Cubs acquire Jody Gerut from Cleveland for Jason Dubois

[dalgreen]

I don't see how this was a bad trade unless you just loved Dubois. As was said a lot last year and this year, Dubois seems like a great DH fit. I especially will like the deal if it means we'll get back to an 11-man pitching staff.

[CUBZ99]

I don't see how this was a bad trade unless you just loved Dubois. As was said a lot last year and this year, Dubois seems like a great DH fit. I especially will like the deal if it means we'll get back to an 11-man pitching staff.

 

I agree, I just don't see how a left handed hitting backup OF who can play all positions and get on base is a bad thing. This move Macias back on the depth chart and we should be seeing less of him PHing in late game situtations.

[katway]

Some Gerut info (not entirely current):

 

As a Stanford history major in 1999, Jody Gerut produced a 20-page senior paper that examined the intricacies of patent law in the Soviet Union. As bright a ballplayer as he was an academic, Gerut determined three years later that his career would stagnate in the minor leagues unless he reinvented himself as a power hitter. "It was what I believed I needed to do to turn heads," says Gerut, who popped 22 home runs and had a .494 slugging percentage in 480 at bats as a rookie last season. "I had been satisfied with my seasons up to that point [.291 career batting average and a season-best 11 homers in three minor league seasons through 2002], but they weren't getting me anywhere. I came to the point of saying, 'O.K., you want home runs? Here are home runs.'"

 

In the Indian's stripped-down lineup -- five regulars began last season with less than 50 games each of big-league experience -- Gerut emerged as the big bopper, testament to both the success of his metamorphosis and the shortage of power around him. Avoiding the division cellar thanks to hapless Detroit, the Indians lost 94 games and finished 13th in the AL in runs per game (4.31), slugging percentage (.401) and total bases.

 

Gerut, however, was a smash, leading the club in home runs and extra-base hits and finishing fourth in AL Rookie of the Year voting. "We don't have a prototypical third or fourth hitter, and as a corner outfielder, you have to be a run producer," says general manager Mark Shapiro. "Jody's smart enough to realize it's all trade-offs -- trade off some on-base for some power, and drive the ball a little bit. He's never going to be a pure 50-home-run hitter, but he's the whole package: makeup, character, work ethic, good defense."

 

A second-round draft pick in 1998, Gerut played to Stanford type: He was defensively sound, hit selectively and for average, struck out infrequently and delivered the occasional blast as a bonus. He enjoyed his best minor league season in 2002, batting .322 after a midseason promotion to Triple A Buffalo, but homered only once in 55 games. Postseason conversations with Shapiro and Indians brass left him convinced that he needed to beef up his output. "It was difficult," he says, "because I liked the player I was."

 

Gerut returned to his off-season home in Arizona and began working out with Jay Schroeder -- "He's like the Rocky trainer, in a little room at Gold's Gym," Gerut says -- whose unconventional techniques focus on force absorption and include, for example, a bench-press drill in which you let go of the weight at the top of the press, then drop your hands fast enough to catch it.

 

While Schroeder helped him add muscle mass, Gerut helped himself by studying videotapes of the game's best power hitters, such as Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols and Eric Chavez. The common denominator that he detected? "They were making educated guesses, because they looked bad almost as much as they looked good," Gerut says. "Even Barry, who's the greatest in the game at being patient and having strike-zone command, looks dumb sometimes. You can tell they have an idea of a pitch they want; they go with it, and they live with it if they're wrong."

 

Although his walk-to-strikeout ratio inverted as he whiffed more than ever, Gerut became the long-ball threat that Cleveland's lineup craved.

----

 

Seems like a smart kid who knows how to play the game and adjust. I think he'll make a fine addition to the team.

[MembersOnlyJacket]

I don't see how this was a bad trade unless you just loved Dubois. As was said a lot last year and this year, Dubois seems like a great DH fit. I especially will like the deal if it means we'll get back to an 11-man pitching staff.

 

The Cubs are in game five of a stretch in which they play 34 games in 35 days. Based on past history, it would be a surprise to see them drop to 11 pitchers at this point. Then again, nothing should be a surprise with this organization.

