Will Hendry Focus on 2B?

[HoopsCubs]

I'm beginning to think Hendry could focus more on acquiring a 2B than SS.

Sounds counter-intuitive, I know, considering the Cubs have Walker, Hairston, Cedeno, Perez, Fontenot and Theriot, who can all play 2B, and Hendry just lost out on Furcal. But hear me out.

 

I think Hendry is comfortable with Cedeno at SS; I also think Hendry sees Hairston as nothing more than a valuable bench player - right-handed platoon for a left handed hitting CF if you will (Lofton, Pierre, Wilkerson).

 

With a weak corner OF class in free agency, Walker is and has been the obvious trade bait (packaged with prospects) to acquire a RF, or to acquire an expensive starting pitcher, who can then be flipped to a third team for a RF.

 

Those moves could create a hole at 2B - call me the optimist, who doesn't think we'll see Perez starting.

 

I'm thinking that a Graffanino, Mueller and even Grudzielanek signing are not out of the question. And, maybe even a deal for Mark Loretta, Ray Durham, Adam Kennedy, Craig Counsell, Junior Spivey or Jose Vidro (injury risk).

 

As an example, what if the Giants traded Durham and Schmidt to us for Walker, Rusch and pitching prospects. Durham could lead-off and play 2B; might we then flip Schmidt to a team for a corner OF?

 

Just doing some alternative thinking.

 

Hoops

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

In my opinion, losing out to Furcal should cement Walker on the roster. I know that Hendry likely thinks otherwise, but there aren't any secondbasemen available that would be an upgrade over Walker.

 

I still think the Cubs have the chips to trade for outfield help without giving up Walker.

 

First, I have to believe a 23-year-old Jerome Williams has to have some value to teams looking for pitching help.

 

The Cubs still have a large number of minor league pitchers who could be moved.

 

The biggest asset the Cubs have is payroll to take on about any contract someone wants to move. I wouldn't look to trading Walker at this stage.

[tncub]

Not to shoot down your trade but I didn't think we could trade Rucsh until June because we resigned him. Then again I could be confused.

[CP_414]

Is Orlando Hudson on anyone's radar? There were recent reports that the Jays may move him. He may be a cheaper alternative to Lugo. I know his OBP last year was poor, but he had a very nice 2004 season. He also is very slick with the glove. If they can manage a big bat in RF, and Bradley in CF, Hudson could be a good option to leadoff and play 2B.

 

Hudson

Murton

Lee

Abreu/Dunn/similiar

A-Ram

Bradley

Barrett

Cedeno

 

That team should also leave enough money to add a starter like Washburn.

[HoopsCubs]

 

(1) ... but there aren't any secondbasemen available that would be an upgrade over Walker.

 

(2) I still think the Cubs have the chips to trade for outfield help without giving up Walker.

 

 

I agree with what you said in (1), but I am looking at it from the standpoint of Walker + average RF < average 2B + above average RF.

 

I'll disagree with you on #2. I still think Walker is the best trade chip (save the untouchables like Barrett, Zambrano, Prior, Lee and Ramirez) on the 25-man roster.

Edited December 5, 2005 by HoopsCubs

[wade]

At this point, Todd Walker may be the only left handed hitter on the team in 2006. I'd have to have upgrades, and preferably lefties, before I trade him.

 

That said, I think he's gone. They'll probably end up with Soriano.

[stitchface]

Personally I would trade Walker first for the impact RF and then look to replace him. To replace him first would be asinine.

[abuck1220]

walker is better than any of those 2b. why try to 'upgrade' one of the few positions you have solidified?

[mg420]

walker would be ok but i like mueller better. he's a switch hitter and has a better glove. he can also sub for aram at 3b.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

This thread shows absolutely no respect to Neifi. He's the man, dude, he saved this team in 2005! Where would we be without Neifi!! We're not paying him $3MM/year to sit on the bench, dude, Neifi can catch the ball.

[rawaction]

walker is better than any of those 2b. why try to 'upgrade' one of the few positions you have solidified?

 

If you can upgrade RF over a potential Jacque Jones signing, then it might be worth it to slightly downgrade 2B.

 

I still think Soriano is a strong possibility. Loretta is a guy I know the Cubs would have interest in, who seems to be available for relatively cheap. I'd do Walker for Cliff Floyd. Trade for Loretta or Soriano and go get Wilkerson or Bradley

[WrigleyField 22]

walker is better than any of those 2b. why try to 'upgrade' one of the few positions you have solidified?

 

If you can upgrade RF over a potential Jacque Jones signing, then it might be worth it to slightly downgrade 2B.

 

I still think Soriano is a strong possibility. Loretta is a guy I know the Cubs would have interest in, who seems to be available for relatively cheap. I'd do Walker for Cliff Floyd. Trade for Loretta or Soriano and go get Wilkerson or Bradley

 

Why not just try to get Wilkerson AND Bradley, and forget about tading away Walker?

Oh thats right we're the Cubs.

 

(Note: I have never been this negative about the Cubs, but I'm afraid that Hendry has screwed himself over by throwing all his attention at Furcal. Now he could salvage the offseason and still come away with something pretty good, but will probably try without success to land Abreu, while missing out on guys lik Bradley and Wilkerson, therefor having to settle for Burnitz or something)

Not saying he shouldn't be looking at Abreu or Dunn, but Don't let other options waste away while doing it.

[rawaction]

walker is better than any of those 2b. why try to 'upgrade' one of the few positions you have solidified?

 

If you can upgrade RF over a potential Jacque Jones signing, then it might be worth it to slightly downgrade 2B.

