When are the Cubs going to get a third baseman?

[dew1679666265]

Sometimes, you just hit those stretches when you think that anyones going to be the answer to the problem, be it rational or not. I simply cant look at Miles or Scales for too many more games and stay positive about this mess, especially considering that Arams July/August return is no guarantee.

 

It'd be a temporary fix at best. Given how Kouzmanoff is doing this season and given his track record, you'll be just as frustrated watching him as you are with Miles. And honestly, Scales is still OPSing .861. He likely won't keep it up, but I'd much rather have him in the lineup than Kouzmanoff until he actually does drop off.

 

The lack of production from Bradley, Fontenot, and Soto is the real issue, but its not relaistic to consider benching them, so the best you can do is get someone at 2nd or 3rd who can at least potentially produce and pick up some slack, and Kouz just seems like the type of hitter who could produce at Wrigley.

 

Actually, the real problem right now is the Fontenot/Miles/Scales trio. Soto was recently hitting pretty well and Bradley is a certainty to significantly improve on his current numbers.

 

The 2B/3B conundrum is easily our biggest problem and we currently have a relative unknown (Font), a complete unknown (Scales) and a proven bad hitter (Miles) filling those spots. We need help at those two spots and if Fontenot doesn't start hitting and Aramis doesn't come back for a long time, that help will need to come from outside the organization.

 

I don't see any evidence that Kouzmanoff is that help, though.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I like Kouzmanoff as a target quite a bit.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Sometimes, you just hit those stretches when you think that anyones going to be the answer to the problem, be it rational or not. I simply cant look at Miles or Scales for too many more games and stay positive about this mess, especially considering that Arams July/August return is no guarantee.

 

It'd be a temporary fix at best. Given how Kouzmanoff is doing this season and given his track record, you'll be just as frustrated watching him as you are with Miles. And honestly, Scales is still OPSing .861. He likely won't keep it up, but I'd much rather have him in the lineup than Kouzmanoff until he actually does drop off.

 

The lack of production from Bradley, Fontenot, and Soto is the real issue, but its not relaistic to consider benching them, so the best you can do is get someone at 2nd or 3rd who can at least potentially produce and pick up some slack, and Kouz just seems like the type of hitter who could produce at Wrigley.

 

Actually, the real problem right now is the Fontenot/Miles/Scales trio. Soto was recently hitting pretty well and Bradley is a certainty to significantly improve on his current numbers.

 

The 2B/3B conundrum is easily our biggest problem and we currently have a relative unknown (Font), a complete unknown (Scales) and a proven bad hitter (Miles) filling those spots. We need help at those two spots and if Fontenot doesn't start hitting and Aramis doesn't come back for a long time, that help will need to come from outside the organization.

 

I don't see any evidence that Kouzmanoff is that help, though.

 

Huff, Beltre, and Blalock would be the best choices, all of whom are probably going to be available sooner than later. I just mentioned Kouz because its the closest thing to a trade rumor Ive heard thus far. In a pderfect world, all we need is a temporary fix and Ram is back after the ASB. However, we cant gamble on that happening, which is why Im all for seeing what some of these options are going to cost ASAP. Sometimes you just have to take whats available the time of need, as evident by Phil Nevin in 2006. Granted, he didnt do much good despite 12 HRs and an .832 OPS, and was traded before the end of the season, but still.

 

As I mentioned in another thread, Id like Miles at 2nd Font at 3rd if no trade happens. If we can get Miles usual .280 avg, hed be just fine as an 8 hitter, and you dont need a team full of sluggers to get to the playoffs when you have the pitching we do.

[ArthurVandalay]

As I mentioned in another thread, Id like Miles at 2nd Font at 3rd if no trade happens. If we can get Miles usual .280 avg, hed be just fine as an 8 hitter, and you dont need a team full of sluggers to get to the playoffs when you have the pitching we do.

 

You throw around the name "Miles" and ".280 hitter" like this is some sort of scenario that's likely to occur before Ramirez comes back.

 

It's not.

 

Fontenot is OPSing .650 (and falling) and Miles is just above .500. How is this an acceptable scenario when we may not see Ramirez take the field until August and we have several other black holes in the lineup that cannot be moved?

