In Defense of the Mike Jacobs deal

by BHWick on Oct 31, 2008 2:12 AM EDT

Sure, his OBP is not impressive overall. But let's look at the splits.

At home

2008: .238/.273/.484, 14 HR in 267 PA
2007: .256/.308/.462, 10 HR in 253 PA
2006: .247/.299/.498, 12 HR in 244 PA

On the road

2008: .258/.325/.547, 18 HR in 252 PA
2007: .276/.329/.453, 7 HR in 207 PA
2006: .276/.348/.451, 8 HR in 276 PA

Mike Jacobs has played for three years in a sinkhole for offense. Dolphins Stadium sucks for Baseball and nobody ever goes there to watch games. Putting the Marlins games in a cemetary would be more encouraging to the players.

Kauffman Stadium is a stadium where one is able to actually fare well with hitting the ball. Plus, I think that the renovations will help since the wind won't blow in as easily due to the new structures behind the fences.

Anyways, it's not like we gave up a great outfielder for a lousy shortstop. Leo Nunez is expandable like a lot of relief pitchers are.

If Mike Jacobs puts up 30 homers, a BA over .270, and even around 40 walks.. then we are clearly better. Especially if Jacobs leads to Dayton giving up on Ross Gload. How does that sound?

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I will say that if Mike Jacobs can put up a .270/.330/.500 line for us

…without killing us with his defense at first base, I may change my tune about this trade (or, he can DH and Shealy and Butler can take turns at first, whatever).

And if he leads to Moore and Hillman giving up on Ross Gload, well, goddamn, he’ll be worthy of the Nobel Prize for…well, something.

by DarthYoshi on Oct 31, 2008 2:29 AM EDT 0 recs

i think that line is really in line with what you SHOULD expect from him, maybe 260/320/500

but he will kill us with his defense. his terribleness wont go away there

by ZeppelinDZ on Oct 31, 2008 10:26 AM EDT up 0 recs

I agree on the defense

I remain slightly more optimistic about his offense. I think playing half his games in Kauffman Stadium will help a little.

by DarthYoshi on Oct 31, 2008 12:13 PM EDT up 0 recs

I can't see first base defense killing us

There is a reason so many teams put awful defenders there.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Oct 31, 2008 12:21 PM EDT up 0 recs

+1

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Oct 31, 2008 12:37 PM EDT up 0 recs

Aviles has great range to his right.

So if we get someone to play short and move Aviles to 2nd, I don’t think his defense will matter that much. Not nearly as many bunts in the AL, so I don’t think he will be -27 runs, more like -13.

Go Royals!

by BabyBlues on Oct 31, 2008 12:54 PM EDT up 0 recs

It's hard to see

because really, you don’t see many first basemen who are around -20 runs on defense.

But don’t worry, from the sounds of things, you’re going to get the chance!

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

by devil_fingers on Oct 31, 2008 9:23 PM EDT up 0 recs

i doubt it

Shealy = 1B
Jacobs = DH

Butler = Not here. Traded for a CF, C, or LHP.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Oct 31, 2008 9:56 PM EDT up 0 recs

Hmmmm....

Joe Mauer, Curtis Granderson, or Scott Kazmir… I wonder which one it will be…

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

by devil_fingers on Oct 31, 2008 10:05 PM EDT up 0 recs

Grady Sizemore

Did you NOT see the picture of his uniform I posted a couple days ago?

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Oct 31, 2008 10:07 PM EDT up 0 recs

He's going to play left

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

by devil_fingers on Oct 31, 2008 10:08 PM EDT up 0 recs

in favor of Paulo Orlando!!!!!!!!!1!1!!1!!!1!

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Oct 31, 2008 10:39 PM EDT up 0 recs

Dear lord, let that at least the Jacobs = DH part be true

’It’s safe to say that Mike Jacobs’ bat will be in the lineup every day. We do have the DH, but he’ll play a lot of first base as well,’ Moore said.

