What's that you say? Happy birthday, Matt? That's right! And what is it exactly I want for the big 2-1? A return to the Cubs for the once chosen one, the shy town savior, the Windy City Warrior..Nomar Garciaparra.
The Cubs currently have one open position left and it is for a backup corner infielder to keep Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez fresh. Currently, it seems the Cubs are comfortable with Aaron Miles and Mike Fontenot rotating in and out of the second and third base positions. How ludicrous is that for continuity..
Mark DeRosa filled the utility handyman role just nicely, providing an electric bat with just enough range on his glove to play everywhere on the field. Sound familair?
Fonty and Miles will not be DeRosa. They'll do a serviceable job, don't minsunderstand. Just know that the Cubs need a veteran backup to play this roles. Does that sound familiar too?
Nomar is currently a free agent deserving of a job somewhere. The only reason he has yet found one is that he is holding out for a starting position. He has yet to find one because he is coming off an injury riddled season where he hit .264 in only 55 games played.
I theorize that limiting a healthy Nomar Garciaparra to a platoon-backup role would be best for not only the Cubs, but Nomar's career. If he would take the one-year incentive-laden deal from the Cubs, he could fill the role he was very successful at near the end of 2005 where he covered for the injured Ramirez and inconsistent Ronny Cedeno.
I'm convinced that Nomar would be a veteran glue to a clubhouse that may not have a leader with the departures of DeRosa and Kerry Wood. In addition, limiting Nomar to 300 at bats would allow in to stay on the field for a full season, maximizing his value.
Plus we'll get Mia Hamm back in Chicago. Who's opposed to that. Happy birthday indeed...
Don't Forget, every Saturday @ Noon, there will be a Chat on this very website.
This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson
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I want Nomar as much as you do but I dont see where he fits in. We dont have any open spots on the roster unless we make a move. 12 pitchers, 13 position players include: Soriano, Lee, Ramirez, Soto, Fontenot, Theriot, Johnson, Fukudome, Bradley, Gathright, Miles, Hoffpauir, Bako.
ReplyDeleteWho would get demoted?
The Cubs are said to be adamantly shopping around for a backup IF. They looked at Aurilia and Hudson.
ReplyDeleteIt's not my problem as to who gets cut. As long as they want to look at adding an infielder to back of Rami and DLee, I'm telling them exactly where they can go.
In any case, I'm willing to believe spring training will sort rosters out in terms of who gets cut.
Ya I had heard that too. I just dont see it fitting in, who knows though. If the Cubs were to sign Hudson, I believe we would see Fontenot traded.
ReplyDelete