 

you dont need a team full of sluggers to get to the playoffs when you have the pitching we do.

 

You don't need a team full of sluggers, but you need a capable offense when you have a Brewers and Cardinals rotation that seems to pitch well no matter who they pick up off the scrap heap and a couple of offenses that are capable of putting runs up on the board like they are. You need a capable offense when you have a bullpen whose top three guys are Marmol, Gregg, and Heilman. You can't have a couple of extra Mendozas in your lineup when you already have a couple of albatrosses on the right side of the field that can't be moved, a guy behind the plate that may not hit all year, a third baseman who might not be able to produce to his potential even after he returns to the lineup, and a center fielder who may all of a sudden decide to turn back into a pumpkin just like he did last year.

[Little Slide Rooter]

As I mentioned in another thread, Id like Miles at 2nd Font at 3rd if no trade happens. If we can get Miles usual .280 avg, hed be just fine as an 8 hitter, and you dont need a team full of sluggers to get to the playoffs when you have the pitching we do.

 

You throw around the name "Miles" and ".280 hitter" like this is some sort of scenario that's likely to occur before Ramirez comes back.

 

It's not.

 

Fontenot is OPSing .650 (and falling) and Miles is just above .500. How is this an acceptable scenario when we may not see Ramirez take the field until August and we have several other black holes in the lineup that cannot be moved?

 

you dont need a team full of sluggers to get to the playoffs when you have the pitching we do.

 

You don't need a team full of sluggers, but you need a capable offense when you have a Brewers and Cardinals rotation that seems to pitch well no matter who they pick up off the scrap heap and a couple of offenses that are capable of putting runs up on the board like they are. You need a capable offense when you have a bullpen whose top three guys are Marmol, Gregg, and Heilman. You can't have a couple of extra Mendozas in your lineup when you already have a couple of albatrosses on the right side of the field that can't be moved, a guy behind the plate that may not hit all year, a third baseman who might not be able to produce to his potential even after he returns to the lineup, and a center fielder who may all of a sudden decide to turn back into a pumpkin just like he did last year.

 

Scales has been getting a few walks lately, but his initial hot streak is clearly over. Id rather go with the guy who at least has some kind of track record as a singles hitter if I have to chose between the garbage. none of these guys are going to make up for what our main guys are doing now. A trade is necessary, but I havent heard any news. That doesnt mean its not going to happen.

[ArthurVandalay]

You'd rather take the guy who is actually GETTING on base out of the lineup, so we can put the guy who DOESN'T GET ON BASE into the lineup under the assumption that he's GOING TO START GETTING ON BASE?

 

Ok.

[dew1679666265]

I like Kouzmanoff as a target quite a bit.

 

Why?

 

As a backup I can understand, but when his likely ceiling is a mid .700s OPS I don't see him being worth giving up sparse trading chips. There are far better options out there than Kouzmanoff that may just come a bit cheaper.

[manbearcub]

I like Kouzmanoff as a target quite a bit.

 

Why?

 

As a backup I can understand, but when his likely ceiling is a mid .700s OPS I don't see him being worth giving up sparse trading chips. There are far better options out there than Kouzmanoff that may just come a bit cheaper.

his road OPS was over 800 each of the last 2 years.

[Old Style]

Also remember Blalock got moved from 3B for a reason. He is completely terrible. I think Soriano to 2B would downgrade our D less than picking up Hank Blalock.

He's no Gold Glover, but I don't think he's that brutal at 3B. The Rangers are stacked with very good infielders. Plus it's not like the Cubs are running great glove men out there now. With Blalock you get a big bat. He can also play some 1B and would be a nice stick off the bench when Aramis gets back.

[dew1679666265]

Huff, Beltre, and Blalock would be the best choices, all of whom are probably going to be available sooner than later. I just mentioned Kouz because its the closest thing to a trade rumor Ive heard thus far. In a pderfect world, all we need is a temporary fix and Ram is back after the ASB. However, we cant gamble on that happening, which is why Im all for seeing what some of these options are going to cost ASAP. Sometimes you just have to take whats available the time of need, as evident by Phil Nevin in 2006. Granted, he didnt do much good despite 12 HRs and an .832 OPS, and was traded before the end of the season, but still.

