Could Cubs Switch From Roberts To López?

With DeRosa already in house there seems like no need to bring Lopez in. My guess is that this move is an attempt to make the Orioles think that if they don't decide who they want soon the Cubs will move on to other options.

I think greenbaydude may be on the right track here. This could be a ploy by the Cubs to show the Orioles that there are other options out there, even if not quite the same caliber as Roberts.

Another thing to think about. The Cubs face the Nationals in the final weekend of April. Perhaps the scouts watching the Nationals right now are forward scouts reporting back what to expect from the Nationals when the two teams finally meet in about a month, particularly since the Nationals are in the Grapefruit League in Florida and not the Cactus League in Arizona. I bet it wouldn't be a stretch to find Cubs' scouts trailing the Phillies as well, since they meet up in Philly in about 3 weeks.

With the D-Backs being so close last year would they want to give up Hudson? Do they have an inhouse guy? Do they have the pieces to trade Hudson then go for Roberts? Roberts leading off then Chris Young would be nice.

Intresting thought TMMonkey.

THEY BETTER NOT GET LOPEZ I SWEAR IF THEY DO AND FORGET ABOUT ROBERTS I'LL B**** SLAP JIM HENDRY.

I would love for some to explain to me how Lopez would be a better option at 2B than DeRosa. If the Cubs were that hell bent on a lefty playing second, Eric Patterson, Mike Fontenot, and Alex Cintron could all easily put up Loez type numbers (career .258 AVG, .328 OBP). Sure, he may steal a few more bases, but that's it.

This alleged interest is a ploy or a lie.

DLee- how do you figure that the Cubs showing interest in Lopez would, in any way, force McPhail's hand? No offense, but that's kinda ridiculous. How do you see that going down...? Hendry starts talking to the Nats and McPhail, terrified of having to keep his All Star second baseman, relents and sends his boy packing for 30 cents on the dollar?

Umm...no.

First off, Roberts was "Plan A" and when it was revealed what MacFail wanted, they thought about signing Kaz. Damn it's right there in the archives. Second, if we don't trade for Roberts...SO WHAT?! I thought we were trying to get a left handed leadoff hitter not actively looking for a new second basemen? Mark DeRosa works just fine for me. In fact, his OBP is just fine with me.
We don't need to rush and grab a second basemen just cuz that's what he plays. And DAMN STAY AWAY FROM THE D.C. AREA, JIM!! It's nothing but a headache!!!

Lopez would allow someone to play 2nd while dero subs in for others...problem is, we already have that in fontenot and the best option, who will probably be better than lopez anyway, would be eric patterson. If u don't trade for roberts, he needs to make this team.

There is no reason to focus on 2B if we don't get Roberts. We should get a RH B-Up player like Inge that could play multiple IF/OF positions. Then we would have Murton and whomever from the right side. I am not saying Inge and Thames for Wuertz, though. I don't believe Jim would either.

Adun, Studio...what do you think of the possiblity of Fontenot being the LH complement to Theriot at SS? Fontenot has played an excellent SS this spring. He provides much of the same energy/intangibles as Theriot does. Neither is a full-time 150+ games a year player...but between the two, they are one good solid SS. Fontenot comes in and spells Theriot against some tough righties and to give him the occasional breather he needs. If Theriot is well rested, maybe he can maintain that .280 BA/.350 OBP he had until September last year. That would make for a solid leadoff guy. Fontenot can also put up a .350 OBP from that spot in limited duty. The only thing you lose with Fontenot subbing for Theriot is a little speed, but otherwise I think it's a good alternative to Roberts. Pick up Inge to be the supersub at 1b, 3b, LF, and RF...as well as being the RH complement to Pie in CF on occasion. He can also fill in as the emergency catcher. And you've got a subersub that is more useful than DeRosa. And he doesn't disrupt team chemistry. We all thought Roberts would provide the Cubs with 3 things: 1) Moving Soriano down the lineup -- but that's already done without him 2) providing depth by moving DeRosa to a supersub role -- but Inge can do that as well if not better. and 3) a proven leadoff guy. But if Theriot/Fontenot can combine for a .350 OBP and 30-35 SB - a goal that is pretty realistic...then is it really worth giving up so many players for Roberts for his 35-50 SB's and .360-.370 OBP. Sure that's better, but is is it worth overpaying for? My opinion is no. Let's walk away and pick up Inge. Gallagher and Marshall are good insurance for the rotation at AAA. I'm getting to the point where I don't want the Roberts deal to happen anymore. Not at the price they're asking.

