A Recap of Yesterday's Events
Yesterday, GM Jim Hendry actually appeared to have pulled a rabbit out of his hat with the acquisition of former Dodgers' SS Cesar Izturis. Hendry sent Maddux to L.A. in exchange for Izturis, who had been unhappy all year long because he was asked to switch position after the addition of Rafael Furcal. What helped the Cubs was the fact that the Dodgers knew they were going to pick up SS Julio Lugo in a separate deal, making Izturis expendable. Many believe that the Cubs would have been lucky to land a major league-ready prospect for Maddux, so despite whether you consider Hendry's deadline dealings to be lucky or just plain brilliant, the man actually got the job done for once. So, for now, let's give him credit where it's due.
Izturis, who won a gold glove as recently as 2004, is considered to be the top defensive shortstop in all of baseball when he is healthy. In fact, when asked about Izturis' fielding abilities, former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda replied, "Can he field?!" Lasorda's voice boomed, probably startling half the neighborhood in Chavez Ravine. "Man, we had Billy Russell at shortstop here for 17 years, but Russell couldn't play with this guy. I would have to go back to Pee Wee Reese to find a better defensive shortstop in the history of our franchise."
Current Dodgers manager Grady Little added, "Even on nights when he doesn't get any hits, it's like he's driving in runs with his glove. That means as much to us as a guy hitting .350."
Izturis is a prototypical top-of-the-lineup kind of hitter (think as speedy as Juan Pierre with slightly more pop). He started the '05 season as one of baseball's best hitters, collecting 75 base knocks through the month of May, something only a handful of Dodgers have ever done. His presence does two things for the Cubs. First, it provides insurance that the team has a true leadoff hitter, if in fact Hendry turns out to be too cheap to resign Pierre; and, second, if JP is indeed on the roster next year, it gives the Cubs a one-two punch that the league hasn't seen since Pierre and Castillo teamed up in South Florida. Also, given that Izturis stays healthy (I know Cubs fans don't even want to go there), this makes up for not resigning Garciaparra or opening up the check book to nab Furcal. Imagine what the Cubs could have done in 2003 had Izturis been the shortstop that year instead of Alex Gonzalez. The Cubs would have been in the World Series and maybe, just maybe, we wouldn't still be talking about 1908.
About a year ago, Izturis looked like the best shortstop in the National League, period. His batting average through June 1st was .348 and, at that point, he led the league in hits. Soon after, Izturis injured his back and throwing elbow, which would explain the overall decline of his statistics. He did, however, still make the all-star team as a reserve behind starter David Eckstein, but, physically, he was considered to be damaged goods. This is the reason why the Dodgers felt it necessary to grossly overpay for Furcal's services.
In addition, adding Izturis leaves one less hole for Hendry to fill in the off-season. The perfect blueprint for a successful infield is in place: outstanding defense at SS and 2B, with power hitters at the corners. Oh, and let's not forget that Derek Lee is also a gold glove-caliber first baseman. Now, as far as the 2B situation is concerned, Hendry could move Cedeno over there and it would probally work out just fine, but my solution would be to sign Mark Loretta, who made the all-star team this year, as a free agent. I remember a couple years back when he was still with the Padres and the Cubs made a strong offer to try to get him at the deadline. I believe he was hitting around .330 at the time and considered one of the the best contact hitters in the league. Loretta, depending on who the Cubs decide to pursue in free agency, would fit perfectly into the 5th slot in the Cubs lineup, giving the team a hitter who is always ranked near the top of the fewest strikeouts category, as well as a very good defensive second baseman.
In my opinion, I still think Barrett needs to be dealt, preferably for a high-level starting pitcher. With a catcher such as Blanco, as well as Izturis, Loretta, and Lee patrolling their respective positions, all of a sudden the Cubs would be a top-notch defensive ball club. I feel that a replacement for Murton in LF is also a necessity this off-season.
Nevertheless, the Cubs did anything but come away from this year's deadline empty-handed. In fact, they came away from it in extremely good hands... Please excuse the pun.
Izturis, who won a gold glove as recently as 2004, is considered to be the top defensive shortstop in all of baseball when he is healthy. In fact, when asked about Izturis' fielding abilities, former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda replied, "Can he field?!" Lasorda's voice boomed, probably startling half the neighborhood in Chavez Ravine. "Man, we had Billy Russell at shortstop here for 17 years, but Russell couldn't play with this guy. I would have to go back to Pee Wee Reese to find a better defensive shortstop in the history of our franchise."
