The Hole-RF

[mskrulz]

I also want Revere pretty badly. Was obviously hurt last year and if he's a platoon player he's a lefty so he'll get 500 AB's if healthy. 

[Rene88]

I think Granderson brings intangibles the others don't. I like that. I don't like the idea of Brach for Granderson. That's obviously an awful deal but as one poster said, if you can get a good prospect in addition to that, I would do that deal and I think that is our best option.

I don't understand the Saunders love. Big pass there.

And anyone that is suggesting Joey Bats-wash your mouth out with soap.

[Rene88]

15 minutes ago, mskrulz said:

I also want Revere pretty badly. Was obviously hurt last year and if he's a platoon player he's a lefty so he'll get 500 AB's if healthy. 

I love how everyone keeps saying he was just hurt last year, etc. etc.

I saw him all last year with the Nats. Healthy or not, he looked clueless at the plate. Unless it is a really cheap deal, big pass. People are overrating Revere.

[Aristotelian]

1 minute ago, Rene88 said:

I love how everyone keeps saying he was just hurt last year, etc. etc.

I saw him all last year with the Nats. Healthy or not, he looked clueless at the plate. Unless it is a really cheap deal, big pass. People are overrating Revere.

I agree. If we bring in Revere, I would want a Plan B and C as well. I don't see what he brings that Bourn wouldn't bring and Bourn's health is more of a sure thing. Revere has a little bit higher batting avg, but a little bit lower OBP and a noodle arm. 

I have no problem with a Granderson-Brach deal. Maybe a prospect or money coming back if people think the deal is unbalanced. 

[PaulFolk]

1 minute ago, Rene88 said:

I think Granderson brings intangibles the others don't. I like that. I don't like the idea of Brach for Granderson. That's obviously an awful deal but as one poster said, if you can get a good prospect in addition to that, I would do that deal and I think that is our best option.

I don't understand the Saunders love. Big pass there.

And anyone that is suggesting Joey Bats-wash your mouth out with soap.

I don't think it's an awful deal. You're trading two years of Brach, who's a very good but not elite relief pitcher in an already strong bullpen, for one year of Granderson, a quality everyday player who fills a giant hole in RF. I understand why the O's are hesitant to take on Granderson's entire $15 million salary, but I'd probably make the trade if the money can be worked out. Or, like you said, if the Mets threw in a prospect as well.

[Rene88]

Just now, PaulFolk said:

I don't think it's an awful deal. You're trading two years of Brach, who's a very good but not elite relief pitcher in an already strong bullpen, for one year of Granderson, a quality everyday player who fills a giant hole in RF. I understand why the O's are hesitant to take on Granderson's entire $15 million salary, but I'd probably make the trade if the money can be worked out. Or, like you said, if the Mets threw in a prospect as well.

The money is the issue (not as a fan that I really care about Petey's $ but....) because it makes his value less, that's my concern. Agree 100% , with a prospect or them eating a lot of $ (which as a fan I don't really care about), it's a fair deal.

Another idea...The Nats need a closer bad, Rizzo really screwed up this offseason, I would be all over that IMO. Brach would be their closer.

[sportsfan8703]

I really like Colby Rasmus.  He's the only plus defender of the group of guys available.  Has pop.  Can play all 3 OF spots.    

[Rene88]

Rockies stepping it up on Trumbo and Edwin:

http://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/1184046-report-rockies-in-negotiations-with-trumbo-encarnacion

[Redskins Rick]

23 minutes ago, sportsfan8703 said:

I really like Colby Rasmus.  He's the only plus defender of the group of guys available.  Has pop.  Can play all 3 OF spots.    

Doesn't he have a knock as a clubhouse problem child?

[backwardsk]

23 minutes ago, sportsfan8703 said:

I really like Colby Rasmus.  He's the only plus defender of the group of guys available.  Has pop.  Can play all 3 OF spots.    

I like him only if they plan to get another CO and have KimMancini DH.  Rasmus is a poor OBP guy, but he does play good defense at all three spots.  He wouldn't be an all-D/no hit guy, but an all D/hits sometimes, not all that often guy.  I could live with him hitting 7-9.

