Cubs sign OF Marlon Byrd (3/$15M)

[Prizefight]

Is he really 5 million/year better than Fuld in center?

 

Yes.

 

 

I'd argue no when you consider the limited budget and other places we need help. Obviously Byrd is better, I just don't know for this team right now.

 

That would mean Fuld becomes a full-time player. Probably end up around a .650-675 OPS, maybe not even that good. Compare that with the .800 OPS that Byrd will likely put up. 100-150 points of OPS is a lot. Sure Fuld's defense is better, but not nearly enough to compensate for the difference in OPS.

 

 

Maybe, I'd think Fuld could be around 700. I definitely understand your point though. I don't know, I'd be more excited doing something with 15 million that moved Riot to 2nd and brought us a SS. Let's see where else the offseason goes to judge this move on the whole I suppose.

 

Where's he hitting? 7? The 20 home runs seems to be the anomaly last year

[GlassCow]

This team isn't looking real competitive moving into 2010. Hope I'm wrong.

[fromthestretch]

So Byrd/Fuld in center?

 

Considering Byrd hits righties better than lefties, I doubt we'll see much of Fuld in center, which would be wonderful news.

 

Byrd is actually pretty much the same hitter against righties and lefties (only a 10 point difference in OPS over the course of his career). Doubtful they'll platoon him.

 

I'm not talking about a strict platoon, but Byrd has never played 150 games and they will need inexpensive backup OFers.

 

True. Fuld could see some time in CF and LF when Byrd needs rest and when Soriano inevitably gets hurt. Although Hoffpauir could see some of those LF at-bats, and I would imagine they will try to find a right-handed hitting backup outfielder, as well.

[jersey cubs fan]

Compare that with the .800 OPS that Byrd will likely put up.

 

Considering the .762 career OPS, there's plenty of downside risk with this guy. He's not a lock for any level of production.

[Magnetic Curses]

Compare that with the .800 OPS that Byrd will likely put up.

 

Considering the .762 career OPS, there's plenty of downside risk with this guy. He's not a lock for any level of production.

 

aren't you the guy who's real big on 3-year splits?

[Bruno7481]

I can live with it. I think it helps that this pushes Fukudome back to RF. Besides the obvious defensive issues the Cubs have with Soriano, the other two outfield spots are in good shape.

[fromthestretch]

Is he really 5 million/year better than Fuld in center?

 

Yes.

 

 

I'd argue no when you consider the limited budget and other places we need help. Obviously Byrd is better, I just don't know for this team right now.

 

That would mean Fuld becomes a full-time player. Probably end up around a .650-675 OPS, maybe not even that good. Compare that with the .800 OPS that Byrd will likely put up. 100-150 points of OPS is a lot. Sure Fuld's defense is better, but not nearly enough to compensate for the difference in OPS.

 

 

Maybe, I'd think Fuld could be around 700. I definitely understand your point though. I don't know, I'd be more excited doing something with 15 million that moved Riot to 2nd and brought us a SS. Let's see where else the offseason goes to judge this move on the whole I suppose.

 

Where's he hitting? 7? The 20 home runs seems to be the anomaly last year

 

I'm not a huge fan of Fuld as an everyday player, but I like him in a backup role. As an everyday player, I think he could Theriot his way to an OPS in the low .700s. Problem is, you already have a guy like that in Theriot. This offense can't really support two of those.

[JonJayCutler]

Is he really 5 million/year better than Fuld in center?

 

Yes.

 

 

I'd argue no when you consider the limited budget and other places we need help. Obviously Byrd is better, I just don't know for this team right now.

 

That would mean Fuld becomes a full-time player. Probably end up around a .650-675 OPS, maybe not even that good. Compare that with the .800 OPS that Byrd will likely put up. 100-150 points of OPS is a lot. Sure Fuld's defense is better, but not nearly enough to compensate for the difference in OPS.

 

 

Maybe, I'd think Fuld could be around 700. I definitely understand your point though. I don't know, I'd be more excited doing something with 15 million that moved Riot to 2nd and brought us a SS. Let's see where else the offseason goes to judge this move on the whole I suppose.

 

Where's he hitting? 7? The 20 home runs seems to be the anomaly last year

 

I too would have rather done something with 2B or SS, but when you have an organization that likes Theriot and is fine with a Baker/Fontenot platoon at 2B, there isn't much hope for addressing those positions.

[Prizefight]

]

 

I too would have rather done something with 2B or SS, but when you have an organization that likes Theriot and is fine with a Baker/Fontenot platoon at 2B, there isn't much hope for addressing those positions.

 

:-)) good point sir

 

Like I've probably failed to make clear, I don't hate it. Just hope this isn't in place of another move we would have been able to do.

