This Might Be A Long Shot...

by Musicdude10 on Nov 5, 2009 12:53 PM CST

BAM

I'll let you know right now that this is a huge stretch but I'm wondering what you would think about him. He had a bad year last year, but he's got pretty good career numbers and would be a solid 6-7 hitter. Defense leaves something to be desired but he's better than Hoffpauir or Fox in the field. Here are his career stats. He's got some pop and his HR totals will probably increase away from Lanshark Stadium. He does strike out a bunch. He's also 25 and is due for a break out year. I am fully aware that he will not single handedly save the franchise, but signing him would allow the Cubs to trade He Who Shall Remain Nameless for some high risk prospects instead of another bad contract. This clears up some cap space for a future trade and obviously gets him off the team. IMO Hermida is worth a one or two year deal.

Ok if you're still with me and don't think I'm a crackhead, here's how we would go about getting him. From what I've been reading and hearing on the radio, lots of teams are planning on non-tendering a bunch of players. Some of this is due to the economy. If Hermida is non-tendered, the task becomes easier: the Cubs just go and sign him. If he isn't, I imagine that it wouldn't take a ton to get him. It might take more than Miles and Heilman, unfortunately. Fontenot might not be a bad idea, especially if the Marlins are looking to get rid of Dan Uggla. Fox or Hoffpauir might be good throw ins as well.

Just wondering what you guys would think about this. As a one or two year option until something better comes along, I think Hermida would be a good fit. I'd much rather see a young kid with poor numbers and something to prove out in right field than an over the hill player with injury history or steroid allegations.

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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As most people here know...

… I was a big fan of getting Hermida a year ago. Now, not so much. He’ll be 26 in January, declined again last year, and might be useful only in a platoon role (.792 career OPS vs. RHP).

You could probably get him, sure; but that still leaves the issue of what to do with the current RF.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Nov 5, 2009 1:00 PM CST reply actions

I dunno

some players have bad years. Hermida’s struggles in 2009 don’t mean he’ll never be good again. Might be an opportunity to buy low for once. I agree with you, Al, that we need to figure out the MB situation first.

To the original poster: I hope you were kidding when you (kind of) suggested Miles and Heilman for Hermida. There’s no way Miles and Heilman would be worth the Marlins’ batboy. And I don’t think Fontenot — talk about down years — would really sweeten the deal.

by elgato on Nov 5, 2009 2:22 PM CST up reply actions

It has been two bad years though

He really only had one good year and the question is whether 2007 was a fluke or not. I’d have some interest in him as a 4th OF and/or platoon guy. I’m not excited about giving him starting RF.

Also, I hate passing on unconfirmed rumors but I have heard that his attitude and work ethic may not be ideal.

by rlpete on Nov 5, 2009 4:19 PM CST up reply actions

Very much kidding on the miles and heilman deal

But I did think Fontenot would be a good starting place, were a deal to occur

"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher

by Musicdude10 on Nov 5, 2009 7:14 PM CST up reply actions

I think that both Hermida...

and Uggla are both DFA candidates, and not so talented that as a GM I wouldn’t wait to find out their arbitration status.

Oh, and that both should be somewhere other than Chicago in 2010.

by Damen Jackson on Nov 5, 2009 1:02 PM CST reply actions

Terrible defense

and not good enough offense to offset that.

Don’t want.

NEXT

http://www.fivetoolfans.com

by mykalmorgan on Nov 5, 2009 1:35 PM CST reply actions

Yeah, his UZR numbers are pretty awful.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Nov 5, 2009 2:54 PM CST up reply actions

last year

I was hugely supportive of trying to go after him. last year he was still a high ceiling youngster coming off a year where the splits, history, and prospect status gave some reason for hope. After this season, I’m less enthused about it. Two straight years of mediocrity. Now, if he’s a FA and comes cheap, then sure, I’d be open to pondering it. Any semi-significant money or a trade that costs a semi-important asset … I’d probably pass.

I’m not sure they are looking for a 2nd baseman if they move Uggla (and I think they’ll find a trade partner … hard to see such a good bat getting DFA’d). They have Chris Coghlan, who has played 2nd before. I think there will be some interest in Hermida, as a lot of folks still see the potential and wonder about him going away from that park. I’m not so sure he’ll be non-tendered.

by toonsterwu on Nov 5, 2009 1:45 PM CST reply actions

If Sherman is setting the way back machine and this is still 2008 and we're debating

whether to trade for Hermida or sign Bradley, I’d still opt for Hermida knowing how he’d look in the 2009 season.

