Mackowiak?

[AllStarMe]

What is the general opinion on Rob Mackowiak? Is he available, and if so what might we have to give up? I know he's not a true difference maker, but I think he could be an interesting option. He's versitle, seeing significant PT at 2B, 3B, and OF. His OBP is .360, He's got a little pop (8 HRs now, 17 last year). He's a Chicago native and grew up rooting for the Cubs, and from what I've witnessed he seems like a real gamer, strikes me as the "scrappy" type. He's only making 1.5M and has not hit too well of late, so maybe it wouldn't take much to get him.

I'll throw this out:

Hollandsworth + Rusch for Mackowiak + high level prospect

 

Mack could serve as backup if Murton struggles, or we could turn around and deal Walker or (less likely) Hairston for another need.

http://www.barstore.com/affiliatestore/media/cubs.jpg

[ManCrushOnNomar]

I'd take him and throw Jose Macias to the curb in a heartbeat.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

The Pirates are going to want young players in any trade that they make. I don't see them making that trade.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I remember him killing us in a double dip last year. Dump Macias and get him on board. Maybe Pitt would take Ben Grieve for him. :)

[AllStarMe]

Yeah, I too remember the reaming he dealt us, it was most unpleasant. So was DLee's hit in the NLCS and then we went and got him..

 

It's true the Pirates would be after younger players, so they probably wouldn't be interested in both Holla and Rusch. Maybe Holla and either Novoa/Koronka, or Kelton and Rusch? But yeah, I want Macias to take a one way flight via catapult. While Hairston is CF, Mack could take over as resident supersub.

[sporrer17]

I'd go give them someone like Richard Lewis and another midlevel pitcher. See if they bite...I don't know that they would. I'd certainly like to have someone like Mack on this team.

[davecubsfan]

Rob is a "Cub Killah", and it would be worth a marginal prospect or a decent one if not for the sake of keeping him from killing us in the future IMO.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Macowiak isn't expensive, so unless we give a very good young player, someone please tell me the Pirates incentive to trade him.

[Dirt Dog Sparly]

I have done Macs Laundry when he was in AAA and can say that he is a genuine throwback baseball guy.

 

I like this idea, replacing Macias on the roster with Mac. Mac can do everything Macias can and IMO is better doing it.

 

I know it will never happen until some folks are gone, but a nice idea none the less.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

Macowiak isn't expensive, so unless we give a very good young player, someone please tell me the Pirates incentive to trade him.

They feel they need to trade another player to us and get close to nothing back?

[Dirt Dog Sparly]

Mac is a super sub type of guy. Can play everyday and play several positions while doing it. That means his value to the Pirates is not equal to his value to the Cubs. What it would take to get Mac from Pitt isnt worth the price we would have to pay for what we would use him for.

[HoopsCubs]

Macowiak isn't expensive, so unless we give a very good young player, someone please tell me the Pirates incentive to trade him.

 

Their incentive is that they are a low budget team with tons of financial decisions to make this offseason.

 

Even though Lawton is a free agent, they still owe money to Cleveland to pay for Arthur Rhodes.

 

They owe raises to Jack Wilson and Solomon Torres.

 

They have to decide whether to pick up Jose Mesa's option, or not.

 

They have to decide whether to trade Mark Redman, or let him pick up his player option.

 

And, they have a bunch of arbitration eligible guys in the Winter that they have to make decisions on: Kip Wells, Josh Fogg, Craig Wilson, Oliver Perez, Ty Wigginton, Davis Ross and Mackowiak.