Jones withdraws trade request

[BigbadB]

I still think Jones is probably the better CFer of the two, though we really have no idea what kind of CFer Soriano will be. Jones can cover some ground and has logged a lot of games in CF. The arm is an issue, but nothing like Pierre.

 

The problem with Jones playing CF, is that he wouldn't have a platoon partner. He may not have one in RF either, but there is a higher likelihood of one in RF than there would be in CF. Against LHP, I'd like to see Murton and Floyd in the corners, and I'm even more clueless which of those two would be a better choice for RF.

 

In a perfect world, DeRosa and Murton would be in the corners against LHP, but will Lou like throwing off Izturis defensively with a different 2b partner frequently?

 

This team has a lot of guys without a true position. Realistically, the Cubs have 7 LFers and no one to play CF or RF.

 

Floyd, Murton, Soriano, Jones, Pagan, Ward and DeRosa are all LFers moreso than any other outfield position. Yikes.

[Danny82]

Soriano quite obviously has the arm for right. Just because he didn't play right in Washington because of Guillen doesn't mean he can't play right just as well as he played left.

[Guest]

Soriano quite obviously has the arm for right. Just because he didn't play right in Washington because of Guillen doesn't mean he can't play right just as well as he played left.

 

Exactly. I remember a few yrs ago, when Soriano first came up with the Yankees, most scouts around baseball, felt Soriano was very similar to Vladimir Guerrero, and thought RF would be the spot Soriano would eventually play. But because Soriano is uniquely talented, especially on the Cubs, i suspect he'll play CF this yr, and then play RF for the remainder of his contract, if Pie plays to his ability in CF.

[Abe Frohman]

Is it pretty much a foregone conclusion around here that DeRosa will bat 2nd, Barrett 6th, and Murton 7th?

 

Personally, I think Murton would be the better choice in the two hole, but if DeRosa matches his numbers from last year, I can't really complain with him in the two hole.

 

I'm in total agreement there. Murton has plate discipline and good gap power. DeRosa is going to be handy, but we just have to wait and see if last year was a fluke, and I think Murton learned a few things last season.

 

I'm hoping Theriot can make a statement, because I like to think he would be a better option for the Cubs in the leadoff spot.

 

2B Theriot

LF Murton

1B Lee

3B Ramirez

RF Soriano

CF Jones

CA Barrett

SS Izturis

 

I just see that lineup producing more runs.

 

Who's going to play center - Jones or Soriano?

 

I would think Jones would be better to stick in CF, since he is more expendable when Pie emerges. In the long run, Pie and Soriano will be two of our OFers, and Pie is defensively the best man for CF. Stick Jones there for now and let Soriano learn RF (not a can-of-corn position by any means).

Edited February 16, 2007 by Abe Frohman

[CuseCubFan69]

Is it pretty much a foregone conclusion around here that DeRosa will bat 2nd, Barrett 6th, and Murton 7th?

 

Personally, I think Murton would be the better choice in the two hole, but if DeRosa matches his numbers from last year, I can't really complain with him in the two hole.

 

I'm in total agreement there. Murton has plate discipline and good gap power. DeRosa is going to be handy, but we just have to wait and see if last year was a fluke, and I think Murton learned a few things last season.

 

I'm hoping Theriot can make a statement, because I like to think he would be a better option for the Cubs in the leadoff spot.

 

2B Theriot

LF Murton

1B Lee

3B Ramirez

CF Soriano

RF Jones/Floyd

CA Barrett

SS Izturis

 

I just see that lineup producing more runs.

 

I don't see DeRosa sitting the bench unless he's injured.

[goonys evil twin]

I don't see DeRosa sitting the bench unless he's injured.

 

And I don't see Soriano hitting anywhere other than leadoff.

[CubColtPacer]

Is it pretty much a foregone conclusion around here that DeRosa will bat 2nd, Barrett 6th, and Murton 7th?

 

Personally, I think Murton would be the better choice in the two hole, but if DeRosa matches his numbers from last year, I can't really complain with him in the two hole.

 

I'm in total agreement there. Murton has plate discipline and good gap power. DeRosa is going to be handy, but we just have to wait and see if last year was a fluke, and I think Murton learned a few things last season.

 

I'm hoping Theriot can make a statement, because I like to think he would be a better option for the Cubs in the leadoff spot.

