Cubs have interest in Kotsay

[hawkeyecub]

Agreed Raw.

 

Right now, Hairston deserves to be the starting LF'er, he can avg. defensively as a corner OF'er, I think extended periods in CF will expose his lack of experience, but he is more than adequate defensively as a corner OF'er having above avg. range and probably an avg. arm.

 

The lack of OBP at the top, makes Hairston a priority in the lineup with Walker and his LH bat with above avg. bat control, ideal for hitting 2nd.

 

We might see that lineup once the Cubs are officially out of the playoffs.

 

Does anyone know what Harry did to Dusty or the team to deserve this benching?

 

I'm sure some of the blunders on the basepaths and his shaky defensive play are the reason. I wish he got a shot at more playing time also, but remember a lot of us weren't that happy with his play the majority of the time while Walker was out. He was popping up a ton of pitches even though he has no power and good speed.

[UBlink]

Hairston LF

Walker 2B

Lee 1B

Burnitz RF

Ramirez 3B

Patterson CF

Barrett C

Perez SS

 

Close my friend...

 

I like speed in the 7th spot....

 

Hairston

Walker

Lee

Ramirez

Burnitz

Barrett

Patterson

Cedeno/Perez

 

The reason why I want Walker hitting 2nd is simple baseball logic that Baker fails to place any importance on...

 

With a higher OBP guy leading off and assume he gets on....

 

1. The 1B will be holding the runner on 1B

2. The 2B will likely be in DP depth.

3. The hole will be huge on the right side of the IF between 1B and 2B

4. Walker has above avg. bat control and more than anyone on the team has the ability to shoot the ball thru that gap.

5. Walker has one of the higher OBPs.

 

If this logic is correct (and it sounds good to me) would we not then expect such a hitter to have a higher than average BABIP, since more of his hits would be likely to find holes?

[UK1679666180]

Depends on the hitter, I would expect Walker to benefit with a higher BABIP from hitting 2nd. Now, could you tell? Depends, but I doubt it would flucuate beyond normal regressions.

[Banghart]

I am not sure I agree with the assessment that Hairston, Jr. is as good as Mark Kotsay. Hairston has a better OBP right now than Mark Kotsay, but that has been in limited playing time. The past two seasons Hairston has put up very good OBP in 58 and 86 games played. However, Hairston has been awful any time he has played more than 100 games, which has only occurred twice in his career. Those seasons Hairston sported a Neifi Perez like OPS of .649 and .705.

 

Mark Kotsay might not be the impact player the Cubs really need, but there is no doubt that he would offer in improvement in offense and defense for the Cubs this year. Kotsay has at least played 120 games every season since 1998 except in 2001, when he played 119. His OBP has been over .340 every season since 1999. His HR totals would also probably increase with a move from Oakland to Chicago.

 

Also another option, one that I can not claim credit for but can't recall where I read it, is moving Kotsay to right and Burnitz over to left. The OF defense would easily be one of the best. Kotsay might not be the impact player the Cubs need, but of the options being speculated right now he is probably the best.

 

-Banghart

[BigbadB]

Kotsay does sport a cannon for an arm.

 

If he's a free agent at the end of this year, he's pretty high on my list.

[Sun Devil]

Hairston hasn't ever proven that he can hit and get on-base for a full season.

 

He's done some good work in part-time duty, but he's never put up a season like Kotsay.

 

If you get Kotsay, it's a great move... Period. You can't have enough of players like Kotsay.

 

Kotsay will walk 50 times, and get close to 200 hits. It's flat out the right move to get him.

 

He'd be like adding John Damon, back when the Red Sox signed him.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Hairston hasn't ever proven that he can hit and get on-base for a full season.

 

He's done some good work in part-time duty, but he's never put up a season like Kotsay.

 

If you get Kotsay, it's a great move... Period. You can't have enough of players like Kotsay.

 

Kotsay will walk 50 times, and get close to 200 hits. It's flat out the right move to get him.

 

He'd be like adding John Damon, back when the Red Sox signed him.

