Is There a Good Fit between the Cubs and the Red Sox?

[HoopsCubs]

Boston is supposedly looking for a starter, a reliever and a 2B. We think the Cubs are looking for a middle of the order slugger to play LF.

 

Does this work for both teams: Rusch or Mitre plus Remlinger and Hairston for Trot Nixon?

 

If the trade was made: Millar could play RF and Olerud could play 1B. Boston could keep Kevin Youkilis at 3B, instead of moving him to 2B, and trade Bill Mueller to Minnesota (as rumoured).

 

The Cubs would play Nixon in LF and Gerut in CF - Nixon is under contract in 2006.

 

Just some random thoughts.

Hoops

Edited July 19, 2005 by HoopsCubs

[Roast]

Interesting. I'd do it, probably.

[goonys evil twin]

I've thought for a while there was a way to get Nixon. With Bellhorn going down, and Boston struggling of late, I think the chances are even better.

 

I also think Hollandsworth could go back in that deal, filling a part time bottom of the order role for them.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

That doesn't sound like too bad of a deal on either end.

 

What are you hearing in general Hoops?

[Sabermetrician]

I'm satisifed with Hairston, so I wouldn't make the trade...

[BigbadB]

If there was a way to send Rusch and Hollandsworth to Boston for Nixon, I'd be all over it. But, Boston will probably want more than that and I'm quite fond of Hairston's lead off abilities.

 

In other words, I wouldn't want to see the Cubs sacrifice the top of the order OBP to upgrade outfield power production. The Cubs have lots of pop, they need to continue providing baserunners in front of them.

 

If Hairston was traded, wouldn't it stand to reason that Neifi would once again be hitting at the top of the order?

[Proven Veteran]

Hoops, are you felling the pressure to come up with the big scoop this season? :lol:

 

Trot is a good player, I wouldn't mind having him in the OF. He's 31, so it's good that he doesn't have a long deal.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

I love Nixon and all of Boston does too. You don't trade a hard *ss like Nixon who is a fan favorite. The deal is fair from a baseball standpoint, but don't leave out fan favorite appeal. Epstein had better win another WS this year if he's going to cut ties with guys like Nixon.

 

i don't like reducing our team obp either.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

The Bo Sox just dealt 2 minor leaguers for Tony Graffanino, so they may consider their 2B problem temporarily fixed.

[goonys evil twin]

If Hairston was traded, wouldn't it stand to reason that Neifi would once again be hitting at the top of the order?

 

I love Nixon and all of Boston does too. You don't trade a hard *ss like Nixon who is a fan favorite. The deal is fair from a baseball standpoint, but don't leave out fan favorite appeal. Epstein had better win another WS this year if he's going to cut ties with guys like Nixon.

 

i don't like reducing our team obp either.

 

What about sending Walker instead? Boston loved him.

 

Personally I could deal with losing Hairston. Slip Walker into the leadoff role. I think Dusty has at least given up the idea that Neifi is a leadoff candidate. Personally I think Gerut will be taking away lots of Jerry's PT anyway. And it's not like Hairston is an OBP god, he's merely an adaquate OBP guy playing on a team that's not used to it. He's replacable.

[Outshined_One]

I posted an idea similar to this on that "2006 lineup" thread.

 

Clearly, I would like to see Nixon in Cubbie blue. :D

[TheDude]

If there was a way to send Rusch and Hollandsworth to Boston for Nixon, I'd be all over it. But, Boston will probably want more than that and I'm quite fond of Hairston's lead off abilities.

 

In other words, I wouldn't want to see the Cubs sacrifice the top of the order OBP to upgrade outfield power production. The Cubs have lots of pop, they need to continue providing baserunners in front of them.

 

If Hairston was traded, wouldn't it stand to reason that Neifi would once again be hitting at the top of the order?

I agree with this assessment. No more power is needed. Power is not the problem.

 

It would be a mistake to trade top-of-the-order OBP for middle-of-the-order power.

 

Lee and Ramirez with 35-40 HR and 40 doubles a piece, supplemented by Burnitz, Barret, and Walker adding respectable power in addition to the big boys, is enough for this lineup IMO.

 

With a fully healthy staff, 4 runs a game should win most every game.

[JC]

Walker

Nomar

Lee

Nixon

ARam

Burnitz

Barrett

Gerut/Patterson

 

Yeah, I could live with that...

:cyclopsani:

[GaborBako]

What about sending Walker instead? Boston loved him.

 

 

They didn't really love him. They ragged about his defense and he had one of his poorest seasons playing for them (his OBA was a full-season career low of .333). He was, of course, phenomenal in the postseason, but they didn't even try to re-sign him.

 

I'm glad they didn't. I'd like to see Hendry lock Todd up for a couple more years past this one.

[Cubzfan64]

Tough call - Nixon makes a pretty penny ($7.5 mil per year?) and hasn't been a very big threat against left handed pitchers throughout his career (the big knock on him in Boston).

 

He's not a butcher in the outfield but I don't know if I'd consider him to be more than average. We'd be putting together a lineup with an awful lot of lefthanded hitters also.

 

I'm not sure he's much different than a Burnitz type player - although I think he probably has a bit more upside.

 

I'm just not sure if it's that big of a net gain for us, but I suppose I'd think about it for Remlinger, Mitre and Hairston. I doubt the Red Sox would do that deal though.

 

I've heard that Hanley Ramirez has been playing 2B at AA or AAA for the Red Sox and may get called up soon to replace Bellhorn. I think the Red Sox would want more as far as arms go than Remlinger, Mitre or Rusch to be honest.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

If there was a way to send Rusch and Hollandsworth to Boston for Nixon, I'd be all over it. But, Boston will probably want more than that and I'm quite fond of Hairston's lead off abilities.

 

In other words, I wouldn't want to see the Cubs sacrifice the top of the order OBP to upgrade outfield power production. The Cubs have lots of pop, they need to continue providing baserunners in front of them.

 

If Hairston was traded, wouldn't it stand to reason that Neifi would once again be hitting at the top of the order?

I agree with this assessment. No more power is needed. Power is not the problem.

 

It would be a mistake to trade top-of-the-order OBP for middle-of-the-order power.

 

Lee and Ramirez with 35-40 HR and 40 doubles a piece, supplemented by Burnitz, Barret, and Walker adding respectable power in addition to the big boys, is enough for this lineup IMO.

 

With a fully healthy staff, 4 runs a game should win most every game.

 

This ignores the fact that Nixon is a better OBP guy than Hairston, in addition to having more power. This seems to be brought up a lot when power hitting targets(Dunn for example) are brought up. Some people say "We don't need any more power, we need a OBP/lead off guy. The truth is that in both Dunn and Nixon's case they provide a OBP and SLG boost, which makes them more valuable an acquisition than a singles hitting OBP guy.

[HoopsCubs]

I'm satisifed with Hairston, so I wouldn't make the trade...

 

Not to quibble with you, but just a reminder: in the last 8 games (3 against FLA, 4 against PIT and last night against CINCY), Jerry Hairston has had 40 plate apperances with just 10 hits and 2 walks. If you do the math, that's .300 OBP. I'm not satisfied with that. The Cubs may be 7-1 in those 8 games, but we can thank the starting pitching and Walker, Lee and Ramirez. Hairston has been pretty lousy lately.

[Roast]

What about sending Walker instead? Boston loved him.

 

 

They didn't really love him. They ragged about his defense and he had one of his poorest seasons playing for them (his OBA was a full-season career low of .333). He was, of course, phenomenal in the postseason, but they didn't even try to re-sign him.

 

I'm glad they didn't. I'd like to see Hendry lock Todd up for a couple more years past this one.

 

What is an OBA?

[sonicdethmonkey0]

What about sending Walker instead? Boston loved him.

 

 

They didn't really love him. They ragged about his defense and he had one of his poorest seasons playing for them (his OBA was a full-season career low of .333). He was, of course, phenomenal in the postseason, but they didn't even try to re-sign him.

 

I'm glad they didn't. I'd like to see Hendry lock Todd up for a couple more years past this one.

 

What is an OBA?

 

on base average, same thing as OBP

[Transmogrified Tiger]

What about sending Walker instead? Boston loved him.

 

 

They didn't really love him. They ragged about his defense and he had one of his poorest seasons playing for them (his OBA was a full-season career low of .333). He was, of course, phenomenal in the postseason, but they didn't even try to re-sign him.

 

I'm glad they didn't. I'd like to see Hendry lock Todd up for a couple more years past this one.

 

What is an OBA?

 

Same as OBP, average instead of percentage.

[Roast]

What about sending Walker instead? Boston loved him.

 

 

They didn't really love him. They ragged about his defense and he had one of his poorest seasons playing for them (his OBA was a full-season career low of .333). He was, of course, phenomenal in the postseason, but they didn't even try to re-sign him.

 

I'm glad they didn't. I'd like to see Hendry lock Todd up for a couple more years past this one.

 

What is an OBA?

 

Same as OBP, average instead of percentage.

 

oooooooh. Okay, Wow. iM Sm@Rt!!1

[Cubzfan64]

I looked it up to be certain...

 

Over the last 3 years, Nixon has had ~80% of his AB's against right handed pitchers (only 227 against lefties).

 

When he's faced those lefties his stats are .220 AVG, .293 OBP and .348 SLG

 

Those are far from outstanding stats against lefthanders and in my opinion he makes too much money to be a platoon player. This isn't to say if he got regular at bats against lefties he wouldn't improve, but I'm not sure we need someone who's in the "learning to hit lefties" portion of their careers either.

 

Hard to say though - I might consider the trade nontheless I just doubt Boston would do it.

[JC]

I'm satisifed with Hairston, so I wouldn't make the trade...

 

Not to quibble with you, but just a reminder: in the last 8 games (3 against FLA, 4 against PIT and last night against CINCY), Jerry Hairston has had 40 plate apperances with just 10 hits and 2 walks. If you do the math, that's .300 OBP. I'm not satisfied with that. The Cubs may be 7-1 in those 8 games, but we can thank the starting pitching and Walker, Lee and Ramirez. Hairston has been pretty lousy lately.

 

In defense of Hairston, we know he is not a .300 OBP guy. He isn't in a good stretch right now. And, while not getting on base, he still has had some quality ABs at the top of the lineup to make the pitcher work.

 

That said, I wouldn't care if Hairston is replaced. I agree with CPatt's reasoning above. I've always been a Walker for leadoff advocate. If Nomar return, slip him in the two spot. If not, try Cedeno at the top. But, for the love of all that is holy, keep Neifi out of both the one and two holes!!!!

[HoopsCubs]

I looked it up to be certain...

 

Over the last 3 years, Nixon has had ~80% of his AB's against right handed pitchers (only 227 against lefties).

 

When he's faced those lefties his stats are .220 AVG, .293 OBP and .348 SLG

 

Those are far from outstanding stats against lefthanders and in my opinion he makes too much money to be a platoon player. This isn't to say if he got regular at bats against lefties he wouldn't improve, but I'm not sure we need someone who's in the "learning to hit lefties" portion of their careers either.

 

Hard to say though - I might consider the trade nontheless I just doubt Boston would do it.

 

Yeah, but how many lefty starters would he face every 10 games in the NL? One or two? Fine. Let Murton start those games.

[HoopsCubs]

But, for the love of all that is holy, keep Neifi out of both the one and two holes!!!!

 

Amen.