I wound up being fairly busy this afternoon; have had an issue with Comcast (don't ask) which was finally solved, so I didn't hear much of the Cubs' closer-than-it-needed-to-be 10-7 win over the Diamondbacks, which was accomplished with most of the big guns enjoying a Sunday off in the Phoenix area while only our Cajuns among the regulars took the trip to Tucson.
One of them, Mike Fontenot, hit his third homer of the spring -- I really like Fontenot and I know most of you do too and I think he could be positioned for a real breakout season. Micah Hoffpauir also homered, a three-run shot, giving him 13 RBI for the spring, which as of this writing ties him for the major league spring lead with one guy who's a legitimate RBI man (Ryan Howard) and one who isn't (St. Louis' Joe Mather). The Cubs' four-run eighth inning, which sealed the victory, featured three homers, Fontenot's and two others by guys (Brad Snyder and Welington Castillo) who won't make the major league roster, off a guy who won't make Arizona's (Kyler Newby).
photo via upload.wikimedia.org
Both starting pitchers, Rich Harden and Brandon Webb, got cuffed around pretty good; Harden had to get pulled by Lou after he walked in a run. Let's just say it wasn't Rich's finest hour, and hope he does better next time.
The Arizona announcers, Greg Schulte and Tom Candiotti, were pretty kind to the Cubs (and decent overall), although one of them did say "Mitch" Hoffpauir before correcting himself, and called the Cubs' 9th-inning pitcher "Ascancio" instead of "Ascanio". No matter how you pronounce the name, Jose did not have a good day and had to be bailed out by David Patton. The D'backs radio guys seemed convinced that the Cubs are going to "run away" with the Central, with the Cardinals having "too many question marks" and feeling that if there's a surprise team, it might be the Reds (my view: not as long as Dusty is managing them). Which brings me to my trade proposal, something that would help both teams involved and be doable from a contract point of view.
Several people here have suggested that Maicer Izturis of the Angels would be a good pickup. After looking at what he's done and what positions he can play, the fact that he's a switch-hitter, and his contract status, I agree.
Here's the guy we can dangle in front of Tony Reagins: Chad Gaudin. Yes, we've all dissed Gaudin for his poor performances in spring training so far and the Angels themselves knocked him around pretty good on Friday. But the Angels have some question marks in their starting rotation now, with Ervin Santana expected to start the year on the DL and Kelvim Escobar's return date still uncertain. Gaudin, who made 34 starts for the A's, in the same division as the Angels, in 2007, would give them an extra arm to put in the mix.
Meanwhile, Maicer Izturis seems to be on the back burner for the LAA's. He's gotten far fewer spring AB's than Erick Aybar, who may be the frontrunner for their starting SS position, or the Angels might even finally turn to Brandon Wood, who was their golden-boy prospect a few years ago and who is having a good spring. If Wood starts, Aybar could back him up and Izturis would be expendable.
In this era, where it's occasionally difficult to make deals because of contract mismatches, this one's almost perfect. Gaudin is scheduled to make $2 million this year and Izturis' deal is for $1.6 million. Izturis could back up 2B, SS and 3B competently and his bat is acceptable for a backup role. He's got a little bit of speed and draws a few walks (well, at least more than his brother did as a Cub).
It makes sense, Jim Hendry. Here's one you could do that could help both teams, and we could forget about the Esteban German (now wearing uniform #53) experiment.
1 recs | 66 comments
I agree Izturis would be a good pickup
Just wish we could have made this deal before we signed Miles though. Izturis and Miles are making around the same amount of money this year, and we could have had a more versatile player in Izturis, but I don’t see both Izturis and Miles on the same Cubs team this year. I wouldn’t mind having Izturis though…
Sobenergy - March 15, 2009
I agree.
