Questions-- Fox, 2nd base, ownership

by nickler on Jun 22, 2009 2:33 AM CDT

Hello;

I haven't been able to keep up as much as I would like, so if these are stupid questions, please forgive my ignorance.

1. I read that Fox has finally played 3rd base now. How did he do? Was his defense awful or serviceable? Maybe if Fontenot goes back to his normal position, he'll hit better like we all hoped he would. I had thought this would be a good idea for a while, and wanted to know what you all thought.

2. As for 2B, why wouldn't anyone consider Ray Durham? He actually played pretty well last year (I thought so, at least). At least as a stopgap, why wouldn't the Cubs consider this? I know there are money issues, but how much could the guy possibly cost? I mean, it's June and I think he's still not signed. How much could he possibly be asking for? And wouldn't he want to sign just to prove that he can still play a la Jim Edmonds (possibly to get a contract for next year?)

For everyone who would note that he would cost $$, I would wonder how much he could possibly be asking for given his situation ($1-2 million?), and that we paid $750K to Paul Bako to do nothing. Wouldn't Hendry have the flexibility to do this much?! 2nd base is a disaster!

I am still wondering how we could give Miles that kind of money and not at least look into Orlando Hudson.

3. I am sure this has been discussed before, but I can't find it on the search engine on this website. With Vizcaino, he was actually posting a decent ERA (the rare times they actually threw him out there) when we released him. We received nothing in return. If they were essentially not going to give him a chance, why didn't they just release him before the season and keep Gaudin? Not that Gaudin is any better, but they were sitting there hemming and hawing about Guzman vs. Gaudin at the start of the season. If you aren't going to give Vizcaino a realistic chance, why not release him and not worry about making a difficult decision between two young pitchers? Thank goodness they didn't let Guzman go.

4. Any word on ownership and what is holding this up? There has been nothing in the news about this for a while. I thought that JP Morgan/Chase agreed to finance the deal and that this was done. What is the problem now?

Thanks again for all your wisdom, and sorry for asking things that may very well have been discussed elsewhere but that I can't seem to find.

Nickler

Hello;

I haven't been able to keep up as much as I would like, so if these are stupid questions, please forgive my ignorance.

I am still wondering how we could give Miles that kind of money and not at least look into Orlando Hudson.

Thanks again for all your wisdom, and sorry for asking things that may very well have been discussed elsewhere but that I can't seem to find.

Nickler

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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Whoops

Sorry for the double post. Can’t figure out how that happened.

by nickler on Jun 22, 2009 2:34 AM CDT reply actions

Fox has actually been serviceable at 3B.

That’s a real boost when the Cubs face a LHP.

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

by Al Yellon on Jun 22, 2009 4:12 AM CDT reply actions

+1

He actually was pretty competent yesterday and he has a really lively bat. I would like to se him get a few more starts, but I hope Lou doesn’t fall in love and overexpose him.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jun 22, 2009 6:58 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm not sure that with Fox

there’s as big an issue with being over-exposed. I’ve only seen him a little, but his approach looked balanced to me.

Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.

by DGU on Jun 22, 2009 7:29 AM CDT up reply actions

Why does Fox

only start against LHP? Is it because of his defense or his hitting?

by Hilary Lee on Jun 22, 2009 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Defense.

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

by Al Yellon on Jun 22, 2009 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Do more balls go to the left side when a LHP is on the mound?

I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com

by digitalbenjamin on Jun 22, 2009 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Um...

… not when the CUBS start a LHP!

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

by Al Yellon on Jun 22, 2009 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions

facepalm

I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com

by digitalbenjamin on Jun 22, 2009 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions

That was a classic series of posts.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jun 22, 2009 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions

that depends on who LH pitcher is

Some (Moyer and Glavine for example) throw almost exclusively on the outer half of the plate, so your 3B will get less work. If the lefty throws inside with a lot of cutters and back foot sliders, the 3B will get more work.

by lookingdeadred on Jun 23, 2009 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions

I thought that JP Morgan/Chase agreed to finance the deal and that this was done. What is the problem now?

Ricketts’ financing is lined up, but they can’t agree on the value of the broadcasting revenues.

we paid $750K to Paul Bako to do nothing.

No, we didn’t. He was released before his contract became guaranteed.

If they were essentially not going to give him a chance, why didn’t they just release him before the season and keep Gaudin?

Because they’re both terrible, and we’re better off with, say, Randy Wells on the roster than either of them.

As for 2B, why wouldn’t anyone consider Ray Durham?

We already have 6 second basemen on this team and you want more?

by Wreckard on Jun 22, 2009 7:57 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

They did have to pay Bako something, didn't they?

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

by Al Yellon on Jun 22, 2009 8:22 AM CDT up reply actions

$150,000

by Wreckard on Jun 22, 2009 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions

Meant to put the source in that post

Link

by Wreckard on Jun 22, 2009 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions

Thanks for the link.

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

by Al Yellon on Jun 22, 2009 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Fox needs to be in the lineup

Lou wants to give some time off tonight…….assuming Sori and theriot for sure

why not keep Fox in?
and try

Dome CF
Fontenot 2B
Bradley RF
Lee 1B
Hoff LF
Soto C
Fox 3B
Blanco Ss

by plenz on Jun 22, 2009 8:20 AM CDT reply actions

Scary thought

Hoff and Fox being responsible for the left side of the field.

I’d put Reed Johnson in CF instead of Dome then. I think Johnson is much quicker and can back up either corners better.

by ak123 on Jun 22, 2009 8:22 AM CDT up reply actions

Why Fukudome starts tonight overJohnson

The opposing pitcher tonight, Vasquez, is right handed. Fukudome’s numbers vs RHs, 275 BA, 399 OBP, 820 OPS. Johnson’s numbers vs RHs, 239 BA, 297 OBP, 700 OPS.

As for defense, Johnson is not so much better than Fukudome to make up for the huge discrepancy in offense.

by lookingdeadred on Jun 22, 2009 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions

Fukudome will be starting

Johnson’s back injury has to put him on the shelf for more than one game… wouldn’t be surprised to see Reed sit for ATL and at least the first Tigers game (best case).

by socalicubsfan on Jun 22, 2009 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions

Forgot thanks

WEll Fukudome is going to get a work out in the field tonight!

by ak123 on Jun 22, 2009 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions

Even if Johnson was healthy

Fukudome gets the start against the RH pitcher.

by lookingdeadred on Jun 22, 2009 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions

Unfortunately

I think we’ll see Miles in the line up today.
My guess given some of Lou’s comments:
Dome CF
Miles 2B
Bradley RF
Lee 1B
Soto C
Fox LF
Blanco SS

I’d prefer to see Fox at 3B and Fonty back at 2B… just not sure. And yeah, I think Lou would put Fox in LF over Hoff. Would he give Lee a rest at 1B tonight?

by socalicubsfan on Jun 22, 2009 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions

There's no way he will take Lee out of the lineup

I’d highly doubt our hottest hitter wouldn’t bat. Plus he can always DH a day or two if he needs a rest.

by ak123 on Jun 22, 2009 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions

Blanco at SS

Wish we’d see this more. Put Theriot at 2B and let Fontenot and Fox platoon for now. Theriot’s defense at 2B is well above average.

by dr stabbingworth on Jun 22, 2009 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions

How is Blanco at SS

I’ll admit, his defense at 2B has impressed me. I think I saw Blanco play SS in Spring Training. Is it just as good defense as at 2B?

by ak123 on Jun 22, 2009 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions

at least as good.

He’s played SS once or twice since he got called up, I think. Late inning replacement type stuff. He’s got the arm.

I'm a Cubs FANATIC. They are my team, through thick and thin. When they play over their heads, and when they play under the gutter. When they win the division, and then get swept in the division series. When they get no-hitters and when they blow no-hitters. And some day, when they go all the way and get those rings. This is the kind of fan I am.

by drewishdrewid on Jun 22, 2009 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions

Fox

has been credible so far at 3B…….i’m not advocating this for everyday……….but I like the chances of scoring with that lineup

I think lou said he’s puyting Fox in the OF tonight………..i’d rather him just get more comfy at 3rd for the next few weeks

by plenz on Jun 22, 2009 8:32 AM CDT reply actions

Johnson's unavailable for a few days due to a stiff back.

by thehat34 on Jun 22, 2009 9:09 AM CDT reply actions

Oops

should have kept reading!

by socalicubsfan on Jun 22, 2009 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions

Yes, Nickler questions!

Always some of my favorite posts

"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko

by DTJchris on Jun 22, 2009 11:32 AM CDT reply actions

I would start Fox against both LHPs and RHPs. They consider him an infielder and will probably have him play 3B with a spot start in LF when Soriano is rested. I don’t see any reason to worry in advance about over exposing him. Let his play determine how much he continues to play. A hard-hitting Jake Fox with serviceable fielding is what this team needs now. They might do more moving around than necessary just to give both Fontenot and Blanco playing time. the 6 DH games will allow more guys to play.

The Cubs aren’t going to make pre-trade deadline moves that involve taking on payroll because the Tribune is bankrupt. Any trades would involve even swaps or getting a team, probably a contender, to take payroll. As said, they have enough players who can play 2B.

Letting Vizcaino and Gaudin go had to do with how effective they thought those pitchers would be and wanting to keep Guzman who is out of options. Still think Hendry should have gotten a little more for Marquis. Marquis was not a ’bad" pitcher and the Rockies only took him and his payroll for 1 year. After the fact, the Rockies got the better end of that deal.

by AboutTheCubs on Jun 22, 2009 12:00 PM CDT reply actions

The Cubs Are Not Part of the Bankrupcy.

They can spend some money if they choose. I’m sure there are some self imposed limitations but I would not be surprised if they make some moves before the deadline.

by Chodes on Jun 22, 2009 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Cubs should inquire about Dan Uggla

Florida needs pitching and the Cubs have 6 starters. Uggla’s average is down this year, but he hits for power and could be a nice 6 or 7 hitter in the 2nd half..

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Jun 22, 2009 1:39 PM CDT reply actions

Uggla can hit the homer, but beyond that he's a liability.

His .213 batting average, piss poor defense and soon to be contract demands make him unwanted in my book, though I know many like him.

If we want to upgrade the offense at second and completely ignore fielding ability, Lou could put Soriano at second. Both have the cement glove, no average, no field, big contract power bat to be comparable. Soriano won’t cost any talent in trade.

If upgrading second is such a big deal, I want to see the team upgrade SS to move Theriot to second.

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

by N Oakley on Jun 22, 2009 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions

It was mentioned several times that we have ample 2nd basemen.

Who? Fontenot, Blanco, maybe Soriano?

The problem is they can’t hit a lick and are bringing down the lineup. I mean, if we’re throwing Hoffpauir out there, Ray Durham can’t possibly be any more of a defensive liability.

And once again, how much could he possibly cost? Are the Cubs so broke they can’t even afford a stopgap type player?

by nickler on Jun 23, 2009 9:58 PM CDT reply actions