Jose Lopez

by lordbyronk on Feb 4, 2008 1:46 PM EST

Here's a thought. Lopez seems to have fallen out of favor with the Mariners. What would it take to obtain him? His MLB track record is not the best:

.232/.263/.367
.247/.282/.379
.282/.319/.402
.252/.284/.355

The OBP is really low, but his defense is above average. I think 2006, could represent his upside, but considering that the Mariners rushed him along and he's only 25, I think there is potential here. He could make a nice stop-gap until Moose is ready. What would we be willing to give up to obtain him? Would it be worth it?

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Callaspo

is probably better now and in the future.

by wildthang on Feb 4, 2008 1:59 PM EST reply actions

Not really sure

I see what there is to like about Lopez. Seems like he's fallen out of favor for a reason.

Callaspo is the future at 2B.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Feb 4, 2008 2:08 PM EST reply actions

I was thinking

Lopez at SS and Callaspo at 2B.

by lordbyronk on Feb 4, 2008 2:13 PM EST up reply actions

Lopez lacks the range or agility for SS

plus he has added at least 20 pounds since he last played short four years ago.

He could be an interesting gamble for a team without a second baseman-in-waiting. Lopez was a well-regarded prospect when he came up after hitting 304/342/505 as a 20-21 year old in AAA while playing half his games in an extreme pitcher's park. But since then, he really has not developed as a hitter. He has decent power for a middle infielder, but his problems making solid contact mask it. Safeco is one of the worst possible home park for his skill set, as Safeco kills righthanded pull hitters without plus-plus power. He has shown some ability to hit away from Safeco, posting a 309/343/450 road split in 2006. The Mariners have messed with his swing a lot in an unsuccessful attempt to turn him into an opposite field hitter. Last year was a disaster for him, although his hitting took a nose dive after his brother died mid-season.

His upside is a 290/330/450 hitter, but the lack of development suggests he is not a great bet to ever reach it. Getting out of Safeco would certainly help him, though.

by Gopherballs on Feb 4, 2008 5:11 PM EST up reply actions

Jose Lopez

He's an above average defensive 2B, but I don't know if he's better than average at SS. He's clearly inferior to Pena defensively. And he's not a lot better offensively. I wouldn't mind having him to compete with Pena, but I wouldn't give up much for him. I think if we traded Pena for him, it would be a wash. The only other players I'd be willing to give up for him would be crappy spare parts and that would be nearly enough for Seattle.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Feb 4, 2008 2:40 PM EST reply actions

Don't see it

Pena career line (albeit a smaller sample size):

.264/.282/.354

Lopez career line:

.260/.298/.379

I don't really see it. First off, will Moose even be playing SS when he gets to the show? Second, Lopez only played SS in 57 games, and that was in 2004.

I would have a hard time convincing myself that Lopez is that much better than Pena. Obviously, someone will probably pull out some XYZ stats or Avg++ stats or whatever those Saberhagen stats are. But it doesn't seem to make much sense to me.

by MileHighKCfan on Feb 4, 2008 2:46 PM EST reply actions

I think you're right

Safeco probably decreased his power a bit, but he's not much of a power hitter, regardless, so I don't think Safeco stole many HR's from him. I think he's a better hitter than Pena, but not by much. Pena, on the other hand, is an excellent defensive SS, while I don't know if Lopez is above average for that position.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Feb 4, 2008 3:01 PM EST up reply actions

If were looking to acquire crappy shortstops...

Julio Lugo would probably be available now that Jed lowrie is almost ready for the bigs. He was bad last year (although he did have 33 steals) but a pretty decent hitter before that. He has kind of a big contract for the next three years and is 32 but if he rebounded to previous form he would be a lot better than Pena.

by djk royal on Feb 4, 2008 3:18 PM EST reply actions