Second Base in 2012

[davell]

Levine has mentioned in his last couple of chats and has brought it up as a blurb in an article or two as well, that he could see us adding a 2B to the team, as Theo views Barney more as an excellent backup, than as a starter. To me, with as much as it's been brought up now, it seems like Levine knows something here: the question is who could we be targeting? If we are after someone, my guess is it's another younger guy with at least a few years of control. The first team that comes to mind for me is Tampa: They have a need at C and also have too much SP at this point. Could we be looking at Brignac as a starter at 2B? Some sort of Soto for Niemann/Brignac swap? If we move Garza, it'd kind of make some sense. I can't see Tampa heading into the year with Molina as their starting catcher and I don't think we truly care about 2012 anyway, so Soto could probably be had. Anyone got any other 2B options? It just seems like Levine knows something is going to be done, but I can't find any 2B that make sense. Hell, I don't even know if Brignac is a better starting option than Barney is. Still, thoughts on finding a 2B. I'm all for something other than what I brought up.

[Gilby]

I agree that it's probably significant Levine has mentioned this a few times. I was thinking the same thing.

 

I know Prado was mentioned in trade rumors this offseason especially to the Rockies. With Scutaro, they probably don't have much use for him now. Maybe the Braves could use Byrd?

[Dirt Dog Sparly]

Since we are rebuilding from the foundation up, and not putting a team out there to contend this year, I am happy with letting Barney play for league minimum. A 2.2 WAR isnt to be sniffed at for that money. Considering he was a Shortstop who had to learn the blind pivot on the job last year I am not dead set against lettign him play full time one more year.

 

The 13 Free Agent class is a bit thin at second from what I have found. If that means that because of scarcity that you would have to over pay for a marginal upgrade then I can see us taking a pass.

 

As far as trades the Giants have two youngsters that are in the top 10 list. http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120120&content_id=26403738&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb Of the two Joe Panick sounds to me like the one I would prefer to have. I dont know exactly how we would match up with the Giants in a trade at this point but with Lincecum and Cain both going to be FA very soon, (not to mention Arby), I can see them pushing very hard for low cost guys since thats all they can afford if they hold on to both pitchers. That would also complicate most trades and definitely rules out Soriano in any deal to them with us even picking up a large chunk of the remaining money.

[Sammys Boombox]

I want to see DeWitt get another shot. He lost his starting position because of a bad few weeks in ST. (Thanks Quade). The guy has never really been given a chance to play fulltime as a 2B.

 

Full disclosure: DeWitt is a local hero that I played against in HS...

[KingCubsFan]

I think it's a definite possibility. I wonder if the Dodgers would be willing to give up Ivan DeJesus Jr.

[Guest]

DeWitt played 126 games at 2B in 2010, and has 1200+ MLB PA's.

 

 

I don't really know why you'd try to bring in someone for 2B at this point. The odds of finding someone who has more potential and is just as long term an asset as Barney are pretty low.

[davell]

I'm figuring if we make a deal, it'll be for a major league guy, because I really think Theo feels we've got our longterm 2B in Torreyes. I know he's a ways out, but I think he'll see AA at some point in 2012.

[Shilzzz]

As far as trades the Giants have two youngsters that are in the top 10 list. http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120120&content_id=26403738&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb Of the two Joe Panick sounds to me like the one I would prefer to have. I dont know exactly how we would match up with the Giants in a trade at this point but with Lincecum and Cain both going to be FA very soon, (not to mention Arby), I can see them pushing very hard for low cost guys since thats all they can afford if they hold on to both pitchers. That would also complicate most trades and definitely rules out Soriano in any deal to them with us even picking up a large chunk of the remaining money.

 

Panick was drafted in June, and thus can't be dealt for a few months yet.

And this second point is just my opinion, but Sabean is kind of a stubborn dude and I think that Panick caused so much laughter directed at the Giants for drafting him so high, and that he seems to have been a quite astute pick, it'd be a high point for Sabean to see him turn into a quality major leaguer.

[hankp101]

A few other thoughts/questions if the Cubs do decide to bring in another 2B. I know I've read that the Pads were interested in moving Hudson, and Hoyer did sign him after all, so I wouldn't be shocked to see something happen there as part of a larger deal if we aren't done swapping with Byrnes. Was it Espinosa the Nationals were rumored to have soured on last year, or was it Desmond? Has it been decided that Eric Young Jr. is not a 2B? I know he played there some his first year up. Nishioka might provide a solid buy low opportunity in the mold of many of the moves Theo and Hoyer have made this offseason.

[Brett]

I'm figuring if we make a deal, it'll be for a major league guy, because I really think Theo feels we've got our longterm 2B in Torreyes. I know he's a ways out, but I think he'll see AA at some point in 2012.

 

Even if not Torreyes, the Cubs have a ton of possible long-term 2B options - Hernandez, Amaya, DeVoss, Watkins, Silva, etc. Problem is, most are very, very young. Gotta bridge that gap somehow, and although Barney is fine for years like 2012 when I don't expect much, he's not fine with me as the starter in 2013 and 2014, when the Cubs *might* have a chance of being competitive.

