Rangers interested in Nady

[CUBZ99]

Rangers Continue Search For Right-Handed Bat

By Luke Adams [August 29 at 10:14am CST]

Teams have just two more days to acquire postseason-eligible players, but the Rangers haven't yet given up their search for a right-handed hitter. Richard Durrett of ESPN.com writes that, after missing out on Manny Ramirez, Jon Daniels and the Rangers continue to "work the phones" in hopes of landing a bat.

 

Our list of players that we know have cleared waivers is noticeably lacking in right-handed options, with switch-hitters Carlos Beltran and Geoff Blum the only healthy possibilities. Durrett, however, lists a few names he thinks may be available, including Ryan Spilborghs, Reed Johnson, Jeff Francoeur, and Marlon Byrd. It's also possible that the Rangers are the unknown team awarded a waiver claim on Mike Napoli, though he would have had to make it past the Tigers and White Sox, among other clubs.

 

Hey Rangers, Xavier Nady says hi.

 

He thinks Marlon Byrd might be available? Hard to imagine that he could make it through waivers without some team taking him.

[Cubs Fan Dan]

Not sure they the Cubs would even deal Byrd, he is cheap and very productive both offensively and defensively. If he ages a little quick he would be a great platoon / bench player.

[jersey cubs fan]

Not sure they the Cubs would even deal Byrd, he is cheap and very productive both offensively and defensively. If he ages a little quick he would be a great platoon / bench player.

 

He's probably the best trade chip of the Cubs four outfielders. He's hardly irreplacable and his reputation right now is probably at its peak.

[biittner77]

It would depend I guess on how far away they think Jackson is, I suppose. They could probably live with Colvin in CF to start the season if they thought Jackson might be ready at some point next year. I doubt Hendry would pin the hopes of his "save my job" season on a rookie and a suspect 2nd year player.

[Backtobanks]

It would depend I guess on how far away they think Jackson is, I suppose. They could probably live with Colvin in CF to start the season if they thought Jackson might be ready at some point next year. I doubt Hendry would pin the hopes of his "save my job" season on a rookie and a suspect 2nd year player.

 

I still don't believe so many posters think the Cubs are going into some kind of rebuilding mode. Byrd is cheap, productive, and certainly won't be traded unless they get an overwhelming haul from some team. I think Ricketts and Hendry are going to see all of the empty seats at Wrigley this month and reload with a team that can contend. As other threads have discussed, mix one part Dunn (or Pena) with a rebound season from Zambrano and Ramirez and possibly another starter, along with some maturity from Castro and Cashner and you're pretty close.

[biittner77]

It would depend I guess on how far away they think Jackson is, I suppose. They could probably live with Colvin in CF to start the season if they thought Jackson might be ready at some point next year. I doubt Hendry would pin the hopes of his "save my job" season on a rookie and a suspect 2nd year player.

 

I still don't believe so many posters think the Cubs are going into some kind of rebuilding mode. Byrd is cheap, productive, and certainly won't be traded unless they get an overwhelming haul from some team. I think Ricketts and Hendry are going to see all of the empty seats at Wrigley this month and reload with a team that can contend. As other threads have discussed, mix one part Dunn (or Pena) with a rebound season from Zambrano and Ramirez and possibly another starter, along with some maturity from Castro and Cashner and you're pretty close.

 

It has nothing to do with rebuilding. A lot of people here I think are wondering if we've already seen Byrd's best season as a Cub. Another part of the equation is how far they're willing to go to get Colvin regular PT. That has nothing to do with rebuilding. What I was trying to say was they would need to have some sort of back up plan if Colvin turns out to be not so great next year. If they think Jackson might be ready to replace a struggling Colvin they would be more tempted to sell high on Byrd.

 

You're right though, there's no way they trade Byrd who's said and done all the right things this year. That doesn't mean it's the right thing to do.

[Backtobanks]

It would depend I guess on how far away they think Jackson is, I suppose. They could probably live with Colvin in CF to start the season if they thought Jackson might be ready at some point next year. I doubt Hendry would pin the hopes of his "save my job" season on a rookie and a suspect 2nd year player.

 

I still don't believe so many posters think the Cubs are going into some kind of rebuilding mode. Byrd is cheap, productive, and certainly won't be traded unless they get an overwhelming haul from some team. I think Ricketts and Hendry are going to see all of the empty seats at Wrigley this month and reload with a team that can contend. As other threads have discussed, mix one part Dunn (or Pena) with a rebound season from Zambrano and Ramirez and possibly another starter, along with some maturity from Castro and Cashner and you're pretty close.

