Derrek Lee to Braves?

UPDATE by Rob G: The deal is done and the Cubs get RHP Robinson Lopez (age 19), LHP Jeffrey Lorick (age 22, 20th round pick in 2009) and RHP Tyrelle Harris (age 23, 19th round pick in 2009). I bumped this up top, but be sure not to miss Arizona Phil's 2010 Rule 4 draft update below this post.

In today's installment of "Who Can We Pawn Off On The NL East Leaders?" we pass along word from David Kaplan (@thekapman) that the Cubs and Braves are "very close" on a deal that would move Derrek Lee to Atlanta. Kaplan says the deal "should get done later today."

Sorry to hear that D-Lee could be operating out of the first-base dugout this weekend when the Braves visit Wrigley? This will cheer you up.

Tags: 
Cubs Trade Rumors
Derrek Lee
Submitted by Cubnut on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 5:14pm
Return to Homepage

Comments

Submitted by Cubnut
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 9:18am

I fixed the link at the end of the post. For the record, from the moment Thome makes contact to Hawk mumbling, "...and we'll be back," we enjoy 56 seconds of Hawk-free broadcast time.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 11:16am

MLB was quick to ask youtube to take that down. Here's the Twins announcers calling the homer:

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100...

Submitted by Cubnut
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 11:46am

Thanks. I feared as much. At least I have the memory. The 56-second, Hawk-free memory.

(Am going to change the link in the post to yours. Thanks again.)

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 9:20am

I can't believe a superstar like Lee cleared waivers.

I am stumped, though. Now that Lee can't play and that he gets to go to a team farther from his off-season home, he's approving a trade? Hopefully that signals something in his personal life has gotten better, but it's certainly odd from the outside looking in.

Submitted by Rob Richardson
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 9:24am

I agree kind of a head scratcher. Maybe he just wants to stay in the NL.

Submitted by Cubnut
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 9:26am

Ditto. Would hate to think that this is strictly about hooking up with a first-place team, though Kaplan writes, "...sources close to Lee tell us that he will approve a deal to Atlanta because the Braves are leading their division thus giving him a shot at winning another World Series ring."

http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/david-kaplan-...

I say that only because he invoked the "best thing for me and my family" idea when explaining his stance on the Angels trade. Many of us assumed it was tied to his daughter's medical issues. A wrong assumption perhaps.

Submitted by Rob Richardson
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 10:54am

Bruce Levine's take:

"Staying in the National League with a chance to go to the playoffs, rather than going to a team that was six games out of first place at the time of the trade request, may make more sense to the 35 year-old veteran.

The Cubs still owe Lee $3.4 million this season, and could be looking for relief of at least one-half to three-quarters of that amount."

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/st...

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 9:25am

maybe he didn't want anything to do with the AL?

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 9:36am

This will never happen, but a completely outside-the-box-idea for first base next year would be Jim Thome. I'm of course ignoring the fact that he has played a grand total of 4 games at 1B since 2005! But if he could play an adequate 1B, perhaps only slightly worse than a Dunn or a Nady, then he would be just the cheap left-handed masher the Cubs need. Given a full season of at-bats, even at age 40, he will probably still knock 25 doubles and 25-30 HR, and walk a ton. Even his worst seasons for OBP he is around .370.

This season he is making just $1.5 million and hitting .273/.391/.593, with 17 HR in only 250 PAs.

In contrast, Nady is making $3.3 million and hitting .234/.312/.354 in 200 ABs.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 10:12am

I thought about this the other day, but you've got to figure in that his numbers this year are probably predominantly left handed, and the grind of playing in the heat of Wrigley would take it's toll on an older player.

The main concern in my mind, though, is do you really want Castro (and Ramirez) throwing to a DH?

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 11:12am

Thome can't play defense anymore, otherwise it would be a nice idea.

Submitted by Michaelweaselo
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 9:49am

I like Thome at the plate as much as anyone (from June 15 on, anyway) but there is a reason he doesnt play 1B every day. HE sucks defensively.

The Cubs will miss Lee's glove at 1B, especially with a rookie SS and Aramis at 3B. They wont miss his lethargic, over the hill, declining offense.

Submitted by Rob Richardson
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 10:09am

With his bad back, is Lee really still a plus defender?

