Super Platoon

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I don't really know what else to call it, but basically, 3 people for 2 positions. For us, 2B and RF. Fontenot and DeRosa compose 2/3 of that, which leaves us with a need for a RH RF. That brings up a few questions, namely:

 

What are the odds Hendry likes DeRosa's versatility and Fontenot enough to forgo the elusive "athletic, LH hitter"?

 

What options are out there for that position?

 

Personally, I like Franklin Gutierrez and Austin Kearns. Both are great defensively, can hit LH pitching(especially Kearns), and are on teams with an excess of outfielders. They both have enough potential that they could become something more than a role player. Gutierrez has a very low salary cost, and the Nationals would probably give away Kearns and/or take on a substantial part of his 8M 2009 salary. Any other ideas?

[Jehrico]

I don't really know what else to call it, but basically, 3 people for 2 positions. For us, 2B and RF. Fontenot and DeRosa compose 2/3 of that, which leaves us with a need for a RH RF. That brings up a few questions, namely:

 

What are the odds Hendry likes DeRosa's versatility and Fontenot enough to forgo the elusive "athletic, LH hitter"?

 

What options are out there for that position?

 

Personally, I like Franklin Gutierrez and Austin Kearns. Both are great defensively, can hit LH pitching(especially Kearns), and are on teams with an excess of outfielders. They both have enough potential that they could become something more than a role player. Gutierrez has a very low salary cost, and the Nationals would probably give away Kearns and/or take on a substantial part of his 8M 2009 salary. Any other ideas?

Not a bad idea...and I trust Lou to use platoon players in the right situation far more than I ever did Dusty, who had no concept of the idea.

[Backtobanks]

I don't really know what else to call it, but basically, 3 people for 2 positions. For us, 2B and RF. Fontenot and DeRosa compose 2/3 of that, which leaves us with a need for a RH RF. That brings up a few questions, namely:

 

What are the odds Hendry likes DeRosa's versatility and Fontenot enough to forgo the elusive "athletic, LH hitter"?

 

What options are out there for that position?

 

Personally, I like Franklin Gutierrez and Austin Kearns. Both are great defensively, can hit LH pitching(especially Kearns), and are on teams with an excess of outfielders. They both have enough potential that they could become something more than a role player. Gutierrez has a very low salary cost, and the Nationals would probably give away Kearns and/or take on a substantial part of his 8M 2009 salary. Any other ideas?

 

You had better call Hendry because he's busy looking for a LH RF.

[SouthSideRyan]

I'm in the tiny minority that is fine with a Pie/Reed/Kosuke/DeRosa/Fontenot/Cedeno 6 headed monster for CF/RF/2B. I'd take Kearns if he was dirt cheap, but I'm not interested in giving up what it would probably take to get Gutierrez.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I'm in the tiny minority that is fine with a Pie/Reed/Kosuke/DeRosa/Fontenot/Cedeno 6 headed monster for CF/RF/2B. I'd take Kearns if he was dirt cheap, but I'm not interested in giving up what it would probably take to get Gutierrez.

 

How much do you think it would take to get Gutierrez? He didn't hit last year and they have Francisco, Sizemore, Choo, plus Dellucci under contract.

[CubbieBum]

I was half expecting this to be a thread about the long awaited sequel to the movie.

[SouthSideRyan]

I'm in the tiny minority that is fine with a Pie/Reed/Kosuke/DeRosa/Fontenot/Cedeno 6 headed monster for CF/RF/2B. I'd take Kearns if he was dirt cheap, but I'm not interested in giving up what it would probably take to get Gutierrez.

 

How much do you think it would take to get Gutierrez? He didn't hit last year and they have Francisco, Sizemore, Choo, plus Dellucci under contract.

 

I'd expect us to have to give up a top 10 prospect for him. They have no reason to trade him right now.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Ive always been interested in Kearns, simply because hes always smoked our pitching, and has had a good track rcord in Wrigley. If we could get him nice and cheap, Id be all for it. However, I dont think that the Nats would just give him away. Theyd probably want at least Sean Marshall, which would be OK if we end up re signing Dempster or another quality starter.

[Jehrico]

Ive always been interested in Kearns, simply because hes always smoked our pitching, and has had a good track rcord in Wrigley. If we could get him nice and cheap, Id be all for it. However, I dont think that the Nats would just give him away. Theyd probably want at least Sean Marshall, which would be OK if we end up re signing Dempster or another quality starter.

Marshall for Kearns straight up with be a horrible, horrible deal on our end. Wuertz (if we had more in house options for the BP this year) would be doable, but not Marshall.

[nilodnayr]

I'm in the tiny minority that is fine with a Pie/Reed/Kosuke/DeRosa/Fontenot/Cedeno 6 headed monster for CF/RF/2B. I'd take Kearns if he was dirt cheap, but I'm not interested in giving up what it would probably take to get Gutierrez.

 

How much do you think it would take to get Gutierrez? He didn't hit last year and they have Francisco, Sizemore, Choo, plus Dellucci under contract.

 

I'd expect us to have to give up a top 10 prospect for him. They have no reason to trade him right now.

 

 

Yeah, maybe someone like Jose Ceda :)

 

Gutierrez would be the best option because his defense isn't just good, its fantastic Dial has him at 2 wins on defense. Hes the Mark Ellis/Adam Everett of the outfield. Not only could he be used as the skinny end of a platoon but he could be used as a defensive replacement quite often. Ohh yeah, and hes pre-arbi so he fits in the budget well. Kearns is coming off a terrible season, is only "pretty good" in the OF, and costs 8M (and has a 1M buyout next year). The Nats would love to trade him and would probably eat most of his contract (or take back the Marquis contract). Everything taken into consideration though, I think Gutierrez is the much better option

 

In fact, exploring defensive value a bit more shows some interesting stuff. Again, using Dial's metric, Gutierrez was actually the best defender in the game last year. Here are some guys we've talked about:

 

Gutierrez: +21.7

Giles: +11.3

Kearns: +5.1

Hermida: +11.5

Sweeney: +8.05

Scott: +7.81

Dejesus: +7.89

Winn: +4.4

Edmonds: -4.5

Kotsay: -8.4

McClouth: -10.5

Hawpe: -23.2

Abreu: -21.99

Ibanez: -16.08

 

(note, some guys played a different position than corner OF so you have to adjust, such as with McLouth and Edmonds)

 

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=p9BODtOllD4u0JrhtbUmILA&gid=0

[biittner77]

Ive always been interested in Kearns, simply because hes always smoked our pitching, and has had a good track rcord in Wrigley. If we could get him nice and cheap, Id be all for it. However, I dont think that the Nats would just give him away. Theyd probably want at least Sean Marshall, which would be OK if we end up re signing Dempster or another quality starter.

Marshall for Kearns straight up with be a horrible, horrible deal on our end. Wuertz (if we had more in house options for the BP this year) would be doable, but not Marshall.

 

Right now the Cubs have these options from the right side for the ML pen:

 

Marmol

Gregg

Guzman

Gaudin

Simardzilla

Hart

Ascanio

Wells

not to mention whatever NR guys they may invite to ST.

 

They can most definitely afford to trade Wuertz.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Apologies for bumping this, but I had another thought about this that didn't necessitate a new thread.

 

What about Rocco Baldelli? He won't be drawing a ton of interest with his health condition, and a 3 headed monster of Fontenot, DeRosa, and Baldelli for 2B and RF could ensure that he stays healthy and doesn't wear down.

[Backtobanks]

Apologies for bumping this, but I had another thought about this that didn't necessitate a new thread.

 

What about Rocco Baldelli? He won't be drawing a ton of interest with his health condition, and a 3 headed monster of Fontenot, DeRosa, and Baldelli for 2B and RF could ensure that he stays healthy and doesn't wear down.

 

I could certainly live with Baldelli, but as I stated earlier the Cubs are looking for a LH RF.