If we can't get Dunn.. Should we pursue Konerko?

[cubsneedmiracle]

Just throwing more possible options out there.

 

[USCChiFan]

No
He'll never, ever, ever come close to repeating his numbers from this season. He's slow, has below average defense at 1st, and he'll likely want a long-term deal. He's 34, giving him a long-term would just be an awful move.

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

No
He'll never, ever, ever come close to repeating his numbers from this season. He's slow, has below average defense at 1st, and he'll likely want a long-term deal. He's 34, giving him a long-term would just be an awful move.

If its on good contractual terms.. Then what would you think?

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

It really seems like the Sox want to move in the other direction.. at least from this point..

Plus.. just another factor that could possibly be in our favor..

'OK, I have a family, a couple of kids

Paul Konerko ready to walk away from the game if he isn't satisfied this offseason - Inside the White Sox

Keeping his family in Chicago could be a talking point.

 

[USCChiFan]

Konerko has said he'll retire if he doesn't get the deal he wants... there's no way IMO the deal will be team-friendly

 

[nickofypres]

His glove at first is actually pretty above average. And I bet in the NL he could slug 25-30 HR's.

:shrug:

 

[Lefty]

I think the reason Konerko is painted in a negative light by UZR and other defensive metrics is because he isn't athletic enough to get to balls hit sharply to either side of him with great frequency. From a positioning and glove work standpoint, though, he's pretty damn good. If the Cubs (or any team) can put a rangy 2B out there that is quick enough to play a little deeper in the hole on the right side more often than not and still get to balls hit to his right, they could effectively limit Konerko's athletic shortcomings.

The thing is though, Konerko doesn't seem to be OK with going to a bad team. He's being coy right now with the Sox because he wants to see how the franchise trends in the off-season ("contender" versus "pretender" and all that), and I certainly don't think he would balk at returning to the Sox just to go to the Cubs, an organization and team that is in far worse shape.

 

[USCChiFan]

If Konerko wants to win another ring, I could see him signing w/ the Yankees to be their DH

 

[Captain Obvious]

His glove at first is actually pretty above average. And I bet in the NL he could slug 25-30 HR's.

:shrug:

What does league have to do with it?

I think the reason Konerko is painted in a negative light by UZR and other defensive metrics is because he isn't athletic enough to get to balls hit sharply to either side of him with great frequency. From a positioning and glove work standpoint, though, he's pretty damn good. If the Cubs (or any team) can put a rangy 2B out there that is quick enough to play a little deeper in the hole on the right side more often than not and still get to balls hit to his right, they could effectively limit Konerko's athletic shortcomings.

The thing is though, Konerko doesn't seem to be OK with going to a bad team. He's being coy right now with the Sox because he wants to see how the franchise trends in the off-season ("contender" versus "pretender" and all that), and I certainly don't think he would balk at returning to the Sox just to go to the Cubs, an organization and team that is in far worse shape.

It's the same thing with Jermaine Dye. He is a great defender on balls he can get to. He just can't get to any. It has just as much, if not more to do with his defense. I realize that you aren't trying to ignore it, I'm just putting it out there.

You want the Cubs to get a rangy 2B... that cost money. They'd have to throw down $$$ for two positions and that doesn't upgrade the pitching any.

KonerkNO.

 

[waldo7239117]

I think he will stay with the WS...he said he would like to finish his career with the WS. I highly doubt he retires.

 

[JustinTCB]

It wouldn't be the worst signing, but I'd rather use our limited resources on other players. I don't think Konerko will be able to hold up over an entire season without the benefit of being the DH once a week.

 

[Lefty]

You want the Cubs to get a rangy 2B... that cost money. They'd have to throw down $$$ for two positions and that doesn't upgrade the pitching any.

No, I said "if the Cubs (or any team)...". It was a condition for any team that would be interested in signing Konerko would need to look at meeting for the reasons I have already mentioned.

 

[Capt. Serious]

Keep your hands off Paulie.

 

[Veritas]

What does league have to do with it?

Because the NL is the lesser talent league. Pitchers that move from the NL to the AL normally see a significant drop is statistics and generally batters from the AL see a rise in stats playing in the NL.

 

[Captain Obvious]

Because the NL is the lesser talent league. Pitchers that move from the NL to the AL normally see a significant drop is statistics and generally batters from the AL see a rise in stats playing in the NL.

The NL definitely isn't a lesser talent league.

The reason pitchers see a drop in stats in the NL, is because they don't have to face a DH. The league average P OPS this year is .353. The league average DH OPS is .759. That's a 400 point difference. That's a LOT!

Now, let's look at it by position.

C - .714 vs. .689 - NL
1B - .815 vs. .790 - NL
2B - .721 vs. .719 - NL
3B - .754 vs. .730 - NL
SS - .713 vs. .669 - NL
LF - .772 vs. .767 - NL
CF - .736 vs. .727 - NL
RF - .779 vs. .792 - AL

The NL is better at EVERY position except RF. That's quite a fucking bit. The only reason the AL has better numbers is because of the DH.

Now, as far as batters transferring from the AL to the NL seeing an increase in numbers, that's not true.

The NL has an average ERA of 4.04, while the AL has an ERA of 4.15. The NL K's more batters than the AL and has a higher K/BB ratio.

You are just trying to pass off myth as fact with out looking at the real picture. Sorry, bud, but it doesn't work that way.

 

[Lefty]

The problem you're running into Captain is that you're using OPS straight away without adjusting for league and park effects. Going by OPS+, the AL (99 OPS+) is still a bit better than the NL (94 OPS+). Going by Offensive WAR, the AL (267.9 total oWAR) is even better than the NL (256 total oWAR).

Simply wishing to ignore the contributions and abilities of the hitting pitchers in the NL is erroneous considering that they still do bat and receive a good amount of a team's plate appearances. They aren't negligible.