A-Rod talkin' like Mr. Cub

[CubColtPacer]

Is there any reason to believe Arod couldn't play short any more? He's what 30, 31 or 32? What Omar Visquel 80 or something? Why is there even a discussion on putting Arod at a different postion? I'm sure playing 3rd base for a couple years he's prolly forgot how to play short..

 

He will be 32 in July, and there are questions about him being able to play short anymore because he has bulked up a little bit (and of course hasn't played there in a while). If he can play short passably is a mystery that nobody really knows for sure right now.

[Buford T Justice]

Has he been hurt at all in his carrer?

[goonys evil twin]

I still said they might acquire him for 2B-but they are not going to acquire him and pay him all that money for a position in which they already have players they are happy with.

 

There are 2 corner OF positions, and they are nowhere near set for the next 3-4 years.

 

One of those corner outfielders certainly is set with Soriano. The Cubs already said that the reason they had a tough time finding a guy to replace Jones over the off-season was that they refused to get anybody that could block Pie for any reason-that's not likely to change, so Pie gets CF. Then you have Murton. To sign A-Rod, they would have to pay him 15+ million, then shift him to completely different type of position than he's ever played, and then trade Murton. That seems very, very unlikely to me.

 

You are just giving away a spot to Pie, who hasn't come close to locking down a gig, and claiming the Cubs are dead set on a guy who they are platooning this year. Soriano is the only sure thing, and they might need him for center for the next several seasons.

 

Besides all that, you'd be insane to pass on ARod because you think you might have a decent OF without him. ARod is a difference maker. He would easily vault to the top spot on the Cubs. You make room for people like that. Hell, trade Murton if you have to. I like the guy, but he's no Miguel Cabrera.

[CubColtPacer]

Has he been hurt at all in his carrer?

 

The only time he played less than 140 games in his career was 1999 when he played 129 games-so he has never been hurt for a significant period of time.

 

I forgot one other thing-people believe that A-Rod's defense is getting worse at 3B, not better-which leads them to conclude that his overall defensive skills are slipping and that a move to SS would not help matters in that regard.

[Sammy Sofa]

Is there any reason to believe Arod couldn't play short any more? He's what 30, 31 or 32? What Omar Visquel 80 or something? Why is there even a discussion on putting Arod at a different postion? I'm sure playing 3rd base for a couple years he's prolly forgot how to play short..

 

He will be 32 in July, and there are questions about him being able to play short anymore because he has bulked up a little bit (and of course hasn't played there in a while). If he can play short passably is a mystery that nobody really knows for sure right now.

 

I've seen a couple Yankees forums where the few pro-ARod posters claim he's lost something like 15 pounds over the offseason, so hey, maybe it's all part of the master plan for him to get back to the infield spot where he belongs.

 

I think ARod's "it's up to the NY fans" are just creating a safety net for himself. The majority of Yankee fans hate him and likely wouldn't accept him as "true Yankee" short of him not having a single defensive error and winning the World Series with a grand slam. They jump all over him for the littlest thing up there...he'd have the careeriest of career years for them to finally shut up.

[goonys evil twin]

Has he been hurt at all in his carrer?

 

The only time he played less than 140 games in his career was 1999 when he played 129 games-so he has never been hurt for a significant period of time.

 

I forgot one other thing-people believe that A-Rod's defense is getting worse at 3B, not better-which leads them to conclude that his overall defensive skills are slipping and that a move to SS would not help matters in that regard.

 

Except the skills needed are quite different. ARod has never been completely comfortable with the move to 3rd, so any struggles there don't tell you a thing about how he'd handle SS. Regardless. Even if he's slipped, he's still overall the best by a wide margin.

[CubColtPacer]

I still said they might acquire him for 2B-but they are not going to acquire him and pay him all that money for a position in which they already have players they are happy with.

 

There are 2 corner OF positions, and they are nowhere near set for the next 3-4 years.

 

One of those corner outfielders certainly is set with Soriano. The Cubs already said that the reason they had a tough time finding a guy to replace Jones over the off-season was that they refused to get anybody that could block Pie for any reason-that's not likely to change, so Pie gets CF. Then you have Murton. To sign A-Rod, they would have to pay him 15+ million, then shift him to completely different type of position than he's ever played, and then trade Murton. That seems very, very unlikely to me.

 

You are just giving away a spot to Pie, who hasn't come close to locking down a gig, and claiming the Cubs are dead set on a guy who they are platooning this year. Soriano is the only sure thing, and they might need him for center for the next several seasons.

 

Besides all that, you'd be insane to pass on ARod because you think you might have a decent OF without him. ARod is a difference maker. He would easily vault to the top spot on the Cubs. You make room for people like that. Hell, trade Murton if you have to. I like the guy, but he's no Miguel Cabrera.

 

Well, I wouldn't just give the spot to Pie-but it certainly seems like the Cubs are. A disastrous season by Pie in Triple A may change that though.

 

I'm not saying what they should do-I'm saying I don't think there's any way that the Cubs would consider A-Rod for a corner outfield spot.

[NCCubFan]

I'm saying I don't think there's any way that the Cubs would consider A-Rod for a corner outfield spot.

They certainly would consider it if they have the opportunity to acquire him and he'd fit in better in the outfield rather than infield. Just because you're happy with what you currently have doesn't mean you couldn't be even happier with an upgrade.

[Backtobanks]

Unless Arod can play SS, he won't play for the Cubs.

 

I don't think that is the case at all. He could play 2nd base or one of the corner outfield spots.

 

And then we could go after Bonds or Dunn to play SS.

[goonys evil twin]

Unless Arod can play SS, he won't play for the Cubs.

 

I don't think that is the case at all. He could play 2nd base or one of the corner outfield spots.

 

And then we could go after Bonds or Dunn to play SS.

 

ARod in the OF is realistic, Bonds or Dunn at SS is not. There's no reason for your post.

 

Besides, ARod can play SS.

[Garwilly]

Is this official yet or what, Jeesh.

[Backtobanks]

Unless Arod can play SS, he won't play for the Cubs.

 

I don't think that is the case at all. He could play 2nd base or one of the corner outfield spots.

 

And then we could go after Bonds or Dunn to play SS.

 

ARod in the OF is realistic, Bonds or Dunn at SS is not. There's no reason for your post.

 

Besides, ARod can play SS.

 

My point is that an older, bulked-up ARod is still a much better SS option than what the Cubs now have, so why in the world would people talk about putting him in the OF.

[goonys evil twin]

Unless Arod can play SS, he won't play for the Cubs.

 

I don't think that is the case at all. He could play 2nd base or one of the corner outfield spots.

 

And then we could go after Bonds or Dunn to play SS.

 

ARod in the OF is realistic, Bonds or Dunn at SS is not. There's no reason for your post.

 

Besides, ARod can play SS.

 

My point is that an older, bulked-up ARod is still a much better SS option than what the Cubs now have, so why in the world would people talk about putting him in the OF.

 

As a backup plan in case, for some reason, he can't play SS anymore. It's pretty safe to assume he won't retire a SS. At some point he'd have to move. If he became a Cub, it's not unreasonable to think about him eventually being in the OF.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Some how I think the Arod topic could dominate the transaction forum for the next nine months.

[goonys evil twin]

Some how I think the Arod topic could dominate the transaction forum for the next nine months.

 

After he's traded here in 2 weeks there will be a spike, but then there won't be any need to talk about it anymore.

[Laura]

Come to Papa Lou, ARod!

[Rob]

I find it surprising this thread keep growing, considering I don't see anything happening until the offseason (if at all).

[Jazz]

I find it surprising this thread keep growing, considering I don't see anything happening until the offseason (if at all).

 

The mere speculation at acquiring a long coveted superstar will do that to this board. Just look at the Dunn threads.

 

Except to me, barring a Yankee WS and a horrible A-Rod year, it is inevitable that he leaves the Yankees. Then there are pretty good odds he joins the cubs.

[fibro]

I find it surprising this thread keep growing, considering I don't see anything happening until the offseason (if at all).

 

I think this thread continues to grow because their seems to be some story every week about how A-Rod is going to leave or is thinking about leaving. Now because of the Lou conection their is always going to be Cubs speculation by people on this board and the media. Also A-Rod can not seem to keep his mouth shut for more than five seconds.

[David]

I'm just curious, without having to wade through all 10 pages, has Bruce made an appearance in this thread and made any kind of comment on the speculation? I've been following this thread fairly regularly, but I'm not sure.

[CarolinaCubFan]

Seems like somewhere, in some thread, I've read he said it isn't happening. If it were being talked about openly, I'm sure he'd know. At the same time, colusion - or whatever that word is, has to come in to play at some point. Lou and Arod still talk, that's been admitted by both party's. Lou and Jim talk. You never know what is being said behind closed doors.

 

Bruce usually states fact, I'd like to hear his opinion though.

[A New Era]

Seems like somewhere, in some thread, I've read he said it isn't happening. If it were being talked about openly, I'm sure he'd know. At the same time, colusion - or whatever that word is, has to come in to play at some point. Lou and Arod still talk, that's been admitted by both party's. Lou and Jim talk. You never know what is being said behind closed doors.

 

Bruce usually states fact, I'd like to hear his opinion though.

 

Yeah. I'm really starting to think, if A-rod REALLY went around during the winter saying I'm gonna be with Lou and the Cubs, then it would have been reported all over the place. However, what you say is true.

 

it's just nice to think about.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

This really isn't a story until the offseason. Arod is Yankee property until then and they aren't trading him unless they get a haul in return.

 

I still don't see Arod walking away from the kind of money he has left on that deal.

[cbbryan]

Reports in NY are that he will accept being traded, but he'd want an extension in 3/49 million range. So if the Cubs traded for him they may have him for 6 years. I believe he has 3/81 after this year, so it would somewhere in the range of 6/130 which wouldn't be back considering Texas is on the hook the first 3 years.

[Banedon]

Reports in NY are that he will accept being traded, but he'd want an extension in 3/49 million range. So if the Cubs traded for him they may have him for 6 years. I believe he has 3/81 after this year, so it would somewhere in the range of 6/130 which wouldn't be back considering Texas is on the hook the first 3 years.

 

I'm willing to take my chances on A-rod with that...