Levine: Cubs will try for Church through waivers p.18

[Have a seat, Neifi]

Many of those doubles in RFK would HRs in Wrigley.

 

I've lived in DC for a few years now, and Church has basically gotten the short end of the stick from the Nats organization pretty much since Day 1. For some reason, he can't seem to win the starting CF job, no matter how efficient his production is when he does play. Sort of mind-boggling. He's the kind of guy who I could see flourishing in a hitter friendy ballpark if given the chance to play everyday. Nice fielder, good patience, decent power.

[Derwood]

I'll see if I can get a hold of my guy this morning for an update. He's less willing to talk when he's at work (obviously) but we'll see what he says.

 

FWIW, my source started with the Nationals as the guy who wrote game notes, etc. for each game. He works in their main office in DC.

[anabiono]

i would have no problem in acquiring church

 

better than every other rumor out there

 

except for griffey

[Keener98]

So someobody please explain to me why I should want Church on this team? He cant help us with one of main weaknesses which is left handed pitching. I guess I dont see what there is that I should be excited about, but Im willing to listen to people tell me otherwise

 

After looking at his career numbers I can see why people like him I guess. I love the 90-100 point difference in BA/OBP.

 

However he cant hit lefties, which sucks

[E.J.]

So someobody please explain to me why I should want Church on this team? He cant help us with one of main weaknesses which is left handed pitching. I guess I dont see what there is that I should be excited about, but Im willing to listen to people tell me otherwise

 

Church can play CF. He's a much better option in CF than J. Jones at this point.

 

OPS+ last 3 years:

 

Church: 120, 128, 101

 

Jones: 99, 107, 67

 

Plus, his numbers versus lefties are almost as good as his numbers versus righties, so he can play against lefties as well.

[Keener98]

So someobody please explain to me why I should want Church on this team? He cant help us with one of main weaknesses which is left handed pitching. I guess I dont see what there is that I should be excited about, but Im willing to listen to people tell me otherwise

 

Church can play CF. He's a much better option in CF than J. Jones at this point.

 

OPS+ last 3 years:

 

Church: 120, 128, 101

 

Jones: 99, 107, 67

 

Plus, his numbers versus lefties are almost as good as his numbers versus righties, so he can play against lefties as well.

 

Yea his numbers in his career are pretty constant vs lefties, I was just looking at this years numbers. where would you hit him in this lineup? 2nd is taken, but with his OBP he would be nice there, he doesnt have much power so I doubt 5th, so Im guessing 7th. Hitting 7th would kind of negate his OBP since Kendall/Hill would be following him.

[Tracer Bullet]

So someobody please explain to me why I should want Church on this team? He cant help us with one of main weaknesses which is left handed pitching. I guess I dont see what there is that I should be excited about, but Im willing to listen to people tell me otherwise

 

After looking at his career numbers I can see why people like him I guess. I love the 90-100 point difference in BA/OBP.

 

However he cant hit lefties, which sucks

 

I'm not sure where you're getting this. He hasn't faced many lefties in his ML career, but he's got a .353 OBP and .400 SLG against them in 175 or so ABs. So he might not have much power against them, but his on base skills don't disappear against LHP.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Hit him 5th or 6th, swapping with DeRosa depending on if it's a RHP or LHP on the mound that day.

[Tracer Bullet]

So someobody please explain to me why I should want Church on this team? He cant help us with one of main weaknesses which is left handed pitching. I guess I dont see what there is that I should be excited about, but Im willing to listen to people tell me otherwise

 

Church can play CF. He's a much better option in CF than J. Jones at this point.

 

OPS+ last 3 years:

 

Church: 120, 128, 101

 

Jones: 99, 107, 67

 

Plus, his numbers versus lefties are almost as good as his numbers versus righties, so he can play against lefties as well.

 

Yea his numbers in his career are pretty constant vs lefties, I was just looking at this years numbers. where would you hit him in this lineup? 2nd is taken, but with his OBP he would be nice there, he doesnt have much power so I doubt 5th, so Im guessing 7th. Hitting 7th would kind of negate his OBP since Kendall/Hill would be following him.

 

I'd put him 2nd. But if you bat him 6th or 7th, it's not like his OBP serves no purpose. Even at those spots, its better to make outs less often.

[JeffH]

Even at those spots, its better to make outs less often.

