Time to give Bryan LaHair a Look?
LaHair is tearing up the PCL, over 1.1 OPS. http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=445933. He's 28 years old, and has only gotten a brief cup of coffee with Seattle in '08. There must be some reason why the wise guys have doubts about ability to be a major league 1B man. But why not give him a long look now to see if he can cut it. If he can, he is the starting 1B next year. If he can't, then resigning Pena may be the best move. This of course, assumes the Cubs are not aggressive bidders for Fielder or Pujols.
11 months ago
perseman
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I would be fine with it...But Pena sadly is one of our best players...if he is traded then he should be up....
He can play the OF as well. But the contracts will keep the kids from playing out there too much.
LaHair is closer to 30 than 20.
by SenorGato on Jul 6, 2011 12:58 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
So what? Soriano is closer to 50 and he sucks
by TJ11 on Jul 6, 2011 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Not this again.
Soriano is 35. Period.
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ok...Soriano is closer to 35 and he sucks
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 6, 2011 3:44 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Really?
He’s one of our best hitters. Who should play left? Reed Johnson? Lou Montanez? Colvin is the only CLOSE TO justified answer.
never forget...
1.7%
anything is possible...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 7, 2011 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions
Dignifying TJ's posts with a serious response is a waste of time.
Hack trolls be hacks.
Soriano is NOT one of best hitters....He is a hack hitter who lives off his two hot streaks a year....
also NOT a clutch hitter……Is anyone except for the Sheep Group excited when he bats in a clutch situation?
Uuuuuummmmm
You’re talking about playing a “kid” in LaHair. At LaHair’s age Soriano was a three time all star, a ROTY finalist, and the main piece in a package for the then best player in the game not named Bonds.
by SenorGato on Jul 6, 2011 3:50 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Quit making dumb suggestions to better the team and then turning around and whining
about how they’re bad. LaHair is not a kid, and he’s not part of the future. Hack.
Your right! Soriano is a great player who always gives 100%!!!!!!
his spot in the lineup should always be secured based on his stats from 2005!!!!!
I hear that was a good year for Kool Aid!!!!!!! Drink up Cubbie sheep!!!!
Tom Ricketts approves of SenorGato!!!!
No I'm right in that LaHair is not a kid.
Hack troll is hack.
Sorry Al, someone’s got to call him on his utter worthlessness as a poster. Look at where pointing out that LaHair is not a kid by any stretch of the imagination has taken us…He’s still yet to bring up an actual relevant point for what he said. It’s just his usual trollage…
You know what...
…. you’re the last person who should say “call someone out”.
TJ does performance art as sarcasm. It’s pretty well accepted here.
What’s also clear to me is that you like jumping on other posters, condescending to them, and insulting them when they don’t agree with you.
You need to stop this. I’ve given you way too many last chances.
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by Al Yellon on Jul 7, 2011 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions 6 recs
I pointed out that Bryan LaHair is not a kid, and that he's almost 30.
This is where making that point has taken us.
Al, I think you need to realize TJs act finished awhile ago...
At this point he’s just trolling and heckling posters, I don’t think anyone here really cares for what he does anymore.
by bdlugz on Jul 7, 2011 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions 7 recs
What is more amusing is watching the sheep defenders like you praise everything this team puts forward.
Its amusing to see your predictability!!!
You'd rather have me defend YOU?
Someone who’s pretty much insulted everyone here, including me, and used gratuitous profanity in his posts?
No thanks.
TJ’s act may be stale. But it’s an act. If you don’t like it, just ignore it.
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Maybe your next poll should be regarding whether TJs "act" is appreciated here at all
I think you’d be surprised at the results. And it’s far more than just SG who TJ attacks with this little act, which I don’t actually believe is an act anymore. It was one thing with the annoying over the top sarcasm, but this new phase is already wearing VERY thin.
Like this comment, for example.
This is your only response. Ever. All you say is “Soriano is GREAT!” “Ok, you think that. CUBS ARE WINNING IT ALL TIHS YEAR!” Then you make fun of other for not backing themselves up statistically.
never forget...
1.7%
anything is possible...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 7, 2011 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions
This is an exercise in futility... nothing will be done or said unfortunately.
TJs goal is just to try and get under peoples skin to make them try and prove themselves. He unfortunately thinks that calling anyone a defender of the Cubs, Ricketts, Hendry, Quade, etc is a witty retort to anything, regardless of what the poster actually thinks.
Again...
never forget...
1.7%
anything is possible...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 7, 2011 4:28 PM CDT up reply actions
I appreciated TJ's performance art
but that train left the station a long time ago.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Jul 7, 2011 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Words cannot express my sadness at your comment.....
My whole goal on BCB is to give you and your bretheren SenorGato,Wrigleyrocker12, Drew,Bdlugz. and the many versions of Husker..comfort in your faith that this team is run well and will soon be winning us a championship….
This team is amazing, but course all of you already know that.
Ah, thank you kind Sir.
Your response to one as trivial as myself makes me feel my life has just enough value to not end it all.
I feel warm and fuzzy deep down inside me.
Knowing you speak to a lowly person, such as I, just makes my day better.
Thank you from the bottom of my cold dead heart!!!
I know it must have taken
a lot of patience and fortitude to do that, TJ. I applaud your effort. Like some baseball teams I know, alas, it isn’t enough.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Jul 7, 2011 5:10 PM CDT up reply actions
I have no dreams of you defending me.
Just pointing something I found interesting out.
It’s amazing how it’s not seen how I only call a poster anything after they’ve called me something. I seem to get along perfectly fine with those that discuss the minors/draft/IF, even when we disagree. The way you choose to portray me would leave you to believe I’d be in alot more fights with alot more namecalling. Instead I have sensible conversations with sensible people who make sensible points.
Anyway whatever…you’re the boss here…if TJ is the class of poster you look to have then I guess thats that.
by SenorGato on Jul 7, 2011 2:31 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Performance art as sarcasm?
No.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
If Jim and Mike said they were bringing up LaHair to play you would be all for it....
Whatever they say is gold to SenorGato!
Wouldn't you then hate that they're playing a 29 year old and calling him a kid?
Isn’t that how you operate anyway?
How good are the Cubs in your world? First place. already clinched?
Serious question…..
Whit the Cubs as bad as they are….Would you rather see Soriano play everyday in LF down the stretch or see ANY of the kids get regular playing time?
Lets see if you will answer……
When "the kids" are a bunch of 30 year olds...
I’ll take the former ML All Star and one of three or four hitters in the lineup who offers some kind of power.
None of those players you just listed is a LFer.
Not that you’re one to let facts get in your way…
Not even touching that:
- Given a different situation/topic you’d probably bash Colvin for what he’s done this year. For now, he fits your purpose as someone who should play above Soriano. That’s how you work, and it’s well understood.
- Campana is a speed guy who doesn’t walk and has no power. Sounds like the LF of your dreams.
- Jackson is not a LF. Nor was he healthy just a couple weeks ago.
Soriano is not a LF and the Cubs keep playing him there....
Dewitt
Baker
Are they LF? They play there……Or did you miss this….
So as long as Byrd is on this team Jackson should never come up from the minors….
And Colvin is a BETTER LF than your boy Soriano will ever be.
Try not to worry so much about TJ, SG
He’s been off his meds for quite some time …
by Not Bruce Froemming on Jul 7, 2011 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions
No Kool-Aid, but no arsenic, either
Don’t you ever get tired of this shit?
by Not Bruce Froemming on Jul 7, 2011 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions
He's 28. Won't be 29 until November.
