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Levine - Cubs interested in Chad Tracy?

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Eric (Chicago)

 

Bruce, Sheets signed a one-year $8mil deal with Oakland...Cubs aren't going to get him and Oakland better hope he doesn't get injured again. How about a backup 3rd baseman in Chad Tracy? I know he's a FA.

 

Bruce Levine (1:45 PM)

 

You must have a pretty good source. I've heard that deal is very realistic. It may happen this week.

Greg (At Wok, IL)

 

Just to clarify, you are saying that the Cubs might be signing Chad Tracy as a 3rd Base backup? I thought Baker was going to be that for them and that they had no more money to spend?

 

Bruce Levine (1:52 PM)

 

Think left-handed. Also think about the fact if they do sign him, it most likely will be a minor-league contract. Also if he replaces a guy like Hoffpauir, you will not have to spend the money you'd put forward toward his contract.

RedFlash ACL Cubs

RedFlash

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I think adding Tracy (who can play 1st, 3rd, and the corner OF) more the says Hoffpauir is gone. There's a chance that Fontenot could also go, if what Levine says is true that Theriot could be the Opening Day 2B with Castro at SS. Wtih Theriot/Baker/Castro/Blanco as you middle INF, then there would be no room for Fontenot. So if the Cubs do sign Tracy, then it affects two players, imo.
Little Slide Rooter MVP

Little Slide Rooter

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Looks like Tracy has played a bit of outfield and 1B over the years, so that could defintely make him worth while. With Nady on board, it looks like Hoffpauir will start the season in Iowa unless hes traded. the question is who would Tracy replace if he made the team? Fuld is the best backuop center field option we have, and we need 2 backup middle infielders. Id guess that Tracy has one of those deals that if he doesnt make the team by a certain date hes cut loose.
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Looks like Tracy has played a bit of outfield and 1B over the years, so that could defintely make him worth while. With Nady on board, it looks like Hoffpauir will start the season in Iowa unless hes traded. the question is who would Tracy replace if he made the team? Fuld is the best backuop center field option we have, and we need 2 backup middle infielders. Id guess that Tracy has one of those deals that if he doesnt make the team by a certain date hes cut loose.

You can go with 4 OF on the team due to Kosuke's ability to backup CF. You could option Fuld to Iowa and have a pretty strong bench if Tracy regains some of his previous form.

MWV First Round Pick

MWV

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While he is by no means a defensive asset at the position, Tracy's played 340 games at 3rd base (5 seasons). He might serve as Aramis insurance as well.
Bruno7481 ACL Cubs

Bruno7481

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I've always liked Tracy as a hitter. Injuries have bugged him quite a bit the past couple of seasons. There are the type of fliers that I like to see. He could be a very useful bat off the bench and spot starter if healthy.
davell Chicago Cubs

davell

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The two moves today potentially turn the bench from a weakness to a real strength. It hasn't been an earth shattering day, but it has been a (again, potentially) productive one.

 

Yep, I agree completely.

erik316wttn Chicago Cubs

erik316wttn

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The two moves today potentially turn the bench from a weakness to a real strength. It hasn't been an earth shattering day, but it has been a (again, potentially) productive one.

 

I agree.

 

A strong bench can be a very valuable asset, and one that is often overlooked.

craig First Round Pick

craig

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Man, back when Tracy was 26 or so, who'd have guessed he'd be a scrub minor-league contract guy at this point?

 

I don't think Hoffpauir is relevant, since Hoffpauir was no better than 26th man even before Tracy. I'm not sure I see where Tracy fits.

 

I think he's basically a true minor league free agent: make the team (maybe) in case of an injury, but in absence of an injury to an intended roster guy, go to the minors and try to be ready when an injury creates an opening.

 

Barring injury, how could he make the team?

 

1. Tim has mentioned the one way: go with Nady and Tracy as the backup outfielders, which would mean Fukudome as the only CF alternative to Byrd. That would probably mean no defensive substitutions for either Byrd in center or Soriano in left.

 

2. Have either Blanco or Castro knock Baker off the team as second baseman. If Baker makes the team, Blanco needs to also make the team since neither Baker nor Fontenot can play SS. So if you need a backup SS and two second basemen, that's blowing two of your five bench spots. Catcher, Nady take up two others. The fifth goes to Fuld or Tracy (or Hoffpauir.)

Splendid Splinter First Round Pick

Splendid Splinter

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Man, back when Tracy was 26 or so, who'd have guessed he'd be a scrub minor-league contract guy at this point?

 

I don't think Hoffpauir is relevant, since Hoffpauir was no better than 26th man even before Tracy. I'm not sure I see where Tracy fits.

 

I think he's basically a true minor league free agent: make the team (maybe) in case of an injury, but in absence of an injury to an intended roster guy, go to the minors and try to be ready when an injury creates an opening.

 

Barring injury, how could he make the team?

 

1. Tim has mentioned the one way: go with Nady and Tracy as the backup outfielders, which would mean Fukudome as the only CF alternative to Byrd. That would probably mean no defensive substitutions for either Byrd in center or Soriano in left.

 

2. Have either Blanco or Castro knock Baker off the team as second baseman. If Baker makes the team, Blanco needs to also make the team since neither Baker nor Fontenot can play SS. So if you need a backup SS and two second basemen, that's blowing two of your five bench spots. Catcher, Nady take up two others. The fifth goes to Fuld or Tracy (or Hoffpauir.)

 

Trade Fontenot for a bag of balls??? I mean if say... Castro gets called up in June and Theriot move to 2B, what gonna happen to the bench then? Drop Blanco and have both Baker and Fontenot on the bench? I think Baker will end up with the 2B job at the start of the season... Baker is more valuable than Fontenot as he can play more positions as well. They got too many guys that plays the same positions or can play it. None of the IFs can really play 3B over a period of time so Cubs really do need a backup 3B in case if A Ram do get hurt again this coming season. I hope Tracy does play well in spring training that he's on the bench... Right now if Tracy can hit again, I would have Nady/Hill/Blanco/Tracy with the last spot going with Fontenot/Fuld probably as the bench.

 

Either way... it's now a nice thing for the Cubs that they actually got some depth on their bench and be versatile if needed with the bench.

 

I'm actually shocked that Hendry made 2 good signings in a single day... When was the last time that happened?

Cubs Fan Dan Draft Eligible

Cubs Fan Dan

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I do not think Hendry has done bad job this offseason, yes the Silva trade is hard to swallow, but these 2 moves today and Signing Byrd for an extremely fair contract has been pretty solid. The Fox trade will depend on how Jeff Gray turns out. Grabow was resigned too quickly.

 

Adding Maddux and Jaramillo gives this off season a pretty positive outlook in my mind.

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