The SS Situation

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Cedeno, with Theriot as a fallback.

[killthegoat06]

Veal + Paweleck + Izturis + Moore for Tejada.

Give 'em Eyre, too.

[HoopsCubs]

The fact that you repeatedly said the name Eckstein really disgusts me.

 

 

He's approaching his mid 30's now, and was never that good to begin with.

 

Let Theriot play the role of Eckstein circa 2005 at a fraction of the cost, or go in a completely different direction. But don't pay millions for that type of production.

 

What's more disgusting? Paying $4M to Izturis or $4M to Eckstein?

I'm all for going with Theriot if he's ready.

[killthegoat06]

The fact that you repeatedly said the name Eckstein really disgusts me.

 

 

He's approaching his mid 30's now, and was never that good to begin with.

 

Let Theriot play the role of Eckstein circa 2005 at a fraction of the cost, or go in a completely different direction. But don't pay millions for that type of production.

 

What's more disgusting? Paying $4M to Izturis or $4M to Eckstein?

I'm all for going with Theriot if he's ready.

Fontenot can't play SS, can he?

[Soriano12]

I'd prefer not to give up Veal. He has been turning it around of late in AA. The Cubs should focus on upgrading offensively in RF, and stick with Theriot for the time being at SS>

[jersey cubs fan]

The fact that you repeatedly said the name Eckstein really disgusts me.

 

 

He's approaching his mid 30's now, and was never that good to begin with.

 

Let Theriot play the role of Eckstein circa 2005 at a fraction of the cost, or go in a completely different direction. But don't pay millions for that type of production.

 

What's more disgusting? Paying $4M to Izturis or $4M to Eckstein?

I'm all for going with Theriot if he's ready.

 

See, the problem is Eckstein's name should not be mentioned. There's no reason to even consider him a fallback. It's not whether or not he's better than Izturis.

[HoopsCubs]

The fact that you repeatedly said the name Eckstein really disgusts me.

 

 

He's approaching his mid 30's now, and was never that good to begin with.

 

Let Theriot play the role of Eckstein circa 2005 at a fraction of the cost, or go in a completely different direction. But don't pay millions for that type of production.

 

What's more disgusting? Paying $4M to Izturis or $4M to Eckstein?

I'm all for going with Theriot if he's ready.

 

See, the problem is Eckstein's name should not be mentioned. There's no reason to even consider him a fallback. It's not whether or not he's better than Izturis.

 

He's a potential free agent. And the Cubs may potentially have an opening at SS to fill for 2008. Why shouldn't his name be mentioned in a SS conversation? Why isn't he a potential fallback? He's got a career OBP of .350, which is better than Izturis and Theriot. He's 32 and he might be a good addition for 2 years with Soriano, Pie, Lee and Ramirez.

[jersey cubs fan]

He's a potential free agent. And the Cubs may potentially have an opening at SS to fill for 2008. Why shouldn't his name be mentioned in a SS conversation?

 

Because he's overrated and not very good. It would be so very Cubs like to pay anything for the crap production a guy like Eckstein is likely to give as he enters his mid 30's. Aneheim and STL got the most out of him, he's gotten the most out of his talent. But the pumpkin is going to show up soon and the Cubs should not be the one holding onto his contract when it does.

 

If they can't get ARod, then fill SS internally with some $350,000 fill-ins and spend money on players that would actually improve the team.

[rawaction]

No Orlando Cabrera fans?

[inari]

No Orlando Cabrera fans?

 

You know, I was thinking about that the other day. In 2004, it was a foregone conclusion we were going to get Orlando Cabrera. Instead, we got Nomar, which seemed much better.

 

We'd be golden at the SS position if we had just gotten Orlando like we were supposed to.

[jersey cubs fan]

No Orlando Cabrera fans?

 

I doubt he's available. He's signed through next year and having a great season on a 1st place team.