I try not to second-guess much, especially when season hasn’t even started yet, but it sure looks like Hendry painted himself into a corner when he signed Miles. And unfortunately I don’t see the Cubs cutting Miles (but still paying him) just because something better comes along.
ballhawk - March 15, 2009
Miles and Maicer look similar, but they're different in a few important ways
The most important is their splits. Maicer is a true LH batter. On his career, he’s hit RHP .282/.345/.397, about .100 OPS pts better than he hits LHP. Miles’ splits are the opposite (although closer to even). So, Miles makes a decent enough platoon partner for Fontenot, while Maicer could actually take the strong-side of a platoon with Theriot, should Theriot regress.
The other important differences are that Maicer has defense and speed. Miles is a sunk cost. If Hendry can get Maicer, he should do it.
DGU - March 15, 2009
if Hendry gets Maicer, who gets bumped?
Micah? Joey? Last bullpen spot?
ballhawk - March 15, 2009
Good question -
If we’re going to carry guys who can go 2-3 innings in relief, I’d like to see that last bullpen spot dropped, but that seems a little radical. Still, why not have Samardzija, Marshall, and Heilman all pitch 2-3 innings? Gaudin and Guzman could probably do that, too, if they were in the ’pen.
But more realistically you’d have to look at two options –
Bench 1 – Backup C, RJ, Gathright, Miles, Izturis – good speed, good position coverage, but no power v. RHP
Bench 2 – Backup C, RJ, Miles, Izturis, Hoffpauir – Not much OF depth, which is really problematic given the need to rest Bradley
DGU - March 15, 2009
Related question, especially with Bench 1 scenario
This one’s been bugging me lately… If Micah doesn’t make team, who is backup 1B?
There’s been some talk about converting Koskie, assuming he’s healthy. But if we get Izturis, that makes it less likely Koskie makes team. And unless I’m missing someone, nobody else likely to make the roster has played 1B before. Ok, Bako has one game there, but that’s it. No more Edmonds, Blanco, or DeRosa.
I’m sure Reed Johnson would volunteer in a heartbeat, but probably the best equipped to fill in would be Z. He’s fooled around there before during BP, but obviously there’s no way in hell Lou puts Z there.
So cringe all you want, Micah-bashers, but I think the guy has some job security. At least as much as you can expect for a bench role.
ballhawk - March 15, 2009
Rec'd because that's an interesting point.
I think Koskie would be able to play 1B, although I don’t think he’s played there.
DGU - March 15, 2009
Given the current list of camp attendees what it really boils down to is what makes you cringe less:
Koskie playing a position he’s never played before (but probably has the skill set to be adequate)
OR
Miles/LBR playing 3rd.
Put it another way – who do you think is going to play less this year – DLee or ARam?
ballhawk - March 15, 2009
Here's another option -
Maicer at 3B and Aramis at 1B.
But the Cubs aren’t playing Aramis at 1B. It will be interesting to see where they play Koskie, because I think you’re on to something with the backup 1B line of thought. Hoffpauir may be a more certain 25-man candidate than I expected.
DGU - March 15, 2009
then why not Koskie at 3B and Aram at 1B
Cubbie-Tim - March 15, 2009
Well, that's another option
but I don’t think there’s room for both Koskie and Maicer on the same roster.
DGU - March 15, 2009
That leaves us with the same problem we had above
A third baseman playing a position he’s never played before…first base.
Sobenergy - March 15, 2009
true but I believe ARam
would be better than Koskie or Macier as a first timer there
Cubbie-Tim - March 15, 2009
The next few days will tell us, because....
… if Lou has any intention of using Koskie at 1B, spring training is the time to try that out.
Al Yellon - March 16, 2009
patton threw strikes then?
his single to dome was a broken-bat variety (shown on wgn on saturday). i figure he made up for it today.
tim815 - March 15, 2009
Patton only faced one batter, and struck him out to end the game.
Al Yellon - March 15, 2009
Seems like the guy blocking any realistic chance Patton has of making the club
is Luis Vizcaino and his contract.
Brett Taylor - March 16, 2009
Maybe.
As I pointed out somewhere else, I have two words for you if you have been impressed with David Patton:
Tim Lahey.
