Cubs 3rd Base next year?

[KingCubsFan]

Edwin Encarncion should be available too

 

I'm a big encarnacion fanboy. For some reason, I've always thought his defense was thought to be really good, but no idea where I think I heard that. I actually might have heard the opposite and have just been lying to myself to protect my delusions.

I think when he was younger he was thought to have good tools, but now he's known as more of a defensive liability (still only 28). Offensively, I think he'd be a good project for Jaramillo.

[tmicmiller]

I actually like the Ian Stewart idea. Stewart hits left handed, and is an excellent defensive 3rd baseman. Plus I think he'd be cheap to trade for, possibly a couple reliever prospects like Dolis and Gaub along with a third player. Stewart is definately capable of hitting .260 with an obp in the .330 range with 20 plus HR's and plus defense.

[toonsterwu]

I actually like the Ian Stewart idea. Stewart hits left handed, and is an excellent defensive 3rd baseman. Plus I think he'd be cheap to trade for, possibly a couple reliever prospects like Dolis and Gaub along with a third player. Stewart is definately capable of hitting .260 with an obp in the .330 range with 20 plus HR's and plus defense.

 

If we can land Ian Stewart for Dolis/Gaub/3rd player (which I'm assuming is a lesser prospect), I'd do that in a heartbeat. It's possible they'd look for pen arms in a swap (since they'll likely try to move Street), but I still think that might be a bit on the low side for what they'd want, as much as Ian has fallen out.

 

Since I've been driving all day and feel like tossing around names for the heck of it, I wonder what it would cost to get someone like Chase Headley (I see King Kong noted him). Before people tell me how unlikely that is ... I agree that it probably is quite unlikely. That said, I'm just tossing around names for fun. They have Forsythe/Darnell as ready guys that can step in at 3rd (Darnell's the more intriguing of the two), with Jedd Gyorko and Edinson Rincon not far behind (Rincon's probably the most talented of the foursome).

 

Headley's 28, so he's not likely to be a part of their next core anymore, and he's going to be more expensive next year (3-4 mil range likely, never great with arb guesses). That said, he actually hit fairly well away from Petco this year (not great, but solid) and has hit better away from Petco most of his career, with solid, albeit not great, pop.

 

In all likelihood, what they'd want for Headley would probably be more than I think would be appropriate to to give up.

 

________

 

I see King Kong noted Will Middlebrooks. I wouldn't be so quick to rule him out of Boston's long range situation, with Youkilis being a big question mark in regards to manning third long run.

[Rob]

Edwin Encarncion should be available too

 

I'm a big encarnacion fanboy. For some reason, I've always thought his defense was thought to be really good, but no idea where I think I heard that. I actually might have heard the opposite and have just been lying to myself to protect my delusions.

 

He used to be projected to have the tools to be a very good 3B. But now his nickname is E5.

[Post Count Padder]

I actually like the Ian Stewart idea. Stewart hits left handed, and is an excellent defensive 3rd baseman. Plus I think he'd be cheap to trade for, possibly a couple reliever prospects like Dolis and Gaub along with a third player. Stewart is definately capable of hitting .260 with an obp in the .330 range with 20 plus HR's and plus defense.

He had a .464 OPS last year. I know he's been good in the past and is still young, but I'd rather he not be the first option we consider.

[SweetZombieJesus]

The Kapman like Mark Derosa, I'm betting it's him.