Cubs Just Picked Up A Catcher
- Thread starter IntenseOperator
- Start date
Not doubting what the Cubs can do (I needed Frisco for a solid night), esp in that league, but their lines are really going to take off after they picked up that catcher and taking into account the run they are on of late. What they had behind the plate offensively was absolute zero so whatever they could get would be a plus. Funny that the kid Koy Hill (catcher) hits a hr tonight.
Cubs acquired catcher Jason Kendall and cash from the Athletics for catcher Rob Bowen and LHP Jerry Blevins.
The cash will cover a portion of his $13 million salary, which had been being paid by both the A's ($8 million) and the Pirates ($5 million). With a .226/.261/.281 line this year, Kendall is no sure upgrade, not like Ramon Hernandez would have been. However, he is hitting a respectable .276 since the beginning of June. The Cubs did well to get him for such a small price, while the A's, since they had no hope of getting a draft pick for him this winter, also did the right thing by making room for Kurt Suzuki.
The cash will cover a portion of his $13 million salary, which had been being paid by both the A's ($8 million) and the Pirates ($5 million). With a .226/.261/.281 line this year, Kendall is no sure upgrade, not like Ramon Hernandez would have been. However, he is hitting a respectable .276 since the beginning of June. The Cubs did well to get him for such a small price, while the A's, since they had no hope of getting a draft pick for him this winter, also did the right thing by making room for Kurt Suzuki.
The guy is going to be an albatross around Pinella's neck.
His .226 average is the worst mark in his 12 major league seasons and his .542 on-base/slugging percentage is the lowest in the majors among players who qualify for the league leaders.
Anybody know his percentage throwing out runners attempting to steal? I doubt that it's very high.
His .226 average is the worst mark in his 12 major league seasons and his .542 on-base/slugging percentage is the lowest in the majors among players who qualify for the league leaders.
Anybody know his percentage throwing out runners attempting to steal? I doubt that it's very high.
THE CUBS NOW ARE READY TO WIN THE WHOLE SHOW
We have been waiting for so long. This team looks like our best chance. I think it is a little better than our team that went to 6 outs away from the World. I will be flying back home for a couple games in Sept. to see a couplel games. Lets go Cubs.:00hour :142smilie
We have been waiting for so long. This team looks like our best chance. I think it is a little better than our team that went to 6 outs away from the World. I will be flying back home for a couple games in Sept. to see a couplel games. Lets go Cubs.:00hour :142smilie
I don't want to sound like I know a lot about Lou....
but to this point, if he doesn't like what's going on with a player or his game or his role on the team, he gets replaced. Lou has really created something more to his liking than what he inherited at the start of the season. Kendall will bring something more to the table than the three rook catchers had, or he will be sat.
also, not to forget Henry Blanco returning from his rehab stint in the minors in the forseeable future.
I still can't figure out why they got rid of Barrett. He is better than anything they're going to get on the market, including Kendall. I know Barrett had issues with Z and Rich Hill, but so what, find a way to get over it and stop acting like a bunch of p***ies. Big mistake by the Cubs, and it will cost them down the road.
I dunno........
Gotta reserve judgement here. Obviously declining skills, but getting hot.
Only stats I saw on him were about 18% in '05, higher last year and 30% career throwing out runners, but I know that a misleading stat that is always overrated. Cubbies start 3 lefties......so what I want to know is can he handle the pitchers. By all accounts, yes.
What I do know is he doesn't strike out, which right away makes him an unusual Cub hitter. Makes contact, doesn't give away ABs, dirty uni attitude, and you have to admit.......Hendry has been pushing all the right buttons since last off-season. Every FA (save Marquis) has been a good addition. Couple that w/Sweet Lou's policy of playing whomever can get the job done no matter what your paycheck says, and this could be a steal. Not costing us a thing.......no contract on the books, a hitter who looks at a ton of pitches and makes contact, a gamer with a solid rep for handling pitching staffs...........this looks like a risk-free situation.
I know I'm a homer........us Cubbies are always half-full (of what I dunno), so take it w/ agrain.
Gotta reserve judgement here. Obviously declining skills, but getting hot.
Only stats I saw on him were about 18% in '05, higher last year and 30% career throwing out runners, but I know that a misleading stat that is always overrated. Cubbies start 3 lefties......so what I want to know is can he handle the pitchers. By all accounts, yes.
What I do know is he doesn't strike out, which right away makes him an unusual Cub hitter. Makes contact, doesn't give away ABs, dirty uni attitude, and you have to admit.......Hendry has been pushing all the right buttons since last off-season. Every FA (save Marquis) has been a good addition. Couple that w/Sweet Lou's policy of playing whomever can get the job done no matter what your paycheck says, and this could be a steal. Not costing us a thing.......no contract on the books, a hitter who looks at a ton of pitches and makes contact, a gamer with a solid rep for handling pitching staffs...........this looks like a risk-free situation.
I know I'm a homer........us Cubbies are always half-full (of what I dunno), so take it w/ agrain.
I really don`t like Kendall at all, his best years were with the pirates a long time ago, and I mean a lot time ago. he sure is going to be better from what they had but in no means he is going to be the difference.
Barrett was absolutely killing this team WW with monster mental mistakes. Not just behind the plate, but at the plate and on the bases. He acknowledged to the media he made "mental errors during the game" but never seemed to want to improve. He costs them more runs than he produced. Wasn't just disliked by the pitchers, but hated by all of them.
Guy thought he was Willie Mays Hayes on the base path.
Also, this black belt lost every fight he was in. Zamrano REALLY did him in the fight they got into. Barrett wasn't going to make it through the season alive.:mj07:
Guy thought he was Willie Mays Hayes on the base path.
Also, this black belt lost every fight he was in. Zamrano REALLY did him in the fight they got into. Barrett wasn't going to make it through the season alive.:mj07:
Thanks for the insight IO. Well, if he was hated by the entire team, I guess they did the right thing. Barrett can hit though, especially for a catcher. I know he's only hitting .265 right now, but that average will be up closer to .300 by the end of the season. Aren't too many catchers out there who can hit for average and power like Barrett can.
Cub's GM Hendry was on the local airwaves
said Kendall has historically been a better 2nd half player and that's what they are hoping for:shrug:
also heard earlier today that all of his success at getting on base was due to his ability to be hit by pitches very frequently, esp earlier in his career
maybe he can ask Barry for some old armor
said Kendall has historically been a better 2nd half player and that's what they are hoping for:shrug:
also heard earlier today that all of his success at getting on base was due to his ability to be hit by pitches very frequently, esp earlier in his career
maybe he can ask Barry for some old armor
Kendall looked rough in the debut...a couple missed plays, and it didn't look like the communicaiton was there with the staff. I know if was his first game, and it will take time to build the chemistry with the staff, but Tuesday was tough to watch as a Cubs fan. I am optimistic this was a good move in the long run - I just hope the Cubs don't fall back down while they are trying to get the chemistry straight.
I was behind the plate in the upper deck last nite.....that play at the plate was tough to make. Good ,hard, tailing throw (started at the mound and screwed it in on target) from Fonzie that short-hopped him, but the foul pop was a boofoo. I hope he didn,t see it instead of giving up early on it. That was the go ahead run. Plus he lunges at every pitch. Gotta stop flappin' that bat around up there like Sheffield, and quiet everything up or something. He needs a kick in the head.....technique is terrible. That game reminded me of April/May.
Zito was sh!t-hot last nite. Up/down, in-out, and changed speeds masterfully. Only 2 mistakes I saw that got hit hard. Whatcha gonna do?? Just don't start a losing streak!!
Zito was sh!t-hot last nite. Up/down, in-out, and changed speeds masterfully. Only 2 mistakes I saw that got hit hard. Whatcha gonna do?? Just don't start a losing streak!!
right on...even the beat down by the brewers a couple saturdays ago was not as hard to swallow...it was the way they lost that got me. Cubs have not been beating themselves lately, and all of a sudden last night, we saw it again. Chemistry is huge...I just hope Kendall doesn't disrupt more than help :shrug:
