Defense: Worth the money?

spider_monkey_b · 09-13-2007, 05:25 PM

So I know the game says defense/pitching wins more games than hitting, but I'm sure we all have examples of both situations working well. My question here is actually very specific.

I have a 37 year old player who on a 10 point scale is rating 9 or 10 at all 4 positions on the infield, and at all defensive skills except arm (6 in arm). However, he can't hit. In 41 games for me he hit .235 with an obp under .300.

He wants 1.89 million to re-sign for 1 season. My initial reaction was that's too much because he can't hit, but the man can play some killer defense. I have about 10 million free in cap space for the upcoming season, and don't have to fill many holes.

So...simply put, would you pony up the dough?

eriqjaffe · 09-13-2007, 05:45 PM

He isn't really starter material, but as a defensive utility guy / late inning defensive sub, he's great. Not sure if he's nearly $2 million great, though.

edit: I just noticed that he's 37 - his defense may well evaporate soon, I've seen guys just drop off the table around that age. So, well, he's less worth it.

spider_monkey_b · 09-13-2007, 06:07 PM

Oh, he definately wouldn't be a starter. He'd be exactly as you described, a defensive sub and my main utility player on the infield. Just trying to decide if I can squeeze one more year out of him and if he's worth the 1.8 he wants.

Chief Wahoo · 09-13-2007, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spider_monkey_b

Oh, he definately wouldn't be a starter. He'd be exactly as you described, a defensive sub and my main utility player on the infield. Just trying to decide if I can squeeze one more year out of him and if he's worth the 1.8 he wants.

I don't know if I would make a decision like this based on if the player is worth the money or not. If you have 10 mil and dont need to fill any holes well then I would do it for sure because what are you really losing? You aren't trading a player for him. Is there someone on the free agent market that has the same defensive ratings or close to it? To me it's not "is he worth it?" it's "can you afford it?".

Left-handed Badger · 09-14-2007, 04:25 AM

If it wasnt for the age I would actually say you might be the one getting the bargain. But, I must note I tend to play very heavy into pitching/defense. I've played SS who couldnt even dream of hitting .235 (though I admit it was on a team where 1-6 in the order I could rake. 7-9 was built for a .270-punchless 2B, a 3-man catching rotation, and my .190something hitting SS, and the SS could bunt with the best of them). Can this utility guy sac bunt good out of curiosity?

So, I have to say it depends. On how much offense will the rest of team have. Your money situation. Will you have some decent PHs for him in some late-inning situations. How many groundball pitchers you have. Etc. Etc.

Elendil · 09-14-2007, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spider_monkey_b

So I know the game says defense/pitching wins more games than hitting, but I'm sure we all have examples of both situations working well. My question here is actually very specific.

I have a 37 year old player who on a 10 point scale is rating 9 or 10 at all 4 positions on the infield, and at all defensive skills except arm (6 in arm). However, he can't hit. In 41 games for me he hit .235 with an obp under .300.

He wants 1.89 million to re-sign for 1 season. My initial reaction was that's too much because he can't hit, but the man can play some killer defense. I have about 10 million free in cap space for the upcoming season, and don't have to fill many holes.

So...simply put, would you pony up the dough?

Absolutely. He would be a stellar defensive backup and might even have above-replacement value as a shortstop. A .235 BA and .290+ OBP isn't godawful for a SS, after all, depending on the era. If his OPS were stuck below .500, then I'd consider letting him go.

christian troy · 09-14-2007, 10:54 AM

The Blue Jays just had this exact same situation arise and they paid for the defence.
For those of you who have been lucky enough to watch John MacDonald play shortstop for the blue jays this year you would agree that he is worth every penny of his new 2 year 3.8 million dollar deal. The player you describe sounds very much like Johnny Mac (who is batting around .260-.270 this year but is usually in the .240 range) who is very light with the bat but saves runs every week with his incredible glove.

I guess a few things to consider would be the ground-ball-fly ball ratios of your starting staff, as well as if this guy can lay down a bunt if need be. If you have a ground ball type staff and this guy can help manufacture runs in other ways id say he is a good investment.

09-13-2007, 05:25 PM	#1
spider_monkey_b Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 282	Defense: Worth the money? So I know the game says defense/pitching wins more games than hitting, but I'm sure we all have examples of both situations working well. My question here is actually very specific. I have a 37 year old player who on a 10 point scale is rating 9 or 10 at all 4 positions on the infield, and at all defensive skills except arm (6 in arm). However, he can't hit. In 41 games for me he hit .235 with an obp under .300. He wants 1.89 million to re-sign for 1 season. My initial reaction was that's too much because he can't hit, but the man can play some killer defense. I have about 10 million free in cap space for the upcoming season, and don't have to fill many holes. So...simply put, would you pony up the dough?

09-13-2007, 05:45 PM	#2
eriqjaffe Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Under The Christmas Fish Posts: 7,731	He isn't really starter material, but as a defensive utility guy / late inning defensive sub, he's great. Not sure if he's nearly $2 million great, though. edit: I just noticed that he's 37 - his defense may well evaporate soon, I've seen guys just drop off the table around that age. So, well, he's less worth it. __________________ Last edited by eriqjaffe; 09-13-2007 at 05:46 PM.

09-14-2007, 04:25 AM	#5
Left-handed Badger Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: at the altar of the baseball god praying for middle infield that can catch the ball Posts: 2,036	If it wasnt for the age I would actually say you might be the one getting the bargain. But, I must note I tend to play very heavy into pitching/defense. I've played SS who couldnt even dream of hitting .235 (though I admit it was on a team where 1-6 in the order I could rake. 7-9 was built for a .270-punchless 2B, a 3-man catching rotation, and my .190something hitting SS, and the SS could bunt with the best of them). Can this utility guy sac bunt good out of curiosity? So, I have to say it depends. On how much offense will the rest of team have. Your money situation. Will you have some decent PHs for him in some late-inning situations. How many groundball pitchers you have. Etc. Etc. __________________ -Left-handed groundball specialist -Strikeouts are for wimps Last edited by Left-handed Badger; 09-14-2007 at 04:28 AM.

09-13-2007, 06:07 PM	#3
spider_monkey_b Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 282	Oh, he definately wouldn't be a starter. He'd be exactly as you described, a defensive sub and my main utility player on the infield. Just trying to decide if I can squeeze one more year out of him and if he's worth the 1.8 he wants.

09-14-2007, 10:54 AM	#7
christian troy Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 32	The Blue Jays just had this exact same situation arise and they paid for the defence. For those of you who have been lucky enough to watch John MacDonald play shortstop for the blue jays this year you would agree that he is worth every penny of his new 2 year 3.8 million dollar deal. The player you describe sounds very much like Johnny Mac (who is batting around .260-.270 this year but is usually in the .240 range) who is very light with the bat but saves runs every week with his incredible glove. I guess a few things to consider would be the ground-ball-fly ball ratios of your starting staff, as well as if this guy can lay down a bunt if need be. If you have a ground ball type staff and this guy can help manufacture runs in other ways id say he is a good investment.