Jonny Gomes for 4th OF Spot?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

speaking of injury histories, didn't Gomes get both shoulders replaced a couple years ago?

[TruffleShuffle]

russell branyan would be an absolutely horrendous fielder in LF/RF

[Rob]

russell branyan would be an absolutely horrendous fielder in LF/RF

 

He hasn't logged much time in the OF the last couple years, but what information we do have suggests he would be far better defensively out there than Dye or Gomes.

[Splendid Splinter]

russell branyan would be an absolutely horrendous fielder in LF/RF

 

He hasn't logged much time in the OF the last couple years, but what information we do have suggests he would be far better defensively out there than Dye or Gomes.

 

 

Yeah that's what was my thinking... If we were gonna get Dye/Gomes, why not Branyan? Because he can't be any worse. He would've replace Hoff on the bench (and also gives us that power bat that we lack on the bench), but figuring out who else would be on the bench, I realize that Fukudome wouldn't be able to platoon with anyone (unless it's Baker) so that route wouldn't exactly work out well unless we could get the 5th OF to be RH...

 

Out of the RH 4th OF options we been looking at, I like Gomes/Baldelli the most for that spot. Both of them are 28/29 so essentially they're in their prime.. Dye is too old and I think he's gonna fall off the cliff and decline badly. Nady will be asking too much money and wants to start still. Out of the sources/articles on Gomes... he been saying the right things about the Cubs (doesn't everybody pretty much?) which makes me think Cubs will probably sign him as he is one of few guys who isn't looking to start a lot of games, very willing to take a 1 yr deal, and willing to move LF/RF, but also take GB at 1B.

 

Question to anybody... Whenever Castro gets called up, who's gonna get called down to AAA or even maybe released? just curious as to who you guys think it is... Does Blanco still have options? I know Fuld does, but I don't think he will be called down though.

[davell]

Castro's not even on the 40 man yet, so they'll definitely be cautious in adding him. An injury to Theriot, where he'd be out over a month, followed by Blanco struggling bigtime for a few weeks, is probably about the easiest way Castro hits the bigs before September.

 

If Fontenot AND Baker both struggle, then it's possible they'd move Theriot over to 2B and go ahead and bring him up as well. My guess though, is unless he's hitting close to .400 in AA or AAA(my guess is he'll start in AA personally, with Barney at AAA) they won't bring him up til September.

[Splendid Splinter]

Castro's not even on the 40 man yet, so they'll definitely be cautious in adding him. An injury to Theriot, where he'd be out over a month, followed by Blanco struggling bigtime for a few weeks, is probably about the easiest way Castro hits the bigs before September.

 

If Fontenot AND Baker both struggle, then it's possible they'd move Theriot over to 2B and go ahead and bring him up as well. My guess though, is unless he's hitting close to .400 in AA or AAA(my guess is he'll start in AA personally, with Barney at AAA) they won't bring him up til September.

 

If Castro wasn't on the 40 man roster, couldn't he been picked in the Rule 5 draft? Just curious because I thought you had to be off the 40 man roster in order to drafted in Rule 5. I don't know all the rules in Rule 5 so maybe someone can help me out here? Yeah I don't think he'll be called up till Sept. as well, but I can see if Blanco really struggles... Castro could be called up to be on the bench and slowly ease into the SS starting spot. Also wait to call him so we can have another year for arb. instead of him being a super-2. I think he will start in AA as well. Cubs AA team will be something to watch this year. I'm hoping to see at least 1 game this year early.

[Rob]

Castro's not even on the 40 man yet, so they'll definitely be cautious in adding him. An injury to Theriot, where he'd be out over a month, followed by Blanco struggling bigtime for a few weeks, is probably about the easiest way Castro hits the bigs before September.

 

If Fontenot AND Baker both struggle, then it's possible they'd move Theriot over to 2B and go ahead and bring him up as well. My guess though, is unless he's hitting close to .400 in AA or AAA(my guess is he'll start in AA personally, with Barney at AAA) they won't bring him up til September.

 

If Castro wasn't on the 40 man roster, couldn't he been picked in the Rule 5 draft? Just curious because I thought you had to be off the 40 man roster in order to drafted in Rule 5. I don't know all the rules in Rule 5 so maybe someone can help me out here? Yeah I don't think he'll be called up till Sept. as well, but I can see if Blanco really struggles... Castro could be called up to be on the bench and slowly ease into the SS starting spot. Also wait to call him so we can have another year for arb. instead of him being a super-2. I think he will start in AA as well. Cubs AA team will be something to watch this year. I'm hoping to see at least 1 game this year early.

 

Players are eligible for the Rule 5 if they're not on the 40 man and have been in the organization for more than a certain number of years. I believe it's 5 years for guys who signed at age 18 or under, 4 years for older guys.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I really have nothing against giving a chance to Fuld and Hoffpauir, but the fact is that we could really use some extra righty pop off the bench, be it Gomes, Dye, Baldelli, or whoever.

[TruffleShuffle]

russell branyan would be an absolutely horrendous fielder in LF/RF

 

He hasn't logged much time in the OF the last couple years, but what information we do have suggests he would be far better defensively out there than Dye or Gomes.

 

i don't believe that a guy who was never a good fielder to begin with and hasn't played much of that position can do an adequate job out there as he moves into his mid 30s. branyan is about 40 lbs heavier than he was earlier in his career and hasn't played corner OF in almost 4 years. he'd be awful.

[Rob]

russell branyan would be an absolutely horrendous fielder in LF/RF

 

He hasn't logged much time in the OF the last couple years, but what information we do have suggests he would be far better defensively out there than Dye or Gomes.

 

i don't believe that a guy who was never a good fielder to begin with and hasn't played much of that position can do an adequate job out there as he moves into his mid 30s. branyan is about 40 lbs heavier than he was earlier in his career and hasn't played corner OF in almost 4 years. he'd be awful.

 

I didn't say he wouldn't be awful. I just said that it's likely he's not as bad as Dye or Gomes... both of whom are far beyond awful.

[Wrigley Rat]

Not sure how true this is, but the Cubs may be offering Jonny Gomes a minor league deal with a decent chance to stick with the big league club. If he were to be signed, it would almost assuredly cost Sam Fuld his job and Piniella has all but guaranteed him a spot.

 

Walt Jocketty [of the Reds] confirmed on Saturday that he has indeed offered Jonny Gomes a minor league contract. We are currently competing with the Chicago Cubs for his services.

http://blogredmachine.com/2010/01/31/jocketty-offers-gomes-a-contract/

 

I'd like to see him sign a minor league deal, start the year in AAA, and fill in for an injury or be a PH off the bench if a Chad Tracy type doesn't work out. His defense is terrible, but his power is impressive & he "really wants to play in Chicago."