With the new year on its way, we’re actually just six weeks or so away from the opening of Spring Training. But there’s plenty of work yet to do on the transactional side. A variety of interesting and useful free agents remain unsigned, and there are certainly some trade scenarios left to explore. Many teams have addressed needs; some, perhaps, have all but completed their offseason work. But there’s always room for improvement, and a few organizations still have significant holes to fill.
To set the stage for the remainder of the offseason, we’ll take a look at the most pressing remaining needs of every team in baseball over the coming week or so, division by division.Ā (Hat tip to MLBTR commenter mike156 for the idea.)Ā We often discuss things through the lens of an organization’s trajectory; thus, a rebuilding team might “need” to move some salary, while a contender might “need” an expensive starter. But with camp in sight, every club is making final calls on who’ll compete for big league jobs in the season to comeĀ (while also pursuing broader opportunities), so the focus here is on specific positions on the MLB roster.Ā Fortunately, the task of roster analysis is made much easier by the MLB depth charts available at RosterResource.com. Each team listed below is linked to its respective depth chart, so you can take a look for yourself.
First up: the National League West. We’ll start with the reigningĀ division champs and go in order of how these teams lined up last year. I identified three needs for each team in this particular division, though they certainly vary in importance, and future iterations could have longer or shorter lists:
- Second Base: Andrew Friedman and co. aren’t afraid to get creative, and don’t feel compelled to add big names. But the projected second base mix — which might include Enrique Hernandez, Chris Taylor, Austin Barnes, Micah Johnson, and Charlie Culberson — doesn’t appear to hold all that much promise. Los Angeles is rumored to be pursuing a solution, with particularly intense discussion surrounding Brian Dozier of the Twins, so the expectation remains that an outside addition will be made.
- Left Field: The in-house options are certainly more robust in the corner outfield, but that remains an area that the Dodgers could look to improve — particularly, if the team can find a true difference-maker (all the better if he hits from the right side). If Yasiel Puig remains as a semi-regular option in right, that would leave the other corner spot open to a variety of platoon scenarios, potentially involving Trayce Thompson, Scott Van Slyke, Darin Ruf, or even Hernandez or Culberson from the right side, and Andre Ethier and Andrew Toles from the left. Options? Sure, plenty. But adding an established piece to handle the bulk of the load might not only boost the lineup, but also permit L.A. to carry another of its much-loved flex players.
- Right-Handed Reliever: This isn’t a pressing need, exactly, but we’ve heard plenty of chatter about possible righty pen pieces — Joe Blanton, especially. Pedro Baez and Chris Hatcher currently rate as the top two right-handed set-up options in front of closer Kenley Jansen, so adding to that group makes quite a bit of sense.
- Ā Third Base: San Francisco gave up a fairly significant piece to obtain Eduardo Nunez at the trade deadline last year, while shipping Matt Duffy in the trade that brought back Matt Moore. That reshuffling left Nunez as the presumptive man at the hot corner, with postseason hero Conor Gillaspie providing a platoon mate. But it’s certainly fair to argue that the organization could reap significant rewards by adding a bigger bat to play third, bumping Nunez into a super-utility role in which he could provide plenty of value.
- Left Field: Like the Dodgers, the Giants certainly have internal possibilities to fill the void in left. If a third baseman is ultimately added, that might free Nunez to spend some time there, too. (Then again … just read this.) As things stand, the position will likely be manned by a combination of unproven (albeit fairly well-regarded) players: Jarrett Parker and Mac Williamson. And Gorkys Hernandez remains available as a reserve, too, though he’ll likely supplement Denard Span in center.Ā There are a few familiar names on hand as minor-league free agents, but in the aggregate, there’s a lot of uncertainty.
- Right-Handed Reliever: The Giants’ pen has a lot of quality arms, despite the struggles in the ninth inning in 2016, and adding Mark Melancon as the closer largely closes the books in terms of needs there. But it never hurts to build depth and create competition, and the Giants could conceivably push pitchers such as Cory Gearrin and George Kontos by adding one or two alternatives.
- First Base: While Ian Desmond is apparently penciled in at first base, it still seems to make all the sense in the world to add another player there while utilizing Desmond in the outfield. Read here for more on that situation.
