OK, now we're really getting into some touchy territory because some of these names are major FZ success stories and fan favorites, but collectively YtY, Lamonte Wade Jr, Steven Duggar and Alex Dickerson went a combined 1 for 30 in the NLDS against Dodgers RHP's, leaving the distinct impression of a need for a serious upgrade. Let's break it down:
Alex Dickerson: Dude has had some serious hot streaks which carried the team for awhile but he never really got the bat going in 2021 and seemed overmatched by high 90's heat. If he's not hitting, he's a liability as a negative fielder who is limited to LF. Good chance he's not coming back in 2022. Wish I didn't have to say that because I am a big fan.
Steven Duggar: Best defender of the four. The bat runs hot and cold but the D is probably good enough for him to be the lefthanded half of a CF platoon.
YtY: Despite a down year with the bat, he finished with 25 HR's, second most on the team. He seemed to get pull happy in the second half and hit more long foul balls than I can remember. Of course some of those drives stayed inside the foul pole and made for some great moments. He's probably still cheap enough to keep around and see if he can straighten out some of those hooks.
Lamonte Wade Jr: Recent Willie Mac Award winners have come checkered subsequent histories and Lamont Wade Jr may be one of those. He had a lot of great moments but two big holes in his swing got exposed down the stretch and into the postseason: 1. High heat on the inside corner above the hands. 2. Backfoot breaking balls. MLB pitchers are going to keep pounding him with those until he proves he can handle them. Do the Giants have time to let him work through that?
The imperative for an upgrade here is pretty obvious. Joc Pederson would seem to be a worthy target. He grew up in Palo Alto and has a solid postseason track record. On the other hand, FZ had a chance to go after him as a FA last year but let him go the Cubs instead. There is not a whole lot else in this category on the market so we may need to Churn On!
Even though I'm concerned that he's this years Andres Torres(left handed version), I say to keep Wade. Also, keep Duggar, if for nothing but his glove.
ReplyDeleteI hope the team jettisons Dickerson and Yaz, immediately. Cut Dickerson. He's really bringing nothing to the table. Per Yaz, the 25 homeruns should find us somebody to trade for him. Red Sox, perhaps, due to the name. Yes he runs into a homerun, sometimes, but the strikeouts drive me nuts. Somebody will trade for him. Find that team and get what they can get for him.
I know he's not left handed, but I'd like to see Ramos get a shot, coming out of spring training, next year. If he's as good as advertised, then perhaps no platoon will be necessary.
ReplyDeleteHere are the projected arbitration salaries from MLB trade rumors:
ReplyDeleteOFs:
Alex Dickerson – $3.0MM
Darin Ruf – $2.6MM
Austin Slater – $2.0MM
Mike Yastrzemski – $3.1MM
Others:
Dominic Leone – $1.5MM
Curt Casali – $2.0MM
Jarlin Garcia – $1.8MM
John Brebbia – $1.0MM
I also expect Dickerson to be let go (his IL assignment was extended towards the end of the year as well). I expect others to stay. I am not sure Helito Ramos will probably ready next year, but I am not sure if there is anyone else knocking on the door. I also expect to see a lot of minor league signings.
Off topic: umps blew another 9th inning 2-strike call that affected the outcome of the game.
ReplyDeleteWhat would have been a strikeout and the Red Sox up tied 2-2 in the bottom of the 9th, kept the Astros alive and they took advantage to the tune of 7 runs.
Flores' bad call in SF ended the game, Castro's bad call in Boston gave him life and he took advantage.
Not the same: it's not that a bad call is made but when it's made.
With the technology in place, the ability to see if a runner came off a base for a millisecond while a tag is applied, should it be used?
Baseball is at a crossroads: go back to bad calls and live with them or use the ability to see milliseconds and millimeters which Abner couldn't have envisioned.
Hobson's choice.
OK, the origin of baseball is probably not Doubleday.
I'd keep Duggar and Yaz, release Dckerson and maybe try to trade Wade. I think he had a nice year but I think it will end up being an outlier for him. To me, he's a "sell high" guy, maybe as part of a package for pitching.
ReplyDeleteBilly Baseball
I'll guess other GM's know all about the holes in Wade's swing just like their pitchers do.
DeleteHence, Wade is not dependable as a batter. He is somebody who might be tradable, if the prospective team he's going to is willing to work with him. But, unlike Yaz, you're not going to get much for him.
DeleteAs much as like “Late Night Lamonte” the only keeper from this group is Yaz. I think some nagging injuries prevented him from more consistency but he still hit 25 hrs.
ReplyDelete