Braves sign Craig Wilson

[CuseCubFan69]

Speaking of fairly productive veterans who would look great in a platoon roll:

 

Free-agent outfielder Trot Nixon has agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal with the Cleveland Indians, ESPN.com's Peter Gammons reports.

 

1 year, five million, trot nixon and craig wilson...

 

For a one year committment, and 130-some million dollars less... we could have had about the same production in RF, if not moreso.

 

But we'd be without a leadoff hitter...........

 

I agree but there still are no guarentees that Nixon will be healthy enough to play a whole season though.

 

Platoon players don't play whole seasons.

 

 

I'm talking about staying off the DL and Nixon has a very tough time doing that. If he goes on the DL that might force the Cubs into a bad decision.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Speaking of fairly productive veterans who would look great in a platoon roll:

 

Free-agent outfielder Trot Nixon has agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal with the Cleveland Indians, ESPN.com's Peter Gammons reports.

 

1 year, five million, trot nixon and craig wilson...

 

For a one year committment, and 130-some million dollars less... we could have had about the same production in RF, if not moreso.

 

But we'd be without a leadoff hitter...........

 

I agree but there still are no guarentees that Nixon will be healthy enough to play a whole season though.

 

Platoon players don't play whole seasons.

 

 

I'm talking about staying off the DL and Nixon has a very tough time doing that. If he goes on the DL that might force the Cubs into a bad decision.

 

Well, one option if you had done Nixon/Wilson in RF would be to keep Jacque around as a 4th OF and used the multitude of savings on Soriano to get a good CF(Drew?), that would eliminate that problem. Or maybe he's in CF and they call up Pie to be the left handed part of a platoon that has Pie/Jones v. RHP and Jones(perish the thought)/Wilson v. LHP.

[CuseCubFan69]

Speaking of fairly productive veterans who would look great in a platoon roll:

 

Free-agent outfielder Trot Nixon has agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal with the Cleveland Indians, ESPN.com's Peter Gammons reports.

 

1 year, five million, trot nixon and craig wilson...

 

For a one year committment, and 130-some million dollars less... we could have had about the same production in RF, if not moreso.

 

But we'd be without a leadoff hitter...........

 

I agree but there still are no guarentees that Nixon will be healthy enough to play a whole season though.

 

Platoon players don't play whole seasons.

 

 

I'm talking about staying off the DL and Nixon has a very tough time doing that. If he goes on the DL that might force the Cubs into a bad decision.

 

Well, one option if you had done Nixon/Wilson in RF would be to keep Jacque around as a 4th OF and used the multitude of savings on Soriano to get a good CF(Drew?), that would eliminate that problem. Or maybe he's in CF and they call up Pie to be the left handed part of a platoon that has Pie/Jones v. RHP and Jones(perish the thought)/Wilson v. LHP.

 

I see where you guys are coming from on this but having Drew and Nixon would worry me too. The potential is there but so is the potential in Prior/Miller pitching.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I'm talking about staying off the DL and Nixon has a very tough time doing that. If he goes on the DL that might force the Cubs into a bad decision.

 

Well, one option if you had done Nixon/Wilson in RF would be to keep Jacque around as a 4th OF and used the multitude of savings on Soriano to get a good CF(Drew?), that would eliminate that problem. Or maybe he's in CF and they call up Pie to be the left handed part of a platoon that has Pie/Jones v. RHP and Jones(perish the thought)/Wilson v. LHP.

 

I see where you guys are coming from on this but having Drew and Nixon would worry me too. The potential is there but so is the potential in Prior/Miller pitching.

 

When you have Jones/Pie/Wilson and Guzman/Marshall/Marmol/Mateo waiting behind those pairs, I don't think that it's too much of a worry. Especially when there's only one long term commitment of the group Prior/Miller/Drew/Nixon.

[CuseCubFan69]

I'm talking about staying off the DL and Nixon has a very tough time doing that. If he goes on the DL that might force the Cubs into a bad decision.

