Kendall evaluation

[ConstableRabbit]

I don't know what's up with Kendall. I always liked his playing abilities and he always seemed to kill us when with PIT.

 

I wonder what has gone wrong this year

[jersey cubs fan]

I don't know what's up with Kendall. I always liked his playing abilities and he always seemed to kill us when with PIT.

 

I wonder what has gone wrong this year

 

Catcher + past injuries catching up to him + normal wear and tear + age + insane amount of time logged behind the plate = prime decline time for Jason Kendall.

 

He did do well with Pit. But that was a long time ago. The fact that he's a career .300 hitter with a great OBP does not mean he can defy the odds and sustain that productivity into his mid 30's when it is so rare for catchers to do that.

[Soul]

Seems all but clear he's finished. I mistakenly thought he would at least hit well enough to be better than Hill. My bad.

 

I wonder if they'll just dump him and bring Soto back up.

[Rob]

I really don't understand some people's thought processes. Kendall cost the Cubs all of $500K cash over the big league minimum; Rob Bowen; and the Great Jerry Blevins, Minor League Superstar.

 

We saw enough of what Bowen could and could not do.

 

$500K cash is peanuts to the Cubs.

 

So you take a flyer on whether Kendall is truly awful awful awful and finished, or maybe he had a lousy 1st half and could do something akin to recent years of posting 340+ OBPs; which would be a genuine improvement for the Cubs. You put him back in his comfort zone in the National League and see if he has something left. It's not like some veterans don't post horrible half-seasons, and then go nuts the second half....it seems to happen every year to someone.

 

The evidence to date looks like Kendall can't deliver the goods, but the cost to find out was trivial. I am one of the biggest Hendry bashers around, but not on this deal. It was a very low risk gambit. If Kendall continues to reek, then so long as Lou forces him to grab perma-pine and/or Hendry waives him, then I say no harm, no foul.

 

I couldn't agree more. Kendall has a past, and the hope was to catch lighting in the bottle. Maybe coming back the central will wake up his bat. I don't see the big deal, its not like Bowen or Hill are any good anyway. I still hold out hope he'll adjust to NL pitching soon and help the club.

 

Soto may be good. He was the only guy who actually stood a chance of doing something good this year.

 

Look I don't know anything about Soto, but why didn't he come up before Hill if he's so good? Why didn't he come up after Barrett was gone and we had Bowen/Hill up? Is it really everyone blocking him? I would think if he's so good, he'd been given a chance. Its not like guys aren't getting chances this year from the minors.

 

Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus ranked Soto the #3 catching prospect in the minors right now (not including new draftees).

[imb]

I really don't understand some people's thought processes. Kendall cost the Cubs all of $500K cash over the big league minimum; Rob Bowen; and the Great Jerry Blevins, Minor League Superstar.

 

We saw enough of what Bowen could and could not do.

 

$500K cash is peanuts to the Cubs.

 

So you take a flyer on whether Kendall is truly awful awful awful and finished, or maybe he had a lousy 1st half and could do something akin to recent years of posting 340+ OBPs; which would be a genuine improvement for the Cubs. You put him back in his comfort zone in the National League and see if he has something left. It's not like some veterans don't post horrible half-seasons, and then go nuts the second half....it seems to happen every year to someone.

 

The evidence to date looks like Kendall can't deliver the goods, but the cost to find out was trivial. I am one of the biggest Hendry bashers around, but not on this deal. It was a very low risk gambit. If Kendall continues to reek, then so long as Lou forces him to grab perma-pine and/or Hendry waives him, then I say no harm, no foul.

 

I couldn't agree more. Kendall has a past, and the hope was to catch lighting in the bottle. Maybe coming back the central will wake up his bat. I don't see the big deal, its not like Bowen or Hill are any good anyway. I still hold out hope he'll adjust to NL pitching soon and help the club.

 

Soto may be good. He was the only guy who actually stood a chance of doing something good this year.

 

Look I don't know anything about Soto, but why didn't he come up before Hill if he's so good? Why didn't he come up after Barrett was gone and we had Bowen/Hill up? Is it really everyone blocking him? I would think if he's so good, he'd been given a chance. Its not like guys aren't getting chances this year from the minors.

 

Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus ranked Soto the #3 catching prospect in the minors right now (not including new draftees).

 

what does that nerd know that the cubs dont?

[CyHawk_Cub]

The trade sucks, but I won't blame Hendry. It was a sell low, high reward tht could've worked real nicely. Unfortunately it didn't.

It was a smart move that didn't pan out.

 

I don't understand the first part and can't figure out how you can defend the second part.

 

Ditto--he goes from "this trade sucks" all the logical way to "it was a smart move."

