Cubs #1 Priority: Lefty Power Bat

[Schwarber Fan]

The Cubs won the National League Central title in the first season under manager Lou Piniella, and head to Nashville for the Winter Meetings, which begin Monday, with far fewer holes to fill.

 

At the top of the list is finding a left-handed power hitter to complement the very right-handed lineup, which includes Soriano, Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee. There's an opening in right field following the trade of Jacque Jones to the Detroit Tigers for infielder Omar Infante.

 

"Our initial moves, as we cleared our deck a little after the season, clearly show we'll go after a quality left-handed-hitting outfielder, either in the free-agent world or through a trade," Hendry said. "We'd also like to add some left-handed hitting on the bench or in a versatile role.

 

"We don't have a lot of moves, but we feel the moves we need to make are just as important as the moves we made last year," he added. "We have some inventory on the 40-man roster and we'll be prepared to make a significant trade if it comes our way with the inventory. We'll grind it out every offseason like we usually do and go to camp with a better club than last season."

 

Cubs.com

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

Well outside of Fukudome, I don't know where they will find one, except via of a major trade. It isn't like Hendry could pull one out of his rear end.

 

 

**I'll leave that softball up there for someone to hit out of the park.

Edited November 28, 2007 by GoCubsGo!!

[jersey cubs fan]

And yet, they do much worse against LHP than RHP, which should tell them they need bats, not specifically lefty bats.

 

 

It never ceases to amaze me how focused this team can be on getting specific types of players that they don't really "need" to be focusing on.

[MSG T]

The Cubs won the National League Central title in the first season under manager Lou Piniella, and head to Nashville for the Winter Meetings, which begin Monday, with far fewer holes to fill.

 

At the top of the list is finding a left-handed power hitter to complement the very right-handed lineup, which includes Soriano, Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee. There's an opening in right field following the trade of Jacque Jones to the Detroit Tigers for infielder Omar Infante.

 

"Our initial moves, as we cleared our deck a little after the season, clearly show we'll go after a quality left-handed-hitting outfielder, either in the free-agent world or through a trade," Hendry said. "We'd also like to add some left-handed hitting on the bench or in a versatile role.

 

"We don't have a lot of moves, but we feel the moves we need to make are just as important as the moves we made last year," he added. "We have some inventory on the 40-man roster and we'll be prepared to make a significant trade if it comes our way with the inventory. We'll grind it out every offseason like we usually do and go to camp with a better club than last season."

 

Cubs.com

 

 

And nothing like officially announcing to the world what their strategy for the off-season is. Not that anyone couldn't tell in the first place, but still. :roll:

[Tracer Bullet]

And yet, they do much worse against LHP than RHP, which should tell them they need bats, not specifically lefty bats.

 

 

It never ceases to amaze me how focused this team can be on getting specific types of players that they don't really "need" to be focusing on.

 

I'm well beyond amazement and into infuriated now.

[HoopsCubs]

"We'd also like to add some left-handed hitting on the bench or in a versatile role."

 

That sounds like laying the foundation for a Kaz Matsui signing. Yet, if they are paying him $10-15M over 3 years as has been rumored, that's hardly a bench addition. And if he's only playing 2B, that's hardly versatile.

 

Assuming Hendry knows what he's doing (I know, big if), maybe they are bringing in Kaz to play SS and 2B.

[Backtobanks]

Well outside of Fukudome, I don't know where they will find one, except via of a major trade. It isn't like Hendry could pull one out of his rear end.

 

 

**I'll leave that softball up there for someone to hit out of the park.

 

Fukudome seems like a quality lefty bat, but not a power bat.

[Derwood]

#1 priority? is he somehow confusing Kaz with Hideki? all the rumors we've heard are about adding 8 more 2B, not any OF's

[CubColtPacer]

#1 priority? is he somehow confusing Kaz with Hideki? all the rumors we've heard are about adding 8 more 2B, not any OF's

 

As Bruce just said in the other thread, Matsui and Fukudome go way back. Matsui is the left-handed bat that allows for versatility (lets DeRosa move around) plus being the enticement for Fukudome who is supposed to be the LH OF bat. That's at least the plan, no matter how flawed it may be.

[Derwood]

#1 priority? is he somehow confusing Kaz with Hideki? all the rumors we've heard are about adding 8 more 2B, not any OF's

 

As Bruce just said in the other thread, Matsui and Fukudome go way back. Matsui is the left-handed bat that allows for versatility (lets DeRosa move around) plus being the enticement for Fukudome who is supposed to be the LH OF bat. That's at least the plan, no matter how flawed it may be.

 

that's putting a lot of eggs in one basket

[frostwyrm]

Todd Hollandsworth! We better get him before the Reds do.

[CuseCubFan69]

And yet, they do much worse against LHP than RHP, which should tell them they need bats, not specifically lefty bats.

 

 

It never ceases to amaze me how focused this team can be on getting specific types of players that they don't really "need" to be focusing on.

 

The righties seem to struggle with the soft tossing guys, I wonder if they could find a guy, left or right, that could hit that type of pitcher?

[jersey cubs fan]

And yet, they do much worse against LHP than RHP, which should tell them they need bats, not specifically lefty bats.

 

 

It never ceases to amaze me how focused this team can be on getting specific types of players that they don't really "need" to be focusing on.

 

The righties seem to struggle with the soft tossing guys, I wonder if they could find a guy, left or right, that could hit that type of pitcher?

 

It would probably help to get some patient bats, who don't swing at everything close. Soft tossing lefties make their living getting guys to swing at their pitches, which is exactly the type of trap aggressive Cubs hitters get themselves into.

[CuseCubFan69]

And yet, they do much worse against LHP than RHP, which should tell them they need bats, not specifically lefty bats.

 

 

It never ceases to amaze me how focused this team can be on getting specific types of players that they don't really "need" to be focusing on.

 

The righties seem to struggle with the soft tossing guys, I wonder if they could find a guy, left or right, that could hit that type of pitcher?

 

It would probably help to get some patient bats, who don't swing at everything close. Soft tossing lefties make their living getting guys to swing at their pitches, which is exactly the type of trap aggressive Cubs hitters get themselves into.

 

Good point. Some guys are mainly a dead red type of hitter, even the patient ones and I'd like to see the numbers of pitchers the Cubs had problems with and look at who hit them well. Heck, Matsui might be one of those guys.

[fibro]

And yet, they do much worse against LHP than RHP, which should tell them they need bats, not specifically lefty bats.

 

 

It never ceases to amaze me how focused this team can be on getting specific types of players that they don't really "need" to be focusing on.

 

I'm well beyond amazement and into infuriated now.

 

I think I remember Lou saying that one things he wanted was a left handed bat he could leave in the middle of the line up against lefties. He seemed to think one the Cubs problems against lefties were to many right-handed batters in a row. The theory being it allows the pitcher to get to comfortable throwing to that many righties in row and get in a groove. Does anyone know if there is anything to Lou’s mad little theory.

[CuseCubFan69]

And yet, they do much worse against LHP than RHP, which should tell them they need bats, not specifically lefty bats.

 

 

It never ceases to amaze me how focused this team can be on getting specific types of players that they don't really "need" to be focusing on.

 

I'm well beyond amazement and into infuriated now.

 

I think I remember Lou saying that one things he wanted was a left handed bat he could leave in the middle of the line up against lefties. He seemed to think one the Cubs problems against lefties were to many right-handed batters in a row. The theory being it allows the pitcher to get to comfortable throwing to that many righties in row and get in a groove. Does anyone know if there is anything to Lou’s mad little theory.

 

I suppose you could look up the history or all the winners or successful teams and see how it broke down for them.

[javy knows my name]

And yet, they do much worse against LHP than RHP, which should tell them they need bats, not specifically lefty bats.

 

 

It never ceases to amaze me how focused this team can be on getting specific types of players that they don't really "need" to be focusing on.

 

I'm well beyond amazement and into infuriated now.

 

I think I remember Lou saying that one things he wanted was a left handed bat he could leave in the middle of the line up against lefties. He seemed to think one the Cubs problems against lefties were to many right-handed batters in a row. The theory being it allows the pitcher to get to comfortable throwing to that many righties in row and get in a groove. Does anyone know if there is anything to Lou’s mad little theory.

That's a really bogus excuse. And nothing like babying the Cubs hitters:

"It's not that you're impatient, it's just that we have too many righties in a row!"

This is borderline Dusty crap and I'm sick of it. I thought Lou was gonna kick their free-swinging asses and instead he's placating them.

[Abe Frohman]

Agree with that. When you think about the importance of having a LH hitter or a guy who can hit LHP - it's really potential-vs-production. I think what Lou is obviously saying is that he wants both, a lefty bat in the middle of the order who can hit LHP.

 

If you look at the numbers, though - Matt Murton is a RH hitter who can hit LHP, and I think he would be a good option for RF if the Cubs can land a big hitting CF (hope Fukudome can play CF in Wrigley).

 

I hear Fukudome CAN play CF, but does anyone know if that would happen if the Cubs can acquire him?

[fibro]

And yet, they do much worse against LHP than RHP, which should tell them they need bats, not specifically lefty bats.

 

 

It never ceases to amaze me how focused this team can be on getting specific types of players that they don't really "need" to be focusing on.

 

I'm well beyond amazement and into infuriated now.

 

I think I remember Lou saying that one things he wanted was a left handed bat he could leave in the middle of the line up against lefties. He seemed to think one the Cubs problems against lefties were to many right-handed batters in a row. The theory being it allows the pitcher to get to comfortable throwing to that many righties in row and get in a groove. Does anyone know if there is anything to Lou’s mad little theory.

That's a really bogus excuse. And nothing like babying the Cubs hitters:

"It's not that you're impatient, it's just that we have too many righties in a row!"

This is borderline Dusty crap and I'm sick of it. I thought Lou was gonna kick their free-swinging asses and instead he's placating them.

 

I am confused how Lou is saying he would like a lefty who can hit left-handed pitching in the middle of the line up giving hitters an excuse for not being patient.

[javy knows my name]

And yet, they do much worse against LHP than RHP, which should tell them they need bats, not specifically lefty bats.

 

 

It never ceases to amaze me how focused this team can be on getting specific types of players that they don't really "need" to be focusing on.

 

I'm well beyond amazement and into infuriated now.

 

I think I remember Lou saying that one things he wanted was a left handed bat he could leave in the middle of the line up against lefties. He seemed to think one the Cubs problems against lefties were to many right-handed batters in a row. The theory being it allows the pitcher to get to comfortable throwing to that many righties in row and get in a groove. Does anyone know if there is anything to Lou’s mad little theory.

That's a really bogus excuse. And nothing like babying the Cubs hitters:

"It's not that you're impatient, it's just that we have too many righties in a row!"

This is borderline Dusty crap and I'm sick of it. I thought Lou was gonna kick their free-swinging asses and instead he's placating them.

 

I am confused how Lou is saying he would like a lefty who can hit left-handed pitching in the middle of the line up giving hitters an excuse for not being patient.

This. This is how they got themselves out against the Doug Davises of the world. Lou is essentially saying that an extra lefty hitter thrown in there would improve their success against lefties. This is obviously ridiculous, as their problem was pitch selection, not "the guy got in a groove."

The only time guys who don't top 85 mph "get in a groove" is when they get an impatient team to swing at their bad pitches. Obviously, Greg Maddox was a master at this, but this is Doug Davis we're talking about.

 

Yes, I realize we had one very decent game against Davis, but for me, he stands for all mediocre lefty pitchers. Our performance against him during the season was an aberration - just look at game 2 of the postseason.

[Hman]

I suspect if the Cubs don't get Fukedome, we can plan on our new LH hitting right fielder to be.....

 

Geoff Jenkins.

[Wheelimus]

Which might not be quite so bad. His .807 OPS against righties this season (which was down from his career numbers) would make a pretty good platoon with Murton. Also he was putrid for the last month of the season which drug his stats down.

 

Jenkins isn't a great answer to any question, but if he were signed you can probably cross RF off of our problem areas.

[HoopsCubs]

Jenkins is a good guess. My prediction is that if the Cubs don't get Fukodome, they will sign Shawn Green to platoon with Murton. I still believe Miguel Tejada is in the picture.

[nilodnayr]

Jenkins is a good guess. My prediction is that if the Cubs don't get Fukodome, they will sign Shawn Green to platoon with Murton. I still believe Miguel Tejada is in the picture.

 

"Believe" as in a guess, or "believe" as in you've heard?

 

I'm guessing Jenkins signs with SD.

[jersey cubs fan]

Which might not be quite so bad. His .807 OPS against righties this season (which was down from his career numbers) would make a pretty good platoon with Murton. Also he was putrid for the last month of the season which drug his stats down.

 

Jenkins isn't a great answer to any question, but if he were signed you can probably cross RF off of our problem areas.

 

Actually, the problem is, RF isn't a problem right now. SS is a problem. CF is a problem. C was a problem, but it may have been solved with Soto. The Cubs were fine in RF last year, and most likely won't be able to improve much upon those numbers. When all is said and done, they will probably end up spending a lot of money to tread water. Unless they get a superstart like Cabrera who is a lock to significantly outperform what they already have, there's no good reason to focus on RF. Just like there's no good reason to focus on a LH bat.