The 2006 Thread, Current topic: Center Field

[RockTheIvy]

Anybody have the dates for the different steps of Free agency? I'm just curious what Hendry's priorities are. Is it getting a SS or getting a leadoff hitter. I fear that he thinks he can get both if he nabs Furcal. I'm hoping he tries to get an OF who can lead off, then gets Nomar for short. Even if Nomar pulls down an .800 OPS, we'd be doing a lot better than league average, and he is almost there now.

[nilodnayr]

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

 

It has been suggested that the Braves might trade Marcus Giles and apply those savings to resigning Rafael Furcal.

 

Sure that has been suggested, but suggested by a moron. Id put no credence into that claim.

Who? I'm just looking for a source, that's all.

Bah, i give up. Could have possibly not been a link but some one something heard some idiot say on the radio.

[USSoccer]

I'm all about bringing Nomar back and using Ronny to back up Nomar & Walker in 2006. I just don't like handing Furcal the deal I think it's going to take to sign him. No matter how few teams are out there looking for SS, I just don't think he's going to get a smaller deal than Cabrera. And even Christian Guzman got a four year deal.

 

Nomar on a one year deal does more for the team if he stays healthy than any other option at the position. And I like Cedeno as the backup in case Nomar gets another boo-boo.

 

What Tim said, but provided that Neifi Perez is not on the team in 2006. It does us no good if Nomar gets hurt to have Cedeno and Perez on the team. Guess who will get the starts, and most likely hit higher in the order than he should. Since Baker will be here barring a miracle, Hendry needs to do the responsible things and deny Baker the opportunity to jack up the team should Nomar get jinxed again.

 

Offer Nomar 3.5 plus incentives based on plate appearances and such. Cedeno gets to be the Neifi of the 2006 Cubs, filling in at SS, 2B and 3B when needed.

 

Perez needs to be let go. Don't offer him anything. Don't offer him arby, don't offer him a bench slot, don't let him be a NRI to ST. I'll even help him back his bags when the Nationals sign him.

[Jazz]

Anybody have the dates for the different steps of Free agency? I'm just curious what Hendry's priorities are. Is it getting a SS or getting a leadoff hitter. I fear that he thinks he can get both if he nabs Furcal. I'm hoping he tries to get an OF who can lead off, then gets Nomar for short. Even if Nomar pulls down an .800 OPS, we'd be doing a lot better than league average, and he is almost there now.

 

I think you have you leadoff hitter in Walker. We need his OBP and Left handed bat at the top of the order. Slide murton at number two, and you have a pretty duo up there.

 

Hendry's priorites should be (in order of when it should happen)

 

-Pickup Walker's option

-Pursure a big OF bat in trade or free agency

-Pursue a starting pitcher, and a setup man.

-Dusty proof the bench.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

If I can get Nomar at 5 + incentives, that's the route I'd go. I'd use Cedeno as the back-up SS/2b/3b.

 

you seem set on nomar accepting no less than 5+ incentives, is it that hard to think the base might be less? im not doubting nomar might use his recent performance as terms for negotiation but just a thought.

 

I think nomar is a sign here as well, a full year of him is just about as good if not better as every other shortstop in the league offensively. But you have to have someone with substantial to terrific defense opposite him. Walker and Nomar can both play LF if neccessary, leaving the option to still sign Furcal if need be. One day you could have Nomar at 2nd, Furcal at Short, and Walker in LF, and then shift walker to to 2nd, and put murton or nomar at LF. Could lead to a more powerful bench and having the LF situation taken care of as well. Thoughts?

 

You're not going to have a happy Nomar and Walker, that's for sure. Hopefully the mythical team chemistry really is overrated.

 

I'd love to go that route, but the egos involved might make that more trouble than it's worth.

[nilodnayr]

Anybody have the dates for the different steps of Free agency? I'm just curious what Hendry's priorities are. Is it getting a SS or getting a leadoff hitter. I fear that he thinks he can get both if he nabs Furcal. I'm hoping he tries to get an OF who can lead off, then gets Nomar for short. Even if Nomar pulls down an .800 OPS, we'd be doing a lot better than league average, and he is almost there now.

 

In the last 4 years no NL qualifying shortstop has had an OPS over 816 except for Renterias break out year. Just to put an 800 OPS in perspective.

[USSoccer]

If I can get Nomar at 5 + incentives, that's the route I'd go. I'd use Cedeno as the back-up SS/2b/3b.

 

you seem set on nomar accepting no less than 5+ incentives, is it that hard to think the base might be less? im not doubting nomar might use his recent performance as terms for negotiation but just a thought.

 

I think nomar is a sign here as well, a full year of him is just about as good if not better as every other shortstop in the league offensively. But you have to have someone with substantial to terrific defense opposite him. Walker and Nomar can both play LF if neccessary, leaving the option to still sign Furcal if need be. One day you could have Nomar at 2nd, Furcal at Short, and Walker in LF, and then shift walker to to 2nd, and put murton or nomar at LF. Could lead to a more powerful bench and having the LF situation taken care of as well. Thoughts?

 

You're not going to have a happy Nomar and Walker, that's for sure. Hopefully the mythical team chemistry really is overrated.

 

I'd love to go that route, but the egos involved might make that more trouble than it's worth.

 

 

Nomar has never played LF to my knowledge, and considering his issues the last 2 years have been leg injuries, I don't think he's the best candidate to move to LF. Walker played like 2 innings of LF in 2004, and looked like he was baffled by the flight of the ball off the bat.

 

We have a perfectly good, cheap LF option who has patience, speed, can hit the ball to all fields and does have enough power. We can debate this when we get to LF, but dumping 2 infielders in LF isn't going to solve our issues.

[USSoccer]

Anybody have the dates for the different steps of Free agency? I'm just curious what Hendry's priorities are. Is it getting a SS or getting a leadoff hitter. I fear that he thinks he can get both if he nabs Furcal. I'm hoping he tries to get an OF who can lead off, then gets Nomar for short. Even if Nomar pulls down an .800 OPS, we'd be doing a lot better than league average, and he is almost there now.

 

In the last 4 years no NL qualifying shortstop has had an OPS over 816 except for Renterias break out year. Just to put an 800 OPS in perspective.

 

If Nomar plays 125-135 games at SS, and puts up .295/.340, that not only is a giant inprovement over our SS this year, but it also allows Cedeno to play at least 25-30 games at SS alone, and allows him to ease into what should be a starting role in 2007.

 

That said, Nomar has to agree to a reduced salary for us to want to bring him back. He is a high risk/high reward player now. We need to treat him as such, and if he legitamitly likes Chicago and the organization, he'll be accomodating.

[nilodnayr]

Anybody have the dates for the different steps of Free agency? I'm just curious what Hendry's priorities are. Is it getting a SS or getting a leadoff hitter. I fear that he thinks he can get both if he nabs Furcal. I'm hoping he tries to get an OF who can lead off, then gets Nomar for short. Even if Nomar pulls down an .800 OPS, we'd be doing a lot better than league average, and he is almost there now.

 

I think you have you leadoff hitter in Walker. We need his OBP and Left handed bat at the top of the order. Slide murton at number two, and you have a pretty duo up there.

 

Hendry's priorites should be (in order of when it should happen)

 

-Pickup Walker's option

-Pursure a big OF bat in trade or free agency

-Pursue a starting pitcher, and a setup man.

-Dusty proof the bench.

 

Woah, lets stick to the subject (in case youve entered this thread late, read Roasts first few posts).

 

Is talking about batting order within the topic of talking about position? I guess batting order should be discussed after weve come to the consensus on all the position players on the team.

[nilodnayr]

Anybody have the dates for the different steps of Free agency? I'm just curious what Hendry's priorities are. Is it getting a SS or getting a leadoff hitter. I fear that he thinks he can get both if he nabs Furcal. I'm hoping he tries to get an OF who can lead off, then gets Nomar for short. Even if Nomar pulls down an .800 OPS, we'd be doing a lot better than league average, and he is almost there now.

 

In the last 4 years no NL qualifying shortstop has had an OPS over 816 except for Renterias break out year. Just to put an 800 OPS in perspective.

 

If Nomar plays 125-135 games at SS, and puts up .295/.340, that not only is a giant inprovement over our SS this year, but it also allows Cedeno to play at least 25-30 games at SS alone, and allows him to ease into what should be a starting role in 2007.

 

That said, Nomar has to agree to a reduced salary for us to want to bring him back. He is a high risk/high reward player now. We need to treat him as such, and if he legitamitly likes Chicago and the organization, he'll be accomodating.

 

I see Nomar as not much of an injury risk. I was most worried about the achilies as those seem to be somewhat nagging. It hasnt popped up this year, but who knows if it would have if Nomar would have played an entire year. Nomar doesnt have a history of muscle injuries, arthritis, or issues with him being in condition, so I have no problem bringing him back for even more than 5M bucks.

[CubsWin]

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

 

It has been suggested that the Braves might trade Marcus Giles and apply those savings to resigning Rafael Furcal.

 

Sure that has been suggested, but suggested by a moron. Id put no credence into that claim.

Who? I'm just looking for a source, that's all.

Bah, i give up. Could have possibly not been a link but some one something heard some idiot say on the radio.

Thanks for checking.

