Tagged: xavier nady

2010 Preview: Chicago Cubs

Projected 2010 NL Central Finish: 2nd

Lineup:

  1. Theriot ss
  2. Fukudome rf
  3. Lee 1b
  4. Ramirez 3b
  5. Byrd cf
  6. Soriano lf
  7. Fontenot 2b
  8. Soto c

Rotation:

  1. Zambrano
  2. Dempster
  3. Wells
  4. Silva
  5. Gorzelanny (LH)

Bench:

  • Hill c
  • Baker if
  • Tracy cif
  • Nady 1b/of
  • Colvin of

Bullpen:

  • Parisi
  • Samardzija
  • Marshall (LH)
  • Berg
  • Caridad
  • Grabow (LH)
  • Marmol (closer)

DL:

  • Lilly sp (LH)
  • Guzman rp

Suddenly Crowded Bench in Chicago

As recently as this morning the Chicago Cub’s bench was the biggest weakness on the roster. This evening, however, it now seems to be a strength.

Xavier Nady was signed to provide right-handed pop and to be a platoon partner for Kosuke Fukudome in right field. Nady was a full-time player from 2005 through 2008 and posted increasing home run and RBI numbers during each of those years. Nady entered last year as the Yankee’s right fielder but was limited to 7 games before needing Tommy John surgery which ended his season. Nady has played the outfield corners and first base during his career. His signing already put Micah Hoffpauir’s job in jeopardy as they play the same positions but that was just the beginning of the Cub’s busy day.   

Chad Tracy signed a minor league deal with the Cubs later this evening to further improve Chicago’s bench. Tracy plays the infield corners and, like Hoffpauir, bats left-handed. Tracy broke into the Majors with three good seasons for the Diamondbacks from 2004 to 2006 as the team’s third baseman. 2007 began Tracy’s string of injury-plagued seasons which opened the door for Mark Reynolds to take over at third base. 2009 was the worst season of Tracy’s career and he will look to bounce back. The Cubs will hope a more defined role helps him get back on track at the plate.

After these two moves the Cub’s bench projects as follows:

  • Koyie Hill- C
  • Chad Tracy- 1B/3B
  • Andres Blanco- 2B/SS
  • Jeff Baker- UT
  • Xavier Nady- OF

Today’s additions make Micah Hoffpauir expendable but his value is low. If Nady proves to not be fully recovered from Tommy John surgery, Hoffpauir may be given another chance as a pinch hitter. Jeff Baker will get a lot of playing time at second base in a platoon with Mike Fontenot but the team has been linked to other second basemen including Orlando Hudson and Adam Kennedy. An Orlando Hudson addition would give Lou Piniella the luxury of keeping Baker in a super-utility role which is most valuable for the team. Either way, Jim Hendry was able improve the Cubs through adding quality depth without having to over-spend, and given their current payroll situation, that makes for a pretty good day.      

Mariner’s Makeover Not Done Yet

Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times has recently said that the Mariners have about $10M to use while continuing to improve their team this off-season. Given their chance to win, I wouldn’t be surprised to see ownership allow a slight increase over last year’s payroll. GM Jack Zduriencik’s exciting off-season has already transformed the team from one that could contend, to a team that is favored by many to win the AL West. And that is a definite possibility. Here’s a trio of players that could be brought in for a combined $10M in 2010:

Xavier Nady 1B/OF: Nady was only able to play in 7 games for the New York Yankees in 2009. However, the year before that, Nady played in 148 games and hit 25 home runs. If there is one thing the Mariners are currently lacking, it is power. After deciding to part ways with Russell Branyan, the team brought in defensive-minded first baseman Casey Kotchman. Nady, a righty, could form a perfect platoon situation with Kotchman, a lefty. Nady can also get innings in left to spell Milton Bradley and at-bats as the DH to rest Ken Griffey Jr.

Joe Beimel RP: Beimel is the best un-signed lefty reliever and Seattle does not have a late inning south-paw in their bullpen. The Mariners could use a guy who has played on two playoff teams in two years. During each of those seasons, Beimel pitched in 71 games and in 2007 he appeared in 83 games. Not to mention an ERA that has been below 3.9 since 2005. This is a match that makes almost too much sense.

Yorvit Torrealba C: Torrealba lost his chance to return to the Rockies when the team signed Miguel Olivo to fill his role. Torrealba has spent the last two seasons splitting time with Chris Iannetta behind the plate. In Seattle he would have a similar situation with catching prospect Adam Moore. The Mets are now rumored to be targeting Torrealba but the Mariners would provide him a much better opportunity. Though both teams are in tough divisions, the Mariners will be better and are closer to winning. The Mets are built for now, but not to win now.

This is already a winning team and Jack Zduriencik can make $10M go a long way. These three moves could all be had for rather in-expensive contracts and the team would be wise to give all three an option for 2011 as well.  

Do you agree with these ideas? What other moves make sense for the M’s given the remaining monetary funds?

Last Minute Deals

Adam LaRoche and Jose Valverde have signed while Bengie Molina is seemingly next to leave the free agent market. The rest of the players out there will need to seriously start thinking about lowering their salary demands before more and more jobs are filled. Here’s the top three remaining free agents at each position.

Catcher:

  • Yorvit Torrealba, 31- The Giants would be the best fit for him.
  • Rod Barajas, 34- Cleveland and Houston may have openings behind the plate.
  • Jose Molina, 35- Still may head back to the Bronx to catch for A.J. Burnett.

