Will Macias eventually be released?

[TrueBlueCubFan]

He is on the roster, however, there are still many additions that have to be made. The roster is @ 40, right now:

1)Scott Moore has to be added

2)Bob Howry has to be added

3) 1-2 OF spots need to be added- Pierre for 3 pitching prospects?

4)JH to improve the bench? Mabry? Sweeney

5)add a SP via trade or FA?

 

Macias doesn't stand a chance to make this team in 06' or does he?

Too many moves yet to be made by JH or does he find a way to put Macias back on this roster.

[illiniguy]

well common sense would dictate that yes he has to be released. however, I will not hold my breath.

[CUBZ99]

I like Macias as little as the next guy, but rumored Mabry acquistion does little to upgrade the bench. Mabry's numbers last year were very Macias like and Mabry is looking for more money than Macias made last year.

 

Is it too much to ask that the Cubs actually try to get a player that will be an improvement, instead of just swapping him for a guy that we will all be complaining about next offseason.

[10man]

I believe Macias contract is tied to Dusty's and Hendry's so who knows?

[Geech]

Mabry is a very significant upgrade from Macias, no question. He's not a good hitter by any standard, but he's a better hitter than Macias.

 

His eqa was .244 last year, but Macias' was a stunning .210.

[goonys evil twin]

I like Macias as little as the next guy, but rumored Mabry acquistion does little to upgrade the bench. Mabry's numbers last year were very Macias like and Mabry is looking for more money than Macias made last year.

 

Is it too much to ask that the Cubs actually try to get a player that will be an improvement, instead of just swapping him for a guy that we will all be complaining about next offseason.

 

Actually, last year Mabry hit .240 .295 .407 while Macias was .254 .274 .316. Mabry was no good, but he was significantly less terrible than Macias who was absolutely pathetic.

 

And with Mabry, you at least have a chance of pretty decent production, as he's been over 800 in the OPS department before, and has a career .325 OBP, compared to Jose's .298.

 

I don't want Mabry at all. He's not very valuable, is a pretty large downside risk, is old and exactly the type of player Dusty would give far too much playing time to, even if he was in a down year. But Mabry would be an improvement over Macias, and that just goes to show you how truly awful Jose is, and how truly clueless Hendry and Dusty have been with regards to Jose's employment and usage (and many others things).

[J.R.]

Mabry would be an improvement over Macias, and that just goes to show you how truly awful Jose is, and how truly clueless Hendry and Dusty have been with regards to Jose's employment and usage (and many others things).

[craig]

I think he may be gone. But I think it's also entirely possible that Macias will be back.

 

Mabry and Macias have limited relevance. Mabry is primarily a corner guy, OF/1B with a little 3B (but not much and not very good there). Macias is primarily an infielder. More than twice as many games in infield last year as outfield, despite all the OF problems the Cubs had. Macias has been most extensviely used at 3B, with Cubs and in career; and unless Mabry was viewed as a 3B first (which I doubt), it Macias could fill a role.

 

As a reserve infielder who can play some outfield, he'd also have some depth value. As you know, the Cubs don't have much stock in OF. Most likely they'll open with 5 outfielders, with Felix Pie being the only other outfielder on the 40-man roster. What happens if one of the 5 outfielders gets disabled? (And how likely is it that you go a year with none of your main five outfielders having a DL stint?)

 

Having an infielder like Macias who can play outfield, any of the spots, could make it a lot easier. Especially when an outfielder is hurt a little, but not enough to cost him full 15-day DL. So during the five days he needs to sit and otherwise you're outfield short, well you've got Macias!

 

So to some degree I think Macias and Mabry are unrelated. You can get Mabry as your corner OF guy, but that doesn't mean Macias can't stay as your 2nd infield sub.

 

As interesting as Macias is the question of Hairston. Like Macias, he's an IF/OF guy. I like him better; but his salary will be >$2, whereas Macias will be $1 or so (if that). I like Hairston better as a player, both as an outfielder and as a 2B. Unfortunately he can't play 3B the way Macias can. Plus Hairston might have some trade value. Some team like Minnesota might be able to take him seriously as a 2B contender.

 

So I'm totally befuddled about what Hendry might do. Neifi is one infield reserve, well capable of handling both 2B and SS. There will certainly be a second infield reserve. Walker? Not likely, and he can't play 3rd. Hairston? Perhaps, but salary issue, and he can't play 3rd. Walker start with Cedeno on bench? He could play 3rd, probably, but hasn't hardly ever.

 

So unless they want to commit to Neifi as the replacement for the oft-injured Aramis, I think Macias perhaps has the inside track, even if they did sign Mabry or some other LF/RF/1B type. Then there is the question of the 2nd OF reserve. (Assuming they end up getting Pierre, for example...) Hairston stay as the CF utility guy? Maybe. Corey? Somebody from outside? (Joey Gathright or somebody...?) Who knows.

 

Hendry might not know either, unless he's done a lot of scouting around and is confident that he can productively trade each of Corey and Hairston and Walker.

[goonys evil twin]

Macias is primarily an infielder. More than twice as many games in infield last year as outfield, despite all the OF problems the Cubs had.

 

Which is why I found it so odd when Carrie Muskat described Macias as a Cubs outfielder in her most recent Cubs.com article. If anything he's a utility player. If you have to define him as IF or OF though, he's clearly IF.

[SouthSideRyan]

I believe Macias is Hendry's supreme emergency plan. Whereas if he can't get any of his potential bench guys to sign, he'll hold on to him, but it'll take about 5 other guys going elsewhere to keep him on this team.

[craig]

I believe Macias is Hendry's supreme emergency plan. Whereas if he can't get any of his potential bench guys to sign, he'll hold on to him, but it'll take about 5 other guys going elsewhere to keep him on this team.

 

To me it comes down to 3B. Somebody needs to stack as Dusty's first reserve at 3B. If the best alternative is Hairston or Mabry, I think Macias stays. For Macias to go, I think one of two things is required:

*Dusty/Hendry like Neifi/Cedeno as 3B backup ahead of Macias, or

*Hendry acquires a 3B from outside that he likes better than Macias.

 

I just think Macias stays until/unless we have somebody that Dusty is more comfortable with at 3b. Maybe we already have that guy (Neifi), but I'm not sure that's true.

[B]

I doubt he'll be gone, but he'll probably restructure his contract and we'll pay him $2 million for this season.