Shannon Stewart?

[JonnyRed]

What's the point? Murton is a better version of Stewart.

 

But Murton's not going to play, and Stewart is a better option than Jacque Jones (assuming Pie takes over center field).

 

Lou being stubborn about Murton doesn't make acquiring Stewart a good move, it makes firing Lou a good one.

 

So you'd fire the 17th winningest manager in MLB history for a guy who has declined from last season? Don't get me wrong I really like Murt, but I don't see all the love people have for him based on his actual production. I'd much rather bash the Cubs for jerking around Pie.

[Rob]

What's the point? Murton is a better version of Stewart.

 

But Murton's not going to play, and Stewart is a better option than Jacque Jones (assuming Pie takes over center field).

 

Lou being stubborn about Murton doesn't make acquiring Stewart a good move, it makes firing Lou a good one.

 

So you'd fire the 17th winningest manager in MLB history for a guy who has declined from last season? Don't get me wrong I really like Murt, but I don't see all the love people have for him based on his actual production. I'd much rather bash the Cubs for jerking around Pie.

 

Perhaps I spoke a bit hastily. I didn't mean to imply the mismanagement of Murton is a fireable offense of its own. Combined with the rest of the screwups though, we really need to evaluate Lou's continued presence here. He certainly seems to be hurting more than he's helping at first glance.

[Tracer Bullet]

I think it's safe to say that Hendry/Lou want veteran experience of a race down the stretch run.

 

I wouldn't mind this move.

 

That's why they brought up a rookie second basemen to play LF instead of Murton when Soriano went down? Murton might have struggled in the majors earlier this year, but he outplayed EP to the tune of .140 OPS points at Iowa and he performed very well in a full season last year. It's not about a veteran, it's about Lou's dislike for Murton. There's just no other logical explanation at this point.

 

And no to the older, more expensive Shannon Stewart.

[soapy]

I don't understand this. Murton is at least as good as Stewart, and probably better.

 

2004-2006

Murton: .303/.370/.462

Stewart: .287/.347/.405

 

2007

Murton: .266/.342/.367

Stewart: .298/.360/.399

 

If Stewart could play CF, okay. But I don't think he can.

[NomarSammy]

What's the point? Murton is a better version of Stewart.

 

But Murton's not going to play, and Stewart is a better option than Jacque Jones (assuming Pie takes over center field).

 

Lou being stubborn about Murton doesn't make acquiring Stewart a good move, it makes firing Lou a good one.

 

So you'd fire the 17th winningest manager in MLB history for a guy who has declined from last season? Don't get me wrong I really like Murt, but I don't see all the love people have for him based on his actual production. I'd much rather bash the Cubs for jerking around Pie.

 

Perhaps I spoke a bit hastily. I didn't mean to imply the mismanagement of Murton is a fireable offense of its own. Combined with the rest of the screwups though, we really need to evaluate Lou's continued presence here. He certainly seems to be hurting more than he's helping at first glance.

 

Yaaa--that is it--FIRE LOU.... That will solve everything. I mean come on people, do you really think it is that easy?!?!?

[JeffH]

He (Lou) certainly seems to be hurting more than he's helping at first glance.

 

Are you kidding?

 

The Cubs have a terrible roster and he has us 3 games over .500.

 

The man should be immediately inducted into the Hall of Fame.

[WrigleyinEngland]

totally agree, the roster (in large parts) was flawed from the beginning and somehow Lou kept us going with the cajun combo and sorting out the pathetic play at the start of the season. It's not his fault Jones,Floyd,Pagan are so pathetic. He has to make a lineup card and i know many have slated him for the way he treated Murton however a) murton is not a RF and your superstar plays LF where murton plays and b) 1st game back matt makes a bonehead play and gets in lous doghouse. At least Lou has shown that poor play will not be rewarded. Unlike hendry who rewards god awful players with deals and then trades for even worse players see Bowen,Kendall,Izturis.

[CUBZ99]

Wasn't that big on getting Stewart until I checked out his numbers. The guy is amazingly consistent. This year is almost dead on with his career numbers, and his splits are fairly even. As long as Hendry doesn't mortgage the future, I think Stewart would be a nice addition to the Cubs.

