A last minute bid to Winn now (Randy Winn that is)

by DGU on Jan 1, 2009 12:24 PM CST

The Giants have long been rumored to be willing to trade Randy Winn, but now, with news they may be after Manny Ramirez, the possibility of getting Winn cheaply suggests that adjusting course away from Milton Bradley is worth considering. Winn will be paid only 8.25 M in 2009 and then will be a free agent. If the Giants are still bullpen shopping, maybe we could even work a mutual salary dump, trading Vizcaino for Winn.

Bradley is certainly more of a middle of the order slugger, but Winn could bat lead-off, second, or fifth. Now that we have a lefty at 2B, do we really need a middle of the order lefty? Add Winn to our current roster and you could run out lefties 1st, 2nd, 6th, and even 8th if you chose to play Miles over Theriot. Would batting RH sluggers 3-4-5 really keep us from winning the World Series?

Taking Winn over Bradley, keeps the Cubs 2010 payroll more manageable, adds some more speed, and may very well give the Cubs a chance to make one more 2009 payroll addition.

Winn now!

Poll

About that left-handed OF...

I'm ecstatic about Milton Bradley!

15 votes

I'm coming to terms with Milton Bradley; he'll be a good addition and better than Randy Winn.

50 votes

I'd take anything over Milton Bradley.

8 votes

I actually think Randy Winn would do more to help the Cubs win in 2009 than Milton Bradley.

20 votes

Why isn't there an answer in this poll where I can pledge my undying love for Adam Dunn?

40 votes

133 votes | Poll has closed

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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Comments

I like it, but the dude's old.

He’ll be 35 in June. Let’s just suck it up and take Milton Bradley and his .421 OBP.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Jan 1, 2009 12:39 PM CST reply actions

And his chronic full body sprains

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 Jan 1, 2009 1:07 PM CST up reply actions

I voted for the last option even though I want Bradley

I just thought it was funny.

However, Winn might have been interesting if the team hadn’t just swapped DeRosa for Miles.

"Who's Bob Brenly? The guy that used to be the manager for Arizona?" ~ Alfonso Guilleard Soriano

by JohnM on Jan 1, 2009 1:57 PM CST reply actions

DGU I agree and my post on payroll options coming up will show why

thanks for the lead, I liked Winn along

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

by Ivy Walls on Jan 1, 2009 2:13 PM CST reply actions

I hear another San Fran outfielder...

is looking for a place to play…

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Jan 1, 2009 2:20 PM CST reply actions

and he'll be ready be opening day

according to the San Francisco Chronicle

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 Jan 1, 2009 2:25 PM CST up reply actions

Not suggesting anything yet...

but I wonder how much money he’d be seeking for a one-year deal with a contender.

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Jan 1, 2009 2:29 PM CST up reply actions

Wow, if Barry couldn't get a job this past year, when he was supposedly healthy...

…what makes him think he’s going to get an offer now? I mean, who’s going to take a flyer on a guy who’s under federal indictment, is virtually the face of the steroids scandal and is coming off hip surgery? Methinks this is the end.

Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.

by daver on Jan 2, 2009 1:35 PM CST up reply actions

The problem with Winn is...

… he’s not a power hitter, which is what Lou wants.

It would be amusing, considering Winn was once traded for Piniella.

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

by Al Yellon on Jan 1, 2009 3:40 PM CST reply actions

correct Winn basically averages 10-14 HR's a year

That said he offers far better defense, giving the Cubs one of the best defensive OF’s while moving Fukudome to CF, which BTW Winn can also play effectively in a pinch, he is a switch hitter who basically averages .290-.300 and above .360 OBP.

I think the real question is turning around the pitcher….also as I have projected that if Winn it offers the Cubs a better opportunity to go after the PNTBNamed now playing with some bird-brained team.

That would insure that four left handed batters are in a RH pitching lineup.

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

by Ivy Walls on Jan 1, 2009 4:17 PM CST up reply actions

Wow, how old is Winn that he was traded for Lou

thats crazy

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 Jan 1, 2009 4:54 PM CST up reply actions

That was six years ago...

… when Tampa Bay sent Winn to Seattle so they could get Lou to manage there.

