Burnitz as a stopgap in CF?

[AllStarMe]

I was thinking that if we could get the kind of production in CF that Burnitz has provided this year, why not try to resign him to a one year deal and stick him in CF until Pie's ready. I just don't think Corey's gonna cut it, and though his OBP is decent I'm not all that impressed with Hairston either. From what I've seen, Burnitz is a hard-nosed guy that has played a good outfield this year, and he's had some time in CF before. True, he's not as fast as CPat or JHJr, but I've seen him get to a lot of balls this year that I didn't think he would.

 

I think an outfiled of Murton-Burnitz-Giles L to R in 06 would put up some good numbers, with Burny hitting in the 7 hole. If we fall out of contention or Felix is simply tearing it up, Burnitz can be dealt. ok now, fire away.

[Brian]

i'd be more compfortable with Hairston in Center.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

I would not be at all comfortable with him out there in center. Plus the fact that Dusty would continue to hit him 4th in the order next year due to the right, lefty, righty thing.

[CuseCubFan69]

I think it would depend on the Cub personal at the time. If Baker is still there and so is Perez that would probably put Neifi at the leadoff spot as I assume that Hairston would not be on the team.

 

I'd like to see Burny in CF with Murton in LF and a Floyd/Giles or better like hitter in right. I think he would be a very good bridge to Pie. The only thing is the leadoff slot. If Baker would put Walker in the leadoff and then Murton I'd be fine with that.

 

Walker

Murton

Lee

Ramirez

Giles/Floyd

Nomar

Burnitz

Barrett

 

I'd be happy with that lineup.

[JeffH]

If you can't get Giles, resign Burnitz and sign Jacque Jones.

 

Jones plays CF for one season until Pie is ready, then he slides over into RF.

 

You'll need a RH platoon partner for Jones, though. Hairston for year 1 in CF, then someone with a little more pop for years 2 and 3 in RF.

 

The problem with this is that the big FAs used to always be the first to sign. Now, many of them wait until January or even February. Jones will probably be gone by the time Giles gets around to signing.

[katway]

Burny doesn't have enough range for center. His defense numbers when he played an extensive amount of center field for the Rockies in 2004 were not good. Last year, he played 69 games in center due to the Preston Wilson injuries with a Davenport Translation of 92 on defense and a ESPN zone rating of .792, both of which were well below average. The only worse NL regular center fielder in zone rating was Ken Griffey, Jr. (he was still recovering from injuries last year). Thus, if we put him in center, Burny will probably be the worst regular as measured by range factor.

 

In addition, Burny seems to be among the worst hitting outfielders the second half this year. While I appreciate his hustle, I'd rather he not be on the Cubs next year in more than a backup role.

Edited September 19, 2005 by katway

[CubfaninCA]

I would not be at all comfortable with him out there in center. Plus the fact that Dusty would continue to hit him 4th in the order next year due to the right, lefty, righty thing.

 

Have to agree here. Bring him back and he'll be batting 4th again. :(

[CuseCubFan69]

I would not be at all comfortable with him out there in center. Plus the fact that Dusty would continue to hit him 4th in the order next year due to the right, lefty, righty thing.

 

Have to agree here. Bring him back and he'll be batting 4th again. :(

 

Yeah...Baker does put a damper on things. ](*,)

[HoopsCubs]

I was thinking that if we could get the kind of production in CF that Burnitz has provided this year, why not try to resign him to a one year deal and stick him in CF until Pie's ready. I just don't think Corey's gonna cut it, and though his OBP is decent I'm not all that impressed with Hairston either. From what I've seen, Burnitz is a hard-nosed guy that has played a good outfield this year, and he's had some time in CF before. True, he's not as fast as CPat or JHJr, but I've seen him get to a lot of balls this year that I didn't think he would.

 

I think an outfiled of Murton-Burnitz-Giles L to R in 06 would put up some good numbers, with Burny hitting in the 7 hole. If we fall out of contention or Felix is simply tearing it up, Burnitz can be dealt. ok now, fire away.

