The 2006 Thread, Current topic: Center Field

[USSoccer]

I would like to see the Cubs pick up Walker's option and trade him to the AL for bullpen help, and keep Hairston and Cedeno at 2B. Cedeno, in my mind's eye, splits time between 2B and SS with whomever is our SS next year.

 

I like Hairston's speed, defense, and ability for lead off in a pinch. He can back up CF and LF, so I have no problem with him being the provisional everyday 2B.

 

Walker, to me, has mroe value in a trade than he would with the Cubs, despite his good offensive numbers. I think Hairston/Cedeno at 2B gives us more flexibility than Walker/Backup would.

[Roast]

Right now the Vote is 10-1 in favor of picking up the option.

[Roast]

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.

 

Well in that case, then pick up his option, then try to extend his contract after the fact. Because if you let the date for picking up contracts pass, you run the risk of losing him if he does not want to return.

[rawaction]

Pick up Walker's option next Monday, soon as the season ends. Even if the Cubs don't want Walker, $2.5M is a steal for him. There are plenty of teams that could be looking for 2B help (Twins, Indians, Dodgers, Mets, etc). If the Cubs don't want Walker back, they might as well get something for him. He will go for almost twice as much as that $2.5M option, if he's on the market. Teams needing a 2B will be all over him for 1/2 the price tag.

[JeffH]

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.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Pick up Walker's option next Monday, soon as the season ends. Even if the Cubs don't want Walker, $2.5M is a steal for him. There are plenty of teams that could be looking for 2B help (Twins, Indians, Dodgers, Mets, etc). If the Cubs don't want Walker back, they might as well get something for him. He will go for almost twice as much as that $2.5M option, if he's on the market. Teams needing a 2B will be all over him for 1/2 the price tag.

 

Yup. Hendry just has to be willing to put up with a whiny unhappy camper if he picks up the option and dishes Walker to a team he might not prefer. But hey, this is business and I want to make the playoffs next year. Sorry, Walker.

[Roast]

Pick up Walker's option next Monday, soon as the season ends. Even if the Cubs don't want Walker, $2.5M is a steal for him. There are plenty of teams that could be looking for 2B help (Twins, Indians, Dodgers, Mets, etc). If the Cubs don't want Walker back, they might as well get something for him. He will go for almost twice as much as that $2.5M option, if he's on the market. Teams needing a 2B will be all over him for 1/2 the price tag.

 

Yup. Hendry just has to be willing to put up with a whiny unhappy camper if he picks up the option and dishes Walker to a team he might not prefer. But hey, this is business and I want to make the playoffs next year. Sorry, Walker.

Why would he have to deal with him? If he traded him he'd be the other teams problem if he was infact unhappy.

 

That being said, I would just bring him back and keep him. $2.5 million for a guy who puts up numbers like .305/.355 (avg/obp) is dirt cheap no matter how you look at it. Save money at second and put it elsewhere.

[USSoccer]

Pick up Walker's option next Monday, soon as the season ends. Even if the Cubs don't want Walker, $2.5M is a steal for him. There are plenty of teams that could be looking for 2B help (Twins, Indians, Dodgers, Mets, etc). If the Cubs don't want Walker back, they might as well get something for him. He will go for almost twice as much as that $2.5M option, if he's on the market. Teams needing a 2B will be all over him for 1/2 the price tag.

 

I think that's the best course of action, because it allows Hendry felxibility. He can deal Walker and get value, or keep him and have production.

 

Personally, if you have Hairston, Walker and Cedeno under contract and on the 25 man, you have the chance of pushing one of the bench guys (Perez or Macias) off, which improves the team right there. (is that Off Topic?)

[Roast]

15-2 now.

[JGalt73]

2.5M for a top 10 offensive 2B (higher if adjusted for PA) is a no brainer. I'll lose his 7-10 defensive runs and still take him.

[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.

Not that I don't believe you, but in the interest of keeping this thread factual, do you have a source?

 

One of my top ideas for this off season was to try to acquire Marcus Giles. I considered it too much of a pipe dream to even bring up, but if there is an article somewhere...

[CubsWin]

The vote is currently 18-2 in favor of picking up the option on Walker. It makes too much sense given his ability to produce with the bat and the price of 2.5 million.

 

If he doesn't like the idea of coming back then he should not have signed a contract that included a team option for the '06 season. He is the property of the Cubs and can be traded. I believe that Hendry would be willing to work with Todd to trade him to a team that he wants to be with assuming that the offer is to the Cubs liking, but Hendry has no obligation to do so.

 

That said, I'm not in favor of trading Walker just to make room for Cedeno. The only condition under which I would trade Walker is if the Cubs would improve themselves at the 2B position. At this point, I'm not sold that Cedeno is an improvement over Walker. Though, I do like his chances to succeed as a starter in '07. I think the safest bet for success next year is to have Walker playing 2B.

 

Unless the Cubs can somehow acquire a Marcus Giles or Luis Castillo or anyone who is an improvement over Walker, then Walker should be starting.

[Exile on Waveland]

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

 

Probably everyone that matters.

 

 

The Cubs should pick up Walker's option. Will they? I'm getting less and less confident.

[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.

[Roast]

Well, the votes are in. Walkers option wins 21-2. Mods can lock that thread if they feel the need.

 

Lets move on to the other middle infield slot: Shortstop.

 

 

What are our opions here? first off what are our options?

 

-Resign Nomar

-Hand the job down to Cedeno

-Sign someone

-Trade for someone

[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.

 

Well in that case, then pick up his option, then try to extend his contract after the fact. Because if you let the date for picking up contracts pass, you run the risk of losing him if he does not want to return.

Well yes of course I would pick up his option before it runs out, im not Tim Allen. But to save on lawyers fees and to prove that I love todd walker and people who bash him for not turning enough double plays are ignorant, id go for signing him to a 1 + 1 right away. It shouldnt be too tough of a decision for him.

[nilodnayr]

Question... (I just want to stay on topic) is this starting shortstop or should this include backup as well (i.e) I would like to resign Nomar and use Cedeno as back up and get him 1 start a week. Would that be off topic?

[Roast]

Question... (I just want to stay on topic) is this starting shortstop or should this include backup as well (i.e) I would like to resign Nomar and use Cedeno as back up and get him 1 start a week. Would that be off topic?

 

Not at all, I am speaking of Shortstop as a whole.

[Neuby]

2.5 million for Walker to be the swing guy, left field, second base, first base, third base, like he was orginally signed for. Nomar at second , Furcal at short.

[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.

[CubsWin]

Question... (I just want to stay on topic) is this starting shortstop or should this include backup as well (i.e) I would like to resign Nomar and use Cedeno as back up and get him 1 start a week. Would that be off topic?

That's what I would do, as well, but only if Hendry is able to sign Giles/Damon or trade for someone just as good or better. If he can't do that, then Furcal is the next best option and that means finding out if Nomar can/is willing to play 2B or, god forbid, RF?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

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.

[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.

I'll look, I know a link to an article stating that was posted in the last few weeks.

[Jazz]

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?

[Tim]

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.