LaHair expected to be the opening day starting first baseman

Highlights from Epstein's interview with 720 WGN appear on MLBtraderumors.com:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/01/cubs-notes-garza-wood-lahair.html

"The Cubs expect to start Bryan LaHair at first base. The 29-year-old posted a .331/.405/.664 line with 38 home runs at Triple-A in 2011. He also posted an .885 OPS in 69 plate appearances with the big league club."

For reference, Pena posted an .819 OPS last season.

5 months ago subtle 23 comments 0 recs |

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eh, im not convinced.

if one thing we’ve learned from theojed, is they say one thing while working on something behind the scenes. by saying they plan on going with LaHair at 1B, they are maybe trying to gain some leverage when it comes to Rizzo or Pena or LaRoche (if fielder signs with the Nats i’d imagine that rumor would be hot) or whoever.

by MDavis on Jan 5, 2012 8:17 AM CST reply actions

case in point

Zambrano has a chance to earn his way back on the team…and literally three hours after that statement he was traded.

So i you can give you can take it.

by epsilon on Jan 5, 2012 8:35 AM CST up reply actions

Why in the hell would we have any interest in Laroche?

by Dcr18 on Jan 5, 2012 7:21 PM CST up reply actions

Theo interview already being discussed in this fanshot

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by Al Yellon on Jan 5, 2012 8:37 AM CST reply actions

Give him a shot...

but they do need a backup plan….no sure who that would be!! Jeff Baker an option vs. lefties only!!

by QuincyCub on Jan 5, 2012 10:09 AM CST reply actions

It would be interesting to crowdsource LaHair's expected numbers for 2012

My guess would be, if given 450 ABs, mostly against righties, he would come in at about .270/.335/.460 for just under an .800 OPS.

by cubzfan on Jan 5, 2012 10:21 AM CST reply actions

Maybe we'll do that.

I’ve done community projections before, though we did not do them last year.

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by Al Yellon on Jan 5, 2012 11:03 AM CST up reply actions

I think his OBP will be slightly higher

but otherwise I’d completely agree with that projection.

by Josh Timmers on Jan 5, 2012 2:04 PM CST up reply actions

And that would be pretty good... for the cost of at (or very near) league minimum.

"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."

by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST

by fsuapollo on Jan 5, 2012 3:12 PM CST up reply actions

LaHair: .750 OPS

If the Cubs can get that from LaHair, I’ll be happy. I think a little bit more of “AAAA” players than Al does. That being written, I think LaHair will be decent at the big league level, but not good. I admire that he’s battled this long to perhaps get the bulk of the work at first base for the Cubs. I believe he is merely a stopgap option.

Good things come to those who wait... and wait....and wait.

by memphiscub on Jan 5, 2012 10:39 AM CST reply actions

♫ ♫ I see the Chicago Cubs need someone to play first base ♫ ♫

♫ ♫ And LaHair is perfect … DEH!!! ♫ ♫

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

by daver on Jan 5, 2012 10:40 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

This

this is glorious

by JOVE23 on Jan 5, 2012 2:50 PM CST up reply actions

Nobody knows

how well LaHair will perform and won’t until they give him a season to prove himself.

Have any of you been in this position before at sometime in your career? Give the guy a break and let’s hope that he rises to the occasion.

Numbers may not lie, but they don’t tell the whole truth (and nothing but the truth), either. -- Doug Glanville

by leothelip on Jan 5, 2012 11:21 AM CST reply actions

To me this is pretty simple:

If you’re not signing Fielder, then you “give” the job to LaHair. It just doesn’t make sense to go out and sign one of the veteran vagabond FA 1Bs unless they’ll work for well under market rate. None of them are part of the long-term vision and none of them will make much of a difference to the 2012 season.

So if no Fielder… pan for gold with LaHair. And if you come up empty… hit the river again next off-season.

"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."

by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST

by fsuapollo on Jan 5, 2012 12:50 PM CST reply actions

At this point

… that’s probably the most logical solution.

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by Al Yellon on Jan 5, 2012 1:22 PM CST up reply actions

I'd be with that if they swung a deal for a young 1B. or if Kotchman came on the cheap

he had a decent year last season. then again, at that point why spend the money? damnit, i’m starting to agree with playing LaHair.

by MDavis on Jan 5, 2012 1:24 PM CST up reply actions

And that's just it.

While you’re probably a bit more certain of what you’ll get, the 1B like Kotchman don’t give you, IMO, all that much more than LaHair, unless he “Colvins” his season. So I just don’t see the point of signing one of those guys.

I’d also add that if you sign a “veteran” 1B to be a back-up, LaHair ends up constantly looking over his shoulder. I think you give him a better chance to succeed by patting him on the back and saying "go get ‘em “kid”… you’re our guy".

"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."

by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST

by fsuapollo on Jan 5, 2012 1:45 PM CST up reply actions

What the hell ... why not.

The 2012 Cubs are starting to take shape as a band of misfit cast-offs and aging veterans worthy of an 80s movie.

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

by daver on Jan 5, 2012 2:02 PM CST up reply actions

Cubs Do Have A "Wild Thing" As the Closer

I believe Carlos Marmol gets shakier saves than even Mitch Williams did. Marmol doesn’t have a mullet, but you could definitely call him today’s “Wild Thing”.

Good things come to those who wait... and wait....and wait.

by memphiscub on Jan 5, 2012 2:18 PM CST up reply actions