- Right-Handed Reliever: While the Rox are fairly heavily invested in a variety of relievers, the pen remains questionable. That’s most apparent in the team’s lack of right-handed setup options in front of presumptive closer Adam Ottavino. Currently, Jason Motte and Chad Qualls are the only two righties who seem clearly in line for such a role, with players like Jordan Lyles, Carlos Estevez, and Miguel Castro among the other options. Given the team’s investment in Desmond, excellent position-player core, and relatively promising crop of starters, now may be the time to spend a little extra to complete the bullpen.
- Starting Pitcher: “You can never have too much pitching.” Corollary: especially if you are the Rockies. Colorado likely feels comfortable with at least four of its rotation spots, but bringing in some depth and generating camp competition seems like a worthwhile course given the history of attrition in Coors Field. Investing a bit to fill some innings while reducing pressure on the team’s younger arms could go a long way towards making the Rockies a contender — and even enhancing their mid-term outlook.
- Left-Handed Reliever: The top two southpaw options in the Arizona pen, presently, are Andrew Chafin and Steve Hathaway. While the former has a fair bit of MLB experience, he was hit hard in the majors last year. And while the latter earned his way to the bigs with a solid minor-league season, and did log 9.2 K/9 over his 14 2/3 MLB frames, he also coughed up eight earned runs in that brief debut. Bottom line: depth, at a minimum, would be desirable. The D-Backs have already shown a willingness to draw a player by offering a role, when they signed Fernando Rodney to step in as the closer, and that approach may pay dividends here as well (even if it means waiting to see what players shake loose during camp).
- Right-Handed Reliever: While the need isn’t quite as pronounced, perhaps, the right-handed side of the relief corps could also stand to be buttressed. Randall Delgado is a reliable provider of innings, but hasn’t consistently delivered results. Jake Barrett, Enrique Burgos, Silvino Bracho, and Evan Marshall are each intriguing to varying degrees, but still come with uncertainty. With plenty of veteran righties still out there, it’s a fairly easy call to keep pursuing depth.
- Bench Bat: Much of the position-player side of the roster is accounted for, but the D-Backs could stand to add some pop — or, perhaps, just a useful all-around player who can play multiple roles — to their bench. Yasmany Tomas (defense) and David Peralta (health) come with big questions; other 40-man pieces such as Jeremy Hazelbaker, Ketel Marte, and Socrates Brito have yet to prove they’re capable major leaguers; and additional potentialĀ options on hand (lefties Oswaldo Arcia and Zach Borenstein) are equally uncertain. It’s not a pressing need, perhaps, but with a market still loaded with power bats, an interesting opportunity could present itself.
- Starting Pitcher: True, the Friars already signedĀ Jhoulys Chacin and Clayton Richard. But those two hurlers are arguably their current top starters, which isn’t optimal. There’s a reason, after all, that they were available on such modest contracts. While Luis Perdomo showed quite a bit of promise last year as a Rule 5 pick, it’s perhaps preferable to at least create a situation where he doesn’t have to work at the major league level. And the other potential rotation pieces on the 40-man — Christian Friedrich, Paul Clemens, Cesar Vargas, Zach Lee, and Walker Lockett — are hardly proven commodities. San Diego has been tied to a variety of veteran free agents, including Jake Peavy and Jered Weaver, and could also look into the trade market if an opportunity arises.
- Shortstop: Luis Sardinas may still be deserving of a shot, but he hasn’t done anything to date to show he’s capable of being an everyday option at short. The other options are wanting, too: while prospect Carlos Asuaje hit well last year at Triple-A, he hasn’t played short since 2014; Jose Rondon reached the majors at just 22 years of age, but didn’t exactly master the upper minors with the bat; 21-year-old Javier Guerra struggled last year at High-A; Jose Pirela was non-tendered and re-signed to a minor-league deal after a poor showing in 2016; and Rule 5 selection Allen Cordoba is as speculative as they come, given that he hasn’t played above the Rookie ball level.
- Closer: It isn’t strictly necessary for the Pads to add a closer, as they could utilize Brandon Maurer in that role and could welcome Carter Capps back to action at some point in 2016. But there’s little reason not to explore a market that includes several former 9th-inning men who might like a crack at another stint.Ā Pursuing that route in 2016 with Rodney paid dividends when he was flipped over the summer, and the cost of a signing could be recouped by avoiding larger arbitration raises to existing players.
eaters
This is both an excellent write-up and a great bit of giving the “customer” what they want. This is why I love MLBTR and I will always forgive any struggles they have with rogue ads.