[Jazz]

Anybody have the dates for the different steps of Free agency? I'm just curious what Hendry's priorities are. Is it getting a SS or getting a leadoff hitter. I fear that he thinks he can get both if he nabs Furcal. I'm hoping he tries to get an OF who can lead off, then gets Nomar for short. Even if Nomar pulls down an .800 OPS, we'd be doing a lot better than league average, and he is almost there now.

 

I think you have you leadoff hitter in Walker. We need his OBP and Left handed bat at the top of the order. Slide murton at number two, and you have a pretty duo up there.

 

Hendry's priorites should be (in order of when it should happen)

 

-Pickup Walker's option

-Pursure a big OF bat in trade or free agency

-Pursue a starting pitcher, and a setup man.

-Dusty proof the bench.

 

Woah, lets stick to the subject (in case youve entered this thread late, read Roasts first few posts).

 

Is talking about batting order within the topic of talking about position? I guess batting order should be discussed after weve come to the consensus on all the position players on the team.

 

lol, my ADD kicking in there, didnt mean to stray off. sorry. :)

[CubsWin]

If I can get Nomar at 5 + incentives, that's the route I'd go. I'd use Cedeno as the back-up SS/2b/3b.

 

you seem set on nomar accepting no less than 5+ incentives, is it that hard to think the base might be less? im not doubting nomar might use his recent performance as terms for negotiation but just a thought.

 

I think nomar is a sign here as well, a full year of him is just about as good if not better as every other shortstop in the league offensively. But you have to have someone with substantial to terrific defense opposite him. Walker and Nomar can both play LF if neccessary, leaving the option to still sign Furcal if need be. One day you could have Nomar at 2nd, Furcal at Short, and Walker in LF, and then shift walker to to 2nd, and put murton or nomar at LF. Could lead to a more powerful bench and having the LF situation taken care of as well. Thoughts?

 

You're not going to have a happy Nomar and Walker, that's for sure. Hopefully the mythical team chemistry really is overrated.

 

I'd love to go that route, but the egos involved might make that more trouble than it's worth.

 

 

Nomar has never played LF to my knowledge, and considering his issues the last 2 years have been leg injuries, I don't think he's the best candidate to move to LF. Walker played like 2 innings of LF in 2004, and looked like he was baffled by the flight of the ball off the bat.

 

We have a perfectly good, cheap LF option who has patience, speed, can hit the ball to all fields and does have enough power. We can debate this when we get to LF, but dumping 2 infielders in LF isn't going to solve our issues.

You beat me to it, USSoccer. I couldn't have said it any better, though.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

If I can get Nomar at 5 + incentives, that's the route I'd go. I'd use Cedeno as the back-up SS/2b/3b.

 

you seem set on nomar accepting no less than 5+ incentives, is it that hard to think the base might be less? im not doubting nomar might use his recent performance as terms for negotiation but just a thought.

 

I think nomar is a sign here as well, a full year of him is just about as good if not better as every other shortstop in the league offensively. But you have to have someone with substantial to terrific defense opposite him. Walker and Nomar can both play LF if neccessary, leaving the option to still sign Furcal if need be. One day you could have Nomar at 2nd, Furcal at Short, and Walker in LF, and then shift walker to to 2nd, and put murton or nomar at LF. Could lead to a more powerful bench and having the LF situation taken care of as well. Thoughts?

 

You're not going to have a happy Nomar and Walker, that's for sure. Hopefully the mythical team chemistry really is overrated.

 

I'd love to go that route, but the egos involved might make that more trouble than it's worth.

 

 

Nomar has never played LF to my knowledge, and considering his issues the last 2 years have been leg injuries, I don't think he's the best candidate to move to LF. Walker played like 2 innings of LF in 2004, and looked like he was baffled by the flight of the ball off the bat.

 

We have a perfectly good, cheap LF option who has patience, speed, can hit the ball to all fields and does have enough power. We can debate this when we get to LF, but dumping 2 infielders in LF isn't going to solve our issues.

You beat me to it, USSoccer. I couldn't have said it any better, though.

 

That assumes Murton can play LF and only LF...which we haven't gotten to yet. :D

[CubsWin]

If I can get Nomar at 5 + incentives, that's the route I'd go. I'd use Cedeno as the back-up SS/2b/3b.

 

you seem set on nomar accepting no less than 5+ incentives, is it that hard to think the base might be less? im not doubting nomar might use his recent performance as terms for negotiation but just a thought.

 

I think nomar is a sign here as well, a full year of him is just about as good if not better as every other shortstop in the league offensively. But you have to have someone with substantial to terrific defense opposite him. Walker and Nomar can both play LF if neccessary, leaving the option to still sign Furcal if need be. One day you could have Nomar at 2nd, Furcal at Short, and Walker in LF, and then shift walker to to 2nd, and put murton or nomar at LF. Could lead to a more powerful bench and having the LF situation taken care of as well. Thoughts?

