I'd bemore concerned if the Cubs weren't looking at him.
If half the teams in MLB were looking at him including many of the top teams and the Cubs didn’t even give him a look, I’d be bothered. No harm in giving him a workout. They haven’t made a ridiculous offer, or any offer for that matter. I’ll trust the Cubs staff to make the decision on making an offer after they see him in person and evaluate him.
The Cubs havent had a guy with Cespedes’ tools in some time. Its not like he’s a free swinger. He appears to be a good hitter with power. What’s not to like?
Nth is clearly referencing Soriano, Pie and Patterson.
All three guys are/were very toolsy, but lacked some key skills — notably plate discipline. Nth’s point is that Hendry would become enamored with toolsy guys (he’d had a thing for Soriano for a couple years before the 2006 offseason) and totally disregard how their skills would age (in Soriano’s case) or work in the big leagues (Pie and Patterson).
And $30 million isn’t really that much money on a big-league club — if a player is good.
These international signings are tricky, and the Cubs and Theo in Boston have been burned. I don’t expect the Cubs to be careless or to overpay here.
Put it this way: The Cubs’ outfield right now is really bad and they have two openings at power positions (third and first). The best option to supplement the lineup that makes sense for the Cubs is Prince Fielder — who will cost six to seven times more than $30 million. Pujols could cost even more, and he’s significantly older. Fielder is two years older than Cespedes, and Fielder has the whole “bad-body” issue.
Last point: I’d be a lot more worried about this if the Cubs didn’t have serious competition. In other words, other teams see at least some potential. This isn’t some throwback to Hendry’s tools-over-skills approach at all.
Even if a team didn’t want all of his salary, I can imagine someone at least willing to take half of it. Agreed that Reed is a better option for that role.
I got a feeling that Jed/Theo team will do there best to move some of the current players. I can see this team being very proactive in trying to move people.
Oh good lord
Is Jim Hendry still running this team?
“five tool outfielder”
Who is 26. And would cost around 30 million, plus visa drama. Pass, Pass, Pass.
The_Rock - November 13, 2011
I'd bemore concerned if the Cubs weren't looking at him.
If half the teams in MLB were looking at him including many of the top teams and the Cubs didn’t even give him a look, I’d be bothered. No harm in giving him a workout. They haven’t made a ridiculous offer, or any offer for that matter. I’ll trust the Cubs staff to make the decision on making an offer after they see him in person and evaluate him.
Julio Zuleta's Voodoo - November 13, 2011 via mobile
Nothing wrong with five-tool outfielders. Just Jim Hendry's five-tool outfielders.
the nth - November 13, 2011
like who?
The Cubs havent had a guy with Cespedes’ tools in some time. Its not like he’s a free swinger. He appears to be a good hitter with power. What’s not to like?
cubzfan - November 13, 2011
Nth is clearly referencing Soriano, Pie and Patterson.
All three guys are/were very toolsy, but lacked some key skills — notably plate discipline. Nth’s point is that Hendry would become enamored with toolsy guys (he’d had a thing for Soriano for a couple years before the 2006 offseason) and totally disregard how their skills would age (in Soriano’s case) or work in the big leagues (Pie and Patterson).
elgato - November 13, 2011
Exactly, elgato. Not to mention the oh so very toolsy Ryan Harvey.
the nth - November 13, 2011
He's worth looking at, though.
And $30 million isn’t really that much money on a big-league club — if a player is good.
These international signings are tricky, and the Cubs and Theo in Boston have been burned. I don’t expect the Cubs to be careless or to overpay here.
Put it this way: The Cubs’ outfield right now is really bad and they have two openings at power positions (third and first). The best option to supplement the lineup that makes sense for the Cubs is Prince Fielder — who will cost six to seven times more than $30 million. Pujols could cost even more, and he’s significantly older. Fielder is two years older than Cespedes, and Fielder has the whole “bad-body” issue.
Last point: I’d be a lot more worried about this if the Cubs didn’t have serious competition. In other words, other teams see at least some potential. This isn’t some throwback to Hendry’s tools-over-skills approach at all.
elgato - November 13, 2011
I'm glad I read your post before I posted...
Because I would have said essentially the same thing!
Color me very intrigued!
Hoostino - November 13, 2011
Too bad this guy can't play third base.
If he could, it would be a very good signing.
Al Yellon - November 13, 2011
Too bad Yulieski Gourriel isn't leaving
jerry morales rules - November 13, 2011
Why couldn't he be a good signing for CF?
Our outfield sucks, and I wouldn’t be surprised if either Byrd or Soriano change uniforms this offseason.
Dcr18 - November 13, 2011
Well, IF the Cubs can move Byrd and/or Soriano...
… sure.
Al Yellon - November 13, 2011
Byrd can be the team's fourth outfielder.
elgato - November 13, 2011
Quite a bit to pay for a fourth outfielder though.
I’d rather bring back Reed to fill that role.
Dcr18 - November 13, 2011
Me, too.
But if Cespedes is the guy Theo wants and Byrd can’t be traded …
elgato - November 13, 2011
I might just eat that contract, then.
Reed Johnson is a better bench player. I can’t see Byrd being effective as a spare-part OF and pinch hitter.
Al Yellon - November 13, 2011
And I don't imagine it would come to that.
Even if a team didn’t want all of his salary, I can imagine someone at least willing to take half of it. Agreed that Reed is a better option for that role.
Dcr18 - November 13, 2011
I could see that, sure.
It would not surprise me to see Byrd in another uniform before spring training.
Al Yellon - November 13, 2011
ding ding ding
Cubbie-Tim - November 14, 2011
Visa drama?
Unless he’s got a criminal record or actually says he’s a terrorist, he’ll get a free pass since he’s from Cuba.
jerry morales rules - November 13, 2011
5 tools:
Screwdriver, hammer, pliers, chisel, socket wrench…..
ClarkFan - November 13, 2011
Who needs a Swiss Army knife
With Yoenis around?
Josh Timmers - November 14, 2011
Forgot the corkscrew - maybe he really has 6 tools!
ClarkFan - November 14, 2011
I fixed the title of this post
“Per Muskat” wasn’t a very good title.
If you are posting a fanshot that is a link, use the “link” tab in the posting box. Otherwise people won’t be able to click on the link. Thanks.
Al Yellon - November 13, 2011
I see no issue.
I got a feeling that Jed/Theo team will do there best to move some of the current players. I can see this team being very proactive in trying to move people.
Grockcubs - November 13, 2011
Core Strength!
Josh Timmers - November 13, 2011
ISWYDT
Shanghai Badger - November 13, 2011
I am intregued by this guy
I wonder how close he is to contributing.
cub in louies nest - November 13, 2011 via mobile
He'd better be pretty close
since he’s 26 already.
I’d imagine anyone who signed him would be looking at him playing in the majors right away, or maybe just a few months in Triple A.
From what I’ve read and seen, he’s probably major-league ready now.
Josh Timmers - November 14, 2011
i think if you are goign to pay $30 mil or so he better be in the line up opening day.
i’d be ok with a move like this.
MDavis - November 14, 2011
Check out his youtube video
take away the fluff and this kid definitely has the tools and a really pretty swing.
troutfishin - November 13, 2011
This video
Some cockyness that wouldn’t be stood for in the majors but raw talent for sure:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW9ge8l3jY8
mrtobby - November 15, 2011
He is going to need
an ice bag for his back if he keeps watching homers like that
Hammer - November 14, 2011
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