1st Base:

  • Russell Branyan, 34- Another 1 year deal will be his only option.  
  • Carlos Delgado, 38- Re-signing with the Mets is his best option.
  • Xavier Nady, 31- The M’s would be a perfect fit to play some 1st, left and DH.

2nd Base:

  • Orlando Hudson, 32- It will come down to the Cubs and Nats.
  • Felipe Lopez, 30- 2nd base for the Dodgers or 3rd base for the Cardinals.
  • Ronnie Belliard, 35- May be Tigers backup plan if prospect Sizemore isn’t ready.

Shortstop:

  • Miguel Tejada, 36- Oakland and Minnesota could look at him.  
  • Orlando Cabrera, 35- Will play short in Cincinnati.
  • Jerry Hairston Jr., 34- Many teams could use a veteran, speedy utility man.

3rd Base:

  • Melvin Mora, 38- The Angels could use him at 3rd and in left.
  • Joe Crede, 32- Fits with the O’s who want to slide Atkins to 1st base.
  • Adam Kennedy, 34- Similar to Hairston’s situation.

Left Field:

  • Johnny Damon, 36- Atlanta seems to want him still.
  • Jonny Gomes, 29- May have a platoon shot in Cincinnati or Detroit.
  • Marcus Thames, 33- Tampa Bay, Toronto could give him playing time.

Center Field:

  • Rick Ankiel, 30- Could land in Atlanta if Damon doesn’t.
  • Reed Johnson, 33- Could get time at all three OF spots with the Yankees.
  • Jeremy Reed, 29- The Cardinals could make him there 4th outfielder.

Right Field:

  • Jermaine Dye, 36- His market is shrinking fast.
  • Randy Winn, 36- Backup at this point in his career.
  • Fernando Tatis, 35- Won’t get a starting job but will get a Major League deal.

DH:

  • Jim Thome, 39- The White Sox are a great fit.
  • Hank Blalock, 29- A backup role will be his best bet this spring; still very talented.
  • Mike Jacobs, 29- Will have to sign a minor league deal and compete.

Starters:

  • Joel Pineiro, 31- Down to the Mets and Dodgers.
  • Ben Sheets, 31- Most upside of all remaining free agents but very risky.
  • Doug Davis, 34- In about a week he will have quite a few teams bidding.

Right-Handed Relievers:

  • Kiko Calero, 35- A reunion with the Cards actually makes a lot of sense.
  • Chan Ho Park, 37- Next best setup man left.
  • Kevin Gregg, 32- Probably a 7th inning guy.

Left-Handed Relievers:

  • Joe Beimel, 32- Kansas City doesn’t have a lefty in the pen yet.
  • Will Ohman, 31- Hard to predict after a disappointing 2009.
  • Mark Hendrickson, 36- Lots of teams could use a lefty starter/reliever.  

So what openings are left on your team? And who will be signed to fill those spots?

All 30- Hitters

My predictions of a free agent hitter each team will still sign this off-season:

Nationals: Chad Tracy to pinch hit and get some defense at 1st base for Adam Dunn.

Royals: Vladimir Guerrero to DH; maybe play some right to keep Jose Guillen rested. (I would say Scott Podsednik but it appears he is about to sign with them anyway.)

Pirates: Rick Ankiel to play right field and hit 4th/5th.

Orioles: Hank Blalock to play first base though Baltimore may use Garrett Atkins there.

Indians: Jose Molina to mentor the team’s young catching prospects.

Mets: Bengie Molina who will start at catcher.

Diamondbacks: Randy Winn to play left field and mentor their young outfielders.

Padres: Brad Ausmus to backup Nick Hundley at catcher.

Astros: Jerry Hairston Jr. to start the season at short until Manzella is ready

Blue Jays: Endy Chavez is a great defender in the outfield.

A’s: Khalil Greene to possibly get some innings at short and third.

Reds: Miguel Tejada to start at shortstop and hit 2nd.

White Sox: Ryan Church to be insurance for oft-injured outfielders Andruw Jones and Carlos Quentin.

Brewers: Fernando Tatis to provide some pop off the bench from the right side.

Cubs: Orlando Hudson to play second base and hit 2nd.

Rays: Marcus Thames who can hit for power and start if Joyce/Perez need time at AAA.

Mariners: Xavier Nady has power and can split innings at first with Casey Kotchman.

Tigers: Alfredo Amezaga to spend time in center and at second while prospects learn.

Braves: Jeremy Reed who won’t cost to much and can play all three OF spots.

Twins: Orlando Cabrera fit right in last year and he’ll be back to play second base this time.

Marlins: Gabe Gross to provide a lefty bat off the bench.

Rangers: Russell Branyan who will have to sign another cheap, one year deal.

Giants: Yorvit Torrealba to share catching duties with Buster Posey like Torrealba did with Iannetta in Colorado.

Cardinals: Matt Stairs to pinch hit.

Rockies: Jason Giambi will re-sign after a fun run in Colorado last year.

Red Sox: Rocco Baldelli to backup the outfield because I believe they will trade Jeremy Hermida.

Dodgers: Felipe Lopez to play second base and thrive in that lineup.

Angels: Melvin Mora who will get time at third and left.

Phillies: Paul Bako to play catcher at AAA and wait for an opportunity like he got last year with the Phillies. 

Yankees: Reed Johnson to split time with Brett Gardner in left.