Although outgoing Royal Eric Hosmer is a clear bet to take home the largest contract among first basemen this winter, Travis Sawchik of Fangraphs suspects that career Indians first baseman Carlos Santana will outperform Hosmer for at least the next three years. While Hosmer is younger than Santana and had a better 2017 season by fWAR, Sawchik notes that Santana’s primary skill (his batting eye) is a better bet to age well than any other skill that either player brings to the table. Hosmer has also posted negative fWAR totals in two of his major league seasons; something Santana has never done. Worth mentioning: Santana was worth a total of 21.2 fWAR from 2011-2017, while Hosmer was worth a mere 9.9.
Elsewhere across baseball’s central divisions…
- The offseason for Cardinals’ shortstop Paul DeJong will be an interesting one. As CBS2’s Steve Overmyer reported from New York on Thursday, DeJong has joined renowned scientist Dr. Lawrence Rocks in a lab study about the effects of heat and weather on baseball flight distance. Early returns in the study seem to indicate that while baseballs are likely to travel shorter distances as temperatures get colder, they are also likely to travel shorter distances if temperatures increase past a certain point. “As you decrease temperature, you get less bounce, like an automobile tire on a very cold day – it’s a little more brittle,” Rocks said. “As you increase temperature, the elastomeres get a little mooshy; you get less bounce.”
- While Cubs GM Jed Hoyer has declined to comment on his team’s pursuit of Shohei Ohtani, Patrick Mooney of NBC Sports Chicago suggests a plan of attack for the team in trying to acquire the Japanese ace. While bringing an end to “The Curse” is no longer a selling point (as it may have been to Jon Lester and some others, according to Mooney), Chicago still has plenty to offer as a city. Hoyer will be working hard to put together a more attractive pitch to Ohtani and his agents than the other 29 MLB teams that will be vying for the two-way star’s services.
There’s no “h” in Otani.
It has been spelled both ways. It is due to the translation of his name
Why can’t people worry about the content and comment on that instead of nitpick people over small errors? Good correction fstop13
It’s bc kids use the internet also.
because they get paid to write this, it’s unprofessional to see mistakes
Well it gets spelled both ways and mlbtraderumors addressed this they will spell it ‘Ohtani’
And it’s free for you to read it so quit whinging. Beside the fact they explained in an earlier post that they will spell it Ohtani going forward.
“We have now confirmed, however, that the spelling “Ohtani” is the formal spelling likely to be utilized in his potential transition to the majors.”
You spelled whining wrong. There is no silent g, it’s not like lasagna.
But there’s no unprofessional mistake here……
His uniform in Japan spells it with an “h”.
But there’s a “T” in Tool…
Heh Heh Heh!
Actually in a post yesterday… *Astute readers will note that MLBTR has now adopted a new spelling. Previously, for a variety of reasons, we utilized the anglicization “Otani.” We have now confirmed, however, that the spelling “Ohtani” is the formal spelling likely to be utilized in his potential transition to the majors.
It’s true. MLB has a unwritten rule that you can only have a maximum of 2 h’s in your full name. Think about it, can you name one major leaguer with more?
Rhys Hoskins
Lol that’s 2
Phil Hughes.
Very nice. You’re the only one that came up with at least 3. I was hoping someone would get Hugh High.
Hubert H. Humphrey threw out a first pitch.
Joel Hanrahan
Only 2
Hal Newhouser
Some of you people have fallen victim to counting
Pose a theory, however idiotic, to stat conscious folks and they’ll move mountains to find the answer. I knew I could rely on my MBLTR brethren.
Toby Harrah. Spell it backwards if you like.
Hugh High.
You did get it. Nice job, your son would be proud of you.
That’s so not true at all!
And your not really Batman. You think I’m makin’ this stuff up
Heath Hembree
Nice. For that you get to graduate to pt58.
There is an H in Otani its Ohtani as explained on this site yesterday
The correct spelling has an H
Actually its 오타니, but who’s got time for that.
Lol
Make the Cubs great again.
Have they stopped?
They were never great. 1 in a 100. Now back to nothingville.
Agreed.
Yeah 3 straight NLCS’s sure is nothing. Gonna be at least 6 straight before this team starts declining.
All Cubs starting pitchers had career years in 16(besides Arrietas 1.77 Non steroid ERA). Starting pitching is what they don’t have and why they will overpay for it, and why they will never win in the foreseeable future because of bad contracts. Give Theo I handy if you want, but don’t forget why he was able to walk into in Boston, and especially don’t forget how he left that franchise when he walked away from it.