[kujay]

Sounds like Shannon isn't excited about the possibility of a move. Maybe he talked to Latroy and Jacque. From SF Chronicle:

 

Stewart claimed by Cubs: Outfielder Shannon Stewart was claimed off waivers by the Cubs, according to a high-placed major-league source.

 

"I heard something like that," Stewart said before flying with the A's to Detroit. "I really don't know what to say about it. I like the guys here. I like the team here."

 

The A's can either negotiate a trade with the Cubs or pull back Stewart from the waiver wire.

[kujay]

And besides, do we really want to be trading with Billy?

[RynoRules]

I don't see how you can blame Lou for this team's flaws. They have their genisis, IMO, in the GM's office. Of course it is too late to fix it b/c Hendry's hand are tied by no fault of his own. It's a confluence of circumstances.

[RynoRules]

And besides, do we really want to be trading with Billy?

 

What's the problem with that? I don't recall getting fleeced by the A's.

[CUBZ99]

And besides, do we really want to be trading with Billy?

 

What's the problem with that? I don't recall getting fleeced by the A's.

 

Beane has really got Hendry in a tough position. He could demand a king's ransom for an average OF.

[jersey cubs fan]

Of course it is too late to fix it b/c Hendry's hand are tied by no fault of his own.

 

Really? No fault? Ownership has been putting up tons of cash for 4+ years under Hendry and he's produced disappointment after disappointment. He invested a crap load this offseason in a mismatched group of players. Don't you think some of the hand tying could be his fault, since the team is in the position it is today precisely because of what Hendry has done to screw up?

 

GMs work with budgets every day in MLB. Very few can just willy-nilly add to payroll. Yet repeatedly, year after year, GMs with far lower payrolls can far better results than Hendry gets.

[RynoRules]

Of course it is too late to fix it b/c Hendry's hand are tied by no fault of his own.

 

Really? No fault? Ownership has been putting up tons of cash for 4+ years under Hendry and he's produced disappointment after disappointment. He invested a crap load this offseason in a mismatched group of players. Don't you think some of the hand tying could be his fault, since the team is in the position it is today precisely because of what Hendry has done to screw up?

 

GMs work with budgets every day in MLB. Very few can just willy-nilly add to payroll. Yet repeatedly, year after year, GMs with far lower payrolls can far better results than Hendry gets.

 

I think your hatred of Jim has clouded your understanidng of what I posted. His hands are currently tied b/c ownership is in limbo. This is not his fault. Everything that came before that - good and bad - is his responsibility.

 

EDIT: You also ignored the part where I said that the genesis of this team's problems are found in the GM's office.

[jersey cubs fan]

Of course it is too late to fix it b/c Hendry's hand are tied by no fault of his own.

 

Really? No fault? Ownership has been putting up tons of cash for 4+ years under Hendry and he's produced disappointment after disappointment. He invested a crap load this offseason in a mismatched group of players. Don't you think some of the hand tying could be his fault, since the team is in the position it is today precisely because of what Hendry has done to screw up?

 

GMs work with budgets every day in MLB. Very few can just willy-nilly add to payroll. Yet repeatedly, year after year, GMs with far lower payrolls can far better results than Hendry gets.

 

I think your hatred of Jim has clouded your understanidng of what I posted. His hands are currently tied b/c ownership is in limbo. This is not his fault. Everything that came before that - good and bad - is his responsibility.

 

EDIT: You also ignored the part where I said that the genesis of this team's problems are found in the GM's office.

 

I didn't ignore anything. I just disagree that there is no fault of his own.

 

I believe that if Hendry didn't have such a horrible track record, that ownership would actually be willing to toss a couple bones the Cubs' way. But because there's absolutely no reason to trust Jim to spend it wisely, there's no reason to throw good money after bad. Jim's history of repeated screws ups and money wasting gives ownership more justification to cut off funds.

 

If he had a great track record, I could see them being willing to spend an extra couple million in hopes of making many more millions in revenue through the end of the playoffs.

[NewUserName]

Maybe this should be its own thread, but I was thinking about this when contemplating the addition of Shannon Stewart.

 

Are the Cubs really that close to being a World Champion? I mean realistically I am not sure they are that much better than the White Sox.

 

So if they are not an elite team(it would be hard to argue they are) they would either have to become an elite team, win the World Series by a fluke(Cardinals) or have several career years among mediocre players(White Sox).

