Cubs acquire Jody Gerut from Cleveland for Jason Dubois

[Fanzones trumpet]

It's not a pointless move; it's a very good move because it strengthens the bench significantly--particularly defensively, even if Gerut doesn't "break out" into an every day player. I feel compelled to point out that your track record on assessing trades isn't spotless. i remember you and I arguing about Ramirez at the time of the trade (you hated it). If I remember correctly, you also weren't high on the Lee trade. and I 'm pretty sure you're gonna have to eat crow on Jerome Williams too.

 

I never hated the Ramirez trade, and I didn't bad mouth the Williams acquisition.

 

I did question the Ramirez deal because I was hoping they'd lose somebody other than Hill. My big beef with the Ramirez deal was that he still needed to prove himself before everybody praised him. I was always intrigued by his ability and upside, and made a point to praise Hendry for at least going after a guy who had a chance to be a true impact player, and not the typical Cubs mediocre 32 year old. I don't have to eat crow on Williams. I said he hasn't impressed me much. He never has. I didn't predict doom and gloom with the guy. And remember, he's still got an ERA over 4 as a Cub and over 5 on the season. He's not lighting the world on fire.

 

I'm also not badmouthing this deal, I just don't think it's all that great. But if it leads to something else, cool.

 

Why don't you worry about your own opinions and stop trying to pick a fight with me? I've been wrong about many things, and I don't have a problem admitting it. But the fact remains, the Cubs have been nothing more than an 88 and 89 win team the past two years with a payroll at or near the top of the league, and they are barely on pace to win 83 games this year. Obviously the Cubs front office is not beyond questioning. If you're a Cubs fan I'd be a little more concerned with their track record than mine.

 

I'm not trying to pick a fight with you, just pointing out that you've been very wrong before. (I think you were more negative on Ramirez, particularly with regard to his salary, and thought his 2001 season was a fluke) And worrying about others' opinions is what a message board is all about. The Cubs' front office is certainly not beyond questioning. But I believe that Hendry's track record in judging talent merits more respect that what you have given him. There are plenty of teams who have won less than 88-89 games with large payrolls. and it's a pretty safe bet right now that they're gonna win more than 83 games this year.

[ManCrushOnNomar]

On the Score last night they seemed pretty sure that Gerut would start almost every day in left field immediately, pushing Murton to the bench.

 

This can't be right is it? Would Dusty (as big a R/L split guy he is, rooted in stats or not) let him play every day against left handed pitching and batt .200?

 

There has to be another move coming.

[umpunk]

I'm sure this has been discussed, but he seems to be the same type of player Grieve is. It's not that I'm against the deal, Dubois is better off in the American League and Gerut, at worst, is a decent bench player. Still, if the team was looking to find a left handed bat to challenge Hollandsworth, why not give Grieve the shot first?

[USSoccer]

I'm sure this has been discussed, but he seems to be the same type of player Grieve is. It's not that I'm against the deal, Dubois is better off in the American League and Gerut, at worst, is a decent bench player. Still, if the team was looking to find a left handed bat to challenge Hollandsworth, why not give Grieve the shot first?

 

We did dicuss it, and i think the general feeling is that the club doesn't think much of Grieve.

 

Gerut and Grieve are very similar, though.

 

BTW, any news on a 25 man move to clear room for Gerut??

[E.J.]

I'm sure this has been discussed, but he seems to be the same type of player Grieve is. It's not that I'm against the deal, Dubois is better off in the American League and Gerut, at worst, is a decent bench player. Still, if the team was looking to find a left handed bat to challenge Hollandsworth, why not give Grieve the shot first?

 

Because Grieve might possibly be the one person who is worse in the field than Dubois. He's got no mobility what-so-ever.

[LoneStarCubFan]

On the Score last night they seemed pretty sure that Gerut would start almost every day in left field immediately, pushing Murton to the bench.

 

This can't be right is it? Would Dusty (as big a R/L split guy he is, rooted in stats or not) let him play every day against left handed pitching and batt .200?

 

There has to be another move coming.

 

The guys on the Score are idiots. My guess is that Gerut is the LH half of the platoon now and Holly is the first LH bat off the bench. It also means Murton is probably the first RH bat of the bench on days he doesn't start.

 

As somebody said, Less Macias is a good thing.

[LoneStarCubFan]

I'm sure this has been discussed, but he seems to be the same type of player Grieve is. It's not that I'm against the deal, Dubois is better off in the American League and Gerut, at worst, is a decent bench player. Still, if the team was looking to find a left handed bat to challenge Hollandsworth, why not give Grieve the shot first?

 

We did dicuss it, and i think the general feeling is that the club doesn't think much of Grieve.

 

Gerut and Grieve are very similar, though.

 

BTW, any news on a 25 man move to clear room for Gerut??

 

One of the papers said either Mitre or Grieve. But I see no reason to keep Grieve around so it'll probably be him.

[GaborBako]

 

His OBP in June was .333 and July .305, he has been getting progressively worse as the season goes on.

 

Just a thought, it is possible that the recent surge in offense is due to moving Todd Walker to the number 2 spot, and have nothing to do with Hairston.

