If there's ever been a Spring Training story that warms the heart, good ol' Sergio Santos knows just what string to pull. He's a recovering first rounder. He's changing positions. He's never EVER given up on his dream. He's essentially a golden boy for Spring Training narratives.
BUT, he's also a potentially very useful cliche. He's not your average Josh Kroeger. He can throw an easy 96+ mph with a dirty slider. Sure, his command comes and goes. But he's been pitching for less than a year. That kind of goes without saying...
The things that makes him unique, is that despite his extreme inexperience, he has a tremendous shot at making the big league roster. He burned up all his minor league options as a shitty shortstop, and he has little to no chance of making it through waivers. It's a tough predicament for the Sox, and one that is worth the risk. At this point in their respective careers, he probably has the best stuff of any righthander in the Sox bullpen.
And on that subject, it seems comical to me that people think Putz is challenging for the closer role. Really? Seriously..you think that? Jenks has proven himself to be better than Putz the last couple years, and not only that....Thornton has proven himself to probably be better than Jenks! Where is this Putz love coming from? Guy was great a couple year ago, but what happened to the ol' "wait-and-see" approach? Who knows...
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Jayson Nix, a Love story
I love Jayson Nix. I have an unexplainable man-crush on him. A bromance, should you be so inclined. I loved him even when he looked like a bust with the Rockies. I was ecstatic when we signed him so promptly last offseason. That's right...ecstatic...for Jayson Nix. In my mind, he's got the tools necessary to be an above average 2B. He's got his problems, to be sure. His lefty/righty splits suggest platoon. He gets too anxious on fastballs and pulls very hittable pitches foul far too often. He swings and misses at too many sliders.
BUT, he also has a bunch of bright spots that I feel are unfairly ignored, whereas the aforementioned weaknesses are discussed far too often. He's got power. Big time. He has excellent instincts on the basepaths to go with above average speed. He plays, in my mind, outstanding defense at 2B. Basically, I see him - over 550 AB's - putting up a line somewhere along the lines of .255/.340/.460. That's pretty damn solid, given the defense and speed he offers, for a second baseman. He's a 20-20 guy EASY with regular playing time.
You may question the batting average, and that's fair. He had a very low line-drive rate last year at 13.0%, which undoubtedly didn't help. However, I believe that to be an aberration. The same goes for his related - and grossly low - .249 BABIP. His line drive rate the year before with Colorado was a much more normal 17.9%. However, that year he also posted a .179 BABIP.... strange. I'm not a statistician, as you may be able to tell (especially if you're a statistician). I fancy myself more of a scouting type. However, to me...this looks like a guy that may have suffered from some bad luck 2 years running.
Now, the Sox expect to contend. I hope so at least. For a contending team, it's hard to stomach the risk involved with having an unknown commodity as your starting 2B. There's also some guy named Beckham that's apparently some sort of roadblock (Jerk!). However, if I were a non-contender, he would strike me as a definite target. The Sox really don't have a ton of need for him, and he'd be an excellent "buy-low" candidate. As much as I think he can help the Sox, I'd almost rather see him get a shot at starting with another club. I hate seeing guys with starter potential get the utility label, which is painfully tough to overcome. Here's hoping some contender sees him the same way I do...and gives the Sox something nice in return.
BUT, he also has a bunch of bright spots that I feel are unfairly ignored, whereas the aforementioned weaknesses are discussed far too often. He's got power. Big time. He has excellent instincts on the basepaths to go with above average speed. He plays, in my mind, outstanding defense at 2B. Basically, I see him - over 550 AB's - putting up a line somewhere along the lines of .255/.340/.460. That's pretty damn solid, given the defense and speed he offers, for a second baseman. He's a 20-20 guy EASY with regular playing time.
You may question the batting average, and that's fair. He had a very low line-drive rate last year at 13.0%, which undoubtedly didn't help. However, I believe that to be an aberration. The same goes for his related - and grossly low - .249 BABIP. His line drive rate the year before with Colorado was a much more normal 17.9%. However, that year he also posted a .179 BABIP.... strange. I'm not a statistician, as you may be able to tell (especially if you're a statistician). I fancy myself more of a scouting type. However, to me...this looks like a guy that may have suffered from some bad luck 2 years running.
Now, the Sox expect to contend. I hope so at least. For a contending team, it's hard to stomach the risk involved with having an unknown commodity as your starting 2B. There's also some guy named Beckham that's apparently some sort of roadblock (Jerk!). However, if I were a non-contender, he would strike me as a definite target. The Sox really don't have a ton of need for him, and he'd be an excellent "buy-low" candidate. As much as I think he can help the Sox, I'd almost rather see him get a shot at starting with another club. I hate seeing guys with starter potential get the utility label, which is painfully tough to overcome. Here's hoping some contender sees him the same way I do...and gives the Sox something nice in return.
Thoughts on the DH "situation"
Before I make any comments, I should say I'm actually optimistic about Andruw Jones, but not as a DH. If he's going to play, I think making him an OF and giving Quentin some days off makes more sense. But anyways, moving on...
It's pretty clear that KW thinks the team could benefit from another lefthanded OF/DH option or he wouldn't have gone into discussions with Boras, and addressed the media about those discussions - neither of which is typical of him. He wants athletic types with the ability to play the OF if needed. I have to say, I would be surprised if we haven't added someone that fits this mold by July (unless we're out of contention, of course).
So, here's just a few of my own thoughts on some possibilities. If anything, at least this can stir up some discussion.
1.) Brett Gardner: He might be my favourite choice. He plays wicked defense, has outstanding speed, and knows how to get on base. An outfield of Pierre, Gardner, Rios would be scary good. Plus, he's make a solid 1-2 combo at the top of the lineup. The Yankees don't really need him. They've got Granderson, Swisher, Winn, Thames. Gardner has shown he has the ability to start, but it doesn't look like he'll get that chance with the Yanks. KW and Cashman are known to have a good relationship, so it's a realistic possibility.
2.) Felix Pie: I actually suggested this in the MLBTradeRumors forum. The O's need a 2B with Roberts hurt, and we've got an excess of IF's. I'm a huge Jayson Nix fan. I think he's got starter potential. He's got patience, power, speed, and great 2B defense. His AVG was low, but so was his .249 BABIP, which is bound to rise. Anyways, I think Pie has equally solid potential, and also has the athleticism that KW wants. The O's have one of the best young OF's in baseball already with the underrated Reimold to go with Adam Jones and Markakis. There isn't much chance for Pie to assert himself as a regular. I think this would be a trade that could give two players better shots at proving themselves as regulars, and also help each team. It seems like a win-win deal.
3.) Brad Hawpe: This one is a little more of a longshot. He's more of a middle-of-the-order type than the other guys, but he has the OBP that we need more than anything. He's a pretty awful OF, but he's passable enough to fill in on the corners every now and then to give guys a rest. The Rockies aren't exactly the big market team, and Hawpe isn't exactly cheap. He'd be a one year rental though, so we probably wouldn't have to give up much in return, and it's a possibility if they're willing to cover a little bit of the money he's owed. The Rockies don't have much need for him. They have Seth Smith, Spilborghs, CarGo, Fowler. Hawpe is clearly a good enough hitter to be a regular, but by the playoffs last year he relegated to the bench. The only real problem here is finding something they need.
4.) Melky Cabrera: True, the Braves just traded for him, but the main piece of that trade was Arodys Vizcaino. If Jayson Heyward makes the club, which is looks like he just might, Cabrera becomes an extra. Rumors have linked KW to him before, and I don't see why they wouldn't again. He sucks in CF and lacks upside, but he's a decent corner OF type with good athleticism.
5.) Matt Joyce: He's proven himself enough in the minors, but he realistically has NO CHANCE of becoming a regular in Tampa. They already have a solid OF, and Desmond Jennings will be coming up soon. Joyce is an underrated prospect with a knack for getting on base and gap power. He's essentially blocked in Tampa, who could use another RHR. Carl Crawford is another possibility...and he'd make my pants lift up...but I just don't see it happening.
6.) Adam Dunn: The Nationals are trying to assert themselves as being more than just a pushover, so I doubt they will make him available. I've also heard they want to extend him. He's also a terrible defensive player in every sense of the word. But...the guy is exactly what we're missing offensively. And if he has to play the field once a week, it's worth the sacrifice. We need OBP and some power if possible. He gives a ton of both. The Nationals have 3 passable OF's with Willie Harris, Nyjer Morgan (who's awsome), and Elijah Dukes. Josh Willingham can play 1B if Dunn leaves. Finding a need for the Nats isn't hard, but Dunn's salary would be a major holdup.
7.) Ryan Sweeney: This became less realistic when they traded Hairston back to SD, but it's still an interesting possibility. I have a hard time seeing KW making this move, because he'd essentially be making an already well recognized terrible trade look even worse, but he makes sense for our team. He's a good defensive OF (though defensive metics say he's elite..not just good), and he's got that athleticism KW loves. Seriously...he's got the perfect body that scouts look for, and the Sox are a very traditional team in terms of scouting. He's a guy that does a little bit of everything, with the potential for more. The A's have a bunch of OF's already. They've got Rajai Davis, Coco Crisp, Travis Buck is out of options (and thus another possibility), and Michael Taylor is almost ready. I'm not sure what they need though. Sweeney wouldn't demand anybody awesome, and they're already set pretty much everywhere with passable players. Still, I'm sure a fit could be found. But I don't see it happening.
Anyways, I'm done. Just some thoughts. Feel free to agree, disagree, offer your own suggestions, etc. Like I said earlier...I'm hoping for Gardner.
It's pretty clear that KW thinks the team could benefit from another lefthanded OF/DH option or he wouldn't have gone into discussions with Boras, and addressed the media about those discussions - neither of which is typical of him. He wants athletic types with the ability to play the OF if needed. I have to say, I would be surprised if we haven't added someone that fits this mold by July (unless we're out of contention, of course).
So, here's just a few of my own thoughts on some possibilities. If anything, at least this can stir up some discussion.
1.) Brett Gardner: He might be my favourite choice. He plays wicked defense, has outstanding speed, and knows how to get on base. An outfield of Pierre, Gardner, Rios would be scary good. Plus, he's make a solid 1-2 combo at the top of the lineup. The Yankees don't really need him. They've got Granderson, Swisher, Winn, Thames. Gardner has shown he has the ability to start, but it doesn't look like he'll get that chance with the Yanks. KW and Cashman are known to have a good relationship, so it's a realistic possibility.
2.) Felix Pie: I actually suggested this in the MLBTradeRumors forum. The O's need a 2B with Roberts hurt, and we've got an excess of IF's. I'm a huge Jayson Nix fan. I think he's got starter potential. He's got patience, power, speed, and great 2B defense. His AVG was low, but so was his .249 BABIP, which is bound to rise. Anyways, I think Pie has equally solid potential, and also has the athleticism that KW wants. The O's have one of the best young OF's in baseball already with the underrated Reimold to go with Adam Jones and Markakis. There isn't much chance for Pie to assert himself as a regular. I think this would be a trade that could give two players better shots at proving themselves as regulars, and also help each team. It seems like a win-win deal.
3.) Brad Hawpe: This one is a little more of a longshot. He's more of a middle-of-the-order type than the other guys, but he has the OBP that we need more than anything. He's a pretty awful OF, but he's passable enough to fill in on the corners every now and then to give guys a rest. The Rockies aren't exactly the big market team, and Hawpe isn't exactly cheap. He'd be a one year rental though, so we probably wouldn't have to give up much in return, and it's a possibility if they're willing to cover a little bit of the money he's owed. The Rockies don't have much need for him. They have Seth Smith, Spilborghs, CarGo, Fowler. Hawpe is clearly a good enough hitter to be a regular, but by the playoffs last year he relegated to the bench. The only real problem here is finding something they need.
4.) Melky Cabrera: True, the Braves just traded for him, but the main piece of that trade was Arodys Vizcaino. If Jayson Heyward makes the club, which is looks like he just might, Cabrera becomes an extra. Rumors have linked KW to him before, and I don't see why they wouldn't again. He sucks in CF and lacks upside, but he's a decent corner OF type with good athleticism.
5.) Matt Joyce: He's proven himself enough in the minors, but he realistically has NO CHANCE of becoming a regular in Tampa. They already have a solid OF, and Desmond Jennings will be coming up soon. Joyce is an underrated prospect with a knack for getting on base and gap power. He's essentially blocked in Tampa, who could use another RHR. Carl Crawford is another possibility...and he'd make my pants lift up...but I just don't see it happening.
6.) Adam Dunn: The Nationals are trying to assert themselves as being more than just a pushover, so I doubt they will make him available. I've also heard they want to extend him. He's also a terrible defensive player in every sense of the word. But...the guy is exactly what we're missing offensively. And if he has to play the field once a week, it's worth the sacrifice. We need OBP and some power if possible. He gives a ton of both. The Nationals have 3 passable OF's with Willie Harris, Nyjer Morgan (who's awsome), and Elijah Dukes. Josh Willingham can play 1B if Dunn leaves. Finding a need for the Nats isn't hard, but Dunn's salary would be a major holdup.
7.) Ryan Sweeney: This became less realistic when they traded Hairston back to SD, but it's still an interesting possibility. I have a hard time seeing KW making this move, because he'd essentially be making an already well recognized terrible trade look even worse, but he makes sense for our team. He's a good defensive OF (though defensive metics say he's elite..not just good), and he's got that athleticism KW loves. Seriously...he's got the perfect body that scouts look for, and the Sox are a very traditional team in terms of scouting. He's a guy that does a little bit of everything, with the potential for more. The A's have a bunch of OF's already. They've got Rajai Davis, Coco Crisp, Travis Buck is out of options (and thus another possibility), and Michael Taylor is almost ready. I'm not sure what they need though. Sweeney wouldn't demand anybody awesome, and they're already set pretty much everywhere with passable players. Still, I'm sure a fit could be found. But I don't see it happening.
Anyways, I'm done. Just some thoughts. Feel free to agree, disagree, offer your own suggestions, etc. Like I said earlier...I'm hoping for Gardner.
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