Also, how big is the difference between the best, middle and worst defender at first?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 10:16am

Lee's defense hasn't been good, but his throw catching has still been if not the best in the game pretty close - in my estimation.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 10:19am

FanGraphs has Lee's UZR at 2.3 for 2010, and my eyes tell me that's just about right. Not a Gold Glover anymore, but still better than having Ryan Howard's glove.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 10:48am

UZR doesn't include cathing throws, fwiw.

Submitted by Rob Richardson
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 10:53am

Is that stat contained anywhere?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 11:20am

+/- or... someone else keeps track of it, but it's even more subjective than the UZR ratings.

The other thing is that just having a guy like Lee over there makes you more confident to attempt throws you may not otherwise, and more confident in general - I think it would be impossible to accurately quantify since it goes into the psyche of each player on the infield.

Submitted by Cubnut
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 12:28pm

FanGraphs has a fielding stat for first basemen called "Scoops," which I believe is just what the name implies. Here are the current NL fielding stats for 1B:

http://bit.ly/aQNoSC

Lee, with 15 scoops, is only 11th in this stat among regular NL first basemen, though all but a couple of the guys in front of him have played more innings in the field than Lee has. Pujols (36 scoops) and Loney (30) lead the NL; both have played about 100 more innings than Lee.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 1:07pm

you have a lot less balls to scoop if you're taller than the other first basemen, you just catch them before they hit the ground.

that being said, everyone here has noticed that Lee hasn't been the same this year due to age/ailments and so forth.

Submitted by Cubnut
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 12:32pm

By the way, as Beasley said, Lee's UZR is 2.3 (that's defensive runs above average). Troy Glaus, who, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, would be pushed to the bench and not to 3B by the acquisition of Lee, has a UZR of –8.1. Quite a step up for Atlanta.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 12:34pm

Yikes!

Submitted by John Beasley
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 11:15am

I agree with what you said. Derrek's been able to pick it as well as he ever has (IMO, among the very best I've ever seen).

Also, there's no doubt he can't move - on defense or on the bases - like he used to. Everybody from Hendry to TCR knew that would happen over the life of this contract.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 12:14pm

he's dropped a few straight throws this year.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 12:40pm

Take a look at Pujols' UZR, he's had a HUGE dropoff the last two seasons...

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid...

I wonder if that's a trend that he's starting to show cracks in his HGH armor.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 12:54pm

skitzo UZR ups and downs...how rare

is mark teixera the worst 1st baseman ever or the best ever this year?

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 11:06am

Micah Hoffpauir won a Gold Glove at Iowa in 2008, Geovany Soto did an OK job there in 2007 (when he played 1B for the I-Cubs on days he wasn't catching), and based on what somebody who was at Clemson when Tyler Colvin was there told me, Colvin was a good defensive 1B and was moved to the OF only because the Clemson coach wanted to take better advantage of Colvin's speed and athleticism.

I would think Soto (once healthy) would play a lot of 1B if D-Lee gets traded, playing there on days he is not catching to maximize his playing time to where he might be able to start as many as 150+ games per year instead of the 130 games (max) he would start if he is just a catcher.

So I don't think there will necessarily be a #1 Cubs 1B for a while once D-Lee departs, with some combo of Soto, Colvin, and Hoffpauir (who is hitting 375/431/783 with 12 HR at Iowa post-ASB) all getting PT at 1B.

And Brad Snyder (who has five-tool talent) will probably get a September call-up and get a shot in RF.

Both Snyder (presuming he is added to the Cubs MLB roster) and Hoffpauir will be out of minor league options in 2011, so both would need to hit the ground running if they get brought up to Chicago.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 11:30am

Phil, do you think this is the roster of candidates, or will the Cubs have any chance to look out-of-house for 1B in 2011? Guys like Fielder and Dunn and Gonzalez are out of the price range, obviously, but I could see Hendry targeting a guy like Derrek Lee, Paul Konerko, Adam LaRoche, Aubrey Huff, or maybe even Lance Berkman or Carlos Pena depending upon what the market does.

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 11:49am

Submitted by John Beasley on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 10:21am.
Phil, do you think this is the roster of candidates, or will the Cubs have any chance to out-of-house for 1B in 2011? Guys like Fielder and Dunn and Gonzalez are out of the price range, obviously, but I could see Hendry targeting a guy like Derrek Lee, Paul Konerko, Adam LaRoche, Aubrey Huff, or maybe even Lance Berkman or Carlos Pena depending upon what the market does.

