I'm really glad that Pat Gillick is getting the chance to keep his former draft picks in the majors, but what is he doing? Jayson Werth, who Gillick drafted with the Orioles in 1997, did not play in 2006 because he was injured, but in 2004 he hit 16 home runs in 290 ABs for the Dodgers. Of course, in 2005 he hit 7 home runs in 337 ABs. You know who can also do that? Jeff Conine (10 HR, 489 AB between Baltimore and Philly last year). OK, I know Conine isn't your speedster off the bench, but we also have Bourn waiting around so we can see what he can do. I understand wanting a replacement for Dellucci, but is the RIGHT-HANDED career .245 hitter the answer? Don't think so.
The Phillies are also apparently close to signing Rod Barajas to back up Ruiz. Well it isn't like we had anyone else on the active roster who could do that. Barajas hit .256-11-41 in 344 ABs for Texas last year. Chris Coste hit .328-7-32 in 198 ABs last year. Sure, I understand having a veteran tutor for Ruiz, and I understand the bench flexibiliy that Coste, who can play 1st and 3rd, brings to the team. Then again, Howard is going to play 160 games with Conine to back him up, and we already have two crappy third basemen. So Coste is your #1 pinch hitter, a role held in 2006 by (wait for it) David Dellucci.
So what is Werth doing here again?
To clarify the original post: it is the combination of what they say they are doing and these two signings that bothers me. Coste will pinch hit, so what does Werth do? He is the defensive replacement for Burrell/Conine (Conine won't play much unless Burrell is awful again). Well, I don't know why we need to bring someone in when we have Roberson and Bourn. If it is those 3 guys competing for the last roster spot, then that's fine, but if it is Werth's spot based on what he did in 2004 before being injured, that is crap. Either way, they don't replace Dellucci because Werth isn't as good and isn't a lefty (whether we needed a lefty or not).
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
I like the Werth pickup. I think he may turn out to be another Victorino. The guy was a highly regarded prospect, he can play all 3 outfield positions, and after a few quick flashes of power, injured himself for a few years. It's a no risk, moderate reward pick up. If the guy isn't healthy in spring training, we cut him, and it costs us less than a mil.
The lefty bat off the bench is overrated. It's more important to have a couple lefties in the bullpen, to keep the other team's lefty pinch hitter out of the game.
Case in point, the top two pinch hitters off the bench are now Coste and Werth (sorry, but Conine is too old for my liking). Their career (very limited albeit) lefty/rigthy splits:
Coste RHP: .345 LHP .288
Werth RHP: .247 LHP .242
So both guys have better averages against RHP, so why do we need a left handed bat off the bench. Bourn is a lefty and Roberson is a switch hitter, and it's not out of the question that one of those guys makes the team. I'd rather have either of them than the 41 (soon to be 42 this season) Conine.
The Barajas pickup also is low risk, moderate reward. He's only getting a one year deal with an option for a second. He's another player who hits RHP way better than LHP (.279 vs. .159). He's a veteran catcher, flyball hitter with moderate power (21 hr in 120 games in 2005). He should help with Ruiz's development, and provide a steady presence should Ruiz not stand up to the task.
After this market exploded, Gillick decided that he'd rather go after guys that were inexpensive with potential. I don't blame him. I'd rather have Jayson Werth over guys like Gary Matthews, Kenny Lofton, and Juan Pierre. Spring training will be competitive, and hopefully one or two of the offseason additions steps up to claim a spot on the team.
Post a Comment