When are the Cubs going to get a third baseman?

[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?

 

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.

Well that's the kicker I guess, but it sounds like they want to move him. At least according to MLB and ESPN, it might not cost a ton to get him.

[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.

Well that's the kicker I guess, but it sounds like they want to move him. At least according to MLB and ESPN, it might not cost a ton to get him.

 

If it didn't cost a lot I'd think about it, but it's hard to give up young players when Durham is sitting for free (in terms of prospects) on the free agent market.

[Little Slide Rooter]

 

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.

Well that's the kicker I guess, but it sounds like they want to move him. At least according to MLB and ESPN, it might not cost a ton to get him.

 

If it didn't cost a lot I'd think about it, but it's hard to give up young players when Durham is sitting for free (in terms of prospects) on the free agent market.

 

If they had any sense, Durham would be in the middle of a minor league stint as we speak.

[dew1679666265]

If they had any sense, Durham would be in the middle of a minor league stint as we speak.

 

I have a feeling Hendry is determined to play Fontenot at 2B when Aramis gets back and likely views Durham as either completely done or only blocking Fontenot.

 

I agree he ought to be, though.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Could this be a good time for the Mariners to sell high on Russ Branyan? Traditionally, seller want to wait until July to move their impending free agents to get max value, but with an enigma like Branyan, whose just as likely, if not more so to go back to being Russ Branyan as he is to continue his pace. At this point, they could get some decent prospects or major league ready players for him, but if he has an awful June, the most theyd be able to get is some low level prospects or some teams equivalent of JR Mathes. Im just saying.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

Uggla + Hermida for whoever they want within reason.

 

This team would be sick with a trade that did something like this.

 

My posts sound very noobish...I'm rusty on the Cubs board postings.

[chasinf5s]

i was reading Dave Kaplans blog and he said that Hendry is looking really hard for another slugger

 

Major League sources tell me that GM Jim Hendry is desperately looking to add a hitter and is calling around both leagues with a real sense of urgency. Oakland's Matt Holliday is available but he is a LF so if you add him that means that Alfonso Soriano must move to 2nd base and that would weaken an already suspect Cubs defense.

[SouthSideRyan]

Dave Kaplan knows les than I do, and I don't know [expletive].

[CyHawk_Cub]

I'm fighting the urge to start advocating that the Cubs look to deal AWAY players; there just seems to be so much wrong with this team. I think we're more than a simple one or two players away. Ack, doesn't matter since the Cubs wouldn't start selling anyway

[Little Slide Rooter]

i was reading Dave Kaplans blog and he said that Hendry is looking really hard for another slugger

 

Major League sources tell me that GM Jim Hendry is desperately looking to add a hitter and is calling around both leagues with a real sense of urgency. Oakland's Matt Holliday is available but he is a LF so if you add him that means that Alfonso Soriano must move to 2nd base and that would weaken an already suspect Cubs defense.

 

That must mean theres no truth to the rumors of Blalock and Beltres respective teams actively shopping them.

[17 Seconds]

Why do you want Beltre so much? We need offense, not defense

[dew1679666265]

Could this be a good time for the Mariners to sell high on Russ Branyan? Traditionally, seller want to wait until July to move their impending free agents to get max value, but with an enigma like Branyan, whose just as likely, if not more so to go back to being Russ Branyan as he is to continue his pace. At this point, they could get some decent prospects or major league ready players for him, but if he has an awful June, the most theyd be able to get is some low level prospects or some teams equivalent of JR Mathes. Im just saying.

 

Going back to being Russell Branyan is a mid-.800s OPS, though. That's pretty good.

 

I think the Mariners will end up trading Branyan, but I'm not sure they'll do it soon. Hopefully Fox will tear the cover off the ball for a while and, perhaps, up his trade value as a DH to an AL team. If he does, the possibility might exist of a Fox/something deal working.

[dew1679666265]

Why do you want Beltre so much? We need offense, not defense

 

Just playing devil's advocate here, but Beltre's road OPS has been between .802 and .862 from 2005 to 2008 (his Seattle tenure). I don't put a lot of stock into road OPS alone, but coupled with his fantastic defense he might be worth a look.

 

I wouldn't give all that much for him, though. So if they're asking a lot, I'd look elsewhere.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Could this be a good time for the Mariners to sell high on Russ Branyan? Traditionally, seller want to wait until July to move their impending free agents to get max value, but with an enigma like Branyan, whose just as likely, if not more so to go back to being Russ Branyan as he is to continue his pace. At this point, they could get some decent prospects or major league ready players for him, but if he has an awful June, the most theyd be able to get is some low level prospects or some teams equivalent of JR Mathes. Im just saying.

 

Going back to being Russell Branyan is a mid-.800s OPS, though. That's pretty good.

 

I think the Mariners will end up trading Branyan, but I'm not sure they'll do it soon. Hopefully Fox will tear the cover off the ball for a while and, perhaps, up his trade value as a DH to an AL team. If he does, the possibility might exist of a Fox/something deal working.

 

I wonder if Hoffpauir might have more trade value. Hes a lefty, he can play a good first base and hes beginning to play an almost respectable right field. Remember hes 29, so hes not exactly our 1st baseman of the future.

[dew1679666265]

Could this be a good time for the Mariners to sell high on Russ Branyan? Traditionally, seller want to wait until July to move their impending free agents to get max value, but with an enigma like Branyan, whose just as likely, if not more so to go back to being Russ Branyan as he is to continue his pace. At this point, they could get some decent prospects or major league ready players for him, but if he has an awful June, the most theyd be able to get is some low level prospects or some teams equivalent of JR Mathes. Im just saying.

 

Going back to being Russell Branyan is a mid-.800s OPS, though. That's pretty good.

 

I think the Mariners will end up trading Branyan, but I'm not sure they'll do it soon. Hopefully Fox will tear the cover off the ball for a while and, perhaps, up his trade value as a DH to an AL team. If he does, the possibility might exist of a Fox/something deal working.

 

I wonder if Hoffpauir might have more trade value. Hes a lefty, he can play a good first base and hes beginning to play an almost respectable right field. Remember hes 29, so hes not exactly our 1st baseman of the future.

 

The fact that he's 29 - and therefore just 4 years younger than Branyan - likely hurts his value considerably to a non-contender like the Mariners. His value, I would think, would be highest in a trade to a contender who is less concerned with age, but needs immediate (and cheap) help at first or in the outfield.

 

Fox being 26 right now helps his value in a Branyan trade, I think, because he's 7 years younger than Branyan and likely just entering his prime.

 

That and with Hoff being able to play defense, I prefer keeping him if at all possible.

[SouthSideRyan]

Why do you want Beltre so much? We need offense, not defense

 

What? Why?

[Little Slide Rooter]

Could this be a good time for the Mariners to sell high on Russ Branyan? Traditionally, seller want to wait until July to move their impending free agents to get max value, but with an enigma like Branyan, whose just as likely, if not more so to go back to being Russ Branyan as he is to continue his pace. At this point, they could get some decent prospects or major league ready players for him, but if he has an awful June, the most theyd be able to get is some low level prospects or some teams equivalent of JR Mathes. Im just saying.

 

Going back to being Russell Branyan is a mid-.800s OPS, though. That's pretty good.

 

I think the Mariners will end up trading Branyan, but I'm not sure they'll do it soon. Hopefully Fox will tear the cover off the ball for a while and, perhaps, up his trade value as a DH to an AL team. If he does, the possibility might exist of a Fox/something deal working.

 

I wonder if Hoffpauir might have more trade value. Hes a lefty, he can play a good first base and hes beginning to play an almost respectable right field. Remember hes 29, so hes not exactly our 1st baseman of the future.

 

The fact that he's 29 - and therefore just 4 years younger than Branyan - likely hurts his value considerably to a non-contender like the Mariners. His value, I would think, would be highest in a trade to a contender who is less concerned with age, but needs immediate (and cheap) help at first or in the outfield.

 

Fox being 26 right now helps his value in a Branyan trade, I think, because he's 7 years younger than Branyan and likely just entering his prime.

 

That and with Hoff being able to play defense, I prefer keeping him if at all possible.

 

I feel that if we kept Fox, and spent the winter coaching him on his defense he could be a monster offensively, and could be our first baseman of the future.

Edited May 29, 2009 by Little Slide Rooter

[Little Slide Rooter]

Why do you want Beltre so much? We need offense, not defense

 

I dont want him so much, but I feel that hed be cheaper and easier to aquire than other options. Say what you will about his offense, but despite hsi weak start this yearhes hit 25, 26, 26 home runs in the last 3 years respectively and OPSed in the high .700s/low .800s, and that beats the tar out of any of our in house options. Also, theres the very off chance that NL pitching might take him remember his dominant 2004. Also, perenial gold glovers at both corners would be great considering our mediocre at best defensive middle infield situation.

[dew1679666265]

I feel that if we kept Fox, and spent the winter coaching him on his defense he could be a monster offensively, and could be our first baseman of the future.

 

He hasn't been able to improve defensively in 6 years in the minor leagues, so I'm not sure if a winter with the major league club will do much good.

 

As a first baseman, his defense might not be as abysmal as at other spots, but if his problem is catching the ball (which I've heard it is) then that's the #1 thing a first baseman does. If he's dropping routine throws and not making the tough ones, he's really going to have to hit to make up for it.

[inari]

i was reading Dave Kaplans blog and he said that Hendry is looking really hard for another slugger

 

Major League sources tell me that GM Jim Hendry is desperately looking to add a hitter and is calling around both leagues with a real sense of urgency. Oakland's Matt Holliday is available but he is a LF so if you add him that means that Alfonso Soriano must move to 2nd base and that would weaken an already suspect Cubs defense.

 

Except for third, can anyone think of a better way to upgrade the offense than this route? We're not upgrading at catcher, first, short, center, or right. There's just no way. An upgrade at second that simply replaces Fontenot... well, who is out there? Dan Uggla? Moving Soriano back to second seems to be the only way to open up trading possibilities.

[Little Slide Rooter]

i was reading Dave Kaplans blog and he said that Hendry is looking really hard for another slugger

 

Major League sources tell me that GM Jim Hendry is desperately looking to add a hitter and is calling around both leagues with a real sense of urgency. Oakland's Matt Holliday is available but he is a LF so if you add him that means that Alfonso Soriano must move to 2nd base and that would weaken an already suspect Cubs defense.

 

Except for third, can anyone think of a better way to upgrade the offense than this route? We're not upgrading at catcher, first, short, center, or right. There's just no way. An upgrade at second that simply replaces Fontenot... well, who is out there? Dan Uggla? Moving Soriano back to second seems to be the only way to open up trading possibilities.

 

3rd is where we need the most help, and 3rd is where the most available trade targets are. I dont know how handcuffed the ownership situation has Jim, but surely he can do something. Im starting to wish Cuban would just pull a hostile takeover.

[Backtobanks]

i was reading Dave Kaplans blog and he said that Hendry is looking really hard for another slugger

 

Major League sources tell me that GM Jim Hendry is desperately looking to add a hitter and is calling around both leagues with a real sense of urgency. Oakland's Matt Holliday is available but he is a LF so if you add him that means that Alfonso Soriano must move to 2nd base and that would weaken an already suspect Cubs defense.

 

Except for third, can anyone think of a better way to upgrade the offense than this route? We're not upgrading at catcher, first, short, center, or right. There's just no way. An upgrade at second that simply replaces Fontenot... well, who is out there? Dan Uggla? Moving Soriano back to second seems to be the only way to open up trading possibilities.

