Gammons on ESPNEWS

[hawkeyecub]

I got home early today and just happened to flip over to The Hot List on ESPN News. They're currently having a discussion with Gammons and Stark about random baseball items.

 

They were discussing the play Kotsay made last night and then the possibility of him being moved. He said Beane is talking to his agent about locking him up, but right now the Cubs are the team that he's been talking to. They haven't been able to make anything work yet, but he thought that was the place that made the most sense, not the Yankees.

 

But then he followed that up by saying that if Felix Pie hadn't gotten injured a couple weeks ago, he would have been called up already and would be hitting leadoff for us.

 

Again this tells us that the Cubs are dying for a top of the order outfielder. I think if we see a trade, it's going to be for a Kotsay or Lawton rather than a slugger who gets on base.

[goonys evil twin]

But then he followed that up by saying that if Felix Pie hadn't gotten injured a couple weeks ago, he would have been called up already and would be hitting leadoff for us.

 

I doubt that.

 

Peter plays close attention to the minor leagues and knows most teams' best prospects. He wrote about Pie and Murton a few times earlier this season. And if he was a GM I think he'd be very much willing to callup top prospects to fill needs. But I don't think the Cubs would have done that.

[Iceblink]

I got home early today and just happened to flip over to The Hot List on ESPN News. They're currently having a discussion with Gammons and Stark about random baseball items.

 

They were discussing the play Kotsay made last night and then the possibility of him being moved. He said Beane is talking to his agent about locking him up, but right now the Cubs are the team that he's been talking to. They haven't been able to make anything work yet, but he thought that was the place that made the most sense, not the Yankees.

 

But then he followed that up by saying that if Felix Pie hadn't gotten injured a couple weeks ago, he would have been called up already and would be hitting leadoff for us.

 

I kind of expect anything with Kotsay to drag a little bit - at least through the break. We can outbid the Yankees in terms of prospects, but we wouldn't necessarily need to add Kotsay if we're selling.

 

The last part sounds like a guess from Gammons. I don't think anyone considers Pie ready to hit leadoff in the majors. Of course, you could say the same about the guys who usually hit leadoff for us now.

[hawkeyecub]

But then he followed that up by saying that if Felix Pie hadn't gotten injured a couple weeks ago, he would have been called up already and would be hitting leadoff for us.

 

I doubt that.

 

Peter plays close attention to the minor leagues and knows most teams' best prospects. He wrote about Pie and Murton a few times earlier this season. And if he was a GM I think he'd be very much willing to callup top prospects to fill needs. But I don't think the Cubs would have done that.

 

That could be the case. He said it very definitively though, like he had gotten that impression from someone with the Cubs, rather than just what he thought they should do or what he would do.

 

He may have been off, it just didn't sound like speculation.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

But then he followed that up by saying that if Felix Pie hadn't gotten injured a couple weeks ago, he would have been called up already and would be hitting leadoff for us.

 

I doubt that.

 

Peter plays close attention to the minor leagues and knows most teams' best prospects. He wrote about Pie and Murton a few times earlier this season. And if he was a GM I think he'd be very much willing to callup top prospects to fill needs. But I don't think the Cubs would have done that.

 

Agreed. Peter Gammons knows his prospects alright, I just question his sources on this one. I doubt the Cubs would add Felix to the 40-man and call him unless it's September.

[CUBZ99]

But then he followed that up by saying that if Felix Pie hadn't gotten injured a couple weeks ago, he would have been called up already and would be hitting leadoff for us.

 

I doubt that.

 

Peter plays close attention to the minor leagues and knows most teams' best prospects. He wrote about Pie and Murton a few times earlier this season. And if he was a GM I think he'd be very much willing to callup top prospects to fill needs. But I don't think the Cubs would have done that.

 

Agreed. Peter Gammons knows his prospects alright, I just question his sources on this one. I doubt the Cubs would add Felix to the 40-man and call him unless it's September.

 

There has been enough reported "speculation" that Pie or Murton may be called up, beside Gammons, to believe that it may have been possible. It may still be possible that Murton will be called up before Sept.

[GaborBako]

For what it's worth, after waiving Enrique and Joe, the Cubs have open spots on the 40-man roster (three actually), and while Williamson and Nomar will hopefully come off the 60 day DL this season, they can call up at least one prospect without having to "clear" a spot on the 40 man.

 

Unless Chad Fox miraculously grows back an elbow ligament.

[ZZ Thorn]

Even if we keep CP, Kotsay would be about as good an addition as we can reasonably make. He'd be a real leadoff hitter at least - he could even be a very good one like he was last year.

 

His career averages of .283/.343/.423, which is about what he's doing this year (which classifies as minor decrease from what was expected) and his BB/K rates are good, but for us they'd be a big upgrade. Kotsay is signed thru 2006, so he could hold down the leadoff spot until Felix Pie is ready. He's not cheap - making $6.5 mil, but at least he'd be a real leadoff hitter which is what this team has friggin needed for years.

