The 2006 Thread, Current topic: Center Field

[Roast]

So I've had this idea in my head for a little while now. I think it would be fun to have a thread where we could put our brains together and have a comprehensive discussion about each of the decisions that await us in the off season. After which we would come to a conclusion either by unanimous decision or a majority rules vote, record our decision, and then move on to the next topic.

 

By the time we have gone over every topic, not only will we have taken up most of the off season, we will have put together an entirely new team for 2006.

 

Now, here are the rules:

- Stay on topic. We will discuss one topic, and only one topic, at a time. If we are on the topic of what to do at short, please keep your responses related to that topic, and not what to do in left field.

 

- We will discuss the dreaded topics of Dusty and Cpatt. Please, keep it civilized. As with any discussion on this board, it has a tendency to get heated. But people seem to have the strongest opinions on these two topics. So again, keep it clean.

 

- Keep it factual. This kinda goes along with the Patterson discussion. No "He is an idiot" comments. No "he took da roids" comments. Please, keep it stat based, or at least factual.

 

- We will assume that the team salary is $105 Mil. I've seen it written that the salary will be $100 Mil, and I've seen $110 Mil. $105 Mil is a happy medium I think.

 

- Keep it Realistic. Arod for Jose Macias isn't going to happen, so please, keep it realistic.

 

- And as always, keep in mind the NSBB golden rule, attack the argument, not the member.

Edited November 12, 2005 by Roast

[Roast]

Resources

Stats:

The Baseball Cube

ESPN

Baseball Prospectus

 

Salaries:

Cot's Baseball Contracts

 

 

Free Agent List

2006 Free Agent List

Edited September 25, 2005 by Roast

[Roast]

Our Team so far

 

Mgr: Dusty Baker

 

1B: Derrek Lee - 9.417 Mil

2B: Todd Walker - 2.5 Mil

SS: Nomar Garciaparra - 8 Mil (5 base 3 incentive)

3B: Aramis Ramirez - 10.5 Mil

LF: Matt Murton - 350K

CF:

RF: Brian Giles - 15 Mil

C: Michael Barrett - 4 Mil

 

SP: Mark Prior - 2.75 Mil

SP: Kerry Wood - 12 Mil

SP: Greg Maddux - 9 Mil

SP:

SP:

 

Pen

 

 

 

Bench

C:Henry Blanco - 1.5 Mil

 

Salary So Far: $75.017 Million

Left To Spend: 29.983 Million

Edited November 17, 2005 by Roast

[Roast]

Before we get underway, if I have missed any players that are under contract, or you have anything to add, please tell me or PM me. And one last word of advice: This little adventure is based on what WE want to happen. That is, We are now the GM/President of this team. We are not bounded to Hendry's tendencies, but we must keep in mind that all other facets must be realistic.

 

Alright, lets get this started. I will keep track of our current topic in this post, and in the title.

 

Our Current Topic: Center Field

Edited November 12, 2005 by Roast

[Roast]

Finally, you guys can talk and I can stop typing. So first things first, what are our options for second?

 

Resign Walker?

Resign Hairston?

Sign a FA?

 

Discuss.

[Schwarber Fan]

I would do 1 of 2 things:

 

1: put Ronny Cedeño at 2B, sign Furcal as SS/leadoff

2: re-sign Walker

[Roast]

I would do 1 of 2 things:

 

1: put Ronny Cedeño at 2B, sign Furcal as SS/leadoff

2: re-sign Walker

 

Can Cedeno play second? Has he ever done it in the minors? If not, is he even open to a position change?

 

I think the best possible option here would be to resign Walker. But the one big question is would walker actually want to return. I havent read much of the news of late so i dont know.

[Schwarber Fan]

I would do 1 of 2 things:

 

1: put Ronny Cedeño at 2B, sign Furcal as SS/leadoff

2: re-sign Walker

 

Can Cedeno play second? Has he ever done it in the minors? If not, is he even open to a position change?

 

I think the best possible option here would be to resign Walker. But the one big question is would walker actually want to return. I havent read much of the news of late so i dont know.

 

They were talking about him practicing at 2B on WGN one day.

 

According to Fox, Ronny has played 1 game at 2nd this year.

Edited September 25, 2005 by Rondon Fan

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

For the price, I'm keeping Walker at the very inexpensive 2.5 million option as the starter at second base. Cedeno will make the minimum and be used as a back-up infielder and reserve starter in case of injury. I'll tender Hairston a contract and keep him as substitute infielder/outfielder.

[Roast]

I have to agree, 2.5 million for someone who can bat .300 and put up a high OBP is dirt cheap.

[Tim]

I have to agree, 2.5 million for someone who can bat .300 and put up a high OBP is dirt cheap.

That is a Cubs option, btw, so Walker doesn't have any choice about coming back if the Cubs want him. And that's the question.

 

It's not a question for me, though, as I exercise the option the first day I can and bring back Todd for 2006.

[RockTheIvy]

Todd makes the most sense. He puts up good numbers, and most importantly, he's cheap. Please bring him back, Jim.

[Roast]

so, it doesnt seem like much of a decision so far. Most everybody says walker. Does anyone have any opposing views?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

The way I see it, Todd Walker's offensive game far outweighs his defense. I think this is a no-brainer, but it sounds like the Cubs want to improve defense (at the expense of offense, I doubt you can find a better offensive player than Walker at 2B this offseason). I hope that if the Cubs don't bring back Todd, they at least pick his option up and get a good trade.