Crunch,

I like the idea. But will we have to give up Wertz to get Inge?

But what would the 25 man look like and who woudl back up Pie?

It would look something like

Infield Lee, De-Ro, Fontenot, Theriot, Ramirez, Ward

Outfield - Soriano, Fukudomoe, Pie, Murton, Inge

Catchers - Blanco, Soto

That would leave room for 12 pitchers.. It works numbers wise....

I agree Wuertz is too much. The guy is one of the best at getting out of impossible jams. The Tigers don't have a catching prospect in their system worth mentioning and Pudge will retire soon. The Cubs have good catching depth in their system. With Soto and Donaldson, they're set for the next decade. Welington Castillo is the third wheel here but he'd probably be a top 10 prospect in their system and head and shoulders above the next catching prospect. It seems like a natural fit. The only problem I see is making the rosters fit. The Cubs may have to add Cedeno since he is out of options anyway. I'm not sure how they feel about their backup SS.

why is felipe lopez not in the nats starting linuep...he stole 24 bases in like 600 abs...guzman and belliard are old and garbage

If you asked me before ST about Fonteno backing up at SS, I would have said no. I have moved past the Roberts scenerio a few weeks ago. That, and the fact Fonteno has shown a decent play at SS. Enough I could feel ok with him giving Theriot time off. He range is limited and his ability to hit the breaking ball is still a question (not many pitchers snap a good curve/slider in AZ ST), but I feel ok with it. I love the way Fonteno drives the ball with athority the oposite way on a fast ball. For his size, he puts some gap power in it. Is it the ideal scenereo? I am not sure either way. It might be a petty good tandom. They are friends, so I think they would push each other in a positive way.

The other thing is DeRosa. I heard his interview on the radio a few days ago. He said he would not go to the bench quietly and would not like it one bit. I think we all know Mark is professional. He made it clear he will not like it and will let it be known (behind closed doors I assume). I can't argue that point. It has been assumed all along DeRosa is our 'super sub' because of the Roberts focus. Let's move off that notion and bring in someone else who can play a few positions and leave Mark mostly at 2B.

No one would go to the bench quietly. He really did not say what he would do and would not say unless something happened. He left speculation (though did not say it) he might demand a trade. Not good...

All the Cubs fans who can't understand the interest in Lopez and Roberts because of Derosa aren't looking at the big picture.

Piniella isn't high on Pie, and has talked about Fukudome playing CF. That opens RF for Murton/Derosa ...which in turn leaves 2B open.

It's a ripple effect, and having Derosa as your utility guy/part-time outfielder is extremely valuable. If Derosa is your full-time 2b, then who fills in elsewhere?

Cedeno and a pitcher is too much for Lopez. DeRosa will be fine at 2B. Fukudome will not be the everyday CF.

Exactly, Sabinus. Fukudome is only being tried in CF in the event that the Cubs can't acquire a backup for Pie since Fuld is going to AAA. The Cubs, of course, prefer a righty to fill that backup role and I think they'll sign someone soon if they don't make that deal for Roberts. My thought now is with Soriano already moved down in the lineup and there is an option of acquiring better depth in Inge; the Cubs should think twice about overpaying for Roberts in what basically amounts to an upgrade at leadoff. And I really think Theriot, as long as he's given proper rest, has already upgraded that spot for the Cubs. I hope Hendry realizes he doesn't need to make this deal. Sure, it's nice. But the Cubs can make do quite nicely without Roberts. Let's not overpay.

Yeah, I think Fukudome is the ideal #2 hitter on the Cubs, but Piniella needs him to break up the string of righties. I'm not sure if Inge would be happy as a backup. But I think it's one thing to get demoted from your own organization and another to go into a new organization with that understanding already in mind. Think about getting a demotion in the company you work for, wouldn't you rather look outside your company for a new job -- even if it's in that same position? At the very least you figure you have the opportunity to make a fresh start and new impression. Staying for the same company you just got demoted in would be pretty depressing and a little embarrassing.