When Joe Maddon inserted Kris Bryant at shortstop for an inning late in the Dodger game, one reaction was that the move was "little league."
He is moving players around like a little league manager, Bruce Levine said on the radio. Levine also noted that the Cub players do not fear playing new positions.
But that still begs the question: why?
No team has won the World Series by fielding eight utility players.
By playing players out of the normal position a) increases the chance of injury (Schwarber in LF); and b) lessens the quality of defense (Heyward in CF). It is very rare for a player to be very good at more than one position. Ben Zobrist has made a career on being a super utility player (SS, 2B, 3B, OF). Javy Baez's best position is shortstop. He has the arm and range to play third and second base.
Other than Zobrist and Baez, no other Cub players are plus defenders outside their natural position. It is fine to send Bryant to LF to insert Baez at third when a ground ball pitcher like Jon Lester is on the mound.
But most players will tell you that they like a normal routine. They are creatures of habit.
But Maddon is not. He likes to keep the team loose, and off-guard. Putting Bryant at shortstop was a wake up call to the bench. Bryant did not have a ball hit to him or had to make a play at short, but objectively, it could have been one of those WTF moments. A grounder deep in the hole could cause Bryant to strain muscles or his arm trying to make a jump throw to first. Or worse, trying to make the double play at second base moving his body across the bag, throwing against his body and being hit by a base runner.
A manager needs to be a risk assessment manager. There is no upside for Bryant playing shortstop. The risk of injury against his routine positioning and throwing motions makes it an accident waiting to happen. Bryant has shown he is an above average third baseman. He is OK in left field. Let him play his natural position so he can concentrate on hitting.
Showing posts with label shortstop. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shortstop. Show all posts
June 1, 2016
April 8, 2015
ONE DAY IN, TRADE RUMOR
After nearly stealing one of the game's best closers, the San Diego Padres continue to hunt for talent to upgrade their roster. SB Nation opines that the Padres are on the hunt for a shortstop, and those lens sights squarely fall on the Cubs.
The Padres drafted Trea Turner in 2014. Turner led NCAA Division I with 57 steals as a freshman, helped North Carolina State to its first College World Series berth in 45 years as a sophomore and became the highest-drafted position player in Wolfpack history as a junior in 2014. Selected 14th overall and signed for $2.9 million, he played well in his pro debut and in the Arizona Fall League. He won't reach the Majors with the Padres, however, because it's an open secret he's headed to the Nationals in June as the player to be named later in the three-team trade that brought Wil Myers to San Diego.
The Padres drafted Trea Turner in 2014. Turner led NCAA Division I with 57 steals as a freshman, helped North Carolina State to its first College World Series berth in 45 years as a sophomore and became the highest-drafted position player in Wolfpack history as a junior in 2014. Selected 14th overall and signed for $2.9 million, he played well in his pro debut and in the Arizona Fall League. He won't reach the Majors with the Padres, however, because it's an open secret he's headed to the Nationals in June as the player to be named later in the three-team trade that brought Wil Myers to San Diego.
The Padres have been super-aggressive this year, acquiring Matt Kemp,
Wil Myers, Justin Upton, Derek Norris, Will Middlebrooks and Craig
Kimbrel (as well as signing James Shields), Padres' general manager A.J.
Preller is not satisfied and wants to upgrade shortstop.
The Cubs have a surplus of shortstop talent: Castro, Baez, Alcantara, Russell.
SB thinks three alternatives are contract year players Ian Desmond and Jimmy Rollins, or Elvis Andrus who is owed $120 million over the next eight seasons.
Castro is available with his team friendly $43 million deal. The question is whether the Padres have enough left to get Castro.
SB thinks the past relationship of the Cubs front office could be the back door to make a deal. , Cubs' GM Jed Hoyer traded for Padres' pitcher Casey Kelly (#10 Padre Prospect), and
Hoyer, assistant GM Jason McLeod, and Cubs' president Theo Epstein were
working for the Red Sox when Kelly was drafted. Their love for catchers
who frame well is known, so maybe top prospect Austin Hedges (#2 Padre prospect) would be of
interest. However, in Chicago we know that the Cubs are extremely high on catcher Kyle Schwarber. So catching is not a priority.
The Cubs, like most teams, need young pitching depth. Also, the Cubs could upgrade second and third base (if Kris Bryant is destined for LF). Zech Lemond (#11 Padre prospect) is a college reliever being converted to a starter but who may wind up as a back of the bullpen guy. Lemond set a Rice record with 14 saves as sophomore, eclipsing future
big leaguers David Aardsma and Tony Cingrani, then moved into the Owls'
rotation early last spring. He missed time with elbow inflammation yet
showed enough to get drafted in the third round and earn a $600,000
bonus. He was fully healthy after signing and made a scoreless
four-inning cameo at the end of his pro debut.
Lemond maintained his stuff while moving from reliever to starter, beginning with a 92-96 mph fastball with armside run and downhill plane. He throws a spike curveball that can reach 85 mph and confound hitters, though it can be tough to command and San Diego curtailed his use of it last summer. He also has a fading change-up.He fills the strike zone and works with an efficient delivery, giving Lemond a good chance to remain a starter. He's not very physical, so he'll have to prove he's durable enough. If not, he could be a dynamic late-inning reliever.
The other pitching prospect is Tayron Guerrero (#12 Padres prospect) who reminds me of CJ Edwards. Guerrero was a skinny 170-pounder who threw 85 mph when the Padres signed him out of Colombia in 2009. Forty pounds and six years later, he's capable of reaching triple digits in his fastball. He had a breakout season in 2014, highlighted by a strikeout of Peter O'Brien on a 97-mph heater in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game.
Guerrero generates a 94-98 mph fastballs on a regular basis without expending much effort in his delivery. His heater doesn't feature a lot of life, but its sheer velocity and his ability to use his 6-foot-7 frame to launch it on a steep downhill plane make it tough to catch up to. His low-80s slider shows signs of giving him a second plus pitch and his makeup earns high praise as well.
The key to Guerrero's future will be his ability to throw quality strikes. He walked 3.6 batters per nine innings last year, less than half his rate (7.4) from his first four pro seasons. He's still learning to keep his big body under control, and if he figures it out he could be a closer.
To trade an All-Star shortstop in Castro for two or three pitching prospects who project as relievers does not seem to be a valuable trade for the Cubs. To trade Castro now, the Cubs should get a major league ready player in return.
Lemond maintained his stuff while moving from reliever to starter, beginning with a 92-96 mph fastball with armside run and downhill plane. He throws a spike curveball that can reach 85 mph and confound hitters, though it can be tough to command and San Diego curtailed his use of it last summer. He also has a fading change-up.He fills the strike zone and works with an efficient delivery, giving Lemond a good chance to remain a starter. He's not very physical, so he'll have to prove he's durable enough. If not, he could be a dynamic late-inning reliever.
The other pitching prospect is Tayron Guerrero (#12 Padres prospect) who reminds me of CJ Edwards. Guerrero was a skinny 170-pounder who threw 85 mph when the Padres signed him out of Colombia in 2009. Forty pounds and six years later, he's capable of reaching triple digits in his fastball. He had a breakout season in 2014, highlighted by a strikeout of Peter O'Brien on a 97-mph heater in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game.
Guerrero generates a 94-98 mph fastballs on a regular basis without expending much effort in his delivery. His heater doesn't feature a lot of life, but its sheer velocity and his ability to use his 6-foot-7 frame to launch it on a steep downhill plane make it tough to catch up to. His low-80s slider shows signs of giving him a second plus pitch and his makeup earns high praise as well.
The key to Guerrero's future will be his ability to throw quality strikes. He walked 3.6 batters per nine innings last year, less than half his rate (7.4) from his first four pro seasons. He's still learning to keep his big body under control, and if he figures it out he could be a closer.
To trade an All-Star shortstop in Castro for two or three pitching prospects who project as relievers does not seem to be a valuable trade for the Cubs. To trade Castro now, the Cubs should get a major league ready player in return.
September 21, 2014
THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT
When Starlin Castro went down to injury, Javy Baez stepped in at short. Even though the front office said Castro is their shortstop for the future, and Baez had been promoted to "learn" second at the major league level, Baez continues to play exclusively short. (I don't count the need of putting in .238 hitting powerhouse Chris Valakia at short).
Which does beg the question: why?
If Baez is supposed to be your second baseman in 2015, why not let him get fully acclimated at second this year? It seems like a wasted opportunity.
One could think that it is the Cubs being the Cubs by playing everyone out of their natural position, such as true second basemen Alcantara and Watkins roaming the outfield.
But if Baez is going to be a foundational infield piece, not playing him at second seems to foretell that Castro is not the long term Cubs shortstop.
I have been saying that a Castro trade to the Yankees (to replace All-Star Jeter) makes sense, except that the Yankees do not have a deep farm system of products. But at this point, the Cubs really need major league ready players in return for trades - - - especially pitchers.
And even Baez is not penciled in to be the Cubs shortstop of the future. Addison Russell is the front office choice.
Baez: .178 BA, 9 HR, 18 RBI, negative 0.4 WAR.
Baez (Iowa): .260 BA, 23 HR, 80 RBI.
Russell (A/AA): .295 BA, 13 HR, 45 RBI.
It would seem that Russell is 2 years away from his major league debut (late 2016). And Baez had not locked down a spot. After homering seven times in his first 19 games Baez has gone deep just twice in his last 24 games while hitting .146 with 44 strikeouts. Baez is hitting .178 with 78 strikeouts in 43 games overall, which is worrisome even for a free-swinging 21-year-old slugger who also struck out a ton in the minors.
The surplus is in middle infield talent. But most of that talent, except for Castro, is unknown. Which makes Castro the easiest piece to trade this off season.
Which does beg the question: why?
If Baez is supposed to be your second baseman in 2015, why not let him get fully acclimated at second this year? It seems like a wasted opportunity.
One could think that it is the Cubs being the Cubs by playing everyone out of their natural position, such as true second basemen Alcantara and Watkins roaming the outfield.
But if Baez is going to be a foundational infield piece, not playing him at second seems to foretell that Castro is not the long term Cubs shortstop.
I have been saying that a Castro trade to the Yankees (to replace All-Star Jeter) makes sense, except that the Yankees do not have a deep farm system of products. But at this point, the Cubs really need major league ready players in return for trades - - - especially pitchers.
And even Baez is not penciled in to be the Cubs shortstop of the future. Addison Russell is the front office choice.
Baez: .178 BA, 9 HR, 18 RBI, negative 0.4 WAR.
Baez (Iowa): .260 BA, 23 HR, 80 RBI.
Russell (A/AA): .295 BA, 13 HR, 45 RBI.
It would seem that Russell is 2 years away from his major league debut (late 2016). And Baez had not locked down a spot. After homering seven times in his first 19 games Baez has gone deep just twice in his last 24 games while hitting .146 with 44 strikeouts. Baez is hitting .178 with 78 strikeouts in 43 games overall, which is worrisome even for a free-swinging 21-year-old slugger who also struck out a ton in the minors.
The surplus is in middle infield talent. But most of that talent, except for Castro, is unknown. Which makes Castro the easiest piece to trade this off season.
March 5, 2014
MOVING AROUND
With Starlin Castro sidelined for 10 days with a tweaked hamstring, all eyes went to Javier Baez to play a lot of first team shortstop this spring. With good reason: he is the most exciting player in camp.
But the Cubs brain trust have different thoughts. Starting second baseman Darwin Barney will make several starts at short while Castro recovers . . . which should be taken as a sign that Barney is going to be shifted to a utility role.
Barney had played some shortstop in college. He has been the depth chart second shortstop on the roster ever since Castro assumed the position. However, most scouts don't think Barney has the range or arm to be a regular, full time shortstop.
Baez has grown up playing shortstop. If the Cubs plan is to keep Castro, Baez would have to shift to another position in a year. He said his preference would be second base. Barney then would be out of a job, unless he can prove he is a better middle infielder bench player than a Valbuena, Murphy or Watkins.
Baez and Castro are similar players. They both play a street shortstop - - - flashy but sloppy, and tend to make a lot of errors (physical and mental). But they have range and arm strength to make the hard plays, too. It is said that it is harder for a shortstop to adapt to play second because of the pivot skills to turn a double play. You really don't want to mess with the best hitter (Baez) in the system by making him learn a new position in spring training.
Since the 2014 season will be another lost one, there is no reason to rush Baez into playing second base at all. It is more a comeback litmus test for Castro to retain his position at shortstop than Baez proving he can't play in the majors in 2015. And you don't want to move Castro to third base now, because the front office has log jammed several prospects (Olt, Villaneuva and Bryant) at that position.
Professional players are creatures of habit. Starters like to settle into one position. Players like to know where they will be placed in the line up card. It is that consistent repetition that makes a player go instinctive in the field or at the plate. It is one less mental aspect of the game.
