What To Do With Nick?

sreem · 06-28-2017, 09:15 AM

I am at a loss right now on what to do with Nick Castellanos. As you can see below he is WAY of last years production and well underperforming his career averages in all catagories. Bench him? Should I send him to AAA for a week to see if he can get his swing back? Should I start thinking trade?

It could just be a hick-up and next season will be better, but even to get to a 0.0 WAR he is going to have to have Miggy or Trout type numbers the rest of the way. With the situation the Tigers are in, with a declining payroll and little help in the minors, I can't afford to carry an Arb player for $3.5M who is a -1 WAR.

What would you guys do?

Bulldawgz24 · 06-28-2017, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sreem

I am at a loss right now on what to do with Nick Castellanos. As you can see below he is WAY of last years production and well underperforming his career averages in all catagories. Bench him? Should I send him to AAA for a week to see if he can get his swing back? Should I start thinking trade?

It could just be a hick-up and next season will be better, but even to get to a 0.0 WAR he is going to have to have Miggy or Trout type numbers the rest of the way. With the situation the Tigers are in, with a declining payroll and little help in the minors, I can't afford to carry an Arb player for $3.5M who is a -1 WAR.

What would you guys do?

That's definitely a crappy first 37 games of the season but I wouldn't make any drastic moves based on that sample size. He still could easily have a positive WAR by the end of the season. In a 162 game season, 37 games is only 22% of the season, so it would be easy for him to turn it around to have a positive WAR. Additionally, Nick has two more years of ARB before he starts making the big bucks, so he's worth keeping as long as his ratings don't severly decline.

What you might consider doing, is moving him down the order and/or benching him every few days. I have done that before when one of my bench players is on a hot streak or simply seems to be playing better statistically. Almost 100% of the time it usually evens out where the bench player will start performing worse and your starter will start performing better (at least in my case since my bench players are not as highly rated).

Lastly, I have had players that have overperformed or underperformed for a whole season. Nothing drastic, but a batter that usually is say a .290 hitter could easily hit .310 on season and then .270 the next. The good years those players usually have multiple hot streaks.

Bulldawgz24 · 06-28-2017, 10:11 AM

Another tidbit, if you are looking to balance the books a little.....depending on where you are at the trade deadline, you could try moving some of the overpaid veterans.

My first season as the tigers I was slightly below .500 and out of the wild card race, so I dealt JD Martinez, Zimmerman, Avila (wasn't overpaid, but had a good season & FA anyhow), & Anibal.

I wasn't able to get much in return for Anibal but was just happy to offload his contract. He actually had a decent season to that point at around a 3.5ERA, which is prob why I was able to get any offers at all. The other 3 I was able to turn around for some good prospects, including Ian Happ as well as a lot of bullpen help (AAA or ML players) that would solidify the bullpen the following year.

In my game, Zimmerman went on to pitch very well for the remainder of his contract (so in hindsight I slightly regretted the deal), but JD signed a huge contract and had injury issues and never hit over 20HR in a season during his entire contract. I was glad I didn't try to resign JD since his price was so high and he was almost 30. Your simulation could have different results though....

I still have Upton in the last year of his contract and can't wait to get out from underneath it. He's currently my 4th OFer, so not fun to be paying 22mil for a bench player, who has had plenty of injury issues as well.

David Watts · 06-28-2017, 10:12 AM

The first thing anyone should do with Nick is to tell him to button up his jersey(he can make believe he's Bryce Harper when he starts hitting like Harper), or if he refuses to button it up, to at least put a t-shirt on underneath. As is, whenever he comes to bat I expect a disco ball to lower slowly from the sky............................................... .sorry forgot for a second that this was OOTP Nick and not real Nick

thirdsaint · 06-28-2017, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bulldawgz24

Lastly, I have had players that have overperformed or underperformed for a whole season. Nothing drastic, but a batter that usually is say a .290 hitter could easily hit .310 on season and then .270 the next. The good years those players usually have multiple hot streaks.

This is my favorite part of OOTP. The fact that players have bad years sometimes just happens so often in baseball and then they bounce back the next. I mean, look at Harper last season. If it were OOTP, people would be on here complaining the game is unrealistic.

I've done the same, maybe platooned the player underperforming some, let him rest. I wouldn't get rid of him because I bet next season he'll be back to where his career averages have been and you'd regret ever giving up on him. This season may just not be his year. Get two in a row like that and you know he is washed up.

Bulldawgz24 · 06-28-2017, 10:20 AM

Also in my simulation, currently playing in my 2021 season, I have moved Cabrera to DH, and Nick is starting at 1B since he sucks defensively. I'm not sure if his limited range is also an issue at 1B but he is better than Cabrera and much younger. Over the years he has been a decently high average guy with some pop to his bat (20-30hrs) and generally been very healthy too. Usually in my #2 spot of #5 or 6 through the seasons. If I remember, i'll show a picture of his career stats when I get home.

