Scott Hairston is no longer a Cub. The 33-year old outfielder has been traded to the Nationals for a Class A player. The Cubs also sent some salary relief ($500,000) to offset the remaining balance of the two-year, $5 million contract.
In 52 games, Hairston had 99 AB, and hit 8 HR, 19 RBI but batted .172. His season WAR is negative 0.5, which is worse than a AAA replacement player.
Why would the Nationals want a veteran like this? The Nats have had injury problems in their outfield and may wish to solidify a home run bat off the bench.
It also seems that the Cubs are not getting very much in return for their "assets" on the 25 man roster.
How many Class A level prospects can the Cubs absorb in one year (draft and international signings plus trades)?
One must also consider the possibility that the Cubs need to move payroll in order to balance overspending on prospects. The Hairston trade will cut $2 million off the 2014 payroll.
Even though the Cubs are playing poker with Matt Garza by holding on to him to the last minute to try to get a bidding war for that trade, the risk that Garza has one or two bad outings (or gets hurt again) is growing which each start.
The two most valuable trade pieces right now are Luis Valbuena and Dioner Navarro. Valbuena because he is a utility infielder who has flashed some glove skills recently. And Navarro who has excellent pinch hitting numbers, plus he is a switch hitting catcher (a rare commodity). I would not be surprised if these two players get traded before Garza.
Showing posts with label Hairston. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hairston. Show all posts
July 8, 2013
February 11, 2013
CAMPANA DFA
Scott Hairston's contract was finalized, so a move had to be made on the Cubs 40 man roster. Tony Campana was designated for assignment.
Hairston becomes the third/fourth platoon outfielder for the team. Dave Sappelt, who current management traded for in the Sean Marshall deal, stays over Campana for the fifth outfield slot.
Campana, 26, batted .262 with nine doubles, one home run, 54 stolen bases, a .306 on-base percentage and a .300 slugging percentage in 184 games with the Cubs over the last two seasons. He totaled 30 stolen bases last season, tops on the Cubs and ninth most in the National League. However, he had trouble getting on base, even with his speed.
The Cubs now have 10 days to trade Campana or place him on waivers. He could return to the team if not claimed. It is possible that no team is running to pick up a mere pinch runner, base stealer prior to spring training. Campana will probably land back at AAA Iowa for this season.
The choice shows that the Cubs offensive philosophy is still a station-to-station grind. None of the projected starters are base stealing threats. That means the club needs to generate more walks to move base runners into scoring position. This is something that the club did not do well last season, even with Campana on the roster.
It would be fine if the Cubs have an old Earl Weaver, Oriole lineup where the three-run home run was the offensive weapon of choice. But the Cubs only have two recognized home run hitters: Soriano and Rizzo. The push for Starlin Castro to hit with more power will hurt his batting average and on-base percentage. Wellington Castillo has just HR potential at this point since he has not caught a full season at the major league level. Ian Stewart is still living off five year power numbers and he is not expected to contribute much this season.
UPDATE:
Bruce Levine, ESPN reports that last August, the White Sox made a waiver claim on Campana. However, the Cubs pulled Campana back off waivers when the two sides failed to agree on a trade.
Levine thinks it appears unlikely that a deal will be made at this time. The Cubs and Sox have not had conversations about Campana as of Wednesday, according to his report.
In August, the Sox were looking for a speed player in hopes of winning close games with a stolen base or a forced defensive mistake. Campana stole 30 bases with the Cubs in 2012 despite a reserve role. The White Sox did bring back DeWayne Wise to bolster their outfield last season. But the Sox are looking for a real lead off hitter, and Campana does not meet that criteria because he does not get on base enough.
If Campana is not traded, he will go on waivers. If he goes unclaimed, the Cubs can offer him a minor-league contract.
As Levine noted, trades between the Cubs and Sox are uncommon due to the possible negative result from a lopsided deal.
Hairston becomes the third/fourth platoon outfielder for the team. Dave Sappelt, who current management traded for in the Sean Marshall deal, stays over Campana for the fifth outfield slot.
