What do I do with this player? Help!

Tony820 · 07-27-2020, 02:38 AM

Guys,

Got a tough one. Got a 25 year old DH, who has just crushed at every stop, including the Major Leagues. This season, he has just totally fallen apart. I have zero idea what happened. Tried a AAA stint, he hammered the ball....but when he came back, went right back in the tank.

My issue is....do I cut bait on him now while he still holds value (He does in fact have solid value, I can still get a nice package for him from various teams) or do I hold steady? My team is doing really well and he isn't hurting me in the standings....but he's just been awful. I really don't want to see him snap out of it and put up last years numbers with someone else.....but I've got a few guys in the minors that can take his place and I'm just not sure if it's the right time to say "So long" or ride it out? My fear is obviously his talent is just starting to go away and this is who he is...and I don't move him before he totally tanks his value. What would you do?

luckymann · 07-27-2020, 03:15 AM

I'd definitely ride it out a bit longer, especially given the apparent health of your franchise. He looks like a good one having a rough trot - it happens - who will hopefully turn it around soon.

But I know how you feel. Cutting prospects is by far the element of the game I have most trouble with, with FOMO one of the biggest factors.

CBeisbol · 07-27-2020, 09:28 AM

Panic! You should most definitely panic

Tony820 · 07-27-2020, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBeisbol

Panic! You should most definitely panic

This is incredibly helpful, can't thank you enough for your thoughtful contribution to this topic.

CBeisbol · 07-27-2020, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony820

This is incredibly helpful, can't thank you enough for your thoughtful contribution to this topic.

No problem. Since you were so kind as to thank me I'll give you some bonus opinion

You should panic AND trade him to me. For the proverbial bag of balls

You've got a player with 1000 excellent PA's, still good ratings and 260 poor PA's.

What are you going to believe?

Bobbyraz49 · 07-27-2020, 12:02 PM

All I can say is.....cool ! That guy was born in Cheektowaga NY, as was I. It's a suburb of Buffalo and I live in the next town over.
With his very low salary I'd keep him. Maybe trade if you have a significant injury.

OutS|der · 07-27-2020, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBeisbol

Panic! You should most definitely panic

That's always the correct answer to every situation.

It's only 260 AB's. Keep him watch him come back and hit 50 next year. Or panic trade him away and watch him do it for someone else. Or this might be it for him, still it's only 260 AB's his past should warrant a whole season at least before you throw in the towel

ohiodevil · 07-27-2020, 12:20 PM

Don't give up on him for at least a couple of seasons in the bigs, even if he rides the AAA shuttle a few times. I had a guy that had same issue, picked him up in the Rule 5 draft and he really struggled at the beginning of the season, I think he was hitting under .200 but was not playing regularly until my regular starting LF got hurt and he took over had hit something like .435 over the last 3 months of the year and ended up hitting .337 for the season. He kind of came down to earth after an injury his 2nd season and hit in the .280s but last year won the batting title and has become a core player on my team.

pfholden · 07-27-2020, 02:02 PM

I wouldn't give up so quickly on a player with that ceiling and track record. That being said, I'd move any player for the right price. If there's a package that I'd be happy with *even if* this guy returns to playing at an elite level, I may consider it. But I wouldn't give up on him or take any package where I'd be settling for something less than full value.

Tony820 · 07-27-2020, 04:22 PM

Good advice, guys....I appreciate it, even you @Cbeisbol........

DonMattingly · 07-27-2020, 04:31 PM

It's a pretty small sample size and he's young. I'd say ride it out.

I'd give him until at least the trading deadline of the next season before thinking about hitting the eject button and dealing him.

What is his relationship with the hitting coach like? I'd make a move there before making a trade.

Tony820 · 07-27-2020, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonMattingly

It's a pretty small sample size and he's young. I'd say ride it out.

I'd give him until at least the trading deadline of the next season before thinking about hitting the eject button and dealing him.

What is his relationship with the hitting coach like? I'd make a move there before making a trade.

Interesting that you brought that up. My "power" hitting coach for the last 5+ years retired, and I replaced him with a fairly well-ranked "patience" hitting coach. The early results for most of the team were terrible. Fired him fairly quick and replaced him with another power guy, which seemed to get most of the team back on track.....except my guy Chris who should be working out well under a power guy....

RubeBaker · 07-27-2020, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony820

Guys,

Got a tough one. Got a 25 year old DH, who has just crushed at every stop, including the Major Leagues. This season, he has just totally fallen apart. I have zero idea what happened. Tried a AAA stint, he hammered the ball....but when he came back, went right back in the tank.

My issue is....do I cut bait on him now while he still holds value (He does in fact have solid value, I can still get a nice package for him from various teams) or do I hold steady? My team is doing really well and he isn't hurting me in the standings....but he's just been awful. I really don't want to see him snap out of it and put up last years numbers with someone else.....but I've got a few guys in the minors that can take his place and I'm just not sure if it's the right time to say "So long" or ride it out? My fear is obviously his talent is just starting to go away and this is who he is...and I don't move him before he totally tanks his value. What would you do?

I would ride it out with him. He's still got a lot of potential and has done well for you in the past. Lots of guys have an off-year for whatever reason. He raked the ball at AAA so there's not much else he can do down there. Maybe platoon him at DH with another batter and see how that works. He's still young and relatively cheap so I would hang onto him for now.

DonMattingly · 07-27-2020, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony820

Interesting that you brought that up. My "power" hitting coach for the last 5+ years retired, and I replaced him with a fairly well-ranked "patience" hitting coach. The early results for most of the team were terrible. Fired him fairly quick and replaced him with another power guy, which seemed to get most of the team back on track.....except my guy Chris who should be working out well under a power guy....

Does this new one have as high a "teach hitting" rating as the old one? How about "handle players"? I would think "handle veterans" would apply to this hitter as he's been in the league a few years.

And what does it say under the "relationships" tab for the hitting coach?

It sounds though like it's just a slump he'll ride out, but I'd at least take a look at the coach. There are usually a lot of diamond in the rough types available so it's pretty easy to find quality replacements for coaches if need be.

Dave Stieb II · 07-27-2020, 11:35 PM

Check out the first and second half stats produced by Jose Ramirez of Cleveland just last season.
A far more seasoned player, but still very much in the prime of his career, put up first half numbers that, if I recall correctly, were worse than your guy.
As frustrating as it his performance is in the moment, my advice is to not even consider dealing him now. Let the season play out and then re-evaluate.
And please update this thread to let us know if he turned it around or continued to tank.
I will take credit if he turns it around....or attempt to delete this post if he doesn't.

Dave Stieb II · 07-27-2020, 11:38 PM

But I hope you're DH'ing him most of the time because his fielding seems a lot to be desired.

CBeisbol · 07-28-2020, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony820

Good advice, guys....I appreciate it, even you @Cbeisbol........

Thanks
My advice is always great
That's why I make people wade through a bunch of snark and arrogance to get to it.

Dave Stieb II · 07-28-2020, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBeisbol

Thanks
My advice is always great
That's why I make people wade through a bunch of snark and arrogance to get to it.

You?
Snarky and arrogant?
OK. If you say so.

Tony820 · 07-28-2020, 10:29 PM

Update:

HE'S ALIVE

CBeisbol · 07-28-2020, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Stieb II

You?
Snarky and arrogant?
OK. If you say so.

I'll wear the snark

The arrogance is blown out of proportion.

People think I hold myself above other people, but it's not usually because I think that highly of myself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony820

Update:

HE'S ALIVE

Hmm

Who woulda guessed

Ok, TWO bags of balls

Deal?

