Same position players next year?

[A New Era]

I'm just curious any new rumors as the most likely player who might come in to trade bradley (or even one of our own)? I'd rather the Cubs focus on the minors, now is not the time to spend. I'm assuming opening day position players are as follows

 

C Soto

1B Lee

2B

SS Theriot

3B Ramirez

LF Soriano

CF

RF Fukudome

 

I hessitate to say Fontenot at 2nd because of his bad year this year. But I assume he might still be likely. So we will only be chaning 1, MAYBE 2 position players. Anyone want to do some guessing? I have no clue because I haven't followed the offseason this year.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Baker is the most likely to start at 2B, unless we end up with Luis Castillo. As for the vacant outfieold spot, MIke Cameron and Marlon Byrd are the most likely, but unfortunately, I wouldnt put it past Hendry to go after Garrett Anderson or Jermaine Dye.

[Derwood]

Actually, Theriot will probably start at 2B

[Little Slide Rooter]

Actually, Theriot will probably start at 2B

 

Do you think Castros really ready? The last thing we want is to rush the guy.

[Backtobanks]

Actually, Theriot will probably start at 2B

 

Do you think Castros really ready? The last thing we want is to rush the guy.

 

It will be interesting to see if Jaramillo can work miracles with Castro. All of the stories have said that Hendry is kind of prepping Theriot for a move to 2B, but I really think Castro needs a little more time in the minors. It wouldn't surprise me if he's called up part way into the season. You're right about not wanting to rush him. There would be a lot of pressure on a 20 year old playing SS on a contending team.

[Derwood]

Actually, Theriot will probably start at 2B

 

Do you think Castros really ready? The last thing we want is to rush the guy.

 

It will be interesting to see if Jaramillo can work miracles with Castro. All of the stories have said that Hendry is kind of prepping Theriot for a move to 2B, but I really think Castro needs a little more time in the minors. It wouldn't surprise me if he's called up part way into the season. You're right about not wanting to rush him. There would be a lot of pressure on a 20 year old playing SS on a contending team.

 

It's been Hendry's M.O. to rush top prospects (see: Patterson, Pie, etc.) so it wouldn't surprise me if he broke camp with the big team

[CubColtPacer]

Actually, Theriot will probably start at 2B

 

Do you think Castros really ready? The last thing we want is to rush the guy.

 

It will be interesting to see if Jaramillo can work miracles with Castro. All of the stories have said that Hendry is kind of prepping Theriot for a move to 2B, but I really think Castro needs a little more time in the minors. It wouldn't surprise me if he's called up part way into the season. You're right about not wanting to rush him. There would be a lot of pressure on a 20 year old playing SS on a contending team.

 

It's been Hendry's M.O. to rush top prospects (see: Patterson, Pie, etc.) so it wouldn't surprise me if he broke camp with the big team

 

Pie was not rushed. If Castro follows the Pie route, he won't see the major leagues until at least 2011 and possibly 2012 or 2013. And Hendry wasn't the GM when Patterson was rushed.

[Skyballer]

If Castro is legit, then him at short and Theriot at second could make a really good middle infield. But I question whether they would really want him to break camp heading for Chicago at only 20 years old. I think he needs more time.

[Guest]

If Castro tears up AA and then AAA for half a year at age 20, the only reason to keep him on the farm is that they don't need him in Chicago. If they need him and he's ready to go (by superior performance, not hype) there's no reason to keep him in AAA.

 

I don't think that's going to happen though.

[javy knows my name]

What about Blanco breaking camp at SS with a Theriot/Fontenot platoon at 2B? Once we feel we can't handle Blanco's nothing production at SS, we bring up Castro assuming he's making further strides at Tenn/Iowa?

[Sammy Sofa]

Why do people keep acting like Baker doesn't exist?

[Guest]

Why do people keep acting like Baker doesn't exist?

Bad associations with the name.

[javy knows my name]

I acknowledge Jeff Baker's existence, however, I was thinking that since 2B is Theriot's eventual destination, maybe Lou would want to start him there instead of moving him midseason, when Castro is most likely to force the move.

[Skyballer]

What about Blanco breaking camp at SS with a Theriot/Fontenot platoon at 2B? Once we feel we can't handle Blanco's nothing production at SS, we bring up Castro assuming he's making further strides at Tenn/Iowa?

See the problem there lies in the fact that Theriot>Blanco.

[Guest]

Actually, Theriot will probably start at 2B

 

Do you think Castros really ready? The last thing we want is to rush the guy.

 

It will be interesting to see if Jaramillo can work miracles with Castro. All of the stories have said that Hendry is kind of prepping Theriot for a move to 2B, but I really think Castro needs a little more time in the minors. It wouldn't surprise me if he's called up part way into the season. You're right about not wanting to rush him. There would be a lot of pressure on a 20 year old playing SS on a contending team.

 

Prepping? Theriot is and always has been playing out of position in the majors.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Why do people keep acting like Baker doesn't exist?

 

A lot of people seem to assume that hes nothing more than a part time player because he hasnt played a full season as a full timer. With the other options being Luis Castillo, Mike Fontenot, and Aarin Miles, I would love to give him that chance, but unfortunately for Jeff, Luis Castillo seems to be in the cards.

[Backtobanks]

Why do people keep acting like Baker doesn't exist?

 

A lot of people seem to assume that hes nothing more than a part time player because he hasnt played a full season as a full timer. With the other options being Luis Castillo, Mike Fontenot, and Aarin Miles, I would love to give him that chance, but unfortunately for Jeff, Luis Castillo seems to be in the cards.

 

Baker's situation reminds me of DeRosa about 4-5 years ago. A versatile player who suddenly was given a chance to start and performed well.

[Vanilla Ice]

Why do people keep acting like Baker doesn't exist?

 

A lot of people seem to assume that hes nothing more than a part time player because he hasnt played a full season as a full timer. With the other options being Luis Castillo, Mike Fontenot, and Aarin Miles, I would love to give him that chance, but unfortunately for Jeff, Luis Castillo seems to be in the cards.

 

Also, his .361 BABIP with a 19.4 LD%. His career BABIP is 40 points lower.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Why do people keep acting like Baker doesn't exist?

 

A lot of people seem to assume that hes nothing more than a part time player because he hasnt played a full season as a full timer. With the other options being Luis Castillo, Mike Fontenot, and Aarin Miles, I would love to give him that chance, but unfortunately for Jeff, Luis Castillo seems to be in the cards.

 

Also, his .361 BABIP with a 19.4 LD%. His career BABIP is 40 points lower.

 

Fangraphs has his career BABIP at .337.

[dew1679666265]

What about Blanco breaking camp at SS with a Theriot/Fontenot platoon at 2B? Once we feel we can't handle Blanco's nothing production at SS, we bring up Castro assuming he's making further strides at Tenn/Iowa?

See the problem there lies in the fact that Theriot>Blanco.

 

Offensively Theriot is better. Defensively Blanco is much better. That said, I'd probably prefer to go with Theriot at SS and Baker/Fonenot at 2B this season.

[Post Count Padder]

What about Blanco breaking camp at SS with a Theriot/Fontenot platoon at 2B? Once we feel we can't handle Blanco's nothing production at SS, we bring up Castro assuming he's making further strides at Tenn/Iowa?

See the problem there lies in the fact that Theriot>Blanco.

 

Offensively Theriot is better. Defensively Blanco is much better. That said, I'd probably prefer to go with Theriot at SS and Baker/Fonenot at 2B this season.

Agreed. I like Blanco on the bench as a defensive backup. But I don't want him starting.

[dew1679666265]

What about Blanco breaking camp at SS with a Theriot/Fontenot platoon at 2B? Once we feel we can't handle Blanco's nothing production at SS, we bring up Castro assuming he's making further strides at Tenn/Iowa?

See the problem there lies in the fact that Theriot>Blanco.

 

Offensively Theriot is better. Defensively Blanco is much better. That said, I'd probably prefer to go with Theriot at SS and Baker/Fonenot at 2B this season.

Agreed. I like Blanco on the bench as a defensive backup. But I don't want him starting.

 

I'd be ok with him as a starter, but I'd want better offense than we currently have at second if that was the case.

[A New Era]

I am interested to see if any changes will be made at 2nd base. And what our outfield will look like. I think I'd rather just keep bradley and improve elsewhere with a few key trades (without giving up too much of our promising new farm :P).

[Bull]

I am interested to see if any changes will be made at 2nd base. And what our outfield will look like. I think I'd rather just keep bradley and improve elsewhere with a few key trades (without giving up too much of our promising new farm :P).

 

I'm optimistic about the farm, but I have been before. Fool me twice and all that. I need to see castro put up above a .750 OPS (at any level) before I'm a believer.

[cubsfan26]

Baker's situation reminds me of DeRosa about 4-5 years ago. A versatile player who suddenly was given a chance to start and performed well.

 

Personally I like Baker and think he could be a solid everyday 2b if given a chance. I have no reason for feeling this way but liking what I have seen from when he was on the Rockies in 08 and how he played with the Cubs last season(also looking at his minor league numbers). Plus a guy like Baker is the type of player Rudy Jaramillo has worked his magic with in the past. So I think he's the type of player Rudy could help. So I wouldn't mind if the Cubs gave Baker a chance next year. But I'm not sure if that will happen and for some reason think they still like Fontenot over Baker. Plus I wouldn't be shocked if they find away to add a 2b through free agency later in the offseason.