Cubs looking at Chris Davis?

[mhuber92211]

I'm going against the grain here. I'd take Chris Davis for Castillo or Chirinos. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that Davis does have some position flexibility. From what I understand, he's OK defensively at 1B. He also played 3B primarily when he was sent down to the minors this year, and has made progress there according to Rangers personnel. He also played a couple innings in LF.

 

So, you're talking about a 24-year old, with all kinds of power, a great minor league pedigree, and with the ability to play 3 different positions where he's not going to kill you defensively.

 

Best case scenario, you can get a young power hitting starting 1B. Worst case, you get power and flexibility off the bench. Getting Davis doesn't prevent the Cubs from still going out and getting a 1B (probably Pena or Nick Johnson on a short term deal) because he doesn't cost a thing.

 

I think this is exactly the type of move the Cubs should make. If it's Chirinos, he's older than Davis and profiles as a backup C.

 

This is correct. We are talking about replacing Hoffpauir here really with an option of a guy who plays both corner IF spots for a backup (at most) catcher. Davis seems to be following the career path of the guy that many people like here - Alex Gordon

[dew1679666265]

Keeping Fukudome is nice, acquiring a crappy hitting 1B is horrible.

 

If he stays crappy hitting as he hits his prime years, yes it's horrible. However, he's only 24 and has crushed minor league pitching. There's still reason to believe he can learn to hit in the majors.

 

I don't support him over Dunn, but I don't see Dunn as an option. So, is Kosuke + Chris Davis better than Colvin + Nick Johnson? Or even Colvin + Carlos Pena (plus a multi year deal)? Those may be our options if I'm right that going cheaper at first allows us (in Hendry's plan) to keep Kosuke.

[jersey cubs fan]

except those aren't our options

 

Hendry manufacturing his own limitations at 1B is his own damn fault.

[dew1679666265]

except those aren't our options

 

Hendry manufacturing his own limitations at 1B is his own damn fault.

 

Those are our options if the GM says those are our options. He's the guy making the moves and we have to choose from the options he gives himself.

 

I'm not talking about what I'd do in a perfect world, I'm talking about what I think this team realistically will do. If it were me as GM, I'd go after Dunn and not acquire any pitching at all this offseason. Keep Kosuke, add Dunn, call it an offseason basically. But I'm not the GM, so what I'd do doesn't matter. So, of the options the Cubs seem to be considering, trading Chirinos for Davis and keeping Kosuke is the best one I've heard yet.

[jersey cubs fan]

except those aren't our options

 

Hendry manufacturing his own limitations at 1B is his own damn fault.

 

Those are our options if the GM says those are our options. He's the guy making the moves and we have to choose from the options he gives himself.

 

No.

 

Those are our options if the GM is a big enough idiot to think he should spend money on mediocre starting pitching and relief instead of fixing the pathetic offense. I don't understand why people insist on using Hendry's horrible decision making patterns as an excuse for him being cornered into making more bad moves.

[dew1679666265]

No.

 

Those are our options if the GM is a big enough idiot to think he should spend money on mediocre starting pitching and relief instead of fixing the pathetic offense. I don't understand why people insist on using Hendry's horrible decision making patterns as an excuse for him being cornered into making more bad moves.

 

First off, I don't think it's a bad move to trade a backup catcher for a 24 year old slugger who has crushed minor league pitching.

 

Second, we can discuss all the great moves we'd like to, but until members of NSBB are named general managers of the Chicago Cubs, those moves probably won't happen. Like it or not, Jim Hendry is the GM of the Cubs and he is the one who makes the moves for the team, so I weigh the options he gives himself. I've already told you what I'd ideally like to see happen, but it appears that's simply not going to happen.

 

Is acquiring Davis a great move? No, but of the moves I've heard about, it's probably the best I've heard – especially if it means we keep Kosuke.

[davell]

I don't think I've seen anyone actually enthused by the idea of us adding a mid level starting pitcher. I'm thinking just about everyone here thinks 1B is our biggest and most necessary hole to fill.

 

But, since Jimbo evidently wants to address these non-needs(or lesser anyway) I think everyone is just praying he doesn't do something really stupid with his 1B choice for now and are hoping we have the ability to make a more substantial move at 1B at a slightly later time.

 

While there may not be a thread specifically calling Hendry a moron for his priorities right now, I think we've all got such low expectations, that he's not going to change his course at this point and have tempered ourselves into just hoping for the lesser of evils when it comes to filling spots.

