Trib says Walker "probably as good as gone"

[rawaction]

I'm not necessarily advocating a Walker trade. That said, if they keep Walker, and if Hendry decides to re-sign Nomar to play SS, the Cubs would probably have the worst defensive infield (excluding Lee) in the NL, if not all of MLB.

 

Perhaps the org. has already discussed with Nomar the possibility of moving to 2nd, making Walker redundant.

 

That makes very little sense, though. Moving Nomar to 2B would make Nomar unnecessary. The Cubs don't need a 2Bman. They need a SS. If Nomar's not the Cubs SS, he has no business being on the team.

 

1. Nomar who's never played 2B would not be better defensively than Walker who's played there his whole life.

2. Nomar is injury prone. Walker has been on the DL, but nothing major. Walker is more likely to stay on the field.

3. Nomar is a FA, Walker is not, unless the Cubs decline his cheap option.

4. Nomar will likely cost at least twice as much as the 2.5 M the Cubs could play Walker.

[AAApittsburgh]

I'm not necessarily advocating a Walker trade. That said, if they keep Walker, and if Hendry decides to re-sign Nomar to play SS, the Cubs would probably have the worst defensive infield (excluding Lee) in the NL, if not all of MLB.

 

Perhaps the org. has already discussed with Nomar the possibility of moving to 2nd, making Walker redundant.

But if both Nomar and Walker are healthy, I'd say they have the best offensive middle infield in the league, so I think that more than makes up for the defense.

[Mark Priors Calves]

Here's an excerpt from Chris DeLuca in the Sun-Times. He's suggesting Walker goes to Cleveland.

 

Second baseman Todd Walker -- possibly to the Cleveland Indians -- and right fielder Jeromy Burnitz are expected to draw the most interest from scavengers picking over the discarded Cubs before the deadline Wednesday for waiver deals.

[leatherguts]

I'm not necessarily advocating a Walker trade. That said, if they keep Walker, and if Hendry decides to re-sign Nomar to play SS, the Cubs would probably have the worst defensive infield (excluding Lee) in the NL, if not all of MLB.

 

Perhaps the org. has already discussed with Nomar the possibility of moving to 2nd, making Walker redundant.

 

That makes very little sense, though. Moving Nomar to 2B would make Nomar unnecessary. The Cubs don't need a 2Bman. They need a SS. If Nomar's not the Cubs SS, he has no business being on the team.

 

1. Nomar who's never played 2B would not be better defensively than Walker who's played there his whole life.

2. Nomar is injury prone. Walker has been on the DL, but nothing major. Walker is more likely to stay on the field.

3. Nomar is a FA, Walker is not, unless the Cubs decline his cheap option.

4. Nomar will likely cost at least twice as much as the 2.5 M the Cubs could play Walker.

 

Of course it makes very little sense, which is my I am against it. I was just suggesting that PERHAPS this is what Hendry has in mind, and why Walker is being brought up in trade talks.

 

Look, I doubt there are many on here who think Nomar is more worthless than I do. The biggest mistake this team could make is to trust this guy to play ANY position. He needs to prove he can stay healthy on a team that has less to play for before he gets another chance with a team that thinks it can make the postseason.

[AAApittsburgh]

Here's an excerpt from Chris DeLuca in the Sun-Times. He's suggesting Walker goes to Cleveland.

 

Second baseman Todd Walker -- possibly to the Cleveland Indians -- and right fielder Jeromy Burnitz are expected to draw the most interest from scavengers picking over the discarded Cubs before the deadline Wednesday for waiver deals.

Walker for Dubois? :?

[leatherguts]

I'm not necessarily advocating a Walker trade. That said, if they keep Walker, and if Hendry decides to re-sign Nomar to play SS, the Cubs would probably have the worst defensive infield (excluding Lee) in the NL, if not all of MLB.

 

Perhaps the org. has already discussed with Nomar the possibility of moving to 2nd, making Walker redundant.

