We know our Cubs desperately need a lefty hitting slugger to break up the right handed trio of Soriano, Lee and Ramirez. We also know that several names have been thrown out there, perhaps none more so than Kansas City Royals outfielder Mark Teahan.
But don't look for Teahan to be the answer. The reasons are many, though it may come down to a fall-back option for GM Jim Hendry if he can't find a more suitable deal somewhere else.
Teahan hit .255 last season with a pedestrian .313 on-base percentage. His career numbers are slightly better, yet at .268/.332/.421, he hasn't exactly set the world on fire.
Defensively, he has a strong arm, yet his range is limited. He is versatile, which Lou Piniella likes. Teahen has played all three outfield positions, and has even played a handful of games at first and third base.
But instead of settling for someone who has a limited upside, why not think big? After all, it's not my money, folks.
Here are some alternatives, along with a brief pro and con on each. For now, I am only focusing on outfielders.
Adam Dunn: Normally a leftfielder, Dunn would be forced to play right for the Cubs. He strikes out a ton, yet has offensive value because of his penchant for getting on base. His power is very consistent; in fact, he's hit exactly 40 homers in each of the last four seasons. His defense would definitely be a downgrade from Fukudome, and he won't come cheap. But as a free agent, he won't cost anything in terms of players and has seemingly drawn limited interest thus far, so his terms may be reasonable. Even so, he's likely too expensive for Hendry.
Raul Ibanez: Regarded as a class individual on and off the field, his defense is also not very good. But offensively, Ibanez has decent power, hits for average, and draws a fair share of walks. Lou seems to like him but he won't come cheap either. He'll be 37 next June so perhaps a two or three year deal will suffice to land him.
David DeJesus: Now here is an interesting alternative to Teahen. Another Kansas City outfielder, David hits for average and has a little more speed, though he's not fast so he isn't a typical leadoff hitter, even though KC has used him there. Not sure how available he truly is, and he wouldn't provide much power, but is definitely worth a look for Jim Hendry. His line last year was .307/.366/.452, though the soon-to-be 29 year old hit only 12 homers. He hit equally well against both left and right-handed pitchers last year, another plus. He also fits that athletic mold that Lou is always referring to, though his defense is not stellar. DeJesus had the highest average in baseball last year with runners in scoring position.
Brian Giles
21 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Will Howard 7 months ago
Bring on Abreu. He's a class act and a wonderful guy to have. He's good on the field and a leader in the dug-out.
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Bob Warja 7 months ago
I'm glad to hear that Will, because in the past I had heard the opposite about him, that he was selfish and didn't run out balls, etc. That's going back to his days playing for Larry Bowa in Philly. Thanks,.
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Will Howard 7 months ago
He was only Yankee in their outfield doing anything this season. He's a fellow countryman of Zambrano. So he's got the temper that comes with a guy from Venzuela, but could serve a s arole model to Zambrano and help him reach Cy Young caliber. He makes so much sense and at 35 has the talent for 2 or 3 years til Sam Fuld developes
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Bob Warja 7 months ago
Sam Fuld is a 4th outfielder in the major leagues. He's 27 years old already so he's hardly a prospect any more. But I do like Abreu for a season or two, as long as it isn't longer. Thanks.
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Brad Webster 7 months ago
I think DeJesus is the best option you mentioned. Even at 29, he has a high ceiling. For years, he's been the hitter that KC depended on most for a spark, and certainly he came through last year. He's only a leader on a bad team, though, so he sheds that pressure hitting in that Cubs lineup. They have plenty of power already, so don't be discouraged if he only hits 12 homers again. He'd be a perfect role player on any team.
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Bob Warja 7 months ago
I like him, too, Brad. Thanks for commenting.
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T.J. Morrill 7 months ago
I'm a Yankees fan and I'll tell you what Abreu would be a great addition to any team, I really wish they'd hold on to him, sign some pitching and trade Matsui/Damon
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Bob Warja 7 months ago
Good to hear from someone who is familair with him. Thanks for the report.
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Tomer Talmy 7 months ago
I am also a Yankee fan and I agree that Abreu is good but he is definitely on the downside of his career and he has had quite a few slumps as a yankee the past few seasons.