….forget it. He’s rolling.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
by D98 on Jul 7, 2011 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions
As much as you would like it to...
Being 28 instead of 29 in this situation doesn’t help him.
by SenorGato on Jul 7, 2011 2:34 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
i'm just calling you out for fudging the numbers.
You’ve been calling him 29 all day. Then he was 30 there for a while.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
by D98 on Jul 7, 2011 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Its that lack of intellegence thing that holds Gato up...
He needs to get his marching orders from Ricketts and Hendry before he speaks.
Oh no I got the age of a non-prospect who suddenly found a BCB fanbase...
wrong. Somebody sue me for defamation.
Its OK SenorSheep...
Let it go…..
Another question you wont answer….
If they lose 100 games, will you say the Cubs suck?
maybe just once?
Not if they throw out Kid Ramon again!
He’s only 37! Lets see what he can do!
I do not think you will be able to do it....
And I was right….
What will it take for you to say Quade and Hendry to be fired?
110-120 losses? probably not even then.
Not if they start
Kid Montanez out there! Then there’s hope!
Excellent Senor Sheep...!!!!!!!!!!
You prove me correct again!!!!!
I do get used to it, though…..
LOL @ SS
SS?
Call up Kid Ojeda! He’s a better defender! There will be hope!
Who cares about me??
We’re talking about building a winning franchise and a winning team here man! Get the Kids up!!!
Do you think we can land that stud in the making
Scales? I hear the Japanese are trying to take our future away!!11
So true so true...
Kid Montanez has got 32 RBIs in 314 career PAs! The guy can write the book on clutch!
While we’re nailing down the future, why won’t stupid Hendry give the 3B job to that kid Scott Moore? He’s OPS’ing .763 right now. Last year Ramirez OPS’d .745. WTF, right?
You’re the Baseball Man this franchise needs TJ! You see man, you just see!
If the Cubs ae smart here's what the Cubs should do:
1B – LaHair – Just coming into his own at….28….could be the big bat this lineup needs. More clutch than 50 year old Soriano.
2B – Scales – The Japanese are trying to take one of our top prospects, but we’ll get him back by offering him the 2B job. This kid can pick it, and he knows how to win and be clutch! Definitely a better fit than the 50 year old Soriano.
SS – Ojeda – Knows how to pick it better than that stupid guy the Cubs keep throwing out there. They need a REAL SS of the future.
Clutch with some knowledge of how to win.
3B – Tough choice but I went with Scott Moore – Former top prospect is almost 30 and ready to break out! Really a clutch hitter who could outclutch 50 year old Soriano in his sleep.
LF – Brad Snyder – And people say the Cubs don’t find real talent off the scrap heap! This kid can be clutch, and he goes hard.
CF – Tony Campana – His world class speed isn’t aided by his lack of power, patience, or general hitting ability, but man oh man does this kid have a future! One tool stud on the clutch way up!
RF – Lou Montanez – The #3 hitter of the future. This kid has it all, including rare clutch ability. He’s so good he went right after Adrian Gonzalez in the draft!
C – Chris Robinson – Won’t waste our time like stupid Soto or Castillo. Clutch beyond your wildest dreams, especially for a catcher.
- Greg Maddux – On the days he’s not GM’ing us to the top, he’s the ace of the best young staff in baseball.
- - Kid Ramon – The Cubs have been on this kid since he won a LLWS with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Which is Probably Close to Disney Land or World or Whatever. They’ve done their due diligence with him and believe me when I say this kid will make up for Prior folks.
- Kid Dirkxz – One of the most talented arms in the system, and probably all of baseball.
- Jamie Moyer – Returns to Chicago to exact revenge on stuff!
- is not needed.
Closer – Not needed because these Cubs kick it old school. There’s alot of grit and clutch on this pitching staff.
Bullpen – I’m sure Mike Remlinger and Bobby Howry wouldn’t mind coming back and maybe helping out the younger guys on the staff.
Scott Moore is 27.
And no one likes your act.
I know you’ve only been at this “watching baseball” thing for 10 years or so, but sooner or later you’re going to look back and wonder exactly how you managed to hitch your wagon to Jim Hendry and Mike Quade.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
by D98 on Jul 7, 2011 7:44 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Oh formidable one, TJ. You enlighten us all with your words of wisdom.
Please shower us all with your great words and we can celebrate this joyous occasion of you doing so with the “Quade Clap” and the “Colvin K dance”
I really could not possibly care if you like my act.
You being one of the people I’d file under “no one.”
I’ve played baseball my whole life, watched it just as long….and from how our conversations have gone I’ve forgotten more (like the insignificant fact that LaHair is 28 not 29) than you remember.
Enjoy the land of doom and gloom. It sounds so fun. I must be missing out.
by SenorGato on Jul 7, 2011 10:54 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I have three points of fact for you.
1. This community doesn’t care for your viewpoint – at least not how it’s presented.
2. I know more about baseball than you do, and I’ll be right about these arguments more often than you will be.
3. I’m also better at arguing than you are. It’s what I get paid to do. I’m going to pick up on your little strategies, like ever-so-slightly lying about the facts to suit your argument, or changing the argument when you’re proven wrong.
I’m not a doom-and-gloom Cub fan. I go to more games than most. I bring my 4 year old to more games than I should.
I am, however, experienced enough to recognize when the team is making the same set of mistakes for 8 years and counting, and while I’m not an old guy, I am old enough to recognize when someone – or some organization – is stuck in an unhealthy cycle.
In this case, it’s the Cubs under Hendry, and you on this message board.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
by D98 on Jul 7, 2011 11:15 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
You don't care yet here we are...
In argument a billion. Funny how that works. You cling to the fact that I lie about facts because I got LaHair’s age wrong. Keep attacking my character, because you certainly haven’t gotten through in an actual baseball debate. Maybe in your fantasy world where Ted Lilly wasn’t showing decline in his background numbers last year and was a lock to age wonderfully with us or land is a first rounder, or where Garza should have come for free, or Blake Dewitt isnt in the majors, or whatever else we’ve talked about youve handed yourself victory, but mostly in reality
you’ve been wrong.
Anyway, keep talking your crap and putting yourself on whatever mantle you’ve put yourself on. It’s probably enjoyable.
by SenorGato on Jul 8, 2011 12:12 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
All this post does is prove D98's third point.
GM's are in charge of Managers, not the other way around.
You're 22. Where are you playing ball right now?
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
Lol. Off the nuts buddy.
I have no idea why you think I’d care to answer that. I was simply dignifying the twerpy remark that I just got into baseball for some reason. I now regret that because that comment didn’t deserve a response. Oh well…what can be done.
by SenorGato on Jul 8, 2011 12:17 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I'm really tired of your act.
STOP THE INSULTS NOW.
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I am sorry but this is funny
Like an odd reserved rant – I don’t know.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Cubs win....what a lucky break!!" ---Harry
Hoffpauir 2.0
I’m all for trading Pena if there’s a deal to be had. My guess would be that he’d be valuable to someone. That being said, I don’t have much faith in believing that LaHair could be productive at the major league level given his age.
