Tiger's 3B in 2011
by trross1200 on May 3, 2010 11:59 AM EDT
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I think that Brandon Inge *could* resign with the Tigers at a discount for 2011, but if not...
... perhaps the Tigers can get Alex Gordon on the cheap? He will be 27 next year, but he can play 3B, he's a left handed bat, and was the #2 pick in the draft just a few years ago.
While his career stats don't scream "Hall of Fame" its not like the tigers have Inge's 2011 successor currently in the farm sustem.
I would insert the ESPN Insider link here, but I've been slapped for that already. So instead, here is the link to the Kansas City Star article: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/05/02/1918859/royals-notebook-gordon-sent-to.html#ixzz0msN7Oj9b
The Royals seem to be done with him (which isn't a good sign) and appear to not be willing to make room for him in the field (another bad sign). But why not take a flier on him, put him in Toledo for the year, and see what happens?
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Bless You Boys writing staff.
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interesting thought
no idea how likely it is but i’d be in favor of giving alex gordon a shot with the tigers. if the brandon inge of recent times is here to stay, i like that option too.
I'd love it
But I dunno how much it’d take. If we could get him for Brennan Boesch and another low-level arm like Adam Wilk, I’d say go for it.
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+1 I think that would be a good deal
My only worry is about Alex Gordon being so damn tainted by the Royals… Its like trading for a Lions player, if you aren’t the Patriots, you shouldn’t do it.
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by JoelZumayaKegStand on May 3, 2010 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I think that Gordon would consider it a release from prison.
The Royals organization is a nightmare. I think Greinke has Stockholm Syndrome.
Dontrelle Willis apologist.
oh and I don't know if our "amazing" hitting coaches can correct his batting woes
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by JoelZumayaKegStand on May 3, 2010 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions
He can correct his own batting woes
He just needs 600 PA and less pressure.
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Right on
No way would I trade Boesch for Gordon. Maybe Clete Thomas though. And he seems like the kind of player the Royals would like to have around: low ceiling, good defense, fundamentally sound… cheap.
A lifelong Tigers fan
Boesch is incredibly overrated
He’s got holes in his swing you can drive that Boeschwagon through, little to no plate discipline and his only other tool is speed. So he can’t start. Now the Royals are the only team in baseball (other than maybe the Giants) stupid enough to see his numbers and think “starter”. We might as well get something for him.
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Nah.
I think he will develop into an MLB starter. He just turned 25, and does not yet have a full season about AA, so I think he has room to grow. The biggest area for development is plate discipline.
But Brennan has the kind of power you can’t teach. I was a fan of him last year, and I continue to be a believer in him for next year.
I would much rather trade a low-ceiling guy like Clete than a guy with the kind of potential Boesch has. He’s still raw, but if he develops an eye, he could be a great left handed power bat to complement Cabrera.
A lifelong Tigers fan
Peak is 27-28
He ain’t growing much past that. And even if he gets an eye, he still has a hole in his swing you can drive a Boeschmobile through- his best case scenario is one good year like Rick Ankiel and then mediocrity once everyone figures out how to get him out.
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I never said he was a great prospect
I just want to use my photoshop. Boesch reminds me of Matt Joyce, minus the saving of kittens and all that.
I don't know if I'd go that far.
I think Matt Joyce is a legit big league outfielder. I think Boesch is closer to a Marcus Thames role than a starting OFer for an MLB team.
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Same basic idea
white left-handed corner outfielder. I don’t follow the prospects much, so I’ve seen about 10 career Brennan Boesch at-bats.
I think Joyce is more athletic than Boesch.
Though, Boesch has been a bit more athletic than I thought he’d be.
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Even if he's Matt Joyce
Wouldn’t you rather get an Edwin Jackson for him?
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The only person overrated is Gordon
You realize he’s the same guy who just got demoted by the Royals and moved to the OF, right? Demoted by the ROYALS. He was overrated before and he’s proving exactly that in his first few years in the bigs.
And how is Boesch “incredibly overrated”? He’s a replacement for Guillen until Guillen’s healthy… I haven’t heard anyone with any credibility talking him up to be anything more than he is.
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The Royals are stupid
So being demoted by the Royals doesn’t necessarily mean you’re bad.
“He’s still raw, but if he develops an eye, he could be a great left handed power bat to complement Cabrera.”
And there’s your overrating (sorry ewild, no hard feelings).
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so he's incredibly overrated because ewild said that?
no offense to ewild, but that doesn’t make Boesch incredibly overrated. That just means ewild thinks he’s still raw, and can be a great left handed bat.
And normally you’d be right about the Royals, but in Gordon’s case, he is not good.
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The hype around Boesch has been legendary
People have been waaaaay too excited over a righty mashing platoon bat with a hole in his swing. Look to Rob as another example, among many. And you have failed to make the case that Gordon isn’t good- based on what, 12 games of data this year?
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by David Tokarz on May 3, 2010 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree.
…and the expectations around Gordon are equally legendary. He’s a valuable guy, but everyone thought he was going to be George Brett.
Now they’re pissed that he’s “just” Brandon Inge (WAR-wise, not in skillset), whose production, let’s be honest, would actually be an upgrade for KC at several positions.
I don't want to hear any weak sh*t from Jason Grilli.
by cherub_daemon on May 3, 2010 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions
disagree with your agreement that Boesch is overrated
But your signature is definitely not overrated. “legendary” in fact.
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"incredibly overrated" and now "legendary" hype for Boesch.
based off of 2 commenters who just happen to like the guy – not think he’s a superstar like those words would imply. Just stop and get real.
You honestly need me to make the case? I’ll break it down nice and easy-like for you. Gordon has been highly touted by experts ever since he was drafted in 2005. Hell, it begs the question “from the ‘next George Brett’ to Quadruple-A filler?” on ESPN right now. He has produced two meager seasons and sucked the past two years almost worse than your current “Raburn > Jackson” argument you’re now choking on. Now Gordon’s in AAA – meaning he couldn’t hack it with the ROYALS. Next.
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HAVING SAID THAT
If Gordon came to the Tigers without having to give up any MLB ready prospects (or at least not at the cost of a guy like Boesch, who as “overrated” as you might think he is, could be an adequate lefty OF option for the Tigers when old balls Guillen, Damon, Magglio retired), then fine. But if we’re talking about “overrated” guys – it’s Gordon, not Boesch.
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*sigh
Brandon Inge is a 2 WAR player. At his peak he was a 4 WAR player, but he hasn’t put up numbers that good since 2006. He’s also 33, and will cost the Tigers a bunch of money.
Alex Gordon, on the other hand, is also a 2 WAR player… but one who is significantly younger (26) with significantly more offensive upside (all of Inge’s value lies in his glove, whereas Gordon has value with both glove and bat AND still has the tools that made him a top prospect). He was also mishandled by a Royals club that doesn’t understand player development.
Now, in exchange for Mr. Gordon, we give the Royals Brennan Boesch, who has been hyped by the organization (stuck him on the 40 man roster), the manager (Jim Leyland’s made a lot of positive comments on Boech) and commenters on this blog (excuse me if I could only find two- but two or three comments on a thread with maybe 20 comments isn’t exactly shoddy evidence). Boesch has been hyped despite his problems- holey swing, horrible plate discipline, lack of tools besides power and a little speed/defense and was expected to be just under a 2 win outfielder by Fangraphs.
So the Tigers get a cheaper third baseman with more offensive upside than the guy we have now for a corner outfielder who is probably destined to be either a platoon guy or a fourth outfielder. Who doesn’t make that trade?
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ZOMG he sigh'd
He was also mishandled by a Royals club that doesn’t understand player development.
Royals are pretty dumb, but I don’t see how they mishandled him. Sounds like you’re just stereotyping them. Gosh-forbid the Royals, desperately in need of a savior to their putrid franchise, expect their #2 overall pick to start contributing at the big league level around the same time the other IFs drafted AFTER him did. Gordon was simply OVER-RATED, that’s all.
Who doesn’t make that trade?
I’ll put money on it that DD doesn’t.
Plus, I never mentioned Inge, so I’m not exactly sure why you’re comparing the two. Is it possible that I might want the Tigers to shoot for a 3B who ISN’T a hair, more or less, better than what we have at 3B now? I never gave my opinion on Inge.
