The 2006 Thread, Current topic: Center Field

[Jazz]

i like options 3 and 4 because of the reasons you stated.

Weird that we have been on this position topic for about 12 pages of thread, lets get to the next topic plz :)

[Roast]

wat happened to this thread?

But seriously, folks.

 

The state of this thread is that we are discussing how to structure the agreed upon contract offer of 4 years/50 million.

 

Some of the options that have been put forth are:

 

1. Evenly spacing out the money at 12.5 per year.

2. Front-loading the contract like 15, 14, 11, 10. This would make Giles's pay more likely to match his production as he ages. The Cubs have the money to spend on him now, but in the years to come they will need to resign players like Z, Prior, Ramirez and Lee, so the declining pay scale would benefit them there as well as making Giles easier to trade without having to eat money later. And Giles would probably like it because he gets more money sooner which is always a good thing.

3. Structure it so it goes 12, 12, 12, 12 with a 2 million dollar buyout on a mutual option 5th year in the 8-9 million range.

4. The same thing as 3, but front-load it like 2. (15, 13, 11, 9 with a 2 million buyout on the mutual 5th year option)

 

Roast has yet to start a poll on the structuring of Giles's deal, so we have yet to vote on any of these options, and that is where we stand.

 

ROAST TO THE RESCUE! I was just coming to put up the poll. It will be up momentarily.

[Roast]

VOTE OR DIE.

 

Voting ends @ 4 tomorrow (CT)

[Roast]

FINALLY. The final decision is:

 

We are Front-loading the contract: 15, 14, 11, 10. with a 2 million dollar buyout on a mutual option 5th year for 8 Mil

 

Now, What we've all been waiting on, Center field. What should we do here, guys?

[USSoccer]

FINALLY. The final decision is:

 

We are Front-loading the contract: 15, 14, 11, 10. with a 2 million dollar buyout on a mutual option 5th year for 8 Mil

 

Now, What we've all been waiting on, Center field. What should we do here, guys?

 

It depends. If Pierre just costs Patterson and a P like Mitre, then I'd not be opposed to Pierre, because it keeps Neifi out of the leadoff spot, and Pierre is an upgrade, albeit overrated.

 

I don't like Lofton. I don't like sticking Patterson back in there, because, as much as I want Corey to succeed, I don't think it will even happen here. Pie isn't ready; I don't want him near Wrigley until September.

 

I don't know of any other CF options, other than Michaels from Philly.

 

 

So, being no Pierre fan, I'll go with a trade for Pierre.

[rickrolled]

FINALLY. The final decision is:

 

We are Front-loading the contract: 15, 14, 11, 10. with a 2 million dollar buyout on a mutual option 5th year for 8 Mil

 

Now, What we've all been waiting on, Center field. What should we do here, guys?

 

It depends. If Pierre just costs Patterson and a P like Mitre, then I'd not be opposed to Pierre, because it keeps Neifi out of the leadoff spot, and Pierre is an upgrade, albeit overrated.

 

I don't like Lofton. I don't like sticking Patterson back in there, because, as much as I want Corey to succeed, I don't think it will even happen here. Pie isn't ready; I don't want him near Wrigley until September.

 

I don't know of any other CF options, other than Michaels from Philly.

 

 

So, being no Pierre fan, I'll go with a trade for Pierre.

 

I agree with pretty much everything you said. Don't like Lofton, Pie shouldn't be rushed and I don't see any other good realistic options for us in CF, so I'd say a trade for Pierre is the way we should go as well.

[USSoccer]

FINALLY. The final decision is:

 

We are Front-loading the contract: 15, 14, 11, 10. with a 2 million dollar buyout on a mutual option 5th year for 8 Mil

 

Now, What we've all been waiting on, Center field. What should we do here, guys?

 

It depends. If Pierre just costs Patterson and a P like Mitre, then I'd not be opposed to Pierre, because it keeps Neifi out of the leadoff spot, and Pierre is an upgrade, albeit overrated.

 

I don't like Lofton. I don't like sticking Patterson back in there, because, as much as I want Corey to succeed, I don't think it will even happen here. Pie isn't ready; I don't want him near Wrigley until September.

 

I don't know of any other CF options, other than Michaels from Philly.

 

 

So, being no Pierre fan, I'll go with a trade for Pierre.

 

I agree with pretty much everything you said. Don't like Lofton, Pie shouldn't be rushed and I don't see any other good realistic options for us in CF, so I'd say a trade for Pierre is the way we should go as well.

 

One caveat: If Florida insists on anything more than Mitre and Corey + one Rule 5 arm, I tell them to take a hike and focus on Michaels, or maybe Castillo and really, really try and land Furcal, and then stick Corey 8th and hope he doesn't kill you. Or just go with Hairston/Greenberg in CF and hope Pie shows you enough to be up in June, or maybe a trade possibility opens up.

 

In a very big way, CF is tied to the middle IF.

Edited November 12, 2005 by USSoccer

[RockTheIvy]

Mike Cameron.

[USSoccer]

Mike Cameron.

 

Mike Cameron is still suffering severe vertigo. I have huge doubts about his ability to be ready in time for 2006.

[JeffH]

Are we limiting ourselves to realistic options?

 

If no, Grady Sizemore.

 

If yes, Juan Pierre.

[RockTheIvy]

Mike Cameron.

 

Mike Cameron is still suffering severe vertigo. I have huge doubts about his ability to be ready in time for 2006.

 

Well if that's the case than forget him. I was wondering how he would recover from his injury. His defense and plate discipline (swinging at good pitches and taking walks, not his Ks) are where his value lies. If we can't have him, I'd take Lofton on a 1 year deal.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

For CF, I say trade for Milton Bradley. If not that, I'd sign Lofton.

[MPrior]

In order of preference: Bradley, Michaels (close second, though; it depends mostly on what it would take to get him vs. what it would take to get Bradley), Lofton, Pierre.

 

The more I think about it, the more I move towards Michaels, actually. Even if it takes more to get him, I might rather have him than Bradley. I don't care too much about the "clubhouse cancer" thing, but the production out of Michaels and Bradley should be similar (Michaels should put up a higher OBP, while Bradley's got more pop), and if that's the case, I'd rather take the guy who's not a nutjob. Secondly, he would fill in nicely as our leadoff hitter with his career .380 OBP (since we opted for Nomar at Short, right?).

[CubinNY]

I'm late to the discussion, but here is what I'd do (or what I want Hendry to do)

 

Assess if Pie is the "real" thing. If so let him develop for another year. If not trade him while his value is high

 

If Pie is "real"- I sign Lofton or keep Patterson and hope he rebounds. Actually Patterson has to rebound b/c it is next to impossible to have as bad a season as he had last year.

 

If I trade Pie I trade him for a difference maker, and that guy is NOT juan "slappy" Piere. I would try to get Abreu or figure some way to get another corner outfield. I would love Dunn, but I think he is a pipe dream for us.

 

But that is not to say I wouldn't try and get Slappy. I think he has value but the Cubs must upgrade power elswhere.

 

I don't think my suggestion is that innovative, but I do think it is prudent.

[RockTheIvy]

I guess a good way to look at it is to discuss what we are looking for from our CF. If we need a leadoff hitter, I think the best options are:

 

Trade for Pierre

Sign Lofton

 

If we nab a leadoff hitter at a different position (eg 2B or SS) then I think the list expands a bit. I would like one of the following:

 

Milton Bradley

Preston Wilson

Mike Cameron (assuming the eyes come back).

[Roast]

Are we limiting ourselves to realistic options?

 

 

Yes.

 

 

I also think Juan Pierre is the way to go. Not so much because I like him, but because he is probably the best realistic option.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Bradley. he's cheap to acquire at the moment.

 

if we're worried about durability, we should get lofton.

[stitchface]

I would sign giles, nomar, and keep walker. then leave corey in CF. If he flops, look for a deadline deal for another cf. while I don't expect much from corey, he can probably hold down the 8 spot if you have production from the rest of the lineup. if you want to be a little better defensively, sign furcal instead of nomar.

[CubsWin]

I guess a good way to look at it is to discuss what we are looking for from our CF. If we need a leadoff hitter, I think the best options are:

 

Trade for Pierre

Sign Lofton

 

If we nab a leadoff hitter at a different position (eg 2B or SS) then I think the list expands a bit. I would like one of the following:

 

Milton Bradley

Preston Wilson

Mike Cameron (assuming the eyes come back).

I like the way you are thinking, RTI. I think Lofton is worth a good long look. And clearly Pierre's career OBP, base-stealing ability and defensive range are worth acquiring for the right price. But the player with the most upside in this group is Milton Bradley. If the Cubs are able to sign Furcal and plug him in the lead-off spot, Murton could easily hit 2nd, if Baker can see the light, and Bradley could hit down in the order.

 

There is one person missing from your list, however. Corey Patterson. I still think, unless Hendry can get something good for him, the Cubs are better off holding on to him and working with him to get him back on track. Then they can trade him, move him over to RF or do whatever they want with him, but trading him now seems like a panic move.

 

With Patterson on the 25-man roster, I believe the best move would be to acquire Bradley. Apparently, he can be had for less than Pierre and the Cubs would have both Patterson and Bradley. If Bradley's attitude gets in the way, which it shouldn't with Baker as manager, then the Cubs have Corey as a back-up plan. Corey coming off the bench gives them a great defensive replacement late in a game and a left-handed bat with some pop as a pinch hitter. I don't think his lack of contact would make for an ideal pinch hitter, but if he improves his ability to recognize a pitch and make contact over the winter, this combo could be the best option due to both player's upside and the fact that with Patterson on the roster, Bradley would know his leash is short.

