Do The Cubs Need Another Veteran Reliever or A Better 2B?

[jersey cubs fan]

Unless that guy is Grabow 2.0 and he gets an unwarrented extension.

 

Well I'm not suggested they go get anyone they can get their hands on. Someone like Calero wouldn't be unwarranted getting a short extension if they put up a strong 2010.

 

A 35 year old who has had marginal success in his career would be worthy of a extension?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Unless that guy is Grabow 2.0 and he gets an unwarrented extension.

 

Well I'm not suggested they go get anyone they can get their hands on. Someone like Calero wouldn't be unwarranted getting a short extension if they put up a strong 2010.

 

A 35 year old who has had marginal success in his career would be worthy of a extension?

 

A reliever with historically strong peripherals coming off of consecutive great seasons wouldn't be a terrible candidate for an extension. But a mythical extension is beside the point really.

[jersey cubs fan]

Unless that guy is Grabow 2.0 and he gets an unwarrented extension.

 

Well I'm not suggested they go get anyone they can get their hands on. Someone like Calero wouldn't be unwarranted getting a short extension if they put up a strong 2010.

 

A 35 year old who has had marginal success in his career would be worthy of a extension?

 

A reliever with historically strong peripherals coming off of consecutive great seasons wouldn't be a terrible candidate for an extension. But a mythical extension is beside the point really.

 

Well, if we're worried about assumed yoyoing of a young guy I don't see why we can't be worried about unwarranted extensions for an old reliever. And you certainly don't need great seasons to get those from the Cubs.

[Guest]

Unless that guy is Grabow 2.0 and he gets an unwarrented extension.

 

Well I'm not suggested they go get anyone they can get their hands on. Someone like Calero wouldn't be unwarranted getting a short extension if they put up a strong 2010.

 

A 35 year old who has had marginal success in his career would be worthy of a extension?

 

A reliever with historically strong peripherals coming off of consecutive great seasons wouldn't be a terrible candidate for an extension. But a mythical extension is beside the point really.

 

Well, if we're worried about assumed yoyoing of a young guy I don't see why we can't be worried about unwarranted extensions for an old reliever. And you certainly don't need great seasons to get those from the Cubs.

I think we can worry about yo-yo'ing because that can happen with this current management team in 2010 that has a history of such things.

 

I'm closing my eyes and hoping there will be a different management team in place for 2011 and that any extension would have to be reasonable and earned.

[jersey cubs fan]

I think we can worry about yo-yo'ing because that can happen with this current management team in 2010 that has a history of such things.

 

I'm closing my eyes and hoping there will be a different management team in place for 2011 and that any extension would have to be reasonable and earned.

 

At least you admit you have to close your eyes and hope to dismiss that concern.

 

 

As to what the "point" is, obviously they don't need a veteran reliever, which was the question.

[Guest]

I think we can worry about yo-yo'ing because that can happen with this current management team in 2010 that has a history of such things.

 

I'm closing my eyes and hoping there will be a different management team in place for 2011 and that any extension would have to be reasonable and earned.

 

At least you admit you have to close your eyes and hope to dismiss that concern.

 

 

As to what the "point" is, obviously they don't need a veteran reliever, which was the question.

I don't think there's a "need" for a veteran reliever. But if there's an opportunity to bring someone in who is better than the current options at a reasonable contract, I will never have a problem with that unless it's blocking someone who is a piece of the future. That can't really happen in the BP, so I'm fine with bringing someone in under the right conditions.

 

But no, they don't "need" someone there.

[CubsWin]

That's how I feel, too. I don't see a need to bring in another reliever, but, obviously, if there's an opportunity to improve the team by getting someone who's been very effective of late for a 1 year deal and not too much money, I wouldn't want the Cubs to pass that up. Any opportunity to help the team without handcuffing it further is always a good idea.

[CubsWin]

Regardless of whether the Cubs sign someone like Kiko Calero, how important do you guys think it would be to improve what they currently have at 2B? Baker did great, but with his history being what it is and the small sample size in which he succeeded last season, can he really be counted on in a platoon with Fontenot? How much would signing Orlando Hudson bring the Cubs chances of going deep into the playoffs?

[SouthSideRyan]

What I don't understand is why all these so-called baseball insiders on the radio/TV are saying that they should?

 

Depends on the insider. Odds are they're just stupid.

[JeffH]

Leave the bullpen alone. The one thing that this organization is good at producing (or obtaining in trade) is reasonably effective relief pitchers.

 

We've probably got around $10 to spend. Go get a genuine second baseman, Branyan, and Baldelli. If spring training rolls around and it looks like you can get Sheets or Bedard on a low-guarantee deal, see if Mr. Ricketts will extend the budget to $145.

[Gingerballs Lives]

I still can't believe Hendry gave Grabow all that money. WTF?

 

Oh wait, yes I can.

 

And I think it would be a mistake to spend any more money on the bullpen. Get somebody for the bench or second base.

[dew1679666265]

Regardless of whether the Cubs sign someone like Kiko Calero, how important do you guys think it would be to improve what they currently have at 2B? Baker did great, but with his history being what it is and the small sample size in which he succeeded last season, can he really be counted on in a platoon with Fontenot? How much would signing Orlando Hudson bring the Cubs chances of going deep into the playoffs?

 

On a reasonable, max 2-year deal, I'd be interested in Hudson. Otherwise, I don't think there's much out there that would be an improvement over what a Fontenot/Baker platoon is going to do.