As for your “Boesch’s overrated” comments that just won’t go away, but should….
You don’t think it’s normal for Leyland (you know, the players’ coach) to probably make some positive comments about his own players — especially about one who was getting called up unexpectedly to make his MLB debut in replace of an injured long-time starter? That doesn’t make him overrated.
The fact he’s on the 40 man roster? DOESN’T make him overrated. For a 25-year-old, power hitting lefty (something the Tigers specifically lack), that’s not exactly an outlandish move there (especially given his numbers in AA last year).
Lastly, you did provide shoddy evidence. One random fan who just happens to have high hopes for Boesch doesn’t make him “incredibly overrated” by any stretch of the imagination. The only other one you cited only wants to see him stick around so he can use a photoshop he made.
What a legendary overrating!
…. And lack of tools? Are you going to just spew off what you read on FanGraphs or actually watch him play and give me some of your own opinions? He has a powerful (lefty) bat, has an above average arm that he showcased last night, and looks fine in the outfield so far. He doesn’t walk, but he’s done alright for himself despite that.
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They did mishandle, him, though.
College bats should move quickly, but they pushed Gordon way too quickly. Yes, he was overrated because he was so good in Double-A in 2006, but that still doesn’t mean he’s a valuable player. To me, and I’m obviously not a scout so don’t take what I say for gospel (and I’ve had these discussions with the guy who wrote the project prospect article David linked to way at the bottom of the comments), and he’s pointed out a lot of inefficiency with Gordon’s lower half. If this can be corrected, I think there’s big time breakout potential.
Boesch’s athleticism has surprised me – he looks better out there than I anticipated. He does have a good arm, but I’m still very concerned about his aggression at the plate. He’s going to start swinging and missing more and his low BB rate leaves me as being nervous that if he’s not hitting the ball hard, he’s really got little value at the plate.
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He’s either it or he isn’t. Maybe the Royals’ mishandled him by not being able to tinker and re-adjust his lower half, but calling him up in 2007 wasn’t a case of mishandling, IMO. Guys like Tulo, The Hebrew Hammer, and Zim from the same draft class, who were all drafted after Gordon, were making the jump then, too. I don’t think it’s out of the ordinary for any organization to expect the same from Gordon given how well he did in 2006. It just all looks bad given it is the Royals we’re talking about.
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Once the players drafted though, his draft year contemporaries don't matter, in my opinion.
He’s got to be brought along at his own pace. It’s likely that I’m wrong and he’ll never reach the potential and it’s not just something mechanical in his swing. I think him getting out of KC, though, is his best chance at that. Great buy-low opportunity if we can’t/don’t keep Inge around.
I agree that the Royals being poorly run automatically make people (me included) doubt anything they do, though. Fairly or unfairly.
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Yeah, I agree, what other teams are doing shouldn’t matter, but I think it’s taken into consideration and since Gordon’s numbers really didn’t indicate he wasn’t ready, I don’t blame the Royals for Gordon’s shortcomings. Unless, of course, we want to blame them for not making a better pick at #2.
As I’ve said, I’d be ok with the buy-low opportunity, but I’d like to see Boesch some more before I go ahead and declare that as the perfect hypothetical trade. By the end of the season, it’s not unreasonable to think a Boesch for Gordon deal would be favoring the Royals. In other words, I guess I see Gordon as an overrated chip I wouldn’t give MLB contributors away for and Boesch as a TBD.
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Basically, we are only disagreeing on the Boesch part of this.
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so you’re saying you don’t want to see more of him?
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Not saying that
Just that I don’t expect anything from him. I wasn’t a big Marcus Thames fan (HR’s were nice but if he didn’t hit a bomb, his PA’s were not giving the Tigers anything positive at all) and I think Boesch is closer to that role than anything else. He’s looked better in LF then I thought he’d be, but his approach at the plate is what I find most concerning.
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I'd wait to judge his approach at the plate
Right now, he’s hitting behind Miguel Cabrera, who’s stats are bonkers this season no matter what approach you take. Boesch is seeing pitches around the strike zone and going after them.