===================================================

JOHN B: I think the Cubs will give Hoffpauir a chance before they do anything else, but if they go into the off-season with a perceived hole at 1B, they would probably sign a veteran MLB 1B to a short-term deal and have both Colvin and Soto begin to play 1B in ST (or once healthy, Soto will probably start playing 1B semi-regularly as soon as Lee is moved).

The thing to remember about guys like Micah Hoffpauir and Brad Snyder is that there is a tendency to brand somebody as "4-A" once they reach a certain age, but the fact is some players are late-bloomers (Ryan Ludwick, Garrett Jones, Jim Hickman, et al), and even if they aren't good enough to be everyday players, some can be good platoon guys if you can find a platoon-partner for them.

So one really needs to keep an open mind about guys like Hoffpauir and Snyder, while at the same time not making any assumption about the player being the solution, either.

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 1:04pm

If they were really thinking ahead to next year, Castillo would be starting everyday while Soto is on the DL and not Hill. But that is not happening. I simply can't fathom Lou and the Cubs putting Soto at first this season. He hasn't played there in a long time and they won't do it in the middle of the season like this. They will wait until ST next year - if they do it ata all. I would also guess Hoffpauir gets recalled if Lee gets traded and splits time with Nady at 1B from here on out - even though we gain nothing really by letting Nady play.

If Lee is traded, and I were in charge, I would have Hoff at 1B everyday the rest of the way, and Soto and Castillo splitting time behind the plate. Barney spotting DeWitt, Castro, and Ramirez (particularly the latter) to see what he can do. Colvin playing everyday in RF. Snyder and Fuld both up on 9/1 and spot starting and pinch-hitting the last month.

Fuld struggled to start the year in AAA, but I still think he can be a valuable ML player. He might only hit .270 in part time play, but he plays great OF defense and can steal bases. He is 73% on his career in the minors and 78% the last two years (41/52). Barney has above average speed, but last night when Ramirez led off the 9th with a single, it would have been nice to have someone on the bench you can bring in who is a real threat to steal and get in scoring position.

Submitted by waveland
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 11:52am

I think Derrek Lee would be a great offseason pickup for Hendry, he'd really fill that empty hole left by Derrek Lee's departure.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 12:16pm

pujlos and gonzalez are available after 2011

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 12:31pm

LaRoche makes a lot of sense if they decide to go out of the organization and can get him on a 1-2 year deal, which they should be able to do.

He's a lefty bat with power, and although he doesn't put up superstar numbers, his career line is incredibly consistent. I think he's a very slow starter though.

.273/.342/.491 career line. Hits 20-25+ hr's, drives in 80+ rbi's. I wonder if he's a bit of a clubhouse problem since he's been with so many teams.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Fri, 08/20/2010 - 4:22pm

Maybe its that he is a weak hitter for a 1st baseman.

Better than Colvin, Hoffpauir or Soto over there though.

Submitted by Charlie
on Fri, 08/20/2010 - 6:52pm

I'm not positive he'd be better than Soto (or Colvin), but the probability of significantly weaker production at C will likely deter JH and whoever is managing from going with Soto at 1B next year.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 11:40am

via CM...

#cubs lineup for wed is 2b barney, ss castro, cf byrd, 3b ramy, 1b nady, lf sori, rf baker, c castillo, p coleman

wouldn't read into dlee not being there since he's got a back full of needle and medicine.

hell, i wouldn't expect much more from a trade than salary relief, either.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 12:01pm

DLee is supposedly off until Thursday at the earliest because of his back, at least before the trade talks were made public.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 12:06pm

What an awful lineup. And despite Coleman pitching better in relief lately, I'm kind of expecting him to get roughed up starting. But you never know. Remember the kid lefty we called up who pitched one great game several years back, and for the most part was never heard from again? Ryan O'Malley. Coleman has already had a longer big league career than O'Malley or Lance Dickson.

Submitted by Tito
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 11:48am

Tomorrow's post: Ernie Banks statue to Braves?