Current Dodgers manager Grady Little added, "Even on nights when he doesn't get any hits, it's like he's driving in runs with his glove. That means as much to us as a guy hitting .350."
Izturis is a prototypical top-of-the-lineup kind of hitter (think as speedy as Juan Pierre with slightly more pop). He started the '05 season as one of baseball's best hitters, collecting 75 base knocks through the month of May, something only a handful of Dodgers have ever done. His presence does two things for the Cubs. First, it provides insurance that the team has a true leadoff hitter, if in fact Hendry turns out to be too cheap to resign Pierre; and, second, if JP is indeed on the roster next year, it gives the Cubs a one-two punch that the league hasn't seen since Pierre and Castillo teamed up in South Florida. Also, given that Izturis stays healthy (I know Cubs fans don't even want to go there), this makes up for not resigning Garciaparra or opening up the check book to nab Furcal. Imagine what the Cubs could have done in 2003 had Izturis been the shortstop that year instead of Alex Gonzalez. The Cubs would have been in the World Series and maybe, just maybe, we wouldn't still be talking about 1908.
About a year ago, Izturis looked like the best shortstop in the National League, period. His batting average through June 1st was .348 and, at that point, he led the league in hits. Soon after, Izturis injured his back and throwing elbow, which would explain the overall decline of his statistics. He did, however, still make the all-star team as a reserve behind starter David Eckstein, but, physically, he was considered to be damaged goods. This is the reason why the Dodgers felt it necessary to grossly overpay for Furcal's services.
In addition, adding Izturis leaves one less hole for Hendry to fill in the off-season. The perfect blueprint for a successful infield is in place: outstanding defense at SS and 2B, with power hitters at the corners. Oh, and let's not forget that Derek Lee is also a gold glove-caliber first baseman. Now, as far as the 2B situation is concerned, Hendry could move Cedeno over there and it would probally work out just fine, but my solution would be to sign Mark Loretta, who made the all-star team this year, as a free agent. I remember a couple years back when he was still with the Padres and the Cubs made a strong offer to try to get him at the deadline. I believe he was hitting around .330 at the time and considered one of the the best contact hitters in the league. Loretta, depending on who the Cubs decide to pursue in free agency, would fit perfectly into the 5th slot in the Cubs lineup, giving the team a hitter who is always ranked near the top of the fewest strikeouts category, as well as a very good defensive second baseman.
In my opinion, I still think Barrett needs to be dealt, preferably for a high-level starting pitcher. With a catcher such as Blanco, as well as Izturis, Loretta, and Lee patrolling their respective positions, all of a sudden the Cubs would be a top-notch defensive ball club. I feel that a replacement for Murton in LF is also a necessity this off-season.
Nevertheless, the Cubs did anything but come away from this year's deadline empty-handed. In fact, they came away from it in extremely good hands... Please excuse the pun.
posted by Ryan Anthony Dreyer at
10:05 AM
2 Comments:
Right on, great perspective backed
by good research. Even your ommission of the Toddd Walker trade
is perfect: What else can you say:
Walker was and will remain a great pro but he was made a scape goat by Frick and Frack, so the Padres got very lucky to get him. Cedano is no Walker offensively and he will never be so: Cedano is also an eratic defender, at best a downgrade from Walker, so the Cubs can stopping dissing Walker now that he's gone and go out and find a stud 2nd baseman to
compliment the new ss, instead of downgrading the infield by moving one problem from ss over to 2nd.
Moreover , you are right on target about the infield, given that the
middle infield, including the
catcher, especially the catcher,
must be, first above all else, A level defenders: Barret is not even a B defender, but Barrett could bring a 3rd slot starter and
Blanco could easily handle the
pitching staff, if a veteran 15 game type winner was brought by a
Barret deal: Someone like a Zito
should assume the 2nd slot behind
Zambrano and allow a real catcher
like Blanco take care of the young guys who will fill 3-5.
Forget Prior, already, and forget Wood as a starter and move on with
rebuilding the staff. Since Wood is
better suites as a reliefer, keep Wood and trade Prior if we can
convince a GM that he is not as fragile as he is big in the calves.
Great blog: keep it up.
well written! Go Cubs!
Mary
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