I know this is just a one game sample, but last night he took 19 pitches, good for most on the team (along with Razor). I think his original impatient plate attitude was due to Maggs and Miggy teeing off on fools, and we might be seeing a more patient hitter now. This isn’t to say he’s not an aggressive swinger (not sure what his minor league stats say), but let’s see what happens once teams start throwing him all curveballs.
That's what I'm waiting for.
The low BB totals for him don’t give me a ton of hope. So I’m hoping he’s figured/figuring it out.
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Ok then I think we agree again
because I don’t know what to expect from Boesch – this is the first I’ve ever seen from him. But because he’s been playing well, I’d like to see more of him before declaring him a Marcus Thames and an automatic trade piece for somebody who has been a complete bust.
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Stop agreeing with me.
I think it’s against BYB policy.
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I agree
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by Packey on May 4, 2010 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It’s not a matter of doubting everything the Royals do.
However, “KC does not value this guy” just does not carry the weight it would for another organization.
I don't want to hear any weak sh*t from Jason Grilli.
by cherub_daemon on May 4, 2010 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions
But he mashed at AA
If you’re a top pick (from college), and you mash at AA, wouldn’t you agree that a big league promotion is warranted? Should he have gone one more year to AAA ?
Yes, more time in Triple-A in my opinion.
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P.S.
This is the closest we’ve ever come to agreeing on something!
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well you ruined the streak
because I disagree with that. I can’t speak for you, but I’ve agreed with you before.
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oh! and...
People have been waaaaay too excited over a righty mashing platoon bat with a hole in his swing
Sounds like a lot of BYB’ers when Granderson was traded.
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The only good thing I've said about Boesch
is the photoshop I made. And that’s because I found a bus on hydraulics.
Touche
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by David Tokarz on May 4, 2010 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions
"Raw"
I don’t know what “raw” means to you, but to me it means undeveloped. Undeveloped meaning he is a work in progress. I think Boesch could develop into another Marcus Thames-type player, and I liked Marcus Thames.
I know you like saying “he has a hole in his swing you can drive a Boeschmobile through” over and over again, but you can say that without exaggerating what other people are saying to create a strawman.
A lifelong Tigers fan
But seriously
No offense taken. Despite your misunderstanding how far I think he will go, we would probably disagree on Boesch’s value to the team. I love having a guy like Thames, Hafner or Adam Dunn hit 5th- someone who can hit the ball a country mile every now and then and keep the pitcher honest to my cleanup man. I think there is a real possibility of Boesch developing into that kind of player with a year or two of AAA under his belt. He has only played one year of AA ball so far, and he hit 28 homers in that season. Then in short stints this year at AAA and MLB, he has produced well, so I have a hard time getting too down on him.
A lifelong Tigers fan
It's not so much that he's undeveloped
But that he’ll never develop. Batting eyes are a talent too, and they can’t be groomed in a lot of cases- it’s why I’m worried about Austin Jackson and why I don’t think Wilkin Ramirez will pan out as a starter. If you look at the player as a whole, you have a competent defender with only one plus tool- power. He’s got some speed, yes, but we’re not talking a 5 tool player like Curtis Granderson here- the only thing he’ll be able to do is hit bombs.
Not only that, but there’s questions as to his record in the minor leagues (before his breakout season, he only had 22 homers for his career). Combine those with his deficiencies in ability and he’ll never be a starting outfielder for a championship caliber team, and his inability to play center limits him as a fourth outfielder. If anything, he’s the second coming of Matt Joyce.
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Prospects rise and fall
The world of prospects is a volatile one. Stars rise and fall. I don’t have a problem with him not hitting for power when he was starting out in A-ball. A-ball is A-ball, just like AAA is a different world from AA. I put far more stock in what a prospect did last year in AA then 2-3 years ago in A ball. Also, you never really know what you have in a prospect until you see them play at AAA and MLB levels (exhibit A: Wilkin Ramirez). So while I like the AA stats from Boesch, thought he looked good in spring, and have seen him do pretty well in a month of AAA/MLB time, I’m not going to make a snap judgment based on just one month of post-AA work, he needs a full season. Likewise, if a guy just hit 28 HRs and looked great in spring, AAA, and MLB so far, I’m not going to write him off because he didn’t hit for enough power back in A-ball.
