Where can the Cubs Upgrade For Offense?

[CubinNY]

As the middle of June rolls around my son will be six months old and the Cubs will be thinking about upgrading for the playoff push (hopefully). My problem is that I don't know exactly where they can make meaningful changes to the team to improve the offense. They look to me like a .500 team. I suppose getting Aramis back will be like making a trade but I think they need something more in the way of offense.

 

Let's tick off the positions that they won't upgrade

 

1st- Lee isn't going anywhere

3rd- Aramis will be back, but will he be the same player?

LF- Soriano's albatross contract and NTC preclude any changes there

C- Soto seems to be staring to improve. I see a good second half for him

SS- Theriot is hitting (with some pop), I don't see them doing anything

 

That leaves

 

CF- Fukudome/Johnson platoon- Would the Cubs consider pushing Bradley to the bench (and moving Fukudome to RF), or more likely the DL? Is there a player out there who would be "getable" and improve the offense?

 

RF- Same sort of scenario- Bradley goes on the DL becomes a bench/platoon player and the Cubs upgrade. Who would be available?

 

2nd- This is the one position on the field where the Cubs can and should upgrade for offense but is there anyone available and at what cost?

 

It pretty apparent to me that the Cubs have the pitching to go very far in the playoffs, but I'm becoming increasingly worried that they won't have the offense to make it there.

[UK1679666180]

It pretty apparent to me that the Cubs have the pitching to go very far in the playoffs.

 

The Cubs a LH'ed hitting OF'er capable of playing RF in spot roles. They need a 2B, regardless of which side he hits from.

 

As far as the quoted statement, they have the starting pitching to go far into the playoffs but have no bullpen at all.

[CubColtPacer]

What good timing! There was actually an article just written on the front page on this very subject:

 

http://www.northsidebaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=11&Itemid=117

 

The one thing I disagree with your assessment is 2B. Everything about Fontenot from both a more visual approach and a purely stats based approach makes me see him as at least a little above average at second base although he should still be in a platoon (maybe you could find a better platoon partner for him, but Fontenot should still be getting most of the at-bats). Fontenot should be above average at the end of the year both offensively and defensively at second though.

[jersey cubs fan]

What good timing! There was actually an article just written on the front page on this very subject:

 

http://www.northsidebaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=11&Itemid=117

 

The one thing I disagree with your assessment is 2B. Everything about Fontenot from both a more visual approach and a purely stats based approach makes me see him as at least a little above average at second base although he should still be in a platoon (maybe you could find a better platoon partner for him, but Fontenot should still be getting most of the at-bats). Fontenot should be above average at the end of the year both offensively and defensively at second though.

 

Which leads me to suggest my longtime favorite option of finding a new SS and platooning Theriot and Fontenot at 2B. Who that would be, I have no idea.

 

Unless the Mets fall apart and feel the desire to move Carlos Beltran, I'm not really sure what they can do to improve the team at this point. There's just far too many hitters making big bucks but not putting up big numbers, and they are all on the wrong side of the age spectrum.

[RynoRules]

I posted this in the "Aramis replacement" thread:

 

I wouldn't mess with the 3B situation. Aramis will be back in a month or so. Again, I would plug that hole with Fontenot and concentrate on finding a 2B.

 

Felipe Lopez has been doing ok this year and most definitely could be had on the cheap: Lopez

 

Of course there is also the oft-mentioned Freddy Sanchez, who would unquestionably be more expensive to acquire: Sanchez

 

Given his rough start, I should think we could get Dan Uggla for relatively little, and Hendry has a good history with the Fish: Uggla

 

Of course, DeRosa remains a good option as well.

 

(The links to their 2009 stats didn't make it in after I copied and pasted from the other thread)

[Old Style]

Which leads me to suggest my longtime favorite option of finding a new SS and platooning Theriot and Fontenot at 2B. Who that would be, I have no idea.

I wouldn't be opposed to this.

[soapy]

i tend to agree with CCP. the only legitimate option, in my mind, would be to find someone capable of hitting LHP well as part of a 2B platoon with Fontenot. ideally someone who can also play a legitimate 3B while Ramirez is out and/or needs rest after coming back.

 

honestly, i think we're just going to end up hoping that Freel or Miles become that guy. Freel has been excellent against LHP in the past (save for a bizarre 2007). ideally, Freel comes back and destroys LHP and Blanco replaces Miles as the back-up SS (not happening, i know).

[kjfoster 1553]

Which leads me to suggest my longtime favorite option of finding a new SS and platooning Theriot and Fontenot at 2B. Who that would be, I have no idea.

I wouldn't be opposed to this.

 

I just don't know who that long-term answer is. I really don't see them, whoever they are, coming over in a deadline deal.

[soapy]

Which leads me to suggest my longtime favorite option of finding a new SS and platooning Theriot and Fontenot at 2B. Who that would be, I have no idea.

I wouldn't be opposed to this.

 

I just don't know who that long-term answer is. I really don't see them, whoever they are, coming over in a deadline deal.

 

Yeah, as appealing as this idea is, I just have a hard time coming up with any legitimate options. I just can't imagine it happening.

[shnsajax]

I wish the BlueJays had a need or reason to trade Hill.

[kjfoster 1553]

This is coming from my Fantasy League, so don't judge if I leave someone out who should/include someone who shouldn't be on this list:

 

Tejada, Houston

Scutaro, Toronto

Tulowitzki, Colorado

Peralta, Cleveland

Cabrera, Oakland

Guzman, Washington

Eckstein, San Diego

 

Those are the only SS I even see as 1.) could be moved, and 2.) the team will be bad enough to move people.

 

NONE of those are the "long-term" answer at shortstop I want to see this team go after. We may be stuck getting a pitcher for the bullpen, but I don't see a big move for the Cubs this deadline.

[Arnold Layne]

Which leads me to suggest my longtime favorite option of finding a new SS and platooning Theriot and Fontenot at 2B. Who that would be, I have no idea.

 

Why would you platoon a player who is in the top 8 for many offensive categories in MLB at his position?

[jersey cubs fan]

Which leads me to suggest my longtime favorite option of finding a new SS and platooning Theriot and Fontenot at 2B. Who that would be, I have no idea.

 

Why would you platoon a player who is in the top 8 for many offensive categories in MLB at his position?

 

Assuming you are talking about Ryan Theriot, I would platoon him at 2nd because he's not a very good defender at SS, he's never shown the ability to have any sort of significant offensive presence over an entire season and he's significantly better vs LHP than RHP, while Fontenot is the perfect mirror opposite. Theriot's current rankings among MLB SS are largely meaningless to the discussion. I highly doubt he'll have an 800+ OPS by season's end.

[rawaction]

Move Soriano to 2B. Trade for Matt Holliday.

 

No but seriously, Clint Barmes would be an excellent pickup. I wonder if Cincy could be persuaded to give up Brandon Phillips.

[17 Seconds]

the bottom line is that the offense is screwed if the current guys we have start hitting. by that i mean bradley, fontenot, and soto. if those guys suck all year, it won't matter when we get aramis back

[Sammy Sofa]

the bottom line is that the offense is screwed if the current guys we have start hitting. by that i mean bradley, fontenot, and soto. if those guys suck all year, it won't matter when we get aramis back

 

Or who they trade for.

[17 Seconds]

Move Soriano to 2B. Trade for Matt Holliday.

 

No but seriously, Clint Barmes would be an excellent pickup. I wonder if Cincy could be persuaded to give up Brandon Phillips.

 

why would they trade phillips when they have a realistic shot at the division? let alone trade him in the division

[Little Slide Rooter]

Screw it, were desperate. I suppose the big question is are we desperate enough to trade Sean Marshall for a rent a player? Im going to say yes, for the simple fact that for some reason, Sean will never be good enough for Lou as a regular starter for some reason. He'll always fine something supposedlt better.

[dew1679666265]

Move Soriano to 2B. Trade for Matt Holliday.

 

No but seriously, Clint Barmes would be an excellent pickup. I wonder if Cincy could be persuaded to give up Brandon Phillips.

 

Two comments:

 

1 - What's the incentive for the Rockies to trade a guy (Barmes) making just over $1.5 million unless we offer more than he's worth?

 

2 - Phillips would be fantastic, but I can't imagine the Reds dealing him, especially to us. Nice thought, though.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Move Soriano to 2B. Trade for Matt Holliday.

 

No but seriously, Clint Barmes would be an excellent pickup. I wonder if Cincy could be persuaded to give up Brandon Phillips.

 

Two comments:

 

1 - What's the incentive for the Rockies to trade a guy (Barmes) making just over $1.5 million unless we offer more than he's worth?

 

2 - Phillips would be fantastic, but I can't imagine the Reds dealing him, especially to us. Nice thought, though.

 

And of course the pesky fact that the Reds are ahead of us in the standings.

[Friendly Confines]

This is coming from my Fantasy League, so don't judge if I leave someone out who should/include someone who shouldn't be on this list:

 

Tejada, Houston

Scutaro, Toronto

Tulowitzki, Colorado

Peralta, Cleveland

Cabrera, Oakland

Guzman, Washington

Eckstein, San Diego

 

Those are the only SS I even see as 1.) could be moved, and 2.) the team will be bad enough to move people.

 

NONE of those are the "long-term" answer at shortstop I want to see this team go after. We may be stuck getting a pitcher for the bullpen, but I don't see a big move for the Cubs this deadline.

 

I think Tulo could be a long-term answer, if we can get him somehow...Scutaro has been playing great this year...but Aaron Miles takes a [expletive] on that argument.

[dew1679666265]

Move Soriano to 2B. Trade for Matt Holliday.

 

No but seriously, Clint Barmes would be an excellent pickup. I wonder if Cincy could be persuaded to give up Brandon Phillips.

 

Two comments:

 

1 - What's the incentive for the Rockies to trade a guy (Barmes) making just over $1.5 million unless we offer more than he's worth?

 

2 - Phillips would be fantastic, but I can't imagine the Reds dealing him, especially to us. Nice thought, though.

 

And of course the pesky fact that the Reds are ahead of us in the standings.

 

That and his general inexpensiveness (for his production) are the reasons I don't think they'd have any interest in trading him.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Is there any point bringing up the obvious answer in DeRosa?

[E.J.]

Is there any point bringing up the obvious answer in DeRosa?

 

There seem to be a lot of teams interested in DeRo. Wouldn't it be hilarious if we payed more in terms of prospects to get him back than we received when we traded him?

[Little Slide Rooter]

Is there any point bringing up the obvious answer in DeRosa?

 

There seem to be a lot of teams interested in DeRo. Wouldn't it be hilarious if we payed more in terms of prospects to get him back than we received when we traded him?

 

If we got him, thats probably how it would end up happening. Its all about supply and demand.