 

Since Career Year and Fluke are both achieved by luck to a certain degree the best way to win a World Series is to build and elite team. What do the Cubs need to become a elite team? It obviously aint happening this year so they should try for fluke. In that case may as well bring in Shannon Stewart.

 

Starting next year what do the Cubs need to do to become a elite team? Knowing that if Z is resigned that will probably take away the ability to sign any other top tier free agent. If Z is not resigned the money would certainly have to go to a top free agent starter.

 

I think for the Cubs to have a chance at being elite in the next couple of years 4 players are really going to have to step up. Hill, Soto, Murton and Pie. Hill is going to have to become a 2nd starter. Soto and Pie are going to have to solidify the defense and be better than automatic outs. Murton has got to get his OPS to 850. All this being said I think the Cubs would be better served to let Murton, Soto and Pie play down the stretch. Yes we may blow it because of them. It would give them valuable experience for the future though. So in this case I wouldnt get Stewart.

[kujay]

And besides, do we really want to be trading with Billy?

 

What's the problem with that? I don't recall getting fleeced by the A's.

 

The Cubs haven't. But I think the Cards would prefer to have Dan Haren and Daric Barton back for Mulder.

[E.J.]

Maybe this should be its own thread, but I was thinking about this when contemplating the addition of Shannon Stewart.

 

Are the Cubs really that close to being a World Champion? I mean realistically I am not sure they are that much better than the White Sox.

 

So if they are not an elite team(it would be hard to argue they are) they would either have to become an elite team, win the World Series by a fluke(Cardinals) or have several career years among mediocre players(White Sox).

 

Since Career Year and Fluke are both achieved by luck to a certain degree the best way to win a World Series is to build and elite team. What do the Cubs need to become a elite team? It obviously aint happening this year so they should try for fluke. In that case may as well bring in Shannon Stewart.

 

Starting next year what do the Cubs need to do to become a elite team? Knowing that if Z is resigned that will probably take away the ability to sign any other top tier free agent. If Z is not resigned the money would certainly have to go to a top free agent starter.

 

I think for the Cubs to have a chance at being elite in the next couple of years 4 players are really going to have to step up. Hill, Soto, Murton and Pie. Hill is going to have to become a 2nd starter. Soto and Pie are going to have to solidify the defense and be better than automatic outs. Murton has got to get his OPS to 850. All this being said I think the Cubs would be better served to let Murton, Soto and Pie play down the stretch. Yes we may blow it because of them. It would give them valuable experience for the future though. So in this case I wouldnt get Stewart.

 

Just think of all the years that Soriano's contract will come back and hurt us.

[CubColtPacer]

Maybe this should be its own thread, but I was thinking about this when contemplating the addition of Shannon Stewart.

 

Are the Cubs really that close to being a World Champion? I mean realistically I am not sure they are that much better than the White Sox.

 

So if they are not an elite team(it would be hard to argue they are) they would either have to become an elite team, win the World Series by a fluke(Cardinals) or have several career years among mediocre players(White Sox).

 

Since Career Year and Fluke are both achieved by luck to a certain degree the best way to win a World Series is to build and elite team. What do the Cubs need to become a elite team? It obviously aint happening this year so they should try for fluke. In that case may as well bring in Shannon Stewart.

 

Starting next year what do the Cubs need to do to become a elite team? Knowing that if Z is resigned that will probably take away the ability to sign any other top tier free agent. If Z is not resigned the money would certainly have to go to a top free agent starter.

 

I think for the Cubs to have a chance at being elite in the next couple of years 4 players are really going to have to step up. Hill, Soto, Murton and Pie. Hill is going to have to become a 2nd starter. Soto and Pie are going to have to solidify the defense and be better than automatic outs. Murton has got to get his OPS to 850. All this being said I think the Cubs would be better served to let Murton, Soto and Pie play down the stretch. Yes we may blow it because of them. It would give them valuable experience for the future though. So in this case I wouldnt get Stewart.

 

Just think of all the years that Soriano's contract will come back and hurt us.

 

I wonder about that. Is the Byrnes contract a signal that the market is not going to trend back down anytime soon, or has it just not happened yet? The 2007 offseason will be very interesting-if it is the spending spree around the league that 2006 was, then all the big contracts around the league won't look as bad relatively.