 

You don't just make a move to make a move, though, and that's what acquiring Kouzmanoff would be. He'd make a decent enough bench option if he came cheap, but is he going to be worth giving up a few of our already sparse prospects for him? I haven't seen why he would.

 

.218 EqA, .285 OBP and the Padres being reluctant to trade him don't make me think this would be a good trade at all.

 

As I mentioned in another thread, Id like Miles at 2nd Font at 3rd if no trade happens. If we can get Miles usual .280 avg, hed be just fine as an 8 hitter, and you dont need a team full of sluggers to get to the playoffs when you have the pitching we do.

 

I might actually prefer Miles to Kouzmanoff at this point. Neither are likely to be very productive, but at least Miles won't cost us prospects for poor production.

 

My preference, by far, would be to play Scales at second and Fontenot at third, sign Durham and let him get into game shape. By the time he's ready to play, it's likely that Scales will be cooled off and then you slot Durham in for him at second. We don't give up prospects and our potential production is far higher than with Miles or Kouzmanoff.

[dew1679666265]

I like Kouzmanoff as a target quite a bit.

 

Why?

 

As a backup I can understand, but when his likely ceiling is a mid .700s OPS I don't see him being worth giving up sparse trading chips. There are far better options out there than Kouzmanoff that may just come a bit cheaper.

his road OPS was over 800 each of the last 2 years.

 

In 256 and 319 ABs, respectively, and with a bad OBP. He may or may not do that over a full season, but what are the Padres going to demand for him? They're already reluctant to trade him.

 

This year, in a small sample size obviously, he's OPSing .530 on the road - .200 points worse than at home. If they don't ask for much, I might consider it. With Durham sitting at home and Scales hitting very well, I don't see the need to toss out prospects for a gamble like Kouzmanoff, though.

 

He's also an ok defender, but not stellar so he doesn't add great value there.

[dew1679666265]

Scales has been getting a few walks lately, but his initial hot streak is clearly over. Id rather go with the guy who at least has some kind of track record as a singles hitter if I have to chose between the garbage. none of these guys are going to make up for what our main guys are doing now. A trade is necessary, but I havent heard any news. That doesnt mean its not going to happen.

 

Scales has struggled hitting the ball, but he's still getting on base at a better clip (.357 over the past week) than Miles likely will. If he can continue to OBP in the .350 area, he'll be better than Miles hitting around .280.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Reasons to like Kouzmanoff as a trade target:

 

• Slow start this year means he comes relatively cheaply
  Age is such that it wouldn't be unusual if he broke out
  Strong Minor League pedigree
  First year arb-eligible means he's cheap in terms of money(important considering the financial constraints of the offseason)
  Good defender at 3rd
  Good road numbers the last few years
  Not such a big name or contract that he couldn't be benched upon Ramirez's return
  Not much of a platoon split so he's not useless coming off the bench
  Good defender at 3B means he could potentially fill in at 2B if his bat demanded it

[manbearcub]

I like Kouzmanoff as a target quite a bit.

 

Why?

 

As a backup I can understand, but when his likely ceiling is a mid .700s OPS I don't see him being worth giving up sparse trading chips. There are far better options out there than Kouzmanoff that may just come a bit cheaper.

his road OPS was over 800 each of the last 2 years.

 

In 256 and 319 ABs, respectively, and with a bad OBP. He may or may not do that over a full season, but what are the Padres going to demand for him? They're already reluctant to trade him.

256 and 319 road at bats are both essentially full seasons.

[dew1679666265]

I like Kouzmanoff as a target quite a bit.

 

Why?

 

As a backup I can understand, but when his likely ceiling is a mid .700s OPS I don't see him being worth giving up sparse trading chips. There are far better options out there than Kouzmanoff that may just come a bit cheaper.

his road OPS was over 800 each of the last 2 years.

 

In 256 and 319 ABs, respectively, and with a bad OBP. He may or may not do that over a full season, but what are the Padres going to demand for him? They're already reluctant to trade him.

256 and 319 road at bats are both essentially full seasons.

 

Full seasons on the road, but they're still small sample sizes overall. If he comes cheaply, I wouldn't be against a trade for him. The Padres have no real reason to trade him, though, and are not actively trying to (they only are considering the idea). He's moderately young and still cheap - what incentive do they have to trade him other than to get good value for him?

 

I'll be surprised if he comes cheap enough to warrant the acquisition.

[dew1679666265]

Reasons to like Kouzmanoff as a trade target:

 

• Slow start this year means he comes relatively cheaply
  Age is such that it wouldn't be unusual if he broke out
  Strong Minor League pedigree
  First year arb-eligible means he's cheap in terms of money(important considering the financial constraints of the offseason)
  Good defender at 3rd
  Good road numbers the last few years
  Not such a big name or contract that he couldn't be benched upon Ramirez's return
  Not much of a platoon split so he's not useless coming off the bench
  Good defender at 3B means he could potentially fill in at 2B if his bat demanded it

 

1) And it also raises concerns about how well he'll hit for us

2) Incentive for them not to trade him cheaply

3) More incentive not to trade him cheaply

4) Even more incentive not to trade him cheaply

5) Good point

6) I don't put huge stock in a couple hundred ABs a year, but it is nice

7) True

8) Again, true

9) He's never played it before, so I wonder if he could

[Illini Iceman]

With Akinori Iwamura out for the season for the Rays let's bite the bullet and give them Miles for Longoria. If they really twist our arm maybe we can even agree to Fontenot instead but we will need them to throw in a PTBNL.

[erik316wttn]

With Akinori Iwamura out for the season for the Rays let's bite the bullet and give them Miles for Longoria. If they really twist our arm maybe we can even agree to Fontenot instead but we will need them to throw in a PTBNL.

 

I don't know. I'd have to think long and hard about that one.

[Little Slide Rooter]

With Akinori Iwamura out for the season for the Rays let's bite the bullet and give them Miles for Longoria. If they really twist our arm maybe we can even agree to Fontenot instead but we will need them to throw in a PTBNL.

 

I don't know. I'd have to think long and hard about that one.

 

Percivals on the DL too. Maybe if we offer Heilman, we can get Price out of it.

[Clem Fandango]

I've given it a lot of thought, and I've decided to stop being so selfish. I've decided to play third base for the Cubs. I figure the only requirements they're looking for is

 

1) Does a baseball mitt fit on your hand?

2) Can you swing a 32oz bat?

3) Do you have two legs?

 

I fit the description perfectly. Don't worry, I'm on my way to save the team from certain peril

[Little Slide Rooter]

Reasons to like Kouzmanoff as a trade target:

 

• Slow start this year means he comes relatively cheaply
  Age is such that it wouldn't be unusual if he broke out
  Strong Minor League pedigree
  First year arb-eligible means he's cheap in terms of money(important considering the financial constraints of the offseason)
  Good defender at 3rd
  Good road numbers the last few years
  Not such a big name or contract that he couldn't be benched upon Ramirez's return
  Not much of a platoon split so he's not useless coming off the bench
  Good defender at 3B means he could potentially fill in at 2B if his bat demanded it

 

1) And it also raises concerns about how well he'll hit for us

2) Incentive for them not to trade him cheaply

3) More incentive not to trade him cheaply

4) Even more incentive not to trade him cheaply

5) Good point

6) I don't put huge stock in a couple hundred ABs a year, but it is nice

7) True

8) Again, true

9) He's never played it before, so I wonder if he could

 

1) Hes not Bobby Scales

2) Hes not Ryan Freel

3) Hes not Aaron Miles

[dew1679666265]

Reasons to like Kouzmanoff as a trade target:

 

• Slow start this year means he comes relatively cheaply
  Age is such that it wouldn't be unusual if he broke out
  Strong Minor League pedigree
  First year arb-eligible means he's cheap in terms of money(important considering the financial constraints of the offseason)
  Good defender at 3rd
  Good road numbers the last few years
  Not such a big name or contract that he couldn't be benched upon Ramirez's return
  Not much of a platoon split so he's not useless coming off the bench
  Good defender at 3B means he could potentially fill in at 2B if his bat demanded it

 

1) And it also raises concerns about how well he'll hit for us

2) Incentive for them not to trade him cheaply

3) More incentive not to trade him cheaply

4) Even more incentive not to trade him cheaply

5) Good point

6) I don't put huge stock in a couple hundred ABs a year, but it is nice

7) True

8) Again, true

9) He's never played it before, so I wonder if he could

 

1) Hes not Bobby Scales

2) Hes not Ryan Freel

3) Hes not Aaron Miles

 

He's also not that good overall and will likely cost more than he's worth in terms of prospects.

