Mike Jacobs almost dealt to Royals

Interesting

Think that minor league pitcher might be Carlos Rosa?

by Stook on Oct 26, 2008 2:59 PM EDT reply actions

Sounds like it certainly could be

Rosa would be my guess.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by Scott McKinney on Oct 26, 2008 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Rosa for Jacobs

Good deal??

Don't forget to send your broken maples to the US Forest Service.

by 306008 on Oct 26, 2008 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Not in my opinion

Not for the Royals.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by Scott McKinney on Oct 26, 2008 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree

I still think we should move Rosa to the MLB bullpen for this coming season because of his arm injury history….

He could give us some great innings I think.

Don't forget to send your broken maples to the US Forest Service.

by 306008 on Oct 26, 2008 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it would be god awful

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Oct 26, 2008 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions

That deal has suck written all over it

by Top Ramen on Oct 26, 2008 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions

awful

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by Matt Klaassen on Oct 26, 2008 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions

so what else would have been involved?

Don't forget to send your broken maples to the US Forest Service.

by 306008 on Oct 26, 2008 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think the Royals should acquire Jacobs, period. He’s a 28 year old who hits below average for his position. Before getting that desperate, I’d rather run Shealy and/or Kila throught he major league wringer in 2009. Rosa is a very good pitching prospect, even with the injuries. Don’t trade him for a below average hitting 1B who is not likely to improve.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by Scott McKinney on Oct 26, 2008 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

I thought about it alot this morning on the train (such a great use of my time, I know). If the Royals are going to trade a decent minor league pitcher, that is who they should be trading for a league-average outfielder, not Teahen. They platoon that guy with Teahen until they move Guillen for 50 cents on the dollar (I’ll give DMGM credit and assume he knows he as to do this now).

I’ll also assume that DMGM is smart and know that he f-ed up on Gload, and that Gload will be DFA’d ASAP. Then, MAYBE trade a scrub for Jacobs to platoon with Shealy, but only if you don’t have faith in Shealy. Butler needs to play every day (if Guillen can’t play the field, he can’t play. That’s what you brought Gibbons in for. Unless you’re trying to up his value — but he shouldn’t DH against lefties. There may be some people out there who don’t know he turns into Jose Vidro against RHPs.). Still, I think Teahen can cover the “backup first base” duties for Shealy, who is superior offensively and defensively to Gload, and is probably only a bit worse than Jacobs on offense.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by Matt Klaassen on Oct 27, 2008 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Should the Royals end up getting Jacobs

I would assume that Butler is on his way out, probably for a pitcher.

Rosa for Jacobs
Butler for decent pitching prospect at or above the level of Rosa

In theory, you’ve made the club better. In theory…

by Top Ramen on Oct 27, 2008 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Depending on that combination of moves

it could be okay, or it could turn me off on DMGM for a long time. Selling low on Butler… and playing bizzarro Gload at DH… yuck.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by Matt Klaassen on Oct 27, 2008 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, I'm all for trading any player as long as the trade improves the team, but

That certainly includes Butler. But this would be selling way, way low on Butler. If he could get a great return for him, fine. But I just think that is very unlikely. I’m holding my Moore-bashing on this one back unless and until he makes the bad trade (or combination of bad trades).

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by Scott McKinney on Oct 27, 2008 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions

How have we made the club better?

You’re essentially dealing Butler for Jacobs. Butler is a 23 year old who is capable of putting up decent OBA numbers and decent SLG numbers. Jacobs is a 28 year old with awful OBA numbers and good SLG numbers. How is that an upgrade?