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

by Al Yellon on Jan 1, 2009 5:11 PM CST up reply actions

I would love to have Winn in right field,

but I don’t think that San Fransisco would unload him for someone like Vizcaino. If it turns out that he can be had for that type of deal, I would be upset if Hendry doesn’t do his best reel him in.

by dakoose on Jan 1, 2009 3:56 PM CST reply actions

think Vizcaino and another arm like Wuertz

Giants needs some rubber arms

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

by Ivy Walls on Jan 1, 2009 4:18 PM CST up reply actions

Translation

You don´t like any of the options being discussed and you are looking for the Cubs to make the least impactful move because that would mean that they committ the least money/years/prospects possible.

Right?

Cause otherwise why would anyone bother going for a guy who has had excactly ONE (full) season with an OPS above .800 (.821). For a career .772 RF I´d rather not make a move (but then I imagine, or is it remember?) that that´s your preference.

I think the Cubs do need a middle of the order impact LH hitter. Bradley is exactly that, except that there is absolutely no evidence that he can stay healthy. It seems that Hendry will make that gamble though. At least the move is a high upside one, so one can have some excitment. And I´m absolutely positively not worried about his so called anger problems. If anything, he will add some fire to the club.

by Luis on Jan 1, 2009 4:21 PM CST reply actions

There is also absolutely no evidence that he will overachieve as much as he did last year if he does stay healthy.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Jan 1, 2009 4:30 PM CST up reply actions

So there is no perfect solution and no one wants to stand pat

Which is going to get us into trouble in some fashion

-Bradley gets near 30M, is constantly hurt, never reproduces his 08
-Dunn gets similar money, brutalizes RF, hits his usual 35-40 HRS and walks a ton
-Get someone like Winn out of fear of doing nothing, minimal rewards ensue.

So there is no ideal solution and it appears that any move might be made for sake of “doing something”

So any of the potential pitfalls of these moves could be mitigated with the addition of Roberts

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 Jan 1, 2009 5:01 PM CST up reply actions

Sometimes fantasy baseball doesn't work in the real world

The only way Dunn plays for the Cubs is that he plays 1B. That means you trade DLee

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

by Ivy Walls on Jan 1, 2009 5:28 PM CST up reply actions

If you could get good value for D-Lee, I'd make that deal.

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

by Al Yellon on Jan 1, 2009 5:33 PM CST up reply actions

Al:

Do you think DLee would retire his NTC?

Maybe for a contract extension but it might create a distraction like Peavy

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

by Ivy Walls on Jan 1, 2009 5:44 PM CST up reply actions

It'd have to be done quietly.

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

by Al Yellon on Jan 1, 2009 5:52 PM CST up reply actions

how many big profile Chicago trades are done that way

Would you think ESPN-1000 wouldn’t be on this. In fact here is the bigger problem, if the ChiSox got wind of it think a whisper wouldn’t inflame the radio waves then the blogsphere.

Good Luck

I am not against it if Dunn is also part of the deal. But that is a separate part and he is free to go where ever.

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

by Ivy Walls on Jan 1, 2009 6:01 PM CST up reply actions

Actually, a lot of Hendry's high-profile deals are done that way.

Did you hear about the DeRo deal before it happened?

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

by Al Yellon on Jan 1, 2009 6:11 PM CST up reply actions

My recollection

is that DeRo wasn’t being traded. :) I tend not to believe anything Hendry says. He doesn’t show his hand.

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Jan 1, 2009 6:12 PM CST up reply actions

Exactly.

D-Lee could be traded tomorrow. We just don’t know, because unlike Kevin Towers, Hendry doesn’t make his deals in the media.

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

by Al Yellon on Jan 1, 2009 6:16 PM CST up reply actions

Considering this

I’m skeptical about Hendry signing Bradley. There’s just too much talk about it. Maybe a smokescreen???

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Jan 1, 2009 6:24 PM CST up reply actions

Who knows?

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

by Al Yellon on Jan 1, 2009 7:56 PM CST up reply actions

I agree...

