Thursday Bantering: Shortstops and other possible moves.

by Tom Dakers on Nov 26, 2009 6:50 PM EST in Analysis Comment 14 comments

Jeff Blair and Jordan Bastian each have information filled, little blog entries today.

Start with Blair's, one thing he tells us:

I’m hearing that the Toronto Blue Jays did in fact make a serious run at Orlando Cabrera last week – they love the energy he brings – but that concerns about his range and arm made them hesitant to offer up the two-year, $12-million minimum deal it was going to take to get him.

Well if that's true, I'm glad we have Gonzalez instead. I wouldn't want Orlando Cabrera at all. But I'm not sure why we want to be signing 30+ year old replacement level shortstops. Personally I would have liked them to see what Mike McCoy could have done. 40 steals and a .405 on base in Triple-A makes you think he could fill the leadoff spot. Defense is great and all but offense doesn't hurt either.

Blair also says:

My guess is that Anthopoulos also knows that after seeing the value teams are attaching to their own shortstops this winter, he thinks he might be able to parlay Gonzalez into something else at the trade deadline if he has a half-decent year.

But then all the Reds were able to get form the Red Sox for him was Kris Negron, not exactly a terrific looking prospect. Anyway read the rest of his piece.

Jordan Bastian's piece has a lot of quotes from Alex Anthopoulos:

we are unlikely to sign Rod Barajas but will offer him arbitration.
we won't be signing Marco Scutaro but again will offer him arbitration. He 'likely' has a long term contract coming from someone.
there will be an offer to Yorvit Torrealba soon and he isn't sold on Raul Chavez as the backup catcher.
Alex told Travis Snider he would 'have to make the team during Spring Training'.
having Gonazalez and McDonald will 'make up for having Edwin Encarnacion at third.

I can't see how Snider wouldn't make the team, it's not like we are crawling with outfielders at the moment, but there is time before spring. I would like it if we quit playing with Snider, put him in the majors leave him there. But then Cito doesn't seem to like him all that much. You would think that if we have decided we aren't winning this year we'd show a little patience for a change. He is going to be an important part of our future, why not let him find his way.

0 recs | Comment 14 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Snider

Motivational tool By A.A to stir the young lefty would be my guess. We need to see either a power surge or a jump in average this year I think and by all accounts Snider looks to me like the kind of guy who needs a bit of a push to perform to his best

by voidhelix on Nov 26, 2009 7:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Few comments:

(1) At $12M for 2 years, I agree, I am glad the Jays passed on OC.
(2) too bad about Rod Barajas and if Chavez is a question also, it makes me wonder about the catcher strategy. What if the YT deal falls through?
(3) tough words for Snider, but yea, he needs to start ramping a bit better. If they do bring him up, Cito needs to use him more. He could also develop into a decent fielder.
(4) I am not sure how having JMac and Agon makes up for EE, you can only play one SS at a time.
(5) too bad about Vespa.

by aagoodfella on Nov 26, 2009 8:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Gonzo and JMac have excellent defensive range, so EE’s ‘area of responsibility’ between the third base line and second base is much smaller than, say, if you had Chavez or McCoy up there. Likewise if we deal Overbay, and either Lind or Ruiz moves to first, Hill’s range will help lessen the defensive weakness by taking a large percentage of the gap. Also, in a pinch, JMac can play 3B, and I think Gonzo has filled in at the hot corner sporatically in his career. Might be wrong on Gonzo, because I’m not finding any details to back it up, but I was sure I heard that mentioned with the Red Sox picked him up last year.

by dexfarkin on Nov 26, 2009 10:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

all good stuff, thx

by aagoodfella on Nov 26, 2009 11:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think the Jays should go for Shoppach as starting catcher, he’s got power and knows how to take a walk, even if his batting average isn’t expected to be really shiny.

by Woodman663 on Nov 27, 2009 5:41 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

just what they need...

another .220 hitter :)

by bunner on Nov 27, 2009 7:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually .240 or so

But with an OBP around .330, home run power, and a pretty good defender behind the plate. If I’m letting Barajas walk and don’t expect to pick up a starting catcher via trade, Stoppach is the guy I’d go after. He’d only a minor defensive regression from Barajas, but he’s an offensive upgrade and is only 29, so he could very well have a break-out year.

by dexfarkin on Nov 27, 2009 9:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd rather take a shot at miguel olivo.

by syc on Nov 27, 2009 9:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not ahead of Shoppach. Olivo’s OPS+ of 103 is the first time he’s cracked 100 in four years. Shoppach’s OPS+ of 98 is the first time he’s been under 100 in three years. Not saying Olivo isn’t a valid option, but he’s on the wrong side of 30, and I think you pretty much know what you’re going to get with him. Shoppach is young enough to have the potential to take it to the next level, which is why I’d go for him first.

by dexfarkin on Nov 27, 2009 9:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

olivo's a free agent though

by ayjackson on Nov 27, 2009 9:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Shoppach is likely to be non-tendered. I don’t know if I’ve give much up on him if the Indians decided to keep him on the roster, but assuming he does get non-tendered, I’d grab him instead of Olivo.

by dexfarkin on Nov 27, 2009 10:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

by Jevant on Nov 27, 2009 11:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

why is he likely to be non-tendered?

is he injured? he made $1.9m last year in his first arb year. his James’ prediction for ‘10 is a .340 wOBA. if i were the indians, i’d trade for him or sign and trade.

by ayjackson on Nov 27, 2009 1:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Because he’ll get more money in arbitration this year, and they’ve got two guys who are considered to be MLB ready and worth more behind the plate as their starter/backup. I personally think it’s a rash move, but that’s what the Cleveland papers and blogs are saying.

by dexfarkin on Nov 27, 2009 1:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs