Mystery Disease Kills Thousands
Gay Marriage Vote Puts Heat On Christie
I've stated a few times that the one major void on the Cubs roster is the lack of a power-hitting right-fielder who bats left-handed. Some reports tonight indicate the north-siders are in discussions with the Kansas City Royals regarding Mark Teahen. The upsides are that Teahen plays a serviceable right-field, can hit for decent power (18 HRs in only 109 games in '06 as a 24 year-old), would likely see a spike in his numbers moving to a much better lineup and playing in an easier league, and he's much more cost-efficient to the team than signing Bobby Abreu or Raul Ibanez would be in free agency. He's a 27 year-old with versatile abilities who can run a little bit as well.
So, yeah, he could fill that need.
I just don't think I would like the move. As a matter of fact, I hate it.
The Cubs would be trading for Teahen, and they'd likely have to part with some players who could be of use in a deal down the road for a better player (cough, Jake Peavy, cough, cough!), and it's not exactly like the team is strapped for cash.
Furthermore, I don't see the upgrade. Why trade for a guy who has been a below average hitter the past two seasons -- if you use OPS -- is a terrible contact hitter, and only gets on base 31 percent of the time (.313 OBP in 2008)? If Jim Hendry is really planning on settling like this in right field, he should just move Mark DeRosa out there and play Mike Fontenot at second base. Fontenot is left-handed, sported a .395 OBP last year, and hit nine home runs in just 243 at-bats. Simply put, he's a better player than Teahen.
Making this trade would be trading just for the sake of trading, and that's not really what you want to do with a 97 win team. Go for the jugular, and quit just flailing arms all about, hoping to strike gold, Jim.
How Long Will Santorum's Surge Last?
Washington Gay Marriage Legislation Signed Into Law By Governor Chris Gregoire
House GOP Offers Deal In Big Fight
Officials Confirm: Prescription Drugs Found In Whitney Houston's Room
Obama Budget Signals Shift From Austerity Measures To Campaign Promises
Feds Recover Record Number Of Health Care Fraud Judgments
U.S. Green-Lights Google's Massive $12.5 Billion Purchase
Syrian Rebels Fight Off Attack On Key Town
Downgraded: Moody's Cuts Credit Ratings Of Italy, Portugal And Spain
Republicans Slam Obama Birth Control Rule, Ignoring State Contraception Mandates
WATCH: Fox News Pundit's Disturbing Comments About Rape
Monsanto Guilty Of Chemical Poisoning Of French Farmer
Topless Protesters Target 'Gas Gangsters'
WATCH: 25 Million Tons Of Japan Tsunami Debris Headed Directly Our Way
Pacifist Activists Deride Bishops Over Birth Control Coverage
WATCH: Anderson Cooper's Hilarious Adventures With Adele
Pressure Mounts On Mortgage Giants To Pursue Principal Reductions
WATCH: Bill Maher Rips GOP Concept Of 'Elites'
When Will The New iPad Be Announced?
Wall Street Fears Volcker Rule Will Force Testosterone Monitoring
Huff TV: WATCH: Arianna Weighs In On Tony Bennett's Call To Legalize Drugs