 

It has nothing to do with rebuilding. A lot of people here I think are wondering if we've already seen Byrd's best season as a Cub. Another part of the equation is how far they're willing to go to get Colvin regular PT. That has nothing to do with rebuilding. What I was trying to say was they would need to have some sort of back up plan if Colvin turns out to be not so great next year. If they think Jackson might be ready to replace a struggling Colvin they would be more tempted to sell high on Byrd.

 

You're right though, there's no way they trade Byrd who's said and done all the right things this year. That doesn't mean it's the right thing to do.

 

Byrd's numbers this year are right in line with what he has done consistently for the past 3 seasons, so there's no reason o think there will be a huge drop in production next year.

[NewUserName]

It would depend I guess on how far away they think Jackson is, I suppose. They could probably live with Colvin in CF to start the season if they thought Jackson might be ready at some point next year. I doubt Hendry would pin the hopes of his "save my job" season on a rookie and a suspect 2nd year player.

 

I still don't believe so many posters think the Cubs are going into some kind of rebuilding mode. Byrd is cheap, productive, and certainly won't be traded unless they get an overwhelming haul from some team. I think Ricketts and Hendry are going to see all of the empty seats at Wrigley this month and reload with a team that can contend. As other threads have discussed, mix one part Dunn (or Pena) with a rebound season from Zambrano and Ramirez and possibly another starter, along with some maturity from Castro and Cashner and you're pretty close.

 

It has nothing to do with rebuilding. A lot of people here I think are wondering if we've already seen Byrd's best season as a Cub. Another part of the equation is how far they're willing to go to get Colvin regular PT. That has nothing to do with rebuilding. What I was trying to say was they would need to have some sort of back up plan if Colvin turns out to be not so great next year. If they think Jackson might be ready to replace a struggling Colvin they would be more tempted to sell high on Byrd.

 

You're right though, there's no way they trade Byrd who's said and done all the right things this year. That doesn't mean it's the right thing to do.

 

Byrd's numbers this year are right in line with what he has done consistently for the past 3 seasons, so there's no reason o think there will be a huge drop in production next year.

 

I think this was the exact same argument you used last off-season when I was advocating trading DLee and you wanted to keep him. Just like last year I didnt expect the Cubs to trade Lee, I dont expect them to trade Byrd this off-season. Sadly it is for the same reason though, not about good baseball sense but about appeasing the fanbase.

[Backtobanks]

It would depend I guess on how far away they think Jackson is, I suppose. They could probably live with Colvin in CF to start the season if they thought Jackson might be ready at some point next year. I doubt Hendry would pin the hopes of his "save my job" season on a rookie and a suspect 2nd year player.

 

I still don't believe so many posters think the Cubs are going into some kind of rebuilding mode. Byrd is cheap, productive, and certainly won't be traded unless they get an overwhelming haul from some team. I think Ricketts and Hendry are going to see all of the empty seats at Wrigley this month and reload with a team that can contend. As other threads have discussed, mix one part Dunn (or Pena) with a rebound season from Zambrano and Ramirez and possibly another starter, along with some maturity from Castro and Cashner and you're pretty close.

 

It has nothing to do with rebuilding. A lot of people here I think are wondering if we've already seen Byrd's best season as a Cub. Another part of the equation is how far they're willing to go to get Colvin regular PT. That has nothing to do with rebuilding. What I was trying to say was they would need to have some sort of back up plan if Colvin turns out to be not so great next year. If they think Jackson might be ready to replace a struggling Colvin they would be more tempted to sell high on Byrd.

 

You're right though, there's no way they trade Byrd who's said and done all the right things this year. That doesn't mean it's the right thing to do.

 

Byrd's numbers this year are right in line with what he has done consistently for the past 3 seasons, so there's no reason o think there will be a huge drop in production next year.

 

I think this was the exact same argument you used last off-season when I was advocating trading DLee and you wanted to keep him. Just like last year I didnt expect the Cubs to trade Lee, I dont expect them to trade Byrd this off-season. Sadly it is for the same reason though, not about good baseball sense but about appeasing the fanbase.

 

Well if you think the Cubs are really going into a "rebuilding mode", then I understand possibly trading Byrd. My thinking is that Ricketts isn't going to wait 2-3 more years for a contending team and plans to contend next year with some younger players. Another reason for not trading Byrd is that the return would probably be of much less value than Byrd's worth to the team. He's not going to get you 2 very good prospects or a "can't miss" prospect.

