Latest Roch ...

[El Gordo]

To be honest, when I wrote that I thought LH made only 1 error in 25 games while he was here and that wasn't sustainable over 162 (rate of 6 or 7 per season). He actually made three errors in 25 games at SS & 2B which equates to about 20 errors per 162 games which is sustainable. I agree that what I saw last season when LH played short was a plus or plus-plus defender. He was super smooth, quick, turned a great DP, strong arm, excellent range both ways. If he had enough chances, he would have been second in range factor among SS in the majors behind Tulowitzski. His zone rating would have been the highest the majors by quite a bit if he qualified. He didn't play the ball in the hole quite as well as Tejada because he doesn't have a cannon like Tejada, but he was really impressive. Anyway, the point is, I now retract my earlier statement about him playing defensively above his head while he was up here last year. He may have played above his head a bit simply because his ZR and RF are both almost ridiculously good, but he sure appears to be a helluva defensive player.

He also impressed me, just watching him play, and when I noticed these incredible numbers I immediately wanted to se if they were at all consistent with his MiL numbers. If they were then he might be one of the most remarkable defensive SS in recent memory . Unfortunately there are no MiL numbers available other then some FPT. for some years. So the jury's out on him until we have a larger sample size IMO.

[theobird]

He also impressed me, just watching him play, and when I noticed these incredible numbers I immediately wanted to se if they were at all consistent with his MiL numbers. If they were then he might be one of the most remarkable defensive SS in recent memory . Unfortunately there are no MiL numbers available other then some FPT. for some years. So the jury's out on him until we have a larger sample size IMO.

I don't have any problem letting Luis Hernandez play SS this year full time. why not, we are in rebuild mode are we not? Clearly, IMO Hernandez is a plus fielder. And clearly, SS is a key defensive position. As long as the Bedard and Roberts trades happen and the rebuilding goes on in earnest, LH is the choice as long as we have nobody better at that time through the trades. Right now, we don't have anybody as good, so I believe he will get his chance.

[El Gordo]

I don't have any problem letting Luis Hernandez play SS this year full time. why not, we are in rebuild mode are we not? Clearly, IMO Hernandez is a plus fielder. And clearly, SS is a key defensive position. As long as the Bedard and Roberts trades happen and the rebuilding goes on in earnest, LH is the choice as long as we have nobody better at that time through the trades. Right now, we don't have anybody as good, so I believe he will get his chance.

I would be interested in seeing LH get a lot of playing time. It would help to determine the relative value of defense vs offense. How much if any would LH's superier defense offeset his poor hitting. There is a tendecy here, IMO, to under-value defense, because it is so difficult to quantify it.

[Moose Milligan]

I would be interested in seeing LH get a lot of playing time. It would help to determine the relative value of defense vs offense. How much if any would LH's superier defense offeset his poor hitting. There is a tendecy here, IMO, to under-value defense, because it is so difficult to quantify it.

I agree with your last statement.

Not really interested in seeing LH play a good chunk of time though. I'm sure he'd be a lot like a SS version of Aurelio Rodriguez. Not sure why I brought up Aurelio, I thought he was an SS but he only played there sparingly. Speaking offensively, though, I get the feeling they're the same.

Random Aurelio Rodriguez fun fact: He received a WS from us in 1983 despite being traded to the Chi-Sox during the season...the same team we beat in the playoffs to go to the World Series. Think Aurelio was as sad as the rest of his Chi Sox teammates after we beat them? He still had a chance to get a ring after we advanced.

I think I've had too much egg nog.

While I agree that many like to poo-poo defense because it's not as sexy as OPS and assorted pitching stats, it is pretty vital. However, I can't imagine that LH's defense would be THAT good to where his lack of offense would go unnoticed. He'd have to cover, like, all the ground between 2nd and 3rd and part of left field.

But hey, even Billy Ripken hit .292 one year.

[theobird]

I would be interested in seeing LH get a lot of playing time. It would help to determine the relative value of defense vs offense. How much if any would LH's superier defense offeset his poor hitting. There is a tendecy here, IMO, to under-value defense, because it is so difficult to quantify it.

Well, you and I agree on baseball philosophy. I am one of the only ones on here who value defense as highly as offense. And at some positions I value defense more. SS is one of those positions, CF another.