If Colvin is ready both mentally and physically to come back to the major leagues, I’d rather have Colvin get the bulk of play at 1B if Pena is dealt, but if he’s not mentally and physically ready, then have him stay at AAA to build himself up. I don’t want Colvin promoted if he’s just going to struggle. I don’t believe in the theory that developing players should be promoted to the major leagues “to see what he can do”. Timing is important and promoting a guy when he’s not ready could actually stunt his growth when non-promotion could actually improve him long term.
LaHair, however, is 28 and he’s got little left to learn. If Colvin is not ready (and, FWIW, I don’t think he is) might as well give LaHair some time in the sun.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 6, 2011 9:51 AM CDT reply actions
I'm all for giving players a shot.
But I do not want to hear Hoff lines. I still don’t think he was given a fair shake on steady play time everyday in one position to get his game settled in.
I agree
Hoffpauir should have had a fair chance to ride out a few months of everyday play. Wasn’t he blocked by Jacque Jones? Well, he shouldn’t have been.
by Bled Dry on Jul 6, 2011 1:26 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Hoff was blocked by his mediocre talent level.
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Sure.
But that’s not why Hoffpauir was “blocked”. If Hoff had been that good, there likely would have been takers for Lee’s contract after 2008 or 2009. He wasn’t that good.
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Exactly
Hoffpauir was a quintessential AAAA player (otherwise known as Japan).
by Not Bruce Froemming on Jul 6, 2011 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions
No.
What’s the point? He’s 28. Not a prospect. As noted, he’s basically another Hoffpauir.
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I think he's a little better than Hoffpauir
I’m not advocating getting rid of Pena to let him play, but if we trade Pena or he gets hurt, I think he could be passable at first base. And better than Micah Hoffpauir. His numbers in the minors are better than Micah’s were. And he was up in the majors much younger than Hoffpauir.
Again, I’m not predicting great things out of him, but I think he could be closer to Matt Stairs than Micah Hoffpauir. He won’t be as good as Stairs was (he doesn’t make enough contact) but he has significantly more power than Hoffpauir ever did.
by Josh Timmers on Jul 6, 2011 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Stairs also drew a ton of walks.
LaHair’s year at Iowa looks very much like Hoffpauir’s 2008 season there.
Just sayin’.
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Other than
LaHair’s .428 OBP as compared to Hoffpauir’s .393.
LaHair has drawn more twice as many walks as Hoffpauir did that year.
Again, I’m not advocating that we not pursue a big name FA because we’ve got LaHair. I’m just saying I think he’d hit a bit better than Hoffpauir did at the major league level.
Hoffpauir was pretty bad.
So we’d be getting… slightly less bad? No thanks.
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Here's hoping that's our marketing slogan for the second half:
“Slightly less bad!” has a bit of a ring to it, yes?
(truly evil grin)
Why not give him a chance?
Remember McGehee? I’m not saying they are similar, what with the age difference when both were in AAA (LaHair and McGehee). If the Cubs trade Pena why not see how LaHair does? I remember people saying McGehee was horrible and wanted to release him for other minor league filler. Who knows if LaHair will be good at the Major League level. The only way to find out is to promote and play him. With all that being said, I’d only play him if Pena is traded.
McGehee and LaHair are the same age.
McGehee has 1400+ MLB at-bats and 43 MLB home runs.
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Hey!!!
Lahair has 3 MLB HR’s!
Come on Lisa, I'm trying to impress people here. You don't win friends with salad. ~ Homer J. Simpson
by TheBeerBaron on Jul 7, 2011 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions
Three years ago!
We have a match of threes!
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Some have argued that if Stairs had gotten a chance before the age of 28 or 29...
…he would be close to the 450 HR mark putting him in consideration for the HoF. Stairs was a masher when he finally got a chance to play, I would be in favor of LaHair.
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
Say what??
He has a career WAR of 14.3 through parts of 17 seasons…. No matter how you slice it, or how many extra HRs you add on, he wasn’t sniffing the hall.
Don't get wrong, I'm not suggesting he would be a hall of famer...
…I’m saying he would get consideration. If he had played as a regular at the age of 23 his career trajectory would have been similar to Dave Kingman’s.
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
Fair enough... I also don't think Kingman ever had any business being on a ballot either, personally.
Apparently either did the sports writers as he only lasted through one vote.
If they get a good offer for Pena, the team should take it and someone has to play 1B
Why not try LaHair. Not like it is going to cost the team their shot at winning the division and making the postseason. Maybe he will show something and fill a role in 2012 or also get an offer from another team in the offseason.
And even if he's traded, Pena remains an option for 2012 if we whiff on Fielder and Pujols.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
I guess, but I'm not sure if that would be a good move
Nothing against Pena – he has delivered pretty much all that could be expected. But signing him for 2012 would be just another “marking time” kind of move, instead of building for a real contender in the relatively near future.
I’m in the “2012 isn’t looking so good either” group. There just seem to be more holes to fill on this team than can be pursued in one off-season, unless you want to hypothesize a payroll north of $160M. (This is not a Ricketts slam – spending that much would be silly for any Cubs ownership). In that scenario, 2011-2012 signings should be evaluated on how they can help the team in 2103 and beyond. Pena at 1B would be a solid player in 2012, but not add much past 2013.
Pena is as good as he's ever going to be.
He’s on the slippery slope. What can be expected in the future is 25-35 homers, lots of walks and k’s, and a batting average under .250. Not worth Borass money.
If there’s a trade partner, send him on his way and bring up LaHair. He deserves another shot. There’s obviously nothing more for him in AAA. Let’s find out if he’s Hoffpauir II or McGehee II (of the past 2 years, not 2011.)
by Clark Addison on Jul 8, 2011 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm in agreement with the other replies here...
LaHair is 28 and in his 6th season at AAA. His age 24-26 stats are better than Hoffpauir’s, but his age 27-28 stats look very similar.
Not to bash Hoffpauir or anything. But guys who’ve spent that much time in AAA usually don’t amount to much at the MLB level.
Then give him a legit shot on the team if they trade Pena.
And I’m not talking off and on 2 or 3 games a week thing without everyday play. Put him at 1B and keep him there everyday to see what he can do given a illegitimate chance.
There's no point to this.
He’s not part of the team’s future. If they do move Pena, Colvin should be given the 1B job. At least Colvin has a chance to be part of this team’s future.
Starting LaHair would be like starting Ortiz, or Lopez, or Davis, or…
Oh, wait.
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Why does everyone think Colvin will have a future with the team?
Because he was hot last year and now barely scratching .300 OBP with .306 in the same league that LaHair is crushing with an OBP of .428. Just because Colvin is 3 years younger doesn’t mean he’s a better player at the 1B position. LaHair has only started 39 games total for 143PAs in the MLB level at the age of 25. He’s done nothing but improve and refine his game at the AAA where people wanted Colvin to go to get his game back. If it wasn’t for Colvin’s 20HRs last year nobody would even care about him or suggest giving him a chance at 1B.
No, it's not.
He played some 1B in college. Plus, many outfielders wind up at first base.
Colvin is 25 and may still have some upside. LaHair is Micah Hoffpauir again. Been there, done that.
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You are talking 3 years difference in age.
At a position where like you say, many outfielders end up due to age. So far, looking at career numbers INCLUDING minors, Lahair makes for a better 1B than Colvin. Also, I wouldn’t doubt that Franchise played some outfield in high school and college as well.
You're looking at the numbers as if they are immediately translatable to MLB
If LaHair was that good, he’d have had a major league 1B job by now.
