Brian Giles

[sonicdethmonkey0]

i really don't understand why i everyone is hesitant to sign this guy. because he's old? because he's declining? uh, check again. brian giles is having a fantastic year this year, and he's playing in a horrible hitters' park. his numbers this year look like this:

 

.285/.421/.482

 

this is a guy that is a major threat in the lineup, and no matter what, he gets on base. his career OBP is .412, and his career OPS is .956. plus, he'll be 35 at the start of next season. it's not like we're signing a 40 year old, injury plagued grump who pisses on himself. giles can still play at a level that makes him one of the most productive outfielders in the national league. he's has been twice as productive as burnitz has been, and is worth the extra couple million.

 

if you want to pass on him, fine, but just think what the cardinals' line-up would be with him in it.

[WindyCity]

The Cubs should sign Giles just to make sure he's not a Cardinal next year. I also expect he will have above average production for at least another 2-3 years and its very doubtful we can can similar production from within the organization. Besides we have two other outfield positions that we can go youth movement with.... an outfield of Murton, Pie, Giles or Lawton, Pie, Giles would be just fine by me.

[TruffleShuffle]

Giles is a typical Trib move.

 

Yes but not a typical Cub move... they're not big on guys who get on base a lot.

[TXCubsFan]

IMO, The Cubs MUST sign Brian Giles this offseason. Yes, I know he will be 35 next year and he is only on pace for only about 15 homers, but he's doing it in probably the biggest pitcher's park in the league. On the road this year he is hitting a ridiculous .337/.474/.613. He has 87 walks (leads all of MLB) while striking out just 47 times, with a .425 OBP. His career OBP is .412. He is exactly what this offense needs. A 3-4-5 of Lee, Giles and Ramirez would probably be the best in the league.

 

Obviously his age is a risk, but he doesn't have much of an injury history over his career. I expect his SLG% (.545 career) to drop off over the next few years, but I think it's reasonable to expect his OBP to stay in the .400 range due to his tremendous eye.

 

I'd like to hear other's thoughts on him and what you guys think the chances are that he ends up in a Cubs uniform next year.

 

We have too many proven veterans and too few younger players. Give Murton a chance in LF next year.

[sonicdethmonkey0]

they should give murton a chance, they just don't need to re-sign burnitz

[RyCubsFan]

We already have a poor man's Giles, in Murton.

 

i cant see murton ever hitting for enough power to be compared to giles at all

 

 

I think everyone underestimates Murton's power potential. From reports, he puts on a show at times in batting practice. I fully expect Murton to develop into a decent power hitter. While not 40 dingers, 25-30 isn't out of the question.

[RyCubsFan]

What big name free agents has Hendry signed???

 

Maddux (not much if any competition)

Hawkins (home town advantage)

 

Lee, Ramirez, Barrett, Wood were all given at least 3 years by Hendry. I can see him offering 3 or 4 years to a player, but the player will be entering his prime, not past it.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

We already have a poor man's Giles, in Murton.

 

i cant see murton ever hitting for enough power to be compared to giles at all

 

 

I think everyone underestimates Murton's power potential. From reports, he puts on a show at times in batting practice. I fully expect Murton to develop into a decent power hitter. While not 40 dingers, 25-30 isn't out of the question.

 

I'd say that 25-30 HR is quite a stretch. If he can maintain his power from AA, then he may become an above average corner OF. The thing is, Murton is a good guy for a good team to plug into the lineup to see if he'll pan out. the problem is, the Cubs offense has too many holes for my liking to take that gamble. He may be the best option for a corner OF spot, but if that's the case, it probably isn't good for the Cubs.

[woodprior04]

Lawton, Nomah, Giles, Lee, ARam, Walker, Patterson and Barrett would score lots of run. I'd much rather have Giles and his obp, power, left-handed bat and experience over Murton. Too bad Murton can't convert to a 2b or catcher. If Pie steps it up, Patterson could be the odd man out.

 

I think we would be better off letting Lawton go and let Murton take his place. He can probably put up numbers similar to Lawton at a much cheaper cost. The problem is that Dusty would probably stick some old bum like Hollandsworth out there instead of Murton.

[rawaction]

Giles would be a good signing. He is older, but I would expect him to be very productive for at least 2 years. At worst, I think he could put up close to his 04 numbers for 2-3 years (.870-.910 OPS). At best, you get this year's Giles with his normal power production (.950 OPS). I would offer him a 2-year deal with an option for a 3rd. Maybe 2/$18M-20M, $11M/year 3rd year option with $2.5M buyout.

 

I don't see Atlanta as much of a factor, as their young OFs have been solid, and they don't have the need or the money.

 

Of course, Dunn would be my #1 choice. A trade for Ramirez would be next. But I'd put signing Giles ahead of Damon, or trading for Huff or Floyd. If the Cubs got Giles, I would probably not bring back Lawton, although I'd love his OBP.

[treebird]

Giles would be a good signing. He is older, but I would expect him to be very productive for at least 2 years. At worst, I think he could put up close to his 04 numbers for 2-3 years (.870-.910 OPS). At best, you get this year's Giles with his normal power production (.950 OPS). I would offer him a 2-year deal with an option for a 3rd. Maybe 2/$18M-20M, $11M/year 3rd year option with $2.5M buyout.

 

I don't see Atlanta as much of a factor, as their young OFs have been solid, and they don't have the need or the money.

 

Of course, Dunn would be my #1 choice. A trade for Ramirez would be next. But I'd put signing Giles ahead of Damon, or trading for Huff or Floyd. If the Cubs got Giles, I would probably not bring back Lawton, although I'd love his OBP.

 

I'm not sold on Murton. I can hardly explain how awesome it would be to have Giles and Lawton's obp in our lineup.

 

edit: and then when we trade for dunn, obp is a strength rather than a weakness. giles will love playing cf at wrigley.

[WindyCity]

edit: and then when we trade for dunn, obp is a strength rather than a weakness. giles will love playing cf at wrigley.

 

I hope that was just a typo -- I would not want Giles to play CF... LF or RF and I'd be very happy.

[rawaction]

I'm not sold on Murton. I can hardly explain how awesome it would be to have Giles and Lawton's obp in our lineup.

 

edit: and then when we trade for dunn, obp is a strength rather than a weakness. giles will love playing cf at wrigley.

 

Agreed. I'm far from sold on him. He's far from a can't miss prospect. I would love to bring back Lawton and go get Giles, but I don't know if the Cubs would do that financially, especially since I'm assuming Nomar will be back. Now Dunn will be cheaper than Giles for at least a year, so I think the Cubs could do Dunn, and Lawton/Nomar to 1-year deals each. Or the Cubs could do Giles, Lawton and go out and trade for Lugo.

[treebird]

I'm not sold on Murton. I can hardly explain how awesome it would be to have Giles and Lawton's obp in our lineup.

 

edit: and then when we trade for dunn, obp is a strength rather than a weakness. giles will love playing cf at wrigley.

 

Agreed. I'm far from sold on him. He's far from a can't miss prospect. I would love to bring back Lawton and go get Giles, but I don't know if the Cubs would do that financially, especially since I'm assuming Nomar will be back. Now Dunn will be cheaper than Giles for at least a year, so I think the Cubs could do Dunn, and Lawton/Nomar to 1-year deals each. Or the Cubs could do Giles, Lawton and go out and trade for Lugo.

 

let's just go crazy. giles, lawton, dunn. give short to ronny, and trade barrett and let soto play catcher. fontenot or someone else who'd like to play for free can have second. I want the least balanced team in the major leagues.

[CubfaninCA]

Lawton, Nomah, Giles, Lee, ARam, Walker, Patterson and Barrett would score lots of run. I'd much rather have Giles and his obp, power, left-handed bat and experience over Murton. Too bad Murton can't convert to a 2b or catcher. If Pie steps it up, Patterson could be the odd man out.

 

I think we would be better off letting Lawton go and let Murton take his place. He can probably put up numbers similar to Lawton at a much cheaper cost. The problem is that Dusty would probably stick some old bum like Hollandsworth out there instead of Murton.

 

Lawton prevents one of Dusty's favorites like Neifi leading off. Gotta keep him. If the Cubs had a manager w/ half a clue, then I wouldn't have a problem w/ Lawton not returning.

[imb]

If the only thing between the Cubs and Giles is Murton, you sign Giles. If the only thing between the Cubs and Giles is the amount of years he wants, you keep Murton.

 

Hey this is easy.

[CubfaninCA]

If the Cubs give Cincy 7 prospects, MAYBE they can get Kearns. Dunn might take 15. That organization has no clue.