TargetTime_18
I second that great write-up as usual. You guys do a great job.
Jeff Todd
Thanks, glad y’all like it. Made sense with the lull in the market.
df08988
Will you be doing the same for the other divisions and the AL?
Dock_Elvis
Jeff…just a story idea Ive been tossing around…but is there a way of organizing various industry thoughts on Jose Quintana’s outlook. Mention of his “ace or not?” status lights a fire in the comment sections. It’d be interesting to hear how insiders feel. I’m sure the media sources are floating around. Anyway…just an idea…Happy New Year!
Jeff Todd
I thought about it, but he has been discussed so much already that I decided against it (for tonight, anyhow). See, e.g.: fangraphs.com/blogs/the-price-for-jose-quintana-sh…
Appreciate the thoughts from everyone. A happy new year to all!
Dock_Elvis
Quintana just creates such a response in some people. He ends up being everything from a true ace to some mediocre innings eater.
SuperSinker
He’s a difficult player to evaluate. So much of his performance relies on quality of contact and aversion to walks. Elite level production without the accompanying elite level talent creates uncertainty.
Dock_Elvis
For sure. But when do you call an anomaly an actual talent? Quintana has quite the track record with park factor and defense seemingly also working against him.
JrodFunk5
Agree! MLBTR is my favorite site!
CursedRangers
Cool idea on this type of article. Nice job!
angelsinthetroutfield
Yep. Great article and terrific suggestion!
arcadia Ldogg
Come on San Diego. Get one or two real starters through trades.
I thought the Angels had a hard time after they lost five starting pitchers through the year ( three gone after spring training.
Lorenzo
After Jettisoning all the veterans last year and calling up pieces of the future positional core in September, the Padres have set up 2017 to “see what the kids can do.” They have no trade candidates left that they don’t want to keep, so only FA bounce back starter candidates need apply.
They have three potential starters who are out of options in Friedrich, Clemens, and Cosart, and other unproven bodies available. It may well be that the Padres are about done making moves, and will go with what they’ve got. After all, the sports writers are all saying they’re tanking this year.
stymeedone
I could see a match with the Tigers. Iglesias and Boyd going to SD and Jankowski + a AAA pitcher coming to Detroit. It fills SS and provides a young SP for the SD rotation. It provides a CF and leadoff hitter for Comerica, plus depth for the pen.
tuner49
The NL-W seems to be a prime area for Avila to spend some time with on the phone. Pelfrey, Sanchez, JD and Kinsler could all find new homes out West.
Can’t see him giving up Boyd but maybe sending a minor league pitcher not named Manning, Burrows, or Jimenez plus Pelfrey with Iglesias for Jankowski and a prospect. They get a starter equal to or better than Chacin and Richard for the rotation now and could be flipped at the deadline if one of their kids seem ready.They also get another pitcher who could be ready by 2018. They have Ortega to field CF till they want to bring up Margot.
YourDaddy
I don’t think you are going to see Jankowski included in any trades, at least not trades that are for guys that are losing their starting jobs this year like Iglesias. Matt Boyd is basically a AAA pitcher, so that’s not a fit for us either. Maybe the Tigers get a couple of prospects for Iglesias. A couple of names I have seen floated are Ruddy Giron and Jean Cosme. Both are young high upside guys. That would be a fair trade.
tuner49
Um… Iglesias was an All Star in 2015 and led the league in least SO per AB in 2016. He is not losing his job. Boyd would be a top 3 SP on the SDP staff and is left handed. It doesn’t matter since Detroit will not trade him anyways.
If anyone is losing his job,it is Jankowski. Not because of his skills, but because the Padres have a great prospect in Margot taking over CF. Jankowski’s bat is too weak as a corner OF and will be pushed out of CF.
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
No. Trading for Iglesias does not fill SS for SD. If the Padres trade for Iglesias they still won’t contend in 2017 or 2018, he’ll sign with someone else after 2018 and then they will be back in the same position they are now only without whoever they traded to get Iglesias.
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
Why would the Padres want Iglesias!?!?!?!?!? To make a run on the Diamondbacks and 4th in the division?
