Backtobanks

As one scout said, referring to the periodic outbursts of Zambrano and outfielder Milton Bradley, "When Lou has the third-worst temper on the team, you know you're in trouble." =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>

Except for third, can anyone think of a better way to upgrade the offense than this route? We're not upgrading at catcher, first, short, center, or right. There's just no way. An upgrade at second that simply replaces Fontenot... well, who is out there? Dan Uggla? Moving Soriano back to second seems to be the only way to open up trading possibilities. Since you're going to weaken the defense, why not hand the 3B job to Fox until he proves he can't hit ML pitching. Fox at 3B can't be much worse than Soriano at 2B considering the number of plays each position is involved in during a game. That way we don't have to give up the prospects that Beane would want.

I'll repeat what I posted earlier: It's amazing how smart hindsight makes everyone. All of a sudden everyone knew who would slump this year, what trades (and signings) would be terrible, what players we should have signed, how much we should have payed FAs, etc. None of us have to deal with other GMs involving trades, try to acquire the players that our manager wants on the team, and deal with the agents of FAs all while trying to stay within some kind of bugetary constraints. Looking at deals made and players stats 2 months into the season isn't the fairest way to judge a GM.

And there isn't a person on this board that would have looked at Fontenot's production last year and Bradley's production throughout his career and describe either as "any crappy lefty bat you can scrape up". It's amazing how hindsight makes us all so much smarter.

Can you imagine how many bunts down the 3B line there would be if Fox was at 3B?

All that is well and good, but it doesn't change the fact that a NTC is just a negotiating asset, and a pitcher would be foolish to pass up the opportunity to pitch in SD. One of these days Shark might grow up enough to realize that pitching in setup roles in Chicago might be less fulfilling ($$$$) than starting in SD. When he maxes out at about $3 million and sees decent starting pitchers getting $10-$12 million, he might understand that he could move his whole family out to SD with a few months salary.

It's amazing to me that all of this nonsense is being dumped in Hendry's lap. Lou (and Dusty before him) is the one setting these agendas, by and large. This whole getting more lefthanded business mostly Piniella's idea. Hendry's options are: a) construct the team in the way his manager wants it (what he's doing now), or b) fire the manager and hire one with a different philosophy (what he did when Dusty's gameplan wasn't working). Regardless, the GM and the manager need to be reading from the same playbook, and that comes predominantly from the manager. I totally agree. From the start, it's been Hendry's MO to let the manager run the team on the field. Whatever his manager(s) wants he gets for them even if he doesn't necessarily agree. Hendry always pushed for giving youngsters a chance, but Dusty wanted veterans and played veterans. Lou wanted more LH bats in the lineup and Hendry made it possible by trading DeRosa and giving Fontenot 2B while signing Bradley. Unfortunately, Bradley and Fontenot have slumped and Ramirez got hurt leaving a hole at 3B.

Having Johnson on this team would provide company for Bradley on the DL for 60-80 games. Also, I mentioned tweaking the deal with prospects if necessary. right, but d lee isn't exactly the superman of health anymore why give up more for cantu than lee? why not just get johnson instead? Getting Johnson would still involve getting rid of Lee. I'm sure the Nationals don't want him. Also, we already have a LH 1B in Hoffpauir.

I can't see the Cubs becoming sellers. The NL Central is not going to have a run-away winner (unless the Cubs get it together) and the expectation level is too high to start over again.

Can Peavy play 3B and hit >.200?

No, no it wouldn't. I know you're an optimist but let's be real. This team hasn't won a playoff game together. I think it's time to rebuild and build up our farm system. If someone offers great prospects for one of our players and we continue to look like we have this week, you take the deal in a heartbeat. It's time to rebuild and build a world series champion. Come on. Do you honestly think this team is capable of winning a World Series? It depends on what team you're talking about. Are you talking about the team that has Fontenot playing 3B or Ramirez? Are you talking about the team that has 3-4 regulars struggling to get above .200 or the team that has Lee, Soto, Fontenot, and Bradley hitting close to what's expected of them? Obviously the team that on the field right now, hitting and pitching the way they are, has no chance of making the playoffs (let alone winning the WS).

Having Johnson on this team would provide company for Bradley on the DL for 60-80 games. Also, I mentioned tweaking the deal with prospects if necessary.

