Who Should Be The Cubs' Sixth Infielder In 2011?
by Al Yellon on Feb 16, 2011 8:01 AM CST
in Chicago Cubs News
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PrintContinuing this series today, let's look at who the Cubs will use as backup infielders this year.
Three of the infield spots are locked down: Carlos Pena at first base, Starlin Castro at shortstop, and Aramis Ramirez at third base. It would seem, at this writing, that second base will be a platoon between Blake DeWitt and Jeff Baker. If we assume that the team is going to carry 12 pitchers again (man, I wish they wouldn't do that), that leaves five outfielders (as we discussed yesterday), two catchers and six infielders. (And if you're waiting for the "catcher" post tomorrow, forget it. There won't be one. We already know who everyone here doesn't want to be the backup catcher.)
So who's the sixth infielder? Darwin Barney, who looked real slick in the field and not overmatched at the plate late last year, is the favorite. But do you have someone else you'd rather see in that spot? Barney is the only 40-man roster guy up for this position; the rest are non-roster guys. Jeff Baker, who will platoon at 2B, is also a backup for 3B, and will get some time at 1B this spring. (But probably not much time in RF.)
After the jump, some candidates for this role. Vote in the poll for your choice.
These are, again, listed in alphabetical order.
Darwin Barney: The Purple Evolutionist is an outstanding fielder at both second base and shortstop. Now when was the last time the Cubs really had someone like that who could play both of those positions competently and actually hit a little? No one's expecting Barney to be a great hitter. But he's no Neifi Perez, either. Looks like the Cubs got good value from their 2007 fourth-round pick.
Scott Moore: The former Cub, who was a No. 1 pick (8th overall) of the Tigers in 2002 and the last vestige of the Kyle Farnsworth deal, returns from a couple of years in exile in Baltimore to try to make the team. At 27 he's not really a prospect; his likely role is to play first or third base at Iowa.
Augie Ojeda: Everyone loves Augie, right? He's in camp, most likely, to provide some mentoring for younger infielders. Much as we loved him as a Cub, it's hard to forget or forgive that unbelievable division series he had against the Cubs as a Diamondback in 2007. If he keeps playing after spring training, it'll probably be at Iowa.
Bobby Scales: Seriously, why isn't this guy coaching now instead of playing?
Marquez Smith: One of the guys everyone here loved to put forth as a sleeper after his out-of-nowhere good year in 2010, he's probably also ticketed for Iowa, where he hit .314/.384/.574 in 91 games last year.
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IDK really.
I started liking him in 09 when it seemed like whenever he’d play instead of Soto they’d win-an intangible sort of thing. Then there was an article about him in last year’s annual. I fell for his character and the whole coming back from the injury. I think it’s truly wonderful that he can even play again let alone make the team. So maybe I have a bit of the Florence Nightingale effect. Anyway, once I start liking and respecting someone like that I don’t give up on them easily. I’m a fan of his and will root for him as long as he’s on the team.
Or maybe it’s just to be different.
I don't recall a Cubs Annual last year...
Just a Cubs A… nevermind.
I agree with you
I think he’s a great story.
I think he’s got a great character, and I’d guess that he’s a great clubhouse guy. He certainly always seems to have fronted up when the media were looking for a player to comment on some or other Cubs screw-up. I know he’s not a good player at ML level, but I really don’t like the constant hatred that gets laid on him here.
by Limey Cub Fan Jay on Feb 16, 2011 5:25 PM CST up reply actions
Wild prediction.
Barney has a great spring and moves past Baker on the depth chart. A DeWitt/Barney platoon becomes the game plan for the start of the season.
And as ST winds down, the Cubs struggle to pick between Baker and Ojeda.
Just a feeling I have …
man, if Augie Ojeda is sniffing a roster spot as ST winds down, we're in a lot of trouble
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
I disagree.
We’re talking about the sixth infielder spot. I might not want Augie to make the team, but I don’t think the Cubs are in trouble if he does.
I could live with a Barney/DeWitt platoon.
But then, who’s your backup SS? Ojeda? I don’t think the Cubs want that. Baker did well in the leadoff spot and he kills LHP. Unless he has an awful spring, I think he’s on the team.
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This is all contingent on Barney having a monster spring.
In which case, he could lead off against lefties.
I didn’t hedge it as a ‘wild prediction’ for no reason. :)
Incredibly small sample size Al
“Baker did well in the leadoff spot”
He played eight games there. He absolutely DID do well there, but it’s not like there’s enough to say he can continue to.
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
Not sure I totally understand the question here.
Why would Barney being in the platoon prevent him from still being the back-up SS? That’s a spot we’re figuring for, what, a dozen starts and some mop-up innings?