 

I still think Hendry will sign Kenny Lofton to a 1-year incentive-laden deal to play CF and lead-off. That will give Felix Pie another season in the minors - perhaps he'll be a 2nd half call-up. With the Lofton signing, I also think Hendry will keep Hairston as a utility player, who can start in CF against tough lefties. I think many in the Cubs brass still believe that for 2006 Lofton will come very close to duplicating his .388 OBP from this year and his .381 OBP in the 2nd half of 2003. Supposedly, with the exception of Sosa and Alou, his teammates loved him in 2003.

[dalgreen]

Please, just say no to Burnitz. I thought we were trying to get younger, especially in the outfield? We will have a 35 year old and a 36 year old in the outfield. if you sign Giles and Burnitz. Once again, Giles will likely seek a three-year deal, I say no to that, but yes to a one-year deal. I'm actually sick of the baserunning blunders and the strikeouts that come with Burnitz. If he's a 4th outfielder, I might be able to live with him, but I was disappointed with his bat this year. My ideal situation is for Todd Helton to say I want to be a Cub and I will play left field. Heck, some are talking about moving Nomar to left, I'd rather have Helton.

[brinoch]

Please, just say no to Burnitz. I thought we were trying to get younger, especially in the outfield? We will have a 35 year old and a 36 year old in the outfield. if you sign Giles and Burnitz. Once again, Giles will likely seek a three-year deal, I say no to that, but yes to a one-year deal. I'm actually sick of the baserunning blunders and the strikeouts that come with Burnitz. If he's a 4th outfielder, I might be able to live with him, but I was disappointed with his bat this year. My ideal situation is for Todd Helton to say I want to be a Cub and I will play left field. Heck, some are talking about moving Nomar to left, I'd rather have Helton.

 

Agreed. Just say no!

 

 

And Helton would be a fine LF, methinks.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I was thinking that if we could get the kind of production in CF that Burnitz has provided this year, why not try to resign him to a one year deal and stick him in CF until Pie's ready. I just don't think Corey's gonna cut it, and though his OBP is decent I'm not all that impressed with Hairston either. From what I've seen, Burnitz is a hard-nosed guy that has played a good outfield this year, and he's had some time in CF before. True, he's not as fast as CPat or JHJr, but I've seen him get to a lot of balls this year that I didn't think he would.

 

I think an outfiled of Murton-Burnitz-Giles L to R in 06 would put up some good numbers, with Burny hitting in the 7 hole. If we fall out of contention or Felix is simply tearing it up, Burnitz can be dealt. ok now, fire away.

 

I still think Hendry will sign Kenny Lofton to a 1-year incentive-laden deal to play CF and lead-off. That will give Felix Pie another season in the minors - perhaps he'll be a 2nd half call-up. With the Lofton signing, I also think Hendry will keep Hairston as a utility player, who can start in CF against tough lefties. I think many in the Cubs brass still believe that for 2006 Lofton will come very close to duplicating his .388 OBP from this year and his .381 OBP in the 2nd half of 2003. Supposedly, with the exception of Sosa and Alou, his teammates loved him in 2003.

 

Lofton might not be a bad option for CF. He'll come cheap, can answer the lead-off question and allow the Cubs to get a big bat in right and keep Nomar for SS.

[CubfaninCA]

I was thinking that if we could get the kind of production in CF that Burnitz has provided this year, why not try to resign him to a one year deal and stick him in CF until Pie's ready. I just don't think Corey's gonna cut it, and though his OBP is decent I'm not all that impressed with Hairston either. From what I've seen, Burnitz is a hard-nosed guy that has played a good outfield this year, and he's had some time in CF before. True, he's not as fast as CPat or JHJr, but I've seen him get to a lot of balls this year that I didn't think he would.

 

I think an outfiled of Murton-Burnitz-Giles L to R in 06 would put up some good numbers, with Burny hitting in the 7 hole. If we fall out of contention or Felix is simply tearing it up, Burnitz can be dealt. ok now, fire away.

 

I still think Hendry will sign Kenny Lofton to a 1-year incentive-laden deal to play CF and lead-off. That will give Felix Pie another season in the minors - perhaps he'll be a 2nd half call-up. With the Lofton signing, I also think Hendry will keep Hairston as a utility player, who can start in CF against tough lefties. I think many in the Cubs brass still believe that for 2006 Lofton will come very close to duplicating his .388 OBP from this year and his .381 OBP in the 2nd half of 2003. Supposedly, with the exception of Sosa and Alou, his teammates loved him in 2003.