 

Well, one option if you had done Nixon/Wilson in RF would be to keep Jacque around as a 4th OF and used the multitude of savings on Soriano to get a good CF(Drew?), that would eliminate that problem. Or maybe he's in CF and they call up Pie to be the left handed part of a platoon that has Pie/Jones v. RHP and Jones(perish the thought)/Wilson v. LHP.

 

I see where you guys are coming from on this but having Drew and Nixon would worry me too. The potential is there but so is the potential in Prior/Miller pitching.

 

When you have Jones/Pie/Wilson and Guzman/Marshall/Marmol/Mateo waiting behind those pairs, I don't think that it's too much of a worry. Especially when there's only one long term commitment of the group Prior/Miller/Drew/Nixon.

 

Maybe. I just don't see Nixon as being production and as a hurt version of Troy O'Leary. I've never been a big fan of spending too much money on 1 or 2 players either unless they are gaurenteed huge impact bats or pitchers which I don't think Soriano is. I do feel Z is though but it definately depends on the budget too. As someone pointed out the Cubs are only at 105 for 2007 right now so there is still room for some decent manuvering.

[Guest]

Since there were three posters who flamed me about Wilson, I will respond to all in one post:

 

Everybody talks about Wilson being that "solid hitter" and wanted him.....fine, but why did he take a paycut and signed in January, when if he was such a valuable commodity he didn't sign during the GMs meetings in December? I just don't thin k Craig Wilson is as highly thought (I mean if the Yanks are willing to replace you with a platoon of Mientkiewicz/Phelps), that tells you the true value of a said player. And if Wilson such "bargain", then why did he sign with the Braves, when teams like Baltimore/Kansas City, Seattle, and heck Cincy could have used him as a starter, not as a platoon Atl is expected to use Craig as?

 

Again, Craig Wilson isn't as value around baseball, as smoe posters on this board, might think.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Since there were three posters who flamed me about Wilson, I will respond to all in one post:

 

Everybody talks about Wilson being that "solid hitter" and wanted him.....fine, but why did he take a paycut and signed in January, when if he was such a valuable commodity he didn't sign during the GMs meetings in December? I just don't thin k Craig Wilson is as highly thought (I mean if the Yanks are willing to replace you with a platoon of Mientkiewicz/Phelps), that tells you the true value of a said player. And if Wilson such "bargain", then why did he sign with the Braves, when teams like Baltimore/Kansas City, Seattle, and heck Cincy could have used him as a starter, not as a platoon Atl is expected to use Craig as?

 

Again, Craig Wilson isn't as value around baseball, as smoe posters on this board, might think.

 

It's the exact same thing you just said. The actions of Baseball executives do not determine how good a player is.

[Guest]

 

It's the exact same thing you just said. The actions of Baseball executives do not determine how good a player is.

 

I thought it was worth repeating. Besides 29 GMs can't be wrong. I think Wilson is a good player, but let's not overrate him. There is a reason why he was still available in January. Maybe it was a personally choice, maybe it professional, nonetheless, I don't think his value is as high as some may think.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Besides 29 GMs can't be wrong.

 

Actually all 30 can be wrong. And it happens a lot.

 

I think Wilson is a good player, but let's not overrate him. There is a reason why he was still available in January. Maybe it was a personally choice, maybe it professional, nonetheless, I don't think his value is as high as some may think.

 

How good do you think that people think Wilson is? And what of the examples others posted? Is Lilly > Zito because of when they signed?

[goonys evil twin]

 

It's the exact same thing you just said. The actions of Baseball executives do not determine how good a player is.

 

I thought it was worth repeating. Besides 29 GMs can't be wrong. I think Wilson is a good player, but let's not overrate him. There is a reason why he was still available in January. Maybe it was a personally choice, maybe it professional, nonetheless, I don't think his value is as high as some may think.

 

I don't think you understand how people on this board rate Wilson. Ideally he'd platoon with Jones. I'm not handing him the starting 1B job, or even a starting corner OF position. I think he's a fantastic match with Jones for a platoon that could produce excellent numbers.

[Sammy Sofa]

 

It's the exact same thing you just said. The actions of Baseball executives do not determine how good a player is.

 

I thought it was worth repeating. Besides 29 GMs can't be wrong. I think Wilson is a good player, but let's not overrate him. There is a reason why he was still available in January. Maybe it was a personally choice, maybe it professional, nonetheless, I don't think his value is as high as some may think.

 

I don't think you understand how people on this board rate Wilson. Ideally he'd platoon with Jones. I'm not handing him the starting 1B job, or even a starting corner OF position. I think he's a fantastic match with Jones for a platoon that could produce excellent numbers.

 

Agreed. Northside, you seem to be going under the impression that people here wanted Wilson as an everyday starting player when that simply isn't the case. It's been clear for a long time that his value would be as a platoon player and as a bench player. He would fill both roles very well and, given the market, at a very good price. That's why people want him. Nobody here is thinking he's some kind of everday all star.

[Rob]

 

It's the exact same thing you just said. The actions of Baseball executives do not determine how good a player is.

 

I thought it was worth repeating. Besides 29 GMs can't be wrong. I think Wilson is a good player, but let's not overrate him. There is a reason why he was still available in January. Maybe it was a personally choice, maybe it professional, nonetheless, I don't think his value is as high as some may think.

 

I'm pretty sure 29 GMs can be wrong.

 

29 GM's didn't grab Manny off irrevocable waivers for fear of taking on his contract... a contract that helped get Boston a WS ring... and a contract that looks downright sane right now.

[nilodnayr]

 

It's the exact same thing you just said. The actions of Baseball executives do not determine how good a player is.

 

I thought it was worth repeating. Besides 29 GMs can't be wrong. I think Wilson is a good player, but let's not overrate him. There is a reason why he was still available in January. Maybe it was a personally choice, maybe it professional, nonetheless, I don't think his value is as high as some may think.

 

Every GM was wrong 61 times in the 1988 draft for Piazza

 

Nearly every AL GM passed up on Big Papi when he was waived

[nilodnayr]

Since there were three posters who flamed me about Wilson, I will respond to all in one post:

 

Everybody talks about Wilson being that "solid hitter" and wanted him.....fine, but why did he take a paycut and signed in January, when if he was such a valuable commodity he didn't sign during the GMs meetings in December? I just don't thin k Craig Wilson is as highly thought (I mean if the Yanks are willing to replace you with a platoon of Mientkiewicz/Phelps), that tells you the true value of a said player. And if Wilson such "bargain", then why did he sign with the Braves, when teams like Baltimore/Kansas City, Seattle, and heck Cincy could have used him as a starter, not as a platoon Atl is expected to use Craig as?

 

Again, Craig Wilson isn't as value around baseball, as smoe posters on this board, might think.

 

The Yanks obviously were looking for defense and have that luxury with the rest of their offense.

 

I think Cincy is pretty happy with the 800 plus OPS they were getting out of Hatteberg last year, thats why they signed him to the extention midseason.

 

I think Kansas City is pretty happy with Ryan Shealy after they stole him from Colorado and he nearly put up an 800 OPS. The worst OPS he put up in the minors was 910.

 

Baltimore...well I think the fact that Baltimore didn't sign him is a ringing endorsement of how good he is.

 

If you are going to make claims about other teams who should have signed him, you should actually know the situation of the other teams.

[BigbadB]

Craig Wilson lifetime against LHP:

 

.296/.395/.543/.938

 

Whoever signed Wilson was going to get magnificent production against LHP.

 

Cubs current hitters lifetime against LHP:

 

Matt Murton: .329/.404/.512/.916

Alfonso Soriano: .281/.352/.512/.864

Jacque Jones: .228/.275/.350/.625

Daryle Ward: .233/.286/.378/.674

Angel Pagan: .196/.292/.304/.596

Cliff Floyd: .272/.330/.466/.796

 

Against lefty starters, the Cubs will likely go with Murton in LF, Jones in CF and Soriano in RF. If the Cubs signed Craig Wilson instead of Daryle Ward, the Cubs could have gone with Soriano in CF, Murton in LF and a platoon of Jones and Wilson in RF. An outfield against LHP would then be Matt Murton, Alfonso Soriano and Craig Wilson. Much better replacing Jones with Wilson.

 

If used as a platoon/PH, yep, a bunch of GM's are definitely wrong!