Al Yellon - March 16, 2009
Seems like a fair deal
Though I think, or at least hope, that Chad can rediscover his Oakland form, making him more valuable than a reserve IF
bren - March 15, 2009
Maicer could be more than an IF reserve.
DGU - March 15, 2009
Right, and we already have several Guadin-types.
Al Yellon - March 15, 2009
Well someone tell Hendry to stop with the Stl castoffs
he should know they cant play, so like mentioned above, he’s handcuffed the team with the Miles signing and put unnecessary pressure on LBR
bren - March 15, 2009
To be fair
the AZ announcer was embarrassed about his “Mitch” screw up and spent almost the entire broadcast trying to justify it because he had had some “Mitch” correspondence or other throughout the day.
I’m already an LBR fan but my enthusiasm grows by the day and the game. He’s a head shaker and I can’t wait to see what he does during the ’09 season.
Harden so far hardly merits his hype.
Emelie - March 15, 2009
head shaker in the very best sense of the term
Emelie - March 15, 2009
Cubs bullpen has got me very worried once you get past Marmol and Gregg
I have a sinking feeling that Lou Piniella and Larry Rothschild are going to cycle through a lot of relief pitchers this season. Compounding my worry is the fact that Ted Lilly and Rich Harden are both classic 6 inning pitchers, and Sean Marshall is not known for much stamina on the mound.
BLou - March 15, 2009
Al, that's not right
Don’t you know that on the internet, you are supposed to make ridiculous trade proposals that have no chance of being accepted?
I don’t know if the Angles would make the trade, but the proposal at least makes sense for both teams. The Angels could use an arm in the back of the bullpen. The only problem might be who is going to be their back-up infielder if they trade Izturis. Brandon Wood? Maybe.
I remember when we made the Maddux trade—I said “We traded Maddux to LA and we got the wrong Izturis!” Maybe we can rectify that.
Josh Timmers - March 15, 2009
That would be vary obtuse of them
berselius - March 15, 2009
Argh, spelling FAIL
berselius - March 15, 2009
"Right"
Zeke - March 15, 2009
I don't think the Angels are inclined to trade Maicer Izturis
Erik Aybar is a more likely acquisition target on the Angels. Izturis is too valuable to that team.
BLou - March 15, 2009
how minimal of a prospect
do we get for trading guzman?
tim815 - March 15, 2009
I like the idea of trading Gaudin
I like the idea of trading Gaudin AND Guzman for something more substantial than Izturis even better. At this time we probably should concern ourselves with trimming some guys who are out of options in favor of some guys that have options left. I’d also like to see us keep Patton, particularly if we can trade somebody to Colorado to keep our rights.
eamus-catuli - March 15, 2009
If Maicer is really available
it would also be important to keep him from St. Louis. His versatility would really help a team that has question marks at 3B-SS-2B. He could play 3B till Glaus gets back, then take over at 2B if Schumaker can’t field or SS if Greene can’t hit.
DGU - March 15, 2009
the bird site says
schumacher is struggling at second
tim815 - March 15, 2009
It's tough to go from OF to 2B
He may get it, but it’s no surprise he hasn’t gotten it in 3 weeks.
DGU - March 15, 2009
can we trade Miles to StL?
Cubbie-Tim - March 15, 2009
I'll bet their fans would be willing to give up something nice for him
Since they have a unnatural love of him. The front office probably knows better.
nji232 - March 15, 2009
No we don't.
Tony does. We appreciate what Super Mario did but I think we’re realists. If Schu doesn’t work out there are already replacement level fill-ins available (Ryan, Barden and Thurston). You can keep him.
paposse - March 16, 2009
I'm still wondering why Casey McGehee is doing so well for the Brewers this spring.
Getting lots of hits, and still batting .400. I wonder what’s going on there….
zevkalman - March 15, 2009
ask Hoffpauir.
santoswoodenlegs - March 15, 2009
the people
at evil bcb are doing pix of ea when mcgehee is up?
tim815 - March 15, 2009
McGehee always had good springs with the Cubs, too.
