Hairston Jr. on the block?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I'm not against the idea of trading Hairston. I'm not dying to ship him out, but if some team overvalues him, then go for it. He really isn't a long term option at any OF position IMO, and Walker/Fontenot's presence makes him expendable at 2B. That said, I will be very upset if I see Pie in Chicago this year. However, the dropoff in production from Hairston to Greenberg or revamped Patterson might be worth it to upgrade at corner OF. Of course, the scenario of a team with a quality corner OF to spare that overvalues Hairston is pretty slim, and he's not a burden by any means, so that's why you shouldn't actively shop him.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I'm going to go on record right now and say that if the Cubs bring up Pie I'm going to be pretty upset. I guess they haven't learned enough with the whole Cpatt fiasco.

 

As for Hairston, it only makes sense that this organization would get rid of one of it's best OBP guys. It's pretty obvious that this team doesn't value OBP what-so-ever. :wall:

 

Yeah, leave him down for this year, maybe make him a September callup, but not before. Invite him to ST, let him try to earn his spot on the roster for next year. You don't want to stump his development, as who knows if Dusty would play him? Would he play center?

 

Pulling players up from AA doesnt bother me as much as some. Because, Sometimes it works. (See: Miguel Cabrera, Dontrelle Willis) But, It shouldnt become a practice. I think Pie may be the type of guy you might be able to do that with, pull him up early that is. I think if it helps the team (as i do not see htis year as a lost cause) we might want to think about it. Might.

 

And I think he would probably play center. It seems to me that dusty doesnt like Hairston. I could see him playing Pie over Hairston. Just my opinion.

 

Felix doesn't have the plate discipline/strike zone judgement of Cabrera. When Corey Patterson was called up from AA, he probably had a better grasp of the strike zone than Felix does now. Add to that that Felix isn't that great on the base paths and he still has other things to work on.

 

It's one thing to call up a Matt Murton from AA, he really didn't need much more time. But Felix could use a year more in the minors. This would be a really short-sighted decision on the Cubs part.

[HoopsCubs]

I'm not against the idea of trading Hairston. I'm not dying to ship him out, but if some team overvalues him, then go for it. He really isn't a long term option at any OF position IMO, and Walker/Fontenot's presence makes him expendable at 2B. That said, I will be very upset if I see Pie in Chicago this year. However, the dropoff in production from Hairston to Greenberg or revamped Patterson might be worth it to upgrade at corner OF. Of course, the scenario of a team with a quality corner OF to spare that overvalues Hairston is pretty slim, and he's not a burden by any means, so that's why you shouldn't actively shop him.

 

The question of trading Hairston should be one of timing. If Jim Hendry thinks the Cubs have a run in them to get back into the wild card lead, then trading Hairston now would be silly. He's been one of the biggest reasons why the Cubs swept the Marlins. The other thing to keep in mind is that we don't know if Todd Walker is coming back in 2006, and we don't know if Fontenot/Lewis are going to be any good on an everyday basis in 2006. Therefore, I submit that until the Todd Walker contract for 2006 situation is resolved one way or another, Hairston goes nowhere.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I'm not against the idea of trading Hairston. I'm not dying to ship him out, but if some team overvalues him, then go for it. He really isn't a long term option at any OF position IMO, and Walker/Fontenot's presence makes him expendable at 2B. That said, I will be very upset if I see Pie in Chicago this year. However, the dropoff in production from Hairston to Greenberg or revamped Patterson might be worth it to upgrade at corner OF. Of course, the scenario of a team with a quality corner OF to spare that overvalues Hairston is pretty slim, and he's not a burden by any means, so that's why you shouldn't actively shop him.

 

The question of trading Hairston should be one of timing. If Jim Hendry thinks the Cubs have a run in them to get back into the wild card lead, then trading Hairston now would be silly. He's been one of the biggest reasons why the Cubs swept the Marlins. The other thing to keep in mind is that we don't know if Todd Walker is coming back in 2006, and we don't know if Fontenot/Lewis are going to be any good on an everyday basis in 2006. Therefore, I submit that until the Todd Walker contract for 2006 situation is resolved one way or another, Hairston goes nowhere.

 

That's reasonable Hoops, I just have a lower opinion of Hairston than others. With his baserunning, his OBP is decidedly mediocre, and even then his OBP is a little high because of HBP. His lack of power in addition to this means that he's no better than a utility guy to me.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I think that Hairston is in CF on a trial basis. If he proves he can handle it, he'll stay. If not, I'm sure feelers are being put out there to see who would have interest in him if we were inclined to move him.

 

I just wonder...did he have the same base running gaffes in Baltimore?

[burnt out cubbie fan]

I just wonder...did he have the same base running gaffes in Baltimore?

Granted, this isn't the best way to judge it but his ESPN scouting report said this:

Baserunning & Defense

Hairston is still a threat to steal when he's on base. He uses a quick first step, rather than above-average speed, to steal bases. He scores from second on hits to right field and gap hits to left-center. Hairston is one of the best on the Baltimore roster at going from first to third.

If he can stay healthy in 2005, Hairston should remain a solid top-of-the-order hitter and basestealer.

 

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