L. Hernandez Experiment Coming to an End?

[byrdz]

Funny, BP's #1 most comparable player for LH....Cintron.

[now]

Funny, BP's #1 most comparable player for LH....Cintron.

Fahey, Hernandez, Cintron, Jack Wilson ...
Maybe the FO should just order a six-pack of 'em.

[Dr. FLK]

Exactly who is Spencer Fordin, and why should we listen to him?

I know zip about the guy, but my BS-alarm goes off when:

• DT is on record as saying he wants good-D at SS, and whatever hitting he gets there is just a bonus.
• Spencer Fordin mainly talked about SS hitting stats.

Is there any reason to think this guy knows what he's talking about?
Or is it just another internet opinion?

Too bad we aren't getting good D from LH. On top of that, he apparently showed up out of shape for the start of the season, which hurt his agility. He had no business making this team, and he hasn't done anything to keep the job that was gift-wrapped for him. If LH isn't going to play decent defense, you might as well go with someone who owns a bat.

[Dr. FLK]

I may be the only person who heard this. I'm pretty sure that, in the same interivew in which Trembley was quoted saying LH had been throwing off the wrong foot, etc., he said LH came to camp 20-25 lbs. heavier than last year. Assuming I heard that right, there's your "good reason" why his fielding hasn't been sharp. And you know DT is steaming if that's true.

Jim Palmer absolutely ripped LH for this during Friday's game. He said that he showed up out of shape. And, as a result, Palmer said his agility has been limited all year. That's why, in his opinion, he isn't getting to the balls he should get to. Palmer seemed pretty disgusted by it.

[DrungoHazewood]

I may be the only person who heard this. I'm pretty sure that, in the same interivew in which Trembley was quoted saying LH had been throwing off the wrong foot, etc., he said LH came to camp 20-25 lbs. heavier than last year. Assuming I heard that right, there's your "good reason" why his fielding hasn't been sharp. And you know DT is steaming if that's true.

If that's true, it's absolutely unbelievable and indefensible. The kid had to know that this was likely his one chance in his life to stick as a major league player and set himself up for being very rich. At the very least it would be his best chance at that. He was coming off a year where he didn't hit a lick yet was still being handed a major league job, and he showed up 20 lbs heavier? The implication is that it's not muscle - and you have to try really hard to gain 20 lbs of fat in six months. I don't think I could do that if I just laid on the couch eating Fritos 24/7.

Did nobody take him aside at the end of the year and tell him it would be in his best interest to hang out with Brian Roberts in that Arizona workout center? Or at least go to the local gym a few times a week?

[Old#5fan]

According to Spencer Fordin / MLB.com on the Orioles Home Page, the likelihood of Alex Cintron replacing Luis Hernandez is "extremely good."

The full story can be found here: http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/new...=.jsp&c_id=bal

Does Cintron have an "A" major league glove? If not, I don't want him.

[Frobby]

you have to try really hard to gain 20 lbs of fat in six months.

At LH's age, or your age, that's probably true. Just wait until you get into your 40s, my friend. You'll find out how easy it is.

[DrungoHazewood]

Give it up Shack, these people believe that SS is the least defense intensive position next to DH. They think it is a power position and couldn't tell the difference between a good fielding SS and Jeter. They actually think Mora and Moore are viable options.

You mention Derek Jeter. Isn't he a real life example that proves, like at every position, there is a continuum of different types of players who can be successful? Isn't it obvious that since a team that makes the playoffs every single year can have a poor defender at short it's not a requirement that all shortstops be great defenders?

In real baseball teams usually take the best player they can find at each position and don't always rigidly adhere to ideologies like "pitching and defense win championships" when they're vast oversimplifications of a complex world.

[BRobinsonfan]

Does Cintron have an "A" major league glove? If not, I don't want him.

I don't know.

What offensive production is LH going to put up this year?

[Mackus]

Hernandez obviously isn't the answer, but I'm not sure Cintron is either.

I'd prefer Cintron if Hernandez keeps playing as poor of defense as he has. If he can play at the far above average level he's been touted as, I'd prefer Hernandez. I don't think Cintron is physically ready yet anyway, so Luis will get a little more time to work on getting his D back to an elite level. If he's only playing average defense, then there is no way anybody can support him staying the SS, even amongst a slew of other horrible options.

[Mackus]

In real baseball teams usually take the best player they can find at each position and don't always rigidly adhere to ideologies like "pitching and defense win championships" when they're vast oversimplifications of a complex world.

Do you mean real baseball or *real* baseball?

[Mark Carver]

I may be the only person who heard this. I'm pretty sure that, in the same interivew in which Trembley was quoted saying LH had been throwing off the wrong foot, etc., he said LH came to camp 20-25 lbs. heavier than last year. Assuming I heard that right, there's your "good reason" why his fielding hasn't been sharp. And you know DT is steaming if that's true.

Yes he did... it's not that Hernandez is in slump. It's he's overweight or as Trembley says "physical".

[DrungoHazewood]

At LH's age, or your age, that's probably true. Just wait until you get into your 40s, my friend. You'll find out how easy it is.

I am almost 37. Since my kid was born a year and a half ago I probably go to the gym half as often as I used to, if that. And I've lost weight! My results may not be typical...

[Mackus]

I don't know.

What offensive production is LH going to put up this year?

Forget his bat, what level defensive production is Hernadnez gonna put up this year. He's looked pretty pedestrian to me so far, and clearly the team isn't happy with his defense.

[Frobby]

Forget his bat, what level defensive production is Hernadnez gonna put up this year. He's looked pretty pedestrian to me so far, and clearly the team isn't happy with his defense.

A few defensive stats are pretty revealing:

2007: 139 innings, 43 balls in zone, 40 plays made, .930 RZR, 7 outs outside of zone
2008: 118 innings, 42 balls in zone, 31 plays made, .738 RZR, 3 outs outside of zone

That, my friends, is the problem with relying on a small sample size.