MLB: Cubs Call Up Castro

[VeloClone]

I don't really like Theriot, especially if he has move to 2B. He is an average offensive SS but he would be a below average 2B. Sure he is hitting well now but he isn't walking well enough this year. Once his average dips to around .300 he is going to be useless hitting leadoff.

Sorry to say at this point he is a well above average Cub hitter.:mask:

By the way, the last time I looked he was 5th in the NL in BA. How is that average at any position?

Edit: You are also assuming that if his average dips to around .300 that his walks will not go up. That is a lot of assuming.

 

[dtclones]

I don't really like Theriot, especially if he has move to 2B. He is an average offensive SS but he would be a below average 2B. Sure he is hitting well now but he isn't walking well enough this year. Once his average dips to around .300 he is going to be useless hitting leadoff.

Theriot is a traditional hitter for a 2B. SS is becoming more and more of a power position while 2B isn't. I think 2B suits him much, much better, not only for offensive reasons but for defensive as well. Plus, I don't think you can look at his walks and automatically say he's not a good leadoff hitter. You have to look at his on-base % to really make that claim. When he's seeing the ball like he has been, I'd rather have singles than walks.

 

[gocubs2118]

Sorry to say at this point he is a well above average Cub hitter.:mask:

By the way, the last time I looked he was 5th in the NL in BA. How is that average at any position?

Average isn't a very good stat to look at by itself. Let me ask you this, would you rather have your leadoff hit .300 and have an OBP of .340 or a guy who hits .275 and has an OBP of .380?

 

[dtclones]

Average isn't a very good stat to look at by itself. Let me ask you this, would you rather have your leadoff hit .300 and have an OBP of .340 or a guy who hits .275 and has an OBP of .380?

Yeah, I agree that average isn't a great stat to look at by itself for fantasy player, but in reality you need guys like that on your team. I agree that Theriot will never carry a team like Soriano, Lee and Ramirez can, but he is still very valueable to the team right now. Ideally, I'd like to see him hit in the two spot, but right now we don't have a bonafide leadoff hitter so he's our man. Your points are valid, but I think Theriot's situation with the Cubs is different.

 

[Wesley]

Guess when the Pirates sweep you and you are working 102, it is time to make some moves, any moves. It is like filling our bball team. Just keep making moves.

 

[gocubs2118]

Yeah, I agree that average isn't a great stat to look at by itself for fantasy player, but in reality you need guys like that on your team. I agree that Theriot will never carry a team like Soriano, Lee and Ramirez can, but he is still very valueable to the team right now. Ideally, I'd like to see him hit in the two spot, but right now we don't have a bonafide leadoff hitter so he's our man. Your points are valid, but I think Theriot's situation with the Cubs is different.

I think Fukudome is a bonafide leadoff man. Last year he led all leadoff hitters in OBP, isn't that what you want in your leadoff hitter? To get on base?

 

[VeloClone]

Average isn't a very good stat to look at by itself. Let me ask you this, would you rather have your leadoff hit .300 and have an OBP of .340 or a guy who hits .275 and has an OBP of .380?

CBS Sportsline seems to disagree with you as well. They had him listed as the 3rd best SS last week and the 4th best this week. That's in MLB not just the NL, by the way.

I would rather have a player that over the years has managed to both hit and work a walk. He has. You are discounting the BA as an abberation this year, then bemoaning his walks being down this year. I would rather have a hit with a runner at 2nd or 3rd than a walk. These are important when you have a pitcher laying down the sacrifice to move runners up right before you. Leadoff is only guaranteed once a game. The rest of the game you are more often than not following the pitcher.

 

[dtclones]

I think Fukudome is a bonafide leadoff man. Last year he led all leadoff hitters in OBP, isn't that what you want in your leadoff hitter? To get on base?

If Fukudome could hit worth two ***** against lefties, I'd agree with you. I don't think he's quite a bonafide leadoff guy, but I wouldn't mind seeing him get a shot at it, because you're right, as long as he's getting on base and stealing a few bases, he's doing his job.

 

[VeloClone]

I think Fukudome is a bonafide leadoff man. Last year he led all leadoff hitters in OBP, isn't that what you want in your leadoff hitter? To get on base?

Okay, so if he doesn't bat leadoff necessarily does it automatically follow that you trade one of the few players who is actually hitting?

 

[gocubs2118]

If Fukudome could hit worth two ***** against lefties, I'd agree with you. I don't think he's quite a bonafide leadoff guy, but I wouldn't mind seeing him get a shot at it, because you're right, as long as he's getting on base and stealing a few bases, he's doing his job.

Well you could have Fukudome hit leadoff against RHP and Theriot against LHP. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[San Francisco Cy]

I agree it does seem desperate especially when they are only 3 games under .500 in early May. Maybe it'll get them going though.

The problem with only 3 games under .500 in May is if you look at the schedule. Really no reason to be under .500 thus far. And realistically should be at least 5 games over. Moving Theriot to 2nd and Castro up gives the Cubs more options. Like being able to move Baker or Fontenot to 3rd base a little more to Aramis wakes the **** up. Or trade one of them while they're still hitting...

 

[Neckbeard]

You are assuming Fukudome won't fall off a cliff after June 1st like each of the past two seasons. I will need to see that to believe it.

 

[JBone84]

Well you could have Fukudome hit leadoff against RHP and Theriot against LHP. Nothing wrong with that.

Except Theriot hits righties better:

2010 splits .367 versus righties and .273 versus lefties

 

[gocubs2118]

You are assuming Fukudome won't fall off a cliff after June 1st like each of the past two seasons. I will need to see that to believe it.

Even when he has, he still walks at a great rate. His career OBP is higher than Theriot's.

 

[gocubs2118]

Except Theriot hits righties better:

2010 splits .367 versus righties and .273 versus lefties

Great sample size. I guess we should send Ramirez down the minors shouldn't we?

 

[dtclones]

Well you could have Fukudome hit leadoff against RHP and Theriot against LHP. Nothing wrong with that.

You could, but as someone else pointed out, once June comes, he forgets how to hit. Plus, so far Kosuke has shown enough power that he may be better served hitting with people on base.

 

[BondurantCyfan]

Let's see what the kid can do. I like the move. Go Cubs Go!

 

[JBone84]

Great sample size. I guess we should send Ramirez down the minors shouldn't we?

If that would help him get his stroke back without killing the Cubs, I'd say go for it.

(I'm not saying that it would help him find his stroke)

I couldn't find Theriot's career splits. I'd be interested in seeing them, however, so if you can find them to back up your point that would be good information.

 

[JBone84]

I found his career splits from Wikipedia:

"His career BA/OBP/SLG are .304/.386/.426 vs. left-handers and .283/.346/.350 vs rightsiders."

I'd ride his hot streak versus righties for as long as possible (admittedly likely to be short).

 

[gocubs2118]

If that would help him get his stroke back without killing the Cubs, I'd say go for it.

(I'm not saying that it would)

I couldn't find Theriot's career splits. I'd be interested in seeing them, however, so if you can find them to back up your point that would be good information.

His 3 year average is:

Vs RHP: .282/.346/.342
Vs LHP: .299/.377/.415