Results tagged ‘ Chris Davis ’
JUST A DREAM OR TWO
Okay, I mentioned that the Cubs should create a contingency plan in case we fall out of the race this season. After the back to back wins against the Marlins, I’m hoping we get on a hot streak and stay in the race for the NL Central title. With that said, I wanted to mention some players that I think the Cubs could or should pursue through trades and free agency over the next two years.
I’ll start with hitters first. While everyone in baseball, including myself, have been interested in the Cubs chances at acquiring Albert Pujols, there is another power hitting slugger that plays first that I would like the Cubs to sign as a free agent at the end of this season. That’s Prince Fielder. He’s younger than Pujols by about 5 years, has plenty of power and is a left handed hitter. Plus, I think he would cost the Cubs less then Pujols.
Another player that I have obsessed about is Chris Davis. He’s a corner infielder with the Texas Rangers and is only 25 years old. He has plenty of power and I think he would be a great fit for the Cubs. We would have to trade for him though and I’m not sure what the Rangers would want from us.
Another free agent at the end of this season is Jose Lopez of the Colorado Rockies. He’s still relatively young and hasn’t hit well this year or last year. However, I think he may be worth a shot if he can start hitting again like he is capable of. He can play 1B, 2B and 3B.
Another third baseman I like is Kevin Kouzmanoff. He’s a stud with the glove and I would like to see what he could do in a full season in a hitter’s park. He’ll be a free agent in 2013.
If you can’t tell, I am wanting some power hitting corner infielders and preferably ones that are younger and just beginning to hit their prime. I also have some starting pitchers in mind as well.
I’ll start with Jeremy Bonderman. He’s currently not in baseball to my knowledge even though he’s only 28. I suggest the Cubs sign him to a minor league contract, if he’d accept, and see what he has left in the tank. I could see him as a starter or reliever and I think he would help out the team.
I wouldn’t mind us trying to sign Edwin Jackson after this season either. While it seems like he’s been around forever, he’s won’t turn 28 until September of this year.
There are a few pitchers that will potentially be free agents at the end of next season that I would love to see in a Cubs uniform too. They are Matt Cain, Fausto Carmona, Zack Greinke, Cole Hamels, Francisco Liriano and Anibal Sanchez.
Finally, there is one pitcher I would love for the Cubs to trade for, but I doubt it happens, and it’s Felix Hernandez. Imagine King Felix, Big Z and Matt Garza in a starting rotation together!!!!! There would be a lot of energy on the mound when those guys pitched!
Anyway, I’m just dreaming a bit today.
MARCH MADNESS AND OTHER STUFF
The Cubs have begun to make cuts this week and the team is beginning to take shape. We still have some battles going on for the starting rotation and bullpen along with bench player spots for the hitters. We have two weeks to figure out who’s gonna stay and play and who’s being sent down or released.
JUST RANDOM THOUGHTS
The Chicago Cubs appear to content with the lineup we currently have. I was kind of hoping we would trade Fukudome, but that does not seem like it will happen. I was also a little bit interested in Michael Young to play second over the platoon of Blake DeWitt and Jeff Baker, but that is not going to happen either. Another possible “solution” for second would be Luis Castillo if the Mets were willing to part with him. Personally, I don’t like this idea at all. The one move I still think the Cubs could make is acquiring Chris Davis from the Rangers. I think it would take catcher Wellington Castillo and another high minor league player.
THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY
I am still having trouble with my internet provider which is beginning to tick me off. I live out in the country and have limited options for “high-speed” internet without having to spend over $80 a month for service. It sucks!!!! So, while I have been able to read other blogs, I have not been able to post comments, nor have I had much success at writing posts myself. I started a couple only to lose them after not being able to stay connected. Anyway, enough crying about that.
The Cubs look like they are going to sign Carlos Marmol to a 3 year extension from what I’ve read. Great move! The guy hasn’t been a pitcher that long and continues to get better every year. Let’s hope this continues.
Pitchers and Catchers are close to reporting, but several Cubs are already in Arizona. Jeff Samardzija has been there for a while now and I am expecting a great spring from him. I anticipate he will make a strong case to be in the rotation for the Cubs in 2011.
