SATURDAY, 3:53pm: Corey Brock of MLB.com (via Twitter) hears it's highly unlikely that the Padres will make a move on Lopez.
WEDNESDAY, 5:12pm: Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports are reporting that free agent infielder Felipe Lopez has four suitors, two of whom are San Diego and St. Louis.
We've heard about the Cards' interest in Lopez already this winter, and Morosi/Rosenthal note that Brendan Ryan's wrist surgery might be a main reason why St. Louis is keeping an eye on Lopez. For the Padres, Lopez would be essentially a depth signing, though David Eckstein and Everth Cabrera aren't exactly rock-solid everyday options in the middle infield. Cabrera is entering just his second season, and Eckstein has never posted an OPS in any of his nine major league seasons that has come within 50 points of the .810 OPS that Lopez achieved in 680 plate appearances last season..
The Cardinals were interested in Lopez long before Brendan Ryan decided to have surgery on his wrist. They have been looking at him as an option at 3B, as well as a kind of super utility man who can play 2B, SS, 3B, and both corner OF positions. Now, with Ryan possibly missing the start of the season, or at least needing some days off to not stress his wrist, he’s just that much more attractive to them. I hope the Cardinals can finally get him to sign.
Lopez would be a fantastic upgrade at 2nd for the Padres. He would solidify the number 2 hole at the top of the order as well getting on base before A Gon, until he is traded of course.
Everth Cabrera isn’t a rock solid everyday option in the middle infield? Give me a break. The guy was 8th in the NL ROY voting after never having played a season above Low-A and being 22 years old. He has to got to keep playing full time, putting Lopez in his place would only hinder his development. Lopez over Eckstein however? Now you might be talking.
Yeah, he needs to play but he said he wasn’t rock solid which is completely true.
A depth signing for the Padres? If they signed Lopez, which I don’t see, he would instantly become their best middle infielder and one of the best all around bats. Don’t kid yourselves SD–you’re still a ways away from contention.
“For the Padres, Lopez would be essentially a depth signing, though David Eckstein and Everth Cabrera aren’t exactly rock-solid everyday options in the middle infield.”
Might want to check Everth Cabrera (maybe his scouting report or better yet just watch the guy) out before you say something so ludicrous. Everth will be more than a solid every day SS. He is very dynamic, of course he made a huge jump from A ball to the MAJORS, but flourished showing off a variety of tools. NO ONE will be replacing Everth at SS period. He is the SS now and of the future for the Padres!
Oh yes, his .255 average, total lack of power, and terrible defense just screams future all-star.
you must only look at stats. He has awesome defense and fits Petco perfectly. He was a rule 5 pick that played in Low A and went straight to the Majors. His D is way above average and most of errors were throwing although he has a cannon for an arm. (Not trying to say its bad their throwing but he’s not an atrocious fielder, kid has a glove) If you have never seen the young kid play then don’t comment, and who cares about his power, he’s a lead off hitter who hits doubles and triples and steals bases. He is the sparkplug the Padres need at the top and a catalyst for the offense. He isn’t going anywhere and will only continue to get better.
I’d rather watch Carbrera play than Jeter. It’s like: would you rather go to the circus… or to the library? Depends on your taste…
Another box score projector!
Maybe if you did a bit of research, you would realize that the guy went from LOW A ball to the MAJORS and for most of the year, he was closer to 270 while having many doubles and triples with his tremendous speed! He is erie similar to Rafael Furcal, with MORE SPEED! Yea, more speed and a cannon of an arm. In only 103 games, Cabrera had 18 doubles, 8 triples and 25 stolen bases!
Terrible defense, OR a rookie learning a new position making a tremendous jump!? Wow-
Everth was extremely impressive as a 22 YO straight out of Single A. He posted a really nice .276/.368/.382/.750 line (with those steals) away from SD and hit for a consistent 800+ OPS when ahead in the count. Really, take a look at what he did when ahead in the count
.357/.357/.524/.881 – first pitch
.412/.412/.647/1.059 – 1-0 count
.353/.353/.471/.824 – 2-0 count
12 walks in 12 PA – 3-0 count
.320/.346/.520/.866 – 1-1 count
.404/.404/.630/1.037 – 2-1 count
.417/.731/.917/1.647 – 3-1 count
.385/.583/.564/1.147 – full count
.313/.450/.417/.867 – after 1-0
.413.640/.609/1.249 – after 2-0
.875/.964/1.625/2.589 – after 3-0
.346/.625/.577/1.202 – after 3-1
.392/.673/.647/1.321 – after three balls
Hitting at PETCO and hitting when behind in the count are the only two flaws he showed last season. Getting him to play to the park in SD and learn to adjust when behind will be the two goals for 2010, and if the team is able to do so they have a really special hitter on their hands.
