In his latest mailbag piece, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com looks at various facets of the Indians roster. Unsurprisingly, he doesn’t predict any sweeping changes for the Cleveland roster. Here’s more from Bastian and around the AL.
- The Indians bullpen seems set behind closer Cody Allen. The club may wish to bring in a few depth pieces to supplement the middle and long relief components. Nick Hagadone, who is out of options, is a likely candidate as the second lefty. Similarly, the rotation will probably to be filled internally. Zach McAllister and Josh Tomlin can provide above average depth for a rotation fronted by Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar, Trevor Bauer, and T.J. House.
- Had the Indians possessed a better defense, they might have reached the postseason instead of the Royals. However, the club may have solved its woes in-season by promoting Jose Ramirez and moving Carlos Santana to first base. If third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall continues to struggle defensively, Bastian mentions prospect Giovanny Urshela as an alternative.
- Torii Hunter is leaning towards playing in 2015 and would like to return to the Tigers, reports Chris Iott of MLive.com. Hunter labels himself as one of the most consistent hitters in the game. That’s not a bad characterization. Over the past nine seasons, he’s ranged from 13 to 31 percent above average per an advanced stat called wRC+. If you prefer traditional stats, he has always contributed in batting average, power, and run production. The 39-year-old’s defense has declined in recent years. Hunter is prioritizing a World Series championship, however he is unsure if he can accept a reduced role.
- The Orioles have a tough decision regarding Chris Davis, writes Rich Dubroff of CSN Baltimore. Davis may cost upwards of $12MM in his final year of arbitration according to Dubroff, but the Orioles may not want to pay so much for his no-average, all power profile. They do have an internal alternative in Steve Pearce, but he could be needed in the outfield with Nick Markakis and Nelson Cruz potentially departing via free agency. There is seemingly no pathway to return value for Davis short of tendering him and hoping for the best.
That would be Rich Dubroff. Not generally a correct folks kinda guy, but this one was too glaring.
Come on over to Seattle Mr. Hunter. You’ll be a DH, but play every day. We could use your RH bat behind Cano vs lefties and Seager vs righties. If our manager can pull his head out of his behind and not feel the need to hit our bad hitting CFers in the leadoff spot every game, our team could have just as good of chance as anyone to reach the post season and win some games. Plus, think of all the times you can beat up on the Angels after they dumped you for Hamilton.
If I’m the O’s, I’m not complaining about Davis. If he gets $12 mil in his final arb year, you’re looking at some serious upside. Not to mention that Pearce is about as wild as a wild card can get. He’s never really shown that he could come close the level of production he showed this past year. He could be good insurance if Davis doesn’t bounce back, but nothing in his peripherals indicates that Davis lost anything skill-wise. He seems more than capable of getting back to .240 with ~30 HR’s, and a decent walk rate. Considering that league hit .251, I wouldn’t call him ‘no average’ just yet. Give him a chance to prove that 2014 was a fluke.
Yes, but does Disco Llama advertise?
Anyway, seriously, what if the Royals buyout Billy Butler and make him a free agent? I would rather give Butler a chance, then I would Davis
Why? Butler has shown a clear decline in skill set. Sure, he might be able to recapture some of that, but why risk giving $12 mil to a guy on a pillow contract that can’t play defense, cant run, posted a career low in BB% and isolated slugging, and over the last two years hit more than half of his balls on the ground? Butler has much more limited upside and a much lower floor than a guy like Davis.
His GDPs is amazing…what a trainwreck. Even when hitting well he still is a mess with those kind of groundball numbers.
I agree Davis is way better. I would take Davis’ floor over Butler’s ceiling. Even in his best years Butler barely could squeak out 1 WAR.
T.J. House is the man. All I have to say.
No Average? The guy hit .270 and .286 the past previous two seasons before this season. For a guy who hit .196 this year, having an OBP of .300 and driving in 72 runs still would warrant serious consideration from me to tender him a contract.
Regarding Davis, it depends on whether you think “low average-power” profile he demonstrated in 2014 is his skill set. Remember that he hit .286 and .270 in his previous two seasons and he’s going into his age 29 year. Let’s assume 2013 was a fluke. Was 2012 a fluke, and would you pay $12M (and the chance to make a QO and pick up a draft pick) for it? The O’s found gold in Pearce, but why would you think his fluke year is any more a sign of his skill set than 2014 was a sign of Davis’s?