I always like to think of trade ideas for the Cubs along with potential free agent signings. I’ve already mentioned several times in other posts that we should trade for Chris Davis, Darren O’Day and possibly Michael Young from the Rangers. I still want us to get Davis and O’Day, but I have a few knew trade ideas.
First player I have in mind is Justin Upton of the D’Backs. This kid, he’s young folks, is a good player that oozes talent when he sweats. I would love to see him added to our outfield of the future.
Another player I would like to get is Kevin Kouzmanoff. He’s got a great glove and I believe his bat would play well in Wrigley Field. I know Aramis is getting older and I’m not sold on Josh Vitters as our future at third at this point. I must point out though, that I am hopeful that Vitters turns the corner this season and breaks out with his bat.
I wanted us to trade for Adrian Gonzalez this winter, but the Red Sox beat us out. I guess we can sign Albert if he miraculously doesn’t stay with the redbirds. While I am trying to be optimistic about the Carlos Pena signing this offseason I am also thinking of ways to upgrade for 2012.
Finally, it’s almost Valentine’s Day. I’m not big into holidays like this. I don’t get holiday pay or off work and I end up having to spend a bunch of money on flowers and such. Not that I mind it. My wife is great! But even before I met my wife, I’ve never been fond of this holiday. The middle of February has always been about pitchers and catchers reporting! That should be a holiday!!!!
A LITTLE CATCHING UP
My internet hasn’t worked right the last few days so, I haven’t been able to write any posts. I guess I can blame it on the winter weather the midwest has experienced. I didn’t even call my internet provider because I know they would probably give me some lame excuse. Anyway, here’s a few thoughts I’ve had the last couple of days.
The Rangers are shopping Michael Young to the Rockies. Why in the world won’t the Cubs make an offer?! We could package Soriano, Jeff Baker or Blake DeWitt and Wellington Castillo for Michael Young, Chris Davis and Darren O’Day. Soriano and Young each have bad contracts. The Cubs would probably have to eat around $9 million of his contract during the final year of his deal, but it would be worth it to me. It’s just a thought.
Blake DeWitt. I read that Greg Maddux had a role in the Cubs acquiring DeWitt. So, while I have been skeptical of DeWitt, I am willing to give him more of a chance. I trust Maddux’s judgement. I hope he’s right.
Carlos Marmol and the Cubs are working on a multiyear extension that will give our closer a substantial raise and avoid any more arbitration years. I think we should do the same thing with Matt Garza and get both players locked up so we don’t have to go through this again with either of them any time soon.
Aramis Ramirez is getting older as is probably playing for a contract this year. (I don’t see the Cubs picking up his option for 2012) I wonder if the Cubs will try to sign him to a multiyear deal after the season or will we let him walk? Should we let him walk and hope Josh Vitters can replace him? I think this summer will give us a better clue on what to do.
I’ve got more, but I wanted to get this post in before my internet stops working again. I will leave with this thought……..WHY HAVEN’T THE CARDS SIGNED PUJOLS YET? HE’S THE BEST PLAYER IN THE GAME!!!!!!!!!!!
TRADES??????
Okay, since the Rangers signed Adrian Beltre there’s been a lot of speculation that Michael Young would be on the trade market. I don’t know if he is, but I think the Cubs should take a look at making a deal for him. He could play second base next year and provide us with another good bat. The last time we got an infielder from Texas was when we signed free agent Mark DeRosa. That worked out okay and I think Young would too.
The Cubs have already discussed a deal with the Rangers for corner infielder Chris Davis and pitcher Darren O’Day. Why not throw Young into the mix and make it a big deal? If Hendry has proven anything in his time as GM for the Cubs, it’s his ability to make good trades. Remember, that’s how we got D. Lee and Ramirez!
Looking closer at Young, he’s 34 years old and won’t be a free agent until after the 2013 season. He’s due $16 million each of the next three years. That’s a lot of money for a guy who hasn’t played second base in several years and who is in his mid 30s. So, who would we trade in a deal for Young that the Rangers would want?????
My first guess would be Alfonso Soriano. He could play outfield or more than likely be a DH. With his fielding abilities I think he’s better suited to be a DH and just focus on hitting. He’s signed through 2014 at $18 million each year. If we traded him in a deal for Young we would have to compensate the Rangers some to cover his salary.