Of course, I’d trade pretty much anyone if I could get good value for him. But yeah, even though I think Lee is a great player and a really good guy, I’m not wed to having him on the team. If we could improve the team by trading him, I’d be all for it.

by SouthernCub on Jan 1, 2009 6:59 PM CST up reply actions

I think it would be hard to improve

His postseason stats are very good. He had a 1.4 OPS last year and has never had a bad postseason. I wonder why Aramis always gets a pass here because he failed miserably the last two years and plays average defense, at best.

by dr stabbingworth on Jan 2, 2009 11:37 AM CST up reply actions

that's not quite accurate...

he had a great OPS last year, but throughout his career he’s been below average in the postseason:

2007: 12 AB, .333/.385/.333 (.718 OPS)
2003: 72 AB, .208/.240/.292 (.532 OPS)
Career: 95 AB, .263/.320/.358 (.678 OPS)

So that’s one below-average postseason and one terrible postseason. And overall, it works out to a pretty poor postseason career. Granted, I’m in the camp that believes these stats tend to even out over a relevant sample. But it’s not like Lee has been an offensive force in the postseason to this point in his career.

by SouthernCub on Jan 2, 2009 11:54 AM CST up reply actions

Sure enough

I got one column off and was looking at his OBP. Still, 07 and 08 are all that matters to us. My complaint was more about Ramirez’s A-rod-like performance in the playoffs.

by dr stabbingworth on Jan 2, 2009 12:52 PM CST up reply actions

I think Ramirez will bounce back in the future...

as I tend to believe these things average out over time. In any given series, a hitter can go 0-fer. It happens all the time. The postseason is just such a small sample size. Even the most fortunate of players are unlikely to see a season’s worth of AB in the postseason in their career. For example, Derek Jeter has played in the postseason every year but one in his career (including SIX world series!), and even he has only 495 postseason AB.

by SouthernCub on Jan 2, 2009 1:16 PM CST up reply actions

Right, well Dunn playing RF has been one of the options discussed

And the only downside of that, or at least the biggest, is his defensive abilities. Offensively he would seem to offer what Lou wants

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 Jan 1, 2009 5:40 PM CST up reply actions

Y'know the D'backs did put Dunn in right field for 23 games this year.

And, last I heard, Chase Field hadn’t crumbled to the ground. (Not that I would mind such a calamity.) Just sayin’.

by daver on Jan 2, 2009 1:37 PM CST up reply actions

I'm actually ok with Milton Bradley.

But Winn is solid and comparatively inexpensive. If the Cubs have the money to make another move in addition to Bradley, then go for Bradley. If they don’t, and $$$ is a serious problem, then tying money into Bradley while dumping Pie is very risky.

Most of all, I do not think the Cubs need a LH slugger to win. They had two last year and still lost.

In the ideal, fantasy world, the Cubs and Braves could swap Soto and McCann, since the Braves are too LH and the Cubs too RH. It would never happen, though.

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 Jan 1, 2009 7:53 PM CST up reply actions

2 left handed slugger last year?

Edmonds and?

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 Jan 1, 2009 8:11 PM CST up reply actions

Fontenot.

I wouldn’t necessarily project Fontenot to be that in 2009 and beyond, but Fonty was a legit LH slugger last year and Lou could have played him more in the playoffs if Leftylack was the real problem.

But of course it wasn’t.

by DGU on Jan 1, 2009 8:18 PM CST up reply actions

ah yes, forgot about LBR

Who wouldve ever though that Sammy Sosa trade would amount to anything

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 Jan 1, 2009 9:06 PM CST up reply actions

No, but

Bradley is a true wild card, you don’t have much certainty but he definitely has a lot more upside than Winn, and he has put some great numbers two years in a row (one season worth of at bats).

I get the sense that Bradley is a done deal anyway, so it’s a moot point. I preffered Dunn myself. All that being said, at least with Bradley I have some sense of expectation (like buying a ticket for the lottery). With Winn is like you didn’t even buy the ticket so there is zero chance you can get lucky.

by Luis on Jan 1, 2009 4:40 PM CST reply actions

This was supposed to be a reply to stantoswoodenlegs...

by Luis on Jan 1, 2009 4:41 PM CST up reply actions

I have much certainty....

I’m certain he won’t play more than 100 games.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Jan 1, 2009 6:01 PM CST up reply actions

I agree.

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

by Al Yellon on Jan 1, 2009 6:11 PM CST up reply actions

After re-reading your post again...

I’d like to point out that your point

“…he has great numbers two years in a row (one season worth of at bats)”

is the key problem I have with DHL.

