Our starting RF for 2008 just became available

by IllinoisCubs on Oct 30, 2008 12:30 AM CDT

He bats left-handed.

He has good defense and can play CF or RF.

He can provide veteran leadership and is hungry to make it to the postseason.

He even played in Chicago last year and loved playing for Lou Pinella in the past.

In case you can't figure it out, I'm talking about Ken Griffey, Jr and the White Sox just declined his 2009 option making him a free agent for the year.

Blast away but I don't see a better situation from what else is out there. With a combination of Griffey, Pie, and Fukudome, Lou would have three options to play CF and RF. Re-sign Reed Johnson or a righty bat who can play all three OF positions and you are set for your 2008.

Are we going to get the Griffey with a .288/.373/.547 career line? No of course not, but we are going to get someone who can hit right-handed pitching well, is most comfortable hitting in the 3-spot, continues to get respect from around the league, and I think would be a guy who would come in looking for a WS championship and not give a damn about the stupid things attached to the Cubs WS drought.

The one downside is that his numbers against lefties are not good. They aren't even playable. However, Jim Edmonds got few at-bats against lefties and his small sample size is even worse than Griffey's in 2008.

As for lineups, I hope that Lou would go with Griffey's comfort as a 3rd guy in the order and trot out something like this:

Soriano

Lee

Griffey

Ramirez

Soto

DeRosa

Pie/Fukudome

Theriot

or even better

Theriot

Lee

Griffey

Ramirez

Soriano

Soto

DeRosa

Pie/Fukudome

against lefties I'm more stumped as to how to put a lineup together which again doesn't make this the prefect situation but I'm stumped to find a more realistic one out there. Plus I wouldn't discount the drive in Griffey for a WS title ESPECIALLY if his career could come full circle with him winning it with Lou Pinella as his manager.

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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No no no no no

stay away

Your 2008 Missouri Tigers! #14 6-2 (2-2). Next up at Baylor. Chase Coffman is a god.

by nji232 on Oct 30, 2008 12:34 AM CDT reply actions

This is stupid. Hell no.

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Oct 30, 2008 1:09 AM CDT reply actions

IF he will come in and play for like 2 years 10 million with lots of incentive’s for big numbers.

He still doesn’t solve our other big problem.

We need a leadoff man.

If Griffey only plays against RH pitchers, we could play Mark DeRosa in RF and Ken Griffey will stay fresh with all the extra days off.

How’s his arm strength? He needs to lose a little weight and work hard this offseason if he want’s to be somebody.

by MrShowtime on Oct 30, 2008 1:29 AM CDT reply actions

Who would play 2B against LHP?

LBR is a LHB. Do you want Cedeño having all those ABs? I’d rather platoon him with Reed Johnson.

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

by DeRoMyHero on Oct 30, 2008 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions

From about 2006 on...

…Griffy has been doing the most for his team when he was on the DL. Consider, he hit the following over those three years:

.260/.350/.469

Which doesn’t sound too bad until you figure that he’s played in home parks that substantially favor hitters in those years.

So going forward, we’d expect Griffey to be roughly a league-average hitter. Which would be okay, if he wasn’t a corner outfielder. And by “a corner outfielder” I mean “quite possibly the worst defensive corner outfielder in baseball.” Not to take anything away from worthies like Carlos Lee and Manny Ramirez, but good sweet bleeding Christmas Griffey is bad out there anymore.

This is a bad idea, and by that I mean Hindenburg bad.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Oct 30, 2008 2:04 AM CDT reply actions

Well, the FA list isn't exactly dripping with exciting candidates...

Assuming that Lou doesn’t need a leadoff hitting 2B (he uses Sori or Riot), which of these scenarios would give us the best middle of the order LHB:

1. DeRo in RF full-time; LBR/Cedeño at 2B (can LBR bat #5 productively?)
2. Griffey/RJ platoon
3. Dellucci/RJ platoon
4. Jenkins/RJ platoon
5. Ryan Church (may not be available)
6. Dunn/defensive replacement
7. Ibañez/defensive replacement
8. Other viable trade/FA (I doubt that Hawpe is available)
9. Pie in CF/Dome in RF/platoon mate for each

That isn’t exactly a pretty list. In fact, that list may contain several Hindenburgs. Do you have any better ideas?

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

by DeRoMyHero on Oct 30, 2008 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions

Hope Fukudome relearns how to hit?

with more pop in the bat this time, preferably.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Bill Potter on Oct 30, 2008 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions

That would solve a lot of problems, wouldn't it?

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

by Al Yellon on Oct 30, 2008 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions

It's the simplest solution, roster-wise

but as a practical matter, I’m not sure it’s one that can be counted on.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Bill Potter on Oct 30, 2008 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions

No, it won't

because we’ll go into 2009 with more options than just Dome. If Spring 08 Dome also shows up, it will either cause a “problem” of having too many players with not enough playing time, or it will be just a plain ol’ Very Good Thing.

The author of this post is not a certified scout, doctor, agent, statistician, manager, or journalist, nor was he ever a very good player, though he tried very hard to be like Ryne Sandberg and was about as scrappy as it gets (in T-ball). Any opinion expressed above should in no way be confused with fact, truth, or reality and is hereby qualified in the following ways: 1) The author does not know as much about baseball as Lou Piniella. 2) The author does not know as much about baseball as Jim Hendry. 3) The author does not know as much about baseball as either Dusty or Darren Baker.

by DGU on Oct 30, 2008 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions

JMO

I believe that Dome will make the adjustment to stay on the ball longer and take outside pitches to LF. I believe that he will learn to not be scared of being HBP, as one scout surmised. I also believe that he will get over the fear of being jammed, which seems to afflict a lot of Japanese players when they first come over. (Perhaps there is more shame in Japan when a pitcher jams you?) But…

I don’t believe that he will ever hit for enough power to justify batting #5 in MLB. The Japanese style of using the hips to generate power is exactly what has gotten him into trouble here, and he doesn’t have the upper body strength of Ramy or DeRo to generate power that way. If he changes his lower body to stride into the ball (and reach pitches on the outer half), he will lose the power that the spinning hips provide.

Could he eventually bat #3? I think so, but that doesn’t exactly break up the RHBs in the middle of the order. I see him starting off at #8 to gain confidence, then batting leadoff.

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

by DeRoMyHero on Oct 30, 2008 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, I agree.

If Dome does realize his potential, I think he’ll be a top of the order hitter — leadoff or two-hole. I can’t really envision him ever being a middle of the order guy.

"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Last words of the leaky pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.

by daver on Oct 30, 2008 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions

I think he's better suited for hitting #2 or 7 or 8

but last season, Lou hit Reed Johnson #5 on a few occasions, looking for a “second leadoff man.” Could he theoretically do the same with Fukudome when he was hitting well? I suppose he could.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Bill Potter on Oct 30, 2008 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions

DeRo led the team in runs scored last year, and he batted primarily 6th and 7th.

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

by DeRoMyHero on Oct 30, 2008 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Would it be the worst thing to hit

Fukudome and DeRosa together in the lineup? I could see hitting and running with that combination a lot.

Most likely, it would be Fukudome 5, DeRosa 6, Soto 7 in that order. Or Soto 5, Fukudome 6, DeRosa 7.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Bill Potter on Oct 30, 2008 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions

That's what Lou did early in the season.

It worked great until Dome stopped hitting.

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

by DeRoMyHero on Oct 30, 2008 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Yep, sure did

and I just hope he figures out how to hit again. It’s the easiest solution, roster-wise, but realistically, the Cubs can’t count on it.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Bill Potter on Oct 30, 2008 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions

No

"Prince Fielder Dies Of Inside-The-Park Homerun" - The Onion

by DTJchris on Oct 30, 2008 6:40 AM CDT reply actions

Only if Methuselah isn't availale

In other words, “No.”

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 30, 2008 6:46 AM CDT reply actions

This guy is done...

…and this would be a major mistake.

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

by MPH73 on Oct 30, 2008 8:04 AM CDT reply actions

I'm going to guess that you haven't...

actually seen a Reds game in person recently. There’s seriously reduced bat speed, and declining power generation from that broken body. No lateral movement at all in the field. Seriously declining vertical, and completely station to station on the basepaths.

Seriously, who writes this stuff? If Griffey has any interest in continuing baseball, he needs to find a place in the AL where he can be a 4th outfield/DH. Tampa maybe, depennding on what Floyd does. Maybe Seattle. Texas maybe, if Bradley moves on. But not a starting outfielder, and certainly not in the NL.

by Damen Jackson on Oct 30, 2008 8:05 AM CDT reply actions

My guess is

Griffey is Tampa’s DH next year. Floyd injured his labrum, so there’s no guarantee he’ll be back in 2009.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Bill Potter on Oct 30, 2008 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions

See Fred McGriff.