 

Put him in the 7 hole and hope for a 750-800 ops

[cubsfan26]

Fuld would be the defense 1st, 5th OF. I'm not a huge Fuld fan, but I think I'm gonna be pretty pissed if he's not on the major league roster to start the year (cause it likely means we signed some speedy trash like Nook Logan to be the backup CF.)

 

Well I think it depends on who else we bring in. There's no doubt that we will bring in someone else. So it depends on if Hendry goes for the corner outfielder/1b type to platoon with Fukudome. Or a guy who can play all three outfield spots. Because if brings in corner outfielder/1b then Hoffpauir probably won't make the team. But if he brings in the guy who can play all three outfield spots, then Fuld probably won't make the team.

 

I just don't understand the end game with a move like this. He's pretty much just a guy on a team with plenty of holes

 

I'm sorry but plenty of holes? It's that a bit reactionary due to missing the playoffs last season? This team doesn't really have anymore holes(probably less) then they had going into last season. The fact is if Soriano is better or Soto is better and Ramirez is healthy this team will be contending next year IMO.

[Guest]

It's pretty hilarious that the same GM that was screaming to get more lefthanded last offseason will now go into the 2010 season with Fukudome as his only regular lefty bat.

[jersey cubs fan]

Compare that with the .800 OPS that Byrd will likely put up.

 

Considering the .762 career OPS, there's plenty of downside risk with this guy. He's not a lock for any level of production.

 

aren't you the guy who's real big on 3-year splits?

 

I'm definitely more interested in what a guy has done the last three years than what he did 6 years ago, but you can't ignore what a guy's entire career. A 32 year old with only a couple good seasons and zero high caliber full seasons is anything but a sure thing. Marlon Byrd has shown multiple times in his career he's capable of atrocious performances. This contract takes him into his mid 30's, and you have to expect decline from his peak performance. Considering his career numbers, that decline could easily be significant and relatively disastrous.

[cubsfan26]

Maybe, I'd think Fuld could be around 700

 

I have my doubts about that. I think in the majors his batting average would drop a ton, so his OBP would go way down and his power numbers wouldn't be good. The guys not a everyday player or even respectable one. I would much rather go with Theriot and Fontenot/Baker bats then his. Plus the Cubs don't wanna invest in a 2b long term. Because Theriot will be moved to 2b as soon as Castro is ready.

 

I'm not a huge fan of Fuld as an everyday player, but I like him in a backup role. As an everyday player, I think he could Theriot his way to an OPS in the low .700s.

 

I think Fuld would have simliar power to Theriot in the majors. But I don't think Fuld would be able to keep up the same batting average and OBP as Theriot as in the majors. Lets not forget that Fuld only hit 264 and 284 in Double A and Triple A the last two seasons. I don't see that turning out well with him hitting everyday in the major leagues. Especially with a hitter like him depending so much on batting average, when he has no power.

Edited December 31, 2009 by cubsfan26

[Magnetic Curses]

Compare that with the .800 OPS that Byrd will likely put up.

 

Considering the .762 career OPS, there's plenty of downside risk with this guy. He's not a lock for any level of production.

 

aren't you the guy who's real big on 3-year splits?

 

I'm definitely more interested in what a guy has done the last three years than what he did 6 years ago, but you can't ignore what a guy's entire career. A 32 year old with only a couple good seasons and zero high caliber full seasons is anything but a sure thing. Marlon Byrd has shown multiple times in his career he's capable of atrocious performances. This contract takes him into his mid 30's, and you have to expect decline from his peak performance. Considering his career numbers, that decline could easily be significant and relatively disastrous.

 

there's risk to anything. byrd is 32, not 35, and he's OPS'd .800 the last 3 seasons. it's one of the better risks hendry has taken, considering he gave aaron miles the same kind of money last year.

[Prizefight]

 

there's risk to anything. byrd is 32, not 35, and he's OPS'd .800 the last 3 seasons. it's one of the better risks hendry has taken, considering he gave aaron miles the same kind of money last year.

 

 

I thought we all agreed not to speak his name anymore.

[Bruno7481]

Every team is going to have a hole somewhere. There are several guys the Cubs are going to need to count on to rebound next year in order to be successful, Soto and Soraino would top that list.

 

I think one key player that could really be an asset if he could put up decent numbers would be Baker. He could really be a key player at the 2B position if he could duplicate what he did for the Cubs last year over the course of a full season.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm sorry but plenty of holes? It's that a bit reactionary due to missing the playoffs last season? This team doesn't really have anymore holes(probably less) then they had going into last season. The fact is if Soriano is better or Soto is better and Ramirez is healthy this team will be contending next year IMO.

 

Are you on crack? They are already down one quality starting pitcher. They are no better than status quo, and probably worse off in the OF than they were to start 2009. SS and 2B are even more questionable as Theriot dealt with his inevitable fallback from his solid 2008, and 2B was much less reliable than expected going into 2009. Not to mention C went from stable to a big question mark.

