Ken Rosenthal's Contenders to Watch

[HoopsCubs]

http://www.sportingnews.com/exclusives/20050725/634761.html

 

Pretty fresh article talking about deal-making and needs. Here's what he says about our team:

 

"Cubs. The returns of shortstop Nomar Garciaparra and reliever Scott Williamson will help. Williamson, coming off elbow ligament transplant surgery, is in terrific shape, having lost about 25 pounds. G.M. Jim Hendry still wants to acquire more bullpen help and an outfield bat, preferably a righthanded one."

 

I had always believed that Hendry would be more partial to acquiring a left-handed bat (Dunn, Huff, Floyd, etc...), but since guys like Kearns and Preston Wilson have been in the news lately, I guess Hendry is looking at any bat that he feels is an improvement over Hollandsworth in LF.

 

Who will that bat be, if anybody?

 

Hoops

[USSoccer]

http://www.sportingnews.com/exclusives/20050725/634761.html

 

Pretty fresh article talking about deal-making and needs. Here's what he says about our team:

 

"Cubs. The returns of shortstop Nomar Garciaparra and reliever Scott Williamson will help. Williamson, coming off elbow ligament transplant surgery, is in terrific shape, having lost about 25 pounds. G.M. Jim Hendry still wants to acquire more bullpen help and an outfield bat, preferably a righthanded one."

 

I had always believed that Hendry would be more partial to acquiring a left-handed bat (Dunn, Huff, Floyd, etc...), but since guys like Kearns and Preston Wilson have been in the news lately, I guess Hendry is looking at any bat that he feels is an improvement over Hollandsworth in LF.

 

Who will that bat be, if anybody?

 

Hoops

 

Craig Wilson.

[CubfaninCA]

Hoops, considering what's out there, I"m liking your Delucci and Soriano trade more and more. The Cubs need alot more pop from the #6 spot. Hollandworth is a 9 hitter.

[ChiCubsFan]

I think Austin Kearns will be a Cub within a week and i'll be very happy if it happens.

[USSoccer]

Hoops, considering what's out there, I"m liking your Delucci and Soriano trade more and more. The Cubs need alot more pop from the #6 spot. Hollandworth is a 9 hitter.

 

I like Delucci, but Soriano won't play anything other than 2B.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Hoops, considering what's out there, I"m liking your Delucci and Soriano trade more and more. The Cubs need alot more pop from the #6 spot. Hollandworth is a 9 hitter.

 

I like Delucci, but Soriano won't play anything other than 2B.

 

Agreed. Dellucci would be solid, but I don't want any part of Soriano and his .652 Road OPS

[CubfaninCA]

Hoops, considering what's out there, I"m liking your Delucci and Soriano trade more and more. The Cubs need alot more pop from the #6 spot. Hollandworth is a 9 hitter.

 

I like Delucci, but Soriano won't play anything other than 2B.

 

Why does that matter. He has a great slugging percentage, 17th overall. They can just go w/ Hairston and Delucci 1-2 or Delucci and Nomar 1-2.

[USSoccer]

Hoops, considering what's out there, I"m liking your Delucci and Soriano trade more and more. The Cubs need alot more pop from the #6 spot. Hollandworth is a 9 hitter.

 

I like Delucci, but Soriano won't play anything other than 2B.

 

Why does that matter. He has a great slugging percentage, 17th overall. They can just go w/ Hairston and Delucci 1-2 or Delucci and Nomar 1-2.

 

As CPatt pointed out, Soriano's road OPS is bad. Factor that with the fact that he's not a severe upgrade over Walker, and he becomes much less attractive a player to have.

 

I'd much rather have Delucci on his own. The prospect cost would be more reasonable, too.

[CubfaninCA]

Hoops, considering what's out there, I"m liking your Delucci and Soriano trade more and more. The Cubs need alot more pop from the #6 spot. Hollandworth is a 9 hitter.

 

I like Delucci, but Soriano won't play anything other than 2B.

 

Agreed. Dellucci would be solid, but I don't want any part of Soriano and his .652 Road OPS

 

When did Wrigley become a pitcher's park?? Same thing was said about Burnitz.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Hoops, considering what's out there, I"m liking your Delucci and Soriano trade more and more. The Cubs need alot more pop from the #6 spot. Hollandworth is a 9 hitter.

 

I like Delucci, but Soriano won't play anything other than 2B.

 

Agreed. Dellucci would be solid, but I don't want any part of Soriano and his .652 Road OPS

 

When did Wrigley become a pitcher's park?? Same thing was said about Burnitz.