 

You can't find this kind of analysis just anywhere. :wink:

[Keener98]

So someobody please explain to me why I should want Church on this team? He cant help us with one of main weaknesses which is left handed pitching. I guess I dont see what there is that I should be excited about, but Im willing to listen to people tell me otherwise

 

After looking at his career numbers I can see why people like him I guess. I love the 90-100 point difference in BA/OBP.

 

However he cant hit lefties, which sucks

 

I'm not sure where you're getting this. He hasn't faced many lefties in his ML career, but he's got a .353 OBP and .400 SLG against them in 175 or so ABs. So he might not have much power against them, but his on base skills don't disappear against LHP.

 

Yea I mentioned it in my other post, I had just looked at this years numbers vs lefties. While I agree his OBP still serves a purpose hitting down there, I was trying to think of a way to maximize it. The only way I have thought of to maximize his OBP, would be to move Theriot to leadoff, with Church 2nd Lee 3rd Soriano 4th Aram 5th DeRo 6th.

 

But we all know Soriano is staying at leadoff so thats not plausible.

[David]

Luckily, lineup order doesn't matter much in terms of runs scored over the course of a season. Get the bats first, worry about where to hit them later.

[YearofDaCubs]

Church for a A player? Please get it done Jimbo.

[Keener98]

Luckily, lineup order doesn't matter much in terms of runs scored over the course of a season. Get the bats first, worry about where to hit them later.

 

Agreed, but I just got home from work, and really need to go to bed but dont want to so it was a way to get some discussion going :lol:

[Have a seat, Neifi]

Church has 39 XBHs this year, which would rank him 3rd on our team, way behind Soriano's 53 but just 1 behind Lee/Ramirez who are each tied at 40. No one else on our team is even close to that number. For a team that's 9th in the NL in SLG%, I'd think Church would look pretty nice in CF everyday.

[JeffH]

If they somehow managed to acquire Church, I wonder if they would revisit Jacque-for-Payton.

[cubweiser03]

They can have all the A ball prospects for all i care. Harvey, Dope, Smards. Put em all on a bus and just head north.

[Banedon]

If they somehow managed to acquire Church, I wonder if they would revisit Jacque-for-Payton.

 

I was wondering if they traded for Church if they would hold on to Jacque still, because I can't imagine him being too happy with sharing time in CF. Unless they plan on playing Jacque in RF with Church in CF?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

If they somehow managed to acquire Church, I wonder if they would revisit Jacque-for-Payton.

 

I hope not.

 

I was going to suggest Jacque to Florida again if we took back someone they didn't want next year, but they have absolutely no one guaranteed money next year.

[JeffH]

If they somehow managed to acquire Church, I wonder if they would revisit Jacque-for-Payton.

 

I hope not.

 

I was going to suggest Jacque to Florida again if we took back someone they didn't want next year, but they have absolutely no one guaranteed money next year.

 

I think Jacque-for-Payton would be a good idea. Payton should help a little with the problems against LHP. Gets Jacque off the team for next year. Whatever little value Jacque may have goes right out the window as a part-time player. We definitely don't want him hanging around next season as an option to Pie and/or a distraction.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

If they somehow managed to acquire Church, I wonder if they would revisit Jacque-for-Payton.

 

I hope not.

 

I was going to suggest Jacque to Florida again if we took back someone they didn't want next year, but they have absolutely no one guaranteed money next year.

 

I think Jacque-for-Payton would be a good idea. Payton should help a little with the problems against LHP. Gets Jacque off the team for next year. Whatever little value Jacque may have goes right out the window as a part-time player. We definitely don't want him hanging around next season as an option to Pie and/or a distraction.

 

But all those things apply to Payton too. I'd take my chances that we can deal Jones in the offseason, and not trading for Payton makes it more likely that Church would rightfully be given a shot as an everyday player.

[JeffH]

At least Payton is accustomed to being a part-time player and would have a role next year as a RHH OF.

[Derwood]

once my source get on IM this morning I'll see if he has any news

[Ding Dong Johnson]

once my source get on IM this morning I'll see if he has any news

 

wait a minute, is your "source" Len?

[Garwilly]

once my source get on IM this morning I'll see if he has any news

 

wait a minute, is your "source" Len?

 

Magic 8 Ball.