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Monday, June 27, 2005 |
The Non-Starter
OC Metro has a piece on the Eckstein/Cabrera schism, in particular looking at the offensive side of the equasion. One bit of interest in particular:
Cabrera’s smooth play in the field appears to have overshadowed concerns about his batting average. In fact, Hatcher says he doesn’t think there is a concern. “I think there’s more concern with the press and all the people that are so tied up in stats,” he says. “But this guy’s done a great job, and he’s gotten some big hits, moved some runners. He’s a .265 to .270 hitter. At the end of the year, he’ll be there.”Well, we'll see. I just happen to think there's no excuse for paying a guy eight mil a year if he's not going to hit for power. Cabrera isn't even really hitting, he's aging, and he's blocking a flotilla of quality shortstop prospects. It's a litany you've heard before, but what's weird is Hatcher lumping people who expect him to perform (instead of bouncing out to short) into a pile labeled "people that are so tied up in stats". It's one thing to complain that Moneyball is a fraud (which IMO it is in many respects), but it's quite another to use it as a smokescreen for inadequate performance.
Comments:
Rob, you got a bad link in this one.
As for the Eckstein/Cabrera offensive comparison, this year's numbers are a little apples and oranges. Eckstein is at the top of the single most potent lineup in all of baseball. Based on who follows him, opposing pitchers HAVE to pitch to him.
We saw what Eck did leading off this lineup over the last year and a half and I'm not convinced, coupled with his defensive capabilities, it justified keeping him around.
If someone below Cabrera is ready to play, he's useful enough to be traded. But given that the top SS prospects seem to be in A and AA (and knowing how long it's taking some of the other "hot" prospects, like Kotchman, to pan out), I think it's a little premature to worry about Cabrera blocking anyone's ascension.
As for the Eckstein/Cabrera offensive comparison, this year's numbers are a little apples and oranges. Eckstein is at the top of the single most potent lineup in all of baseball. Based on who follows him, opposing pitchers HAVE to pitch to him.
We saw what Eck did leading off this lineup over the last year and a half and I'm not convinced, coupled with his defensive capabilities, it justified keeping him around.
If someone below Cabrera is ready to play, he's useful enough to be traded. But given that the top SS prospects seem to be in A and AA (and knowing how long it's taking some of the other "hot" prospects, like Kotchman, to pan out), I think it's a little premature to worry about Cabrera blocking anyone's ascension.
# posted by 
: 6/27/2005 09:11:00 AM
: 6/27/2005 09:11:00 AM
Premature? Four seasons worth of premature
Exactly, Rob. If the Halos were sick of Eckstein's defense, which was pretty solid, if not spectacular, then they had other options besides giving OC $32 million. The smartest play the Halos could have made was to give Izturis the gig for a year or two while Wood and/or Callaspo develop. Both are playing really well in A and AA this year. Additionally, Brian Specht, freshly back from back surgery, is hitting the crap out of the ball in AAA.
They had options besides pissing money away on a mediocre talent like Cabrera, Stoneman just didn't have the guts to take that chance.
One last thing, why ask for Izturis in the Guillen trade anyway? They have back-up infielders up the wazoo - methinks that they planned to give him the job and then found out they could sign Cabrera and changed course mid-stream...just an opinion though.
Exactly, Rob. If the Halos were sick of Eckstein's defense, which was pretty solid, if not spectacular, then they had other options besides giving OC $32 million. The smartest play the Halos could have made was to give Izturis the gig for a year or two while Wood and/or Callaspo develop. Both are playing really well in A and AA this year. Additionally, Brian Specht, freshly back from back surgery, is hitting the crap out of the ball in AAA.
They had options besides pissing money away on a mediocre talent like Cabrera, Stoneman just didn't have the guts to take that chance.
One last thing, why ask for Izturis in the Guillen trade anyway? They have back-up infielders up the wazoo - methinks that they planned to give him the job and then found out they could sign Cabrera and changed course mid-stream...just an opinion though.
I think you're reading too much into the Izturis deal. When they got him, they had Kennedy on the DL and had no idea what they'd get when he came back, and they had a potential defensive liability at third. Throw in the fact that Figgins struggled defensively at the end of the season in the infield and, as we have seen, is the first option if an OF goes down, and I think you have to read the Izturis trade as one for depth, not to be a starter.
And while hindisght is 20/20, the Angels would have been seriously gimped if Izturis had been their starter when he went on the DL.
And while hindisght is 20/20, the Angels would have been seriously gimped if Izturis had been their starter when he went on the DL.
# posted by : 6/27/2005 10:59:00 AM
: 6/27/2005 10:59:00 AM
The Angels would have been seriously gimped if Izturis had been their starter when he went on the DL.
Actually, that is exactly why Figgins is so valuable. He would have filled in just fine for 30 days. If that wouldn't have worked then you promote a kid to play for 30 days - probably Callaspo - to get you to a healthy Izturis.
I probably was reading too much into the Izturis acqusition, but looking at his AAA stats he doesn't really look like bench material. He looks to be a starter - and he has shown me as much so far this year. Can he keep it up? I don't know, but he's playing great so far and his plate discipline has been a beautiful thing to watch.
I think I'll start a blog....
fireorlandocabrera.com sounds about right....
it will be a sister sight with...
loosestevefinleyandgivejuanriverasomeplayingtime.org.
Actually, that is exactly why Figgins is so valuable. He would have filled in just fine for 30 days. If that wouldn't have worked then you promote a kid to play for 30 days - probably Callaspo - to get you to a healthy Izturis.
I probably was reading too much into the Izturis acqusition, but looking at his AAA stats he doesn't really look like bench material. He looks to be a starter - and he has shown me as much so far this year. Can he keep it up? I don't know, but he's playing great so far and his plate discipline has been a beautiful thing to watch.
I think I'll start a blog....
fireorlandocabrera.com sounds about right....
it will be a sister sight with...
loosestevefinleyandgivejuanriverasomeplayingtime.org.
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