It is apparent that the Cubs have a crater to fill at third base. The Josh Vitters Experiment will continue in Iowa next season. Luis Valbuena is not the answer at third in 2013.
Valbuena, 27, is a journeyman bench player. He hit .219 for the Cubs, 4 HR, 28 RBI, .310 OBP, 0 SB and .963 field percentage at third base. His WAR was 0.4, barely over AAA replacement value.
The free agent market is weak at third base. Realistically, the Cubs have the following free agent options:
1. Jeff Keppinger, 32. He hit .325 with 9 HR, 40 RBI for the Rays. He made $1.53 million last season. He could be considered an overachieving utility infielder. For a full time third baseman, he would lack power numbers for the position. But he would appear signable.
2. Eric Chavez, 34. He hit .281, with 16 HR, 37 RBI for the Yankees. He is on the down slide of his career. He played mostly part time last season. He could hold the position like Gary Gaetti did for the Cubs at the end of his career. He would only cost around $2 million.
3. Casey McGehee, 30. The former Cub has struggled since his first 1.5 seasons with the Brewers. He hit .217, 9 HR, 41 RBI last season. He fits into the Chavez category as a stop-gap measure at around the same free agent price.
4. Brandon Inge, 35. He also is nearing the end of his career. He hit .215 with 12 HR 54 RBI last season in 83 games. Durability may be an issue. He projects to Ian Stewart type numbers.
5. Alberto Gonzalez, 29. He has played for 4 teams in the last 7 years, mostly as a back-up replacement player. In Texas, he played only 24 games, hitting .241, 0 HR, 4 RBI. He can play 3B, 2B and SS. He is the cheapest alternative at $750,000. But he gives little offense and no power.
With the poor choices on the open market, besides Vitters, who played third base at Iowa?
Nate Samson played 19 games, hit .280, 0 HR, 3 RBI, .333. OBP, and 1 error. He started the season in AA, where he hit .271, 2 HR, 14 RBI, .317 OBP. He ended the season on the disabled list. So he is not ready to compete for the starting third base job in 2013.
Showing posts with label Inge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Inge. Show all posts
November 10, 2012
February 29, 2012
NATIONAL THIRD ISSUE
The Cubs have had a problem filling third base for most of the seasons after Ron Santo left the club. A series of "can't miss" rookie busts to end-of-career players have played statue on the hot corner. There have been a few notable exceptions, like Bill Madlock and Aramis Ramirez.
Currently, the Cubs have put all their eggs at third in the journeyman Ian Stewart basket. The back up is apparently Jeff Baker, who is also the back up for LaHair at first and Barney at second. (Note: Barney is Castro's back up at short so go figure the Cubs depth chart).
The only alternative is Marquis Smith at AAA Iowa, but apparently he has gotten the dreaded AAAA tag and is not on the 40 man roster or mentioned in any spring training stories.
The Nationals have the opposite problem. The team just signed Ryan Zimmerman to a long term extension. He has been the face of the franchise until the new top draft choices hit their stride this season. However, with the number six pick in last year's draft, the Nats selected Rice 3B Anthony Rendon, who by all accounts, is tearing up the spring. Scouts believe that Rendon, 21, could push his way onto the major league roster by the June. The reason: pure swing offense and good defense.
So, it would appear that Rendon is "blocked" by the long term fixture at third, Zimmerman. So teams in need of a potential long term solution at third (the Cubs), would be calling the Nationals GM to inquire. But the Nats won't take the call because they will work out Rendon at second and shortstop. In other words, they will find a spot for him to play alongside Zimmerman.
If the Stewart trade does not work, the only possible alternative on the radar would be Tigers deposed third baseman Brandon Inge. His career numbers may be slumping, so he would be considered another journeyman stop gap solution.
Currently, the Cubs have put all their eggs at third in the journeyman Ian Stewart basket. The back up is apparently Jeff Baker, who is also the back up for LaHair at first and Barney at second. (Note: Barney is Castro's back up at short so go figure the Cubs depth chart).
The only alternative is Marquis Smith at AAA Iowa, but apparently he has gotten the dreaded AAAA tag and is not on the 40 man roster or mentioned in any spring training stories.
The Nationals have the opposite problem. The team just signed Ryan Zimmerman to a long term extension. He has been the face of the franchise until the new top draft choices hit their stride this season. However, with the number six pick in last year's draft, the Nats selected Rice 3B Anthony Rendon, who by all accounts, is tearing up the spring. Scouts believe that Rendon, 21, could push his way onto the major league roster by the June. The reason: pure swing offense and good defense.
So, it would appear that Rendon is "blocked" by the long term fixture at third, Zimmerman. So teams in need of a potential long term solution at third (the Cubs), would be calling the Nationals GM to inquire. But the Nats won't take the call because they will work out Rendon at second and shortstop. In other words, they will find a spot for him to play alongside Zimmerman.
If the Stewart trade does not work, the only possible alternative on the radar would be Tigers deposed third baseman Brandon Inge. His career numbers may be slumping, so he would be considered another journeyman stop gap solution.
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