 

I hate to say it, but I really don't care what we're going to do this offseason as long as there are no deals given out longer than a year. I'd almost rather just fast forward to the deadline or next offseason, which is sad since a few solid moves right now could propel us into contention in our horrible division. If we wind up with Chris Davis, Kerry Wood, and Kevin Millwood as our lone acquisitions this offseason, it's not going to surprise me. Nor, is it going to get us into contention.

 

Maybe when Davis winds up struggling, Colvin proves he's not really an everyday player, Cashner is yo-yoed back and forth from the pen to starter a few times during next season, Millwood does nothing that Casey Coleman or Jay Jackson couldn't have done for alot cheaper, the team finishes up with another 70ish win season and Chris Archer is rushed to the majors earlier than he should have been, maybe then, just maybe, Jim Hendry will be shown the door.

[Clem Fandango]

I would say he would be back with Rudy Jaramillo working on his swing, but Rudy was there in 08 when he was striking out and a record pace.

 

That being said, I don't mind targeting him if all we're giving up is a backup catcher and as long as Hendry realizes that Davis should be a fallback plan/bench option and he still targets a legit first baseman

[javy knows my name]

This is correct. We are talking about replacing Hoffpauir here really with an option of a guy who plays both corner IF spots for a backup (at most) catcher. Davis seems to be following the career path of the guy that many people like here - Alex Gordon

Oh yes, Alex Gordon, definitely. Can you provide some examples of their similarities as players/hitters?

[CUBZ99]

I would say he would be back with Rudy Jaramillo working on his swing, but Rudy was there in 08 when he was striking out and a record pace.

 

That being said, I don't mind targeting him if all we're giving up is a backup catcher and as long as Hendry realizes that Davis should be a fallback plan/bench option and he still targets a legit first baseman

 

You would have to believe that if the Cubs acquire Davis, that Rudy would have input into the decision.

[rawaction]

Best case scenario, you can get a young power hitting starting 1B. Worst case, you get power and flexibility off the bench. Getting Davis doesn't prevent the Cubs from still going out and getting a 1B (probably Pena or Nick Johnson on a short term deal) because he doesn't cost a thing.

 

Doesn't prevent it, but almost certainly will.

 

What makes you say this? Are you basically saying this is a bad move because it will be the only move? That's a little (by a little I mean a lot) of an assumption.

[dew1679666265]

This is correct. We are talking about replacing Hoffpauir here really with an option of a guy who plays both corner IF spots for a backup (at most) catcher. Davis seems to be following the career path of the guy that many people like here - Alex Gordon

Oh yes, Alex Gordon, definitely. Can you provide some examples of their similarities as players/hitters?

 

Chris Davis career wOBA (minors and majors together): .325

Alex Gordon career wOBA (minors and majors together): .323

 

Gordon has twice as good a K/BB ratio, but they've been similarly productive thus far in the majors. I like Gordon more because of the peripherals, but I can see the comparison.

[jersey cubs fan]

Best case scenario, you can get a young power hitting starting 1B. Worst case, you get power and flexibility off the bench. Getting Davis doesn't prevent the Cubs from still going out and getting a 1B (probably Pena or Nick Johnson on a short term deal) because he doesn't cost a thing.

 

Doesn't prevent it, but almost certainly will.

 

What makes you say this? Are you basically saying this is a bad move because it will be the only move? That's a little (by a little I mean a lot) of an assumption.

 

Because it fits in perfectly with the narrative of what Hendry appears to be doing. Spend what little money they have on innings eating pitchers, get another reliever and go cheap at first base.

[CUBZ99]

except those aren't our options

 

Hendry manufacturing his own limitations at 1B is his own damn fault.

 

Those are our options if the GM says those are our options. He's the guy making the moves and we have to choose from the options he gives himself.

 

No.

 

Those are our options if the GM is a big enough idiot to think he should spend money on mediocre starting pitching and relief instead of fixing the pathetic offense. I don't understand why people insist on using Hendry's horrible decision making patterns as an excuse for him being cornered into making more bad moves.

 

I was just looking at the rankings for the Cubs for starting pitching (9th in the NL), relief (15th in the NL, only the Dbacks were worse) and offense (10th in NL). So basically, Hendry has to substantially improve every aspect of the team and has very little money to do it with.

 

Really the only chance that he has, is to make some trades for players like Davis and hope that he gets incredibly lucky. :( :(

[Schwarber Fan]

The Chicago Cubs do not seem very excited about the possibility of signing free-agent 1B Adam Dunn (Nationals) because of his defensive liabilities, according to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark.

 

Read more: http://www.kffl.com/gnews.php?id=681959-cubs-not-excited-about-adam-dunn#ixzz15fVwUhBy

 

LOLOL

 

what an inept organization

[dew1679666265]

I was just looking at the rankings for the Cubs for starting pitching (9th in the NL), relief (15th in the NL, only the Dbacks were worse) and offense (10th in NL). So basically, Hendry has to substantially improve every aspect of the team and has very little money to do it with.

 

Really the only chance that he has, is to make some trades for players like Davis and hope that he gets incredibly lucky. :( :(

 

The good thing about the pitching is that it's very young for the most part (Wells, Marmol, Cashner, relievers, etc) and can improve on its own. The offense, however, is mostly veterans (with the exception of Castro and Soto) and likely needs a free agent/trade infusion to significantly improve. The good thing about Davis is that he's young, has upside and has crushed minor league pitching. The bad thing is, so far, he's been pretty bad in the majors.

[erik316wttn]

The Chicago Cubs do not seem very excited about the possibility of signing free-agent 1B Adam Dunn (Nationals) because of his defensive liabilities, according to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark.

 

Read more: http://www.kffl.com/gnews.php?id=681959-cubs-not-excited-about-adam-dunn#ixzz15fVwUhBy

 

LOLOL

 

what an inept organization

 

I think this is appropriate here...

 

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m100/fishmaster17/CubsFail10.jpg

[javy knows my name]

This is correct. We are talking about replacing Hoffpauir here really with an option of a guy who plays both corner IF spots for a backup (at most) catcher. Davis seems to be following the career path of the guy that many people like here - Alex Gordon

Oh yes, Alex Gordon, definitely. Can you provide some examples of their similarities as players/hitters?

 

Chris Davis career wOBA (minors and majors together): .325

Alex Gordon career wOBA (minors and majors together): .323

 

Gordon has twice as good a K/BB ratio, but they've been similarly productive thus far in the majors. I like Gordon more because of the peripherals, but I can see the comparison.

I'd like more of a comparison to Jeff Francoeur, myself

[dew1679666265]

I'd like more of a comparison to Jeff Francoeur, myself

 

The K:BB ratio is closer for Davis and Francoeur than for Davis and Gordon. Davis has been far, far more productive in the minors than Frenchie, though. As I posted earlier, similarly productive to Gordon.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'd like more of a comparison to Jeff Francoeur, myself

 

The K:BB ratio is closer for Davis and Francoeur than for Davis and Gordon. Davis has been far, far more productive in the minors than Frenchie, though. As I posted earlier, similarly productive to Gordon.

 

Frenchie did it as a younger guy and was a starter in MLB at 21. Davis racked up his numbers playing A-AAA in his 20's.

[champaignchris]

I'm perfectly OK with Chris Davis as our starting first baseman...

 

 

 

 

 

 

...so long as we can somehow get Chase Utley to be our starting second baseman.

[dew1679666265]

I'd like more of a comparison to Jeff Francoeur, myself

 

The K:BB ratio is closer for Davis and Francoeur than for Davis and Gordon. Davis has been far, far more productive in the minors than Frenchie, though. As I posted earlier, similarly productive to Gordon.

 

Frenchie did it as a younger guy and was a starter in MLB at 21. Davis racked up his numbers playing A-AAA in his 20's.

 

There was one intersection year in that. Davis at 21 hit 1.059 at AA. Frenchie at 21 hit .808 at AA. 367 to 124 in PAs, though, in favor of Frenchie so sample size is an issue.

[AI]

Chris Davis is an excellent defensive 1st baseman. He's a big, athletic guy with good hands and range and is excellent at picking balls at first. He's also more than adequate at 3rd base. He's definitely a buy low guy for all the struggles he had with the Rangers big club. The Rangers somewhat panicked with twice this season. They didn't give him much time before they went to Justin Smoak and then when the Lee deal was made, they didn't give him much time before going to Mitch Moreland. He desperately needs a change of scenery, I think, to kick start his career. I certainly wouldn't give up on him yet.

[Elrhino]

Just from what I've heard about him from around Dallas ... he badly needs a change of scenery. He was born and raised around the Dallas area, and he's an eager to please type of personality. He lets the pressure of being the hometown kid get to him and he presses, which leads to prolonged slumps. Wouldn't be opposed to getting him on a cheap flier, he's put up great minor league numbers and he's a great fielder, but in no way should you depend or count on him filling the hole at 1B for you. Edited November 18, 2010 by Elrhino

[Rob]

I'd love to have him in the system. He'd make an adequate backup at the corners and still has a nice ceiling. I just wouldn't want to trust him with a starting job out of the gates.