Dear Tram, Would You Mind Teaching Micah Hoffpauir Third Base?
In our episodes this offseason, I’ve made no small secret of the fact that I think Micah Hoffpauir should get more playing time for the Cubs. I don’t know what else he has to prove. The guy has a major league swing, patience, and a Randall Simon-ton of power. Everyone in the front office and dugout sees that, but at best it sounds like in 2009 he’ll be Lou Piniella’s first option off the bench and will get a start at 1B about once a month. Placed in a similar role in 2007 and 2008, Daryl Ward only got about 100 at bats each of those seasons. It’s not enough.
With Corey Koskie’s comeback attempt over, the Cubs should invest time in a backup third baseman that can mash and is right under their collective nose, and that is Hoffpauir. The outfield is full; between 5 talented guys (Bradley, Soriano, Fukudome, Johnson, and Gathright) I don’t see a big need for Micah out there. Also, I have a particular problem taking playing time away from Reed Johnson, who can flat out play the game. Joey Gathright also looks darn good so far down in Spring Training, stealing 3 bases in a game and fielding well.
As I can imagine Bob Brenly saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
So all that being said, why not spend the final days of Spring showing Hoffpauir the ropes of third base? He’d make an excellent backup to both Lee and Ramirez, one of whom will probably miss a few weeks during the season with a minor strain or injury. Though I don’t want to see Micah start the season in Iowa, I could live with it if he needed to get some more reps at a new position before being expected to go 6-4-3 on a daily basis. Nobody was better at turning the double play than Alan Trammell, and the Cubs are lucky to have his expertise from both playing and managing.
It’s almost impossible to complete a discussion about Micah Hoffpauir without having to bring up the aforementioned Derrek Lee, so what ensues is obligatory. Lee isn’t the same player he was in 2005, but he’s still an awesome first baseman and a great hitter. Anybody that hits 40 doubles and drives in close to 100 runs shouldn’t have to listen to anyone offer to replace him with a guy that tore it up in the minors. That is, unless he plays 1B for the Pirates in July. Derrek Lee doesn’t and won’t, and if you think Hoffpauir should play every day at first for the major league Cubs you lost me.
However, if you can get Micah Hoffpauir 250+ at-bats without giving him a position, you may have found me.
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4 Responses
Dan R March 27th at 7:57 pm
Hasn’t there been talk of Hoff also backing up MB in right field? While I don’t think playing Hoff at third (actually a great idea since ARam will need frequent days off), I do think he’d be a good sub for MB given that he too will likely need some down time as well and fielding excellence is not a must with Reed and Dome at Center.
Steve L March 28th at 3:44 am
Lou – all the support you need for your argument is that you can’t make a case against it? What’s not to like about gettubg Hoffpauir more at bats, and what’s not to like about giving ARam a day off now and again?
Lou March 28th at 5:27 am
@Dan: I think your scenario is more likely than mine…it’d be shocking if Bradley played in more than 135 games this season. Ultimately I just want to see Hoffpauir get at bats.
@Steve: I’m not sure if you disagree with me or not. Hoffpauir could fill a need (backup 3B) that the Cubs seem bent on filling with a roster spot. If they do that they’re going to lose either Samardzija, Hoffpauir, Patton, or somebody else. I’d rather them look within, and if it helps a good hitter get more at bats, even better.
Steve L March 29th at 6:32 pm
Should have made it clearer, Lou. I agree with you 100%.