[Babypowder]

3 hours ago, theobird said:

I would be very happy to see the addition of Ben Revere. I really like the idea of a Mancini/Kim DH. In fact, I might be good with bringing Bourne back and signing Revere. Let Rickard and Bourne play a loose platoon in RF and leadoff everyday with Ben Revere.

Yes please, give me a guy with a career 83 wRC+ and a .320 OBP getting the most plate appearances on the team. That would be fantastic.

[Number5]

1 hour ago, Aristotelian said:

I agree. If we bring in Revere, I would want a Plan B and C as well. I don't see what he brings that Bourn wouldn't bring and Bourn's health is more of a sure thing. Revere has a little bit higher batting avg, but a little bit lower OBP and a noodle arm. 

I have no problem with a Granderson-Brach deal. Maybe a prospect or money coming back if people think the deal is unbalanced. 

Yes, Revere has a noodle arm, and also a noodle bat.  No power at all.  His OBP is totally dependent on batting average, since he doesn't take walks and pitchers are completely unafraid to throw strikes against him.  If he loses even a quarter-step in speed, he loses some infield hits.  In fact, not batting after the pitcher as he does in the NL will mean there will be a guy on first base more often, and he will lose a few more infield hits because they will become force outs.  Very few players in MLB that I would want less than Revere.

Saunders is an all-around good player.  Good bat.  Good power.  Has speed.  His defensive deficiencies are grossly overstated, IMO.  His defensive metrics are all over the place.  I think it as much the imperfections with the defensive metrics as anything else.  In 2014, he rated fourth among all AL outfielders and first among right fielders in total zone runs.  The only thing consistent about his defensive metrics is that he has always shown well in right field.  Good arm.  He can play all three spots, but right looks to be the best for him, and is our position of greatest need.  Coming off a good year with the bat, and just turned 30 last month.  Actually had a .900+ OPS vs. LHP last year.  No QO.  Of the realistic options available, he is my preferred choice by a wide margin.

[Rene88]

1 minute ago, Number5 said:

Yes, Revere has a noodle arm, and also a noodle bat.  No power at all.  His OBP is totally dependent on batting average, since he doesn't take walks and pitchers are completely unafraid to throw strikes against him.  If he loses even a quarter-step in speed, he loses some infield hits.  In fact, not batting after the pitcher as he does in the NL will mean there will be a guy on first base more often, and he will lose a few more infield hits because they will become force outs.  Very few players in MLB that I would want less than Revere.

Saunders is an all-around good player.  Good bat.  Good power.  Has speed.  His defensive deficiencies are grossly overstated, IMO.  His defensive metrics are all over the place.  I think it as much the imperfections with the defensive metrics as anything else.  In 2014, he rated fourth among all AL outfielders and first among right fielders in total zone runs.  The only thing consistent about his defensive metrics is that he has always shown well in right field.  Good arm.  He can play all three spots, but right looks to be the best for him, and is our position of greatest need.  Coming off a good year with the bat, and just turned 30 last month.  Actually had a .900+ OPS vs. LHP last year.  No QO.  Of the realistic options available, he is my preferred choice by a wide margin.

Good post. I wasn't sold on Saunders from what I have seen and read (moreso the cost), thanks for sharing, you make a strong case here.

[PHRESH]

I wonder if the news regarding Familia's legal troubles pretty much kill the idea of any Brach-Granderson+ deal?

[jamalshw]

Assuming the rumors around Trumbo are true, this team has some money to spend on the right guys. We've heard the O's would want Trumbo as the DH primarily which would still leave a RF hole even with the money spent. With that said, I'd be interested in pushing a bit further for Encarnacion and then waiting on RF and see who you can fill the spot with amongst the likes of Bourn, Revere, Rasmus and Pagan without much money spent. Ideally I'd like Pagan for a year and put him atop the order, slide in Encarnacion in the 4-hole behind Manny and then bump Jones down to 5 of 6 in the order with Kim in the 2-hole against RHP.