Cubs Have Interest In Varitek And Wakefield

According to Phil Rogers, anyway. Theo & Jed creating "Red Sox West"? I think both these guys are pretty old and maybe past the point of being able to help.

5 months ago Al Yellon 66 comments 0 recs |

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Hope the Cubs have a good Life insurance policy

by El Borto on Dec 14, 2011 11:48 AM CST reply actions

Varitek

About the only way I would support that is if they could trade Soto, with Castillo or Clevenger competing for the #1 job.

Eamus Ursuli!

by WGNstatic on Dec 14, 2011 11:54 AM CST reply actions

THEY'RE GOOD CLUBHOUSE GUYS. THEY HAVE INTANGIBLES.

Nope, even typing that in all caps still didn’t make me want them either.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Dec 14, 2011 11:58 AM CST reply actions

Some good clubhouse guys are worth having.

Even if these guys are, no.

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by Al Yellon on Dec 14, 2011 11:59 AM CST up reply actions

You took the bait, Al.

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

by dtpollitt on Dec 14, 2011 12:02 PM CST up reply actions

I wouldn't mind Wakefield

Not for his Clubhouse presence but because I’d rather watch a knuckleballer every 5th day as opposed to the merry-go-round of lopez and a bunch of other retreads

by doofus cubs guy on Dec 14, 2011 12:05 PM CST up reply actions

There is a certain edge-of-your-seat thrill

…to watching a knuckleballer work. But I’d sign Wakefield only to a minor league deal to be the team’s…I dunno…seventh or eighth starter. And somehow I don’t see him wanting to start the season in Iowa waiting around for our rotation to collapse.

"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach

by daver on Dec 14, 2011 12:15 PM CST up reply actions

Who was the last Cubs knuckleballer?

Joe Niekro?

by Josh Timmers on Dec 14, 2011 12:30 PM CST up reply actions

I'm tempted to say Justin Berg...

…but he just looked like he was throwing a knuckleball. Niekro sounds like a good guess to me.

"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach

by daver on Dec 14, 2011 12:35 PM CST up reply actions

Here's a list of knuckleball pitchers

And it’s from Wikipedia, so it has to be accurate.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_knuckleball_pitchers

Looks like Hoyt Wilhelm is actually the last one. He pitched for the Cubs in 1970, one year after Niekro was traded.

@Frustrated_Fan

by Jody Jody Davis on Dec 14, 2011 12:52 PM CST up reply actions

Ha.

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

by elgato on Dec 14, 2011 1:19 PM CST up reply actions

Sigh.

Yes, I did. Gotta stop doing that.

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by Al Yellon on Dec 14, 2011 12:18 PM CST up reply actions

Somebody should make a bait .gif

Just so it’s more obvious for people.

by Arbusto on Dec 14, 2011 12:24 PM CST up reply actions

---

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Cubs win....what a lucky break!!" ---Harry

by Hammer on Dec 14, 2011 1:57 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

I'd worry if this were anyone besides Uncle Phil.

And I thought Wakefield was going to retire after getting his 200 win…? Looking at Varitek’s last few seasons, I really don’t see what he has to offer. Not sure he’d even qualify as a “big bat” off the bench at this point. No thanks to both.

"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach

by daver on Dec 14, 2011 12:06 PM CST reply actions

Tek isn't a big bat, but he is a .725 OPS backup catcher who may work for Koyie-type money.

Still… I mean, he’s going to be 40. Can he possibly still catch?

MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown

by D98 on Dec 14, 2011 2:11 PM CST up reply actions

Y'know, I was gonna say...

…he almost profiles like an older Koyie Hill (switch-hitting backup catcher) who can hit a little better (can’t everyone?). But it seems pretty doubtful the little more offense he’d provide would offset his inability to throw out runners and general agedness.

Fangraphs addresses the matter here.

"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach

by daver on Dec 14, 2011 2:19 PM CST up reply actions

I have to think Rogers is smoking some good dope

Can you imagine Wakefield coming up to bat? What is he like 75 now?

by Nunyabidness on Dec 14, 2011 12:10 PM CST reply actions

Ugh, hadn't thought of that.

And you were only 30 years off — he’s 45 now, will turn 46 in August.

"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach

by daver on Dec 14, 2011 12:17 PM CST up reply actions

I think he's 75 and there's nothing you can say to convince me otherwise

by Nunyabidness on Dec 14, 2011 12:18 PM CST up reply actions

Wakefield was a rookie with the 1992 Pirates.

