Slick-Fielding Shortstops Available
If you're looking for an all-glove type shortstop this summer, you have plenty of options.
- The Giants could move Omar Vizquel, but only if they feel that he can't help them in '08. According to Tim Brown, he loves the city and would stay if they made an offer. The Giants talked extension with him in March but his offensive performance this year may have changed their mind. He has $1.8MM in salary left.
- With Ryan Theriot performing OK this year and Ronny Cedeno tearing up Triple A, the Cubs may deem Cesar Izturis expendable. Giving Cedeno the starting shortstop job to begin last year was questionable, but it might make some sense now. Izturis makes another $1.8MM this year, plus probably another $300K to buy out his '08 option.
- Juan Uribe may no longer deserve the slick-fielding tag, but he's been an awful hitter so I have to call him something. Even his customary low OBP/decent SLG is slipping. His salary situation is pretty much the same as crosstown counterpart Izturis.
- Jack Wilson makes another $2.3MM this year, $6.5MM in '08, $7.25MM in '09, and a $600K buyout for '10. He has a limited no-trade clause allowing him to block trades to six clubs each year. About a month ago, Tim Brown spoke to a baseball source who thought he'd draw interest. Wilson is back to playing every day currently.
What team would want any of these guys? The Red Sox would probably be the only contender in need of a shortstop, and they're probably stuck with Julio Lugo.
I don't see any of them as an upgrade over Lugo. While he has sucked the first half, he seems, yes, seems, to be coming out of it. And at 9 million of money thats not coming out of my pocket, I'd take him over any of them. Of course, we could've avoided this discussion a couple years ago and locked up Cabrera whose hitting a robust .330. But nooooo! Oh well.
Posted by: ErroRod1985 | July 16, 2007 at 02:44 PM
The market sucks next year for shortstops, so I could see a team that isn't in the race step up and make a move for one of these guys to have for next year.
Posted by: thecubsdontcatchtheball | July 16, 2007 at 02:50 PM
Ok, so as a Red Sox fan I'm sick and tired of hearing about letting Cabrera go. Yes he helped us win the '04 series and he is a really good all around shortstop...but when we let him go as a free agent, we got a supplemental first round pick in return for losing him...and that pick ended up being...drumroll please..none-other than our number one pitching prospect, Clay Buchholz. I'd take an as near of a can't miss pitching prospect over a shortstop anyday. You should be just as mad than that we lost Hanley Ramirez, he's better and younger than Cabrera, oh but wait we got Josh Beckett and Lowell for him. Sounds like the front office is doin a fine job..be more mad we lost Alex Gonzalez!
Posted by: TheSweetSpot | July 16, 2007 at 02:55 PM
I agree, the Red Sox won't be trading for any of these guys. Lugo will be better the rest of the way, and even if he's not, I can't see any of those guys outperforming Lugo from here on out. We're stuck with him at least for the rest of the year, if not longer at that price. Makes me wonder what they'll do if A-Rod wants to play SS in Boston next year (and yes, I know I'm getting ahead of myself).
Posted by: Papelboner | July 16, 2007 at 03:01 PM
Or Edgar Renteria.
Wait till after 08 when guys like O-Cab, Renteria, Furcal are free agents. Juan Uribe is still a slick fielding shortstop. That's about all he is. Oh, and once every two months or so he hits 3 or 4 home runs in a series with a few doubles mixed in.
Posted by: buehrlebro | July 16, 2007 at 03:01 PM
Man, the Cubs are filled with slightly above- average middle infielders.
Posted by: beauhoopman | July 16, 2007 at 03:10 PM
Would Arizona be interested in a SS in the middle of the pennant race if Drew continues to play so badly?
Posted by: jza1218 | July 16, 2007 at 03:12 PM
"Man, the Cubs are filled with slightly above- average middle infielders."
Yeah, but Izturis ain't one of them.
Posted by: CubsAddictMG | July 16, 2007 at 03:25 PM
Yunel Escobar for sale.
Posted by: Chipper | July 16, 2007 at 03:27 PM
good work chipper.
Posted by: Torchy | July 16, 2007 at 03:43 PM
please don't get everyone started about how much Escobar and Salty are worth....that conversation is getting out of control.
Posted by: Aduncaroo | July 16, 2007 at 03:47 PM
Oh...and I know at least with Izturis...I'm pretty sure they will just give him to anyone that wants him....they might even pay some salary too. I'm just not so sure anyone wants him.
Posted by: Aduncaroo | July 16, 2007 at 04:03 PM
Maybe you should watch him on TBS before you make your opinion.
Posted by: Chipper | July 16, 2007 at 04:13 PM
Chipper, I'm confused....make my opinion on who?
Posted by: Aduncaroo | July 16, 2007 at 04:21 PM
The cubs wanted Izturis last year, apparently. Or maybe they just really wanted to rid themselves of Maddux.
Posted by: J.L. | July 16, 2007 at 04:26 PM
Yunel Escobar, Aduncaroo.
Posted by: Chipper | July 16, 2007 at 04:38 PM
Gotay > Escobar
Oh, and Salty sux0rz FTW!!1!!one!one!!
Posted by: JerseyMetFan | July 16, 2007 at 05:20 PM
Juan Uribe has been simply awful for the White Sox this year, and even his usual rock-solid defense has begun to slip.
The White Sox have a $8M option on him for 2008, but I doubt the Sox will use it.
GM Kenny Williams has lusted after Omar Vizquel for years, but I hope the Sox go with someone younger for 2008.
Posted by: Cold Golden Falstaff | July 17, 2007 at 07:49 AM