Start Jeff Baker at 3B

by MSKaldahl on Oct 18, 2011 10:20 PM CDT

With all the issues the Cubs are going to have with the pitching I think saving money and letting Jeff Baker start everyday at 3B is the way to go. This saves us from wasting millions on the A-Ram's to put towards pitching. I also can see Jeff Baker being a 20+ hr guy when given a everyday job. We all know he can hit lefties but I am betting he would be okay with constant playing time. Everytime he seems to get constant playing time he hits. The goal this offseason needs to be pitching and getting rid of two anchors ( Soriano and Z ).

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.

Tweet Comment 55 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

3 homers last year in 200 ab

0 against rhp. pass

by zach katz on Oct 18, 2011 10:32 PM CDT reply actions

No.

More no.

Help bring Boys of Spring The Movie to life!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1742828131/boys-of-spring-the-movie

by BeerCub on Oct 18, 2011 10:42 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

And more no.

John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.

by rlpete on Oct 18, 2011 10:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Lets just give a little more...... NO

"God watches over drunks and third baseman."- Leo Durocher

by BelieveinBlue2314 on Oct 18, 2011 11:17 PM CDT up reply actions

I see your NO and raise you a HELL NO

R.I.P. Dan Wheldon 1978-2011

by Easy Ed on Oct 19, 2011 1:10 AM CDT up reply actions

Better yet

OH HELL NO

by ZeoBandit on Oct 19, 2011 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions

I love rock and roll and disco

won’t you save me from Jeff Baker.

by jpeters407 on Oct 19, 2011 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't think so

The Rockies gave him a couple chances at regular time and it didn’t work. He’s a platoon bat. Plus the D is not much of an improvement.

I am starting to think more about moving Marshall to the rotation if he wants to try it again. I know he is a strength in the bullpen but there’s a couple of decent FA options who would be far cheaper than any starter on the market, plus Russell was really good out of the pen last year. Could solve a problem and save $.

The sun is up. They sky is blue. It's beautiful, and so are you. Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play? ~Lennon & McCartney

by SouthWabashSoul on Oct 18, 2011 10:44 PM CDT reply actions

Second Marshall to the rotation.

There is little to be lost if Marshall fails in the rotation, but a lot to be gained if he can translate his relief success to starting.

by neifiisgreat on Oct 19, 2011 8:04 AM CDT up reply actions

nope

THEOOOOOOOOO

by jesus christos on Oct 18, 2011 10:46 PM CDT reply actions

FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE DUGOUT

http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2011/10/18/2499351/fun-things-to-do-in-the-dugout

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Oct 18, 2011 10:55 PM CDT reply actions

Seriously?

Dear Great Pumpkin, I am looking forward to your arrival on Halloween Night. I hope you will bring me lots of presents.

by katie casey on Oct 19, 2011 8:04 AM CDT up reply actions

He'd be freakin' awesome starting at 3b

If every starter against the Cubs next season were lefties.

Am I the only one flagging this guy?
Seriously, do we have to wait for the money shot or a "F*** THE SOXXXXXX!" before we ban him? Doubleteapot… BAN HIM!!

by AlohaSox on Sep 28, 2011 10:20 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Oct 18, 2011 10:58 PM CDT reply actions

SandalsNoPants, eh?

What about socks? Are you wearing socks with those sandals?

Baseball is pitching, offensive production, baserunning and defense.

by daver on Oct 19, 2011 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions

That's a fashion no-no

Am I the only one flagging this guy?
Seriously, do we have to wait for the money shot or a "F*** THE SOXXXXXX!" before we ban him? Doubleteapot… BAN HIM!!

by AlohaSox on Sep 28, 2011 10:20 PM CDT

by SandalsNoPants on Oct 19, 2011 5:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Umm... Lets just save my horrible comment

No, unless of course we are playing LHP all year and then sure why not…

"God watches over drunks and third baseman."- Leo Durocher

by BelieveinBlue2314 on Oct 18, 2011 11:15 PM CDT reply actions

If Flaherty doesn't get dealt,

let him compete for time against RHP.

I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.

by timh815 on Oct 19, 2011 4:36 AM CDT reply actions

Thank you

I’ve been touting the Baker/Flaherty 3B platoon for some time now. It wouldn’t likely match Aramis’s offensive production, but it would make up for it by being better defensively. And there is the little fact that it would free up around $14 million or so for starting pitching (looking at you, Yu Darvish) and would allow Theo to work his compensation draft pick magic and help out the farm. I’m 100% behind this.

by RynoRooter on Oct 19, 2011 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm confused.