 

Funny you mention that, here's a post I recently read from newbergreport.com after his career numbers were compared to Gabe Kapler.

 

Gabe-O.

 

However, Kotsay, unlike Gabe-O, is a great defensive CF.

 

 

 

That's true, but on the other hand, he's not even mathcing his (or Kapler's) normal performance at the plate this year.

 

My only point is that while I'd like to have Kotsay out there instead of Nix, I wouldn't go overboard in trying to trade for him. He's a pretty good player, but he's closer to Gabe Kapler than he is to, say, Johnny Damon.

[Sun Devil]

I think the A's like Patterson's ability.

If the Cubs are serious, they have to be tops on the A's list in locations to send Kotsay. If he were go to the Yankee's they might see him for years to come. Also, you'd be trading with the Nazi's.

[Sun Devil]

Gabe Kapler?!

 

Gabe's never had more than 500 AB's.

I'm not sure how you can compare Kapler and Kotsay.

 

Damon has 2 more years than Kotsay, and certainly this season has boosted Damon's numbers, but lets compare career numbers...

 

Damon 289 353OBP

Kotsay 286 343OBP

[E.J.]

More speculation about Kotsay:

 

Kotsay Center of Trade Speculation

 

The Cubs are debating how hard to pursue Oakland Athletics center fielder Mark Kotsay. Trading for him might answer one question but raise others.

 

Kotsay, however, seems a more appealing possibility than Colorado's Preston Wilson, even if there are heavy financial considerations to weigh in Kotsay's case. He has a 2006 player option for $7.05 million.

 

But if Corey Patterson continues to struggle -- he went 0-for-10 with six strikeouts while leading off the last two days in Milwaukee -- the Cubs have no choice but to make a deal.

 

Kotsay would be the leadoff man the Cubs are missing. His .334 on-base percentage, just below his career mark of .343, could help set the table for the middle of the lineup. His 24 walks and 26 strikeouts make him the kind of contact hitter the Cubs need.

 

Here's what is being said internally --and very quietly -- around the Cubs: Can you imagine how many RBI Derrek Lee would have with the proper 1-2 combination at the top of the lineup?

 

If they know the 1-2 combination at the top of the lineup is a problem, why haven't they put Walker and Barrett up there already instead of Neifi and Corey?

[brinoch]

I'd be curious to see if Mike Kiley, or his source, lurks on this board. A lot of those ideas have been floating around here for a good while. Nice to see, regardless, that there is some ink to them now.

[Tedward]

More speculation about Kotsay:

 

Kotsay Center of Trade Speculation

 

The Cubs are debating how hard to pursue Oakland Athletics center fielder Mark Kotsay. Trading for him might answer one question but raise others.

 

Kotsay, however, seems a more appealing possibility than Colorado's Preston Wilson, even if there are heavy financial considerations to weigh in Kotsay's case. He has a 2006 player option for $7.05 million.

 

But if Corey Patterson continues to struggle -- he went 0-for-10 with six strikeouts while leading off the last two days in Milwaukee -- the Cubs have no choice but to make a deal.

 

Kotsay would be the leadoff man the Cubs are missing. His .334 on-base percentage, just below his career mark of .343, could help set the table for the middle of the lineup. His 24 walks and 26 strikeouts make him the kind of contact hitter the Cubs need.

 

Here's what is being said internally --and very quietly -- around the Cubs: Can you imagine how many RBI Derrek Lee would have with the proper 1-2 combination at the top of the lineup?

 

If they know the 1-2 combination at the top of the lineup is a problem, why haven't they put Walker and Barrett up there already instead of Neifi and Corey?

 

FWIW, and probably not much....ESPN Insider Jerry Crasnick just posted in his on-line chat that he believes Kotsay will sign an extension prior to the trade deadline that will keep him in Oakland.

 

...And, he said that he's heard that Hendry is a huge Austin Kearns fan.

[E.J.]

I'd be curious to see if Mike Kiley, or his source, lurks on this board. A lot of those ideas have been floating around here for a good while. Nice to see, regardless, that there is some ink to them now.

