Wilmer Difo

[Optics]

It mostly hinges on how soon Scherzer and Strasburg become Verlander and Sabathia.

Scherzer is having another Cy Young season and Stras isn't even 30 yet. We'll be fine there I think. Scherzer in particular seems like the type that will be great well into his mid to late 30s.

[Truconfidence]

Scherzer is having another Cy Young season and Stras isn't even 30 yet. We'll be fine there I think. Scherzer in particular seems like the type that will be great well into his mid to late 30s.

Really rooting for him to get 300 Ks this year.

[Ray D]

Maurice.

[Smithian]

Wilmer Difo starts opening day 2018 at second. Murphy in left.

[nfotiu]

Wilmer Difo starts opening day 2018 at second. Murphy in left.

I'm pretty much on board with your train of thought.  But, maybe Zim in left makes more sense with Murph at 1st.  Zim is far more athletic, and I'm sure he can throw a ball in the general vicinity of the diamond from left.

[mitlen]

I'm pretty much on board with your train of thought.  But, maybe Zim in left makes more sense with Murph at 1st.  Zim is far more athletic, and I'm sure he can throw a ball in the general vicinity of the diamond from left.

Not Zim with his current arm strength.

[nfotiu]

Is it arm strength or the yips?  It's hard to tell.  It seem like he can fire on target without thinking or throwing around the horn.  I'd guess it wouldn't be a factor in LF when 99% of the throws are just getting it back in.

[whytev]

Is it arm strength or the yips?  It's hard to tell.  It seem like he can fire on target without thinking or throwing around the horn.  I'd guess it wouldn't be a factor in LF when 99% of the throws are just getting it back in.

It ain't strength.

[Truconfidence]

Is it arm strength or the yips?  It's hard to tell.  It seem like he can fire on target without thinking or throwing around the horn.  I'd guess it wouldn't be a factor in LF when 99% of the throws are just getting it back in.

he cant throw over the top anymore. he has to throw that sidearm whip to be accurate at all which in LF is kinda non useful

[Truconfidence]

Difo plays 2b in 2019. we have no one who will be ready by then.

[aspenbubba]

Difo plays 2b in 2019. we have no one who will be ready by then.

Sanchez ??

[Ray D]

wouldn't be a factor in LF when 99% of the throws are just getting it back in.

99%, as long as there is no runner at second.  A leftfielder's arm is important then.   For the same reason a rightfielder's arm is important - to keep runners from going first to third on a single - if a runner at second will score every time there is a single to left, that's a heavy price to pay.

[monkeyhit]

Turner's not hitting in AAA. Wilmer's hitting in MLB. 

[Minty Fresh]

It ain't strength.

100% this.  It's all psychological.

[bluestreak]

Turner's not hitting in AAA. Wilmer's hitting in MLB.

He’s had 2 games after not hitting for two months. I probably would give home some time before coming to any conclusion.

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

Difo is been a very pleasant surprise, and I like his potential as a "super sub" next year under cheap team control with the ability to play everyday at a number of spots if needed due to injury.  However, I wouldn't "clear the way" for him to be a starter and count on that just yet.  Difo might have simply turned a corner at this point in his development, but he also is the same guy who posted a .672 OPS in DOUBLE A last year in 410 at bats.  I would like to see him not only finish this year strong, but do it again in 2018 before penciling him in as an everyday player.  Let's see what happens once "the book" gets out on him and he has to adjust.  The fanbase had zero expectations for him coming into this year, but watch what happens if you give him a starting spot and he starts looking like 2016 Difo.  Not such a feel-good story anymore. 

[imref]

He’s had 2 games after not hitting for two months. I probably would give home some time before coming to any conclusion.

needs at least 100 ABs

[imref]

Difo is been a very pleasant surprise, and I like his potential as a "super sub" next year under cheap team control with the ability to play everyday at a number of spots if needed due to injury.  However, I wouldn't "clear the way" for him to be a starter and count on that just yet.  Difo might have simply turned a corner at this point in his development, but he also is the same guy who posted a .672 OPS in DOUBLE A last year in 410 at bats.  I would like to see him not only finish this year strong, but do it again in 2018 before penciling him in as an everyday player.  Let's see what happens once "the book" gets out on him and he has to adjust.  The fanbase had zero expectations for him coming into this year, but watch what happens if you give him a starting spot and he starts looking like 2016 Difo.  Not such a feel-good story anymore. 

this 

[dshawg77]

That misplay last night almost cost us the game. I still like the kid though-we all make mistakes.

[monkeyhit]

He's a knucklehead at times in the field and on the bases, but he is producing with the bat.
Hard to bench a productive player when his replacement has a weakened wrist and isn't a great defender either. Turner is the one has to prove he can produce. eg hit lefties

[DPMOmaha]

Turner doesn't have to prove anything. He'll get slotted in when he gets back and play just about every day. He has to *improve* hitting vs. lefties, but that's probably a winter project.

[tomterp]

100% this.  It's all psychological.

100% arm strength, he throws about as well as I can now.

[GburgNatsFan]

Agreed. He has arthritis in his shoulder. Every throw is painful.

100% arm strength, he throws about as well as I can now.

[tomterp]

Agreed. He has arthritis in his shoulder. Every throw is painful.

How many cortisone shots did have have?  Those cause joint deterioration.   

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

Turner doesn't have to prove anything. He'll get slotted in when he gets back and play just about every day. He has to *improve* hitting vs. lefties, but that's probably a winter project.

Exactly.  Turner has hit his entire career at all levels.  Difo was terrible last year in AA and has had a good limited run this year.  I am a big fan of what Difo has done and he's fun to watch, but Turner is a no brainer to get his spot back.