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Oct 27, 2008 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Personally, I wouldn't do it

but I see the line of thought (should something like that go through) as:

Jacobs >= Butler
Pitching Prospects > Rosa
OBP is for suckers

by Top Ramen on Oct 27, 2008 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Jacobs is what Butler becomes at worst

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by Matt Klaassen on Oct 27, 2008 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Perhaps

I think he likely becoms better than Jacobs. But I think his floor is lower than that. Even top 20 prospects fail, and more than one would think. It could happen. He could also become a star.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by Scott McKinney on Oct 27, 2008 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Not so sure he'd be an upgrade

over what we have in-house. Do we not think Shealy or Ka’aihue could top a .318 OBP between them?

by kcdc1 on Oct 26, 2008 3:16 PM EDT reply actions

SLG counts

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by Scott McKinney on Oct 26, 2008 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions

When I read this, I thought, why?

We have Shealy and the Kila Ka’. I’d be MUCH more interested in that psycho-path Scott Olsen.

by Royal from Queens on Oct 26, 2008 3:45 PM EDT reply actions

The only thing I'd trade for Scott Olsen

…would be something of very little value, like Gload. Olsen is no better than a reclamation project.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by Scott McKinney on Oct 26, 2008 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

Olsen is just not very good, and pissy. If you’re going to acquire someone who’s not very good, how about we get someone who isn’t pissy?

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Oct 26, 2008 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Like JoGui? :)

Don't forget to send your broken maples to the US Forest Service.

by 306008 on Oct 26, 2008 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes!

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Oct 28, 2008 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Really? Just a Ross Gload?
This team has Brain Bannister, Davies, Bale, and Hochevar in the rotation.
I see a durbale lefty who’s only 24 years old.

He’s already more productive than Hochevar , more talented than Bannister, and more productive and talented than Davies.
His walk and hit rates have been going down, he’s improved his HR rates, he’s been pitching deeper into games. The concern I have for him is that he’s crazy. Everything pisses him off, he gets on his teammates as soon as something doesn’t go his way and that causes him to lose focus and the gave unravels from there.

The point I’m getting at is, sure, he might be a reclamation project, but a reclamation project that has been improving. He is talented and young enough to continue improving and umm, I’m not sure if you’ve noticed but better than the other guys we have in the rotation.

by Royal from Queens on Oct 26, 2008 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions

He’s already more productive than Hochevar

No, he’s not. Olsen’s last two seasons have been quite bad. Hochevar was better in 2008 and should be better going forward.

more talented than Bannister,

At his age, with his experience, talent without results doesn’t interest me much. It interests me a little; that’s why I’d give up something for him. But very, very little.

and more productive and talented than Davies.

Not better production/results/stats than Davies in 2008. And Davies appears to be improving and moving in the right direction. Olsen’s good season was 3 years ago and he doesn’t appear to be improving. I’d take Davies over Olsen any day. They both have very good stuff, and Davies isn’t a headcase and appears to have figured out at least how to be an effective MLB pitcher in some role.

His walk and hit rates have been going down, he’s improved his HR rates, he’s been pitching deeper into games.

His ERA, FIP, xFIP and tRA for the last two years look bad. Anyone with a bad ERA and bad defense independent stats is really sucking at a very high level.

The concern I have for him is that he’s crazy.

The big concern I have about him is that he doesn’t appear to pitch well in major league baseball games.

The point I’m getting at is, sure, he might be a reclamation project, but a reclamation project that has been improving.

Improving? When? He had one pretty good season followed by an awful season and a bad season. His improvement was to go from awful to merely bad? I think his good seasons are already behind him.

He is talented and young enough to continue improving and umm, I’m not sure if you’ve noticed but better than the other guys we have in the rotation.

I don’t think you recognize how good the guys in our rotation are and have been. You might want to check out the bottom part of my post on 1-2-3-4-5 starting pitchers. I think those stats show that Hochevar and Davies were pretty good this year. Given their ages, you should expect improvement.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by Scott McKinney on Oct 26, 2008 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions

You know what, maybe I didn’t give enough credit to Davies as I should have, I’ll admit that.

And I like Hochevar, alot. I really do but lets be real here. I have faith he’s going to change it around in 2009 but what’s the difference between him and Olsen right now?

