Bobby Hill signs minor league deal with Cubs

[BigbadB]

Theriot, DeRosa or Hill if Izturis can't play. Any lengthy stay on the DL for Izturis would promote Cedeno.

[UK1679666180]

He's a decent 25th man type of guy, I'd like to see more versatility from someone like that maybe CF? get some reps. I think the Cubs are the wrong organization for him. He's pinched between a log-jam of utility type 2B (Theriot/Fontenot) at the ML level and the next in line to be the future 2B at Iowa w/Patterson.

[Wheelimus]

Riot played some shortstop in the minors, I think he could potentially handle a few games to spell Cesar. If not, DeRosa can always slide over to short and Riot can play second.

 

If Cesar gets hurt he's replaced by Ronny on the roster.

 

I think we'd be covered.

[CuseCubFan69]

Theriot, DeRosa or Hill if Izturis can't play. Any lengthy stay on the DL for Izturis would promote Cedeno.

 

I didn't realize that you also had Theriot on the 25 man.

[BigbadB]

Of course, if Casey McGehee beats Hill out of the job in Spring Training, I won't complain.

[BigbadB]

Theriot, DeRosa or Hill if Izturis can't play. Any lengthy stay on the DL for Izturis would promote Cedeno.

 

I didn't realize that you also had Theriot on the 25 man.

 

You didn't see this?

 

A bench of Floyd, Ward, Theriot, Hill and Blanco is a quality bench, IMO.

[CuseCubFan69]

Theriot, DeRosa or Hill if Izturis can't play. Any lengthy stay on the DL for Izturis would promote Cedeno.

 

I didn't realize that you also had Theriot on the 25 man.

 

You didn't see this?

 

A bench of Floyd, Ward, Theriot, Hill and Blanco is a quality bench, IMO.

 

Why would I, you didn't highlight it for me! #-o

 

No Pagan, eh? I doubt that the Cubs would go without a backup CF, that is if they don't think Jones could do it.

[Banedon]

Trade him to the Pirates for Craig Wilson.

[BigbadB]

No Pagan, eh? I doubt that the Cubs would go without a backup CF, that is if they don't think Jones could do it.

 

That probably depends on who is playing CF and whether they would go with a 5 or 6 man bench. I'm assuming a 5 man bench. If Soriano plays CF, I don't think they need Pagan. You can just shift Jones over to CF when Soriano needs a rest. In a pinch, Theriot can probably fill in out there.

[BigbadB]

Trade him to the Pirates for Craig Wilson.

 

Craig Wilson is an Atlanta Brave. How about Jason Bay instead. :wink:

 

But, to make it fair for the Pirates, we should give them the choice of 3 PTBNL's and include Les Walrond and Roberto Novoa as their other options.

[CuseCubFan69]

No Pagan, eh? I doubt that the Cubs would go without a backup CF, that is if they don't think Jones could do it.

 

That probably depends on who is playing CF and whether they would go with a 5 or 6 man bench. I'm assuming a 5 man bench. If Soriano plays CF, I don't think they need Pagan. You can just shift Jones over to CF when Soriano needs a rest. In a pinch, Theriot can probably fill in out there.

 

Ya, probably. I just think Hendry is the type of guy that would want a defensive type OF guy on the team. Granted, Pagan is anything but, but he has speed and that kind of thing is attractive to Hendry IMO. Of course it's really up to Lou. I think it's going to be very interesting on what the Cubs do with this 25 man roster.

[craig]

Hill is probably a good example of how hard it is for a one-tool guy to make it, when the one "tool" is the ability to walk. He has no power; isn't good defensively at any position; doesn't run all that well (no big-league steals and only 6 minor-league steals since leaving Cubs in 2003); not much of a contact guy (he strikes out a lot, like a slugger but without the power); not much for big-league average and not much average relative to the Pacific Coast League. But, he does take some walks, and he's also pretty good at getting beaned. (In 309 minor-league AB's last year, not only did he take 48 walks but he also got beaned 12 times. So that's 60 times he reached base without a formal AB.)

 

I wouldn't have a big problem with Hill being on the team at some point, injuries requiring. Power is nice, but for a back-of-roster sub, I'd be happy just to have somebody who isn't an auto-out. So Hill would be OK for that.

 

Still, I don't honestly see him as anything more than Iowa filler. I assume they will want to carry a true outfielder, presumably Pagan, as a reserve CF. To expect dudes like Hill or Theriot who have rarely if ever played CF to be your primary CF reserve doesn't make sense to me. Floyd and another outfielder (rather than Hill) will both make it. Theriot, Ward, and Blanco will make it.

 

No room for Hill, Cedeno, or Perez unless: you carry only 11 pitchers or in case of DL.

 

I fully expect to carry 12 pitchers. Given the quality of our pitchers, I don't see why the candidates for 12th pitcher (Miller? Novoa? Wood?) might not be more useful than keeping Hill.

[NoDak]

Trade him to the Pirates for Craig Wilson.

 

Craig Wilson is an Atlanta Brave. How about Jason Bay instead. :wink:

 

But, to make it fair for the Pirates, we should give them the choice of 3 PTBNL's and include Les Walrond and Roberto Novoa as their other options.

 

My thought was, as long as we are going with players that USED TO be on a Pirate roster why not go for Brian Giles. I think PIT would be more willing to make that deal than Jason Bay...just a hunch. :wink:

[mg420]

Hill is probably a good example of how hard it is for a one-tool guy to make it, when the one "tool" is the ability to walk. He has no power; isn't good defensively at any position; doesn't run all that well (no big-league steals and only 6 minor-league steals since leaving Cubs in 2003); not much of a contact guy (he strikes out a lot, like a slugger but without the power); not much for big-league average and not much average relative to the Pacific Coast League. But, he does take some walks, and he's also pretty good at getting beaned. (In 309 minor-league AB's last year, not only did he take 48 walks but he also got beaned 12 times. So that's 60 times he reached base without a formal AB.)

 

I wouldn't have a big problem with Hill being on the team at some point, injuries requiring. Power is nice, but for a back-of-roster sub, I'd be happy just to have somebody who isn't an auto-out. So Hill would be OK for that.

 

Still, I don't honestly see him as anything more than Iowa filler. I assume they will want to carry a true outfielder, presumably Pagan, as a reserve CF. To expect dudes like Hill or Theriot who have rarely if ever played CF to be your primary CF reserve doesn't make sense to me. Floyd and another outfielder (rather than Hill) will both make it. Theriot, Ward, and Blanco will make it.

 

No room for Hill, Cedeno, or Perez unless: you carry only 11 pitchers or in case of DL.

 

I fully expect to carry 12 pitchers. Given the quality of our pitchers, I don't see why the candidates for 12th pitcher (Miller? Novoa? Wood?) might not be more useful than keeping Hill.

 

there is still the possibility of a trade too. i would like to see rapada get a shot in the bullpen along with cotts & ohman and trade eyre. i wonder what a package of eyre & novoa would bring? if floyd can stay healthy (a VERY big if), jones will be on the block too. assuming prior will be in the minors to start the season & wood will be healthy, that leaves a rotation of z, hill, lilly, marquis & miller with a pen of ohman, cotts, rapada, wuretz, wood, howry & dempster.

[brinoch]

Why do we need a no-hit, back-up CF? Our roster is fine without one. With the versatility of Jones, and his ability to cover CF, we essentially *have* a back-up CF -- he just plays RF. So when Soriano needs a day off, move Jones to CF, and start Floyd in right.

 

Soriano LF/CF/RF

Jones RF/CF

Murton LF only

Floyd -- LF/RF

 

Holding only 4 "true" outfielders on the roster allows the 4th OF more opportunities to play -- and, provided he's a solid bat, that makes for a more effective line-up.

[CubColtPacer]

Why do we need a no-hit, back-up CF? Our roster is fine without one. With the versatility of Jones, and his ability to cover CF, we essentially *have* a back-up CF -- he just plays RF. So when Soriano needs a day off, move Jones to CF, and start Floyd in right.

 

Soriano LF/CF/RF

Jones RF/CF

Murton LF only

Floyd -- LF/RF

 

Holding only 4 "true" outfielders on the roster allows the 4th OF more opportunities to play -- and, provided he's a solid bat, that makes for a more effective line-up.

 

Agreed-but with the Cubs desperation to not put Jones in CF (they wanted to put another CF in until Soriano was willing to play CF, but now they are willing to stay pat) seems to indicate that they don't think that Jones can play CF.

[Schwarber Fan]

Just to remind everyone, besides the blurbs I posted... we have no confirmation of this - nothing on Cubs.com

[BigbadB]

Why do we need a no-hit, back-up CF? Our roster is fine without one. With the versatility of Jones, and his ability to cover CF, we essentially *have* a back-up CF -- he just plays RF. So when Soriano needs a day off, move Jones to CF, and start Floyd in right.

 

Soriano LF/CF/RF

Jones RF/CF

Murton LF only

Floyd -- LF/RF

 

Holding only 4 "true" outfielders on the roster allows the 4th OF more opportunities to play -- and, provided he's a solid bat, that makes for a more effective line-up.

 

DeRosa can play the corners also.

[Rob]

Bobby Hill is garbage at best.

 

At worst, he's still better than Neifi or Tomas Perez.

[abuck1220]

man, everyone is really concerned about who the 5th outfielder and 3rd catcher are going to be.

[Schwarber Fan]

NBC Sports has it under transactions...

[NewUserName]

I dont think Bobby Hill is going to make the team.

 

I have mentioned this before in other threads. In the late 80s after Ken Phelps was given the starting DH job for Seatle he had a monster year. Bill James had been touting this guy for several years. Anyway in the next years Abstract Bill James had a "Ken Phelps All-Star" team. It was a bunch of players in their late 20s who had never been given a chance for what ever reasons like, KOs too much, too slow to be a middle infielder. Things like that. James thought if he could make his team of misfits it would be a .500 team. Randy Ready is the only guy that I remember being on the team. If I was going to do a modern one I would consider Bobby Hill being my 2nd basemen, actually him and Fontenot both. Without looking it up I am guessing there are starting major league 2nd basemen not as good as these guys.

[David]

I dont think Bobby Hill is going to make the team.

 

I have mentioned this before in other threads. In the late 80s after Ken Phelps was given the starting DH job for Seatle he had a monster year. Bill James had been touting this guy for several years. Anyway in the next years Abstract Bill James had a "Ken Phelps All-Star" team. It was a bunch of players in their late 20s who had never been given a chance for what ever reasons like, KOs too much, too slow to be a middle infielder. Things like that. James thought if he could make his team of misfits it would be a .500 team. Randy Ready is the only guy that I remember being on the team. If I was going to do a modern one I would consider Bobby Hill being my 2nd basemen, actually him and Fontenot both. Without looking it up I am guessing there are starting major league 2nd basemen not as good as these guys.

 

I think Brian Giles was a decent example of a player like that.

[NewUserName]

I dont think Bobby Hill is going to make the team.

 

I have mentioned this before in other threads. In the late 80s after Ken Phelps was given the starting DH job for Seatle he had a monster year. Bill James had been touting this guy for several years. Anyway in the next years Abstract Bill James had a "Ken Phelps All-Star" team. It was a bunch of players in their late 20s who had never been given a chance for what ever reasons like, KOs too much, too slow to be a middle infielder. Things like that. James thought if he could make his team of misfits it would be a .500 team. Randy Ready is the only guy that I remember being on the team. If I was going to do a modern one I would consider Bobby Hill being my 2nd basemen, actually him and Fontenot both. Without looking it up I am guessing there are starting major league 2nd basemen not as good as these guys.

 

I think Brian Giles was a decent example of a player like that.

 

 

I think Brian Giles was just stuck behind good talent in Cleveland. It wasnt that they didnt think he could play.

[Bruce Miles]

This signing has indeed been made. However, it does not include an invite to big-league camp. Hill will report with the minor-leaguers and will take part in minor-league camp.