White Sox will only go three years for Cespedes/Gordon

[Docwaukee]

Regardless of the small sample, Cowart had a stretch where he clearly showed his ability to take an AB.  Something that wasn't clear with Kubitza at any point.  

 

To me, there is about a 20% chance of Kubitza being anything more than a replacement level player next year.  Cowart is gonna be better than replacement level automatically because of his defense.  

 

At this point, I have more confidence in Cowart than I do Giavotella so I would move Escobar to 2b.  But that's just me.  

[AngelsFanSince86]

Regardless of the small sample, Cowart had a stretch where he clearly showed his ability to take an AB. Something that wasn't clear with Kubitza at any point.

To me, there is about a 20% chance of Kubitza being anything more than a replacement level player next year. Cowart is gonna be better than replacement level automatically because of his defense.

At this point, I have more confidence in Cowart than I do Giavotella so I would move Escobar to 2b. But that's just me.

That's basically how I feel. I understand that moving Escobar to 2B isn't preferable, but I still feel he's at worst as bad as gia with the glove and will be better offensively.

[AngelsFanSince86]

Kubitza is not a Major League player. You have to have some sort of specialty skill to make it in this league. He doesn't play good defense, he doesn't hit or get on base particularly well, he doesn't hit for power, and he doesn't have great speed. That's a AAAA player or a bench piece in a good year. He certainly isn't athletic enough to handle 2nd base either. He should grab an outfield glove and be working vigorously at trying to become an option in left field

Cowart at least does one thing well. He's got serious ability on the defensive side of the ball, which is why I'm a tad disappointed that we brought in Yunel to play 3rd

Escobar/Giavotella just doesn't excite me. Two poor defenders playing important positions...with Cron at first base...that's an unmitigated disaster waiting to happen

You could literally insert Giavotellas name in that first paragraph.

[Stradling]

Ok this Johnny G dislike has gotten silly. He isn't a good fielder, but he was a fine hitter last year. He isn't some huge hole in the line up like you are implying. He hit .270 with about a .320 OBP. I would love an upgrade because I value defense, but it's not because he can't hit. I have no idea if he could replicate his clutch stats from last year, but man he seem to come up big with the bats so many times last year.

[Angelfaninidaho]

Ok this Johnny G dislike has gotten silly. He isn't a good fielder, but he was a fine hitter last year. He isn't some huge hole in the line up like you are implying. He hit .270 with about a .320 OBP. I would love an upgrade because I value defense, but it's not because he can't hit. I have no idea if he could replicate his clutch stats from last year, but man he seem to come up big with the bats so many times last year.

And Iannetta , for some reason, gets a pass despite the fact that we should have been using our pitchers as DH's instead of having him in the lineup.

[Stradling]

And Iannetta , for some reason, gets a pass despite the fact that we should have been using our pitchers as DH's instead of having him in the lineup.

Because he's a veteran that has had very good on base skills his entire career until this past season. You give veterans with track records, that aren't too old, a bit of a longer rope than young unproven players.

[Troll Daddy]

The problem with Gia isn't just defense ... yea, his offense was good last season ... but do we really know if the kid can hit?

Edited January 3, 2016 by Troll Daddy

[eligrba]

Because he's a veteran that has had very good on base skills his entire career until this past season. You give veterans with track records, that aren't too old, a bit of a longer rope than young unproven players.

 

Unfortunately, under Scioscia, it really does not matter what a young "unproven" player does or what a veteran with a "track record" does not ...

 

Wally Pip would have never been replaced under Scioscia.

[Stradling]

Unfortunately, under Scioscia, it really does not matter what a young "unproven" player does or what a veteran with a "track record" does not ...

Wally Pip would have never been replaced under Scioscia.

That may have been true but it makes sense with Iannetta.

[tdawg87]

Ok this Johnny G dislike has gotten silly. He isn't a good fielder, but he was a fine hitter last year. He isn't some huge hole in the line up like you are implying. He hit .270 with about a .320 OBP. I would love an upgrade because I value defense, but it's not because he can't hit. I have no idea if he could replicate his clutch stats from last year, but man he seem to come up big with the bats so many times last year.

And this is my issue. You guys will overlook facts and stats because, well, you like the guy. He's scrappy and he tries hard. And hey, he got a bunch of clutch hits!

He had a 96 OPS+. That's below average. He was awful defensively by literally every metric. He is easily replaceable. That doesn't mean he sucks, that doesn't mean I hate him. It means exactly that: He's replaceable.

And by the way, he is not a rookie. He had over 400 plate appearences since 2011 before this year. He's not some young kid trying to figure things out.

If the Angels can upgrade LF then they can afford to keep him at 2nd. If not, then I expect a repeat of 2015.

[tdawg87]

Exactly this.. And Escobar has an option for 2017, right? Furthermore, using all of Tdong87's defensive fangraph stats, the following players are as bad or worse than Gia.. Zobrist, Kendrick, Owens, Lawrie, Walker, Shoop, Cano. Pretty good company.

You obviously don't know how to read those stats, but a valiant effort. Also my 10 year old self laughed at "tdong87".

[NachoPop]

And Iannetta , for some reason, gets a pass despite the fact that we should have been using our pitchers as DH's instead of having him in the lineup.

Im not on either side of the pro/anti Gia argument, but did you not see the plethora of posts on here last year screaming for Iannetta to be benched for Perez? Not sure how he "gets a pass". He was one of the most criticized players i saw last year after Joyce

[Second Base]

You obviously don't know how to read those stats, but a valiant effort. Also my 10 year old self laughed at "tdong87".

It is my doody to remind you that you're an adult now, tdong.

[QuinlansMinion]

It really makes you wonder what this front office is thinking when they trade a huge part of this teams future for a defensive specialist. Only to follow up with having poor defenders at 3rd, 2nd, and 1st while Albert is out.

This team will not be good defensively.

[AngelsFanSince86]

Ok this Johnny G dislike has gotten silly. He isn't a good fielder, but he was a fine hitter last year. He isn't some huge hole in the line up like you are implying. He hit .270 with about a .320 OBP. I would love an upgrade because I value defense, but it's not because he can't hit. I have no idea if he could replicate his clutch stats from last year, but man he seem to come up big with the bats so many times last year.

I like Giavotella. More so as a person than as a ball player. My opinion is basically what tdawg said. .270/.320 is solid if you have any resemblance of pop. Gia has none. His clutch hits are a huuuge stretch to say he will replicate. Nobody hates gia. Everyone loved him last year because he was the best available option, came up in the clutch, and was just fun to cheer for. That time is over. It's clear he's a replacement level player. He should be replaced by someone who is worth more than 1 WAR even after all those clutch hits

[NrM]

Im not on either side of the pro/anti Gia argument, but did you not see the plethora of posts on here last year screaming for Iannetta to be benched for Perez? Not sure how he "gets a pass". He was one of the most criticized players i saw last year after Joyce

even before last year he was one of the most critisized players. People have always hated iannetta.

[Troll Daddy]

It really makes you wonder what this front office is thinking when they trade a huge part of this teams future for a defensive specialist. Only to follow up with having poor defenders at 3rd, 2nd, and 1st while Albert is out.

This team will not be good defensively.

Featherson is a defensive specialist .., are you saying that's what we traded our future for ?

[QuinlansMinion]

Featherson is a defensive specialist .., are you saying that's what we traded our future for ?

Simmons

[mtangelsfan]

even before last year he was one of the most critisized players. People have always hated iannetta.

?..... what the hell are you talking about?

[Angelfaninidaho]

You obviously don't know how to read those stats, but a valiant effort. Also my 10 year old self laughed at "tdong87".

Bullsh*t.. It's not too difficult to sort columns one by one and see who is constantly just above or below Gia.  Kendrick, Zobrist..  Oh and the tdong thing must have been a typo. Must have been.

[ten ocho recon scout]

Regardless of the small sample, Cowart had a stretch where he clearly showed his ability to take an AB. Something that wasn't clear with Kubitza at any point.

To me, there is about a 20% chance of Kubitza being anything more than a replacement level player next year. Cowart is gonna be better than replacement level automatically because of his defense.

At this point, I have more confidence in Cowart than I do Giavotella so I would move Escobar to 2b. But that's just me.

i like cowart too. I dont know if he could ever hit (if not, he'll fit right in), but his plus glove at least has value. Id love to pull for kubitza,mainly because of the hype when we traded him, but i dont know anything about grading young players, so have no clue if he has a chance or not.

Could turn out to be a very bad dipoto move. Or a solid one. Dont see it turning out great though.

At least with cowart and simmons, our offense will be igly, but left side defense should be fun to watch.

[Inside Pitch]

Bullsh*t.. It's not too difficult to sort columns one by one and see who is constantly just above or below Gia.  Kendrick, Zobrist..  Oh and the tdong thing must have been a typo. Must have been.

 

What he's telling you is that looking at a one year sample for defensive metrics is a mistake.  Cano, kendrick, Zobrist etc.... they all have records that paint them as much better defensive players than they showed last year.   Gia has always profiled as a below average defender.  The kindest thing that can be said about his glove is that he is better than Grant Green was.