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Bob Warja 7 months ago
I agree and he isn't likely to get any better as he gets older. But I'll take a .290 average with a .380 or so OBP and 20 homers. Again, I think the key is to keep any deal short.
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TAB BAMFORD 7 months ago
Abreu is the poster child for the home run derby changing a swing; I'm also not convinced that playing for the Yankees right after that showing was good for his pysche. At his age, though, I'm not sure I put out the kinda years and dollars he'll command; he's 2 years from being a DH.
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Bob Warja 7 months ago
You're absolutely right that his power has been down ever since that HR contest. I also agree on the term - more than 2 years and I stay away. Maybe 2 and an option but if he insists on 3 I have to give it serious pause. More than 3 is out of the question. He's almost at the DH stage now. Thanks TAB.
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Ricky Butts 7 months ago
This is not true... Abreu has always hit around 20 home runs... he had one year with 31 and another with 30, in between those two years he hit 20 twice, he has hit 25 and 24 and the rest have been from 15-20. He is a very consistent hitter who NEVER hit for a LOT of power.
He had a huge home run derby, but that didn't change his swing. If you think it hurt his average, he hit .301 in '04, .286 in '05 (home run derby year), .297 in '06, .283 in '07, and .296 in '08. So he is still between .285 and .300 where he has always been. he has also hit over 100 RBI the past six years and seven of the past eight.
The home run derby thing is bull, but at his age a decline in production could be on the brim...
Personally I like him for two years max
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Bob Warja 7 months ago
Ricky, you're wrong. From the horse's mouth (source: USA Today):
Abreu says he had a difficult time getting his natural swing back after his 41 home runs in the 2005 event in Detroit. He came into the Derby hitting .307 with 18 home runs and hit .260 with six homers for the rest of the season. Abreu loved participating but won't participate again.
"I'm a line-drive hitter, and when you go into the contest, you're trying to just hit the ball in the air, to elevate the ball," Abreu says. "It messed up my swing a little bit because it was like playing golf, when I usually swing on the line
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Andy Miller 7 months ago
Abreu seems like another ('08) Edmonds. I liked Edmonds this year, but would Abreu be able to take on the challenge of playing outfield everyday? You said it yourself Bob, he's already almost a DH. Honestly, I think (barring the money situation of course) Dunn is our best bet to truly get a power hitting lefty into our everyday lineup.
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Bob Warja 7 months ago
Dunn will cost more in salary and years and I just get the feeling that Hendry doesn't have the money to spend. And, Dunn would probably be equally bad defensively in right field. I actually think that Ibanez may win out.
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Andy Miller 7 months ago
Yeah, I know they really don't have the money spend this year. But it would be nice to have Dunn.
As far as Ibanez goes, really, the only problem I have with him is his age. He's definitely not someone we'll have for more than a couple years.
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Bob Warja 7 months ago
I agree, it would be nice to have Dunn. Thanks Andy.
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Bob Warja 7 months ago
Although, as I wrote, almost all of the candidates offer poor defense. If we want good offense & defense, the choices are very limited. That's why I'm thinking the Cubs will be forced to give up defense for offense. The latst scuttlebutt says the Cubs are trying to trade for DeJesus with Marquis but that KC wants more (understandably).
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Andy Miller 7 months ago
Good Lord, I really hope Marquis is gone after this year. I hope that Jim Hendry just gives him to another team. If you want to go the trade route, we might get a few bats in return...
As far as defense goes, both Reed Johnson and Kosuke can cover a lot of ground. I don't really think we're sacrificing a WHOLE lot, we really do need a good offensive lefty.
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Bob Warja 7 months ago
We'd be sacrificing defense while this lefty-hitting right fielder is in there (whoever that turns out to be) - Johnson & Fukudome will be platooning in center, though I don't know how good either is out there. Johnson made some nice diving catches last year and tries real hard, but overlall is probably just average and Fukudome was solid in RF but may struggle a bit in CF.
As for Marquis, Hendry would love to give him to a team that will pay his salary. But I don't know of any teams willing to do that, though he would be a servicable 5th starter for someone I think.
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