Ketel Marte is likely ticketed for heavy usage in centerfield this season, per Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. The Diamondbacks stated preference for Marte is twofold: they’d like to return him to the infield, and they’d like not to bounce him between positions (in 2019, Marte appeared in 96 games in center, 83 at second, and 11 at shortstop). But unless they make a move on the trade market, GM Mike Hazen is unlikely to satisfy both criteria. They could have their cake and eat it too by trading for the Pirates’ star centerfielder of the same surname. Speculatively speaking, Starling Marte and Jackie Bradley Jr. are both available, and there aren’t many options beyond those two to upgrade in center. A year after picking 8 times in the first 100 selections of the 2019 draft, the Diamondbacks have the prospect capital to make such a move if they want to cash in. If not…
- …the organization is much better off in the second baseman department, with Eduardo Escobar, Andy Young, Ildemaro Vargas, Domingo Leyba and Josh Rojas all capable of winning the spot with a strong spring. Eduardo Escobar’s handling of the keystone only becomes likely if Jake Lamb stakes his claim to the hot corner with some authority. That’s not out of the question for the 29-year-old, though given last year’s .193/.323/.353 performance, Lamb would need a very strong spring to gird himself against any kind of early season slump. Otherwise, the Diamondbacks appear comfortable letting a host of options work their way through second base. Escobar is likelier to play third most of the time, as he did last year, with one of their younger options such as Rojas or Young chunking their time up the middle. With Kole Calhoun in right and Stephen Vogt brought in to back up at catcher, the centerfield/second base slot remains the last significant variable for the Diamondbacks to solve on offense before Opening Day.
- Regarding arbitration, the Diamondbacks reached one-year accords with four arb-eligible players yesterday: Robbie Ray, Andrew Chafin, Matt Andriese and Jake Lamb. The D-backs also locked up their left fielder David Peralta with a three-year, $22MM deal. Incumbent closer Archie Bradley and consecutive gold glove winner Nick Ahmed are the only two players headed for the arbitration panel as of right now. Figures for both players have been filed.
Marte started 96 in CF, 83 at 2B, and 11 at SS? Starting 190 games is, like, a record.
Seriously, what an absolute beast to start 190 out of 162 games last season! Great writing
If every team tied with the same record, how many extra end of season games would there be to determine the playoffs?
I know this was not the case. Just wondering?
Ask this same question around midnight and you’ll get some creative and drunken replies. Right now it’s too early in the morning for people’s brains to be able to figure this one out.
Usually the number of games is one less than the number of teams. 2 teams, 1 game, 4 teams, 3 games, 8 teams, 7 games. You’ll notice the number of teams is two to a positive integer power. It’s different if there are 30 teams. You have to play 15 games to get it to 15 teams but then it gets messy. You could play 7 games and have in team left over. That’s when double elimination starts to make sense because you have to deal with teams not easily playing in “rounds”. If it did ever happen, the games would be in Indianapolis. It would be called the Indy .500. :-)
But then there would be ties for the wild card as well after the divisions are determined. I think MLB should put a report out for it.
You’re right. It’s a big mess. You’d have to do 5 teams at a time for the divisions. 1-2,1-3,1-4,1-5,2-3,2-4,2-5,3-4,3-5,4-5. 10 games where everyone plays 4 games. There could still be ties! That’s 60 more games. Then you have the wild card with whoever is left in the league. Definitely need a 200 page report rule book in case this happens after the robot umps make everyone equal.
First figure out the probability of having a three team, then exponentially increases for 4, 5, 6. You’re asking an impossibility. That’s the genius of playing everyone in your league an odd number of games.
Top notch free content complaining
Not started: appeared. That is possible through starting in a game at one position and shifting to an other position in the same game. That way in one game you can appear in CF and 2B, for example.
way to get there before me.
Took games played column of Baseball reference and not games started column.
Errors happen.
You guys realize you can play more than one position per game right?
You realize it says started, right? Nice try though
haha, great point! He *appeared in* that many games per position. It’s so early, you guys.
Except it says appeared
Obviously TC meant played not started. He switched positions in multiple games. Was that really that hard to figure out!!??
Did they change the post? Now it says “appeared in 96 games in center, 83 at second, and 11 at shortstop”.
id like to see Leyba get a starting shot now. lost a lot of prospect luster with his injury, but one forgets he’s still quite young (he’ll be 24 for most of next year) and has hit well in the minors (trending upward in specific) since the lost 2017.
in 2019, Marte started 96 games in center, 83 at second, and 11 at shortstop
There might be an error of some kind here. Seems like more that 162.
Errors happen – Understand
Took games played column of Baseball reference and not games started column
Why do they want him to play 2b? A centerfielder of his caliber is much harder to come by.
Yap – Yolmer Sanchez gold glove not hit 2nd basemen available.
I recall reading that the Arizona FO may be concerned that Ketel Marte in particular may be more prone to leg injuries and/or wear-and-tear on his lower body playing in CF every day vs. 2B.
With all the shifts guys are playing all over the place.
Trade Marte for the other Marte.
I’ll bite – Marte was a 6.9 WAR player in 2019 finishing 4th in MVP votes making a bargain basement amount. You want to start with Josh Bell and keep going?
I love the comment section Editors in Chief. Inspires dialog as enjoyable as a bleeding hemorrhoid.
how bout Robbie Ray to the Braves for Inciarte & Bryse Wilson.
Gives Atlanta a mid rotation SP and gives the DBacks a starting CF and a pitching prospect with years of control.
I was thinking about Inciarte going back to AZ, too. However, Ray is not the guy. He’s had 1 really good year 3 years ago, and since has an ERA/FiP above 4.00 with a lot of K’s. He’s Folty with a higher floor and lower ceiling, and less control (more self-control?). We need an upgrade and he ain’t it.
Inciarte probably could be had in a stand-alone deal not involving Ray (or anyone else capable of any near-term MLB impact).
Hello everybody. It is time for Dodger baseball. Tonight’s game features Orel Bulldog Hershiser against some clown on the last place SF Giants. Hershiser toes the rubber and looks on as Scioscia wig wags his sign. Fastball in and hits Chili Davis in the protective cup and down he goes. Looks like Chili’s beans were pulverized by a 93 mph heater. Ouch that smarts. Oh no there is a fat SF fan streaking in the OF here at Candlestick Park. I believe it is young Buster Posey.
Wanted Mets to pursue Ketel Marte as an option for CF
Too bad Seattle didn’t trade him to the Mets probably would have gotten 15 of the top 30 prospects.
The D-Backs should offer the Pirates RHPers Malone & Kelly + 2 lower ranked position players SS Peguero & OF Patino for Marte & Kela., Their is a good chance the Pirates might take a package of A ball players since they are rebuilding and are looking to revamp the farm
I’m sure Bloom, the new RSox GM, would love to have had a 3 year $20 M contract to deal JBJ. To me that should be in JBJ’s best interest. If his consistent inconsistent bat continues he will be lucky to get a multi year contract with any team. His glove will only carry him this far–JBJ should be watching ,with interest, Brock Holt’s struggle to get signed.
What would the snakes give Seattle for Haniger? Forget about last year he was just starting to hit when he got his nuts pulverized Vin. He could be your CFer and Marte at 2nd. What kind of prospects you have and no OFers we have way too many.
It looks like snakes could either trade to have two Martes (Tuesday?) or two Bradleys. As a Mets’ fan, I’d rather trade for the one they have than the one on the Pirates, but I don’t see that happening.