 

Burnitz last year had a .775 OPS away from home, at least sub-par. .652 OPS is awful, and considering the money and players it would take to get Soriano, it's not close to being worth it.

[USSoccer]

Hoops, considering what's out there, I"m liking your Delucci and Soriano trade more and more. The Cubs need alot more pop from the #6 spot. Hollandworth is a 9 hitter.

 

I like Delucci, but Soriano won't play anything other than 2B.

 

Agreed. Dellucci would be solid, but I don't want any part of Soriano and his .652 Road OPS

 

When did Wrigley become a pitcher's park?? Same thing was said about Burnitz.

 

Wrigley plays as a pitcher's park about half the time, IIRC, since the wind blows in about half the time.

 

I think Soriano would be a good option if he were willing to play CF, but he's not. So in my humble opinion, it's not worth the price to get him.

[CubfaninCA]

Hoops, considering what's out there, I"m liking your Delucci and Soriano trade more and more. The Cubs need alot more pop from the #6 spot. Hollandworth is a 9 hitter.

 

I like Delucci, but Soriano won't play anything other than 2B.

 

Why does that matter. He has a great slugging percentage, 17th overall. They can just go w/ Hairston and Delucci 1-2 or Delucci and Nomar 1-2.

 

As CPatt pointed out, Soriano's road OPS is bad. Factor that with the fact that he's not a severe upgrade over Walker, and he becomes much less attractive a player to have.

 

I'd much rather have Delucci on his own. The prospect cost would be more reasonable, too.

 

His slugging % is 50 points better than Walker's and he's alot faster. Some of you guys overvalue the walk and undervalue the home run. Not many walks are going to push Lee, Burnitz and ARam across the plate. Most likely it just gives Neifi and Barrett the chance to strand them. Also home runs are a sure run. The Cubs would be pretty dangerous w/ three 35+ homer guys.

[CubfaninCA]

Hoops, considering what's out there, I"m liking your Delucci and Soriano trade more and more. The Cubs need alot more pop from the #6 spot. Hollandworth is a 9 hitter.

 

I like Delucci, but Soriano won't play anything other than 2B.

 

Agreed. Dellucci would be solid, but I don't want any part of Soriano and his .652 Road OPS

 

When did Wrigley become a pitcher's park?? Same thing was said about Burnitz.

 

Wrigley plays as a pitcher's park about half the time, IIRC, since the wind blows in about half the time.

 

I think Soriano would be a good option if he were willing to play CF, but he's not. So in my humble opinion, it's not worth the price to get him.

 

Isn't Wrigley a pitcher's park in April and May when the wind blows in more and a hitter's park in the summer when it's warmer and the winds more likely to blow out. I'd like to have Soriano for August & September. Houston could be real tough to catch. Not too worried about Washington.

[USSoccer]

Hoops, considering what's out there, I"m liking your Delucci and Soriano trade more and more. The Cubs need alot more pop from the #6 spot. Hollandworth is a 9 hitter.

 

I like Delucci, but Soriano won't play anything other than 2B.

 

Why does that matter. He has a great slugging percentage, 17th overall. They can just go w/ Hairston and Delucci 1-2 or Delucci and Nomar 1-2.

 

As CPatt pointed out, Soriano's road OPS is bad. Factor that with the fact that he's not a severe upgrade over Walker, and he becomes much less attractive a player to have.

 

I'd much rather have Delucci on his own. The prospect cost would be more reasonable, too.

 

His slugging % is 50 points better than Walker's and he's alot faster. Some of you guys overvalue the walk and undervalue the home run. Not many walks are going to push Lee, Burnitz and ARam across the plate. Most likely it just gives Neifi and Barrett the chance to strand them. Also home runs are a sure run. The Cubs would be pretty dangerous w/ three 35+ homer guys.

 

I'm not saying he's a bad player; he's not. He's just overpriced given the difference between he and Walker, and the difference between his road and home numbers

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Hoops, considering what's out there, I"m liking your Delucci and Soriano trade more and more. The Cubs need alot more pop from the #6 spot. Hollandworth is a 9 hitter.

 

I like Delucci, but Soriano won't play anything other than 2B.

 

Why does that matter. He has a great slugging percentage, 17th overall. They can just go w/ Hairston and Delucci 1-2 or Delucci and Nomar 1-2.

 

As CPatt pointed out, Soriano's road OPS is bad. Factor that with the fact that he's not a severe upgrade over Walker, and he becomes much less attractive a player to have.

