Hanley Ramirez

[Dalas21000]

Can someone teach Hanley how to play 1st base? I mean the seasons almost over and I dont think he knows how to put 1 foot to the bag and stretch......

[moonslav59]

Meet next year's DH.

[Station 13]

Meet next year's DH.

 

This or E5.

 

Papi vocal about the latter.

[Dojji]

There's really nothing wrong with HanRam's performance. People expecting brilliant defense at 1B are really laughable considering this is the first time the guy's ever played there. He's not great but he's not a disaster either, and 22 HR and 92 RBI tells me he's doing the REAL job of a first baseman pretty well, especially given the tough start he had at the plate this year.

 

Can we do better? Yeah, probably, but we're stuck with this guy, and he's put up about 2 WAR at the first base position between offense and defense. We have too many other areas we also have to upgrade, to spend a lot of time sweating about an above average player playing first base.

 

Just think -- it's within Hanley's power to improve his value just by putting in reps at first in the offseason. I hope he does so, because if he can get that defense up to average level, he'll earn himself another contract with some team or another after this one's over.

[Dojji]

Meet next year's DH.

 

Not sold on a real improvement at 1B being available, unless Moncada pushes Shaw off the hot corner. But Shaw as a 1B has problems offensively, he's picking up some value playing at the harder position and his offense is only adequate. I know Sam Travis impressed us last Spring but he followed that up by putting up mediocre numbers in AA and getting hurt -- not exactly an auspicious sign.

 

Personally I suspect our DH next year will either be Mr. Blake Swihart, or a mix between Young and Shaw as we get a little squiggly trying to find places for all our infield talent to play. Dealing with Hanley at first might be a necessary evil to maximize the at bats of the best available talent, especially if Moncada breaks into the team early next year, which he easily could..

[Kimmi]

Hanley looks like a Gold Glover at first base in comparison to how he played left field last year. He is still below average, but he is about 25 runs better than he was last year in UZR and 15 runs better in DRS. Being one who thought he was going to really hurt the team with his defense this year, I'll take it. He has not been a liability.

[jacksonianmarch]

Edwin Encarnacion will be an enticing option for you guys at DH

[moonslav59]

It makes sense to take your weakest defensive player, as long as he can hit, and make him the DH once Papi retires.

 

That would be HanRam.

 

I get the argument that not all players are cut out to be DH's. It's hard to keep focused, and focus is something HanRam seems to struggle with. However, there are other reasons to move HanRam to DH vs RHPs only with Young DH'ing vs lefties..

 

1) Moncada is likely to win the 3B job at some point next year, if not on day one.

 

2) Pablo may surprise us all and win the 3B or 1B job next year. As fat as he is, he's probably still a better fielding 1Bman than HanRam.

 

3) T Shaw has the best UZR/150 at 1B from 2015-2016, He could play 1B vs RHPs. (Maybe he plays 3B vs LHPs, if he ever learns how to hit them.)

 

So, we could have this at not extra financial cost:

 

....vs RHPs...vs LHPs

 

DH: Ramirez Young

1B: T, Shaw Ramirez

3B: Moncada Shaw/Moncada

Wild Card: Pablo

 

[jacksonianmarch]

Shaw has been exposed.

[moonslav59]

Edwin Encarnacion will be an enticing option for you guys at DH

 

I'd love to add him to our roster, but he's going to want mega bucks and mega years. Some GM will offer him 5-6 years at $25+M. I don't think we should.

 

My guess is we make a play for Beltran for 2 years. (note: I wouldn't.)

[Maxbialystock]

Who gives a s***? HanRam is imperfect, but this season--you know, the one in which the Sox really have a shot--he is in fact our first baseman. To me all the complaining and erudite discussion about next year misses the point. We are also imperfect at 3B and even at SS, fielding-wise, and I find myself able to live with those imperfections as well.

 

Our OP seems to have completely forgotten two salient facts: 1) we are paying HanRam an awful lot of money, more than anyone else in the lineup; 2) we know he can't play the outfield and probably can't play him at 3B either. Meanwhile, however, it turns out he can still hit and his defense at 1B is hardly a disaster.

[moonslav59]

Who gives a s***? HanRam is imperfect, but this season--you know, the one in which the Sox really have a shot--he is in fact our first baseman. To me all the complaining and erudite discussion about next year misses the point. We are also imperfect at 3B and even at SS, fielding-wise, and I find myself able to live with those imperfections as well.

 

Our OP seems to have completely forgotten two salient facts: 1) we are paying HanRam an awful lot of money, more than anyone else in the lineup; 2) we know he can't play the outfield and probably can't play him at 3B either. Meanwhile, however, it turns out he can still hit and his defense at 1B is hardly a disaster.

 

I'm not complaining about HanRam. I'm tickled pink he's doing so well.

 

He's not great on defense, but he's good enough to not be an issue.

 

I was talking next year, in terms of him being moved to DH vs RHPs.

 

It's not a demotion. It's just one adjustment to help minimize the loss of Papi.

[Spudboy]

Shaw has been exposed.

 

And Shorer can improve.

 

Regardless of what your chart says!

[RedSuxlastchance]

And our whole team sux, I wish we were more like the Orioles

[RedSuxlastchance]

Who gives a s***? HanRam is imperfect, but this season--you know, the one in which the Sox really have a shot--he is in fact our first baseman. To me all the complaining and erudite discussion about next year misses the point. We are also imperfect at 3B and even at SS, fielding-wise, and I find myself able to live with those imperfections as well.

 

Our OP seems to have completely forgotten two salient facts: 1) we are paying HanRam an awful lot of money, more than anyone else in the lineup; 2) we know he can't play the outfield and probably can't play him at 3B either. Meanwhile, however, it turns out he can still hit and his defense at 1B is hardly a disaster.

 

This message board sux like the sox

[RedSuxlastchance]

Who gives a s***? HanRam is imperfect, but this season--you know, the one in which the Sox really have a shot--he is in fact our first baseman. To me all the complaining and erudite discussion about next year misses the point. We are also imperfect at 3B and even at SS, fielding-wise, and I find myself able to live with those imperfections as well.

 

Our OP seems to have completely forgotten two salient facts: 1) we are paying HanRam an awful lot of money, more than anyone else in the lineup; 2) we know he can't play the outfield and probably can't play him at 3B either. Meanwhile, however, it turns out he can still hit and his defense at 1B is hardly a disaster.

 

This message board sux like the sox

 

Who talks like that?

[cp176]

Edwin Encarnacion will be an enticing option for you guys at DH

 

Yes he would - i hope that we make a run at him.

[moonslav59]

Yes he would - i hope that we make a run at him.

 

How many years would you give EE?

[greenwell]

There's really nothing wrong with HanRam's performance. People expecting brilliant defense at 1B are really laughable considering this is the first time the guy's ever played there. He's not great but he's not a disaster either, and 22 HR and 92 RBI tells me he's doing the REAL job of a first baseman pretty well, especially given the tough start he had at the plate this year.

 

Can we do better? Yeah, probably, but we're stuck with this guy, and he's put up about 2 WAR at the first base position between offense and defense. We have too many other areas we also have to upgrade, to spend a lot of time sweating about an above average player playing first base.

 

Just think -- it's within Hanley's power to improve his value just by putting in reps at first in the offseason. I hope he does so, because if he can get that defense up to average level, he'll earn himself another contract with some team or another after this one's over.

 

I think he's been fine for the most part, but I agree with the OP that he needs to learn how to stretch. Check out the play that ended ERod's no hitter.

 

http://m.mlb.com/video/v1136258383/bosoak-rodriguez-allows-first-hit-to-semien-in-8th/?query=eduardo%2Brodriguez

 

If Hanley put his right foot on the bag and stretched that would have been an out. That's little league stuff.

[sk7326]

How many years would you give EE?

 

4 tops - and really I'd just let Ramirez figure it out first.

[S5Dewey]

How many years would you give EE?

 

Probably not enough to sign him. Especially for the money he's going to want.

[southpaw777]

Hanley is just fine at 1b. hes got great lifetime splits. he ran into a rough spell offensively this year and was hurt all last year. it happens. to think he has an issue vs RHP because of such a tiny SS is ridiculous. you start tinkering and picking nits because of SSS then your just going to cause more issues. hanley is our 1b and should remain there.

[S5Dewey]

Hanley is just fine at 1b. hes got great lifetime splits. he ran into a rough spell offensively this year and was hurt all last year. it happens. to think he has an issue vs RHP because of such a tiny SS is ridiculous. you start tinkering and picking nits because of SSS then your just going to cause more issues. hanley is our 1b and should remain there.

 

Barring a GG 1B with an OPS of ~.900 falling into our laps, I agree with this. I've always said that one of the keys to winning is being solid defensively up the middle and sacrificing offense at those positions if necessary, and the opposite at the corner positions.

[moonslav59]

4 tops - and really I'd just let Ramirez figure it out first.

 

I doubt he takes 4. This is his last chance at the big pay day.

[moonslav59]

Hanley is just fine at 1b. hes got great lifetime splits. he ran into a rough spell offensively this year and was hurt all last year. it happens. to think he has an issue vs RHP because of such a tiny SS is ridiculous. you start tinkering and picking nits because of SSS then your just going to cause more issues. hanley is our 1b and should remain there.

 

I could see that happening. Maybe Pablo and Young will platoon at DH. However, if Moncada wins the 3B job, and Shaw is hitting well, it makes sense to move HanRam to DH.

[Jasonbay44]

Who talks like that?

 

Lame. I was hoping for once we'd get a funny troll. One along the lines of that "Javier Lopez" guy. Not another boring user name and not funny, stupid posts. If you are going to troll at least come with better material, that's all you could really think of?

 

Back on the topic, I am very happy with Hanley's play. His defense isn't great, but its his first year at the position and offensively he's been very good.

[greenwell]

I could see that happening. Maybe Pablo and Young will platoon at DH. However, if Moncada wins the 3B job, and Shaw is hitting well, it makes sense to move HanRam to DH.

 

Hey Moon, you seem pretty convinced that Pablo will be a big part of the team next year. Where is this coming from? I can see giving him a chance, but it's a long shot.

[User Name]

For all the hand-wringing about Hanley, he's 9th among qualifying 1B in OPS, 10th in wRC+, and 14th in WAR. He's been pretty friggin' good.

[moonslav59]

Hey Moon, you seem pretty convinced that Pablo will be a big part of the team next year. Where is this coming from? I can see giving him a chance, but it's a long shot.

 

Nothing could be further from the truth. I do not think this team should plan on 1 inning from Pablo at the ML level.

 

That being said, I do consider him as a possible contender for the 3B, 1B or DH job next year, even if just as a platoon vs RHPs. He's still young enough to rebound. He may still have an ounce of pride inside all that blubber. I'm not ruling him out, I'm not counting him in, but he is still part of my conversation.

[greenwell]

Nothing could be further from the truth. I do not think this team should plan on 1 inning from Pablo at the ML level.

 

That being said, I do consider him as a possible contender for the 3B, 1B or DH job next year, even if just as a platoon vs RHPs. He's still young enough to rebound. He may still have an ounce of pride inside all that blubber. I'm not ruling him out, I'm not counting him in, but he is still part of my conversation.

 

I agree with all that. I just saw his name in enough of your posts that I misinterpreted that as some level of confidence that he will be useful.