Getting back to the Davis and O’Day deal, I read that the Rangers wanted minor league catcher Robinson Chirinos. I say let’s trade him! He’s got Soto, Hill and Castillo in front of him. No sense wasting his talent in the minors.
So, adding these two potential deals together means the Rangers trading us Davis, O’Day and Young for Soriano, cash, Chirinos and maybe another player or two. I don’t think this deal will happen. Plus, I believe the Cubs are set on having DeWitt at second base for the time being. My only other guess is that they are waiting for Hak-Ju Lee to take over shortstop and Castro to move to second in the near future. If this is true, and works out, then I’m okay with having DeWitt at second for now.
I still keep reading that we have an interest in Matt Garza and Fausto Carmona. Well, I have wanted the Cubs to trade for Garza ever since the winter meetings. But after second thoughts, I think it’s best we hold on to our young talent. That goes for Carmona too! We have a bunch of young players that are close to making it to the big leagues.
While I like the idea of getting Young, Garza and Carmona, I feel they would cost us too much. However, I think we can get Davis and O’Day for a fair price. So, go ahead Jim and make a deal. It’s been a quiet winter and I know you are not finished dealing yet.
ODDS AND ENDS ON TRADES, ANDREW CASHNER AND JEFF SAMARDZIJA
Things have been slow since the Cubs signed Carlos Pena back in December. I expect Jim Hendry to try and make a move or two before pitchers and catchers report in February. I have read that we shopped around Tom Gorzelanny and Kosuke Fukudome. I also know we inquired on Matt Garza during the winter meetings. I would love for the Cubs to trade for him, but I am thinking the Rays are going to hold on to him for now. I also know we talked to the Rangers about acquiring Chris Davis…..a good move in my opinion. AIso, I personally feel we need to trade Randy Wells in a deal soon and open up a spot in the starting rotation for one of our younger pitchers. So, look for a deal or two to be made involving any of the names mentioned above. At least that’s what I anticipate at this point.
Speaking of younger pitchers, I believe the Cubs need to make a decision on Andrew Cashner soon. Is he a future starter or reliever? I think he will be great at either, but we can’t do to Cashner what we’ve done to Jeff Samardzija. For those of you that don’t know what I’m talking about here’s a quick summary. Samardzija was a starter before getting called up to the Majors in 2008 and used as a reliever. In 2009 he was used primarily as a reliever for the Cubs, but as a starter in the minors once again. In 2010, Samardzija pitched in 7 games for the Cubs with 3 of them being starts. In the minors, he made 35 appearances with 15 being starts. I think doing this has hampered his progression. It’s been 3 wasted seasons for Samardzija and we can’t afford to do the same thing to Cashner. I hope we’ve learned our lesson. I still believe Samardzija can be a successful major league pitcher and I know Cashner can too. I say we let them have a shot at the starting rotation this spring. If they don’t pitch well enough then send them to Iowa as starters and let them work on their pitching.
That’s all I’ve got for now. I plan on writing something more in depth on Samardzija, Cashner, Casey Coleman and a couple other young pitchers soon.
WHO IS CHRIS DAVIS?
I keep reading on various websites that the Cubs are still interested in a deal with the Texas Rangers for Chris Davis. While I am vaguely familiar with him I wanted to know a little more. So, here’s what I got.
Davis is a corner infielder capable of playing both firstbase and thirdbase. That’s interesting, considering Ramirez will be a free agent after 2011 and so will newly acquired Carlos Pena.
He’s will turn 25 next March so, he’s still relatively young. That’s another good thing. When I looked at his minor league stats it’s obvious he has power and he’s capable of hitting for a higher average than he has shown in the big leagues. Unfortunately, he does stikeout a lot. Too much if you ask me. However, if the Cubs were to reunite him with Rudy Jaramillo maybe things would work out in the Cubs favor. We just signed Pena and there’s talk that Rudy is going to help him so, why not help Davis as well.
From what I understand, the Rangers are wanting catcher Robinson Chirinos in a deal. I think that’s fine. We have Soto, Wellington Castillo and Koyie Hill at the catcher position right now. I am guessing Castillo will start the season in Triple A Iowa and get called up as soon as Hill or Soto get hurt…..not that I’m wanting that to happen because I don’t. Anway, I say pull the trigger and get Davis. We can use his lefthanded power off the bench to backup Pena and Ramirez or let him play at Triple A Iowa until we need him.
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