 

I'd much rather have Delucci on his own. The prospect cost would be more reasonable, too.

 

His slugging % is 50 points better than Walker's and he's alot faster. Some of you guys overvalue the walk and undervalue the home run. Not many walks are going to push Lee, Burnitz and ARam across the plate. Most likely it just gives Neifi and Barrett the chance to strand them. Also home runs are a sure run. The Cubs would be pretty dangerous w/ three 35+ homer guys.

 

18 of Soriano's 24 Home Runs are at home. He's been horrible away from home this year, and he wasn't very good away from home last year. I really doubt he'd hit 35 HR as a Cub, not that any particular benchmark like 35 HR is especially important.

[CubfaninCA]

Hoops, considering what's out there, I"m liking your Delucci and Soriano trade more and more. The Cubs need alot more pop from the #6 spot. Hollandworth is a 9 hitter.

 

I like Delucci, but Soriano won't play anything other than 2B.

 

Why does that matter. He has a great slugging percentage, 17th overall. They can just go w/ Hairston and Delucci 1-2 or Delucci and Nomar 1-2.

 

As CPatt pointed out, Soriano's road OPS is bad. Factor that with the fact that he's not a severe upgrade over Walker, and he becomes much less attractive a player to have.

 

I'd much rather have Delucci on his own. The prospect cost would be more reasonable, too.

 

His slugging % is 50 points better than Walker's and he's alot faster. Some of you guys overvalue the walk and undervalue the home run. Not many walks are going to push Lee, Burnitz and ARam across the plate. Most likely it just gives Neifi and Barrett the chance to strand them. Also home runs are a sure run. The Cubs would be pretty dangerous w/ three 35+ homer guys.

 

I'm not saying he's a bad player; he's not. He's just overpriced given the difference between he and Walker, and the difference between his road and home numbers

 

I agree that Walker's a bargain. I just want this team to get better and Sori's due about $4 mil. or so for the remaining games. With all the salary going off playoff next season, they'll have money to pay him and to add other pieces. Jmo but I don't think TX is going to ask for a whole lot for Sori, seems they'd like to cut some payroll, and may be happy w/ a few pitchers. Maybe Mitre??

 

Check that he's making $7.5 million this yr. according to ESPN, so is probably due $3-3.25 million for the remaining 60some games.

Edited July 25, 2005 by CubfaninCA

[CubfaninCA]

Hoops, considering what's out there, I"m liking your Delucci and Soriano trade more and more. The Cubs need alot more pop from the #6 spot. Hollandworth is a 9 hitter.

 

I like Delucci, but Soriano won't play anything other than 2B.

 

Why does that matter. He has a great slugging percentage, 17th overall. They can just go w/ Hairston and Delucci 1-2 or Delucci and Nomar 1-2.

 

As CPatt pointed out, Soriano's road OPS is bad. Factor that with the fact that he's not a severe upgrade over Walker, and he becomes much less attractive a player to have.

 

I'd much rather have Delucci on his own. The prospect cost would be more reasonable, too.

 

His slugging % is 50 points better than Walker's and he's alot faster. Some of you guys overvalue the walk and undervalue the home run. Not many walks are going to push Lee, Burnitz and ARam across the plate. Most likely it just gives Neifi and Barrett the chance to strand them. Also home runs are a sure run. The Cubs would be pretty dangerous w/ three 35+ homer guys.

 

18 of Soriano's 24 Home Runs are at home. He's been horrible away from home this year, and he wasn't very good away from home last year. I really doubt he'd hit 35 HR as a Cub, not that any particular benchmark like 35 HR is especially important.

 

Walker has 7 homers all year. What's he been?? I'll put more faith in the more durable guy. Got bitten too many times this year already.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Hoops, considering what's out there, I"m liking your Delucci and Soriano trade more and more. The Cubs need alot more pop from the #6 spot. Hollandworth is a 9 hitter.

 

I like Delucci, but Soriano won't play anything other than 2B.

 

Why does that matter. He has a great slugging percentage, 17th overall. They can just go w/ Hairston and Delucci 1-2 or Delucci and Nomar 1-2.

 

As CPatt pointed out, Soriano's road OPS is bad. Factor that with the fact that he's not a severe upgrade over Walker, and he becomes much less attractive a player to have.

 

I'd much rather have Delucci on his own. The prospect cost would be more reasonable, too.

