Any Interest in Brady Clark?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

According to this article, Billy Hall believes he will be playing CF this year.

 

The Brewers are expected to trade an OF, or at least try. They would probably like to move either Mench or Jenkins, but there's still a chance they would move Clark instead.

 

According to the article, Clark has played himself out of a starting job.

 

Had the Brewers been successful earlier in the off-season in their pursuit of free-agent centerfielder Dave Roberts, Hall already would be ticketed for left field. Brady Clark played his way out of the starting job in center in 2006, and Tony Gwynn Jr. and Laynce Nix have yet to prove themselves.

 

 

Clark wasn't that great in 2006, posting a 263/348/335 line, but in his two previous seasons he had OPS+ of 108 and 109 respectively. If the Cubs are looking for a stop gap CF until Pie is ready, Clark might be a nice option.

 

The Cubs could acquire Clark and have a Jones/Murton platoon situation in left and a Pie/Clark situation in CF. Furthermore, if the Cubs moved Jones and signed Floyd to pair with Murton, Clark still fits.

 

I wonder if the Brewers would move him within the division and what the cost would be if they do.

[Post Count Padder]

He probably won't cost much, but he doesn't provide much power or SBs. He would be relied upon for his avg, which wasn't exactly stellar last season. Despite all that, there probably aren't many better options out there that seem feasible.

[goonys evil twin]

He probably won't cost much, but he doesn't provide much power or SBs. He would be relied upon for his avg, which wasn't exactly stellar last season. Despite all that, there probably aren't many better options out there that seem feasible.

 

Who cares what kind of SBs he provides? He'd be relied upon for his OBP, although that's not a guarantee to be all that good. He's due $3.8m this year, then becomes a free agent. I'd bet Milwaukee would move him without extremely high demands, given his age and status as no more than a part-time player. I'd give up marginal pitching talent for him and consider working Pie into the mix with him later in the year.

[cheapseats]

Clark hit a lot of line drives that didn't fall for hits last year.

 

He needs to get his walk rate back up a little bit to put up another .385 OBP like he did in 2004, but it's doable.

 

I'd very much like a Clark/Jones platoon in CF.

[Tracer Bullet]

I don't mind picking up Clark, I guess. But I'm not convinced that a Jones/Murton platoon would be better than Murton in LF all by himself with Jones and Clark platooning in CF. Last year, Jones was really good against RHP, but Murton wasn't exactly bad. And their OBP against RHP were nearly identical. I'd much prefer to put Murton in the 2-hole against all pitchers and either platoon Jones with someone in CF (Clark?) or trade Jones after what will likely be his best year for the remainder of his contract, and put someone else out in CF by himself.

 

Murton put up an OBP of nearly .360 against RHP last year (OPS of .782) and an overall OBP of .365. Plus he turns 26 at the end of the 2007 season and is thus likely to improve with more playing time. Why would we platoon that with Jones and let Clark (and his .338 OBP) play full time?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Jacque Jones is a better option. Plus, Brady Clark will be 34 next season.

[CubColtPacer]

I don't mind picking up Clark, I guess. But I'm not convinced that a Jones/Murton platoon would be better than Murton in LF all by himself with Jones and Clark platooning in CF. Last year, Jones was really good against RHP, but Murton wasn't exactly bad. And their OBP against RHP were nearly identical. I'd much prefer to put Murton in the 2-hole against all pitchers and either platoon Jones with someone in CF (Clark?) or trade Jones after what will likely be his best year for the remainder of his contract, and put someone else out in CF by himself.

 

Murton put up an OBP of nearly .360 against RHP last year (OPS of .782) and an overall OBP of .365. Plus he turns 26 at the end of the 2007 season and is thus likely to improve with more playing time. Why would we platoon that with Jones and let Clark (and his .338 OBP) play full time?

 

Vance didn't suggest letting Clark playing fulltime while Jones and Murton platoon, but rather a Clark/Pie platoon-that lets Pie get used to the major leagues while not having to face the lefthanders he has had some trouble against.

 

I'd like that idea a great deal-my one concern is where somebody like Clark would bat. For his production, it would suggest that he bat in the 1st or 8th slot, but neither of those is an option on this team. I'd worry if the Cubs got Clark that he would bat 8th and Izturis would bat second, and that would negate almost all of the gains that Clark might possibly bring.

[baseball7897]

Clark hit a lot of line drives that didn't fall for hits last year.

He needs to get his walk rate back up a little bit to put up another .385 OBP like he did in 2004, but it's doable.

 

I'd very much like a Clark/Jones platoon in CF.

 

I laughed out loud when I seen that.

 

Clark is not that bad of an option, but the Cubs are so right handed that I would perfer them to sign a left handed batter instead.

[cheapseats]

Clark hit a lot of line drives that didn't fall for hits last year.

He needs to get his walk rate back up a little bit to put up another .385 OBP like he did in 2004, but it's doable.

 

I'd very much like a Clark/Jones platoon in CF.

 

I laughed out loud when I seen that.

 

Clark is not that bad of an option, but the Cubs are so right handed that I would perfer them to sign a left handed batter instead.

 

False dilemma. Signing Clark doesn't preclude adding another lefthanded bat.

 

And Jacque should have a platoon partner. I'd rather it be Clark in CF than Murton in LF.

[baseball7897]

Clark hit a lot of line drives that didn't fall for hits last year.

He needs to get his walk rate back up a little bit to put up another .385 OBP like he did in 2004, but it's doable.

 

I'd very much like a Clark/Jones platoon in CF.

 

I laughed out loud when I seen that.

 

Clark is not that bad of an option, but the Cubs are so right handed that I would perfer them to sign a left handed batter instead.

 

False dilemma. Signing Clark doesn't preclude adding another lefthanded bat.

 

And Jacque should have a platoon partner. I'd rather it be Clark in CF than Murton in LF.

 

Ward, Izturis, Jones, and Pagan are the only left handed batters on the team. I would perfer the Cubs to sign two more left handed batters. Floyd would be a good option, and someone who can play the infield.

[Soul]

The fact that we're down to Clark shows what a massive, gaping, stinking hole CF is going to be in '07.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

The fact that we're down to Clark shows what a massive, gaping, stinking hole CF is going to be in '07.

 

Season hasn't started yet. I'm convinced both Rocco Baldelli and Andruw Jones will get traded at some point, just have to hope that Hendry gets himself involved in one of those deals. Baldelli is the one I'd prefer, because he's obtainable at what ought to be a more acceptable price, and he's signed I believe through 2008 or 2009, I forget which. That would give the Cubs protection in case Pie doesn't pan out.

 

Sean Marshall, Scott Moore and.....? One other player should be enough to acquire Baldelli. The Rays need to make room for Dukes and Upton, otherwise they are wasting what value they have.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

The fact that we're down to Clark shows what a massive, gaping, stinking hole CF is going to be in '07.

 

Season hasn't started yet. I'm convinced both Rocco Baldelli and Andruw Jones will get traded at some point, just have to hope that Hendry gets himself involved in one of those deals. Baldelli is the one I'd prefer, because he's obtainable at what ought to be a more acceptable price, and he's signed I believe through 2008 or 2009, I forget which. That would give the Cubs protection in case Pie doesn't pan out.

 

Sean Marshall, Scott Moore and.....? One other player should be enough to acquire Baldelli. The Rays need to make room for Dukes and Upton, otherwise they are wasting what value they have.

 

I think Baldelli will be the more expensive between him and Jones assuming both are traded. Anyone trading for Baldelli knows they have him locked into a deal while Jones is an impending FA.

 

I don't think a Marshall and Moore package comes close unless the third player is Veal. Even then, I'm not sure it's enough. Remember the Rays wanted Chuck James and Saltamalaccia from the Braves. The Braves offered Davies and Salty which is quite a bit better than Marshall and Moore and were rebuffed. I think it will be expensive to get Baldelli.

