Did the Cubs sign Superman?
Not quite. But Joey Gathright is someone who can jump over cars, as evidenced by this YouTube video.
First thing Jim Hendry might want to do is make sure Joey doesn't do that again.
Although if I'm Felix Pie, I'm betting him money and daring him to jump over two at a time.
Gathright likely means the end of Pie's career with the Cubs.
He's a fast, left-handed leadoff man who can play any outfield position.
On a very good team he's coming off the bench. We'll see what happens with Milton Bradley.
I like the signing.
Roman, I totally love this signing. Quite a bargain to bring in Gathright for just $800k. I'm assuming he'll platoon with Reed Johnson in center field, maybe come in as a late-inning defensive replacement. He'll definitely be the lead pinch-runner on the ballclub, surpassing Ronny Cedeno in that role. But, the key is that he is a LEADOFF man, something the Cubs desperately need. Soriano does not belong there, and hopefully Gathright can show his stuff in spring training, possibly edging out Reed for the opening day spot in center.
As for Pie, it's kind of a double-edged sword. Sure, now he has competition and has to prove himself or face the consequences. But, on the other hand, this signing sort of gives the message to other teams that Pie's time is done with the Cubs, making it the best time to acquire him. This is kind of similar to how the Padres are feeling with Peavy. They've put Peavy out on the market, making him readily available (somewhat at least), but now that there weren't any deep-sinking buyers, the rest of the league sees that he'll waste away in San Diego. It'll eventually lower the value, because everyone knows the circumstances involving the Padres' owner.
At this point, I think Jason Marquis and Felix Pie are on the shortest leashes on the roster. Marquis' massive salary needs to be moved somewhere, where he can be more effectively used. Pie needs a change of scenery and new voices telling him how to play the game. It's up to Jim Hendry to see what he can get for either of these guys. Maybe they can be part of the package for a trade for Peavy.
And, as for Milton Bradley or finding that left-handed hitting outfielder, I hope that quest ended with the Gathright signing. I will repeat what I've said before. Give Fukudome another chance. It was his first year in this country, playing major league baseball, and playing in a 162-game season. Yes, he crumbled down the stretch and looked nothing like what we saw at the start of 2008, but again, he was adjusting to the level of play. For all the naysayers of Fuku, please take that in mind. Sure, give him some decent competition in RF during spring training, so that he earns the starting spot. Let it be known if he doesn't return to form that he'll be sent to Des Moines. But, by no means should the Cubs or its fans demean what Fukudome can do when given the opportunity. The Cubs don't need Milton Bradley, Bobby Abreu, or any other free agent left-handed hitting outfielder. They have one right now, and he wears #1...Kosuke Fukudome.
I'm just waiting for Hendry or Grandpa Lou to utter the kiss of death phrase, "all the pieces are in place."
Look, the Cubs couldn't get out of the first round of the playoffs the last two seasons with arguably the most talented team in the NL. How is Gathright going to change that?
I predict the Cubs will have a clubhouse meltdown this year pitting Zambrano against the rest of the team. He will win, but Soto will give him a good fight. Soriano and Ramirez won't even realize a fight is taking place because they will both be laser focused on getting their respective hairdos "just right."
Ahhh the Cubbies. The softest team money can buy.
Qumar, what you said about Fukudome is exactly why you try to get Milton Bradley's bat in here. I agree with you in that Fukudome should be given a 2nd chance to improve from basically only a half season disaster. For every 2nd or 3rd chance that fans and teams have given to other players, Fukudome shouldn't be an exception. However, you can't just give him a free pass either. Bradley is exactly the competition that Fukudome needs in Spring Training and may the best man win the starting job.
As for Gathright, he’s fine, but he’s not an everyday player. He’s just as bad against left handed pitchers as Felix Pie, but he’s a much better leadoff guy and better base-runner/base stealer than Pie right now. It’s great that he was signed rather cheap, but really, what does that matter with this team? How much a player signs with the Cubs should not matter with fans unless we’re talking astronomical ARod-type or Manny-type salaries. Gathright only stops that speculation that Fukudome might play center. The Center Field position will officially be a platoon between Reed Johnson and Gathright. I’m just wondering why the Cubs did not even consider Rafael Furcal? No one is really talking about the shortstop position, but I think Theriot cost the team many games from his defense at shortstop with his weak throwing arm and errors. Theriot’s bat is fine, but I think his defense at short is less than mediocre. I know fans like his hustle and bat, but his defense and even his baserunning need a LOT of work and is being overlooked by many fans. And lastly, I think we need a left handed bullpen setup pitcher. Brian Fuentes would compliment Gregg and Marmol very well.
