Yes. .230-ish average, 15HR’s and 45-50RBI is what we can expect from that traditional power position for the year. At least he plays decent D.
1 Like
I think so, but still wondering if they might consider giving Diaz some play there down the stretch now that Caratini is healthy and based on how well the other catcher we just shipped down did a couple weeks back.
Why? He is a catcher.
And I suppose the numbers don’t suggest I’m right, but I feel like Jon might be going up to the plate a little more aggressively, looking for a pitch middle in that he can really drive lately versus ABs for most of this and last season where he seemed to be taking a more patient, all fields approach. Anyone else felt this way watching the last dozen games or so?
You asked the question if Singleton was it…I gave you an option the club could try if so inclined. They certainly cannot trade for a first baseman now but you knew that when you asked the question.
Dubon vs LHP and Singleton vs RH combine for approximately the MLB average OPS at 1B
I really think the team did themselves a disservice by paying so much for Kikuchi but then not getting a bat.
The more I thought on it the more I accepted the Kikuchi deal. But without a bat to back it up its a wasted transaction in my eyes.
I hope and pray that I am wrong but I do not think this team has the bats to win a World Series.
The possible trade deadline outcomes in my eyes:
-
trade for a SP and a bat and give yourself the best chance to win.
-
don’t do anything and hold on to the prospects to continue building and be better in 2025.
-
trade for either a SP or a bat, lose prospects, and still don’t give yourself a chance.
They chose the worst option. IMO
They wasted Bloss, Loperfido, and Wagner (the probing bet) because they did not make a followup bet that could potentially win them the pot.
If it were me, I would have been working Yordan there all year. Not in games yet, but in practice to convince me about his ability, or lack thereof, to play 1B.
1 Like
I look forward to your “friend’s” comments on Brown’s efforts to get a bat. You know he tried.
I have no doubt he tried, and I’m sure when he traded for Kikuchi he fully expected to add one.
But once you make that bet you are pot commited. Folding then is just a waste of money.
It may have taken multiple prospects you don’t want to trade but you can’t just throw away the money you already invested by folding after putting that much money in.
1 Like
From “my friend”
The Astros wanted to get a bat badly - in hindsight my guess is they would go hard for Randy if they knew literally no one else above average with the stick would be dealt.
The Astros, Yankees and Pirates all were VERY motivated to trade for Diaz and it did not happen. That tells me that there is more to the story.
While it is disappointing - only one real bat was dealt, so it was bad for everyone.
I have asked why the Astros did not get Diaz and was told the Rays wanted literally the Astros or Pirates 5 best prospects.
Would you trade Matthews, Melton, Baez and Blaubaugh and Ullola for Diaz? The Rays dealt Paredes for less.
Don’t know if the thinking still holds, but in the past the FO worried about his knees playing on the IF as opposed to the OF
I think that knee bs is nonsense. Where did NYY move Mantle at the end?
3 Likes
I remember thinking after he first came up that he would be moved to first within a few years. Has never happened and you also never see anything written about the exploration of such a move by the team.
Sure…it’s just what’s been said in the past. It’s also quite possible that they have worked him out and it’s just not going to work.
Also curious what the rumored Pirates/Stros trade they were “working on” entailed
He played 1B in RR. I watched him.
That makes no sense.
1 Like
I wonder if playing Tucker at 1b (a la Bryce Harper) the rest of the season would be an issue? We don’t know if his leg will be 100%. Maybe he can return a week or so early.
I lnow he played a bit his first couple of years
Of course that doesn’t help if the guys who play LF and RF aren’t any better than Singleton.
If Singleton is one of the 9 best hitters on the roster none of that matters.
The Athletic:
According to [Ken Rosenthal] of The Athletic, the New York Yankees had a “preliminary” deal in place to acquire Flaherty but backed out “after reviewing the right-hander’s medical records.”
The star pitcher has had lower back issues this season that required two injections in three weeks in July and cost him a start.
1 Like