Compare his numbers to Hoffpauir’s at Iowa. Pretty similar. Hoffpauir isn’t a major league player, either.
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I look at Colvins career minor league numbers and his MLB numbers...
and just don’t see a future for him with this team. He had a lucky season last year, nothing in his numbers show he should have had that season.
Except age...
a first round pedigree, and even the positive version of scouting reoorts
by SenorGato on Jul 6, 2011 1:02 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
You of all people should know first round picks can flare out.
When it comes to playing other positions age can factor, but we are talking 1B. Where you can see a player play there till 35+ easily. Again, I’m not saying he’s a solution long term at all. But lets give the guy a chance at his natural position for an extended period of time without interruptions like sitting the bench 3-4 days a week. If Colvin is going to be the 1B next year, this team may as well admit defeat and say so.
Your last sentence gets even more true if the 1B is LaHair.
What hitter around the age of 30 suddenly broke out with only one (bad) show in the show? Can you think of one?
by SenorGato on Jul 7, 2011 12:18 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
He just turned 28 this offseason.
I see you had him at 29 above…. LaHair is aging at a remarkable pace during the course of your argument!
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
by D98 on Jul 7, 2011 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions
It's been a rough year for him...
You ever seen the movie Jack? Pretty much explains it…
For someone who spent the entire offseason arguing for the Cubs to trade for Kila Ka'aihue
You sure are down on pretty much the same player in our very own AAA system.
With that said, I was against Kila and am against LaHair as answers, however you really flip flopped on very similar players here.
by bdlugz on Jul 6, 2011 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Why does Colvin have a future?
Because he slugged 500.
never forget...
1.7%
anything is possible...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 6, 2011 5:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Career numbers:
Player A: .251/.312/.421 (394 PA)
Player B: .221/.285/.430 (519 PA)
Player A is Micah Hoffpauir’s career numbers. Player B is Tyler Colvin’s career numbers.
I’m not saying that Colvin’s ceiling is Hoffpauir, but let’s not pretend like Colvin is the next big thing because he was good for a couple of months.
Oh, and Hoffpauir slugged over .500 in 2008 too.
That's totally uncomparable.
Tylers 500+ slg season he had 350+ more at bats. If you are to compare their largest sample size season, Colvin is clearly better, and younger.
never forget...
1.7%
anything is possible...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 6, 2011 8:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Don't forget...
more athletic, versatile, LH, and just all around worth more.
If Pena is traded
And if it’s determined that Colvin would be best served not promoting him now, why not?
I really don’t understand why promoting Colvin if he’s not ready is a good thing for him or the Cubs in the short term or the long term.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 6, 2011 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm not sure how he "is not ready"
When he already produced in a 400 at-bat season.
never forget...
1.7%
anything is possible...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 6, 2011 5:17 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't think he's fully back from the bat thru his pectoral
I have doubts that he has the same strength he did a year ago. I think he needs another Camp Colvin before he’s ready again.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 6, 2011 9:16 PM CDT up reply actions
THERE IS NO POINT TO WHAT???
how do you know what LaHair can do, if he’s not given a chance. Players can come into their own at a later age, it’s happened quite a bit in MLB.
Does Pena have a future with this team? No.
Starting LaHair is like starting Ortiz, Lopez???
WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!!!
I guess I can say I’m glad for the sake of baseball that you’re not running a mlb organization.
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
I wouldn't be starting guys like that, anyway.
Name me five people in the last 20 years that have had a solid MLB career starting after age 28.
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Here's one...
Jose Bautista. He pretty much sucked up until he turned 29. It happens. We better hope some of these guys in the minors, that you think are NOT major leaguers, step it up or this organization is gonna be knee deep in stinky stuff for quite awhile. This team is gonna be pushing 100 losses this year. Pujols OR Fielder won’t wanna come play at Wrigley with the future as grim as you make it out to be.
With the 1st pick in the 2012 Baseball Amateur Draft, the Chicago Cubs select...
OK, that's ONE lightning in a bottle player.
And so you think LaHair is another? Very very unlikely.
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Jayson Werth...
… had over 900 MLB at-bats before he was 28 and hit .259/.352/.430 with 33 home runs.
I’d hardly call that “pathetic”. Great? No. But that performance had an OPS+ of 104 — above average.
Bryan LaHair, in 150 MLB plate appearances, has 3 HR and an OPS+ of 78.
I trust you can see the difference.
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Before he turned 28, at the MLB level,
825 PA / 177 Hits / 25 HRs / 245BA / 333 OBP / 98 OPS+
I could only imagine what LaHair could have done if given that much of a chance. Werth had 5.5 times the PA to get it together.
That's because scouts and Baseball Men liked Werth,
a potential 4+ tool OF.
Al, I can think of 7 guys off the top of my head who had career surges in their late 20's.
Ben Zobrist, Luke Scott, Marlon Byrd, Andres Torres, Garrett Jones, Freddy Sanchez, and Ryan Ludwick.
never forget...
1.7%
anything is possible...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 6, 2011 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Bautista doesn't even work...
He had over 1800 ml abs going into last year and has been playing in the majors since he was 23. He wast very good, but he was hovering near league average alot of the time.
Basically, LaHair is on his 6th season in AAA. Bautista was in his 6th MLB season.
by SenorGato on Jul 7, 2011 2:54 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
If you look at MLEs, there's no reason LaHair couldn't have put up Bautista's line through 28 if he weren't blocked.
Just because a guy was blocked at a position doesn’t mean he couldn’t have put up average to below average major league numbers like these guys mentioned above.
Lee Stevens, Phil Humber (having a great year at the age of 28),
Phil Nevin, Kevin Youkilis, Al Leiter, Herbert Perry, Jack Cust, Ryan Ludwick, Nelson Cruz, Nyjer Morgan.
Now I know that some of these players started before the age of 28 but they did not come into their own from about 27 on up, some didn’t even show progress until after 30.
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
OK, leave the pitchers out of it for now, since we're talking hitters.
Nevin had to reinvent himself after being a jerk for several teams.
Stevens and Perry were never really any good. Morgan had significant MLB time before turning 28.
Cust and Youkilis were thought of as good prospects because of all the walks they drew. Youkilis had over 1200 MLB at-bats by the time he was 28 and 37 home runs. Cruz had 63 home runs in MLB and over 1000 PA by the time he was 28.
That leaves Ludwick. I’ll give you that one.
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No it doesn't just leave Ludwick, sorry.
Lee Stevens had a solid career after the age of 28, he had a five year stretch where he averaged over 20hr and 85rbi. Nevins career as a starter didn’t begin until he was 28 when his career took off(doesn’t matter how much of a jerk he was, he didn’t really get his chance until he turned 28).
Herbert Perry didn’t get a starting spot until he was 30, for almost a 4 year stretch beginning in Tampa then the White Sox then Texas he had what would be considered a pretty solid run.
Jack Cust has had a pretty solid run beginning at the age of 28, except for his strikeout totals, I would be more than happy if LaHair could do that.
Before the age of 28 Nyjer Morgan had appeared in about 80 mlb games, didn’t win a starting job until he was 28.
Matt Stairs is another player that didn’t get a shot until 28, would be nice if LaHair could hit like Stairs in his prime right?
By your criteria you didn’t ask me to find flash in the pans but rather players that had solid careers starting at 28 and beyond. We are not talking about HoF players but every name I mentioned are bonafide mlb players.