 

2B Theriot

LF Murton

1B Lee

3B Ramirez

CF Soriano

RF Jones/Floyd

CA Barrett

SS Izturis

 

I just see that lineup producing more runs.

 

I don't see DeRosa sitting the bench unless he's injured.

 

I agree, not to mention that Soriano is not going to move out of the leadoff spot-I think Soriano at leadoff is more secure than Lee at the 3 spot or Ramirez at the 4 spot, and way more secure than any other spot.

 

Edit: looks like goony beat me to it.

[Abe Frohman]

I don't see DeRosa sitting the bench unless he's injured.

 

And I don't see Soriano hitting anywhere other than leadoff.

 

There is little chance that Soriano WON'T be hitting leadoff, we all know that. I just wonder where he would make the most impact - leading off or hitting 5th. Either place, he will be productive - but what is best for the team? Jones isn't a 5 hitter, Floyd is (when healthy - and what are the chances?).

 

I'm just throwing it out there. What do you think the most effective lineup would be - that one or this one:

 

RF Soriano

2B DeRosa/Theriot

1B Lee

3B Ramirez

CF Jones

CA Barrett

LF Murton

SS Izturis

[rchap24]

Hey IMB! what is your avatar from?

[cubsva]

Hey IMB! what is your avatar from?

 

It is from a show done by American Idol creators called "So You Think YOu Can Dance"

[rchap24]

Hey IMB! what is your avatar from?

 

It is from a show done by American Idol creators called "So You Think YOu Can Dance"

 

Thanks!

[radarluv1]

I don't see DeRosa sitting the bench unless he's injured.

 

And I don't see Soriano hitting anywhere other than leadoff.

 

There is little chance that Soriano WON'T be hitting leadoff, we all know that. I just wonder where he would make the most impact - leading off or hitting 5th. Either place, he will be productive - but what is best for the team? Jones isn't a 5 hitter, Floyd is (when healthy - and what are the chances?).

 

I'm just throwing it out there. What do you think the most effective lineup would be - that one or this one:

 

RF Soriano

2B DeRosa/Theriot

1B Lee

3B Ramirez

CF Jones

CA Barrett

LF Murton

SS Izturis

 

i like murton/jones/barrett for 5-7. then you dont have to move anyone else when floyd starts, put murts OBP in front of jones SLG.

[A New Era]

I don't see DeRosa sitting the bench unless he's injured.

 

And I don't see Soriano hitting anywhere other than leadoff.

 

There is little chance that Soriano WON'T be hitting leadoff, we all know that. I just wonder where he would make the most impact - leading off or hitting 5th. Either place, he will be productive - but what is best for the team? Jones isn't a 5 hitter, Floyd is (when healthy - and what are the chances?).

 

I'm just throwing it out there. What do you think the most effective lineup would be - that one or this one:

 

RF Soriano

2B DeRosa/Theriot

1B Lee

3B Ramirez

CF Jones

CA Barrett

LF Murton

SS Izturis

 

i like murton/jones/barrett for 5-7. then you dont have to move anyone else when floyd starts, put murts OBP in front of jones SLG.

 

Plus I think those automated line-up creators like putting OBP, SLG, OBP SLG, because it prob ends up giving you the most production. So OBP Murtin in front of SLG Jones is good. Then you have a very good hitter still near the end of your order. .

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Jones is in camp.

 

Link.

 

Jones refuted off-season speculation that he had asked the Cubs to be traded, though he conceded he had a difficult first year on the North Side.

 

"Was I uncomfortable with some of the things that happened? Of course," Jones said. "Was I uncomfortable with the ball being thrown at me? Was I uncomfortable with being called [names]? Yes. But I never asked to be traded."

 

Jones is also open to playing CF.

 

Looking forward to hitting in a potentially stronger lineup, Jones said he didn't mind if he played some center field, which he briefly played with the Twins before Torii Hunter took over. He spent the off-season in San Diego undergoing physical therapy to strengthen his injured right labrum and rotator cuff, which affected his throwing from right field last year. Jones said the shoulder feels much better.

 

"I was embarrassed by the way I threw the ball last year," he said. "I want to improve on that."

 

And Lou doesn't rule out a platoon.

 

Asked on Friday if he planned to platoon Jones, Piniella said, "I'm going to give everybody an opportunity. I'm very open-minded, but at the same time, I'm going to put out the best possible lineup to win."