 

On the other hand, getting Jones will become imminently easier if the Braves falter early in the season. Everyone knows Jones is going on the market, so a trade for him is only a rental. The expensive part of acquiring Jones isn't the talent sent to the Braves, but instead providing him enough incentives to waive his 10-5 rights. If the Braves get Baldelli at some point, Jones becomes even more attainable as the Braves would have his replacement.

[Backtobanks]

The fact that we're down to Clark shows what a massive, gaping, stinking hole CF is going to be in '07.

 

Season hasn't started yet. I'm convinced both Rocco Baldelli and Andruw Jones will get traded at some point, just have to hope that Hendry gets himself involved in one of those deals. Baldelli is the one I'd prefer, because he's obtainable at what ought to be a more acceptable price, and he's signed I believe through 2008 or 2009, I forget which. That would give the Cubs protection in case Pie doesn't pan out.

 

Sean Marshall, Scott Moore and.....? One other player should be enough to acquire Baldelli. The Rays need to make room for Dukes and Upton, otherwise they are wasting what value they have.

 

Marshall, Moore, plus ? won't even get you a return phone call. Remember that Tampa is noted for being hard to deal with plus they will be trading a young and cheap star. I would think that they're asking price would start with Hill (not that Hill would be the one traded). Also, once the word gets around that Baldelli is really available, I would think there would be lots of competition in acquiring him. I would love to get Baldelli, but I think Hendry is more likely to go after someone that would fit (and accept) a 4th OF's spot once Pie is ready (i.e. a player like Church, pre-injury Wilkerson, or Clark).

[Soul]

Baldelli has also been an injury risk, I believe.

[mg420]

depending on what the brewers would want (if they would trade him to a rival team) clark wouldnt be a bad option. he could spell jones against tough lefties and do the same for pie eventually. maybe he can pull a podsednik and have a year like he did in 2004. perhaps novoa & ryu would be enough to get clark. Edited January 13, 2007 by mg420

[BigbadB]

I don't think Baldelli is really all that cheap, either. At least not cheap for Tampa. But, teams continue to be dumb enough to cave in to the demands for these guys. Last year, Tampa got stuck with Huff and Lugo because of their asking price. At the trade deadline, someone was dumb enough to offer up young talent to get them and met Tampa's demands.

 

Therefore, I don't see Tampa coming down on their asking price anytime soon for Baldelli.

[baseball7897]

depending on what the brewers would want (if they would trade him to a rival team) clark wouldnt be a bad option. he could spell jones against tough lefties and do the same for pie eventually. maybe he can pull a podsednik and have a year like he did in 2004. perhaps novoa & ryu would be enough to get clark.

 

Cubs would be giving up too much in that deal. You probably could get Clark or O'Malley.

[abuck1220]

Clark hit a lot of line drives that didn't fall for hits last year.

He needs to get his walk rate back up a little bit to put up another .385 OBP like he did in 2004, but it's doable.

 

I'd very much like a Clark/Jones platoon in CF.

 

I laughed out loud when I seen that.

 

 

why?

[nilodnayr]

Clark hit a lot of line drives that didn't fall for hits last year.

He needs to get his walk rate back up a little bit to put up another .385 OBP like he did in 2004, but it's doable.

 

I'd very much like a Clark/Jones platoon in CF.

 

I laughed out loud when I seen that.

 

Clark is not that bad of an option, but the Cubs are so right handed that I would perfer them to sign a left handed batter instead.

 

False dilemma. Signing Clark doesn't preclude adding another lefthanded bat.

 

And Jacque should have a platoon partner. I'd rather it be Clark in CF than Murton in LF.

 

Ward, Izturis, Jones, and Pagan are the only left handed batters on the team. I would perfer the Cubs to sign two more left handed batters. Floyd would be a good option, and someone who can play the infield.

 

Why? Are you afraid of ROOGYs?