Cubs Interested In Figgins

Let me just say that if Reagins ask for Aramis Ramirez, Hendry should laugh in his face and ask him where he gets his crack from.

If you're a Cubs fan, tune into WGN radio, or WGNradio.com, Kaplan is talking Cubs baseball until 9pm central.

The point is not that they are overvaluing him. The point is that they don't need to trade him unless they get a monster return on him. He won't go anywhere.

Figgins sucks. Why do you think the Angels never start him. Too many people are thinking Figgins and Crawford are good just because it is fun to run with him in videogames.

Enough with ppl overvalueing players because they are speedy and hit for average..

Felix Pie is fast, stick with him.

Angels beat writer Kevin Baxter was just on WGN Radio with Kaplan, he says the Angels are thinking about Inge, Atkins, Beltre, Rolen. He said Figgans is one of their most valuable players and he can't see them trading him, but he felt the same way about Orlando Cabrera.

Kaplan asked if Matthews Jr. might be shopped and Baxter said they've talked about that but the plan is for Matthews to play the corner spots.

Kaplan and Baxter agreed that the Cubs and and Angels don't match up well for a Figgans trade because the Angels don't need starting pitching and the Cubs don't have a SS or 3b to trade. Kaplan suggest DeRosa as part of the deal, but Baxter said the Angels like Atkins and Rolen or someone else with a good glove. (I'll add that Inge makes sense too)

Finally, Baxter suggested the Cubs might match up better to go after Reggie Willits instead of Figgans, since the Angels have a log jam of outfielders, and that Willits for DeRosa might be an even swap.

Aramis Ramirez? Ho, ho, ho.

I'm not jumping on the Angels for asking -- hey, why not? But Hendry can't possibly be that dopey.

I do think Figgins is somewhat overrated. Yeah he was an OBP machine this year, but last year, not so much.

That is a seriously lopsided trade.

Figgins posted an 825 OPS. Included in that was an OBP of nearly 400. He managed to steal 41 bases in an abbreviated season. He also can play every position outside of catcher.

Ramirez posted a 915 OPS. He hit under 30 HR's, didn't steal a base, and plays one position fairly well. He also played in an abbreviated season.

Figgins cost $3.75m last year. He will be $4.75 in 08. Ramirez cost $14m last year and will exceed $15.5 in 08.

So, at 3-4x's the cost Ramirez will give you an additional 25 HR's. He won't steal you a base and won't get on base as much.

BTW - if Figgins was playing for the Cubbies last year this is where he would have ranked among the starters:

BA - 1st (330 to Lee's 317)
OBP - 2nd (393 to Lee's 400)
SB - 1st (41 to Theriot's 28)

Hmmm ... yeah - the guy sucks.

And what was wrong with the Cubs offense? How about batting your FREAKING BEST POWER HITTER in the leadoff position. Soriano's 337 OBP and 19 steals are really maximized hitting 1st. How many more runs would have scored with a lead-off hitter with an OBP of 400 and the ability to steal 50+ bases? How many solo shots would be converted to 3 run bombs because Soriano has a table setter in front of him?

BTW - I wouldn't do this trade straight up for Figgins. A Figgins/Matthews deal works out to be about the same money wise. Don't have to sign anyone from Japan. Anyway, to each his own.

I'd be interested in it if it was Ervin Santana and Chone Figgins for Ramirez.. I feel that is actually fair..