[neely crenshaw]

just wondering what we could have gotten for dubois last year or in the offseason? i'm sure it would have been a lot more than someone else's retread outfielder.

we have all these great prospects that we continue to hang on too until we(and everyone else) know they aren't that good, then trade them to get soemthing...well exactly what could we have gotten for corey,dubois,kelton or mitre the last year and a half? pretty much anything we wanted or needed! now we are happy to get a bucket of balls and a few jockstraps

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

I'm surprised that no one commented on the fact that Gerut wore the same number for the Indians that Blanco gave up (#9). We could have seen this move coming. :wink:

 

 

But anyway, I'm going to reserve judgement on this trade until I see Gerut get at least 100 ABs under his belt as a Cub (if he does stay here instead of being shipped off in another trade). It seems to be a trading of skill sets. Dubois's power for Gerut's plate discipline and fielding.

 

There are some highlight videos of Gerut on cubs.com if you guys are interested (diving catches, etc).

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/team/player.jsp?player_id=425506

Edited July 19, 2005 by Meat&PotatoesMan

[RynoRules]

I don't see how this was a bad trade unless you just loved Dubois. As was said a lot last year and this year, Dubois seems like a great DH fit. I especially will like the deal if it means we'll get back to an 11-man pitching staff.

 

I agree, I just don't see how a left handed hitting backup OF who can play all positions and get on base is a bad thing. This move Macias back on the depth chart and we should be seeing less of him PHing in late game situtations.

 

Here, here. This is a win-win. Dubois, though we all like the guy, is a butcher in left didn't show the sort of patience I thought he would when he was up here. He might be a classic "AAAA" player. Gerut has shown he can do it on the big league level, even if it was two years ago.

 

So, its flier, but Hendry has come up with some good players out of deals like these: Murton, Williams, Karros/Grudz., etc.

[dalgreen]

just wondering what we could have gotten for dubois last year or in the offseason? i'm sure it would have been a lot more than someone else's retread outfielder.

we have all these great prospects that we continue to hang on too until we(and everyone else) know they aren't that good, then trade them to get soemthing...well exactly what could we have gotten for corey,dubois,kelton or mitre the last year and a half? pretty much anything we wanted or needed! now we are happy to get a bucket of balls and a few jockstraps

 

A retread outfielder? Where does that assessment come from? And what makes you think Dubois had high trade value during last offseason? If you were a GM, would you have given up a lot to pry him from the Cubs?

[marc_foust]

Does anyone know what Indians fans think of this deal?

 

I think that the only reason I can think of for making this is to drop a pitcher down out of the pen. If only gerut could play 3rd and 1st then we would have another person to drop.

[dalgreen]

I don't see how this was a bad trade unless you just loved Dubois. As was said a lot last year and this year, Dubois seems like a great DH fit. I especially will like the deal if it means we'll get back to an 11-man pitching staff.

 

The Cubs are in game five of a stretch in which they play 34 games in 35 days. Based on past history, it would be a surprise to see them drop to 11 pitchers at this point. Then again, nothing should be a surprise with this organization.

 

Yeah, I had thought about that. But there's no reason to believe with Prior, Wood and Zambrano healthy that they couldn't consistently get you into the seventh and eighth innings. I doubt Greenburg will be back anytime soon, so you could send Mitre down and if you're needing bullpen help (heaven forbid that happens) you bring him back up and send down another pitcher or a position player.

[TheDude]

What a fantastic move. Gerut has solid plate discipline and is right at that age when he should break-out. He is far superior to Grieve or Hollandsworth, and he is younger.

 

This isn't a lateral move as people keep saying. Neither Grieve nor Hollandsworth are long-term, while Gerut could be.

 

The only reason people are disappointed is that, for some reason, the expectation was that the team needed more power in LF (which it doesn't). It needs OBP. People have been complaining about a lack of OBP for years. Now you have a 27 year old guy who was highly touted before his injury with great plate discipline, and he might stick around for a few years.

 

Where are all the OBP guys standing up for this trade?

[dalgreen]

Does anyone know what Indians fans think of this deal?

 

I think that the only reason I can think of for making this is to drop a pitcher down out of the pen. If only gerut could play 3rd and 1st then we would have another person to drop.

 

It wouldn't surprise me to see he and Hairston platooning in CF.

[dalgreen]

What a fantastic move. Gerut has solid plate discipline and is right at that age when he should break-out. He is far superior to Grieve or Hollandsworth, and he is younger.

 

This isn't a lateral move as people keep saying. Neither Grieve nor Hollandsworth are long-term, while Gerut could be.

 

The only reason people are disappointed is that, for some reason, the expectation was that the team needed more power in LF (which it doesn't). It needs OBP. People have been complaining about a lack of OBP for years. Now you have a 27 year old guy who was highly touted before his injury with great plate discipline, and he might stick around for a few years.

 

Where are all the OBP guys standing up for this trade?

 

:wave: :wave:

[somechick]

Actually, I think this dela signifies that they don't plan on recalling patterson this season.

 

The ONLY reason to exchange Grieve for Gerut is that Gerut can play center. If the Cubs planned on recalling Patterson, they'd likely wait a few days and let Greenburg be the defensive backup rather than waste a player on Gerut. However, if they don't plan on having Patterson this year, they'd likely want another guy who can play center with a slightly better bat than Greenburg (I'm not trashing his bat, just saying that he's probably not quite ready for the majors, and being in the minors will help him GET ready).

 

So, IMO, Gerut is the season long answer to backup CF and provide somewhat of a lefty bat on the bench. Nothing more.

 

You're right, IMO. Some of Hendry's fisrt comments were to point out and reinforce that Gerut could play center. Add in that the orginaztion is unhappy with Hairston and Patterson, and you have some motivation. I for one think we have seen the last of Patterson as a Cub, and possibly Hairston. Since Hairston is even less of a natural OF than Gerut, it is not outside the realm of possibility that Jody may even end up the everyday CF before all is said and done.

 

I think you very well be on to something. I cannot get out of my head Hendry making the playing center comment. And if anyone was watching the Yankees game last night, the idea that Patterson and Hairston could be gone soon is even more logical. Bernie is the epitome of butcher in center. They are so desperate for defense at that position and despite what a few here think, Patterson is a darn good fielder. Now, any trade with Yanks is almost certainly gonna include Cano, because, well, they have nothing--which would make sense then sending them Hairston. Now, the cubs dont really have a place for Cano but other teams certainly may and he could be (along with pitching, of course), the key to getting Dunn, or Huff, or someone no one is even speculating on. Overthinking? Maybe. Too hopeful? Probably. But I just cannot fathom this move being made without something else happening.

[nolanwood]

Im excited to see what Gerut has to offer us - I think it will be a step in the right direction, and based on Hendry's track record, he's had great success we these kinda trades. :)

[frostwyrm]

Gerut is essentially another Hollandsworth but with less power(steroids?) and he's been struggling terribly since May. I know the organization doesn't like Hairston but Gerut is a really lame alternative.

[goonys evil twin]

A retread outfielder? Where does that assessment come from? And what makes you think Dubois had high trade value during last offseason? If you were a GM, would you have given up a lot to pry him from the Cubs?

 

He's a retread because he was the odd man out in a terrible OF in Cleveland. He's an incredibly dull acquisition who does nothing great. I have no problem trading Dubois, but they needed an impact bat, not another excuse for Dusty to bench the Cubs bench leadoff option on a regular basis.

 

Like many Hendry deals, this isn't a bad deal, but it's terrible redundant and barely helpful, at all. I guess he wanted a second chance to make up for that silly Bay trade.

 

Hopefully they aren't stupid enough to send down a bat after this move. It's pretty clear, they don't need 7 relievers. Sergio needs to go down and get some innings.

 

 

I'd have much rather seen Dubois added to a package for a more meaningful acquisition. Oh well, I've grown accustomed to pointless moves by the Cubs.

[USSoccer]

A retread outfielder? Where does that assessment come from? And what makes you think Dubois had high trade value during last offseason? If you were a GM, would you have given up a lot to pry him from the Cubs?

 

He's a retread because he was the odd man out in a terrible OF in Cleveland. He's an incredibly dull acquisition who does nothing great. I have no problem trading Dubois, but they needed an impact bat, not another excuse for Dusty to bench the Cubs bench leadoff option on a regular basis.

Like many Hendry deals, this isn't a bad deal, but it's terrible redundant and barely helpful, at all. I guess he wanted a second chance to make up for that silly Bay trade.

 

Hopefully they aren't stupid enough to send down a bat after this move. It's pretty clear, they don't need 7 relievers. Sergio needs to go down and get some innings.

 

 

I'd have much rather seen Dubois added to a package for a more meaningful acquisition. Oh well, I've grown accustomed to pointless moves by the Cubs.

 

Ugh, I didn't even consider this. Assuming he reports to Chicago, that's all we need; to dynamite the 1-2 combo that's out us back into the race. It is obvious Baker doesn't like Hairston at all; why give him an excuse to jack with the lineup again?

