What about Vlad?
by Rezze21 on Dec 15, 2009 11:36 AM CST
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PrintWith Mike Cameron off the board, I have been thinking about who I would like the Cubs to sign. I don't think Rick Ankiel or Marlon Byrd are bad options, but I believe there are better fits for this club. The Cubs should sign Vladimir Guerrero to play right field and keep Kosuke Fukudome in center. He will be turning 35 this season, and although he had a down year last year, it still was not a horrible year. In 100 games, he hit .295 with 15 homers and 50 RBI's. But if you look at the two years before that, in both years he hit over .300 with 27 HR's and around 100 RBI's. (In '07 .324, 27, 125) He would fit nicely in the 5th spot in the order. Last year, the Cubs lacked guys who could drive in runs. Maybe a move to the NL can get Vlad back on the right track.
Considering Hideki Matsui signed with the Angels for 1 year and 6.5 million I was thinking that Vlad would only require a 1 year 3-5 million dollar contract with incentives.
I know he did DH most of last year, but he did play over or around 100 games in RF throughout most of his career. He is one year removed from being a RF. Do you think he could still play right field? I remember Vlad having a cannon for an arm. If he can, the Cubs should take a look at him. What are your thoughts?
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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Vlad is a DH now...
injuries have worn him down tremendously from when he was a star in RF early in his career. He was a bad defensive RF from 2006-2008, and didn’t even really play in the OF last year.
He could still be a pretty productive hitter for a few more years, but I think he’s going to be resigned to DH work the rest of the way.
I wouldn't...
Vlad’s days of 20-homer seasons are gone. He is a debilitated physical wreck, who really does need to be able to DH half the time. Pass.
Agreed completely.
I used to love watching Vlad play, but I don’t see him being a regular in the NL any more.
"Enough foreplay- let's get crackin'"- Fred Garvin
This is the correct response...
…to the question posed in this Fanpost.
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
This is the very similar to the arguments against Abreau
last offseason. Just sayin…
at daver's request, Let's frontload this B**ch!
Physical ailments?
I never heard that from any of the Abreu critics.
by Damen Jackson on Dec 15, 2009 1:27 PM CST up reply actions
Not prior injuries, but age, major decline of glove and bat
made him one to avoid. He had a good season.
at daver's request, Let's frontload this B**ch!
Yeah, but we're talking about Vlad here.
He’s looked a lot less athletic than Abreau for some time now.
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
well said
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
I can't see Vlad...
…wanting to to go to an NL team.
Still, as it stands…. I would like him and his broken knees better than what we currently have.
1 year deal… fine. But I think Vlad can get more in AL… and will.
RBI.
Not RBIs.
Runs
Batted
In
not
Runs
Batted
Ins
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Technically, the acronym for both of those would be "RBI"
It’s RBI if you refer to both the singular and plural in acronym form. If “RBI” is also a noun, then it would be RBIs I guess. But I agree – it should be RBI.
by SouthernCub on Dec 15, 2009 12:46 PM CST up reply actions
sorry...
didn’t realize how big of a deal an “s” was to you. Something I didn’t even think about when posting. Deal with it.
I'm bored.
Don’t take me seriously.
But seriously, RBI.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Oh, come one.
Hopefully you’re just messing around a little bit here.
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." ~Alvin Dark
by DamonBerryhillsMitt on Dec 15, 2009 12:56 PM CST up reply actions
Oh goodie another AL DH patrolling RF for us
well the only upgrade is that Vlad has been know as a good club house guy
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
We already have one...
In LF.
Someday we'll go all the way...
by CubsBullsBears on Dec 15, 2009 6:46 PM CST up reply actions
Have matching pairs then
Let’s put Andrew Jones in the CF and we will have the complete set
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
What if he signs a heavy
incentive deal, the guy actually works out with “Z” for the first time in his career, gets in shape and has a great year. I think Vlad has good baseball in him.
Hell I would take a chance, this has a lot of upside, sure his “D” stinks, take a chance.
Have you seen Vlad play lately?
He’s no longer an outfielder. Period. This would not be a chance worth taking.
