AngelsWin.com Today: Angelswin.com 2018 Primer Series: Corner Infield

[ettin]

54 minutes ago, Scotty@AW said:

I think Avila as a platoon player at 1B with Valbuena is fine but then it requires an investment at 3B, which would be more costly than an acquisition at 1B. Results in the same production but for more money. 

I am actually saying that Valbuena has the 3B job on the strong platoon side and we find a cheap strong platoon side hitter in free agency and Avila fits that description.

Since Simmons is playing every day and any likely 2B we pick will be playing every day, you could have both a utility middle infielder and a utility corner infielder that hit LHP well and have them take the weak side platoons against LHP to spell Valbuena and someone like Avila. So Marte mashes lefties pretty well he is the corner guy and someone like Nolan Fontana is a good OBP type that is good on defense. Have Fontana spell Valbuena and Marte spell someone like Avila. The nice thing about Avila is that he could be a backup catcher too if you really need him to be.

Just ideas. Avila would probably cost the least out of all of the free agent 1B and give you more bang for the buck comparatively.

[Second Base]

2 hours ago, ettin said:

I am actually saying that Valbuena has the 3B job on the strong platoon side and we find a cheap strong platoon side hitter in free agency and Avila fits that description.

Since Simmons is playing every day and any likely 2B we pick will be playing every day, you could have both a utility middle infielder and a utility corner infielder that hit LHP well and have them take the weak side platoons against LHP to spell Valbuena and someone like Avila. So Marte mashes lefties pretty well he is the corner guy and someone like Nolan Fontana is a good OBP type that is good on defense. Have Fontana spell Valbuena and Marte spell someone like Avila. The nice thing about Avila is that he could be a backup catcher too if you really need him to be.

Just ideas. Avila would probably cost the least out of all of the free agent 1B and give you more bang for the buck comparatively.

Before 2017, Avila had managed to hit .213, .191 and .218 for three years straight. After last year's statistically inflated season, his career batting average is up to .243. 

There's no bang there, just buck.

At that rate you're better off sticking with Cron and Valbuena at 1B and re-signing Yunel Escobar.

I like the outside the box thinking, but I'd be pretty disappointed if that's Eppler's plan to fix the offense.

[ettin]

2 hours ago, Scotty@AW said:

Before 2017, Avila had managed to hit .213, .191 and .218 for three years straight. After last year's statistically inflated season, his career batting average is up to .243. 

There's no bang there, just buck.

At that rate you're better off sticking with Cron and Valbuena at 1B and re-signing Yunel Escobar.

I like the outside the box thinking, but I'd be pretty disappointed if that's Eppler's plan to fix the offense.

So it is absolutely not my first choice Scotty.

However I would point out that in 2017 out of all Major League players with at least 100 PA's, Avila had the 2nd highest Hard Hit rate, just behind J.D. Martinez. Against RHP he had a .208 ISO and a .398 OBP. Also over the last two years his HR/FB ratio has jumped quite a bit with 33.3% in 2016 and 21.5% in 2017. He has developed a nice up the middle approach too. Likely he may be a benefactor of hitting mechanics adjustment with his launch angle.

As a cheap strong side platoon hitter I like him. Also he can play backup catcher. It's bang for your buck in my opinion.

[Vlad27Trout27]

I think we may have found our 2md baseman/ 3rd baseman in Jose Miguel Fernandez, who was just release by the Dodgers. He was considered one of the better players in Cuba before leaving last year. With double aa  he hit 306/366/498 with 33 strikeouts and 24 walks including 16 hrs.

[totdprods]

I love the idea of getting Jose Abreu, especially if Sanchez or a good UT IF type could be added in.

[Ace-Of-Diamonds]

Any interest in Todd Frazier from this board? His OBP was .344, 27 HR, and OPS+ 107. He plays both 1B and 3B. He won't cost a draft pick and shouldn't cost as much as other free agents. His SLG against LHP was .552 and a combined 2 team bWAR of 3.4.

I haven't heard much talk about him on this board. I'm no expert at picking talent just curious what everyone's take on him is.

 

[totdprods]

6 minutes ago, Ace-Of-Diamonds said:

Any interest in Todd Frazier from this board? His OBP was .344, 27 HR, and OPS+ 107. He plays both 1B and 3B. He won't cost a draft pick and shouldn't cost as much as other free agents. His SLG against LHP was .552 and a combined 2 team bWAR of 3.4.

I have heard much talk about him on this board. I'm no expert at picking talent just curious what everyone's take on him is.

 

I like Frazier *if* we're addressing 2B and whichever other corner infield position we need still with someone who is high contact/OBP, left-handed or switch-hitter, and leadoff capabilities.

I love Frazier's decent glove and speed and plus-plus power, even if it is right-handed. Even with Upton in the fold, I feel we need one more legit HR threat still.

[Erstad Grit]

3 hours ago, Ace-Of-Diamonds said:

Any interest in Todd Frazier from this board? His OBP was .344, 27 HR, and OPS+ 107. He plays both 1B and 3B. He won't cost a draft pick and shouldn't cost as much as other free agents. His SLG against LHP was .552 and a combined 2 team bWAR of 3.4.

I haven't heard much talk about him on this board. I'm no expert at picking talent just curious what everyone's take on him is.

 

Of course it all depends on the deal.  I want moose because I think he's getting faaaaaaar less than what most are protecting.  I like Frazier a lot on a 3 year deal around 36 mil.