 

I still think Soriano is a strong possibility. Loretta is a guy I know the Cubs would have interest in, who seems to be available for relatively cheap. I'd do Walker for Cliff Floyd. Trade for Loretta or Soriano and go get Wilkerson or Bradley

 

Why not just try to get Wilkerson AND Bradley, and forget about tading away Walker?

Oh thats right we're the Cubs.

 

(Note: I have never been this negative about the Cubs, but I'm afraid that Hendry has screwed himself over by throwing all his attention at Furcal. Now he could salvage the offseason and still come away with something pretty good, but will probably try without success to land Abreu, while missing out on guys lik Bradley and Wilkerson, therefor having to settle for Burnitz or something)

Not saying he shouldn't be looking at Abreu or Dunn, but Don't let other options waste away while doing it.

 

Agreed. But the Cubs are gonna trade Walker. I believe it's a given. Just hope Hendry builds the team wisely while doing so.

[CubfaninCA]

walker is better than any of those 2b. why try to 'upgrade' one of the few positions you have solidified?

 

If you can upgrade RF over a potential Jacque Jones signing, then it might be worth it to slightly downgrade 2B.

 

I still think Soriano is a strong possibility. Loretta is a guy I know the Cubs would have interest in, who seems to be available for relatively cheap. I'd do Walker for Cliff Floyd. Trade for Loretta or Soriano and go get Wilkerson or Bradley

 

Why not just try to get Wilkerson AND Bradley, and forget about tading away Walker?

Oh thats right we're the Cubs.

 

(Note: I have never been this negative about the Cubs, but I'm afraid that Hendry has screwed himself over by throwing all his attention at Furcal. Now he could salvage the offseason and still come away with something pretty good, but will probably try without success to land Abreu, while missing out on guys lik Bradley and Wilkerson, therefor having to settle for Burnitz or something)

Not saying he shouldn't be looking at Abreu or Dunn, but Don't let other options waste away while doing it.

 

About the only player I can see Furcal costing the Cubs is Castillo, who has some health concerns.

[JeffH]

Do the Braves have any motivation to trade Marcus Giles? Supposedly, there was some conflict between him and the front office.

 

Pierre, Giles, and Wilkerson would work.

[seanhopper]

As Rawaction mentioned, San Diego appears to be willing to trade Loretta--possibly for a starting pitcher. I wouldn't mind seeing the Cubs put together a deal for Dave Roberts and Loretta for J. Williams, Patterson, and a minor leaguers. I'm not a huge Roberts fan, but he does provide speed and OBP the Cubs haven't seen at the top of the order.

The Cubs could then use Walker as a trading chip for power hitting outfielder.

[CubfaninCA]

As Rawaction mentioned, San Diego appears to be willing to trade Loretta--possibly for a starting pitcher. I wouldn't mind seeing the Cubs put together a deal for Dave Roberts and Loretta for J. Williams, Patterson, and a minor leaguers. I'm not a huge Roberts fan, but he does provide speed and OBP the Cubs haven't seen at the top of the order.

The Cubs could then use Walker as a trading chip for power hitting outfielder.

 

Didn't SD just get Cameron??

 

Can't see Loretta being a popular pick-up, as his ops was 100 points less than Walker's and he's 34.

[Warpticon]

As Rawaction mentioned, San Diego appears to be willing to trade Loretta--possibly for a starting pitcher. I wouldn't mind seeing the Cubs put together a deal for Dave Roberts and Loretta for J. Williams, Patterson, and a minor leaguers. I'm not a huge Roberts fan, but he does provide speed and OBP the Cubs haven't seen at the top of the order.

The Cubs could then use Walker as a trading chip for power hitting outfielder.

 

I don't consider Dave Roberts a dependable source of OBP. He's never hit higher than .277, and doesn't do enough other things to be dangerous--even his base stealing ability fell off a clif last season. He's proven to be just as likely to hit .250/.330 as .275/.350.

 

I didn't see how Loretta did last year, but holy crap. How does one's slugging fall 150 points in one year?

[abuck1220]

walker is better than any of those 2b. why try to 'upgrade' one of the few positions you have solidified?

 

If you can upgrade RF over a potential Jacque Jones signing, then it might be worth it to slightly downgrade 2B.

 

true. right now i'm just hoping for minimal damage.

[HoopsCubs]

walker is better than any of those 2b. why try to 'upgrade' one of the few positions you have solidified?

 

If you can upgrade RF over a potential Jacque Jones signing, then it might be worth it to slightly downgrade 2B.

 

I still think Soriano is a strong possibility. Loretta is a guy I know the Cubs would have interest in, who seems to be available for relatively cheap. I'd do Walker for Cliff Floyd. Trade for Loretta or Soriano and go get Wilkerson or Bradley

 

I don't have access to ESPN TV during work - is it true that Lugo has been discussed as a 2B acquisition?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

walker is better than any of those 2b. why try to 'upgrade' one of the few positions you have solidified?

 

If you can upgrade RF over a potential Jacque Jones signing, then it might be worth it to slightly downgrade 2B.

 

I still think Soriano is a strong possibility. Loretta is a guy I know the Cubs would have interest in, who seems to be available for relatively cheap. I'd do Walker for Cliff Floyd. Trade for Loretta or Soriano and go get Wilkerson or Bradley

 

I don't have access to ESPN TV during work - is it true that Lugo has been discussed as a 2B acquisition?

 

Disturbingly yes. Gammons said that we could trade for Lugo and put him at 2B.