Why wouldn’t Barney just slide to SS while DeWitt (or even Soriano!!!!!!!!!!!) plays 2B for those limited games?
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
Soriano at 2B?
You’re not serious, I hope.
That’s the kind of thinking that got us Aaron Miles. Oh yeah, he can play all the positions. Not.
I’d rather have a traditional backup middle infielder. Barney fits that bill perfectly.
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I certainly was kidding.
Hence the TJ-style exclamation points.
But I still don’t see why Barney couldn’t be in a 2B platoon and still be the back-up at SS.
Refusing to move a guy from his “primary” position is what led to Fontenot playing SS a couple times with Theriot still at 2B.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
Point taken.
I still think I’d like to have him as a regular backup rather than shifting around. Baker would do well in the platoon role, too, IMO.
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Sure.
I think a Baker-DeWitt platoon makes the most sense given the current construction of the Cubs.
I was just thinking that IF Barney pushed his way into a platoon at 2B (presumably at the expense of Baker) that he’d still be the back-up at SS.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
Ya, there isn't a lot of love (or hate for Baker),
but the guy absolutely kills lefties. He should be on the team over the other guys.
Augie slugged .228 last year. His OBP was .245
Yes he may be our sixth infielder, but that means our infield depth (which isn’t impressive right now) is even worse. We aren’t in trouble if you’re conceding that we have zero shot of even posting a winning record, but Augie Ojeda breaking camp with this team means the team is in bad shape.
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
Augie fan here
I think he deserves a fair shot at a role with the team
"In the book of life, the answers aren't in the back." ~Charles M Schulz
'Last words are for fools who haven't said enough'. - Karl Marx
by Rockkstarr12 on Feb 22, 2011 8:36 PM CST up reply actions
I've been toying with the idea...
…of boldly predicting big things for Barney, too. But I don’t think there could be any contest between Baker and Augie.
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Marquez Smith
He looks like he could be a valuable bat off the bench and lord knows Ramirez is going to need some time off.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=smith-017mar
...
I was more concerned with the valuable bat thing…
Baker hit .326 in the 2nd half of the season
and hit .350 against lefties overall.
Yes he’s absolutely worthless against righties, but he’s definitely a valuable bat off the bench
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
SO can Augie
Augie can play 2B, SS, & 3B
"In the book of life, the answers aren't in the back." ~Charles M Schulz
'Last words are for fools who haven't said enough'. - Karl Marx
by Rockkstarr12 on Feb 23, 2011 8:11 PM CST up reply actions
Site note.
I have had to delete two Pujols posts since last night. We don’t need any more Pujols posts — the whole episode is being discussed at length here. Please post all future Pujols info as a comment there. Thank you.
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No...
… I’m just tired of the list being taken over by Pujols posts.
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You can't fool us
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
"My favorite food is Macaroni and Cheese, from the blue box." Geovany Soto
The question was "who should be the sixth infielder"
The 6th infielder should be Baker. The fifth should be DeWitt and the starter at ss should be M. Young. And Castro at second base.
Agreed.
Let’s trade Soriano for Young straight up and be done with it.
I could really use that ‘rolling my eyes’ emoticon right about now.
...funny
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
"My favorite food is Macaroni and Cheese, from the blue box." Geovany Soto
Barney should be given the first crack at this, as he has the most upside
if he proves that he isnt ready, then send him down and find somebody else. Backup infielders are extremely easy to find, and I promise you that somebody will be available should Barney falter.
Ojeda is injury emergency only-he should only get called up if one of the infielders has a short (15 day) stint on the disabled list. Then he can battle Scales to be a September callup:)
ask not what the Cubs can do for you - ask what you can do for the Cubs.
While I say that backup infielders are extemely easy to find, Jim Hendry clearly disagrees with me
on 2 seperate occasions in the past 5 years, JH has signed a utitility infielder to a 2 year $5 million contract. Sorry for reminding you. Let’s hope JH finally learned his lesson:there is no need to give utility infielders big money, as they are really easy to find.
ask not what the Cubs can do for you - ask what you can do for the Cubs.
by holy mackeral on Feb 16, 2011 8:58 AM CST up reply actions
The Cubs are still looking for a veteran middle infielder, according to reports.
Bruce Levine said as much yesterday on ESPN 1000, according to CCO, http://chicagocubsonline.com/archives/2011/02/cubsspring21611.php#more
And Orlando Cabrera’s name was dropped again. Hmmm.
I hate to burst your bubble.
And I don’t want to get into another “Bruce Levine quote pissing match” with you.
