Cubs after Laroche

[fromthestretch]

Jim Hendry 1st Base Checklist:

 

1. Proven 830+ OPS hitter.................................[ ]
2. Adequate defender......................................[ ]
3. Stats that translate favorably to NL/Wrigley...........[ ]
4. Under 30...............................................[ ]
5. Good plate discipline..................................[ ]
6. Consistent performance.................................[ ]
7. Left Handed............................................[X]

 

Good enough for Hendry.

 

LaRoche is more than an adequate defender. :roll:

 

Depends on your definition of adequate. He was average in 2010, pretty crappy in 2009, and for his career, he's been below average.

[dew1679666265]

Jim Hendry 1st Base Checklist:

 

1. Proven 830+ OPS hitter.................................[ ]
2. Adequate defender......................................[ ]
3. Stats that translate favorably to NL/Wrigley...........[ ]
4. Under 30...............................................[ ]
5. Good plate discipline..................................[ ]
6. Consistent performance.................................[ ]
7. Left Handed............................................[X]

 

Good enough for Hendry.

 

Isn't an IsoD of .060 to .070 pretty good? I think his main OBP problem is the max .270 average he has. The IsoD seems pretty good, though I could be wrong.

[dew1679666265]

Depends on your definition of adequate. He was average in 2010, pretty crappy in 2009, and for his career, he's been below average.

 

I know he has the reputation of a good defender.

[abuck1220]

also, who gives a [expletive] about 1b defense. the cubs need 1b offense.

[jersey cubs fan]

Isn't an IsoD of .060 to .070 pretty good? I think his main OBP problem is the max .270 average he has. The IsoD seems pretty good, though I could be wrong.

 

I think that is the bare minimum of acceptable for a supposed power hitter. It's pretty much average overall and substandard for a first baseman.

[UMFan83]

Depends on your definition of adequate. He was average in 2010, pretty crappy in 2009, and for his career, he's been below average.

 

I know he has the reputation of a good defender.

 

My research for that was me googling adam laroche defense, and the first three links I clicked on said his D was below average. One pointed out that in, I think, 2009 it was average though.

 

As far as plate discipline, it's not bad considering he hits in the 260-270 range and has a 340-350 obp. I wouldnt say it's "good" though. What I wrote in the checklist was borderline though. If you wanted to check off that one was well, it would be acceptable. Wouldnt be as humerous though.

[davell]

also, who gives a [expletive] about 1b defense. the cubs need 1b offense.

 

Hendry does. Protection for Castro, being his reasoning.

[champaignchris]

We're talking Adam, not Andy, right? The OP doesn't say.

 

Assuming it's Adam, I suppose it's better than shooting yourself in the foot.

[dew1679666265]

Isn't an IsoD of .060 to .070 pretty good? I think his main OBP problem is the max .270 average he has. The IsoD seems pretty good, though I could be wrong.

 

I think that is the bare minimum of acceptable for a supposed power hitter. It's pretty much average overall and substandard for a first baseman.

 

Ok, thanks. I couldn't remember, though I had always considered LaRoche a fairly patient player.

[fromthestretch]

also, who gives a [expletive] about 1b defense. the cubs need 1b offense.

 

Agreed. I think people put way too much emphasis on defense at first base.

[jersey cubs fan]

Isn't an IsoD of .060 to .070 pretty good? I think his main OBP problem is the max .270 average he has. The IsoD seems pretty good, though I could be wrong.

 

I think that is the bare minimum of acceptable for a supposed power hitter. It's pretty much average overall and substandard for a first baseman.

 

Ok, thanks. I couldn't remember, though I had always considered LaRoche a fairly patient player.

 

He's no more patient than Ramirez, but doesn't have near the ability to make up for it.

[fromthestretch]

also, who gives a [expletive] about 1b defense. the cubs need 1b offense.

 

Hendry does. Protection for Castro, being his reasoning.

 

Even a crappy first baseman can dig throws out of the dirt and jump up to catch a high throw.

[CubColtPacer]

also, who gives a [expletive] about 1b defense. the cubs need 1b offense.

 

Agreed. I think people put way too much emphasis on defense at first base.

 

IMO, in some ways yes and in some ways no. Since athletic ability is not nearly as important and skills are more important (scooping the ball, footwork, reflexes) there are bigger gaps. There are certain first basemen who are naturally skilled at those things and that can be a big help. There are certain players who can't learn those skills whatsoever and they'll be a liability there. But 96-98 percent of players are around the same ability level at first base. It's not nearly the continuum that other positions are and first base defense is largely overrated. But at the extremes the differences get larger quite quickly.

