Cubs sign Corey Koskie to Minor League deal

[Ace]

He'll compete for a bench job, though he has only played 3B in the last many years. Hasn't played in a couple years due to a head injury. Didn't realize what happened to him.

[biggz]

Is his wife hot? If so, he's on the roster.

[VanSlawAndCottoCheese]

I thought a back-up at 3B was the outstanding need. I wonder if they'll give time in SP to Koskie at 1B and RF. The question is, if Koskie were to be in, who between Gathright and Hoffpauir is out?

[Ace]

My thinking is that if Koskie can ONLY back up third, that's a waste of a bench spot (unless his bat is really, really back). Of course, I think Gathright is a waste of a bench spot, too, so maybe Koskie can push him out...

[cigar]

I am going to guess that since he is playing with Canada in the WBC his chances on making the team out of ST are pretty slim. He is going to start in AAA then probably be promoted the first time someone gets hurt. Of course that all depends on how well he plays.

[Ace]

<!--quoteo(post=20958:date=Feb 28 2009, 01:30 PM:name=cigar)-->QUOTE (cigar @ Feb 28 2009, 01:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I am going to guess that since he is playing with Canada in the WBC his chances on making the team out of ST are pretty slim. He is going to start in AAA then probably be promoted the first time someone gets hurt. Of course that all depends on how well he plays.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Yeah, and I think that would be great to have him in AAA. Is there a spot on the 40-man?

[cigar]

<!--quoteo(post=20959:date=Feb 28 2009, 12:31 PM:name=Ace)-->QUOTE (Ace @ Feb 28 2009, 12:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=20958:date=Feb 28 2009, 01:30 PM:name=cigar)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cigar @ Feb 28 2009, 01:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I am going to guess that since he is playing with Canada in the WBC his chances on making the team out of ST are pretty slim. He is going to start in AAA then probably be promoted the first time someone gets hurt. Of course that all depends on how well he plays.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Yeah, and I think that would be great to have him in AAA. Is there a spot on the 40-man?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


I think there was one open spot before ST. I am not sure if that has been filled since then though.

[savant]

I like this move. He is a player that I always liked to watch, he really plays the game the right way. I'm sure that he could play first base much better than Micah can play third. Anyone know how he suffered the concussion?

[Clapp]

<!--quoteo(post=20977:date=Feb 28 2009, 01:27 PM:name=savant)-->QUOTE (savant @ Feb 28 2009, 01:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I like this move. He is a player that I always liked to watch, he really plays the game the right way. <b>I'm sure that he could play first base much better than Micah can play third</b>. Anyone know how he suffered the concussion?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Well Micah throws left-handed, so yeah.

[savant]

That was pretty much my point.

[savant]

Another thing with Micah, is I am starting to believe that he is a pretty good hitter. I am always a bit skeptical of numbers put up in Iowa, but I was really impressed with his very limited ab's with the big club last year. He really does look like a professional hitter, if he could become an adequate outfielder he really could help this team out.

[Clapp]

If Koskie can play anywhere near like how he could before the injury, this is a great signing. They must have some indication he can. Third base is really the only position they're looking for a backup at. Miles is going to be the backup SS.

[Clapp]

<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Talked to Jim Hendry today, and the GM seems excited to have signed veteran third baseman Corey Koskie to a minor-league contract. The 35-year-old Koskie will play for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic and then join the Cubs as a nonroster man in spring training.

Koskie, a pretty good hitter in his days with the Twins, hasn’t played since 2006 because of post-concussion syndrome. He injured himself that year while playing for the Brewers and has spent the time since trying to get healthy.

“We heard he was healthy,” Hendry said from Mesa, where the Cubs are getting set to play the White Sox. “He had been working out in Fort Myers. We’ll see what he looks like. He was a heck of a player when he was healthy.”

I’m told that if Koskie doesn’t make the big-league roster, he’s open to playing at Class AAA Iowa for at least 30 days.

Koskie could serve as a left-handed hitting backup to Aramis Ramirez at third base. That position has become somewhat of an issue since the trade of Mark DeRosa. Aaron Miles, Mike Fontenot and Jake Fox have been among those taking grounders at third.

“We’re very happy with Fontenot and Miles and what they’re doing in getting looks at third base,” Hendry said.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Link(Miles)

[Clapp]

First at bat for Koskie, HBP in the elbow. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img] Worked the count, 7 or 8 pitches and looked comfortable up there.

[Clapp]

Lined out sharply to 2nd, now just drew a walk. He looks good up at the plate and it's been against lefties. They have him DH'ing though, so who knows how he looks at third. I can't imagine it's easy to be out of baseball for a couple years and then fielding rockets at third base.