DeRosa Open to Being a Utility Player

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

While secondbase is obviously DeRosa's job to lose, from this article in the Sun-Times, it appears he wasn't promised the job, just a "shot" at the job. DeRosa also seems open to moving around if needed.

 

- When it came to narrowing his choices during free agency, Mark DeRosa picked the Cubs because they were going to give him a shot to be their everyday second baseman.

 

So would it bother DeRosa if he wound up bouncing around this spring, playing some right field, some third base, some first base?

 

''No, it wouldn't bother me, but I came here to play second base,'' DeRosa said Friday. ''I'm sure there will be some situations where guys will need a day off or a matchup presents itself. I have no problem moving around. It's got me to this point.''

 

It also seems as if Piniella wants to see him in a variety of places in the field.

 

'Well, last year, he played more in right field with Texas than any other position,'' manager Lou Piniella said. ''He's very important as far as what he brings to the party, and that's versatility and good offensive production. We're going to move him around a little bit in the spring.''

[BigbadB]

DeRosa>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Macias

[Amazing_Grace]

While secondbase is obviously DeRosa's job to lose, from this article in the Sun-Times, it appears he wasn't promised the job, just a "shot" at the job. DeRosa also seems open to moving around if needed.

 

- When it came to narrowing his choices during free agency, Mark DeRosa picked the Cubs because they were going to give him a shot to be their everyday second baseman.

 

So would it bother DeRosa if he wound up bouncing around this spring, playing some right field, some third base, some first base?

 

''No, it wouldn't bother me, but I came here to play second base,'' DeRosa said Friday. ''I'm sure there will be some situations where guys will need a day off or a matchup presents itself. I have no problem moving around. It's got me to this point.''

 

It also seems as if Piniella wants to see him in a variety of places in the field.

 

'Well, last year, he played more in right field with Texas than any other position,'' manager Lou Piniella said. ''He's very important as far as what he brings to the party, and that's versatility and good offensive production. We're going to move him around a little bit in the spring.''

 

Who could the Cubs possibly have been thinking of bringing in to play 2b next season other than DeRosa? Who do the Cubs have that would also have a "shot" at starting 2b. Are they really that high on Cedeno still? That seems really odd as I never heard of the Cubs pursuing any other 2b options via trade or free agency.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I would think Theriot should have a "shot" at secondbase due to his performance last season.

 

Personally, I think the performance was a bit fluky, but I could see Theriot given a "shot" as well.

[Fred Hornkohl]

I would think Theriot should have a "shot" at secondbase due to his performance last season.

 

Personally, I think the performance was a bit fluky, but I could see Theriot given a "shot" as well.

 

Man, you "Louisiana Guys" sure do stick togeher, eh? :wink:

[Danny82]

Theriot is the only other real option at 2B on the current roster.

[Laura]

Who could the Cubs possibly have been thinking of bringing in to play 2b next season other than DeRosa? Who do the Cubs have that would also have a "shot" at starting 2b. Are they really that high on Cedeno still? That seems really odd as I never heard of the Cubs pursuing any other 2b options via trade or free agency.

 

This may be more that The Powers That Be see DeRosa as a better RF backup or platoon option since he has experience there. I've heard that he has a good outfield arm. It would make more sense to have him play RF and Theriot 2B than the reverse if you want them both in the lineup.

 

Eric Patterson will hopefully earn a look later this season. I'm all for positional flexibility when it makes sense.

[Amazing_Grace]

I would think Theriot should have a "shot" at secondbase due to his performance last season.

 

Personally, I think the performance was a bit fluky, but I could see Theriot given a "shot" as well.

 

I don't mind Theriot as a backup. I'm not sure he's going to be any kind of option as a starter. He's 27 so he's not exactly a "prospect", and it's rare for guys to suddenly figure it out that far into their careers. I think it's reasonable to believe he'll give us better numbers than Neifi for a fraction of the cost, but I don't think he'll be able to duplicate last seasons .412 OBP over a whole season.

 

Does anyone else know of many guys that didn't break into the majors until age 27 that amounted to anything?

[Amazing_Grace]

Who could the Cubs possibly have been thinking of bringing in to play 2b next season other than DeRosa? Who do the Cubs have that would also have a "shot" at starting 2b. Are they really that high on Cedeno still? That seems really odd as I never heard of the Cubs pursuing any other 2b options via trade or free agency.

 

This may be more that The Powers That Be see DeRosa as a better RF backup or platoon option since he has experience there. I've heard that he has a good outfield arm. It would make more sense to have him play RF and Theriot 2B than the reverse if you want them both in the lineup.

 

Eric Patterson will hopefully earn a look later this season. I'm all for positional flexibility when it makes sense.

 

That's true, and I could see Piniella putting DeRosa in RF over Jones with Theriot coming in to play 2b against lefties. Man this team really needs another infielder.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I would think Theriot should have a "shot" at secondbase due to his performance last season.

 

Personally, I think the performance was a bit fluky, but I could see Theriot given a "shot" as well.

 

I don't mind Theriot as a backup. I'm not sure he's going to be any kind of option as a starter. He's 27 so he's not exactly a "prospect", and it's rare for guys to suddenly figure it out that far into their careers. I think it's reasonable to believe he'll give us better numbers than Neifi for a fraction of the cost, but I don't think he'll be able to duplicate last seasons .412 OBP over a whole season.

 

Does anyone else know of many guys that didn't break into the majors until age 27 that amounted to anything?

 

Up until last season, DeRosa had never been considered anything other than a back-up either.

[Amazing_Grace]

I would think Theriot should have a "shot" at secondbase due to his performance last season.

 

Personally, I think the performance was a bit fluky, but I could see Theriot given a "shot" as well.

 

I don't mind Theriot as a backup. I'm not sure he's going to be any kind of option as a starter. He's 27 so he's not exactly a "prospect", and it's rare for guys to suddenly figure it out that far into their careers. I think it's reasonable to believe he'll give us better numbers than Neifi for a fraction of the cost, but I don't think he'll be able to duplicate last seasons .412 OBP over a whole season.

 

Does anyone else know of many guys that didn't break into the majors until age 27 that amounted to anything?

 

Up until last season, DeRosa had never been considered anything other than a back-up either.

 

Yeah, that's true, and he's much older than Theriot. Now that I look at the stats, DeRosa didn't any significant at-bats until 2001, when he was about the same age Theriot is.

[BigbadB]

Who could the Cubs possibly have been thinking of bringing in to play 2b next season other than DeRosa? Who do the Cubs have that would also have a "shot" at starting 2b. Are they really that high on Cedeno still? That seems really odd as I never heard of the Cubs pursuing any other 2b options via trade or free agency.

 

This may be more that The Powers That Be see DeRosa as a better RF backup or platoon option since he has experience there. I've heard that he has a good outfield arm. It would make more sense to have him play RF and Theriot 2B than the reverse if you want them both in the lineup.

 

Eric Patterson will hopefully earn a look later this season. I'm all for positional flexibility when it makes sense.

 

That's true, and I could see Piniella putting DeRosa in RF over Jones with Theriot coming in to play 2b against lefties. Man this team really needs another infielder.

 

Theriot's sample size isn't really all that small. He's definitely earned an opportunity to show what he can do. Theriot just turned 27 in December, so it's not really fair to say he didn't make it until age 27.

 

Brian Giles was 25 when he got his first decent sample size at the major league level. Paul LoDuca? 27. I'm sure there are many others.

 

Will Theriot have an OBP over .400? Absolutely not. But, the guy gets on base at a very respectable level. 53 games is not a full season, but it's not just a total fluke either. DeRosa in RF while Theriot plays 2b against LHP is, IMO, a whole lot better than DeRosa at 2b, Jones in RF and Theriot on the bench.

[CubColtPacer]

Who could the Cubs possibly have been thinking of bringing in to play 2b next season other than DeRosa? Who do the Cubs have that would also have a "shot" at starting 2b. Are they really that high on Cedeno still? That seems really odd as I never heard of the Cubs pursuing any other 2b options via trade or free agency.

 

This may be more that The Powers That Be see DeRosa as a better RF backup or platoon option since he has experience there. I've heard that he has a good outfield arm. It would make more sense to have him play RF and Theriot 2B than the reverse if you want them both in the lineup.

 

Eric Patterson will hopefully earn a look later this season. I'm all for positional flexibility when it makes sense.

 

That's true, and I could see Piniella putting DeRosa in RF over Jones with Theriot coming in to play 2b against lefties. Man this team really needs another infielder.

 

If that's all these quotes from DeRosa and Piniella amount to (DeRosa/Jones vs righties and DeRosa/Theriot vs lefties)-I'll be very happy-in fact, that's what I hope these quotes are going on their way to implying.

[Guest]

Does anyone else know of many guys that didn't break into the majors until age 27 that amounted to anything?

Podsednik had one good year for Milwaukee at age 27 in his rookie year.

 

Likewise, Brady Clark never played in a MLB game until age 27.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

While Piniella may not have been my first choice as manager (nor my second or third for that matter), it does appear that he's no dummy. For that, I'm thankful. It also appears that he just doesn't promise jobs and is willing to look at combinations that will help the team win. I'm thankful for that as well.

[RichHillIsABeast]

I could see Theriot putting up .290/.350/.380/.730 this season.

 

DeRosa will outperform him by a good bit, so I don't think he will get the starting job. But Theriot is definitely worthy of playing time in a utility role if his defense holds up.

 

Cedeno shouldn't even sniff the big league team after the poor performance last season both defensively and offensively.

[b_wiggy_66]

I could see Theriot putting up .290/.350/.380/.730 this season.

 

DeRosa will outperform him by a good bit, so I don't think he will get the starting job. But Theriot is definitely worthy of playing time in a utility role if his defense holds up.

 

Cedeno shouldn't even sniff the big league team after the poor performance last season both defensively and offensively.

 

Agreed

[Chocolate Milk]

While Piniella may not have been my first choice as manager (nor my second or third for that matter), it does appear that he's no dummy. For that, I'm thankful. It also appears that he just doesn't promise jobs and is willing to look at combinations that will help the team win. I'm thankful for that as well.

 

I have been pleasantly surprised.

[Jehrico]

I would think Theriot should have a "shot" at secondbase due to his performance last season.

 

Personally, I think the performance was a bit fluky, but I could see Theriot given a "shot" as well.

 

I don't mind Theriot as a backup. I'm not sure he's going to be any kind of option as a starter. He's 27 so he's not exactly a "prospect", and it's rare for guys to suddenly figure it out that far into their careers. I think it's reasonable to believe he'll give us better numbers than Neifi for a fraction of the cost, but I don't think he'll be able to duplicate last seasons .412 OBP over a whole season.

 

Does anyone else know of many guys that didn't break into the majors until age 27 that amounted to anything?

Freddy Sanchez. Hard to believe that guy is 29 years old now. He's older than Jason Bay, Xavier Nady, and Jack Wilson.

[Danny82]

Wasn't Brian Giles like 26 in his first full season?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Wasn't Brian Giles like 26 in his first full season?

 

Correct.

[tkenm356]

Does anyone else know of many guys that didn't break into the majors until age 27 that amounted to anything?

 

Albert Pujols didn't break into the majors until he was 30 :)

[A New Era]

DeRosa>>>>>>>Macias

 

BBB, could you shorten that please? It's stretching my screen. .

[Amazing_Grace]

Does anyone else know of many guys that didn't break into the majors until age 27 that amounted to anything?

 

Albert Pujols didn't break into the majors until he was 30 :)

 

That's not right, Pujols was born in 1980 which makes him 26, the same age I am.

[Danny82]

Amazing Grace, I'm pretty sure he was joking.

 

The running joke is that nobody really knows exactly how old Pujols is for sure.