11-27-2009, 12:08 PM
<!--quoteo(post=70217:date=Nov 27 2009, 09:24 AM:name=1060Ivy)-->QUOTE (1060Ivy @ Nov 27 2009, 09:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->While Granderson would be a solid pick up for the Cubs, I don't believe he is the middle of the order guy that the Cubs needed last season.
Granderson has extremely similar stats to Bradley regarding slugging, HRs etc which isn't bad but almost all his at bats are as a lead off man. Believe he has something like 62 AB in the 5 spot and over 1,000 as a lead off man over the last 3 years. His stats in those 62 AB production as #5 are great but it is too small a sample size to extrapolate for a full season.
Granderson is a great replacement for Bradley: he is a better defender; plays a position where the Cubs have a weakness; puts up similar offensive numbers; and, would rid the club of an ass wipe. Unfortunately, Curtis is a top of the order hitter not the middle of the order RBI guy that the Cubs were desperate for last season. Hopefully, Soto can stay off the rice and beans and return to his 2008 form and be that guy in the 5 spot in 2010.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I understand your point about the sample size, but I think the fact that he's had such solid RBI production out of the leadoff spot bodes well for his ability to hit down in the order, if that's what we needed him to do.
With this trade you have to fall into one of two camps; either we need one more piece of the puzzle and we can compete in the central, or we need to step back try and stay "competetive" while Sorioano and Fuk's contracts expire and then rebuild with this sudden influx of potential superstars. I'm of the mind that we can put it all together next year with a couple of new pieces and really make a run. I say you go and get Granderson if you can get him for Fox/Vitters/and somebody else who is not Castro. The other variable is that now Dave Dumbrowski is saying that the Tigers are NOT dumping salary and not having a fire sale. Which very well might just be an attempt to calm the fanebase down.
Granderson has extremely similar stats to Bradley regarding slugging, HRs etc which isn't bad but almost all his at bats are as a lead off man. Believe he has something like 62 AB in the 5 spot and over 1,000 as a lead off man over the last 3 years. His stats in those 62 AB production as #5 are great but it is too small a sample size to extrapolate for a full season.
Granderson is a great replacement for Bradley: he is a better defender; plays a position where the Cubs have a weakness; puts up similar offensive numbers; and, would rid the club of an ass wipe. Unfortunately, Curtis is a top of the order hitter not the middle of the order RBI guy that the Cubs were desperate for last season. Hopefully, Soto can stay off the rice and beans and return to his 2008 form and be that guy in the 5 spot in 2010.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I understand your point about the sample size, but I think the fact that he's had such solid RBI production out of the leadoff spot bodes well for his ability to hit down in the order, if that's what we needed him to do.
With this trade you have to fall into one of two camps; either we need one more piece of the puzzle and we can compete in the central, or we need to step back try and stay "competetive" while Sorioano and Fuk's contracts expire and then rebuild with this sudden influx of potential superstars. I'm of the mind that we can put it all together next year with a couple of new pieces and really make a run. I say you go and get Granderson if you can get him for Fox/Vitters/and somebody else who is not Castro. The other variable is that now Dave Dumbrowski is saying that the Tigers are NOT dumping salary and not having a fire sale. Which very well might just be an attempt to calm the fanebase down.