Again 3 straight nlcs appearances one World Series basically the same team. Tell me again how they are not great.
And again another nitwit who thinks Arrieta was on steroids. Do you not understand how much testing they do now? Go watch your boring ass White Sox idiot.
Thank you! About time someone else see this other than me. He is a good GM, but give me Cashman or Friedman any day of the week
Since when is 3 straight CS appearances with a World Series championship not great?
Chitown311 is a troll who takes pit shots at the Cubs in every post.
Disgruntled White Sox fan.
Wow, awfully confident. Especially considering they need to trade more assets or spend heavy in next couple seasons to fill gaps.
Name calling aside, if you honestly think Arrieta did not get on PEDs you’re either need your eyes checked or brain examined (possibly both). He was one of more obvious ones in recent years. Oh but tell me more about his Pilates and veggie shakes, etc.
Name 5 “superstars” who have been suspended while “in their prime” the past 10 years. They get guys like A rod and Manny on their way out. Big Papi had one of his greatest years as like a 40 year old, seriously!?!?
Mlb got Dee Gordon last year which is just ridiculous. It’s ll about money & fans want to see the stars (if you don’t realize or accept that you’re foolish). Mlb PED policy is one of the biggest jokes in sports!
Arrieta was never on PEDs or steroids. Where the hell do you come up with that? That’s ridiculous. That’s like saying Barry Bonds is the home run king. Everyone knows Hank Aaron is still the true home run king.
Try winning and competing for over 20 years. Year after year with 2 or 3 world Championships and a couple runner ups. Now that is greatness. Not tanking on purpose just to get top draft picks. That’s not great at all.
Hi Chitown311. Cubs have three straight NLCS appearances a pennant and world series championship the past 3 seasons.
No go cry to your mommy and deal with it
Vaey good. All the Cardinal Wayers harumphed in agreement.
Are you a doctor who collects the pee specimens? You have no proof anyone is on steroids. Even myself hating the Doyers defended a Doyer fan saying power hitting center fielder Chris Taylor isn’t on steroids. Just appreciate someone actually has talent.
I think it’s a bit early to decide on the greatness of these Cubs. However, for Cubs fans the 2016 team will be one for eternity.
I really hope the Tribe re-signs Santana. But if they don’t, an infield of Ramirez at 3B, Lindor at SS, Kipnis at 2B, and Diaz at 1B would work for me.
Yeah that .679 OPS plays so well at 1B…SMH
I hope the Red Sox try and sign Santana instead of spending all that money on Stanton
Cubs, Rangers or Dodgers it’s that simple guys.
Go Note Dame!!!
A Notre Dame AND a Yankees fan? You have excellent taste indeed!
Who can’t get the Notre Dame correlation?
DeJong is a character. I love the guy
Red Sox should go for a 1B/DH committee between Hanley Ramirez and Carlos Santana.
I think Ohtani goes to the Yanks, they have a rotrating DH spot waiting for him and right field is perfect for his swing. They are also looking for a front line pitcher, and this team is young and on the verge of greatness. He would also make a lot of money in indorsements.
It’s not about money for him, it’s where he feels comfortable and can be a two way player
It’s not about the money, but he’s right he’s going to the Yankees
Take your “h” and shove it
I ain’t reading here no more ……….
He’ll be a so so pitcher or average hitter in MLB
Oh back so soon?
Which is a great deal against the cap for league minimum.
Carlos Santana, age 32 in 2018: 23.0 fWAR in 1116 games
Eric Hosmer, age 28 in 2018: 9.9 fWAR in 1048 games
Hosmer is the most overrated player in baseball by far. Santana might be the most underrated. Whoever gives Hosmer $100M will regret it, he’s a 5/80 guy at most. Santana actually deserves 5/100.
I can’t believe any MLB club would let him be a 2 way player. If he’s an expensive ace pitcher, would you want to risk him to injury as a position player?
DH
He’s not an expensive pitcher.
He will be making league minimum. The same as some reliever your team calls up from Triple-A.
And, no. I don’t count the posting bonus in my figuring.
I trust this site. I’ll order my cubs jersey wirh Otani on back
Isn’t happening, at least I really hope not.
This site actually said its being spelled with an H . So….
Sabermetrics got these guys confused. No one would rather have Santana over Hosmer… because Hosmer is better. Offense, defense and on the bases. Essentially Santana is only good for his 90 walks every year. The rest is a toss up
But those extra 40 walks per year are worth well over a win.
Santana is better defensively and has a more consistent bat year to year. There is more certainty with what Santana will give you. Hosmer could very easily throw up his fourth 0 or – war year again next year.