Olney - Cubs aggressive after Keppinger

[toonsterwu]

Much as I am not against tanking 2013 to try and get Rodon (assuming Rodon stays ... awesome), I'm not for it either. Two horrendous seasons in a row would really suck.

 

Would? The Cubs were 71-91 two years ago and 75-87 before then. We've already seen two horrendous seasons in a row.

 

Okay, fair enough ... what I should've said would be that two 100+ loss seasons would be hard to stomach, as it'd likely take a 100 loss season to have a shot at Rodon.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Oh good, we're continuing Hendry's quest to find his next Mark DeRosa. Offering a multi year deal for a career journeyman utility middle infielder coming off of a career season couldn't possibly end poorly.

I don't have a problem with it, depending on the terms of the deal. Hes a decent hitter and it wasn't his only good season. He adds depth and versatility. He's a better Jeff Baker.

 

My problem isn't with the Keppinger part so much as the aggressively pursuing part. We have Stewart, Vitters, Watkins, Valbuena, and Lake as options to round out the infield. If we we're a few pieces away from contention, then I'd understand paying a bit more for a veteran utility guy or backup plan for 3rd. In the current state of this team, I don't get why they wouldn't rather autition what they have. The exception would be if they have a fish on the line that's willing to overpay for Barney.

 

I don't see the problem with a Keppinger addition. I have my doubts we land him, but maybe we can offer a better shot at everyday PT (Chris Johnson hit well enough down the stretch for Arizona).

 

Here's the thing. Vitters/Lake aren't ready. Watkins shouldn't be at 3rd. That leaves last year's two options, but Stewart struggled and seems to be on the outs with the club. Valbuena is more of a utility or platoon type. While it's not that important, I think there still is some significance to providing some positive atmosphere/experience for our prime youngsters, Castro/Rizzo, and adding Keppinger can help in the short term. Furthermore, Keppinger is the type of guy that you could move at the deadline, if one of the above is ready for a look (or Villanueva).

 

Look, we have money to spend. Much as I am not against tanking 2013 to try and get Rodon (assuming Rodon stays ... awesome), I'm not for it either. Two horrendous seasons in a row would really suck. Keppinger doesn't mean that we really give up our shot at a high pick in 2014, but it could make the season a bit more enjoyable at the start, give them some flexibility, offer them a mid-season trade asset, and the cost is what? Money that we have to burn? Don't see a problem with it.

 

Let me start by saying that I'm 100% against starting a season with the following season's draft pick in mind. If things are looking ugly by early summer, that's when I start thinking in those terms. Keppinger alone is not going to make the season any more enjoyable. If we plan on adding a few guys who will give us a shot, then Keppinger's the type of player that you add to supplement it. If we're looking to add a RH 3rd baseman/utilty guy to the team we currently have, and may very well start the season with, I'd just as soon raid the bargain bins. Keppinger's in line for something like 3/10. Great if you're a contender, but not if the plan is to flip him for prospects in 6-18 months.

[toonsterwu]

SCS - What I mean by more enjoyable is that, with Keppinger, we could have a solid top of the lineup (DeJesus/Keppinger followed by Rizzo/Castro/Soriano in some fashion. I've been harping on the fact that I really don't like Barney up at the top of a lineup.

 

Look, Keppinger doesn't change the equation on the team ... but he doesn't hurt it either. 3/10, if that is the case, seems like a moveable contract at midseason. At worst, you get an expensive utility player for a couple seasons. That's livable, considering the room we have. (and I have my doubts that it's going to take 3 years to land him ... I'm thinking 2 and an option).

 

This doesn't remove a few key points -

 

a) the Cubs only have two options to really turn to - Ian Stewart and Luis Valbuena, and both have their clear faults. And ... Stewart isn't that much cheaper than Keppinger.

 

b) the only thing the Cubs lose is short term money ... and they have a lot of short term space available, with the chances of landing a really big fish (or even going after one), very slim.

 

If you are talking a Zack Greinke type contract, fine, I can understand that. But this? Even if it's a marginal upgrade, it's still worth it, IMO, to build a slightly better supporting cast for Castro/Rizzo's development. Furthermore, IIRC, Keppinger has been noted for being a good influence, and this locker room certainly could use some veteran ... if not leadership ... advice.

 

Edit: Another tiny marginal benefit? Getting improved defensive play at 3rd, which could help in our ability to trade some arms at mid-season.

[Little Slide Rooter]

a) the Cubs only have two options to really turn to - Ian Stewart and Luis Valbuena, and both have their clear faults. And ... Stewart isn't that much cheaper than Keppinger.

 

Stewart is 27 and has a shot to be a difference maker. He should certainly get at least half a season before the fork comes out. Vitters should be next in line. I can't imagine another few months mashing AAA will do anything for him, but if Stewart falters he in the wings. I'd be fine with Keppinger as a utlity or super sub, but when I hear "agressive pursuit," it leads me to believe that we're talking more than we should pay. If what we're looking for is a utility guy, there's Valbuena with Watkins as plan B and then some AAAA depth behind them.

[Guest]

a) the Cubs only have two options to really turn to - Ian Stewart and Luis Valbuena, and both have their clear faults. And ... Stewart isn't that much cheaper than Keppinger.

 

Stewart is 27 and has a shot to be a difference maker. He should certainly get at least half a season before the fork comes out. Vitters should be next in line. I can't imagine another few months mashing AAA will do anything for him, but if Stewart falters he in the wings. I'd be fine with Keppinger as a utlity or super sub, but when I hear "agressive pursuit," it leads me to believe that we're talking more than we should pay. If what we're looking for is a utility guy, there's Valbuena with Watkins as plan B and then some AAAA depth behind them.

Another few months in AAA could actually do Vitters a lot of good. I didn't want him promoted last season.

[jumbo]

Oh good, we're continuing Hendry's quest to find his next Mark DeRosa. Offering a multi year deal for a career journeyman utility middle infielder coming off of a career season couldn't possibly end poorly.

 

I should stop clicking Display this post.

 

Yes, you should

[Little Slide Rooter]

Oh good, we're continuing Hendry's quest to find his next Mark DeRosa. Offering a multi year deal for a career journeyman utility middle infielder coming off of a career season couldn't possibly end poorly.

 

I should stop clicking Display this post.

 

Yes, you should

 

 

Ignoring someone but clicking display this post and then typing "I should stop clicking display this post" Everytime they post somewhat defeats the purpose of ignoring them.

 

[A New Era]

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcREPTeb8GENHQ_Fz2Ay6hMvgoGBJMxEptoYwzq-mi3EhrQnzHyeabW_8Ra3Gw

 

what? WHAT? I can't hear you. :-"