How is $14 million going to pay for Yu Darvish? Isn’t there going to be a $50 million posting fee (or something like that)?

Baseball is pitching, offensive production, baserunning and defense.

by daver on Oct 19, 2011 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions

I wonder about that.

Teams might be leery after the Matsuzaka posting debacle.

Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation

by Al Yellon on Oct 19, 2011 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions

What debacle are you talking about?

I honestly don’t remember any debacles at all. The Sawx paid $51 million or so for the rights to offer Dice-K a contract via the “silent auction” of the posting process. He then signed a very reasonable 6 year, $52 million deal. Dice-K then gave Boston 2 very solid years, 1 decent year, and 2 injury-plagued years since then. Fangraphs has him at 10.6 WAR during that time, while BR has him at 9.6. Even at BR’s total, he has been worth approximately $43.2 million so far, despite being injured.

And Darvish is a vastly superior prospect to Dice-K.

by RynoRooter on Oct 19, 2011 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes, but the Red Sox haven't paid only $52 million.

They paid $103 million. You can’t ignore that, even though that wasn’t part of Matsuzaka’s contract.

Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation

by Al Yellon on Oct 19, 2011 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions

And you can't ignore the marketing that Dice-K brought in via the Japanese market

I bet it’s very, very close to being a wash.

by RynoRooter on Oct 25, 2011 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions

And posting lets you

deal-negotiate, not get him. Still want Flaherty in the mix if still around.

I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.

by timh815 on Oct 19, 2011 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions

Posting fee is returned if no agreement is reached

by RynoRooter on Oct 19, 2011 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions

(In Johnny Carson voice): I did not know that.

Weird, wild stuff. Is that why it’s called a “posting fee,” because you post the money but don’t necessarily give it up?

Baseball is pitching, offensive production, baserunning and defense.

by daver on Oct 19, 2011 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions

It all depends on how the posting fee is regarded

The posting fee for Dice-K had zero effect on the payroll for the Red Sox that year. I’m assuming the money was made back through marketing deals or something else. I’m sure Theo would gladly talk to Ricketts on how this was accomplished, and if it would be feasible for Darvish.

The $14 million would likely be around what it would take to sign Darvish. I had read a report that he was looking for a shorter deal that Dice-K signed for. I think a 4 year, $55-60 million would get it done. Thus, the $14 million saved would essentially be Darvish’s salary for 2012.

by RynoRooter on Oct 19, 2011 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Hm, well, $14 a year would seem pretty reasonable...

…assuming Darvish’s talent does translate overseas. But I’m still not sure the Cubs could afford the posting fee, though Theo being involved is an interesting point. Ha, maybe the Cubs started a savings account with all of the marketing money they made off Kosuke and could use that.

Baseball is pitching, offensive production, baserunning and defense.

by daver on Oct 19, 2011 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Have you seen how bad his splits are？

Ugh what an awful idea

by Dcr18 on Oct 19, 2011 6:49 AM CDT reply actions

To be fair, his awesomeness against LHP accounts for half of that split differential.

Baker isn’t an everyday starter, but he’s a useful part on a good team. The guy hits left handed pitching and can play a few spots.

MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown

by D98 on Oct 19, 2011 9:50 AM CDT up reply actions

That's exactly what I meant.

Maybe drastic would be a better word than bad. Awesome vs. lefties, but he hits like a pitcher vs. RHP.

by Dcr18 on Oct 19, 2011 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions

...

Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation

by Al Yellon on Oct 19, 2011 6:57 AM CDT reply actions

If you can see Baker hitting 20HRs, then you are hallucinating

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Oct 19, 2011 7:38 AM CDT reply actions

I applaud

you for offering a post that is fresh and new. Having said that, a resounding no.

Cubs 2011 59-103

by wild bill on Oct 19, 2011 8:48 AM CDT reply actions

No thanks.

by Grockcubs on Oct 19, 2011 9:34 AM CDT reply actions

I'm going to give this a modest 5.0 on the Eric-Hanna-o-Meter.

The OP does write in fairly clear, complete sentences. Capital letters are used appropriately. And his point about the cost savings stands, I suppose. But the 20 home run projections seems far-fetched at best and the notion that “every time he sees constant playing time he hits” begs for some sort of evidence. Oh, and I would respectfully submit that the word “anchor” is humorously misused in the last sentence.

