Why can't Theriot play SS?

[windycityfan]

Why in the name of everything that is holy and good can't Lou try Theriot at SS and just tie Izturis up to a corner in the clubhouse never to be seen again?

 

Maybe he doesn't have the arm and his defense won't be spectacular, but his footwork and reaction at 2B looks very good and he chases everything down. He also played SS earlier in his career, didn't he? It's not like his bat will suffer. His speed and Freel-esque approach to the game cannot be hurt.

 

Someone please show me how wrong I am, else I'll have a coronary when Izturis shows up in the lineup again.

[Soriano12]

Can't take the heat.

[Dirt Dog Sparly]

Personally I love the wild man approach to the game Theriot brings. That being said while he goes to the left very well I am not sure about going right. Also his first step is slow which makes him good for second but puts you at a disadvantage at SS. It also hurts him at 3rd which is so much of a reaction position where first step quickness is needed.

 

But heck when the bullpen is giving up homeruns I guess who you have on the infield isnt that important.

[windycityfan]

Izturis and Cedeno are having a very difficult time hitting above their weight. And they're not anything defensively to write home about.

 

It's a win-win. Install Theriot and DeRosa as full-time starters now.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

DeRosa played quite a bit of ss. I have no problem keeping izturis, but theriot needs to be in the game at least 5 out 6 games a week.

[YearofDaCubs]

DeRosa played quite a bit of ss. I have no problem keeping izturis, but theriot needs to be in the game at least 5 out 6 games a week.

I do have a problem keeping Izturis. I'd rather see one of our minor leaguers over this guy. He is no good.

[NewUserName]

I always thought of Theriot as a Eckstein type player. Can he learn to adjust to his weaknessess at SS?

[Irrelevant Dude]

Izturis and Cedeno are having a very difficult time hitting above their weight.

Hitting isn't their problem, they just don't weigh enough.

[coreyMVP]

Exactly. I think he compares very favorably to Eckstein.

[Abe Frohman]

Exactly. I think he compares very favorably to Eckstein.

 

Theriot has a better arm. He was a hell of a SS at LSU, and wasn't too bad in the system. Worth a shot.

[Twiggy]

Izturis and Cedeno both need to go. Theriot and DeRosa up the middle please.

[Danny82]

I must admit my surprise that Lou hasn't at least tried him there yet.

 

He's tried so many other different combinations so he doesn't seem adverse to taking a chance to see how things work out.

[OleMissCub]

Exactly. I think he compares very favorably to Eckstein.

 

Theriot has a better arm. He was a hell of a SS at LSU, and wasn't too bad in the system. Worth a shot.

 

Yes he was. I'm a big fan of trying him out at SS. Every time Izzy comes up I can almost count on him being an out.

 

And all this talk about Theriot being small...5'11 isn't that small. I think he just looks small on TV or something.

[hitamprun]

I think this may be Lou's next move to ignite the team, and get the most productive guys in the lineup.

 

With that said, I do think either DeRosa or Theirot will evenutally be exposed at SS. Theriot does not have a SS arm and I don't think DeRosa has the range.

[OleMissCub]

I think this may be Lou's next move to ignite the team, and get the most productive guys in the lineup.

 

With that said, I do think either DeRosa or Theirot will evenutally be exposed at SS. Theriot does not have a SS arm and I don't think DeRosa has the range.

 

I disagree. Theriot certainly had a good enough arm at LSU. Don't forget that he played SS through much of his time in the Cubs system.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I think Theriot would be fine at SS. If we can put Floyd in at RF, we can at least try The Riot at short.

[OleMissCub]

I think Theriot would be fine at SS. If we can put Floyd in at RF, we can at least try The Riot at short.

 

You'd rather have Floyd than Jones in RF? A Soriano, Pie, and Jones OF would be fine with me for now. Eventually I'd envision Soriano, Pie, and Murton in the OF.

[hitamprun]

I disagree. Theriot certainly had a good enough arm at LSU. Don't forget that he played SS through much of his time in the Cubs system.

 

 

He may have had a good enouph arm at LSU, but that doesn't mean he does at this level. Also, there is probably a reason the Cubs moved him from SS.

[cubbyvirus00]

what would they do with Izzy, and Cedeno?

[MajikRat]

I thought I heard Bob or Len mention on the pregame show yesterday that Theriot and DeRosa had been taking some balls at shortstop prior to the game. Maybe a change is a coming???

[moorecg]

what would they do with Izzy, and Cedeno?

 

Ball boys? They should be able to field those grounders the young ladies down by the stands always seem to boot.

[biittner77]

The fact that he played SS in college isn't very meaningful. Most MI that get drafted played there at some point.

 

The question we should be asking is why did he get moved from SS? Probably because his range and his arm were not suited for the position long term.

 

Theriot at SS is a band aid solution. Lack of production by the OF is what's really hurting the Cubs right now.

[CubColtPacer]

I think Theriot would be fine at SS. If we can put Floyd in at RF, we can at least try The Riot at short.

 

You'd rather have Floyd than Jones in RF? A Soriano, Pie, and Jones OF would be fine with me for now. Eventually I'd envision Soriano, Pie, and Murton in the OF.

 

I think he meant the fact that Floyd started the game in RF last night. If they are willing to have the defensive problems of Floyd in RF at least occasionally, then they should also be willing to try to have the possible defensive problems of Theriot at SS.

 

I would agree completely with that logic-if they are willing to try all these strange combinations, then they should be willing to try Theriot at SS, at least for a while. Right now the only thing the two SS's are giving you is the occasional power hit by Cedeno, and the walks by Izturis.

[soapy]

The fact that he played SS in college isn't very meaningful. Most MI that get drafted played there at some point.

 

The question we should be asking is why did he get moved from SS? Probably because his range and his arm were not suited for the position long term.

 

Theriot at SS is a band aid solution. Lack of production by the OF is what's really hurting the Cubs right now.

And that black hole that is Cedeno/Izturis isn't? At least one can reasonably expect that the offensive production from the OF is going to pick up. The same can't be said for Izturis or Cedeno.

[CubColtPacer]

The fact that he played SS in college isn't very meaningful. Most MI that get drafted played there at some point.

 

The question we should be asking is why did he get moved from SS? Probably because his range and his arm were not suited for the position long term.

 

Theriot at SS is a band aid solution. Lack of production by the OF is what's really hurting the Cubs right now.

And that black hole that is Cedeno/Izturis isn't? At least one can reasonably expect that the offensive production from the OF is going to pick up. The same can't be said for Izturis or Cedeno.

 

Well, you have to expect Izturis/Cedeno to pick it up-how much so is questionable, but given more time they'd probably add 100 OPS points each-an improvement, but they'd still be a black hole at that level.