He’s a poor man’s Scott McClain.
Al Yellon - March 15, 2009
that's kinda poor
tim815 - March 15, 2009
Who knows
We might get Maicer Izturis, we already traded his brother though.
chicagochamps2009 - March 15, 2009
Trust me
I was not in favor of the Miles deal, however on March16 Miles is already in the dumper?
Grockcubs - March 15, 2009
Beware the Ides of March.
DGU - March 15, 2009
Beware the Miles of March.
Al Yellon - March 16, 2009
More like...
…beware the Miles of April, May, June…yadda yadda…
daver - March 16, 2009
+1
and it seems interesting that LaRussa didnt want Miles gone, and there must be a reason
Cubbie-Tim - March 15, 2009
Boy if this is the case
what the Hell was Jimbo thinking.
As we ALL pointed out here, the obsession of “lefthandedness” is going to come back and bite this team.
Grockcubs - March 16, 2009
Hendry got the panic pulse early.........
………..and along with Miles (god only knows what he was thinking), he overpaid for Dempster as well. Now the Cubs are saddled with these guys and their paychecks in a market that dictates better talent for less money.
At least Demp had done something for the club and in MLB in general. What on earth has Aaron Miles ever done – successfully – at the MLB level?
Miles is Marquis in different clothing, because, after all, who were all the other teams clamoring for Aaron’s services?
tville - March 15, 2009
I don't think it was panic.
The two worst moves of the off-season came when Jim Hendry shipped off two beloved Cubs. I don’t think he wanted to give up Wood or DeRosa without a replacement in hand to announce. In both cases he overpaid for, what seems to me to be nothing more than PR.
DGU - March 15, 2009
I don't think the Angels
would make that sort of deal right now. If I’m not mistaken, Brandon Woods has an option (and is more considered a third baseman these days), and Figgins looks set for 3rd (while that doesn’t make sense on the surface, Figgins is their only leadoff option, and 2nd and OF are taken). Keeping Woods as a backup infielder makes little sense – he needs AB’s. I think, at least, at the start, Izturis will be kept as their supersub, and they’ll look to their system to fill holes in the rotation.
toonsterwu - March 15, 2009
We got problems
whats funny is no one is hurt…yet. Hendry keeps signing people like there’s no players in the minor league system. Koskie played a couple games at 1st I think while he was with the Twinkies. I hope he makes the team. I’m sure the logjam will be clearing out of here in 2 weeks. Just remember the name Gary Scott Cubs Fans. It still smarts.
LarryCubFan - March 15, 2009
Too early to get rid of Chad Gaudin.
How bout we play the rest of these two thousand spring training games and see what plays out? I’m less concerned with IF scrubs than I am with quality bullpen relief. Gaudin is valuable to this bullpen. There are hellva more scrub IFs we can trade for than good arms. Let’s see what Chad does in his next outing. If his back is still indeed bothering him, I’m sure Lou will (or has already?) asked him about it.
dtpollitt - March 15, 2009
Actually the clock is ticking
It is likely his contract is not guaranteed but if he kept beyond March 18 it will be,same with Bako. Alas now that those paltry millions really matter you have to decide soon in certain cases who you can keep.
Doggie Stalker - March 16, 2009
it might make sense to trade heilman
at this point. it seems he has lost the race for the #5 slot. but he did perform well, so it would be a "sell high: situation
brian custer - March 16, 2009
As Cubbie-tim mentioned above...
There is a reason that LaRussa didn’t want Miles gone. Miles has likely the best attitude in MLB, and has versatility, (both at the plate, and in the field). I love LBR, and I think in a platoon, (where he gets the majority of the PT), he will be fine at 2B. However, therein lies the rub; I’m not convinced, (and I don’t think Lou is either), that LBR is an everyday guy, and that making him one will only serve to expose him, thereby limiting his effectiveness.