His ability shown when ahead in the counts points to him possibly being one of the better hitting SS in the game though. That is, if/when he corrects the mental issue of protecting the pate. As his stats point to a tendency to chase junk when behind in the count, going completely against the eye he showed otherwise – and he definitely showed the ability to both recognize and handle his pitch when ahead in the count as you can see from above.
Can we get a rewrite of “… Eckstein has never posted an OPS in any of his nine major league seasons that has come within 50 points of the .810 OPS that Lopez achieved in 680 plate appearances last season.”
It could easily be rewritten to say, “Lopez has only ONCE posted an OPS in any of his nine major league seasons that has come within 50 points of the 810 OPS that Lopez achieved in 680 plate appearances last season.”
Both statements are factually correct. However, by not putting the first one in context a casual reader might assume that Lopez’s 2009 season was somehow indicative of his career path (which it isn’t).
You could have also quoted how many times Eckstein has quit on his team (and yes he has played on some terrible teams). Or you could quote how many times Eckstein has been accused of dogging it or being a bad team mate, etc.
Lopez very well may put up better numbers that Eckstein, but I don’t think it’s a slam dunk for sure thing.
I’m sure the cardinals could outbid the padres.. If they went as high as 4mil, he would be the 2nd highest paid player on the padres ( or 3rd-forgot what bell and correia got in arb)
I’m gonna say:
Cardinals for 2/8 and 750k incents for PA and GS along with the standard incents ( mvp voting, allstar, GG, etc)
At 4 mil he would be equal to Bell, behind Adrian and Young
At $4 million Lopez would be behind Young, Gonzalez and Garland in salary and tied with Bell.
It is seriously doubtful that anyone is going to give Lopez $4 million.
$2-$2.5 million is more like it.
What a steal it will be for whoever gets Lopez
I’m going to say the Indians and A’s are the other two clubs with StL being the most likely destination. Lopez would be able to fix possible issues anywhere from 2nd to 3rd for them, and that type of depth would come in key as they look to compete.
From what I here Lopez may be a cancer in the dressing room and with San Diego going with a youth movement I’m not sure he is the right guy for the Padres to bring in. Eckstein isn’t the best player around, but he will show the young guys how a major leaguer can hustle, and those guys are few and far between. Let’s not forget we also signed Hairston Jr who could spell Eckstein if he is really playing that poorly this year.
With the way the Padres finished up last season I don’t think they need wholesale changes. Go into the year with what they’ve got right now, play well, convince Adrian they are headed in the right direction and get him signed.
Much of the Lopez stuff stems from his treatment, and in-turn reactions, while with the Nats. I dont remember hearing negative while he was with Cincy and I was under the impression they liked him a lot in StL. (well they must have if they are talking about him again – I doubt they would want him if he was a detrimental attitude)
As far as the Padres – 39-35 in the second half, 42-39 at home and held their own with a 33-39 mark against their division (a division with 3 well above 500 clubs). I doubt they make enough noise to be a threat for the playoffs, but they might surprise some people this season.
5 teams in 3 years. You do have to wonder what that says about Felipe Lopez as a teammate.
It’s 4 teams in 3 years. Same number as Jon Garland actually, and I imagine a couple other players. Meanwhile Branyan has changed teams like 15 times in 8 years – does that mean he must be the Antichrist? Or, does it just mean such things don’t always mean anything?
Anyway, the top suitor for Lopez is a team he has been with prior. But not only that, it’s a club which prides itself on full effort and chemistry. I think that says much more then your randomized thinking does.
“and Eckstein has never posted an OPS in any of his nine major league seasons that has come within 50 points of the .810 OPS that Lopez achieved in 680 plate appearances last season..”
Funnily enough, Lopez has come within 50 points of that OPS once in his 8 other seasons, and that was back in 2005.
i sure wish dodgers would be in this but not going to happen when 2B for us is crowded now with no good players.
i sure wish dodgers would be in this but not going to happen when 2B for us is crowded now with no good players.
I think the cards will sign him and put him at 3rd, SS until B.Ryan gets back. Im not too sure about D Freese yet. If he hits a walkoff homer and gets hammered, theres another DWI and Jaaiiilllllllllllll Timmmeee.