Wishes Can Be Granted: Cubs Sign Corey Koskie

by Al Yellon on Feb 28, 2009 11:41 AM CST in Chicago Cubs News

Many of us here had, after we heard that former Twins and Brewers 3B Corey Koskie was working out, that the Cubs might sign him to a minor league deal if he was healthy; his LH bat and experience at 3B are exactly what the Cubs need.

This has now happened. From the official release:

The Chicago Cubs and infielder Corey Koskie have agreed to terms on a 2009 minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training. The deal is pending Koskie passing a physical.

Koskie is scheduled to report to Team Canada next week and will participate in the World Baseball Classic. He will report to Cubs camp following Canada’s participation in the WBC.

Presuming he passes that physical, the Cubs will get a chance to scout him playing in the WBC, and if he does well there, I think he has a real good shot at making the team as a backup 3B/1B. Most likely, assistant GM Randy Bush was behind this, with his Twins connection.

Tweet Comment 48 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

at the risk of jumping to conclusions so soon...

…is it safe to say Koskie and Hoffpauir are fighting for the same roster spot?

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

by ballhawk on Feb 28, 2009 11:49 AM CST reply actions

Yes, I think they probably are.

Hoffpauir has the advantage of being on the 40-man roster.

Koskie has the advantage of experience and being able to play 3B.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 28, 2009 11:51 AM CST up reply actions

Hoffpauir

has the advantage of having played a professional game since July 5, 2006.

Although seriously, Hoffpauir does not have a very good track record of staying healthy. That’s one reason he spent so long in the minors.

Still, Koskie is 36 years old and hasn’t played a game in 2 1/2 years. I suppose it’s worth a shot, but I can’t see Koskie being a productive player at this stage.

by Josh Timmers on Feb 28, 2009 2:15 PM CST up reply actions

Why?

If he’s healthy, why not?

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 28, 2009 2:57 PM CST up reply actions

Healthy, but past his prime

Still, I think this is a wise move, low dollars, low risk (not even a locker yet) and a guy who is an actual third baseman. When the Cubs were working Jake Fox at third I knew something was wrong with the world. Rivas didn’t make me feel better.

by Harry Pavlidis on Feb 28, 2009 3:53 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed.

Past his prime? Sure, but that’s known ahead of time. We’re not looking for a starting 3B, we need a backup. If healthy, he could be a solid addition.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 28, 2009 4:13 PM CST up reply actions

Nice that the Cubs may have found their backup 3B...

…but if Koskie does indeed make the roster, doesn’t that make the bench VERY lefty-heavy, particularly on days when Aaron Miles and Reed Johnson are both in the starting lineup? Teams with good left-handed relievers could potentially present a big headache for the Cubs.

"I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game." - Walt Whitman

by hip2bsquare on Feb 28, 2009 11:51 AM CST reply actions

Not really...

I think the two above are right…Koskie would take Hoff’s spot if he makes the team. Lefty for lefty.

"Thank god I threw out my belt & shoelaces."-Bernies Mustache Wax on Evil BCB, 7/31/08

by Bildo1805 on Feb 28, 2009 11:54 AM CST up reply actions

This is a good point...

… and why the obsession Lou has with LH hitters may be unhealthy.

It may also give Koyie Hill a good shot at the backup catcher job, since he’s a switch-hitter. Incidentally, so is Miles.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 28, 2009 11:54 AM CST up reply actions

How does adding Koskie ADD a LH bat?

Koskie would be taking the place of a LH bat, if he made the roster. He’s not taking Miles’ spot (only SS backup). He’s not taking RJ’s.

That leaves Hoff, Gathright, and Bako. All hit LH.

"Thank god I threw out my belt & shoelaces."-Bernies Mustache Wax on Evil BCB, 7/31/08

by Bildo1805 on Feb 28, 2009 12:05 PM CST up reply actions

Koskie doesn't add a LH bat.

I think the poster above was worried the bench would be TOO LH-heavy, whether it’s with Hoff or Koskie. I pointed out that if Koyie Hill makes the team, at least two bench players would be switch-hitters.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 28, 2009 12:15 PM CST up reply actions

"If Koskie does indeed make the roster."

That “if” tells me otherwise.

I’m worried about it being too LH heavy as well, which is why I would have wanted Aurilia…a guy who mashes lefties and nothing else. But, that ship’s sailed.

"Thank god I threw out my belt & shoelaces."-Bernies Mustache Wax on Evil BCB, 7/31/08

by Bildo1805 on Feb 28, 2009 12:17 PM CST up reply actions

two bench

and a regular, don’t forget that bradley switch hits too. and z as well, right?