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 12:26pm

MLBTR says trade is getting closer:

12:10pm: The teams will finalize a deal this afternoon, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (on Twitter). Glaus will move to the bench.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 1:18pm

Billy Williams says Harry Caray's statue should move to make room for his statue. I've always disliked Williams, here's another reason...

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/08/...

"Harry's statue has been there a long time. A lot of people have taken pictures already, so now they can do it with mine.""

Submitted by Tito
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 12:54pm

I kind of like the idea of Pena, though I don't think he'll leave Tampa. His average sucks and his OBP is down, but he's shown a willingness to take a walk and seems decent with the glove. (I'm sure someone can refute that with some stat.)

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 1:06pm

Carlos Pena is a .244 career hitter who only had 1 full season hitting over .247. He's consistently awful at making contact, and he'll be 33 next year, an age where bat speed is starting to decline. The last two seasons he hasn't even been able to hit .230. I'll pass.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 1:18pm

Well...Pena had a horrible, horrible May....take that away, and he's hitting a more typical .249. If he hit 39 HR and drove in 100 runs...and put up .240/.350/.500...I'd take him.

But...he is 32..so a short term fix for sure...

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 1:24pm

Pena's slugging percentage is his lowest since 2003. And Scott Boras is his agent. And he will be coming off a season making over $10 million. There are a million reasons not to go after him.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 1:31pm

good points....Boras...ewwwww..

I guess my thought would be the batting average isn't as much my concern, as the points you just made:his decline in slugging, and likely ridiculous salary demands.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Fri, 08/20/2010 - 4:25pm

Adam Dunn

How can we advocate anyone other than the best bat on the market.

Also, the same Aubrey Huff that I was roasted for pining for last off-season will be available. Unlikely you can get him as the 4 position backup like we could have this year though?

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 08/20/2010 - 4:42pm

adam who?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 08/23/2010 - 6:05pm

good work on Huff, now list all the guys you've been wrong about over the years. :)

Don't see the Cubs spending any real money in the FA market and certainly not for guys over 30.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Mon, 08/23/2010 - 8:26pm

I don't recall being wrong about anyone Rob?

Certainly my record isn't any worse than Hendry's.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 08/24/2010 - 3:05pm

I don't recall being wrong about anyone Rob?

of course not, you have a perfect record, win every fantasy league you've ever played and just circumstance and bad luck have kept you from being Branch Rickey.

Submitted by Cubnut
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 1:09pm

Reminds me of Wrigley Field circa 1975. (From @PWSullivan)

http://twitpic.com/2fy0kd

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 1:10pm

damn.

Submitted by Tony S.
on Thu, 08/19/2010 - 12:35am

I'm glad to see it.

I don't live in the Chicagoland area, I get to see the Cubs 2-3 times per year, almost always on the road.

But lack of ass in seat will (I think) be the biggest motivator for the Rickettses (if that's a word....)

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 1:32pm

#5 hitter matt stairs...nice.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 1:34pm

...and misses a grand slam by 10' or so. 2rbi double.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 2:10pm

Whatever scout/GM/etc. who decided Coleman has some major league talent should be fired right now. Just watch him throw, he's playing catch. He has no velocity.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 2:13pm

yeah, coleman is a weird one for me...pen or starting

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 2:33pm

He's got pitchability. You wouldn't understand.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 2:35pm

without scrap or grit it's worthless, imo.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 2:29pm

via CM about 30-40 minutes into the game...

"No D-Lee sightings in #Cubs dugout Wed. #Braves are interested in the 1st baseman but he needs to pass physical"

Submitted by navigator
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 3:01pm

Nearly six years after his acrimonious departure from the Chicago Cubs, Sammy Sosa remains bitter over the way his relationship with the team ended. “[The Cubs] threw me into the fire,” he says in an exclusive interview with Chicago magazine. “They made [people] think I’m a monster.”

It's just Hendry's way, Sammy. Devalue&Dump, Trash&Trade. Z is going thru it now.

http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/Se...

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 3:38pm

It's the same way the White Sox do business. Frank Thomas, Magglio Ordonez, etc. I think Kenny Williams is more unprofessional than Hendry, I've never heard Hendry call someone names in the press.