"I'm petrified of nipple chafing. Once it starts, it's a vicious circle." Andy Bernard

by TXCub on Oct 30, 2008 8:18 AM CDT reply actions

Pass

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Oct 30, 2008 8:31 AM CDT reply actions

Move on. There's nothing here to see.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 30, 2008 8:33 AM CDT reply actions

Yuck.

Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?

by Kinky Reggae on Oct 30, 2008 8:33 AM CDT reply actions

Ewww

"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run [i]for[/i] Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray

by Archie on Oct 30, 2008 8:33 AM CDT reply actions

I'm sorry...

but if we were going to go this route again wouldn’t we just resign Edmonds?

He has already played with the team for almost a full season, in my estimation better than Griffey would have.

by jbertram on Oct 30, 2008 8:35 AM CDT reply actions

If a leadoff hitter is what we need....

….I hear Tony Gwynn is also “available” like Griffey is.

by Chadnudj on Oct 30, 2008 8:36 AM CDT reply actions

I heard Rickey Henderson wants one more shot at a big league job. He could play in a regular game and

an old-timers game in the same day.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 30, 2008 8:38 AM CDT up reply actions

Is this a joke?

Ten years ago this would have been great. Griffey is a suck-fest these days, and thats being polite.

by dakoose on Oct 30, 2008 8:51 AM CDT reply actions

That's not being polite, that's being wrong.

Junior is clearly not the beast that he once was, but to say he sucks is just flat out wrong. Look at his numbers… he’s been a below league average player once in his career (2006) and just barely then.

Do I want the Cubs to sign him for an everyday role? Absolutely not. I’d prefer Edmonds if we’re going with old veterans. But to say that he sucks or is washed up, etc. is just not true.

by kanderber on Oct 30, 2008 9:02 AM CDT up reply actions

The post's title says "starting right fielder."

Either way, Griffey is pretty much done offensively. Looking at his spray charts and batted ball information, it’s pretty clear that Griffey’s swing is different now, probably due to all that extra weight he carries now. He still walks enough to post a respectable OBP, but his power numbers were way down and he is hitting fewer fly balls and less ground balls. Furthermore, he split his season between two of the best home run parks on the planet, so if he couldn’t hit for power with the Sox and Reds, he sure as hell won’t with the Cubs. To top it all off, he is a major defensive liability these days, and playing in Wrigley’s right field won’t make him any better. And if you don’t like stats, he doesn’t pass the eye test either. He doesn’t move well and his swing looks like all arms and no hips/legs.
If the idea is to bring him in for a platoon, I don’t get it. While I am not a huge Hoffpauer guy, I think Micah is a better option at this point than Jr.

by dakoose on Oct 30, 2008 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions

Make that "more ground balls."

by dakoose on Oct 30, 2008 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions

SUCKS SUCKS SUCKS SUCKS SUCKS.

I am sorry, but a league-average hitter isn’t very acceptable in a corner outfield spot when combined with merely average defense. Griffey is a defensive liability in the outfield who also can’t hit, or at least hit for appreciably better than the typical second baseman.

If you’re thinking, “Hey, that sounds like the lower end of Micah Hoffpauir’s talent range!” then you’re right. Griffey, at this point in his career, is no better than the level of performance you can expect to get out of minor league journeymen. I’d rather play Hoff than Grif. And I don’t want to play Hoff.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Oct 30, 2008 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions

At The League Minimum

I would take him as a left-handed hitting platoon player. That’s all Griffey can be these days. I am glad he showed glimpses of his former Seattle self in Cincinnati back in 2007. That was the last good season as a full-time player Griffey is ever going to have. If the price is extremely low for Griffey, I would take the risk. Other than that, leave him on the scrap heap.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Oct 30, 2008 8:57 AM CDT reply actions

I'll add my voice to the chorus.

No.

Griffey will be 39 next month. He’s done.

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

by Al Yellon on Oct 30, 2008 9:00 AM CDT reply actions

maybe someone who ISN'T

more than halfway to an AARP membership?

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on Oct 30, 2008 9:10 AM CDT reply actions

nope

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Oct 30, 2008 9:12 AM CDT reply actions

No

Ken Griffey Jr. is all used up. Outstanding career, Hall of Famer in waiting, good character guy. But it’s over. Nothing more to see here.

"Not that I don't feel like I'm part of the team, by no means, but when you get that nice celebration coming into the dugout and you're getting your ass hammered by guys, it's no better feeling than to have that done.'' -- Matt Stairs (aka The Professional Hitter)

by MDBNIU on Oct 30, 2008 9:29 AM CDT reply actions