oldcubsfan

Did you go through all 6 pages, they are on there. You can also sort by MLB teams.

I'm getting the feeling that Todd isn't going to go anywhere.

http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=260&p=9&c=12&yr=2006&nid=287&lnid=287&rc=4&pid=88&pg=1

That is the most hysterical thing I have ever read. According to who? Just ignore the 30 hr vs 10, just ignore the rest of the numbers all you wish, but nobody in the whole baseball world will ever tell you Todd Walker is a better ballplayer than Soriano. Twist your numbers all you wish, but the fact doesn't change-Todd Walker is, has been and will always be a lesser player than Soriano, except maybe in your fantasy league.If Walker is so good at things, why hasn't anyone traded for him when he has been available for almost two years? Hendry overvaluing him, I certainly doubt it.

I think the point was that Walker's stats in 2004 and 2005 were artificially inflated by keeping him on the bench against tough lefties. Put another way, do you think Walker's OPS+ in those years would have been just as high if he played every day? Who are "tough lefties"? As noises pointed out, Soriano's struggled against some good pitchers (Harden, etc) and also some average to bad pitchers (Washburn, Kennedy). So if you hand pick the guys that a player struggles against and remove those ABs, yes, his #s will go up. But how do you know that the guys Walker didn't face are guys he would struggle against? Dusty sat him almost randomly last year, more often against LHP, but it's not like there are a ton of dominant LHP in the NL anyway. So no, I don't think his OPS+ would have been significantly different and you have nothing but speculation to support your claim that it would be. And oh, as far as sitting Walker against LHP - his OPS against lefties last year was .980, so that doesn't really help you. Walker was having a very solid year last year and Soriano was struggling. In '05 (and 04) Walker was just the better player. I'll look for his plaque in Cooperstown in a few years.

Well, if your comment about stat geeks wasn't intended to attack other posters on this board, I don't understand the point, but whatever. As for Walker and Soriano, this year, Soriano has been better. The 2 previous years, Walker was. The 2 years before that? Soriano was better - he had 2 really good years in '02 and '03 (esp 02). But, as others have said, Soriano's contract is based on hype & potential, which he is matching with performance this year. He wasn't doing that in '04 and '05. As for whether Texas would have traded Soriano for Walker last year, I don't know. Do you? Since Hendry worked overtime trying to deal Walker and he really wanted Soriano, I would think that the Rangers would have laughed in Hendry's face at an offer of only Walker. Again the knowledgable people in baseball have traded away Walker and have trouble finding a full time position for him while Soriano has been desired by many of the same people over the years. Can't all be based on hype and potential, but mediocre production. I guess you and the baseball world just don't understand what a great player Todd Walker really is. This argument is beyond funny, trying to ignore xbase hits, RBI's, SB's. You are correct, but yet people actually have the insane idea that during a career that Walker is a better player. This is the same insane argument over the winter when people actually tried to say that Walker's numbers were better than Tejada's. Most teams feel the total offensive player is more important than the all mighty OBP>

Yeah, who would favor two statistically better seasons from a second baseman over a corner outfielder at a fifth of the price? Those folks are really out there. So you are trying to tell me that Walker is having a statistically better season than Soriano? IF so, that has to be the funniest thing I"ve read in a long time. If Walker is such a value, why aren't teams lined up for him? They seem to be lined up for Soriano, but Walker seems to be not such a hot item? Why would that be?

He's going to get at least 10m a year come next year. It's what the current market demands. I mean is Furcal worth 13m a year? Is AJ Burnett worth 5\60 million? No and no. Just b/c people are stupid enough to pay average players crazy money doesn't mean you jump into the stupid pool. He may get $10m from someone next year, in fact I'd be surprised if he didn't, but he'll be 31 next year and he has a career .835 OPS. For a corner OF, that's above average, but not $10m worth. Put it this way - the team that pays him $10m next year is not going to get a good return on their investment (disclaimer - if he moves back to 2B that helps, but I still think $10m is too much - Walker had a better OPS each of the last 2 seasons). OPS or no OPS, Walker isn't even in the same universe as Soriano (except when it comes to defense). The game isn't value ball, it's baseball and Todd Walker's name should not be even associated with Soriano's. Good grief, some people should watch a game and then try to tell us Walker is a good ballplayer.

Oh yeah, real sweet.