[cheapseats]

I really don't understand some people's thought processes. Kendall cost the Cubs all of $500K cash over the big league minimum; Rob Bowen; and the Great Jerry Blevins, Minor League Superstar.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opportunity_cost

 

Kevin Goldstein ranks Soto as the third-best catching prospect in the minors.

Mid-season ZIPS projections predict Soto would outhit Kendall for the rest of the year.

 

By trading for the second-worst catcher in all of MLB this year, the Cubs forgo the opportunity to give Soto at-bats.

[TruffleShuffle]

I really don't understand some people's thought processes. Kendall cost the Cubs all of $500K cash over the big league minimum; Rob Bowen; and the Great Jerry Blevins, Minor League Superstar.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opportunity_cost

 

Kevin Goldstein ranks Soto as the third-best catching prospect in the minors.

Mid-season ZIPS projections predict Soto would outhit Kendall for the rest of the year.

 

By trading for the second-worst catcher in all of MLB this year, the Cubs forgo the opportunity to give Soto at-bats.

 

where do you get the mid-season ZIPS projections?

[E.J.]

chicagosports.com[/url]"]Cubs manager Lou Piniella said Wednesday he will split the playing time behind the plate between Jason Kendall and Koyie Hill for the time being.

 

When Kendall arrived in a trade from Oakland on July 16, Piniella said he would get the bulk of the starts. But Kendall began his Cubs career with a 1-for-15 skid.

 

 

"He's probably trying to impress," Piniella said. "We'll give him some time to work with [hitting coach Gerald Perry]. I'm going to play Kendall and Hill every other day for a little bit and see if we can get Kendall's bat going that way."

[TruffleShuffle]

chicagosports.com[/url]"]Cubs manager Lou Piniella said Wednesday he will split the playing time behind the plate between Jason Kendall and Koyie Hill for the time being.

 

When Kendall arrived in a trade from Oakland on July 16, Piniella said he would get the bulk of the starts. But Kendall began his Cubs career with a 1-for-15 skid.

 

 

"He's probably trying to impress," Piniella said. "We'll give him some time to work with [hitting coach Gerald Perry]. I'm going to play Kendall and Hill every other day for a little bit and see if we can get Kendall's bat going that way."

 

](*,)

 

Koyie Hill is a bad hitter! Soto isn't. If you're going to split time, at least call up Soto and send down Hill.

[abuck1220]

this is mind-boggling...

 

Take away Barrett's numbers and the other five catchers have hit a combined .129 (19-for-147) with one home run, seven doubles and 16 RBIs, including Hill's five-RBI game against San Francisco last Thursday. In comparison, Cubs pitchers are hitting a combined .157 with three home runs and 14 RBIs.

 

can that even be right? my goodness, this is a big market major league team...that's pathetic.

[TruffleShuffle]

this is mind-boggling...

 

Take away Barrett's numbers and the other five catchers have hit a combined .129 (19-for-147) with one home run, seven doubles and 16 RBIs, including Hill's five-RBI game against San Francisco last Thursday. In comparison, Cubs pitchers are hitting a combined .157 with three home runs and 14 RBIs.

 

can that even be right? my goodness, this is a big market major league team...that's pathetic.

 

that'd be hilarious if this were the 2006 cubs and all you can do is laugh at them... unfortunately this team is actually pretty good, so it's just depressing. I guess we can feel good that the ineptitude of our catchers hasn't put us out of the playoff race.

[soccer10k]

this is mind-boggling...

 

Take away Barrett's numbers and the other five catchers have hit a combined .129 (19-for-147) with one home run, seven doubles and 16 RBIs, including Hill's five-RBI game against San Francisco last Thursday. In comparison, Cubs pitchers are hitting a combined .157 with three home runs and 14 RBIs.

 

can that even be right? my goodness, this is a big market major league team...that's pathetic.

 

that'd be hilarious if this were the 2006 cubs and all you can do is laugh at them... unfortunately this team is actually pretty good, so it's just depressing. I guess we can feel good that the ineptitude of our catchers hasn't put us out of the playoff race.

 

To go even further:

 

Cubs starting pitchers: .161/.173/.229/.402

Cubs catchers sans Barrett: .141/.217/.221/.438

 

That's right, Cubs starting pitchers have a higher SLG than the catchers do.

[BigSlick]

Good Lord.

 

I feel like finding out Jim Hendry's personal cell phone number, calling him, and begging to have him call up Geovany Soto.

[cheapseats]

I really don't understand some people's thought processes. Kendall cost the Cubs all of $500K cash over the big league minimum; Rob Bowen; and the Great Jerry Blevins, Minor League Superstar.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opportunity_cost

 

Kevin Goldstein ranks Soto as the third-best catching prospect in the minors.