Long way to go for the Cubs’ offseason… give Hendry more space to get it right this Winter…
Ah yes, Seedy.... I remember the days when fans were clamoring about the Cubs not spending enough money and only bargain shop the free agents or the reclamation projects, but now you make fun of them spending too much. It's always something huh? Let me guess what's next... the Cubs don't spend their money wisely, right? Yeah, easy to say the "I told you so's" in hindsight.
NO
Ah yes, Edgar...
Not saying anything in hindsight. I've said the same thing for the past few years. What the Cubs need are fewer Sorianos and more (or at least one) clubhouse ass-chewers. You know the kind... someone who would meet Soriano on the top step of the dugout after one of his lackadaisical forays in the outfield to ask him when he might start pulling his head out of his arse. Someone who might take on Zambrano before his ego outsizes the team.
And by the way, they are now spending my money on their stinking team (since they are in bankruptcy). So they should be spending it efficiently.
a club house cockfight?
Seedy is 100% correct. The team has a bunch of good, but soft, players. Lou says all year long that Soriano is the pulse of the team; well that pulse has been dead throughout the entire postseason of his career. So now the playoffs begin and we wonder why the team has no pulse. I said all last year that the cubs were missing that one guy that someone would be afraid to meet in a dark alley. We have a bunch of pretty boys and wackos on this team. A Youkilis type player is what we need on this team.
Oh yea - try to get A Gonzalez along with Peavy and throw in D Lee, he has not been the same since the broken wrist. Secondly, get a real shortstop, move Theriot to second, Cedeno is expendable, and DeRo can platoon between 2nd and RF with Theriot and Fuku. Rotation is good enough, keep Marquis (as long as he is the Marquis of 08 and not 07) and get Fuentes for the 7th or 8th inning.
Glad to see we got rid of Home Run Howry.
If my memory serves me correctly, Gathright either attempted or actually made a diving catch in left field at the Cell in August 07, and had to leave the game because he got his bell rung. He's fearless in an Aaron Rowand way, but faster and more athletic. This is a good acquisition by the Cubs.
Gathright spent much of his time with the mighty Royals batting 9th. I would much rather let Pie have the centerfield spot and just let him play. Pie is a better centerfielder, better arm, has more power(by far), and has much more upside. Gathright at 27 is pretty much at his peak and it isn't too high.
Cool party trick, Joey. Can you play baseball?
Pie had his chances and did not take advantage of them. One hopes this signing works out as well as that of Edmonds did. I agree that it's a bargain price. In a blog last season I indicated shock and dismay comparing a couple of pitchers' salaries to that of the starting shortstop. The Cubs dumped one of those pitchers and now need to get rid of Marquis as well, maybe tell him he's a reliever so he'll quit.
Oh I agree, Seedy… less Sorianos would be nice, but there is only 1 Soriano-type player on the Cubs entire roster. Look, you can’t fault Hendry for trying. He’s doing what he can. Sure, maybe he messed up on Soriano and I was shocked that Soriano was signed to not so much the $’s involved, but signed to such a long-term contract. That’s where Hendry messed up, the 8 years on the contract. Other than Soriano, you can’t fault most of the other moves and signings he has done. The players and Piniella have to be held accountable in this case. Soriano’s a streaky hitter, but he needs to stay away from the leadoff position, most of us know that. To his credit though, he has carried the team at times during the regular season, but playoffs have obviously been the different story with not only him, but for several other Cubs players as well. Bottom line, Soriano is not a bust like Barry Zito was for the Giants as a free agent signing. It just goes back to expectations and I’m aware that fans and media have huge expectations for this team and when they go down without barely a fight in the first round of the playoffs for 2 years in a row, you’re doggone right that fans will be disappointed or ticked off, myself included. However, no way will I blame Hendry and criticize the organization for spending or not spending money. He has done what he could to build this team for contention and he’s not done yet this offseason. I’ll reserve judgment on this offseason for Hendry and the organization until Spring Training begins next year.
As for the team itself, at this point, I don’t really care about the so-called “character” guys anymore. I want vocal leaders who can help lead this team by more than just quiet example. There are too many laid back personalities on the roster. That’s my opinion. Peavy would have been nice in that sense, not so much his pitching talent, but he might have been the “someone” who could take on Zambrano’s ego in the pitching staff with his fiery personality that I’ve read about and lead the charge among the starting pitchers. Anger management issues aside, get Milton Bradley to help fire this team up on the offensive side. We can’t do anything about Soriano now except take him out of the leadoff slot. Forget the politics, Lou Piniella, just take him out of there and place him fifth or sixth in the batting order. He is what he is and he’s not going to change. We’re stuck with him, but he’s only 1 guy.
The Cubs are chokes...need 'em to do it more than twice for proof?
I don't