[Little Slide Rooter]

One option could be to see what TB wants for Brignac. I know he's a few years removed from his top prospect status, but at the right price that seems to be Theos thing. Otherwise, for 2012 may as well just cycle through Barney, DeWitt and Baker and meanwhile, give Lake 2B in Iowa or Tennessee and see how that works out. Alternately, give Stewart some reps at 2nd and hope that Vitters can take over at 3rd with Stewart at 2nd in the long run, assuming that Stewart recovers offensively.

[seanimal]

no, he's fine for those years too

[mookie]

Reid Brignac is a big pile of terrible, plus he is only two months younger than Barney. How exactly is he a better option than Darwin?

[JimSorgi]

Reid Brignac is a big pile of terrible, plus he is only two months younger than Barney. How exactly is he a better option than Darwin?

Some people on here have a weird fascination with him.

[davell]

I brought up Brignac originally as a guy based on his minor league numbers basically. He had 20 homer seasons(or close anyway) for 3 straight seasons at 19 to 21, from a, A+, and AA. He really hasn't had regular at bats in the majors and I could see where Theo wouldn't mind giving him the shot to see if he could get that back. If so, he's definitely a better option than Barney, if not, he becomes the new Dewitt for us(and we trade Blake, if we haven't by then anyway)

[Little Slide Rooter]

Its clear that Theo's all about the one time top prospects. Brignac fits right into that mold, and TB seems to have given up on him. It really can't hurt to see what he'd cost and give him a shot at 2nd for the right price.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Brignac hasn't had a minor league season that projects to anything worthwhile since 2007, and that's if you feel very generous about his 2006. A guy's prospect status really has to expire at some point, and Brignac is way, way past that. Between AAA and the majors, he has 1500 PAs of pure suck over the last four seasons.

 

If we didn't have anyone else available at AAA to fill 2b, it might be intriguing to give him some Iowa playing time. But in the majors? Absolutely not.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I hate to beat a dead horse, but this topic kind of makes one want to once again bring up leaving Flaherty and Gonzalez unprotected and later letting Bianchi go. It's not like they suddenly decided that maybe Barney wasn't the guy after they were all gone.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

I hate to beat a dead horse, but this topic kind of makes one want to once again bring up leaving Flaherty and Gonzalez unprotected and later letting Bianchi go. It's not like they suddenly decided that maybe Barney wasn't the guy after they were all gone.

 

Meh to both Flaherty AND Gonzalez...the potential 2B I hated to see lost was Lemahieu. Dude can ball. Even then he's basically Barney with less D and a possibly better bat.

 

Isn't Flaherty 26 next season and pretty much looking to be a Blake DeWitt anyway? Not a big loss IMO...possibly useful though.

Edited January 23, 2012 by PriortoTheoIhadWood

[davell]

All it tells me is they REALLY didn't think Flaherty or Gonzalez was the longterm 2B answer. Even though, I wanted to see Flaherty get a shot at being a utility type guy. I guess they like Lake more, basically. Although, I have more doubts that Lake could stick all year in 2012 than Flaherty. Still, I guess it's a risk they weren't willing to take.

[seanimal]

Its clear that Theo's all about the one time top prospects.

 

ugh no

[Rob]

There's about zero FA 2B I'd be interested in right now... unless it's secretly 2006 and Carlos Guillen wants a one year contract, of course.

 

There's not much more in the trade market. We could get a guy like Prado, but he's older and already a poor enough defender he's been moved off 2B once. He definitely doesn't fit the mold of a guy who should be anything more than a stopgap solution. There's guys like Brignac and EY Jr who once had some prospect shine... but they're no younger than Barney and are currently much worse players.

 

The smart course of action is to sit back, relax, and let Barney hold down the fort until somebody new becomes available or someone forces their way up from the minors. It might not happen in 2012, but Lake could put himself in the discussion before too long... after that, we've got Torreyes, DeVoss, Watkins, Hernandez, Amaya and others who should be along shortly after. And hell, depending on the possible trades we could be making, that list may get even longer.

 

But there's gonna be a wait before there's a better option than Barney.

[biittner77]

There's about zero FA 2B I'd be interested in right now... unless it's secretly 2006 and Carlos Guillen wants a one year contract, of course.

 

 

 

But there's gonna be a wait before there's a better option than Barney.

 

This might be the most depressing thing I've heard all off season.

[Little Slide Rooter]

There's about zero FA 2B I'd be interested in right now... unless it's secretly 2006 and Carlos Guillen wants a one year contract, of course.

 

 

 

But there's gonna be a wait before there's a better option than Barney.

 

This might be the most depressing thing I've heard all off season.

 

Well there is that guy who was on the Cardinals last year. They say he knows how to play the game the right way.

[pitchcs]

Anyone, actually almost anymore, other than DeWitt.