 

His line of .314/.370/.459 last year makes him pretty enticing. We could move CP to LF, where he'll be when Pie gets the CF job (if CP is still around) and we'd have a great OF defensively, as Kotsay is excellent.

 

If we get Kotsay I'd be very satisfied. He's not the greatest leadoff hitter, but he is bonafide and we need a bonafide leadoff hitter BIG TIME. Getting a real leadoff hitter sure would take a lot of pressure off CP I'd imagine. Dempster has solidified the troublesome closer spot, Kotsay would solidify the troublesome leadoff spot.

[HoopsCubs]

Even if we keep CP, Kotsay would be about as good an addition as we can reasonably make. He'd be a real leadoff hitter at least - he could even be a very good one like he was last year.

 

His career averages of .283/.343/.423, which is about what he's doing this year (which classifies as minor decrease from what was expected) and his BB/K rates are good, but for us they'd be a big upgrade. Kotsay is signed thru 2006, so he could hold down the leadoff spot until Felix Pie is ready. He's not cheap - making $6.5 mil, but at least he'd be a real leadoff hitter which is what this team has friggin needed for years.

 

His line of .314/.370/.459 last year makes him pretty enticing. We could move CP to LF, where he'll be when Pie gets the CF job (if CP is still around) and we'd have a great OF defensively, as Kotsay is excellent.

 

If we get Kotsay I'd be very satisfied. He's not the greatest leadoff hitter, but he is bonafide and we need a bonafide leadoff hitter BIG TIME. Getting a real leadoff hitter sure would take a lot of pressure off CP I'd imagine. Dempster has solidified the troublesome closer spot, Kotsay would solidify the troublesome leadoff spot.

 

I would argue that the Cubs must upgrade at least 2 of the following 3 positions, if not all 3: LF, CF and SS. A SS upgrade is almost impossible outside the organization. Our best hope there is that Dusty lets Cedeno play and/or Nomar comes back strong for the final 2 months. Both are improbable. In terms of what's available then, I would say priority has to be CF and LF. A Kotsay acquisition definitely addresses CF. But what to do in LF then? Murton might be the dark horse here. I still like the idea of getting Stairs.

[BigbadB]

If we get Kotsay I'd be very satisfied. He's not the greatest leadoff hitter, but he is bonafide and we need a bonafide leadoff hitter BIG TIME. Getting a real leadoff hitter sure would take a lot of pressure off CP I'd imagine. Dempster has solidified the troublesome closer spot, Kotsay would solidify the troublesome leadoff spot.

 

Mark Kotsay=Todd Walker

 

Todd Walker as a lead off hitter over the last 3 years (602 at bats)

 

.297/.353/.477/.830

97 runs scored/51 walks.

 

Mark Kotsay as a lead off hitter over the last 3 years (770 at bats)

.310/.363/.474/.837

99 runs scored/64 walks.

 

We have a guy just like Mark Kotsay in Todd Walker, and he's had a total of 2 at bats in the lead off spot this year. A quality lead off hitter is certainly a need. But, when the manager of the team can't recognize one when he's right in front of his face, what can you do?

 

I wouldn't trust Dusty to bat Kotsay lead off. One of either Kotsay or Walker will be batting 6th again while the other hits 2nd behind some scrub like Neifi Perez.

 

This is what I would do:

 

#1. Fire Dusty (Chris Speier as interim manager)

#2. Bat Walker lead off

#3. Bat Hairston 2nd as he switches between LF, CF and an occasional start to rest Burnitz in RF

#4. Look for a more permanent fixture for LF (preferably Adam Dunn)

#5. Cedeno plays everyday

#6. Send a pitcher down and promote Grieve

 

While Lee is hurt, Hollandsworth plays 1b while Hairston plays LF.

 

This gives the bench Hollandsworth or Patterson, Grieve, Dubois and Perez ahead of Neifi.

 

Line up while Lee is out:

 

Walker

Hairston

Ramirez

Burnitz

Hollandsworth

Cedeno

Patterson

Barrett

[oldcubsfan]

Ben Grieve? What's with all the love for this guy? He takes walks and not much more. We need pitching and not another soft hitter.

[treebird]

Ben Grieve? What's with all the love for this guy? He takes walks and not much more. We need pitching and not another soft hitter.

 

If soft hitter means guy who gets on base more than a third of the time, I have to disagree.

[oldcubsfan]

Ben Grieve? What's with all the love for this guy? He takes walks and not much more. We need pitching and not another soft hitter.

 

If soft hitter means guy who gets on base more than a third of the time, I have to disagree.

You counting walks not his hits. He is a very soft hitter. Let me ask you a simple question, if he is so good why haven't all the contenders tried to trade for him? The Cubs would gladly trade him. they aren't keeping him at Iowa for the future. People just don't consider him a major league hitter, not walker.