There's nothing wrong with this team that more pitching, more fielding and more hitting couldn't help......"--Bill Buckner

by laidbackliam on Feb 28, 2009 12:20 PM CST up reply actions

I think the Cubs go north with 14 position players until April 25th or so

If you look at the starters: Soto-Lee-Fonty/Miles-Theriot-Ramirez-Sori-Fuku/RJ-Bradley you have 10 + back up catcher and Gathright making 12….leaving two spots. If Koskie makes the squad it allows the Cubs to keep Hoffpauir for the 14th spot and they can option him to AAA and bring up a pitcher until Mid May when again they have a series of offdays until mid June.

As for thinking about Koyie Hill, I think he is on the hot seat for if he can hit better than .250 he wins.

The other option is to keep So Taguchi but I think that is far fetched unless Gathright falls apart.

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 28, 2009 2:19 PM CST up reply actions

OT - tickets

Brewers tix went on sale today. There was actually a VWR and the entire May series plus the saturday of the april series against the Cubs were sold out.

hop on em now.

///thread jacked

---AC 00 00 00 - Believe

by mjk83 on Feb 28, 2009 11:54 AM CST reply actions

This is fine here...

…. since a game thread is about to post (12 noon CST). But this info might have actually been worth a FanShot.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 28, 2009 11:55 AM CST up reply actions

I think many of the tickets

were sold earlier this week during the pre-sale.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Feb 28, 2009 1:27 PM CST up reply actions

Does Milton Bradley remind anyone else of Allen Iverson?

Practice? We’re talking about practice.

by Rick B on Feb 28, 2009 11:58 AM CST reply actions

Not really.

At all.

In fact, if you were so inclined…you could look at this from the other way. He knew he had a tight muscle, he played anyway.

Unfortunately, there’s not many willing to look at it from the other way.

"Thank god I threw out my belt & shoelaces."-Bernies Mustache Wax on Evil BCB, 7/31/08

by Bildo1805 on Feb 28, 2009 12:02 PM CST up reply actions

No sense of humor.

by Rick B on Feb 28, 2009 3:43 PM CST up reply actions

The real reason for the signing

Its obvious that the Cubs wanted a Dempster/Harden friend, you know, a fellow Canadian with extensive experience who can help them continue to ease through the difficult transition of being a Canadian living and playing in the states. Someone who can speak Canadian with them, peppering phrases with “eh” so they feel comfortable. Someone who can explain why the money doesn’t have moose or rodents on it. That sort of thing.

In the middle of a good time, Truth gave me her icy kiss. Look around, you must be joking. All that way, all that way for this? -Oysterband

by Ross on Feb 28, 2009 12:08 PM CST reply actions

isn't that harden?

There's nothing wrong with this team that more pitching, more fielding and more hitting couldn't help......"--Bill Buckner

by laidbackliam on Feb 28, 2009 12:21 PM CST up reply actions

Gee, any other Canadian stereotypes you'd like to get out?

Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team

by carmen_fanzone on Feb 28, 2009 12:51 PM CST up reply actions

hockey
mullets
beer
celine dion

Thanks, that helped. And, by the way, “It’s pronounced Canada. And no, I haven’t.”

by TC Cubby on Feb 28, 2009 12:54 PM CST up reply actions

i was aboot to say that, eh

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

by Cubbie-Tim on Feb 28, 2009 1:03 PM CST up reply actions

If I may...

Hockey is great, I see more mullets in the stands at NASCAR events than I do here in Canada, Americans can’t handle Canadian beer (Labatt’s and Molsen don’t count) and… doesn’t Celine live in Las Vegas now?

by daubs on Feb 28, 2009 1:34 PM CST up reply actions

Le Fin du Monde?

Great stuff…

by MN exile on Feb 28, 2009 6:48 PM CST up reply actions

Dont forget..

Curling
Moose
Calling the letter Z “Zed”

but then there’s always:
cheap meds and low crime

by northernsails on Mar 1, 2009 3:31 AM CST up reply actions

Canadians love to hunt baby seals

If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.

by Clutche on Feb 28, 2009 1:51 PM CST up reply actions

I really like this signing

According to baseball Reference he has a career OPS of over .800. That is pretty good. I dont necesarrily thik that he could steal Hoffs spot as much as Jake Fox’s spot. I have a feeling we are going to carry 11 pitchers for a bit. Or maybe the Car jumper doesnt make the team. We still dont have a SS on our roster. I like this move

4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42

by fischisgod on Feb 28, 2009 12:10 PM CST reply actions

Fox is competing for the same spot, though.

