@redsoxstats
Gilberto is the perfect prospect for the "just put it in play" crowd. He has the lowest strikeout rate in his league at 9% and has the second highest contact rate on swings at 87%. He's batting .390 with a .434 babip.
It's as good of a reason as anything else. His performance has been good. If his velo has dropped, it's a reason he'd go from #1 with a bullet to #5-7.
Since some have suggested: "why don't they just put Mata on the 60 day IL?"
@redsoxpayroll
Also interesting to note here is that to put any minor league 40-man guy on the 60-day IL means:
-Starting/continuing their service time clocks as it's MLB time
-Paying them as big Leaguers
38% whiff on FB. 35% whiff on offspeed. 51% whiff on breaking balls.
It doesn't matter how hard you hit it if you have that kind of hole in your swing.
Every team should try to improve themselves. When you have underperforming players, find someone who can replace them. It's not like Cordero is some sort of clubhouse glue guy.
The "it's a first place team" argument is nonsense. They are a first place team in spite of some of their players.