2nd base

[bd811]

Whats everyone's view on the Cubs' 2nd base situation?

Should the Cubs test their luck and re-sign Grudz, who had a surprisingly huge contribution to our 2003 season?

Should they steal one from our rivals and go for the pesky Fernando Vina, even though he seems to be on the decline?

Should they go for the most expensive, but the one who would seem to be risk-free, Luis Castillo?

Or should they go after someone besides those three? Todd Walker? Vidro?

[rockin500]

I'd like to go for vidro. he's young, he's got a great glove, and a good bat.

vina is too old. i'd take grudzz over vina.

luis castillo wouldnt be tooooo big of a risk. he's fast, good glove, but has a lot of weaknesses in his swing, as was evident in the playoffs.

[bd811]

I wouldnt take a chance on Grudz again. He had a good season for us. Lets not risk a repeat of '99, when we trusted Ghaettie and Lance Johnson based on their lightning-in-a-bottle '98 seasons.

I just read that Castillo and Florida are progressing in contract talks, but that doesnt mean its impossible. Hed be too expensive though, and we wouldnt be able to fill the rest of the holes.

Vina would probly be cheaper than anyone else, because of his age and two straight subpar seasons. He cant steal, he has a low OBP, and he has been declining steadily since 2001. He and Gonzo would make for a hell of a DP combo though. But...Not worth it.

I dont know if Vidro is being shopped, but I heard somethin about a rumor regarding Vidro to the Cubs a week or 2 ago. He would be the best choice. But we really do need a legitimate leadoff hitter. Look what happened when we got Lofton last year. The offense took off.

[Baseball Guru]

Originally posted by rockin500
but has a lot of weaknesses in his swing, as was evident in the playoffs.


Oh Ray, Ray, Ray:nah

Are you crazy;)

Castillo has hit over .300 every year he has been a starter except for in 2001......

Dude is a very good hitter and would be a great addition to any team...... Wish the Mets would get him but according to a source and published reports in South Florida, the Marlins are finalizing terms on multi-year contracts for Castillo. An official announcement could come as early as Friday or early next week.

Sounds like it is very close to a done deal....

[rockin500]

ok, maybe i meant in the world series when he was looking like soriano. :lmao:

BUT if the cubs coulda got him for 4.5 million a year, i woulda been like **** YEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAG!!!! but not 6 mil a year that it woulda taken to outbid the stupid mets or the fishies.

[bd811]

Well that narrows it to Grudz, Vina, and maybe Vidro. I wouldnt be surprised if Hendry has somethin up his sleeve tho. Who thought wed get Lee? Who thought wed get Ramirez and Lofton?

Anyway the only way Id like Vina in our lineup is if we get an offensive catcher such as Pudge or Kendall to compensate for the loss of offense wed be getting from 2nd. If we did get one of those catchers, then Id sign Vina and rely on him mostly for defense and consider anything offensive a plus.

[Baseball Guru]

Out of the group that bd mentions, I really like Vidro:thumbsup:


He's another 2B I wouldn't mind having on my team...

[Baseball Guru]

Hearing reports that Vina is apparently very interested in staying in the NL and is is seriously considering the Cubs....

[bd811]

Thats bad news in my opinion. Id rather re-sign Grudz and hope to get another few years outta him or trade for Vidro(that hinges on whether the 'Spos re-sign Vlad), or for Junior Spivey, which was mentioned in the article about Hawkins in the Trib.

Vina is terrible. I hear local radio hosts talk about how he is a player who relies on his speed and steals a lot of bases, but that isnt true. Over 11 seasons he has stolen only 114 bases. He has had declining on base percentages and batting averages too recently, and those are 3 of the most important stats for leadoff hitters.

His defense doesn't compensate for what he lacks in offense, either. His .974 OBP isn't all that eye-popping.

All that, along with the fact that he has just always bothered me as a Cardinal. Id feel like Im rooting for the enemy.:D

[bd811]

Alright heres my order of 2nd basemen I would want, out of the ones who are available, or at least rumored to be:
1. Jose Vidro
2. Todd Walker
3a. Mark Gridzielanek (experienced, proven)
3b. Junior Spivey (youthful, cheaper)
4. Fernando Vina

As far as I know those are the only starting 2nd basemen available.

[bd811]

I dont mean to clutter this thread up with my posts, but I found this interesting and relevant:

Via ESPN Insider:

Dec. 3 - Walker's agents, Alan Meersand and Brian Carlin, spoke by phone with the Tigers on Wednesday and said Walker would be interested in playing second base for Detroit, even though it's not at the top of his list of desired destinations. "Todd Walker is a lot like Alan Trammell," Meersand told Insider's Jerry Crasnick. "He'd love playing for Alan Trammell. That park is perfect for Todd. He'd probably have 60 doubles there."
The Cubs remain Walker's No. 1 choice, and Meersand said he expected to speak with Chicago officials soon. The Cubs are interested in bringing back free agent Mark Grudzielanek, but not for the $5.5 million he made this season. They don't expect to offer Grudzielanek salary arbitration by this Sunday's deadline.

Walker is seeking a deal similar to Raul Ibanez's three-year, $13.25 million agreement with Seattle. "Todd would be willing to go to the Cubs for a lot less than $5.5 million," Meersand said. Either Walker or Fernando Viña would fill Chicago's need for a left-handed bat.

Previously, Meersand said Tampa Bay and Kansas City were interested in Walker as a third baseman and DH, and San Francisco was considering him for first base. Walker hit .283 with 13 homers and 85 RBI for the Red Sox last season.