[JeffH]

Regardless of whether the Cubs sign someone like Kiko Calero, how important do you guys think it would be to improve what they currently have at 2B? Baker did great, but with his history being what it is and the small sample size in which he succeeded last season, can he really be counted on in a platoon with Fontenot? How much would signing Orlando Hudson bring the Cubs chances of going deep into the playoffs?

 

On a reasonable, max 2-year deal, I'd be interested in Hudson. Otherwise, I don't think there's much out there that would be an improvement over what a Fontenot/Baker platoon is going to do.

 

I'm not sure how much of a bad apple he is, but Felipe Lopez would probably be better than Fontenot/Baker.

[dew1679666265]

Regardless of whether the Cubs sign someone like Kiko Calero, how important do you guys think it would be to improve what they currently have at 2B? Baker did great, but with his history being what it is and the small sample size in which he succeeded last season, can he really be counted on in a platoon with Fontenot? How much would signing Orlando Hudson bring the Cubs chances of going deep into the playoffs?

 

On a reasonable, max 2-year deal, I'd be interested in Hudson. Otherwise, I don't think there's much out there that would be an improvement over what a Fontenot/Baker platoon is going to do.

 

I'm not sure how much of a bad apple he is, but Felipe Lopez would probably be better than Fontenot/Baker.

 

Depends on which Lopez we get. If it's the .720-.750 OPS guy that he normally is, Fontenot/Baker has a really good chance of beating that out. If it's the .800+ guy that he's more recently been (parts of the last two seasons, at least) then he'll probably be better. With a guy that inconsistent, though, I don't like the idea of what will likely be a 2-3 year deal.

 

I believe Lopez's career OPS is .738. I'd bet, with even neutral luck, Fontenot/Baker will be better than that - perhaps by quite a bit.

[Rob]

I really don't see us making a move in the middle infield. Everything I've heard leads me to believe that the Cubs brass thinks Castro will be our starting SS sooner rather than later (perhaps even by opening day), at which point they want to keep a place available for Theriot to slide over to.

[dew1679666265]

I really don't see us making a move in the middle infield. Everything I've heard leads me to believe that the Cubs brass thinks Castro will be our starting SS sooner rather than later (perhaps even by opening day), at which point they want to keep a place available for Theriot to slide over to.

 

Yeah, I don't expect them to make a move either.

[Little Slide Rooter]

If Hendry insists on overpaying for one another pitcher, Id prefer he go all out and persue Sheets or Bedard.

[A-Cal]

If Hendry insists on overpaying for one another pitcher, Id prefer he go all out and persue Sheets or Bedard.

 

 

Your preference will come true, I just hope it the former of the two.

[gflore34]

If Hendry insists on overpaying for one another pitcher, Id prefer he go all out and persue Sheets or Bedard.

 

 

Your preference will come true, I just hope it the former of the two.

 

Count me in on Sheets as well, if only to keep him from the Cards. Sheets, often injuried, out for a season - that's got Card's pixie dust all over it.

[Soul]

If Hendry insists on overpaying for one another pitcher, Id prefer he go all out and persue Sheets or Bedard.

 

 

Your preference will come true, I just hope it the former of the two.

 

Count me in on Sheets as well, if only to keep him from the Cards. Sheets, often injuried, out for a season - that's got Card's pixie dust all over it.

 

If he goes to the Cards it might be Carpenter all over again.

[Cubbie Swagger]

What we need is another starter, first and foremost.

 

A reliever or a second baseman would be nice, but those weaknesses are nothing compared to the gaping hole in our starting rotation. ESPECIALLY if Randy Wells isn't able to repeat his 2009 season.

[davell]

Unless Hudson was willing to sign a one year deal, I don't see us being all that interested, although I would love it if we were. In the end, I think that the Cubs WANT to see Theriot at 2B, once Castro is ready and since it's very possible that it's going to happen this year, unfortunately that eliminates Hudson, in all likelihood.

 

Sheets or Bedard would be great and could basically offset the loss of Harden for us. Hopefully Ricketts sees it this way too and gives Hendry the OK to go get one of them. I'm iffy as to whether or not that will even be the case though, as it seems all we're after is a 5th starter/swing guy type, a 4th OFer, and a veteran pen guy. Personally, I'd go with exactly what we have and either Sheets or Bedard, than adding these other 3 things, which will probably cost around the same amount anyway......

[biittner77]

I was thinking about this the other day. What if the Cubs traded Fukudome to the Yankees for Swisher, then used the moeny they saved to sign Hudson. They use their remaining money to sign Bedard and if/when Castro is ready they trade Theriot whatever need they have at that point.

 

So the lineup is:

 

Hudson

Byrd

Lee

Ramirez

Swisher

Soriano

Soto

Theriot/ Castro

 

That has a little more R/L balance for the people who like that sort of thing. It gives up some defense in RF but gains some at 2nd base. It also saves money in the long run.

[A New Era]

I really don't see us making a move in the middle infield. Everything I've heard leads me to believe that the Cubs brass thinks Castro will be our starting SS sooner rather than later (perhaps even by opening day), at which point they want to keep a place available for Theriot to slide over to.

 

Yeah, I don't expect them to make a move either.

 

In that case, I'd still rather go after a good 2B, and if Castro comes up, then you have him and a good 2B. Which is a better alternative to Castro and Theriot. At that time trade away Theriot.

[BigSlick]

The Royals have basically built their off-season around trying to get rid of their best young hitter (Alberto Callaspo) so I don't know why we can't oblige them. Dunno if we have anything they'd want but he's young, talented, and terrible at defense so perfect for our middle infield.