07-27-2020, 02:38 AM	#1
Tony820 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2020 Posts: 115	What do I do with this player? Help! Guys, Got a tough one. Got a 25 year old DH, who has just crushed at every stop, including the Major Leagues. This season, he has just totally fallen apart. I have zero idea what happened. Tried a AAA stint, he hammered the ball....but when he came back, went right back in the tank. My issue is....do I cut bait on him now while he still holds value (He does in fact have solid value, I can still get a nice package for him from various teams) or do I hold steady? My team is doing really well and he isn't hurting me in the standings....but he's just been awful. I really don't want to see him snap out of it and put up last years numbers with someone else.....but I've got a few guys in the minors that can take his place and I'm just not sure if it's the right time to say "So long" or ride it out? My fear is obviously his talent is just starting to go away and this is who he is...and I don't move him before he totally tanks his value. What would you do? Attached Images Last edited by Tony820; 07-27-2020 at 02:39 AM.

07-27-2020, 12:20 PM	#8
ohiodevil OOTP Roster Team Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Rocky River, Ohio Posts: 2,423	Don't give up on him for at least a couple of seasons in the bigs, even if he rides the AAA shuttle a few times. I had a guy that had same issue, picked him up in the Rule 5 draft and he really struggled at the beginning of the season, I think he was hitting under .200 but was not playing regularly until my regular starting LF got hurt and he took over had hit something like .435 over the last 3 months of the year and ended up hitting .337 for the season. He kind of came down to earth after an injury his 2nd season and hit in the .280s but last year won the batting title and has become a core player on my team. Attached Images

07-27-2020, 02:02 PM	#9
pfholden Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 202	I wouldn't give up so quickly on a player with that ceiling and track record. That being said, I'd move any player for the right price. If there's a package that I'd be happy with even if this guy returns to playing at an elite level, I may consider it. But I wouldn't give up on him or take any package where I'd be settling for something less than full value. __________________ 2020 Orioles Sim: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...DCYsyn9tlpo9V7 OOTP Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...99pVXGBT1q-DZY

07-28-2020, 10:29 PM	#19
Tony820 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2020 Posts: 115	Update: HE'S ALIVE Attached Images

07-27-2020, 03:15 AM	#2
luckymann Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2019 Posts: 12,910	I'd definitely ride it out a bit longer, especially given the apparent health of your franchise. He looks like a good one having a rough trot - it happens - who will hopefully turn it around soon. But I know how you feel. Cutting prospects is by far the element of the game I have most trouble with, with FOMO one of the biggest factors.

07-27-2020, 09:28 AM	#3
CBeisbol Banned Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Ban land in 3...2... Posts: 2,943	Panic! You should most definitely panic

07-27-2020, 12:02 PM	#6
Bobbyraz49 All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 909	All I can say is.....cool ! That guy was born in Cheektowaga NY, as was I. It's a suburb of Buffalo and I live in the next town over. With his very low salary I'd keep him. Maybe trade if you have a significant injury.

07-27-2020, 04:22 PM	#10
Tony820 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2020 Posts: 115	Good advice, guys....I appreciate it, even you @Cbeisbol........

07-27-2020, 04:31 PM	#11
DonMattingly Major Leagues Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 310	It's a pretty small sample size and he's young. I'd say ride it out. I'd give him until at least the trading deadline of the next season before thinking about hitting the eject button and dealing him. What is his relationship with the hitting coach like? I'd make a move there before making a trade.

07-27-2020, 11:35 PM	#15
Dave Stieb II All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2020 Posts: 664	Check out the first and second half stats produced by Jose Ramirez of Cleveland just last season. A far more seasoned player, but still very much in the prime of his career, put up first half numbers that, if I recall correctly, were worse than your guy. As frustrating as it his performance is in the moment, my advice is to not even consider dealing him now. Let the season play out and then re-evaluate. And please update this thread to let us know if he turned it around or continued to tank. I will take credit if he turns it around....or attempt to delete this post if he doesn't.

07-27-2020, 11:38 PM	#16
Dave Stieb II All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2020 Posts: 664	But I hope you're DH'ing him most of the time because his fielding seems a lot to be desired.