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
You wanna talk about small MLB experience?
Ok, how about Garrett Jones? Andres Torres? Luke Scott? You make it seem like 28 year olds rarely break out with good seasons. It happens plenty of times.
never forget...
1.7%
anything is possible...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 6, 2011 10:36 PM CDT up reply actions
I forgot about Scott and Jones....thank you
Goes to show there are plenty of mlb “late bloomers”.
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
I agree.
Luke Scott has averaged 20 homeruns a year and a 500+slugging in the years since he’s turned 28. We’re not saying LaHair is guaranteed to do well, but maybe he is awesome and returns is a top 50 prosepct at the trade deadline next year or something.
never forget...
1.7%
anything is possible...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 7, 2011 9:04 AM CDT up reply actions
That's a very unrealistic goal.
30 year olds do not become top 50 prospects overnight. Luke Scott was a better prospect than LaHair in the minors.
So?
Are you saying you would rather have Felix Pie than Brian LaHair?
never forget...
1.7%
anything is possible...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 7, 2011 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions
Wtf.
I’m saying Bryan LaHair is not going to become a top 50 prospect.
What is with this place…
So if Sorinao was 29 and just coming up you would not play him?
Is that why you are bragging about his stats from a decade ago?
You're saying that Scott did it because he was a prospect.
So since Pie was once a prospect, you would rather have him, right?
never forget...
1.7%
anything is possible...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 7, 2011 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Not one of those guys plays 1B.
LaHair would have to hit out of his mind to be anything of significance in this league. Maybe if age 27 and 28 numbers from the PCL translate directly to the big leagues, but sadly we know it’s not.
by SenorGato on Jul 8, 2011 12:39 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Your analysis is very off.
The fact that those guys took their lumps in re majors speaks of what teams thought of their talent.
The fact that LaHair sat for almost a decade in the minors says alot of what teams think of him.
by SenorGato on Jul 7, 2011 2:57 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
No, the fact that those guys took their lumps in the majors says they had no one better to bring up and no one ahead blocking them.
Nothing more, nothing less.
If LaHairs problem was that he was being blocked then...
Maybe he was beig blocked because he’s not that good? Youd think some ML team would step up and take him off our hands. He’s Kila with more years on him, and not that interesting except in a fun sort of way.
Pretty much every one of those guys was a more interesting prospect/talent. Looking at a 28 year old player locked into 1B defensively who has dominated the PCL at 27 and 28 isn’t going to get you much. Maybe a couple fun games in September if things break right for him.
by SenorGato on Jul 8, 2011 12:33 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
You miss my above argument that I'm not advocating for LaHair to be a starter.
My point is, it’s stupid to dismiss anyone because they are 28 years old. I don’t expect him to be a top prospect, but if the guy is a late bloomer he’s a late bloomer, he wouldn’t be the first and he wont be the last.
He was blocked because he wasn’t as good as DLee, and isn’t as good as Pena. I don’t think anyone here will argue otherwise, but to dismiss him outright is pointless, and to argue for Colvin to play out of position when he’s not hitting well over a guy who is hitting well playing his natural position is kind of over the top.
No one (outside of the OP that I can tell) is saying he has trade value, or will turn into a great 1B, they’re saying he’s a viable stopgap if necessary.
And I guess it says the same with guys like Garrett Jones and Luke Scott, right?
never forget...
1.7%
anything is possible...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 7, 2011 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Scott was drafted at 23.
Made it to the majors in 4 years. Jones might be a good example if he was a first baseman and could hit a bit more than he has since ’09.
by SenorGato on Jul 8, 2011 12:44 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Roy Hobbs!
"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)
Pena may have a future with the Cubs
I still say trade him if you can, but if the Cubs can’t land Fielder, then re-sign Pena next year.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 6, 2011 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Let's go get this guy instead
My guy: .287 /.424 / .512 and an OPS of .936 in AAA, career
Lahair: .298 /.368 / .521 and an OPS of .889 in AAA, career
As you can see, my guy is way better! He… walks slightly more but ok is otherwise identical. And he’s over a year younger! Which is significant. I think.
Plus my guy has this wacky name that everyone would love – Killer Kahlua or something.
OK, so Kila didn't turn out to be anything special
Obviously, I was wrong about him. I don’t think I’m wrong about LaHair.
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What?
LaHair at 28 has no future with the team but you think Kazmir at 27 might?
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
Kazmir is a lefthanded pitcher.
Totally different story. Plus, Kazmir has a record of success at the MLB level.
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Kazmir has shown he can succeed at the MLB level
If not dominate
"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck
Who would you rather start?
Nick Struck is climbing the rankings but really there isn’t anyone other than Coleman who I’d like to see start coming from AAA or even AA. Bringing up McNutt would be a mistake. I’m glad we have these guys for exactly this purpose: Insurance starters. You’re letting Wells and Cashner start and seeing what they can do. Throwing guys who aren’t MLB ready into a MLB game could hurt their development as well as adding people to the 40 man roster which could be dangerous
"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck
Colvin has some swing demons to conquer
Until/unless he can do that, bringing him back to Chicago does no favors to him or the team.
Why is being a bench player not a legit chance?
Should Bryan LaHair ever be given a chance to be the starting 1B for the Yankess or Phillies or the Red Sox? Of course not. He is not good defensively and PCL numbers mean almost nothing especially for a guy his age. There are far too many thin air and hitters paradise ballparks in that league.
That said, he has been reasonably productive at every level in the minors and his limited MLB numbers were not terrrible. He does deserve another shot at the big leagues, but that shot should be as a PH. That is the only reasonable MLB career he is going to have at this point, so if he comes up, I have no problem with him only seeing sporadic playing because he needs to be able to prove that he can get a hit in tough situations with limited opportunities. He needs to prove that he can be the type of player Matt Stairs or Jason Giambi have played the past couple of years. Not sure why people seem to give bench players a negative stigma. Micah was given the proper opportunity to fill the type of role that a player of his caliber should possess, and LaHair should find himself in a similar scenario. I hope he makes the most of it when/if he gets the chance.
Brian LaHair would like to have David McCarty's major league career
Sure, he might turn out to be the forgotten man a la a late 1970s Mike Easler. But that seems highly unlikely.
You’d think if he was a true prospect that somebody would be offering Jim Hendry a deal for him.
It's a simple question, Doctor: would you eat the moon if it were made of ribs??
by Invalid User on Jul 6, 2011 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions
I suppose he could pull a Mike Morse...
Wouldn’t hold my breath for a breakout, but if we can move Pena it wouldn’t hurt to give him a try.
Morse was more highly thought of.
by SenorGato on Jul 6, 2011 1:04 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
There is such a thing as a late bloomer
Exhibit A:http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/ortizda01-bat.shtml
Now I’m not suggesting Bryan LaHair is David Ortiz. But based on what we know, I think it is equally incorrect to merely assume he is Hoffpauir 2.0.
I must confess though, that the real reason I am advocating LaHair being promoted is that I can modify my Pete LaCock jersey——just change four little letters.
Ortiz?
By the time Ortiz was the age LaHair is now, he had hit 130 major league home runs. And been in an All-Star Game, and finished in the top five of MVP voting twice.
Not even close.
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I didn't say Ortiz=LaHair.
