When are the Cubs going to get a third baseman?

[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

 

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.

 

I say bring Scales back up and play him at second (after the 10-day period of course). Plant Fontenot at third then and give Durham a little time to get ready. Once Durham is ready, he replaces Scales. Once Ramirez returns, you come up with something. (Bench the worst of Fontenot/Durham perhaps)

 

That does leave Blanco as the starting 2B for a week, though, I guess.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I like your suggestion, or else were probably looking at Blanco in the everyday lineup for a while.

[NCCubFan]

I say bring Scales back up and play him at second (after the 10-day period of course).

If Freel goes on the DL the 10-day period doesn't apply. You can bring up a player less than 10 days after sending him down if it's to replace a player going on the DL. Theoretically they could call Scales back up as soon as tomorrow if Freel goes on the DL.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Im not as in love with Bobby as some other people. Hes better than Blanco as a stop gap, but one way or another, we need to get someone be it DeRosa, Blalock, Durham, Beltre, Kouzmanoff, whatever.

[dew1679666265]

I say bring Scales back up and play him at second (after the 10-day period of course).

If Freel goes on the DL the 10-day period doesn't apply. You can bring up a player less than 10 days after sending him down if it's to replace a player going on the DL. Theoretically they could call Scales back up as soon as tomorrow if Freel goes on the DL.

 

Ah, thanks. He'll probably have to stay down for a couple days as he gets over the flu, but if Freel is DLd, I wouldn't be surprised in any way if Scales is his replacement.

[dew1679666265]

Im not as in love with Bobby as some other people. Hes better than Blanco as a stop gap, but one way or another, we need to get someone be it DeRosa, Blalock, Durham, Beltre, Kouzmanoff, whatever.

 

I'm not saying I love him, but if Scales could keep his OBP up in the mid to high .300s for the next 2-3 weeks, he'd be ok at second until Durham was ready.

 

Either way, I agree that settling on a more certain starter at third and second for the duration (until we make a trade or Aramis comes back at least) would be helpful to the players.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Im not as in love with Bobby as some other people. Hes better than Blanco as a stop gap, but one way or another, we need to get someone be it DeRosa, Blalock, Durham, Beltre, Kouzmanoff, whatever.

 

I'm not saying I love him, but if Scales could keep his OBP up in the mid to high .300s for the next 2-3 weeks, he'd be ok at second until Durham was ready.

 

Either way, I agree that settling on a more certain starter at third and second for the duration (until we make a trade or Aramis comes back at least) would be helpful to the players.

 

Im with you there. Id rather it be Scales than Blanco, but I hope they get moving on something soon.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Jake Fox-1B-Cubs May. 27 - 8:04 pm et

 

Manager Lou Piniella said Wednesday that he's not yet ready to try Jake Fox at third base.

 

Piniella wants Fox to work with bench coach Alan Trammel to make sure he's not an egregious defensive liability. "We'd love to have his bat in the lineup," Piniella said. "Let's see him over there for a few more days working with Alan and I'll let Alan make that determination."

 

Looks like Lous definitely toying with the idea of Fox at 3rd. Problem is, after all these years of terrible defense, I dont think a few days with Alan Trammel is going to do much good.

[17 Seconds]

he's not working with him to suddenly teach him to play third, he's working with him so him and lou can find out if he's too crappy to play there

[Little Slide Rooter]

he's not working with him to suddenly teach him to play third, he's working with him so him and lou can find out if he's too crappy to play there

 

Makes me wonder if this is the last step before they go ahead and make a trade. Even if Ramirez is back by August, thats still 2 months we have to deal with that jumble of garbage theyve been shuffling around.

[CubbiesFaninFL]

Perhaps Scott Rolen at Third? His salary stinks, but come on. The Cards fans first see Jimmy Ballgame in a Cubs jersey and then Rolen?

 

But on a more serious note, give the 3B in house options a little more time, but Beltre may be a decent acquisition.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Perhaps Scott Rolen at Third? His salary stinks, but come on. The Cards fans first see Jimmy Ballgame in a Cubs jersey and then Rolen?

 

But on a more serious note, give the 3B in house options a little more time, but Beltre may be a decent acquisition.

 

Welcome to the board, but we really dont have a legit in house option. If Fox would miraculously work, that would be great, but the odds are against it. The in house option is moving Font back and forth between 2nd and 3rd and autition a bunch of career minor leaguers.

[dew1679666265]

Perhaps Scott Rolen at Third? His salary stinks, but come on. The Cards fans first see Jimmy Ballgame in a Cubs jersey and then Rolen?

 

But on a more serious note, give the 3B in house options a little more time, but Beltre may be a decent acquisition.

 

Rolen is hitting decently enough, but I'd worry that the Jays will ask a king's ransom for him. They're competing (for now) and he's producing, so he won't come cheap.

 

And welcome to the board!

[jersey cubs fan]

Perhaps Scott Rolen at Third? His salary stinks, but come on. The Cards fans first see Jimmy Ballgame in a Cubs jersey and then Rolen?

 

But on a more serious note, give the 3B in house options a little more time, but Beltre may be a decent acquisition.

 

Rolen is hitting decently enough, but I'd worry that the Jays will ask a king's ransom for him. They're competing (for now) and he's producing, so he won't come cheap.

 

And welcome to the board!

 

They are falling fast and won't be able to contend with Boston or NYY for long, plus he makes a ton of dough. But he is signed through next season, which means the Cubs would have to do something with him, Lee or Ramirez by then, and I don't see that happening. I'd think Toronto would accept a reasonable offer for him, but Chicago would shy away from taking on his deal.

[dew1679666265]

They are falling fast and won't be able to contend with Boston or NYY for long, plus he makes a ton of dough. But he is signed through next season, which means the Cubs would have to do something with him, Lee or Ramirez by then, and I don't see that happening. I'd think Toronto would accept a reasonable offer for him, but Chicago would shy away from taking on his deal.

 

They might deal him reasonably, but just because they're certain to fall out of contention doesn't mean they accept that.

 

I wouldn't want him for the extra year even if we did get him reasonably, though.

[Backtobanks]

he's not working with him to suddenly teach him to play third, he's working with him so him and lou can find out if he's too crappy to play there

 

 

Can you imagine how many bunts down the 3B line there would be if Fox was at 3B?

[illiniguy]

Why dont we try and get Uggla and live with Fontenot at third?

[SouthSideRyan]

Why dont we try and get Uggla and live with Fontenot at third?

 

Because then we'd have to live with Uggla at 2B.

[dew1679666265]

Why dont we try and get Uggla and live with Fontenot at third?

 

I'd rather sign Durham and live with Fontenot at third.

[illiniguy]

Why dont we try and get Uggla and live with Fontenot at third?

 

Because then we'd have to live with Uggla at 2B.

He's never had an OPS below .800. Even this year he's at .778 and most likely will revert back to form. I don't get thwy he would be so bad at 2B.

 

and amazing sig.

[dew1679666265]

Why dont we try and get Uggla and live with Fontenot at third?

 

Because then we'd have to live with Uggla at 2B.

He's never had an OPS below .800. Even this year he's at .778 and most likely will revert back to form. I don't get thwy he would be so bad at 2B.

 

and amazing sig.

 

He has a -8.8 UZR at second base. That's probably a big part of it.

[illiniguy]

Why dont we try and get Uggla and live with Fontenot at third?

 

Because then we'd have to live with Uggla at 2B.

He's never had an OPS below .800. Even this year he's at .778 and most likely will revert back to form. I don't get thwy he would be so bad at 2B.

 

and amazing sig.

 

He has a -8.8 UZR at second base. That's probably a big part of it.

Yeah he sucks at defense, but man can he mash when he's going good.

[dew1679666265]

Why dont we try and get Uggla and live with Fontenot at third?

 

Because then we'd have to live with Uggla at 2B.

He's never had an OPS below .800. Even this year he's at .778 and most likely will revert back to form. I don't get thwy he would be so bad at 2B.

 

and amazing sig.

 

He has a -8.8 UZR at second base. That's probably a big part of it.

Yeah he sucks at defense, but man can he mash when he's going good.

 

Which he hasn't much this year.

[illiniguy]

 

Which he hasn't much this year.

True, but we've been willing to give at bats to Aaron Miles all year. Why can't or couldn't we find a spot for Uggla?

[dew1679666265]

 

Which he hasn't much this year.

True, but we've been willing to give at bats to Aaron Miles all year. Why can't or couldn't we find a spot for Uggla?

 

I don't like giving ABs to Aaron Miles and though Uggla is far superior, I don't think he'd be worth what Florida would likely ask in return.