2007 Community Projections: Jacque Jones

by Al on Feb 28, 2007 8:26 AM CST in Community Projections Comment 31 comments

In 2006, Jacque Jones had a line of .303/.358/.528 (.886 OPS), and hit 21 HR and drove in 59 runs, with 33 walks and 83 strikeouts in 433 PA.

Wait, you're saying, that's not right.

Yes, it is. That's his line vs. RHP -- if he could do that against everyone, he'd have near-superstar status (note the word near, incidentally).

Against lefties he had only two walks and 33 strikeouts in 145 PA, with a line of .234/.261/.416 (.677 OPS, which is Neifiriffic). It's not that much different for his entire career:

vs. RHP: .295/.343/.493 (.836 OPS)
vs. LHP: .228/.275/.350 (.625 OPS)

If only he had a manager who recognized this difference and who would bench him against LHP, so as to make the most out of the abilities Jones does have, and also to give some playing time to someone who's earned it, at least in a platoon role (Ryan Theriot, who ought to play 2B vs. LHP, with Mark DeRosa moving to RF).

Makes too much sense, so it probably won't happen. Thus, my call:

AB 520
R 70
H 144
2B 29
3B 0
HR 22
RBI 71
BB 38
SO 115
Line .277/.326/.460

Incidentally, I have not forgotten all the other players we've already done -- I am saving all the projections to be posted all at once, probably in about a week after we do all the pitchers.

Jacque Jones' career stats at baseball-reference.com

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One day!

Then games start! Yay! I'm so happy. :)

Do we get a game thread? Yes?

I don't do projections because I just assume everyone will have an MVP type year. :)

I wish.

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

by sparkles721 on Feb 28, 2007 9:03 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Oh, you bet.

There will be a game thread tomorrow, and every day till the end of the season!

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 28, 2007 9:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

That means all the way to October!

"Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead"

by wild bill on Feb 28, 2007 9:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Lol

Sparkles enthusiasm and optimism strikes again! I'm with you, the Cubs players are going to split the MVP vote 9-ways and the pitchers are going to split the Cy Young vote 4-ways! (only 4 because I'm not counting Marquis!)

by pageian on Feb 28, 2007 9:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly.

Marquis can't win the Cy Young because he's going to win Comeback player of the year, right Al?

He won't, but let's not tell Al that. :)

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

by sparkles721 on Feb 28, 2007 9:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

Hey, he could win BOTH!

;)

(Yes, I'm kidding. I know very well that Marquis isn't Cy Young material. I'd settle for him being the best fifth starter in the league.)

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 28, 2007 9:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well

there will be a three way tie for comeback player(s). Lee, Prior and Marquis.

"Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead"

by wild bill on Feb 28, 2007 9:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Comeback

Acually I have Prior winning Comeback Player of the Year and shoving it up the ha ha of the Chicago writers who have made it clear they root against him because he refuses to kiss their butts.

For Cub fans spring training combines the eternal hope of spring with the irrational belief in the impossible.

by kerrysotherwife on Feb 28, 2007 9:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Zambrano

Baseball Digest picks Zambrano to win Cy Young.

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on Feb 28, 2007 12:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Zambrano II

In the same issue, Zambrano is profiled. He says his nickname is El Toro. So I guess that settles that. I did like El Tortuga, however.

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on Feb 28, 2007 12:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Seems like most years

They have played an intrasquad game on the day before the first spring training game. It would be fun to see Sean Gallagher vs. Lilly etc...

by JonH on Feb 28, 2007 9:16 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Intrasquad

I'm sure if they'd played one, Prior and/or Wood would have found a way to get hurt playing in it.

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on Feb 28, 2007 12:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It would be interesting if

a reporter (Bruce Miles?) asked Lou about Jones playtime vs lefthanders while including his career numbers and his numbers from last year IN the question. You know, just to have no doubts about the answer given.

Luis

by Luis on Feb 28, 2007 9:22 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I think I would leave DeRosa at 2nd

and platoon Theriot or Pagan against lefties. No real need to bounce your 2nd baseman around.

by cubswin on Feb 28, 2007 9:29 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Has Theriot...

played in the outfield? Many have mentioned him when outfield talks come up, but I don't think he's played there.

Then again I never pictured Soriano as an outfielder and there he was in left field last year.

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

by sparkles721 on Feb 28, 2007 9:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think he played some cf in the minors?

Could be wrong. I'd rather see him out there against lefties than Jones either way. I don't see a problem with bouncing DeRosa around though, I'm not terribly sold on his abilities yet and I'd rather not have him entrenched at second when there might be better options (Theriot) already on the team. Bouncing DeRosa around would make it that much easier to bounce him to the bench if needed. Not sure how Lou handles that type situation yet but let's hope he's proactive and doesn't wait till DeRosa proves he's not a regular or Jones proves 100 times that he can't hit lefties.

by pageian on Feb 28, 2007 9:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Not that...

... I don't like the discussion so far, but does anyone have an actual projection for Jones that you'd like to post?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 28, 2007 9:36 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

No, I don't.

Sorry, Al.

