An idea: Mark Grudzielanek

by elgato on Feb 21, 2009 2:56 PM CST

MLB trade rumors, http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/02/the-remaining-f.html, noted that Grudzielanek is still looking for work. I was a fan of his when he was with the Cubs in '03-'04, and I started wondering if he could be the righty bat who could back up Lee and Ramirez. If he can play second, surely he could play first and third, right?

I seem to remember that he upset Cubs management before the '04 season when he complained publicly about taking a pay cut to stay with the team. Assuming there's no bad blood -- there may be -- why not sign Grudz to something like half of the guaranteed money Orlando Hudson got?

Remember -- when the Cubs got Grudzielanek before '03, he was behind Bobby Hill for the starting second-base job. Grudz was huge for the '03 team, and played well, despite injuries, in '04.

I'll note that I'm only for this if he comes at a bargain, but I think he might. The only reason I see the Cubs not being interested, other than price, is the fact that he might not be a good enough pinch-hitter.

The other question is whether Grudzielanek would accept a reserve job ..

And don't flame me if this has already been discussed. I searched for Grudzielanek's name and nothing recent came up.

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I would have to say... No

He’ll be 39 years old, only played half the season last year, and has never played anything in his career but SS/2B. We have plenty of SS/2B. Perhaps if we didn’t sign Miles, but since we did, No

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

by DTJchris on Feb 21, 2009 3:05 PM CST reply actions

Grudz doesn't fit the Cubs

That is, if he can be a utility player, sure, but at this point of his career he can only play 2B or 1B. However, seeing Grudz available makes me pissed bout the Miles signing. Say what you want about the MB signing (honestly, I thought it was a fair signing), but Grudz could have signed with the Cubs for a cheaper contract.

by Geo4MVP on Feb 21, 2009 3:08 PM CST reply actions

Agreed with the above.

Grudz should retire. He had a nice run as a regular player, but he’s done.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 21, 2009 3:17 PM CST reply actions

not going to come from FA left overs

probably a trade who can play 3 of the 4 infield positions——-I like Macier Izturis or Geoff Blum….actually Blum might be cheaper in acquisition expenditures and they both cost the same…..both are switch hitters and Blum has 23 HR’s against RHP’s over the last 3 years.

But Macier is a better defensive player so it is half dozen here and six-pack there…..

Something will emerge that might be better than what is apparent. Actually I kind of suspect that both Theriot and Miles will end up being valued utility players this year…..

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

by Ivy Walls on Feb 21, 2009 3:50 PM CST up reply actions

Grudz was all class

and it is a shame we do not need him. I wish him well.

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Feb 21, 2009 3:20 PM CST reply actions

I thought about this too

until I also thought about his age, which stopped that train of thought.

by Craig in South Bend on Feb 21, 2009 3:21 PM CST reply actions

No problem with the age

but wrong skill set. We are looking for 3B backup. One of the Cubs mistakes was keeping Walker and letting
Grudz go.

"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux

by Doggie Stalker on Feb 21, 2009 4:04 PM CST reply actions

Yeah, Mark G was a good hitter

and the source of one of my earliest Harry Caray memories….hearing him try and say that name when he was with the Expos was great

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 Feb 21, 2009 4:38 PM CST up reply actions

Harry said

“his friend call him the G-Man” and it was later noted that no one called him that before Harry said it.

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Feb 21, 2009 6:35 PM CST up reply actions

need first base at bats for Hoffpauir

I agree that we need someone to back up third, but I would never want Grudz to take at bats away from Hoffpauir at first.

by PalatineRol on Feb 21, 2009 5:28 PM CST reply actions

which is funny,

because I don’t want Micah Hoffpauir to ever take bats away from ANYONE.

"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 Feb 23, 2009 1:16 PM CST up reply actions

We do need a good backup at third

But I don’t think Grudz is the guy. But there’s another question, if not Grudz, than who?

"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti

by wrigleyrocker12 on Feb 21, 2009 5:47 PM CST reply actions

Maybe a trade...

Like Ivy Walls suggested, possibly a trade for a backup 3B would help the Cubs.

One player that would have been perfect for this job is Aubrey Huff.

by Geo4MVP on Feb 21, 2009 5:59 PM CST up reply actions

he is another player of note

but I like the switch hitting and multiple infield versatility but again it is a six-pack or half dozen

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

by Ivy Walls on Feb 21, 2009 6:07 PM CST up reply actions

Huff wouldn't take a position

as a backup.

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

by DTJchris on Feb 21, 2009 6:45 PM CST up reply actions

I'd say Nomar would be a great pickup

to backup 1b,3b, PH and emergency SS.

by cubswin on Feb 21, 2009 6:48 PM CST reply actions

No to Grudzielanek

He’s old, limited to 2nd base and doesn’t have the greatest reputation in the world.

Mark Teahan is the guy I want.

by BLou on Feb 21, 2009 7:08 PM CST reply actions

I will give you he is limited but what about his "reputation" ?

I have never heard a bad word said against him so where exactly does that come from ?
Also Teahan makes 3.5 million and the Royals won’t be picking up a penny. Cubs are not paying that much for a utility bench
guy.

"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux

by Doggie Stalker on Feb 21, 2009 7:28 PM CST up reply actions

By Reputation

he means pounding sand. Mark has small hands and a bad back so his prowess for pounding sand is know through the league to be minor league at best.

"When two Whales Fight, many Shrimp Die" - Korean Proverb

by TheRiot Police on Feb 23, 2009 3:40 PM CST up reply actions

No

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on Feb 21, 2009 10:52 PM CST reply actions

BLou's right

Teahen is the best fit . He plays a solid second or third, is better than Fontenot…and who cares if he strikes out alot he’s still a legitamate threat at the bottom of the order. Plus he’s lefty.

by Steve Sax on Feb 22, 2009 6:22 AM CST reply actions

Ummm.....

According to B-R, Teahen has never played 2B in a major or minor league game. What evidence do you have that he “plays a solid second”? He is 6’3", which is very tall for a 2B, and which will make his transition that much more difficult. (DeRo is “only” 6’1".)

There is no way the Cubs are going to pay a backup 3B/OF $3.575M — especially when there are questions about whether or not constantly changing positions has led to his diminished productivity at the plate and he has never been asked to perform in a utility role before.

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

by DeRoMyHero on Feb 22, 2009 3:55 PM CST up reply actions

there you gousing facts again...

don’t you know facts are over rated?

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Feb 23, 2009 4:19 PM CST up reply actions

Sorry, I just can't get past the facts...

And that’s a fact.

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

by DeRoMyHero on Feb 23, 2009 6:49 PM CST up reply actions

Jack

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

by ballhawk on Feb 24, 2009 9:00 AM CST up reply actions

Tigers need pitching

Brandon Inge—-can play third, catch, outfield. He could spell Ramirez. Wouldn’t have to keep Bako or Hill. Inge is respected in Detroit, but if we gave them a package with guys like Hart or Guzman……. Inge is a good team guy and would be liked in Chicago, like Reed Johnson. We missed the boat on Teahen this winter. Too bad for us.

by PalatineRol on Feb 22, 2009 12:13 PM CST reply actions

It'd be tough to get Inge

He’s a favorite of Leyland and upper management there – so much so that they’ve given him the third base job already.

A year or two ago, Hart & Wuertz might have gotten a deal done, but I’m not sure it would now.

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 Feb 22, 2009 1:39 PM CST up reply actions

good points on Inge

Yes, Leyland does like Inge, but he also likes and desparately needs pitching. Okay, back to the drawing board. Are the Sox going to keep Wilson Betemit? This could be a low cost solution and he has some flexibility.

by PalatineRol on Feb 22, 2009 1:50 PM CST up reply actions

That's an excellent question

I think they’ll keep Betemit, but if he hit the market, he would fit what the Cubs need.

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 Feb 22, 2009 6:56 PM CST up reply actions

Only if Grudz

Comes with Karros.

Corey Koskie is looking for another chance, if we are willing to take on a long shot and he’s willing to sign as a reserve.

by BucknerKongCardenal on Feb 23, 2009 11:06 PM CST reply actions

Koskie is an intriguing idea, if he proves he's healthy.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 24, 2009 10:30 AM CST up reply actions

No, thanks.

I always liked Grudzy, too. But he’s a second baseman, and this team doesn’t need another second baseman. He’s played only 31 games at 3B in his 14-year career, and I’m guesing most of those have been in emergency situations. For some reason, Fangraphs hasn’t generated UZR/UZR 150 numbers for his 3B appearances but, FWIW, his fielding percentage is a pretty low .935. And with a career 90 OPS+, Grudzielanek obviously wouldn’t provide much of anything off the bench.

"You've got to earn winning your division. We won more games than anybody in the National League last year, and we're going to have a target on our back, so we've got to be ready.'' - Lou Piniella, 2/17/09

by daver on Feb 24, 2009 10:15 AM CST reply actions