Leon appears to be the least talented overall and certainly the least popular. But that also makes him the least likely to get anything in a trade.
What’s any team going to give up for one year of a $2.75mill defense-oriented catcher who can hit his own weight, but not much better?
I really don’t see the difference in that and the movement a couple years ago to limit the starter to 4 or 5 IP and then bring in the bulllpen.
I know using the opener, he gets to face the top of the order, but then when you’re using Ryne Stanek, is this really an advantage?
The best player on any team might be fourth or fifth or elem this best on another. That doesn’t mean he isn’t their best player.
Or someone can define an “ace” as a universal term?
The whole "ace" thing so 100% subjective. I think the best pitcher is the ace of the staff, and I don't get what anyone means when they try to turn it into some sort of achievement-based ranking. Especially since it's extremely rare for anyone to ever define what it takes to be an ace, and likes to rely solely upon opinions. The conversations usually go like:
Person X: Chris Archer is NOT am ace.
Me: What exactly is an ace?
Person X: Well, not Chris Archer.
If someone is injured, that’s one thing. But a IL for Swihart is counterproductive as it denies him the chance to play he needs in order to justify keeping him in the first place...
Slugging percentage is not measured out of 100%. (A perfect SLG is 4.000, or 400%.).
The best way to describe the number is it represents the average number of bases per at bat...
U
This is one of those instances where a sports personality is desperately trying to create a controversy (and in all likelihood, a name for himself) where there is none.
IMO the only difference between this guy and myself (or any of us) is that he went and paid $75 to be a member of the IBWAA, which is the sports journalism equivalent of a time share condo board...
Arguably stats like batting average are contrived, and frankly, misunderstood.
Not to mention, stupidly titled. I mean, it’s not an average, it’s a percentage. (And to make it weirder, it’s slugging percentage is not a percentage; it’s an average.)
Devastating.
Not only does the Sox first pick drop 10 places, but for every subsequent pick, they are required by MLB Rule to only take the player they would take if each pick was 10 spots lower...
Well, this is a conversation to have with Dombrowski, who is looking to move either Swihart or Vazquez, but not Leon.
It could be that he and others have more faith in Vazquez at the plate, therefore he can be marketed as the more complete player? Or maybe the additional control? (Leon has one year left)