I also think Sammy is wrong. They didn't make him out to be a monster, they made him out to be a guy who quit on his team, which is what he did. That was the second time he left the park during a game without telling anyone that season.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 3:29pm

blah blah blah, tea, crumpets, golf, blah blah blah, crumpets...blimey...golf...

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 3:45pm

cubs bullpen = awesome

Submitted by springs
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 4:08pm

Is more or less a rookie (Diamond pitched previously in the majors and maybe Mateo did too) and/or spent significant time in the minors this year.

Coleman, Russell, Berg, Diamond, Cashner and Mateo.

While we are terrible this year, I am pleased to finally see us testing the youngsters during a lost season rather than playing out the veterans.

Submitted by navigator
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 4:58pm

How can you be pleased? The youngsters suck.

Submitted by springs
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 7:09pm

Unless you decide that you never will promote minor leaguers unless they automatically produce exceptionally well, I would think you would want to get younger players experience and see if they can develop.

Under your analysis, it was not important that the Cubs let Greg Maddux keep starting in 1987, when he was 6-14 with a 5.87. I disagree -- I believe that major league experience was invaluable.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 7:21pm

You think Justin Berg is going to be Greg Maddux!!!!!!!!

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 7:47pm

I can't speak for spring but I doubt he thinks Berg is Greg Maddux II. But I gotta agree with playing the kids. If one or two of them come up out of the mess as being viable MLBers it's worth it, now that the season is toast. If none come out to show they can play, then the team really knows just how deep in the hole it is.

Submitted by springs
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 10:29pm

No, nor do I think that was implied. And, truthfully, I didn't think Greg Maddux was going to turn out as good as he did.

But the better question is -- did you think I was saying that Justin Berg was going to be as good as Greg Maddux or did you not have anything to disagree with in my post and just instead posted something idiotic to be an ass?

Submitted by The Joe
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 10:38pm

To be fair...and I like to bash Neal as much as anyone:)...there is a bit of a running joke that anytime a player is compared to a HOF'er (or other) that that person is saying they're the same player.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 08/19/2010 - 8:21am

Exactly, you cannot use an example of a player that everyone wil be familiar with (Ryne Sandberg, Mark Grace, Greg Maddux, Andre Dawson etc) to illustrate any point, without implying that the player you're discussing is going to the Hall of Fame - one of the delightful idiosyncracies of the TCR faitfhul.

Submitted by springs
on Thu, 08/19/2010 - 10:25am

Ok...sorry for the misunderstanding.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 4:12pm

"Until Mateo can find the strikezone I'm going to continue saying hello to fellow broadcasters." - bob brenley, followed by some shoutouts to colleagues.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 5:07pm

With Lee gone, how the hell is Lou gonna bat him third?

Submitted by Ryno
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 9:34pm

I just had a funny mental image of confused Cub players standing around the lineup card before tomorrows game wondering why D Lee is still listed as batting 3rd.

Submitted by Tony S.
on Thu, 08/19/2010 - 12:39am

What makes you think Lou won't still pencil him in????

Not sure a different uni would stand in his way... (nothing else has)

Submitted by Cubster
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 5:22pm

Lou will use the 13th floor elevator rule...combined with 16" softball (no #3, pitcher bats 10th)

Submitted by Cubster
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 5:31pm

Per rotoworld...

Hoffpauir called up

And regarding the prospects...

Harris turns 24 this winter and isn't widely regarded as a quality pitching prospect, but he's thrown up a 1.46 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings this season since being promoted to the Double-A level. With some work, he could turn himself into a solid late reliever.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 5:35pm

This is all we get for DP Lee?

What the hell?!!

I am mad has hell!!

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 5:46pm

Umm... that is just one of the prospects.

They got two others, including one that was ranked 10th in the Braves system before this season. Its a pretty damn good haul for a couple of months of an under-performing DLee.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 5:50pm

Oh well...never mind. That's better.

Submitted by Cubster
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 5:39pm

and the Cubs will pay the Braves $1.7MM, half of the $3.4MM owed to Lee between now and the end of the season

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 6:14pm

Dustbag offered an extension by Reds.

Submitted by Jumbo
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 6:46pm

This is too perfect...maybe they get within 5 outs and then are never heard from again.

Submitted by Ryno
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 9:27pm

Dusty will probably wait and see what the Cubs do before he makes a decision. /snark

Submitted by dukeoferrol
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 6:51pm

I can see the wisdom here but it still makes me sad. D-Lee is one of the good guys.