But Orlando Cabrera has signed with the Indians. All that’s missing is a physical, which if he doesn’t pass for Cleveland, why would you want him?
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I never said I wanted Cabrera.
But, yeah, Levine was off-base there.
OK, let's talk seriously, then.
What other “veteran middle infielders” are out there and available — and better than what the Cubs can get out of Darwin Barney?
I can’t think of anyone.
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Again, I'm not advocating.
I’m just repeating. As noted above, I’m a Barney fan.
When I was little I called Barney 'BarBar'
I had Barney everything back then
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
"My favorite food is Macaroni and Cheese, from the blue box." Geovany Soto
My kids were Barney and Baby Bop
for Halloween one year.
by katie casey on Feb 16, 2011 10:29 AM CST up reply actions
Phew. What a relief. Hadn't heard that.
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Three words: Bobby Leon Scales
I think Hendry should take back his non-roster invite to Scales for spring training and sign him as a free agent at two years for $5 Million. It makes so much sense it’s probably already happened.
And bring back Les Walrond too!
3 years for $8million and a NTC should get him back from Japan!
"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray
If Barney's time
in camp Colvin produce a little more pop in his bat, it will really help the club. It might make keeping Ojeda as a utility infield defender more defensible, since we’d have a little more offense in the infield.
Even though this doesn’t include catchers, Max Ramirez really should be the backup. Besides being having a better bat and infinitely more upside than Hill (who doesn’t do anything well, other than the nebulous “call a game well” that isn’t really measureable), he’s played first, third and catcher in the minors. Always nice to have some versatility from your backup catcher in the NL.
DEJESUS!!!
Barney
Assuming he has a good Spring. I saw him in Des Moines a few times, and he is a very capable defender at SS. He can play multiple positions, and he has some grit to him. Not blazing fast, but he is a smart baserunner. I don’t think his sample size at the MLB level showed this. I think Baker is a lock because of his ability to passably play back-up 1b, and 3b.
The final spot should be Barney’s. Young and cheap. If he doesn’t work out, and I think he will, Augie Ojeda will be down in Des Moines awaiting a call.
Since the Cubs seem to be in the mood this spring to try "creative" things...
They could go with just 4 “real” OF and keep 7 IF.
Again, advocating the OF “rotation”… if you really “stick to it”, you don’t need a 5th OF. Baker could be that 5th OF with a ‘break glass only in case of emergency’ tag. There’s no reason our 4 primary OFs couldn’t take, well, ALL the OF innings.
Then you could keep DeWitt, Baker, Barney, and Smith.
I don’t know if it is the best viable long-term solution… just an idea. Which, I figure, is what the time before these players even officially report is for.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
What they should do is
7 IF and 5 OF
but that would mean only 11 pitchers…which they won’t do.
"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray
Completely agree.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
I just kind of figured there was some baseball bylaw
requiring the Cubs to carry 12 pitchers as punishment from Selig. Huh.. 11 pitchers? What a novel idea.
thats why we need more relievers who can play the OF
like Marshall
Chronologically inept since 2060
Q: Why did Chuck Norris cross the road?
A: Ditka
Ditka's mustache can block a Chuck Norris round house
agreed
"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray
"Much as we loved him as a Cub, it's hard to forget or forgive that unbelievable division series he had against the Cubs as a Diamondback in 2007."
Jesus Christ Al. Augie, the 84 Padres, anyone anywhere. Everyone’s done something to hurt you. Get over it.
Yes'm
by OrangeGore on Feb 16, 2011 11:43 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
I note you rarely say anything here except to slam me.
That was mostly tongue in cheek. Sorry you didn’t get the joke.
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Orange-
What’s up with the hosility? It’s Als “house” and he often (well, pretty often) employs sarcasm… As a Cubs Fan, I can tellya that we remember those teams and players that “stung”… I vividly recall Garveys “white glove antics”…its just human nature my friend.
I didn't understand the "white-collar Cub fans", "blue-collar Sox fans" until much later in life. Harry Smith~ "For Cubs Fans Only".
My vote's for Albert Pujols
His glove might be a little stretched at second base and shortstop, but he’ll make up for it with his bat. :-)
(Get used to a whole year of that.)
and he could play backup catcher too
leaving room for 13 pitchers. Git er done, Jim!
"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray
The only down side
Who would platoon with Albert at 2nd? We all know how much the Cubs love the platoon situation there. Hee Hee Hee
"The standard is the standard" Mike Tomlin
He did used to be a third baseman...
…. hmmm….
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Corner outfield as well
He could just become the entire bench allowing us to carry 13 pitchers. You can never have too much pitching right?
by Wrecks Grossman on Feb 16, 2011 9:15 PM CST up reply actions
he can fill the DeRosa void?