 

Since you're going to weaken the defense, why not hand the 3B job to Fox until he proves he can't hit ML pitching. Fox at 3B can't be much worse than Soriano at 2B considering the number of plays each position is involved in during a game. That way we don't have to give up the prospects that Beane would want.

[inari]

i was reading Dave Kaplans blog and he said that Hendry is looking really hard for another slugger

 

Major League sources tell me that GM Jim Hendry is desperately looking to add a hitter and is calling around both leagues with a real sense of urgency. Oakland's Matt Holliday is available but he is a LF so if you add him that means that Alfonso Soriano must move to 2nd base and that would weaken an already suspect Cubs defense.

 

Except for third, can anyone think of a better way to upgrade the offense than this route? We're not upgrading at catcher, first, short, center, or right. There's just no way. An upgrade at second that simply replaces Fontenot... well, who is out there? Dan Uggla? Moving Soriano back to second seems to be the only way to open up trading possibilities.

 

3rd is where we need the most help, and 3rd is where the most available trade targets are. I dont know how handcuffed the ownership situation has Jim, but surely he can do something. Im starting to wish Cuban would just pull a hostile takeover.

 

But what happens to the third baseman we acquire once Rammy comes back?

[dew1679666265]

i was reading Dave Kaplans blog and he said that Hendry is looking really hard for another slugger

 

Major League sources tell me that GM Jim Hendry is desperately looking to add a hitter and is calling around both leagues with a real sense of urgency. Oakland's Matt Holliday is available but he is a LF so if you add him that means that Alfonso Soriano must move to 2nd base and that would weaken an already suspect Cubs defense.

 

Except for third, can anyone think of a better way to upgrade the offense than this route? We're not upgrading at catcher, first, short, center, or right. There's just no way. An upgrade at second that simply replaces Fontenot... well, who is out there? Dan Uggla? Moving Soriano back to second seems to be the only way to open up trading possibilities.

 

3rd is where we need the most help, and 3rd is where the most available trade targets are. I dont know how handcuffed the ownership situation has Jim, but surely he can do something. Im starting to wish Cuban would just pull a hostile takeover.

 

But what happens to the third baseman we acquire once Rammy comes back?

 

If you acquire a guy like Russell Branyan, you get good production while Aramis is out and then when he returns, Branyan becomes a very good bat off the bench who can play 3B, 1B, RF and LF.

 

If you look more at second, you've got Uggla, or you can sign Ray Durham (preferable, in my opinion). That, however, would spell the end of Fontenot at second (at least for this year) and I don't think Hendry is ready for that just yet.

[Little Slide Rooter]

i was reading Dave Kaplans blog and he said that Hendry is looking really hard for another slugger

 

 

Except for third, can anyone think of a better way to upgrade the offense than this route? We're not upgrading at catcher, first, short, center, or right. There's just no way. An upgrade at second that simply replaces Fontenot... well, who is out there? Dan Uggla? Moving Soriano back to second seems to be the only way to open up trading possibilities.

 

3rd is where we need the most help, and 3rd is where the most available trade targets are. I dont know how handcuffed the ownership situation has Jim, but surely he can do something. Im starting to wish Cuban would just pull a hostile takeover.

 

But what happens to the third baseman we acquire once Rammy comes back?

 

If you acquire a guy like Russell Branyan, you get good production while Aramis is out and then when he returns, Branyan becomes a very good bat off the bench who can play 3B, 1B, RF and LF.

 

If you look more at second, you've got Uggla, or you can sign Ray Durham (preferable, in my opinion). That, however, would spell the end of Fontenot at second (at least for this year) and I don't think Hendry is ready for that just yet.

 

Id like Uggla, but the Giants reportedly failed to get the Marlins interest with Jonathon Sanchez(at one point the said Matt Cain, but I think that was debunked), so I dont think we have what it takes to get him without gutting the farm. Durham would be good, but again, he probably needs about 2 weeks to get ready. Id just try to find out whose cheapest and ealriest available between Branyan, Beltre, Blalock, Huff, and Mora, and if we cant get any of them, inquire on Holliday.