[rickrolled]

Ben Grieve? What's with all the love for this guy? He takes walks and not much more. We need pitching and not another soft hitter.

 

If soft hitter means guy who gets on base more than a third of the time, I have to disagree.

You counting walks not his hits. He is a very soft hitter. Let me ask you a simple question, if he is so good why haven't all the contenders tried to trade for him? The Cubs would gladly trade him. they aren't keeping him at Iowa for the future. People just don't consider him a major league hitter, not walker.

 

Dusty? Is that you?

[ltb]

Ben Grieve? What's with all the love for this guy? He takes walks and not much more. We need pitching and not another soft hitter.

 

If soft hitter means guy who gets on base more than a third of the time, I have to disagree.

You counting walks not his hits. He is a very soft hitter. Let me ask you a simple question, if he is so good why haven't all the contenders tried to trade for him? The Cubs would gladly trade him. they aren't keeping him at Iowa for the future. People just don't consider him a major league hitter, not walker.

 

yes, because walks are terrible. all they do is clog the bases. people who walk can't score runs.

[oldcubsfan]

Ben Grieve? What's with all the love for this guy? He takes walks and not much more. We need pitching and not another soft hitter.

 

If soft hitter means guy who gets on base more than a third of the time, I have to disagree.

You counting walks not his hits. He is a very soft hitter. Let me ask you a simple question, if he is so good why haven't all the contenders tried to trade for him? The Cubs would gladly trade him. they aren't keeping him at Iowa for the future. People just don't consider him a major league hitter, not walker.

 

yes, because walks are terrible. all they do is clog the bases. people who walk can't score runs.

For all you walk lovers, he plays a position that requires more than walks. He can't lead off, too slow. He doesn't knock in runs and he strikes out. Maybe for your team, but no other major league team seems to want him to play regularly for their team. He's not an improvement.

[Brian]

I'd rather him Pinch Hit with the bases loaded and 1 out than Jose Macias

[XZero771679666304]

I'd rather him Pinch Hit with the bases loaded and 1 out than Jose Macias

 

No kidding. Or Dubois, Barrett and Cedeno.

[radarluv1]

I'd rather him Pinch Hit with the bases loaded and 1 out than Jose Macias

 

its sad that we have to state what should be obvious to everyone. i havent been paying too much attention the last week or so. i assume dusty actually did this? i also assume a GIDP was the result. which game?

[oldcubsfan]

I'd rather him Pinch Hit with the bases loaded and 1 out than Jose Macias

Hoping for the walk? Best of luck. The called 3rd strike is more likely with him. Just someone tell me why EVERY OTHER TEAM INCLUDING THE A"s have passed on him? Please tell me. Do you really think Hendry is trying to hold up teams trying to get him?

[XZero771679666304]

I'd rather him Pinch Hit with the bases loaded and 1 out than Jose Macias

 

its sad that we have to state what should be obvious to everyone. i havent been paying too much attention the last week or so. i assume dusty actually did this? i also assume a GIDP was the result. which game?

 

Last night, and he struck out. With Dubois, Barrett and Cedeno sitting on the bench.

[BigbadB]

Ben Grieve? What's with all the love for this guy? He takes walks and not much more. We need pitching and not another soft hitter.

 

If soft hitter means guy who gets on base more than a third of the time, I have to disagree.

You counting walks not his hits. He is a very soft hitter. Let me ask you a simple question, if he is so good why haven't all the contenders tried to trade for him? The Cubs would gladly trade him. they aren't keeping him at Iowa for the future. People just don't consider him a major league hitter, not walker.

 

yes, because walks are terrible. all they do is clog the bases. people who walk can't score runs.

For all you walk lovers, he plays a position that requires more than walks. He can't lead off, too slow. He doesn't knock in runs and he strikes out. Maybe for your team, but no other major league team seems to want him to play regularly for their team. He's not an improvement.

 

If he were promoted, he wouldn't ever "play". He'd be pinch hitting when needed. Our bench is horrible. Why do you have such a problem with walks?

 

Have you ever noticed that just about every time one of our pitcher's walks someone, that runner comes around to score? It's a huge part of the game. Waiting around for a home run is exactly why this team has been horrible offensively these last few years.

[oldcubsfan]

Good grief, he isn't hitting minor league pitching, he's hitting a blazing .248 at AAA. Give it up, this guy is NOT a major league player.

[AI]

Good grief, he isn't hitting minor league pitching, he's hitting a blazing .248 at AAA. Give it up, this guy is NOT a major league player.

 

And Jose Macias and Enrique Wilson are/were?

[E.J.]

Good grief, he isn't hitting minor league pitching, he's hitting a blazing .248 at AAA. Give it up, this guy is NOT a major league player.

 

He has a .367 OBP with a .530 slugging %. He has 12 homeruns. I wouldn't call him a soft hitter. And we could use someone like this on the team. Seriously, walks are a good thing.