Submitted by The Joe
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 7:39pm

Just not good at baseball.

Submitted by Ryno
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 9:32pm

We'll come to realize very quickly, with Derrek Lee gone, that our infield isn't very good.

Submitted by The Joe
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 9:39pm

Haven't we already realized that? I do like Lee, but he's not nearly as good as he used to be. I certainly don't want a 1B whose only contribution is good hands on defense and great form as he jogs halfway to 1st.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 6:56pm

Yeah!

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 8:14pm

RHP Ty'Relle Harris is not only a load & a half at 6'5 240, he's also got a bit of a mean streak.

After he got kicked-out of the University of the Pacific, Harris attended Sacramento City College, before ending up at Tennessee.

Conversely, LHP Jeff Lorick is a member of the National Honor Society and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He attended the University of Virginia with Cubs minor league OF Brandon Guyer and LHP Casey Lambert.

Submitted by The Joe
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 8:50pm

He's Christian and violent?! That's an oxymoron.

Submitted by Ryno
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 9:26pm

Apparently you've never seen Sarah Palin hunting wolves.

Submitted by The Joe
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 9:29pm

Christians can kill animals, just not people...
except for retarded people, brown people, non-Christians and other people.

Submitted by Jackstraw
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 9:48pm

No good will come of this.

Submitted by The Joe
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 10:12pm

Yeah, I was afraid of that too. I am a Christian and do not mean to start a fight.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 11:27pm

How DARE you say Christians are violet? I know many Christians and they come in all color spectrums. Some of my favorite Christians are seafoam green, formica, and lobotomy gray.

Submitted by The Joe
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 11:43pm

And sometimes, rainbow.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 11:50pm

Are you the rainbow wig guy??

Submitted by The Joe
on Thu, 08/19/2010 - 12:09am

~crickets~

Submitted by Tony S.
on Thu, 08/19/2010 - 12:42am

fart.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 9:44pm

LHP Jeff Lorick is a member of the National Honor Society and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Which, frankly, means absolutely nothing. And I say that as someone who was part of both.

Submitted by springs
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 10:40pm

More importantly, lefties are hitting .128/.222/.170 off him. He is in low A ball though (just drafted last year, looks like he just moved up to high A) at age 22, so whether he can become a lefty specialist in the pen is still very uncertain.

Submitted by springs
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 10:44pm

AZ Phil -- Speaking of Brandon Guyer, what are your thoughts on his latest resurgence? He has hit around .450 in his last 15-20 games and now leads the Southern League in OPS of .960, is 2nd in average at .332 and is 22 of 24 sb. It looks like somehow everything clicked. Do you think he has a chance to be a starter at the major league level?

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Thu, 08/19/2010 - 12:48am

Submitted by springs on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 9:44pm.
AZ Phil -- Speaking of Brandon Guyer, what are your thoughts on his latest resurgence? He has hit around .450 in his last 15-20 games and now leads the Southern League in OPS of .960, is 2nd in average at .332 and is 22 of 24 sb. It looks like somehow everything clicked. Do you think he has a chance to be a starter at the major league level?

================================================

SPRINGS: I've had Brandon Guyer on my Top 15 Cubs Prospects list for a couple of years now. I think he will be an MLB player, but I don't know how he will be used. He played 3B in HS, but was moved to the outfield at UVA because Ryan Zimmerman was the Cavs 3B when Guyer was there. The Cubs drafted him as a 2B, although he has been playing OF (mostly CF) with the Cubs. He is a very good base-stealer and he has HR power, and he plays a crash & burn defense like Reed Johnson. I keep waiting for the Cubs to play him in the infield (3B, 2B, and 1B) in addition to the outfield to maybe develop him as a "super-sub", but so far he has remained strictly an outfielder.

I believe the Cubs will add Chris Archer (lock), Brandon Guyer (very likely), and Marquez Smith (probably) to the 40-man roster by the 11/20 deadline (all three will be eligible for selection in the December 2010 Rule 5 Draft), although I don't believe any of the three will get a September call-up. If Guyer doesn't get a slot in the AFL he will probably play winter ball with Mexicali in the Mexican Pacific League.