One of his teammates was Bob Walk.

Who retired the next year.

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by Al Yellon on Dec 14, 2011 12:20 PM CST up reply actions

Bob Walk is also 75

by Nunyabidness on Dec 14, 2011 12:24 PM CST up reply actions

At least.

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by Al Yellon on Dec 14, 2011 1:13 PM CST up reply actions

Wakefield...

… got a hit in 2009, and drew a walk in 2010. That makes him about as good a hitter as Matt Garza.

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by Al Yellon on Dec 14, 2011 12:18 PM CST up reply actions

And

Koyie Hill

by John916 on Dec 14, 2011 12:24 PM CST up reply actions

Are you serious?

He’s twice the hitter Koyie was.

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

by elgato on Dec 14, 2011 1:21 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah but Tim Wakefield would break a hip running to first

by Nunyabidness on Dec 14, 2011 12:25 PM CST up reply actions

Well, hell, let's just get Pedro, Schilling and Nomar (again)

"It's all in the game, yo"

by Worf on Dec 14, 2011 12:30 PM CST reply actions

Don't forget Kevin Millar (again)!

@Frustrated_Fan

by Jody Jody Davis on Dec 14, 2011 12:34 PM CST up reply actions

Oh, God, not that

Millar was Al’s Adam Lind.

"It's all in the game, yo"

by Worf on Dec 14, 2011 12:36 PM CST up reply actions

Only with fewer exclamation points and capital letters

@Frustrated_Fan

by Jody Jody Davis on Dec 14, 2011 12:37 PM CST up reply actions

Don't forget Manny.

And he’s really available!

"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach

by daver on Dec 14, 2011 12:36 PM CST up reply actions

Oh goodness gracious no.

THEO!

by wrigleyrocker12 on Dec 14, 2011 5:45 PM CST up reply actions

Please

NO! We don’t need any more way over the hill players.

by Swoosie on Dec 14, 2011 1:14 PM CST reply actions

Better than actual Hill (koye) players

The bottom is loaded with nice people, Albert. Only cream and bastards rise

by Doggie Stalker on Dec 14, 2011 2:58 PM CST up reply actions

I don't know

about that. I sure as hell don’t want some 40 somethings on the roster. This ain’t hockey….LOL

by Swoosie on Dec 14, 2011 4:02 PM CST up reply actions

While I am against Wakefield ...

I’m not completely against Varitek (who’s not about to hit his late freaking 40s). I wouldn’t pay him much, but I don’t really see the point in bringing up Clevenger or Castillo and sitting them six days a week.

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

by elgato on Dec 14, 2011 1:22 PM CST reply actions

Number of catcher/seasons in which...

… the catcher was 40 or older and caught 30 or more games, since 1961:

15.

And five of those are Carlton Fisk, a Hall of Famer. Varitek is no Hall of Famer.

Being able to be a suitable backup catcher is not something a player 40 or older can really do. Plus, Varitek suffered a knee injury late last year, from what I understand.

Pass.

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by Al Yellon on Dec 14, 2011 1:35 PM CST up reply actions

How bad was the knee injury?

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

by elgato on Dec 14, 2011 2:14 PM CST up reply actions

Not sure.

But he caught only 9 games in September and hit .077/.200/.192 (2-for-26 with 11 K’s).

I think he’s done.

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by Al Yellon on Dec 14, 2011 2:25 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah. It's possible.

I wouldn’t mind finding a backup catcher — a Henry Blanco type — so Clevenger/Castillo don’t just rot on the bench.

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

by elgato on Dec 14, 2011 3:19 PM CST up reply actions

Kelly Shoppach would have been perfect.

But Ben Cherington got him first.

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by Al Yellon on Dec 14, 2011 3:26 PM CST up reply actions

Also...

… consider that with new management, the new Cubs backup catcher wouldn’t necessarily “rot on the bench” as he might have with Quade/Hendry.

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by Al Yellon on Dec 14, 2011 3:26 PM CST up reply actions

Wait.

That wasn’t necessarily a problem with Quade/Hendry. If anything, Koyie Hill didn’t rot on the bench enough!

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

by elgato on Dec 14, 2011 3:27 PM CST up reply actions

You're assuming

… that a rookie backup would rot on the bench — as when Lou or Quade would not use Beef.

Don’t assume that Sveum would do the same thing.