All in all, I do find this a refreshing break from all of the Theo Epstein obsessing as of late. I wouldn’t be too upset if Baker was in the mix for some sort of role next season. A platoon with Flaherty would be interesting. Given how barren the cupboard is for third basemen at this juncture, Baker probably gains a little more value than he might otherwise.

Baseball is pitching, offensive production, baserunning and defense.

by daver on Oct 19, 2011 10:26 AM CDT reply actions

But Quade will have him

play 1B for Prince vs. all LHP.

I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.

by timh815 on Oct 19, 2011 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions

I want to see Jeff Baker play every day at 3B

But only because I want to see the Cubs set a post-dead-ball era record for fewest runs scored by a team in one season.

The Frustrated Fan

by Jody Jody Davis on Oct 19, 2011 11:10 AM CDT reply actions

Terrible, terrible idea.

Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.

by elgato on Oct 19, 2011 4:21 PM CDT reply actions

Can't happen.

We are giving him to the Red Sox in exchange for Theo

"The standard is the standard" Mike Tomlin

by LuvMLB on Oct 19, 2011 4:34 PM CDT reply actions

Yes! The deal is done!

Baseball is pitching, offensive production, baserunning and defense.

by daver on Oct 19, 2011 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm gonna have to pass on this idea.

by sue369 on Oct 19, 2011 4:56 PM CDT reply actions

110 starts by a 3B with a .491 OPS (Baker's against RHP in 2011)

That’s going to work really well……

by ClarkFan on Oct 19, 2011 5:51 PM CDT reply actions

Platoon only

He can’t cut it as a starter. Dewitt actually might be a better internal option for 3rd. “Ducks” He did have a .718 ops as a bench player. “Ducks again”

I would like to see what Flaherty can do. He did really well in double A and had a very good walk to strikeout ratio.

by Mitchener on Oct 19, 2011 7:46 PM CDT reply actions

Defense

I’d like to see the Cubs make defense a priority when considering who is going to start at 3B next year. According to fangraphs, Ramirez has consistently been one of the worst defensive 3B in the league the last 3 years. Also, the Cubs were 26th in defensive efficiency (basically, converting balls in play into outs).
There are no free agents or organizational players who can come close to matching Ramirez’s bat at 3B. But going from a terrible to good defender at 3rd could be worth a couple wins alone, and should help out our young starters.

by AC4508 on Oct 19, 2011 9:47 PM CDT reply actions

"Start Jeff Baker at 3B"

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Guys, hitting is not about muscle. It's simple physics. Calculate the velocity, v, in relation to the trajectory, t, in which g, gravity, of course remains a constant.... It's not complicated. - George Costanza

by troutfishin on Oct 19, 2011 11:26 PM CDT reply actions

Oh there's a sign they'd want to finish last instead of just fifth

pass…

Just win the next game...!

by blackhawk24 on Oct 21, 2011 8:40 AM CDT reply actions

Just what Cub fans need.

To be jealous of who the Astros have starting at 3B.

"I'd rather hit home runs you don't have to run as hard." -- Dave Kingman

by BucknerKongCardenal on Oct 21, 2011 11:16 PM CDT reply actions

You're kidding, right?

"They sell every ticket to every game, win or lose!" - Tom Ricketts

by bluemagic9 on Oct 21, 2011 11:43 PM CDT reply actions

if we

dont keep ramirez i still say no but we might have to.i still say move castro to 3rd.looks like the hot hot corner might be turning into a black hole again.like it or not aramis has been our best player.

by NOMAR on Oct 22, 2011 7:52 AM CDT reply actions

I always hear moving castro to 3rd why not 2nd?

It allows castro to use him range more and cut down his wild throws.

by Mitchener on Oct 22, 2011 7:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Unless you have power and production at all your other corner positions...

…I would move Starlin to 3rd, until then…no way.

by troutfishin on Oct 22, 2011 8:12 PM CDT up reply actions

No reason to move Castro at all at this point

if they got a better SS, sure, then move Castro to 2B, but that would be the only scenario.

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Oct 23, 2011 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions 4 recs

Barney may be a better fielding SS, but Castro is better with the bat

Not sure how that balances out. But one of Theo’s priorities should be to have Castro spend time in Mesa this winter working on his throwing mechanics.

by ClarkFan on Oct 24, 2011 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Barney might be a bit better in some defensive areas at this time

but only those who assume Castro is incapable of improving defensively think Castro should be moved. Barney ceiling is quite low, whereas Castro’s is sky high.

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Oct 25, 2011 7:39 AM CDT up reply actions