Cubs have interest in Lo Duca?

[BillyBuck22]

Caught the tail end of Bruce Levine's appearance on WMVP's noon show...he mentioned that Cubs have an interest in two Paul's for the back-up catcher position...Bako and Lo Duca. This is the first time I have heard mention of the later. Definitely a down-grade from Hank White and Bako defensively, but he has always been a decent hitter, no?

 

Thoughts?

[BigbadB]

If Hendry wastes money on LoDuca, I won't be happy. Just sign someone off the scrap heap that won't cut into Soto's playing time.

[mdwilla]

Much rather have Lo Duca than Bako.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

What about Ivan Rodriguez? He's still looking for work.

[RedFlash]

What about Ivan Rodriguez? He's still looking for work.

 

I wouldn't mind Ivan as a backup, but considering who HE is, I doubt he would settle for a backup role.

[dew1679666265]

Much rather have Lo Duca than Bako.

 

Neither are very good, Lo Duca is better offensively and Bako is better defensively.

 

If Lo Duca comes really cheap I might prefer him, but Bako will probably be the better value.

[The Other 15]

If Hendry wastes money on LoDuca, I won't be happy. Just sign someone off the scrap heap that won't cut into Soto's playing time.

I'd like the best player possible to back up Soto but short of trading for McCann, there is nobody that will cut into Soto's playing time.

[bhogg]

Can soto fill in occasionally at 1B or something?

[Wolfgangbucks]

Maybe I missed this but what is Hank White doing this year?

[Butterscup1679666578]

Maybe I missed this but what is Hank White doing this year?

 

I don't think he's said anything but I wouldn't be surprised if he took the year off/retired after what happened to his brother.

[17 Seconds]

lol duca

[haubrich91]

Maybe I missed this but what is Hank White doing this year?

 

I don't think he's said anything but I wouldn't be surprised if he took the year off/retired after what happened to his brother.

 

Sad story, what a shame.

[cubsfan26]

If Hendry wastes money on LoDuca, I won't be

 

 

I doubt LoDuca will get much money(he was released by the Nationals last year). There's a reason why Henry Blanco isn't coming back and thats because he cost too much. If we sign LoDuca I doubt he would get much more then Bako would have. Both guys will probably end up signing for 600,000-800,000 next year.

[TruffleShuffle]

isn't loduca supposedly a douchebag?

[Butterscup1679666578]

isn't loduca supposedly a douchebag?

 

That's what I was thinking when I saw this thread too. I wonder if Lo Duca and Bradley would clash.

[Captain Barnicle]

Best of luck, Hank...great backup catcher and good person. I hope everything works out for him and that he can recover from what befell him.

[RedFlash]

isn't loduca supposedly a douchebag?

 

Yep. I don't want this jerk on the Cubs. MB maybe a jerk but at least he can play some ball, La Duca should just quit.

[17 Seconds]

What stuff has been said about him being a jerk? I'm not doubting it, I'm just curious because I haven't heard anything.

[wrigley23]

LoDuca's name came up prevalently in the Mitchell Report. My recollection is that he was in the "stuff" w/ Gagne.

[biittner77]

What stuff has been said about him being a jerk? I'm not doubting it, I'm just curious because I haven't heard anything.

 

More to the point, Isn't "getting guys that are Jerks" the theme for Hendry's offseason? I keep hearing how the Cubs need fiery leaders because Lee and Ramirez are too quiet and that's why the Cubs lost the last 2 years.

 

To answer someone's question earlier, IIRC, Soto played a fair number of games at 1st base during his breakout year at Iowa. He has experience there and I'm sure he could handle it. The question is whether they would believe Soto and LoDuca was better than Soto and Lee.

[DiamondMind]

I'd rather have Blanco or Bako over LoDuca. As far as backup catchers go, I'd prefer at least a little continuity. LoDuca offers crap offense, crap defense, isn't familiar with any of our pitchers....I fail to see the purpose of acquiring him.

[SCCubbieFAN]

Maybe I missed this but what is Hank White doing this year?

 

I don't think he's said anything but I wouldn't be surprised if he took the year off/retired after what happened to his brother.

 

Sad story, what a shame.

 

I missed this. what happened?

[Old Style]

If the only reason that Hendry is not bringing Blanco back is because he doesn't hit lefty, then Hendry is a moron.

[RynoRules]

If the only reason that Hendry is not bringing Blanco back is because he doesn't hit lefty, then Hendry is a moron.

 

LoDuca hits righthanded.

[BigbadB]

Maybe I missed this but what is Hank White doing this year?

 

I don't think he's said anything but I wouldn't be surprised if he took the year off/retired after what happened to his brother.

 

Sad story, what a shame.

 

I missed this. what happened?

 

If I recall correctly, Henry's brother was kidnapped in a ransom plot, but was then later shot and killed.