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

by devil_fingers on Oct 31, 2008 10:07 PM EDT up 0 recs

With Dayton's

distaste for Butler and his man crush on Gload, I see Butler being moved for a pitcher or two.

How come it's a penny for your thoughts but you have to put your two cents in? Someone is making a penny.

by Grantastica on Oct 31, 2008 6:19 AM EDT 0 recs

I hope not... butler could be something special.. he has so much potential.

"I can resist everything but temptation." - oscar wylde

by cfizzle on Oct 31, 2008 9:02 AM EDT up 0 recs

i also see butler moved

if DM gets a good deal for him. maybe a young LHP, C, or CF.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Oct 31, 2008 12:39 PM EDT up 0 recs

If Shealy shows some pop in

Spring training then he will probably play or platoon with Jacobs at 1st base and all three will platoon with Butler at DH if no trades are made involving Butler or Shealy. If DM keeps all three, then Gload has to go. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

by BlueBloodRoyal on Oct 31, 2008 10:26 AM EDT 0 recs

I do find it somewhat comical

That all of a sudden Defense at 1st base is at a paramount.

All Royals fans have done for the last, I don’t know, 4 years is chastize GMDM & GMAB for having a GOOD defensive 1st baseman.

Now we have the polar opposite, one that can hit, and can’t field, basically what a LOT of people were clammoring for, and it seems to be an issue for them…

by GoBabies!! on Oct 31, 2008 10:49 AM EDT 2 recs

Agreed

I do think people are focusing a bit much on what he cannot do, rather than looking at his slug, which is very, very good, particularly for this team.

The splits are encouraging. If he can be a .320-.330 OBA guy, he’ll be quite valuable for us.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Oct 31, 2008 11:01 AM EDT up 0 recs

Yes, what is the rule of thumb for expect BABIP?

It does appear that he was a bit unlucky this year with his .264 BABIP

We always did feel the same, We just saw it from a different point of view, Tangled up in blue.
-Bob Dylan

by Royal Kingdom on Oct 31, 2008 11:36 AM EDT up 0 recs

What he can't do

is be anywhere close to a league average player if he plays every day.

A run lost at first is a run lost… Seriously, this was his best offensive year yet… and with his -20 run defense, he was about 5 runs below replacement level… in the NL…

At that rate, he has a lot more value as a DH… maybe as high as 1 win above replacement level. Like what Grudz had before he got hurt.

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

by devil_fingers on Oct 31, 2008 9:25 PM EDT up 2 recs

Jacobs isnt just a guy who can't field...

…he is a guy who can’t field to the extent that he makes Billy Butler appear competent with a glove. Jacobs may be the worst defensive first baseman in baseball today.

I would be fine with somewhat below average defense at first, since I, like many others, see it as an offense-first position. But Jacobs’ defense is simply that awful.

by DarthYoshi on Oct 31, 2008 12:12 PM EDT up 0 recs

His fielding would actually be a plus if..

He can be the backup catcher. Saving one of our 13 offensive roster spots would be a big advantage. We could afford to have a big bat on the bench then.

Go Royals!

by BabyBlues on Oct 31, 2008 12:57 PM EDT up 0 recs

Thank you GoBabies

I was just about to post this but you beat me to it.

Alll year, we’ve heard…..“Gload is at first because they like his defense, what a bunch of *******. First base defense doesn’t matter.”

Well now we switched it up and suddenly first base defense matters, Royals fans can be so cynical.

by I need more Esteban on Oct 31, 2008 1:04 PM EDT up 0 recs

Umm....

It’s more of the thought process of going to one extreme to the other. No one’s calling for a gold glover but some competence with the glove would be nice. Especially with a young inconsistent infield throwing to him.

by djk royal on Oct 31, 2008 1:09 PM EDT up 0 recs

How long has he been playing 1st?

If he was a catcher until just 2 or 3 years ago, it’s not inconcievable that we could see him improve with the glove up to at least an average defensive 1B…

by GoBabies!! on Oct 31, 2008 1:36 PM EDT up 0 recs

I say we let him revisit his dream of being a catcher...

Well, one of our two backup catchers along with German.

Go Royals!

by BabyBlues on Oct 31, 2008 1:58 PM EDT up 0 recs

I believe he tore his labrum at one point

I’m not sure if he can catch anymore.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Oct 31, 2008 2:32 PM EDT up 0 recs

Maybe that's' why they think Jacobs isn't so bad

Gload has actually been a below-average first baseman every year he’s played there except last year… since they believe his a Gold Glover, maybe they just see Mike Jacobs as “below average,” rather than Adam Dunn without a bit less power, none of the walks, and slighly less defensive ability.

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

by devil_fingers on Oct 31, 2008 9:26 PM EDT up 0 recs

lol....

oh the essence of human nature….

…criticize for this, criticize for that…

….but wait, we fixed this, now I’m getting criticized for that?…

….I fixed that, but now I’m getting criticized for this?….

It’s so predictable it’s funny…. This is the same reason KK gets blasted for calling people negators…

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

by 306008 on Oct 31, 2008 3:23 PM EDT up 0 recs

K. K. Downing?

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

by devil_fingers on Nov 3, 2008 10:59 AM EST up 0 recs

The Green Manalishi

I never knew this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Green_Manalishi

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Nov 4, 2008 9:36 AM EST up 0 recs

I just like to criticize for bringing in crap players

such as Jacobs. And Gload. And blah blah whatever. It’s nothing new…we’ve brought in someone who simply doesn’t help us much, if at all.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Nov 5, 2008 6:30 PM EST up 0 recs

But Branyan has a low batting average!!!11

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

by devil_fingers on Nov 5, 2008 7:36 PM EST up 0 recs

He's just going to get injured again anyway.

Space.

It's a problem we face.

So we never go anywhere.

We just stay in one place.

by hazel on Nov 3, 2008 7:43 AM EST 0 recs

If Jacobs plays first with any regularity

people are going to start hoping he gets injured, too

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

by devil_fingers on Nov 3, 2008 10:59 AM EST up 0 recs

I am already tired of Royals fans overlooking the facts of 1B

It is primarily a power position and had Jacobs put up his 08 number, KC would be signifcantly better – 30+HRs and almost 100 RBI. When was the last time that KC had a player with these types of numbers? I’d settle for 20 HRs and 80+ RBI. After Ross Gload and Dougie, give me the power and I’ll take the chances with the glove. KC’s biggest problem is the offense. If that doesn’t improve in 09, al the glove work doesn’t matter. Remember how strong TPJ’s glove work was in 08 – UGHHHHH!! Jacobs can be a power threat with Guillen, Gordon, and Butler. That makes the middle of the lineup better – for the price of a middle reliever.

by daveyork on Nov 3, 2008 10:46 PM EST 0 recs

Maybe

but what the Royals fans should really want from any position is wins. A quick look at Mike Jacobs shows he hasn’t ever been more than 1 been above replacement any year of his life. This year, he was, at best, right above replacement level. Yeah, that was probably about 1 win better than Ross Gload or 1/2 win better than Jose Guillen (seeing a common thread in GMDM position player acquisitions yet?)… but, um, that shouldn’t be the “high standard” to which the Royals aspire.

Royals fans should also want their GM to be able to tell the difference between talent worth spending money/tradable talent and that available freely on the market. On that score, GMDM has done quite well, for the most part, with regard to pitchers. He’s been somewhere between bad and disastrous with regard to position players.

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

by devil_fingers on Nov 3, 2008 10:58 PM EST up 1 recs

I don't think we're being too negative here, really.

Jacobs is just a dubious acquisition. Granted, the odds are against Nunez burning us on this deal, but I can’t help but point out that we’ve brought in another guy for his “bat” who really isn’t all that good. Oh hey Jose, you’re still here?

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Nov 5, 2008 6:32 PM EST up 0 recs