I'm sure other people will. Patience! :)

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

by sparkles721 on Feb 28, 2007 9:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Here you go....

I'm thinking Jones does get platooned, or actually not so much a straight platoon but more of a time share with Floyd and Murton. I think he'll be the primary right fielder but I believe Floyd will see time there too, at least until he gets hurt. I also think Jones is going to regress some from last year back toward his career averages.

Ab's    450
Runs    59
Hits    118
2b's    20
3b's    1
HR's    18
RBI    57
BB    33
SO    99
Avg.    .262
Obp.    .313
Slg.    .431
Ops.    .744
TB    194
SB    6

by pageian on Feb 28, 2007 9:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I am in agreement with you here

I too think that Sweet Lou will see how poorly Jones hits lefties and how well he hits righties. It has been said that Lou is a stats guy. If Jones can continue to hit righties as he has in the past he could really have a great season. I am kinda curious to see if this shoulder issue is true from last season. If these things are the case, we could really be surprised by how effective Jones could be when used properly. He may turn out to be much more valuable than Floyd.

Here's to a new year!!

by santo for prez on Feb 28, 2007 2:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Great image of Jacque

Looks like he's in the stands bustin' heads

AB 488
R 62
H 132
2B 22
3B 1
HR 20
RBI 66
BB 33
SO 111
Line 0.270/0.321/0.443
(OPS 0.764)

Jason

by jcg996 on Feb 28, 2007 10:18 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I think we do now.

"If only he had a manager who recognized this difference and who would bench him against LHP, so as to make the most out of the abilities Jones does have, and also to give some playing time to someone who's earned it, at least in a platoon role (Ryan Theriot, who ought to play 2B vs. LHP, with Mark DeRosa moving to RF)."

I will go on record and say that we now have a manager who will try to do something about the glaring weakness that JJ has against lefties. Theriot might be a good option in RF against left-handed pitching. Anyone know how Floyd has fared against lefties in the past? I'm going to look that up.

"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004

by ctcoff99 on Feb 28, 2007 12:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Pretty close to his norm minus a few AB's

468 AB
65 R
130 H
26 2B
2 3B
19 HR
74 RBI
38 BB
101 SO
.278/.332/.463

"The fat lady can't sing if it's not over!"- Rube Baker

by JD McCubbie on Feb 28, 2007 1:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Floyd's splits are deceiving

.281/.368/.496 vs. RHP
.274/.330/.466 vs. LHP
Those are career numbers...not Bad.

However, he's forgotten how to hit lefties over the last 5 years. His splits vs. LHP are miserable during that time culminating in a .179/.274/.357 line last year. I realize that he was injured most of last season and 95 PA is not a large sample size, but 5 years of a downward spiral is enough evidence for me.

"The fat lady can't sing if it's not over!"- Rube Baker

by JD McCubbie on Feb 28, 2007 1:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

If Floyd is platooing anywhere.....

I guess it will be in left field against a tough right-hander, but I have a feeling Floyd will get a lot of AB's off the bench even on days he does not start.

"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004

by ctcoff99 on Feb 28, 2007 3:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

"Platooning", I mean. Sorry.

"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004

by ctcoff99 on Feb 28, 2007 3:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Jones 2007

The problem with having Jacque Jones on the Cubs is the overall makeup of the team's outfield. Floyd is barely a left-fielder, let alone someone who can competently play right in Wrigley. And he can't hit lefties much better than JJ can.

DeRosa moving out to RF when a lefty pitches is an option, but since he's targeted to be the every day 2nd baseman, and since he needs to prove he can put up good offensive numbers, all that does is admit through action that the outfield has a major problem.

Jacque Jones was a bad signing. And since Hendry didn't sign or trade for someone that would let Murton move over to right to spare JJ from facing LH pitching, it remains a bad signing. I suppose the long-term solution is to play Pie in CF and move Soriano over to RF, but that's most likely to happen no sooner than 2008. That leaves this season to deal with.

Until Hendry figures out that he doesn't need both Floyd and Ward, and he does need a RH OF who can platoon with JJ, Jones is the every day RF. I'm hoping Piniella bats him 6th, and 7th against LHs.

AB: 520
R: 70
H: 135
2B: 27
3B: 1
HR: 25
RBI: 80
BB: 40
K: 120

.260/.325/.460/.785

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by Jed Taylor on Feb 28, 2007 7:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Jed's back! :)

You were gone for a looong time.

That doesn't look like a very fun projection to watch.

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

by sparkles721 on Feb 28, 2007 8:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Matt Murton...

... would be absolutely brutal defensively in RF. He doesn't have the arm for RF.

Jones was a bad signing -- but in today's market, he's not costing that much, which means he COULD be traded still, and as the fifth best hitter on the team, he's not terrible.

We could live with those numbers.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 28, 2007 9:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Re

Unfortunately, JJ doesn't have the arm for RF, either. I agree Murton isn't a defensive RF by normal standards, but his arm is better than Jones, and lord knows he can outhit him against lefties.

Let's hope JJ's platoon partner has yet to join the team.

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by Jed Taylor on Mar 1, 2007 7:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs