Top 30 FA and where they will go
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I get all hot and bothered about HanRam...Man, would love to see that dude in a Birds uni. Could put either he or Jhonny at SS, and plug the other in the super sub category...filling in at 3b/2b/1b (especially at 1b when lefty on mound) and at the corner OF spots as well...Or could play one at 3b and move MCarp to RF.
But then I remember MMs lack of ability in juggling rosters and penchant for small head-to-head sample sizes...rather than advanced analytics...and I'm not so hot and bothered anymore. Sigh.
But then I remember MMs lack of ability in juggling rosters and penchant for small head-to-head sample sizes...rather than advanced analytics...and I'm not so hot and bothered anymore. Sigh.
I think it'd be completely possible to get that role 400+ ABs. Neither of those guys are really 600 AB guys anymore. Maybe the move would be to put one of JHoney or HanRam at 3b and the other at SS, and move MCarp to RF. Lineup could still flex, moving MCarp around to the corners...But again, MM hasn't proven he can manage a roster. Hell, Mo had to ship AC out because MM refused to remove him from regular status and juggle the everyday lineup some.
Han Ram seems like a waste of money on a team that has Peralta, Wong, and Carp. Better of spending that cash on pitching or on a replacement for Holliday.
Idk...maybe...makes the lineup not so lefty heavy. Insures not having to rely on Grichuk everyday in RF, or Adams vs. lefties. I'd think any significant offense would be welcome on this club.
I really like Matt Adams, but we either need someone to platoon with him or let Yadi have an occasional start at first and let Cruz play against some lefties. I enjoy winning and I know offense is down, but lets add a solid
stick to this lineup, please.
stick to this lineup, please.
Would rather sign Nelson Cruz for 2 years to start in RF than do that if my goal is to put a RH bat in the lineup.
I like the idea of a platoon partner for Adams/PH on bench.
I cannot get behind the idea of getting Cruz in versus lefties. He has a reserve platoon split so far in his career, plus he is a bad hitter overall. No reason to be finding ways to give him more AB.
Part of me thinks that Adams' age/experience lend me to think he's still evolving as a player, so he may eventually learn to hit lefties. The other side of me says, wow he's really stinking bad against lefties and we need help.
If Yadi's bat is important to the lineup and time at 1B is wanted for him...How about dealing for Gattis? Was on VEB yesterday. Although I don't really view him as a "catcher", he's probably no worse than AJ was. I still dig the idea of Han Ram, and the flexibility it gives. The same flexibility MM would be too stubborn/stupid to use though...so it's probably pointless.
RE: Adams, yes, I hope he evolves, but lefty mashers are pretty cheaply available as talent, generally.
If the Bravos are willing to dump Gattis we should kick the tires; I struggle to believe they are willing to accept a price we'd be willing to pay, though.
If you're going to sign Han Ram, it has to be with the expectation that he's an everyday player in 2015. Otherwise you're going to be overpaying for him.
The problem with Ramirez isn't 2015 flexibility; it's that you're going to have to sign him for 4-5 years at a good price. The Cards are going to want better payroll flexibility than that for a "super sub" when they have Peralta signed for 3 years, Carp for 5 years, and Wong under control for 5 more years. The IF is set in terms of spending real money.
One also has to consider that Ramirez may not want to come to STL; remember, he complained in 2012 when he was asked to move from SS to make room for Jose Reyes. The idea of being a "super sub" or even a starting RF may not appeal to him.
I get it, that's why I'd be ok with HanRam at SS, JHoney at 3b, and MCarp in RF. MCarp adds the flex with ability to play RF, probably LF, 3B, 2B, and 1B if needed.
No way you move peralta and leave Han ram at SS. Peralta is clearly the better defender.
Making that move defeats the purpose of signing Han ram because you're giving up too much defensive value.
Carp can play RF although that also hurts his value overall as he is an excellent 3B.
Making that move defeats the purpose of signing Han ram because you're giving up too much defensive value.
Carp can play RF although that also hurts his value overall as he is an excellent 3B.
Because Randal Grichuk is, as of today, not an average ML corner OF. He's the weakest person in the lineup relative to league average for their position.
Fwiw...VEB thinks it'll be Grichuk. Sigh. Great comparison in the Kozma/Peralta upgrade though.
VEB take on RF
This coming for the guys that wanted me to be patient with Taveras and Bourjos. Grichuk is THE best defensive option they have in RF and if he can cut down the strikeouts, like many of them need to do, he hits the ball as hard as anybody around. If he doesn't hit I wouldn't want him in there everyday either. Let's see what ST brings and maybe get a good look at Piscotty too. Putting carp in RF would just be silly and paying the kind of money it would take to HanRan might be just as silly. He seems to have attitude issues too much and would likely not be happy about moving to 3rd.
Lotsa mights and ifs in there...
if he cuts down on Kshe might be mad if asked to play 3Bmight have attitude problems
Here are the facts...HanRam would be a HUGE offensive upgrade. Probably worth 4-6 wins. I think Grichuk still gets 400 ABs filling in at all three OF positions while others get days off. Marp plays RF regularly. Moves to 3B to give HanRam time off. Stays at 3B when HanRam spells JHoney at SS. Moves to 1B to spell Adams, especially against lefties. Grichuk plays RF in all of those scenarios. Grichuk moves to CF to get Jay out vs some lefties. It's not a tough scenario to understand, unless you're MM. Then you sort of struggle with it. The only bad thing is, it takes time away from Bourjos. Who, btw, has strikingly similar offensive numbers to Grichuk. Granted, pretty small sample size. Funny, you dig one and despise the other.
Lets be real people. If Grichuk was an amazing prospect would he have been a "throw in" in a trade for David Freese?
One thing I have noticed about Grichuk is that a lot of times when he swings, he misses the ball.
All summer, 3R, you went on and on about how bad triple-A pitching must be because OT and Grichuk didn't impress.
Now, all the sudden you think Grichuk is Al Kaline. If we don't pick up a major league hitter during this off season we
are in trouble, because we were counting on OT developing into an All-Star. If you enjoy watching the Cubs in the playoffs
then I understand wanting to count on Grichuk and Piscotty (and his nine homeruns off that stalwart triple A pitching)
One thing I have noticed about Grichuk is that a lot of times when he swings, he misses the ball.
All summer, 3R, you went on and on about how bad triple-A pitching must be because OT and Grichuk didn't impress.
Now, all the sudden you think Grichuk is Al Kaline. If we don't pick up a major league hitter during this off season we
are in trouble, because we were counting on OT developing into an All-Star. If you enjoy watching the Cubs in the playoffs
then I understand wanting to count on Grichuk and Piscotty (and his nine homeruns off that stalwart triple A pitching)
I'm not sure about MO...totally agree with MM. Which is why his opinion on anything north of apparel (maybe he can get MO to get rid of that creepy bow tie) and hair product probably shouldn't be considered.
Hanley Ramirez is about a 3-3.5 win player overall, I dunno where you're getting 4-6 wins from. He's not the same guy he once was for the Marlins.
Shifting Carp to RF probably subtracts a win from his value since he's a very good defensive IF.
You're talking about picking up only two wins if you sign Hanley (Grichuk is probably a 0.5 wins player). It's less of a pickup if the Cards did the right thing and just played Jay and Bourjos.
Signing Hanley at $15 M a year for 5 years or something like that to get 2 wins today is a poor use of money. You could get those two wins from Cruz with a shorter contract or you could sign an SP with that money who is probably closer to a 3 win improvement.
You overestimate Marp's defensive numbers. He's not Freese, but he's not Rolen either. His UZR numbers aren't nearly as good as you might think they are. Granted, he's probably worth less in RF defensively than at 3B.
Maybe true on Hanley's numbers. I'm also not sold on Grichuk being worth a half a win though. He worries me, and the fact the Birds seem ok to have Jay in CF and him in RF, all while keeping their fingers crossed that Adams and Yadi stay healthy (without any significant plan to replace them if they go down) REALLY worries me.
It's not just the fact that carp is an above avg 3B; it's also the loss in player value for moving him down the defensive spectrum.
I dont think Grichuk is Kaline or anybody else offensively. I DO think he is the best defensive option in RF in the organization and has by far the best arm. If he doesn't hit then he doesn't deserve to be there, but I sure would like to see him get the chance.
This post was edited on 11/8 9:22 PM by 3Rfan
This post was edited on 11/8 9:22 PM by 3Rfan
RF is not a position you should be filling with the "best defensive player." Try for "best player" especially on a team that ends a power hitter.
He IS the best they have on their roster for all around player in the OF. I'll bet he hits, and hits for power. If they want something better they'll have to shell out some pretty big money or trade some guys they've been unwilling to trade up to now. Do you think they'll spend big on an outfielder?