Yeah, I am an old timer. I remember like it was yesterday the great Oriole teams. Belanger at SS, Paul Blair in CF. Those two guys won us a lot of games, and not with their bats. It is still, IMO a good strategy to "D" up at the key positions. But, in order to do so you have to have enough "Bang" in other parts of the lineup. Think Boog Powell, Frank Robinson, Brooks, etc.

To me we need to strengthen the lineup from a few other areas, and then LH looks good at SS. That is why I want a Bedard trade to include a Guy like Votto, or Clement. We have lacked sufficient sock for years. If we can add it in the right places now, LH makes quite a bit of sense at SS.

[El Gordo]

Well, you and I agree on baseball philosophy. I am one of the only ones on here who value defense as highly as offense. And at some positions I value defense more. SS is one of those positions, CF another.

Yeah, I am an old timer. I remember like it was yesterday the great Oriole teams. Belanger at SS, Paul Blair in CF. Those two guys won us a lot of games, and not with their bats. It is still, IMO a good strategy to "D" up at the key positions. But, in order to do so you have to have enough "Bang" in other parts of the lineup. Think Boog Powell, Frank Robinson, Brooks, etc.

To me we need to strengthen the lineup from a few other areas, and then LH looks good at SS. That is why I want a Bedard trade to include a Guy like Votto, or Clement. We have lacked sufficient sock for years. If we can add it in the right places now, LH makes quite a bit of sense at SS.

No question, you have to be able to afford the good field no hit guy like Belanger or LH. If we were to replace Tejada with an above average defender who hits for .700 OPS, and nothing else were to change on offense from last season, the addition of Scott in LF could be as much as a .150 point increase in OPS.

[Mackus]

No question, you have to be able to afford the good field no hit guy like Belanger or LH. If we were to replace Tejada with an above average defender who hits for .700 OPS, and nothing else were to change on offense from last season, the addition of Scott in LF could be has much as a .150 point increase in OPS for the team, and result in 850 or more in runs scored.

An above average defender with a 700 OPS would be absolutely fine, and nobody here would complain about that.

Problem is people want to put Luis Hernandez at SS, who is an above average defender with a .575 OPS. That is a huge problem.

[furryburres]

Santa is gonna give us a new shortstop for Christmas.

[El Gordo]

Santa is gonna give us a new shortstop for Christmas.

Is this a wish or do you know something?:002_sbiggrin:

[MChance]

Santa is gonna give us a new shortstop for Christmas.

Please be Adam Everett, please be Adam Everett ... !!!

[Ruzious]

Santa is gonna give us a new shortstop for Christmas.

Well, either you or Santa got drunk today.

[Sports Guy]

I don't have any problem letting Luis Hernandez play SS this year full time. why not, we are in rebuild mode are we not? Clearly, IMO Hernandez is a plus fielder. And clearly, SS is a key defensive position. As long as the Bedard and Roberts trades happen and the rebuilding goes on in earnest, LH is the choice as long as we have nobody better at that time through the trades. Right now, we don't have anybody as good, so I believe he will get his chance.

The problem is, for us not to go to ST with someone better is absurd.

Not hard to find someone better than LH.

[Sports Guy]

Please be Adam Everett, please be Adam Everett ... !!!

He is a Twin.

[Mackus]

I don't have any problem letting Luis Hernandez play SS this year full time. why not, we are in rebuild mode are we not? Clearly, IMO Hernandez is a plus fielder. And clearly, SS is a key defensive position. As long as the Bedard and Roberts trades happen and the rebuilding goes on in earnest, LH is the choice as long as we have nobody better at that time through the trades. Right now, we don't have anybody as good, so I believe he will get his chance.

If he was the best person available, I'd be fine with him, but he's not. He's a below replacement level player, meaning any random guy you could pull off the waiver wire or out of the Mexican league is very likely to be better. It basically means a better player is out there for free. If Hernandez was a 1 win over replacement player, and it would cost us a decent prospect to acquire a 2-win over replacement player, I'd think that was equally as stupid as not going and getting a replacement-level player to take over for Hernandez and his below-replacement level performance.

Hopefully that makes sense the way I typed it. A handful of wins either way isn't going to change anything for the O's this year, but I think its borderline deceitful to be running a below replacement level player out there every day. I'm fine with rebuilding, but I'm not fine with actively tanking, which is exactly what playing Luis Hernandez everyday is equivalent to, IMO.

[Pushmonkey]

He is a Twin.

Can we get his brother then?