Campana, 26, batted .262 with nine doubles, one home run, 54 stolen bases, a .306 on-base percentage and a .300 slugging percentage in 184 games with the Cubs over the last two seasons. He totaled 30 stolen bases last season, tops on the Cubs and ninth most in the National League. However, he had trouble getting on base, even with his speed.
The Cubs now have 10 days to trade Campana or place him on waivers. He could return to the team if not claimed. It is possible that no team is running to pick up a mere pinch runner, base stealer prior to spring training. Campana will probably land back at AAA Iowa for this season.
The choice shows that the Cubs offensive philosophy is still a station-to-station grind. None of the projected starters are base stealing threats. That means the club needs to generate more walks to move base runners into scoring position. This is something that the club did not do well last season, even with Campana on the roster.
It would be fine if the Cubs have an old Earl Weaver, Oriole lineup where the three-run home run was the offensive weapon of choice. But the Cubs only have two recognized home run hitters: Soriano and Rizzo. The push for Starlin Castro to hit with more power will hurt his batting average and on-base percentage. Wellington Castillo has just HR potential at this point since he has not caught a full season at the major league level. Ian Stewart is still living off five year power numbers and he is not expected to contribute much this season.
UPDATE:
Bruce Levine, ESPN reports that last August, the White Sox made a waiver claim on Campana. However, the Cubs pulled Campana back off waivers when the two sides failed to agree on a trade.
Levine thinks it appears unlikely that a deal will be made at this time. The Cubs and Sox have not had conversations about Campana as of Wednesday, according to his report.
In August, the Sox were looking for a speed player in hopes of winning close games with a stolen base or a forced defensive mistake. Campana stole 30 bases with the Cubs in 2012 despite a reserve role. The White Sox did bring back DeWayne Wise to bolster their outfield last season. But the Sox are looking for a real lead off hitter, and Campana does not meet that criteria because he does not get on base enough.
If Campana is not traded, he will go on waivers. If he goes unclaimed, the Cubs can offer him a minor-league contract.
As Levine noted, trades between the Cubs and Sox are uncommon due to the possible negative result from a lopsided deal.
January 24, 2013
HAIR OF THE DOG
For those who still give management the benefit of the doubt, here is more evidence to wonder:
the Cubs are now collecting platoon players like former GM Jim Hendry did with second basemen.
The Cubs signed 33 year old reserve outfielder Scott Hairston to a two year contract. He only really hits left handed pitching and has never played full time in his career.
Last season with the Mets, he had 398 PA, hit .263, 20 HR, 57 RBI, 8 SB, .299 OBP, 1.5 WAR.
It is hit or miss for Hairston. He had a .994 fielding percentage for the outfield positions; he has only played second twice since 2009.
So technically, Hairston is now the second best outfielder on the roster after Soriano.
His signing means that two-thirds of the opening day outfield roster will be in a platoon situation:
DeJesus/Sappelt and Schierholtz/Hairston. It is sort of Little League: everyone plays.
But this is another signal that the Cubs are going to sign marginal part time journeymen for the next several seasons. It is called "Rebuilding While Standing Still." Epstein and Hoyer are putting all their competitive eggs in their draft choice basket, hoping that the young players they have signed will be a collective of Mike Trouts in 2015.
the Cubs are now collecting platoon players like former GM Jim Hendry did with second basemen.
The Cubs signed 33 year old reserve outfielder Scott Hairston to a two year contract. He only really hits left handed pitching and has never played full time in his career.
Last season with the Mets, he had 398 PA, hit .263, 20 HR, 57 RBI, 8 SB, .299 OBP, 1.5 WAR.
It is hit or miss for Hairston. He had a .994 fielding percentage for the outfield positions; he has only played second twice since 2009.
So technically, Hairston is now the second best outfielder on the roster after Soriano.
His signing means that two-thirds of the opening day outfield roster will be in a platoon situation:
DeJesus/Sappelt and Schierholtz/Hairston. It is sort of Little League: everyone plays.
But this is another signal that the Cubs are going to sign marginal part time journeymen for the next several seasons. It is called "Rebuilding While Standing Still." Epstein and Hoyer are putting all their competitive eggs in their draft choice basket, hoping that the young players they have signed will be a collective of Mike Trouts in 2015.
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