 

But no, I'm not much of a fan. This year is clearly a fluke. He's 32 and putting up an OPS+ 45.3% above his career average of 86. He has a career .321 OBP, which is weak, but tolerable. Howeve, he's been at .306 and .309 in 2 of of the previous 3 seasons. He turns 33 this November. I'm guessing maybe the Angels would trade him in his walk year, but how much would you have to give up for the right to pay him $9m and hope he doesn't regress?

[rawaction]

No Orlando Cabrera fans?

 

I doubt he's available. He's signed through next year and having a great season on a 1st place team.

 

But no, I'm not much of a fan. This year is clearly a fluke. He's 32 and putting up an OPS+ 45.3% above his career average of 86. He has a career .321 OBP, which is weak, but tolerable. Howeve, he's been at .306 and .309 in 2 of of the previous 3 seasons. He turns 33 this November. I'm guessing maybe the Angels would trade him in his walk year, but how much would you have to give up for the right to pay him $9m and hope he doesn't regress?

 

I'm not a fan either, to be honest. Just think he is an interesting name especially considering he has been a target in the past.

[TruffleShuffle]

The fact that you repeatedly said the name Eckstein really disgusts me.

 

 

He's approaching his mid 30's now, and was never that good to begin with.

 

Let Theriot play the role of Eckstein circa 2005 at a fraction of the cost, or go in a completely different direction. But don't pay millions for that type of production.

 

What's more disgusting? Paying $4M to Izturis or $4M to Eckstein?

I'm all for going with Theriot if he's ready.

Fontenot can't play SS, can he?

 

He played it a fair amount at Iowa, but he wouldn't be a good-fielding shortstop. Then again, Brendan Harris isn't supposed to be able to play SS, and he's out there every game for the D-Rays.

[jersey cubs fan]

No Orlando Cabrera fans?

 

I doubt he's available. He's signed through next year and having a great season on a 1st place team.

 

But no, I'm not much of a fan. This year is clearly a fluke. He's 32 and putting up an OPS+ 45.3% above his career average of 86. He has a career .321 OBP, which is weak, but tolerable. Howeve, he's been at .306 and .309 in 2 of of the previous 3 seasons. He turns 33 this November. I'm guessing maybe the Angels would trade him in his walk year, but how much would you have to give up for the right to pay him $9m and hope he doesn't regress?

 

I'm not a fan either, to be honest. Just think he is an interesting name especially considering he has been a target in the past.

 

He is an interesting name. If LAA wanted to trade him this year and took back Izturis + Jones, that would be nice. Cabrera certainly stands a better shot of not being a black hole. But once you make the trade, I fear they give him something like 4/40 which his numbers don't seem to justify.

[rawaction]

The fact that you repeatedly said the name Eckstein really disgusts me.

 

 

He's approaching his mid 30's now, and was never that good to begin with.

 

Let Theriot play the role of Eckstein circa 2005 at a fraction of the cost, or go in a completely different direction. But don't pay millions for that type of production.

 

What's more disgusting? Paying $4M to Izturis or $4M to Eckstein?

I'm all for going with Theriot if he's ready.

Fontenot can't play SS, can he?

 

He played it a fair amount at Iowa, but he wouldn't be a good-fielding shortstop. Then again, Brendan Harris isn't supposed to be able to play SS, and he's out there every game for the D-Rays.

 

Brendan Harris could be on the market, with Reid Brignac on the way.

[TruffleShuffle]

Brendan Harris could be on the market, with Reid Brignac on the way.

 

The question is, how much of Harris' performance this year is a fluke? His BABIP is .363, obviously unsustainable unless he keeps hitting line drives at a 28% rate. PECOTA certainly didn't forecast a season this good out of him. Fontenot's PECOTA has him averaging around a .345 OBP with a .750 OPS over the next five years. If you're going to go with a guy who's got pretty solid offense but a glove that works better at 3B/2B, why not just stick Fontenot there? He can probably do about the same as Harris, and you won't have to give up anything of value.

