Hairston in RF?

by teacher tom on Dec 10, 2005 3:01 PM CST

Muskrat sez, "The Cubs still have a gaping hole in right field. If the season opened today, Jerry Hairston Jr. would be starting there. General manager Jim Hendry will keep his cell phone charged in pursuit of a big bat, most likely a left-handed one." I hope Hendry has the Phillies' number programed. But I could live with Hairston, I guess.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Oh, heavens no.

... that'll never happen. Hairston doesn't have the arm for RF, and he'd be just about the worst bat in the majors there.

This is speculation of the worst kind.

by Al Yellon on Dec 10, 2005 3:03 PM CST reply actions

Not speculation...

Pretty much stating the obvious were the season to start today, is it not? Hairston did take over for Patterson last year on 2 occasions making him higher on the depth chart at this point. We've got Murton, Pierre, Hairston, Mabry, and Patterson.

If the season started today, I don't see anyone else in RF other than Hairston.

It's not going to be that way on Opening Day however.

by Maddog on Dec 10, 2005 3:17 PM CST up reply actions

Good thing...

... the season doesn't start today.

It'd be pretty tough, too, with six inches of snow on the ground.

by Al Yellon on Dec 10, 2005 3:21 PM CST up reply actions

I don't know...

Juan Pierre at the top of the order, good bunter, baseball are white, snow is white...I'll take my chances if it were to start today...LOL

by Maddog on Dec 10, 2005 5:40 PM CST up reply actions

lol provided

he could trounce through the snow, might be worth a look.

2006 -- AC036097 -- Eamus Catuli!

by priorpwnz on Dec 10, 2005 5:46 PM CST up reply actions

Like I said...

I'll take my chances with a speedy Pierre, a white baseball and a snow covered Wrigley.

In fact, I think we should begin to petition MLB to start the season a little earlier, say, December?

by Maddog on Dec 10, 2005 6:11 PM CST up reply actions

For a city

like Chicago? LoL are you trying to kill some guys?

2006 -- AC036097 -- Eamus Catuli!

by priorpwnz on Dec 11, 2005 2:04 AM CST up reply actions

Snow...

what snow?

C'mon now...anyone can have a bad century...

by Kinky Reggae on Dec 10, 2005 3:57 PM CST reply actions

This weather

isn't much different than April. C'mon Tejada!

by teacher tom on Dec 10, 2005 4:26 PM CST reply actions

How about Pie?

The Cubs know Hairston can't play RF, and we have heard about Pie for the last few seasons. I know he's a center fielder but at least he's a natural outfielder unlike Hairston who's an infielder. It would be an easier adjustment for Pie.

by sandbergformanager on Dec 10, 2005 6:25 PM CST reply actions

Or else

platoon Pie and Corey Patterson. Those of you who are really into defense, you must admit Patterson has the tools to be a good defensive RF.

I dunno... I still like Rondell White.

(the Rondell comment had to come out... couldn't help it... tried to stop it but can't...)

by nickler on Dec 10, 2005 6:52 PM CST reply actions

Pie and Corey...

are both left handed.

Cubbie Blue always sPaRkLes in my eyes. Time to sPaRkLe Jimmy!

by sparkles721 on Dec 10, 2005 7:33 PM CST up reply actions

Left handed, good

Corey Patteson, bad. Pie, hmmmm, seems to resemble Pie. Trade them and Hairston, and whoever else we can to get Tejada!

by teacher tom on Dec 10, 2005 7:45 PM CST reply actions

I meant Pie resembles Patterson, sorry.

by teacher tom on Dec 10, 2005 7:46 PM CST reply actions

If Hendry....

...is not able to land a rightfielder and Burnitz is still out in free agency limbo the Cubs wouldn't be able to sign him until May becuase of arbitration. Is this scenario correct?

cubsfan4life

by cubfan4life on Dec 10, 2005 8:37 PM CST reply actions

Correct.

Forget Burnitz. The Cubs have zero interest in him. And they're right to do so.

by Al Yellon on Dec 11, 2005 4:50 AM CST up reply actions

He's not terrible in the outfield...

I agree that Hairston doesn't have the arm for right field, but he at least showed a solid effort in center, so I think it could be said with some degree of certainty that he'd at least put his best effort into it.

And yes, I'm aware that effort doesn't translate into "give him a chance" (I don't exactly WANT to see him starting there), but I think we could be far worse off, especially assuming we managed to pick up Tejada at the expense of getting a right fielder.

Plus, Hairston's quick (though not much of a steal-threat), and he's got a decent OBP; would it really be that bad??

by NocNoc on Dec 11, 2005 10:23 AM CST reply actions