Competition for bench spots

[Old Style]

In reserve: Hendry said the Cubs will have nine players competing for bench jobs. The only ones who will have spots reserved for them are backup catcher Koyie Hill, outfielder Xavier Nady and the loser of the second-base battle between Mike Fontenot and Jeff Baker.

 

That leaves two spots for Sam Fuld, Kevin Millar, Andres Blanco, Brad Snyder, Chad Tracy and Micah Hoffpauir.

 

"You have a lot of guys competing for a few jobs," Hendry said. "I think that's healthy."

Any early guesses as to who you think the chosen two are? I think Blanco has to be one. Without him, who would backup SS? Tracy would give you a LH bat that can play multiple positions so I think he probably has an inside track on the other spot. Your thoughts?

[Cubswin11]

I think it's pretty much down to just Tracy or Fuld. As you mentioned Blanco pretty much needs to make the team and Hoffpauir, Millar, and Snyder don't have a chance unless there are injuries. Personally I would choose Tracy, he provides a better bat off the bench and has potential to step in a take ab's, if needed, for an extended period of time. I don't think Fuld can do that, I think we are fine with the OF revolving around Soriano/Byrd/Kosuke/Nady as Kosuke acts as our backup CF and Tracy can backup the corners in a pinch. Edited February 18, 2010 by Cubswin11

[jersey cubs fan]

A few of those guys have minor league deals, which I think gives guys like Fuld the inside track, since he's out of options, correct? Tracy can be saved in AAA as Ramirez insurance and unless he has release clause in his contract, he should be kept there for as long as necessary. The rest of that group is fairly useless.

[rawaction]

I think it's Fuld and Blanco's spots to lose.

[KingCubsFan]

Lou said a few days ago that Fuld and Blanco were on the team, so unless Sullivan misinterpreted, it sounds like there really won't be a competition at all.

[BigbadB1679666149]

I'd prefer Tracy and Blanco. Heck, I might even prefer a platoon of Tracy and Baker at 2nd and send down Fontenot if he has options.

 

How much longer can Koyie Hill last at the big league level? The articles I read were that the procedures performed on his fingers was a temporary thing and that his fingers would need to come off once his career was over. From what I took from that article, he was in constant pain.

[KingCubsFan]

I'd prefer Tracy and Blanco. Heck, I might even prefer a platoon of Tracy and Baker at 2nd and send down Fontenot if he has options.

 

How much longer can Koyie Hill last at the big league level? The articles I read were that the procedures performed on his fingers was a temporary thing and that his fingers would need to come off once his career was over. From what I took from that article, he was in constant pain.

Why would you want an inferior player on a non-guaranteed contract starting over the better player making millions?

[jersey cubs fan]

The articles I read were that the procedures performed on his fingers was a temporary thing and that his fingers would need to come off once his career was over.

 

Seriously? I never read a word suggesting that to be the case. I can't imagine they can make his fingers temporarily useful, for a couple years, before taking them off post career.

[grassbass]

I'd prefer Tracy and Blanco. Heck, I might even prefer a platoon of Tracy and Baker at 2nd and send down Fontenot if he has options.

 

Chad Tracy has never played a single inning at second base since becoming a professional ballplayer. He's only played the corners in the infield and outfield.

[CubColtPacer]

Blanco appears to be the only one on the 40 man out of that group that is out of options. Fuld has an option and so does Hoffpauir. Tracy has a decent chance but of course could be stashed in the minors also unless he has a release clause. Snyder and Millar probably have no chance.

 

I think Blanco and Fuld likely have the spots to start the year, but I think even if Fuld wins the spot to start the year he'll be the casualty as soon as an IF gets hurt or Lou decides he wants more pop on the bench.

[UK1679666180]

If the Cubs are facing a RH'ed starter, the best LH'ed bat off the bench will be...

 

Sam Fuld

 

Hopefully Lou won't use the L/R matchups if Nady is still on the bench waiting a lefty specialist later in the game over a 5th OF'er like Fuld.

 

4 middle infielders out of 13 is just awful roster composition from an offensive standpoint.

Edited February 18, 2010 by UK

[Cubswin11]

I don't really see Fuld's value to this team if Soriano/Byrd/Fukudome/Nady are all healthy and playing decently. Fukudome is fine as our backup CF on days Byrd needs an off day and outside of pinch running Fuld doesn't have much value coming off the bench. Tracy is a better PH option and can backup the corner OF (in emergencies), 3B and 1B. I think Tracy has more value being on the 25 man roster. Obviously a lot of this is contingent on Tracy actually being healthy and resembling part of what he used to be and/or playing to his former potential.

[UK1679666180]

I don't really see Fuld's value to this team if Soriano/Byrd/Fukudome/Nady are all healthy and playing decently. Fukudome is fine as our backup CF on days Byrd needs an off day and outside of pinch running Fuld doesn't have much value coming off the bench. Tracy is a better PH option and can backup the corner OF (in emergencies), 3B and 1B. I think Tracy has more value being on the 25 man roster. Obviously a lot of this is contingent on Tracy actually being healthy and resembling part of what he used to be and/or playing to his former potential.

 

With Byrd and Fukudome, they have 2 OF'ers capable of playing CF so in that regard they don't need him as the back-up CF'er. With that said, they probably could use a late inning defensive replacement/pinch-runner but with the fact they have only 13 position guys and the 4 middle infielders, I agree they don't have room for Fuld.

 

I say let Tracy, Hoffpauir, and Synder battle it out for the 25th roster spot. Of course, they could've never had this problem by having one legit starting 2B instead of trying to patch it with two utility guys and carrying 14 position guys.

[BigbadB1679666149]

The articles I read were that the procedures performed on his fingers was a temporary thing and that his fingers would need to come off once his career was over.

 

Seriously? I never read a word suggesting that to be the case. I can't imagine they can make his fingers temporarily useful, for a couple years, before taking them off post career.

 

That's the way I read it, and they quoted him several times in that article. He actually had a couple of the fingers sewn back on in a way that would allow him to get an even better grip of the baseball than if they were sewn on normal. But, he was in constant pain and that once his playing career was over, he would have them removed.

 

I'll see what I can dig up as far as a link.

[Cubswin11]

I don't really see Fuld's value to this team if Soriano/Byrd/Fukudome/Nady are all healthy and playing decently. Fukudome is fine as our backup CF on days Byrd needs an off day and outside of pinch running Fuld doesn't have much value coming off the bench. Tracy is a better PH option and can backup the corner OF (in emergencies), 3B and 1B. I think Tracy has more value being on the 25 man roster. Obviously a lot of this is contingent on Tracy actually being healthy and resembling part of what he used to be and/or playing to his former potential.

 

With Byrd and Fukudome, they have 2 OF'ers capable of playing CF so in that regard they don't need him as the back-up CF'er. With that said, they probably could use a late inning defensive replacement/pinch-runner but with the fact they have only 13 position guys and the 4 middle infielders, I agree they don't have room for Fuld.

 

I say let Tracy, Hoffpauir, and Synder battle it out for the 25th roster spot. Of course, they could've never had this problem by having one legit starting 2B instead of trying to patch it with two utility guys and carrying 14 position guys.

Both Byrd and Fukudome are average at worst CF, Fuld isn't all that much better that he warrants replacing either one of them on defense (It's not like Byrd/Fukudome play D like Dunn out there) while Fuld is probably the best pinch runner option, that doesn't carry much water for him to make the team IMO, Fukudome (on days he is on the bench), Fontenot/Baker and Blanco are all capable PR. Completely agree with the second part.

[BigbadB1679666149]

Here is a link to the article I read about Hill removing some of the fingers after his playing career was over, and how he was and is experiencing pain and arthritis. The last paragraph of the article is where you will find it.

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080901&content_id=3401843&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

[UK1679666180]

Late-inning defensive replacement is more about perception than reality. Minus Soriano, any defensive difference between the other 3 and Fuld isn't likely worth much and if Soriano shows anything with the bat, losing him in the lineup for Fuld isn't worth the defensive switch.

 

Knowing the Cubs and how Piniella operates, they'll likely list Fuld as a defensive upgrade over everyone but Byrd and feel the need to micro-manage and have Fuld be the pinch-runner.

 

It's unfort. but it'll be the way they operate until Lou gets pissy about no LH'ed bat on the bench & they send down the 12th reliever.

[SouthSideRyan]

We have enough pen arms with options that there's really no need for a 12th pitcher.

[jersey cubs fan]

We have enough pen arms with options that there's really no need for a 12th pitcher.

 

Need has nothing to do with it.

[rawaction]

I don't really see Fuld's value to this team if Soriano/Byrd/Fukudome/Nady are all healthy and playing decently. Fukudome is fine as our backup CF on days Byrd needs an off day and outside of pinch running Fuld doesn't have much value coming off the bench. Tracy is a better PH option and can backup the corner OF (in emergencies), 3B and 1B. I think Tracy has more value being on the 25 man roster. Obviously a lot of this is contingent on Tracy actually being healthy and resembling part of what he used to be and/or playing to his former potential.

 

With Byrd and Fukudome, they have 2 OF'ers capable of playing CF so in that regard they don't need him as the back-up CF'er. With that said, they probably could use a late inning defensive replacement/pinch-runner but with the fact they have only 13 position guys and the 4 middle infielders, I agree they don't have room for Fuld.

 

I say let Tracy, Hoffpauir, and Synder battle it out for the 25th roster spot. Of course, they could've never had this problem by having one legit starting 2B instead of trying to patch it with two utility guys and carrying 14 position guys.

 

What about the insistance on carrying 12 pitchers at all times?

 

Edit: I guess I should have kept reading the thread.

[KaiserCesar]

I think it's pretty much down to just Tracy or Fuld. As you mentioned Blanco pretty much needs to make the team and Hoffpauir, Millar, and Snyder don't have a chance unless there are injuries. Personally I would choose Tracy, he provides a better bat off the bench and has potential to step in a take ab's, if needed, for an extended period of time. I don't think Fuld can do that, I think we are fine with the OF revolving around Soriano/Byrd/Kosuke/Nady as Kosuke acts as our backup CF and Tracy can backup the corners in a pinch.

 

Agreed on Blanco and Tracy. IMO, a couple of the other guys are good to have in the organization in the event of injuries, but for rounding out a team with your 24th and 25th guys, it's good to have versatility and a complementary platoon advantage to the starters (Ramirez and Lee primarily). Fuld is nice for what he brings but his skill set isn't overwhelming and is fairly redundant on the bench as currently constructed. However, Baker can play a little 3rd and Tracy hasn't played the OF since '05, which probably keeps Fuld in the mix.

[NCCubFan]

The articles I read were that the procedures performed on his fingers was a temporary thing and that his fingers would need to come off once his career was over.

 

Seriously? I never read a word suggesting that to be the case. I can't imagine they can make his fingers temporarily useful, for a couple years, before taking them off post career.

I got the impression from the cubs.com article that removing fingers might be elective rather than necessary. It may be that he's willing to tolerate the pain now as a sacrifice to allow him to continue playing baseball but that he'd rather lose the fingers than continue dealing with the pain after he's retired.