 

If they're just looking for a plug in for 1 year LaRoche isn't bad but he's absolutely not a guy you lose any flexibility over.

[Dr. Cub]

I don't know how you guys are not seeing the beauty of this potential signing!!! For your information, you super saber guys, Adam had a .924 OPS with runners in

scoring position last year. Also, he had a whopping 1.302 OPS at Wrigley!!! Dunn, Schmunn!!! Go get him Jim!!! I have your sound reasoning all ready for you.

[illiniguy]

So who are we looking to draft with the first pick in 2012?

[fromthestretch]

also, who gives a [expletive] about 1b defense. the cubs need 1b offense.

 

Agreed. I think people put way too much emphasis on defense at first base.

 

IMO, in some ways yes and in some ways no. Since athletic ability is not nearly as important and skills are more important (scooping the ball, footwork, reflexes) there are bigger gaps. There are certain first basemen who are naturally skilled at those things and that can be a big help. There are certain players who can't learn those skills whatsoever and they'll be a liability there. But 96-98 percent of players are around the same ability level at first base. It's not nearly the continuum that other positions are and first base defense is largely overrated. But at the extremes the differences get larger quite quickly.

 

If they're just looking for a plug in for 1 year LaRoche isn't bad but he's absolutely not a guy you lose any flexibility over.

 

My point, which I probably didn't explain clearly and which you pretty much addressed in your post, is that first base defense is largely overrated. I'm mainly referring to comments (not just on here) that Castro and Ramirez will commit 40 errors each with someone like Adam Dunn at first base.

[davell]

So who are we looking to draft with the first pick in 2012?

 

 

Some dude that should be a 5th rounder.

[illiniguy]

So who are we looking to draft with the first pick in 2012?

 

 

Some dude that should be a 5th rounder.

Na we have only really done that one time. I am thinking it's time for a tud pitcher we can break quickly. Haven't done that in a bit.

[davell]

So who are we looking to draft with the first pick in 2012?

 

 

Some dude that should be a 5th rounder.

Na we have only really done that one time. I am thinking it's time for a tud pitcher we can break quickly. Haven't done that in a bit.

 

Yeah, probably so.

 

FWIW, on Bruce's blog, when asked about LaRoche, he was surprised at the report and so were his Cubs sources. Said that they haven't been all that high on LaRoche all offseason.

[Cubs Fan Dan]

Bruce Miles is skeptical about this report according to his blog site. Before I even read this I was wondering why the hell nobody else has picked up on this other than Scott Miller. If it happens, I guess its fine under a 1 year deal only, just please if we get Overbay I am not watching.

[italianocubsfan7]

Whatever the Cubs are going to do, they need to do it fast. With Konerko probably not resigning with the Sox, the crosstown rival might snag up Pena or LaRoche. No matter if these weren't the No. 1 options for the Cubs at the start, they do need to sign one of them — Pena or LaRoche. Let's go Hendry, stop sitting on your hands! You have the budget to make at least one move at the winter meetings.

[SouthSideRyan]

Why do we need to rush to sign Adam LaRoche??

[Chisoxillini]

Konerko may very well sign with Cubs and Lee could end up with the White Sox. I hate citing Joe Cowley as a source, but he said that the Sox talks with Konerko fell through and they are moving on to plan B and C options at first. Many are speculating that plan B is DLee.

[MWV]

Whatever the Cubs are going to do, they need to do it fast. With Konerko probably not resigning with the Sox, the crosstown rival might snag up Pena or LaRoche. No matter if these weren't the No. 1 options for the Cubs at the start, they do need to sign one of them — Pena or LaRoche. Let's go Hendry, stop sitting on your hands! You have the budget to make at least one move at the winter meetings.

Unless you're talking about a re-tread starter or a journeyman reliever, I'm growing increasingly skeptical that the bolded statement is true. I think we're looking at a Chris Davis/Tyler Colvin level of 1B replacement.

[italianocubsfan7]

Konerko may very well sign with Cubs and Lee could end up with the White Sox. I hate citing Joe Cowley as a source, but he said that the Sox talks with Konerko fell through and they are moving on to plan B and C options at first. Many are speculating that plan B is DLee.

 

Konerko would have to be 3 years at it least $15 million per year. Based on what has not happened this off-season with the Cubs, they're not singing Konerko. I could definitely see DLee to the Sox, though.