's got to hit for a very high BA to have much offensive value.

 

and everyone knows that its impossible to repeat a good performance right... *sigh*

[Bruno7481]

Am I the only one completely dumbfounded as to how people can think this is a good signing?

 

I will grant that it's not a horrible one for money or years, but Ward just isn't much of a performer with the exception of last season. He's got to hit for a very high BA to have much offensive value.

 

and everyone knows that its impossible to repeat a good performance right... *sigh*

 

Only if their name is Jacque Jones, at least according to most around here.

[Danny82]

Am I the only one completely dumbfounded as to how people can think this is a good signing?

 

I will grant that it's not a horrible one for money or years, but Ward just isn't much of a performer with the exception of last season. He's got to hit for a very high BA to have much offensive value.

 

Yeah, but how often do you think a signing is a good one? Rarely, IIRC.

[cbbryan]

Am I the only one completely dumbfounded as to how people can think this is a good signing?

 

I will grant that it's not a horrible one for money or years, but Ward just isn't much of a performer with the exception of last season. He's got to hit for a very high BA to have much offensive value.

 

and everyone knows that its impossible to repeat a good performance right... *sigh*

 

I think you can say that it's a good signing because it's a minor role that's being filled. Ward, obviously, isn't a world beater, but he'll be alot better then Bynam, Neifi, or Mabry off the bench.

 

So in that aspect, it's a decent find.

[Geech]

Am I the only one completely dumbfounded as to how people can think this is a good signing?

 

I will grant that it's not a horrible one for money or years, but Ward just isn't much of a performer with the exception of last season. He's got to hit for a very high BA to have much offensive value.

 

It makes sense if you don't care about OBP. Hendry probably looks at Ward and sees a guy who hits for a decent average with a bit of pop. His career .314 OBP probably doesn't even register.