McGehee: The one that got away?

by Fishbone2 on Jul 6, 2009 9:09 AM CDT Comment 58 comments

I have to question how the Cubs rate their talent. They draft McGehee, let him come through the system, give him a cup of coffee at the end of last year, waive him???

It seems kind of odd to me to just let a guy like this go. Having the same talent as a Bobby Scales but being 5-6 years younger. Why would they do this?

McGehee fits into this "DeRosa" mold everyone here has been looking to replace and would have played his way from utility guy this year to starting 2nd baseman once Ramirez returns. Obviously, no one had a crystal ball to see he would break out this year BUT his minor league stats would show that he was no different than a Scales, Blanco (minus the defensive abilities), etc.. Is there something I'm missing? Why did the Cubs give up on this guy?

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.

0 recs | Comment 58 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

What can I say? I always liked the guy. Never understood why not many others did.

"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.

by zevkalman on Jul 6, 2009 9:14 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

In a word...

No.

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Jul 6, 2009 9:14 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well . . . .

Let’s wait and see if he maintains the level of production that he’s had so far.

I don’t think any of us were upset when he was picked up by the Brewers. So far, he’s had a nice run of it – good for him. I’d be surprised if it stayed anywhere near that level, though.

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 Jul 6, 2009 9:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree... I guess my point is:

Why keep a guy like Scales who is much older than give up on a guy who pretty much has the same stats at the minor league level but younger? Was there a rift? Did he not get a long with management? Just seems odd to me. Maybe it was because he couldn’t hit left handed?

"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 Fishbone2 on Jul 6, 2009 9:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think they expected him to produce as well as he has

Small sample size and all that . . .

But not having a backup for Ramirez was a failure.

As others have said, I think Hendry likes “toolsy” guys and is hypnotized by batting average. Probably part of the problem here.

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 Jul 6, 2009 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nobody's suggesting he would have needed to stay on the major league roster

Why didn’t he have a spot in AAA though?

by madcow256 on Jul 6, 2009 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

IIRC, they tried to send him down and he was out of options

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 Jul 6, 2009 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think he did have options...

and there was space on the 40-man roster as well, so he didn’t have to come off the roster. The Cubs simply chose to take him off the 40-man roster, and Milwaukee claimed him.

That said, there wasn’t any glaring reason to keep him ON the 40-man roster either. It’s not like he had shown the team any reason to keep him up, and the Cubs had anticipated that Fontenot would be a suitable backup at 3B for Ramirez.

by SouthernCub on Jul 6, 2009 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They were looking for a back-up 3B. They actually signed Corey Koskie, but he didn't pan out.

So, there’s a good argument for taking a longer look at McGehee.

When we left Spring Training, we didn’t have any legitimate back-up 3rd baseman on our roster… even though they had given some reps to Fontenot in the Spring.

And, obviously, when A-Ram went down, this caused a major issue for us.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Jul 6, 2009 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Bingo.

"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 Fishbone2 on Jul 6, 2009 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That was several months after McGehee was let go...

At the time McGehee was let go, the team still had DeRosa and Fontenot as options at 3B. After they traded DeRosa, they signed Miles to be an option at 3B. It wasn’t until spring training that they pursued Koskie.

But McGehee was a 2B bat (at best) who played 3B. As such, he was basically roster filler. So letting him go wasn’t a huge deal. The Cubs felt they could have found McGehee’s equivalent on the waiver wire if need be (guys like Koskie for example).

Sure, there was an argument for keeping him on the roster. But there wasn’t a glaring NEED to keep him on the roster. Nothing about him suggested he’d hit like this at the big-league level. If he was performing like expectation, nobody would be clamoring for him.

by SouthernCub on Jul 6, 2009 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, that's the $1 million question:

Had Hendry already targeted DeRo as a trade candidate when he let McGehee go? If so, he probably should’ve held onto Casey longer to see how the 3B position panned out.

He probably was, as you say, count on picking up a waiver-wire guy. Maybe he simply came up empty. Jimbo hasn’t exactly been on a lucky streak as of late.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 6, 2009 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just saying there would've been a good argument to invite him to Spring Training.

They wanted/needed a back-up 3rd baseman.

But, I’m not gonna hug the guys nuts.

Our roster has been kinda f-ed up since A-Ram went down. And, we had to make some backwards moves (Freel and Baker), because of it.

However, the one golden opportunity this mess created: room for Jake Fox, who should stay on the roster now. I expect that if Soriano goes to the DL, Fox will get some starts in LF now that A-Ram is back.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Jul 6, 2009 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, I would decline an invitation to hug his nuts as well.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 6, 2009 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+ 1

not into that, Sackman. Oh wait……….

A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five.

by copes006 on Jul 6, 2009 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

His minor league stats show that he was terrible

What are you talking about? McGehee

His minor league OPS is .741.

If you thought he would have an OPS of .883 over 125 at-bats this year, well Congratulations, you should be a minor league scout.

