Rosenthal: What the Halo? Leave Trout in CF!

[ScottT]

"As one rival executive explains, a .930 OPS from Trout in center would give the Angels a far greater competitive advantage than a .930 OPS from him in left. Center fielders generally don’t hit as well as left fielders. The average OPS in center this season is .728. The average OPS in left is .765."

 

What a bunch of nonsense. Trout and Bourjos are going to play. Any advantage gained or lost by their defensive position has nothing to do with their  offense.  It isn't like the Angels have Trout and are looking for a CF so they can move him to LF.  They have two players for two spots.      

[Tyler]

You're misinterpreting it as well.

[stormngt]

What's the relevance?

Well someone on this board said its a lot easier to find a 900+ left fielder.  I don't remember having one since Anderson.  

[Tyler]

You should probably ask that person then.

[Lifetime]

I think the team value is maximized if you use Trout in CF'er and then put a better bat in LF (or 1b/DH) and sacrifice some defensive. In essence you are trading the difference between Trout/Bourjos defensively (minimal) vs. the offensive difference between Bourjos and a standard LF (or 1b/DH) bat. Do you sacrifice some defensive in LF as well...yes...but that is not as significant. Bourjos is also one of the few trade pieces with value the Halos have.

what average/standard LF bat? 

 

And yes, the defensive sacrifice of having Trout in CF and some other LF (with an average bat) is significant. Trout and Bourjos in the OF together is a significant defensive upgrade over just about any other viable option. 

[JB Abell]

We have had this discussion before already so I dont understand why you still dont get it. if you can get a .900+ ops from CF, then the team will have an advantage offensively if you can add the typical LF hitter to your team. its why bourjos has been unnecessary.on this team since the day Trout was called.

Yeah but in this specific situation it doesn't matter. The whole argument has about where to put the players. Their OPS is totally irrelevant because they are both in the lineup. Both players can play both positions. If they decide to trade Bourjos, Trouts OPS as CF becomes relevant. But when deciding where to play them when both will be in the batting lineup, OPS means nothing.

In the grand scheme of things it is important. But not for this specific circumstance.

I think the biggest problem with having Trout in left is that he has made a lot of errors in left field this year. Also, as we all know, he has a propensity for running into walls and that left field wall is a doozie.

[Angel Oracle]

Play Bourjos in CF, and if he continues to hit solidly, his trade value increases.

This is assuming that Calhoun/Shuck can handle the 3rd OF spot at that point until someone else is ready on the farm. 

[Tyler]

Yeah but in this specific situation it doesn't matter. The whole argument has about where to put the players. Their OPS is totally irrelevant because they are both in the lineup. Both players can play both positions. If they decide to trade Bourjos, Trouts OPS as CF becomes relevant. But when deciding where to play them when both will be in the batting lineup, OPS means nothing.In the grand scheme of things it is important. But not for this specific circumstance.I think the biggest problem with having Trout in left is that he has made a lot of errors in left field this year. Also, as we all know, he has a propensity for running into walls and that left field wall is a doozie.

Yeah, fully agreed. Its why I have been very pro-trade Bourjos for pitching. The defense with those two in the OF wont make bad pitching look good.

[full circle]

If any of you think that trout is just as good a lfer as he is cfer then you are blind. It's clear he is much more comfortable in center. He is our franchise player, play him where he feels best.

[Lifetime]

It's clear he's much more comfortable? Really, what are the indications of that exactly?

[full circle]

Lol, he's said as much and his play on the field shows it. If you can't see that I don't know what to tell ya.

[Lou]

I can't remember when Petey's arm last made a difference in a game. I do remember him sailing one in the (general) direction of 3b.

[Lou]

Lifetime explained it perfectly. Trout isn't a 5 year old that is going to complain and then suffer from a lack of performance due to switching back to left.

What if it does?

[Broad Street]

Does this mean Bryce Harper would hit better in Center field too? I'm so confused...

[Lifetime]

Lol, he's said as much and his play on the field shows it. If you can't see that I don't know what to tell ya.

Meh, he basically said he preferred CF because he's played there more. And his defense overall in LF, this year and last have been very good. You seem to want to forget the larger sample size from last year. 

 

Trout acknowledged Sunday that he prefers center field, the position he's played since the Angels selected him in the first round of the 2009 amateur draft. But he also said that he believes playing in left field will help him to become a more complete outfielder.

"I'm a center fielder, obviously," Trout said. "But you know, when you're an outfielder, you should be able to play all three. I think it's going to help me get reads off the bat. It's going to be a fun adjustment for me."

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/mlb/news/20130303/mike-trout-salary.ap/#ixzz2UojSLQxg

[nate]

Shouldn't we put our superstar in the position he prefers?

[Adam]

Just trade Petey. Win-win

[full circle]

Just trade Petey. Win-win

Yes please.

[full circle]

Meh, he basically said he preferred CF because he's played there more. And his defense overall in LF, this year and last have been very good. You seem to want to forget the larger sample size from last year.

Trout acknowledged Sunday that he prefers center field, the position he's played since the Angels selected him in the first round of the 2009 amateur draft. But he also said that he believes playing in left field will help him to become a more complete outfielder.

"I'm a center fielder, obviously," Trout said. "But you know, when you're an outfielder, you should be able to play all three. I think it's going to help me get reads off the bat. It's going to be a fun adjustment for me."

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/mlb/news/20130303/mike-trout-salary.ap/#ixzz2UojSLQxg

Like I said I don't know what to tell ya.

[Lifetime]

Shouldn't we put our superstar in the position he prefers?

why?

[AngelsLakersFan]

True, but I think it benefits in the long run for the guys to know where they're playing from day to day.  It adds to the comfort level, and they can focus on other things 

 

This is why Trout should be playing LF every day...

[nate]

why?

 

Now you are trolling... lol.

[Lifetime]

Like I said I don't know what to tell ya.

So ya, he prefers CF because he's played there most, but it's going to be fun playing adjusting to a different OF position. That's a pretty stiff indictment for keeping Trout in CF even though as good as Trout is in CF we have another player who's skill set is more suited for the CF position. /sarcasm

[Lifetime]

Now you are trolling... lol.

no I'm not. Explain why we should play him in CF over LF because he mildly expressed he prefers CF while also being fine with a move to LF, even saying it would be a fun adjustment.

[Tyler]

It's obvious Bourjos is the better defensive CF, but there are people who want Trout in CF for other reasons. There's no point in trying to convert their thinking LT. It's not as black and white as you are making it to be.