As Hendry has yet to unveil his magic trick for unloading Bradley, I’ll agree with the sentiment of no thank you.

if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand

by N Oakley on Nov 5, 2009 1:55 PM CST up reply actions

I'd still prefer to focus on centerfielders...

…and Hermida isn’t all that exciting. We already have a player who can hit relatively well and play much, much, much better defense in right field. Plus, I have doubts the Cubs could get him for the pieces you mention as well. As I’m wont to do, I’d suggest taking a trade scenario like that to a Marlins blog and letting their fans have at it.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Nov 5, 2009 3:02 PM CST reply actions

My guess is Hermida ends up in Boston

It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.

by MC Cleave on Nov 5, 2009 4:35 PM CST reply actions

just happened

by Adam U on Nov 5, 2009 4:39 PM CST up reply actions

I knew I heard it somewhere

It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.

by MC Cleave on Nov 5, 2009 4:41 PM CST up reply actions

i guess the question is

why?

"hey

by jesus christos on Nov 5, 2009 4:55 PM CST up reply actions

Backup plan if Bay leaves?

Or they can use him as their 4th OF assuming Baldelli is gone. Some speculated that they could trade him and Delcarmen for JJ Hardy, but obviously the Brewers don’t have the need for him.

by Adam U on Nov 5, 2009 5:04 PM CST up reply actions

good guess

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Nov 6, 2009 5:32 PM CST up reply actions

I guess it really is a long shot now

by rlpete on Nov 5, 2009 5:02 PM CST reply actions

And...

It is reported on MLBT that the Red Soxs just trade for him. So much for that.

That’s not true!!! WHY THE F*CK WOULD YOU SAY THAT YOU AHOLE!! Ok maybe your right but you gotta give a little something here for it to work. I don’t know what I’m going to do this is the worst thing I’ve ever read, this day could not get any worse. Fine, F*ck it, you’re right.

by Ditkavsworld

by gaclaudy on Nov 5, 2009 5:03 PM CST reply actions

WOW

The Marlins got garbage for him too. A couple of middle relievers.

I reject your reality and substitute my own.

by WayneCampbell08 on Nov 5, 2009 6:10 PM CST up reply actions

I like Jose Alvarez

quite a bit actually. I mean, he’s not a TOR starting potential arm, but he’s a good lefty that has the chance for two plus secondary pitches to go with a high 80’s/low 90’s fb with just enough life. Considering Hermida’s value wasn’t high (two iffy years, upcoming arbitration), it’s not that bad a deal. At the very least, they got something without having to non-tender him.

by toonsterwu on Nov 5, 2009 6:57 PM CST up reply actions

as for the Red Sox

I think this is their Nick Swisher deal. That is, taking a gamble on potential and giving yourself a backup OF plan if things don’t happen elsewhere. They’ll probably still make pushes on Bay or Holliday (I think Bay is far more realistic, as I think they would need to give a ton more money to Holliday). Add in a potential search for a split-5th starter and figuring out the pen, along with the shortstop position, and it’ll be a busy offseason for them.

by toonsterwu on Nov 5, 2009 7:01 PM CST up reply actions

That's what the Marlins do

Develop good players, and either trade them or lose them to free agency because they can’t afford them.

"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver

by wrigleyrocker12 on Nov 5, 2009 10:10 PM CST up reply actions

and win a World Series every now and then...

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Nov 6, 2009 7:42 PM CST up reply actions

Dan Uggla is a wretched 2nd baseman

The Cubs are already plagued with enough defensive challenges without adding to the equation.

"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)

by BLou on Nov 5, 2009 8:45 PM CST reply actions

Well, this Fanpost was about Jeremy Hermida, not Uggla.

But it’s all a moot point now.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Nov 6, 2009 9:03 AM CST up reply actions

I guess he's got that Internet Tourette's again

Bleep you, Mambochicken!

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

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

by Shanghai Badger on Nov 6, 2009 10:33 AM CST up reply actions

Declined again in 2009

so assuming that Hermida will turn it around look like a lot of wishful thinking.

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Nov 6, 2009 8:07 AM CST reply actions