Baseball Prospectus | Articles | Transaction Analysis: July 1-8
I need a graphic for that. Any volunteers? Re: Francoeur (whose name they misspelled in both its occurrences):
Despite his promise as a 21 year-old at Double-A, he was only hitting .265/.314/.474. Deposited into what might only be a part-time role in right field–splitting time with Ryan Langerhans–won’t be easy for him as far as making adjustments, and given his lack of dominance at Double-A, he doesn’t seem ready to simply take the job from Langerhans either. In the other corner, Kelly Johnson is earning his keep, so the Braves may only have one outfield position in question, one where an obvious solution suggests itself once Chipper Jones comes off of the DL.
UPDATE: Ask and ye shall receive:
Courtesy Levibuckshot.
Who’s the idiot who wrote that analysis(??) The way Langerhans has been playing, I don’t see where we have any problems in the outfield. As currently configured, it’s a very good defensive outfield with players who can cover a lot of ground and all throw fairly well. Offensively, the kids are at the least holding their own right now, and continuing to develop. And Chipper is definitely NOT going back to the outfield.
LaRoche .268/.338/.477
Langerhans .265/.353/.457
These are the 2005 50% PECOTA projections on BP’s site. I’m not advocating it, but it’s funny to me that there’s no suggestion that LaRoche might be the one who should be replaced instead of Langerhans, even though the projections they tout are nearly identical and Larry’s obvious leg issues would make a return to the OF an obviously stupid move for anyone to suggest right now (or, really, ever). It’s just become a pointless and sad obsession with these people.
I have to admit I gave up on BP when the went subscription. When did they start to suck so bad?
Maybe we will trot Chipper out of the bullpen too or maybe he will come off the bench and play second base in a platoon with Giles and LaRoach! The WB is going to the bench for a month, untill we run away with this thing and he comes in and plays once a week for Giles, then Furcal, then Chipper so they will be ready for our October colapse, I mean run.
well that didn’t work. mac:
Link to picture.
And they even did an interview with JS where he explicitly stated that Chipper’s knees wouldn’t hold up to a return to the outfield. I don’t know why they persist with this. If Chipper moves anywhere, it’s to first base.
If Chipper’s not playing third it will be becuase he got the day off.
Ooh, nice graphic.
Someone else mentioned this in an earlier thread, but I wanted to bring it up again. Just what will the line-up look like with Chipper back? I hate to move Kelly down, as his OBP is near .400. And if Furcal has turned the corner, he deserves to stay at lead-off. I think I’d prefer:
Furcal
Johnson
Giles
Chipper
Andruw
LaRoche
Estrada
Langerhans
Though I hate moving Andruw down to #5. But while I’d like to flop Chipper and Andruw, I doubt Chipper’d go for it. Chipper probably still wants to hit 3rd, and if we trade Furcal this could work:
Johnson
Giles
Chipper
Andruw
LaRoche
Betemit
Estrada
Langerhans
I think Johnson will stay near the top of the order, if only because Bobby hit him 3rd for so long, even when he was struggling, just to “have someone get on base for Chipper.” But really who the hell knows?
Based on the Cox interview, I’m guessing he hits fourth after Furcal, Johnson and Giles and before Andruw (he specifically mentioned guys who think they should be hitting third and not fourth, but need to get over it).
And I agree with Smitty… for the rest of the year, if he ain’t at third he’s resting on the bench.
I agree with CR, Giles has started hitting well in the 3 hole, and putting Jones in at cleanup seems to fit well. A lineup of Furcal, KJ, and Giles in front of Chipper & Andruw sounds like of a lot of RBI chances.
We are going to be world beaters
I have to admit I gave up on BP when the went subscription. When did they start to suck so bad?
You answered your own question. I dare anyone to read the Dodgers essay in this year’s book without laughing out loud. I’m still not sure that thing isn’t a parody.
It’s sad really, because I loved BP back when it was most of the old guys from r.s.bb, but when they introduced their “premium” status the same week they “broke” the Pete Rose is going back into the Hall of Fame story, they lost all respect from me. I honestly haven’t read it since.
Marte has been called up?
Kelly Johnsons OBP is .480 if you take out his initial 1-30 slide. That bat absolutely has to stay at the top of the order. I also like:
Furcal
Johnson
Giles
Chipper
A.Jones