I was using Ortiz to say that not every MLB player is fully formed by 23 or 24. I know minor league stats don’t always translate to the major league level. I am old enough to remember my disappointment that Karl Pagel didn’t turn out to be a Hall of Famer. But I am uncomfortable with dismissing LaHair out of hand because he is 28 and has lingered at the triple AAA level. Maybe he is just a 4A player. But would it hurt to give him an extended look on a team that is going nowhere?
That's what I'm saying.
IF Pena gets traded, slot LaHair in for the 1B position for the rest of the season. I’m tired of this “career minor leaguer” stamped on players that have his sort of numbers but are never given a legit chance to play consistently. And I’m not talking about PH for a pitcher or playing 2 or 3 games a week. Slot him in full time, then at the end of the year, you have a solid sample to make judgement. It’s not fair to judge someone who had 39 starts in 2008 at the age of 25 and assume that’s all he can do at the MLB level. Hell, Colvin has 22 games started this year with more than half the PA’s that LaHair had in 2008. Everyone wants Colvin to come back based on last season. How do you know, looking at everything that Colvin’s 2010 wasn’t just a lucky year and that this year is actually how Colvin is supposed to be and LaHair’s was just unlucky in 2008 and his overall stats in the minors show he can be morer?
I have no faith in LaHair amounting to anything but
if you are looking for someone to compare him with Ryan Ludwick would be a better comp than Ortiz.
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
If Pena got traded
I’d rather give the ABs to Colvin. LaHair is Shelly Duncan/Hoff…maybe fun to see them get fifteen minutes I guess. Duncan had a good time when the Yankees called him up.
by SenorGato on Jul 6, 2011 1:07 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Wow.
I agree with you. There is a rift in the firmament.
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You still say this everytime we agree.
It’s funny because it happens more often than I’m sure you or I would care to admit.
by SenorGato on Jul 7, 2011 11:04 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
What if Colvin is not ready?
Why would anyone assume that is a good thing for him or for the Cubs to promote him to get MLB AB’s when he’s not capable of hitting them right now?
Using that logic, why don’t the Cubs just promote that 16 kid they signed? I mean, why not “see what he can do”? If he flames out, then at least we know we shouldn’t waste any development time on him.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 6, 2011 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't have a whole lot of faith in Colvin
But I think you’re argument is actually an argument to give him a shot. He had some success at some point so why not give him a larger sample size to prove one way or the other what type of player he is.
However, I’m just not convinced that Colvin is in a position both mentally and physically that can give the Cubs any indication. I think there’s a good chance that promoting him to have to face MLB pitching is actually a bad thing to do to him and the organization right now.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 6, 2011 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions
That is all I'm saying. If people think Colvin's good year in 2010 is a norm willing to discredit his 2009/2011 numbers, why can't they do that with LaHair.
Colvin wishes he had the minor league numbers LaHair has. Yet, with a small sample size in 39 games started he is already deemed a failure without giving a solid chance to play for an extended period of time. I’m not saying go with LaHair for ‘12. I’m just saying IF Pena is traded, give him the reins and see how he fairs for 2 full months of playing 1B. Maybe he’ll just surprise some people and be a good trade piece. But one thing in my mind is sure. Colvin is not going to be the 1B solution, ever.
We are in 100% agreement regarding LaHair
On Colvin, I give him at least a tiny chance that he might be able to be a productive MLB player, though I don’t have a lot of hope and I don’t think that this year is the year for him to prove it.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 6, 2011 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions
Colvin has new leeway than LaHair because
He’s younger, he’s an actual prospect, he’s a former first rounder, and he’s a much better defensive player.
LaHair wishes he had Colvins major league numbers. Hes a novel idea in a lost season…
by SenorGato on Jul 6, 2011 2:54 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Colvin was given way more of a chance in the MLB to get those numbers.
How is he a better defensive player playing 1B than LaHair? I’m not talking about LaHair playing OF at all. Colvin is a much better OF, but LaHair is a much better 1B than Colvin.
Colvin is a better defender period.
Also, why do you think Colvin got way more of a chance to be an MLB player? There’s a reason.
by SenorGato on Jul 6, 2011 3:56 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
He only made the team in 2010 due to an outstanding spring training.
If he did exactly what he’s doing in AAA nobody would have known who Colvin is yet. Then in 2 years, people like Al would say he’s not part of the future because he’d be 27 or 28.
Colvin has new leeway than LaHair because
He’s younger, he’s an actual prospect, he’s a former first rounder, and he’s a much better defensive player.
LaHair wishes he had Colvins major league numbers. Hes a novel idea in a lost season…
by SenorGato on Jul 6, 2011 2:54 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
137 ABs, 31 K, 4 BB
His plate discipline is shot. It was going at about 1 BB to every 3 K’s the last few years but now it’s off the charts bad. I can’t fathom how this will improve while trying to face MLB pitching and if he is this bad at AAA, he won’t be able to hit at the majors.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 6, 2011 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions
He hit MLB pitching before...
A bad stretch with sporadic abs over some of half a season isn’t exactly significant. Not to mention he played very well in the 2nd half last year.
by SenorGato on Jul 6, 2011 3:00 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
The same can be said about LaHair to a degree.
He had a bad stretch of ABs in 2008 which deemed him a complete failure despite his impressive AAA numbers. You could also look at the reason why LaHair never played before 2008 was that their 1B was making 15MM a year. Hard pill to swallow for any team. Just look how Soriano keeps playing.
Lahairs failures in the majors didn't come with any success.
Certainly not 20 hrs and 56 Rbis worth…
What’s the reason LaHair didn’t get a 1B gig since 08?
by SenorGato on Jul 6, 2011 4:01 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
He slumped. Same reason Colvin is back in AAA right now.
But the thing is, LaHair has done well enough in the AAA to suggest another shot. I don’t know why Colvin would get one this year since he’s playing pretty poorly.
LaHair was never the prospect Colvin was.
Colvin spent time in baseball Americas top 100….he was a first rounder…he’s more athletic…more versatile…better defensive ability….LaHair never had one of those things, and his call up three years ago was probably more due to filling in for injury rather than promoting a top prospect within the system.
by SenorGato on Jul 6, 2011 10:16 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
and it appears that in 10 years
outside of THIS fan base neither player will be worth anything.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Cubs win....what a lucky break!!" ---Harry
If I put my money on one of the two...
it’s not LaHair.
That's fair
But you get my point.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Cubs win....what a lucky break!!" ---Harry
Getting it doesn't mean I agree with it.
Colvin has talent and guys who walk into te big leagues and hit 20 hrs don’t grow on trees.
by SenorGato on Jul 7, 2011 2:36 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
How do you know LaHair won't hit 30 if he isn't given the same chance Colvin had?
Colvin has never put up better numbers in the minors than Lahair. Even if you look and match ages. Colvin comes into Spring training magically putting on 20lbs of muscle over an offseason and hits 20HRs and he’s deemed talented. All I’m saying is IF Pena were to be traded, plug LaHair in as the 1B which is not Colvin’s position. Then if he plays the remainder of the season he’ll have the same amount of time in the MLB Colvin has already had to this point. Maybe LaHair impresses and could be useful somehow. I still don’t get the hate for LaHair here and can only see it being based on age. And please, no more talk about him not being a top prospect. So many fizzle out while many non prospects go on to have decent careers.
Ok and??
You still get my point don’t you??
They of course do not grow on trees – and IMO Colvin will never sniff 20 homers in the bigs again. Spare me the “pedigree, 1st rounder, etc, etc” I’ve heard it already.
