It's Official, Kendall signs 1 year deal with Brewers

by Peter the Cubbie on Nov 21, 2007 3:40 PM CST

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20071121&content_id=230611 9&vkey=pr_mil&fext=.jsp&c_id=mil

With Kendall gone, its time for Geo Soto to step up to the plate. At least we know Soriano and Theriot will have at least 20 more stolen bases this year against the Brew Crew.

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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Good for our baserunners......

Enough said.

"Ya know Steve, I just don't get it. Heres a kid who's born and raised in the Dominican Republic and he loses the ball in the sun !!

by 0808iache on Nov 21, 2007 4:31 PM CST reply actions

Free Sandwich

The best part is the Cubs get a free draft pick now.

by DGU on Nov 21, 2007 4:50 PM CST reply actions

draft pick

i'm going to take a stab and say he was a B-list free-agent???

by zam on Nov 21, 2007 5:13 PM CST reply actions

this move is going to bite the brewers

kendall will be ok, but not as good as Estrada, IMO. He doesn't really have an arm and his bat has certaintly declined...

Live is boring until March 31st strolls by..

by Chanman25 on Nov 21, 2007 6:10 PM CST reply actions

People who keep saying

we're going to steal all these extra bases off the Brewers forget that Jason Kendall is better at throwing out runners than Estrada. Not much at all, but a little better. If anything, we'll steal fewer bases. We play the Brewers 15-18 times. That's MAYBE 3-5 stolen bases for those 2 against the Brewers (MAYBE!). They aren't going to triple their stolen base totals against the Brewers next year.

by Maddog on Nov 21, 2007 6:30 PM CST reply actions

Just another reason

for the Cubs to add speed to their lineup.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Nov 21, 2007 6:53 PM CST reply actions

Defense

I thought that the Brewers had the worst infield defense in MLB (or, at least in the NL). Why would they sign someone who will make their defense even worse?

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Nov 21, 2007 7:09 PM CST reply actions

This isn't true.

Using Rate1 for Defense, Estrada has a career rate of 98. Kendall's is 99. The last 2 years for Estrada have been 95 and 90. The last 2 years for Kendall have been 103 (above average) and 91 and 81 (Oak and Chi).

Kendall is the better defensive catcher. He's not that good, but he's better than Estrada. He even throws out more runners than Estrada.

The Brewers got worse because Estrada is a better hitter. The Brewers traded a guy coming off a down season when it's likely he'll have a rebound season in 2008. Kendall won't be as bad as he was in 2007, but he won't be nearly as good as Estrada is likely to be.

by Maddog on Nov 21, 2007 7:19 PM CST up reply actions

I thought the...

Marlins had the worst infield defense in the majors in '07. Between the SS and M-Cab, I thought they led the majors in errors.

by Peter the Cubbie on Nov 21, 2007 7:47 PM CST up reply actions

Oh it's close no doubt

But J.J. Hardy was their best IF at 8th best in the NL, Fielder ranks 2nd to last among 1B, Weeks ranks last among 2B, Braun ranks dead dead last among 3B.

Cabrera and Ramirez are not pretty for the Marlins, but at least Uggla and Jacobs play average defense.

Ryan Braun
http://bbdirect.stats.com/mlb/getleaders.asp?rank=333&Submit=Go
http://bbdirect.stats.com/mlb/getleaders.asp?rank=323&Submit=Go

Prince Fielder
http://bbdirect.stats.com/mlb/getleaders.asp?rank=331&Submit=Go
http://bbdirect.stats.com/mlb/getleaders.asp?rank=321&Submit=Go

Rickie Weeks
http://bbdirect.stats.com/mlb/getleaders.asp?rank=332&Submit=Go
http://bbdirect.stats.com/mlb/getleaders.asp?rank=322&Submit=Go (remember he spent a lot of time on the DL too)

J.J. Hardy
http://bbdirect.stats.com/mlb/getleaders.asp?rank=334&Submit=Go
http://bbdirect.stats.com/mlb/getleaders.asp?rank=324&Submit=Go

by IllinoisCubs on Nov 22, 2007 1:24 AM CST up reply actions

RE Soto it is always an inherent risk for a rookie

but it is something you have to do as he was the MVP of the PCL and is out of options and performed well down the stretch to essentially wrestle the starting catching spot away. As of for stepping up he did already, more accurately described as becoming a regular big leaguer.

As for Theriot I think he will be a 100 game player, very effective with that kind of rotation and why the Cubs are seeking another energy infielder. In the end I could live with Cedeno as the utility defensive infielder and Kaz as the offensive utility along with Theriot and DeRosa as most probably starters.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Nov 22, 2007 12:26 PM CST reply actions

Soto is only a small risk

If Blanco is healthy as his back up we'll be fine at catcher.

by Nibbles on Nov 22, 2007 2:41 PM CST reply actions

Buh bye Kendall

You replaced my Barrett and didn't do much if any better than he could have by the end of the season. Supposedly he was traded to help Z keep his cool too and we see that didn't really happen either. Pretty much a wash at best to get Kendall in the first place.

I say we are good with Soto and Blanco too. I like the combo a lot actually the more I think about.

Anxiously awaiting the arrival of Opening Day '08

by love the ivy on Nov 24, 2007 5:53 PM CST reply actions