 

You're not going to have a happy Nomar and Walker, that's for sure. Hopefully the mythical team chemistry really is overrated.

 

I'd love to go that route, but the egos involved might make that more trouble than it's worth.

 

 

Nomar has never played LF to my knowledge, and considering his issues the last 2 years have been leg injuries, I don't think he's the best candidate to move to LF. Walker played like 2 innings of LF in 2004, and looked like he was baffled by the flight of the ball off the bat.

 

We have a perfectly good, cheap LF option who has patience, speed, can hit the ball to all fields and does have enough power. We can debate this when we get to LF, but dumping 2 infielders in LF isn't going to solve our issues.

You beat me to it, USSoccer. I couldn't have said it any better, though.

 

That assumes Murton can play LF and only LF...which we haven't gotten to yet. :D

Well, Murton's arm...

 

Oh, yeah. One position at a time. :wink:

[don_kessinger_was_good]

1. Don't bring back Nomar, Perez or Macias.

2. Trade Walker.

3. Give one of the middle infield spots to Cedeno, the other to whichever of Atlanta's two middle infielders you can get: Giles via trade, or Furcal via free agency.

4. Fontenot and Theriot would be my reserve/utility infielders.

[CuseCubFan69]

I think the Cubs will go in this order:

 

1-Try to sign Furcel if too expensive

2-See if Nomar wants to play SS and sign him to an incentive heavy contract (I have a feeling Nomar is enjoying playing third so he may go to a team that will put him there)

3-Sign Perez

 

Why? Because of he big push to put Cedeno at 2nd. For some strange reason the Cubs may want him there instead of SS.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I think the Cubs will go in this order:

 

1-Try to sign Furcel if too expensive

2-See if Nomar wants to play SS and sign him to an incentive heavy contract (I have a feeling Nomar is enjoying playing third so he may go to a team that will put him there)

3-Sign Perez

 

Why? Because of he big push to put Cedeno at 2nd. For some strange reason the Cubs may want him there instead of SS.

 

Maybe it's because his throws frin short to first tail into the runner. :roll:

[rawaction]

I think the Cubs will go in this order:

 

1-Try to sign Furcel if too expensive

2-See if Nomar wants to play SS and sign him to an incentive heavy contract (I have a feeling Nomar is enjoying playing third so he may go to a team that will put him there)

3-Sign Perez

 

Why? Because of he big push to put Cedeno at 2nd. For some strange reason the Cubs may want him there instead of SS.

 

Maybe it's because his throws frin short to first tail into the runner. :roll:

 

That's funny

[dalgreen]

If we can't have a middle infield of Walker and Cedeno, I'd like Polanco and Cedeno.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

If we can't have a middle infield of Walker and Cedeno, I'd like Polanco and Cedeno.

 

I'd like Polanco at either middle infield position, but Detroit inked him to a long term extension this season, so I doubt he'll be available.

[goonys evil twin]

My preference for SS in 2006:

1) If he'll sign for $2m guaranteed and PA based incentives, go with Nomar.

 

2) If you have to spend big to solve the OF problems, and get really solid bats, go with Cedeno.

 

3) I'd have no problem with a $1m Neifi as the backup for either Nomar or Cedeno, however, since Dusty will likely find any excuse to play Neifi as often as possible, and place him atop the lineup, I think they have to go with somebody else. I'd consider using Theriot as a backup, given his history of solid OBP in the minors and decent k/bb numbers.

[rawaction]

I'd be willing to go $3.5-4.5M guaranteed for Nomar. Cedeno would be plan B. Julio Lugo would be the guy I would look to trade for if they can't sign Nomar or don't have faith in Ronny, or want to play him at 2B over Walker for whatever reason.

 

Say no to Furcal, unless the market has severely changed.

[dalgreen]

My preference for SS in 2006:

1) If he'll sign for $2m guaranteed and PA based incentives, go with Nomar.

 

2) If you have to spend big to solve the OF problems, and get really solid bats, go with Cedeno.

 

3) I'd have no problem with a $1m Neifi as the backup for either Nomar or Cedeno, however, since Dusty will likely find any excuse to play Neifi as often as possible, and place him atop the lineup, I think they have to go with somebody else. I'd consider using Theriot as a backup, given his history of solid OBP in the minors and decent k/bb numbers.

 

Since we know that Baker will play Neifi more than he should, how about giving Neifi a PA based incentive, too? $1 million for < 200 PA, and Baker owes the Cubs $50,000 for every plate appearance Perez makes after 200.

[dalgreen]

Someone, anyone, reassure me that I'm being paranoid. But why have I had this recurring thought that Hendry would be interested in Jack Wilson?