Now Playing 1B for the Yankees - Mark DeRosa???

[HoopsCubs]

Interesting...

 

http://www.nypost.com/seven/06172007/sports/let_the_trades_begin__sports_joel_sherman.htm?page=3

 

"In the end, the Yanks might have to settle for a first base/utility type who is currently overpaid such as San Francisco’s Rich Aurilia or the Cubs’ Mark DeRosa. As for New York’s other squad . . .

 

 

 

While I like DeRosa's .357 OBP, great attitude and plate patience, it would be good to get out from under his last 2+ years on the present contract.

 

 

 

Hoops

[Banedon]

As much as they are trying to get him in the lineup, there isn't really a spot for him if everyone is healthy. Fontenot has really been solid at 2b and we surely have enough outfielders to do the job.

[moorecg]

Yes please.

[daske17]

What do the Yanks have that the Cubs would want though? (other than A-Rod of course). Given Hendry and Piniella's love for DeRosa, I don't see him going anywhere.

[Tedward]

What do the Yanks have that the Cubs would want though? (other than A-Rod of course). Given Hendry and Piniella's love for DeRosa, I don't see him going anywhere.

 

Phillip Hughes please

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I wouldn't mind keeping Fontenot over DeRosa

[Soriano12]

Why do they consider Derosa overpaid? He makes 2.75 million which is chump change in todays market. I'd say he is a bargain(as 2B at least) Edited June 18, 2007 by Soriano12

[Handlebar McSkullet]

Why do they consider Derosa overpaid? He makes 2.5 million which is chump change in todays market. I'd say he is a bargain(as 2B at least)

 

+1

[TheDude]

Why do they consider Derosa overpaid? He makes 2.75 million which is chump change in todays market. I'd say he is a bargain(as 2B at least)

 

It's because of the 'utility' tag. Just as the 'leadoff' tag raises value, utility lowers value.

 

I don't think he is overpaid, because he's on his way toward 500 ABs, making him a full-time player. If you can get decent production and on base capability out of a full-time guy for under 3 million, then it's good value.

[soapy]

i'd certainly be interested, depending on what's coming back. DeRosa has exceeded my expectations for him so far, but i'd like to see the Cubs get out of the last two years of that contract. Theriot and/or Fontenot can cover 2B with the hope that Patterson is the future long-term solution.

 

having said that, i wouldn't just give him away because i think he has some value as a utility guy who can play RF, 2B, 1B and 3B if/when Patterson is ready. even if he is a little over-paid for that role.

[Abe Frohman]

DeRosa is an EXTREME bargain at his salary. I would hate to see him go.

[Banedon]

DeRosa is an EXTREME bargain at his salary. I would hate to see him go.

 

It's also what makes him a valuable trading chip though.

[rawaction]

Yeah, I don't see the Cubs trading DeRosa. Then again, they do have Fontenot, Theriot and Eric Patterson (if he's still a 2B) who can play there. His contract is not a bad one. His production is fine for 2B. I'm not opposed to trading anyone, but it's one of those deals where the prospect/player in return would probably have to be a steal for the Cubs in order to accept the deal. Whereas a deal for a pending FA or salary dump would take a lesser prospect.

[Outshined_One]

DeRosa is an EXTREME bargain at his salary. I would hate to see him go.

 

It's also what makes him a valuable trading chip though.

 

Precisely.

 

If some team is dumb enough to part with a B+ level prospect or better for DeRosa, I'd take the prospect and run.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm all for a future 2B situation where Theriot, Fontenot and Patterson battle it out, but I'm not that interested in saving money by giving DeRosa away at this point. He's needed for 3B help, he's needed for RH pop help as well. I'd like to see him be the guy playing RF when Floyd sits for the time being. I'm nowhere close to being in the mood for dumping everybody for an overhaul. Maybe if they stay right where they are I'll be in the mood on July 31st, but there's no reason to trade DeRosa now.

[Iceblink]

DeRosa has been pretty solid this year. He's second on the team in pitches per plate appearance, just behind Lee (both around #20-25 in the majors in that stat: link)

 

Fontenot and Theriot, much as I love the LSU action, will have their adjustment periods where they'll need some relief. Ramirez could fight his health the rest of the season, given his healing times from past injuries.

 

DeRosa's flexibility (and apparent willingness to play anywhere) and decent bat make him awfully valuable to hand away unless the return really does something for our team.

 

I don't think Hendry will move a guy he just signed, at least not until he's hit bottom in his value. I don't think Hendry usually moves anyone until they've hit bottom in their value, unless Juan Pierre is available.