Improving? When?

His walk rates been going down. Hit rates have been going down. Both of which have been better than Hochevar and Davies. What I will give both Hochevar and Davies is they do a better job at keeping the ball in the ball park
With that incredibly bad defense the Marlins had.

I can’t believe I"m arguing/defending Scott Olsen right now.

by Royal from Queens on Oct 26, 2008 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions

You know what, maybe I didn’t give enough credit to Davies as I should have, I’ll admit that.

And I may be giving him too much credit. Davies is really hard to read. He may have figured something out this season. Or it may be just a blip and he sucks again next year and forever. I’ve always thought that he’d at least make a pretty good reliever even if he never pans out as a starter. But he’s still young and still has some starter potential, especially after what he’s done this year.

And I like Hochevar, alot. I really do but lets be real here. I have faith he’s going to change it around in 2009 but what’s the difference between him and Olsen right now?

I’ll give you the short answer: groundballs. Hochevar is an extreme sinkerballer/groundballer. He can consistently limit extra base hits because he induces a lot of groundballs. In short, his statistical profile is similar to guys like Wang and Carmona. And I expect his K/9 to increase and his BB/9 to decrease with more major league experience. Olsen has significant major league experience already and his K/9 is going down, down, down. That is a huge concern.

His walk rates been going down.

His walk rate has been kind of all over the place. It went up in 2007 and then down in 2008. However, his strikeout rate has gone down considerably each of the last three years, and that is a huge red flag.

Hit rates have been going down.

Pitchers have little control about what happens to balls batters put in play. They have significant control over whether or not batters hit line drives, and his LD% has been up and down, but it remains high. And he had a lot of batted ball luck in 2008. With a LD% of 20.2, his expected BABIP would be .322. But his BABIP was .266. That’s a hell of a lot of luck. Normalize his luck and his bad 2008 would have been just as awful as his 2007.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by Scott McKinney on Oct 26, 2008 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions

There's a bit of irony given the context of the Hochavar discussion

While I agree that Hochevar’s upside is based on his groundball tendencies, with tongue planted in cheek (a bit), one could argue that a right side of Callaspo, Guillen, and Jacobs makes him worthless..

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by Matt Klaassen on Oct 26, 2008 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions

If Wang could do it

With an infield of Giambi, Cano, Jeter, and A-Rod at third, why can’t Hochevar do it?

by Royal from Queens on Oct 26, 2008 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I was talking right side

Jacobs is as bad, and arguably worse than Giambi. He’s Jason Giambi, only with about 100 less points of OBP, and 150 of slugging. In the NL.

Jeter is on the left side, of course. A-Rod was actually pretty good this year.

Cano was below average this year, but was one of the better defensive second basemen in the AL previous.

Let’s not call Hochecar a Wang yet.

(rolls eyes)

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by Matt Klaassen on Oct 26, 2008 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Hmmm

one could argue that a right side of Callaspo, Guillen, and Jacobs makes him worthless..

Guillen’s OF defense doesn’t hurt his groundball-heavy pitching. I mean, poor OF defense hurts any pitcher, but it hurts an extreme groundballer like Hochevar less than most other pitchers. I think Callaspo has a good defensive future at 2B (at least MLB average for the position). As you know one should take even the best defensive metrics with a grain of salt. When you add in the small sample size of less than half a season of data, you should take it with a truckload of salt. The scouts and his tools say that he’s a pretty good defensive middle IFer. Frankly, he can handle SS. And no firstbaseman is going to handle a lot of groundballs. As long as the 1B can pick throws from IFers well, he’s going to help his pitcher (even, or perhaps especially, a groundball pitcher). And, of course, the defensive skills of the right side of the IF are less important than the defensive skills of the left side of the IF.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by Scott McKinney on Oct 26, 2008 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah, obviously I'm joking around

especially given the sample sizes. I’d argue that the metrics have next to nothing on Callaspo, given sample size. in 41 innings last year, he was +1` runs. However, in limited playing time this year, Inaz has him giving away more runs than he created above replacement. That includes both his SS and 2B time, though, so we don’t know, as you say. It’s interesting (if hardly decisive) that Hillman commented on his limited range.