LH bat off the bench.

because how one organization's teams (out of six) did against one team over the course of eight measly games tells you absolutely nothing about their system as a whole. sorry, but if reputable scouting/minor league publications say their system, as a whole sucks, that holds more weight than the fact that you've seen their low A team play decent ball over an eight game span against the chiefs. Hey I was just giving an informed opinion on the two guys in the deal THAT I HAD SEEN PITCH IN PERSON. ...I really don't care how they stack up prospect wise or if the Cubs got enough in return for Williamson...im not a Cubs fan. I just work in Peoria which happens to be a Cubs affiliate....I hope they pitch well in a Chiefs uniform the rest of this season and help us win as many games as possible and hopefully a MWL Championship. All I can do is comment on what I see....But hey, feel free to drive to Peoria, or WEst Michigan or wherever we are and watch all their games....or follow us on online broadcasts.... Nathan I for one appreciate it. We have people who in the winter thought the Cubs didn't need Tejada because Todd Walker's numbers were almost as good for the money spent.

Williamson quote: ""I've been traded before, and it worked out really well,'' Williamson said. "I can't say anything but good things about [Hendry]. Jim's been tremendous to me. He gave me an opportunity to come back from the second Tommy John surgery and didn't really rush me. He's probably by far the best GM I've been associated with. He not only cares about you as a ballplayer, but as a person."

Please tell me what Williamson ever did for us? He's just not good, what did you expect other than minor leaguers? If you're upset now, what until you see how little we'll get for Walker. I'd expect a minor leaguer that has done anything remotely successful as a pro. Aren't you the one who goes on about how prospects aren't sure things, and therefore aren't as good as those who've made it to the major league level? Williamson is a right hander who gives up a mediocre amount of baserunners and strikes out a ton of guys. He's worth more than two guys who become a couple of the worst pitchers at our Low A affiliate. No, he really isn't. He has not struck out a ton of guys since his arm injury and his control is mediocre at best. Do you get to see him much when he pitches? I know it's hard when the Cubs aren't on ch. 9 for people living out of the broadcast area, but he has basically sucked most of the year. Even if we buy that Williamson is terrible(he's not), something is wrong with that logic. Either the Padres wanted him(and they consider him better than terrible) or Hendry gave him away(which would explain the terrible return). So either Hendry is stupid for giving him away for nothing a week and a half before the deadline, or the Padres thought Williamson was worth something and Hendry got hosed by getting nothing in return. Thanks. I appreciate someone who has seen the prospects comments. They are far more meaningful than the speculation. And this is what people are talking about when they talk about side-swiping other posters. Anyone who can find this page could say the exact same thing. I'm sorry if you are offended, but I would much rather read Nathan's comments, someone who has at least seen the guy.

You act like we gave up Howry. This should open a slot for a young pitcher. williamson was not doing anything. How do you know the prospects won't help down the road?

Please tell me what Williamson ever did for us? He's just not good, what did you expect other than minor leaguers? If you're upset now, what until you see how little we'll get for Walker. I'd expect a minor leaguer that has done anything remotely successful as a pro. Aren't you the one who goes on about how prospects aren't sure things, and therefore aren't as good as those who've made it to the major league level? Williamson is a right hander who gives up a mediocre amount of baserunners and strikes out a ton of guys. He's worth more than two guys who become a couple of the worst pitchers at our Low A affiliate. No, he really isn't. He has not struck out a ton of guys since his arm injury and his control is mediocre at best. Do you get to see him much when he pitches? I know it's hard when the Cubs aren't on ch. 9 for people living out of the broadcast area, but he has basically sucked most of the year.

We didnt see Jimenez this year in the 8 games we played against Ft. Wayne....but Santo was 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in two starts against the Chiefs....12 innings, 8 hits and 4 K's.... Nathan Baliva Peoria Chiefs Broadcaster Thanks. I appreciate someone who has seen the prospects comments. They are far more meaningful than the speculation.

Please tell me what Williamson ever did for us? He's just not good, what did you expect other than minor leaguers? If you're upset now, what until you see how little we'll get for Walker.

Doesn't look like much. Is Joel related to Ron Santo? We didn't give up much. He didn't pitch well and will be a free agent at the end of the year. Not going to get much for him.

After watching him pitch this year, he ought to just keep quiet.

That's pretty funny, actually. :D Let me go for OCF: Hee Seop Choi Ben Grieve David Kelton Jason Dubois Etc...... OK. Let me add a real one Scott Ruffcorn

I think I'll sit this one out. LOL!!

Thank you!!! You are correct.

Put it on the board YES!!!

Why isn't Walker in the lineup? did he get traded? I thought they said Theriot would play against Petitte, not Clemens.

I believe OBP is important in the top of a lineup, not the be all and end all of stats. Of course you have to hope for the future with your own farm hands to either play or trade which the Cubs have done. If you don't have a balance of OBP, speed, power, defense and pitching, you don't win.