Some questions about infield moves
Again, I am not advocating any moves, just trying to understand the news and rumors I'm reading.
If the Angels sign Alex Rodriguez, will they be motivated to deal Orlando Cabrera, or do they have lots of slack to sign ARod?
With the Cubs rumored to be interested in Kaz Matsui, is it possible they think Matsui could play shortstop on a regular basis? He has been somewhat better against righties in his career.
Why isn't anyone talking about Alexei Ramirez? If he gets clearance to enter the US, and is a free agent, is he major-league ready? Info at http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=597
Is Tony Giarratano better than Ronny Cedeno or Ryan Theriot? Is there any shortstop who spent all of 2007 in AAA that is?
Are the Rangers open to dealing Michael Young in their rebuilding mode? Should we care?
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief. FanPost opinions are, however, valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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Young
by Kchance on Nov 7, 2007 11:36 PM CST 0 recs
I've never once heard Young's name in...
He'd be a minor downgrade defensively from Theriot, and a major upgrade offensively. I don't see how it would hurt to ask, but I wouldn't expect much to come of it.
As far as Kaz Matsui goes... depending on what the market for him is (and the Padres have dropped out, leaving us and the Rockies, it seems) it could be an interesting pickup after the fashion of Jim Hendry's best moves. Matsui was a shortstop his first year in the majors who was moved off the position by this guy named Jose Reyes, and then moved off the position after the trade to Colorado by this guy named Troy Tulowitzki.
Certainly Matsui's been a plus defender at second base; he doesn't have a very strong arm but it's supposed to be pretty accurate. I think defensively he could compete very well with Theriot; even after adjusting for park effects he still outhit Theriot, although I'm not sure if that's a "resurgance," a one year fluke, or what.
If Kuroda decides to stay away from Chicago and its cold weather (although I lived in Japan for a year and it's not like they don't have winter), he could make a nice "travelling buddy" for Fukudome, and might actually be a credible upgrade at shortstop. That may say more about Ryan Theriot than it does Matsui, and I don't want to rehash those arguements.
I don't see why the Angles would ever trade Orlando Cabrerra.
As far as Alexai Ramirez... I want to believe, but I just can't. Cuba's baseball league can be charitably described as being around High A or maybe AA if you've given up on charity and gone straight to disaster relief efforts. It's possible that he could adapt to MLB in a season in that it's possible that anyone in the low minors could do that; I wouldn't advise it, Josh Hamilton aside.
He's probably actually best viewed as a Josh Hamiliton-type pickup; a low-risk, high-upside gamble if you're a team that's not going anywhere this season and looking to develop for the future. I hope that's not the Cubs next year.
by cwyers on Nov 8, 2007 12:32 AM CST 0 recs
Michael Young...
I'm leery of him. He seems primed for a big fall.
by Al on
Nov 8, 2007 2:40 AM CST
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Disagree on Matsui
Whether he is better than Riot offensively is debatable (how much did Coors help him?), but he is a switch-hitter, and is faster than Riot.
by DeRoMyHero on
Nov 8, 2007 12:57 PM CST
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Not much debate there really
Whether he is better than Riot offensively is debatable (how much did Coors help him?), but he is a switch-hitter, and is faster than Riot.
Matsui 2007 EQA: .267 OPS .747
Theriot 2007 EQA: .247 OPS .666
Significant difference there.
by Wreckard on
Nov 8, 2007 4:10 PM CST
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More good questions
Did Giarratano play in 2007? There are some SSs in the minors more highly regarded that Cedeno/Theriot; the ones close to ML-ready include the Dodgers' Chin-lung Hu, the Braves' Brent Lillibridge, the Red Sox Jed Lowrie, and the Pirates' Brian Bixler (that last one might not be better in scouts' eyes than Cedeno).
I'm assuming that if the Cubs are really interested in Matsui, it would have to be for SS.
Michael Young just hit .315/.366/.418 in a very hitter-friendly stadium, does not play great defense, but has an All-Star reputation, and so would cost a lot in trade, not to mention the remainder of his contract. I don't think he's available and if he was, I don't think we'd like the price.
by DGU on Nov 8, 2007 1:41 AM CST 0 recs
Wood will become the Angels SS
by CubFaninCA on
Nov 8, 2007 3:17 AM CST
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erick aybar
by kylejo on
Nov 8, 2007 7:24 AM CST
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You might be right
by DGU on
Nov 8, 2007 7:30 AM CST
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The infield is pretty much set
Jim Hendry said last week that he feels Theriot is a everyday shortstop, and just ran out of gas the last three weeks of the season.(was hitting 281, 341 OBP 25 SB on September 8)
The only thing the Cubs might do is add another quality back up infielder. Just incase Theriot does struggle next season.
I think the Cubs will upgrade alot in right, and either keep Jones for center, or add another stopgap guy incase Pie struggles to make the team. Other then that I think the Cubs will work on upgrading the starting pitching.
by cubsfan25 on Nov 8, 2007 1:45 AM CST 0 recs
DeRosa
I would imagine that Hendry will use DeRosa's flexibility to his advantage. Though that being said, there really isn't much in terms of middle infield help out there.
by WGNstatic on Nov 8, 2007 8:25 AM CST 0 recs
I still don't get DeRosa in RF...
Sure, DeRosa has value in that he can play RF in a pinch. That doesn't mean he should be regularly doing it. He's above average for a middle infielder. He's below average for a corner OF.
More importantly, what does moving DeRosa to the OF buy you? It just means we have to play yet ANOTHER middle infielder. It makes more sense to have DeRosa's bat as a middle IF and find an OF with more OPS ability than your typical middle IF.
by SouthernCub on
Nov 8, 2007 9:59 AM CST
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DeRo in RF
However, Lou seems to be in love with speed -- even the low OBP kind. (Why? What good is speed if a guy can't steal 1B?) Even if Lou determined that Riot and DeRo were equal defensive SSs, he would play Riot based on speed, despite the more than hundred point difference in OPS. DeRo isn't a base-stealer. Could Hendry's statements about being able to play DeRo anywhere be a smokescreen for a potential trade? There are several teams looking for 2Bs and 3Bs. If the Cubs sign Kaz, DeRo might be gone. Hendry might just be covering while he courts Kaz.
DeRo's $4.75M + JJ's $5M could equal Fukudome in Hendry's mind (and budget).
by DeRoMyHero on
Nov 8, 2007 1:11 PM CST
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Taking deconstructionism to the next level...
Also, is "Lou in love with speed" a definite that the Cubs are willing to take a step back on OBP/SLG for speed, or is Hendry just supposed to find a Tom Goodwin type bench player?
by DGU on
Nov 8, 2007 1:25 PM CST
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Matsui
Well the Cubs have a OBP/SLG guy off the bench already in Daryle Ward. They could use a Tom Goodwin/ Kazuo Matsui type who can start a few games per week, and play off the bench with great speed.
Matsui was 32 of 36 in SB this year, and did that in 104 games. Thats a vaule piece to have off the bench that could win us alot of one run games.
by cubsfan25 on Nov 8, 2007 1:38 PM CST 0 recs
I guess my question is -
by DGU on
Nov 8, 2007 2:46 PM CST
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I agree DeRosa needs to play everyday
I hope we don't overpay for Matsui though, I heard the Rockies were offering 2y at 6m, I wouldn't want the Cubs to go much higher then that.(even thats a little high)
by cubsfan25 on Nov 8, 2007 4:17 PM CST 0 recs
DeRo
by DeRoMyHero on
Nov 8, 2007 7:30 PM CST
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Pure speculation between the lines
What if signing Matsui allows you to trade DeRosa for a good return and helps you sign Fukudome?
by zambranofan on Nov 8, 2007 4:30 PM CST 0 recs
That's possible
Since he doesn't have great speed or great power, he may not fit into Lou's plans. (Remember, Lou talks about "speed", not "OBP".)
What do the Cubs need that DeRo would bring? Would that be worth more than DeRo's contribution to the Cubs next year?
by DeRoMyHero on
Nov 8, 2007 7:36 PM CST
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If you're trading DeRosa...
Above we saw Theriot's and Matsui's EQA's side by side - check their OPS+ which is adjusted for park effect:
Matsui: 87
Fontenot: 87
Theriot: 72
Matsui only makes sense if you believe Japanese players have to come in pairs.
So, I agree trading DeRosa may not be a bad idea - but only if you are doing so because we already have 3 other in-house 2B options.
by DGU on
Nov 8, 2007 8:41 PM CST
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Quick note...
I'll expand upon this point in a few minutes.
by cwyers on
Nov 8, 2007 10:37 PM CST
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Patterson cannot play second
However, I would rather the Cubs keep DeRosa. I was just trying to figure out why Hendry would have any interest in Matsui.
by zambranofan on
Nov 9, 2007 8:08 AM CST
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DeRosa is to important to the Cubs
DeRosa is a important piece to the Cubs, and had a 370s OBP last year, the Cubs can't lose him.
by cubsfan25 on Nov 8, 2007 5:54 PM CST 0 recs
I think Eric Patterson is traded before DeRosa
What do the Cubs need that DeRo would bring? Would that be worth more than DeRo's contribution to the Cubs next year?"
Lou did talk about OBP, especially for a hitter in rightfield. He also said he wants more speed though. Jim Hendry said the he wants to add more speed either to the everyday line-up or the bench. Thats were Matsui comes in.
I agree that I would rather go with Patterson then Matsui, but the problem is we need someone who can play some shortstop. Thats something that Fontenot, Patterson and DeRosa don't do. Thats the only reason I have any interest in Matsui. I guess he was bad defensivly with the Mets at short, but maybe it was just a fluke year, because he was a everyday shortstop in Japan his whole career. We need a quality back-up/platoon guy to play with Theriot at short. I have no interest at all in Matsui being the everyday second baseman next year.
The Cubs can't trade DeRosa, he is WAY to important to the Cubs, and they don't have anyone would could come close to replacing his production. He was probably the Cubs MVP last year, and could be again next year.
by cubsfan25 on Nov 9, 2007 12:23 AM CST 0 recs
Is Matsui a bad defensive SS?
by DGU on Nov 9, 2007 11:40 AM CST 0 recs


