Before you go off in whatever direction you are going to – I also would put my money on Colvin over Lahair….because….well….ummm DUH
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Cubs win....what a lucky break!!" ---Harry
I have a belief that
Colvin is not back to the strength level he had in September. I believe that he needs another Camp Colvin and spring training before I’m willing to come to any conclusions.
Obviously, the 20 HR’s are something, but I think it can’t be ignored that after struggling badly in July, he did finish OK.
I don’t have much hope for Colvin mostly because I don’t know what kind of player he is. His stats are all over the board. From a high average guy with not so much pop to a power hitter with low average and now, no power, no average. I’m willing to give him one more shot next spring though.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 7, 2011 3:00 PM CDT up reply actions
No!
Game of Thrones is done, at least for this season.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 7, 2011 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm still not totally sold on it
I think the characters are too easily good or bad. That and the leaping of the story at times just doesn’t seem to move at a consistent pace for me. I often thought to myself that though the story is understandable, the things they leave out would have been good TV and made the story better. I’m in particular referring to the battle scene when Robb Stark split his army into 2,000 and 18,000 men. There was no battle scene. That wasn’t the only time though.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 7, 2011 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Colvin will never hit 20 hrs in the majors again?
Because you say so?
This place continues to blow me mind.
by SenorGato on Jul 7, 2011 3:00 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I hit the gavel,
put my foot down, put on my grand marshall hat and said so.
Sorry for blowing your mind with an opinion.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Cubs win....what a lucky break!!" ---Harry
Draft/prospect status is irrelevant
For every 1st round pick who fails, there’s a much later draft pick who succeeds.
"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)
OK
and LaHair clearly isn’t one of them. Hes a 29 year old who’s had strong seasons in the PCL at 28 and 29…whoopdeedoo.
He's 28, as has been stated dozens of times.
You tend to try and slide incorrect information into your posts to help your point sometimes, eh?
Born in 82...
Which would make him 29 at some point this year. Possibly he was born after July which would put his baseball age is 28, but either way its not helping his case as a prospect.
He will turn 29 at the end of the season.
Colvin will turn 26 then too. 3 years in age isn’t a big deal to me in who fits a position better. LaHair is a better 1B than Colvin. We are not talking about putting LaHair in the OF to play the remainder of the year that would just be silly. Likewise in putting an OF at 1B with only 3 games of professional experience and expect him to handle himself as well as someone who has honed his craft at that position.
3 years isn't a big deal to you...
That’s good to hear. Use it to find a girlfriend. It’s not the same in baseball or sports. One guy is a career minor league with one stop in the show 3 years ago that didn’t go to well. The 26 year old OTOH is a prospect within the system who just hit 20 HRs last year in less than 400 big league PAs.
Colvin handled 1B just fine when they threw him there last year. It’s 1B and he’s a former CF…no one’s asking him to do anything ridiculous here.
Colvin never played any 1B before this year.
Colvin is getting unnecessary hype based on a really hot start to last year then faded as soon as pitchers realized the man can’t hit off speed stuff or take a walk. People keep giving LaHair crap based on his brief stay in 2008 and neglect that Colvin’s 2009+2011 MLB experience is about all that LaHair got. Give the man a shot and he just might impress. Like many have said, he could just be a late bloomer that always succeeded in the minors and never got a shot because people look at the age number. Also, in my eyes, if they aren’t 23 or younger, they aren’t a kid anymore.
I usually silently agree with what SenorGator says.
But on this, he wants to play players based just on age and not rather who plays the position as their job.
First base will not kill Tyler Colvin.
OTOH, alot of MLB ABs for LaHair would probably erase the sudden uprising of fanboys he’s gained on BCB. If he was any good he’d have gotten more than one shot at the majors that he completely bombed at.
The guy struck out 40 times in less than 200 PA and walk away with 7 XBHs and 10 RBI. He’s AT BEST a novel idea in a lost season to maybe give the casual fans out there somebody who’s likable and easy to root for (if he has success).
Why hasn't the sudden bad performance erased Colvin's fanboyism with his inability to walk and not strike out all the time?
You are just hung up on his age. If he was 25 right now like Colvin you’d be raising hell about not giving him a shot. When you reach 28 in your life, just give up like you want everyone to do to a 28 year old. Don’t even bother trying to get better anymore because you aren’t a ‘kid’ anymore.
If he was 25 I would.
Since he’s not, I’m not. And again, Colvin walked in as a rookie last year, took a job through talent, and hit 20 HRs. LaHair has never really shown that type of talent. A great AAA season at age 28 going on 29 is not some sign that a star is being born.
You’ll forget about him soon enough. Thats what happens with most guys like LaHair in this game. I admire his tenacity for lasting so long, and he can certainly get a callup, but at this point any real expectations should be saved for more significant talents.
by SenorGato on Jul 7, 2011 2:44 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
The rate Colvin is going, he won't be back till he's 27 or 28.
By then I fully expect you not to support him because he won’t be that magic 25 years of age. Through out the minors LaHair has out performed Colvin’s stats. I just want him to get a fair chance to play a position he’s skilled for. Not putting a player that has only 3 games of professional experience to take short hops from Ramirez and Castro.
He's not "going on 29." Born in NOVEMBER.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
by D98 on Jul 7, 2011 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions
He'll be 29 this November.
You’d be surprised to hear this but your age changes yearly. He turned 28 last year so this year…
by SenorGato on Jul 7, 2011 3:03 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Duh - he is 3 years younger
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Cubs win....what a lucky break!!" ---Harry
Iunno but I'm certainly more interested in finding that out
than finding out what some 1B who’s been in the minors for a decade can do.
So far,that IS the trend line
And Colvin needs to show he can change his performance. Pedigrees are something people cite to sell slow horses and skinny cattle.
What am I selling when I say
he hit 20 HRs with 56 RBIs and an .800+ OPS over ~375 PAs as a rookie at 25, 4 years after being drafted in the first round.
Colvin is infinitely more interesting moving forward.
by SenorGato on Jul 7, 2011 11:12 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Hack troll is hack.
Jim kept him around in the farm system! Therefore he’s shyte!
Or he faded when a bat chunk stabbed him in the chest.
One of the two.
I’m really not sure you get it…The REASON LaHair only got what combines to be Colvins ’09+’11 is because he’s NOT A PROSPECT. He’s a career minor leaguer having his second very good season in a row in the best offensive league in the minors (by reputation anyway). That’s worthy of a callup, but not consistent ABs or playing time.
LaHair was putting up better numbers in the minors long before Colvin even got a shot.
If it wasn’t for a HOT spring training we wouldn’t have seen Colvin on the Cubs last year starting the season. Colvin was already faded before the bat incident. He has never been a guy that can take a walk and he strikes out too much. People around here are tired of seeing one trick pony’s that don’t walk and strike out too much. Again, look at Colvins minors records for just this year. He is BARELY above 300 OBP and LaHair is sporting a 429 OBP. His slugging is ALSO higher than Colvins facing the same pitching.
And yet no one touted or touts him as a prospect
at all. He’s an organization filler type who’ll get a callup, have some fun, and be quickly forgotten.
by SenorGato on Jul 7, 2011 11:14 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
He will turn 29 in November. Born 11/5/82.
He’s less than three years older than Colvin.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
by D98 on Jul 7, 2011 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions
I see you keep making this point...
Who cares? He’s still got enormous odds against him to be a major league player of any signficance.
by SenorGato on Jul 7, 2011 3:06 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Then why hasn't another team offered up some prospects for him?
Do you really think that Jim Hendry would keep him at AAA if he could move him for two decent prospects? Yet, he’s still there.
It's a simple question, Doctor: would you eat the moon if it were made of ribs??
Why would I even comment?
You still have to fill your minors with players. If you can have a good 1B in AAA ready for someone that gets traded or hurt then you have someone to step up when in need. If they got rid of LaHair for someone else, then their AA 1B(which is 28 and only 6 months younger) would be the 1B at AAA. Sometimes you need to hang onto people even if you don’t have a place to play them in the MLB at the moment.
Agreed
But I don’t think that he is ready now. Personally, I believe that he is still suffering effects from the bat thru his pectoral. I don’t believe he has the strength right now that he did and he is trying to overcompensate. I think this year is lost for him. Let him go back to Camp Colvin and let’s start it up again in Spring Training.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 6, 2011 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions
He has a 3% walk rate in AAA this year
…and when he is making contact it’s not like he’s tearing the cover off the ball.
He will never succeed in the majors as a free swinger, and isn’t going to learn patience at this level.
How is colvin not ready?
The guy just hit 20 HRs as a rookie to go with an .816 OPS and 56 RBIs.
Btw: weak attempt at labeling and then mocking my logic. Colvin is not 16, he’s 26 with almost 400 major league ABs.
by SenorGato on Jul 6, 2011 2:25 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
My point is not the age so much
And it’s not even so much in reference to Colvin. I’m just saying that if a player isn’t ready, he isn’t ready. I’m not convinced that throwing Colvin into a batter’s box against MLB pitching is a good thing for him right now. The “let’s see what he can do” mindset can actually retard and not encourage development.
While I don’t have a lot of hope for Colvin at the MLB level, I’m not willing to write him off. I’d rather take a more pragmatic approach with him. I’d let him sit in AAA and work on some things before he’s promoted to the MLB level and evaluated again.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 6, 2011 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Hes 26 with 400 MLB abs...
This is not the same as “let’s see what he can dO.” LaHair is a “lets see what he can do” type.
by SenorGato on Jul 6, 2011 3:02 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I really don't think LeHair OR Colvin is a 1B answer
Sign Prince in the offseason and be done with it.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Jul 6, 2011 2:41 PM CDT reply actions
Really- who cares?
This year is shot to hell, anyway. Lahair, Colvin, Baker….whoever.
"For the charming if somewhat curious branch of mankind known as Cub fans, spring is a sanguine time.. Every spring holds the blithe hope that perhaps this is the season in which Satan will grow weary and ease up on the headlock in which he has diabolically held Chicago's mightily struggling National League baseball team since 1908..." Lonnie Wheeler- "Bleachers"
by tommy veryzer on Jul 6, 2011 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm not saying LaHair is the future at 1B, but there is NO way that Colvin is the 1B of the future.
If Pena is traded, you should put a 1B in there and have him play. He has solid numbers in the minor leagues. If he comes up and puts up similar numbers, you can trade him to a team that misses out on a big 1B this offseason for a young blue chip or something.
No team is going to trade for LaHair to be their starter.
Otoh, Colvin probably has a future SOMEWHERE here, and if not is a far more valuable trade chip to LaHair.
by SenorGato on Jul 6, 2011 3:52 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Say Colvin never turns it around and was just a one year wonder.
Certainly a chance at that the rate he keeps playing.
He's hitting .292 and slugging .540 in AAA.
My guess is that he started slow, which can happen sometimes.
by SenorGato on Jul 6, 2011 4:22 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
He still strikes out way too much and doesn't walk enough.
He will be exposed massively if he comes back up to the MLB level any time soon.
The only reason people don't like LaHair is based on a brief stay in Seattle.
He’s been successful at all levels of the minor leagues and never given a shot to prove he can make it after 2008. If he was 26 nobody would even bat an eye at giving him a shot for the remainder of the year IF Pena gets traded.
Also because he's 30 next year.
It’s not that I don’t like him, it’s that you have a very unrealistic idea here.
by SenorGato on Jul 6, 2011 9:09 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Wow.
You and me actually agree on something.
by Dcr18 on Jul 6, 2011 10:33 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Look at you!!
You have one of those “you and I don’t disagree post!!”
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Cubs win....what a lucky break!!" ---Harry
And
Next year lines up pretty similar as well….no matter whether they sign Pujols, Fielder or Dimaggio.
"When the day comes with that last winning run and I'm crying and covered in beer. I'll look to the sky and know I was right to think someday we'll go all the way." - Vedder
two we have given up on that are have done well
how about Casey McGehee and Angel Pagan. For the money they got paid they have had a couple of pretty good years. No one is saying that LeHair is the going to be great but for the dollars what does it hurt. I am sick and tired or us paying huge dollars for guys that have a couple of good years and then basically are dead weight after that.
Let go cubs
The same?
The same McGehee with an OBP under .290 this season with less range than a living room sofa? Pretty good year last year hitting behind two mashers but this year he’s showing his real talent level. Quite Cub-like in his overall skill set too even if he’s in Milwaukee.
"When the day comes with that last winning run and I'm crying and covered in beer. I'll look to the sky and know I was right to think someday we'll go all the way." - Vedder
Pagan was a Rule 5 guy the Cubs got from the Mets
The Cubs had for for two years, he was injured during that time, then the Cubs traded him back to the Mets for two minor leaguers.
McGehee never really showed the kind of hitting with the Cubs he did with the Brewers.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
Is it wrong that I get the giggles every time I think of the name "LaHair"?
"It's all in the game, yo"
by Worf on Jul 6, 2011 2:48 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Funny thing
The funny thing is, this organization is now left to debate whether a career minor-leaguer like LaHair is worthy of a callup or extended look? My goodness. Dark days NBF…dark days.
"When the day comes with that last winning run and I'm crying and covered in beer. I'll look to the sky and know I was right to think someday we'll go all the way." - Vedder
This discussion is only about who takes over for 2 months after Pena is traded
This is not a discussion of “the future”.
The future is Fielder or Pujols or a return of Pena. Maybe LaHair or Colvin could at some point be useful additions, bu that’s about it.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 6, 2011 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Actually were debating it...
They might consider it if the time comes and they feel there’s no one else. LaHair is not a player front offices fight about…I do hope he punches me in the face if I said that out loud because I hate saying something like that.
by SenorGato on Jul 6, 2011 4:16 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Ring that cash register, krummy
You got another check.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Jul 6, 2011 5:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Well I am 31 and his 2 years younger then me
I hope for him, if anything, he gets another shot. His last 2 season (roughly 800+ PA) have about been his career best.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Cubs win....what a lucky break!!" ---Harry
colvin and lahair are both crappy
argument resolved
Blake "The Franchise" DeWitt will lead us to the promised land
by jesus christos on Jul 7, 2011 12:11 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
i said resolved, damn it
Blake "The Franchise" DeWitt will lead us to the promised land
by jesus christos on Jul 7, 2011 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions
It's not an argument anymore
as much as it is a pissing contest.
by jerry morales rules on Jul 7, 2011 6:06 PM CDT up reply actions
im dehydrating all you!
Blake "The Franchise" DeWitt will lead us to the promised land
by jesus christos on Jul 7, 2011 6:21 PM CDT up reply actions
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