Cubs looking at Orlando Hudson?

[SouthSideRyan]

I haven't run the numbers, but I can't imagine there's much of a difference between Dunn/DeWitt/SP(you pick, Silva/Cashner/Coleman/etc) and Pena/Hudson/Webb.

 

You're getting a whole lot more cost certainty with the first group

 

Perhaps, but you're likely getting more payroll flexibility with the 2nd group, and with the second 3 you have a much better shot at 1 or more going nuts for a year than with the first group.

 

How?

 

Shorter duration, smaller amounts for the individual players. It's easier to unload 2 guys making 5 million than it is 1 guy making 10 million.

 

It's easier to unload one guy who's good than 2 guys who aren't.

[rawaction]

I hear what you're saying. However, between DeWitt's poor defense at second, and Hudson's offensive superiority, such as it was, I think he's still totally worth the difference in money. It would take a precipitous decline in performance next year to close the gap.

 

For all the talk of the need to fill first base, the team also had a big hole at second last year, and Blake DeWitt is probably going to be more of the same. Hudson may not be a perfect player, but he is a very good player. If he can be signed to a 2 year deal for 5 million, the Cobs really need to look into it.

 

I'm not really arguing that we shouldn't seek a replacement for Dewitt if one is out there. I'm more questioning how confident we should be that Hudson constitutes enough of an upgrade to be worth the extra cost.

 

Hudson signed a 1-year, $5 mil deal with the Twins last year and I'd say that's what we're looking at for him this year. Is a max of 2 wins worth $5 mil and can that money be used more efficiently elsewhere or for a different player?

 

Exactly my point. DeWitt is not great (or desirable) by any means, but Hudson is likely going to be a very similar player offensively and while he will be much better defensively, it's not enough to pay him 4.5Mil more for it.

 

Hudson wasn't good last year. Isn't going to get better at 33. Go with DeWitt, who could get better, or go with someone actually good if you have to pay for it.

[dew1679666265]

First of all I don't think 2 wins is the max, but even if it is, 2 wins is absolutely worth 5 million. Absolutely. Where would you spend that money more efficiently?

 

I honestly didn't know how much each win is valued at, so thanks there. And the more I think about it, efficiently was the wrong word there.

 

If I was looking to upgrade at second (which I have no problem with looking into), I'd look for a younger option first and save Hudson as a last resort type of signing. If you're looking to sign a guy like Hudson after trading for Dewitt just a few months ago, it probably means you're not sold on Dewitt improving with playing time. Thus, I'd go in pursuit of a guy who hasn't likely already started showing signs of age-related decline.

 

If that guys isn't out there - and I don't know if he is - then I might turn back to Hudson. But pursuing him this early means he's one of the first options you have and at 33 years old, coming off a bad year, I'm not crazy about that.

[Guest]

Screw that. Give Dewitt a full season to see what he can do. The Cubs aren't going anywhere with or without a five million dollar/year 33 year old 2nd baseman. Same with the other players Webb, Berkman, etc...

 

I hate Jim Hendry's handling of the Cubs.

[jersey cubs fan]

I hate old middle infielders

[Rob]

Perhaps the most important part of picking up Hudson would be that it would allow Dewitt to become he primary backup at 3B. I'm tired of seeing Bobby Scales get called up, or Jeff Baker facing a righty.

[erik316wttn]

"You can never have too many second basemen."

 

- Jim Hendry

[champaignchris]

Another nice move if it was 2007.

 

This was quite literally my first thought.

 

If Hudson has always been a Hendry favorite, why wasn't he pursued at all in the offseason leading up to 2009? Why were we saddled with Aaron Miles's multi-year contract? Hudson ended up signing for 1 year and 3.3 millions. A bargain.

[CubColtPacer]

Another nice move if it was 2007.

 

This was quite literally my first thought.

 

If Hudson has always been a Hendry favorite, why wasn't he pursued at all in the offseason leading up to 2009? Why were we saddled with Aaron Miles's multi-year contract? Hudson ended up signing for 1 year and 3.3 millions. A bargain.

 

Because Hendry like the rest of the league didn't want to give up a first round pick for Hudson which is why he ended up going so cheaply. That first rounder for the Cubs ended up being Brett Jackson.

[jersey cubs fan]

Hendry gave up a first round pick for Latroy Hawkins. They've spent first round picks on guys most people saw going in the comp or second round. He's decided to pass on offering arbitration when he could have gotten first round picks. I highly doubt he's passed on a guy he likes because of draft picks.