The Chicago Cubs have a couple in-house options for the last spot on their bench. It’s got to be a guy who can back up an infield spot or two. Preferably the guy could back up third, first, and short. But maybe that preferable guy isn’t on the Cubs yet. So they’ll keep looking.
One guy the Cubs are scouting for that spot is Oakland A’s now-utility infielder, Bobby Crosby.
The Cubs are scouting Oakland shortstop Bobby Crosby, who suddenly is expendable after the A’s signed Orlando Cabrera to play short. The problem is Crosby makes $5.2 million, well above his market value, especially for the utility role he would fulfill on the Cubs.
Crosby is a .239 / .306 / .380 hitter for his career, and he’s trending downward. Now, you’re not looking for a stud at the plate in a utility guy, but that’s downright bad. Neifi-esque, if I may be so bold.
Obviously the A’s would have to eat a healthy portion of Crosby’s $5.2 million 2009 salary in order to trade him, but if they expect the Cubs to take him, would they be willing to eat, um, like, all of it?
In addition to Crosby’s hitting un-prowess, there’s another flaw in the utility plan: Crosby has only ever played shortstop. In the majors. In the minors. In tee-ball. I’m not saying he’s not capable of backing up other positions. I’m simply saying that if he is, he’s never shown it before. Which is a slightly unfair criticism given that he’s been a starter his entire career.
Ultimately, Crosby doesn’t make much sense, unless the Cubs are desperately worried about Aaron Miles and Mike Fontenot’s abilities to occasionally spell Ryan Theriot at short. And if that’s the case – and I hate to be the hindsight monster, but – maybe the Cubs shouldn’t have been so quick to part with Ronny Cedeno.
Terrible idea, but this is the team that saw fit to pay Jason Marquis $9 million a year and Fuku $10 million a year (jury’s still out on that guy, I guess).
Make it $12 mill per on Fuk.
[...] we recently noted, the Cubs have been scouting Bobby Crosby since he became available (due to the A’s signing Orlando Cabrera), with an eye at the 25th [...]