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
I’d rather keep Giron and Cosme and then just sign Iglesias two years from now. The Padres aren’t going to contend in 2017 or 2018 even with Iglesias and he’s going to sign with the highest bidder two years from now no matter who he spends the next 2 seasons with.
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
Jankowski still isn’t going anywhere unless the Padres get back something that will help them more than he will. Iglesias isn’t going to help the Padres at all being that he’s a free agent before they will realistically contend.
zippytms
All that means is that Jankowski moves to a 4th OF role, which makes a ton of sense given his profile. He’s excellent defensively and a threat on the bases, so a reserve role with pinch running duties is a nice fit. Plus his platoon splits match with Margot. He’s a keeper as long as the speed and defense play up.
socalbum
For Dodgers, adding Dozier significantly reduces the need for a corner OF’er whereas a lesser offensive threat at second base would likely result in Dodgers acquiring a corner OF bat who is effective against LH pitching. RH BP arm, I think Hatcher is on the bubble of even making the roster with Baez, Ravin, Stripling, Fields, Rhame, and Frias competing for spot. If LH’er Liberatore is healthy either he or LH’er Grant Dayton could be in the setup role for Jansen.
BlueSkyLA
Agreed, though any solid RHB at 2B serves the same purpose. Even so the lineup is still too LH heavy.
As for Baez and Hatcher, they are the other team’s answer to being behind. I’d entertain almost anybody else in the setup role.
dodgers805
I agree, 2b is the main need. I’d be satisfied going into the season with the incumbent Ethier/Van Slyke or Thompson platoon playing LF.
Frankly, I’d rather see an upgrade in the pitching depth over an above a LF pickup from the market.
doolittle
Thoroughly impressed with how quickly you put this together. Well done.
jdodson1822
Wrong Matt Duffy
vtadave
You da real MVP
JCurrie
Hey Jeff, love this article, I know you’ve been looking for some article ideas, and while you guys already do these occasionally, I really enjoy the transaction retrospects articles, and the “this day in transactions history”
petersdylan36
Love the article
I think the padres can afford to give Luis Sardinas the whole year at SS and see what they have in him.
YourDaddy
We don’t have any backups for Sardinas even if we do give him a shot to play full time. Sardinas has never had more than 180 AB in the majors in a season and he hit .244 in the majors and .253 in 182 ABs in AAA last year, so hard to put your faith in him to go out there for 600+AB. No matter what we need to pick up a shortstop.
petersdylan36
I think that’s exactly why we give him the full year. We have nothing to lose, no better option, and last year we sent out Alexi Ramirez for the first 3/4 of the year; if we can do that, we can do that with Sardinas too.
YourDaddy
We don’t have a backup, so we will be trading for a shortstop no matter what. May as well get a better one since Sardinas is a defense only type of player.
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
Jose Rondon says hi
zippytms
So does Allen Cordoba.
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
Why? What exactly do we lose by giving Sardinas the job for the next year or two? Unless you seriously think a shortstop is the only thing the Padres need to contend then there is no point in giving up anything with any value for a shortstop without several years of control at this point.
mrpadre19
Allen CĆ³rdoba is a rule 5 pick.
If we keep him he has to stay on the roster all season.
There’s our backup SS.
phillyphan3
Padres needs.
1. Talent.
Dock_Elvis
2. Free the brown uniforms.
chesteraarthur
3. Release Chris Sale on the camo unis
DeadliestCatch
4. Tony Gwynn’s ghost to be the hitting coach.
YourDaddy
Best selling uni other than the Home Whites is the Camo. People like them and have voted with their wallets. .
CursedRangers
Even as a non-Padre fan I like the camo uniforms. In regards to people buying more of the uniforms, that ultimately comes with putting a winning product on the field. You can’t expect people to open up their wallets with a projected opening day payroll of less than $30M.
Dock_Elvis
If you’re getting the ghost of Tony Gwynn…why not go ahead and start him in right?
zippytms
Best selling uni was the All-Star Game Workout Day brown and gold with orange. That thing demolished ASG sales records.
YourDaddy
Buy the Brown unis and the Padres will start wearing them more. Unfortunately for the people that like them, neither you nor anyone else buys them.
dodgers805
Really?