 

Even his July .305 OBP, as bad as that is, is better than what the Cubs were getting out of Corey.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I'm sure this has been discussed, but he seems to be the same type of player Grieve is. It's not that I'm against the deal, Dubois is better off in the American League and Gerut, at worst, is a decent bench player. Still, if the team was looking to find a left handed bat to challenge Hollandsworth, why not give Grieve the shot first?

 

We did dicuss it, and i think the general feeling is that the club doesn't think much of Grieve.

 

Gerut and Grieve are very similar, though.

 

BTW, any news on a 25 man move to clear room for Gerut??

 

One of the papers said either Mitre or Grieve. But I see no reason to keep Grieve around so it'll probably be him.

 

Conversely, what reason is there to keep Mitre around? I'd really like to see the pen go down to 6.

[Guest]

It seems like some of you are happy trading Dubois for what some of you call a move to solidify our bench. If that's the case this trade is ridiculous. I'm holding hope that this is a trade to get us Huff or Dunn. I can live with Gerut in LF but he is not 100% healthy yet and we all know the crap lineups Dusty will have out in LF now.

 

Gerut instead of Hollandsworth? How is that crap?

 

If absolutely nothing else, this gives Dusty one less excuse to send Macias out on the field...a net improvment in my book.

It seems someone says that after every Cubs acquisition, yet Dusty still finds a few too many ways to plug Jose into a lineup.

[umpunk]

Macias isn't going anywhere - can play to many positions (none well, but still....).

[LoneStarCubFan]

I'm sure this has been discussed, but he seems to be the same type of player Grieve is. It's not that I'm against the deal, Dubois is better off in the American League and Gerut, at worst, is a decent bench player. Still, if the team was looking to find a left handed bat to challenge Hollandsworth, why not give Grieve the shot first?

 

We did dicuss it, and i think the general feeling is that the club doesn't think much of Grieve.

 

Gerut and Grieve are very similar, though.

 

BTW, any news on a 25 man move to clear room for Gerut??

 

One of the papers said either Mitre or Grieve. But I see no reason to keep Grieve around so it'll probably be him.

 

Conversely, what reason is there to keep Mitre around? I'd really like to see the pen go down to 6.

 

Because there's no reason to keep Grieve with Holly and Gerut on the roster? Or they could send Mitre AND Grieve down and bring up a RH bat.

[Wheelimus]

Honestly, I hope they keep Grieve and send down a pitcher. Just be honest with Ben and say "we need you to become a PH specialist". The man will get his butt on base at a .350 clip. You don't send that to AAA...

 

Gerut and Hairston's versatility are key here. With Gerut on the team, Jose Macias should never, EVER, get another start. NEVER. Oh, he still will, he just SHOULDN'T. Need to spell an infielder? Hairston can play 2B to rest Walker, play 2B and shift Todd to 1st to rest DLee, of course, to "rest" Neifi (and he should be "resting" by sitting his butt on the bench but that's another thread) you start Ronny. Only position that (thus far) can't be spelled by using JHJ in the equation is 3rd.

 

All in all, regardless, I think I'm going to love this trade. Gerut was hurt during the years he should have broke out. He's not old, so there's no reason he can't rekindle his rookie year. If he can, that'll look damn good down in the order. His minor league numbers and splits seem to indicate that he can be a damn good OBP guy. Just never, EVER, start him against a lefty.

 

And if he's spun (or causes someone else to be spun) in a deal for an impact bat, then I'm all the more for it.

[dalgreen]

I'm sure this has been discussed, but he seems to be the same type of player Grieve is. It's not that I'm against the deal, Dubois is better off in the American League and Gerut, at worst, is a decent bench player. Still, if the team was looking to find a left handed bat to challenge Hollandsworth, why not give Grieve the shot first?

 

We did dicuss it, and i think the general feeling is that the club doesn't think much of Grieve.

 

Gerut and Grieve are very similar, though.

 

BTW, any news on a 25 man move to clear room for Gerut??

 

One of the papers said either Mitre or Grieve. But I see no reason to keep Grieve around so it'll probably be him.

 

Although he's only had 14 at-bats, I'll gladly keep Grieve and his .500 OBP for the bench.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I'm sure this has been discussed, but he seems to be the same type of player Grieve is. It's not that I'm against the deal, Dubois is better off in the American League and Gerut, at worst, is a decent bench player. Still, if the team was looking to find a left handed bat to challenge Hollandsworth, why not give Grieve the shot first?

 

We did dicuss it, and i think the general feeling is that the club doesn't think much of Grieve.

 

Gerut and Grieve are very similar, though.

 

BTW, any news on a 25 man move to clear room for Gerut??

 

One of the papers said either Mitre or Grieve. But I see no reason to keep Grieve around so it'll probably be him.

 

Conversely, what reason is there to keep Mitre around? I'd really like to see the pen go down to 6.

 

Because there's no reason to keep Grieve with Holly and Gerut on the roster? Or they could send Mitre AND Grieve down and bring up a RH bat.

 

I see what you're saying, but I'd rather have the right number of bench players before worrying about what to do with the extra spot. What RH bat did you have in mind?