[Jazz]

This is a very interesting position, and could go a number of ways. But it is a no brainer that wherever you go, u have to go cheap.

 

Walker's option should be picked up regardless of whether or not hes part of the 2006 plan. 2.5 million dollars for his production should help the cubs whether in a trade, or the helping the actual team.

 

If Walker is not starting at 2B, than the only reason would be to improve the middle infield defense drastically. Only 2 ways i can see that happening without spending much money at 2B.

 

1. Start Cedeno if he can play the position well enough

2. Sign furcal, and put nomar at 2B

 

Either of these options is suitable, but i prefer signing Walker to start at 2B, Unless he can land us a good setup man or a high level prospect.

[katway]

Exercise Walker's option and trade him to the American League where he has additional value as a DH or to someone like the Mets for Floyd. Walker is one of the worst I've ever seen at turning double plays and his failure to turn them often results in big innings for the other team. I think his defense has been costly at times and I could overlook it if he was a clutch hitter; but, he often fails to produce in the clutch.

 

I'd see if Nomar is willing to play 2B and start Cedeno at SS. If Nomar isn't willing, then I'd see if we can get furcal and put Cedeno at second.

[otis89]

I agree with everyone else. Walker should definitely be brought back next year.

[Roast]

I figured this would be a pretty quick decision. Which is why I put it up first before some of they heavy issues (dusty, patterson).

 

So I'll just start the process now.

 

I'll go set up the poll over in the polls forum. First to 20 with a 5 vote lead wins.

[Tim]

BTW - I really don't see Nomar as an option at 2B. The sidearm throwing motion would be awful for taking a throw from SS and trying to turn two.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Cedeno is open to the position change...i read a quote a few weeks ago about him moving to 2B. He was into it as long as he got to play. That's all that matters to him...playing in the bigs.

 

Walker was also quoted recently as saying that he thought the Cubs org was leaning towards getting Furcal and moving Cedeno to 2B. I realize this thread isn't about what Hendry & Co. want to do...just pointing out that Cedeno to 2B is a viable option.

 

I wouldn't complain at either Walker or Cedeno at 2B. Personally, I'd resign Walker, even if he complains about not starting over Cedeno at 2B. At least we'll have some depth in case Cedeno tanks. Depth is important and we can get some cheaply, with walker at 2.5M.

[Tim]

Cedeno is open to the position change...i read a quote a few weeks ago about him moving to 2B. He was into it as long as he got to play. That's all that matters to him...playing in the bigs.

 

Walker was also quoted recently as saying that he thought the Cubs org was leaning towards getting Furcal and moving Cedeno to 2B. I realize this thread isn't about what Hendry & Co. want to do...just pointing out that Cedeno to 2B is a viable option.

 

I wouldn't complain at either Walker or Cedeno at 2B. Personally, I'd resign Walker, even if he complains about not starting over Cedeno at 2B. At least we'll have some depth in case Cedeno tanks. Depth is important and we can get some cheaply, with walker at 2.5M.

Once again...

 

there is no need to "re-sign" Walker. The Cubs hold an option on him that merely needs to be exercised. He's with the team if the team wants him.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Cedeno is open to the position change...i read a quote a few weeks ago about him moving to 2B. He was into it as long as he got to play. That's all that matters to him...playing in the bigs.

 

Walker was also quoted recently as saying that he thought the Cubs org was leaning towards getting Furcal and moving Cedeno to 2B. I realize this thread isn't about what Hendry & Co. want to do...just pointing out that Cedeno to 2B is a viable option.

 

I wouldn't complain at either Walker or Cedeno at 2B. Personally, I'd resign Walker, even if he complains about not starting over Cedeno at 2B. At least we'll have some depth in case Cedeno tanks. Depth is important and we can get some cheaply, with walker at 2.5M.

Once again...

 

there is no need to "re-sign" Walker. The Cubs hold an option on him that merely needs to be exercised. He's with the team if the team wants him.

 

yes, i realize this. sorry, what i should have said was "pick up his option for next year." :wink:

[nilodnayr]

I have to agree, 2.5 million for someone who can bat .300 and put up a high OBP is dirt cheap.

That is a Cubs option, btw, so Walker doesn't have any choice about coming back if the Cubs want him. And that's the question.

 

It's not a question for me, though, as I exercise the option the first day I can and bring back Todd for 2006.

I try to sign him to a very similar contact hes signed to right now (with a 500K raise or so), I'd like to keep an option on him for 2007. Some would argue for EPatt in 2007, but as much as I like him, I cant see him going from low A to AA to the majors. If Todd wants to be able to test the market after 2006 so be it, Ill be very happy retaining his services in 2006 for 2.5M by picking up the option. Just my preference to keep him around past 2006.

[RockTheIvy]

Outside of Walker, Nomar, Cedeno and Neifi!, what are some outside options for 2B? Are there any intriguing possibilities?

[nilodnayr]

Outside of Walker, Nomar, Cedeno and Neifi!, what are some outside options for 2B? Are there any intriguing possibilities?

 

There really arent any. Probably the best possible FA out there (besides Walker) is Durham, which is scary.