Bucs Still Looking For Hitter
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Pirates are mulling options other than Adam LaRoche, as talks have stalled somewhat. Trot Nixon appears to be off the radar as a free agent signing. No more Melky Cabrera talk either.
Existing possibilities include Chad Tracy for Mike Gonzalez and another player, or a deal for Ryan Church, Casey Kotchman, or Geoff Jenkins.
Meanwhile, Bucco Blog weighed in on the team's need to keep Chris Duffy and also suggested Kotchman as a realistic possibility. Jake "heard through the grapevine" that Kotchman could one day entertain a long-term deal with the Bucs. I haven't spoken to Jake on this topic recently, but just connect the dots a bit here.
Why dont the Cubs send Jones and we would be rid of his no throwing and no base running ass.
Posted by: cubbieintexas | January 12, 2007 at 10:26 AM
agreed...and they could just ask for two B type prospects. I know that would upgrade the pirates offense, and give the Cubs some more young talent and enable them platoon Floyd the way they want to. The only problem the Cubs are left with after trading Jones is that they are starting, most likely, three right handed hitters in the OF. They need some left handed bats. The could sign Floyd...but are they really going to count on him to be their left handed power source? I hope not. I like the players the Cubs have in the outfield, but the overall makeup sucks. They don't have anyone to play center that is not right handed...and they are stuck with Sori in right the way I see it, and Murton in left, so there is no way to get anyone left handed full time in those slots. Then CF is a big question, and while I like Pagan, I dont think he is going to scare anyone offensively. The fact remains that they need left handed power somewhere in the lineup, and trading Jones is getting rid of the only source they have. I think Jonse fundamentals are a joke...but is it worth trading him because of it, and leaving your team full of right handed outfielders and no left-handed power to bat behind lee and Ramirez? I don't know......
Posted by: Aduncaroo | January 12, 2007 at 10:50 AM
Then again...we could do a salary dump with the Baltimore and get a left with some power...Corey Patterson....hmmmmm....and he is a CF with speed
Posted by: cubbieintexas | January 12, 2007 at 11:42 AM
I know.....but there is no chance the Cubs will trade for him again. Plus, Corey probably had a better year than Jones did...at least if you count defense and speed into numbers. There is no chance Corey would even want to come back let alone Hendry trading for him again. Its just not going to happen
Posted by: Aduncaroo | January 12, 2007 at 11:47 AM
duncaroo, I think ahealthy floyd batting 6th in this lineup could possibly blow up in 07. Maybe comeback player of the year? If hes healthy, this guy is a gamer, and an awesome clubhouse guy. I think platooning him would be a waste of time and money though.
Posted by: nrmax88 | January 12, 2007 at 05:36 PM
I agree the cubs seriously need some lefty sticks though. Izturis aint cutten it
Posted by: nrmax88 | January 12, 2007 at 05:37 PM
I agree, I would love to see a healthy floyd. The problem is that we dont have any idea if he is going to be healthy. JJ only costs 5 mil per year for the next two years. While his fundamentals could not be worse, the guy did it almost 30 bombs....I dont know if you are going to do better for less money. If only Murton could play SS.....HA!
Posted by: Aduncaroo | January 12, 2007 at 06:45 PM