Outfield Situation To Get More Complex

[Jntg4]

I think you also possibly have to look at moving Soriano back to 2nd. If having the young guys in the OF with Soriano at 2nd is > than the log jam in the OF, then you definitely have to consider it.

I realize when they acquired Soriano they wanted him to play OF but that was a different regime (kind of).

You could conceivably have a lineup of:

C Soto
1B Dunn (assuming they sign him)
2B Soriano
3B Ramirez
SS Castro
LF Colvin
CF Byrd
RF ?

That's avoiding the problem for a while, but I expect Hak-Ju Lee up before 2015 (obviously), so then what do you do?

 

[Jntg4]

Also, if you want to move Soriano to a new position, why not first base? It isn't that difficult a position to learn, and it opens up left field. His production this season would be pretty decent for a first baseman.

That lets you put Colvin in left, keep Byrd, and keep Fukudome. It doesn't rush Jackson up, let him dictate his promotion time with his play.

When/if Jackson is ready, Fukudome can go on the trading block. It also means the Cubs don't have to spend any extra money this offseason on a first baseman.

Not a bad idea at all.

 

[Lex L.]

Also, if you want to move Soriano to a new position, why not first base? It isn't that difficult a position to learn, and it opens up left field. His production this season would be pretty decent for a first baseman.

That lets you put Colvin in left, keep Byrd, and keep Fukudome. It doesn't rush Jackson up, let him dictate his promotion time with his play.

When/if Jackson is ready, Fukudome can go on the trading block. It also means the Cubs don't have to spend any extra money this offseason on a first baseman.

It just depends. 1B typically brings a lot of offense. If they can get Dunn or Gonzalez, obviously youre not going to put Soriano there. But if the Cubs are going cheap, Soriano to 1B is more viable but I still like moving him to 2nd better. But then again, everything were talking about where making room for young players is concerned becomes for nothing if the young guys struggle.

But they need to build in some flexibility.

 

[waldo7239117]

I think the Cubs have to trade Kosule this winter while his stock is high. And, I expect they will.

 

[JustinTCB]

It just depends. 1B typically brings a lot of offense. If they can get Dunn or Gonzalez, obviously youre not going to put Soriano there. But if the Cubs are going cheap, Soriano to 1B is more viable but I still like moving him to 2nd better. But then again, everything were talking about where making room for young players is concerned becomes for nothing if the young guys struggle.

But they need to build in some flexibility.

Did you ever see Soriano play second on the Yankees or Rangers?

 

[waldo7239117]

Did you ever see Soriano play second on the Yankees or Rangers?

I know you were asking him but I'll have an intake.

He was PATHETIC and that's why he was moved to LF.

 

[Lex L.]

Did you ever see Soriano play second on the Yankees or Rangers?

Yeah, i know he's not great defensively.

 

[Captain Obvious]

Trading byrd would be counter-productive...he s one of a few players who outplayed his contract this yr

Do you really think Byrd will put up these numbers again? Plus, his salary practically doubles. It'd be smart to move Byrd now.

Also, if you want to move Soriano to a new position, why not first base? It isn't that difficult a position to learn, and it opens up left field. His production this season would be pretty decent for a first baseman.

That lets you put Colvin in left, keep Byrd, and keep Fukudome. It doesn't rush Jackson up, let him dictate his promotion time with his play.

When/if Jackson is ready, Fukudome can go on the trading block. It also means the Cubs don't have to spend any extra money this offseason on a first baseman.

Soriano doesn't have the attention span to play 1B. You have to be alert on EVERY play. Soriano at 1B is a bad idea.

 

[JustinTCB]

Yeah, i know he's not great defensively.

"not great" is being very generous.

He was moved to left field for a reason. It isn't a viable option to play him at second, he can't do it.

 

[JustinTCB]

Soriano doesn't have the attention span to play 1B. You have to be alert on EVERY play. Soriano at 1B is a bad idea.

Way to project attributes onto Soriano. How do you know he doesn't have the attention span to play there? He's never tried before. Maybe moving him to the infield would increase his attention span because he feels more involved in the game.

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

I think you also possibly have to look at moving Soriano back to 2nd. If having the young guys in the OF with Soriano at 2nd is > than the log jam in the OF, then you definitely have to consider it.

I realize when they acquired Soriano they wanted him to play OF but that was a different regime (kind of).

You could conceivably have a lineup of:

C Soto
1B Dunn (assuming they sign him)
2B Soriano
3B Ramirez
SS Castro
LF Colvin
CF Byrd
RF ?

Dunn isn't gonna happen at this point.. The boss has already stated that payroll will go down.

I would be interested to see Soriano at 2B though.

 

[Lex L.]