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by Al Yellon on Dec 14, 2011 4:01 PM CST up reply actions

Lou did the same thing.

I don’t think this particular approach by Quade/Hendry is that unusual.

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

by elgato on Dec 14, 2011 4:14 PM CST up reply actions

I said Lou.

We are under different management now.

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by Al Yellon on Dec 14, 2011 4:23 PM CST up reply actions

Sorry.

Misread.

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

by elgato on Dec 14, 2011 5:05 PM CST up reply actions

Eh, a guy could get 40+ starts backing up Soto.

I think Clevenger profiles more as a backup anyway, so it’d make sense to let him get started.

by Dcr18 on Dec 14, 2011 9:57 PM CST up reply actions

Still

I’d still rather have Carlton Fisk in 2012 than Varitek.

by krummy12 on Dec 14, 2011 2:22 PM CST up reply actions

Ummm...no thanks...

…in other news…1 hr. 17 mins. till the end of the Darvish lottery.

Happy Holidays to all BCBers...be safe.

by Easy Ed on Dec 14, 2011 2:33 PM CST reply actions

Right.

But the Ham Fighters still have four days to accept the bid or not. So it won’t be until early next week until we find out.

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by Al Yellon on Dec 14, 2011 3:12 PM CST up reply actions

don't do this to me, theo

THEOOOOOOOOO (and Hoyer)

by jesus christos on Dec 14, 2011 3:32 PM CST reply actions

The Red Sox thought enough of Veritek to make him captain

something they’ve done very infrequently over the years. He must have some serious mojo in the clubhouse. If they are thinking about bringing Z back, they need a presence to douse any nonsense before it gets started. Plus somebody to be a mentor to the kids.

If TheoJed think he’s recovered enough from his injury to be a serviceable backup catcher and everybody’s on the same page about his role, why wouldn’t this be a good move? On the other hand if he’s done he’s done and with him already on the team the Cubs are in a good position to slide him into a coaching slot?

by patches23 on Dec 14, 2011 5:11 PM CST reply actions

Varitek's probably done

But as for Wakefield, that guy could probably pitch til he’s 60. He wasn’t great last year, but he’s really never been great. He posted a 4.99 FIP last year. His career FIP is 4.72. I wouldn’t mind giving him an invite to spring training as a plan B in case someone gets hurt.

Pat Riley is the devil.

by Poloplaya14 on Dec 14, 2011 5:17 PM CST reply actions

I can buy Wakefield

to some minimal level but then you are faced with who could be his catcher. Has Soto caught a knuckleballer? I doubt it. Could Varitek? Any sentient being knows that answer. Clevenger and Castillo yeah right. I think Phil Rogers graduated from the Sam Smith School of Exaggerated journalism.

by fsw1972 on Dec 14, 2011 9:00 PM CST reply actions

Hm, that's a good point, too.

"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach

by daver on Dec 15, 2011 11:42 AM CST up reply actions

Just No.

In Theo and Jed I trust.

by KS_Cub4Life on Dec 14, 2011 10:29 PM CST reply actions

I wonder if Varitek can speak Japanese.

Might come in handy if the Cubs land Darvish.

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

by BucknerKongCardenal on Dec 14, 2011 10:49 PM CST reply actions

Who'd catch for Wakefield?

I guess that is my biggest question. Are we confident that Soto or his backup would be able to handle a knuckleballer? I agree that Wakefield could probably be a serviceable emergency pitcher, but the thought of watching Geo try to predict where the ball is gonna go is a little cringe-worthy.

by Vance Lawyer on Dec 15, 2011 9:31 AM CST reply actions

IF we Get Darvish, then Varitek wouldnt be a bad idea.

word is Darvish has 7(?!) pitches. Varitek worked with Daisuke in BOS, has a good idea of how to handle a Japanese pitcher with all those pitches. i think he put tape on his fingers, or painted them or something for all the pitches. just a thought.

by MDavis on Dec 15, 2011 10:18 AM CST reply actions

It occurred to me last night...

…that Theo and Jed may have leaked this Varitek/Wakefield rumor as a practical joke. I could actually see Theo laughingly saying to Phil Rogers’ source, “Yeah, tell him we’re going after (pauses to think of two of the oldest players in baseball) Wakefield and Varitek,” and then kicking back to watch the media haze develop while he goes back to the actual deals at hand.

"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach

by daver on Dec 15, 2011 11:47 AM CST reply actions