 

Are you getting this from your source?? Lofton in cf for a year makes some sense. However, I thought Hendry and Baker don't really care for Hairston?? Sounds like they want to get Pie to the majors pretty soon.

[HoopsCubs]

Lofton might not be a bad option for CF. He'll come cheap, can answer the lead-off question and allow the Cubs to get a big bat in right and keep Nomar for SS.

 

Vance,

 

With respect to getting "a big bat in right," although he's not a big blip on the conventional wisdom radar since he's not a free agent, I could envision the Cubs making an offer to Washington this off-season for Jose Guillen. From what I have read in some Washington papers lately, the guy is a moody brooder, who has had private run-ins with Frank Robinson and team leader Brian Schneider this season, and has made some of the young guys very uncomfortable. Despite being owed a very fair $4M in 2006, the Nationals may feel trading him for young pitching (they have no answers right now after Livan, Loiaza and Patterson) could be the way to go. I'm sure Dusty could handle him.

 

Hoops

[HoopsCubs]

Are you getting this from your source?? Lofton in cf for a year makes some sense. However, I thought Hendry and Baker don't really care for Hairston?? Sounds like they want to get Pie to the majors pretty soon.

 

My closest source and I discussed Lofton a week ago - the idea has some merit, especially a 1-year deal. Hairston has been supposedly better in the 2nd half in terms of his relationship to Baker - enough to warrant at least a utility role consideration from what I understand. As for Pie, everyone has an opinion on him - I wouldn't be surprised if the Pie talk was just to stimulate more interest in Corey. Even though Patterson's trade value is low, his upside is tremendous if he can ever put it together (like 1st half 2003) - if teams know he's on the block, there may be more interest (of course, there'll be a bunch of low-balling offers too, but maybe one or two offers could be compelling). Corey could really help Hendry out by playing great these last 12 games.

[Neuby]

I really hope the Cubs could Package Mitre,Hairston, Patterson and prospects to the Red Sox for Ramirez and cash relief in his deal.

 

Keep Walker

Nomar at short for 4 million or less. Cedeno in the wings.

Lofton for Center 2.5 or less.

Sign BJ Ryan .

 

Lofton

Walker

Lee

M.Ramirez

A.Ramirez

Nomar

Murton

Barrett

 

Maybe switch up Walker and Nomar to break up the lefties?

 

Prior

Zambrano

Wood

Maddux

Hill/Williams/ Rusch/Prospects ?

Assuming Nova, Wuertz, Willamson,Ohman are all in play for pen spots and the Cubs spend a little on quality bench players would they have enough to be in play for Millwood.

[RockTheIvy]

I was thinking that if we could get the kind of production in CF that Burnitz has provided this year, why not try to resign him to a one year deal and stick him in CF until Pie's ready. I just don't think Corey's gonna cut it, and though his OBP is decent I'm not all that impressed with Hairston either. From what I've seen, Burnitz is a hard-nosed guy that has played a good outfield this year, and he's had some time in CF before. True, he's not as fast as CPat or JHJr, but I've seen him get to a lot of balls this year that I didn't think he would.

 

I think an outfiled of Murton-Burnitz-Giles L to R in 06 would put up some good numbers, with Burny hitting in the 7 hole. If we fall out of contention or Felix is simply tearing it up, Burnitz can be dealt. ok now, fire away.

 

I still think Hendry will sign Kenny Lofton to a 1-year incentive-laden deal to play CF and lead-off. That will give Felix Pie another season in the minors - perhaps he'll be a 2nd half call-up. With the Lofton signing, I also think Hendry will keep Hairston as a utility player, who can start in CF against tough lefties. I think many in the Cubs brass still believe that for 2006 Lofton will come very close to duplicating his .388 OBP from this year and his .381 OBP in the 2nd half of 2003. Supposedly, with the exception of Sosa and Alou, his teammates loved him in 2003.

 

HOORAY!!!!!!

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Lofton might not be a bad option for CF. He'll come cheap, can answer the lead-off question and allow the Cubs to get a big bat in right and keep Nomar for SS.

 

Vance,

 

With respect to getting "a big bat in right," although he's not a big blip on the conventional wisdom radar since he's not a free agent, I could envision the Cubs making an offer to Washington this off-season for Jose Guillen. From what I have read in some Washington papers lately, the guy is a moody brooder, who has had private run-ins with Frank Robinson and team leader Brian Schneider this season, and has made some of the young guys very uncomfortable. Despite being owed a very fair $4M in 2006, the Nationals may feel trading him for young pitching (they have no answers right now after Livan, Loiaza and Patterson) could be the way to go. I'm sure Dusty could handle him.

 

Hoops

 

I think I could live with the acquisitions of Lofton and Guillen, if we hang on to Nomar and Walker. It's not splashy, but this line up:

 

Lofton CF

Walker 2B

Lee 1b

Ramirez 3B

Garciaparra SS

Guillen RF

Barrett C

Murton LF

 

would not be too bad. Also, that would leave a lot of cash to pursue help for the rotation or bullpen. I could live with those acquisitions provided we put together a productive bench and bullpen.

[CubfaninCA]

Say no to Guillen. Say no to Milton Bradley. Get Cliff Floyd. That's the perfect Cub pickup. Not too expensive due to his health problems in the past, and can put him in between Lee and ARam. Of course, he'll be hurt by July. :o

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Hendry won't go after a guy like Guillen, he likes the high-character guys.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Guillen is the guy I wanted instead of Burnitz last offseason. :(

 

He'd be a good pickup, but I hope he wouldn't be our "big splash". Getting Guillen in conjunction with Giles would be great.

[UK1679666180]

If they go for a stop-gap, I'd hope they go for someone younger (Langerhans from Atl./Stern from Bost.). As far as Stern, that is under the assumption the Sox bring back damon.

 

If they went with someone older, I'd rather see Lofton than Burnitz.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

I would certainly support bringing back Kenny Lofton--the Cubs never should have let him go in the first place. But question: why would the Phillies let him go? He's been terrific for them, why wouldn't they bring him back themselves? They have as much money to spend as the Cubs, so money isn't a problem.

 

Just say no to Jose Guillen though, that's a bad idea.

 

I continue to pine after one of Tampa or Cincy's extra OFs. At some point, both those GMs have to suck it up and admit they need pitching--don't they? We make a natural trade partner.

 

Unfortunately, watch out for St Louis. Larry Walker is finished, and Reggie Sanders has been subpar when he hasn't been hurt this year. You know they're going to be actively looking for corner OF help, competing against us for all the obvious names. I would think Houston will be looking for a corner OF too, and they should have the money to spend with Rajah's $18MM off the books. And the Dodgers have nearly as much money to spend as we do.

 

It's going to be a tough off-season, I fear. Hendry will likely have better luck coming up with creative trade ideas than he will plunging into the free agent market.

[CuseCubFan69]

If they go for a stop-gap, I'd hope they go for someone younger (Langerhans from Atl./Stern from Bost.). As far as Stern, that is under the assumption the Sox bring back damon.

 

If they went with someone older, I'd rather see Lofton than Burnitz.

 

Sounds good. Guillen worries me as the Cubs might as well get Bradley too.

[HoopsCubs]

I think I could live with the acquisitions of Lofton and Guillen, if we hang on to Nomar and Walker. It's not splashy, but this line up:

 

Lofton CF

Walker 2B

Lee 1b

Ramirez 3B

Garciaparra SS

Guillen RF

Barrett C

Murton LF

 

would not be too bad. Also, that would leave a lot of cash to pursue help for the rotation or bullpen. I could live with those acquisitions provided we put together a productive bench and bullpen.

 

If the Cubs did go Murton/Lofton for LF/CF, regardless of who they bring in to play RF, I think the Cubs would try to get more power from the infield, which leads me to believe they would trade Walker and a decent pitcher to Texas for Soriano. And if we take CubfaninCa's idea for acquiring Cliff Floyd, this is the lineup I could see:

 

Lofton

Murton

Lee

Floyd

Ramirez

Soriano

Barrett

Cedeno

 

I'm not optimistic the Cubs will keep Garciaparra, although under the right financial circumstances, it is do-able if they choose to.

 

Hoops