"not great" is being very generous.

He was moved to left field for a reason. It isn't a viable option to play him at second, he can't do it.

Well, its not like Blake DeWitt is the second coming of Jose Lind or Frank White. So, youre weighing offensive production with defense at that position thats not going to be great anyway.

Thanks for the semantic clarification though.

 

[Lex L.]

Dunn isn't gonna happen at this point.. The boss has already stated that payroll will go down.

I would be interested to see Soriano at 2B though.

I thought I read somewhere that theyre interested in Dunn.

But I like how you guys look at this mypoically. They also might trade Zambrano this offseason. This could drop payroll even if they add Dunn. And there are other players they might intend to trade whether its Byrd, Kosuke, or whoever.

We simply dont know whats out there or where theyre going. But saying one thing about reducing payroll doesnt eliminate signing Dunn.

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

I thought I read somewhere that theyre interested in Dunn.

But I like how you guys look at this mypoically. They also might trade Zambrano this offseason. This could drop payroll even if they add Dunn. And there are other players they might intend to trade whether its Byrd, Kosuke, or whoever.

We simply dont know whats out there or where theyre going. But saying one thing about reducing payroll doesnt eliminate signing Dunn.

How many players do we have to re-up with arb?

I would think.. Just off the top of my head.. Even if we trade Zambrano and Fuky.. Then have to re-up Marmol, Soto..

That leaves some room for additions but probably not enough for what Dunn would want.

 

[waldo7239117]

How many players do we have to re-up with arb?

I would think.. Just off the top of my head.. Even if we trade Zambrano and Fuky.. Then have to re-up Marmol, Soto..

That leaves some room for additions but probably not enough for what Dunn would want.

Arb elgible: Soto, Marmol, Marshall, Baker, Guzman, Hill and Gorzo.

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

Arb elgible: Soto, Marmol, Marshall, Baker, Guzman, Hill and Gorzo.

Baker, Guzman and Hill can fly away.

 

[Lex L.]

How many players do we have to re-up with arb?

I would think.. Just off the top of my head.. Even if we trade Zambrano and Fuky.. Then have to re-up Marmol, Soto..

That leaves some room for additions but probably not enough for what Dunn would want.

Remember, they already reduced payroll by losing Lilly. So, its already come down some from where it was at the beginning of the season.

One thing they absolutely need though is a left handed bat that plays 1B. Had they done this the whole time, they wouldnt have been stuck with the Milton Bradley scenario.

One of Hendry's many flaws is how he will try to fit something that doesnt belong and overpays while doing it. 1B is a position where there is a premium on offense. They need to suck it up and spend the money to get it instead of trying to be smarter than the next guy like they were with Bradley.

BTW, I heard that Dunn was more interested in the years on the deal than getting the dollar $. He's 30 and doesnt take a lot of risks when running. So, it may be quite reasonable to go after Dunn.

 

[waldo7239117]

Baker, Guzman and Hill can fly away.

Yep and I think there is a good chance they will. However, I see Baker being traded.

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

Remember, they already reduced payroll by losing Lilly. So, its already come down some from where it was at the beginning of the season.

One thing they absolutely need though is a left handed bat that plays 1B. Had they done this the whole time, they wouldnt have been stuck with the Milton Bradley scenario.

One of Hendry's many flaws is how he will try to fit something that doesnt belong and overpays while doing it. 1B is a position where there is a premium on offense. They need to suck it up and spend the money to get it instead of trying to be smarter than the next guy like they were with Bradley.

BTW, I heard that Dunn was more interested in the years on the deal than getting the dollar $. He's 30 and doesnt take a lot of risks when running. So, it may be quite reasonable to go after Dunn.

I understand what youre saying.. I still just don't see us spending the money when we aren't close to contending next year(s).

I heard that today too.. Makes it more probable.. At least in my frame of thought its still probably not overly likely for us.

 

[Lex L.]

I understand what youre saying.. I still just don't see us spending the money when we aren't close to contending next year(s).

I heard that today too.. Makes it more probable.. At least in my frame of thought its still probably not overly likely for us.

Well, lets take a step back and look at the economics. We've already endured 2 years of disappointment. And people have become more and more accustomed to not going. If they decide to gut the payroll and try to be a supersized Florida Marlins by having this massive youth movement, the lack of enthusiasm from the fans may carry over to the beginning of next year.

2003 changed expectations. The fans expect to win and if they perceive that the efforts not there and theres no hope, theyve been less likely to keep going in recent years. And the Cubs tickets are the most in MLB. Cubs fans are going to start asking, "why am I paying top dollar to watch management turn this team into a supersized Florida Marlins."

Not spending brings a huge economic gamble.