I agree that Boesch is no 5-tool player (I have never heard anyone say he was). He’s a big masher who will probably play a defensively mediocre right field and DH.
A lifelong Tigers fan
You have to consider that the previous seasons were outliers
And you need a trend to determine whether breakthroughs have really been made. Has Boesch probably developed power? Yes. Is it possible that those homers are exaggerated by Erie? Also yes.
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I am not sure
Why you think I have to consider the previous seasons were outliers… to be an outlier, you must have comparable data sets to evaluate against. Boesch only has one year above A-ball. So the term “outlier” cannot apply.
But I do agree with you that it is very possible his numbers were inflated by the juicy fastballs at AA. A year in Toledo will bring out the truth. Until then, I continue to withhold judgment.
A lifelong Tigers fan
If the Royals had a history of making good decisions, then I'd be concerned about his demotion.
Giving gobs of money to Gil Meche and Jose Guillen, picking up Mike Jacobs after his huge HR year, going with Yuniesky Betancourt at SS full time, a line up of guys who can’t get on base, etc etc etc. The Royals are ineptly run. So them demoting him doesn’t mean a thing.
As for Gordon:
-Quality defense at 3rd base? Check (not on the level of Inge, though of course).
-Outstanding walk rate? Check.
-Okay power? Check
Adds up to pretty much a league average bat with about average defense. He’s an average player with upside if he can get out of the mess that is KC’s organization. People just don’t appreciate players with abilities to put up 2+ WAR seasons.
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I'd take Gordon if there were no other options
Between him and Inge, I’ll take Inge for the Gold Glove caliber D despite what we get at the plate. If getting Gordon meant giving up prospects, I’d say no. If he’s a free agent and Inge walks, why not?
Though Inge
doesn’t seem like the guy that would just walk. I think the Tigers would have to severely low-ball him or not offer at all for him to leave.
I agree Inge won't walk unless we just don't want him back, so it's a moot point.
I’ll take either of them, though. I don’t want to over-pay Inge for his talents when you get the same results from someone like Gordon, cost-dependent.
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My point is that I'd rather have Inge, if possible
it’s a sentimental thing. I like how he’s hung around for this team and this city. Isn’t he one of the only guys that lives in Michigan year-round?
Live in MI year round? Just like Nate Robertson did...
… but lets not forget that Binge just had double knee surgeries and will be 34 next year.
What is the Tiger plan at 3B AFTER Inge?
Where is Randy Smith when you need him?
Robertson wasn't exactly a fan favorite
Inge is definitely one of the darlings of the Detroit faithful. Not sure what their plan is after Inge though, probably this kid.
Right.
If you were okay with not paying Placido, you’re crazy to be okay with paying Inge. This comment is not directed at anyone, just making a comparison.
I don't want to hear any weak sh*t from Jason Grilli.
by cherub_daemon on May 4, 2010 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
spamity-spam
Though we may not have to “pay” Inge in that sense…he’s likely to give us a discount, as many others have pointed out.
I don't want to hear any weak sh*t from Jason Grilli.
by cherub_daemon on May 4, 2010 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions
That's fine.
I’m not saying we need to shove Inge out the door, and in the event of a tie, he should get the nod over Gordon because of his popularity – it’s a business first and Inge is a very popular commodity. I personally don’t like him, to be honest but most of that is because he’s voted player of the game in every single game by the fans (or so it seems).
But, I like Gordon. There’s some mechanical things that need to be fixed in his swing (better lower half, mainly … being more efficient as well), and I think that’s untapped potential for something big.
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Keeping Inge is a good move in a business sense
for the Tigers. Like we’ve all touched on, he’s a popular player who has quite the following in the D. He’s one of those guys that this city loves for some random reason. I understand that people might not like him as a baseball player (especially at the plate), but there seems to be no reason to dislike him as a person. He definitely leads the Tigers in feel-good-stories-turned-home-runs (FGSTHR).
I just made a stat. I’ll make sure to remember you guys when I’ve reached the top.
Although...
Inge gets testy when he doesn’t play. If it was explained to him that he’d probably be on the bench a lot, he might not stick around.
I don't want to hear any weak sh*t from Jason Grilli.
by cherub_daemon on May 4, 2010 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions
That's fine
I don’t think he’s good, but he’s not somebody I’d object to taking if he came along on the cheap – preferably not for someone whose contributed at the MLB level for us.
I prefer Inge – more pop and better D – but again, I’d admire the risk if it was cheap and would be one hell of a steal if he ever DID live up to his draft hype. I just don’t think he ever will.
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You guys really think Brennan Boesch is an MLB contributer for years to come?
This is a serious question, because I’ve never thought of him in that light at all.
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no idea, yet
I just said he’s contributed at the MLB level thus far. I just don’t know where this “Boesch is overrated” talk is coming from. It’s a shame that fans can’t get excited about seeing more from a guy whose done well so far without him being tabbed as an incredibly overrated player
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by Packey on May 4, 2010 1:53 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
+1 ... this is pretty much how I feel
I barely got a look at him in spring training so I wasn’t expecting much. I certainly had no idea he had such a throwing arm. I think he’s competent, and am glad he’s been able to contribute. Don’t expect him to continue to do so at such a rate, but he seems like he’ll be fine.
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For the record, I'm not attacking anyone.
I just was asking. He’s never been someone I’ve thought of in the long-term plans, so I was wondering how everyone else sees him. He’s been great so far but I’m concerned with his hyper-aggressiveness at the dish (constantly 1st-pitch-swinging) and lack of great BB rates for a big time power/big time swing and miss bat.
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Yeah, I agree about the aggressiveness. I guess over time we’ll just have to see who makes the better adjustments— pitchers or Boesch.
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I don't know how much "long term" we're going to get
he still seems like the odd-man out when Guillen gets back.
Stop feeding my irrational love of Alex Gordon
It’s unhealthy enough, as it is. Thanks a lot KC for destroying a useful player.
I'll give that one a +31,000
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by JoelZumayaKegStand on May 4, 2010 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I just had to scroll up for about 30 seconds
to see what you were talking about. And I’m still not sure, to be honest.
He's a free agent
And expensive. And we’re not really writing him off, just coming up with alternatives.
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Love to have Gordon
While we’re there, what say we pick up Mike Aviles too? It is the Royals; I think we could have both for Wilkin, Figaro, and any sort of arm that can throw an arrow-straight 96.
That would ROCK
Gordon and Aviles for Wilkin, Figaro and Boesch.. that might actually help both sides.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Assist. Editor, Minor League Division, Bless You Boys
Hmmm...
Would the Royals trade a young, even former, talent to a team within their division?
But I would be happy to see Gordan in a Tiger uni. I would also like to see Grienke in any uniform BUT a Royals’ uniform. I feel terrible for the guy! He’s pitching ridiculously and doesn’t even have a win yet!
by DetroitTigersGeek on May 3, 2010 6:08 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Count me down as hoping we can get him for Boesch + someone else.
I’m an Alex Gordon fan.
Also, it’s not that you can’t link to ESPN Insider stuff, you just can’t post anything from the actual article that isn’t freely available to the public (i.e. the intro’s are always free).
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Gordon is moving positions
apparently, Alex will be playing LF and 1B at AAA Omaha.
But if the Tigers were anywhere near as high on him as the Royals used to be, I’d have no problem parting with any of the AAA prospects on the farm for him. Cletus, Wilkin, Boesch, etc.
I’d take a crack at Aviles or Callaspo, either, and I’d part with Iorg, Dlugach, Ciriaco, Everett, Santiago, and Nunez for either of them. If they say no, sweeten the deal and keep Everett!
Can't believe how far he's fallen in the Royals eyes.
Should be a GREAT buy-low opportunity for a smart franchise needing a 3B going forward.
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"like"
VP of Membership, Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by JoelZumayaKegStand on May 4, 2010 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions
There's something to like about Yuni?
Besides that he is not on our team?
Dontrelle Willis apologist.
I kind of hate that Yuni sucks.
Because that’s a great name, in my opinion. Yuniesky Betancourt.
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Now I write at Bless You Boys.
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if binge doesn't come back I say slide rhymes over to 3B full time
he’s played it some. it’d be weird to have a normal sized third baseman anyway.
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No Run Support
And just think of all the fun we could have with that name
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Will Rhymes is our Nick Punto
So no thank you. Stop Puntoism in its tracks!
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Assist. Editor, Minor League Division, Bless You Boys
JUST SAY NO!
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by JoelZumayaKegStand on May 4, 2010 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions
For the record
Barring a great trade, keeping Inge is the smart move. If there was a great 3B coming on the market, that’d be one thing, but Ingey is going to be the best available, AND he is the fan favorite by a landslide, arms tats notwithstanding. A lot of “normal” fans (not casual, but not diehards like on this site) would really lose heart if we let Inge go after losing Grandy.
So in short: Inge is the best on the market this upcoming offseason AND he puts butts in the seats. If we can, we should sign Ingey to a 2 year extension, at least until we can farm someone up or grab someone off the market.
A lifelong Tigers fan
Also
Interesting Project Prospect article on Gordon.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Assist. Editor, Minor League Division, Bless You Boys
after reading the article... I couldn't agree more
he is quite a “knob puller”
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by JoelZumayaKegStand on May 4, 2010 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions
At the risk of derailing things slightly:
Here is an article posted on Red Reporter about their low-discipline masher prospect extraordinaire Juan Francisco.
The interesting point of it, as it relates to Boesch, are the historical comparisons for this brand of hitter.
I don't want to hear any weak sh*t from Jason Grilli.
Wow. I'm late to the party here.
But I thought I’d chime in and say I’d be 100000% in favor of trying to steal Gordon from KC for 60 cents on the dollar. It’s pretty obvious the Royals have given up on him. It’s part of The Process, I guess. If a couple of A-ball pitchers or something like that gets it done, do it.
by ChrisDTX on May 7, 2010 12:45 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
The Process is so secret, not even the guys following the Process know what it entails.
Dontrelle Willis apologist.
Like ChrisDTX, I'm also very late to the party.
Since this thread has become at least as much about Boesch as it is about Gordon, let me point out what really worries me about Boesch:
O-swing%: 43.3% (MLB average: 27.1%)
Z-swing%: 84.2% (MLB average: 63.3%)
Swing%: 63.3% (MLB average: 44.6%)
(Just a reminder, O-swing is percentage of pitches swung at outside the zone and Z-swing is % swung at inside the zone.)
Just a quick glance at those numbers shows that Boesch is swinging at everything. Of course, Kurt’s dreaded “triple-S” rears its ugly head here, but those numbers are solidly in Yuniesky Betancourt/Miguel Olivo territory (as is his paltry 2.6% BB rate). Right now, Boesch is getting away with it because he’s making contact on 86.5% of his swings (MLB average is 80.7%). Right now, all of Boesch’s swing and contact rates look very similar to Vlad Guererro’s. However, if his scouting reports are even remotely reliable, it is unlikely that he will keep making contact at that rate. Vlad has ungodly contact skills outside of the zone. However, Boesch is not Vlad, and contact is not supposed to be one of Boesch’s strengths. When his contact rate regresses (which it almost certainly will), if he doesn’t make some serious adjustments, he will be swinging and missing at a lot of pitches outside the zone.
I am solidly in the Alex Gordon camp in this debate. Just because will probably never live up to his hype doesn’t mean that he’s not a valuable player. He’s certainly a better hitter than Inge, and even if his fielding isn’t quite as good, his low cost and superior bat make up for it. We have a lot of outfield depth and very little infield depth. Trading our third or fourth best outfield prospect (behind Wells, Strieby, and Fields) for someone who could be a long term solution at 3B makes a lot of sense to me. Do it DD!
by Dberg on May 7, 2010 12:39 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Best written opinion on the subject in this thread.
Well done, and rec’d (partly because we agree!).
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Now I write at Bless You Boys.
Like music? See what I'm listening to at my Last.fm account.
You mean fanposts?
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Assist. Editor, Minor League Division, Bless You Boys
by David Tokarz on May 9, 2010 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions
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