 

That's so funny you said that. Bruce Miles has an article up today that talks about Mench from the Rangers and how he'd be a good fit for the Cubs, and how the Rangers need pitching desperately. I know he's a member here. I think he's been doing some research on this website. :D

 

More power to him. :D

 

Here's the article:

 

The Name Game

 

You’ve read and you’re going to read about all kinds of names as the Cubs look to upgrade their outfield.

 

Among them are Oakland’s Mark Kotsay, Colorado’s Preston Wilson, Detroit’s Rondell White, Texas’ Kevin Mench, San Francisco’s Moises Alou, Tampa Bay’s Aubrey Huff and Cincinnati’s Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns.

 

Mench is an interesting name, and one to watch. The Rangers need pitching, and the Cubs have it to offer.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Way to spread the word Bruce!

 

If you say it enough times, does it make it real?

[brinoch]

Yes, Bruce is definitely a member; he's also the best Cubs beat reporter, in my opinion. His chats have been great -- and he posts when he has time. I'd say he needs to post more often, but then there would be fewer articles and less research.

[brinoch]

Way to spread the word Bruce!

 

If you say it enough times, does it make it real?

 

It worked in the Wizard of Oz...

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Way to spread the word Bruce!

 

If you say it enough times, does it make it real?

 

It worked in the Wizard of Oz...

 

So does that make Hart the wicked witch?

 

[obligatory Macias reference]Macias is probably Toto.[/obligatory Macias reference]

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Yes, Bruce is definitely a member; he's also the best Cubs beat reporter, in my opinion. His chats have been great -- and he posts when he has time. I'd say he needs to post more often, but then there would be fewer articles and less research.

 

I also think Bruce is the most reliable of the beat writers as well. When he says something, you can usually take it to the bank.

[cobweb]

Mark Kotsay could look very well in cub blue. send patterson and what ever else the want at this point they could get surge and patterson. but kosay wants more money thats why he is on the market,

[andrew9991]

In his most recent article on ESPN, Peter Gammons says:

 

Beane will trade Mark Kotsay to the Cubs or the Yankees in the right deal if a contract extension doesn't get done with Kotsay; Nick Swisher could play center field, Daric Barton (batting .470 since May 1 in the Class A California League at age 19) has convinced the A's people he can play the outfield, this year's No. 1 pick Cliff Pennington, a shortstop, is going to come fast and Andre Ethier could be in the Oakland outfield by midseason 2006. Two prime prospects might give Oakland another five-year run, especially if left-handed pitcher Dan Meyer's shoulder comes around.

[goonys evil twin]

I just thought it would be nice to point out here that the Yankees are starting Matsui, Womack and Sierra in the OF right now. They're desperate out there. They might not have what the Cubs have, but they might be more willing to trade what they do have.

[badger1679666666]

I just thought it would be nice to point out here that the Yankees are starting Matsui, Womack and Sierra in the OF right now. They're desperate out there. They might not have what the Cubs have, but they might be more willing to trade what they do have.

 

But I really want him.

 

:(

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I just thought it would be nice to point out here that the Yankees are starting Matsui, Womack and Sierra in the OF right now. They're desperate out there. They might not have what the Cubs have, but they might be more willing to trade what they do have.

 

We're starting Hollandsworth, Patterson, Burnitz. We should be desperate too.

[USSoccer]

I just thought it would be nice to point out here that the Yankees are starting Matsui, Womack and Sierra in the OF right now. They're desperate out there. They might not have what the Cubs have, but they might be more willing to trade what they do have.

 

We're starting Hollandsworth, Patterson, Burnitz. We should be desperate too.

 

Do we have anyone who Beane would covet, given his track record, needs, and preferences?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I just thought it would be nice to point out here that the Yankees are starting Matsui, Womack and Sierra in the OF right now. They're desperate out there. They might not have what the Cubs have, but they might be more willing to trade what they do have.

 

We're starting Hollandsworth, Patterson, Burnitz. We should be desperate too.

 

Do we have anyone who Beane would covet, given his track record, needs, and preferences?

 

Murton?