[HoopsCubs]

But there is no way Murton makes it through waivers to Oakland. It'd have to be for players who are not on the 40-man or as a PTBNL.

 

Let's carry this thought forward. Oakland has three choices here:

 

(1) Pull him back from waivers.

(2) Just let him go to the Cubs - Cubs would assume the remaining contract.

(3) Make a trade.

 

If I understand waivers correctly with item 3, the Cubs can only trade 3 types of players: (a) player(s) from the Cubs 40-man who has (have) cleared waivers; (b) a player from the Cubs 40-man, who was claimed on waivers first by Oakland; © player(s) who is (are) not on the 40 man roster.

 

If it's scenario 3a or 3b, there would be no impact on the 40-man roster; however, if it's scenario 2 or 3c, the Cubs would have to remove somebody from their 40 man roster to add Stewart. That would be either a player who has cleared waivers or somebody the Cubs would have to DFA.

 

Interested to see how all this unfolds.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

But there is no way Murton makes it through waivers to Oakland. It'd have to be for players who are not on the 40-man or as a PTBNL.

 

Let's carry this thought forward. Oakland has three choices here:

 

(1) Pull him back from waivers.

(2) Just let him go to the Cubs - Cubs would assume the remaining contract.

(3) Make a trade.

 

If I understand waivers correctly with item 3, the Cubs can only trade 3 types of players: (a) player(s) from the Cubs 40-man who has (have) cleared waivers; (b) a player from the Cubs 40-man, who was claimed on waivers first by Oakland; © player(s) who is (are) not on the 40 man roster.

 

If it's scenario 3a or 3b, there would be no impact on the 40-man roster; however, if it's scenario 2 or 3c, the Cubs would have to remove somebody from their 40 man roster to add Stewart. That would be either a player who has cleared waivers or somebody the Cubs would have to DFA.

 

Interested to see how all this unfolds.

 

I guarantee ohman is in this deal. his cubs career is over.

[jersey cubs fan]

But there is no way Murton makes it through waivers to Oakland. It'd have to be for players who are not on the 40-man or as a PTBNL.

 

Let's carry this thought forward. Oakland has three choices here:

 

(1) Pull him back from waivers.

(2) Just let him go to the Cubs - Cubs would assume the remaining contract.

(3) Make a trade.

 

If I understand waivers correctly with item 3, the Cubs can only trade 3 types of players: (a) player(s) from the Cubs 40-man who has (have) cleared waivers; (b) a player from the Cubs 40-man, who was claimed on waivers first by Oakland; © player(s) who is (are) not on the 40 man roster.

 

If it's scenario 3a or 3b, there would be no impact on the 40-man roster; however, if it's scenario 2 or 3c, the Cubs would have to remove somebody from their 40 man roster to add Stewart. That would be either a player who has cleared waivers or somebody the Cubs would have to DFA.

 

Interested to see how all this unfolds.

 

Are we assuming the Cubs are the highest priority team to put in a claim?

[WindyCity]

But there is no way Murton makes it through waivers to Oakland. It'd have to be for players who are not on the 40-man or as a PTBNL.

 

Let's carry this thought forward. Oakland has three choices here:

 

(1) Pull him back from waivers.

(2) Just let him go to the Cubs - Cubs would assume the remaining contract.

(3) Make a trade.

 

If I understand waivers correctly with item 3, the Cubs can only trade 3 types of players: (a) player(s) from the Cubs 40-man who has (have) cleared waivers; (b) a player from the Cubs 40-man, who was claimed on waivers first by Oakland; © player(s) who is (are) not on the 40 man roster.

 

If it's scenario 3a or 3b, there would be no impact on the 40-man roster; however, if it's scenario 2 or 3c, the Cubs would have to remove somebody from their 40 man roster to add Stewart. That would be either a player who has cleared waivers or somebody the Cubs would have to DFA.

 

Interested to see how all this unfolds.

 

Can't they also deal a PTBNL (someone on the 40-man that may not have cleared waivers, but would be transferred to Oakland's roster after the season)? Then a spot for Stewart on the 40-man roster could be opened by transferring Blanco to the 60-day DL.

[HoopsCubs]

I guarantee ohman is in this deal. his cubs career is over.

 

Are you saying you know that Ohman has cleared waivers or that Oakland has claimed him first?