1B metrics are problematic, but I read recently that between 1Bs, the greatest variation in “run cost” for receving is -5 to +5. So even if Jacobs is the best “receiver” in the league, he’s still better off at DH.

While most admit that metrics have a ways to go for first basemen (although not nearly as much as they do with catchers) I think the traditional image of the first baseman tends to make us (me included) disproportionalty emphasize receiving over range for the position.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by Matt Klaassen on Oct 26, 2008 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I think the traditional image of the first baseman tends to make us (me included) disproportionalty emphasize receiving over range for the position.

That maybe so. I’m not sure. I’m just thinking “out loud” here, but on average how many balls does a 1B field in a game? Two? Three? I’m not sure, but I would guess it is something like that. And how many throws does he receive from his teammates? Many more than that. Now, I realize that these numbers aren’t the end of analysis, because the difference between a great picker and a poor one isn’t huge in terms of runs. But given the low number of fielding chances a 1B has in a game, I still think receiving is more important for a 1B than fielding.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by Scott McKinney on Oct 26, 2008 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m aware pitchers don’t have control over WHERE the ball lands but with that atrocious Marlins defense, I’m know alot of balls were booted, misjudged, blooped in front of, and sailed over the head of the fielders.
Jacobs, Uggla, Hanley, Cantu, Ross, Willingham, Hermida, and Luis Gonzalez are all bad fielders. Like there isn’t even one guy in there that brings a positive defensive presence.
Give him a nice CF like DDJ and hell, going back to that Andruw Jones rumor, someone like Jones and I think he’d have a better year.

I just feel he’s someone to gamble on. He has good stuff, I’ve seen the improvements. Besides looking at numbers, I’ve seen plenty of his starts. And comparing him from even his 2006 to his 2008 season, visually, is alot different. He’s a smarter pitcher out there.

by Royal from Queens on Oct 26, 2008 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Gambling

I don’t mind taking a shot on reclamation projects with some talent, as the Royals did with H.Ramirez and Tejeda. I do have a problem with giving up real talent for a reclamation project. If the Royals could trade a two-month rental like Dotel for him, I’d be all for it. But I wouldn’t give up much more than that. Which Royal major or minor leaguer would you give up for him?

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by Scott McKinney on Oct 26, 2008 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Hmm

Maybe your right. Looking over the 40 man real quick, Most of the guys that came to mind weren’t very valuable.
Mitch Maier, Pimentel, are two names but they’re whatever…

by Royal from Queens on Oct 26, 2008 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Just as a note

The metrics I’ve seen all have Hermida as average or slightly above every year. Willingham sucked last year (no surprise there), but was around average this y ear.

Ross was slightly below average last year, slightly above this year.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by Matt Klaassen on Oct 26, 2008 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions

A 24 year old lefty who's been improving

Really? Just a Ross Gload?
This team has Brain Bannister, Davies, Bale, and Hochevar in the rotation.
I see a durbale lefty who’s only 24 years old.

He’s already more productive than Hochevar , more talented than Bannister, and more productive and talented than Davies.
His walk and hit rates have been going down, he’s improved his HR rates, he’s been pitching deeper into games. The concern I have for him is that he’s crazy. Everything pisses him off, he gets on his teammates as soon as something doesn’t go his way and that causes him to lose focus and the gave unravels from there.

The point I’m getting at is, sure, he might be a reclamation project, but a reclamation project that has been improving. He is talented and young enough to continue improving and umm, I’m not sure if you’ve noticed but better than the other guys we have in the rotation.

by Royal from Queens on Oct 26, 2008 4:23 PM EDT reply actions

Jacobs? Depends on the pitcher

Just some short notes after a quick spin on the data (since I don’t follow the National League as closely).

Just looking at OPS, which favors Jacobs because it (wrongly) weights OBP as equal as SLG, Jacobs is a below-average offensive first baseman — and that’s in the NL, and we know that the AL’s advantage lies primarily in it’s pitching (Tango thus makes replacement level 0.5 wins lower/higher for AL position players). SO, just based on hitting, and not using a particularly advanced stat (B-R’s Batting Runs), in his best year for hitting (2006) a generous back-of-the-envelope calculation has him at 1.5 wins above replacement. 2 WAR is an average player.

I’m not sure what you’d give for that player, but we’re not done. I can only assume that, Jose Guillen to the contrary, when Dayton said “power on the corners, defense up the middle,” he didn’t mean that the only thing he was looking for on the corners was power.

As has been commented, Jacobs is not a particularly good OBP guy. Well, he’s not exactly Keith Hernandez on defense, either. Justin Inaz has him at -18 runs at first this year. Don’t like Justin’s homebrew conversion of RZR/OOZ/ZR etc.? recenlty, I saw a list of UZR’s best and worst fielders/150 games 2003-2008. Taking into account his -12.5 positional adjustment for first, his value was -25! One of the worst since he came into the league! In other worse, UZR has him at at least -12 runs a season as a first baseman. Once you hit -5 runs, you might as well DH (since the adjustment is -17.5 or so). Let’s just say he’s a -5 guy… well, that pretty much makes him replacement level.

Just shocking. I can only assume that this rumor is false or that the pitcher was someone worthless. Who would trade a real pitching asset for someone whos’ barely more valuable than Ross Gload?

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by Matt Klaassen on Oct 26, 2008 4:53 PM EDT reply actions

That might sound a bit over the top

Mike Jacobs has utility to somebody, if he’s paid cheaply. I’m not sure it’s the Royals, given that they already have one worthless first baseman — (Ross Gload [club option for 2010!]), one stopgap with a glimmer of potential (Ryan Shealy), a intriguing guy in the high minors (Kila), and a Future of the Franchise type who might need the DH slot that suits Jacobs best (Butler).

Still, there is a use for a guy like Jacobs. But there are lots of guys like him or better who you wouldn’t give up talent for, or pay anything substantial for. Trading anytihng useful for a guy like Jacobs shows a poor of understanding of one or more of the following:

1) Replacement level
2) Positional value
3) Defensive value
4) The different pitching quality between the leagues

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by Matt Klaassen on Oct 26, 2008 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn't mind having Jacobs on the roster

if they think Shealy is finished, but I wouldn’t trade much of anything for him.

by Top Ramen on Oct 26, 2008 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions

See my post above

yeah… he has uses, but he’s not going to get better. There will better players on the FA market just as good or better who won’t cost talent or much money (Hinske, Branyan).

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by Matt Klaassen on Oct 27, 2008 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions

I guess that means it pretty much a certainty that it happens

The only question is who gets to be the new Erik Cordier?

by Top Ramen on Oct 27, 2008 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Your Russ Branyan fixation isn't healthy

I think you should see a professional about that.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by Scott McKinney on Oct 27, 2008 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions

fair enough

but I certainly wouldn’t trade Rosa for Branyan, and I do think he’s better than Jacobs. He hits better, and while he sucks at third and the OF, both the stats and non-metric reports I’ve read say that he’s around average at first (the only position Jacobs “plays” at -10 in a good year).

That’s the problem with a Jacobs trade (and, of course, Moore hasn’t traded for him and we don’t even know if the Royals were really interested): players of equal or better value or more cheaply available (I consider Jacobs minimum salary + Rosa to be more “costly” than the $800,000 or whatever it would take to sign Branyan in FA).

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by Matt Klaassen on Oct 27, 2008 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Even though Olsen has a bad attitude

I’d be willing to take a chance on him. A young pitcher, LHed….. Sooner or later he’ll realize that he isn’t God’s gift to baseball and he’s expected to carry his weight rather than trying to have his teammates carry it.

I’m sure JoGui could show him that day one…. !!

Don't forget to send your broken maples to the US Forest Service.

by 306008 on Oct 26, 2008 8:05 PM EDT reply actions

2009 Lineup

LF DeJesus
2B Callaspo
SS Aviles
RF Guillen
3B Gordon
DH Butler
1B Jacobs
CF Gutierrez
C Buck

I have to admit, that doesn’t look terrible, but that probably has more to do with the ommission of names like “Pena” and “Gload”

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Oct 27, 2008 1:20 PM EDT reply actions

Is that a batting order?

Maybe not, but I need to waste some time .

Not that order makes much of a difference (sims show that even batting the pitcher 4th rather than 8th [the best spot for pitchers, actually], the wrongest move imaginable, makes about a 16 run difference over a full season), but I don’t like that as an order. Aviles didn’t even hit righties well this year when his luck was through the roof. Guillen ahead of Gordon, too? Man, if even one of aviles or Guillen OBPs .320 or higher against RHPs next year the Royals will be lucky.

Not that a manager would ever do it, but different lineups against lefties and righties make sense. And by the way, not that anyone cares, but if the Royals are/were (who knows) use Jacobs at first, that makes their handling of Butler and defense look all the more idiotic.

I need to read “Inside the Book,” but I think the worst lineup sin is batting two lefties next to each other — too bad, since the Royals currently don’t have a righty who can hit righties, except for hopefully Butler in the future, who currently has a big GIDP problem. Gutierrez won’t change that. It’s too bad, because DDJ and Gordon project as the Royals best hitters vs. righites next year (awareness of the problem is the only remotely good reason for bringing in Jacobs), and sims (that don’t take handedness into account) want them next to each other. even with that lineup. So what would I do with those guys? I’m glad you asked. The following are based on my own off the cuff thinking about individual peformance next year.

Vs. RHP:

LF DDJ
SS Aviles
3B Gordon
1B Butler
DH Jacobs
RF Guillen
CF Gutierrez
C Buck
2B Callaspo

Yikes, that’s ugly. I went through Morong’s modeler, then tried to separate lefties. The best lineups all have DDJ and Gordon up top. Gordon as leadoff man actually makes sense vs. RHP — good OBP, the only guy on the team who is actually good at basestealing (although “Gootz” would be a good addition). Still I’ll go with this. Jacobs is a force vs. right-handed pitching. Well, he still has as .329 OBP or something, but I wanted to split him and Gordon up. Butler-Jacobs-Guillen, in any order, is begging for a lot of double plays… Maybe putting Butler second and Aviles in the cleanup spot, or Butler second, Guillen cleanup, and Aviles fifth. I dunno. The sims rarely put the best hitter third…I guess I’m compromising the sims and lefty-righty and traditional thinking. The decent OBP bad SLG guys always end up ninth. That’s fine. Callaspo might do OK as a leadoff guy, but I have a hard time giving him 70-80 more PAs than Billy Butler over a season.

vs. Lefties:

SS Aviles
LF DDJ
1B Butler
RF Guillen
CF Gutierrez
3B Gordon
C Buck
1B Jacobs
2B Callaspo

A bit easier (although I didn’t sim it), given that this years lineup killed lefties, and adding Gutierrez helps with that (although his OBP against them still blows). Jacobs is as bad as Gordon, but, of course, he’s pretty much what he is while I think Gordon showed some improvement the last half of this season. Wanted to put Gootz in between Butler and Guillen to cut down on the DPs, but for the aforementioned OBP problems and the fact that Butler and Guillen have killed lefties the last two years.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by Matt Klaassen on Oct 27, 2008 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions