Cubs Trade Dubois for Gerut
The
Chicago Cubs traded
Jason
Dubois to the Cleveland Indians tonight in exchange for lefthanded
outfielder
Jody Gerut,
reports the AP.
Gerut had a good season as a 25-year-old rookie in 2003, posting .279/.336/.494 numbers, good for a .275 EqA. He regressed a bit last year. While his walk rate increased, both his batting average and power declined. He finished 2004 with a .256 EqA.
Gerut stands at a .256 EqA right now this season as well (Dubois was at .251 when he was demoted to Iowa). As the AP story notes, "He spent the first six weeks [of this season] on the disabled list while recovering from major knee surgery last September. Gerut tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on Sept. 17 while trying to catch a ball in the right-field corner at Jacobs Field." His 2003 power (22 homers in 480 at-bats) still has not returned. He has just 1 home run in 138 at-bats. He does have a nice 11.5% walk rate, helping him to a .357 OBA. Still, until he regains his power, Gerut is not well suited for his primary positions of left and rightfield. Gerut has played some center.
The AP quotes Cubs GM Jim Hendry as saying about Gerut, "We like the fact that he's a left-handed hitter. He's an above-average defensive player. He's more suited to play either corner, but he can play center. He's a guy who could help this club down the stretch."
Gerut's acquisition almost certainly means that Adam Greenberg's sole at-bat in the big leagues this year will have been his beaning.
Dubois hit .239/.289/.472 for the Cubs this year in 152 plate appearances after hitting .316/.389/.630 for Iowa last year. After his demotion to Iowa this year, Dubois went 9-for-18 in 4 games with a home run.
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Cubs Blog Army reaction
Other Cubs Blog Army reaction:
Scott at Northside Lounge: "This trade is unlikely to change the face of baseball history, but its hard to see any downside to it." Prior to that statement, Scott provides a comparison of the two players in a number of areas.
'Transmission' at The Cub Reporter: "[Gerut's] power, however, seems to have completely disappeared over the last two years, and he has a brutal .208/.302/.311 line against lefties. Being more positive, Gerut does an excellent job of putting the ball in play, with a BB/K ratio of almost exactly 1 over the last two seasons; we didn’t bring him in to face lefties; and he’s a better defender than Holly or Dubois or what I’ve seen of Murton, so far."
Chris at View from the Bleachers: "To me the trade represents an interesting change in philosophy for the Cubs. Their offense has been dependent on power hitters for the last few years, and they now appear to be trying to move to a more diversified attack."
Indians Bloggers' Reaction
Tribe Report: "Before Cleveland fans start screaming at the lack of a “name” acquisition, I’ll tell you that the Indians did their scouting homework on this one. Yes, Jody Gerut is a good player. Yes, I just said yesterday that it’s too early to give up with somebody with his skill set. In swapping Gerut for Dubois, the Indians far from gave up."
Indians Compendium: "Defense for Offense."
New poll
A new poll question has been added asking your opinion on the trade.
Gerut
I don't like it. First off, he's 27, not 25, as the Cubs.com article says, and that's a big difference.
When you look at his minor league numbers, it seems that the power he showed in 2003 was a bit of an anomaly. The only times he's come close to that kind of power was his impressive pro debut in the Carolina League, and then during a (less impressive) repeat stint in AA as a 24 year old. True, power can be late to develop, but Gerut's 27 (and an old 27 at that), and has failed to repeat the ability he showed two years ago.
I do like the OBP, but unless he can play a good defensive center field - a huge "if" in my book - he doesn't have much value to the Cubs, as he looks essentially like another Jerry Hairston at this point. And while I don't particularly mind the loss of Dubois - low OBP, high SLG hitters can be found anywhere - it does fuel my theory that the Cubs don't understand how to build a decent bench. I'm not positive that Gerut deserves a roster spot over either Murton or Grieve right now; it will be interesting to see who they send down to make room.
RE: I don't like it
I don't like it
That was my initial reaction as well. But I hesitated to say it. I also didn't really like the Hee Seop Choi and Juan Cruz trades. My track record in not liking trades is bad.
I'm not positive that Gerut deserves a roster spot over either Murton or Grieve right now
Agreed. Grieve is one of the better pinch-hitting options the Cubs could have on their bench. I doubt they'll send Murton down. It would leave them without a righthanded hitting corner outfielder (unless you count Macias; the always versatile Macias!).
Cruz
Not that the Juan Cruz trade has produced any fruit. But Cruz certainly hasn't turned out like I thought he would.
Cruz trade
I thought that was a defensible deal at the time, the folly of trading pitchers with the Braves notwithstanding.
Would have preferred that the Cubs got Jim Rushford
I would've preferred that the Cubs traded for Jim Rushford instead.
Photos from a Cubs game at Wrigley
Seriously? Why?
Seriously? Why?
Jim Rushford, outfielder
I have a Google news alert for Jim Rushford and it seems that he is always coming up with a key multi-base hit for his team. I think he would be amazing for the Cubs.
He played in last year's Triple A All Star game. My family watched it on tv.
Photos from a Cubs game at Wrigley