Comments on: The second base fiasco.

By: Baseball Gloves

Baseball Gloves — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:18:55 +0000

Do you think there’s any way we could convert one of our speedy OF’ers to an infield spot? Maybe someone like Schu or Barton? We don’t have enough spots for all of our productive OF’ers right now but our IF isn’t hitting. Would be interesting to see if we could fix that.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:57:14 +0000

This is Derrick Goold in his PostCards bit on the P-D website:

“This question allows me to pull out one of my favorite little diagrams from the dawning of sabermetrics. The defensive spectrum, as defined by Bill James:

[ - - 1B - LF - RF - 3B - CF - 2B - SS - C - - ]
with the basic premise being that positions at the right end of
the spectrum are more difficult than the positions at the left
end of the spectrum. Players can generally move from right
to left along the specturm successfully during their careers.”

So we might both be right. Per that, second is easier than catcher, but it’s harder than 3B, especially as you get older.

I still don’t think he’d be up for turning the DP. I don’t think the reaction time would be an issue–he could handle the grounders, etc. But the DP might be a different story.

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:35:52 +0000

I have to disagree. 2B is the easiest position on the field. If he can handle the reaction time at 3B just fine and be a catcher and a center fielder, then playing second would be like moving from two wheels to training wheels.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:22:45 +0000

If you look at the defensive spectrum, you wouldn’t necessarily expect someone to move from 3B to 2B. Could happen, I guess, but I think we’d come to regret the fielding.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:04:24 +0000

I think we should go after Brandon Inge. The guy is versitale. He plays 3B, CF and catcher. Anyone can play second base if you can play those positions. He can also hit.

I was also mulling a transition for Barton to second base. That way we get him in the lineup everyday.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:04:02 +0000

I’ve always thought Roberts was a bit overrated, but depending on what we had to give up for him, that’d probably be the best move.

Besides, that has the double impact of keeping him away from the Cubs. And that’s never a bad thing!

By: Seals

Seals — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:25:54 +0000

I agree about Roberts. As much as you, me and Tony like the guy, the price is probably way too much.

I’d like to see Hoffpauir as soon as possible but I’m sure my views don’t line up with Tony. He’ll wait until Kennedy becomes a complete liability before giving the job to Miles.

The Hoff will have to hit .400 to force Tony to take a look before at least July.