40 man roster looks stacked

[Sports Guy]

19 minutes ago, UMDTerrapins said:

These are problems we’ve been anticipating for a few years. Beginning to feel the constraints of the 40 man roster speaks to the talent improvement we’ve seen already and will only intensify. Great problems to have. 
 

Vavra could get squeezed, but in the form of a trade. Sure he’s not a defensive whiz, but he brings versatility and the potential to be a really good hitter with high OBP. It’s widely assumed that at some point we’re going to put together a package of young players/prospects who get us an established plus starter. It’s easy to see him included in such a deal.  Or a trade for a high ceiling low level prospect. I’d be shocked to see him DFA’d. 

Vavra has to demonstrate that he has value for a team to want to trade for him. He’s the type of guy most organizations have.  But if he can hit for more power and show better defense, he can be a real asset.

Edited March 6, 2023 by Sports Guy

[Sports Guy]

14 minutes ago, wildcard said:

Vavra has embraced the utility role.   If he can put up a good OBP in that role he can stay in the majors a long time.  He has an over 400 OBP in the minors.  He is not someone that gets DFA.   If Cowser, Westburg or Ortiz take his place he can be traded not DFA'd.   He has 2 options left.

Yes, IF he can have that OBp he will be fine.

But if he doesn’t start to show more power, teams will challenge him and his OBP will drop big time.

I like the idea of what he could be but the poor defense at second and the lack of power are real concerns. Without improving in those areas, he’s not a MLer.

[wildcard]

8 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

Yes, IF he can have that OBp he will be fine.

But if he doesn’t start to show more power, teams will challenge him and his OBP will drop big time.

I like the idea of what he could be but the poor defense at second and the lack of power are real concerns. Without improving in those areas, he’s not a MLer.

He doesn't have to hit homers.  He had 14 doubles in 173  AB in AAA last season.   That's 40 doubles in 500 AB.   That's plenty of extra bases if he can bring that to the majors.

Edited March 6, 2023 by wildcard

[Sports Guy]

19 minutes ago, wildcard said:

He doesn't have to hit homers.  He had 14 doubles in 173  AB in AAA last season.   That's 40 doubles in 500 AB.   That's plenty of extra bases if he can bring that to the majors.

Agreed. I didn’t say he has to hit homers. Power isn’t just homers.

If he can be a doubles machine, that will be good enough.  IF. He has to show it. If he doesn’t, he’s a DFA guy. 

[Tony-OH]

Krehbiel's velocity was down and the way he ended last year, he could be a guy who could go if they needed space. Cano has a good arm, as does Gillaspie, but both are probably bubble roster guys as well. 

But the point is valid, the 40-man roster has more talent than it has had in the recent past for sure. Is it stacked? That's a matter of your definition of stacked. 

 

 

[webbrick2010]

I see that Gavin Lux has a torn ACL

LA Dodgers may be looking for middle IF help

I'd love to see Jorge Mateo traded for a serious pitching prospect or two

[UMDTerrapins]

1 hour ago, Sports Guy said:

Vavra has to demonstrate that he has value for a team to want to trade for him. He’s the type of guy most organizations have.  But if he can hit for more power and show better defense, he can be a real asset.

Since I first saw him work pitchers/at-bats in AA I've always had a liking for him. It's a talent that will translate and serve him well in the majors. I remember having a similar appreciation for minor league Brian Roberts (I know, not the same player...just the contact tool). I've also been highly aware that with the talent infusion and tough decisions that lurk in our future, we're going to have some guys who get away and become really good for other organizations. It's inevitable. Vavra feels like he could end up one of those guys to me. 89 ML at bats and he's still 25.....I still think of him more as a prospect than as a utility player. I don't see how he fits in our future to be frank, but I'm a fan of his. 

[Tony-OH]

1 hour ago, UMDTerrapins said:

Since I first saw him work pitchers/at-bats in AA I've always had a liking for him. It's a talent that will translate and serve him well in the majors. I remember having a similar appreciation for minor league Brian Roberts (I know, not the same player...just the contact tool). I've also been highly aware that with the talent infusion and tough decisions that lurk in our future, we're going to have some guys who get away and become really good for other organizations. It's inevitable. Vavra feels like he could end up one of those guys to me. 89 ML at bats and he's still 25.....I still think of him more as a prospect than as a utility player. I don't see how he fits in our future to be frank, but I'm a fan of his. 

Maybe if Vavra takes some vitamins "once" he could get the same doubles power explosions? 

Honestly, there are some similarities to Vavra and Brob's games. Both were college SS that had to move in the pros to 2B because of a lack of arm strength. Both have good contact skills and the ability to hit lines drives all over the field. Both have coaching Dads and are smallish over achievers physically.

Now Vavra lost a year due to COVID and will most likely not get the sudden power jump that Brob got, but they are not terribly dissimilar players. 

 

 

[UMDTerrapins]

11 minutes ago, Tony-OH said:

Maybe if Vavra takes some vitamins "once" he could get the same doubles power explosions? 

Honestly, there are some similarities to Vavra and Brob's games. Both were college SS that had to move in the pros to 2B because of a lack of arm strength. Both have good contact skills and the ability to hit lines drives all over the field. Both have coaching Dads and are smallish over achievers physically.

Now Vavra lost a year due to COVID and will most likely not get the sudden power jump that Brob got, but they are not terribly dissimilar players. 

Good points! It's somewhat muted because of his contract and not being able to stay on the field in latter portion of his career, but I was a HUGE fan of Roberts' game. Hopefully Vavra doesn't share similarities with injuries. Not sure if his previous back injury is one of those things that is a chronic concern....don't remember. 

[ChipTait]

13 hours ago, wildcard said:

Gillaspie has been good this spring.  He was touching 97 mph with his fastball.

I'm rooting for Gillaspie.  The dude is a veteran of the Pecos League, for crying out loud.  He's really come a long way!