[Hacking Out Machine]

On the Score last night they seemed pretty sure that Gerut would start almost every day in left field immediately, pushing Murton to the bench.

 

This can't be right is it? Would Dusty (as big a R/L split guy he is, rooted in stats or not) let him play every day against left handed pitching and batt .200?

 

There has to be another move coming.

 

The Score are a bunch of morons. I think it's obvious that Gerut will be playing CF against right handers. If this is the case, he's an upgrade over Hairston, at least against righties. The Cubs have all but come out and say that they despise Hairston, so they figured out a way to get him more time on the pine. Gerut is the anti-Hairston(in the Cubs eyes) as he is a heady, intelligent guy. It simply doesn't make logical sense to acquire Gerut if your intention is to throw him into the mix in left field, especially when he'd be an upgrade in center part of the time. He hasn't played a lot of center, but he definitely won't be a defensive downgrade compared to Hairston.

 

Also, even Dusty isn't dumb enough to play Gerut every day against lefties. Murton and Hollandsworth both are better options. Hollandsworth actually has done ok against them this year, and Murton has done nothing to suggest he can't do well against them as well.

[LoneStarCubFan]

 

I see what you're saying, but I'd rather have the right number of bench players before worrying about what to do with the extra spot. What RH bat did you have in mind?

 

Nobody in particular. Just looked at the I-Cubs stats and the most likely guys would be Kelton, Calvin Murray and Scott McClain.

 

The more I look at this, the more I think Hairston's gone soon. Walker slides up to No. 1 and Nomar hits No. 2 when he comes back with Gerut hitting there until then.

[Roast]

Ok, Indians fan here. I can't believe this really is real, Gerut has killed himself in the majors. After his great rookie season, he changed his swing, and he drops his had when he swings. He can't get his bat to get into the zone soon enough, so he either slaps it to left, or will strike out, or will GIDP. On the other side, Gerut is one of the best fielders I've ever seen, and also has a GREAT arm. He can play any OF spot and can field it almost at gold glover level. The only problem he had when he was with the Indians is that "Golden Boy" Casey Blake was infront of him in the Depth Chart. He, for some reason, lost favor with Eric Wedge as well, though no one knew why. All in all, he is a very good 4th outfielder, but a below average everyday player. Just my $0.02

 

WELCOME!!

 

Your response got kinda burried in all the biccering.

[BigbadB]

I think a bigger deal is forthcoming, but I think it was a good trade. Gerut seems like a guy who won't cost a small market team a whole lot of money (Reds?). The Reds appear to be in trade mode. Dunn, Kearns, Casey, Griffey, Aurilia and Randa could all be packaged for pitching and young talent.

 

Even if Gerut stays with the Cubs, I think he offers decent power and a good OBP, things this Cub team needs to focus more of their energy on.

 

Past Hendry trades convince me to not be so quick to judge. With time still left before the deadline, I'm convinced this isn't the last move to be made this year.

 

Rotoworld just mentioned that Scott Williamson is only 2 weeks away from returning, possibly sooner. If we can just get Nomar back soon, this Cubs team will be a very big offensive threat.

[Roast]

Gerut seems like a guy who won't cost a small market team a whole lot of money (Reds?).

 

 

Thats right, bbb. Come join vance and I in our evil plan involving dunn becomeing a cub.... :lol:

[JeffH]

My guess is that Gerut is the LH half of the platoon now and Holly is the first LH bat off the bench.

 

Hollandsworth in June: .360/.372/.547/.918

 

Hollandsworth so far in July: .306/.366/.528/.894

 

Nope. Gerut takes his rightful place as a part-time starter in CF and the primary LH PH.

[Coach C]

Still no reports of who's gonna be gone? (Meaning that we have 26 players on the 25 man roster)

[Roast]

Still no reports of who's gonna be gone? (Meaning that we have 26 players on the 25 man roster)

 

Probably Murton :cry:

 

Unless hendry swings a deal before gametime....

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Either Gerut has lost power (decline in SLG from rookie year) or he is retooling his game. His BB/K has completely turned around and his average is back up. He gets on base more than during his rookie year. If his power comes back, we're going to have a better than decent player.

 

i'd kind of like to see him play rather than trading him for Dunn/Kearns/whoever. that seems farfetched to me. teams make all sorts of low level trades like this and fans get all bent out of shape that it wasn't a big splash or the precursor to a big splash.

 

there isn't a limit on the number of trades you can make...as far as i know anyway. :wink:

[BigbadB]

Gerut seems like a guy who won't cost a small market team a whole lot of money (Reds?).

 

 

Thats right, bbb. Come join vance and I in our evil plan involving dunn becomeing a cub.... :lol:

 

I think we can offer an extremely impressive package for one, Mr. Adam Dunn. I think a trade for Dunn and the return of Nomar gives us the firepower to make the playoffs.

 

What an impressive line up this would be:

 

Hairston

Walker

Lee

Dunn

Ramirez

Nomar

Burnitz

Barrett

 

I'll continue to hold out hope that Hendry is lining up an attractive offer for Dunn.