In addition, I believe Brad Snyder and Robinson Chirinos will be added to the Cubs 40-man roster, too, very possibly in September (especially Snyder), but no later than the end of the World Series. Because Snyder and Chirinos are eligible to be Rule 55 minor league free-agents (6YMiLFA), the deadline to add them to the 40-man roster is by no later than the 4th day following the conclusion of the World Series.

Submitted by Ryno
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 9:25pm

Trading Lee? WTF... are the Cubs giving up on this season already?

Submitted by Cubster
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 9:41pm

I'm thinkin' Koyie Hill will get the majority of the remaining at bats out the the 3 hole

or lou might pick names out of a hat (after eating what sits on a ritz)

Submitted by MikeC
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 9:43pm

Going with our youngsters would be great if we had a kick ass farm system. None of these guys outside of Castro are highly regarded.

I see a lot of wishful thinking for Diamond but i really doubt he will have much of a major league career. Its gonna be fun to watch his 3 and 4 inning starts if he is gonna be in our rotation next year. Thats not development, thats suckage.

Ohhh i know i hate on the farm system, but our prospects are not Tampa Bay level prospects that turned them around. We aren't loaded anywhere. Our best are not waiting in the wings, they are already on the roster, and it isn't making much of a dent in our record.

They still play crap baseball and inserting whatever is left of our crap farm system isn't going to turn a damn thing around.

We just shipped Derrek Lee off and a 29 year old Hoff was recalled. Feel the power of our loaded farm system kick in. Look at the rotation....our best and brightest is Thomas Diamond? There is no Tommy Hanson, David Price waiting in the wings? Nope its a throw away player that has a real hard time finding the strike zone.

Where the hell is the hope for next year? Castro? Colvin and thats it? Fuck that sucks.

Going young is great if you have the talent but the Cubs don't have it. I wouldnt't put a lot of stock in some of these guys were promoting for jobs. Those are the best of whats left and it isn't pretty.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 9:56pm

sounds like someone's never heard of bobby scales.

FREE BOBBY SCALES!

btw...though he's not ready jay jackson could show up sometime in 2011.

Submitted by The Joe
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 10:13pm

I'm excited about Lee at SS.

Submitted by springs
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 10:36pm

Cashner is highly regarded, as is Brett Jackson. Jackson, Chris Archer, Chris Carpenter, Hak Ju Lee, Jay Jackson and, after his performance this season, Brandon Guyer are all likely in consideration for BA's top 100 prospects (and I would be shocked if Brett Jackson and Chris Archer, at a minimum, do not make it). Trey McNutt has also become rather unhittable at Daytona.

Is Justin Berg or James Russell or Jeff Stevens or Marcos Mateo a superstar? No, but nobody is asking them to be -- they are relief pitchers. As for players like Diamond and Cashner, they performed extremely well at AAA and have had flashes of good performance in the majors. I think Diamond is at least in the bullpen next year and (I hope) Cashner may be in the rotation. Hopefully they continue to improve and develop -- but saying the Cubs don't have talent because they have become stars yet is misleading and, for some players, blatantly incorrect.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 11:26pm

surely anyone that thinks Thomas Diamond is considered the team's "best and brightest" out of the minors needs to be taken seriously.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 11:36pm

Rockies supposedly releasing Brad Hawpe. I know he plays half his games in Coors Field, but his obp was also excellent, around .380 every year until this season and his home/road career splits are shockingly close. I wonder if the Cubs could take a flier on him the rest of the year, maybe play some more 1b. Lefty power bat. He's played 6 games at 1b for the Rockies this season. Or next year move Colvin to 1b or Soriano to 1b and that opens an OF spot for Hawpe. Putting him in the OF is probably less attractive since we have Guyer and Jackson hopefully coming along soon.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 08/19/2010 - 1:36am

Hawpe is a terrible defensive outfielder.

And he'll likely sign with a contender for the rest of the year.

Submitted by MikeC
on Thu, 08/19/2010 - 8:09am

Well Rob usually when a team dumps a starter and looks to the minor leagues they go with their future. When that future doesn't exist, you get Thomas Diamond.

If they aren't ready to pitch now, they won't be ready for 2011.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 08/19/2010 - 8:26am

Diamond essentially replaced Silva in the rotation, not Lilly, and that was only because they didn't want to start Jackson's clock and they had already screwed up Cashner.