Oh and saying that Scales and McGeehee had similiar stats, Scales stats are MUCH better:
Scales

Are you just trying to start a fight? I don’t get it.

by IllinoisCubs on Jul 6, 2009 9:20 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm not trying to start a fight? Are you?

I am saying he is younger and maybe a little premature to give up on. Let’s face it… Career minor leaguers are career minor leaguers whether you’re Bobby Scales or Casey McGehee. At 31, with the same experience, I would expect McGehee to be as good or out perform Scales. Some guys take time to blossom, obviously this is the year the game slowed down for him. I’m not a minor league scout but why couldn’t the Cubs system see this?

"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 Fishbone2 on Jul 6, 2009 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Since 2005

Scales had an OPS around .850 and last year he mashed at Triple-A

McGehee had an OPS around .750 and struck out 8 times in 24 MLB at-bats with no walks.

Based on a team that has Aramis Ramirez at 3B and is built to win ‘now’, which player would you have kept? Also, I don’t think it even was an either/or situation. The Brewers just picked him up because he wasn’t protected on the 40-man roster. You would have kept McGehee on the roster?

by IllinoisCubs on Jul 6, 2009 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would have certainly kept him in AAA.

"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 Fishbone2 on Jul 6, 2009 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's not how it works.....

You either put the guy on the 40-man roster or you leave him unprotected. I’m not the best expert on these things, but ‘keeping him in Triple-A’ doesn’t make him protected.

by IllinoisCubs on Jul 6, 2009 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess I would have invited him to Spring Training,

Which maybe they would have done if the Brewers with wouldn’t have taken him. I guess with the back up 3rd baseman role not figured out I would have had as much competition there to figure it out.

"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 Fishbone2 on Jul 6, 2009 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's not an option by itself.

Players on the 40 man roster come to MLB spring training. Non-roster players are invited to ST. If they had never added him to the MLB roster, he may have been a 6 year minor league free agent.

I would also like to point out that any of the other 29 teams could have had Casey for the last few years if they wanted him. They could have taken him in the rule 5 draft.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Jul 6, 2009 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

By the way...

Their career minor league stats are a lot closer than what you think. It’s not that drastic between the 2.

"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 Fishbone2 on Jul 6, 2009 9:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm as puzzled by McGehee's performance as everyone else.

I cannot imagine anyone thought he’d do this well. He was the last man kept by the Brewers this spring — he nearly got cut.

And the number of minor league games he played at 2B was… seven. How the Brewers figured out he could do it is a mystery; I suppose he went and told Ken Macha, “Try me over there.”

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

by Al on Jul 6, 2009 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps the Brewers hitting instructors figured something out... that the Cubs didn't.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Jul 6, 2009 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If he sustains it, sure

but anyone can get hot like this for a few weeks

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 Jul 6, 2009 9:50 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

McGehee's BABIP is nearly 400

The notion that he’ll maintain this hot streak is silly.

by Wreckard on Jul 6, 2009 9:52 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

So now we have our holy Trinity.

St. Fuld
St. Mark
St. McGehee

All rise…

McGehee put up mediocre numbers, both in AAA last year, and during his cuppa. There was no reason to keep him, because the depth chart was written poorly, but them’s the breaks.

I'm a Cubs FANATIC. They are my team, through thick and thin. [ibid] This is the kind of fan I am.

by drewishdrewid on Jul 6, 2009 9:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You forgot Josh Hamilton

by jerry morales rules on Jul 6, 2009 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The First One

that Got Away

I'm a Cubs FANATIC. They are my team, through thick and thin. [ibid] This is the kind of fan I am.

by drewishdrewid on Jul 6, 2009 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

1 year for Hamilton

The Cubs had no intention on keeping the guy. This has been discussed here in length. It was predetermined that the Reds would get Hamilton.

"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"

by Grockcubs on Jul 6, 2009 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, I know

That was a joke on my part. Of course, if you have to explain a joke,it probably wasn’t good in the first place.

by jerry morales rules on Jul 6, 2009 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You needed this.

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

by Al on Jul 6, 2009 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

I like Fuld, he is a good spark. But just like McGehee who knows what they would or will do in a full season. Lets see what the league does to McGehee after the break when they will be able to prepare for him after they have seen him once.
I think we have to just relax about McGehee, he is hitting in a good lineup, I am sure he gets his fair share of fastballs

"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"

by Grockcubs on Jul 6, 2009 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well for now

All of them are better than St. Sori

"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 Jul 6, 2009 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Scales and Blanco comparisons are pointless

Because neither Scales nor Blanco was on the 40-man roster until they were called up to the big leagues.

The fact that McGehee was no different than those guys should actually be viewed as evidence as to why he was removed from the 40-man roster. The Cubs didn’t anticipate using Scales or Blanco, either. Those were decisions made in April/May out of necessity, not out of plan.