 

But if Patterson is traded, it will likely be for Pierre, so I guess the topic on the table is do people think that Pierre/Hairston would be clearly better than Lofton/Patterson? And does the combo of Bradley/Patterson beat all of the above.

 

Of course, there is one other option. According to Gammons, the Cubs are in talks with Washington to trade Corey and presumably others for Brad Wilkerson. Would he be everyone's first choice to play CF?

Edited November 13, 2005 by CubsWin

[RockTheIvy]

I guess a good way to look at it is to discuss what we are looking for from our CF. If we need a leadoff hitter, I think the best options are:

 

Trade for Pierre

Sign Lofton

 

If we nab a leadoff hitter at a different position (eg 2B or SS) then I think the list expands a bit. I would like one of the following:

 

Milton Bradley

Preston Wilson

Mike Cameron (assuming the eyes come back).

I like the way you are thinking, RTI. I think Lofton is worth a good long look. And clearly Pierre's career OBP, base-stealing ability and defensive range are worth acquiring for the right price. But the player with the most upside in this group is Milton Bradley. If the Cubs are able to sign Furcal and plug him in the lead-off spot, Murton could easily hit 2nd, if Baker can see the light, and Bradley could hit down in the order.

 

There is one person missing from your list, however. Corey Patterson. I still think, unless Hendry can get something good for him, the Cubs are better off holding on to him and working with him to get him back on track. Then they can trade him, move him over to RF or do whatever they want with him, but trading him now seems like a panic move.

 

With Patterson on the 25-man roster, I believe the best move would be to acquire Bradley. Apparently, he can be had for less than Pierre and the Cubs would have both Patterson and Bradley. If Bradley's attitude gets in the way, which it shouldn't with Baker as manager, then the Cubs have Corey as a back-up plan. Corey coming off the bench gives them a great defensive replacement late in a game and a left-handed bat with some pop as a pinch hitter. I don't think his lack of contact would make for an ideal pinch hitter, but if he improves his ability to recognize a pitch and make contact over the winter, this combo could be the best option due to both player's upside and the fact that with Patterson on the roster, Bradley would know his leash is short.

 

But if Patterson is traded, it will likely be for Pierre, so I guess the topic on the table is do people think that Pierre/Hairston would be clearly better than Lofton/Patterson? And does the combo of Bradley/Patterson beat all of the above.

 

I like that plan, assuming we don't trade Patterson to fill another gap. Bradley is the best offensive option too. I think an added bonus in that idea is that it makes Hairston a super sub, which would hopefully eliminate the idea of Macias returning.

[CubsWin]

And now there is the news that Hendry is in talks with Washington about Wilkerson. What are people's thoughts on him? Good OBP. Good power. Limited range in CF but a good arm.

 

Would trading Corey (and others, I assume) for Wilkerson and having Hairston back him up be better than Bradley and Patterson?

[RockTheIvy]

And now there is the news that Hendry is in talks with Washington about Wilkerson. What are people's thoughts on him? Good OBP. Good power. Limited range in CF but a good arm.

 

Would trading Corey (and others, I assume) for Wilkerson and having Hairston back him up be better than Bradley and Patterson?

 

I think having Wilkerson would be fantastic, but do you think they are looking at him as a CF or as a RF?

 

Furcal

Murton

Lee

Giles/Abreu etc

Ramirez

Wilkerson

Barett

Cedeno

 

Wow.

[stitchface]

are you really at fort bliss? Most inappropriately named base ever . . .

 

If its Wilkerson in right and Pierre in center, I don't like it. I would trade corey for wilkerson in a heartbeat but we need some more pop in that outfield.

[RockTheIvy]

are you really at fort bliss? Most inappropriately named base ever . . .

 

If its Wilkerson in right and Pierre in center, I don't like it. I would trade corey for wilkerson in a heartbeat but we need some more pop in that outfield.

 

Hahaha, yeah Ft. Bliss is called that because...?

 

I agree, Wilkerson would be nice but the outfield could be improved, hopefully not with Dunn, because, while the OBP might be nice, the 300ks might get annoying.

[CubsWin]

are you really at fort bliss? Most inappropriately named base ever . . .

 

If its Wilkerson in right and Pierre in center, I don't like it. I would trade corey for wilkerson in a heartbeat but we need some more pop in that outfield.

 

Hahaha, yeah Ft. Bliss is called that because...?

 

I agree, Wilkerson would be nice but the outfield could be improved, hopefully not with Dunn, because, while the OBP might be nice, the 300ks might get annoying.

Not only would an outfield with Dunn and Wilkerson strikeout a ton, but with Murton in LF, Wilkerson in CF and Dunn in RF, balls in the gap are going to the wall every time.