[davearm]

Amazing.

 

With the way guys get hurt or suspended around here, you'd think there would me more appreciation for a guy that can play all over the place and hit respectably well.

 

Obviously anyone's tradeable, and if the Yanks (or anyone else) want to overpay, then that's great. But to send DeRosa out for some marginal prospect just to save a few bucks is asinine.

[Schwarber Fan]

I think DeRosa's versatility is too valuable. I think the Yankees are going to go for a proven 1B anyways.

[jersey cubs fan]

I think DeRosa's versatility is too valuable. I think the Yankees are going to go for a proven 1B anyways.

 

After several years where the Cubs stressed the "ability" to play several positions over the ability to play any of them well, while still producing, it is rather refreshing to have a guy who isn't a drag on the roster.

[Wheelimus]

Yeah, to me it would be stupid to move DeRosa unless the deal really improves our ballclub. We have no reason to just dump him. An .800+ OPS out of second base is not bad at all. Mix in his ability to competently play almost every position on the diamond and it just makes no sense to want to get rid of him.

 

Now, obviously, there is a price for every single player on the team. I'm just not sure who I can think of on the Yankees who would be a suitable haul that they'd be willing to give. Obviously, if the conversation went "hello, we'd like to trade you A-Rod for Mark DeRosa" you had me at hello...

[Banedon]

Amazing.

 

With the way guys get hurt or suspended around here, you'd think there would me more appreciation for a guy that can play all over the place and hit respectably well.

 

Obviously anyone's tradeable, and if the Yanks (or anyone else) want to overpay, then that's great. But to send DeRosa out for some marginal prospect just to save a few bucks is asinine.

 

The point to trading Derosa wouldn't be money, it would be what you could get back. I'm not advocating trading him for cash or any such nonsense. I'd want something good back for him, because as has been pointed out, he's no breaking the bank, and so we aren't in dire need of ditching him.

 

I had plenty of appreciation for Derosa. I can't really complain about what they guy has given us. But that said, baseball is a business, and if his value is high right now, and we can cash in on that, do it. He's not a guy that is going to cripple this team's chances of winning, and he might be able to bring something nice in return.

 

If I'm overestimating his value, then you're right...no reason to deal him.

[Outshined_One]

I don't think anyone here is advocating trading DeRosa simply for the sake of trading him. I think most people on this board would agree that he was a surprisingly good pickup and has been one of the better players on this team both offensively and defensively.

 

However, at the same time, it is possible that his value might be at an all-time high right now. Maybe there's a good likelihood that he'll continue to produce beyond the amount of money the Cubs are going to pay him over the coming seasons, but at the same time, there was plenty of consternation when he was first signed over his possible productivity. Maybe he's producing well now, but will he continue throughout the duration of his contract?

 

Along with that, this team has a surplus of cheap and potentially productive guys who could play 2B in Theriot, Patterson, and Fontenot. Once again, it's not a given these three guys will outproduce DeRosa over the coming seasons, but the Cubs have a lot of options and they're going to have to start freeing up some space.

 

I think I should emphasize something right now, though. I'm not burying DeRosa. Far from it. I think he's one of the most valuable members of this team in terms of what he brings to the table for what the Cubs are paying him. I'd hate to see the Cubs arbitrarily trade him away for low level prospects and spare parts.

 

However, if the Cubs traded him for some worthwhile prospects or as part of a larger deal for a worthwhile upgrade at a position of need, I'd be all in favor of it.

[NewUserName]

All I am going to say is that I like DeRossa. He is a solid player and brings a lot to the bench. More of players like this and less of the toolsey guys would make us a much better team.

 

That being said if we are still floundering 6 games behind Milwaukee at the end of July and can get good value for him, I wouldnt mind moving him.

[CubmanPi]

I really enjoy having DeRosa on the team as well, and would only like to see a trade in the event that the buyer overpays for him in a manner that pays off now.

 

That said, did the original article mention him for any reason, or was it yet another case of pulling a name out of his donkeyhole for the sake of filling space in an article?

[jersey cubs fan]

I really enjoy having DeRosa on the team as well, and would only like to see a trade in the event that the buyer overpays for him in a manner that pays off now.

 

That said, did the original article mention him for any reason, or was it yet another case of pulling a name out of his donkeyhole for the sake of filling space in an article?

 

I would bet it was just a matter of a writer looking for a utility player making millions on a team that may be looking to sell.