[Sever82]

I think its a good move and we should reserve judgement until spring training to see what other moves hendry does. If all he does is this Byrd signing then yes, its a bad offseason. But since he continues to try to save flexibility for this year, it means he's looking to do more moves. I think hendry will end up signing hudson, cabrera or lopez plus a bullpen arm like calero. Or he'll gamble and sign sheets and hope moving silva to the bullpen would be enough, we'll see.

[Prizefight]

It is really good to have honest to goodness tangible baseball topics to discuss again though \:D/

 

I think like 49 days or so until pitchers and catchers report

[jersey cubs fan]

there's risk to anything. byrd is 32, not 35, and he's OPS'd .800 the last 3 seasons. it's one of the better risks hendry has taken, considering he gave aaron miles the same kind of money last year.

 

Are you completely incapable of reading?

 

I said the contract takes him into his mid 30s. I also said there's significant downside risk considering how bad he's been when he's been bad. He's got a career .760 OPS because he has sucked. He was better for three years (none of them in a full season of work), but a guy with a career OPS of 800 who has had an OPS over 800 for three years is much less risky than a guy with an OPS of 762 coming off three years over 800. He was barely over 800 last year, and he's past his prime. It is not at all a lock that he will OPS 800 this season, let alone throughout his contract.

 

And this is not at all comparable to Aaron Miles money, I mean, not even close. 2/5 or 3/15.

 

I said from the start of this thread though, that it's not a bad contract. It doesn't do much good from an "improving the team" standpoint, but it is somewhat stabilizing.

[shnsajax]

Is he really 5 million/year better than Fuld in center?

 

Yes.

 

 

I'd argue no when you consider the limited budget and other places we need help. Obviously Byrd is better, I just don't know for this team right now.

 

That would mean Fuld becomes a full-time player. Probably end up around a .650-675 OPS, maybe not even that good. Compare that with the .800 OPS that Byrd will likely put up. 100-150 points of OPS is a lot. Sure Fuld's defense is better, but not nearly enough to compensate for the difference in OPS.

 

 

Maybe, I'd think Fuld could be around 700. I definitely understand your point though. I don't know, I'd be more excited doing something with 15 million that moved Riot to 2nd and brought us a SS. Let's see where else the offseason goes to judge this move on the whole I suppose.

 

Where's he hitting? 7? The 20 home runs seems to be the anomaly last year

 

I too would have rather done something with 2B or SS, but when you have an organization that likes Theriot and is fine with a Baker/Fontenot platoon at 2B, there isn't much hope for addressing those positions.

 

Were not doing anything with SS with Castro waiting, and Theriot will probably just slide over though he should be traded.

[fromthestretch]

Maybe, I'd think Fuld could be around 700

 

I have my doubts about that. I think in the majors his batting average would drop a ton, so his OBP would go way down and his power numbers wouldn't be good. The guys not a everyday player or even respectable one. I would much rather go with Theriot and Fontenot/Baker bats then his. Plus the Cubs don't wanna invest in a 2b long term. Because Theriot will be moved to 2b as soon as Castro is ready.

 

I'm not a huge fan of Fuld as an everyday player, but I like him in a backup role. As an everyday player, I think he could Theriot his way to an OPS in the low .700s.

 

I think Fuld would have simliar power to Theriot in the majors. But I don't think Fuld would be able to keep up the same batting average and OBP as Theriot as in the majors. Lets not forget that Fuld only hit 264 and 284 in Double A and Triple A the last two seasons. I don't see that turning out well with him hitting everyday in the major leagues. Especially with a hitter like him depending so much on batting average, when he has no power.

 

Fuld's walk rate in the minors was higher than Theriot's. I'm not trying to make him out to be some offensive force, but it's not at all hard to imagine that he could match Theriot's 2009 numbers.

[rocket]

MEH.

[Guest]

I like it if for no other reason that it does nothing to improve this team in any meaningful way. I hope it hastens Hendrys exit.

[nick23]

Is he really 5 million/year better than Fuld in center?

 

Yes.

 

 

I'd argue no when you consider the limited budget and other places we need help. Obviously Byrd is better, I just don't know for this team right now.

 

That would mean Fuld becomes a full-time player. Probably end up around a .650-675 OPS, maybe not even that good. Compare that with the .800 OPS that Byrd will likely put up. 100-150 points of OPS is a lot. Sure Fuld's defense is better, but not nearly enough to compensate for the difference in OPS.

 

 

Maybe, I'd think Fuld could be around 700. I definitely understand your point though. I don't know, I'd be more excited doing something with 15 million that moved Riot to 2nd and brought us a SS. Let's see where else the offseason goes to judge this move on the whole I suppose.

 

Where's he hitting? 7? The 20 home runs seems to be the anomaly last year

Nobody in their right mind should want Sam Fuld starting full time in center.