“Padres’ Brown, gold fuel record FanFest sales”
sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/all-star-game/sdut…
Dock_Elvis
The mockups of new style brown/gold are very good….why they dont go with them is beyond me. So much blue in the game….the Padres could have such distinctive uniforms. They don’t even have to be funky and tacky.
Lorenzo
The Padres have the positional talent, but the starter talent, the college pitchers they’ve picked up and two pitchers who had Tommy John surgery, won’t be ready until 2018. Never confuse lack of MLB experience for lack of talent. Every established player you can name was once an unknown.
mrbaseball
Sounds like adding Scooter to the Braun trade might make sense for the Brewers and Dodgers.
davidcoonce74
Gennet can’t hit lefties at all, though, and that’s already the Dodgers problem.
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
Scooter is a LH below average platoon guy. That’s not really what they are looking for If there is a Braun trade he really makes no sense even as a throw in.
jimmyz
If the dodgers are looking for a package deal to address both of those needs, which is kind of a dubious notion, Cutch and Josh Harrison would make more sense.
ducksnort69
Wonder if the Rays and Dodgers could line up for trade involving Forsythe and Boxberger. 2 guys Friedman traded for before. Forsythe has been sneaky good.
stryk3istrukuout
Scott Kazmir and Ross Stripling for Martin Prado?
Brixton
I wonder if the Dodgers would have any interest in Cesar Hernandez.
Plays 2B (check)
Hits lefties (hit .341 against them last year)
Was a 3 WAR play last year.
LADreamin
Would love Cesar Hernandez. It all depends if the Phillies are dealing and what it would take prospect-wise.
YourDaddy
Why would the Phillies be interested in trading a good, young, controllable starting 2B? Seems that doesn’t fit with where they are in their rebuild.
BillGiles
Because they need more assets in the system. Plus, one of their top prospects is a second baseman, Kingery
YourDaddy
The Phillies have an extremely deep system, but where they lack depth is middle infield. Kingery is the only 2B in the system with any chance of contributing before 2020 and he might be ready in 2018 and might not be ready until 2019. So it would not make any sense to trade Hernandez now.
stymeedone
I wouldn’t mind them coming back to look at what Detroit can offer. JD Martinez for LF and Kinsler for 2B. Plus they may be interested in a Wilson or two for the bullpen.
gillyking
LAD would opt for Josh Fields ahead of Chris Hatcher as a RH set up guy. Hopefully they re sign Blanton for the 2017 season. Chris Hatcher is a head case that lost his courage and has slumped into a home run derby pitcher.
comebacktrail28
Quintana makes so much sense for the Rockies ………. The Giants and Dodgers Struggle against LH pitching and the Rockies need more pitching
YourDaddy
Blackmon for Quintana might make sense. Probably some ancillary pieces from both sides, but that is a fit for both teams.
The Oregonian
Since Quintana has more team control I have to figure he has more trade value than Blackmon. Blackmon and a couple prospects for Quintana seems fair, but the Sox might not plan on contending til around 2019, so it still might not make too much sense from their perspective unless the prospects were well regarded.
Bob Sacamano 310
I wouldn’t really want Blackmon in a deal for Q.
SuperSinker
Ya I don’t think the White Sox would find Blackmon an appealing target for Quintana.
YourDaddy
I’ve got no dog in this fight , so let’s take a look from an objective standpoint.
Tilson or Blackmon? No brainer there. The White Sox are not going to get the kind of package for Quintana that they got for Sale, so to get a proven MLB player like Blackmon is a huge plus. Even with top 100 prospects, only 1 in 3 become regulars in the majors. It’s a fit for both teams. Only question is who else would need to be involved in the trade. Probably Quintana and a prospect like Hansen for Blackmon and a couple of prospects like McMahon and Musgrave who is MLB ready or Lambert or a lower level guy with tremendous upside like Justo. That would be a fair trade for both teams.
Shoot lets make it a blockbuster. Quintana and Abreu for Blackmon, Patterson, Freeland, and McMahon.
Dock_Elvis
There’s probably quite a bit of competition for Quintana on the prospect front….not that the Rockies couldn’t potentially have the players to make that move.
Dock_Elvis
I think if the Rockies could have gotten Quintana for Blackmon and not involved any of their other major prospects…we’d have seen that trigger pulled.
Brewers_Germany
I also want to say DANKESCHĆN from Hamburg, Germany. I am a Brewers fan and your site together with Team Stream are my number one reads every day. Keep it up, you are doing an awesome job!
Brewers_Germany
Personally, I think Braun will stay put as they haven’t managed to figure out a trade until now. And Scooter is not a bad option to have on the 25 man roster and way too valuable to give him away as a “throw in”. He can hit and is not a bad defender, too.
jkim319
We Cubs fans have been watching the strangely ‘quiet’ build up of talent in Milwaukee. I am hoping the Brewers hold on to him to the point where his value goes down… Braun is arguably at his (trade) peak between now and July 31..
Hope they blow it by keeping braun (on a bad team) and then try to trade him … you guys have enough talent (7(?) in MLB top 100)..
Bob Sacamano 310
Frazier and Melky plus cash (cover half of Melky’s ~$15 mill) as rentals to the Giants for a couple of B level prospects?
SuperSinker
I’d aim higher. Frazier is a pretty good player, I wouldn’t package him with Melky and water down his trade value. The White Sox can have players like Melky play since they aren’t in a rush to compete.
rugrat907
I also doubt the Giants are particularly interested in bringing back Melky after 2012. I’d be fine with them going with a Parker/Williamson platoon in LF to start the season – might as well see what they can do for a couple of months. There will be plenty of available players mid-season if that’s not working out.
sacball
If the Giants purposely left Melky off of the playoff roster in 2012, odds are they’ll steer clear of a trade for him as well
Solaris611
Padres starting rotation candidates have to be the weakest bunch I’ve ever seen on a major league roster. Even the ’69 Seattle Pilots arguably had more talent on their pitching staff. Unless multiple prospects have phenomenal seasons, there’s gonna be a LOT of arms cycle through that rotation in ’17.
YourDaddy
Did you get a good look at the Reds last year? Much worse.
padreforlife
Can’t argue rotation is horrendous with zero depth and relief also. 100 loss team easy
YourDaddy
Our relief staff is actually pretty good and pretty deep. Especially with 2 of Cosart, Vargas and Clemens moving to the pen. That is not an area we are worried about.
kylelohse
Seems like the Rockies could line up on a trade around Blackman for a starter. I don’t see the Rays trading Archer so maybe Odorizzi and prospects? Cargo would cost too much for his salary so I don’t see the Rays being interested in him either. By making a deal like this the Rockies get a quality #2 starter, can move Desmond to center and then go sign a thumper for 1B like Chris Carter who would be cheap and probably hit 50+ HR in Coors.
seamaholic 2
Honestly not sure Odorizzi would make the Rockies rotation. Probably would in a 4 or 5 spot, but there’s no bloody way Blackmon gets moved for a mediocre starter like that. Blackmon was the 2nd best CF in baseball last year.
chesteraarthur
Trout, JBJ, and Fowler were all better than Blackmon.
YourDaddy
Blackmon is the 2nd best offensive CF in baseball. His defense in CF is not so great, but he would play a corner OF spot in Tampa. Odorizzi plus a couple of prospects like Bauers and Koch should get it done.
kylelohse
Hoping you are simply trolling as Odorizzi would easily be the Rockies #1 starter. And like I said, Odorizzi and prospects. Blackmon has had one very good year and the rest have been okay. Also have the Coors field advantage to worry about as the Rays experienced with Dickerson last season.
Dock_Elvis
I think if the Rockies go sp pitcher hunting..they aim a little higher. They conceivably have the prospects and depth to deal for Chris Archer. Blackmons defense likely inproves greatly away from that massive Coors OF. Its interesting…I do think they try to trade for a frontline starter.
n888
Thanks for this – great content during the coldest slowest week of the baseball news year. And the Brisbee link re: Nunez in LF is phenomenal!
Thronson5
Things have been slow even with some big bats still out there, not as free agents but through trade so it’s nice to have something to read about baseball until something actually happens.
MatthewBaltimore23
The Rockies can’t play Desmond in the outfield unless they move someone else to another team or to first. They have Dahl, Blackmon, and Gonzalez in the outfield. Everyone says it is such an issue that they are playing him at a position he doesn’t play, but you have to think about that before last season, Desmond was primarily a shortstop, not an outfielder.
Dock_Elvis
The issue would be that offensively he’s only about average for a 1B….so the issue really isnt probably his defensive ability. He’s much more valuable back at SS or in the OF