 

But again, if he does in fact come cheap, I'm perfectly fine with a trade. I just don't think he'll come cheap enough.

 

And again, Scales is getting on base at a perfectly fine rate right now. He just needs to play over the Miles/Freel duo.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Reasons to like Kouzmanoff as a trade target:

 

• Slow start this year means he comes relatively cheaply
  Age is such that it wouldn't be unusual if he broke out
  Strong Minor League pedigree
  First year arb-eligible means he's cheap in terms of money(important considering the financial constraints of the offseason)
  Good defender at 3rd
  Good road numbers the last few years
  Not such a big name or contract that he couldn't be benched upon Ramirez's return
  Not much of a platoon split so he's not useless coming off the bench
  Good defender at 3B means he could potentially fill in at 2B if his bat demanded it

 

1) And it also raises concerns about how well he'll hit for us

2) Incentive for them not to trade him cheaply

3) More incentive not to trade him cheaply

4) Even more incentive not to trade him cheaply

5) Good point

6) I don't put huge stock in a couple hundred ABs a year, but it is nice

7) True

8) Again, true

9) He's never played it before, so I wonder if he could

 

1) Hes not Bobby Scales

2) Hes not Ryan Freel

3) Hes not Aaron Miles

 

He's also not that good overall and will likely cost more than he's worth in terms of prospects.

 

But again, if he does in fact come cheap, I'm perfectly fine with a trade. I just don't think he'll come cheap enough.

 

And again, Scales is getting on base at a perfectly fine rate right now. He just needs to play over the Miles/Freel duo.

 

The problem with Scales/Miles/Freel is that until Lou gives one of them the job, there all going to be in limbo. Granted, Id rather the trade, but if thats not going to happen, one of those 3 need to be made the full time starter, make 1 a backup, and dump the 3rd and call up Jake Fox as a Daryl Ward type who will be nothing more than a bat off the bench. IMHO, none of that trio will be significantly better than the other 2, but if given that vote of confidence that they will have the everyday job, that could make them at least productive.

 

ETA: ^By process of elimination, that job goes to Ryan Freel. yay.

[dew1679666265]

The problem with Scales/Miles/Freel is that until Lou gives one of them the job, there all going to be in limbo. Granted, Id rather the trade, but if thats not going to happen, one of those 3 need to be made the full time starter, make 1 a backup, and dump the 3rd and call up Jake Fox as a Daryl Ward type who will be nothing more than a bat off the bench. IMHO, none of that trio will be significantly better than the other 2, but if given that vote of confidence that they will have the everyday job, that could make them at least productive.

 

ETA: ^By process of elimination, that job goes to Ryan Freel. yay.

 

I'd be fine with just giving the job to two of the three and then using the third as a backup, but I don't think the answer is Kevin Kouzmanoff. I still would like to see Ray Durham signed, however.

 

And yes, this is all moot now with the demotion of Scales and promotion of Blanco. :D

[Little Slide Rooter]

The problem with Scales/Miles/Freel is that until Lou gives one of them the job, there all going to be in limbo. Granted, Id rather the trade, but if thats not going to happen, one of those 3 need to be made the full time starter, make 1 a backup, and dump the 3rd and call up Jake Fox as a Daryl Ward type who will be nothing more than a bat off the bench. IMHO, none of that trio will be significantly better than the other 2, but if given that vote of confidence that they will have the everyday job, that could make them at least productive.

 

ETA: ^By process of elimination, that job goes to Ryan Freel. yay.

 

I'd be fine with just giving the job to two of the three and then using the third as a backup, but I don't think the answer is Kevin Kouzmanoff. I still would like to see Ray Durham signed, however.

 

And yes, this is all moot now with the demotion of Scales and promotion of Blanco. :D

 

Durham would be good, but hed probably need a few weeks to get ready. And now that Freel may be injured, something might have to give.