The Cubs didn’t choose Scales or Blanco over McGehee. They just didn’t see McGehee as a major league player. And the stats backed that up. Scales (who was largely considered minor league roster filler) had better minor league numbers.

There was no reason to believe that McGehee would have anywhere close to the season he’s having so far this year. It wasn’t a horrible decision by the Cubs at the time (though strange, as it was unnecessary).

And given time, we may find that McGehee has simply been hitting well above his actual ability to this point.

by SouthernCub on Jul 6, 2009 10:02 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Sorry but ML history is LITTERED with rookies who tear it up right out of the gate...

…and then disappear forever. While I’m not necessarily saying that’s the case with McGehee, since nothing in his past suggests he’s going to continue hitting like this, I’m going to have to see a lot more out of him before I start saying that the Cubs made a mistake here.

by bluekoolaide on Jul 6, 2009 10:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I understand that. And I think he is over performing...

but for a team to be in desperate need of a back-up 3rd baseman/utility guy, coming into spring training, I’m surprised they let him go.

"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 Fishbone2 on Jul 6, 2009 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They let him go in late-October...

at the time, they didn’t have a glaring need. The need only appeared later.

by SouthernCub on Jul 6, 2009 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Makes more sense If DeRosa was still on the roster then.

"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 Fishbone2 on Jul 6, 2009 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

As mentioned in my Fanshot on this topic a week or two ago...

…there was a perfectly legitimate reason to keep McGehee: To provide depth at the third base position. If the Cubs had groomed a clear choice to replace McGehee on the depth chart – oh, I dunno, say JAKE FOX – then Casey’s release wouldn’t bother me quite so much.

I do agree that his minor league stats did nothing to indicate his remarkable performance thus far this season – and I expect him to drop off at some point unless he’s due for a Ryan Ludwick-esque breakout year. Nonetheless, the third base position has haunted the Cubs this year. I hope Jim Hendry has learned his lesson.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 6, 2009 10:33 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

As mentioned in my Fanshot on this topic a week or two ago...

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 6, 2009 10:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

oops

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 6, 2009 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

OT: Cubs sale is FINALIZED

Link

"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 Fishbone2 on Jul 6, 2009 10:44 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

A Fanshot is up.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 6, 2009 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks... I'm sure Al will post something front page too.

"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 Fishbone2 on Jul 6, 2009 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So what do the Ricketts think about the great McGehee question?

A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
--Winston Churchill

by lookingdeadred on Jul 6, 2009 11:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

A sober look at his minor league career

explains why the Cubs let him get away. He was nothing special. And I suspect by season’s end, the Brewers will understand why the Cubs let him go, too.

A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
--Winston Churchill

by lookingdeadred on Jul 6, 2009 11:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree...

He’s had a very nice month or so for the Brewers. But that’s in stark contrast to his career numbers in the minors. I guess it’s possible that he suddenly found his swing. But I think it’s more likely that he finds his way back to Earth.

by SouthernCub on Jul 6, 2009 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like McGehee

but honestly, this guy is a flash in the pan. If he’s still hitting above .300 in September then I’m wrong. But i can sit here and guarantee everybody that he will go back to earth and start hitting like an average major leaguer at best.

Milton ...... see the ball hit the ball

by lexmarklover on Jul 6, 2009 11:57 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

And that's the risk

Who’s to say Jake Fox won’t be doing the same thing? I hope not but with these guys you never know.

by ak123 on Jul 6, 2009 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

we get it

it would have been nice to have more depth at 3B…no one will be pining for mcgehee in two months when he’s batting .260. i’d take jake fox over mcgehee any day.

while were at it, i miss erik hinske.
/sarcasm

"They give each other a kiss after every pitch. He kisses her on the strikes and she kisses him on the balls." - Harry Caray

by Hawk8 on Jul 6, 2009 12:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't think it matters

For a few reasons:

1) He wouldn’t have this much playing time if it weren’t for Rickie Weeks being injured.
2) Still a small sample size—- he will come back down to earth.
3) Had he been with the Cubs, who’s to say Lou wouldn’t have overlooked him when Aramis got injured?

If he’s even spoken about at this point next year I’ll personally be shocked.

by ak123 on Jul 6, 2009 12:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

No he didnt get away

1. what position did he pay for us?
2. who was ahead of him in the depth chart?
3. what kind of numbers did he give us?

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

by Cubbie-Tim on Jul 6, 2009 6:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

1. Third base. 2. Aramis Ramirez 3. Not particularly good ones.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 6, 2009 9:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

so IMHO

Q: McGehee: The one that got away?
A: No

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

by Cubbie-Tim on Jul 6, 2009 10:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess I wouldn't call him "The One" who got away...

…but I’d call him a legit, league-average 3B backup who got away. But it’s all academic now that Aramis is back, Jake Fox has proved himself able to at least give the general impression that he’s a competent 3B backup, and Jeff Baker is on board.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 7, 2009 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs