A Realistic View at 2017 Part III

[Bellhorn04]

Are we opposed to having Travis as our 1B for next year?

 

His .716 OPS at Pawtucket this year is somewhat concerning. Not showing much power.

[mvp 78]

His .716 OPS at Pawtucket this year is somewhat concerning. Not showing much power.

 

No power.

[harmony]

Valencia has a worse bat and a much worse glove. Pass.

 

If Moreland's BABIP was 50 points higher like Valencia's, his stats would be smoked.

wRC+, which takes into account BABIP, has Danny Valencia at 96 this year and 103 for his career while Mitch Moreland is at 92 this year and 98 for his career.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=6364&position=3B

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=3086&position=1B#core

 

Valencia's poor defensive reputation can be attributed largely to his play in previous years at third base and in the outfield. This year Valencia has posted a UZR/150 of 0.6 in 845 innings at first base while Moreland has posted a UZR/150 of 1.4 in 818 innings at first base. Valencia and Moreland each have four Defensive Runs Saved at first base this season, according to The Fielding Bible:

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=6364&position=3B#fieldingadvanced

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=3086&position=1B#fieldingadvanced

 

We can probably agree that neither Valencia nor Moreland presents an attractive option for 2018.

Edited August 3, 2017 by harmony

[sk7326]

Are we opposed to having Travis as our 1B for next year?

 

No. I wish he had more power - I'd like more thunder at 1B - but Travis is an okay fallback. Moreland turning back into Mitch Moreland should not have surprised anybody.

[mvp 78]

We can probably agree that neither Valencia nor Moreland presents an attractive option for 2018.

 

We'd have to check in with VA in terms of player attractiveness. I'm sure neither can hold a candle to Grady Sizzlemore.

[moonslav59]

We'd have to check in with VA in terms of player attractiveness. I'm sure neither can hold a candle to Grady Sizzlemore.

 

You mean Grady Sizzlenomore, right?

[moonslav59]

I'm opposed to moving Devers to 1B. Why? It's much easier to find 1B than a 3B.

 

We've pretty much had a black hole at 3B. We finally find someone that can plug the hole and first thing you want to do is to move him?

 

I would still go after Votto. Give them what they want. Travis, Swihart, Groome, and Beni. That should do it. Who cares about his age 34-37 years. He's similar to Beltre. He'll retain his power stroke.

 

Power bat is a critical component of team offense. We've taking it granted over the years with Papi and Manny and others in our lineup. I'd reconstruct the team. LF, RF, 1B, 3B adn DH should all have some power.

 

Where did I say I wanted to move Devers to 1B? In fact, I said we should look for a 1B, DH or OF'er who can DH. I merely mentioned other top FA options out there this winter and how we could make them fit.

 

Do you really think us signing Moustakas wouldn't solve the 3B issue as well, if maybe not better than keeping Devers there?

 

I have said finding a top hitting 1Bman is easier and cheaper than finding a top 3Bman, so that's where I'm thinking an upgrade to our line-up will come. My second choice would be OF, as we are losing our 4th OF'er (Young) and have no systemic OF depth, with the idea that our newly acquired OF'er would play DH and HRam would be forced to play 1B FT--clearly a second option to finding a 1Bman.

 

One problem though, does Duda, Hosmer or Alonso really give us a strong feeling of confidence that our 1B position will no longer be a negative? Can we afford to trade more top prospects to get a better 1Bman? Can we go into 2018 counting on Chavis to learn the position and win it by midseason? Can we count on Chavis and/or Brentz to be a great DH AND HRam to stay healthy playing 1B all season long?

 

I do think signing Moustakas might work out better than Duda, Alonso or Hosmer. It's not too far-fetched as some scouts see Devers moving to 1B eventually anyways.

 

I like Devers at 3B, and I'm not trying to move him off position, but looking at this winter's options, I'm not thrilled with our FA choices.

 

What's your solution? I'm all ears.

 

[Slasher9]

Devers needs to stay at 3b the next 3 years minimum.

[moonslav59]

One thing I remember being said about Alex Cora when he played for us is that he never made a mental error. This stuck with me because it was very true, at least as far as I know. You can live with guys making an error now and then, or with guys being aggressive and getting thrown out on the bases if it's a close call, but the bonehead plays due to lack of focus or whatever are a different story. Especially if it happens frequently.

 

I remember bitching at some our past 3B coaches who continually ran our runners into outs at home plate.

 

I don't see that anymore. We run when we are supposed to. I don't have any issue with us being slightly aggressive.

 

I do have issues with seemingly endless instances of mental breakdowns (not just with base-running) by this team.

 

I've been blaming JF for most of it, but ultimately, our players have to start being mindfully focused. Would it really surprise any of us, if we got ousted in the playoffs by a blunder? I can here some saying, "That's a fitting way for this team to lose."

[moonslav59]

Are we opposed to having Travis as our 1B for next year?

 

I am, if he's all we got.

[Slasher9]

Devers needs to stay at 3b the next 3 years minimum.

 

caveat: as long as he doesnt turn into W Middlebrooks (which we dont think will happen)...but just in case....

[moonslav59]

Devers needs to stay at 3b the next 3 years minimum.

 

I agree, but if the choice comes down to signing one of these 4 FAs, who do you want?

 

Hosmer

Duda

Alonso

Moustakas (30 HRs in 404 PAs this year, but not a big power hitter beforehand)

 

I'm not saying these are our only choices, but go with the question.

[Slasher9]

I agree, but if the choice comes down to signing one of these 4 FAs, who do you want?

 

Hosmer

Duda

Alonso

Moustakas (30 HRs in 404 PAs this year, but not a big power hitter beforehand)

 

I'm not saying these are our only choices, but go with the question.

 

i would try and get Alonso or Duda signed on a 1 year.

[Kimmi]

No. I wish he had more power - I'd like more thunder at 1B - but Travis is an okay fallback. Moreland turning back into Mitch Moreland should not have surprised anybody.

 

Mitch Moreland regressing after his hot start should not have surprised anyone, but I also don't think he should have been as bad as we've seen most of July.

[Kimmi]

I remember bitching at some our past 3B coaches who continually ran our runners into outs at home plate.

 

I don't see that anymore. We run when we are supposed to. I don't have any issue with us being slightly aggressive.

 

I do have issues with seemingly endless instances of mental breakdowns (not just with base-running) by this team.

 

I've been blaming JF for most of it, but ultimately, our players have to start being mindfully focused. Would it really surprise any of us, if we got ousted in the playoffs by a blunder? I can here some saying, "That's a fitting way for this team to lose."

 

I agree that there seems to be a larger than average number of mental lapses on this team. I'm not sure where the blame falls for that, but I think it's fair to question the manager/coaches.

[a700hitter]

I agree that there seems to be a larger than average number of mental lapses on this team. I'm not sure where the blame falls for that, but I think it's fair to question the manager/coaches.

We can't question them, but we can blame them.

[moonslav59]

i would try and get Alonso or Duda signed on a 1 year.

 

Is it because you think they will hit better than Moustakas or just your aversion to moving Devers to 1B too early?

[moonslav59]

We can't question them, but we can blame them.

 

Question and blame.

[Spudboy]

Mitch Moreland regressing after his hot start should not have surprised anyone, but I also don't think he should have been as bad as we've seen most of July.

 

There was a legitimate reason for his drastic fall - off in production.

 

This has all been explained by Johnny Neuron.

[a700hitter]

Question and blame.

How can we question them?

[moonslav59]

How can we question them?

 

By asking a question beginning with, "Why didn't you..."

[jad]

By asking a question beginning with, "Why didn't you..."

 

"Well, we handled that internally ..."

[moonslav59]

"Well, we handled that internally ..."

 

Good one. That's always the answer, but the questions can still be asked, even if sometimes rhetorically.

[a700hitter]

By asking a question beginning with, "Why didn't you..."

I don't think we can get into the press room, and if we did and somehow had the opportunity to ask a question, I am pretty sure that we would get one of JF's tortured rationalized answers that says nothing. I will just assign blame, until I see evidence that it is not a coaching issue.

[moonslav59]

39 runs in the last 5 games.

 

I hope this is a sign our offense is finally showing it's not as bad as it has looked for most of 4 months.

[Larry Cook]

39 runs in the last 5 games.

 

I hope this is a sign our offense is finally showing it's not as bad as it has looked for most of 4 months.

 

Even during the past 4 months, there have been pockets where the offense wakes up and plays well for a week, then it is back to zombie land.

 

But this week feels different. There is an energy that was not there previously.

 

If the pitching holds and the offense produces, we could win this division,

[moonslav59]

Even during the past 4 months, there have been pockets where the offense wakes up and plays well for a week, then it is back to zombie land.

 

But this week feels different. There is an energy that was not there previously.

 

If the pitching holds and the offense produces, we could win this division,

 

I agree. All year, I have felt like there has been no "fire or desire" as I have called it. I get a sense that is changing.

 

I'm hoping this team is finding its identity. Maybe it took this long to get over losing Papi- the face of the franchise.

 

I'm hoping it's more than just another short hot streak.

 

[Slasher9]

Is it because you think they will hit better than Moustakas or just your aversion to moving Devers to 1B too early?

 

I think we would have to give moose more years and more money. Would prefer to go 1 year deal (even knowing it may be higher 1 year $) and wait for a better FA option in future years or see how Travis grows after another year...

[moonslav59]

I think we would have to give moose more years and more money. Would prefer to go 1 year deal (even knowing it may be higher 1 year $) and wait for a better FA option in future years or see how Travis grows after another year...

 

Good answer. I'm not sure we can get one of those 3 first basemen for just one year, but it's worth a try.

 

I would like to avoid any more mega large and long contracts like Moustakas will probably demand.

[moonslav59]

Here's a look at 2019 possible FAs:

 

1B

Adrian Gonzalez

Matt Adams

Justin Smoak

VMart

Marwin Gonzalez

 

3B

Adrian Beltre

Josh Donaldson

Manny Machado

 

OF

Bryce Harper

Nelson Cruz (DH)

Lonnie Chisenhall