Chronologically inept since 2060
Q: Why did Chuck Norris cross the road?
A: Ditka
Ditka's mustache can block a Chuck Norris round house
Big shoes to fill
Hopefully Albert could at least partially fill that void.
by Wrecks Grossman on Feb 17, 2011 12:37 AM CST up reply actions
Then we can trade him to Cleveland and get three prospects
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Feb 17, 2011 7:39 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Now that's not nice.
You almost made me spit Diet Coke all over my monitor.
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LMAO well played
but only in the last year of the contract
Chronologically inept since 2060
Q: Why did Chuck Norris cross the road?
A: Ditka
Ditka's mustache can block a Chuck Norris round house
its got to be barney or smith
but i think smith has more upside. but do you want the guy with higher upside sitting on the bench for most of the year? no. so the edge goes to barney, but if ramirez gets hurt again (which means our season is over) i think you have to strongly consider starting smith at 3rd for the rest of the year. hes already 26 so he should get to the majors fairly soon
Barney will probably get it
But I would not be surprised if Ojeda impresses some people during Spring Training. The guy has always felt like he wanted to prove himself to the Cubs after leaving the team. He certainly proved it during the 2007 playoffs….
Colvin took grounders at first today
First infield practice that I’ve seen. Colvin and Lahair split time at first. Mostly young guys here. Augie was only real if vet.
fwiw…lots of buzz here about Byrd…who showed up today…and his turn on HBO last night (re his relationship w Victor conte). Every reporter I saw here was doing stand-up re Byrd.
by JCD on Feb 16, 2011 1:51 PM CST via mobile reply actions
My favorite thing about Darwin is
For each Darwin Barney AB I can pretend like it is a vote for or against evolution.
That way if he gets a hit then Science wins and if he gets an out then I can quote scripture!
That is what is called a WIN WIN!
Definitive Answers to Impossible Questions What baseball team did A. Lincoln support?
What if...
he reaches base on an error?
by Limey Cub Fan Jay on Feb 16, 2011 5:01 PM CST up reply actions
I offer a cheap 6th infielder to all
ballhawk, sure he is not used to fielding grounders, but he lives nearby (no need to pay him to move) and he can adjust i am sure. he also can assist his fellow teammates with ideas for good eateries near by, and directions to and from local establishments (bringing additional revenue to the neighborhood). he also would be available to chase down batting practice balls happily. I also believe with his great knees he could possibly reenact a Kirk Gibson home run trot, even if it was on an off day and no bat or ball were involved ala Major League.
Chronologically inept since 2060
Q: Why did Chuck Norris cross the road?
A: Ditka
Ditka's mustache can block a Chuck Norris round house
Sorry CT, but I gotta draw the line here.
I am not an infielder. Well, okay, I did play 1B, but that was only because the “book” says your 1B should be left-handed because it’s easier to make the other throws. Didn’t like it though. Give me the outfield grass any day of the week and twice on Saturday.
I like the Kirk Gibson part though. All I’d need is about a 50 mph wind blowing out to right and I just might be able to hit one out.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
just wait until Al posts a poll for the 17th coach on the staff........
after all who better to work with the lefties than you, right?
Chronologically inept since 2060
Q: Why did Chuck Norris cross the road?
A: Ditka
Ditka's mustache can block a Chuck Norris round house
Eh.
I dunno if that’s “dumb” or “I want to screw around with the poll results”.
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186 votes between Scales and Augie says
it’s the latter…
students with big families
Chronologically inept since 2060
Q: Why did Chuck Norris cross the road?
A: Ditka
Ditka's mustache can block a Chuck Norris round house
Augie DOES still have fans...hello!
"In the book of life, the answers aren't in the back." ~Charles M Schulz
'Last words are for fools who haven't said enough'. - Karl Marx
by Rockkstarr12 on Feb 23, 2011 8:14 PM CST up reply actions
Marquez Smith another Clemson connection
I recently graduated from Clemson University and remember watching our 2006 ACC Championship baseball squad week in and week out. Tyler Colvin was in left field and Marquez Smith took the field at third base. The two are former college teammates and Smith’s addition to the team would make him the third former Clemson player to be playing for the Cubs (the other being Jeff Baker).
This isn’t a new type of experiment for the Cubs, what with Mike Fontenot and Ryan Theriot filling up the middle infield like old times for the LSU Tigers. Same mascot, different school. But whenever Marquez Smith makes it to the big leagues, I can honestly say that he will be adding one heck of a bat to the lineup. His glove is suspect at times, but he can certainly rake when he’s at the plate.
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