Submitted by Tony S.
on Thu, 08/19/2010 - 12:45am

MikeC--I don't really admittedly know dick about the system off-hand, but this seems like a pretty accurate assessment.

That said, I don't like to go on record until AFTER AZ Phil weighs in.... ;-)

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 11:33pm

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/report-rock...

Hawpe about to be released, .839 OPS away from Coors

terrible outfielder though and will certainly try to catch on with a contender

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Thu, 08/19/2010 - 1:09am

Tribune finally speculates about Colvin being moved to 1b next season...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball...

"I'm not sure how long I'd need," Colvin said. "It's been a while since I've done it. Hopefully if they want me to do that, I'll do it. No one has ever said 'Hey, we want you to take ground balls there.' I've got to wait for that first and then we'll see what happens."

Colvin thinks he could handle first, though he didn't sound like he was eager to move there.

"I'm comfortable in the outfield, but if that's what they want me to do, I can't complain," he said. "If it helps out the Chicago Cubs, that's what I'll do."
-----

Another note: Cubs said Wednesday they would call up Hoffpauir to replace DLee, but he was sent down last Friday and can't return for 10 days unless there is an injury. Monday would be the first day he could return.

Submitted by QuietMan
on Thu, 08/19/2010 - 9:59am

Re: Hoffpauir

Maybe there's an exception because he was up as a bereavement list replacement?

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Fri, 08/20/2010 - 1:32am

Submitted by QuietMan on Thu, 08/19/2010 - 8:59am.
Re: Hoffpauir

Maybe there's an exception because he was up as a bereavement list replacement?

=======================================================

QUIET MAN: The only circumstances under which a player can be recalled after spending less than ten days on Optional Assignment are if the player replaces a player who is placed on the Disabled List or Bereavement List, or if the player is traded, or if the player's minor league season is over.

The fact that Hoffpauir was recalled earlier in the month to replace a player who was placed on the Bereavement List has no bearing on having the ten-day period cut-short to replace a player who was traded.

So the Cubs will keep Sam Fuld on the 25-man roster until Monday, and then they can recall Hoffpauir and option Fuld back to Iowa.

Submitted by rokfish
on Thu, 08/19/2010 - 12:21am

So if we sign a new ex rockie (Hawpe) can we get rid of a old ex rockie(Baker)

Submitted by Tony S.
on Thu, 08/19/2010 - 12:52am

I really don't know what to think. DLee doesn't want to leave wonderful Chicago (which we all pretty much knew was bullshit) but now is a Brave-o?

I think in magical (read: delusional) Cub-fan-world, the thought was that this season was over anyway, and we would re-sign Lee for about $1m per for maybe 2 yrs., and he would suddenly hit like an mvp next year.

I like the character a lot, but like Z ain't an ace, DLee was never meant to be the proverbial 'clubhouse leader'. It just wasn't his style (or so it would seem).

Adios, DLee, thanks for the years.

Now, Az Phil, is there anything not ultimately junk in the haul we got back??
(and on a side note, is BHawpe really our next 1B??)

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Thu, 08/19/2010 - 1:12am

Submitted by Tony S. on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 11:52pm.
I really don't know what to think. DLee doesn't want to leave wonderful Chicago (which we all pretty much knew was bullshit) but now is a Brave-o?

I think in magical (read: delusional) Cub-fan-world, the thought was that this season was over anyway, and we would re-sign Lee for about $1m per for maybe 2 yrs., and he would suddenly hit like an mvp next year.

I like the character a lot, but like Z ain't an ace, DLee was never meant to be the proverbial 'clubhouse leader'. It just wasn't his style (or so it would seem).

Adios, DLee, thanks for the years.

Now, Az Phil, is there anything not ultimately junk in the haul we got back??
(and on a side note, is BHawpe really our next 1B??)

========================================

TONY S: Maybe Hendry has finally decided to try and round up as many relief prospects as he can, to try and build the bullpen without having to sign high-priced middle-relievers.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Fri, 08/20/2010 - 9:35pm

Surely Hendry won't be around to "Set the Market" for middle relievers for yet another off-season?

X
You may login with either your assigned username or your e-mail address.
The password field is case sensitive.
Loading