[Elrhino]

just wondering what we could have gotten for dubois last year or in the offseason? i'm sure it would have been a lot more than someone else's retread outfielder.

we have all these great prospects that we continue to hang on too until we(and everyone else) know they aren't that good, then trade them to get soemthing...well exactly what could we have gotten for corey,dubois,kelton or mitre the last year and a half? pretty much anything we wanted or needed! now we are happy to get a bucket of balls and a few jockstraps

 

Probably not much. Dubois has never been considered a top prospect by anyone. He's never been listed among the top 100 prospects in baseball. Callis had him listed as the 10th best prospect in the Cubs system this winter. Together with Kelton, they greated a great glut of AAAA 1B/DH in our system, considering there's not really even enough room for 1, much less 2.

 

I also disagree that the Cubs have shown the habit of trading players well below their value. Looks to me like they got grand larceny for Bobby Hill and Hee Seop Choi.

Edited July 19, 2005 by Elrhino

[katway]

The Indians message boards all paint Gerut as having terrific defensive outfield skills and a nice all around game. Looks like a perfect 4th outfielder that can play all positions well and has a solid hitting approach.

 

The Indians fans seem disappointed to lose him for Dubois, who they perceive as another Ryan Ludwick who will strikeout and have trouble on breaking pitches.

[goonys evil twin]

What a fantastic move. Gerut has solid plate discipline and is right at that age when he should break-out. He is far superior to Grieve or Hollandsworth, and he is younger.

 

People have been complaining about a lack of OBP for years. Now you have a 27 year old guy who was highly touted before his injury with great plate discipline, and he might stick around for a few years.

 

Where are all the OBP guys standing up for this trade?

 

Unfortunately he's past the age of breakout time. If he was going to break out, he should have done it by now. The vast majority of ballplayers are at their best at 27/28, and he's already 27 and will be 28 shortly, without doing much.

 

His 2005 OBP is solid, and so were his minor league numbers, but his 2003 and 2004 numbers were not. There's some hope that he'll be able to show off some of that OBP ability from his minor league days, but he doesn't have much time to improve on his career numbers, given his age and service time.

[frostwyrm]

Assuming he reports to Chicago, that's all we need; to dynamite the 1-2 combo that's out us back into the race. It is obvious Baker doesn't like Hairston at all; why give him an excuse to jack with the lineup again?

 

The only way I can see Gerut fitting into the OF is in a platoon with Hairston. Gerut bats lefty so he'll see the bulk of the time in a straight L/R platoon.

[katway]

What a fantastic move. Gerut has solid plate discipline and is right at that age when he should break-out. He is far superior to Grieve or Hollandsworth, and he is younger.

 

People have been complaining about a lack of OBP for years. Now you have a 27 year old guy who was highly touted before his injury with great plate discipline, and he might stick around for a few years.

 

Where are all the OBP guys standing up for this trade?

 

Unfortunately he's past the age of breakout time. If he was going to break out, he should have done it by now. The vast majority of ballplayers are at their best at 27/28, and he's already 27 and will be 28 shortly, without doing much.

 

His 2005 OBP is solid, and so were his minor league numbers, but his 2003 and 2004 numbers were not. There's some hope that he'll be able to show off some of that OBP ability from his minor league days, but he doesn't have much time to improve on his career numbers, given his age and service time.

 

His OBP has always been good, but the Indians asked him to hit more long balls in 2003 knowing that it would deflate his OBP. He made the adjustment to hit more homers to fill a power void in the Indians lineup.

[Fanzones trumpet]

So, assuming we keep Gerut. What's his role? Does he take Hollandsworth's spot as the LHed part of the platoon. Does he take Hairston's spot in CF? Is he simply a versatile bench player and takes Grieve's spot?

 

What's going to be the consequence of this move?

 

As much as I like Dubois, I don't think we made a bad move. Dubois was going to be of little value to the 2005 Cubs and likely wasn't in the future plans as long as Dusty was running the team. I'm just trying to figure what this move does to the configuration of the current club.

 

And even though I doubt a deal is imminent, just think where we are playing? Wouldn't it be lovely to bring Adam Dunn with us to St. Louis this weekend?

 

Excellent move. Dubois had no value to the Cubs this year or in the future; even assuming for the sake of argument that he could eventually play an adequate LF, Murton is obviously a much better prospect. Gerut should make a fine 4th OF next year and provides very good flexibility this year. Lee is going to need rest or he's gonna wear down like last year. With Gerut, Hollandworth can move to first and Gerut plays left against a tough righty. Burnitz is also gonna need rest and Gerut can spell him. Finally, the current CF is not an everyday player.

[Tribefan]

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