Possible Infield Help

According to MLBDailyDish, Dan Uggla may be pricing himself out of the Marlins range. Granted, his glove isn't the best--3 errors in the All Star game come to mind--but his bat would be incredibly valuable. As is evidenced in this late season swoon and lack of offensive output, this is the kind of move I would love to see the new ownership OK to help the team.

6 months ago snowyman28 28 comments 0 recs |

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Chone Figgins. He's a FA and could lead off.

I would think if he plays 3B, he could play SS. The low-priced Baker could stay at second.

Move Theriot/Fontenot to somebody who likes ‘scrappy’ (but lesser talented) players.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Aug 23, 2009 1:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

He plays 3B badly. He'd play SS much worse

by SouthernCub on Aug 23, 2009 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

SS is harder to play than 3B

by SouthernCub on Aug 23, 2009 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

‘scrappy’ (but lesser talented) players.

Like, for example, Chone Figgins.

by Wreckard on Aug 23, 2009 11:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

chone figgins has less talent than fontenot?

Theriot is not clutch, he's double clutch!

by jesus christos on Aug 23, 2009 11:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, just suggesting that he's overrated.

by Wreckard on Aug 24, 2009 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

In terms of 2009

ride it out with what you have.

In terms of 2010, see above. Possibly we might be able to add one FA with a decent contract, but probably not.

In 2011, look for some of the kids from the system to start to contribute.

by tim815 on Aug 23, 2009 1:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

For 2010

I’m hoping they resign Harden.

"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver

by wrigleyrocker12 on Aug 23, 2009 8:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree kinda

depends on what he asks for in a contract, and who else is available for the same price tag

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 Aug 23, 2009 8:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't thinki it will be anymore than 10 mil

And that’s great if he pitches like we all know he can.

"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver

by wrigleyrocker12 on Aug 24, 2009 5:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think he'll seek at least $10 million per year...

And he’s probably going to seek 3-4 years. I’m not sure the team will be able to afford his services after this year.

by SouthernCub on Aug 24, 2009 6:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here’s a trib article on it, simply stating that the Cubs want Harden and Harden likes Chicago. Good to know.

"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver

by wrigleyrocker12 on Aug 24, 2009 10:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That wasn't the take-home I got from that article...

The key to the article is that the Cubs have a very tough decision to make on Harden, and that it will likely cost around $50-60 million (i.e., similar to Dempster’s deal) to retain Harden’s services.

by SouthernCub on Aug 25, 2009 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

True, but...

… I’d make the $60 million contingent on actually starting — say, start at a $30m base and if he meets the incentives (i.e. actually starts 30 games a year), then he gets his $60m.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 25, 2009 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The addiction to free agency needs to stop

Hopefull Tom Ricketts and his newly hired front office team will wean the Cubs off the chronic addiction to over-priced and aging free agents. The Cubs are in need of a massive overhaul. Chone Figgins is a player who depends on his legs. Juan Pierre redux at this stage of career. Dan Uggla sucks.

"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)

by BLou on Aug 23, 2009 1:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I heard this guy would help...

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Aug 23, 2009 2:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

He could actually be a good possibility....

"It's hard to win 97 games, it's hard to win the division. Our attitude is if you get in every year, you get in most of the time, sooner or later you are going to knock that door down." -- Jim Hendry

by EJThunder on Aug 24, 2009 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

AND he'd play HIS position. Not 3B or OF

"It's hard to win 97 games, it's hard to win the division. Our attitude is if you get in every year, you get in most of the time, sooner or later you are going to knock that door down." -- Jim Hendry

by EJThunder on Aug 24, 2009 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

there is only one answer to help

LIND GET IT DON EJIM!

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 Aug 23, 2009 6:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Now he's pricing himself out of the market?

We’re long past that point. Uggla is a DFA candidate, and frankly, I think it’s a given. If you can do something with him at under $3 million annually, maybe. But he’s a declining bat, a sub-par defender, and a wildly overrated slugger. I’d just as soon the Cubs shop someplace else this off-season.

by Damen Jackson on Aug 24, 2009 12:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

There's Orlando Hudson

but I really don’t want to sign a MI FA to a long term deal with Castro and Lee coming up the system. Heck, I wouldn’t mind sticking Darwin Barney at SS next season and moving Theriot over the 2b where he belongs.

by Josh77 on Aug 24, 2009 5:03 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

I'm really fine with Baker at 2B and Theriot at SS.

Barney might make a fine backup — he’s got to be better than Aaron Miles.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 24, 2009 5:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I actually think Baker/Fontenot is fine at 2B...

With Fontenot only playing against selected RHP (no LHP). I definitely don’t think the free agent alternatives are enough of an upgrade. And I’d be fine with Blanco/Barney as the defensive sub for SS.

With the payroll as high as it already is, we’re going to need to find inexpensive solutions at several spots. Theriot at SS, (hopefully a better version of) Soto at C, and Baker/Fontenot at 2B are the only places we can go cheap.

by SouthernCub on Aug 24, 2009 6:15 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I've always been a big Fontenot booster...

…but what makes you think Mike will rebound adequately next season? He appears to be spiraling toward a truly awful season – his overall OPS is .667 and that includes a .684 OPS vs. RHP (304 PA).

I’m not necessarily disagreeing with you, just curious about your thoughts. I’d love to read something optimistic about LBR.

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 Aug 25, 2009 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, I'm not really that optimistic about Fontenot...

but I’m hoping that a reduced role next year would help. The reason I include him is because Baker has had some troubles with RHP in his career (kills LHP), and Fontenot has had some success against RHP.

I just don’t see any free agents at 2B worth the extra several million to replace Baker/Fontenot.

by SouthernCub on Aug 25, 2009 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Damnit, I wanted something optimistic!

Kidding, of course. Maybe Fontenot just needs to write off this season and reboot for next year. I still wonder how much getting thrown into the fire at third base hurt his concentration and confidence. I know, I know – no excuses. But it couldn’t have helped. With Baker and Fox presumably on board, I would think that won’t be an issue next season.

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 Aug 25, 2009 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How far off are Castro and Lee in your opinion?

by Pat19 on Aug 24, 2009 11:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, no one else has said it so I will:

Why bother with Dan Uggla when we have Jake Fox? Is there any traction to the idea that the Cubs may convert Jake to a second baseman over the off-season?

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 Aug 25, 2009 11:05 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs