One RF thread to rule them all

[DPMOmaha]

A 125-ish OPS+ isn't all star level?

Maybe, but the numbers that people put players into the all-star game on weren't at that level or on that pace.  The guy also couldn't stay on the field between injuries and and the minors.  That's not an all-star. 

[NatsDad14]

Maybe, but the numbers that people put players into the all-star game on weren't at that level or on that pace.  The guy also couldn't stay on the field between injuries and and the minors.  That's not an all-star. 

Here were the OPS+ full season numbers for the OF in the All-Star game in 2008:

Starters:
Braun: 130
Fukodome: 89
Holliday: 138

Manny: 136 (with Boston)
Ichiro: 102
Hamilton: 138

Reserves:
Soriano: 119
Hart: 98
Ludwick: 150
McLouth: 125
Sizemore: 133
Quentin: 148
Drew: 137

Dukes 127 is right up there especially if you factor in his 2nd half where he was a 154. 

[DPMOmaha]

That's fine, but I don't really care what his OPS is when he can't stay on the field.  You can project all you want, but the guy couldn't stay on the field for one reason or another.  The guy has talent, I'm not denying that, but he hasn't been able to harness that and the guy was a clubhouse cancer.  When you're a clubhouse cancer and can't harness your potential, you're gonna be on the job line really quickly.

[daveb32]

AND IN THE DARKNESS BIND THEM!

[The Chief]

In addition to everything DPM said, Dukes declined in 2009 with an OPS+ of 93 in 25% more plate appearances than he had in his "all-star" half-season.

It's all well and good to say that the FO should've been more prepared, but to pine for Dukes seems silly to me.

[tomterp]

II think it is a losers mentality to want to play for a winner instead of opting to play for a currently bad team and help turn them into a winner.

Fans that adopt winning teams are known as "bandwagon" fans.  Obviously, there is a player equivalent. 

[JCA-CrystalCity]

With Taveras, it is his historic walk aversion that makes him a dicey player.  If he walked 10% of the time instead of 5%, then he'd be a fine player. This is also a bit of a hunch due to small numbers, but there is a small pattern in his career of starting the season with an acceptable OBP, a bit of SLG, and then falling apart.  Perhaps he loses discipline, but his (PAs) BA/OBP/SLG by month over his career is:

Mar/Apr (482) .270/.333/.387
May      (516) .259/.304 /.310
June      (441) .277/.298 /.351
July       (396) .285/.326 /.333
August   (460) .294/.341 /.330
Sep/Oct (270) .259/.309 /.292

In March/April, he walks 8.5% of the time, but then, he becomes more of a hacker and his OBP tails.  the OBP is mostly BA driven by May.

Historically, he does not have any split on SLG (he stinks against righties as much as lefties).  If anything, he gets on a bit better against righties (OBP v. LHP - .309; v. RHP - .324).  Here is his // line over the last three full seasons and career v. LHP, and here is also Harris's:

Taveras v. LHP
2007   (99)   .371 / .417 / .471
2008   (143)  .266 / .321 /.313
2009   (113)  .219 / .245 /.257
Career (668)  .262 / .309 /.328

Harris v. LHP
2007   (56)    .191 / .291 /.234
2008   (113)  .240 / .327 / .450
2009   (45)    .121 / .356 / .212
Career (381)  .200 / .286 / .301

Hopefully, I've minimized the transcription errors.  Easy enough to say, if he can repeat 2007, then we have a find.  2007 marked his first year of two with the Rockies, then he went to Cinci and here.  Maybe there is a bit to the line from Taveras and Eckstein about getting back to how he hit instead of forcing him to be a slappy GB guy (although his lowest GB% was 2009, his worst year). I don't know what sort of hitting coach changes there were or things like that (I'm too lazy to look them up right now). He probably deserved better luck in 2008 with the rockies when you look at his LD% (career best) and GB% (same as 2007), but his BABIP dropped .034 below his worst prior year (and .074 from 2007).

I'm guessing the Nats are saying, take a mulligan on 2009, and get back to what you were doing before.  We can use you to cover up for Willie's weakness (LHP) and, if you take a walk or two, get some value and restore your reputation as a major leaguer.  This does look like a stat guy call.  And yes, everything I did is from Fangraphs, so that Rotowire crack might be spot on.

[Evolution33]

Fans that adopt winning teams are known as "bandwagon" fans.  Obviously, there is a player equivalent. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Horry

[blue911]

Is there any reason not to throw Willy Taveras anything but 4 seamers?

[Minty Fresh]

Is there any reason not to throw Willy Taveras anything but 4 seamers?

None that I can think of.  Give it to him 'til he proves he can hit it.

[hammondsnats]

Yahoo's Passan says there is racism in the free agent market ... O-Dog said it's absurd Dye and Sheffield haven't gotten fair job offers.

I won't touch on that subject, but to say $4 million for Dye isn't a fair offer is BS.  Dye hasn't received anything above $1 million from anyone else but us ... so it's his loss.

[hammondsnats]

Would anyone want Fred Lewis?  San Mercury News says he will be traded or activated this weekend. 

[Minty Fresh]

I am now really glad that we went with Kennedy instead of Hudson.

[houston-nat]

Fred Lewis has played 2 games in right field over the last 2 years, and 29 in his major league career. He doesn't really have a bat (.258 last year).

[hammondsnats]

Fred Lewis has played 2 games in right field over the last 2 years, and 29 in his major league career. He doesn't really have a bat (.258 last year).

he's a pretty good athlete and has a pretty decent .obp if i remember.

[blue911]

he's a pretty good athlete and has a pretty decent .obp if i remember.

Not enough to give up anything. He's a lefty so your looking at a mature Roger Bernadina.

[hammondsnats]

Not enough to give up anything. He's a lefty so your looking at a mature Roger Bernadina.

yeah but from what i've seen lewis > bernadina

[Minty Fresh]

Not enough to give up anything. He's a lefty so you're looking at a mature Roger Bernadina.

[ ]  Fixed.   [/ ]


 

[hammondsnats]

I wonder who we'd have to give up for B.J. Upton?

[EdStroud]

I wonder who we'd have to give up for B.J. Upton?

Gee think they would take Pete Orr even up 

[KnorrForYourMoney]

Gee think they would take Pete Orr even up 

They signed Logan Kensing, so anything's possible I guess.

[Vega]

Stick Desmond out in right. Can't be any worse than Willy freaking Taveras.

[DPMOmaha]

Desi's not going to play in right.  Guz might get the start though.  We need to score runs vs. Philly, not so much prevent, especially with the outfield and Stammen on the mound.  The way Guz is swinging it and with Zim back, I don't think he'll embarrass himself out there.

[KnorrForYourMoney]

Stick Desmond out in right. Can't be any worse than Willy freaking Taveras.

That's such a great idea considering Espinosa just got hurt.

[NatsTheFats]

I sure am glad that Guzman is not being a pain in the A$$.  He is accepting his role as a utility infielder.  I love this guy (despite his one-pitch-at-bats).  The only problem his him being less effective being placed in the latter half of the lineup.   If he would could produce in the 7 spot as well as he does in the 2 spot, that would be great.