[rawaction]

Brendan Harris could be on the market, with Reid Brignac on the way.

 

The question is, how much of Harris' performance this year is a fluke? His BABIP is .363, obviously unsustainable unless he keeps hitting line drives at a 28% rate. PECOTA certainly didn't forecast a season this good out of him. Fontenot's PECOTA has him averaging around a .345 OBP with a .750 OPS over the next five years. If you're going to go with a guy who's got pretty solid offense but a glove that works better at 3B/2B, why not just stick Fontenot there? He can probably do about the same as Harris, and you won't have to give up anything of value.

 

I'm still not convince Fonty can handle SS. Although, he does seem to have the range and the arm from what I've seen from him at 2B.

[Guest]

Didn't realize his arm looked good. I always thought it was a major question mark outside of 2B.

[TruffleShuffle]

Brendan Harris could be on the market, with Reid Brignac on the way.

 

The question is, how much of Harris' performance this year is a fluke? His BABIP is .363, obviously unsustainable unless he keeps hitting line drives at a 28% rate. PECOTA certainly didn't forecast a season this good out of him. Fontenot's PECOTA has him averaging around a .345 OBP with a .750 OPS over the next five years. If you're going to go with a guy who's got pretty solid offense but a glove that works better at 3B/2B, why not just stick Fontenot there? He can probably do about the same as Harris, and you won't have to give up anything of value.

 

I'm still not convince Fonty can handle SS. Although, he does seem to have the range and the arm from what I've seen from him at 2B.

 

Depends what you mean by "handle." If you stick him there, he'll almost certainly be one of the five worst fielding SS in the majors. With a fly ball pitcher like Hill or Lilly on the mound, I'd have no problem putting him out there... maybe with Marquis, Zambrano and Miller, you work Theriot/Izturis in there, especially when the opposing pitcher is a lefty. It's a matter of trading for offense... with Fontenot you probably gain about 100 points of OPS (30 OBP, 70 SLG) but lose defense from Izturis. Is that worth it? I think so.

[CoolHandLuke]

I'm with Goony, I want to go big (ARod) or go cheap. A mediocre, expensive vet like Eckstein doesn't do much to improve the team.

[Backtobanks]

One of the MLB rumor sites reported that everyone on the Rangers is available except Michael Young. Since there will be teams after Texeira and a few of their relief pitchers, maybe we can find a way to swing a 3-way trade and pick up a SS by using some prospects, Izzy, and Jones.

[TruffleShuffle]

One of the MLB rumor sites reported that everyone on the Rangers is available except Michael Young. Since there will be teams after Texeira and a few of their relief pitchers, maybe we can find a way to swing a 3-way trade and pick up a SS by using some prospects, Izzy, and Jones.

 

nobody wants those losers

[Abe Frohman]

I'm with Goony, I want to go big (ARod) or go cheap. A mediocre, expensive vet like Eckstein doesn't do much to improve the team.

 

Totally agree.

 

Tell me, IF A-Rod opts out - isn't he losing $27 mil a year? He'd really be an idiot to do that.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

One of the MLB rumor sites reported that everyone on the Rangers is available except Michael Young. Since there will be teams after Texeira and a few of their relief pitchers, maybe we can find a way to swing a 3-way trade and pick up a SS by using some prospects, Izzy, and Jones.

 

I'd rather keep Teixeira for ourselves

[Soriano12]

Jones and Izturis add 0 value to any trade package.

 

These are the only 2 trade options.

 

Jim Hendry calls GM 1

 

Hey buddy, can you do me a solid, take this stiff Jones, I'll pay 75% of his contract, just give me some garbage prospect that nobody knows about so I can put out some spin on him.

 

Jim Hendry calls GM 2

 

Allright, we will do the deal for Zambrano, but if you are only gonna give us 2 top prospects you have to take this bum Izturis and 100% of his salary.