But if both Nomar and Walker are healthy, I'd say they have the best offensive middle infield in the league, so I think that more than makes up for the defense.

 

I have to disagree. I think improving the defense should be the #1 priority. We already have Barrett at C and Ramirez at 3rd. They need to get stronger up the middle.

[chopsx9]

What about Nomar at second and Cedeno at SS? Or the other way around?

 

Not that I am eager to trade Walker by any means, it would depend entirely on what they got in return.

[CubfaninCA]

Here's an excerpt from Chris DeLuca in the Sun-Times. He's suggesting Walker goes to Cleveland.

 

Second baseman Todd Walker -- possibly to the Cleveland Indians -- and right fielder Jeromy Burnitz are expected to draw the most interest from scavengers picking over the discarded Cubs before the deadline Wednesday for waiver deals.

 

Maybe they can get DuBois back!! :)

[sandberg23]

I don't think Nomar wants to play second - unless he has changed his mind.

Garciaparra is said to have turned down a multiyear, $27 million offer from the Dodgers to play second base, instead taking the Cubs' one-year, $8 million offer to play shortstop.

[AAApittsburgh]

I'm not necessarily advocating a Walker trade. That said, if they keep Walker, and if Hendry decides to re-sign Nomar to play SS, the Cubs would probably have the worst defensive infield (excluding Lee) in the NL, if not all of MLB.

 

Perhaps the org. has already discussed with Nomar the possibility of moving to 2nd, making Walker redundant.

But if both Nomar and Walker are healthy, I'd say they have the best offensive middle infield in the league, so I think that more than makes up for the defense.

 

I have to disagree. I think improving the defense should be the #1 priority. We already have Barrett at C and Ramirez at 3rd. They need to get stronger up the middle.

Cubs are 8th in the league in runs. They need to be adding offense. Not getting rid of it.

[brfahey]

Can one of the Walker boosters tell me why this valuable commodity was let go by Boston, Minnesota, Colorado and the Reds? Why he, if I recall correctly, had offers from only Cleveland and the Cubs (to be a part time player) after having a career year for the Bosox in 2003? There appears to be more than meets the eye with Mr. Walker. Boston is not shy about spending money and I don't think the master plan in Boston was to get Bellhorn a regular job in 2004.

 

I'm sure this will elicit a response based upon stats about how great Walker is, but I think the major league teams have thesame access to stats as posters here do. Maybe they knew something that isn't reflected in stats. I know that's a radical concept for some here, but not all can be divined from stats.

[CubfaninCA]

I'm not necessarily advocating a Walker trade. That said, if they keep Walker, and if Hendry decides to re-sign Nomar to play SS, the Cubs would probably have the worst defensive infield (excluding Lee) in the NL, if not all of MLB.

 

Perhaps the org. has already discussed with Nomar the possibility of moving to 2nd, making Walker redundant.

But if both Nomar and Walker are healthy, I'd say they have the best offensive middle infield in the league, so I think that more than makes up for the defense.

 

I have to disagree. I think improving the defense should be the #1 priority. We already have Barrett at C and Ramirez at 3rd. They need to get stronger up the middle.

Cubs are 8th in the league in runs. They need to be adding offense. Not getting rid of it.

 

Where's the pitching/defense rank?? Get Giles and Furcal and Walker's not too important.

[UK1679666180]

Why was he brought back by the Cubs? If there was something there that isn't seen with stats or whatever dumb statement that was, why would the Cubs bring him back? He was a FA, the Cubs could've very well brought Grudzielanek back, but wanted Walker instead.

 

Look at Reggie Sanders, there's nothing wrong with him and he's being on too many teams to remember.

 

Certain players have this trend throughout their career, he's a role player, role players often shift as team structures shift.

 

Radical concept indeed. Stats didn't tell me that either...

[TrueBlueCubFan]

Why was he brought back by the Cubs? If there was something there that isn't seen with stats or whatever dumb statement that was, why would the Cubs bring him back? He was a FA, the Cubs could've very well brought Grudzielanek back, but wanted Walker instead.

 

Look at Reggie Sanders, there's nothing wrong with him and he's being on too many teams to remember.

 

Certain players have this trend throughout their career, he's a role player, role players often shift as team structures shift.

 

Radical concept indeed. Stats didn't tell me that either...

He was brought back by the Cubs b/c in 04' the Cubs were too RH dominant offense. Needing to get some LH hitters in the mix. A goal for the Cubs is going to be get stronger defensively, IIRC they rank near the bottom of the NL in defense.

[brfahey]

Why was he brought back by the Cubs? If there was something there that isn't seen with stats or whatever dumb statement that was, why would the Cubs bring him back? He was a FA, the Cubs could've very well brought Grudzielanek back, but wanted Walker instead.

 

Look at Reggie Sanders, there's nothing wrong with him and he's being on too many teams to remember.

 

Certain players have this trend throughout their career, he's a role player, role players often shift as team structures shift.

 

Radical concept indeed. Stats didn't tell me that either...

 

Wow, I'm glad to know that there is nothing wrong with Reggie Sanders because you say so.

 

As to your opening question, do you really want to use as your argument the Cubs' prowess in judging a player's capabilities. Not too much success in that area these past 100 years.

[UK1679666180]

Why was he brought back by the Cubs? If there was something there that isn't seen with stats or whatever dumb statement that was, why would the Cubs bring him back? He was a FA, the Cubs could've very well brought Grudzielanek back, but wanted Walker instead.

 

Look at Reggie Sanders, there's nothing wrong with him and he's being on too many teams to remember.

 

Certain players have this trend throughout their career, he's a role player, role players often shift as team structures shift.

 

Radical concept indeed. Stats didn't tell me that either...

He was brought back by the Cubs b/c in 04' the Cubs were too RH dominant offense. Needing to get some LH hitters in the mix. A goal for the Cubs is going to be get stronger defensively, IIRC they rank near the bottom of the NL in defense.

 

So, despite that assumption of something beneath the surface like a character issue(as that posters implies) they brought him back b/c he hits from the L side?

 

The Cubs are 12th in MLB defensive eff., better than their offense and pitching.

 

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/statistics/sortable/index.php?cid=206

[CubfaninCA]

Why was he brought back by the Cubs? If there was something there that isn't seen with stats or whatever dumb statement that was, why would the Cubs bring him back? He was a FA, the Cubs could've very well brought Grudzielanek back, but wanted Walker instead.

 

Look at Reggie Sanders, there's nothing wrong with him and he's being on too many teams to remember.

 

Certain players have this trend throughout their career, he's a role player, role players often shift as team structures shift.

 

Radical concept indeed. Stats didn't tell me that either...

He was brought back by the Cubs b/c in 04' the Cubs were too RH dominant offense. Needing to get some LH hitters in the mix. A goal for the Cubs is going to be get stronger defensively, IIRC they rank near the bottom of the NL in defense.

 

So, despite that assumption of something beneath the surface like a character issue(as that posters implies) they brought him back b/c he hits from the L side?

 

The Cubs are 12th in MLB defensive eff., better than their offense and pitching.

 

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/statistics/sortable/index.php?cid=206

 

Where would they be if Nomar played @ SS all year? 30th?? Neifi's defense >>>> Nomar's.

[UK1679666180]

Why was he brought back by the Cubs? If there was something there that isn't seen with stats or whatever dumb statement that was, why would the Cubs bring him back? He was a FA, the Cubs could've very well brought Grudzielanek back, but wanted Walker instead.

 

Look at Reggie Sanders, there's nothing wrong with him and he's being on too many teams to remember.

 

Certain players have this trend throughout their career, he's a role player, role players often shift as team structures shift.

 

Radical concept indeed. Stats didn't tell me that either...

 

Wow, I'm glad to know that there is nothing wrong with Reggie Sanders because you say so.

 

As to your opening question, do you really want to use as your argument the Cubs' prowess in judging a player's capabilities. Not too much success in that area these past 100 years.

 

Yes, I want to judge Hendry's capacity to judge players on the past 100 years b/c of his impact with bringing in the DP trio of Evers to Tinkers to Chance, his role with Hack Wilson should not be forgotten as well.

[leatherguts]

I think what some of this discussion really illustrates is just how important Lee's glove is to this team. Were he to have missed significant time this year, we all would have had a look at just how poor the left side of the infield is.

[rawaction]

Who cares about defense? This team is not losing because of defense. This ain't football. Defense doesn't win championships.

[brfahey]

Who cares about defense? This team is not losing because of defense. This ain't football. Defense doesn't win championships.

 

Hope that's sarcasm.

[CubfaninCA]

Why was he brought back by the Cubs? If there was something there that isn't seen with stats or whatever dumb statement that was, why would the Cubs bring him back? He was a FA, the Cubs could've very well brought Grudzielanek back, but wanted Walker instead.

 

Look at Reggie Sanders, there's nothing wrong with him and he's being on too many teams to remember.

 

Certain players have this trend throughout their career, he's a role player, role players often shift as team structures shift.

 

Radical concept indeed. Stats didn't tell me that either...

 

So basically whatever Hendry decides will be fine?? That's what I'm gathering from your argument.

[UK1679666180]

Why was he brought back by the Cubs? If there was something there that isn't seen with stats or whatever dumb statement that was, why would the Cubs bring him back? He was a FA, the Cubs could've very well brought Grudzielanek back, but wanted Walker instead.

 

Look at Reggie Sanders, there's nothing wrong with him and he's being on too many teams to remember.

 

Certain players have this trend throughout their career, he's a role player, role players often shift as team structures shift.

 

Radical concept indeed. Stats didn't tell me that either...

He was brought back by the Cubs b/c in 04' the Cubs were too RH dominant offense. Needing to get some LH hitters in the mix. A goal for the Cubs is going to be get stronger defensively, IIRC they rank near the bottom of the NL in defense.

 

So, despite that assumption of something beneath the surface like a character issue(as that posters implies) they brought him back b/c he hits from the L side?

 

The Cubs are 12th in MLB defensive eff., better than their offense and pitching.

 

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/statistics/sortable/index.php?cid=206

 

Where would they be if Nomar played @ SS all year? 30th?? Neifi's defense >>>> Nomar's.

 

They would've taken a hit defensively b/c Neifi had a strong year defensively. 30th? You could put 3 Ozzie Smith's at SS and it wouldn't impact a team dropping 17 spots defensively.

 

Of course, they would've spiked offensively and had a hitter that could produce in the middle of the order or hit 2nd.

[brfahey]

Why was he brought back by the Cubs? If there was something there that isn't seen with stats or whatever dumb statement that was, why would the Cubs bring him back? He was a FA, the Cubs could've very well brought Grudzielanek back, but wanted Walker instead.

 

Look at Reggie Sanders, there's nothing wrong with him and he's being on too many teams to remember.

 

Certain players have this trend throughout their career, he's a role player, role players often shift as team structures shift.

 

Radical concept indeed. Stats didn't tell me that either...

 

Wow, I'm glad to know that there is nothing wrong with Reggie Sanders because you say so.

 

As to your opening question, do you really want to use as your argument the Cubs' prowess in judging a player's capabilities. Not too much success in that area these past 100 years.

 

Yes, I want to judge Hendry's capacity to judge players on the past 100 years b/c of his impact with bringing in the DP trio of Evers to Tinkers to Chance, his role with Hack Wilson should not be forgotten as well.

 

You didn't address the Reggie Sanders thing. What, did you go to high school with him or something?

[CubfaninCA]

Who cares about defense? This team is not losing because of defense. This ain't football. Defense doesn't win championships.

 

I'm sure Zambrano and Prior would love this approach.