I'm not sure that's the case. Uggla's already nearly 30, plays awful defense, and isn't hitting right now. Lee plays very good defense, is hitting right now, and has a much better track record to fall back on. There is the age gap, and the fact that Uggla makes his attempt at defense at 2B, but if a team thinks Lee has his stroke back, I can see them potentially valuing him as highly as Uggla. Well said. I'm tired of posters complaining about how terrible our players are and how great opposing players are. In my original post I mentioned sending Lee with cash to bring his salary down to $5-6 million to solve one part of the problem (his NTC is the other). I think that a team that has a big hole at 1B (like the Giants) might appreciate a solid veteran that brings leadership and outstanding defense to the team. Some of the other names they were kicking around were Konerko, Nick Johnson, Holliday, and Uggla. Having the money issue resolved, I would take Lee over those guys.

Before you LOL, today's MLBTR suggests the Giants might have to give up Cain or Sanchez for Uggla!!!!! Giants Inquire On Uggla By Eddie Schmid [May 24 at 7:21pm CST] Juan C. Rodriguez at the Sun-Sentinel says the Giants have had preliminary discussions with the Marlins about second baseman Dan Uggla, "though they are not believed to have reached general manager level." This jives with reports that Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria wants "substantive changes" for his team. Rodriguez says the Giants would almost certainly have to part with Matt Cain or Jonathan Sanchez if such a deal were to go through. Rodriguez also speculates that the Giants might be kicking the tires on Nick Johnson and Mark DeRosa in their quest for a bat.

I agree that the Giants could trade Cain for Cantu, but that wouldn't our cubbies. I'm sure DLee won't waive his NTC (even to the West Coast), but getting an established star that would soldify the infield defense for their other pitchers at $5 or $6 million might make them think. Having Lee would allow them to be patient with Sandoval.

I know you've been waiting, so here is a 3-way trade suggestion: Giants receive: DLee plus big time cash (assuming he waives his NTC to go to the West Coast) Marlins receive: Matt Cain Cubs receive: Jorge Cantu Tweak the deal with prospects and/or cash to make it happen. Giants are shopping Cain and have a big hole at 1B. Lee at $5-$6 million soldifies 1B and provides a decent veteran hitter. Cantu is close to becoming too expensive for the Marlins and Cain provides a strong, cheap, proven starter. Cubs get security at 3B, 1B, and 2B in Cantu.

As usual we should blame Hendry for building the best team in the NL for the last few years. Most everyone on this board wanted Piniella to be hired (or Girardi who's doing worse with a team full of all-stars). Everybody was excited about Perry bringing in a new hitting philosophy that had the Cubs leading the league in runs. Most everyone clamored for Bradley with his outstanding offensive numbers. Posters were amazed that Hendry could get Harden for the rotation. Let me make a prediction - it will be Hendry's fault when Peavy's arm falls off after the Cubs acquire him in July. The numbers that Miles, Gregg, Bradley, Heilman, Fontenot, etc. certainly haven't been impressive, but you're fooling yourself if you think the numbers that DeRosa, Wood, Murton, Cedeno, Pie, and Hill have put up would have us running away with the NL Central.

Prado is a backup IF with the Braves and probably will remain a backup IF with the Braves. I agree that Johnson alone probably wouldn't do it, but adding cash and/or a prospect might get it done. The Braves OF situation is pretty desperate. Blalock/Beltre/Mora might be cheaper to acquire (in players), but would cost more in money. Also, Blalock/Beltre/Mora might not be able to succeed in a backup role once Aram returns while Prado could back up everywhere in the IF. We already have enough backup middle infielders that were tyring to use as starters and it isnt working out. Martin gas respectable stats for a backup, but as a starter, hes probably Omar Infante at best. My point is that I think Prado is definitely an upgrade to Miles/Freel/Scales (and right now Fontenot). Let's not forget that he a backup to some pretty good players (Jones, Escobar, and Johnson). He does have experience at 3B and some at 1B, along with the MI. It wouldn't be an earth-shattering acquisition, but he looks to be a capable fill-in for Ramirez immediately and a solid role player for the future. Blalock/Mora/Beltre is trying to catch lightning-in-a-bottle for two months and then they would serve no purpose and might cause problems with being considered a backup. We need the lightening in a bottle. The 2 monts back up is what they need. After that, they can be a pinch hitter for all I care. Even if Ramirez does make it back by July or August, he'll need a day off here and there. My point is, Id rather get someone we know can be an upgrade over what we have, not someone who might be. Are you sure Beltre (.213/.246/.308/.554 - $13 million) or Mora (.260/.315/.340/.655 - $8million) can deliver "lightning in a bottle". Those numbers aren't much different from Fontenot's for this season. While Blalock (.250/.281/.555/.837 - $6.2 million) might be able to give us some offense, he has only played 70 games at 3B over the last two years. Can he still handle 3B?