Obviously, this would be the results in my simulation, your could have different results. I also signed him to an extended contract before his last year of arbitration for less than 10m/yr which I thought was pretty good.

sreem · 06-28-2017, 12:51 PM

Thanks for the advice guys, I gave Nick a couple days off. Then a start, then another day off, and so far he seems to be bouncing back a bit.

Last 4 games he is 6 for 16, 2 doubles, 1 HR, 4 RBI.

Hope he is turning around. However, truth be told, our offense has been fine this season without him. It's our pitching that need help!

Bulldawgz24 · 06-28-2017, 10:54 PM

See below for Castellanos stats in my tigers sim.....he's been a very reliable & consistent player for me. So far in 2021 he is having somewhat of a career year if he keeps up this pace.

I have him @ just over 10m for 2 more years after this one, the 2nd of which is a player option.

06-28-2017, 09:15 AM	#1
sreem All Star Reserve Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 673	What To Do With Nick? I am at a loss right now on what to do with Nick Castellanos. As you can see below he is WAY of last years production and well underperforming his career averages in all catagories. Bench him? Should I send him to AAA for a week to see if he can get his swing back? Should I start thinking trade? It could just be a hick-up and next season will be better, but even to get to a 0.0 WAR he is going to have to have Miggy or Trout type numbers the rest of the way. With the situation the Tigers are in, with a declining payroll and little help in the minors, I can't afford to carry an Arb player for $3.5M who is a -1 WAR. What would you guys do? Attached Images __________________ "What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. Except for bears....."

06-28-2017, 12:51 PM	#7
sreem All Star Reserve Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 673	Thanks for the advice guys, I gave Nick a couple days off. Then a start, then another day off, and so far he seems to be bouncing back a bit. Last 4 games he is 6 for 16, 2 doubles, 1 HR, 4 RBI. Hope he is turning around. However, truth be told, our offense has been fine this season without him. It's our pitching that need help! __________________ "What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. Except for bears....."

06-28-2017, 10:54 PM	#8
Bulldawgz24 Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 226	See below for Castellanos stats in my tigers sim.....he's been a very reliable & consistent player for me. So far in 2021 he is having somewhat of a career year if he keeps up this pace. I have him @ just over 10m for 2 more years after this one, the 2nd of which is a player option. Attached Images Last edited by Bulldawgz24; 06-28-2017 at 10:56 PM.

06-28-2017, 10:11 AM	#3
Bulldawgz24 Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 226	Another tidbit, if you are looking to balance the books a little.....depending on where you are at the trade deadline, you could try moving some of the overpaid veterans. My first season as the tigers I was slightly below .500 and out of the wild card race, so I dealt JD Martinez, Zimmerman, Avila (wasn't overpaid, but had a good season & FA anyhow), & Anibal. I wasn't able to get much in return for Anibal but was just happy to offload his contract. He actually had a decent season to that point at around a 3.5ERA, which is prob why I was able to get any offers at all. The other 3 I was able to turn around for some good prospects, including Ian Happ as well as a lot of bullpen help (AAA or ML players) that would solidify the bullpen the following year. In my game, Zimmerman went on to pitch very well for the remainder of his contract (so in hindsight I slightly regretted the deal), but JD signed a huge contract and had injury issues and never hit over 20HR in a season during his entire contract. I was glad I didn't try to resign JD since his price was so high and he was almost 30. Your simulation could have different results though.... I still have Upton in the last year of his contract and can't wait to get out from underneath it. He's currently my 4th OFer, so not fun to be paying 22mil for a bench player, who has had plenty of injury issues as well.

06-28-2017, 10:12 AM	#4
David Watts Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Looking for a place called Leehofooks Posts: 10,162 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	The first thing anyone should do with Nick is to tell him to button up his jersey(he can make believe he's Bryce Harper when he starts hitting like Harper), or if he refuses to button it up, to at least put a t-shirt on underneath. As is, whenever he comes to bat I expect a disco ball to lower slowly from the sky............................................... .sorry forgot for a second that this was OOTP Nick and not real Nick

06-28-2017, 10:20 AM	#6
Bulldawgz24 Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 226	Also in my simulation, currently playing in my 2021 season, I have moved Cabrera to DH, and Nick is starting at 1B since he sucks defensively. I'm not sure if his limited range is also an issue at 1B but he is better than Cabrera and much younger. Over the years he has been a decently high average guy with some pop to his bat (20-30hrs) and generally been very healthy too. Usually in my #2 spot of #5 or 6 through the seasons. If I remember, i'll show a picture of his career stats when I get home. Obviously, this would be the results in my simulation, your could have different results. I also signed him to an extended contract before his last year of arbitration for less than 10m/yr which I thought was pretty good.