Cheap Pickup

[Backtobanks]

I think a good, cheap pickup that would seem to fit the Cubs' needs is Rich Aurilia. Versatile, righty veteran with some pop left in his bat and shouldn't cost more than a AA prospect.

[jersey cubs fan]

why?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

To put it simply, we can't really add a bat right now. Any bench bat would need to be right handed to make any sense(with Fontenot and Ward around), and they'd need to be able to play SS to replace Cedeno, since you can't replace Blanco or Johnson and they aren't going to go to 11 pitchers. You can't add a bat in the starting lineup because they only position that's not set for the forseeable future is CF, and the Edmonds/Johnson platoon is killing the ball there.

 

Aurilia isn't viable at SS any more, and honestly, pretty much any proposed bench addition won't be a good fit. Because if you can play SS adequately(and this is a necessity with Theriot being shaky at SS) and hit for some pop, then you're a starter. If you can't, then the Cubs don't need you.

[jersey cubs fan]

To put it simply, we can't really add a bat right now. Any bench bat would need to be right handed to make any sense(with Fontenot and Ward around), and they'd need to be able to play SS to replace Cedeno, since you can't replace Blanco or Johnson and they aren't going to go to 11 pitchers. You can't add a bat in the starting lineup because they only position that's not set for the forseeable future is CF, and the Edmonds/Johnson platoon is killing the ball there.

 

Aurilia isn't viable at SS any more, and honestly, pretty much any proposed bench addition won't be a good fit. Because if you can play SS adequately(and this is a necessity with Theriot being shaky at SS) and hit for some pop, then you're a starter. If you can't, then the Cubs don't need you.

 

I wouldn't rule out adding a bat. It would have to be a significant upgrade though, which limits the options and eliminates names like Rich Aurilia.

[SouthSideRyan]

People's hatred for Cedeno is also kinda weird.

[Little Slide Rooter]

The only way I would see Aurilia being of any use to us would be as a waiver pick up for the September roster exopansion. Hed be a nice bat off the bench for the stretch, even though he wouldnt be playoff eligible.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

To put it simply, we can't really add a bat right now. Any bench bat would need to be right handed to make any sense(with Fontenot and Ward around), and they'd need to be able to play SS to replace Cedeno, since you can't replace Blanco or Johnson and they aren't going to go to 11 pitchers. You can't add a bat in the starting lineup because they only position that's not set for the forseeable future is CF, and the Edmonds/Johnson platoon is killing the ball there.

 

Aurilia isn't viable at SS any more, and honestly, pretty much any proposed bench addition won't be a good fit. Because if you can play SS adequately(and this is a necessity with Theriot being shaky at SS) and hit for some pop, then you're a starter. If you can't, then the Cubs don't need you.

 

I wouldn't rule out adding a bat. It would have to be a significant upgrade though, which limits the options and eliminates names like Rich Aurilia.

 

Where though? He's not going to supplant Lee, Ramirez, Soriano, or Kosuke with their production and contracts. Theriot, DeRosa, and Soto are about as good as it gets for their position, and two of those are young guys with the other being under contract for another year(not to mention Fonteneaux's capabilities behind DeRo). That leaves the Edmonds/Johnson platoon, which like I mentioned is torching the ball better than anyone on the team(save for the aforementioned Fonteneaux). I just don't see where it could happen.

[Little Slide Rooter]

To put it simply, we can't really add a bat right now. Any bench bat would need to be right handed to make any sense(with Fontenot and Ward around), and they'd need to be able to play SS to replace Cedeno, since you can't replace Blanco or Johnson and they aren't going to go to 11 pitchers. You can't add a bat in the starting lineup because they only position that's not set for the forseeable future is CF, and the Edmonds/Johnson platoon is killing the ball there.

 

Aurilia isn't viable at SS any more, and honestly, pretty much any proposed bench addition won't be a good fit. Because if you can play SS adequately(and this is a necessity with Theriot being shaky at SS) and hit for some pop, then you're a starter. If you can't, then the Cubs don't need you.

 

I wouldn't rule out adding a bat. It would have to be a significant upgrade though, which limits the options and eliminates names like Rich Aurilia.

 

Where though? He's not going to supplant Lee, Ramirez, Soriano, or Kosuke with their production and contracts. Theriot, DeRosa, and Soto are about as good as it gets for their position, and two of those are young guys with the other being under contract for another year(not to mention Fonteneaux's capabilities behind DeRo). That leaves the Edmonds/Johnson platoon, which like I mentioned is torching the ball better than anyone on the team(save for the aforementioned Fonteneaux). I just don't see where it could happen.

 

Im very confident that the offense will come back to life when we hit Wrigley. If were a game out of first, so be it. If our team starts firing on all cylinders again, theres not a team in the NL that can stop us, not even in the supposedly impossible September run. We have the best rotation in the NL. We have the most solid lineup in the NL. Our bench and bullpen are as good as any contending teams in the NL(I say that because the Pads have a pretty solid pen).

Theres no point in aquiring a decent bat when we have plenty of great bats that need to start hitting.

[nilodnayr]

To put it simply, we can't really add a bat right now. Any bench bat would need to be right handed to make any sense(with Fontenot and Ward around), and they'd need to be able to play SS to replace Cedeno, since you can't replace Blanco or Johnson and they aren't going to go to 11 pitchers. You can't add a bat in the starting lineup because they only position that's not set for the forseeable future is CF, and the Edmonds/Johnson platoon is killing the ball there.

 

Aurilia isn't viable at SS any more, and honestly, pretty much any proposed bench addition won't be a good fit. Because if you can play SS adequately(and this is a necessity with Theriot being shaky at SS) and hit for some pop, then you're a starter. If you can't, then the Cubs don't need you.

 

I wouldn't rule out adding a bat. It would have to be a significant upgrade though, which limits the options and eliminates names like Rich Aurilia.

 

Where though? He's not going to supplant Lee, Ramirez, Soriano, or Kosuke with their production and contracts. Theriot, DeRosa, and Soto are about as good as it gets for their position, and two of those are young guys with the other being under contract for another year(not to mention Fonteneaux's capabilities behind DeRo). That leaves the Edmonds/Johnson platoon, which like I mentioned is torching the ball better than anyone on the team(save for the aforementioned Fonteneaux). I just don't see where it could happen.

 

The cubs could play merry go round with Cedeno and Fontenot, or the back end of the pen. Unless theres a DL roster move, you can't call a guy up until 10 days after you send him down, but they could still play the merry go round until September. I think its stupid, but its not impossible.

[JeffH]

The cubs could play merry go round with Cedeno and Fontenot, or the back end of the pen. Unless theres a DL roster move, you can't call a guy up until 10 days after you send him down, but they could still play the merry go round until September. I think its stupid, but its not impossible.

 

Cedeno is out of options and would almost certainly be claimed if you tried to send him down.

[jersey cubs fan]

To put it simply, we can't really add a bat right now. Any bench bat would need to be right handed to make any sense(with Fontenot and Ward around), and they'd need to be able to play SS to replace Cedeno, since you can't replace Blanco or Johnson and they aren't going to go to 11 pitchers. You can't add a bat in the starting lineup because they only position that's not set for the forseeable future is CF, and the Edmonds/Johnson platoon is killing the ball there.

 

Aurilia isn't viable at SS any more, and honestly, pretty much any proposed bench addition won't be a good fit. Because if you can play SS adequately(and this is a necessity with Theriot being shaky at SS) and hit for some pop, then you're a starter. If you can't, then the Cubs don't need you.

 

I wouldn't rule out adding a bat. It would have to be a significant upgrade though, which limits the options and eliminates names like Rich Aurilia.

 

Where though? He's not going to supplant Lee, Ramirez, Soriano, or Kosuke with their production and contracts. Theriot, DeRosa, and Soto are about as good as it gets for their position, and two of those are young guys with the other being under contract for another year(not to mention Fonteneaux's capabilities behind DeRo). That leaves the Edmonds/Johnson platoon, which like I mentioned is torching the ball better than anyone on the team(save for the aforementioned Fonteneaux). I just don't see where it could happen.

 

I'm not advocating any specific move nor am I demanding something be done today. All I'm saying is I wouldn't rule out adding a bat, if you can get a significant upgrade. Also, I wouldn't cross a position of need off a list solely because the player(s) hitting there is currently doing fine.

[Amie]

People's hatred for Cedeno is also kinda weird.

 

 

I've got no problem with Ronnie at all, he just doesn't hit well has a PH. Heck this year Ward isn't getting it done either. Lou should try Hoff at this, as he is used to doing it and hits both LH and RH pitching.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/12/web/2424000-2424999/2424209_207_full.jpg

[Banedon]

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/12/web/2424000-2424999/2424209_207_full.jpg

 

Why are you posting pictures of my wife and my truck?

 

I'd be in so much trouble if she read that.

[C.C.]

http://www.seadolby.com/images/world-images/prostitute.jpg

[nilodnayr]

The cubs could play merry go round with Cedeno and Fontenot, or the back end of the pen. Unless theres a DL roster move, you can't call a guy up until 10 days after you send him down, but they could still play the merry go round until September. I think its stupid, but its not impossible.

 

Cedeno is out of options and would almost certainly be claimed if you tried to send him down.

 

Are you sure? He was never optioned in 2006.