 

His slugging % is 50 points better than Walker's and he's alot faster. Some of you guys overvalue the walk and undervalue the home run. Not many walks are going to push Lee, Burnitz and ARam across the plate. Most likely it just gives Neifi and Barrett the chance to strand them. Also home runs are a sure run. The Cubs would be pretty dangerous w/ three 35+ homer guys.

 

18 of Soriano's 24 Home Runs are at home. He's been horrible away from home this year, and he wasn't very good away from home last year. I really doubt he'd hit 35 HR as a Cub, not that any particular benchmark like 35 HR is especially important.

 

Walker has 7 homers all year. What's he been?? I'll put more faith in the more durable guy. Got bitten too many times this year already.

 

Walker's been very consistent home and on the road. There's no guarantee that Soriano will be better than Walker. In fact, it's probably quite likely he will be worse than Walker, and we would have to give up players to get him, likely valuable ones.

[CubfaninCA]

Hoops, considering what's out there, I"m liking your Delucci and Soriano trade more and more. The Cubs need alot more pop from the #6 spot. Hollandworth is a 9 hitter.

 

I like Delucci, but Soriano won't play anything other than 2B.

 

Why does that matter. He has a great slugging percentage, 17th overall. They can just go w/ Hairston and Delucci 1-2 or Delucci and Nomar 1-2.

 

As CPatt pointed out, Soriano's road OPS is bad. Factor that with the fact that he's not a severe upgrade over Walker, and he becomes much less attractive a player to have.

 

I'd much rather have Delucci on his own. The prospect cost would be more reasonable, too.

 

His slugging % is 50 points better than Walker's and he's alot faster. Some of you guys overvalue the walk and undervalue the home run. Not many walks are going to push Lee, Burnitz and ARam across the plate. Most likely it just gives Neifi and Barrett the chance to strand them. Also home runs are a sure run. The Cubs would be pretty dangerous w/ three 35+ homer guys.

 

18 of Soriano's 24 Home Runs are at home. He's been horrible away from home this year, and he wasn't very good away from home last year. I really doubt he'd hit 35 HR as a Cub, not that any particular benchmark like 35 HR is especially important.

 

Walker has 7 homers all year. What's he been?? I'll put more faith in the more durable guy. Got bitten too many times this year already.

 

Walker's been very consistent home and on the road. There's no guarantee that Soriano will be better than Walker. In fact, it's probably quite likely he will be worse than Walker, and we would have to give up players to get him, likely valuable ones.

 

There was no guarantee that Lee would be better than Choi 2 years later or that ARam would ever be good. Standing pat will just continue the long tradition of not winning it all. There's no guarantee Walker will be healthy next week either. Gmab about it be quite likely Soriano's worse. Deal Walker, Patterson, Mitre and another prospect.

[RynoRules]

Delluci walks a bunch and will cost much less than Soriano. That makes a lot of sense to me. He'd look good in the 6 hole, driving ARam and Jeromy home.

[CubfaninCA]

Delluci walks a bunch and will cost much less than Soriano. That makes a lot of sense to me. He'd look good in the 6 hole, driving ARam and Jeromy home.

 

Bat Delluci 2nd. All those walks will get put to better use in front of the 3-4-5 hitters.

[Evers2Tinker2Chance]

Maybe im thinking of the wrong Texas OFer but I thought Dullucci was injured and possibly out for the year.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

There was no guarantee that Lee would be better than Choi 2 years later or that ARam would ever be good. Standing pat will just continue the long tradition of not winning it all. There's no guarantee Walker will be healthy next week either. Gmab about it be quite likely Soriano's worse. Deal Walker, Patterson, Mitre and another prospect.

 

I never said to stand pat, I even said to go after Dellucci in this thread. The fact is, Walker has been more productive than Soriano this year, despite having a lower OPS. That's why his low OBP is a problem. Is your proposition a suggestion to trade for Soriano?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Maybe im thinking of the wrong Texas OFer but I thought Dullucci was injured and possibly out for the year.

 

You've got the wrong OF.

[CubfaninCA]

There was no guarantee that Lee would be better than Choi 2 years later or that ARam would ever be good. Standing pat will just continue the long tradition of not winning it all. There's no guarantee Walker will be healthy next week either. Gmab about it be quite likely Soriano's worse. Deal Walker, Patterson, Mitre and another prospect.

 

I never said to stand pat, I even said to go after Dellucci in this thread. The fact is, Walker has been more productive than Soriano this year, despite having a lower OPS. That's why his low OBP is a problem. Is your proposition a suggestion to trade for Soriano?

 

More productive?? Are you serious?? He's played 45 less games for starters.