I suspect this signing might put Fox out of the running, unless Koskie just can’t play any more.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 28, 2009 12:16 PM CST up reply actions

Also, if Koskie makes the team...

… he’ll have to switch from the #47 he wore in Minnesota. Aaron Heilman will be #47.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 28, 2009 12:17 PM CST up reply actions

I think it hurts Fox more than anyone.

Unless Fox tears the cover off the ball or learns how to hit left-handed, he’s looking at April in Des Moines. That said, if Koskie struggles, or has physical issues, maybe he goes to Iowa early in the year to continue to get his timing back.

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 28, 2009 1:36 PM CST up reply actions

Full text of official press release

Linky

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 28, 2009 12:25 PM CST reply actions

me likey

I like this. I hope it works out.

by Floyd10 on Feb 28, 2009 12:39 PM CST reply actions

WBC US v Canada

I’m going to the US v Canada WBC game in Toronto on March 7th. It’ll be good to see another potential Cubs player in the game. I really hope Lilly pitches that day, though.

by daubs on Feb 28, 2009 1:37 PM CST reply actions

Psst...

There was already a Fanshot on this topic…

by GoCubbies34 on Feb 28, 2009 1:47 PM CST reply actions

Thought it was worth a front page post.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 28, 2009 2:57 PM CST up reply actions

I guess it makes sense..........

because Miles will be busy at 2nd when Fontenot swoons

If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.

by Clutche on Feb 28, 2009 1:48 PM CST reply actions

What is it with you and Fontenot?

I don’t get it. You think Hoffpauir, a marginal talent, should be a starter, and Fontenot, who proved he CAN hit while starting, should be benched. Do you actually want the Cubs to win?

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 28, 2009 2:58 PM CST up reply actions

Is Hoffpauir....

really a marginal talent? I know the jury is still out, but I think he deserves a shot, especially over Koskie. Don’t give me that he’s too old or that he’s been in the minors too long….Soto spent 6 yrs in the minors before blossoming. Soto is a few years younger, but Hoff has had good numbers at AAA & even in his short stints in the majors. I’d be very, very disappointed if Koskie were to get the last roster spot ahead of Hoff.

BELIEVE!

by cubbie08 on Feb 28, 2009 4:47 PM CST up reply actions

I wouldn't, because...

… Koskie has major league experience and can play 3B. We need a backup 3B.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 28, 2009 5:17 PM CST up reply actions

Koskie has been through a lot

Yes he was a fair player at 3B, average power, fair OPS but then this happened

The corresponding article

This is February 2008 (a year ago)

It’s been 18 months since Koskie took a seemingly innocuous tumble in pursuit of a Felipe Lopez pop fly in Milwaukee, and he hasn’t played a game since. After an aborted comeback attempt in the Cactus League and a summer spent at home in Minnesota watching the Brewers from a distance, he became a free agent in October when Milwaukee management declined to exercise his $6.5 million option for 2008….

…Koskie has been through the wringer since spring training of 2007. For a while, he was bothered by a persistent ache at the base of his neck. While that pain gradually subsided, he discovered everyday tasks could produce debilitating results. The simple acts of driving a car, watching television or checking e-mail on the computer left him dizzy and overcome by nausea. He also was plagued by chronic fatigue….

…When the Brewers visited Minneapolis in June, Koskie made the short drive to the Metrodome to see his Milwaukee teammates. But the lights and the hubbub around the ballpark overloaded his system, and he had to go upstairs for some solitude and fresh air….

But then hope!

..Koskie also shared a "eureka’’ moment with former Twins teammate and fellow Canada native Justin Morneau, who has suffered a concussion or two along the way.

"We were talking, and Justin asked me, ‘Does it feel like everything is going by in slow motion — like stuff has sped up and you’re always a half-second behind everything?’ I told him, ‘Yeah, that’s exactly how I feel!‘’’ Koskie said.

Koskie is encouraged by his progress with Smith, a certified athletic trainer who worked at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and helps run the Twins Cities Northern Lights, a Junior A hockey team in Bloomington, Minn. Smith takes a "holistic’’ approach to recovery that allows Koskie to work out at his home, where he can be free of distractions and avoid getting behind the wheel of a car, which tends to trigger his symptoms….

Thus since 2006 he has not played since he fell on his head. It will be interesting to see how he does in the WBC, where I think he does not come up with the club in April.

He could be a comeback player of the year even if he just gets 125 AB’s. We will see.

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 28, 2009 3:35 PM CST reply actions