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
I dunno
This would not be a chance worth taking
Completely depends on the financial risk. I doubt he’ll accept the $3.5M mentioned above, but Vlad for $3.5M? Maybe worth it.
at daver's request, Let's frontload this B**ch!
daver
when is the last time you have seen Vlad play outfield?
I concur with Daver on this one...
The last time I saw Vlad in the OF was in 2008. At that time, he looked arthritic out there. In fact, he looked bad out there the previous year as well. He had trouble getting to balls, he had trouble stopping to set and throw. And since then, he’s battled injuries which prevented him from playing the OF at all last year.
Further, beyond just the naked eye impression, Fangraphs indicates that he’s not very good in the field anymore either. In fact, they say he was a lousy RF from 2006-2008. At 35 or 36 and after numerous injuries, I doubt that’s suddenly going to change for the better.
Vlad's legs right now are in the same shape as Dawson's towards the end of his career.
Between the turf in Montreal and the violent nature of his swing, Guerrero’s body is beginning to go.
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
Well, he played two games there in 2009...
…and I’m a Cubs fan, so, suffice to say: Not lately.
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
You can do your own homework, kanderman.
As you might recall, the Angels were in the playoffs this year. So I saw him then as well as in various highlights on MLB Network throughout the season. His injuries have been well documented, he’ll be 35 next season, he’s been in the majors since 1996 and, oh yeah, HE STOOD IN THE OUTFIELD FOR ONLY 16 INNINGS THIS YEAR.
So, no, I am not a major league scout, but I’m fairly confident that any major league manager would fall off the dugout bench laughing if you seriously proposed to put Vlad Guerrero in the outfield for any significant amount of time.
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
Boom. Roasted.
I anxiously await the reasonable trading of Milton Bradley.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Dec 17, 2009 1:51 PM CST up reply actions
ZING!
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
I have seen enough
I am just saying, a big if, he gets in shape, he is checked out medically, give it a shot.
I really don't think it is a motivation issue
I really think he is done physically. I guess we’ll see.
Two problems.
1. Bad title to the post. “What about this” tells us nothing about what’s inside.
2. Bad idea. Vlad is a DH.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Much better.
You’ll get a lot more people to read your post if you give it a better title.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Won't happen
We might as well try Pat Burrell in right every day.
I don't believe that MLB allows players to use mechanical assistance in the field
So Vlad’s motorized wheelchair would not be allowed in RF.
Hell no.
I’m fairly certain most of us here can field the ball better than Vlad at this stage of his career.
Is this a joke?
Vlad Guerrero? Really? Vlad Guerrero would make Alfonso Soriano seem like Andre Dawson in his prime defensively speaking. That man can’t play the outfield on a bet at this stage.
Crikey.
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
I dunno...
A lot of people that say what they do about Vlad would prolly say the same about Andre Dawson if it was 1987 all over again. (those 6 years turned out nice)
I still doubt Vlad would want to come to the NL though…
Any teams interested in him? I guess he won’t be an Angel anymore…
Well, for one thing...
… when Dawson came to the Cubs he was 31 years old and still considered a pretty good outfielder. It was generally acknowledged that getting him off the turf in Montreal would help his career.
Vlad will be 35 in February and played only two games in the field last year.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Yeah...
… its not the same comparison…
But, I would almost bet that Dawson’s knees where just as bad, if not worse, than Vlad’s are now.
Work ethnic has a lot to do with something like this.
I just don’t think it is always wise to quickly write someone off…
by TheHawkRules on Dec 15, 2009 4:52 PM CST up reply actions
With all due respect...
… I was around when Dawson was signed. There’s no comparison in the ability of Dawson pre-1987 and Guerrero pre-2010. Vlad can’t play outfield any more — has nothing to do with work ethic.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Well...
… I did say “its not the same comparison” ( i was agreeing with you…)
I just meant that a lot of people probably would have written Hawk off because of his knees prior to ’87. His last two years as an Expo were not very good… for him.
That was really my only point. In my mind, Hawk will always be better than Vlad… i don’t care what the stats say.
Just my opinion.
by TheHawkRules on Dec 15, 2009 5:06 PM CST up reply actions
Also...
