2006-2007 Hot Stove Thread
 

The MLB trading/free agent season begins with San Diego shipping Josh Barfield to the Indians. .

Re: 2006-2007 Hot Stove Thread
 

I know we'll see some "nothing" answers from some, but in all seriousness, what should the Cubs do this offseason? I mean, obviously they SHOULD find a better CF, but they won't. Realistically, though, what can they do?

Re: 2006-2007 Hot Stove Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
I know we'll see some "nothing" answers from some, but in all seriousness, what should the Cubs do this offseason? I mean, obviously they SHOULD find a better CF, but they won't. Realistically, though, what can they do?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm assuming Pierre is staying(could be wrong), but it's pretty hard to aquire a better CF than him. He is definately above average overall. He shouldn't be batting leadoff and shouldn't steal as much, but he is very fast, and his defensive ability makes up for his poor OBP.

Re: 2006-2007 Hot Stove Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I know we'll see some "nothing" answers from some, but in all seriousness, what should the Cubs do this offseason? I mean, obviously they SHOULD find a better CF, but they won't. Realistically, though, what can they do?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm assuming Pierre is staying(could be wrong), but it's pretty hard to aquire a better CF than him. He is definately above average overall. He shouldn't be batting leadoff and shouldn't steal as much, but he is very fast, and his defensive ability makes up for his poor OBP.

[/ QUOTE ]

The other thing that could happen is Pierre could hit his career OBP of .350 instead of .330. With his speed, that makes him a very good leadoff hitter.

Re: 2006-2007 Hot Stove Thread
 

Looks like the Phillies have interest in Soriano.

Re: 2006-2007 Hot Stove Thread
 

Is Aramis all but gone from the Cubbies? I know he filed for FA, but will the Cubs make a serious run at resigning him?

Re: 2006-2007 Hot Stove Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
I know we'll see some "nothing" answers from some, but in all seriousness, what should the Cubs do this offseason? I mean, obviously they SHOULD find a better CF, but they won't. Realistically, though, what can they do?

[/ QUOTE ] I made a post on this a while back, but I'd have to update it because the Japanese pitcher I thought they would/should sign re-signed in Japan.

Personally, I think Edmonds (Cards may pick up his option) and Dave Roberts are both > than Pierre and will go as better deals this year than Pierre. The Cubs biggest move this offseason is still most likely going to be signing Soriano to play center, however.

Re: 2006-2007 Hot Stove Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
The MLB trading/free agent season begins with San Diego shipping Josh Barfield to the Indians. .

[/ QUOTE ]

I think this is a nice coup for Shapiro. 23 years, five tools. Kouzmanoff's numbers last year were nuts, but he's two years older with less experience than Barfield.

Re: 2006-2007 Hot Stove Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
Is Aramis all but gone from the Cubbies? I know he filed for FA, but will the Cubs make a serious run at resigning him?

[/ QUOTE ] Last update was that the Cubs are still Aramis's first choice but talks have stalled. Aramis is going to get a huge contract, whomever signs him.

Re: 2006-2007 Hot Stove Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
I think this is a nice coup for Shapiro. 23 years, five tools. Kouzmanoff's numbers last year were nuts, but he's two years older with less experience than Barfield.

[/ QUOTE ] I disagree. This was a very even trade. The Padres want to upgrade at 2nd anyway (Giles or shift that Japanese 3b to 2nd). Kouz is likely to better than Barfield for the next year or two if he is healthy, and the Pads need a 3b. Plus, the pitching prospect they got in the deal could become the next great Padres set-up man.

Barfield gets neutered by righties and destroys lefties. Obviously, he could improve on this. But I don't think he's that much better than the inhouse options at 2nd for the Indians; although he has more upside.

OBP is the most important basic stat, and he had a .318 OBP last year. I see Barfield as an average regular. He'll be cheap, and the Indians needed to trade Kouz or Marte.

Re: 2006-2007 Hot Stove Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I think this is a nice coup for Shapiro. 23 years, five tools. Kouzmanoff's numbers last year were nuts, but he's two years older with less experience than Barfield.

[/ QUOTE ] I disagree. This was a very even trade. The Padres want to upgrade at 2nd anyway (Giles or shift that Japanese 3b to 2nd). Kouz is likely to better than Barfield for the next year or two if he is healthy, and the Pads need a 3b. Plus, the pitching prospect they got in the deal could become the next great Padres set-up man.

Barfield gets neutered by righties and destroys lefties. Obviously, he could improve on this. But I don't think he's that much better than the inhouse options at 2nd for the Indians; although he has more upside.

OBP is the most important basic stat, and he had a .318 OBP last year. I see Barfield as an average regular. He'll be cheap, and the Indians needed to trade Kouz or Marte.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm pretty sure this sets up Giles for Linebrink, as much as I am completely and totally against that deal. The Pads got Andrew Brown as well(possible replacement for Linebrink). I just don't agree with trading commodities for relief pitchers.

Re: 2006-2007 Hot Stove Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
I'm pretty sure this sets up Giles for Linebrink, as much as I am completely and totally against that deal. The Pads got Andrew Brown as well(possible replacement for Linebrink). I just don't agree with trading commodities for relief pitchers.

[/ QUOTE ]

Braves are going to trade us Marcus Giles for Scott Linebrink? Awesome.

Re: 2006-2007 Hot Stove Thread
 

Linebrink has been one of the top relievers in baseball over the last four years.

But he hasn't been as valuable as Giles over the past four years. It's not close; you have to remember that Giles's defense is worth 100+ (120, according to prospectus) runs over replacement level over the last four years.

Both are coming off their worst year of the last four; both should bounce back a bit. But Giles is two years younger and should bounce back more.

Re: 2006-2007 Hot Stove Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
Linebrink has been one of the top relievers in baseball over the last four years.

But he hasn't been as valuable as Giles over the past four years. It's not close; you have to remember that Giles's defense is worth 100+ (120, according to prospectus) runs over replacement level over the last four years.

Both are coming off their worst year of the last four; both should bounce back a bit. But Giles is two years younger and should bounce back more.

[/ QUOTE ]

Apparently, the Braves want to dump Giles because he is a drunk. So what? I'll be furious if that's the deal that happens. They wanted Linebrink bad at the deadline, and settled(badly) for Baez. Not real thrilled with the organization at the moment.

Re: 2006-2007 Hot Stove Thread
 

Mickey Mantle and Babe Ruth were drunks as well.

Re: 2006-2007 Hot Stove Thread
 

Shouldn't SD be concerned that Giles' batting has declined three straight years?

Re: 2006-2007 Hot Stove Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
Shouldn't SD be concerned that Giles' batting has declined three straight years?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, but I'll trade a 30-year old middle reliever for a decent 28 year old 2B with upside any day of the week.

Re: 2006-2007 Hot Stove Thread
 

Perhaps, but every reasonably accurate projection system is going to have Giles bouncing back quite a bit next year, and he was still way more valuable than Linebrink last year (including defense).