[RichHillIsABeast]

Lou >>>>>> Dusty

[A New Era]

Hopefully when Lou says "best possible line-up" he means things like, Theroit at 2B, Derosa in RF against Lefties.

 

Because Dusty would spout "best chance to win" and would have Pagan in LF, Bynum at 2B, and Neifi at short.

[CuseCubFan69]

Hopefully when Lou says "best possible line-up" he means things like, Theroit at 2B, Derosa in RF against Lefties.

 

Because Dusty would spout "best chance to win" and would have Pagan in LF, Bynum at 2B, and Neifi at short.

 

I like what Lou has said so far but I I'm waiting to see what he really does. He is the guy that played A.Gonzalez at 3rd over some pretty good prospects in TB. I don't know what was up with that.

[Illini Iceman]

Hopefully when Lou says "best possible line-up" he means things like, Theroit at 2B, Derosa in RF against Lefties.

 

Because Dusty would spout "best chance to win" and would have Pagan in LF, Bynum at 2B, and Neifi at short.

 

I like what Lou has said so far but I I'm waiting to see what he really does. He is the guy that played A.Gonzalez at 3rd over some pretty good prospects in TB. I don't know what was up with that.

 

What 3B prospects are you referring to?

[Post Count Padder]

Finley still hopes to be a Cub if we trade Jones:

 

Steve Finley-OF- Giants Feb. 18 - 3:46 am et

 

 

Free agent Steve Finley is reportedly still hoping the Cubs' center field position opens up through a Jacque Jones trade.

 

If not, he'll eventually have to accept a bench job elsewhere. According to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal, the Marlins aren't interested in making him their center fielder.

Source: FOXSports.com

[ltb]

Finley still hopes to be a Cub if we trade Jones:

 

Steve Finley-OF- Giants Feb. 18 - 3:46 am et

 

 

Free agent Steve Finley is reportedly still hoping the Cubs' center field position opens up through a Jacque Jones trade.

 

If not, he'll eventually have to accept a bench job elsewhere. According to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal, the Marlins aren't interested in making him their center fielder.

Source: FOXSports.com

 

if this is the case, trading jones is a huge mistake

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

The only way the Cubs would sign Finley would be

 

a. Jones is traded which I don't see why that would happen now.

 

b. Neither Soriano nor Jones are adequate in CF defensively AND Pie isn't deemed ready.

 

So, the likelihood of Finley joining the Cubs is about nil.

[elinas]

The only way the Cubs would sign Finley would be

 

a. Jones is traded which I don't see why that would happen now.

 

b. Neither Soriano nor Jones are adequate in CF defensively AND Pie isn't deemed ready.

 

So, the likelihood of Finley joining the Cubs is about nil.

Good, because signing Finley to even be on this team would be a mistake.

[Rob]

The only way the Cubs would sign Finley would be

 

a. Jones is traded which I don't see why that would happen now.

 

b. Neither Soriano nor Jones are adequate in CF defensively AND Pie isn't deemed ready.

 

So, the likelihood of Finley joining the Cubs is about nil.

Good, because signing Finley to even be on this team would be a mistake.

 

I don't know... with Darren Baker gone who is going to sit on the manager's lap at press conferences?

[Soul]

Hopefully when Lou says "best possible line-up" he means things like, Theroit at 2B, Derosa in RF against Lefties.

 

Because Dusty would spout "best chance to win" and would have Pagan in LF, Bynum at 2B, and Neifi at short.

 

I like what Lou has said so far but I I'm waiting to see what he really does. He is the guy that played A.Gonzalez at 3rd over some pretty good prospects in TB. I don't know what was up with that.

 

It was a team of prospects. You're begrudging him playing one semi-vet at one position?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Hopefully when Lou says "best possible line-up" he means things like, Theroit at 2B, Derosa in RF against Lefties.

 

Because Dusty would spout "best chance to win" and would have Pagan in LF, Bynum at 2B, and Neifi at short.

 

I like what Lou has said so far but I I'm waiting to see what he really does. He is the guy that played A.Gonzalez at 3rd over some pretty good prospects in TB. I don't know what was up with that.

 

It was a team of prospects. You're begrudging him playing one semi-vet at one position?

 

No it wasn't, and yes, it was a terrible decision.