Prado is a backup IF with the Braves and probably will remain a backup IF with the Braves. I agree that Johnson alone probably wouldn't do it, but adding cash and/or a prospect might get it done. The Braves OF situation is pretty desperate. Blalock/Beltre/Mora might be cheaper to acquire (in players), but would cost more in money. Also, Blalock/Beltre/Mora might not be able to succeed in a backup role once Aram returns while Prado could back up everywhere in the IF. We already have enough backup middle infielders that were tyring to use as starters and it isnt working out. Martin gas respectable stats for a backup, but as a starter, hes probably Omar Infante at best. My point is that I think Prado is definitely an upgrade to Miles/Freel/Scales (and right now Fontenot). Let's not forget that he a backup to some pretty good players (Jones, Escobar, and Johnson). He does have experience at 3B and some at 1B, along with the MI. It wouldn't be an earth-shattering acquisition, but he looks to be a capable fill-in for Ramirez immediately and a solid role player for the future. Blalock/Mora/Beltre is trying to catch lightning-in-a-bottle for two months and then they would serve no purpose and might cause problems with being considered a backup.

Prado is a backup IF with the Braves and probably will remain a backup IF with the Braves. I agree that Johnson alone probably wouldn't do it, but adding cash and/or a prospect might get it done. The Braves OF situation is pretty desperate. Blalock/Beltre/Mora might be cheaper to acquire (in players), but would cost more in money. Also, Blalock/Beltre/Mora might not be able to succeed in a backup role once Aram returns while Prado could back up everywhere in the IF.

But Fox could outhit and outrun him lol.

This has been discussed in the topic "Soriano could play 2B". The obvious problem is that this lineup might give up as many runs defensively as they generate offensively. Hopefully they will call up Fox to DH during interleague play.

From MLBTR: What To Do With The Braves Outfield? By Steve Adams [May 22 at 8:00pm CST] In his blog over at MLB.com, Mark Bowman lays out the offensive woes of the Atlanta outfield, and in the comments section, Bowman even ponders the potential release of Jeff Francoeur: "When I look at myself in the mirror, I'd have to say that my fault is that I've given Francoeur a break for far too long. There's no doubt that the leniency stems from the fact that he's a great guy. But at the end of the day we all have a job to do. My job is to relay information to the public and thus, I've written two entries this week preparing you for the possibility that Frenchy's days in Atlanta might be numbered. It will be very difficult for the Braves to trade him. As for a return to the Minors, I don't know if that would help anybody. Thus, you can't ignore the possibility that if things don't improve soon there's a definite possibility that they could release him." Here's some of the unfortunate "highlights" of the Braves' struggles, if you can call them that: In 12 games since being activated from the DL, Garret Anderson is hitting .283/.321/.326 with just one extra base hit - a double. All this comes along with limited range in the outfield. In 66 May at-bats, Francoeur is hitting .197/.214/.273. For his career, Francoeur has averaged 630 ABs per season. Over his last 631 ABs, dating back to May 6, 2009, Francoeur is hitting .235/.287/.341 with 11 HR. Over that time, among players with 500 ABs, only Michael Bourn, Chone Figgins, Bobby Crosby, Willy Taveras, and Jason Kendall have lower slugging percentages, and only Chris Young of Arizona has a lower OBP. Ouch. Rookie Jordan Schafer's .660 OPS is the highest of any of the three Braves outfielders mentioned thus far. So what's Frank Wren to do? He's clearly in need of immediate upgrades in the outfield, and Atlanta would seem to have the pitching to spare. Let's hear some suggestions from the MLBTR world: How can Wren save this situation? How about trying to get Martin Prado in a deal for a package including Reed Johnson? Prado can play any IF position and is only 25 years old. His career line is .304/.363/.446/.809 in a small sample.

Carlos Quentin in the top 50! :pig: :pig: :pig: :pig: :pig: :pig:

Except I don't see many 3B out there to get. The usual names Kuzmanoff, Beltre, Atkins, Mora, DeRosa, Wigginton, etc. certainly aren't worth Heilman (let alone Heilman plus prospects). Also, I would think you want somebody that will accept a backup/pinch hitter role and can probably fill in at other positions. DeRosa/Loretta/Aurilia/Wigginton/Belliard kind of player.