Whither Our Nomar?

by mlf on Sep 29, 2005 10:23 AM CDT

It seems that in the last 6 weeks, Cubs fans have seen the Nomar that we had hoped for ever since trading for him. The team seems set on watching him leave, but I hesitate to see him go. Given his more limited range these days, shouldn't he slide to second and yield SS to Cedeno?

(And I expect a hard-hitting LF to be Hendry's first offseason priority for a FA signing.)

I'm not against Walker's return, but a healthy Nomar seems more of an offensive difference-maker.

What do those who got to watch Nomar and Cedeno play in person think? Is Cedeno a solid defensive SS, and ready to hit in the bigs?

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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i'm surprised ...

... to see someone not taking it for granted that Murton is the LF'er next year ...

by kjk on Sep 29, 2005 5:30 PM CDT reply actions

I have a problem...

with starting two rookies. Not saying they won't be good, but there will be times when they go through their big slumps OR maybe they just don't pan out like Jason Dubois (remember all the clamoring for him to play everyday). If Cedeno is at SS and Noamr at 2B or vice versa, having Murton in LF is going to put lots of pressure on CF and RF.

Hendry is going to have his hands full with a think FA market and being on the last eyar of his conract.

by mannytrillo on Sep 30, 2005 1:13 AM CDT reply actions

Is that you Dusty?

It seems that only rookies have big slumps according to you. I presume the inconsistent play of Patterson and Burnitz and Hollandsworth and Lawton and Perez and Barrett and Macias didn't count because they weren't rookies. My problem is I have a problem starting players who shouldn't be starting. You play the best available player whether they are rookie or vet.

And for your info, media reports seem to indicate that both Baker and Hendry will be given extensions this winter.

Players win awards but teams win championships.

by tharr on Sep 30, 2005 1:33 AM CDT reply actions

Tharr...

I never said rookies only have big slumps. that might be your interpitation, but that is WRONG. Go by what I wrote, not what you THINK I meant. Vets do have big slumps, in my opinion have a better chance of breaking out quicker than a rookie. And a team with a $100 million payroll should not have to start 2 rookies unless they are stud rookies like Puljos or Cabrera.

It is Henry's job to spend that $100 million better then he did this year and now he doesn't have the Sosa salary excuse anymore.

I have heard the media reports and I hope they are not true. hendry and baker need to be left alone to see if they can go back to the playoffs this year. if they can't no need to extend them. But this is teh Cubs and whatever they can do wrong, then tend to do.

by mannytrillo on Sep 30, 2005 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions

I think

the problem with Nomar moving to second is whether or not he'd be able to turn the pivot on the double play, especially if that groin of his isn't 100%. But I have a lot of respect for Nomar and if he thought he could do it, I'd give him a shot.

If we could sign Furcal and have Nomar at second, that would be awesome offensive production out of the DP combo. But I'm not holding my breath on that.

Otherwise, moving Cedeno over to second might be preferable to moving Nomar, unless Nomar wants to move.

Finally, Nomar has made it pretty clear he wants to stay, but the Tribune has yet to make it clear that they're willing to shell out more than anyone else for him. But he didn't get any multi-year contract offers last off-season, and he wasn't coming off a major groin injury then and he was a year younger. I don't see any other team making a serious bid for him, unless the new Nationals owner thinks he needs to make a splash.

I think Nomar would re-sign with us for less, but I'm not sure he'd sign a one-year incentive-laden contract with us over four guaranteed years with someone else. So it remains to be seen what Hendry is thinking, and he usually plays these things close to the vest.

It's time to strangle your inner Neifi.

by Josh Timmers on Sep 30, 2005 5:24 AM CDT reply actions

It seems to me right now

That Walker will be the starting 2B next year for a couple reasons:

He is a LH bat, which assuming we replace burnitz with another LH bat and add a LH CF, will give us 3 lefties.

Seond in conjunction with the fact that he is LH, he is cheap compared to what he will give us.

I see Nomar on his way out, unfortunately we won't get anything for him, and I see Murton in LF, hoping no Pierre in CF(anyone but him please), and I am hoping for Brian Giles in RF.

If Hendry can swing it, then we can address the C position, which I think we will have to say goodbye to Mr. Barrett, maybe trade him to the AL where he can DH and catch.

"You know what God told the cubs. Don't do anything until I get back!" Pete Rose

by Will71081 @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Sep 30, 2005 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions

I think...

... that Hendry has learned a good lesson with Barrett. Yes, he has a good bat -- but it's not good enough to make up for his defensive deficiencies, and I'm not just talking about the passed balls, wild pitches; I'm talking about his inability to throw out runners and his poor game-calling.

You can't learn to catch at the major league level, and that's what Barrett is trying to do. If you're going to live with that, then he has to be a 25 HR, 90 RBI guy, and he's not close to that.

The Cubs have missed Damian Miller big-time the last two years. They've got to get someone like him (I wouldn't take him back because he is 36, and likely reaching the end of his effectiveness).

by Al Yellon on Sep 30, 2005 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions

Maybe Blanco has found his bat

Since the all-star break in 27 games, he is hitting .318 with 4 HR and 19 RBI, compared with the 25 games pre-all star break he was hitting .158 with 2 hr and 6 RBIs.

Also it should be noted that he switched to his Winter Ball number after the All-Star Break, he is offensively better in Winter Ball.

All this could be a big coincidence or not, i.e. competition weaker in winter ball, small sample size, but maybe this is a sign and Blanco has become a hitter at age 34.

I'm an optimist but I would rather see Blanco and a .220 average behind the plate than Barrett there.

"You know what God told the cubs. Don't do anything until I get back!" Pete Rose

by Will71081 @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Sep 30, 2005 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions

it's a small sample size

and keep in mind, he was so atrocious in the first half, he was bound to hit better and get back to his career norm which is exactly what he did.

He's not the answer as an everyday player.

by socalbob on Sep 30, 2005 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Actually...

... he is hitting 25 points over his lifetime average... this is his best overall offensive season in a while.

If he could hit at this level, he could catch 60 or so games a year, backing up someone else other than Michael Barrett who would be traded.

It has been pointed out elsewhere here, that the Cardinals, for example, won quite a bit with a good DEFENSIVE catcher in Matheny, and I think Molina is along the same lines.

Perhaps the Cubs give up a bit of offense behind the plate, and find it somewhere else, in a tradeoff for better defensive production at catcher.

by Al Yellon on Sep 30, 2005 1:31 PM CDT reply actions