When Miles fills in admirably, at a number of positions, (including the OF), his value will become apparent to the many here on BCB who are dumbfounded and dismissive of a quality ML player. Mark my words, most of you will grow to love Miles in Cubbie Blue, just as much as you did DeRo. (If memory serves many decried the DeRo signing as well…)
Now for the trade proposal at hand… If Jimbo can get this done, he should get it done with a quickness. Koskie is making a great comeback from his injuries, but he comes with the caveat that his career could be over at any time, plus no matter how much we want him to be a back-up 1B, he simply is not. Should DLee go down, it is likely that Fox would be called up to take over in D’s absence. Now will Hoff make the team, I think so- but not in a strictly back-up role, but more as a DWard replacement- conditioned on if he can learn to keep his bat going in a PH role. That leaves a spot for Izturis, who as Al mentioned, has a number of plusses, one of them also being that he could back-up 1B, as well as 2B, SS, and 3B- all spots in the infield where we will need more than one player to man at times.
Izturis or an extra arm in the ’pen? Go with Izturis.
Jimmyeatworld - March 16, 2009
Miles
Is nothing spectacular, no doubt, but he is also not an easy who can nickle and dime a pitcher to death. I am not a “fan” of Miles, but I see his value.
Cubbie-Tim - March 16, 2009
Actually, if Hoff makes the team...
…it doesn’t leave room for Izturis – unless Lou agrees to carry only 11 pitchers, which appears doubtful (at least in the long term).
I like the Izturis idea in theory – and I’d point out that DGU has trumpeting such a trade for a long time. But I still see Koskie as the best overall solution to the Cubs bench/depth problem, assuming he can prove he’s healthy and capable of producing, of course.
daver - March 16, 2009
Daver...
What do you see as the roster then?
Jimmyeatworld - March 16, 2009
The whole roster?
As of right now, I’d guess:
Starting lineup
1. Soriano LF
2. Fukudome CF
3. DLee 1B
4. The Game RF
5. Aramis 3B
6. LBR 2B
7. Soto C
8. Theriot SS
Starting rotation
9. Big Z
10. Lilly
11. Demp
12. Harden
13. Marshall
Bullpen
14. Marmol
15. Gregg
16. Fully K
17. Cotts
18. Vizcaino
19. Gaudin (rebounds late in spring training)
20. Waddell (longshot guess I just made in another thread)
Bench
21. RJ
22. Bako
23. Miles
24. Gathright
25. Hoffpauir (the way he’s hitting in spring training, Lou’s not going to be able to keep him off the roster in good conscience…Koskie, my preferred choice, will start the season in Triple A and perhaps get a shot when/if Micah struggles against major league pitching).
Again, this is just my ad lib guess on the fully caffeinated Monday morning of March 16, 2009. There’s still lots of spring training to go. This also, obviously, presumes a 12-man pitching staff.
daver - March 16, 2009
That looks to be a fairly realistic take
Tell you what though – we gave up a lot of flexibility in order to get more left-handed. I’m just sayin’…
ballhawk - March 16, 2009
Yeah, that really does appear to be the achilles' heal in their plan.
Methinks a lot of this team’s success will depend on how and whether the defense can hold together.
daver - March 16, 2009
Had a great time at the ballpark
I sat 14 rows behind homeplate and had the same effect on Hoffpauir as EA does. He hit a homer last year when I was at the game and he did it again yesterday. It was a nice 405 foot blast to dead center. Harden looked good until the 3rd and was glad to see Lou come out and get him. It was our AA and AAA boys who actually won the game for us.
Over 11,000 attended the game and it looked like a 50/50 split of D’back and Cubs fans. Of course most of the Cubs fans stayed until the very end while the D’back fans made it easier for the rest of us to get out of the parking lot.
Looking forward to the my next game in two weeks against the Rockies.
tucsoncubsfan - March 16, 2009
You had the same effect as EA?
That’s… interesting.
Al Yellon - March 16, 2009
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Bleed Cubbie Blue to post a comment.