[JeffH]

The cubs could play merry go round with Cedeno and Fontenot, or the back end of the pen. Unless theres a DL roster move, you can't call a guy up until 10 days after you send him down, but they could still play the merry go round until September. I think its stupid, but its not impossible.

 

Cedeno is out of options and would almost certainly be claimed if you tried to send him down.

 

Are you sure? He was never optioned in 2006.

 

My source:

 

http://thecubreporter.com/cubs-40-man-roster

[Little Slide Rooter]

Honestly, with all the talk about picking up all of these has beens, why not just go all out and pick up Bonds? Hes said he'll play for league min. Unless, of course hes been blacklisted.

[Guest]

JeffH is correct.

[nilodnayr]

JeffH is correct.

 

I'm confused as to why. The only two years he was optioned were 2005 and 2007. In 2006 he stayed with the major league club all year. I thought it was a similar situation to Corey Patterson who was in the minors and majors in 2001 and 2002, but spent the entire 2002, 2003, and 2004 years with the major league club and still was able to be optioned down in 2005. Is it because 2001 was just a September call up? So then you only get 2 options for players that spend at least a full year on the major league club?

 

Damnit, I thought I had this all figured out.

[JeffH]

JeffH is correct.

 

I'm confused as to why. The only two years he was optioned were 2005 and 2007. In 2006 he stayed with the major league club all year. I thought it was a similar situation to Corey Patterson who was in the minors and majors in 2001 and 2002, but spent the entire 2002, 2003, and 2004 years with the major league club and still was able to be optioned down in 2005. Is it because 2001 was just a September call up? So then you only get 2 options for players that spend at least a full year on the major league club?

 

Damnit, I thought I had this all figured out.

 

Ronny Cedeno was optioned to the minor leagues during spring training, 2004.

[nilodnayr]

JeffH is correct.

 

I'm confused as to why. The only two years he was optioned were 2005 and 2007. In 2006 he stayed with the major league club all year. I thought it was a similar situation to Corey Patterson who was in the minors and majors in 2001 and 2002, but spent the entire 2002, 2003, and 2004 years with the major league club and still was able to be optioned down in 2005. Is it because 2001 was just a September call up? So then you only get 2 options for players that spend at least a full year on the major league club?

 

Damnit, I thought I had this all figured out.

 

Ronny Cedeno was optioned to the minor leagues during spring training, 2004.

 

Why would a team do this? Was he on the 40 man for a certain amount of time and they had to option him to keep him or something?

[jersey cubs fan]

JeffH is correct.

 

I'm confused as to why. The only two years he was optioned were 2005 and 2007. In 2006 he stayed with the major league club all year. I thought it was a similar situation to Corey Patterson who was in the minors and majors in 2001 and 2002, but spent the entire 2002, 2003, and 2004 years with the major league club and still was able to be optioned down in 2005. Is it because 2001 was just a September call up? So then you only get 2 options for players that spend at least a full year on the major league club?

 

Damnit, I thought I had this all figured out.

 

Ronny Cedeno was optioned to the minor leagues during spring training, 2004.

 

Why would a team do this? Was he on the 40 man for a certain amount of time and they had to option him to keep him or something?

 

I don't recall the exact details, but I do remember that when they added Cedeno to the 40-man roster it seemed to be an entirely unnecessary move, as there was little to no chance anybody would select him in the rule 5 and keep him all year. He was not the least bit productive at the time. It seemed at the time to serve only to start his option clock.

[Flames24Rulz]

I'd take either of the Hairston's before I'd go after Aurilia.

[JeffH]

JeffH is correct.

 

I'm confused as to why. The only two years he was optioned were 2005 and 2007. In 2006 he stayed with the major league club all year. I thought it was a similar situation to Corey Patterson who was in the minors and majors in 2001 and 2002, but spent the entire 2002, 2003, and 2004 years with the major league club and still was able to be optioned down in 2005. Is it because 2001 was just a September call up? So then you only get 2 options for players that spend at least a full year on the major league club?

 

Damnit, I thought I had this all figured out.

 

Ronny Cedeno was optioned to the minor leagues during spring training, 2004.

 

Why would a team do this? Was he on the 40 man for a certain amount of time and they had to option him to keep him or something?

 

I don't recall the exact details, but I do remember that when they added Cedeno to the 40-man roster it seemed to be an entirely unnecessary move, as there was little to no chance anybody would select him in the rule 5 and keep him all year. He was not the least bit productive at the time. It seemed at the time to serve only to start his option clock.

 

He was added to the 40-man roster in November of 2003. As jersey says, it was almost certainly a foolish and unnecessary move.

 

Regardless, when he was sent to the minors in March or April of 2004, he burned his first option year.