Comments on: Brian Giles is a Cub? http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/08/07/a-hunch/ A Chicago Cubs Blog and Fan Site Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:40:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Dan http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/08/07/a-hunch/#comment-12060 Dan Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:09:54 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/08/07/a-hunch/#comment-12060 Not making a waiver claim on Giles was a mistake for the Cubs. If they would have done so, and were not able to work out a trade, he'd have remained a Padre. At least then, he couldn't have gone to another contender to help them down the stretch and in the playoffs. With Fukudome's production sliding each month as the season has gone on (including a .236 BA and .688 OPS in July and a .100 BA so far in August), and Edmonds' achy knee an ongoing concern, Giles could have helped the Cubs tremendously. He would have added a very patient, high BA and OBP, and very good contact hitter to the everyday lineup. And Giles would have also improved the bench depth by giving the Cubs three CF options. Edmonds could have played the majority of the time (if healthy) against RHP while Edmonds or Fukudome was available off the bench, along with Johnson. Soriano, Theriot, Giles, Lee, Ramirez, Edmonds, Soto, and DeRosa would have been a very scary lineup for the opposition. Keep in mind that while the Cubs do lead the league in scoring and run differential, they have also been shut out six times this season, and have also been held to one or two runs in 18 other contests, many of them against some very mediocre pitchers who don't compare to the calibar of pitching they will run up against in the post-season. The Cubs have proven themselves to be one of the best teams in baseball this year, but I still think you have to improve your club when given an opportunity to do so. And I believe that adding Giles in exchange for prospects would clearly have done so, by improving the lineup and adding speed and defense off the bench by essentially exchanging Fukudome for Ward. Not making a waiver claim on Giles was a mistake for the Cubs. If they would have done so, and were not able to work out a trade, he’d have remained a Padre. At least then, he couldn’t have gone to another contender to help them down the stretch and in the playoffs. With Fukudome’s production sliding each month as the season has gone on (including a .236 BA and .688 OPS in July and a .100 BA so far in August), and Edmonds’ achy knee an ongoing concern, Giles could have helped the Cubs tremendously. He would have added a very patient, high BA and OBP, and very good contact hitter to the everyday lineup. And Giles would have also improved the bench depth by giving the Cubs three CF options. Edmonds could have played the majority of the time (if healthy) against RHP while Edmonds or Fukudome was available off the bench, along with Johnson. Soriano, Theriot, Giles, Lee, Ramirez, Edmonds, Soto, and DeRosa would have been a very scary lineup for the opposition. Keep in mind that while the Cubs do lead the league in scoring and run differential, they have also been shut out six times this season, and have also been held to one or two runs in 18 other contests, many of them against some very mediocre pitchers who don’t compare to the calibar of pitching they will run up against in the post-season. The Cubs have proven themselves to be one of the best teams in baseball this year, but I still think you have to improve your club when given an opportunity to do so. And I believe that adding Giles in exchange for prospects would clearly have done so, by improving the lineup and adding speed and defense off the bench by essentially exchanging Fukudome for Ward.

]]> By: Sam in NJ http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/08/07/a-hunch/#comment-12059 Sam in NJ Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:04:12 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/08/07/a-hunch/#comment-12059 What I see as the problem with Ward is that unless he pinch-hits for a pitcher, you have to burn a position player that could have batted later on in the game. He is a liability on defense and is a luxury that they cannot afford later in the season. What I see as the problem with Ward is that unless he pinch-hits for a pitcher, you have to burn a position player that could have batted later on in the game. He is a liability on defense and is a luxury that they cannot afford later in the season.

]]> By: Aarbear http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/08/07/a-hunch/#comment-12058 Aarbear Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:46:35 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/08/07/a-hunch/#comment-12058 Dave, you're right about that, and I do too. I'm pretty worried though that Ward isn't returning to form from last year. Here's to hoping he does. Dave, you’re right about that, and I do too. I’m pretty worried though that Ward isn’t returning to form from last year. Here’s to hoping he does.

]]> By: dave l http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/08/07/a-hunch/#comment-12057 dave l Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:39:29 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/08/07/a-hunch/#comment-12057 <blockquote>But can you also see what I was saying that in his short time with the Cubs, he’s out-performed Ward in almost every single category in half as many plate appearances as Ward has?</blockquote> I see what you are saying that Hoffpauir has outperformed Ward. But that doesn't mean that Hoffpauir will continue to outperform Ward. I have more confidence that Ward will come through in an important situation than I do about Hoffpauir.

But can you also see what I was saying that in his short time with the Cubs, he’s out-performed Ward in almost every single category in half as many plate appearances as Ward has?

I see what you are saying that Hoffpauir has outperformed Ward. But that doesn’t mean that Hoffpauir will continue to outperform Ward.

I have more confidence that Ward will come through in an important situation than I do about Hoffpauir.

]]> By: Aarbear http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/08/07/a-hunch/#comment-12056 Aarbear Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:02:10 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/08/07/a-hunch/#comment-12056 Dave, I understand what you are saying....what I meant, as I mentioned earlier is that Ward seems hurt or tired...and I can't see how he'd be tired with all the time off he's had. Maybe he's just on the downside as Lenny Harris and Mabry were. I actually like the guy too, unlike my disdain for Howry and Marquis. And I totally, 100% agree with you on sample size. But can you also see what I was saying that in his short time with the Cubs, he's out-performed Ward in almost every single category in half as many plate appearances as Ward has? I sincerely hope that Ward can get it together, because he has experience, and like you said, a track record, but it seems like lately he hasn't been pulling through. In my opinion, the two most difficult positions to play in the majors is a set-up/closer or pinch hitter, for the simple reason that they each appear in about 60-80 games during a season with one inning each, and they have to perform at a very high level, or they get critcized, whereas everyday players, including starting pitchers know exactly when and about how long they'll play during the games. Ward has done an admirable job, but we're in a penant race, and struggling players get shipped off (see Scott Eyre, Michael Wuertz, Rich Hill, Felix Pie), because we don't have the patience for them to get their act together Dave, I understand what you are saying….what I meant, as I mentioned earlier is that Ward seems hurt or tired…and I can’t see how he’d be tired with all the time off he’s had. Maybe he’s just on the downside as Lenny Harris and Mabry were. I actually like the guy too, unlike my disdain for Howry and Marquis. And I totally, 100% agree with you on sample size. But can you also see what I was saying that in his short time with the Cubs, he’s out-performed Ward in almost every single category in half as many plate appearances as Ward has?

I sincerely hope that Ward can get it together, because he has experience, and like you said, a track record, but it seems like lately he hasn’t been pulling through.

In my opinion, the two most difficult positions to play in the majors is a set-up/closer or pinch hitter, for the simple reason that they each appear in about 60-80 games during a season with one inning each, and they have to perform at a very high level, or they get critcized, whereas everyday players, including starting pitchers know exactly when and about how long they’ll play during the games.

Ward has done an admirable job, but we’re in a penant race, and struggling players get shipped off (see Scott Eyre, Michael Wuertz, Rich Hill, Felix Pie), because we don’t have the patience for them to get their act together

]]> By: dave l http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/08/07/a-hunch/#comment-12055 dave l Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:48:50 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/08/07/a-hunch/#comment-12055 <i>I’d take Hoffpauir anyday over Ward’s line</i> Read up on sample sizes some time. <i>What has he done for us lately and what can we expect him to do the rest of the way?</i> Well... the point is that Ward's career numbers are a better predictor of what he will do the rest of the season than his 90 or so at-bats are that he has had this season. I’d take Hoffpauir anyday over Ward’s line

Read up on sample sizes some time.

What has he done for us lately and what can we expect him to do the rest of the way?

Well… the point is that Ward’s career numbers are a better predictor of what he will do the rest of the season than his 90 or so at-bats are that he has had this season.

]]> By: rob http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/08/07/a-hunch/#comment-12054 rob Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:46:29 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/08/07/a-hunch/#comment-12054 Saying that Ward is adding nothing lately is a pretty clear and identifiable statement. It is not about whether or not he is hitting his lifetime average or whether or not a 3 for 3 will get him there. What has he done for us lately and what can we expect him to do the rest of the way? Saying that Ward is adding nothing lately is a pretty clear and identifiable statement. It is not about whether or not he is hitting his lifetime average or whether or not a 3 for 3 will get him there. What has he done for us lately and what can we expect him to do the rest of the way?

]]> By: Aarbear http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/08/07/a-hunch/#comment-12053 Aarbear Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:38:36 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/08/07/a-hunch/#comment-12053 hmmmmmmm....I wonder why the Cubs didn't claim him..I saw that as well. Do you guys think they will DFA Ward? Honestly, he really hasn't contributed much, and I know Piniella was upset with Hoffpauir's defense in Tampa Bay, which is more or less why he wasn't used much thereafter and optioned out, but Hoffpauir could spell Lee at first to keep him fresh, and certainly is a good bat to have off the bench. Ward's line of: 60 games, 66 AB's, 4 runs, 15 hits, 5 doubles, 2 hr, 9 RBI, 12 BB, 17 K's, .227 avg, and .346 OBP, and .394 SLG Hoffpauir on the other hand: 19 games, 37 AB's, 8 runs, 14 hits, 6 doubles, 0 hr, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 14 K's, .378 avg, and .410 OBP, and .541 SLG I'd take Hoffpauir anyday over Ward's line, even though he has an alarming K/BB ratio. In about half of Ward's AB's, Hoffpauir more runs, doubles, a better average, OBP, and slugging hmmmmmmm….I wonder why the Cubs didn’t claim him..I saw that as well. Do you guys think they will DFA Ward? Honestly, he really hasn’t contributed much, and I know Piniella was upset with Hoffpauir’s defense in Tampa Bay, which is more or less why he wasn’t used much thereafter and optioned out, but Hoffpauir could spell Lee at first to keep him fresh, and certainly is a good bat to have off the bench.

Ward’s line of: 60 games, 66 AB’s, 4 runs, 15 hits, 5 doubles, 2 hr, 9 RBI, 12 BB, 17 K’s, .227 avg, and .346 OBP, and .394 SLG

Hoffpauir on the other hand: 19 games, 37 AB’s, 8 runs, 14 hits, 6 doubles, 0 hr, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 14 K’s, .378 avg, and .410 OBP, and .541 SLG

I’d take Hoffpauir anyday over Ward’s line, even though he has an alarming K/BB ratio. In about half of Ward’s AB’s, Hoffpauir more runs, doubles, a better average, OBP, and slugging

]]> By: cubbiepride00 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/08/07/a-hunch/#comment-12052 cubbiepride00 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:15:36 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/08/07/a-hunch/#comment-12052 red sox claimed brian giles off waviers. they have 48 hours to do work out a trade. red sox claimed brian giles off waviers. they have 48 hours to do work out a trade.

]]> By: silk http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/08/07/a-hunch/#comment-12051 silk Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:14:24 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/08/07/a-hunch/#comment-12051 according to this, it's the Red Sox that claimed him, and they're just doing it so Tampa Bay can't: http://www3.signonsandiego.com/weblogs/padres/2008/aug/07/red-sox-claim-giles/?padres according to this, it’s the Red Sox that claimed him, and they’re just doing it so Tampa Bay can’t:

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/weblogs/padres/2008/aug/07/red-sox-claim-giles/?padres

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