[jersey cubs fan]

Well if you think the Cubs are really going into a "rebuilding mode", then I understand possibly trading Byrd. My thinking is that Ricketts isn't going to wait 2-3 more years for a contending team and plans to contend next year with some younger players. Another reason for not trading Byrd is that the return would probably be of much less value than Byrd's worth to the team. He's not going to get you 2 very good prospects or a "can't miss" prospect.

 

I actually think his return could be more than his value to this team. He's far from irreplacable and hardly a difference maker. He's only been more valuable than Fukudome because of playing time issues. And he just turned 33. It really wouldn't take a huge drop in production for his value to be gone, like 2009. He's had a nice season, but he's probably getting praised for more than he's actually doing (the Mets announcers were slobbing all over him while disparaging guys like Fukudome and Ramirez - deservedly so on the latter). If the general consensus on Marlon is fairly high especially at his price you could get something significant for him and/or him and another player.

[Backtobanks]

Well if you think the Cubs are really going into a "rebuilding mode", then I understand possibly trading Byrd. My thinking is that Ricketts isn't going to wait 2-3 more years for a contending team and plans to contend next year with some younger players. Another reason for not trading Byrd is that the return would probably be of much less value than Byrd's worth to the team. He's not going to get you 2 very good prospects or a "can't miss" prospect.

 

I actually think his return could be more than his value to this team. He's far from irreplacable and hardly a difference maker. He's only been more valuable than Fukudome because of playing time issues. And he just turned 33. It really wouldn't take a huge drop in production for his value to be gone, like 2009. He's had a nice season, but he's probably getting praised for more than he's actually doing (the Mets announcers were slobbing all over him while disparaging guys like Fukudome and Ramirez - deservedly so on the latter). If the general consensus on Marlon is fairly high especially at his price you could get something significant for him and/or him and another player.

 

After you list a multitude of negatives about Byrd, you then think some GM is going to give you "something significant" for him. Byrd is not a big-name player so I don't think any GM is going to give you anything signficant for him. He's been a very solid hitter for the past 4 seasons (all working with Jaramillo) and I don't see any reason to predict a huge drop in production.

[jersey cubs fan]

Well if you think the Cubs are really going into a "rebuilding mode", then I understand possibly trading Byrd. My thinking is that Ricketts isn't going to wait 2-3 more years for a contending team and plans to contend next year with some younger players. Another reason for not trading Byrd is that the return would probably be of much less value than Byrd's worth to the team. He's not going to get you 2 very good prospects or a "can't miss" prospect.

 

I actually think his return could be more than his value to this team. He's far from irreplacable and hardly a difference maker. He's only been more valuable than Fukudome because of playing time issues. And he just turned 33. It really wouldn't take a huge drop in production for his value to be gone, like 2009. He's had a nice season, but he's probably getting praised for more than he's actually doing (the Mets announcers were slobbing all over him while disparaging guys like Fukudome and Ramirez - deservedly so on the latter). If the general consensus on Marlon is fairly high especially at his price you could get something significant for him and/or him and another player.

 

After you list a multitude of negatives about Byrd, you then think some GM is going to give you "something significant" for him. Byrd is not a big-name player so I don't think any GM is going to give you anything signficant for him. He's been a very solid hitter for the past 4 seasons (all working with Jaramillo) and I don't see any reason to predict a huge drop in production.

 

It doesn't have to be huge to have an impact. And he's 33, guys decline in their 30's. I don't see why there has to be a specific reason that he will decline, it happens to everybody eventually. He's got 2 years left on his deal at which time he will be 35 and it would be unlikely that he's with the team beyond then. They've got other people who can handle his job, and it's possible they could get serious value for him. Some low budget team hoping to contend may love to substitute his salary into the lineup. Marlon Byrd isn't going to be the difference between the Cubs contending next year or not, and he's not going to be selling tickets either. You don't have to move him, but there is absolutely no reason why you can't look into it and pull the trigger if something of value comes up.

[pitchcs]

Marlon Byrd 2011 = Mark DeRosa 2009?

 

Similar statistical players, no? Both earned playing time later in their careers, both have "bigger" body types...

 

Not saying I'm predicting an injury riddled and large dropoff from Marlon, but it seems like the DeRosa situation was sorta similar. Not to mention that both are/were Cub fan's one-season loves.