 

Pittsburgh may go with 4 lefties in their rotation this year.

Milwuakee may have 2 in their rotation.

Houston will have 1.

Cincinnati will have 1.

St. Louis will have 1.

 

Approximately 9 of the 25 starters in the NL Central will be lefties. There are many more lefties in the NL East. That doesn't include those days where Wilson comes off the bench against a lefty reliever.

 

Opposing teams will be stacking up their RH bats against our LHP (Hill, Lilly, Marshall?). We won't be able to do the same.

 

Actually, if the Cubs still have Jacque Jones and he's the primary CF, he will likely play against LHP, and all he really is at this point is a perfect complement to a guy like Craig Wilson.

 

The only argument that can be made as to why Jacque Jones should get a 3 year deal at much more than Craig Wilson (as your prototypical platoon guy) got is that a LH bat will play more often than a RH bat.

 

That's it.

 

Craig Wilson is a nice sign at 3m. Not only can he play either corner outfield, but he can also play 1b and serve as an emergency 3rd catcher. And he will be arguably one of the absolute best DH options in the NL this year. He's not exactly horrible against RHP.

[CuseCubFan69]

Craig Wilson lifetime against LHP:

 

.296/.395/.543/.938

 

Whoever signed Wilson was going to get magnificent production against LHP.

 

Cubs current hitters lifetime against LHP:

 

Matt Murton: .329/.404/.512/.916

Alfonso Soriano: .281/.352/.512/.864

Jacque Jones: .228/.275/.350/.625

Daryle Ward: .233/.286/.378/.674

Angel Pagan: .196/.292/.304/.596

Cliff Floyd: .272/.330/.466/.796

 

Against lefty starters, the Cubs will likely go with Murton in LF, Jones in CF and Soriano in RF. If the Cubs signed Craig Wilson instead of Daryle Ward, the Cubs could have gone with Soriano in CF, Murton in LF and a platoon of Jones and Wilson in RF. An outfield against LHP would then be Matt Murton, Alfonso Soriano and Craig Wilson. Much better replacing Jones with Wilson.

 

If used as a platoon/PH, yep, a bunch of GM's are definitely wrong!

 

Pittsburgh may go with 4 lefties in their rotation this year.

Milwuakee may have 2 in their rotation.

Houston will have 1.

Cincinnati will have 1.

St. Louis will have 1.

 

Approximately 9 of the 25 starters in the NL Central will be lefties. There are many more lefties in the NL East. That doesn't include those days where Wilson comes off the bench against a lefty reliever.

 

Opposing teams will be stacking up their RH bats against our LHP (Hill, Lilly, Marshall?). We won't be able to do the same.

 

Actually, if the Cubs still have Jacque Jones and he's the primary CF, he will likely play against LHP, and all he really is at this point is a perfect complement to a guy like Craig Wilson.

 

The only argument that can be made as to why Jacque Jones should get a 3 year deal at much more than Craig Wilson (as your prototypical platoon guy) got is that a LH bat will play more often than a RH bat.

 

That's it.

 

Craig Wilson is a nice sign at 3m. Not only can he play either corner outfield, but he can also play 1b and serve as an emergency 3rd catcher. And he will be arguably one of the absolute best DH options in the NL this year. He's not exactly horrible against RHP.

 

Cliff Floyd? Do you know something we don't BbB?

[BigbadB]

I just added him because he's been talked about so much. If there were others being talked about a lot, I'd include them as well. And because I consider Erstad and Finley as some form of a horrible joke, I refuse to include them.

[CuseCubFan69]

I just added him because he's been talked about so much. If there were others being talked about a lot, I'd include them as well. And because I consider Erstad and Finley as some form of a horrible joke, I refuse to include them.

 

Well you better write that in to your GM because they may be the next aquisitions!

 

Floyd can hit pretty well against left or right which is pretty nice. I wish he could play 1st and 3rd too. All right, he can't even play LF too well but you know what I'm getting at!

 

Imagine an OF of Floyd in left, Finley or Erstad in CF and Soriano in Right? Yeech. Lou has to start a ground ball pitcher on that day.