Floyd next?

by gravedigger on Nov 20, 2006 2:44 PM CST

I do a pretty good job reading most comments on BCB, and I'm surprised I haven't seen this mentioned. Roto world is reporting that the Tribune is reporting that Floyd is Hendry's next target. They've just posted an update saying the talks are 'heated'.

I know how Jessica feels about Floyd, and I agree. He's a butcher in the field, he's always injured, and he's on the downslope. I'd prefer that they stick with an outfield of Murton-Soriano-Jones than to sign Floyd. Other thoughts?

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Yeah and of course

there's some Floyd discussion I missed in the Soriano thread. But perhaps we should seperate them and discuss Floyd over here? If there's overwhelming disagreement I'll delete this one :)

WOOD!

by gravedigger on Nov 20, 2006 2:39 PM CST reply actions

Floyd

[I originally posted this comment on today's most recent Soriano diary.]

I don't understand the interest in Floyd at this point in his career. He'll be 33, he hit under .200 against lefties, and he's often on the DL. He could only be used as a platoon with Murton, which would basically make Murton a fourth OF. I would rather have 500 at-bats from Murton than 300 from Murton and 300 from Floyd.

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." -- Sylvester Graham

by ExNorthsider on Nov 20, 2006 2:41 PM CST reply actions

How about Sarge Jr??

Floyd should come pretty cheap and he's from Chicago, so they might get a bit of discount. I don't mind the move. It gives the Cubs extra depth and Murton's great versus lefties and alright versus righties. A 2 year deal sounds apt. OF course, they could deal off Murton for pitching..

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Nov 20, 2006 2:45 PM CST reply actions

That's my guess

Left-handed bat, can platoon with Matt Murton in LF, provides depth at 1st base behind Derrek Lee (an important consideration given the unfortunate situation with his daughter's health), is a Chicago guy, will come fairly cheap...

Rommel, you magnificent bastard, I READ YOUR BOOK !!!

by BlueMike on Nov 20, 2006 2:46 PM CST reply actions

Good point

about 1B depth.

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Nov 20, 2006 2:47 PM CST up reply actions

True, I suppose.

I just don't want to see Matt Murton lose any playing time to this injury-prone, "proven veteran".

Sigh. Hope someone else beats Hendry to signing him. Although, I suppose as a backup, he'd be far, far better than John Mabry was.

by Al Yellon on Nov 20, 2006 2:49 PM CST up reply actions

Well,,,

if he's injured, then Murton plays. It's not like Murton tears up righties yet....

With the way this club has injuries, the Cubs need all the depth they can get.

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Nov 20, 2006 2:53 PM CST up reply actions

I agree...

I don't want to platoon Murton with anybody. In that case, they should just trade him.

Al, we said the same thing about John Mabry last year. 'He's way better than Jose Macias.' Now Macias is replaced with Mabry, and we're talking a about Floyd.

He doesn't add depth if he's injured all the time. Has he even healed from the injury he had in the playoffs?

"I don't talk. I just let what I do talk for myself." -Johan Santana

by sparkles721 on Nov 20, 2006 3:24 PM CST up reply actions

I'm not seeing the value............

...........of Matt Murton. He looks like a "no tool" player to me.

Arm Strength - poor
Running Speed - slow
Fielding Ability - questionable at best
Hitting for Power - maybe it develops, but......
Hitting for Average - his best, however I don't see .330 in his future

While he could blossom as a hitter and perhaps improve as a fielder, he's got a long way to go and is already 25.

I like him as a person, but suspect he'll never be more than a marginal baseball player.

by tville on Nov 20, 2006 4:17 PM CST up reply actions

I don't agree with all of your assessments

His arm is probably average, his fielding for LF is probably about average, his speed is above average, and you conveniently left out plate discipline, which is also above average. He's had one full year in the majors, and figures to improve.

Another important thing to remember is that his salary is considerably below average. I don't care how much Hendry is throwing money around, you still have to have a few relative bargains on the team.

by davidalanu on Nov 20, 2006 5:16 PM CST up reply actions

Murton is a baseball player

who works hard, will continue to work hard, and will be a good solid player. NO FLOYD PLEASE JIMBO

Throw out your Gold Teeth and see how they Roll

by Johnny Callison was a Cub on Nov 20, 2006 5:20 PM CST up reply actions

If he comes cheap...

...and is used sparingly, off the bench (as ESPN suggests in their Rumor Central) then maybe. But I'm really no fan of Floyd.

WOOD!

by gravedigger on Nov 20, 2006 2:50 PM CST up reply actions

My guess

is that he would come much cheaper than we assume, so everything should be explored. I still think JD Drew should be acquired if it's only 3 years with a 4th year option.

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Nov 20, 2006 2:51 PM CST reply actions

The market being what it is

why on earth would J.D. Drew settle for a three year deal?!? He is a guaranteed lock to get 5 years from somebody, with that somebody probably being the Red Sox or Angels.

Rommel, you magnificent bastard, I READ YOUR BOOK !!!

by BlueMike on Nov 20, 2006 2:53 PM CST up reply actions

Absolutely

Arte Moreno has guaranteed a huge move this offseason. Drew will get paid big time.

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Nov 20, 2006 2:56 PM CST up reply actions

Well Mike...

...If I'm a ballplayer looking for the money in today's marketplace, I go for top dollar first and as few years as possible as the market looks to continue to jump in coming offseasons.

If I'm Drew I sign for 3 years if the price is right. Look at Furcal, 3 yrs 39MM.

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Nov 20, 2006 3:21 PM CST up reply actions

Yabbut

Drew could be done in 3 years. He's pretty injury prone. He's not a Furcal...

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Nov 20, 2006 5:05 PM CST up reply actions

I see

Floyd as merely a replacement for John Mabry. If that's his role, then I'm fine with the Cubs getting him. I hope even Hendry realizes that Floyd isn't a starting outfielder anymore.

A little song, a little dance. A little seltzer down your pants

by Josh Timmers on Nov 20, 2006 3:01 PM CST reply actions

I don't think

that Floyd would be signed to be a full-time player. The Cubs have had a hard-on for him for years, and if this club is truly being shaped to be a champion, you need experience and ability on the bench. He hits lefty, so he could spot start against certain righties, and he would also be a great backup for Lee at first base.

It's conceivable that he might sign for a little less to play at home, and personally I'd love to see him on the Cubs.

by JodyDavis on Nov 20, 2006 3:04 PM CST reply actions

Hey

is it a rule that JD Drew must be mentioned in every thread? (I'm new here)

by JodyDavis on Nov 20, 2006 3:05 PM CST reply actions

It's not a rule

But it is an unspoken guideline.

PAGAN!

by Jesse Guam on Nov 20, 2006 5:13 PM CST up reply actions

I don't want Floyd

anywhere near the starting lineup on a regular basis.

MURTON!!!

by tal1286 on Nov 20, 2006 4:41 PM CST reply actions

FFFloyd

I'm with what seems like the majority. I'm ok with him as a bench guy. Now if Sweet Lou develops man-love for him a la Baker/Neifi! then we have a problem.

Hey guys, playin cards?

by wicubfan on Nov 20, 2006 4:50 PM CST reply actions

I'd rather have Floyd than Sarge Jr.

I'd really like for us to sign some of those guys called "starting pitchers." I hear there's a guy named Schmidt that's really good.

"Incidentally, Colossus was right and I was wrong about Maddux being dealt." -Al Yellon

by colossus @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Nov 20, 2006 5:23 PM CST reply actions

Good Call

n/t

Throw out your Gold Teeth and see how they Roll

by Johnny Callison was a Cub on Nov 20, 2006 5:26 PM CST up reply actions

I don't think

Floyd wants to be bench guy or even a platoon guy. The guy is still relatively young, Floyd has a strong opinion of himself, I can't see him excepting a "role" position. Living in Delaware, get a lot of New York info., I would be surprised if he came here, if he does sign, he must have some assurance he will start the majority of the time.

Start Murton please, No Floyd

Throw out your Gold Teeth and see how they Roll

by Johnny Callison was a Cub on Nov 20, 2006 5:26 PM CST reply actions

Pitching.

Pitching
P-I-T-C-H-I-N-G.

Unless Floyd has developed a wicked breaking ball and is looking for a second career on the hill, I don't want him.

Although, as Rotoworld also said, if the Cubs do sign him, Murton is still likely to play in 100 games.

Throw Jacque Jones down the well, so the Cubs will be free...

by Ross on Nov 20, 2006 5:36 PM CST reply actions

Then again....

Maybe they are signing him so he can be the DH in AL parks in the interleague games and the World Series.

That must be it.

Throw Jacque Jones down the well, so the Cubs will be free...

by Ross on Nov 20, 2006 5:36 PM CST reply actions

Sosa Trade Rumors

I'm fine with aquiring a guy like Floyd to be a 4th OF along with a guy like Pagan.

What I find interesting about this rumor, is that it looks like the Cubs are trying to bring in all the guys that had been rumored at one point or another to be aquired for Sammy Sosa. I suppose Bernie Williams will be up next!

Eamus Ursuli!

by WGNstatic on Nov 20, 2006 6:27 PM CST reply actions

I hope that doesn't mean...

... we have to take George Bell and Ken Patterson back!

by Al Yellon on Nov 20, 2006 8:02 PM CST up reply actions

Floyd doesn't match philosphy for better defense

Something Lou keeps emphasizing. The Cubs will be better defensively, Floyd only makes sense as a bench player. Another point Lou has made repeatedly, to win the World Series you need a strong bench. With Pierre's noodle arm even an untested Soriano will be better in the field. He did display decent range and a strong arm. Give some credit to Murton for learning on the job under difficult circumstances, and he lost at least 100 at bats because he wasn't one of Dusty's guys. If Floyd wants to come home and live out his playing days as a reserve, great, but not in the field everyday.

by Nibbles on Nov 20, 2006 8:13 PM CST reply actions

If Hendry is dead set on spending money

to win he'll probably try and get Floyd and deal Murton. Silly mistake but he's probably looking at Floyd as a left handed bat in a righty dominated lineup. He can probably get quite a bit for Murton because contrary to what some people think he is a pretty good player who is getting better. He strikes me as a good candidate to hit for more power as he develops, he's already got good OBP skills and his defense is acceptable at the very least in a world where Cliff Floyd plays outfield too.

Counting on Floyd to play a whole season would be a big mistake. If he's a bench player at a good price then fine, sign him. But make it clear to him beforehand that Murton is the starting left fielder, otherwise expect problems. I'm okay with him coming off the bench but I think it's a big mistake to get him and deal Murton. Murton is too cheap and too good to replace with a more expensive guy heading toward complete mediocrity, if he's not there already.

by pageian on Nov 20, 2006 9:28 PM CST reply actions