Comments on: Gettin’ the band back together: the Cubs have some interest in Varitek, Wakefield

By: Alex K

Alex K — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:27:27 +0000

And Varitek isn’t on the team either, what’s your point?

Why not give a young player with a bit of upside a shot to be the back up catcher?

By: blueintown

blueintown — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:10:20 +0000

Because Hill is already gone.

By: hushbrother

hushbrother — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:34:03 +0000

If he signs with the Cubs, someone will have to tell ‘Tek that the “C” on his jersey doesn’t mean he’s still the team captain.

By: stlouis1baseball

stlouis1baseball — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 21:59:05 +0000

I tell you Matt…you are totally discounting the job the folks at FedEx do.
They pack it…AND ship it.

By: Alex K

Alex K — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 21:02:29 +0000

Varitek didn’t catch Wakefield in Boston, why would he start now?

And there is no law that says Wakefield can’t retire with a different team and help out with whatever he might be good at in the Cubs front office without playing for the Cubs.

I don’t think the Cubs should sign either Wakefield or Varitek. That doesn’t mean I want them to sign Hill, either. Between Hill and Varitek we are basically talking about replacement level players (Hill well below as a hitter, Varitek well below as a defender), so why not give a young player with even a little bit of upside a chance to back up Soto for the minimum salary?

By: 18thstreet

18thstreet — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:44:21 +0000

I’m so glad that Halladay’s Biceps joined this board again. It’s a blast to give thumbs down to even the smallest comments.

By: j0esixpack

j0esixpack — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:36:55 +0000

Throw in the beer and fried chicken and we’ve got a deal!

By: bigleagues

bigleagues — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:52:24 +0000

.545 OPS – Hill is a AAA Catcher. ’nuff said.

The linchpin for a Varitek deal is the signing of Wakefield.

Tek will catch Wake and a handful of other games. Depending on Wakefield’s back, his knuckler can be every bit as baffling in any one season – or stretch of season in 2012 as it was in 2008. The thing for Wakefield or anyone who throws the knuckler is routine and repetition. And if his back is healthy and he knows he’s going out there every 5 days, you will get 170-200 IP over 30 or so Starts with an ERA in the low-mid 4.00′s. His professionalism has always been noted (and despite his flirtation with membership in the Pollo Posse) and he is a tremendous contributor to the community. I guarantee if Wake retires a Cub he will be working for Theo in some capacity. And the Cubs and the Chicago will better for it.

By: bozosforall

bozosforall — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:39:29 +0000

Just so long as Clemens gets to keep his Red Sox record. LMAO

By: bozosforall

bozosforall — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:38:19 +0000

Doesn’t matter to me either way.

But we cool.

By: bozosforall

bozosforall — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:37:22 +0000

LOL

By: blueintown

blueintown — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:18:19 +0000

Koyie Hill is already gone.

By: Alex K

Alex K — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:13:27 +0000

Last year’s fWAR

Hill- -.4 fWAR -.9 rWAR
Varitek- .5 fWAR 0 rWAR

There might be a win to be had with the switch, but that assumes that Varitek produces the same in his age 40 season. Hill is a better defender and is going to be playing his age 33 season so there is less of a chance of him falling off a cliff (as short of a fall as that is). Plus, Hill will probably be cheaper.

By: bigleagues

bigleagues — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:49:38 +0000

OPS = Occupy Parcel Service

By: bigleagues

bigleagues — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:47:22 +0000

I love ‘Tek, but this comment is tremendous!

By: bigleagues

bigleagues — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:46:11 +0000

PERFECT stop gap solutions for the remodeling Cubs.

Some senior player leadership by two-time World Series winners is a great addition for the young Cubbies.

Wakefield can get his 200 victories for Red Sox fans as he plays for Theo. Close enough Wakey Pooh.

By: WhenMattStairsIsKing

WhenMattStairsIsKing — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:41:20 +0000

Don’t even. I’d rather have Damon and Crisp.

By: WhenMattStairsIsKing

WhenMattStairsIsKing — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:39:53 +0000

How does it feel to have a few thumbs up? You’re welcome.

By: WhenMattStairsIsKing

WhenMattStairsIsKing — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:39:29 +0000

Hill is great defensively but he is so bad with a bat that it’s excrutiating for me to watch him. I’d simply rather have Varitek.

By: deathmonkey41

deathmonkey41 — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:38:44 +0000

Maybe the Cubs are trying to get sponsership from Geritol.

By: Alex K

Alex K — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:32:43 +0000

Hill > Varitek defensively by a mile and a half. And while you gotta love the knuckleballer, I would perfer to love this knuckleballer from a distance. Why waste roster spots on old guys that probably won’t even help that much and cost more than the minimum?

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:29:42 +0000

Can JD Drew and Mike Cameron be far behind?

By: WhenMattStairsIsKing

WhenMattStairsIsKing — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:21:45 +0000

I meant OPS. I don’t care what parcel carrier they use. Though I do prefer UPS.

By: ras1tafari

ras1tafari — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:16:09 +0000

grab the recylcing bin too on the way out to the dumspster, Theo. Thanks.

By: bozosforall

bozosforall — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:14:04 +0000

Varitek’s UPS was .723??? You saying that he “mailed it in” every day? LOL

By: WhenMattStairsIsKing

WhenMattStairsIsKing — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:08:46 +0000

You know what? I’m down.

Varitek > Koyie Hill offensively (Varitek’s UPS was .723; Hill’s was a pathetic .545), and Wakefield would be a nice long reliever/SP. Both guys could probably be had for like $4-5 million total. It would be fun to see.