Mid-season ZIPS projections predict Soto would outhit Kendall for the rest of the year.

 

By trading for the second-worst catcher in all of MLB this year, the Cubs forgo the opportunity to give Soto at-bats.

 

where do you get the mid-season ZIPS projections?

 

The creator of ZIPS comments on the Kendall trade here:

http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/oracle/discussion/cubs_acquired_kendall/

 

other ZIPS projections here:

http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/oracle/discussion/zips_in_season_projection_tool_v_30/

[cybercub]

Soto, Hill > Kendall,Blanco

 

A good mix of vetrans and young players has proven effective for the Cubs so far this season.

 

Depth at any position is a good thing.

 

Zambrano & Hill seem to be a good combination. Whatever it takes to keep Carlos rolling. The rest of the pitching staff also seems to have benefitted from the departure of Barrett.

 

Given time, I believe Soto will offer the best offensive production. It appears he will be a line-drive type hitter with gap power.

 

I haven't seen enough of him behind the plate to offer an opinion as to his defensive skills. I do remember 2 great throws to second that should have been caught-stealing's had the tags been applied properly.

 

Trammell immediately talked to Fontenot and Theriot reguarding that issue.

 

I think the addition of Kendall was decent insurance policy for minimal cost, but clearly he will not put us over the top.

[Soul]

Hill starts again last night, blowout.

 

Kendall starts & it's either a loss or a struggle to win.

 

 

Just sayin'. Of course this is all based on unimpeachable, flawless science.

[Sammy Sofa]

Hill starts again last night, blowout.

 

Kendall starts & it's either a loss or a struggle to win.

 

 

Just sayin'. Of course this is all based on unimpeachable, flawless science.

 

I am interested in your theories, sir, and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

[moorecg]

hardballtimes.com

 

Thanks...

 

So with the very small sample size of at bats with the Cubs he's seeing over 4 pitches per plate appearance (very good), and his BA/BIP is .071 (statistically that has to improve) ....

 

I'm not ready to write him off just yet...

 

.286/.385/.777 And that's including an awful first 3-4 games.

 

I'm still not advocating resigning him, but considering Barrett is hitting

.230/.238/.528 in the same time period, maybe Hendry deserves some credit for this deal...or at least its not nearly the horrible trade that some made it out to be.

[Cynosure]

hardballtimes.com

 

Thanks...

 

So with the very small sample size of at bats with the Cubs he's seeing over 4 pitches per plate appearance (very good), and his BA/BIP is .071 (statistically that has to improve) ....

 

I'm not ready to write him off just yet...

 

.286/.385/.777 And that's including an awful first 3-4 games.

 

I'm still not advocating resigning him, but considering Barrett is hitting

.230/.238/.528 in the same time period, maybe Hendry deserves some credit for this deal...or at least its not nearly the horrible trade that some made it out to be.

 

All he needed was time, he's a career .300+ hitter, no matter how old he gets he knows how to hit and has seen enough pitches in his time to be able to take walks. I am glad he is stepping it up now.

[C.C.]

hardballtimes.com

 

Thanks...

 

So with the very small sample size of at bats with the Cubs he's seeing over 4 pitches per plate appearance (very good), and his BA/BIP is .071 (statistically that has to improve) ....

 

I'm not ready to write him off just yet...

 

.286/.385/.777 And that's including an awful first 3-4 games.

 

I'm still not advocating resigning him, but considering Barrett is hitting

.230/.238/.528 in the same time period, maybe Hendry deserves some credit for this deal...or at least its not nearly the horrible trade that some made it out to be.

 

He's been impressive once he settled in here. I still can't believe Barrett numbers? Flat out brutal!

[NCCubFan]

I wouldn't be against re-signing him to a one-year deal if he'd agree to one. Especially if the idea is for him to be insurance in case Soto doesn't work out.

[Wheelimus]

Agreed, a one year deal would not be a problem at all. Good insurance.

[Derwood]

I wouldn't be against re-signing him to a one-year deal if he'd agree to one. Especially if the idea is for him to be insurance in case Soto doesn't work out.

 

so naive.

[weis21]

I remember the transaction thread when people were acting like the sky was falling when hendry traded for him. Another example of people's overreactions on this board. I was one of the very few advocating that we needed to just let the trade play itself out. He is definitely past his prime but he can still get on base (.400 OBP in the second half of last year). Now he may still fall on his face, but I think he'll be reliable and solid for the rest of this year at least. His OPS+ since joining the cubs is 102 while Barretts is 41 since joining the padres.