When are the Cubs going to get a third baseman?

[Old Style]

Aramis is going to be out for a while and it is painfully obvious that there is no one on the roster who can play there every day. So when does Hendry start thinking about making a deal, especially with how poor the offense has been lately?

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm betting mid-August, and he'll be an average hitter.

[Little Slide Rooter]

As soon as Hendry puts down the big mac and tries to make a move. Options are available. They wont be as good as Ramirez, but they'll be better than the quartet we have now.

[Post Count Padder]

I feel like this is our catcher situation a couple years ago. Who's the Jason Kendall of third basemen?

[Little Slide Rooter]

I feel like this is our catcher situation a couple years ago. Who's the Jason Kendall of third basemen?

 

Melvin Mora.

[jersey cubs fan]

I feel like this is our catcher situation a couple years ago. Who's the Jason Kendall of third basemen?

 

Mora or Beltre.

[Post Count Padder]

I feel like this is our catcher situation a couple years ago. Who's the Jason Kendall of third basemen?

 

Melvin Mora.

Well, he's on the Orioles. That means we have to trade for him.

[jersey cubs fan]

I wonder if Hendry has feelings for Crede or if Minnesota would like to deal him.

 

 

Personally I wouldn't want to trade for him.

[fromthestretch]

A list of potentially available third basemen:

 

Mora

Beltre

Atkins

Wigginton

Huff

Tracy

Helms

Crede

Blalock

Crosby

DeRosa

Kouzmanoff

 

Blalock might not be available with Texas in first. He's been serving as their DH, although it sounds like they are going to limit his at-bats against lefties moving forward. While not typically a third baseman, Crosby has played 20 games there this season.

[RynoRules]

I think we should looking to get a second baseman and fill-in for Aramis with what we have.

[Little Slide Rooter]

A list of potentially available third basemen:

 

Mora-yes

Beltre-yes

Atkins-take him if not other options pan out

Wigginton-I suppose

Huff-top choice

Tracy-probably not available

Helms-no thanks

Crede-too injury prone

Blalock-top choice

Crosby-no thanks

DeRosa-definitely take him

Kouzmanoff-take him if no other options pan out

 

Does Branyan have any 3B experience? maybe theres still some lightening left in that bottle.

Edited May 21, 2009 by Little Slide Rooter

[RyneSandberg]

Let's just give Vitters some early Major League experience :P

[dew1679666265]

Does Branyan have any 3B experience? maybe theres still some lightening left in that bottle.

 

He's played 329 games there in his career. He has a career -10.0 UZR at third base, though.

 

Offensively, though, he's OPSd .850 or better four times in his career (one of those was .849, though).

[jersey cubs fan]

A list of potentially available third basemen:

 

Mora-yes

Beltre-yes

 

What's to like about Beltre?

[UMFan83]

As soon as Hendry puts down the big mac and tries to make a move. Options are available. They wont be as good as Ramirez, but they'll be better than the quartet we have now.

 

Dislocated shoulder it is. Put down the bucket of chicken get your fat bum on the phone Hendry.

 

 

I get it...Big mac because he's fat right? Damn Hendry could have been a good GM if he could have only beat his nonstop eating addiction.

[dew1679666265]

A list of potentially available third basemen:

 

Mora-yes

Beltre-yes

 

What's to like about Beltre?

 

Stellar defense and the very, very slim possibility he reclaims his 2004 Dodger magic (1.017 OPS). He may also be a bit cheaper because the Mariners simply want rid of him.

[fromthestretch]

A list of potentially available third basemen:

 

Mora-yes

Beltre-yes

 

What's to like about Beltre?

 

Although a bit pricey, he is only signed through this season. Has always played his home games in parks that are more favorable to pitchers, and his road OPS is more than 100 points higher than his home OPS. Has posted an above average OPS+ the past three seasons. Solid defensively. He's also only 30, so his slow start this season probably isn't due to age.

 

I'm not saying he's the preferred choice, especially with the amount of money he's owed this season. That said, talent-wise, he's not a horrible option to hold down the fort until Ramirez gets back. He's certainly not my first choice though.