But moving around players on the field and up and down the line up card breeds uncertainty. You don't want players to question why he was dropped from second in the order to eighth for no apparent reason.
But front office personnel and coaches now view players more like interchangeable chess pieces than specialized workmen on an assembly line. We will know very soon whether new manager Rick Renteria will fall into this moving trap.
But the Cubs brain trust have different thoughts. Starting second baseman Darwin Barney will make several starts at short while Castro recovers . . . which should be taken as a sign that Barney is going to be shifted to a utility role.
Barney had played some shortstop in college. He has been the depth chart second shortstop on the roster ever since Castro assumed the position. However, most scouts don't think Barney has the range or arm to be a regular, full time shortstop.
Baez has grown up playing shortstop. If the Cubs plan is to keep Castro, Baez would have to shift to another position in a year. He said his preference would be second base. Barney then would be out of a job, unless he can prove he is a better middle infielder bench player than a Valbuena, Murphy or Watkins.
Baez and Castro are similar players. They both play a street shortstop - - - flashy but sloppy, and tend to make a lot of errors (physical and mental). But they have range and arm strength to make the hard plays, too. It is said that it is harder for a shortstop to adapt to play second because of the pivot skills to turn a double play. You really don't want to mess with the best hitter (Baez) in the system by making him learn a new position in spring training.
Since the 2014 season will be another lost one, there is no reason to rush Baez into playing second base at all. It is more a comeback litmus test for Castro to retain his position at shortstop than Baez proving he can't play in the majors in 2015. And you don't want to move Castro to third base now, because the front office has log jammed several prospects (Olt, Villaneuva and Bryant) at that position.
Professional players are creatures of habit. Starters like to settle into one position. Players like to know where they will be placed in the line up card. It is that consistent repetition that makes a player go instinctive in the field or at the plate. It is one less mental aspect of the game.
But moving around players on the field and up and down the line up card breeds uncertainty. You don't want players to question why he was dropped from second in the order to eighth for no apparent reason.
But front office personnel and coaches now view players more like interchangeable chess pieces than specialized workmen on an assembly line. We will know very soon whether new manager Rick Renteria will fall into this moving trap.
January 25, 2014
YANKEES SHORT
The Yankees returned to their Evil Empire spending by locking up Masahiro Tanaka to wrap up an expensive off-season of acquisitions.
Shortstop Derek Jeter will probably retire after the 2014 season. As such, NY media reports that the Yankees are kicking the tires on free agent Stephen Drew.
Drew, 30, has played 8 seasons. His career stats: 90 HR, 416 RBI,.264 BA, 16.1 WAR (3.1 WAR last year with Red Sox). For his average career, he is 2.01 WAR which is a starter.
I always felt that once Jeter retired, the Cubs could offer Starlin Castro to the Yankees. Castro, after 4 seasons, has hit 37 HR, 229 RBI, .283 BA and 7.4 WAR (last year negative 0.6). For his average career, he is a 1.85 WAR, which is pretty similar to Drew.
Castro is only 23 and has much more upside than Drew. Drew has experience which blends well with a veteran team. However, Castro could get a good recommendation from his buddy, Alfonso Soriano.
Trading Castro next year would open the shortstop position to Javier Baez. The front office claims that Baez is still going to be playing short at Iowa this year. So if not the Yankees, Castro could be traded to another team in need of a starting shortstop.
Shortstop Derek Jeter will probably retire after the 2014 season. As such, NY media reports that the Yankees are kicking the tires on free agent Stephen Drew.
Drew, 30, has played 8 seasons. His career stats: 90 HR, 416 RBI,.264 BA, 16.1 WAR (3.1 WAR last year with Red Sox). For his average career, he is 2.01 WAR which is a starter.
I always felt that once Jeter retired, the Cubs could offer Starlin Castro to the Yankees. Castro, after 4 seasons, has hit 37 HR, 229 RBI, .283 BA and 7.4 WAR (last year negative 0.6). For his average career, he is a 1.85 WAR, which is pretty similar to Drew.
Castro is only 23 and has much more upside than Drew. Drew has experience which blends well with a veteran team. However, Castro could get a good recommendation from his buddy, Alfonso Soriano.
Trading Castro next year would open the shortstop position to Javier Baez. The front office claims that Baez is still going to be playing short at Iowa this year. So if not the Yankees, Castro could be traded to another team in need of a starting shortstop.
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