Comments on: Let’s Talk About Shortstop

By: Proof That There Is No God « Mike Scioscia’s tragic illness

Proof That There Is No God « Mike Scioscia’s tragic illness — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:25:48 +0000

[...] November 30, 2009: No, no, no. No. Just no. $3.8 million for Angel Berroa? I wouldn’t take him at the major league minimum, even if someone else was paying it. I’m not even going to link to our previous articles about him, because you know it all by now. He’s a complete black hole at the plate and despite Rosenthal’s assertion of him as a “capable” fielder, is average at best. As we’ve said before, if we’re going to have to play a shortstop who can’t hit, it might as well be Hu, the superior fielder who’s at least got a prayer of offensive improvement. [...]

By: My, How Times Have Changed « Mike Scioscia’s tragic illness

My, How Times Have Changed « Mike Scioscia’s tragic illness — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:24:12 +0000

[...] it wasn’t entirely “all Manny, all the time”. So what was the topic du jour on November 30, 2008? For all the talk flying around about CC Sabathia, Manny Ramirez, and whether we should prefer a [...]

By: grabarkewitz

grabarkewitz — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 04:50:59 +0000

The only problem with trying to get Hardy is the idea that the Brewers are not sure Alcides Escobar is ready for show. If Escobar is ready, then I could see the Brewers moving Hardy, but if Escobar isn’t ready (the more likely option), I don’t see the Brewers dealing Hardy, this winter.

By: BrandX

BrandX — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 01:30:29 +0000

What about trading for JJ Hardy? Would cost a couple of top notch prospects and would probably block DeJesus, but he could be flipped in another deal if needed.

By: kennerbuggy

kennerbuggy — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:27:15 +0000

torgy – 3B is likely our best bet to add some offense from an IF position. Meanwhile, the SS market is pretty thin, thus all the interest in an injury-prone Raffy.
Lowell might not be a bad option if the BoSox ate a fair chunk of his remaining contract, and only after he proved in ST that he is back to from. As Babu usually gets his panties in a bunch that is not a likely scenario.

By: grabarkewitz

grabarkewitz — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 20:42:09 +0000

Ken, I would be happy with Hu if we could add some pop at third and keep nearly the status quo in left. My biggest complaint is that I don’t see Ned making any inroads on a third baseman (and I hope the Mike Lowell talk is just that, talk).

I just hope that Ned doesn’t do something totally stupid like signing Berroa.

By: kennerbuggy

kennerbuggy — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 20:24:45 +0000

As usual, good analysis MSTI.
I also don’t understand the infatuation with Jack Wilson. His defense seems better than most of us would think based on not seeing him much, but as you note he is starting to get long in the tooth. I think Rentaria will get a lot of attention if he isn’t offered arb, and will most likely land with a club that is hot after Raffy but losses out. I wouldn’t be shocked to see both Raffy & Rentaria end up in the bay area.
As such, we may have no real alternate to an ih-house option.

By: grabarkewitz

grabarkewitz — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 15:17:49 +0000

I am tempted by Renteria, but only if the Tigers don’t offer arbitration and Ned does his specialty and keeps the contract in the one or two year range. I still think the guy is a potential stiff, but his numbers where the sun shines on a regular basis are quite good. His range is a joke, but if we can get him on the cheap (I kind of doubt it as I think the numbers that Giants offered him are realistic) and add a third sacker (Beltre is choice one, but I would expect the M’s to ask for McDonald and Lambo) to provide some pop.

I just pray that Ned says no when the Pirates or Padres come calling with their shortstops.

By: cosmo

cosmo — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 10:16:40 +0000

You didn’t mention Caesar Izturis. Also I don’t agree with your assesment that shortstop is a very important position for the Dodgers because after Furcal the rest hardly differ. If not Furcal why spend significant cash to get the second best offensive option, someone who would still be mediocre. I say get a defense first shortstop and look at thirdbase for offense. Let us just hope Dewitt isn’t our third baseman along with a weak hitting shortstop and a Hudoson or lower second baseman, because that won’t cut it.