[inari]

A list of potentially available third basemen:

 

Mora-yes

Beltre-yes

 

What's to like about Beltre?

 

Beltre's defense is scary good. And his bat really is above average for his position. Those two things combined make him a solid player, albeit an overpaid one.

[cubsfan26]

Why is anybody considering Hendry will trade for a good everyday 3rd? Ramirez will be back in early July, and then what do we do with two 3rd baseman? It doesn't make sense to add a quality 3rd baseman with how much talent it will cost. When a team loses there star 3rd baseman for a 4-6 weeks there just stuck. You either pick up guys on the waiver wire, go to the minors or trade crap for crap(like Hairston for Nevin in 06). The Yankees had to use Cody Ransom at 3rd and the Mets would have the same problem if David Wright got hurt. This is just a bad thing that happen and we gotta suck it up and accept it. Not come up with crazy trade ideas that don't make sense.

[inari]

I tend to agree. I think upgrading at second with someone like Durham makes far more sense.

[cubsfan26]

A list of potentially available third basemen:

 

Mora-yes

Beltre-yes

Atkins-take him if not other options pan out

Wigginton-I suppose

Huff-top choice

Tracy-probably not available

Helms-no thanks

Crede-too injury prone

Blalock-top choice

Crosby-no thanks

DeRosa-definitely take him

Kouzmanoff-take him if no other options pan out

 

Does Branyan have any 3B experience? maybe theres still some lightening left in that bottle.

 

Everybody but Helms or Crosby doesn't really make much sense. Because were do they play when Ramirez comes back? If Ramirez was gone for the season then adding one of those guys might be a good idea. But the guy is coming back in a month or a little after that and were not gonna have a spot for those guys then and just gave away quality talent to get those guys. When a team loses it's star 3rd baseman you just need to suck it up and go with what you got.

[dew1679666265]

Why is anybody considering Hendry will trade for a good everyday 3rd? Ramirez will be back in early July, and then what do we do with two 3rd baseman? It doesn't make sense to add a quality 3rd baseman with how much talent it will cost. When a team loses there star 3rd baseman for a 4-6 weeks there just stuck. You either pick up guys on the waiver wire, go to the minors or trade crap for crap(like Hairston for Nevin in 06). The Yankees had to use Cody Ransom at 3rd and the Mets would have the same problem if David Wright got hurt. This is just a bad thing that happen and we gotta suck it up and accept it. Not come up with crazy trade ideas that don't make sense.

 

Aramis might be back by early July. I've seen estimates where he could very likely be out til August and the shoulder may not be fully healed (meaning potential smaller DL trips, or at least more off days to rest it).

 

Most certainly, a guy who can only play third would be further down the list, but that's why guys like Branyan, Huff, Wigginton (if available for the last two), etc. are more appealing to me. We could acquire them for better production than what we're getting now and then when Aramis gets back, they are versatile enough to still have great value even if he's fully healed.

[sneakypower]

beltre's actually not overpaid, but that's a different topic altogether

[dew1679666265]

I tend to agree. I think upgrading at second with someone like Durham makes far more sense.

 

I would agree with that - especially since he's a free agent - but Hendry may not be willing to give up on Fontenot as a starter just yet.

[dew1679666265]

A list of potentially available third basemen:

 

Mora-yes

Beltre-yes

Atkins-take him if not other options pan out

Wigginton-I suppose

Huff-top choice

Tracy-probably not available

Helms-no thanks

Crede-too injury prone

Blalock-top choice

Crosby-no thanks

DeRosa-definitely take him

Kouzmanoff-take him if no other options pan out

 

Does Branyan have any 3B experience? maybe theres still some lightening left in that bottle.

 

Everybody but Helms or Crosby doesn't really make much sense. Because were do they play when Ramirez comes back? If Ramirez was gone for the season then adding one of those guys might be a good idea. But the guy is coming back in a month or a little after that and were not gonna have a spot for those guys then and just gave away quality talent to get those guys. When a team loses it's star 3rd baseman you just need to suck it up and go with what you got.

 

Branyan would make sense, if he's available.