FeedSports: Oh, joy … the Cubs pick up a .178 hitter
May 14, 2008 in The Sports Page
From Cubs.com:
Veteran outfielder Jim Edmonds was en route to Wrigley Field on Wednesday, and could be in the Cubs’ lineup on Thursday if he passes a physical.
Edmonds, who hit .178 in 26 games, was available after being released by the San Diego Padres last Friday. He cleared waivers on Wednesday.
“We’ll put him out there to play and see what happens,” Cubs manager Lou Piniella said.
And exactly what is it that attracted the Cubs to the guy the Cardinals let get away? He’s cheap:
Ken Kravec, one of the Cubs’ top scouts, had seen Edmonds during a series against Atlanta and felt the center fielder was making progress from the spring injury. He arrives at minimal cost to the Cubs. Edmonds is owed million this year, and million of that is being paid by the St. Louis Cardinals, who dealt him to the Padres last December. The Cubs may only have to pay the Major League minimum. The center fielder turns 38 on June 27.
“There’s no negatives in it,” Hendry said. “You’re not giving up players, you’re not spending a lot of dollars. Hopefully, he can give us a great portion of the Jim Edmonds we all knew and used to fear in a lot of ways.”
Yes, it will be ridiculously sweet if the guy suddenly starts to hit and the Cubs win the division and the league championship while the Cards pay his salary. Still, color me unimpressed.
May 26th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Yes Edmonds is fading at the plate, but he still has a very pretty (yes, pretty) swing, and could put one out on a line when a pitcher leaves the ball up.
The true value of Edmonds is his defense. There is no one better in center field that him, and he’s a highlight reel waiting to happen everytime he puts on the glove. He’ll finish the season around .230, but he hasn’t lost a step when it comes to tracking down fly balls in center.