…I remember reading in Andre’s bio that Green stated in public that the Cubs should go with younger players, and that Andre’s knees where in too bad of shape…
Of course, we know that was bull… but, it shows that it was a concern. All my point is/was… is that some people who write everyone off here, would have prolly written Hawk off prior to that ’87 season.
by TheHawkRules on Dec 15, 2009 5:09 PM CST up reply actions
I think Green was just trying to reduce Dawson's market value.
Remember, that was also the collusion off-season.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
It was because of collusion...
… but my point was, he just stated a concern everyone already knew…
Andre’s knees weren’t good…
lol… its no big deal.
by TheHawkRules on Dec 15, 2009 5:13 PM CST up reply actions
I think you & I are really agreeing.
Yes, Dawson’s knees weren’t good. But everyone knew getting him to a grass field as his home park would help him.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Yep...
… I am agreeing with what you are saying.
:O)
by TheHawkRules on Dec 15, 2009 5:25 PM CST up reply actions
Grass Fields
I remember Andre expressed interest in playing for the Cubs and Braves because of their grass fields. Oh, how the Expo Andre used to murder the Cubs at Wrigley Field? I’m glad he signed with the Cubs instead of the Braves. I don’t imagine Atlanta ever showed much interest in Dawson by evidence of the fact Andre gave the Cubs a blank check to sign him.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
They didn't...
…Andre mentioned in his bio that he talked to them, and he found them rude, plus… they said they had a “hot young” outfielder who was supposed to be the next thing…. Dion James was his name.
Remember him?
I’ll admit, it would have been neat to have seen Andre Dawson and Dale Murphy in the same lineup… but I am MORE than happy Hawk came to the Cubs.
BTW: My son is named Dawson after him.
by TheHawkRules on Dec 15, 2009 7:09 PM CST up reply actions
and one of the 2 times he played in the field he hurt his calf and ended up on the DL
This Chicago Cubs team is currently Aaron free. Keep it that way, please.
by jesus christos on Dec 15, 2009 4:57 PM CST up reply actions
i wonder...
… would Vlad be interested in being a PT player? I have no idea really…
Maybe he still has enough to be a good DH and won’t go for that. I have no idea… Just wondering…
Vlad doesn't so much run anymore
as limp. to 1st base, in the field, doesn’t matter. Watching him in the playoffs was painful (and made me really scared that Vlad’s current condition is Soriano’s future condition.) But man, in his prime, he was a truly awesome hitter. Don’t want him now though
Vlad Guerrero is playing on fumes at this stage
He can’t play the outfield. And he is a shadow of his former self as a hitter.
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
But the pitch in the Dirt
that bounces in front of the plate and he still hits for a single. Something inside me wants to see that in person. But not with Vlad as a Cub.
But it sounds like such a classic Cub move.
Vlad has to DH
It isn’t a case of Andre Dawson, Vlad literally struggles to run. Dawson’s knees were bad not gone.
Vlad would be a great signing
if this was 1999 not 2009
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
That hasn't stopped Kenny Williams the past few years
Griffey, Thome, Vizqeul (sp?), Andrew Jones, Pierre….
"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 Dec 17, 2009 11:55 AM CST up reply actions
KW has the benefit of DH
something we dont have to use for a hitter who is unable to field anymore due to age. I loved watching Vlad for many years, and it is now time for him to hang it up, and enjoy retirement
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
Agreed
But KW has gone out and signed SEVERAL players who can’t play the field anymore this year. I think the Sox are worse off than we are
"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
Dye
Any thoughts on maybe going after Dye as a RF? Not sure how he has been out there, but he had a great 1st half last year…
100 years would have been nice, but 101 years still has a nice ring to it.
No
He’s a poor man’s Vlad and we don’t want Vlad
"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 Dec 17, 2009 11:55 AM CST up reply actions
Why not write a Fanpost?
I’m thinking of doing one on luring Barry Bonds out of (forced) retirement. Stay tuned.
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
I was just thinking the other day...
… that the only way to balance the universe’s karma after the Cards hired Mac is for the Cubs to hire Sosa.
GETITDONEJIM!
I anxiously await the reasonable trading of Milton Bradley.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Dec 17, 2009 1:53 PM CST up reply actions
We could do a lotion promotion (hey, that even rhymes) at the gate!
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
Nutritional Advisor
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
I hope you're not serious
"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
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