We get to pay for an all-star corner OF….and it will take 2 full seasons to get one season of production out of him.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Jan 1, 2009 6:17 PM CST up reply actions

I don´t disagree

that is the most probable scenario. It’s a high upside, very high risk signing that can either make you look like a genius or an ass (the last one being the most likely).

by Luis on Jan 1, 2009 6:49 PM CST up reply actions

Two Words.

Mo Vaughn.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Jan 1, 2009 6:54 PM CST up reply actions

Im glad DHL is taking off

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 Jan 1, 2009 6:54 PM CST up reply actions

Lee for Winn and sign

Dunn to play 1st.

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Jan 1, 2009 4:52 PM CST reply actions

He seems pretty intent on staying in Chicago though

If he would waive his NTC, get the Red Sox on the horn and start a bidding war

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 Jan 1, 2009 5:03 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, well

he’s from Sacramento which is nearby, so maybe..

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Jan 1, 2009 5:11 PM CST up reply actions

have you talked with him?

I am from the Chicago suburbs and do not want to go back and live there. DLee as I can see has a NTC and is happy here.

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

by Ivy Walls on Jan 1, 2009 5:30 PM CST up reply actions

nope

what’s wrong with the bay area?

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Jan 1, 2009 5:34 PM CST up reply actions

Love the Bay Area

The debate would be, for him, winning vs the comforts of home and so far he’s given no indication he would accept a trade anywhere.

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 Jan 1, 2009 5:42 PM CST up reply actions

basically two kinds of premier professional athletes

Those who want to be stars on a poor team and get paid a lot of money.

Those who want to win championships

DLee smacks me as being a player in category two.

So the Bay Area is a nice place, one of my favorite cities to visit, my sister lives there near the Presidio, very nice…..I like the vineyards, restaurants since CO doesn’t really know what that means, Chicago has fine restaurants some of the best,

But why would you want to go to a team that simply is about showing up and trying to rebuild on the fly if you are on a team like the Cubs that wants to win now.

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

by Ivy Walls on Jan 1, 2009 5:48 PM CST up reply actions

SF's rotation is pretty decent...

Add Manny and that team can take the West..

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Jan 1, 2009 5:52 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah

Seabiscuit, Cain, Big Unit, Zito and J. Sanchez is a great 5, add Manny to Rowand and throw Lee in the mix, they can compete for that Division.

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 Jan 1, 2009 6:56 PM CST up reply actions

LOL, why is Lincecum called "Seabiscuit"?

I’ve mainly heard his nickname as “The Freak” or, as I call him, “Tiny Tim.”

by daver on Jan 2, 2009 1:40 PM CST up reply actions

Because he's small like Seabiscuit was...

at least that’s my guess.

by SouthernCub on Jan 2, 2009 1:52 PM CST up reply actions

Hm, OK. I never saw the movie (or read the book).

by daver on Jan 2, 2009 1:56 PM CST up reply actions

Depends

on if a lot of his family is still nearby and whether SF would add another year to his contract… There’s not nearly as much pressure in SF..

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Jan 1, 2009 5:51 PM CST up reply actions

your stretching things to make the world as you want it

This is fantasy stuff, and until I see DLee say he wants to go home and relax his NTC it is meaningless.

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

by Ivy Walls on Jan 1, 2009 6:03 PM CST up reply actions

just bringing up some possibilities

it’s a long shot just like getting Roberts..

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Jan 1, 2009 6:07 PM CST up reply actions

Addendum

and if Lee waives his NTC, I see SF as one of the few places (perhaps only) he’d go to due to being from Sacramento. Now if his family’s no longer around the area, then there’s zero chance of him waiving his NTC… A lot of players like to play near home and have seen this brought up numerous times when someone’s originally from Chicago.

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Jan 1, 2009 6:11 PM CST up reply actions

D-Lee lives in Sacramento in the offseason.

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

by Al Yellon on Jan 1, 2009 6:16 PM CST up reply actions

OK

so he must have lots of ties to home… I’d really like to see Dunn @ 1b and Winn in RF. Forget about getting DL Bradley and backload Dunn’s deal for 2011 and 2012…

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Jan 1, 2009 6:21 PM CST up reply actions